Table of Contents
|
June 30, 2013
|
About Your Fund's Expenses
|
1
|
Top Holdings and Sector Breakdown
|
1
|
Portfolio of Investments
|
2
|
Statement of Assets & Liabilities
|
4
|
Statement of Operations
|
5
|
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
6
|
Financial Highlights
|
7
|
Notes to Financial Statements
|
8
|
Additional Information
|
10
|
Information Concerning Trustees and Officers
|
11
|
Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements
|
12
|
About Your Fund’s Expenses (Unaudited)
|
June 30, 2013
|
The Fund’s adviser, Shelton Capital Managment (“Shelton Capital”), believes it is important for you to understand the impact of costs on your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions, redemption fees, and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees and other Fund expenses. Operating expenses, which are deducted from the Fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of the Fund. The Fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets. This figure is known as the expense ratio. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the oncoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2013 to the June 30, 2013.
Actual Expenses
The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses you have paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the onging costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The Fund does not charge any sales charges. There is a redemption fee of 2% for shares of the Fund purchased that are held 90 days or less from the date of purchase.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional cost, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher. The calculations assume no shares were bought or sold during the period. Your actual costs may have been higher or lower, depending on the amount of your investment and the timing of any purchases or redemptions.
More information about the Fund’s expenses can be found in this report. For additional information on operating expenses and other shareholder costs, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
|
Beginning
Account Value
January 1, 2013
(in U.S. Dollars)
|
Ending
Account Value
June 30, 2013
(in U.S. Dollars)
|
Expenses Paid
During Period*
(in U.S. Dollars)
|
Actual
|
$1,000
|
$937
|
$11.41
|
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)
|
$1,000
|
$1,013
|
$11.86
|
*
|
Expenses are equal to the Fund’s net annual expense ratio of 2.38% (starting May 1, 2013 and ending June 1, 2014, Shelton Capital contractually reimburses expenses to the extent total annual fund operating expenses with the exception of extrordinary expenses exceed 1.75%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multipled by 181 days divided by 365 days to reflect the one-half year period.
|
Top Holdings and Sector Breakdowns (Unaudited)
|
June 30, 2013
|
|
Market Value
(in U.S. Dollars)
|
Percentage of Total Investment
|
|
1
|
TWD Semiconductor
|
$652,882
|
5.8%
|
2
|
China State Const.
|
579,388
|
5.1%
|
3
|
CHIPBOND Tech. Corp.
|
571,402
|
5.1%
|
4
|
China Construction H Shares
|
523,090
|
4.6%
|
5
|
Ind & Comm Bk China H Shares
|
512,577
|
4.5%
|
6
|
China Mobile HK Ltd
|
437,581
|
3.9%
|
7
|
Tencent Holdings Ltd
|
435,353
|
3.9%
|
8
|
The Link REIT
|
418,093
|
3.7%
|
9
|
Bank of China Ltd. H Shares
|
414,993
|
3.7%
|
10
|
Sun Hung Kai Ppty Lt
|
387,182
|
3.4%
|
Shelton Greater China Fund
Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)
June 30, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock (97.50%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic Materials (1.67%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chemicals (0.63%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kingboard Chemical
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
30,905 |
|
Sinopec Shanghai H Shares
|
|
|
124,000 |
|
|
|
41,568 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
72,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forest Products & Paper (0.78%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lee & Man Paper Mfg
|
|
|
39,000 |
|
|
|
23,231 |
|
Nine Dragons Paper
|
|
|
105,000 |
|
|
|
68,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining (0.18%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zijin Mining Group
|
|
|
116,000 |
|
|
|
20,490 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telecommunications (0.08%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Angang New Steel Co*
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
8,842 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Basic Materials
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
193,267 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Communications (10.50%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Internet (3.77%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tencent Holdings Ltd
|
|
|
11,100 |
|
|
|
435,353 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telecommunications (6.73%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China Mobile HK Ltd
|
|
|
41,900 |
|
|
|
437,581 |
|
Chunghwa Telecom Co
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
340,329 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
777,910 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Communications
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,213,263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer, Cyclical (6.61%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auto Manufacturers (1.21%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great Wall Motor Com H Shares
|
|
|
32,500 |
|
|
|
140,165 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home Furnishings (0.91%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haier Elect Group Co
|
|
|
66,000 |
|
|
|
105,177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lodging (2.86%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Formosa Intl Hotels
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
94,224 |
|
Sands China Ltd
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
235,623 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
329,847 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail (1.63%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intime Dept. Store
|
|
|
41,000 |
|
|
|
40,017 |
|
Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
148,916 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
188,933 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Consumer, Cyclical
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
764,122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumer, Non-Cyclical (3.91%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food (3.27%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uni-President Enterprises
|
|
|
49,100 |
|
|
|
95,674 |
|
Want Want China
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
281,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
377,261 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pharmaceuticals (0.64%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sinopharm Medicine
|
|
|
13,500 |
|
|
|
33,906 |
|
TTY Biopharm Co Ltd
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
40,439 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Consumer, Non-Cyclical
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
451,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diversified (0.29%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holding Companies-Divers (0.29%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wharf Holdings Ltd
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
$ |
33,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Diversified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy (5.20%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coal (0.67%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China Shenhua Energy H Shares
|
|
|
20,500 |
|
|
|
52,333 |
|
Fushan International
|
|
|
64,000 |
|
|
|
24,837 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,170 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy Alt. Sources (0.76%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China Longyuan Power H Shares
|
|
|
52,000 |
|
|
|
53,904 |
|
GCL Energy Holdings
|
|
|
156,000 |
|
|
|
33,589 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
87,493 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil & Gas (3.77%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China Petro. & Chem H Shares
|
|
|
130,000 |
|
|
|
91,516 |
|
CNOOC Ltd
|
|
|
137,000 |
|
|
|
232,453 |
|
PetroCHI Co Ltd H Shares
|
|
|
106,000 |
|
|
|
112,751 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
436,720 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Energy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
601,383 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial (37.33%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banks (16.18%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank of China Ltd H Shares
|
|
|
1,009,000 |
|
|
|
414,993 |
|
BOC Hong Kong Ltd
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
215,251 |
|
China Construction H Shares
|
|
|
739,000 |
|
|
|
523,089 |
|
Chongqing Rural Com H Shares
|
|
|
67,000 |
|
|
|
28,420 |
|
CNY Minsheng Banking H Share
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
26,911 |
|
Hang Seng Bank Ltd
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
147,885 |
|
Ind & Comm Bk China H Shares
|
|
|
813,000 |
|
|
|
512,576 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,869,127 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diversified Financial Services (3.55%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China Everbright Ltd
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
26,354 |
|
Fubon Financial Hldg
|
|
|
167,713 |
|
|
|
228,590 |
|
Hong Kong Exchanges
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
150,979 |
|
Mega Financial Hldg
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
4,554 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
410,477 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance (3.14%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AIA Group Ltd
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
211,770 |
|
China Life Ins Co H Shares
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
118,617 |
|
PICC Ppty & Casualty
|
|
|
28,860 |
|
|
|
32,558 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
362,945 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real Estate (14.46%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cheung Kong Holdings
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
339,090 |
|
China Overseas
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
209,901 |
|
China Resources Land Limited
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
38,267 |
|
Hysan Development Co
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
173,542 |
|
Kerry Properties Ltd
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
58,793 |
|
New World Developmnt
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
31,849 |
|
Sino-Ocean Land Hold
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
14,927 |
|
Sun Hung Kai Ppty Ltd
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
387,182 |
|
The Link REIT
|
|
|
85,000 |
|
|
|
418,092 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,671,644 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Financial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,314,193 |
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Shelton Greater China Fund
Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2013
|
Security Description
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
Industrial (9.01%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Building Materials (0.14%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BBMG Corporation H Shares
|
|
|
14,500 |
|
|
$ |
8,918 |
|
China Natl Building
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
7,169 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electrical Component & Equipment (0.52%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tianneng Power Intl
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
60,147 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electronics (0.33%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hon Hai Precision
|
|
|
15,638 |
|
|
|
38,611 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Engineering & Construction (5.02%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China State Construction
|
|
|
372,000 |
|
|
|
579,388 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Environmental Control (2.75%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China Everbright International Ltd
|
|
|
411,200 |
|
|
|
318,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous Manuf. (0.25%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fosun International
|
|
|
39,000 |
|
|
|
28,611 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Industrial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,040,944 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technology (15.63%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computers (2.52%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asustek Computer Inc
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
258,250 |
|
Lenovo Group Ltd
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
|
32,630 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
290,880 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Semiconductors (13.11%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHIPBOND Tech Corp
|
|
|
233,000 |
|
|
|
571,402 |
|
MediaTek Inc
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
290,698 |
|
TWD Semiconductor
|
|
|
176,284 |
|
|
|
652,882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,514,982 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Technology
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,805,862 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utilities (7.35%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electric (5.95%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China Resources Pwr
|
|
|
142,000 |
|
|
|
338,337 |
|
Huaneng Power Intl
|
|
|
92,000 |
|
|
|
91,098 |
|
Power Assets Hld Ltd
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
258,766 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
688,201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gas (1.40%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK & China Gas Co
|
|
|
66,000 |
|
|
|
161,340 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Utilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
849,541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Common Stock (Cost $9,909,177)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,267,803 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rights (0.00%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial (0.00%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New World Development Entitlement Rights*
|
|
|
288 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Rights and Warrants (Cost $0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments (Cost $9,909,177) (a) (97.50%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,267,803 |
|
Other Net Assets (2.50%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
289,169 |
|
Net Assets (100.00%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,556,972 |
|
*
|
Non-income producing security.
|
(a)
|
Tax cost and unrealized appreciation are only calculated as of fiscal year end. Net unrealized appreciation as of December 31, 2012 was $1,613,618.
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Shelton Greater China Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)
June 30, 2013
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
Investments in securities, at value (Notes 2)
|
|
|
|
Common stock (cost $9,909,177)
|
|
$ |
11,267,803 |
|
Rights and warrants (Cost $0)(a)
|
|
|
0 |
|
Total investment in securities at value (cost $9,909,177)
|
|
|
11,267,803 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
(11,379 |
) |
Foreign cash (cost $195,872)
|
|
|
195,641 |
|
Dividend receivable
|
|
|
124,749 |
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
18,207 |
|
Receivable from investment advisor
|
|
|
278 |
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
11,595,299 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Payable for fund shares repurchased
|
|
|
37,352 |
|
Accrued administration fees (Note 3)
|
|
|
975 |
|
Total liabilities
|
|
$ |
38,327 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets
|
|
$ |
11,556,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets consist of
|
|
|
|
|
Paid-in capital
|
|
|
27,251,015 |
|
Accumulated net investment income
|
|
|
365,662 |
|
Accumulated net realized loss
|
|
|
(17,418,203 |
) |
Unrealized net appreciation of investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
1,358,498 |
|
Net assets
|
|
$ |
11,556,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares outstanding ($0.001 per share par value, unlimited shares authorized)
|
|
|
1,731,983 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value per share
|
|
$ |
6.67 |
|
(a)
|
288 shares of New World Development Entitlement Rights
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Shelton Greater China Fund
Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
|
Investment income
|
|
|
|
Dividend income (net of foreign tax $14,255) (Note 1c, 1e)
|
|
$ |
218,020 |
|
Interest Income
|
|
|
21 |
|
Total investment income
|
|
|
218,041 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
Management fees (Note 3)
|
|
|
90,561 |
|
Legal, audit, and compliance fees (Note 3)
|
|
|
36,255 |
|
Custodian fees (Note 4)
|
|
|
24,979 |
|
Accounting services (Note 5)
|
|
|
16,352 |
|
Transfer agent fees (Note 5)
|
|
|
11,871 |
|
Administration fees (Note 3)
|
|
|
7,245 |
|
Printing
|
|
|
7,015 |
|
Registration
|
|
|
4,268 |
|
Trustees fees
|
|
|
1,283 |
|
Insurance
|
|
|
366 |
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
200,195 |
|
Less reimbursement from manager (Note 3)
|
|
|
(6,420 |
) |
Net expenses
|
|
|
193,775 |
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
24,266 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currencies (Note 1f)
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
425,443 |
|
Change in unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
(1,215,794 |
) |
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments and foreign currencies
|
|
|
(790,351 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
|
|
$ |
(766,085 |
) |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Shelton Greater China Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 and the Year Ended December 31, 2012
|
|
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2013
(Unaudited)
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
|
|
Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
$ |
24,266 |
|
|
|
$ |
304,935 |
|
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
|
425,443 |
|
|
|
|
(475,905 |
) |
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
|
(1,215,794 |
) |
|
|
|
4,864,023 |
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
|
|
|
(766,085 |
) |
|
|
|
4,693,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital share transactions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
|
|
|
|
(5,047,153 |
) |
|
|
|
(37,082,347 |
) |
Total capital share transactions
|
|
|
|
(5,047,153 |
) |
|
|
|
(37,082,347 |
) |
Net decrease in net assets
|
|
|
|
(5,813,238 |
) |
|
|
|
(32,389,294 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
|
17,370,210 |
|
|
|
|
49,759,504 |
|
End of period
|
|
|
$ |
11,556,972 |
|
|
|
$ |
17,370,210 |
|
Including undistributed net investment income (loss) of:
|
|
|
$ |
365,662 |
|
|
|
$ |
(341,396 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transactions in the Fund’s shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares sold
|
36,807
|
|
$ |
263,054 |
|
226,671
|
|
$ |
1,430,639 |
|
Shares repurchased
|
|
|
|
(5,310,207 |
)(b) |
|
|
|
(38,512,986 |
)(a) |
Net increase (decrease)
|
|
|
$ |
(5,047,153 |
) |
|
|
$ |
(37,082,347 |
) |
(a)
|
Net of redemption fees of $180,688
|
(b)
|
Net of redemption fees of $4
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Shelton Greater China Fund
Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
|
|
|
Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2013
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31 |
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
2011 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$ |
7.12 |
|
|
$ |
6.06 |
|
|
$ |
8.05 |
|
|
$ |
7.18 |
|
|
$ |
3.81 |
|
|
$ |
8.02 |
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss) (a)
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
0.15 |
|
Net gain (loss) on securities and translation of foreign currencies
(both realized and unrealized)
|
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
|
|
0.98 |
|
|
|
(1.88 |
) |
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
3.39 |
|
|
|
(4.37 |
) |
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
(2.02 |
) |
|
|
0.86 |
|
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
|
(4.22 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital stock transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share tender offer/repurchase (a)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
Paid in capital from redemption fee (a)
|
|
|
— |
(b) |
|
|
— |
(b) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total from capital stock transactions
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$ |
6.67 |
|
|
$ |
7.12 |
|
|
$ |
6.06 |
|
|
$ |
8.05 |
|
|
$ |
7.18 |
|
|
$ |
3.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment return:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value
|
|
|
(6.32 |
)%(f) |
|
|
17.49 |
% |
|
|
(24.72 |
)%(d) |
|
|
12.12 |
% |
|
|
88.45 |
% |
|
|
(52.49 |
)% |
Based on market price
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
19.50 |
% |
|
|
80.18 |
% |
|
|
(51.18 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000's)
|
|
$ |
11,557 |
|
|
$ |
17,370 |
|
|
$ |
49,760 |
|
|
$ |
85,630 |
|
|
$ |
84,592 |
|
|
$ |
49,720 |
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before expense reimbursement
|
|
|
2.76 |
%(g) |
|
|
2.17 |
% |
|
|
3.33 |
%(c) |
|
|
3.15 |
% |
|
|
2.80 |
% |
|
|
2.37 |
% |
After expense reimbursement
|
|
|
2.67 |
%(g) |
|
|
1.72 |
% |
|
|
3.33 |
%(c) |
|
|
3.15 |
% |
|
|
2.80 |
% |
|
|
2.37 |
% |
Ratio of net investment income
(loss) to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before expense reimbursement
|
|
|
0.25 |
%(g) |
|
|
0.71 |
% |
|
|
(1.88 |
)% |
|
|
(0.61 |
)% |
|
|
(0.64 |
)% |
|
|
2.29 |
% |
After expense reimbursement
|
|
|
0.33 |
%(g) |
|
|
1.16 |
% |
|
|
(1.88 |
)% |
|
|
(0.61 |
)% |
|
|
(0.64 |
)% |
|
|
2.29 |
% |
Portfolio turnover
|
|
|
6 |
%(f) |
|
|
81 |
%(e) |
|
|
206 |
%(e) |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
11 |
% |
|
|
22 |
% |
(a)
|
Calculated based upon average shares outstanding.
|
(b)
|
Less than $0.01 per share.
|
(c)
|
Ratio of extraordinary expenses to average net assets is 0.80%. Ratio of expenses to average net assets excluding impact of extraordinary fees is 2.53%.
|
(d)
|
2011 total investment return, calculated based upon the Fund’s operations as a closed-end fund for the period of January 1, 2011 to October 9, 2011 (investment return of (22.89%)) and upon the Fund’s operations as an open-end fund for the period of October 10, 2011 to December 31, 2011 (investment return of (2.10%)), would be (20.26%).
|
(e)
|
Effective June 13, 2011, the Fund expanded its primary geographic scope from the Republic of China (“Taiwan”) to the Greater China regions (this includes: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the People’s Republic of China) and has subsequently increased trading in the Greater China region. Porfolio turnover is high during the transition period and is not an indicator of future turnover rate.
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
Shelton Greater China Fund
|
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
June 30, 2013
|
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Shelton Greater China Fund (the “Fund” or the “Trust”), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified open-end management investment company. The Fund, formerly the Taiwan Greater China Fund, is a Massachusetts business trust formed in July 1988 and was previously registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Trust commenced operations in May 1989 as the R.O.C. Taiwan Fund. The R.O.C. Taiwan Fund changed its name to the Taiwan Greater China Fund on December 29, 2003 and the change became effective on the New York Stock Exchange on January 2, 2004.
As previously required by the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, if the Trust’s shares trade on the market at an average discount to net asset value per share (“NAV”) of more than 10% in any consecutive 12-week period, the Trust must submit to the shareholders for a vote at its next annual meeting a binding resolution that the Trust be converted from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Trust’s outstanding shares is required to approve such a conversion. Because the Trust’s shares traded at an average discount to NAV of more than 10% for the 12-week period ended December 4, 2009, the Trust’s shareholders were asked to consider the conversion of the Trust to an open-end investment company at the Trust’s 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2010 Annual Meeting”).
On May 27, 2011, shareholders of the Taiwan Greater China Fund voted to approve Shelton Capital Management (“Shelton Capital” or the “Adviser”), an institutional investment management firm based in San Francisco and Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“NAM Tokyo”), an investment management company headquartered in Tokyo, as the Trust’s investment adviser and sub-adviser, respectively. Shareholders also voted to approve the Fund’s conversion from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company in 2011. Shelton Capital became the Fund’s investment adviser on June 12, 2011. Shareholders also voted to approve an amendment to the investment objective and an investment policy of the Trust to expand the primary geographic scope of the Trust’s investments from the Republic of China to the Greater China region. As a result, the Taiwan Greater China Fund changed its name to the Shelton Greater China Fund, effective as of June 13, 2011.
As a result of the shareholders’ approval to convert the Fund from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company, on August 4, 2011, the Trust filed a Registration Statement on Form N-1A in connection with registering its shares for a continuous offering as an open-end fund. On October 10, 2011, Shelton Greater China Fund converted from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company, and as of December 31, 2011 began using US dollars as the functional currency. Prior to this, the Fund used New Taiwan dollars as the functional currency.
(a) Basis of Presentation — The accompanying financial statements of the Trust have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
(b) Federal Income Taxes — No provision is considered necessary for federal income taxes. The Funds intend to qualify for and elect the tax treatments applicable to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code and to distribute all of its taxable income to shareholders.
The Trust had $16,882,968 of capital loss carryforward as of December 31, 2012. The capital loss carryforward may be used to offset future capital gains generated by the Trust, and if unused, $3,691,414 of such loss will expire on December 31, 2013 and $10,930,578 of such loss will expire on December 31, 2017. Capital loss carryforward of $2,260,976 retains its original character as short term and has no expiration date.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require certain components of net assets be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. Temporary book to tax differences are primarily due to differing treatments for certain foreign currency losses and the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. For the year ended December 31, 2012, permanent differences resulting from different book and tax accounting for net operating losses, differing treatments of the Trust’s gains from the disposition of passive foreign investment company shares and foreign currency losses were reclassified to paid-in capital, undistributed net investment income/loss and accumulated realized gain/loss as follows:
Decrease of paid-in capital
|
|
$ |
(40,494,388 |
) |
Increase of undistributed net investment income
|
|
|
2,138,246 |
|
Increase of accumulated (loss)
|
|
|
(2,138,246 |
) |
Cumulative translation adjustment
|
|
|
40,494,388 |
|
As of December 31, 2012, the components of distributable earnings and accumulated gains/losses on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed net investment income
|
|
$ |
341,396 |
|
Accumulated losses
|
|
|
(16,882,968 |
) |
Unrealized appreciation
|
|
|
1,613,614 |
|
Total accumulated earnings (losses)
|
|
$ |
(14,927,958 |
) |
(c) Foreign Taxes — The Republic of China levies a tax at the rate of 20% on cash dividends and interest and 20% based on par value of stock dividends received by the Trust on investments in the Republic of China securities. The People’s Republic of China levies a tax at the rate of 10% on cash dividends and interest. A securities transaction tax of 0.3% of the fair value of stocks sold or transferred in Republic of China securities is levied.
(d) Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years (2009- 2011), or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2012 tax returns. The Fund identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal, however the Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.
(e) Security Transactions, Investment Income, Income and Distributions to Shareholders — Security transactions are recorded on the date the transactions are entered into (the trade date). Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis as it is earned. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for, in accordance with the Trust’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. For the period ended June 30, 2013, there were no distributions made to shareholders.
(f) Foreign Currency Translation — Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions.
The Trust does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the company’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
(g) Concentration — The Trust concentrates its investments in publicly traded equities issued by corporations located in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Singapore. The portfolio involves considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. In addition, the Trust is more susceptible to factors adversely affecting the economies of those countries than a fund not concentrated in these issuers to the same extent.
Shelton Greater China Fund
|
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
|
June 30, 2013
|
Since the Trust’s investment securities are primarily denominated in New Taiwan Dollars (“NT$”) and Hong Kong Dollars (“HKD”), changes in the relationships of the NT$ and the HKD to the USD may also significantly affect the value of the investments and the earnings of the Trust.
(h) Use of Estimates in Financial Statements — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements, financial highlights and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
(i) Balance Sheet — In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01 Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This update gives additional clarification to the FASB ASU No. 2011-11 Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance requires retrospective application for all comparative periods presented. Management is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2013-01 will have on the financial statement disclosures.
NOTE 2 – SECURITY VALUATION
Common stocks represent securities that are traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or the Taiwan over-the-counter market or Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Securities traded on a principal securities exchange are valued at the closing price on such exchange. Short-term investments are valued at NAV or at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are, or if a development/event occurs that may significantly impact the value of a security may be, fair-valued in good faith pursuant to procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
Fair Value Measurements — The Fund utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of most of its investments on a recurring basis. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of inputs are:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the company has the ability to access.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Trust’s securities at June 30, 2013 using the fair value hierarchy:
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Investments, in securities
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Common stocks (b)
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$ |
11,267,803 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
11,267,803 |
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Total investments in securities
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$ |
11,267,803 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
11,267,803 |
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(a)
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There were transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 and no transfers in or out of Level 3 during the period ended June 30, 2013.
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(b)
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For a detailed breakout of common stocks by major industry classification, please refer to the Portfolio of Investments.
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Significant transfers into and out of each level of the fair value hierarchy for assets measured at fair value for the period ended June 30, 2013 are as follows:
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Transfers (out) of Level 1
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Transfers (out) of Level 2
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Investments in securities
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Common stocks (c)
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$ |
10,581,360 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
— |
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|
$ |
(10,581,360 |
) |
Total investments in securities
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$ |
10,581,360 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
(10,581,360 |
) |
(c)
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Transfers were made back to Level 1 from Level 2 when the change in the S&P closing price was within the pre-determined threshold established by the Advisor.
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NOTE 3 – INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Trust entered into an advisory agreement with Shelton Capital on June 12, 2011. Pursuant to its advisory agreement with the Trust, Shelton Capital is responsible for supervising investments of the Trust, and makes available all services needed for the management, administration and operation of the Trust. The Trust pays Shelton Capital a fee at the per annum rate of 1.25% of the NAV of the Trust’s assets.
The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the Trust to the extent that total annual operating expenses (excluding extraordinary expenses) exceed 1.98% of the average net assets of the Trust from May 1, 2013 to June 1, 2014. Any such reimbursement is subject to the review and approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Reimbursement from the Adviser for the period ended June 30, 2013 is $19,082.
Effective October 10, 2011, Shelton Capital provides administrative services for the Trust. As compensation for administrative duties not covered by the advisory agreement, Shelton Capital received an administration fee based on asset held by the Trust at rate of 0.10% on the first $500 million, 0.08% on the next $500 million, and 0.06% on assets over $1 billion.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also affiliated with Shelton Capital. Teresa K. Axelson has served as the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of the Trust since November 2011. Ms. Axelson is also employed by Shelton Capital, the Advisor and Administrator to the Trust. The Trust is responsible for the portion of her salary allocated to her duties as the CCO of the Trust and Shelton Capital was reimbursed by the Trust for this portion of her salary.
NOTE 4 – CUSTODIAN FEE
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”) has provided custodian services for the Trust since October 2004. There is a monthly minimum fee charge of $4,167.
NOTE 5 – TRANSFER AGENT FEES AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES EXPENSE
ALPS Fund Services Inc. provides fund accounting and transfer agency services for the Trust effective October 10, 2011.
NOTE 6 – INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES
For the period ended June 30, 2013, aggregate purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, were $894,981 and $5,948,203 respectively.
Shelton Greater China Fund
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Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
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June 30, 2013
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NOTE 7 – OTHER ANNOUNCEMENT
Effective July 19, 2013 Brown Brothers and Harriman resigned as custodian of the Fund and U.S. Bank assumed the role of custodian.
NOTE 8 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events through the date the Financial Statements were issued.
Shelton Greater China Fund
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Additional Information (Unaudited)
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June 30, 2013
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Proxy Voting Policy
The Trust’s policy with regard to voting stocks held in its portfolio is to vote in accordance with the recommendations of Glass, Lewis & Co., unless the Trust’s portfolio manager recommends to the contrary, in which event the decision as to how to vote will be made by the Board. A more detailed description of those policies is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2013 is available on the SEC’s website.
Portfolio Holdings
The Fund holdings shown in this report are as of June 30, 2013. Holdings are subject to change at any time, so holdings shown in the report may not reflect current Fund holdings. The Fund files complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F. Street N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1(800) SEC-0330.
Portfolio holdings will be made available by the Fund’s administrator as of the month end, calendar quarter end, and fiscal quarter end by releasing the information to rating agencies. Shareholders may contact the Fund at (800) 955-9988 for a copy of this report.
Information Concerning Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
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Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
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Position(s) Held with
the Trust
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Term of
Office and Length of
Time Served
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Principal
Occupation(s)
During the Past
Five Years
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Other Positions with Affiliated Persons of
the Trust
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Other Business Experience
and Other Directorships Held
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Non-Interested Trustees
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Kevin T. Kogler
P.O. Box 387
San Francisco, CA 94104
(2/21/66)
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Trustee and Audit Committee Member
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Trustee since June 2011
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President & CEO, MicroBiz LLC, since 2012; President, CAM Commerce Solutions LLC 2010-2012; Principal, Robertson Piper Software Group, 2006-2012
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Trustee, Shelton Funds, since 2006, 12 portfolios overseen
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Experience in investment banking, and technology industry; M.B.A.; Senior Vice President, Investment Banking, Friedman, Billings Ramsey, 2003-2006; Director, Technology Investment Banking, Salomon Smith Barney, 2001-2003; Vice President, Technology Investment Banking, CS First Boston / Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, 1997-2001.
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James W. Miller, Jr.
P.O. Box 387
San Francisco, CA 94104
(5/28/66)
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Trustee
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Trustee since June 2011
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Director, RREEF, since prior to 2007
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Trustee, Shelton Funds, since 2001, 12 portfolios overseen
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Experience in real estate in both law and business; J.D.; Executive Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc., 1999-2006; Associate, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (law firm), 1996-1999; Associate, Gordon & Rees LLP (law firm), 1992-1993
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Steven H. Sutro
P.O. Box 387
San Francisco, CA 94104
(4/9/69)
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Trustee and Audit Committee Member
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Trustee since June 2011
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Partner, Duane Morris LLP (law firm), since prior to 2007
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Trustee, Shelton Funds, since 2006, 12 portfolios overseen
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Experience in law and securities regulations; J.D; Associate, Duane Morris LLP (law firm), 2000-2002; Associate, Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft LLP (law firm), 1994-1999
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Interested Trustee
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Stephen R. Rogers
P.O. Box 387
San Francisco, CA 94104
(6/27/66)
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Trustee, President
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President, Chairman since June 2011
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Chief Executive Officer, Shelton Capital Management since prior to 2006; Portfolio Manager and President of the Shelton Funds, since prior to 2007
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President, Chairman & Trustee, Shelton Funds, since 1998
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Chief Executive Officer, ETS Spreads since 2008
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Officers
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Teresa K. Axelson
P.O. Box 387
San Francisco, CA 94104
(12/4/47)
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Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary
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Chief Compliance Officer since November 2011; Secretary August 2012
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Vice President-Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer, Securities Management and Research, Inc., SM&R Investments, Inc. and American National Investment Accounts, Inc., since prior to 2007
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Chief Compliance Officer since November 2011, Shelton Capital Management
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N/A
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William Mock
P.O. Box 387
San Francisco, CA 94104
(12/29/66)
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Treasurer
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Treasurer since June 2011
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Portfolio Manager, Shelton Capital Management, since 2010
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Treasurer, Shelton Funds, since 2010
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Head Trader, TKI Capital Management 2003-2006
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Shelton Greater China Fund
Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2013
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The 1940 Act requires that the full Boards and a majority of the Independent Trustees annually approve the continuation of the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 12, 2010 between Shelton Greater China Fund and CCM Partners D/B/A Shelton Capital Management (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), with respect to the Fund. At a meeting held in-person on February 14, 2013, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees on behalf of the Shelton Greater China Fund (the “Fund”), considered and approved the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund with CCM Partners D/B/A Shelton Capital Management (“SCM”) for an additional one-year period ending March 31, 2014.
Prior to the meeting, the Independent Trustees requested information from SCM. This information, together with other information provided by SCM, and the information provided to the Independent Trustees throughout the course of the year, formed the primary (but not exclusive) basis for the Board’s determinations as summarized below. In addition to the information identified above, other material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board’s subsequent approval are described below.
Information Received
Materials Received. During the course of each year, the Independent Trustees receive a wide variety of materials relating to the services provided by SCM, including reports on the Fund’s investment results; portfolio composition; third party fund rankings; investment strategy; portfolio trading practices; shareholder services; and other information relating to the nature, extent and quality of services provided by SCM to the Fund. In addition, the Board requests and reviews supplementary information that includes materials regarding the Fund’s investment results, advisory fee and expense comparisons, the costs of operating the Fund and financial and profitability information regarding CCM (the principal business activity of which is managing the Fund), description of various functions such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and information about the personnel providing investment management services to the Fund.
Review Process. The Board received assistance and advice regarding legal and industry standards from independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. The Board discussed the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement both with SCM representatives and in a private session with independent legal counsel at which representatives of SCM were not present. In deciding to approve the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees considered the total mix of information requested by and made available to them and did not identify any single issue or particular information that, in isolation, was the controlling factor. This summary describes the most important, but not all, of the factors considered by the Board.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
SCM, its personnel and its resources. The Board considered the depth and quality of SCM’s investment management process; the experience, capability and integrity of its senior management and other personnel; operating performance and the overall financial strength and stability of its organization. The Board also considered that SCM made available to its investment professionals a variety of resources relating to investment management, compliance, trading, performance and portfolio accounting. The Board further considered SCM’s continuing need to attract and retain qualified personnel and, noting SCM’s additions over recent years, determined that SCM was adequately managing matters related to the Fund.
Other Services. The Board considered, in connection with the performance of its investment management services to the Fund, the following: SCM’s policies, procedures and systems to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and its commitment to these programs; its efforts to keep the Trustees informed; and its attention to matters that may involve conflicts of interest with the Fund. As a point of comparison, the Board also considered the nature, extent, quality and cost of certain non-investment related administrative services provided by SCM to the Fund under the administration servicing agreements.
The Board concluded that SCM had the quality and depth of personnel and investment methods essential to performing its duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and that the nature, extent and overall quality of such services are satisfactory and reliable.
Investment Performance
The Board considered the Fund’s investment results in comparison to its stated investment objectives. The Trustees reviewed the short-term and long-term performance of the Fund on both an absolute basis and in comparison to benchmark indices. The Trustees also reviewed Morningstar rankings for the Fund, as applicable. In assessing performance of the Fund, the Trustees took into consideration the fact that Fund performance is expected to mirror the appropriate benchmark as closely as possible given certain practical constraints imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund’s investment restrictions, the Fund’s size and similar factors. Among the factors considered in this regard was that the Shelton Greater China Fund’s performance was in the third quartile over the 1 and 3-year periods, the fourth quartile for the 5-year period and the bottom quartile for the10-year period.
The Board received a satisfactory explanation of the reasons underlying the performance of the Fund and SCM articulated a strategy for improving performance of the Fund. The Board ultimately concluded that SCM’s performance record in managing the Fund was satisfactory supporting the determination that SCM’s continued management under the Investment Advisory Agreement would be consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
Management Fees and Total Operating Expenses
The Board reviewed the management fees and total operating expenses of the Fund and compared such amounts with the management fees and total operating expenses of other funds in the industry that are found within the same style category, or peer group, as defined by Bloomberg. The Board considered the advisory fees and total fees and expenses of the Fund in comparison to the advisory fees and other fees and expenses of other funds in the Fund’s relevant peer group. The Trustees considered both the gross advisory fee rates, as well as the effective advisory rates charged by SCM after taking into consideration the expense limitation arrangements and voluntary fee waivers. The Board noted the voluntary advisory fee limitation that SCM had put into effect with respect to the Fund.
Adviser, Costs, Level of Profits, Economies of Scale and Ancillary Benefits
The Board reviewed information regarding SCM’s costs of providing services to the Fund, as well as the resulting level of profits to SCM. The Independent Trustees received financial and other information from SCM, in addition to a representation from SCM that its profits were not excessive and that SCM’s profitability was low by industry standards. The Board noted the reduction in advisory fees received by SCM as a result of the reduction in assets under management in recent years due to market events. The Board noted its intention to continue to monitor assets under management, and the resulting impact on SCM’s profitability, in order to ensure that SCM has sufficient resources to continue to provide the services that shareholders in the Fund require. The Board considered SCM’s need to invest in technology, data services, infrastructure and staff to provide the expected quality of investment advisory services to the Fund. The Trustees also noted that SCM has contractually agreed to limit its advisory fees on the Fund so that the Fund does not exceed its respective specified operating expense limitations, and that SCM has imposed a voluntary fee limitation. Such voluntary fee limitation may be decreased or eliminated by SCM upon approval of the Board. The Board also considered that SCM does not receive substantial indirect benefits from managing the Funds
Shelton Greater China Fund
Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2013
|
(one example of an indirect benefit is research paid for by Fund brokerage commissions – SCM currently does not seek to supplement its fees with such “soft dollar” benefits). On the basis of the foregoing, together with the other information provided to it at the February 14, 2013 meeting and throughout the year, the Board concluded that the Fund’s cost structure was reasonable.
Conclusions
Based on their review, including but not limited to their consideration of each of the factors referred to above, the Board concluded that the Investment Advisory Agreement, taking into account the separate administration fees, is and would be fair and reasonable to the Fund and its shareholders, that the Fund’s shareholders received or should receive reasonable value in return for the advisory fees and other amounts paid to SCM by the Fund, and that the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.