Services Provided
The Wrap Fee Program
The Adviser is the sponsor and investment adviser of the Adviser’s Wrap Fee Program, which is
referred to in this Brochure as the “Program.” A “Wrap Fee” program is one that provides the
client with advisory and brokerage execution services, plus account reporting, for one all-
inclusive fee. The client is not charged separate fees for the components of the Program except
for the fees described below in Item 4 – “Services, Fees and Compensation - Fees - General.”
The Program may cost clients more or less than purchasing such services separately.
The client’s participation in the Program requires that the client enter into an investment
advisory agreement with the Adviser and the appointment of Robotti Securities, LLC (“Robotti
BD,” which was, until June 2017, named Robotti & Company, LLC), a broker-dealer affiliated with
the Adviser by being under common ownership and control, as the sole introducing broker, and
Robotti BD’s clearing broker, as the client’s clearing broker and custodian. Accordingly, Robotti
BD will not seek best execution of the client’s transactions through other broker-dealers.
Although Robotti BD’s execution procedures are designed to endeavor to obtain the best
execution possible for its Wrap Fee accounts (each, a “Wrap Fee Account”), since Robotti BD is
the sole broker-dealer for the client’s Wrap Fee Account, there can be no assurance that
executions will be as favorable as those that would be obtained if the Adviser were able to place
transactions with other broker-dealers. The client should consider whether or not the
appointment of Robotti BD as the sole broker may or may not result in certain costs or
disadvantages to the client as a result of possibly less favorable executions.
The Adviser will consider a delivery versus payment (“DVP”) arrangement under which the
client’s assets will be held with its own custodian.
Clients are free to consult with the investment adviser representative at the Adviser at any time
concerning their portfolios.
Robotti BD is a broker-dealer registered under Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(“FINRA”). Both Mr. Robert Robotti, who is the principal of the Adviser and of Robotti BD, and
certain other employees of the Adviser are separately licensed as registered representatives of
Robotti BD.
Other Accounts
In addition to managing Wrap Fee Accounts, the Adviser offers discretionary and non-
discretionary investment management services for separately managed accounts on a non-Wrap
Fee basis (“Managed Accounts”) and for customized portfolios of private investment funds
formed by its affiliates pursuant to value investing and/or other strategies as discussed in each
fund’s offering documents (the “Robotti Funds”).
Strategies Offered
Prior to the clients' initial investment in the Program, the investment adviser representative will
assess the client's current financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance and
investment time horizon. This evaluation will permit the representative to assess the suitability
of the Adviser’s strategies for the client. In the Program, clients will participate in a specific
strategy. Each strategy is designed to meet a particular investment goal which the Adviser will
determine is suitable to the client's circumstances. The Adviser currently offers two strategies
within the Program: Value Equity Strategy and Concentrated Value Strategy (collectively referred
to herein as the “Strategies”).
Value Equity Strategy
Mr. Robert Robotti is the Portfolio Manager for the Adviser’s Value Equity Strategy. The strategy
focuses primarily on small- to mid-capitalization (“small cap” and “mid cap”) companies that are
overlooked, out-of-favor or misunderstood by the market and which the Portfolio Manager
believes are undervalued. While small to mid-cap at time of purchase these companies may,
through merger and/or growth, become larger cap. The Adviser believes that holding larger cap
companies is a natural evolution of its buy-and-hold approach with respect the Value Equity
Strategy. The Portfolio Manager’s investment selection is based on identifying the underlying
value within companies. The Portfolio Manager looks for investments where the market price of
a security is below what the Portfolio Manager believes is its intrinsic value. Although this
strategy is primarily focused on small to mid-cap companies, the Portfolio Manager also seeks to
be opportunistic within its core competencies and will consider larger companies when
appropriate. The Portfolio Manager is not limited to securities trading in particular markets. The
Adviser does not claim to be able to forecast general stock market movements or other
macroeconomic trends, but instead maintains a long-term investment horizon in its securities
selection.
The Adviser will allocate the portfolio assets among various investments taking into consideration
the objectives of the strategy. While the Adviser’s Value Equity Strategy focuses primarily on
equity securities, such Wrap Fee Accounts may also own one or more of the following:
convertible stocks, bonds, warrants, corporate, municipal, or government debt, commercial
paper, CDs, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, other investment products, and cash and cash
equivalents.
Concentrated Value Strategy
Mr. Robert Robotti is the Portfolio Manager for the Adviser’s Concentrated Value Strategy. The
investment strategy is for investors interested in a concentrated portfolio of equity securities.
While small to mid-cap at time of purchase these companies may, through merger and/or
growth, become larger cap. The primary emphasis is on equities that are selling for significantly
less than their intrinsic value or those that may grow their intrinsic value at above average rates.
The strategy is highly concentrated, typically owning between 5 and 10 securities at any given
time, but may temporarily hold more securities in special situations. The strategy is focused on
long-term capital appreciation.
Client Restrictions
For either the Value Equity Strategy or the Concentrated Value Strategy, the Adviser requires that
it be provided with written discretionary authority from the client so that the Adviser may
determine which securities and the amounts of securities that are bought or sold. Any
investment policies, guidelines or reasonable restrictions on this discretionary authority are
included in the written agreement between each client and the Adviser. Clients may
change/amend these policies, guidelines and reasonable restrictions at any time by written
notice to the Adviser. To the extent that there are restrictions on securities that may be
purchased for the client’s Wrap Fee Account, the client’s Wrap Fee Account may not perform as
anticipated.
Fees
The Adviser charges a “Wrap Fee” for participation in the Program. An asset-based Wrap Fee is
calculated using a percentage of the value of the amount invested by the client in the Wrap Fee
Account, as set forth in the client’s Wrap Fee Account agreement and described below. The Wrap
Fee percentage rate will not change based on increases or decreases in the value of the client’s
Wrap Fee Account or additions to or withdrawals from the Wrap Fee Account absent a written
agreement between the Adviser and the client.
The Wrap Fee will be generally charged as a percentage of assets under management, as shown
below:
ASSETS
ANNUAL FEE
$0-$2,499,999 2% on all assets
$2.5 mill-$4,999,999 1.75% on all assets
$5 mill-$9,999,999 1.50% on all assets
$10 mill-$14,999,999 1.25% on all assets
$15 mill-$24,999,999 1.10% on all assets
$25 mill + 1.00% on all assets
Certain Wrap Fee Accounts may be charged a Performance Fee. The specific terms of each
Performance Fee may be different for each Account and are detailed in the Advisory Agreement
relating to the Wrap Fee Account.
Fee Computation. Wrap Fees are generally billed quarterly in an amount equal to one quarter of
the contractual annual fee, based on the value of assets under management. Generally, Wrap
Fees are debited from the client’s Wrap Fee Account in accordance with the client authorization
in the agreement with the Adviser.
For the initial quarter in which the Wrap Fee Account is opened, the value of the Wrap Fee
Account on the last business day of such quarter is used to calculate the initial Wrap Fee which
is paid following the end of such quarter. The initial Wrap Fee is prorated for such portion of the
quarter that the Wrap Fee Account was open if opened following the beginning of a quarter. In
the Adviser’s discretion, however, when a Wrap Fee Account has been funded in the week
preceding a quarter
end, there will be no Wrap Fee charged for that week.
For each succeeding quarter, the Wrap Fee is paid to the Adviser in advance based upon the value
of the Wrap Fee Account on the last business day of the preceding calendar quarter. When the
first quarter’s Wrap Fee is paid in arrears, the first and second quarter Wrap Fees are paid at the
same time and the value of the Wrap Fee Account on which the second quarter’s Wrap Fee is
calculated includes the amount payable for the first quarter’s Wrap Fee.
A pro rata refund to the Client of prepaid Wrap Fees is made if the Wrap Fee Account is closed
within a quarter and all of the proceeds or assets are withdrawn by the Client. However, when
one or more accounts are closed and the assets thereof are transferred to a new or existing Wrap
Fee Account with the same Wrap Fee structure (the Client of such new or existing Account, a
“Successor Client”), because the Adviser will continue to manage the assets, a new fee will not
be charged nor will a pro rata portion of the Wrap Fee be refunded. This may occur when there
is (i) a change in the account strategy, (ii) a change in the account registration or title, (iii) a new
account owner(s), (iv) a new trustee of a trust account or (v) a similar circumstance. When the
Wrap Fee is paid in advance, no refunds of Wrap Fees are made with respect to partial
withdrawals from a Wrap Fee Account and no additional Wrap Fees are charged for additions to
a Wrap Fee Account during a quarter.
Wrap Fee Accounts – Performance Fees
A client may request that a Wrap Fee Accounts be charged a Performance Fee instead of an asset-
based fee. The specific terms of each Performance Fee may be different for each Account and
will be detailed in the Advisory Agreement relating to the Wrap Fee Account.
Account Valuation. For purposes of calculating the client’s Wrap Fee, transactions and the value
of cash and securities in the client’s Wrap Fee Account are computed on a trade date basis.
Statements from the client’s custodian will typically reflect transactions as of their settlement
date (typically two business days following the trade date for U.S. securities transactions) and
may value securities and foreign currencies using different valuations from those on which the
Wrap Fee has been calculated (see next paragraph). Accordingly, there may be a discrepancy
between both the positions in the client’s Wrap Fee Account and the values of securities and cash
used to calculate the Wrap Fee and the positions and values set forth on the client’s statement
from its custodian.
Each security listed on a securities exchange shall be valued at the last quoted sales price during
normal trading hours on the primary exchange on which such security is traded on the date for
which the value is sought. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market shall be valued
at the last quoted sales price during normal trading hours in the over-the-counter market on
which such security is traded on the date for which the value is sought. If there was no such trade
on such valuation date, whether exchange listed or not, securities held long will be valued at the
closing bid price and securities held short will be valued at the closing ask price, as reasonably
determined by the Adviser. If, however, in the judgment of the Adviser, any price determined
under this paragraph relates to a trade or trades that are deemed not to reflect the fair value of
a security, such security’s value will be as reasonably determined by the Adviser. Any other
security or asset shall be valued in a manner determined in good faith by the Adviser to reflect
its fair value. The Adviser reserves the right to accrue for dividends as of the ex-dividend date of
any security until the distribution of such dividend. The value in U.S. Dollars of foreign currencies,
or securities or other assets denominated in foreign currencies will be based upon the rate of
exchange between the U.S. Dollar and such foreign currency as of the date for which a value is
sought unless industry practice is to use a different date; provided, that in any event the Adviser
may reasonably determine to use a different date.
General. Clients in the Program will not be charged brokerage commissions for the execution of
securities trades. All transaction-based costs, with the exception of wire transfer fees, certificate
issue fees, special delivery request fees, reorganization fees, SEC exchange fees, stock transfer
taxes, margin interest, custodial fees and similar administrative fees, are included within the
Wrap Fee negotiated between the client and the Adviser within the parameters of the fee
schedule above. A counterparty markup or markdown or dealer’s spread may be built into the
price of over-the-counter or exchange traded securities traded within the Wrap Fee Program.
The Adviser, however, will pay any incremental costs if a broker-dealer other than Robotti BD is
used for a transaction in the client’s Wrap Fee Account. Wrap Account Fees do not include
expenses of any mutual funds or ETFs that are included in the client’s portfolio; however, the
Adviser may, at its discretion, absorb some of these additional fees. The Adviser may have
incentives not to trade in client Wrap Fee Accounts due to its absorption of these charges and
expenses. Moreover, a client may incur higher costs by participating in the Wrap Fee program
instead of a Managed Account, for example if the client’s portfolio trades infrequently or has a
high cash balance. Accordingly, it may be more cost effective to the client for the account to pay
brokerage commissions and other fees rather than pay a higher wrap fee.
In evaluating the Program, a client should consider the total value of all of the services received
for the fee charged, including the amount of trading activity in the client's Wrap Fee Account, the
value of custodial, reporting and other services which are provided under the arrangement. The
Wrap Fee may or may not exceed the aggregate cost of such services if they were to be provided
separately. Generally, Wrap Fee programs are relatively less expensive for actively traded Wrap
Fee Accounts but they may result in higher overall costs to the client in Wrap Fee Accounts that
experience little trading activity.
Wrap Fees vary among our clients and can be negotiable based upon a number of factors,
including, but not limited to, the size of the client’s account, the nature of related services
provided, the length of the advisory relationship with a client and the nature of the client.
The Adviser, in some instances, may compensate current portfolio managers, relationship
managers or professional staff of the Adviser or Robotti BD (together, “Affiliated Solicitors”) for
client referrals. Accounts referred by Affiliated Solicitors will be subject to the Adviser’s normal
fee schedule, subject to any negotiation with the client; the client will not be charged any
additional fees or expenses as a result of the referral. An Affiliated Solicitor may earn a larger fee
for recommending a Wrap Fee Account with a performance fee or a Robotti Fund, and in some
cases, for a Managed Account, than for a Wrap Fee Account subject only to an asset-based
management fee. Accordingly, an Affiliated Solicitor has an incentive to recommend such an
account or a Robotti Fund over a Wrap Fee Account without a performance fee. The Adviser
strives to mitigate this conflict by maintaining compliance policies requiring that client funds be
placed only in investments fitting to their financial situation and investment profile. Conflicts
relating to management of performance fee accounts and non-performance fee accounts are
described in Item 6 – “Portfolio Manager Selection and Evaluation - Performance-Based Fees
and Side-By-Side Management” below.
The Adviser also offers discretionary investment management services for separately managed
accounts on a non-Wrap Fee basis. The Adviser’s strategies for Managed Accounts are the Value
Equity Strategy, Select Value Strategy, Single Issue Strategy and Central Asia Opportunity
Strategy. The Value Equity Strategy is the same strategy whether it is contracted on a Wrap Fee
or Managed Account basis. The Adviser receives a portion of the Wrap Fee for investment
advisory services and a portion for arranging for brokerage execution and reporting services for
the Wrap Fee Account. The Select Value Strategy is a Managed Account strategy with limits on
sector weighting, market capitalization and position weighting. The Single Issue Strategy and
Central Asia Opportunity Strategy are Managed Account strategies that invest in shares,
warrants, derivatives and/or debt of an individual company. The Select Value Strategy, Single
Issue Strategy and Central Asia Opportunity Strategy are not offered on a Wrap Fee basis.
Other Compensation
Certain of the Adviser’s employees may receive remuneration and/or reimbursement for out-
of-pocket expenses in connection with serving as a director on a portfolio company’s Board of
Directors.