11/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/05/2024 15:20
October 31, 2024
SUMMARY PROSPECTUS
New Covenant Income Fund (NCICX)
Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's Prospectus, which contains information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund's Prospectus and other information about the Fund, including the Fund's Statement of Additional Information and annual and semi-annual reports, online at NewCovenantFunds.com. You can also get this information at no cost by dialing 1-877-835-4531. The Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, dated October 31, 2024, as may be supplemented from time to time, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus and may be obtained, free of charge, at the website or phone number noted above.
NewCovenantFunds.com
SEI / SUMMARY PROSPECTUS
Investment Objective
The Fund's investment objective is a high level of current income with preservation of capital.
Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell Fund shares. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in this table and examples below.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
|||||
Management Fees |
0.42 |
% |
|||
Distribution (12b-1) Fees |
None |
||||
Other Expenses |
0.56 |
% |
|||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
0.98 |
% |
EXAMPLE
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
||||||||||||||
New Covenant Income Fund |
$ |
100 |
$ |
312 |
$ |
542 |
$ |
1,201 |
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 83% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund's net assets will be invested in a diversified portfolio of bonds and other debt obligations of varying maturities. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities and other instruments frequently.
The Fund seeks to invest consistent with social-witness principles established by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as reflected in Guidelines put forth by the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (the "Presbyterian Principles"). The Fund seeks to avoid investing in companies involved in tobacco, alcohol and gambling, along with for-profit prisons, and some companies related to weapons production, antipersonnel land mines, handguns and assault weapons. In addition, at times a company involved in serious human rights violations may also be screened out of the Fund. The Fund may also screen out companies when deemed appropriate to implement the Presbyterian Principles.
The Fund invests in corporate bonds. The Fund also invests in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), which are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, and the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), which are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. The Fund may also invest in bonds of international corporations or foreign governments. In addition, the Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities (including To Be Announced Securities and Dollar Rolls) and asset-backed securities and may enter into fully-collateralized repurchase agreements.
At least 65% of the Fund's net assets will be invested in bonds that are rated within the four highest credit rating categories assigned by independent rating agencies, and the Fund will attempt to maintain an overall credit quality rating of AA or higher based on ratings assigned by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, calculated on a weighted basis. The Fund may invest in unrated equivalents that may be considered to be investment grade, as determined by the Fund's Sub-Advisers. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in bonds that are rated below investment grade (junk bonds).
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SEI / SUMMARY PROSPECTUS
Up to 20% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in commercial paper within the two highest rating categories of independent rating agencies. The Fund may also invest up to 40% of its net assets in the fixed income securities of foreign issuers in any country, including developed or emerging markets. Foreign securities are selected on an individual basis without regard to any defined allocation among countries or geographic regions.
SEI Investments Management Corporation ("SIMC" or the "Adviser") seeks to enhance performance and reduce market risk by strategically allocating the Fund's assets among multiple sub-advisers (each, a "Sub-Adviser" and collectively, the "Sub-Advisers"). Sub-Advisers are selected for their experience in managing various kinds of fixed income securities, and each Sub-Adviser makes investment decisions based on an analysis of yield trends, credit ratings and other factors in its area of emphasis.
The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, but expects its average maturity to range from four years to twelve years and its average duration to be between three and six years. Duration reflects the change in the value of a fixed income security that will result from a 1% change in interest rates. For example, a five year duration means a bond will decrease in value by 5% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by 5% if interest rates fall 1%.
The Fund may also invest in futures contracts (including futures on U.S. Treasury obligations and Eurodollar instruments), put and call options (including options on futures contracts), and swaps (including credit default swaps) for speculative or hedging purposes. Futures, options and swaps are used to synthetically obtain exposure to securities or baskets of securities and to manage the Fund's interest rate duration and yield curve exposure. These derivatives are also used to mitigate the Fund's overall level of risk and/or the Fund's risk to particular types of securities, currencies or market segments.
Investments for the Fund, both foreign and domestic, are selected based on the following criteria:
- the use of interest-rate and yield-curve analyses;
- the use of credit analyses, which indicate a security's rating and potential for appreciation; and
- use of the above disciplines to invest in high-yield bonds and fixed income securities issued by foreign and domestic governments and companies.
The remainder of the Fund's assets may be held in cash or cash equivalents.
A Sub-Adviser may sell a security when it becomes substantially overvalued, is experiencing deteriorating fundamentals, or as a result of changes in portfolio strategy. A security may also be sold and replaced with one that presents a better value.
Subject to the Presbyterian Principles and the investment criteria detailed above, the Fund's Sub-Advisers will also consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria in the selection of securities for the Fund's portfolio, which may include (among other items) consideration of issuers' business models, corporate governance policies, stakeholder relationships and history of controversies. Each Sub-Adviser has the ability to consider its own ESG criteria based on its own ESG methodologies and assessments or those of third-party providers. The consideration of such ESG criteria as part of the decision-making process may result in the selection of individual securities that are not in the Fund's benchmark, or the overweighting or underweight of individual securities relative to the benchmark.
Principal Risks
The following principal risks could affect the value of your investment:
Market Risk - The prices of the Fund's fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments and their agencies. Generally, the Fund's fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa. In a low interest rate environment, risks associated with rising rates are heightened. In the case of foreign securities, price fluctuations will reflect international economic and political events, as well as changes in currency valuations relative to the U.S. dollar. Markets for fixed income securities may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, economic or other developments that may cause broad changes in market value, public perceptions concerning these developments, and adverse investor sentiment or publicity. Similarly, environmental and public health risks, such as natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics or widespread fear that such events may occur, may impact markets adversely and cause market volatility in both the short- and long-term.
Social-Witness Principles/Socially Responsible Investing Risk - The Fund considers social-witness principles and the Sub-Advisers' ESG criteria in its investment process and may choose not to purchase, or may sell, otherwise profitable investments in companies which have been identified as being in conflict with its established social-witness principles and other socially responsible investing principles. This means that the Fund may underperform other similar mutual funds that do not consider social-witness principles and other socially responsible investing principles in their investing.
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SEI / SUMMARY PROSPECTUS
Investment Style Risk - The risk that the fixed income securities in which the Fund invests may underperform other segments of the fixed income markets or the fixed income markets as a whole.
Interest Rate Risk - The risk that a change in interest rates will cause a fall in the value of fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, in which the Fund invests. Generally, the value of the Fund's fixed income securities will vary inversely with the direction of prevailing interest rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and may affect the value and liquidity of instruments held by the Fund. Although U.S. Government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates.
Corporate Fixed Income Securities Risk - Corporate fixed income securities respond to economic developments, especially changes in interest rates, as well as perceptions of the creditworthiness and business prospects of individual issuers.
U.S. Government Securities Risk - Although U.S. Government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are still subject to the credit risk of the U.S. Government and are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. Government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency's own resources. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if it is not obligated by law to do so.
Foreign Investment/Emerging Markets Risk - The risk that non-U.S. securities may be subject to additional risks due to, among other things, political, social and economic developments abroad, currency movements and different legal, regulatory, tax, accounting and audit environments. These additional risks may be heightened with respect to emerging market countries because political turmoil and rapid changes in economic conditions are more likely to occur in these countries. Investments in emerging markets are subject to the added risk that information in emerging market investments may be unreliable or outdated due to differences in regulatory, accounting or auditing and financial record keeping standards, or because less information about emerging market investments is publicly available. In addition, the rights and remedies associated with emerging market investments may be different than investments in developed markets. A lack of reliable information, rights and remedies increase the risks of investing in emerging markets in comparison to more developed markets. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund.
Foreign Sovereign Debt Securities Risk - The risks that (i) the governmental entity that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be willing or able to repay the principal and/or interest when it becomes due because of factors such as debt service burden, political constraints, cash flow problems and other national economic factors; (ii) governments may default on their debt securities, which may require holders of such securities to participate in debt rescheduling or additional lending to defaulting governments; and (iii) there is no bankruptcy proceeding by which defaulted sovereign debt may be collected in whole or in part.
Asset-Backed Securities Risk - Payment of principal and interest on asset-backed securities is dependent largely on the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities. Securitization trusts generally do not have any assets or sources of funds other than the receivables and related property they own, and asset-backed securities are generally not insured or guaranteed by the related sponsor or any other entity. Asset-backed securities may be more illiquid than more conventional types of fixed income securities that the Fund may acquire.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk - Mortgage-backed securities are affected significantly by the rate of prepayments and modifications of the mortgage loans backing those securities, as well as by other factors such as borrower defaults, delinquencies, realized or liquidation losses and other shortfalls. Mortgage-backed securities are particularly sensitive to prepayment risk, which is described below, given that the term to maturity for mortgage loans is generally substantially longer than the expected lives of those securities; however, the timing and amount of prepayments cannot be accurately predicted. The timing of changes in the rate of prepayments of the mortgage loans may significantly affect the Fund's actual yield to maturity on any mortgage-backed securities, even if the average rate of principal payments is consistent with the Fund's expectation. Along with prepayment risk, mortgage-backed securities are significantly affected by interest rate risk, which is described above. In a low interest rate environment, mortgage loan prepayments would generally be expected to increase due to factors such as refinancings and loan modifications at lower interest rates. In contrast, if prevailing interest rates rise, prepayments of mortgage loans would generally be expected to decline and therefore extend the weighted average lives of mortgage-backed securities held or acquired by the Fund.
Mortgage Dollar Rolls Risk - Mortgage dollar rolls are transactions in which the Fund sells securities (usually mortgage-backed securities) and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar, but not identical, securities on a specified future date. If the broker-dealer to whom the Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to repurchase the security may be restricted. Other risks involved in entering into mortgage dollar rolls include the risk that the value of the security may change adversely over the term of the mortgage dollar roll and that the security the Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than the security that the Fund originally held.
4
SEI / SUMMARY PROSPECTUS
Repurchase Agreement Risk - Although repurchase agreement transactions must be fully collateralized at all times, they generally create leverage and involve some counterparty risk to the Fund whereby a defaulting counterparty could delay or prevent the Fund's recovery of collateral.
Below Investment Grade Securities (Junk Bonds) Risk - Fixed income securities rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as junk bonds) involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are generally more volatile than investment grade securities because the prospect for repayment of principal and interest of many of these securities is speculative. Because these securities typically offer a higher rate of return to compensate investors for these risks, they are sometimes referred to as "high yield bonds," but there is no guarantee that an investment in these securities will result in a high rate of return. These risks may be increased in foreign and emerging markets.
Derivatives Risk - The Fund's use of futures, options and swaps is subject to market risk, leverage risk, correlation risk and liquidity risk. Market risk is described above, and liquidity risk and leverage risk are described below. Many over-the-counter derivative instruments will not have liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. The Fund's use of options and swaps is also subject to credit risk and valuation risk. Credit risk is described below. Valuation risk is the risk that the derivative may be difficult to value and/or valued incorrectly. Each of these risks could cause the Fund to lose more than the principal amount invested in a derivative instrument. Some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the Fund's initial investment. The other parties to certain derivative contracts present the same types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. The Fund's use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. Both U.S. and non-U.S. regulators have adopted and implemented regulations governing derivatives markets, the ultimate impact of which remains unclear.
Leverage Risk - The Fund's use of derivatives may result in the Fund's total investment exposure substantially exceeding the value of its portfolio securities and the Fund's investment returns depending substantially on the performance of securities that the Fund may not directly own. The use of leverage can amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund's share price and may also cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations. The Fund's use of leverage may result in a heightened risk of investment loss.
Liquidity Risk - The risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like. The Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance.
Currency Risk - As a result of the Fund's investments in securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency hedged. In either event, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be adversely affected. Due to the Fund's investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, it will be subject to the risk that currency exchange rates may fluctuate in response to, among other things, changes in interest rates, intervention (or failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad.
Opportunity Risk - The risk of missing out on an investment opportunity because the assets necessary to take advantage of it are tied up in other investments.
Credit Risk - The risk that the issuer of a security or the counterparty to a contract will default or otherwise become unable to honor a financial obligation.
Duration Risk - The longer-term securities in which the Fund may invest are more volatile. A portfolio with a longer average portfolio duration is more sensitive to changes in interest rates than a portfolio with a shorter average portfolio duration.
Extension Risk - The risk that rising interest rates may extend the duration of a fixed income security, typically reducing the security's value.
Prepayment Risk - The risk that, in a declining interest rate environment, fixed income securities with stated interest rates may have the principal paid earlier than expected, requiring the Fund to invest the proceeds at generally lower interest rates.
To-Be-Announced (TBA) Transactions Risk - The Fund may be exposed to TBA transactions risk through the Fund's investments in derivatives. TBA purchase commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the securities to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the counterparty does not deliver the securities as promised. Selling a TBA involves a risk of loss if the value of the securities to be sold goes up prior to settlement date. TBA transactions involve counterparty risk. Default or bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction would expose the Fund to potential loss and could affect the Fund's returns.
5
SEI / SUMMARY PROSPECTUS
Commercial Paper Risk - Commercial paper is a short-term obligation with a maturity generally ranging from one to 270 days and is issued by U.S. or foreign companies or other entities in order to finance their current operations. Such investments are unsecured and usually discounted from their value at maturity. The value of commercial paper may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of the issuing entities and will tend to fall when interest rates rise and rise when interest rates fall.
Portfolio Turnover Risk - Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently. This may result in higher transaction costs and taxes subject to ordinary income tax rates as opposed to more favorable capital gains rates, which may affect the Fund's performance.
Investing in the Fund involves risk, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment goal. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, just as you could with other investments. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
The Fund may be appropriate for investors who prefer a bond fund that invests in both corporate and U.S. Government securities; desire income to complement a portfolio of more aggressive investments; can tolerate performance that may vary from year to year; and prefer a relatively conservative investment for income.
Performance Information
The bar chart and the performance table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for the past ten calendar years and by showing how the Fund's average annual returns for 1, 5 and 10 years compared with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund's website at www.NewCovenantFunds.com or by calling the Fund toll-free at 877-835-4531.
Best Quarter: 5.46% (12/31/23) Worst Quarter: -5.26% (03/31/22) The Fund's total return (pre-tax) from January 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024 was 4.58%. |
Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2023)
This table compares the Fund's average annual total returns to those of an appropriate broad-based index and an additional index with characteristics relevant to the Fund's investment strategy.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
New Covenant Income Fund |
1 Year |
5 Years |
10 Years |
||||||||||
Fund Return Before Taxes |
5.14 |
% |
0.88 |
% |
1.38 |
% |
|||||||
Fund Return After Taxes on Distributions |
3.93 |
% |
-0.11 |
% |
0.47 |
% |
|||||||
Fund Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
3.02 |
% |
0.27 |
% |
0.67 |
% |
|||||||
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
5.53 |
% |
1.10 |
% |
1.81 |
% |
|||||||
Bloomberg Intermediate U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
5.18 |
% |
1.14 |
% |
1.62 |
% |
6
SEI / SUMMARY PROSPECTUS
Management
Investment Adviser and Portfolio Managers. SEI Investments Management Corporation
Portfolio Manager |
Experience with the Fund |
Title with Adviser |
|||
Richard A. Bamford |
Since 2017 |
Portfolio Manager |
|||
Anthony Karaminas, CFA |
Since 2021 |
Portfolio Manager, Head of Sub-Advised Fixed Income |
|||
Nilay Shah |
Since 2021 |
Portfolio Manager |
Sub-Advisers and Portfolio Managers.
Sub-Adviser |
Portfolio Manager |
Experience with the Fund |
Title with Sub-Adviser |
||||
Income Research + Management |
Bill O'Malley, CFA Jake Remley, CFA Jim Gubitosi, CFA |
Since 2016 Since 2019 Since 2017 |
Chief Executive Officer, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Board Member Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager Co-Chief Investment Officer, Senior Portfolio Manager |
||||
Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC |
Bryan Whalen, CFA Stephen Kane, CFA* Jerry Cudzil Ruben Hovhannisyan, CFA |
Since 2024 Since 2024 Since 2024 Since 2024 |
Chief Investment Officer, Generalist Portfolio Manager and Director Fixed Income Group Managing Director and Generalist Portfolio Manager Group Managing Director and Generalist Portfolio Manager Managing Director and Generalist Portfolio Manager |
* Effective December 31, 2024, Mr. Kane will no longer serve as a portfolio manager for the Fund.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase, exchange (into another New Covenant Fund or into the Federated Treasury Obligations Fund) or redeem Fund shares on any business day via mail (New Covenant Income Fund, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701), by telephone at 877-835-4531 or through approved selling agents or brokers. You may also purchase or redeem Fund shares by wire transfer or exchange Fund shares through account access online at www.NewCovenantFunds.com. The minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts are shown below.
Minimum Investments: |
To Open Your Account |
To Add to Your Account |
Automatic Investment Plan |
||||||||||
All Accounts |
$ |
500 |
$ |
100 |
$ |
50 |
Tax Information
The distributions made by the Fund are generally taxable and will be taxed as qualified dividend income, ordinary income or capital gains. If you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account, you will generally not be subject to federal taxation on Fund distributions until you begin receiving distributions from your tax-deferred arrangement. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the rules governing your tax-deferred arrangement.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
7