Dear Fellow Wintergreen Shareholder,
Excerpt from the 2008 Semi-Annual Report Shareholder Letter
Posted September 08, 2008
The last six months have been filled with volatile worldwide financial markets that have kept all investors on their toes. The apparent freefall of some securities is providing huge buying opportunities for value investors, but at the same time the daily market fluctuations are somewhat bewildering to investors as we navigate turbulent market conditions. Wintergreen Fund has been affected by this volatile market: the Fund’s performance for the first six months of 2008 was (11.86%) only slightly better than the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index at (11.91%). The market has not discriminated between high-quality and low-quality companies; virtually every stock has declined. Generally, markets reward solid, stable companies, but this year even the best companies have suffered. The movement from easy credit to little or no available credit has restricted normal business operations and slowed down speculation. We believe companies with the following three characteristics are great long-term destinations for investor capital, even though the short-term quotations are less than favorable: solid businesses that generate cash; businesses with pricing power; and businesses with rational management who create value for their shareholders.
A favorite story of mine as a child was “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper. In this story, a long train needed help to get over a large mountain. Various railroad engines that had the capacity to move the train refused to help. They said the job was too big and difficult for them, and the mountain was too steep. The engines that were designed to haul heavy freight would not attempt to move the huge train. Eventually a small engine that didn’t appear to have the necessary get-up-and-go was asked for assistance and that small engine agreed to try to help the large train. Using all of its power and repeating ‘I think I can, I think I can’, the small engine got the freight train up to the top of the mountain. As the train went down the tracks on the far side of the mountain to deliver toys and treats to the children who had been waiting, the little engine repeated the phrase, ‘I thought I could, I thought I could’.
In this global market that looks too big for anyone or anything to bring it back to a more stable environment, I think that solid analysis of companies and careful accumulation of underpriced stocks has the potential to yield great rewards. Like the little engine that put its head down and worked at its assignment, the pursuit of fundamental research coupled with an appreciation of the consistency of human behavior should identify the securities that I believe will survive and thrive in the future. Now is the time when some of these companies are on sale. Although no one knows precisely when, it is inevitable that these wild bargain prices will at some point in time come to a close. When that happens, and with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, many investors will wish they had accumulated a bigger stake in these bargain companies.
Continue reading the 2008 Semi-Annual Report Shareholder Letter![]()
David J. Winters, CFA
Portfolio Manager
The views contained in this letter are those of the Fund’s portfolio manager as of June 30, 2008, the last day of the reporting period. These views are subject to change without notice as market and other conditions fluctuate. While these views are intended to assist shareholders in understanding their investment in the Fund, they do not constitute investment advice, are not a guarantee of future performance, and are not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security.
The Fund is subject to several risks, any of which could cause an investor to lose money. The Fund may purchase risk arbitrage securities (securities of companies involved in a restructuring) or distressed companies. These companies may not be successful in their restructuring and securities of distressed companies are generally more likely to become worthless than securities of more financially stable companies. Smaller companies involve substantial risk as these securities are traditionally more volatile in price than larger company securities. Securities rated below investment grade, sometimes called junk bonds, involve a greater degree of risk than investment grade bonds in return for higher yield potential. The Fund may be subject to interest rate risk which is the risk that debt securities in the Fund's portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. Investing overseas involves special risks, including the volatility of currency exchange rates and, in some cases, limited geographic focus, political and economic instability, and relatively illiquid markets. By participating in derivative securities, the Fund may attempt to hedge (protect) against currency risk which is the risk that the value of foreign securities may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates. Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risks, depending upon the characteristics of a particular derivative.
In light of these risks, the Fund may not be suitable for all investors.
For a more complete description of the risks associated with the Fund please refer to the prospectus. For more complete information about the Fund, including risks, fees and expenses, download a prospectus from this site or call toll free (888) 468-6473. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. This website is not a solicitation for the Fund outside of the United States. Foreside Fund Services, LLC, distributor (www.foresides.com).
News
September 29th, 2008
David Winters appeared on Fox Business
September 8th, 2008
Wintergreen Fund 2008 Semi-Annual Report
August 4th, 2008
David Winters was featured in Morningstar Advisor Magazine
August 1st, 2008
David Winters was featured in SmartMoney Magazine
July 15th, 2008
David Winters was interviewed by SmartMoneyTV

