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Global Fund

Investment Adviser: Foresters Investment Management Company, Inc.

Portfolio Managers: Pedro Marcal, Director of International Equities and Portfolio Manager

Investment Objective and Strategy

The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.

Sector Allocation (%)

As of 12-31-2018

This information is for illustrative purposes only and includes only invested cash; therefore, the sum of all sectors as a percentage of net assets may not equal 100%.

Top Holdings (%)

As of 12-31-2018
Top Holdings (%)
Security% of Total Net Assets
Amazon.com, Inc.3.6%
Microsoft Corp.3.1%
Apple, Inc.3.0%
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.2.6%
Merck & Co., Inc.2.5%
Verizon Communications, Inc.2.3%
Alphabet, Inc. (Class A)2.2%
Chevron Corp.2.1%
Alphabet, Inc. (Class C)2.0%
Bank of America Corp.1.9%
Total25.2%

This information is solely for illustrative purposes. The portfolio as of the date of this report may or may not be the same as the portfolio on the date this material is used.

Returns as of 01-31-2019 12-31-2018
Gross/Net Exp as of 01-31-2019 Gross/Net Exp as of 06-01-2018
Average Annual Total Returns
Class 1 Yr. % 3 Yr. % 5 Yr. % 10 Yr. % Since inception* Inception date Gross/Net Exp %
Average Annual Total Returns
Aat NAV-11.133.653.508.82N/A11-16-19811.49/1.44
w/ sales charge-16.241.632.298.18N/A11-16-19811.49/1.44
Bat NAV-11.712.882.708.03N/A01-15-19952.29/2.24
w/ sales charge-14.622.102.478.03N/A01-15-19952.29/2.24
Advisorat NAV-10.894.053.87N/A6.7104-01-20131.09/1.04
Institutionalat NAV-10.764.133.97N/A6.8204-01-20131.05/1.00
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassA
at NAV
1 Yr. %-11.13
3 Yr. %3.65
5 Yr. %3.50
10 Yr. %8.82
Since inception*N/A
Inception date11-16-1981
Gross/Net Exp %1.49/1.44
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassA
w/ sales charge
1 Yr. %-16.24
3 Yr. %1.63
5 Yr. %2.29
10 Yr. %8.18
Since inception*N/A
Inception date11-16-1981
Gross/Net Exp %1.49/1.44
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassB
at NAV
1 Yr. %-11.71
3 Yr. %2.88
5 Yr. %2.70
10 Yr. %8.03
Since inception*N/A
Inception date01-15-1995
Gross/Net Exp %2.29/2.24
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassB
w/ sales charge
1 Yr. %-14.62
3 Yr. %2.10
5 Yr. %2.47
10 Yr. %8.03
Since inception*N/A
Inception date01-15-1995
Gross/Net Exp %2.29/2.24
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassAdvisor
at NAV
1 Yr. %-10.89
3 Yr. %4.05
5 Yr. %3.87
10 Yr. %N/A
Since inception*6.71
Inception date04-01-2013
Gross/Net Exp %1.09/1.04
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassInstitutional
at NAV
1 Yr. %-10.76
3 Yr. %4.13
5 Yr. %3.97
10 Yr. %N/A
Since inception*6.82
Inception date04-01-2013
Gross/Net Exp %1.05/1.00
Average Annual Total Returns
Class 1 Yr. % 3 Yr. % 5 Yr. % 10 Yr. % Since inception* Inception date Gross/Net Exp %
Average Annual Total Returns
Aat NAV-11.398.815.6610.44N/A11-16-19811.48/1.48
w/ sales charge-16.456.654.429.79N/A11-16-19811.48/1.48
Bat NAV-12.117.944.809.76N/A01-15-19952.28/2.28
w/ sales charge-15.017.134.579.76N/A01-15-19952.28/2.28
Advisorat NAV-11.159.176.03N/A7.7404-01-20131.10/1.10
Institutionalat NAV-11.139.236.12N/A7.8404-01-20131.05/1.05
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassA
at NAV
1 Yr. %-11.39
3 Yr. %8.81
5 Yr. %5.66
10 Yr. %10.44
Since inception*N/A
Inception date11-16-1981
Gross/Net Exp %1.48/1.48
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassA
w/ sales charge
1 Yr. %-16.45
3 Yr. %6.65
5 Yr. %4.42
10 Yr. %9.79
Since inception*N/A
Inception date11-16-1981
Gross/Net Exp %1.48/1.48
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassB
at NAV
1 Yr. %-12.11
3 Yr. %7.94
5 Yr. %4.80
10 Yr. %9.76
Since inception*N/A
Inception date01-15-1995
Gross/Net Exp %2.28/2.28
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassB
w/ sales charge
1 Yr. %-15.01
3 Yr. %7.13
5 Yr. %4.57
10 Yr. %9.76
Since inception*N/A
Inception date01-15-1995
Gross/Net Exp %2.28/2.28
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassAdvisor
at NAV
1 Yr. %-11.15
3 Yr. %9.17
5 Yr. %6.03
10 Yr. %N/A
Since inception*7.74
Inception date04-01-2013
Gross/Net Exp %1.10/1.10
Average Annual Total Returns
ClassInstitutional
at NAV
1 Yr. %-11.13
3 Yr. %9.23
5 Yr. %6.12
10 Yr. %N/A
Since inception*7.84
Inception date04-01-2013
Gross/Net Exp %1.05/1.05

*For funds with less than 1, 3, 5 or 10 year performance data.

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance and expense ratios may be higher or lower than the data quoted. Performance of share classes will differ because each class is sold pursuant to different sales arrangements and bears different expenses. The Class A returns shown with sales charges are based on the maximum sales charge of 5.75% for Equity Funds, 4% for the Municipal Funds and Bond Funds, except First Investors Limited Duration, High Quality Bond Fund and First Investors Floating Rate Fund, which are 2.5%. The Class B returns shown with sales charges are adjusted for the applicable deferred sales charge (maximum of 4% in the first year). The Advisor Class and Institutional Class returns are shown as NAV only returns since these classes are sold without sales charges. Redemptions of Class B shares may be subject to a deferred sales charge. Returns may reflect waivers or reimbursements of certain expenses. Absent of these waivers or reimbursements, returns may be lower.

For more complete information on any First Investors fund, you may obtain a free prospectus by downloading it here,  contacting your registered representative, or calling 800 423 4026. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, fees or charges, and expenses of the fund carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the fund, and should be read carefully before you invest or send money.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

The Growth of $10,000 Investment graph shows cumulative return of an initial investment of $10,000 from 9/30/2007 to 9/30/2017. Figures include reinvestment of capital gains and dividends, but do not reflect the effect of any sales charges or redemption fees, which would lower these figures. The illustration is not intended to imply any future performance of the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. 

Annual Performance before Sales Charge (%)

All distributions reinvested
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 YTD 2018
MSCI All Country World Index -41.85 35.41 13.21 -6.86 16.80 23.44 4.71 -1.84 8.48 24.62 -8.93
A Shares -41.20 32.22 12.46 -9.79 16.05 25.94 4.35 2.20 1.26 23.73 -11.13
Annual Performance before Sales Charge (%)
MSCI All Country World Index
2008 -41.85
2009 35.41
2010 13.21
2011 -6.86
2012 16.80
2013 23.44
2014 4.71
2015 -1.84
2016 8.48
2017 24.62
YTD 2018 -8.93
Annual Performance before Sales Charge (%)
A Shares
2008 -41.20
2009 32.22
2010 12.46
2011 -9.79
2012 16.05
2013 25.94
2014 4.35
2015 2.20
2016 1.26
2017 23.73
YTD 2018 -11.13

Sector Allocation (%)

As of 12-31-2018

This information is for illustrative purposes only and includes only invested cash; therefore, the sum of all sectors as a percentage of net assets may not equal 100%.

Top Holdings (%)

As of 12-31-2018
Top Holdings (%)
Security% of Total Net Assets
Amazon.com, Inc.3.6%
Microsoft Corp.3.1%
Apple, Inc.3.0%
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.2.6%
Merck & Co., Inc.2.5%
Verizon Communications, Inc.2.3%
Alphabet, Inc. (Class A)2.2%
Chevron Corp.2.1%
Alphabet, Inc. (Class C)2.0%
Bank of America Corp.1.9%
Total25.2%

This information is solely for illustrative purposes. The portfolio as of the date of this report may or may not be the same as the portfolio on the date this material is used.

Regional Allocation (%)

As of 12-31-2018
Security% of Total Net Assets
United States62.4%
Japan6.2%
United Kingdom5.9%
Switzerland5.5%
Germany5.1%
France3.0%
Hong Kong2.3%
India1.2%
China1.1%
Netherlands1.0%
Canada0.9%
South Korea0.8%
Taiwan0.8%
Finland0.7%
Luxembourg0.7%
Sweden0.7%
Italy0.4%
Cash Equivalents0.9%
Total99.6%

This information is for illustrative purposes only and includes only invested cash; therefore, the sum of all sectors as a percentage of net assets may not equal 100%.

Risk Measure 3 Year

As of 12/31/2018
3 Year *
Alpha** -3.67
Beta** 1.07
R-Squared** 93.31
Sharpe Ratio 0.27
Standard Deviation 11.77
* Calculations measured against Class A shares
** Measured against the Fund's benchmark
Class A Class B Advisor Class Institutional Class
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.75%1 None  None None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the lower of purchase price or redemption price) 1.00%2 4.00%3
 None None
Class A Class B Advisor Class Institutional Class
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees 0.95% 0.95%
 0.95% 0.95%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.30% 1.00%
 None None
Other Expenses 0.23% 0.33%
 0.15% 0.10%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.48%
 2.28% 1.10%
 1.05%

1 Due to rounding of numbers in calculating a sales charge, you may pay more or less than what is shown above.

2 A CDSC of 1.00% will be assessed on certain redemptions of Class A shares that are purchased without a sales charge.

3 4.00% in the first year, declining to 0% after the sixth year. Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight years.

Pedro

Managers

Pedro Marcal is the Director of International Equities and a Portfolio Manager at Foresters Investment Management Company, Inc. (FIMCO), and joined the firm in May 2018. Previously, he was a Portfolio Manager of global and international products at Fred Alger Management, where he worked for more than five years. Before that he was a Portfolio Manager at Allianz Global Investors and its predecessor, Nicholas‐Applegate Capital Management, for 18 years where he focused on international equities including developed and emerging markets. Pedro has been in the investment management industry since 1994. He has a B.A. in economics from the University of California at San Diego and an M.B.A. from UCLA.

How to obtain a prospectus


For more complete information on any First Investors fund, you may obtain a free prospectus by downloading it here, contacting your registered representative, or calling 800 423 4026. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, fees or charges, and expenses of the fund carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the fund, and should be read carefully before you invest or send money. An investment in a fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.

A word about risk

There are risks associated with global investing including the possibility of fluctuating currency exchange rates. In some countries there is less supervision and regulation of stock exchanges. Securities may be more volatile and less liquid than those of U.S. companies. Also, the financial reporting standards in some countries are not as extensive as in the United States. Therefore, there may be less publicly available information on certain companies. Social and political instability could develop, which might affect a nation's financial markets and the assets invested there by other companies.

Principal Risks:  You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  There is no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective. 

Here are the principal risks of investing in the Fund:

Derivatives Risk.  To the extent the Fund invests in forward foreign currency contracts it is exposed to a number of risks, such as possible default by the counterparty to the transaction, incorrect judgment by the portfolio manager as to certain market movements and the potential of greater losses than if this technique had not been used.  These investments can also increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price and expose it to significant additional costs.  Derivatives may be difficult to sell, unwind or value.

Emerging Markets Risk.  The risks of investing in foreign securities are heightened when investing in emerging or developing markets.  The economies and political environments of emerging or developing countries tend to be more unstable, resulting in more volatile rates of returns than developed markets and substantially greater risk.

Foreign Securities Risk.  There are special risk factors associated with investing in foreign securities, including the risks of fluctuations in exchange rates, potential political and economic instability, differing accounting and financial reporting standards or inability to obtain reliable financial information regarding a company’s financial condition, less stringent regulation and supervision of foreign securities markets, custodians and securities depositories, and potential capital restrictions.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk.  High portfolio turnover could increase the Fund’s transaction costs, result in taxable distributions to shareholders and negatively impact performance.

Liquidity Risk.  Certain investments may be difficult or impossible to sell at a favorable time or price.  Market developments may cause the Fund’s investments to become less liquid and subject to erratic price movements.  This risk is particularly acute in the case of foreign securities that are traded in smaller, less-developed or emerging markets.

Market Risk.  Stock prices may decline over short or even extended periods due to general economic and market conditions, adverse political or regulatory developments or interest rate fluctuations.  Adverse market events may lead to increased redemptions, which could cause the Fund to experience a loss or difficulty in selling securities to meet redemptions.

Mid-Size and Small-Size Company Risk.  The market risk associated with stocks of mid- and small-size companies is generally greater than that associated with stocks of larger, more established companies because stocks of mid- and small-size companies tend to experience
sharper price fluctuations.  At times, it may be difficult to sell mid-to-small-size company stocks at reasonable prices.

Security Selection Risk.  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet expectations. 

An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.