t69506_ncsr.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR
 
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file Number _811-02265_

­­ Value Line Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

220 East 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 212-907-1500

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2010
 
 
 

 
 
Item I.  Reports to Stockholders.

A copy of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the period ended 12/31/10 is included with this Form.
 
 

INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
EULAV Asset Management
A N N U A L  R E P O R T
   
220 East 42nd Street
D e c e m b e r  3 1 ,  2 0 1 0
   
New York, NY 10017-5891
 
DISTRIBUTOR
 
EULAV Securities LLC
 
   
220 East 42nd Street
 
   
New York, NY 10017-5891
 
CUSTODIAN BANK
 
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
 
   
225 Franklin Street
 
   
Boston, MA 02110
 
SHAREHOLDER
 
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
 
SERVICING AGENT
 
c/o BFDS
 
   
P.O. Box 219729
 
   
Kansas City, MO 64121-9729
 
INDEPENDENT
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
The Value Line
Fund, Inc.
REGISTERED PUBLIC
 
300 Madison Avenue
ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
New York, NY 10017
LEGAL COUNSEL
 
Peter D. Lowenstein, Esq.
   
496 Valley Road
   
Cos Cob, CT 06807-0272
 
DIRECTORS
 
Mitchell E. Appel
 
   
Joyce E. Heinzerling
 
   
Francis C. Oakley
 
   
David H. Porter
 
   
Paul Craig Roberts
 
   
Nancy-Beth Sheerr
 
   
Daniel S. Vandivort
 
OFFICERS
 
Mitchell E. Appel
 
   
President
 
   
Michael J. Wagner
 
   
Chief Compliance Officer
 
   
Emily D. Washington
 
   
Treasurer and Secretary
 
     
(value line logo)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
This audited report is issued for information to shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a currently effective prospectus of the Fund (obtainable from the Distributor).
#00078081

 
 

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
To Our Value Line
 
To Our Shareholders (unaudited):
 
Enclosed is your annual report for the year ended December 31, 2010. We encourage you to carefully review this report, which includes economic observations, your Fund’s performance data and highlights, schedule of investments, and financial statements.
 
We are pleased to report that The Value Line Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) earned a total return of 25.55% for the 12 months ending December 31, 2010. That compared with a total return of 15.06% for the benchmark index, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index(1). Contributing most to the superior performance in 2010 was good stock selection in the Computer Software, Consumer Services and Healthcare Technology sectors.
 
A year ago, we outlined for you the changes we had undertaken to improve the performance of your Fund. Those changes are paying off. First, we broadened the Fund’s stock selection universe. Rather than mechanically invest only in the weekly list of one hundred Rank 1’s of the Value Line Timeliness Ranking System, the portfolio manager now selects investments from among the 1,200 or so stocks in the top three Ranks. This allows greater diversification of the portfolio, which reduces exposure to any single economic sector. It also results in decreased turnover of portfolio holdings, which lowers trading expenses. Second, we appointed senior portfolio manager Stephen Grant to actively manage the Fund. In his 20 years with the Value Line funds, Mr. Grant has demonstrated widely recognized success managing other equity portfolios in our fund family.
 
The Fund’s newly expanded stock selection criteria allow us to implement our disciplined investment strategy to full advantage. We invest in proven winners---those companies that have established five to ten year records of superior relative earnings growth and stock price growth. This is truly a portfolio of growth stocks. We also look for companies demonstrating strong short-term, quarter-to-quarter, relative earnings momentum and stock price momentum. If a holding later falters on these measures, we do not hesitate to replace it with a stock showing superior strength.
 
The Fund invests in companies of all sizes. Its approximately 150 holdings are well-diversified in that respect, comprised of about one-third large-capitalization companies, one-third mid-cap and one-third small-cap.
 
Thank you for investing with us.
 
Sincerely,
 
/s/ Mitchell Appel
 
Mitchell Appel, President
 
/s/ Stephen E. Grant
 
Stephen E. Grant, Portfolio Manager
 
 (1)
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index consists of 500 stocks which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ National Market System and is representative of the broad stock market. This is an unmanaged index and does not reflect charges, expenses or taxes. It is not possible to directly invest in this index.

 

2

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Fund Shareholders
 
Economic Observations (unaudited)
 
The business expansion’s underpinnings are clearly strengthening as the new year unfolds. For example, the nation’s gross domestic product, which grew by a solid 3.2% in the final quarter of 2010, is likely to push forward by a little more than 3% in the current three months, and then sustain that moderate pace for the full year. Overall, we expect this stable, but not eyecatching, expansion to stay in place for the next several years, underpinned by additional gains in consumer and industrial activity and, later on, by belated recoveries in housing and employment. Here is a look at where we stand:
 
Economic Growth: We expect growth to total a bit more than at 3% in the first quarter of 2011. The economy should then remain on that plateau, on average, throughout the rest of 2011. For now, we expect lackluster job growth and listless housing to be countered by improving industrial demand and modest gains in retail sales. This combination probably will keep the U.S. economy moving moderately forward over the early years of this decade. Thereafter, gains in employment and housing should step in to sustain the expansion through the mid-decade, at least.
 
Inflation: Pricing pressures, which have been largely absent for the past several years, are beginning to heat up, on the strength of rising quotations for oil, gold, silver, a range of industrial commodities, and food. Importantly, wage inflation is low and does not figure to increase notably in the absence of a much lower jobless rate. On the other hand, the threat of deflation, or falling prices, appears to be lessening. Overall, we see a gradual uptick in pricing pressures for the next couple of years, but, at this point, do not envision a full-blown inflation surge evolving.
 
Interest Rates: The Federal Reserve probably will keep short-term interest rates at current historically low levels until 2012. The central bank, which is worried about achieving durable economic growth, earlier put into place a stepped-up monetary stimulus program in which it is buying Treasury issues in an attempt to drive up fixed-income prices and drive down yields. The rationale here is to lower debt levels to a point where it becomes attractive for consumers to boost their borrowings--and thus increase their spending on houses and cars. It is a risky undertaking, especially in the wake of the recent step-up in inflation. And, thus far, the results have not been as good as advertised, as the aforementioned gains in business activity have sent long-term interest rates higher, to the chagrin of current bond holders, those seeking a mortgage, or those hoping to refinance an existing one.
 
Corporate Profits: Earnings rose strongly in 2010, boosted mostly by better cost management. However, such gains may lessen going forward, unless our economic growth assumptions prove conservative.

 

3

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
(unaudited)
 
The following graph compares the performance of The Value Line Fund, Inc. to that of the S&P 500 Index. The Value Line Fund, Inc. is a professionally managed mutual fund, while the Index is not available for investment and is unmanaged. The returns for the Index do not reflect charges, expenses or taxes, but do include the reinvestment of dividends. The comparison is shown for illustrative purposes only.
 
Comparison of a Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in The
Value Line Fund, Inc. and the S&P 500 Index*
 
(LINE GRAPH)
 
Performance Data: **
 
   
Average Annual
Total Return
   
Growth of an Assumed
Investment of $10,000
 
 
1 year ended 12/31/10
    25.55 %   $ 12,555  
5 years ended 12/31/10
    (2.83 )%   $ 8,664  
10 years ended 12/31/10
    (2.07 )%   $ 8,113  

*
The Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index is an unmanaged index that is representative of the larger- capitalization stocks traded in the United States.
   
**
The performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future performance. The average annual total returns and growth of an assumed investment of $10,000 include dividends reinvested and capital gains distributions accepted in shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investment, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than its original cost. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

 

 4

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
 
FUND EXPENSES (unaudited):
 
Example
 
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
 
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010).
 
Actual Expenses
 
The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
 
   
Beginning
account value
7/1/10
   
Ending
account value
12/31/10
   
Expenses
paid during
period 7/1/10
thru 12/31/10*
 
 
Actual
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,262.92     $ 5.33  
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,020.50     $ 4.76  

*
Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 0.93% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 to reflect the one-half year period. This expense ratio may differ from the expense ratio shown in the Financial Highlights. The annualized expense ratio would have been 1.02% gross of nonrecurring legal fee reimbursement.

 

 5

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Portfolio Highlights at December 31, 2010 (unaudited)
 
Ten Largest Common Stock Holdings
 
Issue
 
Shares
   
Value
   
Percentage of
Net Assets
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A
    30,000     $ 2,198,700       2.1 %
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.
    27,000     $ 2,182,680       2.1 %
Priceline.com, Inc.
    5,400     $ 2,157,570       2.1 %
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
    57,000     $ 1,873,020       1.8 %
Novo Nordisk A/S ADR
    15,000     $ 1,688,550       1.6 %
Oracle Corp.
    51,000     $ 1,596,300       1.5 %
Informatica Corp.
    36,000     $ 1,585,080       1.5 %
AutoZone, Inc.
    5,700     $ 1,553,763       1.5 %
Rollins, Inc.
    75,000     $ 1,481,250       1.4 %
Diamond Foods, Inc.
    25,600     $ 1,361,408       1.3 %
 
Asset Allocation – Percentage of Net Assets
 
(PIE CHART)
 

Sector Weightings – Percentage of Total Investment Securities
 
 
(BAR CHART)
 
 

6

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2010

 
Shares
     
Value
 
COMMON STOCKS (94.0%)
     
     
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY (19.1%)
   
 
 
 
5,700
 
AutoZone, Inc. *
 
$
1,553,763
 
 
12,000
 
BorgWarner, Inc. *
   
868,320
 
 
19,000
 
Buckle, Inc. (The)
   
717,630
 
 
5,000
 
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *
   
219,250
 
 
3,100
 
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Class A *
   
659,246
 
 
17,000
 
Deckers Outdoor Corp. *
   
1,355,580
 
 
25,000
 
DIRECTV Class A *
   
998,250
 
 
12,000
 
Dollar Tree, Inc. *
   
672,960
 
 
3,500
 
Fossil, Inc. *
   
246,680
 
 
7,000
 
Genuine Parts Co.
   
359,380
 
 
9,000
 
Gildan Activewear, Inc. *
   
256,410
 
 
15,000
 
Guess?, Inc.
   
709,800
 
 
5,000
 
Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. *
   
301,100
 
 
27,000
 
Johnson Controls, Inc.
   
1,031,400
 
 
3,000
 
LKQ Corp. *
   
68,160
 
 
3,000
 
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. *
   
205,260
 
 
4,600
 
National Presto Industries, Inc.
   
598,046
 
 
2,000
 
Netflix, Inc. *
   
351,400
 
 
2,000
 
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. *
   
120,840
 
 
13,000
 
Panera Bread Co. Class A *
   
1,315,730
 
 
900
 
Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Inc. *
   
37,566
 
 
5,400
 
Priceline.com, Inc. *
   
2,157,570
 
 
12,000
 
Shaw Communications, Inc. Class B
   
256,560
 
 
4,000
 
Strayer Education, Inc.
   
608,880
 
 
3,000
 
Tim Hortons, Inc.
   
123,690
 
 
22,000
 
TJX Companies, Inc. (The)
   
976,580
 
 
2,000
 
Tractor Supply Co.
   
96,980
 
 
12,000
 
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. *
   
632,400
 
 
2,000
 
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. *
   
68,000
 
 
12,000
 
Warnaco Group, Inc. (The) *
   
660,840
 
 
4,200
 
Wynn Resorts Ltd.
   
436,128
 
 
26,000
 
Yum! Brands, Inc.
   
1,275,300
 
           
19,939,699
 
               
     
CONSUMER STAPLES (9.8%)
       
 
1,400
 
Boston Beer Co., Inc. (The) Class A*
   
133,126
 
 
2,000
 
British American Tobacco PLC ADR
   
155,400
 
 
13,200
 
Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
   
561,132
 

 
Shares
     
Value
 
 
14,000
 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
 
$
966,280
 
 
10,000
 
Corn Products International, Inc.
   
460,000
 
 
25,600
 
Diamond Foods, Inc.
   
1,361,408
 
 
24,000
 
Flowers Foods, Inc.
   
645,840
 
 
12,000
 
General Mills, Inc.
   
427,080
 
 
57,000
 
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. *
   
1,873,020
 
 
21,000
 
Hormel Foods Corp.
   
1,076,460
 
 
21,600
 
J&J Snack Foods Corp.
   
1,041,984
 
 
7,000
 
Molson Coors Brewing Co. Class B
   
351,330
 
 
1,000
 
Ruddick Corp.
   
36,840
 
 
15,700
 
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. *
   
802,113
 
 
6,000
 
Whole Foods Market, Inc. *
   
303,540
 
           
10,195,553
 
               
     
ENERGY (1.3%)
       
 
6,000
 
Complete Production Services, Inc. *
   
177,300
 
 
2,000
 
Core Laboratories N.V.
   
178,100
 
 
3,000
 
Enbridge, Inc.
   
169,200
 
 
3,000
 
QEP Resources, Inc.
   
108,930
 
 
18,000
 
Southwestern Energy Co. *
   
673,740
 
           
1,307,270
 
               
     
FINANCIALS (3.6%)
       
 
21,000
 
AFLAC, Inc.
   
1,185,030
 
 
3,000
 
Bank of Montreal
   
172,710
 
 
2,400
 
BlackRock, Inc.
   
457,392
 
 
8,000
 
Royal Bank of Canada
   
418,880
 
 
9,000
 
Stifel Financial Corp. *
   
558,360
 
 
15,000
 
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
   
968,100
 
           
3,760,472
 
               
     
HEALTH CARE (16.7%)
       
 
2,300
 
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *
   
185,265
 
 
9,000
 
Allergan, Inc.
   
618,030
 
 
2,600
 
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Class A *
   
270,010
 
 
19,400
 
Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. *
   
901,906
 
 
7,800
 
Cerner Corp. *
   
738,972
 
 
24,400
 
Computer Programs & Systems, Inc.
   
1,142,896
 
 
3,000
 
DENTSPLY International, Inc.
   
102,510
 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

 7

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
December 31, 2010

 
Shares
     
Value
 
 
27,000
 
Edwards Lifesciences Corp. *
 
$
2,182,680
 
 
5,700
 
Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. *
   
203,547
 
 
24,000
 
Express Scripts, Inc. *
   
1,297,200
 
 
9,000
 
Haemonetics Corp. *
   
568,620
 
 
12,000
 
Henry Schein, Inc. *
   
736,680
 
 
6,000
 
Hospira, Inc. *
   
334,140
 
 
13,000
 
Illumina, Inc. *
   
823,420
 
 
1,000
 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. *
   
257,750
 
 
14,000
 
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. *
   
857,780
 
 
8,000
 
MEDNAX, Inc. *
   
538,320
 
 
3,000
 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *
   
453,630
 
 
15,000
 
Novo Nordisk A/S ADR
   
1,688,550
 
 
17,500
 
Owens & Minor, Inc.
   
515,025
 
 
36,000
 
ResMed, Inc. *
   
1,247,040
 
 
18,000
 
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR
   
938,340
 
 
7,000
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. *
   
387,520
 
 
3,500
 
United Therapeutics Corp. *
   
221,270
 
 
9,000
 
Volcano Corp. *
   
245,790
 
           
17,456,891
 
               
     
INDUSTRIALS (16.3%)
       
 
22,500
 
AMETEK, Inc.
   
883,125
 
 
18,600
 
Applied Signal Technology, Inc.
   
704,754
 
 
6,000
 
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
   
481,140
 
 
7,700
 
Canadian National Railway Co.
   
511,819
 
 
5,100
 
Cubic Corp.
   
240,465
 
 
18,000
 
Danaher Corp.
   
849,060
 
 
14,000
 
Donaldson Co., Inc.
   
815,920
 
 
5,500
 
Eaton Corp.
   
558,305
 
 
9,300
 
Elbit Systems Ltd.
   
492,156
 
 
5,000
 
HEICO Corp.
   
255,150
 
 
6,000
 
Hunt (J.B.) Transport Services, Inc.
   
244,860
 
 
7,000
 
IDEX Corp.
   
273,840
 
 
16,000
 
IHS, Inc. Class A *
   
1,286,240
 
 
11,000
 
ITT Corp.
   
573,210
 
 
9,000
 
Kansas City Southern *
   
430,740
 
 
7,000
 
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
   
493,430
 

 
Shares
     
Value
 
 
3,000
 
Lennox International, Inc.
  $
141,870
 
 
1,000
 
Middleby Corp. (The) *
   
84,420
 
 
9,000
 
Navistar International Corp. *
   
521,190
 
 
6,000
 
Oshkosh Corp. *
   
211,440
 
 
6,200
 
Parker Hannifin Corp.
   
535,060
 
 
75,000
 
Rollins, Inc.
   
1,481,250
 
 
12,000
 
Roper Industries, Inc.
   
917,160
 
 
12,000
 
Stericycle, Inc. *
   
971,040
 
 
6,000
 
Toro Co. (The)
   
369,840
 
 
12,000
 
United Technologies Corp.
   
944,640
 
 
9,000
 
URS Corp. *
   
374,490
 
 
7,000
 
Valmont Industries, Inc.
   
621,110
 
 
1,500
 
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
   
207,165
 
 
18,000
 
Waste Connections, Inc.
   
495,540
 
           
16,970,429
 
               
     
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (17.8%)
   
 
 
 
18,000
 
Accenture PLC Class A
   
872,820
 
 
12,000
 
Acme Packet, Inc. *
   
637,920
 
 
15,000
 
Advent Software, Inc. *
   
868,800
 
 
6,000
 
Alliance Data Systems Corp. *
   
426,180
 
 
9,000
 
Amphenol Corp. Class A
   
475,020
 
 
9,000
 
ANSYS, Inc. *
   
468,630
 
 
25,000
 
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. *
   
1,156,500
 
 
30,000
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A *
   
2,198,700
 
 
15,000
 
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Class A *
   
1,000,500
 
 
7,000
 
Equinix, Inc. *
   
568,820
 
 
5,000
 
F5 Networks, Inc. *
   
650,800
 
 
3,000
 
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.
   
281,280
 
 
700
 
Google, Inc. Class A *
   
415,779
 
 
36,000
 
Informatica Corp. *
   
1,585,080
 
 
2,200
 
MasterCard, Inc. Class A
   
493,042
 
 
4,000
 
MICROS Systems, Inc. *
   
175,440
 
 
25,000
 
Open Text Corp. *
   
1,151,500
 
 
51,000
 
Oracle Corp.
   
1,596,300
 
 
6,000
 
Rovi Corp. *
   
372,060
 
 
6,000
 
Salesforce.com, Inc. *
   
792,000
 
 
13,000
 
Solera Holdings, Inc.
   
667,160
 
 
12,000
 
SuccessFactors, Inc. *
   
347,520
 
 
20,000
 
TIBCO Software, Inc. *
   
394,200
 
 
6,000
 
VMware, Inc. Class A *
   
533,460
 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

8

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Schedule of Investments

Shares
     
Value
 
 
3,000
 
WebMD Health Corp. *
 
$
153,180
 
 
5,000
 
Wright Express Corp. *
   
230,000
 
           
18,512,691
 
     
MATERIALS (7.7%)
       
 
10,000
 
Ball Corp.
   
680,500
 
 
34,000
 
Crown Holdings, Inc. *
   
1,134,920
 
 
15,000
 
FMC Corp.
   
1,198,350
 
 
6,200
 
NewMarket Corp.
   
764,894
 
 
9,000
 
Praxair, Inc.
   
859,230
 
 
8,000
 
Rock-Tenn Co. Class A
   
431,600
 
 
12,000
 
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The) Class A
   
609,240
 
 
12,000
 
Sigma-Aldrich Corp.
   
798,720
 
 
25,000
 
Silgan Holdings, Inc.
   
895,250
 
 
13,100
 
Solutia, Inc. *
   
302,348
 
 
9,000
 
Valspar Corp. (The)
   
310,320
 
           
7,985,372
 
               
     
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES (0.1%)
       
 
2,000
 
Telefonica S.A. ADR
   
136,840
 
               
     
UTILITIES (1.6%)
       
 
12,000
 
ITC Holdings Corp.
   
743,760
 
 
7,000
 
NSTAR
   
295,330
 
 
18,000
 
Questar Corp.
   
313,380
 
 
6,000
 
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
   
353,160
 
           
1,705,630
 
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS AND TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES (94.0%)
(Cost $63,577,468)
 
$
97,970,847
 
 
  Principal Amount      
Value
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (6.0%)        
     
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (6.0%)
       
 $
 6,200,000
 
With Morgan Stanley, 0.06%, dated 12/31/10, due 01/03/11, delivery value $6,200,031 (collateralized by $5,905,000 U.S. Treasury Notes 3.1250%, due 08/31/13, with a value of $6,327,026)
 
$
6,200,000
 
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $6,200,000) (6.0%)
   
6,200,000
 
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.0%)    
29,364
 
NET ASSETS (100%)  
$
104,200,211
 
NET ASSET VALUE OFFERING AND REDEMPTION PRICE, PER OUTSTANDING SHARE ($104,200,211 ÷ 12,192,693 shares outstanding)
 
$
8.55
 

*
Non-income producing.
ADR American Depositary Receipt.

See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

 9

 

The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
at December 31, 2010

Assets:
       
Investment securities, at value
(Cost - $63,577,468)
 
$
97,970,847
 
Repurchase agreement
(Cost - $6,200,000)
   
6,200,000
 
Cash
   
149,179
 
Interest and dividends receivable
   
35,020
 
Prepaid expenses
   
14,776
 
Receivable for capital shares sold
   
15
 
Total Assets
   
104,369,837
 
         
Liabilities:
       
Payable for capital shares redeemed
   
92,649
 
Accrued expenses:
       
Advisory fee
   
18,883
 
Other
   
58,094
 
Total Liabilities
   
169,626
 
Net Assets
 
$
104,200,211
 
         
Net assets consist of:
       
Capital stock, at $1.00 par value (authorized 50,000,000,outstanding 12,192,693 shares)
 
$
12,192,693
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
130,864,760
 
Undistributed net investment income
   
18,656
 
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency`
   
(73,269,306
)
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency translations
   
34,393,408
 
Net Assets
 
$
104,200,211
 
         
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Outstanding Share ($104,200,211 ÷ 12,192,693 shares outstanding)
 
$
8.55
 
 
Statement of Operations
for the Year Ended December 31, 2010

Investment Income:
       
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $17,921)
 
$
874,928
 
Interest
   
6,172
 
Total Income
   
881,100
 
         
Expenses:
       
Advisory fee
   
661,257
 
Service and distribution plan fees
   
236,238
 
Transfer agent fees
   
93,297
 
Printing and postage
   
72,495
 
Auditing and legal fees
   
70,881
 
Registration and filing fees
   
29,710
 
Custodian fees
   
27,213
 
Directors’ fees and expenses
   
15,095
 
Insurance
   
11,440
 
Other
   
19,177
 
Total Expenses Before Custody Credits and Fees Waived
   
1,236,803
 
Less: Legal Fee Reimbursement
   
(43,666
)
Less: Service and Distribution Plan Fees Waived
   
(236,238
)
Less: Advisory Fees Waived
   
(94,706
)
Less: Custody Credits
   
(212
)
Net Expenses
   
861,981
 
Net Investment Income
   
19,119
 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments and Foreign Exchange Transactions:
       
Net Realized Gain
   
6,315,624
 
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)
   
15,566,001
 
Net Realized Gain and Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Investments and Foreign Exchange Transactions
   
21,881,625
 
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations
 
$
21,900,744
 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

10

 
 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
for the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2010
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2009
 
Operations:
           
Net investment income/(loss)
  $ 19,119     $ (188,826 )
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currency
    6,315,624       (13,753,709 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)
    15,566,001       21,941,228  
Net increase in net assets from operations
    21,900,744       7,998,693  
                 
Capital Share Transactions:
               
Proceeds from sale of shares
    1,757,938       1,206,054  
Cost of shares redeemed
    (12,138,342 )     (9,623,697 )
Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions
    (10,380,404 )     (8,417,643 )
Total Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets
    11,520,340       (418,950 )
                 
Net Assets:
               
Beginning of year
    92,679,871       93,098,821  
End of year
  $ 104,200,211     $ 92,679,871  
Undistributed net investment income and accumulated net investment loss, respectively, at end of year
  $ 18,656     $ (11 )
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

11

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
1. Significant Accounting Policies
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc., (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, open-end management investment company whose primary investment objective is long term-growth of capital.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
(A) Security Valuation: Securities listed on a securities exchange are valued at the closing sales prices on the date as of which the net asset value is being determined. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. In the absence of closing sales prices for such securities and for securities traded in the over-the-counter market, the security is valued at the midpoint between the latest available and representative asked and bid prices. Short-term instruments with maturities of 60 days or less at the date of purchase are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Short- term instruments with maturities greater than 60 days at the date of purchase are valued at the midpoint between the latest available and representative asked and bid prices, and commencing 60 days prior to maturity such securities are valued at amortized cost. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or that are not readily marketable and all other assets of the Fund are valued at fair value as the Board of Directors may determine in good faith. In addition, the Fund may use the fair value of a security when the closing market price on the primary exchange where the security is traded no longer accurately reflects the value of a security due to factors affecting one or more relevant securities markets or the specific issuer.
 
(B) Fair Value Measurements: In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (FASB ASC 820-10), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157), the Fund discloses the fair value of its investments in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation (level 3 measurements). FASB ASC 820-10-35-39 to 55 provides three levels of the fair value hierarchy as follows:
 
Level 1 — Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including inputs in markets that are not considered to be active;
Level 3 — Inputs that are unobservable.
 
The Fund follows the authoritative guidance included in FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, on determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and identifying transactions that are not orderly (formerly FSP FAS 157-4). FASB ASC 820-10-35-51A to 51H indicates that if an entity determines that either the volume and/or level of activity for an asset or liability has significantly decreased (from normal conditions for that asset or liability) or price quotations or observable inputs are not associated with orderly transactions, increased analysis and management judgment will be required to estimate fair value.
 
 

12

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
December 31, 2010
 
Valuation techniques such as an income approach might be appropriate to supplement or replace a market approach in those circumstances. It provides a list of factors to determine whether there has been a significant decrease in relation to normal market activity. Regardless, however, of the valuation technique and inputs used, the objective for the fair value measurement in those circumstances is unchanged from what it would be if markets were operating at normal activity levels and/or transactions were orderly; that is, to determine the current exit price as promulgated by FASB ASC 820-10.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2010 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value:
                         
Investments in Securities:
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets
                       
Common Stocks
  $ 97,970,847     $ 0     $ 0     $ 97,970,847  
Short-Term Investments
    0       6,200,000       0       6,200,000  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 97,970,847     $ 6,200,000     $ 0     $ 104,170,847  
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2010 there was no significant security transfer activity between Level 1 and Level 2.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2010, there were no Level 3 investments. The Schedule of Investments includes a breakdown of the Schedule’s investments by category.
 
(C) Repurchase Agreements: In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, the Fund’s custodian takes possession of the underlying collateral securities, the value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, it is the Fund’s policy to mark-to-market the collateral on a daily basis to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. In the event of default of the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. Under certain circumstances, in the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral or proceeds may be subject to legal proceedings.
 
(D) Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies, including the distribution requirements of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
 
(E) Security Transactions and Distributions: Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Interest income is accrued as earned. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are calculated for financial accounting and federal income tax purposes on the identified cost basis. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
 
(F) Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities which are denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. The Fund does not isolate changes in the value of investments caused by foreign exchange rate differences from the changes due to other circumstances.
 
Income and expenses are translated to U.S. dollars based upon the rates of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions.
 
 

 13

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from currency fluctuations realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the differences between the U.S. dollar amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded by the Fund, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments, at the end of the fiscal period, resulting from changes in the exchange rates. The effect of the change in foreign exchange rates on the value of investments is included in realized gain/loss on investments and change in net unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on investments.
 
(G) Representations and Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
(H) Foreign Taxes: The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments, or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.
 
(I) Other: On March 11, 2010, certain affected Value Line Funds and Value Line, Inc. (“VLI”) entered into an agreement pursuant to which VLI agreed to reimburse those Funds in the aggregate amount of $917,302 for various expenses incurred by those Funds in connection with the subject matter of the settlement, dated November 4, 2009, between the Securities and Exchange Commission and VLI, Value Line Securities, Inc. (currently EULAV Securities LLC (the “Distributor”)) and two former directors and officers of VLI. The agreement required VLI to reimburse those Funds in twelve monthly installments commencing April 1, 2010 and those Funds accrued a related receivable. Accordingly, the Fund accrued $43,666 in expense reimbursements from VLI. In November 2010, VLI accelerated its payment obligations and paid in full the outstanding balance.
 
On December 23, 2010, EULAV Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) was restructured so that it is no longer a wholly-owned subsidiary of VLI. As part of the restructuring, the Adviser converted to a Delaware statutory trust named EULAV Asset Management and the Distributor merged into EULAV Securities LLC and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser. VLI has stated that as a result of the restructuring it no longer “controls” (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) the Adviser or the Distributor. On July 20, 2010, the Board approved a new investment advisory agreement between each Fund and the restructured Adviser to take effect upon the closing of the restructuring. The effectiveness of each investment advisory agreement was also contingent upon approval by shareholders of the applicable Fund. Toward this end, each Fund held special shareholder meetings in the Fall of 2010 at which shareholders approved the new investment advisory agreements with the restructured Adviser. In addition, the shareholders of each Fund elected three persons as members of the Board at the special shareholder meetings. Please see “Proxy Results” later in this annual report for the voting results of those shareholder meetings.
 
(J) Subsequent Events: Management has evaluated all subsequent transactions and events through the date on which these financial statements were issued, and except as already included in the notes to these financial statements, has determined that no additional items require disclosure.
 
 

14

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
December 31, 2010
 
2. Capital Share Transactions, Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders
 
Transactions in capital stock were as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2010
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2009
 
Shares sold
    232,157       200,697  
Shares redeemed
    (1,641,343 )     (1,577,819 )
Net decrease
    (1,409,186 )     (1,377,122 )
 
3. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2010
 
Purchases:
       
Investment Securities
 
$
24,173,807
 
Sales:
       
Investment Securities
 
$
32,407,062
 
 
4. Income Taxes
 
At December 31, 2010, information on the tax components of capital is as follows:
 
Cost of investments for tax purposes
 
$
70,185,353
 
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
 
$
34,505,460
 
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
 
$
(519,966
)
Net tax unrealized appreciation on investments
 
$
33,985,494
 
Undistributed ordinary income
 
$
18,656
 
Capital loss carryforward, expires December 31, 2016
 
$
(31,143,185
)
Capital loss carryforward, expires December 31, 2017
 
$
(41,718,238
)
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, as permitted under federal income tax regulations, the Fund utilized $6,108,115 of capital loss carryforwards.
 
To the extent that current or future capital gains are offset by capital losses, the Fund does not anticipate distributing any such gains to shareholders.
 
It is uncertain whether the Fund will be able to realize the benefits of the losses before they expire.
 
The differences between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments were primarily attributed to wash sales.
 
Permanent book-tax differences relating to the current year were reclassified within the composition of the net asset accounts. The Fund decreased undistributed net investment income by $452, decreased accumulated realized loss by $403, and increased additional paid-in-capital by $49. These reclassifications were primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency translation for tax purposes.
 
5. Investment Advisory Fee, Service and Distribution Fees and Transactions With Affiliates
 
An advisory fee of $661,257 was paid or payable to EULAV Asset Management (the “Adviser”) for the year ended December 31, 2010. This was computed at an annual rate of 0.70% of the first $100 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets plus 0.65% of the excess thereof, and paid monthly. The Adviser provides research, investment programs, supervision of the investment portfolio and pays costs of administrative services, office space, equipment and compensation of administrative, bookkeeping, and clerical personnel necessary for managing the affairs of the Fund.
 
 

 15

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
The Adviser also provides persons, satisfactory to the Fund’s Board of Directors, to act as officers and employees of the Fund and pays their salaries. Effective May 1, 2009, the Adviser contractually reduced the advisory fee by 0.10% of the first $100 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets and 0.15% on the excess there of for a one year period. On March 11, 2010, with an effective date of May 1, 2010, the Adviser contractually agreed to extend the waiver for an additional one year period. The fees waived amounted to $94,706 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Adviser has no right to recoup previously waived amounts.
 
The Fund has a Service and Distribution Plan (the “Plan”), adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which compensates EULAV Securities LLC (the “Distributor”) for advertising, marketing and distributing the Fund’s shares and for servicing the Fund’s shareholders at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2010, fees amounting to $236,238 before fee waivers were accrued under the Plan. Effective May 1, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, the Distributor contractually agreed to waive the Fund’s 12b-1 fee for one year periods. For the year ended December 31, 2010 the fees waived amounted to $236,238. The Distributor has no right to recoup prior waivers.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund’s expenses were reduced by $212 under a custody credit arrangement with the custodian.
 
Direct expenses of the Fund are charged to the Fund while common expenses of the Value Line Funds are allocated proportionately based upon the Funds’ respective net assets. The Fund bears all other costs and expenses.
 
Certain officers and a Trustee of the Adviser are also officers and a director of the Fund.
 
The Adviser and/or affiliated companies and the employees of the Adviser and Distributor are members of the Value Line Profit Sharing and Savings Plan which owned 826 shares of the Fund’s capital stock, representing less than 1% of the outstanding shares at December 31, 2010. In addition, officers and directors of the Fund as a group owned 1,608 shares of the Fund, representing less than 1% of the outstanding shares.
 
 

16

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Financial Highlights
 
Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year:
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Net asset value, beginning of year
  $ 6.81     $ 6.22     $ 12.83     $ 12.48     $ 13.14  
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income/(loss)
    0.00 (1)     (0.01 )     (0.03 )     (0.01 )     (0.05 )
Net gains or (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized)
    1.74       0.60       (6.30 )     2.37       0.58  
Total from investment operations
    1.74       0.59       (6.33 )     2.36       0.53  
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Distributions from net realized gains
                (0.28 )     (2.01 )     (1.19 )
Net asset value, end of year
  $ 8.55     $ 6.81     $ 6.22     $ 12.83     $ 12.48  
                                         
Total return
    25.55 %     9.49 %     (49.28 )%     19.50 %     4.00 %
                                         
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
  $ 104,200     $ 92,680     $ 93,099     $ 203,274     $ 197,349  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets(2)
    1.31 %     1.36 %     1.17 %     1.08 %     1.12 %
Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3)
    0.91 %     1.04 %     0.92 %     0.82 %     1.04 %
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets
    0.02 %     (0.22 )%     (0.26 )%     (0.11 )%     (0.37 )%
Portfolio turnover rate
    27 %     122 %     273 %     216 %     224 %
 
(1)
Amount is less than $.01 per share.
 
(2)
Ratio reflects expenses grossed up for custody credit arrangement and grossed up for the waiver of the advisory fees by the Adviser, the service and distribution plan fees by the Distributor, and the reimbursement by Value Line of certain expenses incurred by the Fund (“Expenses”) in connection with a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission related to brokerage commissions charged by the Distributor to the Fund. The ratio of expenses to average net assets net of custody credits, but exclusive of the fee waivers and reimbursement of Expenses, would have been 1.07% for the year ended December 31, 2007 and would not have changed for the other years shown.
 
(3)
Ratio reflects expenses net of the custody credit arrangement and net of the waiver of the advisory fee by the Adviser, the service and distribution plan fees by the Distributor, and the reimbursement of Expenses by Value Line.
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 

 17

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Value Line Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) at December 31, 2010, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2010 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
 
February 25, 2011

 

18

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
PROXY RESULTS
FOR
THE VALUE LINE FUND, INC.
 
Two Special Meetings of Shareholders were held on October 26, 2010 for shareholders of record on August 25, 2010 to elect three nominees for Directors of the Fund and to approve a new investment advisory agreement between the Fund and EULAV Asset Management. Each vote represents one dollar of value of shares outstanding on the record date.
 
Approved the Directors as follows:
 
NOMINEE
 
VOTES FOR
   
VOTES WITHHELD
 
Ms. Joyce Heinzerling
    7,238,556       605,851  
Mr. Mitchell E. Appel
    7,220,273       624,135  
Daniel S. Vandivort
    7,225,054       619,354  
 
Following their October 26, 2010 approval, Ms. Heinzerling and Mr. Vandivort continued to serve as Directors along with Ms. Nancy-Beth Sheerr and Messrs. Francis C. Oakley, David H. Porter, Thomas Sarkany and Paul Craig Roberts. Effective with the resignation of Mr. Thomas Sarkany on December 23, 2010, Mr. Appel became a Director.
 
Approved the new investment advisory agreement as follows:

VOTES FOR
 
VOTES AGAINST
   
VOTES ABSTAINING
   
BROKER NON-VOTES*
 
6,294,169
   401,572      471,025      97,987  
 
*Broker non-votes are proxies received from brokers or nominees indicating that such persons have not received instructions from the beneficial owners or other persons entitled to vote such shares as to a particular matter with respect to which the brokers or nominees do not have discretionary power to vote.

 

 19

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
2010 Annual Report (unaudited)
 
FACTORS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD IN APPROVING
THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
FOR THE VALUE LINE FUND, INC.
 
          The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) requires the Board of Directors, including a majority of Directors who are not “interested persons” of The Value Line Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), initially and annually thereafter consider the approval of an investment advisory agreement between the Fund and its investment adviser.
 
          The Fund’s former investment advisory agreement with EULAV Asset Management, LLC (the “Former Agreement”) terminated by operation of law on December 23, 2010 when EULAV Asset Management, LLC was restructured as a Delaware statutory trust and renamed EULAV Asset Management (the “Adviser”).1 In its consideration of whether the new investment advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser (“Agreement”) was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, the Board requested and the Adviser provided such information as the Board deemed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Agreement.
 
          Among the factors considered by the Board was the fact that all terms under the Agreement, including the advisory services provided and fee rate charged, are identical to those under the Former Agreement, with the sole exception of the date of execution, the two-year initial term, and immaterial changes in form and updates. The Board, including the Independent Directors, also took into account that it had recently performed a full annual review of the Former Agreement and approved the selection of the Adviser and the continuance of the Former Agreement based on a thorough examination of qualitative and quantitative information provided by the Adviser. At meetings held throughout the year, including the meeting specifically focused upon the review of the Agreement and Former Agreement, the Independent Directors met in executive sessions separately from the non-Independent Director of the Fund and any officers of the Adviser. In selecting the restructured Adviser and approving the Agreement, the Independent Directors relied upon the assistance of counsel to the Independent Directors.
 
           Both in the meetings which specifically addressed the approval of the Agreement and the Former Agreement and at other meetings, the Board, including the Independent Directors, received materials relating to the Adviser’s investment and management services under the Former Agreement and as planned under the Agreement. These materials included information on: (i) the investment performance of the Fund, compared to a peer group of funds consisting of the Fund and all retail and institutional multi-cap growth funds regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution (the “Performance Universe”), and its benchmark index, each as classified by Lipper Inc., an independent evaluation service (“Lipper”); (ii) the investment process, portfolio holdings, investment restrictions, valuation procedures, and financial statements for the Fund; (iii) sales and redemption data with respect to the Fund; (iv) the general investment outlook in the markets in which the Fund invests; (v) arrangements with respect to the distribution of the Fund’s shares; (vi) the allocation and cost of the Fund’s brokerage (none of which was effected through any affiliate of the Adviser); and (vii) the overall nature, quality and extent of services provided by the Adviser.
   
1 Unless otherwise indicated, for periods prior to December 23, 2010, the term “Adviser” should be understood to refer to EULAV Asset Management, LLC and its predecessor, Value Line, Inc. (“VLI”).

 

20

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
 2010 Annual Report (unaudited)
 
          As part of the review of the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, additional information in order to evaluate the quality of the Adviser’s services and the reasonableness of its fees under the Former Agreement and as planned under the Agreement. In a separate executive session, the Independent Directors reviewed information, which included data comparing: (i) the Fund’s management fee rate, transfer agent and custodian fee rates, service fee (including 12b-1 fees) rates, and the rate of the Fund’s other non-management fees, to those incurred by a peer group of funds consisting of the Fund and 11 other retail no-load multi-cap growth funds (excluding outliers), as selected objectively by Lipper (“Expense Group”), and a peer group of funds consisting of the Fund, the Expense Group and all other retail no-load multi-cap growth funds (excluding outliers), as selected objectively by Lipper (“Expense Universe”); (ii) the Fund’s expense ratio to those of its Expense Group and Expense Universe; and (iii) the Fund’s investment performance over various time periods to the average performance of the Performance Universe as well as the appropriate Lipper Index, as selected objectively by Lipper (the “Lipper Index”).
 
          In the separate executive session, the Independent Directors also reviewed information regarding: (a) the financial results and condition of the Adviser’s parent company, the financial results and condition of the Adviser both before and as projected after the restructuring, the Adviser’s and certain of its affiliates’ profitability from the services that have been performed for the Fund and the Value Line family of funds, as well as the projected profitability after the restructuring; (b) the Adviser’s current and anticipated investment management staffing and resources; (c) the proposed ownership, control and day-to-day management of the Adviser after the restructuring; and (d) the Fund’s potential for achieving economies of scale. In support of its review of the statistical information, the Board was provided with a detailed description of the methodology used by Lipper to determine the Expense Group, the Expense Universe and the Performance Universe to prepare its information. The Independent Directors also requested and reviewed information provided by the Adviser related to the settlement of a matter brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding Value Line Securities, Inc., formerly the Fund’s principal underwriter and affiliate of the Adviser (the “Distributor”),2 VLI and two former directors and officers of VLI. The Board also relied upon representations by VLI that (i) as a result of the restructuring, VLI will no longer “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) the restructured Adviser or the Distributor and (ii) the settlement of this matter was not likely to have a materially adverse effect on the resources or ability of the Adviser or the Distributor to perform their respective contracts with the Fund.
 
          The following summarizes matters considered by the Board in connection with its approval of the Agreement. However, the Board did not identify any single factor as all-important or controlling, and the summary does not detail all the matters that were considered.
 
          The Board noted that the Agreement’s terms are identical in all material respect to those of the Former Agreement. The Board also considered representations by VLI and the Adviser that, after giving effect to the restructuring, the Adviser and Distributor would have adequate resources to perform their respective services, that there would be no diminution in the nature, quality and extent of such services, and that the Value Line Timeliness rankings would continue to be provided to the Adviser without cost. The Board reviewed the resources and effectiveness of the Adviser’s overall compliance program and viewed favorably the fact that Mr. Appel would continue as Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser with responsibility for day-to-day management following the restructuring. The Board also viewed favorably the increased emphasis being placed by the Adviser on its overall compliance program as well as steps being undertaken to enhance the shareholders’ experience with the Fund, such as a more robust website. The Board reviewed the services provided by the Adviser and its affiliates in supervising third party service providers. Based on these considerations, and in significant reliance on the representations of VLI and the Adviser, the Board concluded that there was not likely to be an adverse change in the nature, quality and extent of services provided by the Adviser and its affiliates under the Agreement following the restructuring, and that the quality of such services would continue to be appropriate.
   
2 On May 5, 2009, Value Line Securities, Inc. changed its name to EULAV Securities, Inc. As part of the restructuring on December 23, 2010, EULAV Securities, Inc. was restructured as a Delaware limited liability company with the name EULAV Securities LLC and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser. No other changes were made to the Distributor’s organization, including its operations and personnel.

 

 21

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
2010 Annual Report (unaudited)
 
          Investment Performance. The Board reviewed the Fund’s overall investment performance and compared it to its Performance Universe and the Lipper Index. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2009 was below the performance of both the Performance Universe average and the Lipper Index. The Board noted that it approved changes to the Fund’s investment policies in March 2009 that were recommended by the Adviser to address the Fund’s underperformance, and that it may take longer than the current period in order for those changes to produce results.
 
          The Adviser’s Personnel and Methods. The Board reviewed the background of the portfolio manager responsible for the daily management of the Fund’s portfolio, seeking to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives and adhering to the Fund’s investment strategies. The Independent Directors also engaged in discussions with the Adviser’s senior management responsible for the overall functioning of the Fund’s investment operations. The Board took into account the fact that no change was expected in the Fund’s portfolio manager or other employees of the Adviser in connection with the restructuring. The Board concluded that the Fund’s management team and the Adviser’s overall resources were adequate and that the Adviser had investment management capabilities and personnel essential to performing its duties under the Agreement.
 
          Management Fee and Expenses. The Board considered the Adviser’s fee under the Agreement relative to the management fees charged by its Expense Group and Expense Universe averages. The Board noted that the Adviser and the Board previously agreed that the Adviser would contractually waive a portion of the Fund’s management fee equal to 0.10% on the first $100 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets and 0.15% on any additional assets, thereby reducing the management fee rate from 0.70% to 0.60% on the first $100 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets and from 0.65% to 0.50% on any additional assets for the one year period ending April 30, 2011. In connection with the restructuring, the Adviser and the Board have agreed to extend this contractual management fee waiver, which would otherwise terminate with the Former Agreement, through April 30, 2012. Such waiver cannot be changed during the contractual waiver period without the Board’s approval. The Board noted that, for the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s management fee rate without giving effect to the contractual management fee waiver was less than that of both the Expense Group average and the Expense Universe average.
 
          The Board also considered the Fund’s total expense ratio relative to its Expense Group and Expense Universe averages. The Board noted that the Distributor and the Board previously agreed that the Distributor would contractually waive a portion of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 fee, effectively reducing the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 fee rate from 0.25% to 0.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the one year period ending April 30, 2011. In connection with the restructuring, the Distributor and the Board have agreed to extend this contractual Rule 12b-1 fee waiver through April 30, 2012. Such waiver cannot be changed during the contractual waiver period without the Board’s approval. As a result of this Rule 12b-1 fee waiver and the management fee waiver, the Board noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio after giving effect to these waivers was less than that of the Expense Group average and the Expense Universe average. The Board concluded that the average expense ratio was satisfactory for the purpose of approving the Agreement.

 

22

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
2010 Annual Report (unaudited)
 
The Board took into account the fact that the fee rate under the Agreement was identical to that under the Former Agreement, that the expense structure of the Fund would not increase as a result of the restructuring, and that no alteration of the management or Rule 12b-1 fee rates or any waivers or expense reimbursement arrangements was intended by VLI or the Adviser in connection with the restructuring or during the two years thereafter.
 
          Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of other services provided by the Adviser and the Distributor.
 
          Profitability. The Board considered the level of historical and projected profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates with respect to the Fund individually and in the aggregate for all the funds within the Value Line group of funds, including the impact of the restructuring and certain actions taken during prior years. These actions included the reduction (voluntary in some instances and contractual in other instances) of management and/or Rule 12b-1 fees for certain funds, the Adviser’s termination of the use of soft dollar research, and the cessation of trading through the Distributor. The Board noted that the Fund’s fee rates under the Agreement and Former Agreement would be identical and considered representations by VLI and the Adviser that the Adviser had no present intention to alter the advisory fee rates, expense waivers or expense reimbursement arrangements for any of the funds within the Value Line group of funds for a period of two years from the closing of the restructuring. The Board concluded that the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates with respect to the Fund, including the financial results derived from the Fund’s Agreement, were within a range the Board considered reasonable.
 
          Other Benefits. The Board also considered the character and amount of other direct and incidental benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates from their association with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential “fallout” benefits that the Adviser and its affiliates may receive, such as greater name recognition, appear to be reasonable, and may in some cases benefit the Fund.
 
          Economies of Scale. The Board noted the Agreement includes a breakpoint applicable to the Adviser’s fee under which the first $100 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets are subject to a fee of 0.70% (0.60% after giving effect to the waiver) and any additional assets are subject to a fee of 0.65% (0.50% after giving effect to the waiver). The Board considered that, given the current and anticipated size of the Fund, any perceived and potential economies of scale were not yet a significant consideration for the Fund and that the addition of additional break points to the fee structure were not currently necessary. It was noted that, although it was not yet possible to evaluate opportunities for additional economies of scale resulting from the restructuring, the Board did not expect economies of scale to be significant given the size of the Fund.

 

 23

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
2010 Annual Report (unaudited)
 
         Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by the Adviser and its Affiliates. In addition to comparing the Fund’s management fee rate to unaffiliated mutual funds included in the Fund’s Expense Group and Expense Universe, the Board was informed by the Adviser that it manages non-mutual fund asset management accounts that have similar objectives and policies to certain of the funds in the Value Line family of funds, but that are not generally comparable for a number of reasons (including different services provided).
 
          Conclusion. The Board examined the totality of the information it was provided at the meeting specifically addressing approval of the Agreement and at other meetings held during the past year and did not identify any single controlling factor. Based on their evaluation of all material factors deemed relevant, and with the advice of independent counsel, the Board concluded that the Fund’s management fee rate payable to the Adviser under the Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining. Further, the Board concluded that the Fund’s Agreement, and the management fee rate thereunder, is fair and reasonable and voted to approve the Agreement as in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

24

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
 
     
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, and information regarding how the Fund voted these proxies for the 12-month period ended June 30 is available through the Fund’s website at http://www.vlfunds.com and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The description of the policies and procedures is also available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-243-2729.

 

 25

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
Management of the Fund
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
 
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed by the Fund’s officers under the direction of the Board of Directors. The following table sets forth information on each Director and Officer of the Fund. Each Director serves as a director or trustee of each of the 14 Value Line Funds. Each Director serves until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
 
Name, Address, and YOB
 
Position
 
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal Occupation
During the Past 5 Years
 
Other
Directorships
Held by Director
Interested Director*
               
Mitchell E. Appel
YOB: 1970
 
Director
 
Since 2010
 
President of each of the Value Line Funds since June 2008; President of the Adviser and Distributor since February 2009; Chief Financial Officer of Value Line, Inc. (“Value Line”) from April 2008 to December 2010 and from September 2005 to November 2007; Director of Value Line, Inc. February 2010 to December 2010 and Treasurer from June 2005 to September 2005; Chief Financial Officer of XTF Asset Management from November 2007 to April 2008.
 
None
Non-Interested Directors
               
Joyce E. Heinzerling
500 East 77th Street
New York, NY 10162
YOB: 1956
 
Director
 
Since 2008
 
President, Meridian Fund Advisers LLC. (consultants) since April 2009; General Counsel, Archery Capital LLC (private investment fund) until April 2009.
 
Burnham Investors Trust, since 2004 (4 funds).
Francis C. Oakley
54 Scott Hill Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
YOB: 1931
 
Director
 
Since 2000
 
Professor of History, Williams College, (1961-2002). Professor Emeritus since 2002; President Emeritus since 1994 and President, (1985-1994); Chairman (1993-1997) and Interim President (2002-2003) of the American Council of Learned Societies. Trustee since 1997 and Chairman of the Board since 2005, National Humanities Center.
 
None
David H. Porter
5 Birch Run Drive
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
YOB: 1935
 
Director
 
Since 1997
 
Professor, Skidmore College since 2008; Visiting Professor of Classics, Williams College, (1999-2008); President Emeritus, Skidmore College since 1999 and President, (1987-1998).
 
None

 

26

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc
 
Management of the Fund

Name, Address, and YOB
 
Position
 
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal Occupation
During the Past 5 Years
 
Other
Directorships
Held by Director
Paul Craig Roberts
169 Pompano St.
Panama City Beach, FL
32413
YOB: 1939
 
Director
 
Since 1983
 
Chairman, Institute for Political Economy.
 
None
Nancy-Beth Sheerr
1409 Beaumont Drive
Gladwyne, PA 19035
YOB: 1949
 
Director
 
Since 1996
 
Senior Financial Adviser, Veritable L.P. (Investment Adviser).
 
None
Daniel S. Vandivort
59 Indian Head Road
Riverside, CT 06878
YOB: 1954
 
Director
(Chairman of
Board since
March 2010)
 
Since 2008
 
President, Chief Investment Officer, Weiss, Peck and Greer/Robeco Investment Management (2005-2007); Managing Director, Weiss, Peck and Greer, (1995-2005).
 
None
Officers
Mitchell E. Appel
YOB: 1970
 
 
President
 
 
Since 2008
 
 
President of each of the Value Line Funds since June 2008; President of the Adviser and Distributor since February 2009; Chief Financial Officer of Value Line, Inc. (“Value Line”) from April 2008 to December 2010 and from September 2005 to November 2007; Director of Value Line, Inc. February 2010 to December 2010 and Treasurer from June 2005 to September 2005; Chief Financial Officer of XTF Asset Management from November 2007 to April 2008.
Michael J. Wagner
YOB: 1950
 
Chief
Compliance
Officer
 
Since 2009
 
Chief Compliance Officer of each of Value Line Funds since June 2009; President of Northern Lights Compliance Service, LLC (formerly Fund Compliance Services, LLC (2006 - present)) and Senior Vice President (2004 - 2006) and President and Chief Operations Officer (2003 - 2006) of Gemini Fund Services, LLC; Director of Constellation Trust Company until 2008.
Emily D. Washington
YOB: 1979
 
Treasurer and
Secretary
 
Since 2008
 
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of each of the Value Line Funds since August 2008 and Secretary since 2010; Associate Director of Mutual Fund Accounting at Value Line until August 2008.
 
*
Mr. Appel is an “interested person” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 by virtue of his position with the Adviser and Distributor.
 
Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the above officers is c/o Value Line Funds, 220 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017.
 
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes additional information about the Fund’s Directors and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-243-2729 or on the Fund’s website, www.vlfunds.com.

 

 27

 
 
The Value Line Fund, Inc.
 
The Value Line Family of Funds
 
1950 — The Value Line Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. Current income is a secondary objective.
 
1952 — Value Line Income and Growth Fund’s primary investment objective is income, as high and dependable as is consistent with reasonable risk. Capital growth to increase total return is a secondary objective.
 
1956 — Value Line Premier Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. No consideration is given to current income in the choice of investments.
 
1972 — Value Line Larger Companies Fund’s sole investment objective is to realize capital growth.
 
1979 — Value Line U.S. Government Money Market Fund**, a money market fund, seeks to secure as high a level of current income as is consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
 
1981 — Value Line U.S. Government Securities Fund seeks maximum income without undue risk to capital. Under normal conditions, at least 80% of the value of its net assets will be invested in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities.
 
1983 — Value Line Centurion Fund* seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
1984 — The Value Line Tax Exempt Fund seeks to provide investors with the maximum income exempt from federal income taxes while avoiding undue risk to principal. The fund may be subject to state and local taxes and the Alternative Minimum Tax (if applicable).
 
1985 — Value Line Convertible Fund seeks high current income together with capital appreciation primarily from convertible securities ranked 1, 2 or 3 for the year-ahead performance by the Value Line Convertible Ranking System.
 
1986 — Value Line Aggressive Income Trust seeks to maximize current income.
 
1987 — Value Line New York Tax Exempt Trust seeks to provide New York taxpayers with the maximum income exempt from New York State, New York City and federal income taxes while avoiding undue risk to principal. The Trust may be subject to state and local taxes and the Alternative Minimum Tax (if applicable).
 
1987 — Value Line Strategic Asset Management Trust* seeks to achieve a high total investment return consistent with reasonable risk.
 
1993 — Value Line Emerging Opportunities Fund invests in US common stocks of small capitalization companies, with its primary objective being long-term growth of capital.
 
1993 — Value Line Asset Allocation Fund seeks high total investment return, consistent with reasonable risk. The Fund invests in stocks, bonds and money market instruments utilizing quantitative modeling to determine the asset mix.
 
*
Only available through the purchase of Guardian Investor, a tax deferred variable annuity, or ValuePlus, a variable life insurance policy.
 
**
Effective August 19, 2009, The Value Line Cash Fund, Inc. changed its name to the Value Line U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Inc.
 
For more complete information about any of the Value Line Funds, including charges and expenses, send for a prospectus from EULAV Securities LLC, 220 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017-5891 or call 1-800-243-2729, 9am–5pm CST, Monday–Friday, or visit us at www.vlfunds.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

 

28

 
 
Item 2.  Code of Ethics

(a) The Registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, and principal financial officer and  principal accounting officer.

               (f) Pursuant to item 12(a), the Registrant is attaching as an exhibit a copy of its Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, and principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

(a)(1)The Registrant has an Audit Committee Financial Expert serving on its Audit Committee.
 
                            (2) The Registrant’s Board has designated Daniel S. Vandivort, a member of the Registrant’s Audit Committee, as the Registrant’s Audit Committee Financial Expert.  Mr. Vandivort is an independent director who has served as President, Chief Investment Officer to Weis, Peck and Greer/Robeco Investment Management.  He has also previously served as Managing Director for Weis, Peck and Greer (1995-2005).
 
 
 

 
 
A person who is designated as an “audit committee financial expert” shall not make such person an "expert" for any purpose, including without limitation under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 or under applicable fiduciary laws, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

            (a)Audit  Fees 2010 - $16,081

            (b) Audit-Related fees – None.

            (c) Tax Preparation Fees 2010 -$10,088

            (d) All Other Fees – None

            (e) (1)  Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy. All services to be performed for the Registrant  by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP must be pre-approved by the audit committee. All services performed were pre-approved by the committee.

             (e) (2) Not applicable.

             (f) Not applicable.

             (g) Aggregate Non-Audit  Fees 2010 -$2,400

             (h) Not applicable.


Item 11.  Controls and Procedures.

(a)  
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-2(c) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(c) ) based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, are appropriately designed to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to such officers and are operating effectively.

(b)  
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have determined that there have been no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
 
 
 

 
 
Item 12.  Exhibits.

(a)  
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers attached hereto as Exhibit 100.COE

(b)  
 (1) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940  (17 CFR 270.30a-2) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

 (2) Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906.CERT.
 
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
By: /s/Mitchell E. Appel  
  Mitchell E. Appel, President  
     
     
Date: February 28, 2011   
     
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
     
     
By: /s/ Mitchell E. Appel  
  Mitchell E. Appel, President, Principal Executive Officer
     
     
By: /s/ Emily D. Washington    
  Emily D. Washington, Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer
     
     
Date: February 28, 2011