Market insights and analysis

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 decreased 3.37%, the NASDAQ Composite was down 3.99%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.77%. All 11 sectors were down last week; Utilities, which posted the best return, was down 0.32%. Ten of the 11 Quantified Funds were down last week: The Quantified Managed Income Fund (QBDSX) returned 0%, the Quantified Government Income Tactical Fund (QGITX) went down 0.12%, the Quantified Evolution Plus Fund (QEVOX) was down 0.14%, the Quantified Tactical Fixed Income Fund (QFITX) lost 0.24%, the Quantified Pattern Recognition Fund (QSPMX) decreased by 0.98%, the Quantified Alternative Investment Fund (QALTX) decreased by 1.81%, the Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX) was down 3.58%, the Quantified Rising Dividend Tactical Fund (QRDTX) fell 3.72%, the Quantified Common Ground Fund (QCGDX) was down 4.45%, the Quantified Tactical Sectors Fund (QTSSX) lost 4.59%, and the Quantified Market Leaders Fund (QMLFX) went down 4.70%.

The Market Environment Indicator (MEI) was bullish Friday morning last week. Equity asset-class allocations in the Quantified Market Leaders Fund were the following: Large-Cap Value (30.26%), Small-Cap Value (1.75%), Mid-Cap Value (22.70%), and World Stock (15.13%). Total sector ETF weightings were at 75.67%, holding exposures to Health Care, Industrials, and the S&P 500.

The cash level within the Quantified Alternative Investment Fund increased by 0.96% last week (26.45%). The largest allocation increase and decrease, respectively, within the Quantified Alternative Investment Fund (QALTX) last week were the following: Allocation to the First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC, 3.52%) increased by 1.05%, while allocation to the iShares US Infrastructure ETF (IFRA, 0%) decreased by 1.13%. Last week, the funds were down 2.60% and 2.84%, respectively.

The capital allocation of the volatility-based systematic trading of NASDAQ 100 Index futures started the week with a 1% net short exposure. On Tuesday, the position changed to a 2% net short exposure.

The capital allocation to 30-year U.S. Treasury bond futures in the Quantified Alternative Investment Fund held a 10% net short exposure throughout the week.

The QFC Self-adjusting Trend Following strategy's signal of exposure in the NASDAQ 100 Index (NDX) held a 100% net long exposure throughout the week. The Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX) fell 3.58% for the week, compared to a loss of 3.59% for the NASDAQ 100 Index (NDX) and a loss of 3.61% for the Rydex Series NASDAQ 100 Fund (RYHOX), a current potential holding of the STF strategy.

The Quantified Managed Income Fund's (QBDSX) largest ETF allocations were the Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund (UUP, 14.40%) and the SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK, 4%). Last week, the securities were up 0.46% and down 0.73%, respectively. The cash allocation was at 65.61%.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury closed the week up 2.67%. The capital allocation to 30-year U.S. Treasury bond futures in the Quantified Managed Income Fund held a 15% net short exposure throughout the week. The S&P 500 E-mini futures held a 6% net short exposure throughout the week.

The Quantified Pattern Recognition Fund (QSPMX) started the week with a 40% net long exposure. On Tuesday, the position reallocated to a 70% net long exposure. On Wednesday, the position reallocated to a 150% net long exposure. On Friday, the position moved to a 120% net long exposure.

The Quantified Tactical Fixed Income Fund (QFITX) held a 55% net short exposure to Treasurys and a 0% net long exposure to high-yield bonds throughout the week.

The Quantified Government Income Tactical Fund (QGITX) held a 55% net short exposure to Treasurys throughout the week.

The Quantified Evolution Plus Fund (QEVOX) had the following allocations at the end of last week: 65% in the U.S. dollar and 35% in cash.

The Quantified Common Ground Fund's (QCGDX) largest allocations were Hexcel Corporation (HXL, 9.22%) and Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC, 6.87%). Last week, the securities were down 5.75% and 9.64%, respectively. The cash allocation was at 16.64%.

The Quantified Tactical Sectors Fund (QTSSX) had the following allocations last Friday: the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY, 39%), the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV, 39%), the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI, 39%), and the Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT, 39%).

The Quantified Rising Dividend Fund (QRDTX) was bullish at the end of last week.

Total Return

* Performance for periods of greater than one year are annualized.

As of the most recent prospectus, the expense ratios for the Gold Bullion Strategy Fund are as follows: Investors’ Class (No Load), 1.51%; Class A, 1.51%; Class C, 2.10%. The maximum sales charge imposed on Class A share purchases (as percentage of offering price) is 5.75%. An additional 2% redemption fee applies to all share classes, including Investors’ Class, when shares are redeemed within 7 days of purchase.

The performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted.  To obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end please call 1-855-647-8268.

Risks associated with the Quantified Funds include active frequent trading risk, aggressive investment techniques, small and mid-cap companies risk, counter party risk, depository receipt risk, derivatives risk, equity securities risk, foreign securities risk, holding cash risk, limited history of operations risk, lower quality debt securities risk, convertible bond risk, non-diversification risk, investing in other investment companies (including ETFs) risk, shorting risk, asset backed securities risk, commodity risk, credit risk, interest risk, prepayment risk, mortgage backed securities risk, hedging and leverage risk, preferred stock risk, and MLP and REIT risks.  For detailed information relating to these risks, please see prospectus.

The principal risks of investing in The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund are Risks of the Sub-advisor’s Investment Strategy, Risks of Aggressive Investment Techniques, High Portfolio Turnover, Risk of Investing in Derivatives, Risks of Investing in ETFs, Risks of Investing in Other Investment Companies, Leverage Risk, Taxation Risk, Concentration Risk, Gold Risk, Wholly-owned Corporation Risk, Risk of Non-Diversification and interest rate risk. “Gold Risk” includes volatility, price fluctuations over short periods, risks associated with global monetary, economic, social and political conditions and developments, currency devaluation and revaluation and restrictions, trading and transactional restrictions.

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of each Quantified Fund and The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds’ prospectus, which can be obtained by calling 1-855-647-8268. The prospectus should be read carefully prior to investing in The Quantified Funds or The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund.

There is no guarantee that any of the Quantified Funds or The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund will achieve their investment objectives.

Flexible Plan Investments, Ltd., serves as investment sub-advisor to The Gold Bullion Strategy and Quantified Funds.  Advisors Preferred, LLC serves is the Funds’ investment advisor.