TD Canadian Low Volatility Class

Transcription

1 TD Asset Management TD Canadian Low Volatility Class (01/18) TD Mutual Funds Corporate Class Funds for the period ended This Interim Management Report of Fund Performance contains financial highlights, but does not contain either the complete interim financial report or annual financial statements of the invest ment fund. You can get a copy of the interim financial report or annual financial statements at your request, at no cost, by calling , by writing to us at TD Asset Management Inc., P.O. Box 100, 66 Wellington Street West, TD Bank Tower, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario, M5K 1G8, by to tdadvisor@td.com, or by visiting our website at tdassetmanagement.com or the SEDAR website at sedar.com Securityholders may also contact us or visit our website to get a copy of the investment fund s proxy voting policies and procedures, proxy voting disclosure record, or quarterly portfolio disclosure at no cost. This Interim Management Report of Fund Performance represents management s view of the significant factors and developments affecting the investment fund s performance and outlook since May 31, 2017, the investment fund s fiscal year-end, until. This report should be read in conjunction with the May 31, 2017 Annual Management Report of Fund Performance.

2 ntd Canadian Low Volatility Class Management Discussion of Fund Performance Results of Operations The Investor Series shares of TD Canadian Low Volatility Class (the Fund ) returned 5.0 percent for the six-month period ended ( Reporting Period ), versus 6.2 percent for the Fund s product benchmark, S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index ( S&P/TSX Composite TR Index ). Returns for other series of the Fund may vary, largely due to differences in fees and expenses. Unlike the benchmark, the Fund s return is quoted after the deduction of fees and expenses. During the Reporting Period, the Fund invested its assets solely in the O-Series units of an underlying fund, the TD Canadian Low Volatility Pool ( UF ). The performance of the UF is similar to that of the Fund except for differences arising from fees and expenses. This Results of Operations and the following Recent Developments commentaries reflect the views of the UF s Portfolio Adviser for the same period as they directly impact the Fund. Market Update The Canadian economy benefited from an improving global economy. The monetary and fiscal stimulus flooding the global economy has translated into greater consumption, increased business investment, higher demand and prices for raw inputs and machinery, and renewed global trade. Household consumption continued to be a significant contributor to gross domestic product ( GDP ). Over the Reporting Period, unemployment fell from 6.6 percent to 5.9 percent, elevating asset values and increasing consumer confidence, which all fuelled household spending. Export activity was another significant contributor to GDP, with energy products posting the largest gains. Despite inflation tracking below the Bank of Canada s ( BoC ) inflation target rate of 2.0 percent, the BoC took the opportunity to increase interest rates, raising the benchmark overnight interest rate by 0.25 percent at its July meeting. In a surprise to many market participants, the BoC raised the overnight interest rate by another 0.25 percent at its September meeting, bringing it to 1.00 percent. In maintaining its benchmark interest rate at current levels at its October meeting, the BoC cited low wage growth, uncertain U.S. trade policies and heightened sensitivity to higher interest rates as a result of elevated levels of household debt. Despite improved economic activity, the build-up of inflationary pressures in Canada did not materialize. Inflation was 1.4 percent in October, falling from 1.6 percent in the previous month. The Canadian equity market rose over the Reporting Period, partly as a result of better economic data and broad-based growth. All eleven sectors posted positive returns, with health care, financials and consumer discretionary among the best-performing sectors. Consumer staples, materials and information technology were among the worst-performing sectors. Health care outperformed all other sectors, primarily as a result of significant gains by pharmaceuticals companies. The financials sector benefited from the BoC s two interest rate increases, which increased overall profit potential. An improved labour market and accommodative interest rates drove consumption and benefited the consumer discretionary sector. Key Contributors/Detractors The UF generated positive absolute returns for the Reporting Period. In a strong up market environment, the UF is expected to lag the benchmark returns as low-volatility equity strategies typically underperform when equity markets favour faster growing, more economically sensitive stocks. Therefore, on a relative basis, the UF performed in line with expectations. Exposure to U.S securities detracted from the UF s performance. At the end of the Reporting Period, the UF had an approximately 23 percent exposure to U.S equities and, given the stronger Canadian dollar, these holdings detracted from performance. Given its focus on less volatile sectors, the UF had underweight exposure to the energy sector by approximately 15 percent, which contributed to performance. Sector allocation and stock selection within the financials and consumer staples sectors detracted from the UF s relative performance. Stock selection within the industrials sector contributed to performance. Recent Developments Looking ahead, the UF s Portfolio Adviser continues to be mindful of a variety of macroeconomic factors that may influence the performance of financial markets, including geopolitical uncertainties and shifts in central bank policies. Economic indicators remain solid, with trade, industrial production, job creation and construction activity all positive. These may further support solid economic growth. Given the above, the UF s Portfolio Adviser expects central banks around the world to continue moving their respective stimulus measures. However, inflation has remained subdued despite improving economic growth and production, and the UF s Portfolio Adviser anticipates this trend may continue in 2018, with elevated debt levels, demographic trends and technology all acting as price restraints. Subdued inflation should moderate the need for significantly higher interest rates, so the UF s Portfolio Adviser expects central banks to raise interest rates only modestly during 2018, which should extend the low-yield environment for fixed income investors. The UF s Portfolio Adviser anticipates ongoing low interest rates should support current equity valuation, and solid economic growth should drive corporate earnings growth. The UF s Portfolio Adviser is monitoring several risks going forward, including geopolitical developments, protectionism and central bank actions, all of which could have implications for financial markets. 1

3 U.S. equities continue to comprise approximately 23 percent of the UF, providing diversification benefits. In periods of market turmoil, the UF s Portfolio Adviser expects U.S. equities to benefit from the perceived safe-haven appeal of the U.S. dollar, which could help manage volatility. The UF Portfolio Adviser s focus on reducing volatility has resulted in significant deviation between the UF and the S&P/TSX Composite TR Index. Even though the UF is well diversified with significantly less exposure to stocks in the financials and energy sectors relative to the benchmark, financials remains the top sector within the UF. The UF s Portfolio Adviser continues to expect a market environment dotted with episodes of increased volatility. Risks that may fuel bouts of volatility include elevated government and personal debt levels, geopolitical uncertainties, peak valuations and emerging markets risks. The UF s Portfolio Adviser is also monitoring economic growth closely, while being mindful of a number of macroeconomic factors that may influence investments. The UF s Portfolio Adviser continues to strive to optimize the UF by favouring stocks that are expected to deliver less volatile returns, and by taking underweight positions in, or excluding, stocks that are expected to deliver more volatile returns. The UF maintains a bias toward sectors that are more stable during a down market, such as the telecommunications, consumer staples and utilities sectors. Related Party Transactions Affiliates of TD Asset Management Inc. ( TDAM ) may earn fees and spreads in connection with various services provided to, or transactions with, the Fund, such as in connection with banking, custody, brokerage and derivatives transactions. Manager and Portfolio Adviser: TDAM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank ( TD ), is the manager and portfolio adviser of the Fund. The Fund pays TDAM an annual management fee, which may vary for each series of Fund shares, and an annual administration fee of 0.12 percent with respect to the Investor Series and Advisor Series shares of the Fund. The Fund may also hold series of units of other funds managed by TDAM for which TDAM may be paid a fee. However, there is no duplication of fees paid to TDAM or its affiliates. Distributor: Shares of the Fund are distributed through brokers and dealers including TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. ( TDW ), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TD. TDW, like other dealers, is paid a trailer commission by TDAM for distributing certain series of shares of the Fund. Trailer commissions are paid by TDAM out of the management fees it receives from the Fund and are based on the average value of assets held by each dealer. Registrar and Transfer Agent: TD is the registrar and transfer agent of the Fund, and as such maintains all shareholder records, processes purchase, switch, conversion and redemption orders, issues investor statements and prepares annual tax reporting information on behalf of the Fund. The Fund also maintains bank accounts and overdraft provisions with TD for which TD earns a fee. Buying and Selling Securities: TDAM has established an independent review committee ( IRC ) which acts as an impartial and independent committee to review and provide recommendations or, if appropriate, approvals respecting any conflict of interest matters referred to it by TDAM. The IRC prepares, at least annually, a report of its activities for securityholders of the Fund. The report is available on the TDAM website at tdassetmanagement.com or at the securityholder s request at no cost by contacting TDAM (see front cover). The Fund and/or the underlying fund in which the Fund invests relied on standing instructions from the IRC in respect of one or more of the following transactions: (a) trades in securities of TD or any affiliate or associate thereof; (b) investments in the securities of an issuer where TD Securities Inc., TDW, or any other affiliate of TDAM (a Related Dealer ) acted as an underwriter during the distri bution of such securities and the 60-day period following the completion of the distribution of the underwritten securities; (c) purchases or sales of securities of an issuer from or to another investment fund or discretionary managed account managed by TDAM; and (d) purchases of securities from or sales of securities to a Related Dealer, where it acted as principal. The relevant standing instructions require that securities transactions with related parties conducted by TDAM (i) are free from any influ ence by an entity related to TDAM and without taking into account any consideration relevant to an entity related to TDAM; (ii) represent the business judgment of TDAM uninfluenced by considerations other than the best interests of the Fund and/or underlying fund; (iii) comply with the applicable policies and procedures of TDAM; and (iv) achieve a fair and reasonable result for the Fund and/or underlying fund. 2

4 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 six-month period ended and the past five fiscal years, as applicable. Net Assets per Share ($) 1 INVESTOR SERIES Nov. 30, 2017 May 31, 2017 May 31, 2016 May 31, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 31, 2013* Net Assets, Beginning of Period Increase (Decrease) from Operations: Total Revenue Total Expenses (excluding distributions) (0.13) (0.27) (0.26) (0.28) (0.25) (0.16) Realized Gains (Losses) for the Period Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period 0.57 (0.09) (0.28) (0.23) Total Increase (Decrease) from Operations Distributions: From Net Investment Income (excluding dividends) From Dividends 0.00 (0.17) (0.02) (0.07) (0.07) 0.00 From Capital Gains (0.34) (0.87) (0.71) (0.14) Return of Capital Total Annual Distributions 3 (0.34) (1.04) (0.73) (0.21) (0.07) 0.00 Net Assets, End of Period ADVISOR SERIES Nov. 30, 2017 May 31, 2017 May 31, 2016 May 31, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 31, 2013* Net Assets, Beginning of Period Increase (Decrease) from Operations: Total Revenue Total Expenses (excluding distributions) (0.12) (0.26) (0.27) (0.28) (0.25) (0.16) Realized Gains (Losses) for the Period Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period 0.58 (0.07) (0.38) (0.23) Total Increase (Decrease) from Operations Distributions: From Net Investment Income (excluding dividends) From Dividends 0.00 (0.19) (0.02) (0.07) (0.09) 0.00 From Capital Gains (0.37) (0.94) (0.71) (0.21) Return of Capital Total Annual Distributions 3 (0.37) (1.13) (0.73) (0.28) (0.09) 0.00 Net Assets, End of Period Footnotes for the above table(s) can be found at the end of the Net Assets per Share section. 3

5 Net Assets per Share ($) 1 (continued) F-SERIES Nov. 30, 2017 May 31, 2017 May 31, 2016 May 31, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 31, 2013* Net Assets, Beginning of Period Increase (Decrease) from Operations: Total Revenue Total Expenses (excluding distributions) (0.06) (0.13) (0.12) (0.13) (0.11) (0.07) Realized Gains (Losses) for the Period Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period 0.74 (0.18) 0.20 (0.37) Total Increase (Decrease) from Operations Distributions: From Net Investment Income (excluding dividends) From Dividends 0.00 (0.32) (0.08) (0.20) (0.20) 0.00 From Capital Gains (0.33) (0.44) (0.59) (0.16) Return of Capital Total Annual Distributions 3 (0.33) (0.76) (0.67) (0.36) (0.20) 0.00 Net Assets, End of Period This information is derived from the Fund s interim and audited annual financial statements. The Fund adopted International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRS ) on June 1, 2014 and accordingly adjusted the immediately preceding financial year ended May 31, 2014 to reflect the amounts in accordance with IFRS. Previously, financial statements were prepared as per Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ( GAAP ) under which the Fund measured fair values of its investments based on bid prices for long positions and ask prices for short positions. As such, the net assets per share presented in the financial statements may have differed from the net asset value ( NAV ) per share calculated for fund pricing purposes. Under IFRS, the Fund measures fair values of its investments based on close market prices, where the close market price falls within the bid-ask spread or based on quotations from recognized dealers. As such, the Fund s accounting policies for measuring the fair value of investments in the financial statements are substantively consistent with those used in measuring the NAV for transactions with shareholders. All figures presented prior to June 1, 2013 were prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. 2 Net assets and distributions are based on the actual number of shares outstanding at the relevant time. The increase (decrease) from operations presented in the Net Assets per Share tables starting from June 1, 2013 are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding over the financial periods. The increase (decrease) from operations prior to June 1, 2013 were calculated by aggregating each valuation day s increase (decrease) from operations divided by the number of shares outstanding on that date. These tables are not intended to be a reconciliation of the net assets per share. 3 Distributions were paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, or both. * Data reported represents results from the commencement of operations to May 31 of the year indicated. Please refer to the Year-by-year returns charts in the Past Performance section for commencement date. Initial offering price Ratios and Supplemental Data INVESTOR SERIES Nov. 30, 2017 May 31, 2017 May 31, 2016 May 31, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 31, 2013 Total Net Asset Value ($000s) 1 22,447 24,843 20,075 16,667 15,737 10,679 Number of Shares Outstanding (000s) 1 1,718 1,944 1,576 1,295 1, Management Expense Ratio (%) Management Expense Ratio Before Waivers or Absorptions (%) Trading Expense Ratio (%) Portfolio Turnover Rate (%) Net Asset Value per Share ($) ADVISOR SERIES Nov. 30, 2017 May 31, 2017 May 31, 2016 May 31, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 31, 2013 Total Net Asset Value ($000s) 1 22,906 23,265 22,975 22,545 23,106 24,051 Number of Shares Outstanding (000s) 1 1,785 1,848 1,818 1,765 1,884 2,193 Management Expense Ratio (%) Management Expense Ratio Before Waivers or Absorptions (%) Trading Expense Ratio (%) Portfolio Turnover Rate (%) Net Asset Value per Share ($) Footnotes for the above table(s) can be found at the end of the Ratios and Supplemental Data section. 4

6 Ratios and Supplemental Data (continued) F-SERIES Nov. 30, 2017 May 31, 2017 May 31, 2016 May 31, 2015 May 31, 2014 May 31, 2013 Total Net Asset Value ($000s) 1 30,436 30,333 18,085 10,513 7,753 6,246 Number of Shares Outstanding (000s) 1 2,152 2,211 1, Management Expense Ratio (%) Management Expense Ratio Before Waivers or Absorptions (%) Trading Expense Ratio (%) Portfolio Turnover Rate (%) Net Asset Value per Share ($) This information is provided as at and May 31 of the years shown, as applicable. 2 Management expense ratio ( MER ) is based on total expenses (excluding distributions, commissions and other portfolio transaction costs) net of any waivers or absorptions for the stated period, including the Fund s proportionate share of the MER, if any, of the underlying fund(s) in which the Fund has invested in, and is expressed as an annualized percentage of daily average NAV during the period. Any waivers or absorptions may be discontinued at any time by TDAM at its discretion without notice. 3 The trading expense ratio ( TER ) represents total commissions and other portfolio transaction costs expressed as an annualized percentage of daily average NAV during the stated period. Where a Fund invests in securities of any underlying fund, the TER presented for the Fund includes the portion of TERs, if available, of the underlying fund(s) attributable to this investment. 4 The Fund s portfolio turnover rate ( PTR ) indicates how actively the Fund s portfolio adviser manages its investments. A PTR of 100% is equivalent to the Fund buying and selling all of the securities in its portfolio once in the course of the stated period. The higher a fund s PTR, the greater the trading costs payable, directly or indirectly, by the fund in the period, and the greater the chance of an investor receiving taxable capital gains in the fiscal year. There is not necessarily a relationship between a high turnover rate and the performance of a fund. Management Fees As manager of the Fund, TDAM is responsible for the overall business and affairs of the Fund, including activities related to making shares of the Fund available to investors, and providing, or arranging for the provision of, investment advisory services and marketing services to the Fund. In consideration for the provision of such services, each series of the Fund pays TDAM a management fee. Management fees are calculated and accrued as a percentage of the net asset value of each series of shares of the Fund, as of the close of business on each business day for each series and are paid monthly to TDAM. Prior to July 27, 2017, the simplified prospectus disclosed the maximum management fee rate that TDAM could charge for each series of shares of the Fund (so the actual management fee charged to the Fund might have been less than the maximum management fee rate). TDAM was able to charge the maximum management fee without notice to share - holders. Effective July 27, 2017, the simplified prospectus discloses a specified annual management fee rate. Where TDAM chooses to charge a management fee rate below the specified annual management fee rate, the difference represents a waiver of management fees. TDAM may waive all or a portion of the management fees being charged to the Fund, which may be discontinued at any time by TDAM at its discretion without notice to shareholders. The annual management fees and a breakdown of the major services rendered for each series, as a percentage of the management fees paid, are as follows: Waived Annual Dealer Operating (expressed as a %) Mgmt. Fees Compensation Expenses Other Investor Series Advisor Series F-Series Includes management fees paid by the Fund and the proportionate management fees, if any, of the underlying fund(s) managed by TDAM held by the Fund. However, there is no duplication of management fees paid to TDAM or its affiliates if the Fund invests in underlying fund(s) that are managed by TDAM. Investment advisory, marketing services and other. 5

7 Past Performance The following charts show how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. These returns include the reinvestment of all distributions and would be lower if an investor did not reinvest distributions. They do not include deduction of sales, switch, redemption, or other optional charges (which dealers may charge) or income taxes payable, and these returns would be lower if they did. The Fund s past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Year-by-year returns The bar charts show how the Fund s performance has varied from year to year for each of the fiscal years shown. They show in percentage terms how an investment made on June 1 would have increased or decreased by May 31 for each year and for the six-month period ended. 6

8 Summary of Investment Portfolio as at % of Net Asset Value as at % of Net Asset Value ASSET ALLOCATION Canadian Equity Funds Other Net Assets (Liabilities) (0.2) as at % of Net Asset Value TOP 25 INVESTMENTS 1. TD Canadian Low Volatility Pool, O-Series Total % of Net Asset Value represented by these holdings TOTAL NET ASSET VALUE (000s) $ 75,789 as at % of Net Asset Value INVESTMENT MIX OF UNDERLYING FUND Financials 24.7 Consumer Staples 20.2 Industrials 11.6 Consumer Discretionary 11.2 Telecommunication Services 7.8 Real Estate 5.6 Energy 5.1 Utilities 4.8 Information Technology 3.7 Health Care 2.5 Materials 2.2 Index Equivalents 0.2 Cash 0.3 Other Net Assets (Liabilities) 0.1 TOP 25 INVESTMENTS OF UNDERLYING FUND 1. CI Financial Corp BCE Inc Royal Bank of Canada Sun Life Financial Inc Bank of Montreal METRO Inc Canadian Tire Corporation Limited Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust Rogers Communications Inc Saputo Inc Empire Company Limited Gildan Activewear Inc Laurentian Bank of Canada Imperial Oil Limited PepsiCo Inc Intuit Inc Power Corporation of Canada George Weston Limited Johnson & Johnson Dollarama Inc The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc General Dynamics Corporation Canadian National Railway Company Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc Sysco Corporation 1.4 Total % of Net Asset Value represented by these holdings 53.5 Note: Totals may not add due to rounding to one decimal place of individual figures. The simplified prospectus and other information about underlying TD investment fund(s) are available on the internet at sedar.com, tdassetmanagement.com or upon request to TD Asset Management Inc. The Summary of Investment Portfolio may change due to ongoing portfolio transactions of the Fund and the underlying fund. Updates are available quarterly. You may obtain the most current quarterly information by contacting TD Mutual Funds at , by writing to us at TD Asset Management Inc., P.O. Box 100, 66 Wellington Street West, TD Bank Tower, Toronto, Ontario, M5K 1G8, or by to tdadvisor@td.com 7

9 Caution regarding forward-looking statements Certain portions of this report, including, but not limited to, Results of Operations and Recent Developments, may contain forward-looking state ments including, but not limited to, statements about the Fund, its strategy, risks, expected performance and condition. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, estimates and similar forward-looking expressions or negative versions thereof. In addition, any statement that may be made concerning future performance, strategies or prospects, and possible future Fund action, is also a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future general economic, political and relevant market factors, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity and capital markets, and the general business environment, in each case assuming no changes to applicable tax or other laws or government regulation. Expectations and projections about future events are inherently subject to, among other things, risks and uncertainties, some of which may be unforeseeable. Accordingly, assumptions concerning future economic and other factors may prove to be incorrect at a future date. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by the Fund. Any number of important factors could con tribute to these digressions, including, but not limited to, general economic, political and relevant market factors in North America and internationally, interest and foreign exchange rates, equity and capital markets, business competition, tech nological change, changes in government relations, unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings and catastrophic events. The above mentioned list of important factors is not exhaustive. You are encouraged to consider these and other factors carefully before making any investment decisions and you are urged to avoid placing any undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Further, there is no specific intention of updating any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For Funds with references to FTSE TMX Canada indices: FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc 2018 FTSE is a trade mark of FTSE International Ltd and is used under licence. TMX is a trade mark of TSX Inc. and is used under licence. All rights in the FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc s indices and/or FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc s ratings vest in FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in such indices and/or ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc s data is permitted without FTSE TMX Global Debt Capital Markets Inc s express written consent. TD Mutual Funds Corporate Class funds are issued by TD Mutual Funds Corporate Class Ltd. TD Mutual Funds, TD Strategic Managed Portfolios, TD Pools, TD Emerald Funds and the classes of TD Mutual Funds Corporate Class Ltd. are managed by TD Asset Management Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. 8