2016 Annual Management Report of Fund Performance

Transcription

1 (the Fund ) For the 12-month period ended September 30, (the Period ) Manager: BMO Investments Inc. (the Manager or BMOII ) Portfolio manager: BMO Asset Management Inc., Toronto, Ontario (the portfolio manager ) 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 and , by writing to us at BMO Investments Inc., First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, 43rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1A1 or by visiting our website at and 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 preserve the value of your investment by investing primarily in exchange traded funds that invest in Canadian, U.S. and international fixed income securities. The Fund may also invest in other mutual funds or invest directly in individual fixed income securities and cash or cash equivalents. The portfolio manager employs a strategic asset allocation strategy and may invest up to 10 of the Fund s assets in securities of exchange traded funds and other mutual funds, including funds that are managed by the Manager or one of their affiliates. Allocation of assets among the underlying exchange traded funds and other mutual funds will be based on each underlying fund s investment objectives and strategies, among other factors. Risk No changes affecting the overall level of risk associated with investing in the Fund were made during the Period. The risks of the 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 changed from approximately $35 million to approximately $65 million. Series A units of the Fund returned 4.3 versus the Fund s benchmark, the FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index, return of 6.31%. Please see the Past Performance section for information on the performance returns of the Fund s other series. During the Period, financial markets wrestled with volatile energy prices, central bank monetary policy decisions, the surprising leave decision of the U.K. s Brexit referendum vote to exit the European Union, and the media frenzy around the U.S. presidential election. Among fixed income markets, Canadian bonds rose roughly 3%, a reflection of increased global uncertainty and general risk aversion. Despite very weak first quarter gross domestic product data, the Bank of Canada maintained a wait-and-see bias, insisting that financial conditions were improving slowly but surely as oil prices rebounded and non-energy exports continued to improve. With the U.S. Federal Reserve Board s policy stuck firmly in neutral, yields fell sharply in both countries, pushing the 10-year Government of Canada bond yield down 45 basis points over the Period to finish at 1.. As such, longer duration bonds outperformed, as did Canadian corporate bonds. U.S. corporate bonds were mixed, with investment grade securities performing strongly in the risk off environment, outperforming the broad Canadian bond market on both a hedged and unhedged basis. U.S. high yield bonds, while more volatile due to energy price fluctuations (15% of the high yield bond index is exposed to small oil businesses), also outperformed during the Period. Global bonds were strong performers as yields were pushed to generational lows, breaching the zero mark in several countries, including Japan, Germany, France, and Switzerland.

2 The Manager confirms that the Fund did not borrow money during the period. For information on the Fund s performance and composition, please refer to the Past Performance section and Summary of Investment Portfolio section of this report. Recent Developments As the end of approaches, the world will be focussed first and foremost on the outcome of the highly publicised, and highly contentious, U.S. presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. As such, markets should remain volatile for the remainder of the calendar year, although the backdrop of firming economic data and a still-dovish U.S. Federal Reserve Board should prove beneficial to stock markets. While either candidate s victory will have distinct impacts on various sub-sectors and industries within the U.S. economy, the portfolio manager is hard pressed to conclude that either will have an immediate negative impact on medium to long-term growth. In Canada, the stabilization of oil prices has brought some comfort, with expected prices to remain in the US$45-55 per barrel range for the upcoming 12 months. Global supply and demand continues to converge; however, the expectation of increased shale production at prices above the expected range should limit any sharp upward price increases, barring any major output shock such as the Ft. McMurray wildfires earlier this year. The portfolio manager looks for upward earning revisions as technology continues to increase the efficiency of both oil producers and service companies. The long-reported housing bubble seems somewhat deflated, thanks to both a British Columbia provincial tax on non-resident purchases, combined with a tightening of both down-payment and income requirements for insured mortgages. While this may slow market growth, the portfolio manager does not see it as hurting valuations or jeopardizing bank mortgage revenue substantially. Finally, the Bank of Canada should stay on the sidelines, leaving interest rates unchanged until 2018, which should keep the Canadian dollar in the US$ range, helping non-energy exports. 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. 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. Administration Fees and Operating Expenses The Fund pays a fixed administration fee to the Manager in respect of each series other than Series I. The Manager in return pays the operating expenses of these series of the Fund, other than certain specified expenses that are paid directly by the Fund ( Fund Expenses ). Fund Expenses include interest or other borrowing expenses, costs and expenses related to the operation of the Fund s Independent Review Committee ( IRC ), including fees and expenses of IRC members, taxes to which the Fund is or might be subject, and costs associated with compliance with any new governmental or regulatory requirement introduced after December 1, 2007 (e.g., cost associated with the production of fund facts, filed in compliance with the relevant amendments to NI ). Fund Expenses are allocated proportionately among the relevant series. If the Fund Expenses are specific to a series, the Fund Expenses are allocated to that series. The fixed administration fee is calculated as a fixed annual percentage of the average net asset value of each relevant series of the Fund. Separate fees and expenses are negotiated and paid by each Series I investor. Further details about the fixed administration fee and/or Fund Expenses can be found in the Fund s most recent simplified prospectus at and or 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 Sep. 30, Sep. 30, $000 $000 Total brokerage commissions $ Brokerage commissions paid to BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. $ 10 5

3 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. 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 T6 Units Series F Units Series D Units Series I Units * For Series I Units, separate Series I fees are negotiated and paid by each Series I investor. Since the Manager pays no distribution, service or trailing fees on Series I Units, the combined management and administrative fees for Series I Units will not exceed the management fee charged for Series A 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 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 $ Total Annual Distributions (4) $ 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 $ Return of capital $ Total Annual Distributions (4) $ Net assets, end of period $

4 Series T6 Units (6) ) 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 $ Total Annual Distributions (4) $ 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 $ Return of capital $ Total Annual Distributions (4) $ Net assets, end of period $ Premium Series Units (8) )(9) ) 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 $ Total Annual Distributions (4) $ Net assets, end of period $ Series D Units (7) ) 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 $ 0.02 Total Annual Distributions (4) $ Net assets, end of period $

5 Series I 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 $ Total Annual Distributions (4) $ Net assets, end of period $ * Initial net assets. (1) This information is derived from the Fund s audited financial statements. The financial information presented for the periods ended September 30,, September 30, and September 30, 2014 is derived from the financial statements determined in accordance with IFRS. Information for periods prior to October 1, 2013 is derived from prior period financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. (2) Includes commissions and other portfolio transaction costs. Prior to October 1, 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 either paid in cash or reinvested in additional units of the Fund, or both. The allocation of the distributions from each of income, dividends, capital gains and return of capital is based on the Manager s estimate as at September 30 of the period shown, which is the Fund s financial year-end. However, the actual allocation of distributions is determined as at December 15, the Fund s tax year-end. Accordingly, the actual allocation among income, dividends, capital gains and return of capital may differ from these estimates. The information shown in this column is for the period beginning August 12, 2013 (the series launch date) and ending September 30, (6) The information shown in this column is for the period beginning November 4, 2013 (the series launch date) and ending September 30, (7) The information shown in this column is for the period beginning April 8, 2014 (the series launch date) and ending September 30, (8) The information shown in this column is for the period beginning February 18, (the series launch date) and ending September 30,. (9) As at the close of business on October 30,, the Premium Series was terminated. Ratios and Supplemental Data Series A Units Total net asset value (000 s) (1) $ 39,719 25,426 4, outstanding (000 s) (1) 3,818 2, (2) % before waivers or absorptions % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Advisor Series Units Total net asset value (000 s) (1) $ 8,968 4, outstanding (000 s) (1) (2) % before waivers or absorptions % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Series T6 Units (6) ) Total net asset value (000 s) (1) $ outstanding (000 s) (1) (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 (000 s) (1) $ 15,115 4, outstanding (000 s) (1) 1, (2) % before waivers or absorptions % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $

6 Premium Series Units Total net asset value (000 s) (1) $ 1 outstanding (000 s) (1) 0 (2) % 0.00 before waivers or absorptions % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Series D Units (8) )(9) ) (7) ) Total net asset value (000 s) (1) $ outstanding (000 s) (1) (2) % before waivers or absorptions % Trading expense ratio (3) % Portfolio turnover rate (4) % Net asset value per unit $ Series I Units Total net asset value (000 s) (1) $ outstanding (000 s) (1) % before waivers or absorptions + % 0.19 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 September 30 of the period shown, as applicable. (2) is based on total expenses (excluding commissions and other portfolio transaction costs) for the stated period and is expressed as an annualized percentage of daily average net asset value during the period. (3) The trading expense ratio represents 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. For the financial period-ended September 30, 2013, no purchases or sales of portfolio securities were made by the Fund. As a result, the portfolio turnover rate for this period was zero. The information shown in this column is for the period beginning August 12, 2013 (the series launch date) and ending September 30, (6) The information shown in this column is for the period beginning November 4, 2013 (the series launch date) and ending September 30, (7) The information shown in this column is for the period beginning April 8, 2014 (the series launch date) and ending September 30, (8) The information shown in this column is for the period beginning February 18, (the series launch date) and ending September 30,. (9) As at the close of business on October 30,, the Premium Series was terminated. PAST PERFORMANCE The Fund s performance information assumes that all distributions made by the Fund in the periods shown were used to purchase additional securities 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 that how the Fund has performed in the past does not indicate how it will perform in the future. 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 management fees and expenses allocated and payable by each series. Year-by-Year Returns The following bar charts show the performance of 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 each financial year. Series A Units - - Advisor Series Units (1) (1)

7 Series T6 Units Annual Compound Returns This table compares the historical annual compound returns of the Fund with its benchmark, the FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index, a broad-based index. The FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index is a broad measure of the total return of Canadian bonds that mature in more than one year (2) Series A Units year years years years Inception (1) Series F Units BMO Fixed Income ETF Portfolio % FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index % Advisor Series Units year years years years Inception (1) BMO Fixed Income ETF Portfolio % FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index % (1) 2014 Series T6 Units year years years years Inception (2) BMO Fixed Income ETF Portfolio % FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index % Series D Units Series F Units year years years years Inception (1) BMO Fixed Income ETF Portfolio % FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index % Series D Units year years years years Inception (3) (3) BMO Fixed Income ETF Portfolio % FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index % Series I Units Series I Units year years years years Inception (1) BMO Fixed Income ETF Portfolio % FTSE TMX Canada Universe Bond Index % (1) Return from August 12, 2013 to September 30,. (2) Return from November 4, 2013 to September 30,. (3) Return from April 8, 2014 to September 30, (1) 2014 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. (1) For the period beginning August 12, 2013 to September 30, (2) For the period beginning November 4, 2013 to September 30, (3) For the period beginning April 8, 2014 to September 30, 2014.

8 SUMMARY OF INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO As at September 30, % of Net Portfolio Allocation Asset Value Fixed Income Funds 97.6 Cash/Receivables/Payables 2.4 Total Portfolio Allocation % of Net Holdings*+ Asset Value Issuer BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF 52.3 BMO Mid Corporate Bond Index ETF 19.6 BMO Short Corporate Bond Index ETF 14.7 Cash/Receivables/Payables 2.4 BMO Barclays Global High Yield Bond (GBP Hedged) UCITS ETF 1.9 BMO Floating Rate High Yield ETF 1.6 BMO Barclays 1-3 Year Global Corporate Bond, (GBP Hedged) UCITS ETF 1.6 BMO Barclays 3-7 Year Global Corporate Bond, (GBP Hedged) UCITS ETF 1.6 BMO Barclays 7-10 Year Global Corporate Bond, (GBP Hedged) UCITS ETF 1.6 BMO Mid-Term US IG Corporate Bond Index ETF 1.5 BMO High Yield US Corporate Bond Hedged to CAD Index ETF 1.2 Total Holdings as a Percentage of Total Net Asset Value Total Net Asset Value $64,752,403 *Represents entire portfolio. +The prospectus and other information about the underlying exchange traded funds held in the portfolio are available on the internet at and, also at +The prospectus and other information about the underlying UCITS exchange traded funds held in the portfolio are available on the internet at The summary of investment portfolio may change due to the Fund s ongoing portfolio transactions. Updates are available quarterly.

9 and BMO Investments Inc. First Canadian Place, 43rd Floor, 100 King Street West Toronto, ON M5X 1A1 For more information please call BMO Investment Centre at (investors who purchased BMO Mutual Funds through a BMO Bank of Montreal branch or BMO Online Banking) or call Client Services toll-free at (investors who purchased BMO Mutual Funds through a full-service or discount broker) or at (investors who purchased Series NBA and NBF through a full-service or discount broker). 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. / Trademarks of Bank of Montreal, used under license. BMO Mutual Funds are offered by BMO Investments Inc., a financial services firm and separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.