• Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets or exchanges for identical assets and liabilities.
• Level 2 — Significant other observable inputs, which may include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market corroborated inputs.
• Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, which may include assumptions made by the Valuation Designee that are used in determining the fair value of investments.
Assets or liabilities categorized as Level 2 or 3 as of period end have been transferred between Levels 2 and 3 since the prior period due to changes in the method utilized in valuing the investments. Transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 are a result of the availability of current and reliable market-based data provided by Pricing Sources or other valuation techniques which utilize significant observable inputs. In accordance with the requirements of U.S. GAAP, the amounts of transfers into and out of Level 3, if material, are disclosed in the Notes to Schedule of Investments for each respective Fund.
For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. GAAP requires a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported fair values that presents changes attributable to realized gain (loss), unrealized appreciation (depreciation), purchases and sales, accrued discounts (premiums), and transfers into and out of the Level 3 category during the period. The end of period value is used for the transfers between Levels of a Fund’s assets and liabilities. Additionally, U.S. GAAP requires quantitative information regarding the significant unobservable inputs used in the determination of fair value of assets or liabilities categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. In accordance with the requirements of U.S. GAAP, a fair value hierarchy and, if material, a Level 3 reconciliation and details of significant unobservable inputs, have been included in the Notes to Schedule of Investments for each respective Fund.
(c) Valuation Techniques and the Fair Value Hierarchy
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value The valuation methods (or “techniques”) and significant inputs used in determining the fair values of portfolio securities or other assets and liabilities categorized as Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Common stocks, ETFs, exchange-traded notes and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts, rights and warrants, or options on futures that are traded on a national securities exchange, are stated at the last reported sale or settlement price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investments in registered open-end investment companies (other than ETFs) will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments in unregistered open-end investment companies will be calculated based upon the NAVs of such investments and are considered Level 1 provided that the NAVs are observable, calculated daily and are the value at which both purchases and sales will be conducted.
Equity exchange-traded options and over the counter financial derivative instruments, such as forward foreign currency contracts and options contracts derive their value from underlying asset prices, indexes, reference rates and other inputs or a combination of these factors. These contracts are normally valued on the basis of quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers or Pricing Sources (normally determined as of the NYSE Close). Depending on the product and the terms of the transaction, financial derivative instruments can be valued by Pricing Sources using a series of techniques, including simulation pricing models. The pricing models use inputs that are observed from actively quoted markets such as quoted prices, issuer details, indexes, bid/ask spreads, interest rates, implied volatilities, yield curves, dividends and exchange rates. Financial derivative instruments that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Centrally cleared swaps and over the counter swaps derive their value from underlying asset prices, indexes, reference rates and other inputs or a combination of these factors. They are valued using a broker-dealer bid quotation or on market-based prices provided by Pricing Sources (normally determined as of the NYSE Close). Centrally cleared swaps and over the counter swaps can be valued by Pricing Sources using a series of techniques, including simulation pricing models. The pricing models may use inputs that are observed from actively quoted markets such as the overnight index swap rate, LIBOR forward rate, interest rates, yield curves and credit spreads. These securities are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Proxy pricing procedures set the base price of a fixed income security and subsequently adjust the price proportionally to market value changes of a pre-determined security deemed to be comparable in duration, generally a U.S. Treasury or sovereign note based on country of issuance. The base price may be a broker-dealer quote, transaction price or an internal value as derived by analysis of market data. The base price of the security may be reset on a periodic basis based on the availability of market data and procedures approved by the Valuation Oversight Committee. Significant changes in the unobservable inputs of the proxy pricing process (the base price) would result in direct and proportional changes in the fair value of the security. These securities are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
If third-party evaluated vendor pricing is not available or not deemed to be indicative of fair value, the Adviser may elect to obtain Broker Quotes directly from the broker-dealer or passed through from a third-party vendor. In the event that fair value is based upon a single sourced Broker Quote, these securities are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Broker Quotes are typically received from established market participants. Although independently received, the Adviser does not have the transparency to view the underlying inputs which support the market quotation. Significant changes in the Broker Quote would have direct and proportional changes in the fair value of the security.
Reference instrument valuation estimates fair value by utilizing the correlation of the security to one or more broad-based securities, market indexes, and/or other financial instruments, whose pricing information is readily available. Unobservable inputs may include those used in algorithms based on percentage change in the reference instruments and/or weights of each reference instrument. Significant changes in the unobservable inputs would result in direct and proportional changes in the fair value of the security. These securities are categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the source or input of the reference instrument.
The Discounted Cash Flow model is based on future cash flows generated by the investment and may be normalized based on expected investment performance. Future cash flows are discounted to present value using an appropriate rate of return, typically calibrated to the initial transaction date and adjusted based on Capital Asset Pricing Model and/or other market-based inputs. Significant changes in the unobservable inputs would result in direct and proportional changes in the fair value of the security. These securities are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
