Company Profiles

The Eventide Gilead Fund is invested in companies that are both successful and admirable. The following are examples of companies in the portfolio as of March 30, 2012. Please note the holdings are subject to change:

Domtar
(Ticker: UFS, 3.59% of net assets)

Also known as "The Sustainable Paper Company," Domtar is a Fortune 500 company with over $5 billion in annual revenue derived from the paper and pulp industry. Domtar is the largest manufacturer of uncoated free sheet paper (a specialized term for ordinary office and printing paper, and why they chose the ticker UFS) in North America and the second largest in the world. In an era of growing electronic communication, we remember that diplomas, thank you notes, wedding invitations, and professions of love are still best given on paper. On the stewardship front, Domtar has been certified by two independent nonprofit organizations (Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative) to operate according to the highest industry standards. As another remarkable external endorsement of their practices, Domtar’s EarthChoice product line is supported by the Rainforest Alliance. Excellent management, sustainable practices, and quality products make Domtar an exemplar of a values-based business. (The company is based in Montreal, Canada.)

Summer Infant
(Ticker: SUMR, 2.78% of net assets)

In 1985, a father needed a safe place to put his baby daughter, Summer, while he did other activities around the house. He invented the now famous “bouncy seat” used by millions of parents worldwide. His company, Summer Infant, has continued this excellence in innovation by developing a range of products for babies and toddlers. Due to excellence in design, strong management, and commitment to quality, the company has grown from a handful of people to over two hundred employees with approximately $200M in annual revenue. From thermometers to baby gates to BPA-free bottles, Summer Infant’s broad product offerings are complemented by the support of several high quality nonprofit organizations such as the March of Dimes and First Candle. (The company is based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.)

NPS Pharmaceuticals
(Ticker: NPSP, 2.63% of net assets)

Imagine a life where your intestine had to be removed, or is so diseased, that your primary source of nutrition comes intravenously, so-called PN (parenteral nutrition). Besides humiliating and never-ending diarrhea, every night you have to attach yourself to tubing so that you can be fed. This causes you to have to get up often in the night to use the bathroom because of the fluid intake. Unable to get a good night's rest, you become further debilitated and often suffer from depression. One patient on PN said, "I cannot stay out too long because of my demanding PN schedule, which requires me to receive treatment seven nights each week for 10 hours at a time." Another said, "A treatment that would give me back just a night or two a week would greatly improve my life. Maybe even one day, I can travel again." By modifying a natural peptide hormone, NPS Pharmaceuticals has developed a drug that causes intestinal cells to divide and become healthier. The result is that patients have a significantly reduced, or sometimes even eliminated further need for intravenous nutrition. NPS boldly approached a patient group without any recourse, and is bringing them hope for much improved quality of life. The company will hopefully receive FDA approval later in 2012. (The company is based in Bedminster, NJ.)