Walmart had signed a non-disclosure agreement with Merrill Lynch, which was managing the 401(k) plan, so none of the 1.2 million workers in its plan could find out if Merrill was collecting distribution fees from the fund companies of the 10 funds it selected.

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These include irregular capital calls, difficulties in forecasting the distribution of cash proceedings, and highly illiquid investments by the fund that can be difficult to value.

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For years, such companies were stigmatized as expensive to fund and operate, given the costs of manufacturing and retail distribution.

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When a portfolio company of the fund is sold or goes public (usually several years after the fund makes its investment) at a profit to the investors, a distribution of cash (or stock if the company goes public) takes place.

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YouTube ad revenues, donations and pledges from corporate sponsors, individual donations through the website, and proceeds from album sales and iTunes downloads will be donated for distribution by the Beirut-based Arab Fund for Arts and Culture and to cultural projects of the U.N.

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