N-CSR 1 oak_ncsr.htm N-CSR

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 : 811-08549

 

Oak Associates Funds

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

3800 Embassy Parkway, Suite 310

Akron, Ohio 44333

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Charles A. Kiraly

3800 Embassy Parkway, Suite 310

Akron, Ohio 44333

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-888-462-5386

 

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

 

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2023

 

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection and policymaking roles.

 

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

(a)

(COVER PAGE)

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OAK ASSOCIATES FUNDS
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

At Oak, we believe the sustainable long-term growth for investors is best achieved through a concentrated focus on companies and sectors. Our high- conviction stock selection process centers on identifying multiple drivers of growth and engaging in fundamental research to uncover the right businesses within the right sectors. We then take meaningful positions - targeting unrealized value and seeking long-term capital appreciation independent of typical index results.
 
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Dual-Concentrated Investment Approach

 

Long-term fundamental and multi-cycle analysis to uncover the highest

conviction sectors and holdings fueled by multiple drivers of growth.

 

SECTOR GROWTH DRIVERS

 

Overall Macro Trends
Relative Valuations
Competitive Durability
Earnings Sustainability
Sub-sector Thematics
Rates and Yields

 

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COMPANY GROWTH DRIVERS

 

Quantitative Screens
Management Strength & Track Report
MOAT+ Competitive Advantage
Business Sustainability & Pricing Power
Market Position & Leadership
Long-term Earnings Growth

 

Our Top-Down approach identifies Favorable Sectors in which to invest,
while our Bottom-Up approach finds Attractive Stocks within those Favorable Sectors.

 

 

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TABLE of CONTENTS
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Shareholder Letter 1
   
Performance Update  
   
White Oak Select Growth Fund 4
   
Pin Oak Equity Fund 6
   
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund 8
   
River Oak Discovery Fund 10
   
Red Oak Technology Select Fund 12
   
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund 14
   
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund 16
   
Important Disclosures 18
   
Disclosure of Fund Expenses 21
   
Financial Statements  
   
Schedules of Investments 23
   
Statements of Assets & Liabilities 44
   
Statements of Operations 46
   
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 48
   
Financial Highlights 54
   
Notes to Financial Statements 58
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 70
   
Additional Information 71

 

 

Shareholder Letter

 

November 27, 2023

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

 

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, US equities attained modest gains, recovering from a poor market in 2022 where aggressive Federal Reserve action, recession fears, and persistent inflation hurt stocks. Over the current fiscal year, the S&P 500® Index rose 10.14%, driven by large-cap technology stocks and supported by healthy consumer spending. As more evidence emerged showing inflation declining without an increase in unemployment, stocks rallied. Investors have begun to anticipate the end of the Fed’s tightening cycle. For now, fears over a policy mistake or sharp recession have been replaced with expectations of a soft-landing or mid-cycle slowdown. Elsewhere in the stock market, energy stocks, which had benefited from supply constraints and inflation following the pandemic, suffered the most in 2023, reversing two years of strong gains.

 

During the coronavirus pandemic, global policy makers struggled to balance the uncertain economic outlook and eventual unintended consequences of their interventions. The deference to excessive monetary and fiscal stimulus, when compounded by supply chain challenges and labor shortages, caused inflation to spread globally towards the end of the Covid era. The battle to contain this inflation encompassed most of the past two years. In March of 2022, the Federal Reserve initiated a series of sizable interest rates increases. Ultimately, the influential US Fed Fund overnight lending rate would climb from 0.25% to 5.5% in just 17 months. The aggressive steps weighed heavily on US equities in 2022, but have indeed suppressed inflation, all without tilting the economy into a recession or collapsing job growth. Chairman Powell deserves credit for the progress thus far.

 

One of the leading forces behind the rise in US equities during the fiscal year was the frenzy behind ChatGPT and the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With advances in machine learning, software and processing power, AI has emerged as the next great technological innovation. We do not disagree that its potential is exciting, but our enthusiasm is also tempered by the familiar fever of a new highly hyped technology, its impact on near-term earnings, and extreme valuations that accompany the fever. We’ve seen similar frenzies behind digital printing, virtual reality, cryptocurrency, augmented reality hardware, big data and more. Nevertheless, all things AI have captivated investors and the year’s top performers are all considered prime beneficiaries.

 

While the profit potential for AI is still too early to ascertain, Oak Associates generally prefers to participate in newer technological trends through large-cap technology leaders with exposure, or the ability to make a significant monetary commitment to the opportunity, rather than dedicated IPOs or perceived “pure-plays” in the space. Time and money are two very potent competitive threats and the historical record is littered with exciting firms that were unable to endure the path to profitability. We continue to monitor the opportunity and will make investment shifts as needed.

 

Significant changes to the investment landscape in 2022/2023 are likely to have long-lasting repercussions for more speculative segments of the equity market, specifically: start-ups, high-valued venture backed firms, and not-yet profitable small-caps. The onset of the Fed’s 2022-2023 tightening cycle ended the nearly decade-long period of Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP). With rates close to zero, borrowing was inexpensive and institutional investors were enticed into segments that offered return profiles now unavailable in standard fixed-income assets. Hedge funds and venture capital seemed to thrive as alternative asset managers captured market share. Venture firms were able

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 1

 

 

Shareholder Letter

 

to raise capital and seed businesses while also offering a very tolerant outlook towards profitability or exit IPOs. With the cost of capital now significantly higher, the era of seemingly unlimited access to cheap financing and deferred return expectations is likely over. Further threatening the start-up industry was the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the potential regional banking crisis that developed in the first quarter of 2023.

 

With prevailing short-term interest rates pushing 5%, the capitalization of several banks came under pressure as customers withdrew demand deposits in search of better short-term yields. This occurred at a time when the value of long-term balance sheet assets was also collapsing. The practice of borrowing short to lend long requires an upward sloping yield curve which was upended by the Fed’s inflation fight. In a fractional banking system with a modern twist, this led to an electronic bank run at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a venture-capital focused California bank. Oak was not an investor in SVB. The sharp change in rates, along with poor risk controls, hedging, and liquidity, precipitated a series of bank failures, resulting in the seizures of several institutions by the FDIC. The threat of a wider banking crisis lingered in Q2 2023, hampering financial stocks, but the FDIC’s actions appear to have curtailed the potential contagion.

 

The impact of rising interest rates over the past fiscal year also wreaked havoc on bond investors. The popular iShares 20+ Year US Government Bond ETF lost more than 10% in the fiscal year and is down 40% over the past two years. Fixed-income investors are now confronted with the prospect of the Fed keeping interest rates “higher-for-longer”. When combined with heightened polarization in Washington and discord within the House of Representatives, which is responsible for appropriations and government spending, risk over a government shutdown, the long-term viability of social services programs, and overall credit worthiness of US Government securities have all affected the globally important US Government bond market and US greenback.

 

With the tremendous amount of economic tightening imposed over the past two years, and massive withdrawal of quantitative stimulus, the risks of an eventual recession remain. Thus far, a healthy consumer and strong job market has carried the economy. Early signs of increasing credit delinquencies, falling savings rates, and tougher lending standards are areas of concern to watch. Yet, corporate profits have remained strong and valuation levels are not unattractive to warrant a major valuation reset. Pockets of hype in technology and pharmaceuticals are somewhat speculative, but the overall sentiment towards equities is not extreme. With more progress against inflation and the interest rate tightening cycle now on pause, an economic slowdown may remain elusive for a while longer. As always, geopolitical events can be disruptive and the risk of regional problems expanding into bigger conflicts persists. These developments are always hard to assess or predict.

 

Looking into 2024, the outlook for equities depends on continued success against inflation. The restrictive fiscal and monetary conditions have done their job, but should the Fed add more constraints to prevent an inflation rebound, equities could falter. The US economy has always been driven by the consumer and a continued strong labor market bodes well for consumer confidence and spending. A decline in mortgage rates generally would also recharge the housing and construction sectors. Given the severity of tightening already in the economic pipeline, we do believe that it is probable the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and inflation have likely peaked and should continue to trend lower in 2024, albeit not always in a straight line. While market participants continue to anticipate that the Fed will soon unwind their tightening, this too may be premature unless deeper economic stress develops. Although current interest rates may

 

2 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Shareholder Letter

 

be considered restrictive relative to the past decade, compared to historical levels, they are not extreme. We suspect the Fed would prefer to preserve the reclaimed power that comes with its ability to implement future interest rate cuts for as long as possible.

 

To endure the economic uncertainty, our approach focuses on companies with strong market positions and high levels of profitability. We naturally tend to avoid companies with high levels of leverage, or interest expense burdens, as these are often incremental constraints to diminish profits and create refinancing risk. At this point of the economic cycle, we favor quality and profitability metrics over more cyclical factors. Should the economy falter, stable earnings, high margins, and growth opportunities tend to weather uncertainty while still providing opportunity in rising markets. We also continue to prefer those sectors with secular trends and companies with shareholder-friendly practices.

 

Thank you for your investment in the Oak Associates Funds.

 

With regards,

 

(-s-Robert Stimpson)

 

Robert Stimpson, CFA

Co-Chief Investment Officer & Portfolio Manager

Oak Associates Funds

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 3

 

 

White Oak Select Growth Fund

 

(-s-James D. Oelschlager)
 
James D. Oelschlager
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Robert D. Stimpson)
 
Robert D. Stimpson, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Jeffrey B. Travis)
 
Jeffrey B. Travis, CFA
Portfolio Manager

White Oak Select Growth Fund (the “Fund”) rose 12.28% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, while the S&P 500® Index gained 10.14% and the Morningstar Large Blend category increased 7.62%. Over the last ten years, the Fund has risen an average of 9.89% per year.

 

The US stock market recovered in 2023 as optimism over the end of the Federal Reserve’s (the “Fed”) interest rate tightening cycle grew and more evidence showed success against inflation. Recall that US equities suffered in 2022 as the Fed launched a series of historic interest rate increases to tackle persistent inflation following the Coronavirus pandemic. The Fed Funds overnight lending rate climbed from 0.25% to 5.50% in just seventeen months, including four consecutive three-quarter point rate increases. The Fed also curtailed its practice of quantitative easing to suffocate the velocity of money. These efforts constrained economic activity and suppressed inflation, all without fueling unemployment. Successfully executing this strategy allowed US equities to recover in 2023.

 

Within the US equity markets, leadership was notably narrow, with large-cap and mega-cap stocks driving returns. A preference for larger companies is expected, given the difficulty small firms face obtaining financing and maintaining profitability in a tighter economy. At the sector level, a wave of excitement about Artificial Intelligence (AI) rallied certain technology stocks. The release of ChatGPT and the hype associated with its transformative applications drove semiconductor, software, and other companies considered prime beneficiaries of AI growth. While extremely interesting, the investment future of AI is still nascent and valuations are extreme.

 

During the fiscal year, Meta Platforms was the best performer and largest contributor to the Fund’s fiscal year return. The parent company of Facebook underperformed the prior year due to concerns over spending on virtual reality products and development of the metaverse, but renewed fiscal discipline saw its shares climb 216% during the fiscal year. Semiconductor equipment manufacturer KLA-Tenor was the second-best performer, rising 48%, as chip stocks benefited from the frenzy behind AI.



Charles Schwab Corp. is the Fund’s worst performing company during the fiscal year. Due to the position’s weighting in the Fund, it was a large drag on performance. The discount brokerage firm suffered during the regional banking crisis in the first quarter of 2023. With the sharp rise in interest rates, the stock fell on concerns over customer withdrawals and pressure to offer higher yielding accounts, as this has a negative effect on net interest margins. We analyzed these concerns and concluded that Charles Schwab’s business was different from the pressures the regional banks experienced and customers tend to transfer funds internally, rather than move institutions. Nevertheless, the firm’s shares dropped 33% last fiscal year. We continue to feel Charles Schwab’s asset gathering abilities make it an attractive long-term beneficiary of demographics and wealth creation.

 

Looking to 2024, the Fed’s action will continue to affect the stock market and economy. Despite success at suppressing inflation, any rebound that necessitates further constraints would be problematic. Thus far, the economy and the job market have remained resilient in the face of tighter economic conditions. Given these headwinds, we believe that high-quality growth stocks are an attractive market segment to weather both the inflation threat and economic uncertainty.

 

Thank you for your investment with the Oak Associates Funds.

 

4 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

White Oak Select Growth Fund Performance Update
  All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Data   Top 10 Holdings^
Ticker WOGSX   1 Amazon.com, Inc. 10.2%
Share Price $117.99   2 Alphabet, Inc. – Class C 9.2%
Total Net Assets $336.3M   3 Cisco Systems, Inc. 7.6%
Portfolio Turnover 3%   4 KLA Corp. 7.0%
      5 Amgen, Inc. 6.3%
Sector Allocation^   6 JPMorgan Chase & Co. 5.8%
Technology 23.8%   7 Alphabet, Inc. – Class A 5.6%
Health Care 23.3%   8 Meta Platforms, Inc. 5.1%
Communications 20.0%   9 Lowe’s Companies, Inc. 5.1%
Consumer Discretionary 15.3%   10 Charles Schwab Corp. (The) 4.9%
Financials 15.1%        
Cash & Other Assets 2.5%        

 

^Percentages are based on net assets. Holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 Chart

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

This chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past 10 years. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart and the table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

  Average Annual Total Return
  1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 Year
  Return Return Return Return
White Oak Select Growth Fund 12.28% 6.05% 8.05% 9.89%
S&P 500® Total Return Index1 10.14% 10.36% 11.01% 11.18%
Morningstar Large Blend Category Average2 7.62% 9.31% 9.67% 9.69%

 

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (per the prospectus dated February 28, 2023): 0.91%

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (as of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023): 0.93%

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit www.oakfunds.com or call 1-888-462-5386.

 

1Standard & Poor’s is the source and owner of the S&P Index data.

 

2Morningstar, Inc. is the source and owner of the Morningstar Classification data. See Pages 18 and 19 for additional disclosure.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 5

 

 

Pin Oak Equity Fund

 

(-s-James D. Oelschlager)
 
James D. Oelschlager
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Robert D. Stimpson)
 
Robert D. Stimpson, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Jeffrey B. Travis)
 
Jeffrey B. Travis, CFA
Portfolio Manager

Pin Oak Equity Fund (the “Fund”) rose 10.59% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, while the broad Morningstar U.S. Market Total Return Index gained 9.11% and the Morningstar Large Blend Category increased 7.62%. Over the last ten years, the Fund has risen an average of 8.51% per year.

 

Our message and outlook have remained the same throughout the year; that the economy and markets would likely do fine early on and then face headwinds as the lagged effects of monetary policy began to impact the economy in earnest. This remains our view. However, while growth does appear likely to slow, we believe the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) has done an admirable job in bringing down inflation without doing significant harm to the labor market. We will be watching closely to determine if the employment market can remain resilient enough to keep consumers spending until inflation reaches targeted levels.

 

The economy and US equity markets proved resilient in fiscal 2023 driven by a consumer that has benefited from a tight labor market and strong corresponding wage growth. Within the market however, strength has been extremely narrow with large capitalization technology stocks leading the way. Excitement surrounding the long-term potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) was also a significant factor in the outperformance of the technology sector. Alternatively, the Energy sector lagged after two strong years as did the Financial space after the regional banking crisis early in the year.

 

During the fiscal year, Meta Platforms was the best performer and largest contributor to the Fund’s fiscal year return. The parent company of Facebook underperformed the prior year due to concerns over spending on virtual reality products and development of the metaverse, but renewed fiscal discipline and a return to growth caused the shares to more than double during the fiscal year. Alphabet Inc., holding company of Google, was the second-strongest contributor to performance rising significantly as early fears of severe economic slowdown proved incorrect.



Unsurprisingly, the Fund’s worst performer came from the Financial sector as Charles Schwab Corp. lagged along with other financial companies due to a series of bank failures in March. While Charles Schwab did see cash deposits fall, this cash largely remained within the Schwab complex, moving from cash deposits to money market funds as investors sought the higher interest rates offered by the latter post the Fed’s tightening policy. We continue to feel that Charles Schwab’s ability to gather assets give it a strong ability to benefit from favorable demographic trends and continued wealth creation over the long-term.

 

Looking forward, we believe that the restrictive policy already in the pipeline will keep downward pressure on inflation and get us into a range where the Fed can declare victory. And when looking back historically at inflationary periods, solving the inflation problem tends to be potentially very positive for stock market returns going forward.

 

Thank you for your investment with the Oak Associates Funds.

 

6 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Pin Oak Equity Fund Performance Update
  All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Data   Top 10 Holdings^
Ticker POGSX   1 Alphabet, Inc. – Class C 10.7%
Share Price $72.04   2 Amazon.com, Inc. 9.2%
Total Net Assets $115.7M   3 McKesson Corp. 8.4%
Portfolio Turnover 6%   4 KLA Corp. 7.5%
      5 Visa, Inc. – Class A 6.3%
Sector Allocation^   6 Amdocs Ltd. 5.7%
Technology 29.2%   7 Assurant, Inc. 5.0%
Health Care 21.4%   8 Meta Platforms, Inc. 4.8%
Communications 18.5%   9 Charles Schwab Corp. (The) 4.2%
Financials 12.9%   10 Amgen, Inc. 4.1%
Consumer Discretionary 12.6%        
Industrials 2.3%        
Energy 1.5%        
Cash & Other Assets 1.6%        

 

^Percentages are based on net assets. Holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 Chart

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

This chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past 10 years. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart and the table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

  Average Annual Total Return
  1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 Year
  Return Return Return Return
Pin Oak Equity Fund 10.59% 5.65% 6.04% 8.51%
Morningstar US Market Index1 9.11% 9.19% 10.37% 10.64%
Morningstar Large Blend Category Average1 7.62% 9.31% 9.67% 9.69%

 

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (per the prospectus dated February 28, 2023): 0.95%

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (as of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023): 0.98%

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit www.oakfunds.com or call 1-888-462-5386.

 

1Morningstar, Inc. is the source and owner of the Morningstar Classification data. See Pages 18 and 19 for additional disclosure.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 7

 

 

Rock Oak Core Growth Fund

 

(-s-James D. Oelschlager)
 
James D. Oelschlager
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Robert D. Stimpson)
 
Robert D. Stimpson, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Jeffrey B. Travis)
 
Jeffrey B. Travis, CFA
Portfolio Manager

Rock Oak Core Growth Fund (the “Fund”) declined 0.29% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, while the Morningstar U.S. Mid Cap Index dropped 0.87%, and the Morningstar Mid Blend Category declined 0.80%. Over the last ten years, the Fund has risen an average of 6.18% per year.

 

Over the past fiscal year, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) continued its stance on combating inflation by increasing interest rates. Towards the end of the fiscal year end, the pace and size of their rate hikes have slowed as inflation has contracted. Stocks rallied as investors applauded the potential end of the Fed’s tightening cycle. However, for the Fed to reach their goal of 2% inflation, they have stated they might need to keep rates higher for longer.

 

Within the US equity markets, there has been narrow leadership, with larger companies and those associated with artificial intelligence outperforming. Smaller companies, banks, and higher leveraged companies have underperformed this year due to the higher interest rate environment. The Fed’s rapid and aggressive rate hikes resulted in a poor bond market, which weakened banks’ balance sheets and made it more difficult for companies to borrow money. This creates challenges for smaller and higher leveraged companies, as the cost of capital has risen, posing a higher risk for investors. This is essentially the inverse of the monetary and fiscal policies these types of companies have enjoyed for most of the past decade.

 

The Fund’s best performing stock in the fiscal year was ESAB Corp., a metalworking machinery company that rallied due to reshoring, a shortage of welders, and an increase in automation/robotics. TransDigm Group Inc., an aerospace manufacturing company, was another strong performer this fiscal year, benefiting from the increase in travel and the increase in defense spending due to the growing number of geopolitical conflicts.



The Fund’s largest declines came from SolarEdge Technologies and Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. SolarEdge Technologies, a renewable energy company that offers solar power inverter solutions for residential and commercial customers, experienced lower demand due to higher borrowing costs. Fiscal squabbles in Washington over government funding also weighed on the renewable energy sector overall. Ubiquiti Networks, Inc., a wireless networking company, experienced cooling demand just as they increased their debt to build up inventory, which was based on previous quarters of hot demand and that weighed on results.

 

Going forward, as monetary and fiscal policies remain restrictive and interest rates remain higher for longer, we expect this will continue to put a strain on both consumers and companies as the cost of capital and lending standards increase. Thus, as a part of its investment philosophy, the Fund focuses on companies with the following increasingly important characteristics: companies that trade at a reasonable price, are committed to creating value for shareholders, have a low debt burden, and have disciplined management. The Fund continues to focus on these characteristics as a key tenant of its overall investment philosophy.

 

Thank you for your investment with the Oak Associates Funds.

 

8 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Rock Oak Core Growth Fund Performance Update
  All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Data     Top 10 Holdings^
Ticker RCKSX   1 Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.  (The) 6.1%
Share Price $14.76   2 Cardinal Health, Inc. 5.4%
Total Net Assets $9.7M   3 Republic Services, Inc. 4.8%
Portfolio Turnover 12%   4 Carlisle Companies, Inc. 4.8%
      5 TransDigm Group, Inc. 4.6%
Sector Allocation^     6 F5, Inc. 4.4%
Technology 25.7%   7 NetApp, Inc. 4.4%
Industrials 22.2%   8 Seagate Technology PLC 4.2%
Health Care 18.8%   9 Quest Diagnostics, Inc. 4.1%
Financials 8.9%   10 Nordson Corp 4.1%
Energy 8.5%        
Materials 8.2%        
Consumer Discretionary 6.5%        
Cash & Other Assets 1.2%        

 

^Percentages are based on net assets. Holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 Chart

 

(LINE GRAPH)   This chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past 10 years. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart and the table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Fee waivers are in effect; if they had not been in effect, performance would have been lower.

 

  Average Annual Total Return
  1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 Year
  Return Return Return Return
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund -0.29% 2.59% 2.03% 6.18%
Morningstar US Mid Cap Index1 -0.87% 6.57% 7.96% 8.72%
Morningstar Mid Blend Category Average1 -0.80% 7.65% 6.58% 7.09%

 

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (per the prospectus dated February 28, 2023): 1.50%/1.25%

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (as of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023): 1.60%/1.25%

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed for a period of one year from February 28, 2023, the date of the Fund’s Prospectus, to waive all or a portion of its fee for the Fund (and to reimburse expenses to the extent necessary) in order to limit total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, if any, to an annual rate of not more than 1.25% of average daily net assets. This contractual fee waiver may only be terminated subject to approval by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit www.oakfunds.com or call 1-888-462-5386.

 

1Morningstar, Inc. is the source and owner of the Morningstar Classification data. See Pages 18 and 19 for additional disclosure.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 9

 

 

River Oak Discovery Fund

 

(-s-James D. Oelschlager)
 
James D. Oelschlager
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Robert D. Stimpson)
 
Robert D. Stimpson, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Jeffrey B. Travis)
 
Jeffrey B. Travis, CFA
Portfolio Manager

River Oak Discovery Fund (the “Fund”) declined 5.06% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, while the Morningstar U.S. Small Cap Total Return Index dropped 2.66% and the Morningstar Small Blend Category declined 4.86%. Over the last ten years, the Fund has risen an average of 7.02% per year.

 

Inflation was the foremost issue in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023. The Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) raised interest rates and vowed to keep them high to bring inflation down to their 2% target. The US economy also experienced a number of shocks this year, including a banking crisis, the debt ceiling negotiations, increased tensions with China, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and, more recently, the Israel-Hamas war. Despite these shocks, the economy held up well, employment remained high, and inflation slowed. Nonetheless, smaller companies tend to suffer during periods of risk aversion.

 

The Fund’s worst performer was Calix Inc., an enterprise software company that offers communications, networking, and cloud computing software and services for the telecommunications industry. Calix underperformed due to supply chain issues, a slower growth outlook, and negative investor sentiment. Another company whose performance detracted from the Fund’s return was Tower Semiconductor Ltd., an independent semiconductor foundry. Tower Semiconductor declined after Chinese regulators blocked its acquisition by Intel and the unforeseen war in Israel.

 

The Fund’s top performer was Kadant Inc., a technology and engineering systems supplier that benefited from healthy backlogs, diminishing headwinds, and increased infrastructure projects due to the Infrastructure Bill. The top contributor was Nextgen Healthcare Inc., a cloud-based healthcare technology company that provides software and services that help medical professionals reduce risk and automate processes. Nextgen’s shares surged after announcing that it would be acquired by a private equity firm.



Looking to 2024, we expect the higher-for-longer monetary policy outlook to continue to restrict economic growth and reduce inflation. This will continue to put a strain on consumers and companies alike. Job growth has continued, employment has remained high, and consumers have continued to spend, contributing to the strong economy despite higher mortgage and interest rates. However, the Fed is in a precarious situation. If they overtighten, they could send the economy into a recession by raising unemployment. If they ease too soon, inflation could rebound. The Fed must walk a fine line to reduce inflation to their goal, prevent it from rebounding, and support the job market.

 

The Fund invests in niche small-cap companies that we feel are committed to creating value for shareholders. This narrow focus generally allows for better execution, as these companies are better able to compete, be acquired, and withstand economic downturns.

 

Thank you for your investment with the Oak Associates Funds.

 

10 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

River Oak Discovery Fund Performance Update
  All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Data     Top 10 Holdings^  
Ticker RIVSX   1 Nextgen Healthcare, Inc. 5.6%
Share Price $14.75   2 Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. 4.6%
Total Net Assets $21.1M   3 Kadant, Inc. 4.5%
Portfolio Turnover 42%   4 Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. 4.5%
      5 Adtalem Global Education, Inc. 4.3%
Sector Allocation^     6 Kforce, Inc. 4.2%
Technology 34.2%   7 Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. 4.2%
Industrials 28.0%   8 Barrett Business Services, Inc. 4.1%
Health Care 12.0%   9 Selective Insurance Group, Inc. 4.0%
Financials 10.9%   10 Perficient, Inc. 4.0%
Consumer Discretionary 7.3%        
Consumer Staples 5.1%        
Cash & Other Assets 2.5%        

 

^Percentages are based on net assets. Holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 Chart

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

The chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past 10 years. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart and the table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

  Average Annual Total Return
  1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 Year
  Return Return Return Return
River Oak Discovery Fund -5.06% 9.28% 8.52% 7.02%
Morningstar US Small Cap Index1 -2.66% 5.82% 4.39% 6.08%
Morningstar Small Blend Category Average1 -4.86% 7.97% 4.61% 5.83%

 

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (per the prospectus dated February 28, 2023): 1.19%

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (as of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023): 1.16%

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit www.oakfunds.com or call 1-888-462-5386.

 

1Morningstar, Inc. is the source and owner of the Morningstar Classification data. See Pages 18 and 19 for additional disclosure.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 11

 

 

Red Oak Technology Select Fund

 

(-s-James D. Oelschlager)
 
James D. Oelschlager
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Robert D. Stimpson)
 
Robert D. Stimpson, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Jeffrey B. Travis)
 
Jeffrey B. Travis, CFA
Portfolio Manager

Red Oak Technology Select Fund (the “Fund”) rose 26.55% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, while the S&P 500® Equal Weight Information Technology Index gained 10.17% and the Morningstar Technology Sector Category increased 14.18%. Over the last ten years, the Fund has risen by an average of 14.46% per year.

 

From a market perspective, investors came into this year prepping for a hard landing after the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary tightening campaign. Instead, the economy and the markets have performed quite well despite challenges, such as a regional banking crisis and numerous geopolitical conflicts. Much of the strength has been consumer driven which fits with the strong employment market and solid wage gains experienced this fiscal year.

 

In addition to general leadership from large capitalization stocks in general and those within the Technology sector in particular, one of the prominent forces behind the rise in US equities during the fiscal year was the frenzy behind ChatGPT and the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With advances in machine learning, software and processing power, AI has emerged as the next great technological innovation. We expect the profitability and growth characteristics of the Technology sector in this higher rate environment to attract incremental investors at the expense of sectors and companies that rely more heavily on debt markets to fund operations and new projects in the coming years.

 

During the fiscal year, Meta Platforms, Inc. was the best performer and largest contributor to the Fund’s fiscal year return. The parent company of Facebook underperformed the prior year due to concerns over spending on virtual reality products and development of the metaverse, but renewed fiscal discipline and a return to growth caused the shares to more than double during the fiscal year. Synopsys Inc. was also a significant contributor to performance. The company is a leader in electronic design automation software that supports the secular growth of semiconductors and benefited from increased demand driven AI.



The Fund’s largest relative underperforming stock for the year was Qualcomm, Inc., a semiconductor company that supplies technologies and products to the wireless industry. While the company has benefited from the technology transition to 5G wireless networks, weakness in demand for handsets in 2023 has caused the stock to lag behind other areas in technology. Longer term, Qualcomm appears to maintain its unique competitive advantage within the wireless handset market and is expanding into new-end markets such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which combined, now represent close to twenty percent of revenues.

 

Given the significant amount of tightening already in the economic pipeline, we believe inflation has peaked and should continue to trend lower in 2024. Going forward, the Fund will continue to pursue blue-chip technology companies with dominant market positions and favorable shareholder return metrics that are trading at attractive valuations. In our opinion, higher interest rates and the resulting increased cost of capital will make these characteristics even more attractive for investors.

 

Thank you for your investment with the Oak Associates Funds.

 

12 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Red Oak Technology Select Fund Performance Update
  All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Data     Top 10 Holdings^  
Ticker ROGSX   1 Alphabet, Inc. – Class C 7.6%
Share Price $35.22   2 Amazon.com, Inc. 6.9%
Total Net Assets $503.9M   3 Microsoft Corp. 6.7%
Portfolio Turnover 0%   4 KLA Corp. 6.4%
      5 Synopsys, Inc. 6.1%
Sector Allocation^     6 Cisco Systems, Inc. 6.0%
Technology 71.2%   7 Oracle Corp. 5.4%
Communications 14.4%   8 Meta Platforms, Inc. 5.0%
Consumer Discretionary 9.5%   9 VMware, Inc. – Class A 3.9%
Industrials 2.5%   10 NXP Semiconductors NV 3.9%
Cash & Other Assets 2.4%        

 

^Percentages are based on net assets. Holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 Chart

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

This chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past 10 years. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart and the table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

  Average Annual Total Return
  1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 Year
  Return Return Return Return
Red Oak Technology Select Fund 26.55% 8.04% 11.42% 14.46%
S&P 500® Equal Weight Information Technology Index1 10.17% 9.93% 13.34% 15.79%
Morningstar Technology Sector Category Average2 14.18% 1.45% 11.00% 13.79%

 

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (per the prospectus dated February 28, 2023): 0.92%

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (as of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023): 0.94%

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit www.oakfunds.com or call 1-888-462-5386.

 

1Standard & Poor’s is the source and owner of the S&P Index data.

 

2Morningstar, Inc. is the source and owner of the Morningstar Classification data. See Pages 18 and 19 for additional disclosure.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 13

 

 

Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund

 

(-s-James D. Oelschlager)
 
James D. Oelschlager
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Robert D. Stimpson)
 
Robert D. Stimpson, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Jeffrey B. Travis)
 
Jeffrey B. Travis, CFA
Portfolio Manager

Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund (the “Fund”) declined 3.34% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, while the S&P 500® Equal Weight Information Technology Index gained 10.17% and the Morningstar Technology Sector Category increased 14.18%. Over the last ten years, the Fund has risen an average of 10.75% per year.

 

US equity markets saw a nice bounce during the fiscal year despite early concerns of the Federal Reserve’s (the “Fed”) aggressive interest rate hikes pushing the economy into recession. The economy has proven resilient on the back of strength in consumer spending which has benefited from a robust labor market and growth in wages. The pace of inflation has come down significantly over the past year suggesting the Fed is nearing the end of the current tightening cycle.

 

Despite a rally in the overall markets, strength was not distributed evenly across all stocks. To the contrary, leadership was extremely narrow within large capitalization companies while small capitalization equities underperformed across all sectors. Rising interest rates tend to have a greater impact on smaller companies as they rely more heavily on debt markets for growth and operations. On balance, emerging technology companies held by the Fund tend to be smaller or mid-sized when compared to the large capitalization technology companies.

 

The worst performing stock in the Fund for fiscal 2023 was SolarEdge Technologies, Inc., a company that provides solar power conversion, monitoring and storage solutions for both residential and commercial customers. After strong demand and shortages in the prior year, this year began with customers building inventory in anticipation of continued strength in new orders. However, demand slowed late in the year leaving elevated inventory levels which will take time to work down to more normal levels.

 

The Fund’s best performer was Nvidia Corp., which makes semiconductor chips and software for accelerated gaming and computing. Shares rose considerably during the fiscal year on the back of the excitement for Artificial Intelligence (AI) as their chips have been optimized to take advantage of this sizable market opportunity. Another beneficiary of this new technology is KLA Corp., a semiconductor capital equipment maker whose products provide test and measurement capabilities throughout the semiconductor manufacturing process.



While the majority of small capitalization companies traded lower this year, we believe that as the Fed’s monetary tightening campaign ends, the focus will shift to high quality companies regardless of size. Our approach focuses on companies with strong market positions and high levels of profitability. We naturally tend to avoid companies with high levels of leverage, or interest expense burdens, as these are often incremental constraints to diminish profits and create refinancing risk. We expect higher quality companies to distance themselves from lower quality peers as rising interest rate costs weigh on the latter in the coming years.

 

Going forward, the Fund will continue to seek opportunities within the technology sector exposed to emerging niches, with solid earnings prospects, and that are trading at favorable valuations.

 

Thank you for your investment with the Oak Associates Funds.

 

14 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund Performance Update
  All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Data   Top 10 Holdings^  
Ticker BOGSX   1 KLA Corp. 6.5%
Share Price $6.11   2 Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. 4.4%
Total Net Assets $48.6M   3 Nextgen Healthcare, Inc. 4.3%
Portfolio Turnover 17%   4 Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. 4.2%
      5 Lam Research Corp. 4.2%
Sector Allocation^   6 Salesforce.com, Inc. 4.0%
Technology 81.4%   7 Cohu, Inc. 3.7%
Industrials 11.0%   8 Science Applications International Corp. 3.6%
Consumer Discretionary 2.4%   9 Nordson Corp. 3.5%
Health Care 2.3%   10 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. 3.5%
Energy 1.9%        
Cash & Other Assets 1.0%        

 

^Percentages are based on net assets. Holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 Chart

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

This chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past 10 years. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart and the table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

  Average Annual Total Return
  1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 Year
  Return Return Return Return
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund -3.34% 4.38% 10.20% 10.75%
S&P 500® Equal Weight Information Technology Index1 10.17% 9.93% 13.34% 15.79%
Morningstar Technology Sector Category Average2 14.18% 1.45% 11.00% 13.79%

 

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (per the prospectus dated February 28, 2023): 1.03%

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (as of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023): 1.07%

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit www.oakfunds.com or call 1-888-462-5386.

 

1Standard & Poor’s is the source and owner of the S&P Index data.

 

2Morningstar, Inc. is the source and owner of the Morningstar Classification data. See Pages 18 and 19 for additional disclosure.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 15

 

 

Live Oak Health Sciences Fund

 

(-s-James D. Oelschlager)
 
James D. Oelschlager
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Robert D. Stimpson)
 
Robert D. Stimpson, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
& Portfolio Manager
 
(-s-Jeffrey B. Travis)
 
Jeffrey B. Travis, CFA
Portfolio Manager

Live Oak Health Sciences Fund (the “Fund”) declined 5.80% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, while the S&P 500® Health Care Index dropped 4.56% and the Morningstar Health Sector Category declined 11.04%. Over the last ten years, the Fund has risen an average of 7.73% per year.

 

The US economy continued to weather a storm of geopolitical conflict, economic shocks and inflation in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023. The Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) aggressively raised interest rates over the past 17 months to combat inflation, a move that contributed to several economic disruptions, but which is potentially closer to the end of the tightening cycle. Despite these challenges, employment growth remained strong and inflation has moderated.

 

While the broad-based US equity market indexes posted gains during the period, the returns can be attributed to the outperformance of large-cap stocks and those associated with artificial intelligence. Healthcare, which tends to be more defensive, underperformed more cyclical sectors which rallied on evidence the Fed has suppressed inflation without inducing a sharp recession. Pockets of outperformance in healthcare were notably focused in the companies that have benefited from the introduction of new blockbuster weight-loss drugs. Despite lagging the broader market, certain areas within healthcare are poised to benefit from long-term demographic trends and offer stable revenue growth, given the consistent rise in medical costs over the past decade. This could serve as a safe haven in an inflationary environment if investors shift to defensive sectors of the market.

 

The Fund’s largest detractor was the Biotech company, Moderna. This company focuses on mRNA therapeutics and vaccines. The company declined due to deteriorating sales associated with the ebbing of the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about its developmental pipeline. The Fund’s second worst performer was Bio-Rad Laboratories, a life science and diagnostic company that operates a chain of laboratories as well as manufacturing and distributing research products, clinical diagnostics, and analytical instruments. Macro headwinds such as inflation, funding constraints, and inventory backlog contributed to this year’s declines as economic predictors show slower current and future growth.



The Fund’s largest contributor to returns for the year was Cardinal Health Inc., a diversified healthcare product manufacturing and distribution provider. The Fund’s holding that had the largest impact on return was Exelixis Inc., a biotech company that focuses on developing medicines and regimens for treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Strong product sales, increased focus on its product pipeline, and favorable court rulings led to its solid performance.

 

We believe the healthcare sector remains attractive due to favorable demographics, increasing frequency of chronic diseases, and unrelenting technological and scientific advancements. These drivers and the past fiscal year’s decline, present opportunities for long-term investors. The Fund maintains its focus on stable healthcare companies with solid financial positions, strong secular growth drivers, and promising earnings prospects at attractive valuations.

 

Thank you for your investment with the Oak Associates Funds.

 

16 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Live Oak Health Sciences Fund Performance Update
  All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Fund Data   Top 10 Holdings^
Ticker LOGSX   1 Amgen, Inc. 5.2%
Share Price $20.02   2 Cencora, Inc. 5.1%
Total Net Assets $50.1M   3 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 5.0%
Portfolio Turnover 47%   4 McKesson Corp. 4.9%
      5 Humana, Inc. 4.1%
Sector Allocation^   6 Cardinal Health, Inc. 4.0%
Health Care 96.0%   7 Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 4.0%
Cash & Other Assets 4.0%   8 Cigna Corp. 3.8%
      9 Centene Corp. 3.8%
      10 UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 3.6%

 

^Percentages are based on net assets. Holdings are subject to change.

 

Growth of $10,000 Chart

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

This chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Fund over the past 10 years. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart and the table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

  Average Annual Total Return
  1 Year 3 Year 5 Year 10 Year
  Return Return Return Return
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund -5.80% 8.44% 5.61% 7.73%
S&P 500® Health Care Index1 -4.56% 8.79% 9.01% 10.90%
Morningstar Health Care Sector Category Average2 -11.04% -2.45% 4.02% 8.22%

 

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (per the prospectus dated February 28, 2023): 1.02%

Gross/Net Expense Ratio (as of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023): 1.02%

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit www.oakfunds.com or call 1-888-462-5386.

 

1Standard & Poor’s is the source and owner of the S&P Index data.

 

2Morningstar, Inc. is the source and owner of the Morningstar Classification data. See Pages 18 and 19 for additional disclosure.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 17

 

 

Important Disclosures
All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Mutual fund investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The value of a Fund’s investments will vary from day to day in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Because a Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in particular industry sectors which it believes hold the most potential for favorable returns, poor performance or adverse economic events affecting one or more of these over-weighted sectors could have a greater impact on a Fund than it would on another mutual fund with a broader range of investments.

 

Index Definitions and Disclosures

 

All indices are unmanaged and index performance figures include reinvestment of dividends but do not reflect any fees, expenses or taxes. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Oak Associates Funds (the “Funds”) are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morningstar, Inc. or any of its affiliates (all such entities, collectively, “Morningstar Entities”). The Morningstar Entities make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to individuals who invest in the Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in equity securities generally or in the Funds in particular or the ability of the Funds to track the Morningstar Indices or general equity market performance. THE MORNINGSTAR ENTITIES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE FUNDS OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND MORNINGSTAR ENTITIES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Morningstar Health Care Category – Health portfolios focus on the medical and health-care industries. Most invest in a range of companies, buying everything from pharmaceutical and medical-device makers to HMOs, hospitals, and nursing homes. A few portfolios concentrate on just one industry segment, such as service providers or biotechnology firms.

 

Morningstar Large Blend Category – Large-blend portfolios are fairly representative of the overall US stock market in size, growth rates, and price. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the US equity market are defined as large-cap. The blend style is assigned to portfolios where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. These portfolios tend to invest across the spectrum of US industries, and owing to their broad exposure, the portfolios’ returns are often similar to those of the S&P 500® Index.

 

Morningstar Mid Blend Category – The typical mid-cap blend portfolio invests in US stocks of various sizes and styles, giving it a middle-of-the-road profile. Most shy away from high-priced growth stocks, but aren’t so price-conscious that they land in value territory. The US mid-cap range for market capitalization typically falls between $1billion-$8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the US equity market. The blend style is assigned to portfolios where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate.

 

Morningstar Small Blend Category – Small-blend portfolios favor US firms at the smaller end of the market-capitalization range. Some aim to own an array of value and growth stocks while others employ a discipline that leads to holdings with valuations and growth rates close to the small-cap averages. Stocks in the bottom 10% of the capitalization of the US equity market are defined as small-cap. The blend style is assigned to portfolios where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate.

 

18 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Important Disclosures
All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Morningstar Technology Category – Technology portfolios buy high-tech businesses in the US or outside of the US Most concentrate on computer, semiconductor, software, networking, and Internet stocks. A few also buy medical-device and biotechnology stocks and some concentrate on a single technology industry.

 

Morningstar US Market Index – Measures the performance of US securities and targets 97% market capitalization coverage of the investable universe. It is a diversified broad market index. This Index does not incorporate Environmental, Social, or Governance (ESG) criteria.

 

Morningstar US Mid Cap Index – Tracks the performance of US mid-cap stocks that fall between 70th and 90th percentile in market capitalization of the investable universe. In aggregate the Mid-Cap Index represents 20 percent of the investable universe.

 

Morningstar US Small Cap Index – Measures the performance of US small-cap stocks. These stocks fall between the 90th and 97th percentile in market capitalization of the investable universe. In aggregate, the Small-Cap Index represents 7 percent of the investable universe. This Index does not incorporate Environmental, Social, or Governance (ESG) criteria.

 

Standard & Poor’s – is the source and owner of the S&P Index data contained in this material and all trademarks and copyrights related thereto. Any further dissemination or redistribution is strictly prohibited. Standard & Poor’s is not responsible for the formatting or configuration of this material or for any inaccuracy in Oak Associates Funds’ presentation thereof.

 

S&P 500® Index – The S&P 500® Index is a commonly-recognized, market capitalization weighted index of 500 widely held equity securities, designed to measure broad US equity performance.

 

S&P 500® Equal Weight Information Technology Index – The S&P 500® Equal Weight Information Technology Index is an unmanaged equal weighted version of the S&P 500® Information Technology Index that consists of the common stocks of the following industries: internet equipment, computers and peripherals, electronic equipment, office electronics and instruments, semiconductor equipment and products, diversified telecommunication services, and wireless telecommunication services that comprise the Information Technology sector of the S&P 500® Index.

 

S&P 500® Health Care Index – The S&P 500® Health Care Index is a capitalization-weighted index that encompasses two main industry groups. The first includes companies who manufacture health care equipment and supplies or provide health care related services, including distributors of health care products, providers of basic health care services, and owners and operators of health care facilities and organizations. The second group consists of companies primarily involved in the research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products.

 

S&P 500® Total Return Index – The S&P 500® Total Return Index is a commonly recognized, market capitalization weighted index of 500 widely held equity securities, designed to measure broad US equity performance.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 19

 

 

Important Disclosures
All data below is as of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Definitions

 

Smart beta defines a set of investment strategies that emphasize the use of alternative index construction rules to traditional market capitalization based indices. Smart beta emphasizes capturing investment factors of market inefficiencies in a rules-based and transparent way.

 

Correlation is a statistic that measures the degree to which two securities move in relation to each other.

 

The P/E is the ratio for valuing a company that measures its current share price relative to its per share earnings. The price-earnings ratio can be calculated as market value per share divided by earnings per share.

 

Book value of an asset is the value at which the asset is carried on a balance sheet and calculated by taking the cost of an asset minus the accumulated depreciation. Book value is also the net asset value of a company, calculated as total assets minus intangible assets and liabilities.

 

Free cash flow yield is an overall return evaluation ratio of a stock, which standardizes the free cash flow per share a company is expected to earn against its market price per share. The ratio is calculated by taking the free cash flow per share divided by the share price.

 

20 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses
As of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period from May 1, 2023 through October 31, 2023.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The first line of the table for each Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, 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 = 8.60), 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 for each Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balances or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 

Expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. Therefore, the second line of the table for each class is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 21

 

 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses
As of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

  Beginning Ending    
  Account Value Account Value Annualized Expenses
  May 1, October 31, Expense Paid During
  2023 2023 Ratio Period(a)
White Oak Select Growth Fund        
Actual Return $1,000.00 $1,073.00 0.93% $4.87
Hypothetical 5% Return $1,000.00 $1,020.51 0.93% $4.75
Pin Oak Equity Fund        
Actual Return $1,000.00 $1,083.30 0.97% $5.11
Hypothetical 5% Return $1,000.00 $1,020.30 0.97% $4.96
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund        
Actual Return $1,000.00 $1,015.80 1.25% $6.35
Hypothetical 5% Return $1,000.00 $1,018.90 1.25% $6.36
River Oak Discovery Fund        
Actual Return $1,000.00 $949.80 1.26% $6.20
Hypothetical 5% Return $1,000.00 $1,018.85 1.26% $6.42
Red Oak Technology Select Fund        
Actual Return $1,000.00 $1,106.90 0.93% $4.95
Hypothetical 5% Return $1,000.00 $1,020.50 0.93% $4.75
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund        
Actual Return $1,000.00 $928.60 1.08% $5.25
Hypothetical 5% Return $1,000.00 $1,019.76 1.08% $5.50
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund        
Actual Return $1,000.00 $957.00 1.04% $5.11
Hypothetical 5% Return $1,000.00 $1,019.98 1.04% $5.28

 

(a)Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

22 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments White Oak Select Growth Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 97.46%          
COMMUNICATIONS — 19.95%          
Internet Media & Services — 19.95%          
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A(a)   152,000   $18,860,160 
Alphabet, Inc. - Class C(a)   248,000    31,074,400 
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A(a)   56,975    17,164,858 
         67,099,418 
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 15.29%          
E-Commerce Discretionary — 10.19%          
Amazon.com, Inc.(a)   257,500    34,270,675 
           
Retail - Discretionary — 5.10%          
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.(b)   90,000    17,151,300 
           
FINANCIALS — 15.05%          
Asset Management — 4.86%          
Charles Schwab Corp. (The)   314,100    16,345,764 
           
Banking — 5.75%          
JPMorgan Chase & Co.(b)   139,065    19,338,379 
           
Institutional Financial Services — 0.68%          
State Street Corp.   35,000    2,262,050 
           
Insurance — 3.76%          
Chubb Ltd.   58,937    12,649,059 
           
HEALTH CARE — 23.32%          
Biotech & Pharma — 12.12%          
Amgen, Inc.   82,460    21,085,022 
Novartis AG - ADR   114,060    10,673,735 
Pfizer, Inc.   275,700    8,425,392 
Sandoz Group AG - ADR(a)(b)   22,812    589,006 
         40,773,155 
Health Care Facilities & Services — 5.87%          
Cigna Corp.   32,952    10,188,758 
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings(b)   47,770    9,541,102 
         19,729,860 

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 23

 

 

White Oak Select Growth Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
Medical Equipment & Devices — 5.33%          
Alcon, Inc.   138,000   $9,842,160 
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.   77,390    8,080,290 
         17,922,450 
TECHNOLOGY — 23.85%          
Semiconductors — 14.33%          
KLA Corp.(b)   49,835    23,407,499 
NXP Semiconductors NV   66,513    11,468,837 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   122,300    13,329,477 
         48,205,813 
Technology Hardware — 7.60%          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   490,000    25,543,700 
           
Technology Services — 1.92%          
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. - Class A   100,000    6,447,000 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $158,612,097)        327,738,623 

 

24 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments White Oak Select Growth Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

   Shares or   Fair 
   Principal ($)   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 13.72%          
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS — 2.52%          
Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement with South Street Securities LLC and Bank of New York Mellon, 4.98%, dated 10/31/2023 and maturing 11/1/2023, collateralized by U.S. Treasury Securities with rates ranging from 0.50% to 3.63% and maturity dates ranging from 5/15/2026 to 10/31/2027 with a par value of $9,857,749 and a collateral value of $8,650,607   8,480,969   $8,480,969 
           
COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED — 11.20%          
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 5.49%(c)   37,667,759    37,667,759 
           
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $46,148,728)        46,148,728 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 111.18%          
(Cost $204,760,825)        373,887,351 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (11.18)%        (37,590,123)
           
NET ASSETS — 100.00%       $336,297,228 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

(b)Security, or a portion of the security position, is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $37,352,768.

 

(c)Rate disclosed is the seven-day effective yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 25

 

 

Pin Oak Equity Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 98.37%          
COMMUNICATIONS — 18.52%          
Internet Media & Services — 18.52%          
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A(a)   27,500   $3,412,200 
Alphabet, Inc. - Class C(a)   99,180    12,427,254 
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A(a)   18,569    5,594,283 
         21,433,737 
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 12.59%          
E-Commerce Discretionary — 12.59%          
Amazon.com, Inc.(a)   80,000    10,647,200 
eBay, Inc.(b)   100,000    3,923,000 
         14,570,200 
ENERGY — 1.54%          
Oil & Gas Producers — 1.54%          
Coterra Energy, Inc.(b)   65,000    1,787,500 
           
FINANCIALS — 12.86%          
Asset Management — 4.16%          
Charles Schwab Corp. (The)   92,500    4,813,700 
           
Institutional Financial Services — 3.70%          
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)   100,745    4,281,663 
           
Insurance — 5.00%          
Assurant, Inc.   38,900    5,792,210 
           
HEALTH CARE — 21.43%          
Biotech & Pharma — 11.32%          
Amgen, Inc.   18,500    4,730,450 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   48,145    3,781,308 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   5,881    4,586,533 
         13,098,291 

 

26 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments Pin Oak Equity Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
Health Care Facilities & Services — 10.11%          
McKesson Corp.   21,400   $9,744,704 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   15,000    1,951,500 
         11,696,204 
INDUSTRIALS — 2.29%          
Electrical Equipment — 2.29%          
Amphenol Corp. - Class A   32,860    2,646,873 
           
TECHNOLOGY — 29.14%          
Semiconductors — 10.22%          
Diodes, Inc.(a)   17,411    1,133,108 
KLA Corp.   18,498    8,688,510 
Microchip Technology, Inc.   28,089    2,002,465 
         11,824,083 
Software — 2.71%          
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)   30,324    3,133,379 
           
Technology Services — 16.21%          
Amdocs Ltd.   81,587    6,540,014 
Paychex, Inc.   34,649    3,847,771 
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)   19,996    1,035,793 
Visa, Inc. - Class A(b)   31,220    7,339,822 
         18,763,400 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $57,957,635)        113,841,240 

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 27

 

 

Pin Oak Equity Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

   Shares or   Market 
   Principal ($)   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 9.52%          
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS — 1.87%          
Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement with South Street Securities LLC and Bank of New York Mellon, 4.98%, dated 10/31/2023 and maturing 11/1/2023, collateralized by U.S. Treasury Securities with rates ranging from 0.50% to 3.63% and maturity dates ranging from 5/15/2026 to 10/31/2027 with a par value of $2,513,854 and a collateral value of $2,206,017   2,162,757   $2,162,757 
           
COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED — 7.65%          
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 5.49%(c)   8,855,428    8,855,428 
           
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $11,018,185)        11,018,185 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 107.89%          
(Cost $68,975,820)       $124,859,425 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (7.89)%        (9,136,149)
           
NET ASSETS — 100.00%       $115,723,276 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

(b)Security, or a portion of the security position, is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $8,748,078.

 

(c)Rate disclosed is the seven-day effective yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

28 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments Rock Oak Core Growth Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 98.84%          
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 6.55%          
Leisure Products — 3.18%          
Thor Industries, Inc.(a)   3,490   $306,876 
           
Wholesale - Discretionary — 3.37%          
Pool Corp.   1,030    325,243 
           
ENERGY — 8.48%          
Oil & Gas Producers — 7.14%          
Coterra Energy, Inc.   11,541    317,377 
Murphy USA, Inc.(a)   1,024    371,395 
         688,772 
Renewable Energy — 1.34%          
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.(a)(b)   1,709    129,799 
           
FINANCIALS — 8.88%          
Insurance — 8.88%          
Assurant, Inc.   1,830    272,487 
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)   7,965    585,029 
         857,516 
HEALTH CARE — 18.76%          
Biotech & Pharma — 9.26%          
Exelixis, Inc.(b)   18,149    373,688 
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(b)   2,825    358,831 
Viatris, Inc.   18,120    161,268 
         893,787 
Health Care Facilities & Services — 9.50%          
Cardinal Health, Inc.   5,770    525,070 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   3,015    392,252 
         917,322 
INDUSTRIALS — 22.25%          
Aerospace & Defense — 4.59%          
TransDigm Group, Inc.(a)(b)   535    443,028 
           
Commercial Support Services — 4.82%          
Republic Services, Inc.   3,130    464,774 

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 29

 

 

Rock Oak Core Growth Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
Industrial Support Services — 3.08%          
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.   1,936   $297,195 
           
Machinery — 9.76%          
Curtiss -Wright Corp.(a)   1,620    322,072 
ESAB Corp.   3,618    229,020 
Nordson Corp.   1,839    390,953 
         942,045 
MATERIALS — 8.22%          
Chemicals — 3.44%          
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.(a)   4,159    331,805 
           
Construction Materials — 4.78%          
Carlisle Companies, Inc.(a)   1,815    461,173 
           
TECHNOLOGY — 25.70%          
Software — 2.84%          
Veeva Systems, Inc. - Class A(a)(b)   900    173,439 
Zscaler, Inc.(b)   632    100,292 
         273,731 
Technology Hardware — 13.05%          
F5, Inc.(b)   2,820    427,484 
NetApp, Inc.(a)   5,805    422,488 
Seagate Technology PLC(a)   6,007    409,978 
         1,259,950 
Technology Services — 9.81%          
Amdocs Ltd.   3,602    288,737 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. - Class A   5,507    355,036 
Parsons Corp.(b)   1,731    97,888 
Science Applications International Corp.   1,880    205,371 
         947,032 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $7,786,870)        9,540,048 

 

30 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments Rock Oak Core Growth Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

   Shares or   Fair 
   Principal ($)   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 25.86%          
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS — 1.33%          
Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement with South Street Securities LLC and Bank of New York Mellon, 4.98%, dated 10/31/2023 and maturing 11/1/2023, collateralized by U.S. Treasury Securities with rates ranging from 0.50% to 3.63% and maturity dates ranging from 5/15/2026 to 10/31/2027 with a par value of $148,803 and a collateral value of $130,581   128,020   $128,020 
           
COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED — 24.53%          
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 5.49%(c)   2,367,612    2,367,612 
           
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $2,495,632)        2,495,632 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 124.70%          
(Cost $10,282,502)        12,035,680 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (24.70)%        (2,384,150)
           
NET ASSETS — 100.00%       $9,651,530 

 

(a)Security, or a portion of the security position, is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $2,334,311.

 

(b)Non-income producing security.

 

(c)Rate disclosed is the seven-day effective yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 31

 

 

River Oak Discovery Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 97.50%          
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 7.33%          
Consumer Services — 4.26%          
Adtalem Global Education, Inc.(a)   17,305   $896,399 
           
Retail - Discretionary — 3.07%          
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.(a)(b)   3,380    646,831 
           
CONSUMER STAPLES — 5.12%          
Household Products — 5.12%          
Edgewell Personal Care Co.(b)   17,322    604,538 
Energizer Holdings, Inc.(b)   15,000    473,700 
         1,078,238 
FINANCIALS — 10.87%          
Asset Management — 4.73%          
AllianceBernstein Holding LP   21,518    618,212 
Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc. - Class A(b)   11,425    377,025 
         995,237 
Insurance — 6.14%          
CNO Financial Group, Inc.   19,434    450,480 
Selective Insurance Group, Inc.(b)   8,090    842,250 
         1,292,730 
HEALTH CARE — 11.96%          
Biotech & Pharma — 6.29%          
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)   57,917    519,515 
Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc.(a)   13,557    804,744 
         1,324,259 
Health Care Facilities & Services — 5.67%          
Ensign Group, Inc. (The)(b)   7,572    731,455 
Progyny, Inc.(a)   15,006    463,085 
         1,194,540 
INDUSTRIALS — 28.00%          
Commercial Support Services — 14.64%          
Barrett Business Services, Inc.   9,477    866,766 
Kforce, Inc.(b)   14,641    893,686 
Korn Ferry   11,359    517,062 
V2X, Inc.(a)   15,768    805,272 
         3,082,786 

 

32 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments River Oak Discovery Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
Electrical Equipment — 4.17%          
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.   10,072   $878,883 
           
Industrial Support Services — 4.64%          
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.   6,369    977,705 
           
Machinery — 4.55%          
Kadant, Inc.(b)   4,352    957,440 
           
TECHNOLOGY — 34.22%          
Semiconductors — 21.12%          
Ambarella, Inc.(a)   8,849    398,117 
Cirrus Logic, Inc.(a)   11,637    778,864 
Cohu, Inc.(a)   23,005    693,371 
Diodes, Inc.(a)   10,822    704,296 
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.   22,922    953,784 
Silicon Motion Technology Corp. - ADR(a)   9,000    482,220 
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.(a)   18,941    436,022 
         4,446,674 
Software — 8.14%          
Calix, Inc.(a)   3,095    102,506 
Clear Secure Inc   12,639    212,588 
NextGen Healthcare, Inc.(a)(b)   49,292    1,179,065 
Verint Systems, Inc.(a)(b)   11,703    220,133 
         1,714,292 
Technology Services — 4.96%          
ICF International, Inc.   1,672    211,893 
Perficient, Inc.(a)(b)   14,311    832,757 
         1,044,650 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $17,208,786)        20,530,664 

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 33

 

 

River Oak Discovery Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

   Shares or   Fair 
   Principal ($)   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 31.32%          
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS — 2.60%          
Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement with South Street Securities LLC and Bank of New York Mellon, 4.98%, dated 10/31/2023 and maturing 11/1/2023, collateralized by U.S. Treasury Securities with rates ranging from 0.50% to 3.63% and maturity dates ranging from 5/15/2026 to 10/31/2027 with a par value of $635,659 and a collateral value of $557,819   546,880   $546,880 
           
COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED — 28.72%          
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 5.49%(c)   6,048,495    6,048,495 
           
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $6,595,375)        6,595,375 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 128.82%          
(Cost $23,804,161)        27,126,039 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (28.82)%        (6,068,732)
           
NET ASSETS — 100.00%       $21,057,307 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

(b)Security, or a portion of the security position, is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $6,002,377.

 

(c)Rate disclosed is the seven-day effective yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

34 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments Red Oak Technology Select Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 97.59%          
COMMUNICATIONS — 14.40%          
Internet Media & Services — 14.40%          
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A(a)   75,000   $9,306,000 
Alphabet, Inc. - Class C(a)   304,720    38,181,416 
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A(a)   83,225    25,073,196 
         72,560,612 
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 9.47%          
E-Commerce Discretionary — 9.47%          
Amazon.com, Inc.(a)   263,000    35,002,670 
eBay, Inc.   324,030    12,711,697 
         47,714,367 
INDUSTRIALS — 2.53%          
Aerospace & Defense — 1.57%          
Lockheed Martin Corp.   17,399    7,910,281 
           
Electrical Equipment — 0.96%          
Amphenol Corp. - Class A   60,000    4,833,000 
           
TECHNOLOGY — 71.19%          
Semiconductors — 21.93%          
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)   90,000    8,865,000 
Intel Corp.   147,615    5,387,947 
KLA Corp.   68,609    32,225,647 
Microchip Technology, Inc.   95,000    6,772,550 
NVIDIA Corp.   30,000    12,234,000 
NXP Semiconductors NV   113,550    19,579,427 
Qorvo, Inc.(a)   100,000    8,742,000 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   153,200    16,697,268 
         110,503,839 

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 35

 

 

Red Oak Technology Select Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
Software — 26.08%          
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)   116,780   $12,066,877 
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a)   58,700    7,880,475 
Microsoft Corp.   99,403    33,609,148 
Oracle Corp.   262,554    27,148,084 
Synopsys, Inc.(a)   65,970    30,968,957 
VMware, Inc. - Class A(a)   135,470    19,731,206 
         131,404,747 
Technology Hardware — 12.32%          
Apple, Inc.   106,078    18,114,940 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   576,180    30,036,263 
NetApp, Inc.   191,334    13,925,289 
         62,076,492 
Technology Services — 10.86%          
Accenture PLC - Class A   50,118    14,889,557 
Global Payments, Inc.   93,157    9,895,136 
MasterCard, Inc. - Class A   29,642    11,155,767 
Visa, Inc. - Class A(b)   80,000    18,808,000 
         54,748,460 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $190,514,040)        491,751,798 

 

36 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments Red Oak Technology Select Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

   Shares or   Fair 
   Principal ($)   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 6.21%          
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS — 2.47%          
Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement with South Street Securities LLC and Bank of New York Mellon, 4.98%, dated 10/31/2023 and maturing 11/1/2023, collateralized by U.S. Treasury Securities with rates ranging from 0.50% to 3.63% and maturity dates ranging from 5/15/2026 to 10/31/2027 with a par value of $14,458,978 and a collateral value of $12,688,386   12,439,568   $12,439,568 
           
COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED — 3.74%          
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 5.49%(c)   18,829,800    18,829,800 
           
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $31,269,368)        31,269,368 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 103.80%          
(Cost $221,783,408)       $523,021,166 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (3.80)%        (19,134,324)
           
NET ASSETS — 100.00%       $503,886,842 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

(b)Security, or a portion of the security position, is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $18,619,920.

 

(c)Rate disclosed is the seven-day effective yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 37

 

 

Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 99.02%          
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 2.40%          
Automotive — 2.40%          
Tesla, Inc.(a)   5,817   $1,168,286 
           
ENERGY — 1.88%          
Renewable Energy — 1.88%          
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.(a)(b)   12,014    912,463 
           
HEALTH CARE — 2.30%          
Medical Equipment & Devices — 2.30%          
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)   4,259    1,116,795 
           
INDUSTRIALS — 11.06%          
Electrical Equipment — 3.15%          
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.(b)   17,560    1,532,286 
           
Industrial Support Services — 4.42%          
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.   14,000    2,149,140 
           
Machinery — 3.49%          
Nordson Corp.   8,000    1,700,720 
           
TECHNOLOGY — 81.38%          
Information Technology — 2.66%          
Paylocity Holdings Corp.(a)   7,220    1,295,268 

 

38 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
Semiconductors — 36.06%          
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)   17,247   $1,698,829 
Cirrus Logic, Inc.(a)(b)   20,830    1,394,152 
Cohu, Inc.(a)   59,077    1,780,581 
Diodes, Inc.(a)(b)   25,770    1,677,112 
KLA Corp.(b)   6,750    3,170,475 
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.   49,645    2,065,728 
Lam Research Corp.   3,500    2,058,770 
NVIDIA Corp.   3,416    1,393,045 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   10,844    1,181,888 
Silicon Motion Technology Corp. - ADR(a)   20,940    1,121,965 
         17,542,545 
Software — 21.55%          
Clear Secure Inc   34,795    585,252 
Concentrix Corp.(b)   13,134    1,000,942 
Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc. - Class A(a)   5,576    985,669 
Fortinet, Inc.(a)   25,980    1,485,277 
NextGen Healthcare, Inc.(a)(b)   88,315    2,112,495 
Salesforce.com, Inc.(a)   9,659    1,939,817 
Veeva Systems, Inc. - Class A(a)   6,396    1,232,573 
Zscaler, Inc.(a)   7,192    1,141,298 
         10,483,323 
Technology Hardware — 3.47%          
F5, Inc.(a)   11,141    1,688,864 
           
Technology Services — 17.64%          
Amdocs Ltd.   15,234    1,221,158 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. - Class A   9,600    618,912 
CSG Systems International, Inc.(b)   10,000    468,600 
ICF International, Inc.   5,000    633,650 
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.   6,981    984,251 
Parsons Corp.(a)   17,211    973,282 
PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)   15,720    814,296 
Perficient, Inc.(a)   19,395    1,128,595 
Science Applications International Corp.   15,921    1,739,210 
         8,581,954 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $30,726,273)        48,171,644 

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 39

 

 

Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

   Shares or   Fair 
   Principal ($)   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 21.07%          
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS — 4.16%          
Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement with South Street Securities LLC and Bank of New York Mellon, 4.98%, dated 10/31/2023 and maturing 11/1/2023, collateralized by U.S. Treasury Securities with rates ranging from 0.50% to 3.63% and maturity dates ranging from 5/15/2026 to 10/31/2027 with a par value of $2,352,009 and a collateral value of $2,063,991   2,023,516   $2,023,516 
           
COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED — 16.91%          
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 5.49%(c)   8,226,405    8,226,405 
           
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $10,249,921)        10,249,921 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 120.09%          
(Cost $40,976,195)        58,421,565 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (20.09)%        (9,771,885)
           
NET ASSETS — 100.00%       $48,649,680 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

(b)Security, or a portion of the security position, is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $8,131,363.

 

(c)Rate disclosed is the seven-day effective yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

40 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments Live Oak Health Sciences Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 96.02%          
HEALTH CARE — 96.02%          
Biotech — 25.81%          
Amgen, Inc.   10,240   $2,618,368 
Biogen, Inc.(a)   5,006    1,189,125 
Exelixis, Inc.(a)   86,379    1,778,544 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   13,718    1,077,412 
Incyte Corp.(a)   2,390    128,893 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   3,190    2,487,849 
United Therapeutics Corp.(a)(b)   7,465    1,663,650 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)   5,515    1,997,037 
         12,940,878 
Health Care Facilities — 3.05%          
Ensign Group, Inc. (The)(b)   15,851    1,531,207 
           
Health Care Services — 6.50%          
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings(b)   7,737    1,545,311 
Progyny, Inc.(a)   36,761    1,134,444 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   4,453    579,335 
         3,259,090 
Health Care Supply Chain — 17.88%          
Cardinal Health, Inc.   22,235    2,023,385 
Cencora, Inc.(b)   13,739    2,543,776 
Cigna Corp.   6,199    1,916,731 
McKesson Corp.   5,448    2,480,801 
         8,964,693 
Large Pharmaceuticals — 9.07%          
Johnson & Johnson   8,463    1,255,401 
Merck & Co., Inc.   16,393    1,683,561 
Novartis AG - ADR(b)   17,194    1,609,015 
         4,547,977 

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 41

 

 

Live Oak Health Sciences Fund Schedule of Investments
As of October 31, 2023  

 

       Fair 
   Shares   Value 
Life Science & Diagnostics — 5.65%          
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. - Class A(a)   339   $93,320 
Revvity, Inc.   14,979    1,241,010 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.(b)   3,369    1,498,430 
         2,832,760 
Managed Care — 18.47%          
Centene Corp.(a)   27,653    1,907,504 
Elevance Health, Inc.   3,925    1,766,603 
Humana, Inc.(b)   3,917    2,051,294 
Molina Healthcare, Inc.(a)   5,191    1,728,343 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   3,369    1,804,302 
         9,258,046 
Medical Devices — 5.43%          
Medtronic PLC   21,490    1,516,335 
Stryker Corp.   4,479    1,210,315 
         2,726,650 
Medical Equipment — 3.38%          
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)   6,458    1,693,417 
           
Specialty & Generic Pharma — 0.12%          
Sandoz Group AG - ADR(a)(b)   2,320    59,902 
           
Specialty & Generic Pharmaceuticals — 0.66%          
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(a)   2,601    330,379 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $33,177,870)        48,144,999 

 

42 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Schedule of Investments Live Oak Health Sciences Fund
  As of October 31, 2023

 

   Shares or   Fair 
   Principal ($)   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 20.66%          
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS — 6.58%          
Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement with South Street Securities LLC and Bank of New York Mellon, 4.98%, dated 10/31/2023 and maturing 11/1/2023, collateralized by U.S. Treasury Securities with rates ranging from 0.50% to 3.63% and maturity dates ranging from 5/15/2026 to 10/31/2027 with a par value of $3,835,648 and a collateral value of $3,365,949   3,299,943   $3,299,943 
           
COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED — 14.08%          
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 5.49%(c)   7,058,329    7,058,329 
           
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $10,358,272)        10,358,272 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 116.68%          
(Cost $43,536,143)        58,503,271 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (16.68)%        (8,363,475)
           
NET ASSETS — 100.00%       $50,139,796 

 

(a)Non-income producing security.

 

(b)Security, or a portion of the security position, is currently on loan. The total market value of securities on loan is $6,971,002.

 

(c)Rate disclosed is the seven-day effective yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 43

 

 

Statements of Assets & Liabilities
October 31, 2023

 

   White Oak Select   Pin Oak 
   Growth Fund   Equity Fund 
ASSETS          
Investment securities at value (cost $204,760,825, $68,975,820, $10,282,502, $23,804,161, $221,783,408, $40,976,195 and $43,536,143), including $37,352,768, $8,748,078, $2,334,311, $6,002,377, $18,619,920, $8,131,363 and $6,971,002 of securities on loan  $373,887,351   $124,859,425 
Receivable for fund shares sold   15,269    545 
Receivable for investments sold        
Dividends and interest receivable   100,173    42,612 
Tax reclaims receivable   346,795    40,236 
Prepaid expenses   24,022    12,371 
Total Assets   374,373,610    124,955,189 
           
LIABILITIES          
Payable for fund shares redeemed   167,259    276,726 
Payable for investments purchased        
Payable for collateral upon return of securities loaned   37,667,759    8,855,428 
Investment advisory fees payable   217,052    74,564 
Administration fees payable   13,786    4,898 
Transfer agent fees payable   5,652    2,892 
Trustee fees payable   2,265    653 
Other accrued expenses   2,609    16,752 
Total Liabilities   38,076,382    9,231,913 
NET ASSETS  $336,297,228   $115,723,276 
           
Net Assets consist of:          
Paid-in capital (unlimited authorization – no par value)  $150,577,894   $50,174,845 
Accumulated earnings   185,719,334    65,548,431 
Net Assets  $336,297,228   $115,723,276 
Total shares outstanding at end of year   2,850,098    1,606,285 
           
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (net assets/shares outstanding)  $117.99   $72.04 

 

44 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

        Red Oak   Black Oak     
Rock Oak Core   River Oak   Technology   Emerging   Live Oak Health 
Growth Fund   Discovery Fund   Select Fund   Technology Fund   Sciences Fund 
$12,035,680   $27,126,039   $523,021,166   $58,421,565   $58,503,271 
     3,800    51,414    427    12,975 
             264,662     
 1,693    1,338    83,269    3,910    1,294 
                 9,326 
 16,898    10,239    120,569    18,899    12,544 
 12,054,271    27,141,416    523,276,418    58,709,463    58,539,410 
                       
                       
 11,714        160,878    4,886    24,148 
             1,770,003    1,265,020 
                       
 2,367,612    6,048,495    18,829,800    8,226,405    7,058,329 
 3,426    13,498    325,371    32,217    32,409 
 642    1,114    20,112    2,241    2,366 
 1,394    1,439    4,663    2,670    1,867 
 41    75    3,240    169    354 
 17,912    19,488    45,512    21,192    15,121 
 2,402,741    6,084,109    19,389,576    10,059,783    8,399,614 
$9,651,530   $21,057,307   $503,886,842   $48,649,680   $50,139,796 
                       
                       
$7,868,772   $20,139,103   $178,971,044   $29,315,998   $32,527,585 
 1,782,758    918,204    324,915,798    19,333,682    17,612,211 
$9,651,530   $21,057,307   $503,886,842   $48,649,680   $50,139,796 
 654,094    1,427,434    14,306,795    7,960,494    2,504,616 
                       
$14.76   $14.75   $35.22   $6.11   $20.02 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 45

 

 

Statements of Operations
For the year ended October 31, 2023

 

   White Oak Select   Pin Oak 
   Growth Fund   Equity Fund 
INVESTMENT INCOME          
Dividends  $5,466,463   $1,467,985 
Securities lending income   39,618    23,723 
Interest   312,410    134,775 
Foreign withholding tax   (109,169)    
Total Investment Income   5,709,322    1,626,483 
           
EXPENSES          
Investment adviser   2,502,044    896,509 
Administration   161,873    58,531 
Sub transfer agent   106,024    44,488 
Legal   75,531    27,925 
Trustee   72,440    25,998 
Transfer agent   69,411    35,428 
Registration   25,963    23,631 
Report printing   25,153    8,776 
Insurance   20,796    7,551 
Audit   16,326    16,326 
Custodian   13,648    6,220 
Pricing   1,077    349 
Miscellaneous   60,449    31,629 
Total Expenses   3,150,735    1,183,361 
Less: Investment advisory fees waived        
Net Expenses   3,150,735    1,183,361 
Net Investment Income (Loss)   2,558,587    443,122 
           
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments          
Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities transactions   16,136,115    10,145,012 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities   19,935,902    1,687,053 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments   36,072,017    11,832,065 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations  $38,630,604   $12,275,187 

 

46 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

        Red Oak   Black Oak     
Rock Oak Core   River Oak   Technology   Emerging   Live Oak Health 
Growth Fund   Discovery Fund   Select Fund   Technology Fund   Sciences Fund 
                  
$151,906   $238,686   $5,103,981   $304,857   $658,278 
 4,719    11,531    40,202    22,550    13,879 
 38,778    54,321    463,347    121,421    83,540 
     (453)   (66,205)   (914)   (6,927)
 195,403    304,085    5,541,325    447,914    748,770 
                       
                       
 75,298    194,421    3,613,069    409,326    402,517 
 5,636    13,533    232,344    27,323    27,128 
 1,469    7,882    262,050    15,932    11,471 
 2,195    5,860    108,702    12,274    11,364 
 2,265    5,498    108,560    11,863    11,836 
 16,726    17,238    57,298    32,580    22,717 
 22,381    22,191    28,546    23,180    20,135 
 1,779    2,507    34,966    6,485    4,336 
 613    1,299    29,203    3,220    3,259 
 16,326    15,326    16,326    16,326    16,326 
 2,081    3,651    19,583    3,681    4,335 
 396    494    425    513    447 
 15,149    16,105    60,987    26,406    19,584 
 162,314    306,005    4,572,059    589,109    555,455 
 (35,141)                
 127,173    306,005    4,572,059    589,109    555,455 
 68,230    (1,920)   969,266    (141,195)   193,315 
                       
                       
                       
 (9,333)   (1,332,633)   24,490,943    2,183,969    3,455,317 
                       
 (89,637)   (544,290)   85,634,993    (3,639,141)   (6,847,360)
                       
 (98,970)   (1,876,923)   110,125,936    (1,455,172)   (3,392,043)
                       
$(30,740)  $(1,878,843)  $111,095,202   $(1,596,367)  $(3,198,728)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

1-888-462-5386 | www.oakfunds.com 47

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   White Oak Select 
   Growth Fund 
   For the   For the 
   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   October 31,   October 31, 
   2023   2022 
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES          
Net investment income  $2,558,587   $1,657,078 
Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities transactions   16,136,115    (388,907)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments securities   19,935,902    (106,574,485)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations   38,630,604    (105,306,314)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM          
Earnings   (1,592,284)   (23,574,884)
Total Distributions   (1,592,284)   (23,574,884)
           
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS          
Proceeds from shares sold   2,981,617    21,254,266 
Reinvestment of distributions   1,506,571    22,616,161 
Amount paid for shares redeemed   (26,617,379)   (53,149,316)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Transactions   (22,129,191)   (9,278,889)
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   14,909,129    (138,160,087)
NET ASSETS          
Beginning of year   321,388,099    459,548,186 
End of year  $336,297,228   $321,388,099 
           
SHARE TRANSACTIONS          
Shares sold   26,228    154,874 
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions   14,193    154,958 
Shares redeemed   (233,473)   (436,087)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding   (193,052)   (126,255)

 

48 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Pin Oak   Rock Oak Core 
Equity Fund   Growth Fund 
For the   For the   For the   For the 
Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
October 31,   October 31,   October 31,   October 31, 
2023   2022   2023   2022 
                  
$443,122   $232,441   $68,230   $10,762 
                  
 10,145,012    225,766    (9,333)   72,085 
                  
 1,687,053    (46,330,521)   (89,637)   (2,121,967)
                  
 12,275,187    (45,872,314)   (30,740)   (2,039,120)
                  
 (175,955)   (19,354,347)   (99,611)   (525,505)
 (175,955)   (19,354,347)   (99,611)   (525,505)
                  
 1,616,012    2,496,694    486,919    228,546 
 159,966    18,365,328    92,431    519,071 
 (23,458,547)   (31,772,534)   (937,660)   (674,459)
                  
 (21,682,569)   (10,910,512)   (358,310)   73,158 
                  
 (9,583,337)   (76,137,173)   (488,661)   (2,491,467)
                  
 125,306,613    201,443,786    10,140,191    12,631,658 
$115,723,276   $125,306,613   $9,651,530   $10,140,191 
                  
 23,757    31,148    32,615    14,674 
 2,504    211,631    6,296    28,773 
 (340,537)   (412,867)   (62,912)   (41,586)
 (314,276)   (170,088)   (24,001)   1,861 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   River Oak 
   Discovery Fund 
   For the   For the 
   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   October 31,   October 31, 
   2023   2022 
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES          
Net investment income (loss)  $(1,920)  $21,523 
Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities transactions   (1,332,633)   (1,112,837)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments securities   (544,290)   (2,704,710)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations   (1,878,843)   (3,796,024)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM          
Earnings   (46,104)   (3,510,455)
Total Distributions   (46,104)   (3,510,455)
           
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS          
Proceeds from shares sold   13,041,465    4,809,886 
Reinvestment of distributions   44,276    3,505,905 
Amount paid for shares redeemed   (11,989,796)   (2,827,595)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Transactions   1,095,945    5,488,196 
           
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   (829,002)   (1,818,283)
           
NET ASSETS          
Beginning of year   21,886,309    23,704,592 
End of year  $21,057,307   $21,886,309 
           
SHARE TRANSACTIONS          
Shares sold   786,162    279,292 
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions   2,797    188,490 
Shares redeemed   (767,998)   (174,685)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding   20,961    293,097 

 

50 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Red Oak Technology   Black Oak Emerging 
Select Fund   Technology Fund 
For the   For the   For the   For the 
Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
October 31,   October 31,   October 31,   October 31, 
2023   2022   2023   2022 
$969,266   $2,790,001   $(141,195)  $(231,581)
                  
 24,490,943    26,983,326    2,183,969    1,127,872 
                  
 85,634,993    (202,620,374)   (3,639,141)   (17,327,721)
                  
 111,095,202    (172,847,047)   (1,596,367)   (16,431,430)
                  
 (21,171,474)   (69,834,196)   (953,768)   (7,330,084)
 (21,171,474)   (69,834,196)   (953,768)   (7,330,084)
                  
 20,759,781    30,297,611    5,045,674    4,741,396 
 20,289,665    66,948,402    915,807    7,142,109 
 (69,008,685)   (100,561,351)   (7,202,709)   (4,774,533)
                  
 (27,959,239)   (3,315,338)   (1,241,228)   7,108,972 
 61,964,489    (245,996,581)   (3,791,363)   (16,652,542)
                  
 441,922,353    687,918,934    52,441,043    69,093,585 
$503,886,842   $441,922,353   $48,649,680   $52,441,043 
                  
 625,674    808,713    736,891    646,632 
 738,074    1,557,302    147,236    803,387 
 (2,157,078)   (2,739,468)   (1,060,917)   (643,278)
 (793,330)   (373,453)   (176,790)   806,741 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   Live Oak 
   Health Sciences Fund 
   For the   For the 
   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   October 31,   October 31, 
   2023   2022 
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES          
Net investment income  $193,315   $162,507 
Net realized gain on investment securities transactions   3,455,317    352,073 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments securities   (6,847,360)   1,604,846 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations   (3,198,728)   2,119,426 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM          
Earnings   (317,867)   (3,678,422)
Total Distributions   (317,867)   (3,678,422)
           
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS          
Proceeds from shares sold   2,014,031    4,552,509 
Reinvestment of distributions   302,522    3,543,183 
Amount paid for shares redeemed   (5,999,904)   (4,384,723)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Transactions   (3,683,351)   3,710,969 
           
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   (7,199,946)   2,151,973 
           
NET ASSETS          
Beginning of year   57,339,742    55,187,769 
End of year  $50,139,796   $57,339,742 
           
SHARE TRANSACTIONS          
Shares sold   96,239    220,865 
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions   13,986    169,045 
Shares redeemed   (289,409)   (215,069)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding   (179,184)   174,841 

 

52 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OAK ASSOCIATES FUNDS

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Financial Highlights
For a share outstanding throughout each year

 

   Net Asset   Net   Realized and       Dividends 
   Value   Investment   Unrealized       from Net 
   Beginning of   Income   Gain (Loss)   Total from   Investment 
   Year   (Loss)(a)   in Securities   Operations   Income 
White Oak Select Growth Fund                         
For the year ended October 31, 2023  $105.61    0.87    12.04    12.91    (0.53)
For the year ended October 31, 2022  $145.00    0.52    (32.42)   (31.90)   (0.41)
For the year ended October 31, 2021  $107.21    0.35    40.49    40.84    (0.74)
For the year ended October 31, 2020  $97.79    0.74    10.53    11.27    (0.97)
For the year ended October 31, 2019  $89.55    0.94    8.47    9.41    (0.54)
Pin Oak Equity Fund                         
For the year ended October 31, 2023  $65.24    0.25    6.64    6.89    (0.09)
For the year ended October 31, 2022  $96.35    0.11    (21.82)   (21.71)   (0.08)
For the year ended October 31, 2021  $70.93    0.01    29.02    29.03    (0.60)
For the year ended October 31, 2020  $72.63    0.62    0.08 (c)   0.70    (0.91)
For the year ended October 31, 2019  $66.18    0.81    7.41    8.22    (0.62)
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund                         
For the year ended October 31, 2023  $14.95    0.10    (0.14)   (0.04)   (0.05)
For the year ended October 31, 2022  $18.68    0.02    (2.97)   (2.95)    
For the year ended October 31, 2021  $16.80    (0.03)   4.75    4.72    (0.03)
For the year ended October 31, 2020  $16.70    0.03    0.63    0.66    (0.07)
For the year ended October 31, 2019  $17.02    0.05    (0.28)   (0.23)    (d)
River Oak Discovery Fund                         
For the year ended October 31, 2023  $15.56     (d)   (0.79)   (0.79)   (0.02(e)
For the year ended October 31, 2022  $21.29    0.02    (2.61)   (2.59)    
For the year ended October 31, 2021  $15.14    (0.09)   8.78    8.69     
For the year ended October 31, 2020  $14.58    (0.04)   1.19    1.15     
For the year ended October 31, 2019  $15.88    0.02    0.85    0.87     

 

(a)Per share calculations were performed using average shares for the period.

 

(b)Figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder will pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

 

(c)The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the period due to the timing of sales and purchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values during the period.

 

(d)Less than $0.005 per share.

 

(e)Includes return of capital of $0.01

 

54 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

                        Ratio of Net   Ratio of     
                        Investment   Expenses     
    Total   Net Asset       Net Assets,   Ratio of Net   Income   to Average     
Distributions   Dividends   Value,       End of   Expenses to   (Loss) to   Net Assets   Portfolio 
from Capital   and   End of   Total   Year   Average   Average   (Excluding   Turnover 
Gains   Distributions   Year   Return(b)   (000)   Net Assets   Net Assets   Waivers)   Rate 
                                           
     (0.53)  $117.99    12.28%  $336,297    0.93%   0.76%   0.93%   3%
 (7.08)   (7.49)  $105.61    (23.43)%  $321,388    0.91%   0.42%   0.91%   10%
 (2.31)   (3.05)  $145.00    38.74%  $459,548    0.89%   0.27%   0.89%   5%
 (0.88)   (1.85)  $107.21    11.60%  $349,983    0.93%   0.73%   0.93%   13%
 (0.63)   (1.17)  $97.79    10.66%  $356,006    0.95%   1.00%   0.95%   10%
                                           
                                           
     (0.09)  $72.04    10.59%  $115,723    0.98%   0.37%   0.98%   6%
 (9.32)   (9.40)  $65.24    (24.95)%  $125,307    0.95%   0.15%   0.95%   15%
 (3.01)   (3.61)  $96.35    42.09%  $201,444    0.91%   0.01%   0.91%   6%
 (1.49)   (2.40)  $70.93    0.79%  $163,074    0.95%   0.89%   0.95%   15%
 (1.15)   (1.77)  $72.63    12.83%  $235,141    0.96%   1.19%   0.96%   10%
                                           
                                           
 (0.10)   (0.15)  $14.76    (0.29)%  $9,652    1.25%   0.67%   1.60%   12%
 (0.78)   (0.78)  $14.95    (16.52)%  $10,140    1.25%   0.12%   1.50%   21%
 (2.81)   (2.84)  $18.68    29.72%  $12,632    1.25%   (0.15)%   1.40%   14%
 (0.49)   (0.56)  $16.80    3.78%  $10,078    1.25%   0.20%   1.57%   52%
 (0.09)   (0.09)  $16.70    (1.34)%  $11,899    1.25%   0.29%   1.38%   16%
                                           
                                           
     (0.02)  $14.75    (5.06)%  $21,057    1.16%   (0.01)%   1.16%   42%
 (3.14)   (3.14)  $15.56    (14.59)%  $21,886    1.21%   0.09%   1.21%   28%
 (2.54)   (2.54)  $21.29    60.96%  $23,705    1.22%   (0.44)%   1.23%   29%
 (0.59)   (0.59)  $15.14    7.79%  $14,501    1.35%   (0.27)%   1.56%   48%
 (2.17)   (2.17)  $14.58    6.99%  $12,518    1.35%   0.12%   1.60%   15%

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Financial Highlights
For a share outstanding throughout each year

 

   Net Asset   Net   Realized and       Dividends 
   Value   Investment   Unrealized       from Net 
   Beginning of   Income   Gain (Loss)   Total from   Investment 
   Year   (Loss)(a)   in Securities   Operations   Income 
Red Oak Technology Select Fund                         
For the year ended October 31, 2023  $29.27    0.07    7.30    7.37    (0.02)
For the year ended October 31, 2022  $44.46    0.18    (10.79)   (10.61)   (0.32)
For the year ended October 31, 2021  $33.97    0.02    12.17    12.19    (0.12)
For the year ended October 31, 2020  $29.95    0.13    4.72    4.85    (0.17)
For the year ended October 31, 2019  $26.90    0.27    4.03    4.30    (0.22)
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund                         
For the year ended October 31, 2023  $6.44    (0.02)   (0.19)   (0.21)    
For the year ended October 31, 2022  $9.43    (0.03)   (1.96)   (1.99)    
For the year ended October 31, 2021  $6.47    (0.05)   3.50    3.45     
For the year ended October 31, 2020  $5.27    (0.02)   1.53    1.51     
For the year ended October 31, 2019  $5.30     (c)   0.48    0.48     
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund                         
For the year ended October 31, 2023  $21.37    0.07    (1.30)   (1.23)   (0.07)
For the year ended October 31, 2022  $22.00    0.06    0.78    0.84    (0.04)
For the year ended October 31, 2021  $18.10    0.03    5.22    5.25    (0.15)
For the year ended October 31, 2020  $18.14    0.15    (0.03(d)   0.12    (0.16)
For the year ended October 31, 2019  $20.21    0.15    0.26    0.41    (0.13)

 

(a)Per share calculations were performed using average shares for the period.

 

(b)Figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder will pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

 

(c)Less than $0.005 per share.

 

(d)The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the period due to the timing of sales and purchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values during the period.

 

56 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

                        Ratio of Net   Ratio of     
                        Investment   Expenses     
    Total   Net Asset       Net Assets,   Ratio of Net   Income   to Average     
Distributions   Dividends   Value,       End of   Expenses to   (Loss) to   Net Assets   Portfolio 
from Capital   and   End of   Total   Year   Average   Average   (Excluding   Turnover 
Gains   Distributions   Year   Return(b)   (000)   Net Assets   Net Assets   Waivers)   Rate 
                                           
 (1.40)   (1.42)  $35.22    26.55%  $503,887    0.94%   0.20%   0.94%   0%
 (4.26)   (4.58)  $29.27    (27.15)%  $441,922    0.92%   0.49%   0.92%   13%
 (1.58)   (1.70)  $44.46    36.78%  $687,919    0.90%   0.05%   0.90%   6%
 (0.66)   (0.83)  $33.97    16.44%  $576,473    0.94%   0.40%   0.94%   4%
 (1.03)   (1.25)  $29.95    16.92%  $636,959    0.95%   0.94%   0.95%   10%
                                           
 (0.12)   (0.12)  $6.11    (3.34)%  $48,650    1.07%   (0.26)%   1.07%   17%
 (1.00)   (1.00)  $6.44    (24.06)%  $52,441    1.03%   (0.39)%   1.03%   25%
 (0.49)   (0.49)  $9.43    54.92%  $69,094    1.01%   (0.61)%   1.01%   14%
 (0.31)   (0.31)  $6.47    29.48%  $45,544    1.12%   (0.35)%   1.12%   22%
 (0.51)   (0.51)  $5.27    10.36%  $36,240    1.18%   (0.01)%   1.18%   25%
                                           
 (0.05)   (0.12)  $20.02    (5.80)%  $50,140    1.02%   0.36%   1.02%   47%
 (1.43)   (1.47)  $21.37    3.95%  $57,340    1.02%   0.30%   1.02%   47%
 (1.20)   (1.35)  $22.00    30.23%  $55,188    1.00%   0.17%   1.00%   17%
     (0.16)  $18.10    0.62%  $44,889    1.03%   0.81%   1.03%   33%
 (2.35)   (2.48)  $18.14    2.40%  $51,579    1.05%   0.87%   1.05%   23%

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

1. ORGANIZATION:

 

The Oak Associates Funds (the “Trust”), a Massachusetts business trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended, as an open-end management investment company with seven diversified funds: White Oak Select Growth Fund, Pin Oak Equity Fund, Rock Oak Core Growth Fund, River Oak Discovery Fund, Red Oak Technology Select Fund, Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund, and Live Oak Health Sciences Fund (collectively referred to as the “Funds” and individually referred to as a “Fund”). The investment objective of each Fund is to seek long-term capital growth. The assets of each Fund are segregated, and a shareholder’s interest is limited to the Fund in which shares are held. The Funds’ prospectus provides a description of each Fund’s investment objective, policies and strategies.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds.

 

Regulatory UpdateTailored Shareholder Reports for Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) – Effective January 24, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rule and form amendments to require mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.

 

Use of Estimates – These policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Each Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies.” The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Management believes the estimates and security valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the security valuations reflected in the financial statements may differ from the value the Funds ultimately realize upon the sale of the securities.

 

Security Valuation – Investments in in equity securities, which are traded on a national exchange, are stated at the last quoted sales price if readily available for such equity securities on each business day. Investments in equity securities, which are reported on the Nasdaq national market system are valued at the official closing price; other equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed equity securities for which no sale was reported on that date are stated at the last quoted bid price. Debt obligations exceeding sixty days to maturity for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the most recently quoted bid price. Debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at their amortized cost, which approximates market value, in the absence of a current quoted bid price. Investments in repurchase agreements are generally valued at par each business day.

 

58 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end registered investment companies are valued at the investment company’s applicable net asset value (“NAV”) as determined by those funds each business day.

 

Securities for which market prices are not “readily available” are valued in good faith by the Funds’ adviser, Oak Associates, ltd. (“Oak” or the “Adviser”) as “valuation designee” under the oversight of the Funds’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Adviser has adopted written policies and procedures for valuing securities and other assets in circumstances where market quotes are not readily available. In the event that market quotes are not readily available, and the security or asset cannot be valued pursuant to one of the valuation methods, the value of the security or asset will be determined in good faith by the Adviser pursuant to its policies and procedures. On a quarterly basis, the Adviser’s fair valuation determinations will be reviewed by the Board. Oak may, in turn and subject to its oversight, delegate pricing of securities for which market prices are readily available to the Funds’ administrator. All fair valuation determinations shall be made by Oak’s Fair Value Committee (the “Committee”), in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Adviser. Some of the more common reasons that may necessitate that a security be valued using Fair Value Procedures include: the security’s trading has been halted or suspended; the security has been de–listed from a national exchange; the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when under normal conditions it would be open; the security has not been traded for an extended period of time; the security’s primary pricing source is not able or willing to provide a price; a significant event with respect to a security or securities has occurred after the close of the market or exchange on which the security or securities principally trades and before the time the Fund calculates net asset value; or trading of the security is subject to local government–imposed restrictions. When a security is valued in accordance with the Fair Value Procedures, the Committee will determine the value after taking into consideration relevant information reasonably available to the Committee.

 

Security Transactions and Investment Income – Security transactions are accounted for on the date the security is purchased or sold (trade date) for financial reporting purposes. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Withholding taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Costs used in determining realized gains and losses on the sales of investment securities are those of the specific securities sold. If applicable, any foreign capital gains taxes are accrued, net of unrealized gains, and are payable upon the sale of such investments.

 

Expenses – Expenses that are directly related to one of the Funds are charged to that Fund. Expenses not directly billed to a particular Fund are allocated proportionally among all Funds daily in relation to net assets of each Fund or another reasonable allocation method.

 

Repurchase Agreements – The Funds may invest in tri-party repurchase agreements. Securities held as collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements are maintained by the broker’s custodian bank in a segregated account until maturity of the repurchase agreement. Provisions of the repurchase agreements and procedures adopted by the Board require that the market value of the collateral, including accrued interest thereon, is sufficient in the event of default by the counterparty. A custody agreement in connection with the Master Repurchase Agreement defines eligible securities for collateral in relation to each repurchase agreement. Under the Master Repurchase Agreement, if the counterparty defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if the counterparty enters an insolvency proceeding, realization of the collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

Master Agreements and Netting Arrangements – Certain Funds may participate in various repurchase agreements, such as, but not limited to Master Repurchase Agreements, which govern the terms of certain transactions with select counterparties (collectively “Master Agreements”). These Master Agreements generally include provisions for general obligations, agreements, representations, collateral and provisions for events of default or termination. These Master Agreements also include provisions for netting arrangements that help reduce credit and counterparty risk associated with relevant transactions. The netting arrangements are generally tied to credit related events that if triggered, would cause an event of default or termination giving a Fund or counterparty the right to terminate early and cause settlement, on a net basis, of all transactions under the applicable Master Agreement. In the event of an early termination or default event, the total market value exposure would be offset against collateral exchanged to date, which would result in a net receivable or payable that would be due from or to the counterparty. Credit related events include, but are not limited to, bankruptcy, failure to make timely payments, restructuring, obligation acceleration, obligation default, a material decline in net assets, decline in credit rating or repudiation/moratorium. An election made by a counterparty to terminate a transaction early under a Master Agreement could have an adverse impact on a Fund’s financial statements. Master Agreements can also help limit counterparty risk by requiring collateral posting arrangements at pre-arranged exposure levels. Collateral under the Master Agreements is usually in the form of cash, U.S. Treasury or U.S. Government agency securities, but may include other types of securities. There can be no assurance that the Master Agreements will be successful in limiting credit or counterparty risk.

 

Securities Lending – The Trust has entered into a Securities Lending Agreement (“SLA”) with U.S. Bank National Association (the “Agent”). Under the terms of the SLA, the Funds may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked to market daily. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities and letters of credit. The cash collateral is invested in the Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC (“Mount Vernon”), as noted in each lending Fund’s respective Schedule of Investments. Alternatively, at each Fund’s discretion, cash collateral may be invested in the First American Government Obligations Fund, a series of First American Funds, Inc. (“First American”). Each of First American and Mount Vernon seeks to maximize current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity; and to maintain a stable NAV of $1.00. The market value of the loaned securities is determined daily at the close of business of the Funds and any additional required collateral is delivered to each Fund on the next business day. The Funds continue to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Funds pay various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral. The Funds pay the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Funds could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them. The contractual maturity of repurchase agreements are on an overnight and continuous basis. Cash and cash equivalent collateral on securities lending transactions are on an overnight and continuous basis.

 

60 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

The following is a summary of each Fund’s securities lending agreements and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of October 31, 2023:

 

   Market Value of   Cash Collateral 
Fund  Securities on Loan   Received 
White Oak Select Growth Fund  $37,352,768   $37,667,759 
Pin Oak Equity Fund   8,748,078    8,855,428 
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund   2,334,311    2,367,612 
River Oak Discovery Fund   6,002,377    6,048,495 
Red Oak Technology Select Fund   18,619,920    18,829,800 
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund   8,131,263    8,226,405 
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund   6,971,002    7,058,329 

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders – Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid to shareholders on an annual basis, as applicable. Net realized capital gains on sales of securities, if any, are distributed to shareholders at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Therefore, the source of the Funds’ distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either accumulated earnings, or from paid-in capital, depending upon the type of book/tax differences that may exist.

 

3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

 

A three-tier hierarchy has been established to classify fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable and unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments as of the reporting period end. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments. These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

The three-tier hierarchy is summarized as follows:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date, including but not limited to:

 

Equity Securities – investments for which market quotations are readily available that are valued at the last reported sale price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded.

 

Investment Companies – investments in open-end registered investment companies which are valued at their closing NAV.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities inactive markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, including but not limited to:

 

Repurchase Agreements – investments in overnight tri-party repurchase agreements which are valued at par.

 

All Securities – quoted prices for similar securities, including matrix pricing; quoted prices based on recently executed transactions; adjusted quoted prices based on observable and formulaic inputs; or, prices using other observable correlated market inputs.

 

Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset and liability at the measurement date, including but not limited to:

 

All Securities – modeling or manual pricing based on the Adviser’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments; or, the significant use of other unobservable or very stale inputs within fair valuation.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s investments as of October 31, 2023:

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
WHITE OAK SELECT GROWTH FUND                    
Common Stocks  $327,738,623   $   $   $327,738,623 
Short-Term Investments                    
Repurchase Agreements       8,480,969        8,480,969 
Collateral for Securities Loaned*               37,667,759 
Total  $327,738,623   $8,480,969   $   $373,887,351 
                     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
PIN OAK EQUITY FUND                    
Common Stocks  $113,841,240   $   $   $113,841,240 
Short-Term Investments                    
Repurchase Agreements       2,162,757        2,162,757 
Collateral for Securities Loaned*               8,855,428 
Total  $113,841,240   $2,162,757   $   $124,859,425 

 

62 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
ROCK OAK CORE GROWTH FUND                    
Common Stocks  $9,540,048   $   $   $9,540,048 
Short-Term Investments                    
Repurchase Agreements       128,020        128,020 
Collateral for Securities Loaned*               2,367,612 
Total  $9,540,048   $128,020   $   $12,035,680 
                     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
RIVER OAK DISCOVERY FUND                    
Common Stocks  $20,530,664   $   $   $20,530,664 
Short-Term Investments                    
Repurchase Agreements       546,880        546,880 
Collateral for Securities Loaned*               6,048,495 
Total  $20,530,664   $546,880   $   $27,126,039 
                     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
RED OAK TECHNOLOGY SELECT FUND                    
Common Stocks  $491,751,798   $   $   $491,751,798 
Short-Term Investments                    
Repurchase Agreements       12,439,568        12,439,568 
Collateral for Securities Loaned*               18,829,800 
Total  $491,751,798   $12,439,568   $   $523,021,166 
                     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
BLACK OAK EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FUND                    
Common Stocks  $48,171,644   $   $   $48,171,644 
Short-Term Investments                    
Repurchase Agreements       2,023,516        2,023,516 
Collateral for Securities Loaned*               8,226,405 
Total  $48,171,644   $2,023,516   $   $58,421,565 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
LIVE OAK HEALTH SCIENCES FUND                    
Common Stocks  $48,144,999   $   $   $48,144,999 
Short-Term Investments                    
Repurchase Agreements       3,299,943        3,299,943 
Collateral for Securities Loaned*               7,058,329 
Total  $48,144,999   $3,299,943   $   $58,503,271 

 

*Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The above tables are presented by levels of disaggregation for each asset class. For detailed descriptions of the underlying industries, see the accompanying Schedules of Investments. There were no Level 3 securities held during the period.

 

4. FEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

 

The Trust and the Adviser are parties to an Investment Advisory Agreement, under which the Adviser receives an annual fee equal to 0.74% of the average daily net assets of each Fund. The Adviser has contractually agreed through February 28, 2024 to waive all or a portion of its fees (and to reimburse the Funds’ expenses if necessary) in order to limit Fund total operating expenses to not more than 1.25% of the average daily net assets of White Oak Select Growth Fund, Pin Oak Equity Fund, Rock Oak Core Growth Fund and River Oak Discovery Fund and 1.35% of the average daily net assets of Red Oak Technology Select Fund, Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund and Live Oak Health Sciences Fund.

 

The following table lists the contractual advisory fees and fee waivers that were in effect during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023:

 

Advisory Fees as a Percentage of Average Net Assets
         Net
Fund  Annual Rate  Fee Waiver  Annual Rate
White Oak Select Growth Fund  0.74%    0.74%
Pin Oak Equity Fund  0.74%    0.74%
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund  0.74%  (0.35)%  0.39%
River Oak Discovery Fund  0.74%    0.74%
Red Oak Technology Select Fund  0.74%    0.74%
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund  0.74%    0.74%
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund  0.74%    0.74%

 

64 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”) provides the Funds with administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services, including all regulatory reporting. The Funds pay Ultimus fees in accordance with the agreements for such services. In addition, each Fund pays out-of-pocket expenses including, but not limited to, postage, supplies and costs of pricing its portfolio securities.

 

Under the terms of a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter to each Fund. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ultimus. The Distributor is compensated by the Adviser (not the Funds) for acting as principal underwriter.

 

Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers of the Adviser, Ultimus and/or the Distributor. Such officers are paid no fees by the Trust for serving as officers or trustees to the Trust.

 

5. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS:

 

The cost of security purchases and the proceeds from security sales, other than short–term investments, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
White Oak Select Growth Fund  $9,642,441   $32,993,057 
Pin Oak Equity Fund   6,684,177    26,513,244 
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund   1,124,452    1,429,404 
River Oak Discovery Fund   11,316,670    10,354,041 
Red Oak Technology Select Fund       53,426,093 
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund   9,190,996    10,621,064 
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund   24,778,065    29,568,158 

 

6. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES AND TAX BASIS INFORMATION:

 

Each of the Funds is classified as a separate taxable entity for Federal income tax purposes. Each of the Funds has qualified and intends to continue to qualify as a separate “regulated investment company” under Sub-chapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to shareholders that will be sufficient to relieve it from Federal income tax and Federal excise tax. Therefore, no Federal tax provision is required.

 

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, which may differ from those amounts determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. The character of dividends from net investment income or distributions from net realized gains made during the year, and the timing may differ from the year that the income or realized gains (losses) were recorded by the Funds. To the extent these differences are permanent, adjustments are made to the appropriate equity accounts in the period that the differences arise. These differences are primarily due to differences in the treatment of net operating losses, utilization of earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on redemptions of shares, non-deductible expenses from partnerships, return of capital, and certain other investments.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

Accordingly, the following permanent differences have been reclassified to/from the following accounts:

 

   Accumulated     
Fund  Earnings (Deficit)   Paid-in Capital 
White Oak Select Growth Fund  $(651,836)  $651,836 
Pin Oak Equity Fund   (888,791)   888,791 
River Oak Discovery Fund   36,622    (36,622)
Red Oak Technology Select Fund   (1,490,760)   1,490,760 
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund   84,715    (84,715)
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund   (506,977)   506,977 

 

The tax character of the distributions paid by the Funds for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 was as follows:

 

   Ordinary   Long-Term   Return of     
Fund  Income   Capital Gain   Capital   Total 
White Oak Select Growth Fund  $1,592,284   $   $   $1,592,284 
Pin Oak Equity Fund   145,920    30,035        175,955 
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund   34,020    65,591        99,611 
River Oak Discovery Fund   18,846        27,258    46,104 
Red Oak Technology Select Fund   47,730    21,123,744        21,171,474 
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund       953,768        953,768 
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund   31,043    286,824        317,867 

 

66 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

The tax character of the distributions paid by the Funds for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 was as follows:

 

   Ordinary   Long-Term     
Fund  Income   Capital Gain   Total 
White Oak Select Growth Fund  $1,487,533   $22,087,351   $23,574,884 
Pin Oak Equity Fund   171,606    19,182,741    19,354,347 
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund       525,505    525,505 
River Oak Discovery Fund   477,551    3,032,904    3,510,455 
Red Oak Technology Select Fund   3,103,689    66,730,507    69,834,196 
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund   584,845    6,745,239    7,330,084 
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund   697,562    2,980,860    3,678,422 

 

As of October 31, 2023, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   Undistributed           Cumulative     
   Net           Effect of     
   Investment   Accumulated   Unrealized   Timing     
Fund  Income   Capital Gain   Appreciation   Differences   Total 
White Oak Select Growth Fund  $1,905,678   $15,598,407   $168,215,249   $   $185,719,334 
Pin Oak Equity Fund       9,179,997    56,368,455        65,548,452 
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund           1,853,402    (70,644)   1,782,758 
River Oak Discovery Fund           3,732,932    (2,814,728)   918,204 
Red Oak Technology Select Fund       22,509,853    302,406,016        324,915,869 
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund       2,103,180    17,922,859    (692,357)   19,333,682 
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund       2,788,156    14,832,638    (8,579)   17,612,215 

 

As of October 31, 2023, the difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is primarily attributable to wash sales, return of capital adjustments and partnership basis adjustments.

 

Rock Oak Core Growth Fund, River Oak Discovery Fund, Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund and Live Oak Health Sciences Fund elected to defer to the fiscal year ending October 31, 2024, late year ordinary losses in the amount of $61,311, $375,181, $692,357 and $8,579, respectively.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

As of October 31, 2023, Rock Oak Core Growth Fund had long-term capital loss carryforwards available to offset future gains of $9,333, and River Oak Discovery Fund had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards available to offset future gains of $1,506,300 and $933,247, respectively. Capital loss carryforwards are not subject to expiration.

 

At October 31, 2023, the total cost of securities for Federal income tax purposes and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for securities held by the Funds is as follows:

 

   Federal   Gross   Gross   Net 
Fund  Tax Cost   Appreciation   Depreciation   Appreciation 
White Oak Select Growth Fund  $205,672,102   $170,174,200   $(1,958,951)  $168,215,249 
Pin Oak Equity Fund   68,490,970    58,092,525    (1,724,070)   56,368,455 
Rock Oak Core Growth Fund   10,182,278    2,444,270    (590,868)   1,853,402 
River Oak Discovery Fund   23,393,107    5,023,527    (1,290,595)   3,732,932 
Red Oak Technology Select Fund   220,615,150    302,817,203    (411,187)   302,406,016 
Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund   40,498,706    18,383,211    (460,352)   17,922,859 
Live Oak Health Sciences Fund   43,670,633    15,868,927    (1,036,289)   14,832,638 

 

Management evaluates the Funds’ tax positions to determine if the taken tax positions meet the minimum recognition threshold by measuring and recognizing tax liabilities in the Financial Statements. The threshold is established by accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions, taken or expected. Recognition of tax benefits of an uncertain tax position is required only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the period, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (current and prior three tax years) and has concluded that as of and for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, no provision for income tax would be required in the Funds’ financial statements. The Funds’ federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years (current and prior three tax years) for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

 

7. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK AND OWNERSHIP:

 

As of October 31, 2023, Live Oak Health Sciences Fund invested greater than 25% of its net assets in securities in the Health Care sector. As of October 31, 2023, Pin Oak Equity Fund, Rock Oak Core Growth Fund, River Oak Discovery Fund, Red Oak Technology Select Fund and Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund invested greater than 25% of their net assets in securities in the Technology sector. Therefore, each of these Funds may be more affected by economic developments in those sectors than a general equity fund would be.

 

68 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements
As of October 31, 2023

 

In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Funds and, therefore, cannot be established; however based on experience, the risk of loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

From time to time, the Funds may have a concentration of several shareholders holding a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund.

 

As of October 31, 2023, the Vanita B. Oelschlager Trust owned 32.58% of Rock Oak Core Growth Fund and the James D. Oelschlager Trust owned 35.62% of River Oak Discovery Fund.

 

8. TRUSTEE AND OFFICERS FEES:

 

As of October 31, 2023, there were five Trustees, four of whom are not “interested persons” (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). Each Independent Trustee receives a retainer at an annual rate of $30,000 per year. Each Independent Trustee is also paid a fee of $3,500 for each meeting of the Board attended or participated in person, and/or is also paid $1,000 per attendance at each telephonic Board meeting, as applicable. Each Independent Trustee is paid $4,000 per telephonic or in-person meeting at which they receive and review preliminary materials provided in connection with the annual continuation of the advisory agreement in accordance with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act. The chairperson of the Audit Committee receives an additional retainer of $1,000 per calendar quarter during which an Audit Committee Meeting is held and the Lead Independent Trustee receives an additional retainer of $3,500 per calendar quarter.

 

The Independent Trustees who do not serve as chairpersons of the applicable Board committee are not paid an additional fee from the Trust for attendance at and/or participation in such meetings of the various committees of the Board. The Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for meeting-related expenses. Officers of the Trust and Trustees who are interested persons of the Trust receive no salary or fees from the Trust, although they may be reimbursed for meeting-related expenses.

 

9. INDEMNIFICATIONS:

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that may contain general indemnification clauses, which may permit indemnification to the extent permissible under applicable law. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

 

Management has evaluated events or transactions from October 31, 2023, through the date these financial statements were issued, that would merit recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. There were no other subsequent events to report that would have a material impact to the Funds’ financial statements.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Oak Associates Funds

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of Oak Associates Funds comprising White Oak Select Growth Fund, Pin Oak Equity Fund, Rock Oak Core Growth Fund, River Oak Discovery Fund, Red Oak Technology Select Fund, Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund, and Live Oak Health Sciences Fund (the “Funds”) as of October 31, 2023, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the funds as of October 31, 2023, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in 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.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the Funds’ auditor since 2009.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
December 28, 2023

 

70 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Additional Information
As of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

1. UNAUDITED TAX INFORMATION:

 

White Oak Select Growth Fund, Pin Oak Equity Fund, Rock Oak Core Growth Fund, River Oak Discovery Fund, Red Oak Technology Select Fund, Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund, and Live Oak Health Sciences Fund designate 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 0%, and 100%, respectively, of the income dividends distributed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, as qualified dividend income (QDI) as defined in Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Pursuant to Section 854(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, White Oak Select Growth Fund, Pin Oak Equity Fund, Rock Oak Core Growth Fund, River Oak Discovery Fund, Red Oak Technology Select Fund, Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund, and Live Oak Health Sciences Fund designate 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 0%, and 100%, respectively, of the ordinary income dividends distributed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, as qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

In early 2023, if applicable, shareholders of record should have received this information for the distributions paid to them by the Funds during the calendar year 2022 via Form 1099. The Funds will notify shareholders in early 2024 of amounts paid to them by the Fund, if any, during the calendar year 2023.

 

Pursuant to Section 852(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, White Oak Select Growth Fund, Pin Oak Equity Fund, Rock Oak Core Growth Fund, Red Oak Technology Select Fund, Black Oak Emerging Technology Fund, and Live Oak Health Sciences Fund designated $651,947, $918,805, $65,591, $22,614,431, $1,034,076, and $793,797 as long-term capital gain dividends, respectively.

 

2.  PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND VOTING RECORD

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Funds voted those proxies during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request: (1) by calling the Funds at 1-888-462-5386; and (2) from Fund documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

3.  QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Funds file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on the Funds’ website at www.oakfunds.com.

 

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Additional Information 

 

As of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST

 

 

      Number    
      of    
      Portfolios   Other
      in Fund  
    Length Complex   Directorships
  Position Overseen   Held
Name and Held with of Time by Board Principal Occupation(s) by Board
Year of Birth(1) Trust Served(2) Member(3) During Past Five Years Member(4)
Susan F. Akers
Born 1972
Trustee Since May 2022 7 CFO and Principal of Ullman Oil Company since 2015. None
Pauline F. Ramig, Ph.D.
Born 1940
Trustee Since 2007 7 Retired. Financial Planning Practitioner, Ramig Financial Planning, 1991-2021. None
Michael R. Shade
Born 1948
Trustee Since 2007 7 Attorney at Law; Partner, Shade & Shade since 1979. None
David J. Gruber
Born 1963
Trustee Since 2019 7 Director of Risk Advisory Services, Holbrook & Manter (CPA firm) since 2016. Trustee for Asset Management Fund (4 Funds); Monteagle Funds (4 Funds); and Cross Shore Discovery Fund

  

72 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Additional Information
As of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

           
      Number    
      of    
      Portfolios   Other
      in Fund  
    Length Complex   Directorships
  Position Overseen   Held
Name and Held with of Time by Board Principal Occupation(s) by Board
Year of Birth(1) Trust Served(2) Member(3) During Past Five Years Member(4)
INTERESTED TRUSTEE OF THE TRUST    
James D. Oelschlager(5)
Born 1942
Interested Trustee Since 2000 7 Co-CIO of Oak Associates, ltd. since 2019. Founder of Oak Associates, ltd. and Managing Member, President and CIO, 1985-2019. None
TRUSTEE EMERITUS OF THE TRUST      
John G. Stimpson
Born 1942
Trustee Emeritus Since 2019 7 Retired since 1993. Board of Trustees, Oak Associates Funds, 2000-2019. None

 

1Each Trustee may be contacted in writing to the Trustee c/o Oak Associates Funds, 3800 Embassy Parkway, Suite 310, Akron, OH 44333. Each Officer may be contacted in writing to the Officer c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45426.

 

2Each Trustee shall hold office during the lifetime of this Trust until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or until he or she sooner dies, resigns or is removed in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust.

 

3The “Oak Associates Funds Complex” consists of all series of the Trust for which Oak Associates, ltd. serves as investment adviser. As of October 31, 2023, the Oak Associates Funds Complex consisted of seven Funds.

 

4Directorships of companies are required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

5Mr. Oelschlager is considered an “interested” person of the Trust as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. Mr. Oelschlager is interested by virtue of his role as co-Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser.

 

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Additional Information

 

As of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

 

 

      Number    
      of    
      Portfolios    
      in Fund    
    Length Complex   Other
  Position Overseen  
Name and Held with of Time by Board Principal Occupation(s) Directorships
Year of Birth(1) Trust Served Member During Past Five Years Held
Charles A. Kiraly(2)
Born 1969
President/ Chief Executive Officer Since 2014 N/A Director of Mutual Fund Operations at Oak Associates, ltd. since 2014; Vice President and Senior Fund Administrator at PNC Capital Advisors, LLC, 2006-2014. N/A
Margaret L. Ballinger(2)
Born 1953
Chief Compliance Officer Since 2015 N/A President since January 2020, Chief Compliance Officer since 2014 and Chief Operating Officer since 1996 for Oak Associates, ltd. Co-founder of Oak Associates, ltd. in 1985. N/A
Zachary P. Richmond
Born 1980
Treasurer Since 2019 N/A Vice President and Director of Financial Administration for Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC since 2019; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Capitol Series Trust since 2014; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Commonwealth International Series Trust since 2015. N/A

 

74 Annual Report | October 31, 2023

 

 

Additional Information

 

As of October 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

      Number    
      of    
      Portfolios    
      in Fund    
    Length Complex   Other
  Position Overseen  
Name and Held with of Time by Board Principal Occupation(s) Directorships
Year of Birth(1) Trust Served Member During Past Five Years Held
Maggie Bull
Born 1965
Secretary Since 2018 N/A Vice President, Senior Managing Counsel since August 2022; Vice President, Senior Legal Counsel February 2020-August 2022; Senior Attorney, 2017-2020 of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC. N/A
           

 

1Each Officer may be contacted in writing to the Officer c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246.

 

2Mr. Kiraly and Ms. Ballinger are considered to be “affiliates” of the Adviser by virtue of their employment by the Adviser.

 

For more information regarding the Trustees, please refer to the Statement of Additional Information, which is available upon request by calling 1-888-462-5386 or on the Funds’ website at www.oakfunds.com. 

 

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OAK ASSOCIATES FUNDS

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OAK ASSOCIATES FUNDS

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Oak Associates Funds

 

Privacy Policy

 

Oak Associates Funds recognizes and respects the privacy concerns of our shareholders. The Funds collect nonpublic personal information about you in the course of doing business and providing you with individualized service. “Nonpublic personal information” is personally identifiable financial information about you. We do not sell your personal information to anyone and we do not disclose it to anyone except as permitted or required by law or as described in this policy.

 

INFORMATION WE COLLECT

 

Information we receive from you on applications and other forms (such as your name, birth date, address and social security number);

 

Information about the transactions in your accounts;

 

Information about any bank account you use for transfers between your bank account and your Oak Associates accounts; and

 

Information we receive about you as a result of your inquiries by mail, email and telephone

 

INFORMATION WE SHARE

 

Oak Associates Funds only discloses your nonpublic personal information as required or permitted by law. The Funds may disclose this information:

 

So that we may complete transactions you authorize or request; and

 

So that we may provide you with information about Oak Associates Funds products and services; we may disclose information to companies that provide services to us, such as transfer agents or printers and mailers that prepare and distribute materials to you.

 

INFORMATION SECURITY

 

Within Oak Associates Funds, access to your information is restricted to the individuals who need to know the information to service your account. Each Fund conducts its business through its trustees, officers and third party service providers, pursuant to agreements with the Fund. The Fund and its service providers maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your information. In the event that you hold shares of the Fund through a financial intermediary, including, but not limited to, a broker-dealer, bank or trust company, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary will govern how your nonpublic personal information will be shared with nonaffiliated third parties by that entity.

 

 

TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY

 

We recommend that you do not provide your account information or Oak Associates Funds user name or password to anyone. If you become aware of any suspicious activity relating to your account, please contact us immediately at 1-888-462-5386.

 

QUESTIONS

 

Should you have any questions regarding the Funds’ Privacy Policy, please call 1-888-462-5386

 

OAK ASSOCIATES FUNDS

 

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

By Mail 

Oak Associates Funds 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450 

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

By Telephone 1-888-462-5386 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET

 

On The Web www.oakfunds.com

 

Click on the My Oak Account section to take advantage of these features:

 

Trade Online

 

Access and Update Account Information

 

Go Paperless with eDelivery

 

View and download account history

 

Establish a systematic investment plan

 

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings of each Fund monthly on Form N-PORT, with every third month made available to the public by the Securities and Exchange Commission sixty days after the end of the Funds’ fiscal quarter.

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, as well as information relating to how a Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-462-5386; and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

This report has been prepared for Oak Associates Funds Shareholders and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

 

Oak Associates Funds are distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

 

(OAK LOGO)

 

 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oak Funds-AR-23

 

 

(b)Not applicable.
 
 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

(a) As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

(c) During the period covered by the report, with respect to the registrant’s code of ethics that applies to its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer: there have been no amendments to a provision that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item 2.

 

(d) During the period covered by the report, with respect to the registrant’s code of ethics that applies to its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer: there have been no waivers granted from a provision that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item 2.

 

(e) Not applicable.

 

(f) The registrant has included a copy of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. This code of ethics is included as an Exhibit on this Form N-CSR.

 

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

(a)(1) The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.

 

(a)(2) The audit committee financial expert is David Gruber, who is “independent” for purposes of this Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a) Audit Fees billed to the registrant by its principal accountants for the two most recent fiscal years:

 

Fiscal year ended 2023: $87,500

Fiscal year ended 2022: $87,500

 

(b) Audit-Related Fees billed to the registrant by its principal accountants for the two most recent fiscal years:

 

Fiscal year ended 2023: $0

Fiscal year ended 2022: $0

 

Fees for 2019 and 2018 related to the agreed-upon review of items within the Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance sections of the Funds’ Form N-CSR filing.  Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and $0 respectively.

 

(c) Tax Fees billed to the registrant by its principal accountants for the two most recent fiscal years:

 

Fiscal year ended 2023: $21,000

Fiscal year ended 2022: $21,000

 

Fees for 2022 and 2021 related to the review of the registrant’s tax returns. Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and $0 respectively.

 

(d) All other fees billed to the registrant by its principal accountants for the two most recent fiscal years:

 

Fiscal year ended 2023: $0

Fiscal year ended 2022: $0

 

 
 

Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and $0 respectively.

 

(e)(1) Not Applicable.

 

(e)(2) None of the services described in paragraph (b) through (d) of this Item were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(f) Not applicable.

 

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees and services billed by the applicable principal account for the two most recent fiscal years:

 

Fiscal year ended 2023: $0

Fiscal year ended 2022: $0

 

 

(h) The registrant’s audit committee of the board of directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

(i) Not applicable.

 

(j) Not applicable.

 

 

Item 5.Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

 

(a) Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

 
 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

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-3(c) under the Act) are effective in design and operation and are sufficient to form the basis of the certifications required by Rule 30a-2 under the Act, based on their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing of this report on Form N-CSR.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) The code of ethics that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.

 

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) are attached hereto.

 

(a)(3) Not applicable.

 

(b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) are furnished herewith.

 

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.

 

(Registrant) Oak Associates Funds

 

By (Signature and Title)*  /s/ Charles A. Kiraly                          

Charles A. Kiraly, President

 

Date   1/2/2024

 

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 (Signature and Title)* /s/ Charles A. Kiraly     

Charles A. Kiraly, President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Date   1/2/2024

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Zachary P. Richmond      

Zachary P. Richmond, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Date   1/2/2024