Mesirow High Yield Fund

MFHIX | MFHVX
Seeking to provide a high level of current income consistent with the preservation of principal.

Why invest?

  • Proven ability to capitalize on inefficiency in the small-cap, high yield market
  • Emphasis on yield advantage, combined with historic ability to mitigate default risk
  • Alpha-generation potential from an experienced, high yield manager who values proprietary research over index weightings

Fact sheet

Institutional class | MFHIX

OVERALL MORNINGSTAR RATINGTM BASED ON RISK ADJUSTED RETURNS

Out of 618 funds in the Morningstar US High Yield Bond category as of December 31, 2023.1

 
Morningstar Medalist RatingTM

As of December 31, 2023.2

Investor class | MFHVX

OVERALL MORNINGSTAR RATINGTM BASED ON RISK ADJUSTED RETURNS

Out of 618 funds in the Morningstar US High Yield Bond category as of December 31, 2023.1

 
Morningstar Medalist RatingTM

As of December 31, 2023.2

Meet Mesirow High Yield

Portfolio manager Bob Sydow discusses his investment philosophy and process.

    Our investment philosophy

    We believe the high yield and bank loan markets historically have offered substantial income to over-compensate for default risk and have offered the potential to produce capital gains when issuers have improved their credit quality.

     

    Our process

    Step 1

    Focus on industries we believe have sufficiently low cash flow volatility to service debt regardless of macro trends

    Step 2

    Identify above-average yield opportunities in those industries and optimize allocations according to our investment themes

    Step 3

    Monitor each credit's sensitivity to select macro variables: e.g., consumer spending, credit availability, commodity prices

    Step 4

    Sell when we believe a secular change overturns our investment thesis

    Portfolio management

    Headshot of Robert Sydow

    Robert Sydow

    Chief Investment Officer | High Yield Management

    Profile
    Headshot of Kevin Buckle

    Kevin Buckle, CFA

    Senior Managing Director | High Yield Management

    Profile
    Headshot of James Lisko

    James Lisko

    Managing Director | High Yield Management

    Profile

    Learn more about Mesirow Mutual Funds

    1. The Morningstar Rating™ for funds, or "star rating,” is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity, variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product's monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The Morningstar Rating does not include any adjustment for sales load. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods. For the 3-year period, the fund was rated against 618 funds in the Morningstar High Yield Bond Category and received a Morningstar Rating of five stars for institutional class and four stars for the investor class; for the 5-year period, the fund was rated against 586 funds and received a Morningstar Rating of four stars Intermediate Core Bond category over the last three years and received a Morningstar Rating of 4 stars for institutional and investor classes as; the Overall Morningstar Rating was against 618 funds and received four stars, as of 12.31.2023.

    2. The Morningstar Medalist Rating™ is the summary expression of Morningstar’s forward-looking analysis of investment strategies as offered via specific vehicles using a rating scale of Gold, Silver, Bronze, Neutral, and Negative. The Medalist Ratings indicate which investments Morningstar believes are likely to outperform a relevant index or peer group average on a risk-adjusted basis over time. Investment products are evaluated on three key pillars (People, Parent, and Process) which, when coupled with a fee assessment, forms the basis for Morningstar’s conviction in those products’ investment merits and determines the Medalist Rating they’re assigned. Pillar ratings take the form of Low, Below Average, Average, Above Average, and High. Pillars may be evaluated via an analyst’s qualitative assessment (either directly to a vehicle the analyst covers or indirectly when the pillar ratings of a covered vehicle are mapped to a related uncovered vehicle) or using algorithmic techniques. Vehicles are sorted by their expected performance into rating groups defined by their Morningstar Category and their active or passive status. When analysts directly cover a vehicle, they assign the three pillar ratings based on their qualitative assessment, subject to the oversight of the Analyst Rating Committee, and monitor and reevaluate them at least every 14 months. When the vehicles are covered either indirectly by analysts or by algorithm, the ratings are assigned monthly. For more detailed information about these ratings, including their methodology, please go to global.morningstar.com/managerdisclosures/.

    The Morningstar Medalist Ratings are not statements of fact, nor are they credit or risk ratings. The Morningstar Medalist Rating (i) should not be used as the sole basis in evaluating an investment product, (ii) involves unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause expectations not to occur or to differ significantly from what was expected, (iii) are not guaranteed to be based on complete or accurate assumptions or models when determined algorithmically, (iv) involve the risk that the return target will not be met due to such things as unforeseen changes in management, technology, economic development, interest rate development, operating and/or material costs, competitive pressure, supervisory law, exchange rate, tax rates, exchange rate changes, and/or changes in political and social conditions, and (v) should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell the investment product. A change in the fundamental factors underlying the Morningstar Medalist Rating can mean that the rating is subsequently no longer accurate.

    © 2023 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete, or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

    Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objective, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found in the Fund’s full & summary prospectus, which may be obtained via the links above or by calling 1.833.MESIROW. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

    Risk disclosures: Mutual fund investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee the fund will achieve its stated objective. Bonds and bond funds are subject to interest rate risk and decline in value as interest rates rise. High yield bonds have greater risk of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade bonds. Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are subject to prepayment and extension risk. Small movements in interest rates may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain MBS. The Fund may invest in derivatives. Changes in market value of fund securities and those securities related derivatives may not be proportionate. Derivatives are subject to illiquidity and counterparty risk. International investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from social, economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume The fund’s use of leverage may accelerate the velocity of potential losses. Investments in MLPs involve risks that differ from investments in common stock including risks related to limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP. 

    The information contained herein should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security or investment vehicle offered by Mesirow. The information included has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not necessarily complete and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., Mesirow Institutional Investment Management, Inc., and its affiliated companies and/or individuals may, from time to time, own, have long or short positions in, or options on, or act as a market maker in, any securities discussed herein and may also perform financial advisory or investment banking services for those companies. Information is provided in US dollar denominations.

    It should not be assumed that any recommendations incorporated herein will be profitable or will equal past performance. Any stated performance results include the reinvestment of dividends and other earnings. The Mesirow name and logo are registered service marks of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. Investment management services offered by Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. and Mesirow Institutional Investment Management, Inc., SEC-registered investment advisors. Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc. member FINRA and SIPC.

    There are risks involved with investing, including the possible loss of principal. In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, investments in smaller companies typically exhibit higher volatility.

    The Mesirow Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO) 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA, 19456. The Funds are managed by Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. and Mesirow Institutional Investment Management, Inc. SIDCO is not affiliated with Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. or Mesirow Institutional Investment Management, Inc.

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