Bruce Fund Inc semiannual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The Bruce Fund (the “Fund”) shares produced a total return of -3.19% for the six months ended December 31, 2014, compared to a total return of 6.12% for the S&P 500 Index for the same period. Stock markets improved in the period and the Fund lagged most averages for the six month period. The Fund’s negative performance in the period was mainly due to its exposure to the oil & gas industry, seeing significant declines in the related companies common stock, preferred stock and corporate bonds. Other stocks and the government bonds improved during the period.
We believe that the worldwide economy remains fragile, and is likely to produce weaker than expected activity. With lackluster growth and excessive leverage, the risks are to the downside and we feel caution is still warranted. With asset deflation remaining a risk, a more conservative posture is also warranted. While the consensus feels a more normal like recovery will emerge, we are less certain and don’t mind being out of step with convention.
Management continues to screen investment opportunities for their long-term capital appreciation potential versus the risks that investment might present. Areas of recent interest have been special situations, larger capitalization and dividend paying stocks. The bonds as well as the stocks in the portfolio encompass significant investment risks, which are again outlined in the prospectus.
Shareholders are invited to use the toll-free number (800) 872-7823 to obtain any Fund information (including the proxy voting record), or can visit www.thebrucefund.com, to obtain the same.
Bruce Fund: Investment Results
The performance quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed,may be worthmore or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-800-872-7823.
*The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees. The Index is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity prices and is representative of a broader market and range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Index; however, an individual can invest in exchange-traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.
The chart above assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on December 31, 2004 and held through December 31, 2014. THE FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original purchase price.
Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For more information on the Bruce Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-872-7823. Investing in the Fund involves certain risks that are discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.
The Fund is distributed by Unified Financial Securities, Inc. Member FINRA.
Bruce Fund: Shareholder Expense Example (Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (July 1, 2014) and held for the entire period (through December 31, 2014).
Bruce Fund: Actual Expenses
The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Bruce Fund: Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
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