# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001423227
**File Stem:** 0000930413-26-000264
**Filing Date:** 2026-1
**Character Count:** 24880
**Document Hash:** 8a9f75d6fe7328aa24c95bc7435f6983
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000930413-26-000264.hdr.sgml**: 20260128

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000930413-26-000264

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 497K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 3

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260128

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260128

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260128

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Virtus Strategy Trust
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001423227

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MA

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 497K
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-148624
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26569005

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 101 MUNSON STEET
- **CITY:** GREENFIELD
- **STATE:** MA
- **ZIP:** 01301
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 800-243-1574

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ONE FINANCIAL PLAZA
- **STREET 2:** 26TH FLOOR
- **CITY:** HARTFORD
- **STATE:** CT
- **ZIP:** 06103

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** Allianz Funds Multi-Strategy Trust
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20080109

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### Virtus Duff & Phelps Water Fund (Series ID: S000021463)

| Class ID   | Class Name          | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000061366 | Class A             | AWTAX           |
| C000061367 | Class C             | AWTCX           |
| C000066034 | Institutional Class | AWTIX           |

<br> Summary Prospectus January 28, 2026 <br> <u>Virtus Duff & Phelps Water Fund</u>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **A: AWTAX** | **C: AWTCX** | **INSTITUTIONAL: AWTIX** |

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Before you invest, you may want to review the fund's prospectus, which contains more information about the fund and its risks. You can find the fund's prospectus, shareholder reports, statement of additional information ("SAI"), and other information about the fund online at www.virtus.com/investor-resources/mutual-fund-documents.<br>You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800-243-1574 or by sending an e-mail to: virtus.investment.partners@virtus.com. If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary such as a bank, the prospectus and other information will also be available from your financial intermediary.<br>The fund's prospectus and SAI both dated January 28, 2026, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus.<br>

#### Investment Objective
The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

#### Fees and Expenses
The tables below illustrate the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the fund. **You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.** You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A Shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Virtus Funds. More information on these and other discounts is available: (i) from your financial professional or other financial intermediary; (ii) under "Sales Charges" on page 59 of the fund's prospectus; and (iii) with respect to purchase of shares through specific intermediaries, in Appendix A to the fund's prospectus, entitled "Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers."

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Shareholder Fees *(fees paid directly from your investment)*** | **Class A** | **Class C** | **Institutional** |
| Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.50% |  |  |
| Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds)  |  | 1.00%<sup>(a)</sup> |  |
| **Annual Fund Operating Expenses *(expenses that you pay each year as* <br>*a percentage of the value of your investment)*** | **Class A** | **Class C** | **Institutional** |
| Management Fees | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.95% |
| Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% |  |
| Other Expenses<sup>(b)</sup> | 0.29% | 0.29% | 0.28% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.49% | 2.24% | 1.23% |
| Less: Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement<sup>(c)</sup> | (0.27)% | (0.27)% | (0.30)% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement<sup>(c)</sup> | 1.22% | 1.97% | 0.93% |

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(a) The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class
C Shares redeemed during the first year only.

(b) Not included in the table are extraordinary expenses. If such amounts were reflected
in this table, the Other Expenses would have been 0.31% for Class A Shares, 0.31% for Class C Shares
and 0.30% for Institutional Class Shares.

(c) The fund's investment adviser has contractually agreed to limit the fund's
total operating expenses (excluding certain expenses, such as taxes, leverage and borrowing expenses
(such as commitment, amendment and renewal expenses on credit or redemption facilities), interest, brokerage
commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, unusual or infrequently
occurring expenses (such as litigation), acquired fund fees and expenses, and dividend expenses, if any)
so that such expenses do not exceed 1.22% for Class A Shares, 1.97% for Class C Shares and 0.93% for
Institutional Class Shares through February 1, 2027. Prior to February 1, 2027, only the fund's Board
may modify or terminate the expense limitation agreement. Following the contractual period, the adviser
may discontinue these expense reimbursement arrangements at any time. Under certain conditions, the adviser
may recapture operating expenses reimbursed and/or fees waived under these arrangements for a period
of three years following the date such waiver or reimbursement occurred, provided that the recapture
does not cause the fund to exceed its expense limit in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement,
and any in effect at the time of recapture, after repayment is taken into account.

#### Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods or continued to hold them. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the fund's operating expenses remain the same and that the expense reimbursement agreement remains in place for the contractual period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Share Status** | **1 Year** | **3 Years** | **5 Years** | **10 Years** |
| Class A  | Sold or Held | $667 | $970 | $1294 | $2210 |
| Class C  | Sold | $300 | $674 | $1175 | $2554 |
|  | Held | $200 | $674 | $1175 | $2554 |
| Institutional Class  | Sold or Held | $95 | $361 | $647 | $1462 |

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#### Portfolio Turnover
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 29% of the average value of its portfolio.

#### Investments, Risks and Performance

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings made for investment purposes) in common stocks and other equity securities of companies that are represented in one or more of the S&P Global Water Index, the NASDAQ OMX US Water or Global Water Indices, or the S-Network Global Water Index (Composite), or that are substantially engaged in water-related activities. Water-related activities consist of those that relate to the quality or availability of or demand for potable and non-potable water and include, but are not limited to, the following: water production, storage, transport and distribution; water supply enhancing or water demand-reducing technologies and materials; water planning, control and research; water conditioning, such as filtering, desalination, disinfection and purification; sewage and liquid waste treatment; and water delivery-related equipment and technology, consulting or engineering services relating to any of the above-mentioned activities. The specific activities that the fund may from time to time consider to qualify as "water-related activities" will change as markets, technologies and investment practices develop. The portfolio managers intend to diversify the fund's investments across geographic regions. Under normal market conditions, the fund will typically invest (i) between 45%-75% of its total assets in U.S. securities, (ii) between 20%-45% of its total assets in European securities, and (iii) up to 25% of its total assets in Asia and other geographies. The fund may invest in emerging market securities.

The portfolio managers select investments on a bottom-up basis irrespective of market capitalization, geography, industry/sector or growth- or value-orientation, and may look for several of the following characteristics: higher than average sustainable growth; substantial capacity for growth of revenue and earnings; superior management; alignment to select United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) and other comparable societal goals; strong commitment to research and product development; and differentiated or superior product offerings addressing the structural demand drivers. The portfolio managers consider the level of active contribution to the improvement of water resource management during the stock selection process.

Companies' Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance ("ESG") practices are also considered as the portfolio managers believe this enhances the investment process.

The fund is "non-diversified," which means that it may invest a significant portion of its assets in a relatively small number of issuers, which may increase risk. In addition to common stocks and other equity securities (such as preferred stocks and warrants), the fund may invest in securities issued in initial public offerings (IPOs), and may utilize foreign currency exchange contracts, options, and other derivative instruments. Although the fund did not invest significantly in derivative instruments as of the most recent fiscal year end, it may do so at any time.

#### Principal Risks
The fund may not achieve its objective(s), and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. The value of the fund's investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund's investments decreases, you will lose money. Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which the fund invests can be worse than expected, and investments may fail to perform as the subadviser expects. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease. Purchase and redemption activities by fund shareholders may impact the management of the fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective(s). The principal risks of investing in the fund are identified below (in alphabetical order after the first seven risks).

> ***Market Volatility Risk:*** The value of the securities in the fund may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be short- or long-term. Local, regional or global events such as war or military conflict (e.g., Russia's invasion of Ukraine), geopolitical risk, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issue, recessions, tariffs and other restrictions on trade, or the threat or potential of one or more such events and developments, could have a significant impact on the fund and its investments, including hampering the ability of the fund's portfolio manager(s) to invest the fund's assets as intended.

> ***Issuer Risk:*** The fund will be affected by factors specific to the issuers of securities and other instruments in which the fund invests, including actual or perceived changes in the financial condition or business prospects of such issuers.

> ***Equity Securities Risk:*** The value of the stocks held by the fund may be negatively affected by the financial market, industries in which the fund invests, or issuer-specific events. Focus on a particular style or in small or medium-sized companies may enhance that risk.

> ***Water-Related Risk:*** Because the fund focuses its investments in water-related companies, it is particularly affected by events or factors relating to this sector, which may increase risk and volatility.

> ***Focused Investment Risk:*** To the extent the fund focuses its investments on a limited number of issuers, sectors, industries, geographic regions or portfolio themes, it may be subject to increased risk and volatility.

> ***Foreign Investing Risk:*** Investing in foreign securities subjects the fund to additional risks such as increased volatility; currency fluctuations; less liquidity; less publicly available information about the foreign investment; and political, regulatory, economic, and market risk.

> ***ESG Risk:*** The fund's consideration of ESG factors could cause the fund to perform differently from other funds. While the subadviser believes that the integration of ESG factors into the fund's investment process has the potential to contribute to performance, ESG factors may not be considered for every investment decision and there is no guarantee that the integration of ESG factors will result in better performance.

> ***Counterparty Risk:*** There is risk that a party upon whom the fund relies to complete a transaction will default.

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> ***Credit Risk:*** If the issuer of a debt instrument fails to pay interest or principal in a timely manner, or negative perceptions exist in the market of the issuer's ability to make such payments, the price of the security may decline.

> ***Currency Rate Risk:*** Fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies may negatively affect the value of the fund's shares.

> ***Derivatives Risk:*** Derivatives and other similar instruments (collectively referred to in this section as "derivatives") may include, among other things, futures, options, forwards and swap agreements and may be used in order to hedge portfolio risks, create leverage or attempt to increase returns. Investments in derivatives may result in increased volatility and the fund may incur a loss greater than its principal investment.

> ***Emerging Market Risk:*** Emerging markets securities may be more volatile, or more greatly affected by negative conditions, than those of their counterparts in more established foreign markets. Such securities may also be subject to Sanctions Risk.

> ***Sanctions Risk:*** The imposition of sanctions and other similar measures could cause a decline in the value and/or liquidity of securities issued by or tied to the sanctioned country and increase market volatility and disruption in the sanctioned country and throughout the world. Sanctions and other similar measures could limit or prevent the fund from buying and selling securities (in the sanctioned country and other markets), significantly delay or prevent the settlement of transactions, and negatively impact the fund's liquidity and performance.

> ***IPO Risk:*** Securities purchased in initial public offerings have no trading history, limited issuer information and increased volatility.

***> *Leverage Risk:* When the fund leverages its portfolio by borrowing or by engaging in certain types of transactions or instruments, including derivatives, the fund may be less liquid, may liquidate positions at an unfavorable time, and the volatility of the fund's value may increase.***

***> *Liquidity Risk:* Certain securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as U.S. Government securities or common stocks. To the extent the fund invests in less liquid securities or the level of liquidity in a particular market is constrained, the lack of an active market for investments may cause delay in disposition or force a sale below fair value.***

> ***Non-Diversification Risk:*** The fund is not diversified and may be more susceptible to factors negatively impacting its holdings to the extent the fund invests more of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than would a diversified fund.

> ***Redemption Risk:*** One or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders may redeem their holdings in the fund, resulting in an adverse impact on remaining shareholders in the fund by causing the fund to take actions it would not otherwise have taken. The effects of taxable gains resulting from large redemptions of fund shares would particularly impact non-redeeming shareholders who do not hold their fund shares in a tax-advantaged or tax-exempt vehicle. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause a fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the fund's NAV and liquidity. In addition, a large redemption could result in the fund's current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the fund's expense ratio.

> ***Small and Medium Market Capitalization Companies Risk:*** The fund's investments in small and medium market capitalization companies may increase the volatility and risk of loss to the fund, as compared with investments in larger, more established companies.

*Please see "More Information About Risks of Investing in the Funds" in the fund's prospectus for a more detailed description of the fund's risks.*

#### Performance Information
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund's past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. The current subadviser commenced providing services for the fund in July 2022 and therefore the returns shown in the table for periods prior to that date reflect the performance of other investment professionals.

The bar chart shows changes in the fund's performance from year to year over a 10-year period. The table shows how the fund's average annual returns compare to those of a broad-based securities market index and a more narrowly based index that reflects the market sectors in which the fund invests. Updated performance information is available at virtus.com or by calling 800-243-1574.

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| |
|:---|
| **Calendar year total returns for Institutional Class Shares**  |
| Returns do not reflect sales charges applicable to other share classes and would be lower if they did. |

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![PerformanceBarChartData(2016:5.13, 2017:22.71, 2018:-12.23, 2019:33.12, 2020:17.01, 2021:25.82, 2022:-20.8, 2023:12.38, 2024:5.76, 2025:12.31)](img_37486a7a2db54.jpg)

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Best Quarter: | 2023, Q4: | 14.07% | Worst Quarter: | 2020, Q1: | -17.12% |

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**Average Annual Total Returns** (for the periods ended 12/31/25)

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class** | **1 Year** | **5 Years** | **10 Years** |
| Institutional Class Shares |  |  |  |
| Return Before Taxes | 12.31% | 5.87% | 8.90% |
| Return After Taxes on Distributions | 9.31% | 4.30% | 7.62% |
| Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 9.43% | 4.50% | 7.02% |
| Class A Shares |  |  |  |
| Return Before Taxes | 5.80% | 4.38% | 7.98% |
| Class C Shares |  |  |  |
| Return Before Taxes | 11.19% | 4.79% | 7.78% |
| **Index** |  |  |  |
| MSCI All Country World Index (net) (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses) | 22.34% | 11.19% | 11.72% |
| S&P Global Water Index (net) (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses) | 18.25% | 8.13% | 10.90% |

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The MSCI All Country World Index (net) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that measures equity performance of developed and emerging markets. The MSCI All Country World Index (net) is calculated on a total return basis with net dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment.

The S&P Global Water Index (net) is a modified capitalization-weighted index comprised of 50 of the largest publicly traded companies in water-related businesses that meet specific invest ability requirements. The index is designed to provide liquid exposure to the leading publicly-listed companies in the global water industry, from both developed markets and emerging markets. The index is calculated on a total return basis. The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. After-tax returns are shown only for Institutional Class Shares; after-tax returns for other classes will vary. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold fund shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. In certain cases, the Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be higher than other return figures for the same period. This will occur when a capital loss is realized upon the sale of fund shares and provides an assumed tax benefit that increases the return.

#### Management
The fund's investment adviser is Virtus Investment Advisers, LLC (formerly known as Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc.) ("VIA").

The fund's subadviser is Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. ("Duff & Phelps"), an affiliate of VIA.

#### Portfolio Management
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio.

> ***David D. Grumhaus, Jr.,*** President and Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager at Duff & Phelps. Mr. Grumhaus has served as a Portfolio Manager of the fund since July 2022.

> ***Nicholas Holmes, CFA,*** Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst of Duff & Phelps. Mr. Holmes has served as a Portfolio Manager of the fund since April 2023.

#### Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Minimum initial investments applicable to Class A and Class C Shares:

 $2,500, generally

 $100 for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), systematic purchase or exchange accounts

 No minimum for defined contribution plans, asset-based fee programs, profit-sharing plans or employee benefit plans.

Minimum additional investments applicable to Class A and Class C Shares:

 $100, generally

 No minimum for defined contribution plans, asset-based fee programs, profit-sharing plans or employee benefit plans.

For Institutional Class shares, the minimum initial investment in the fund is $1,000,000 and no minimum is needed to add to an existing account, though minimums may be modified for certain financial intermediaries that aggregate trades on behalf of investors.

The minimums may be reduced or waived in some circumstances. In general, you may buy or sell shares of the fund by mail or telephone on any business day. You also may buy and sell shares through a financial professional, broker-dealer or other financial intermediary.

#### Taxes
The fund's distributions are taxable to you as either ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements.

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#### Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial professional to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your financial professional or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

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<br> Virtus Mutual Funds<br>P.O. Box 534470<br>Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4470

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| 8059 | 1-26 |

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