2014 Annual Management Report of Fund Performance

Transcription

1 (the Fund ) For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2014 (the period ) Manager: BMO Investments Inc. (the Manager or BMOII ) Portfolio Manager: BMO Asset Management Inc. (the portfolio manager ) 2014 Annual Management Report of Fund Performance This annual management report of fund performance contains financial highlights but does not contain the complete annual financial statements of the Fund. If the annual financial statements of the Fund do not accompany the mailing of this report, you may obtain a copy of the annual financial statements at your request, and at no cost, by calling , by writing to us at BMO Investments Inc., 1 First Canadian Place, 43rd Floor, 100 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1A1 or by visiting our website at or SEDAR at You may also contact us using one of these methods to request a copy of the Fund s proxy voting policies and procedures, proxy voting disclosure record and/or quarterly portfolio disclosure. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE Investment Objective and Strategies The Fund s objective is to achieve long-term capital growth consistent with the preservation of capital by investing primarily in equity securities of large Canadian companies that have long-term growth potential or that pay or are expected to pay above-average dividends. Risk No changes affecting the overall level of risk associated with investing in the Fund were made during the period. The risks of this Fund remain as discussed in the Fund s most recent simplified prospectus or any amendments and fund facts. Results of Operations During the period, the Fund s total net asset value decreased from approximately $242 million to approximately $222 million. Advisor Series units of the Fund returned 9.63% versus the Fund s benchmark, the S&P/TSX Compposite Total Return Index, which returned 10.55%. Please see the Past Performance section for information on the performance returns of the Fund s other series. During the period, Canadian equities, as represented by the S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index ( S&P/TSX ), were up 10.6% in 2014, the second best region in the Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Index. The Canadian economy modestly exceeded expectations with full-year growth likely at 2.3%, largely in line with U.S. economic performance. Canada s economy was buoyed by continued strength in consumer spending and improving export performance as a result of a lower Canadian dollar. In terms of equity markets, the commodities-based sectors were the weakest performing, and only negative, sectors across the S&P/TSX during the year, with Energy down 4.8% and Materials down 2.6%. The Energy sector, along with the price of oil (as represented by the West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) benchmark), rose in the first six months of the year and then fell sharply in the last six months. Oil prices dropped both before and after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) meeting on November 27, 2014, when, contrary to expectations, OPEC announced that it did not intend to cut production to rebalance global supply and demand. The performance of stocks with exposure to the U.S. was an area of strength in the S&P/TSX. Canadian companies that incur costs in Canadian dollars but earn revenues in U.S. dollars benefitted significantly as the U.S. dollar appreciated meaningfully versus the Canadian dollar during the period. Finally, there was surprising strength in the performance of Defensive sector stocks, particularly those in the Consumer Staples sector, which was the top performing sector of the period. Defensive stocks benefitted from their safe haven status as investors avoided the volatile commodity sectors and favoured the greater earnings stability available in sectors such as Consumer Staples. Contributing to the Fund s performance during the period was its overweight allocation to the Consumer Staples sector, the top-performing sector of 2014, and its underweight allocation to the Materials sector. Significant individual contributors to the Fund s performance included

2 Veresen Inc. and Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. The Fund held an overweight position in Veresen Inc., whose stock rose over 3 as the company moved closer to receiving regulatory approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for their proposed Jordan Cove LNG project. Shares of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. rose 82% as the company successfully integrated one of its 2012 purchases and completed the acquisition of The Pantry Inc. Having an underweight allocation to the Consumer Discretionary sector and an overweight position in the Energy sector detracted from the Fund s performance. Significant individual detractors from the Fund s performance included Aecon Group Inc., North American Energy Partners Inc. and Canadian Western Bank, which were negatively affected by declining oil prices. During the period, the portfolio manager eliminated the Fund s position in Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited after the company announced a credit card partnership with The Bank of Nova Scotia. The Fund s exposure to the Energy sector was reduced with the trimming of positions in Aecon Group Inc., North American Energy Partners Inc. and Canadian Western Bank. New positions in Allergan, Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited and Gilead Sciences, Inc. were added to the Fund, increasing its Health Care sector weighting. The portfolio manager also added to the Fund s existing position in Agrium Inc., a leading global retail supplier of agricultural products and services and a wholesale producer of agricultural nutrients. Agrium Inc. is expected to experience strong growth from their wholesale nitrogen and potash business. The Manager confirms that the Fund did not borrow money during the period. Recent Developments The portfolio manager believes that, given the strong share price gains in 2014, gains in the coming period will be slightly more muted. The portfolio manager remains positive on non-cyclical Canadian equities as earnings growth is expected to continue and central banks accommodative monetary policies should continue to support equities. With the near-term outlook that crude oil prices will remain low, the Fund is positioned with underweight allocations to the Materials and Energy sectors. The portfolio manager s view on security selection is to focus on companies whose valuations can benefit from operational improvements, companies deploying capital through mergers and acquisitions and companies committed to returning cash to shareholders through dividends. Significant Accounting Changes Resulting from our Adoption of IFRS Effective January 1, 2014, the Fund adopted International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRS ) as its basis of accounting. The annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 are the first set of annual financial statements prepared on an IFRS basis. The adjustments made to reflect the impact of the change from Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ( Canadian GAAP ) to IFRS are presented in note 8 to the financial statements. Key changes to the financial statements as a result of the implementation of IFRS are: Statement of Financial Position replaced the Statement of Net Assets: - The Fund s unitholders investments in the units of the Fund did not qualify for equity classification under IFRS and have been classified as a financial liability for financial reporting purposes. - Classification of financial instruments: derivatives and short positions have been classified as held for trading while all other financial instruments have been designated as fair valued through profit and loss. Following adoption of IFRS by the Fund for financial reporting purposes, the Fund now fair values its investment securities traded on an exchange at close price, which is determined as the price within the bid ask range that represents the best estimate of fair value. Statement of Comprehensive Income replaced Statement of Operations: - The Fund accounts for interest income using the effective interest rate method, rather than the coupon method previously used under Canadian GAAP. Statement of Changes in Net Assets Attributable to Holders of Redeemable Units replaced the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and the Fund now presents a Statement of Cash Flows. Other notable changes to the financial statement notes include additional or enhanced information in the notes to the financial statements, including a more detailed note and reconciliation on the Fund s transition from Canadian GAAP to IFRS.

3 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS BMO Investments Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal ( BMO ), is the Manager of the Fund. From time to time, the Manager may, on behalf of the Fund, enter into transactions or arrangements with, or involving, other members of BMO Financial Group, or certain other persons or companies that are related or connected to the Manager (each a Related Party ). The purpose of this section is to provide a brief description of any transaction involving the Fund and a Related Party. Buying and Selling Securities Investing in Equity and/or Non-Government Debt Securities Underwritten by BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. During the period, the Manager relied on an approval and standing instruction provided by the Fund s Independent Review Committee ( IRC ) to enable the Fund to make an investment in a class of non-government debt securities and/or equity securities of an issuer during the period of distribution of those securities to the public and/or the 60-day period following the distribution period where BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., an affiliate of the Manager, acted as an underwriter in the distribution (each investment, a Related Party Transaction ). In accordance with the IRC s approval and standing instruction, in making a decision to cause the Fund to make a Related Party Transaction, the Manager and portfolio manager of the Fund, are required to comply with the Manager s written policies and procedures governing the Related Party Transaction and report periodically to the IRC, describing each instance that the Manager and/or portfolio manager relied on the approval and standing instruction and its compliance or non-compliance with the governing policies and procedures. The governing policies and procedures are designed to ensure the Related Party Transaction (i) is made free from any influence of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. or an associate or affiliate of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and without taking into account any considerations relevant to BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. or an associate or affiliate of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., (ii) represents the business judgment of the portfolio manager, uninfluenced by considerations other than the best interests of the Fund, and (iii) achieves a fair and reasonable result for the Fund. Portfolio Manager The Fund s portfolio manager is BMO Asset Management Inc. ( BMOAM ), an affiliate of the Manager. BMOAM provides portfolio management services to the Fund. BMOAM receives from the Fund a management fee based on assets under management, calculated daily and payable monthly. Brokerage Commissions The Fund pays standard brokerage commissions at market rates to BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., an affiliate of the Manager, for executing a portion of its trades. The brokerage commissions charged to the Fund (excluding exchange and other fees) during the periods indicated, were as follows: Period ended Period ended Dec. 31, 2014 Dec. 31, 2013 ($) ($) Total brokerage commissions $ 154, ,000 Brokerage commissions paid to BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. $ 3,939 1,200 Administration Services The Manager and other members of BMO Financial Group provide the Fund with certain administration services, such as those relating to fund accounting, record keeping, order processing, issuing and distributing account statements and general administrative support. Further details about the Fund s administration fees can be found in the Fund s most recent simplified prospectus. The expenses charged to the Fund in respect of such services during the period amounted to $51,270 (2013 $443,129). Distribution Services The Manager markets and distributes the Fund through Bank of Montreal branches and/or (depending on the series) through registered dealers and brokers, including BMO InvestorLine Inc. and BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., both affiliates of the Manager. The Manager pays to these affiliates a service fee called a trailing commission based on the average daily value of the units and/or shares that are held in investor accounts. This service fee is paid monthly or quarterly and varies by purchase option and by series.

4 Management Fees The Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the business and operations of the Fund. The Manager monitors and evaluates the Fund s performance, pays for the investment advice provided by the Fund s portfolio manager and provides certain administrative services required by the Fund. As compensation for its services, the Manager is entitled to receive a management fee payable monthly, calculated based on the daily net asset value of each series of the Fund at the maximum annual rate set out in the table below. As a Percentage of Management Fees General Maximum Annual Administration, Management Dealer Investment Fee Rate* Compensation Advice and Profit % % % Series A Units Advisor Series Units Series F Units Series D Units Series I Units Series NBA Units Series NBF Units * For Series I Units, separate Series I fees are negotiated and paid by each Series I investor. Because the Manager pays no distribution, service or trailing fees on Series I Units, Series I Units will have lower Series I fees than the management fees for Advisor Series Units. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The following tables show selected key financial information about the Fund and are intended to help you understand the Fund s financial performance for the periods indicated. The Fund s Net Assets per Unit (1) Series A Units Apr. 8, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014 Net assets, beginning of period $ 10.00)* Total revenue $ 0.19 Total expenses (2) $ for the period $ 0.92 for the period $ from operations (3) $ (excluding dividends) $ From dividends $ From capital gains $ 0.35 Return of capital $ Total annual distributions (4) $ 0.35 Net assets, end of period $ Advisor Series Units ) Net assets, beginning of period $ )* Total revenue $ Total expenses (2) $ for the period $ for the period $ from operations (3) $ (excluding dividends) $ From dividends $ From capital gains $ 0.61 Return of capital $ Total annual distributions (4) $ 0.61 Net assets, end of period $ Series F Units Net assets, beginning of period $ )* Total revenue $ Total expenses (2) $ for the period $ for the period $ from operations (3) $ (excluding dividends) $ From dividends $ From capital gains $ 0.68 Return of capital $ Total annual distributions (4) $ 0.68 Net assets, end of period $ (5) (5) )

5 Series D Units Apr. 8, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014 Net assets, beginning of period $ 10.00)* Total revenue $ 0.19 Total expenses (2) $ for the period $ 0.86 for the period $ from operations (3) $ (excluding dividends) $ From dividends $ From capital gains $ 0.29 Return of capital $ Total annual distributions (4) $ 0.29 Net assets, end of period $ Series I Units Net assets, beginning of period $ Total revenue $ Total expenses (2) $ for the period $ for the period $ from operations (3) $ (excluding dividends) $ 0.01 From dividends $ From capital gains $ Return of capital $ Total annual distributions (4) $ Net assets, end of period $ Series NBA Units Net assets, beginning of period $ Total revenue $ Total expenses (2) $ for the period $ for the period $ from operations (3) $ (excluding dividends) $ From dividends $ From capital gains $ Return of capital $ 0.00 Total annual distributions (4) $ Net assets, end of period $ Series NBF Units Net assets, beginning of period $ Total revenue $ Total expenses (2) $ for the period $ for the period $ from operations (3) $ (excluding dividends) $ From dividends $ From capital gains $ Return of capital $ 0.00 Total annual distributions (4) $ Net assets, end of period $ * Initial net assets. (1) The information is derived from the Fund s audited annual financial statements. The financial information presented for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is derived from the financial statements determined in accordance with IFRS. Information for years prior to January 1, 2013 is derived from prior period financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. An explanation of these differences can be found in the notes to the Fund s financial statements. (2) Includes commissions and portfolio transaction costs. Prior to 2013, withholding taxes were not included in expenses as they were included in revenue. (3) Net assets and distributions are based on the actual number of units outstanding at the relevant time. The increase/decrease from operations is based on the weighted average number of units outstanding over the financial period. This table is not intended to be a reconciliation of beginning to ending net assets per unit. (4) Distributions were paid in cash or reinvested in additional units of the Fund, or both, where applicable. (5) The information shown in this column is for the period beginning December 23, 2013 (the series inception date) and ending December 31, 2013.

6 Ratios and Supplemental Data Series A Units Apr. 8, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014 Total net asset value (000s) (1) $ 829 outstanding (000s) (1) 83 (2) % 2.22 before waivers or absorptions % 2.24 Trading expense ratio (3) % 0.07 Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Advisor Series Units Total net asset value (000s) (1) $ outstanding (000s) (1) 11 0 (2) % before waivers or absorptions % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Series F Units Total net asset value (000s) (1) $ outstanding (000s) (1) 10 0 (2) % before waivers or absorptions % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Series D Units Apr. 8, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014 Total net asset value (000s) (1) $ 85 outstanding (000s) (1) 8 (2) % 1.18 before waivers or absorptions % 1.37 Trading expense ratio (3) % 0.07 Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ (5) ) (5) ) Series I Units Total net asset value (000s) (1) $ 43,206 42,590 38,911 40,168 45,482 outstanding (000s) (1) 1,795 1,754 1,929 2,045 1,893 + % before waivers or absorptions + % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Series NBA Units Total net asset value (000s) (1) $ 174, , , , ,352 outstanding (000s) (1) 7,471 8,412 11,360 14,809 16,561 (2) % before waivers or absorptions % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Series NBF Units Total net asset value (000s) (1) $ 3,127 3,253 4,705 5,382 6,266 outstanding (000s) (1) (2) % before waivers or absorptions % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Operating expenses are paid by BMOII and management fees are paid directly to BMOII as negotiated with the investor. (1) This information is provided as at December 31 of the period shown. (2) The management expense ratio of a particular series is calculated based on all expenses allocated to the series, as applicable, including all taxes and interest expenses but excluding brokerage commissions and other portfolio transaction costs, divided by the average daily net asset value of that series, annualized. BMOII may reduce the effective management fees payable by some unitholders by reducing the management fees it charges to the Fund and directing the Fund to make management fees distributions to these unitholders in amounts equal to the amounts of the management fees reduction. The management expense ratio does not take into account the reduction in management fees due to management fees distributions to unitholders. (3) BMOII absorbed certain expenses or waived certain fees otherwise payable by a series. In doing so, BMOII attempts to maintain the overall MER of the Fund at a relatively consistent level. BMOII may discontinue the absorption or waiver at any time. (3) The trading expense ratio represents the total commissions and other portfolio transaction costs expressed as an annualized percentage of daily average net asset value during the period. (4) The Fund s portfolio turnover rate indicates how actively the Fund s portfolio manager manages its portfolio investments. A portfolio turnover rate of 10 is equivalent to the Fund buying and selling all of the securities in its portfolio once in the course of the year. The higher a fund s portfolio turnover rate in a year, the greater the trading costs payable by the Fund in the year, and the greater the chance of an investor receiving taxable capital gains in the year. There is not necessarily a relationship between a high turnover rate and the performance of a fund. (5) The information shown in this column is for the period beginning December 23, 2013 (the series inception date) and ending December 31, 2013.

7 PAST PERFORMANCE Advisor Series Units The Fund s performance information assumes that all distributions made by the Fund in the periods shown were used to purchase additional units or shares of the Fund and is based on the net asset value of the Fund. The performance information does not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or other optional charges that, if applicable, would have reduced returns or performance. Please remember, how the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how it will perform in the future (2) The returns of each series may differ from one another for a number of reasons, including if the series was not issued and outstanding for the entire reporting period and because of the different levels of fees and expenses allocated and payable by each series. On December 15, 2013, Class A, Class F and Class I of BMO Nesbitt Burns Canadian Stock Selection Fund (the Terminating Fund ) merged into Series NBA, Series NBF and Series I, respectively, of BMO Canadian Stock Selection Fund (the Continuing Fund ). Pursuant to exemptive relief issued in connection with the merger transaction, securities regulators approved the performance of the Terminating Fund s classes to be carried-over to the Continuing Fund s series. This change could have affected the performance of the Fund had it been in effect throughout the performance measurement periods presented. Series F Units 2 - Series D Units (2) Year-by-Year Returns The following bar charts show the performance for each series of the Fund for each of the financial years shown. The charts show in percentage terms how an investment made on the first day of each financial year would have increased or decreased by the last day of the financial year. - Series I Units 2014 (3) Series A Units (1) (3)

8 NBA Series Units NBF Series Units (1) Series D Units year years years years Inception (3) BMO Canadian Stock Selection Fund % 3.83 S&P/TSX % 2.41 Series I Units year years years years Inception (1) BMO Canadian Stock Selection Fund % S&P/TSX % Series NBA Units year years years years Inception BMO Canadian Stock Selection Fund % S&P/TSX % Series NBF Units year years years years Inception (1) BMO Canadian Stock Selection Fund % S&P/TSX % (1) Return from October 31, 2008 to December 31, (2) Return from December 23, 2013 to December 31, (3) Return from April 8, 2014 to December 31, (1) Return from October 31, 2008 to December 31, (2) Return from December 23, 2013 to December 31, (3) Return from April 8, 2014 to December 31, Annual Compound Returns This table compares the historical annual compound returns of the Fund with its benchmark, the S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index ( S&P/TSX ), a broad-based index. A commentary on the market and/or information regarding the relative performance of the Fund as compared to its benchmark can be found under the Results of Operations section of this report. The S&P/TSX reflects the price movements of selected securities listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and weighted by market capitalization. Series A Units year years years years Inception (3) BMO Canadian Stock Selection Fund % 3.03 S&P/TSX % 2.41 Advisor Series Units year years years years Inception (2) BMO Canadian Stock Selection Fund % S&P/TSX % Series F Units year years years years Inception (2) BMO Canadian Stock Selection Fund % S&P/TSX %

9 SUMMARY OF INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO As at December 31, 2014 % of Net Portfolio Allocation Asset Value Financials 36.2 Energy 16.7 Materials 11.0 Industrials 10.0 Consumer Staples 7.6 Health Care 4.5 Telecommunication Services 4.1 Information Technology 3.4 Consumer Discretionary 3.3 Cash/Receivables/Payables 3.2 Total Portfolio Allocation % of Net Top 25 Holdings Asset Value Issuer Toronto-Dominion Bank, The, 6.5 Bank of Nova Scotia 6.1 Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., Class B 5.3 Agrium Inc. 5.2 Veresen Inc. 4.1 Canadian Western Bank 3.8 Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Class A 3.5 Royal Bank of Canada 3.5 Great-West Lifeco Inc. 3.3 Cash/Receivables/Payables 3.2 TransCanada Corporation 3.1 Canadian National Railway Company 3.1 Callidus Capital Corporation 3.1 BCE Inc. 2.9 Stillwater Mining Company 2.7 Actavis plc 2.7 Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated 2.5 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 2.5 Manulife Financial Corporation 2.4 Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc., The, Class A 2.3 Canadian Pacific Railway Limited 2.2 Aecon Group Inc. 2.1 Suncor Energy Inc. 2.0 Apple Inc. 1.9 Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. 1.8 Top Holdings as a Percentage of Total Net Asset Value 81.8 Total Net Asset Value $222,113,290 The summary of investment portfolio may change due to the Fund s ongoing portfolio transactions. Updates are available quarterly.

10 BMO Investments Inc. First Canadian Place, 43rd Floor, 100 King Street West Toronto, ON M5X 1A1 For more information please call This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts but instead represent our beliefs regarding future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that predictions and other forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate. We caution readers of this document not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations as projected in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to market and general economic conditions, interest rates, regulatory and statutory developments, the effects of competition in the geographic and business areas in which the Fund may invest in and the risks detailed from time to time in BMO Mutual Funds simplified prospectus. We caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and that when relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to investing in the Fund, investors and others should carefully consider these factors, as well as other uncertainties and potential events, and the inherent uncertainty of forward-looking statements. Due to the potential impact of these factors, BMO Investments Inc. does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Registered trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence. Trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence. BMO Mutual Funds are offered by BMO Investments Inc., a financial services firm and separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.