N-CSR 1 deanncsr0308.htm DEAN ANNUAL NCSR

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

811-21237

 

 

Unified Series Trust

 

 

2960 N. Meridian Street, Ste.300, Indianapolis, In 46208

 

 

William J. Murphy

Unified Fund Services, Inc.

2960 N. Meridian Street, Ste. 300

Indianapolis, IN 46208

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 317-917-7000

 

Date of fiscal year end:

03/31

 

Date of reporting period:

03/31/08

 

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.

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

Large Cap Value Fund

Small Cap Value Fund

International Fund

 

 

Annual Report

 

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Fund Adviser:

 

Dean Investment Associates LLC

2200 Kettering Tower

Dayton, OH 45423

 

Toll Free 1-888-899-8343

 

 


 

DEAN LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

 

The one-year period ended March 2008 was volatile and filled with uncertainty. Returns were negative in the U.S. market across capitalizations, styles, and most sectors. While it is easy to get caught up in the fear and anxiety partially fueled by the financial news media, we remain carefully focused on our investment approach. At Dean, we seek to own good companies when they are trading at a discount to fair value, and we staunchly believe that a portfolio of undervalued companies is the best way to help our shareholders achieve their long-term investment goals.

 

The Dean Large Cap Value Fund returned (14.02)% for the fiscal year, compared with a return of (9.99%) for the Russell 1000 Value Index and a return of (5.40%) for the Russell 1000 Index. While the fund underperformed the indices for the entire period, performance was particularly weak during the second half of 2007 and much of the shortfall was concentrated among financial stocks and to a lesser extent technology holdings.

 

Within the financial sector, banking industry earnings fell in 2007 for the first time in many years, reflecting the housing sector’s erosion of the value of banks loans and investments, opportunities to earn investment banking revenues, and on the banks’ credit quality. Concerns regarding the ability of sub-prime and adjustable-rate mortgage borrowers to repay their loans escalated throughout the year, making it difficult to value debt instruments backed by mortgages. This caused activity in the fixed-income arena to temporarily freeze and prompted a number of banks to write down the value of mortgage-backed and other risky assets. As home prices continue to weaken, financial institutions may continue to grapple with how to value mortgage-backed securities in the near term.

 

Financial holdings in the Large Cap Value Fund that negatively impacted performance during the year included Washington Mutual (WM), Capital One (COF), and National City Bank (NCC). While we have maintained our position in COF, since March 31, 2007, we have eliminated NCC and WM, as we believe that the continuing fundamental deterioration creates too much additional downside risk despite significantly lower prices. Selling a stock at a significant loss is never a pleasant experience. However, we constantly re-evaluate the current opportunity set and in this case we have more confidence in other selected banks, which in our opinion offer greater financial stability at equally attractive valuations.

 

The mortgage market fallout has also taken its toll on the building supply industry. Weakness in the domestic housing market tends to hurt these companies in two ways. First, many of these enterprises directly supply homebuilders, and the housing slump that began almost 2 years ago shows little indication it will end soon. And secondly, consumers are less willing to spend as the economic outlook worsens. Generally speaking, the homebuilding and construction related industries do not offer much short-term appeal. However, patient investors can find value here despite the near term fundamental weakness. Within the retail building supply industry, we continue to like the franchise strength and fundamentals of Home Depot at its currently depressed prices.

 

The market events of the past year have taken their toll on American businesses and economic growth overall. Stock prices have fallen, and in some cases they are justified by a similar or worse erosion of business fundamentals. However, we believe that plenty of good companies with financial strength have seen significant price declines that are out of synch with their fundamentals. This widening gap between price and fundamentals for many of our holdings presents opportunity for the patient and disciplined investor.

 

In health care, we are finding value among pharmaceutical stocks. In some cases, relative valuations are at their lowest levels in over a decade, as investors focus on patent expirations, rather than the research and development power behind these companies. Additionally, pharmaceutical demand in emerging market countries is expanding as is the demand in the U.S. due to an aging population. Technological advances, massive research budgets and positive demographic trends make these drug stocks intriguing values given their current prices. One example in this area is Pfizer (PFE), a major pharmaceutical company in the United States that is trading well below its historic valuation, and we hold a position in the Fund as a result.

 

While we certainly are not pleased with recent performance, we feel good about the upside potential of our holdings, considering the key fundamentals and the current valuations. We rigorously follow a bottom-up process that seeks to identify undervalued stocks of high quality companies that are cheap for transitory reasons.  We believe that this is a winning strategy over time.     

 

We thank you for your continued confidence in Dean.

 


Performance Summary

 


 

The performance quoted represents past performance, which 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. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-888-899-8343.

 

* Return figures reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions.

** These returns reflect the deduction of maximum sales charges and other recurring fees. Shares have a maximum up-front sales charge of 5.25% that you pay when you buy your shares. The front-end sales charge for the shares decreases with the amount you invest and is included in the offering price. The sales charge does not apply to purchases over $500,000. A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be charged on shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase if the front-end sales charge was not paid. The fee is not applied to shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains.

***The Russell 1000 and Russell 1000 Value Indices are unmanaged benchmarks that assume reinvestment of all distributions and exclude the effect of taxes and fees. The Indices are widely recognized unmanaged indices of equity prices and are representative of a broader market and range of securities than are found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Indices; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

 

The Fund is distributed by Unified Financial Securities, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46208, Member FINRA.

 



 

This graph shows the value of a hypothetical initial investment of $10,000 in the Fund, the Russell 1000 Index and the Russell 1000 Value Index on March 31, 1998 and held through March 31, 2008. The Fund’s returns reflect the deduction of maximum sales charges and other recurring fees. Shares have a maximum up-front sales charge of 5.25% that you pay when you buy your shares.

 

The Russell 1000 Index and the Russell 1000 Value Index are widely recognized unmanaged indices of common stock prices and are representative of a broader market and range of securities than are found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Indices; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index. The Index returns do not include expenses, which have been deducted from the Fund’s return. These performance figures include the change in value of the stocks in the index plus the reinvestment of dividends and are not annualized. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. THE FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT FUTURE RESULTS. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For more information on the Dean Large Cap Value Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end, or to request a prospectus, please call 1-888-899-8343. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 


DEAN SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

 

The one-year period ended March 2008 was volatile and filled with uncertainty. Returns were negative in the U.S. market across capitalizations, styles, and most sectors. While it is easy to get caught up in the fear and anxiety partially fueled by the financial news media, we remain intently focused on our investment approach. At Dean, we seek to own good companies when they are trading at a discount to fair value, and we staunchly believe that a portfolio of undervalued companies is the best way to help our shareholders achieve their long-term investment goals.

 

The Dean Small Cap Value Fund returned (21.65)% for the fiscal year, compared with a return of (16.88%) for the Russell 2000 Value Index and a return of (13.00%) for the Russell 2000 Index. Throughout the year, many of the standout market performers were found within the momentum led groups related to energy and materials. While we agree there is a positive fundamental case to be made for these market leaders, the valuations currently are extremely high and we believe the valuations more than discount the positive fundamentals.

 

While the Fund underperformed for the full period, performance was particularly weak during the second half of 2007 and much of the shortfall to the benchmarks was concentrated among stocks in the materials and financials sectors.

 

The fund maintained a significant underweight in materials stocks during the period, which contributed to the Fund’s underperformance versus the benchmarks. Metals and mining stocks in the indices continued their recent momentum, as investors flocked to companies that support industrial demand in China, India and other growing regions of the globe. Additionally, the small exposure that we did maintain in the materials sector was in two underperforming chemical companies, Spartech (SEH) and Georgia Gulf (GGC). As the fundamentals of these chemical companies deteriorated, we eliminated these stocks in favor of higher quality names with a better risk versus reward relationship.

 

Many financial stocks suffered during the year, as sub-prime fall-out and subsequent credit concerns were relentless. While we maintained a smaller weighting in the broad financial sector than the benchmarks, our mix of bank and mortgage related holdings fell sharply in some cases. In the wake of significant market volatility in this sector, we have spent considerable time evaluating our holdings and paying careful attention to their downside risk. As a result we have upgraded the quality of our financial holdings throughout the portfolio, and have eliminated many names with significant, identifiable credit quality issues.

 

The market events of the past year have taken their toll on American businesses and economic growth overall. Stock prices have fallen, and in some cases they are justified by a similar or worse erosion of business fundamentals. However, we believe that plenty of good companies with financial strength and sound fundamentals have seen significant price declines that are out of synch with reasonably sound fundamentals. This widening gap between price and valuation for many of our holdings presents opportunity for the patient and disciplined investor. Many of the best opportunities come from the hardest hit sectors, and we do not shy away from undervalued high quality companies because they are in struggling sectors. In fact, this is often where we find our best ideas, such as in the financial and consumer discretionary holdings listed below.

 

A top ten holding in financials is Old Republic (ORI), which is a multi-line insurance company that offers general property & casualty insurance, title insurance, mortgage insurance and life insurance.  ORI is a high quality company that has hit a rough patch due to the bursting of the housing bubble.  The mortgage and title insurance segments have been negatively impacted by the housing crisis while the property & casualty business has continued to be a steady performer.  Old Republic has one of the best balance sheets in the mortgage insurance business, which should give it a competitive advantage and allow it to increase share during this housing market downturn.  In addition, the mortgage insurance currently being put on the books is some of the most conservatively written and potentially most profitable in the last 20 years.  The title insurance segment should pick up once the housing market stabilizes.  Meanwhile, the property & casualty business provides some stability to help smooth out the earnings stream while we wait for the housing market to stabilize.  ORI pays a 4.4% annual dividend and it has an extremely experienced management team that has successfully navigated past housing busts. 

 

In the beaten-down consumer discretionary sector, we own Ross Stores (ROST), which is the second largest off-price retailer of apparel. ROST recently outgrew its infrastructure resulting in operating inefficiencies that negatively impacted margins and returns. This transitory problem created an opportunity for us to buy the stock of a high quality retailer with above average returns and a stronger balance sheet than the typical peer while trading at a discount to its peers. After slowing company growth and focusing on regions where stores already existed, the company has improved store level execution and is starting to see an improvement in sales and operating margins. In addition, the off-price channel is growing faster than the overall retail industry providing Ross with future opportunities for growth.

 

While we certainly are not pleased with recent performance, we feel good about the upside potential of our holdings, considering the key fundamentals and the current valuations. We rigorously follow a bottom-up process that seeks to identify undervalued stocks of high quality companies that are cheap for transitory reasons.  We believe that this is a winning strategy over time.     

 

We thank you for your continued confidence in Dean.

 


Performance Summary

 


 

The performance quoted represents past performance, which 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. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-888-899-8343.

 

*

Return figures reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions.

** These returns reflect the deduction of maximum sales charges and other recurring fees. Shares have a maximum up-front sales charge of 5.25% that you pay when you buy your shares. The front-end sales charge for the shares decreases with the amount you invest and is included in the offering price. The sales charge does not apply to purchases over $500,000. A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be charged on shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase if the front-end sales charge was not paid. The fee is not applied to shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains.

***The Russell 2000 and Russell 2000 Value Indices are unmanaged benchmarks that assume reinvestment of all distributions and exclude the effect of taxes and fees. The Indices recognized unmanaged indices of equity prices and are representative of a broader market and range of securities than are found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Indices; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

 

The Fund is distributed by Unified Financial Securities, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46208, Member FINRA.

 



This graph shows the value of a hypothetical initial investment of $10,000 in the Fund, the Russell 2000 Index and the Russell 2000 Value Index on March 31, 1998 and held through March 31, 2008. The Fund’s returns reflect the deduction of maximum sales charges and other recurring fees. Shares have a maximum up-front sales charge of 5.25% that you pay when you buy your shares.

 

The Russell 2000 Index and the Russell 2000 Value Index are widely recognized unmanaged indices of common stock prices and are representative of a broader market and range of securities than are found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Indices; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index. The Index returns do not include expenses, which have been deducted from the Fund’s return. These performance figures include the change in value of the stocks in the index plus the reinvestment of dividends and are not annualized. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. THE FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT FUTURE RESULTS. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For more information on the Dean Small Cap Value Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end, or to request a prospectus, please call 1-888-899-8343. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 

 


DEAN INTERNATIONAL FUND

 

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

 

Market Environment

 

Volatility in financial markets rose markedly over the course of the 12 months to the end of March 2008 amid a deepening credit crisis and growing concerns about the impact of that crisis on global economic activity. Investors’ hopes that the strains in financial markets and economies that had troubled them during 2007 might ease in the opening months of 2008 were largely dashed.

 

Given financial institutions’ mounting inventories of credit-related losses, and amid increasing paranoia about the scale and location of further such losses, banks have grown yet more jealous of their diminishing stores of capital. Tangible lending rates (both between banks and to their ultimate borrowers), as opposed to central bank interest rates, have risen over the last six months, with mortgage rates in the U.S. actually rising; and cash-strapped borrowers have been forced to sell (often higher-quality) assets to meet banks’ heightened calls for collateral.

 

Credit market disorder has brought about ever more noteworthy casualties: from a clutch of highly-leveraged hedge funds to Bear Stearns, which endured the Great Depression but which was brought down in March by overwhelming exposure to latter-day financial instruments. Perhaps the most unlikely casualties have been the ‘monoline’ insurers, traditionally underwriters of municipal bonds, whose relatively recent expansion into mortgage bond insurance has threatened their bankruptcy.

 

The unrelentingly bad news emanating from dysfunctional global credit markets (and from the erstwhile enthusiasts of those markets) during 2007 and the opening months of 2008 has underscored the increasing scope of events in those markets to impinge on ‘real’ economic activity. Following robust growth in 2007, activity is slowing in the major economic regions and, most notably, U.S. consumer retrenchment appears to be under way in the face of deteriorating credit, housing and labor markets.

 

Meanwhile, rates of inflation have climbed almost ubiquitously over the last 12 months, driven principally by the rising costs of food and fuel. Commodity prices slipped towards the end of March, but not before new thresholds had been crossed, with gold surpassing $1,000 per troy ounce for the first time and oil breaching the $100-a-barrel mark. Food prices, too, have increased markedly, threatening thereby not simply to exacerbate inflation, but also to provoke social unrest in developing economies. Global rice prices, for example, rose by 30% on March 27th alone and have doubled since the start of the year.

 

Portfolio Strategy and Results

 

The Fund outperformed its benchmark consistently over the course of the year, with underweight exposure to the financial sector proving particularly beneficial. Our debt and credit theme had identified the risks inherent in the exponential growth of debt in developed-world banks. By contrast, our becalmed theme anticipated an escalation in financial-market volatility and led to the holding of a number of other ‘diversified financials’ stocks which benefited from the increase in trading activity during the year.

 

Performance was also boosted by holdings in the materials sectors, including a number of mining stocks. The Earth matters theme continues to support holdings of agricultural companies as pressure to boost stock yields continues to grow and a number of these companies performed very well over the course of the year. In the oil sector, an emphasis on exploration and production companies over ‘downstream’ activity proved beneficial; and in the telecommunications sector, increased exposure to formerly-incumbent operators was advantageous given their exposure to fast-growing data services.

 

Our global realignment theme leads us still to favor exposure to the emerging markets of Latin America and Asia and such exposure made a positive contribution to the Fund’s overall return.

 

Investment Outlook

 

The approaches of the leading central banks to resolving the credit crisis have varied, with the Federal Reserve grittier in its response than others, but policymakers may find, regardless of their determination, that they are impotent in slowing in an orderly fashion the ‘deleveraging’ of the global financial system. The mechanisms by which central bank interest rates are transmitted into tangible lending rates in economies remain jammed. Until banks overcome the paranoia inhibiting more orthodox lending practices, financial markets will remain strained.

 

As long as credit markets remain defective, asset prices generally will remain volatile. However, while recognizing the challenges that are faced as a result of deteriorating credit conditions, slowing economic activity in the developed world and rising food and energy prices, investors should not overlook more positive factors. Owing to the response of policymakers, the crisis in credit markets appears increasingly to be one of liquidity rather than solvency and, being confined overwhelmingly to Western European and U.S. financial sectors, the crisis is unlikely to prevent the global economy as a whole from growing respectably in 2008. Inflation is likely to exercise the minds of central bankers in the near term, but the credit crisis, and particularly the imperative for banks to repair their famished balance sheets, should serve to dampen pricing pressures over the longer term.

 

Parts of the financial sector remain vulnerable to the draining of global liquidity and to the greater regulation (and litigation) that seem certain to restrain their activities henceforth. Beyond the financial sector, however, corporate cash flows and balance sheets are generally healthy and dividend growth remains attractive. Following a period in which the prices of securities have fallen almost regardless of asset quality, we believe good opportunities exist for investors to prosper from investment in the reasonably-valued debt and equity of companies that are well-equipped for the more challenging environment.

 

Data sourced from Thomson Datastream

 


Performance Summary

 


 

The performance quoted represents past performance, which 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. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-888-899-8343.

 

 

*

Return figures reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions.

** These returns reflect the deduction of maximum sales charges and other recurring fees. Shares have a maximum up-front sales charge of 5.25% that you pay when you buy your shares. The front-end sales charge for the shares decreases with the amount you invest and is included in the offering price. The sales charge does not apply to purchases over $500,000. A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be charged on shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase if the front-end sales charge was not paid. The fee is not applied to shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains.

*** The Morgan Stanley EAFE Index is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees. The Index is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity prices and is representative of a broader market and range of securities than are found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Index; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

 

The Fund is distributed by Unified Financial Securities, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46208, Member FINRA.

 

 



This graph shows the value of a hypothetical initial investment of $10,000 in the Fund and the Morgan Stanley EAFE Index on March 31, 1998 and held through March 31, 2008. The Fund’s returns reflect the deduction of maximum sales charges and other recurring fees. Shares have a maximum up-front sales charge of 5.25% that you pay when you buy your shares.  The Morgan Stanley EAFE Index is a widely recognized unmanaged index of common stock prices and is representative of a broader market and range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Index; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index. The Index returns do not include expenses, which have been deducted from the Fund’s return. These performance figures include the change in value of the stocks in the index plus the reinvestment of dividends and are not annualized. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. THE FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT FUTURE RESULTS. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For more information on the Dean International Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end, or to request a prospectus, please call 1-888-899-8343. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 


DEAN LARGE CAP VALUE FUND HOLDINGS- (UNAUDITED)

 


1As a percent of total investments.

  

 


DEAN SMALL CAP VALUE FUND HOLDINGS- (UNAUDITED)

 


1As a percent of total investments.

 


DEAN INTERNATIONAL FUND HOLDINGS- (UNAUDITED)

 


1As a percent of total investments.

 


PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS  

 

The Funds file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Funds’ Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

ABOUT THE FUNDS' EXPENSES- (UNAUDITED)

 

As a shareholder of each Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in each Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning and held for the six month period, October 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

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

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Dean Large Cap Value Fund - Class A

Beginning Account Value October 1, 2007

Ending Account

Value March 31, 2008

Expenses Paid During Period

October 1, 2007 – March 31, 2008

Actual*

$1,000.00

$833.43

$6.88

Hypothetical**

$1,000.00

$1,017.49

$7.57

 

*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.50%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the partial year period).

** Assumes a 5% return before expenses.

 

 

Dean Small Cap Value Fund - Class A

Beginning Account Value October 1, 2007

Ending Account

Value March 31, 2008

Expenses Paid During Period

October 1, 2007 – March 31, 2008

Actual*

$1,000.00

$834.04

$6.89

Hypothetical**

$1,000.00

$1,017.49

$7.57

 

*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.50%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the partial year period).

** Assumes a 5% return before expenses.

 

Dean International Fund - Class A

Beginning Account Value October 1, 2007

Ending Account

Value March 31, 2008

Expenses Paid During Period

October 1, 2007 – March 31, 2008

Actual*

$1,000.00

$948.04

$9.01

Hypothetical**

$1,000.00

$1,015.75

$9.33

 

*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.85%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the partial year period).

** Assumes a 5% return before expenses.

 


DEAN FUNDS

DEAN LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 94.63%

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters - 1.45%

8,500

 

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

 

$ 205,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cable & Other Pay Television Services - 0.90%

 

6,600

 

Comcast Corp. - Class A

 

127,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Printing - 1.47%

 

 

6,900

 

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

 

209,139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equipment - 1.58%

5,350

 

Dover Corp.

 

 

223,523

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Converted Paper & Paperboard Products - 1.27%

 

2,800

 

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

 

180,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas - 3.28%

 

2,800

 

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

 

176,484

1,000

 

Apache Corp.

 

 

120,820

2,300

 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

 

168,291

 

 

 

 

 

465,595

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric & Other Services Combined - 1.40%

 

3,600

 

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

 

142,920

1,500

 

PG&E Corp.

 

 

55,230

 

 

 

 

 

198,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Services - 2.13%

 

 

1,700

 

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

70,771

3,600

 

Progress Energy, Inc.

 

150,120

2,275

 

Southern Co.

 

 

81,013

 

 

 

 

 

301,904

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic Computers - 0.86%

 

 

6,100

 

Dell, Inc. *

 

 

121,512

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic Connectors - 0.95%

 

 

5,800

 

Molex, Inc.

 

 

134,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance - 1.59%

 

5,200

 

American International Group, Inc.

224,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heating Equipment, Except Electric, Warm Air & Plumbing Fixtures - 0.54%

1,100

 

Fortune Brands, Inc.

 

76,450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lumber & Wood Products - 0.52%

 

1,125

 

Weyerhaeuser Co.

 

73,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malt Beverages - 1.17%

 

 

3,500

 

Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.

166,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Millwood, Veneer, Plywood, & Structural Wood Members - 0.88%

6,300

 

Masco Corp.

 

 

124,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products - 1.32%

 

2,700

 

Parker Hannifin Corp.

 

187,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.


 

DEAN FUNDS

DEAN LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - continued

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 94.63% - continued

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment - 0.56%

1,000

 

Eaton Corp.

 

 

$ 79,670

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 13.53%

 

8,000

 

Bank of America Corp.

 

303,280

8,700

 

BB&T Corp.

 

 

278,922

12,400

 

Citigroup, Inc.

 

 

265,608

5,800

 

Comerica, Inc.

 

 

203,464

3,600

 

Marshall & Ilsley Corp.

 

83,520

2,300

 

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

150,811

4,900

 

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

 

270,186

12,500

 

Synovus Financial Corp.

 

138,250

8,300

 

Wachovia Corp.

 

 

224,100

 

 

 

 

 

1,918,141

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newpapers: Publishing or Publishing & Printing - 0.57%

2,800

 

Gannett Co., Inc.

 

 

81,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operative Builders - 0.66%

 

 

5,900

 

D.R. Horton, Inc.

 

 

92,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Products - 1.19%

2,800

 

PPG Industries, Inc.

 

169,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Petroleum Refining - 12.35%

 

3,200

 

BP plc (a)

 

 

194,080

5,250

 

Chevron Corp.

 

 

448,140

4,300

 

ConocoPhillips

 

 

327,703

7,100

 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

 

 

600,518

2,200

 

Murphy Oil Corp.

 

 

180,708

 

 

 

 

 

1,751,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical Preparations - 8.83%

 

3,300

 

Abbott Laboratories

 

181,995

2,650

 

Johnson & Johnson

 

171,906

6,400

 

Eli Lilly & Co.

 

 

330,176

5,100

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

 

 

193,545

17,900

 

Pfizer, Inc.

 

 

374,647

 

 

 

 

 

1,252,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plastic Materials, Synthetic Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers - 1.09%

4,200

 

Dow Chemical Co.

 

154,770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Printed Circuit Boards - 1.01%

 

 

6,000

 

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

 

 

56,760

1,600

 

Rohm & Haas Co.

 

 

86,528

 

 

 

 

 

143,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radio & TV Broadcasting & Communication Equipment - 2.31%

3,000

 

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

328,020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Department Stores - 2.06%

 

6,800

 

Kohl's Corp. *

 

 

291,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Eating Places - 0.74%

 

 

1,875

 

McDonald's Corp.

 

 

104,569

 

 

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.


 

DEAN FUNDS

DEAN LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS – continued

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 94.63% - continued

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Lumber & Other Material Dealers - 0.85%

4,300

 

Home Depot, Inc.

 

 

$ 120,271

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Radio, TV & Consumer Electronics Stores - 1.02%

3,500

 

Best Buy Co., Inc.

 

 

145,110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rolling, Drawing & Extruding of Nonferrous Metals - 0.31%

1,200

 

Alcoa, Inc.

 

 

43,272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings Institution, Federally Chartered - 0.69%

 

9,500

 

Washington Mutual, Inc.

 

97,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Related Devices - 1.72%

 

7,600

 

Applied Materials, Inc.

 

148,276

4,700

 

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

95,739

 

 

 

 

 

244,015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Business Services - 1.01%

 

6,049

 

Total System Services, Inc.

 

143,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Computer Integrated Systems Design - 0.81%

2,800

 

Computer Sciences Corp. *

 

114,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Computer Programming, Data Processing. Etc. - 1.91%

16,300

 

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

 

271,395

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Prepackaged Software - 2.96%

 

9,100

 

Microsoft Corp.

 

 

258,258

9,700

 

Symantec Corp. *

 

 

161,214

 

 

 

 

 

419,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soaps, Detergents, Cleaning Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics - 1.38%

2,800

 

Procter & Gamble Co.

 

196,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Cleaning, Polishing and Sanitation Preparations - 0.54%

1,350

 

Clorox Co.

 

 

76,464

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Commercial Banks - 4.81%

 

6,000

 

Capital One Financial Corp.

 

295,320

11,200

 

Fifth Third Bancorp

 

234,304

1,900

 

M&T Bank Corp.

 

 

152,912

 

 

 

 

 

682,536

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sugar & Confectionary Products - 0.90%

 

3,400

 

The Hershey Co.

 

 

128,078

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus - 1.28%

2,300

 

3M Co.

 

 

182,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) - 4.04%

4,200

 

AT&T, Inc.

 

 

160,860

3,900

 

CenturyTel, Inc.

 

 

129,636

12,000

 

Citizens Communications Co.

 

125,880

4,300

 

Verizon Communications, Inc.

 

156,735

 

 

 

 

 

573,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.


 

DEAN FUNDS

DEAN LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - continued

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 94.63% - continued

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) - 1.21%

 

2,350

 

United Parcel Service, Inc. - Class B

$ 171,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale - Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggist Sundries - 0.89%

1,300

 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

 

53,274

1,400

 

McKesson Corp.

 

 

73,318

 

 

 

 

 

126,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale - Groceries & Related Products - 2.09%

 

10,200

 

Sysco Corp.

 

 

296,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $15,878,366)

13,419,348

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET SECURITIES - 5.39%

 

202,772

 

AIM STIT-Liquid Assets Portfolio - Class I, 3.13% (b)

202,772

562,000

 

AIM STIT-STIC Prime Portfolio - Class I, 2.73% (b)

562,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL MONEY MARKET SECURITIES (Cost $764,772)

764,772

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $16,643,138) - 100.02%

$ 14,184,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities in excess of other assets - (0.02)%

(2,351)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ 14,181,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing securities.

 

 

 

(a) American Depositary Receipt - A negotiable certificate issued by a U.S. bank representing a specific

number of shares of a foreign stock traded on a U.S. exchange.

 

(b) Variable rate security; the money market rate shown represents the rate at March 31, 2008.

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

 

 

 

DEAN SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 92.28%

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ball & Roller Bearings - 1.07%

17,000

 

NN, Inc.

$ 165,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) - 1.69%

3,000

 

Invitrogen Corp. *

256,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadwoven Fabric Mills - 1.19%

5,000

 

Albany International Corp. - Class A

180,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canned, Fruits, Vegtables, Preserves, Jams & Jellies - 4.80%

7,000

 

Corn Products International, Inc.

259,980

30,400

 

Del Monte Foods Co.

289,712

3,500

 

The J.M. Smucker Co.

177,135

 

 

 

726,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

Converted Paper and Paperboard - 2.02%

12,000

 

Bemis Co., Inc.

305,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas - 4.18%

4,000

 

Newfield Exploration Co. *

211,400

5,500

 

St. Mary Land & Exploration Co.

211,750

4,000

 

Stone Energy Corp. *

209,240

 

 

 

632,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cutlery, Handtools, & General Hardware - 1.85%

10,305

 

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

280,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep Sea Foreign Transportation of Freight - 2.00%

28,500

 

Double Hull Tankers, Inc.

302,385

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dental Equipment & Supplies - 0.39%

3,400

 

Young Innovations, Inc.

58,888

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drawing and Insulating Nonferrous Wire - 1.95%

5,000

 

General Cable Corp. *

295,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric & Other Services Combined - 1.21%

5,000

 

SCANA Corp.

182,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment - 1.24%

4,300

 

Hubbell, Inc. - Class B

187,867

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Services - 1.14%

 

7,000

 

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

172,550

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engines & Turbines - 1.27%

12,000

 

Brunswick Corp.

191,640

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance - 1.04%

8,500

 

Employers Holdings, Inc.

157,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

Footwear - 1.05%

 

5,500

 

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

159,555

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magnetic & Optical Recording Media - 1.35%

9,000

 

Imation Corp.

204,660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

DEAN SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - continued

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 92.28% - continued

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim - 0.80%

14,000

 

Griffon Corp. *

$ 120,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Chemical Products - 1.76%

8,000

 

WD-40 Co.

266,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 6.85%

5,800

 

City National Corp.

286,868

13,800

 

FirstMerit Corp.

285,108

26,000

 

Fulton Financial Corp.

319,540

11,927

 

Hampton Roads Bankshares, Inc.

146,106

 

 

 

1,037,622

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas Distribution - 2.01%

9,500

 

WGL Holdings, Inc.

304,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonferrous Foundries (Castings) - 1.43%

4,500

 

Matthews International Corp. - Class A

217,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office Furniture - 1.79%

 

11,000

 

Herman Miller, Inc.

270,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operative Builders - 1.10%

 

3,800

 

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

166,402

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliance & Supplies - 1.95%

11,000

 

STERIS Corp.

295,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical Preparations - 2.03%

10,500

 

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

307,860

 

 

 

 

 

 

Printed Circuit Boards - 1.78%

15,000

 

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. *

269,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Auto Dealers & Gasoline Stations - 0.98%

7,600

 

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

147,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Eating Places - 1.00%

3,600

 

Panera Bread Co. Class A *

150,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Family Clothing Stores - 1.98%

10,000

 

Ross Stores, Inc.

299,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores - 1.01%

5,000

 

Barnes & Noble, Inc.

153,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail - Women's Clothing Stores - 0.89%

12,000

 

Cache, Inc. *

135,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rolling, Drawing & Extruding of Nonferrous Metals - 0.95%

5,000

 

Mueller Industries, Inc.

144,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savings Institution, Not Federally Chartered - 0.99%

11,000

 

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.

149,490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

DEAN SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - continued

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 92.28% - continued

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sytems - 1.23%

18,000

 

Herley Industries, Inc. *

$ 186,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

Security Brokers, Dealers, & Floatation Companies - 1.89%

13,000

 

KBW, Inc. *

286,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Business Services - 2.14%

7,850

 

Global Payments, Inc.

324,676

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Computer Integrated Systems Design - 1.66%

8,609

 

Integral Systems, Inc.

251,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Computer Processing & Data Preparation - 1.60%

16,100

 

Perot Systems Corp. - Class A *

242,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Equipment Rental & Leasing - 1.03%

8,500

 

Rent-A-Center, Inc. *

155,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation - 2.17%

6,800

 

Vail Resorts, Inc. *

328,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Offices & Clinics of Doctors of Medicine - 1.88%

12,000

 

AmSurg Corp. *

284,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services - Prepackaged Software - 3.10%

20,500

 

Parametric Technology Corp. *

327,590

5,400

 

Sybase, Inc. *

142,020

 

 

 

469,610

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Commercial Bank - 8.77%

13,000

 

Associated Banc-Corp.

346,190

21,000

 

Columbia Bancorp

359,100

7,600

 

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

145,692

12,000

 

South Financial Group, Inc.

178,320

30,000

 

Sterling Bancshares, Inc.

298,200

 

 

 

1,327,502

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steel Works, Blast Furnaces & Rolling & Finishing Mills - 0.77%

10,000

 

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.

117,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surety Insurance - 2.50%

 

29,300

 

Old Republic International Corp.

378,263

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trucking - 0.63%

 

3,000

 

Arkansas Best Corp.

95,580

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale - Chemicals & Allied Products - 2.18%

20,500

 

Innophos Holdings, Inc.

329,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wood Household Furniture (No Upholstered) - 1.97%

10,500

 

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

298,515

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $14,775,823)

13,972,124

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

DEAN SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - continued

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS - 5.93%

Value

 

 

 

 

6,200

 

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

$ 148,118

15,500

 

DCT Industrial Trust, Inc.

154,380

13,300

 

National Retail Properties, Inc.

293,265

11,800

 

Realty Income Corp.

302,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost $903,289)

898,079

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET SECURITIES - 1.41%

213,619

 

AIM STIT-STIC Prime Portfolio - Class I, 2.73% (a)

213,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL MONEY MARKET SECURITIES (Cost $213,619)

213,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $15,892,731) - 99.62%

$ 15,083,822

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets less liabilities - 0.38%

58,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

$ 15,141,843

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing securities.

 

(a) Variable rate security; the money market rate shown represents the rate at March 31, 2008.

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

DEAN INTERNATIONAL FUND

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 98.69%

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Argentina - 0.31%

 

 

2,938

 

Pampa Holding SA (b)

 

$ 55,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia - 1.95%

 

 

4,368

 

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

 

88,556

101,721

 

Telstra Corp. Ltd.

 

260,918

 

 

 

 

 

349,474

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda - 3.94%

 

 

160,000

 

Huabao International Holdings Ltd.

 

131,571

13,760

 

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

 

434,541

154,000

 

Peace Mark (Holdings) Ltd.

 

138,707

 

 

 

 

 

704,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil - 4.42%

 

 

 

8,083

 

All America Latina Logistica (ALL)

 

81,362

1,648

 

Companhia de Bebidas das Americas (AmBev) (a)

124,506

4,932

 

Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale) (a)

 

143,768

2,792

 

Petroleo Brasileiros S.A. (a)

 

236,454

7,682

 

Tele Norte Leste Participacoes S.A. (Telemar) (a)

203,880

 

 

 

 

 

789,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada - 2.81%

 

 

 

2,378

 

EnCana Corp.

 

 

181,230

3,500

 

Nexen, Inc.

 

 

103,898

44,221

 

Oncolytics Biotech, Inc. *

 

78,866

1,470

 

Suncor Energy, Inc.

 

138,032

 

 

 

 

 

502,026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China - 0.42%

 

 

 

42,000

 

Harbin Power Equipment Co., Ltd.

 

74,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cayman Islands - 0.70%

 

 

5,543

 

Subsea 7, Inc.*

 

 

125,437

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denmark - 0.94%

 

 

15

 

A P Moller - Maersk A/S

 

167,966

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finland - 1.52%

 

 

 

4,032

 

Elisa Oyj

 

 

101,072

5,377

 

Nokia Oyj

 

 

170,742

 

 

 

 

 

271,814

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France - 3.86%

 

 

 

871

 

Alstom

 

 

189,519

4,312

 

Suez SA

 

 

284,028

3,341

 

Thales SA

 

 

217,104

 

 

 

 

 

690,651

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germany - 10.67%

 

 

2,939

 

Bayer AG

 

 

236,573

1,690

 

Deutsche Boerse AG

 

274,936

2,460

 

E.ON AG

 

 

460,738

2,607

 

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co.

 

131,362

3,922

 

Gerry Weber International AG

 

140,573

976

 

K+S AG

 

 

322,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

DEAN INTERNATIONAL FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 98.69% - continued

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germany - 10.67% - continued

 

 

3,174

 

SAP AG

 

 

$ 157,920

7,038

 

Symrise AG *

 

 

182,446

 

 

 

 

 

1,906,840

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hong Kong - 0.77%

 

 

81,000

 

SRE Group Ltd.

 

 

14,258

11,000

 

Swire Pacific Ltd. - Class A

 

124,093

 

 

 

 

 

138,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indonesia - 1.42%

 

 

45,500

 

PT Astra International Tbk

 

119,867

173,500

 

PT Indosat Tbk

 

 

133,824

 

 

 

 

 

253,691

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy - 0.79%

 

 

 

48,744

 

Unipol Gruppo Finanziario S.p.A.

 

140,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Japan - 10.70%

 

 

 

16,600

 

ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD

 

342,724

2,100

 

IBIDEN CO., LTD.

 

82,705

71

 

JAPAN TOBACCO, INC.

 

355,945

32

 

KDDI CORPORATION

 

195,790

6,000

 

Mitsubishi Corp.

 

181,444

200

 

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

 

103,280

166

 

NTT URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

238,489

2,300

 

SAWAI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.

 

111,840

2,400

 

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

 

120,320

2,090

 

YAMADA DENKI CO., LTD.

 

180,580

 

 

 

 

 

1,913,117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luxembourg - 3.05%

 

 

1,568

 

ArcelorMittal NPV

 

128,923

2,071

 

Evraz Group SA

 

178,727

2,481

 

Millicom International Cellular S.A. * (c)

 

236,804

 

 

 

 

 

544,454

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malaysia - 1.38%

 

 

57,300

 

Bursa Malaysia Bhd

 

162,128

25,800

 

Telecom Malaysia Berhad

 

85,503

 

 

 

 

 

247,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico - 0.78%

 

 

 

2,178

 

America Movil SAB de C.V. - Class L (a)

 

138,717

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netherlands - 3.28%

 

 

3,919

 

Koninklijke (Royal) Philips Electronics N.V.

150,463

12,952

 

Unilever NV

 

 

436,522

 

 

 

 

 

586,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norway - 3.02%

 

 

4,275

 

Aker Kvaerner ASA

 

97,584

14,738

 

StatoilHydro ASA

 

442,563

 

 

 

 

 

540,147

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philippines - 0.45%

 

 

8,530

 

Ayala Corporation

 

80,664

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

DEAN INTERNATIONAL FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 98.69% - continued

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russia - 1.20%

 

 

 

1,870

 

Gazprom (a)

 

 

$ 95,370

3,740

 

Sistema JSFC (b)

 

120,054

 

 

 

 

 

215,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singapore - 1.60%

 

 

10,000

 

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

 

130,605

91,000

 

Indofood Agri Resources Limited *

 

154,506

 

 

 

 

 

285,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Korea - 2.36%

 

 

3,422

 

KT&G Corp. (b) (d)

 

133,903

11,675

 

LG Telecom Ltd.

 

91,952

430

 

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd.

88,792

170

 

Shinsegae Co., Ltd.

 

107,114

 

 

 

 

 

421,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Africa - 2.31%

 

 

5,775

 

ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited

 

139,996

8,290

 

Gold Fields Limited

 

117,314

10,255

 

MTN Group Ltd.

 

155,216

 

 

 

 

 

412,526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spain - 1.50%

 

 

 

9,313

 

Telefonica S.A.

 

 

268,573

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweden - 0.59%

 

 

5,529

 

Tele2 AB - Class B

 

104,659

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Switzerland - 11.15%

 

 

5,578

 

ABB Ltd.

 

 

150,348

28

 

Bank Sarasin & Cie AG

 

122,293

2,094

 

Actelion Ltd. *

 

 

114,640

1,030

 

Nestlé SA

 

 

516,770

740

 

Noble Biocare Holding AG

 

172,824

4,753

 

Novartis AG

 

 

244,594

635

 

Panalpina Welttransport Holding AG

 

78,003

1,975

 

Roche Holding AG

 

373,195

749

 

Syngenta AG

 

 

220,361

 

 

 

 

 

1,993,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thailand - 1.96%

 

 

46,500

 

Advanced Info Service, Public Company Limited

147,689

45,900

 

Bangkok Bank, Public Company Limited

 

202,639

 

 

 

 

 

350,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom - 18.84%

 

 

8,400

 

Admiral Group Plc

 

134,073

6,167

 

Anglo American PLC

 

371,172

15,600

 

BAE Systems plc

 

150,543

10,525

 

BHP Billiton Plc

 

312,758

10,461

 

British American Tobacco p.l.c.

 

393,197

11,430

 

GlaxoSmithKline plc

 

242,186

11,853

 

ICAP plc

 

 

134,056

9,587

 

Prudential plc

 

 

126,817

16,834

 

Siber Energy plc

 

183,698

10,935

 

Smith & Nephew plc

 

144,865

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

DEAN INTERNATIONAL FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS - 98.69% - continued

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom - 18.84% - continued

 

 

11,501

 

Standard Chartered plc

 

$ 393,654

24,379

 

St. James Place Plc

 

125,505

26,029

 

Tesco plc

 

 

196,084

99,289

 

Vodafone Group plc

 

297,808

2,309

 

Xstrata plc

 

 

161,873

 

 

 

 

 

3,368,289

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $16,589,518)

17,643,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $16,589,518) - 98.69%

$ 17,643,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and other assets less liabilities - 1.31%

234,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

 

$ 17,877,411

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing securities.

 

 

 

(a) American Depositary Receipt - A negotiable certificate issued by a U.S. bank representing a specific

number of shares of a foreign stock traded on a U.S. exchange.

 

 

(b) Global Depositary Receipt - A negotiable certificate held in the bank of one country representing a

specific number of shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country.

(c) Swedish Depository Receipt - A negotiable certificate issued by a Swedish Bank representing foreign

securities held at a custodian bank and trading on the Stockholm exchange.

(d) Restricted security purchased pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. It is possible that the

estimated value may differ significantly from the amount that might ultimately be realized in the near

term, and the difference could be material.

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

DEAN INTERNATIONAL FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIVERSIFICATION OF ASSETS:

 

 

Percentage of

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets

 

 

Telecom

 

 

13.21%

 

 

Healthcare

 

 

11.56%

 

 

Oil & Natural Gas

 

 

8.32%

 

 

Food & Beverages

 

 

7.95%

 

 

Mining and Metals

 

 

6.95%

 

 

Financial Services

 

 

5.93%

 

 

Insurance

 

 

5.08%

 

 

Tobacco Products

 

 

4.94%

 

 

Chemicals

 

 

4.79%

 

 

Banking

 

 

4.75%

 

 

Utilities

 

 

4.17%

 

 

Retail

 

 

3.49%

 

 

Services

 

 

3.33%

 

 

Electronics

 

 

3.10%

 

 

Diversified

 

 

2.31%

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

2.11%

 

 

Transportation

 

 

1.83%

 

 

Personal Care

 

 

1.32%

 

 

Manufacturing

 

 

1.19%

 

 

Agricultural

 

 

0.86%

 

 

Communications

 

 

0.83%

 

 

Motor Vehicles

 

 

0.67%

 

 

Total

 

 

98.69%

 

 

Cash and other assets less liabilities

 

 

1.31%

 

 

Grand Total

 

 

100.00%

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 


DEAN FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES

March 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large Cap

 

Small Cap

 

International

 

Value Fund

 

Value Fund

 

Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in securities:

 

 

 

 

 

At cost

$ 16,643,138

 

$ 15,892,731

 

$ 16,589,518

At value

$ 14,184,120

 

$ 15,083,822

 

$ 17,643,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

33,582

 

40,140

 

306,970

Foreign cash translated into U.S. dollars (Cost $5,305)

-

 

-

 

5,324

Dividends receivable

20,059

 

19,666

 

87,552

Interest receivable

1,733

 

1,088

 

78

Tax reclaims receivable

-

 

-

 

17,943

Receivable for return of capital

-

 

558

 

-

Receivable for securities sold

-

 

1,815,771

 

234,033

Receivable for capital shares sold

-

 

275

 

100

Receivable due from administrator

-

 

-

 

38,000

Receivable due from adviser (a)

7,283

 

256

 

19,508

Prepaid Expenses

6,687

 

6,687

 

6,643

TOTAL ASSETS

14,253,464

 

16,968,263

 

18,359,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

12b-1 fees payable

36,604

 

43,307

 

35,956

Payable for securities purchased

-

 

1,719,731

 

352,949

Payable for capital shares redeemed

2,099

 

30,223

 

-

Federal taxes payable (d)

-

 

-

 

38,000

Payable to administrator

11,807

 

12,204

 

13,244

Payable to trustees & officers

1,463

 

1,462

 

1,450

Other liabilities

19,722

 

19,493

 

40,165

TOTAL LIABILITIES

71,695

 

1,826,420

 

481,764

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

$ 14,181,769

 

$ 15,141,843

 

$ 17,877,411

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

 

 

 

 

Paid in capital

$ 18,069,511

 

$ 19,638,508

 

$ 14,188,978

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

66,097

 

172,802

 

188,052

Accumulated net realized gains (losses) from security

 

 

 

 

transactions

(1,494,821)

 

(3,860,558)

 

2,447,161

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

(2,459,018)

 

(808,909)

 

1,053,506

Net unrealized depreciation on translation of assets

 

 

 

 

and liabilities in foreign currencies

-

 

-

 

(286)

NET ASSETS

$ 14,181,769

 

$ 15,141,843

 

$ 17,877,411

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited

 

 

 

 

numbers of shares authorized)

1,331,856

 

1,721,203

 

1,086,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share (b)

$ 10.65

 

$ 8.80

 

$ 16.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share (c)

$ 11.24

 

$ 9.29

 

$ 17.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) See Note 3 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

(b) A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1% may be charged on shares redeemed within 1 year of purchase if a front-end sales load was not charged.

(c) Reflects a maximum sales charge of 5.25% on purchases of less than $500,000.

 

 

(d) See Note 11 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 


DEAN FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008

Large Cap

Small Cap

International

Value Fund

Value Fund

Fund

Investment Income

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of

$128 and $62,164 for the Large Cap Value Fund and

International Fund, respectively)

$ 451,395

$ 395,175

$ 460,699

Interest

39,813

22,112

4,030

Miscellaneous Income (a)

409

-

-

Total Income

491,617

417,287

464,729

Expenses

Investment advisory fees (b)

165,846

184,151

229,584

12b-1 expenses

41,461

46,038

46,044

Administration expenses

50,149

55,987

54,905

Out-of-pocket expenses

28,406

23,076

23,595

Registration expenses

19,851

19,311

18,819

Legal expenses

15,643

19,046

18,714

Audit expenses

13,036

13,036

19,544

Custody expenses

10,329

10,165

58,480

Pricing expenses

7,408

7,370

18,384

Trustees expenses

5,602

4,916

4,915

CCO expenses

5,314

5,314

5,302

Miscellaneous expenses

4,691

2,258

2,256

Printing expenses

901

2,413

1,663

Insurance expenses

559

559

492

24f-2 expenses

476

599

490

Total Expenses

369,672

394,239

503,187

Fees waived by Adviser (b)

(120,417)

(117,988)

(163,119)

Net Operating Expenses before Federal Excise Taxes

249,255

276,251

340,068

Federal excise tax expense

-

-

38,000

Expense paid by administrator (c)

-

-

(38,000)

Net Expenses

249,255

276,251

340,068

Net Investment Income

242,362

141,036

124,661

Realized & Unrealized Gain (Loss)

Net realized gains (losses) from:

Security transactions

174,506

(3,854,817)

2,527,573

Foreign currency transactions (c)

-

-

47,232

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

Investments

(2,732,858)

(574,141)

(1,447,165)

Foreign currency translation (c)

-

-

(3,941)

Net realized & unrealized gains (losses) on investments & foreign currencies

(2,558,352)

(4,428,958)

1,123,699

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

$ (2,315,990)

$ (4,287,922)

$ 1,248,360

(a) Income as a result of an SEC litigation settlement.

(b) See Note 3 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

(c) See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

DEAN FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

 

Year

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

March

 

March

 

 

 

31, 2008

 

31,2007

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from:

 

 

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

 

$ 242,362

 

$ (9,994)

Net realized gains from security transactions

 

 

174,506

 

1,249,998

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

(2,732,858)

 

(432,601)

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

 

(2,315,990)

 

807,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

From net investment income, Class A

 

 

(176,265)

 

-

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

 

(176,265)

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares sold

 

 

119,616

 

85,361

Reinvestment of distributions

 

 

163,487

 

-

Cost of shares issued in exchange for Class C shares (a)

 

-

 

219,811

Assets acquired from Balanced Fund merger (b)

 

 

-

 

8,149,355

Amounts paid for shares redeemed

 

 

(484,604)

 

(537,010)

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions

(201,501)

 

7,917,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares sold

 

 

-

 

5,346

Cost of shares sold in exchange for Class A shares

 

-

 

(219,811)

Payments for shares redeemed

 

 

-

 

(94,930)

Net decrease in net assets from Class C share transactions

 

-

 

(309,395)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

(201,501)

 

7,608,122

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

(2,693,756)

 

8,415,525

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

 

16,875,525

 

8,460,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of year

 

 

$ 14,181,769

 

$ 16,875,525

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated undistributed net investment income included in net assets

$ 66,097

 

$ -

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

10,002

 

7,140

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

13,658

 

-

Shares issued in exchange for Class C shares (a)

 

 

-

 

18,026

Shares received in Balanced Fund merger (b)

 

 

-

 

650,737

Shares repurchased

 

 

(39,338)

 

(45,003)

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

 

 

(15,678)

 

630,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

-

 

491

Shares redeemed in exchange for Class A shares

 

 

-

 

(19,562)

Shares repurchased

 

 

-

 

(8,641)

Net decrease in shares outstanding

 

 

-

 

(27,712)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) See Note 1 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

(b) See Note 10 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS - continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

 

Year

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

March

 

March

 

 

 

31,2008

 

31, 2007

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from:

 

 

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

 

$ 141,036

 

$ (89,984)

Net realized gains (losses) from security transactions

 

(3,854,817)

 

4,419,955

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

(574,141)

 

(3,601,868)

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

 

(4,287,922)

 

728,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

From net investment income, Class A

 

 

(15,412)

 

-

From capital gains, Class A

 

 

(4,972,906)

 

(995,346)

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

 

(4,988,318)

 

(995,346)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares sold

 

 

230,306

 

2,200,932

Cost of shares issued in exchange for Class C shares (a)

 

-

 

321,805

Reinvestment of distributions

 

 

4,809,974

 

944,102

Amounts paid for shares redeemed

 

 

(1,513,011)

 

(1,325,901)

Net increase in net assets from Class A share transactions

 

3,527,269

 

2,140,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares sold

 

 

-

 

1,813

Cost of shares sold in exchange for Class A shares

 

-

 

(321,805)

Payments for shares redeemed

 

 

-

 

(7,510)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from Class C share transactions

 

-

 

(327,502)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

 

3,527,269

 

1,813,436

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

(5,748,971)

 

1,546,193

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

 

20,890,814

 

19,344,621

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of year

 

 

$ 15,141,843

 

$ 20,890,814

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated undistributed net investment income included in net assets

$ 172,802

 

$ -

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

18,831

 

145,754

Shares issued in exchange for Class C shares (a)

 

 

-

 

20,604

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

485,257

 

61,305

Shares redeemed

 

 

(112,554)

 

(85,218)

Net increase in shares outstanding

 

 

391,534

 

142,445

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

-

 

122

Shares redeemed in exchange for Class A shares

 

 

-

 

(21,716)

Shares redeemed

 

 

-

 

(521)

Net decrease in shares outstanding

 

 

-

 

(22,115)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) See Note 1 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS - continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

 

Year

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

 

 

March

 

March

 

 

 

31, 2008

 

31, 2007

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from:

 

 

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

$ 124,661

 

$ 74,146

Net realized gains from:

 

 

 

 

 

Security transactions

 

 

2,527,573

 

2,491,890

Foreign currency transactions

 

 

47,232

 

12,609

Net change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

(1,447,165)

 

(1,256,019)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

(3,941)

 

20,745

Net increase in net assets from operations

 

 

1,248,360

 

1,343,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

From net investment income, Class A

 

 

(204,725)

 

(35,720)

From capital gains, Class A

 

 

(1,355,462)

 

-

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

 

(1,560,187)

 

(35,720)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares sold

 

 

663,290

 

494,678

Cost of shares issued in exchange for Class C shares (a)

 

-

 

791,838

Reinvestment of distributions

 

 

1,311,067

 

29,298

Amounts paid for shares redeemed

 

 

(1,109,653)

 

(1,375,162)

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions

864,704

 

(59,348)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares sold

 

 

-

 

141,934

Cost of shares sold in exchange for Class A shares

 

-

 

(791,838)

Payments for shares redeemed

 

 

-

 

(167,107)

Net decrease in net assets from Class C share transactions

 

-

 

(817,011)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

864,704

 

(876,359)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Increase in Net Assets

 

 

552,877

 

431,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

 

17,324,534

 

16,893,242

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of year

 

 

$ 17,877,411

 

$ 17,324,534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated undistributed net investment income included in net assets

$ 188,052

 

$ 132,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

39,585

 

30,936

Shares issued in exchange for Class C shares (a)

 

 

-

 

50,969

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

 

 

73,571

 

1,801

Shares redeemed

 

 

(65,059)

 

(84,745)

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

 

 

48,097

 

(1,039)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

-

 

9,290

Shares redeemed in exchange for Class A shares

 

 

-

 

(53,010)

Shares redeemed

 

 

-

 

(11,517)

Net decrease in shares outstanding

 

 

-

 

(55,237)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) See Note 1 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LARGE CAP VALUE FUND - CLASS A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Year ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March

 

March

 

March

 

March

 

March

 

 

 

31,2008

 

31,2007

 

31,2006

 

31, 2005

 

31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$ 12.52

 

$ 11.40

 

$ 10.18

 

$ 9.46

 

$ 6.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

0.18

 

(0.01)

 

(0.01)

 

(0.01)

 

(0.04)

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on investments

 

(1.92)

 

1.13

 

1.23

 

0.73

 

3.10

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

 

(1.74)

 

1.12

 

1.22

 

0.72

 

3.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From net realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From net investment income

 

(0.13)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

Total distributions

 

(0.13)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$ 10.65

 

$ 12.52

 

$ 11.40

 

$ 10.18

 

$ 9.46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return (a) (b)

 

-14.02%

 

9.85%

 

11.98%

 

7.61%

 

47.81%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period

 

$ 14,181,769

 

$ 16,875,525

 

$ 8,167,690

 

$ 7,392,623

 

$ 7,459,239

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Accounting Services Agent

 

1.50%

 

1.85%

 

1.85%

 

1.85%

 

1.85%

 

Before fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Accounting Services Agent

 

2.23%

 

2.44%

 

2.73%

 

2.75%

 

2.58%

 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Accounting Services Agent

 

1.46%

 

(0.69)%

 

(0.07)%

 

(0.10)%

 

(0.37)%

 

Before fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Accounting Services Agent

 

0.73%

 

(0.10)%

 

 

(c)

 

(c)

 

(c)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

24%

 

124%

 

62%

 

43%

 

42%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Total return represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends.

(b) Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads.

(c) Ratios not presented prior to March 31, 2007.

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND - CLASS A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Year ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March

 

March

 

March

 

March

 

March

 

 

 

31,2008

 

31,2007

 

31, 2006

 

31,2005

 

31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$ 15.71

 

$ 16.01

 

$ 14.33

 

$ 14.91

 

$ 9.55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

0.10

 

(0.07)

 

(0.11)

 

(0.08)

 

(0.14)

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on investments

 

(3.17)

 

0.53

 

2.64

 

1.81

 

5.50

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

 

(3.07)

 

0.46

 

2.53

 

1.73

 

5.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From net investment income

 

(0.01)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

From net realized gains

 

(3.83)

 

(0.76)

 

(0.85)

 

(2.31)

 

-

 

Total distributions

 

(3.84)

 

(0.76)

 

(0.85)

 

(2.31)

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$ 8.80

 

$ 15.71

 

$ 16.01

 

$ 14.33

 

$ 14.91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return (a) (b)

 

-21.57%

 

2.95%

 

18.22%

 

11.56%

 

56.13%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period

 

$ 15,141,843

 

$ 20,890,814

 

$ 19,007,165

 

$ 16,537,565

 

$ 16,435,083

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounting Services Agent,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Administrator

 

1.50%

 

1.83%

 

1.85%

 

1.85%

 

1.85%

 

Before fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounting Services Agent,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Administrator

 

2.14%

 

2.16%

 

2.15%

 

2.23%

 

2.08%

 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounting Services Agent,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Administrator

 

0.77%

 

(0.45)%

 

(0.75)%

 

(0.55)%

 

(0.99)%

 

Before fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounting Services Agent,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Administrator

 

0.13%

 

(0.78)%

 

 

(c)

 

(c)

 

(c)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

85%

 

149%

 

48%

 

72%

 

82%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Total return represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends.

(b) Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads.

(c) Ratios not presented prior to March 31, 2007.

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


DEAN FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL FUND - CLASS A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Year ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March

 

March

 

March

 

March

 

March

 

 

 

31,2008

 

31, 2007

 

31, 2006

 

31, 2005

 

31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$ 16.68

 

$ 15.46

 

$ 12.14

 

$ 10.45

 

$ 6.84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

0.12

 

0.01

 

0.10

 

0.11

 

0.04

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

on investments

 

1.20

 

1.24

 

3.26

 

1.75

 

3.98

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

 

1.32

 

1.25

 

3.36

 

1.86

 

4.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From net investment income

 

(0.20)

 

(0.03)

 

(0.04)

 

(0.17)

 

(0.37)

 

From return of capital

 

(1.35)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(0.04)

 

Total distributions

 

(1.55)

 

(0.03)

 

(0.04)

 

(0.17)

 

(0.41)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$ 16.45

 

$ 16.68

 

$ 15.46

 

$ 12.14

 

$ 10.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return (a) (b)

 

7.23%

 

8.11%

 

27.70%

 

17.82%

 

59.23%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period

 

$ 17,877,411

 

$ 17,324,534

 

$ 16,068,877

 

$ 13,073,914

 

$ 10,842,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Accounting Services Agent

 

1.85%

 

2.10%

 

2.10%

 

2.10%

 

2.10%

 

Before fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Accounting Services Agent

 

2.95%

(c)

2.49%

 

2.78%

 

2.91%

 

3.34%

 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Accounting Services Agent

 

0.68%

 

0.07%

 

0.71%

 

0.99%

 

0.33%

 

Before fee waivers and/or expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reimbursement by Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Accounting Services Agent

 

(0.42)%

(c)

0.46%

 

 

(d)

 

(d)

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

107%

 

112%

 

87%

 

94%

 

131%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Total return represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends.

(b) Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads.

(c) The ratio before reimbursements includes excise tax of 0.21% which was voluntarily reimbursed by the Fund Administrator.

(d) Ratios not presented prior to March 31, 2007.

*See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


 

DEAN FUNDS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

1. Organization

 

The Dean Large Cap Value Fund (the “Large Cap Value Fund”), the Dean Small Cap Value Fund (the “Small Cap Value Fund”) and the Dean International Fund (the “International Fund”) (each a “Fund” and, collectively the “Funds”) were organized as diversified series of Unified Series Trust (the “Trust”) on November 13, 2006. The Trust is an open-end investment company established under the laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 17, 2002 (the “Trust Agreement”).

 

The Large Cap Value Fund, a newly created series of the Trust, acquired all of the assets and liabilities of each of the Dean Large Cap Value Fund and the Dean Balanced Fund, each a series of the Dean Family of Funds, in a tax-free reorganization at the close of business on March 30, 2007. In connection with this acquisition, Class A shares of the acquired funds were exchanged for shares of the Large Cap Value Fund. In the same reorganization, the Small Cap Value Fund and the International Fund, each a newly created series of the Trust, acquired all of the assets and liabilities of the Dean Small Cap Value Fund and Dean International Fund, respectively, each a series of Dean Family of Funds, and Class A shares of the acquired funds were exchanged for shares of the identically named Fund. The International Fund’s predecessors commenced operations on October 13, 1997, and the Large Cap Fund’s and Small Cap Fund’s predecessor each commenced operations on May 28, 1997. The financial information included herein or incorporated by reference into these Financial Statements, including the Notes to the Financial Statements, is that of the predecessor Dean Large Cap Value, Dean Small Cap Value and Dean International Funds’ Class A shares. Prior to October 28, 2006, each of the Funds’ Predecessors offered Class C shares for purchase. On October 27, 2006, the Class C shares of each Predecessor Fund were reclassified to the Class A shares of each respective Predecessor Fund.

 

The Trust Agreement permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series. The Funds are series of funds currently authorized by the Trustees. The investment adviser to each Fund is Dean Investment Associates, LLC (“Dean Investment Associates” or “Adviser”). In addition, Dean Investment Associates has retained Newton Capital Management, a Mellon Financial CompanySM, (“Newton”) to serve as sub-adviser to the International Fund. The investment objective of the Large Cap Value Fund and the Small Cap Value Fund is long-term capital appreciation and, secondarily, dividend income. The investment objective of the International Fund is long-term capital appreciation.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following is a summary of the Funds’ significant accounting policies:

 

Security valuation – Equity securities are valued by using market quotations, but may be valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service when the Adviser believes such prices more accurately reflect the fair market value of such securities. Securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued by the pricing service at the last quoted sale price. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange traded security is generally valued by the pricing service at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market generally are valued by the pricing service at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When market quotations are not readily available, when the Adviser determines that the market quotation or the price provided by the pricing service does not accurately reflect the current market value or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, such securities are valued as determined in good faith by the Adviser, in conformity with guidelines adopted by and subject to review of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“the Board”).

 

Fixed income securities are valued by using market quotations, but may be valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service when the Adviser believes such prices more accurately reflect the fair market value of such securities. A pricing service utilizes electronic data processing techniques based on yield spreads relating to securities with similar characteristics to determine prices for normal institutional-size trading units of debt securities without regard to sale or bid prices. If the Adviser decides that a price provided by the pricing service does not accurately reflect the fair market value of the securities, when prices are not readily available from a pricing service or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser, subject to review of the Board. Short-term investments in fixed income securities with maturities of less than 60 days when acquired, or which subsequently are within 60 days of maturity, are valued by using the amortized cost method of valuation, which the Board has determined will represent fair value. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the company to meet their obligations may be affected by economic and political developments in a specific country or region.


 

DEAN FUNDS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies - continued

 

In accordance with the Trust’s good faith pricing guidelines, the Advisor is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable as described above. No single standard exists for determining fair value controls, since fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of securities being valued by the Adviser would appear to be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale. Methods which are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security or a basket of securities traded on other markets, exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods. Good faith pricing is permitted if, in the Adviser’s opinion, the validity of market quotations appears to be questionable based on factors such as evidence of a thin market in the security based on a small number of quotations, a significant event occurs after the close of a market but before a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) calculation that may affect a security’s value, or the Adviser is aware of any other data that calls into question the reliability of market quotations. Investments in foreign securities, junk bonds, or other thinly traded securities are more likely to trigger fair valuation than other securities.

 

Contingent Deferred Sales Charges –There is a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00%, based on the lower of the shares’ cost or current net asset value (“NAV”), that will be imposed on any purchases that were not originally charged a front-end sales load, if the shares are redeemed within 12 months after they are purchased. Any shares acquired by reinvestment of distributions will be redeemed without a CDSC. In determining whether a CDSC is payable, the Funds will first redeem shares not subject to any charge.

 

Security Transactions and Related Income - The Funds follow industry practice and record security transactions on the trade date. The specific identification method is used for determining gains or losses for financial statements and income tax purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized over the life of the respective securities using the effective interest method. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with each Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

 

Distributions to shareholders –Each of the Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund and International Fund distribute substantially all of its net investment income, if any, on an annual basis. In addition, each Fund distributes any net realized long-term capital gains at least once each year. Management will determine the timing and frequency of the distributions of any net realized short-term capital gains. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified in the components of the net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations or net asset values per share of the Fund. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, permanent differences including non-deductible penalties were reclassified from accumulated undistributed net investment income to accumulated realized gains in the amount of $20,986 and to paid-in-capital, in the amount of $(47,164) for Small Cap Value Fund. For the International Fund, permanent differences relating to the classification of income and expense items and non-deductible taxes and penalties were reclassified from accumulated undistributed net investment income to accumulated net realized gains in the amount of $(95,006) and to paid-in-capital in the amount of $(40,794).

 

Expenses – Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not relate to a specific fund of the Trust are allocated to the individual funds based on each Fund’s relative net assets or other appropriate basis (as determined by the Board).

 


 

DEAN FUNDS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies - continued

 

Federal income tax – It is the policy of each Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. If the required amount of net investment income is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

 

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – Effective June 29, 2007, the Funds adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, a clarification of

FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 establishes financial reporting rules regarding recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. FIN 48 was applied to all open tax years as of the effective date. The adoption of FIN 48 had no impact on the Funds’ net assets or results of operations. 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 ended March 31, 2008, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties related to income tax expense. The Funds are not subject to examination by U.S. federal tax authorities for tax years before 2004.

 

Fair Value Measurements – In September 2006, FASB issued Statement on Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements.” This standard establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosure about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies to fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The changes to current generally accepted accounting principles from the application of this Statement relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. As of March 31, 2008, the Funds do not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will impact the amounts reported in the financial statements; however, additional disclosures may be required about the inputs used to develop the measurements and the effect of certain measurements reported on the statement of changes in net assets for a fiscal period.

 

Foreign Currency Translation - With respect to the International Fund, amounts denominated in or expected to settle in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on exchange rates on the following basis: a) the market values of investment securities and other assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate of exchange each day and b) purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The International Fund isolates the portion of the results of operations from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from those resulting from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from 1) sales of foreign currencies, 2) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and 3) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the International Fund’s books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent to the amounts actually received or paid. Reported net unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

 

3. Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties

 

The Funds’ investments are managed by the Adviser pursuant to the terms of an advisory agreement. In accordance with the advisory agreement, the Adviser is entitled to an investment management fee, computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Large Cap Value Fund and the Small Cap Value Fund and 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the International Fund. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the Adviser earned fees, before the waiver described below, of $165,846, $184,151, and $229,584 from the Large Cap Value Fund, the Small Cap Value Fund, and the International Fund, respectively.

 


 

DEAN FUNDS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

3. Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties – continued

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of each Fund, but only to the extent necessary to maintain total operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Funds may invest) at 1.50% of average daily net assets with respect to the Large Cap Value Fund and Small Cap Value Fund, and 1.85% of average daily net assets with respect to the International Fund through March 31, 2009. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the Advisor waived fees of $120,417, $117,988 and $163,119 for the Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund, and International Fund, respectively. Any such waiver or reimbursement of operating expenses by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the applicable Fund in the first, second, and third fiscal years following the year in which the waiver or reimbursement occurs, if the Fund is able to make the payment without exceeding the above described expense limitations. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, $120,417, $117,987, and $163,119 for the Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund, and International Fund, respectively, are subject to repayment by the Funds to the Adviser through March 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2008, the Adviser owed $7,283, $256, and $19,508 to the Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund and International Fund, respectively.

 

Each Fund retains Unified Fund Services, Inc. (“Unified”) to manage the Fund’s business affairs and provide the Fund with administrative services, including all regulatory reporting and necessary office equipment and personnel. These administrative services also include fund accounting and transfer agency services. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, Unified earned fees of $50,149, $55,987, and $54,905 from the Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund, and International Fund, respectively, for administrative, fund accounting and transfer agency services. For the fiscal year ended

March 31, 2008, Unified was reimbursed $28,406, $23,076 and $23,595 by the Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund, and International Fund, respectively, for out-of-pocket expenses. As of March 31, 2008, Unified was owed $11,807, $12,204, and $13,244 by the Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund, and International Fund, respectively for administrative services and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Certain officers of the Trust are members of management and/or employees of Unified. Unified is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huntington Bancshares, Inc., the parent company of the principal distributor of the Funds and Huntington National Bank (the “Custodian”), the custodian of the International Fund. A Trustee of the Trust is a member of management of the Custodian. Prior to the March 17, 2008, Mellon Financial Corp. served as custodian for the International Fund.

 

Unified Financial Securities, Inc. (the “Distributor”) acts as the principal distributor of the Funds. There were no payments made to the Distributor by the Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. The Distributor, Unified and the Custodian are controlled by Huntington Bancshares, Inc. A Trustee of the Trust is a member of management of Huntington National Bank, a subsidiary of Huntington Bancshares, Inc. (the parent of the Distributor) and an officer of the Trust is an officer of the Distributor and such persons may be deemed to be affiliates of the Distributor.

 

Each Fund’s Plan provides that the applicable Fund will pay to the Adviser, the Distributor and/or any registered securities dealer, financial institution or any other person (the “Recipient”) a shareholder servicing fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund in connection with the promotion and distribution of such Fund’s shares or the provision of personal services to shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, advertising, compensation to underwriters, dealers and selling personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current shareholders of the Fund, the printing and mailing of sales literature and servicing shareholder accounts (“12b-1 Expenses”). Each Fund may pay all or a portion of these fees to any Recipient who renders assistance in  distributing or promoting the sale of shares, or who provides certain shareholder services, pursuant to a written agreement. Each Fund’s Plan is a compensation plan, which means that compensation is provided regardless of 12b-1 expenses actually incurred. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the Funds incurred 12b-1 expenses of $41,461, $46,038, and $46,044 for services provided to the Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund, and International Fund, respectively. As of March 31, 2008, $36,604, $43,307, and $35,956 for the Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund, and International Fund, respectively, were unpaid.

 


 

 

DEAN FUNDS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

4. Investments

 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments and short-term U.S. government obligations were as follows:

 

 

Large Cap

Small Cap

International

 

Value Fund *

Value Fund

Fund

Purchases of portfolio securities…………………

$ 4,046,335

$ 15,378,815

$ 19,644,203

Purchases of U.S. government obligations…….

-

-

-

       

Proceeds from sales and maturities of portfolio securities…………………

$ 3,700,031

$ 16,764,133

$ 20,284,003

Proceeds from sales and maturities of U.S. government obligations………

-

-

-



* Purchases and proceeds from sales totaling $3,529,605 were excluded as they were a result of the Large Cap Value Fund’s effort to re-align the portfolio following the merger of the Large Cap Value Fund and Balanced Fund (See note 10).

 

As of March 31, 2008, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for tax purposes was as follows:

 

 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

International Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation………………..

$ 672,437

 

$615,109

 

$2,068,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized depreciation………………..

(3,354,703)

 

(5,325,206)

 

(1,032,200)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

 

 

 

 

 

(depreciation)………………………

$ (2,682,266)

 

$ (4,710,097)

 

$1,035,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost……………………….

$16,866,386

 

$19,793,919

 

$16,607,134

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

5. Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

The International Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts as a way of managing foreign exchange rate risk. The Fund may enter into these contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date as a hedge or cross-hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio positions (a cross-hedge occurs when forward foreign currency contracts are executed for a currency that has a high correlation with the currency that is being hedged). The objective of the Fund’s foreign currency hedging transactions is to reduce the risk that the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s securities denominated in foreign currency will decline in value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These contracts are valued daily, and the Fund’s net equity therein, representing unrealized gain or loss on the contracts as measured by the difference between the forward foreign exchange rates at the dates of entry into the contracts and the forward foreign exchange rates at the reporting date, is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized and unrealized gains or losses are included in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. These contracts may involve market or credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities.

 

As of March 31, 2008, the International Fund had no forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding.

 


 

 

DEAN FUNDS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

6. Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

7. Beneficial Ownership

 

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates a presumption of control of the fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. As of March 31, 2008, Dean Wealth Management, LP for the benefit of its partners, owned 72.45%, 61.36% and 48.89% of the Large Cap Value Fund, the Small Cap Value Fund, and the International Fund, respectively. As a result, Dean Wealth Management, LP, an affiliate of the Advisor, may be deemed to control each of the Funds.

 

8. Distributions to Shareholders

 

Large Cap Value Fund. On December 28, 2007, the Large Cap Value Fund paid an income distribution of $0.1325 per share to shareholders of record on December 27, 2007.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:

 


Small Cap Value Fund. On December 28, 2007, the Small Cap Value Fund paid long and short-term capital gains distributions totaling $3.3647 per share to shareholders of record on December 27, 2007. On June 13, 2007, the Small Cap Value Fund paid an income distribution of $0.0116 per share and a long-term capital gain distribution of $0.4638 per share to shareholders of record on June 12, 2007.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:


 

 


 

DEAN FUNDS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

8. Distributions to Shareholders – continued

 

International Fund. On December 28, 2007, the International Fund paid an income distribution of $0.1600 per share and a long-term capital gain distribution of $1.3489 per share to shareholders of record on December 27, 2007. On June 13, 2007, the International Fund paid an income distribution of $0.0428 per share to shareholders of record on June 12, 2007.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:


 

As of March 31, 2008, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis are as follows:

 

 

 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

International Fund

           

Undistributed ordinary income

$ 66,097

 

$ 172,802

 

$ 555,141

Capital loss carryforward

(1,271,573)

 

-

 

-

Undistributed long-term realized gain

-

 

40,630

 

2,097,688

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

(2,682,266)

 

(4,710,097)

 

1,035,890

Other temporary differences

-

 

-

 

(286)

           
 

$ (3,887,742)

 

$ (4,496,665)

 

$ 3,688,433



As of March 31, 2008, the difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation is attributable to the deferral of losses on wash sales, post-October losses, and the mark-to-market of certain investments held by the Funds.

 

9. Capital Loss Carryforwards

 

As of March 31, 2008, for federal income tax purposes, the Funds have capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains, if any, in the following amounts:

 

Fund

Amount

Expires March 31,

Large Cap Value Fund…….

$ 1,271,573

2011


 

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the Large Cap Value Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards of $396,618.

 

 


 

DEAN FUNDS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2008

 

10. Merger of the Large Cap Value Fund and Balanced Fund

 

The Large Cap Value Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of each of the Dean Large Cap Value Fund and the Dean Balanced Fund, each a series of the Dean Family of Funds, in a tax-free reorganization at the close of business on March 30, 2007 pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization approved by the shareholders of the Dean Balanced Fund and the Dean Large Cap Value Fund on March 30, 2007. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 719,737 Class A shares of the Dean Balanced Fund (valued at $11.32 per share) for 650,737 Class A shares of the Large Cap Value Fund (valued at $12.52 per share). The shares of the Dean Large Cap Value Fund were exchanged on a one-for-one basis.

 

The Balanced Fund’s net assets on the date of the reorganization amounted to $8,149,356, including $84,068 of unrealized appreciation and capital loss carryforwards of $18,574 and were combined with the Large Cap Value Fund’s net assets. The aggregate net assets of the Balanced and Large Cap Value Fund immediately before the acquisition were $8,149,356 and $8,726,169, respectively. The combined net assets immediately after the acquisition amounted to $16,875,525 for 1,347,534 shares outstanding.

 

11. Excise Tax

 

The International Fund underestimated its excise tax for fiscal year 2007. Accordingly, the International Fund has accrued an estimated tax liability at March 31, 2008 of $38,000 in the financial statements. The $38,000 liability includes any interest and penalties through May 31, 2008.

 

12. Subsequent Event

 

At an in-person meeting held on May 19, 2008, the Board voted to approve a proposed subadvisory agreement (the “Subadvisory Agreement”) between Dean Capital Management LLC (“DCM”) and Adviser, pursuant to which DCM would become sub-adviser to the Large Cap and Small Cap Funds. To date, the Adviser has been solely responsible for all aspects of the investment advisory services provided to these Funds. If approved at a shareholder meeting, DCM would take over managing each Fund’s portfolio and make the investment decisions for the Funds. In turn, the Adviser would oversee DCM’s compliance with each Fund’s investment objective, policies, strategies and restrictions, and retain primary responsibility for providing a continuous investment program for these Funds. The shareholder meeting has been tentatively scheduled for June 24, 2008.

 

 

 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of the

Dean Funds

(Unified Series Trust)

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of the Dean Funds (the “Funds”), comprising the Dean Large Cap Value Fund, the Dean Small Cap Value Fund, and the Dean International Fund, each a series of the Unified Series Trust, as of March 31, 2008, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for the periods indicated prior to March 31, 2007 were audited by another independent accounting firm which expressed unqualified opinions on those financial highlights.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2008, by correspondence with the Funds’ custodians and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the funds constituting the Dean Funds, each of a series of the Unified Series Trust, as of March 31, 2008, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd.

Westlake, Ohio

May 30, 2008

 


 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Trust. Each Trustee serves as a trustee until termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, retires or is removed.

 

The following tables provide information regarding the Trustees and officers.

 

Independent Trustees

Name, Address*, (Age), Position

with Trust**, Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

and Other Directorships

Gary E. Hippenstiel (Age - 60)

 

Independent Trustee, December 2002 to present

Director, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Legacy Trust Company, N.A. since 1992; Chairman of the investment committee for W.H. Donner Foundation and Donner Canadian Foundation, since June 2005; Trustee of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from July 2002 to September 2005; Trustee of Access Variable Insurance Trust from April 2003 to August 2005; Trustee of AmeriPrime Funds from 1995 to July 2005; Trustee of CCMI Funds from June 2003 to March 2005.

Stephen A. Little (Age - 61)

 

Chairman, December 2004 to present; Independent Trustee, December 2002 to present

President and founder of The Rose, Inc., a registered investment advisor, since April 1993; Trustee of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from November 2002 to September 2005; Trustee of AmeriPrime Funds from December 2002 to July 2005; Trustee of CCMI Funds from June 2003 to March 2005.

Daniel J. Condon (Age - 57)

 

Independent Trustee, December 2002 to present

President of International Crankshaft Inc., an automotive equipment manufacturing company, since 2004, Vice President and General Manager from 1990 to 2003; Trustee of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from November 2002 to September 2005; Trustee of The Unified Funds from 1994 to 2002; Trustee of AmeriPrime Funds from December 2002 to July 2005; Trustee of CCMI Funds from June 2003 to March 2005.

Ronald C. Tritschler (Age - 55)

 

Independent Trustee, January 2007 to present; Interested Trustee, December 2002 to December 2006

Chief Executive Officer, Director and Legal Counsel of The Webb Companies, a national real estate company, since 2001; Director of First State Financial since 1998; Director, Vice President and Legal Counsel of The Traxx Companies, an owner and operator of convenience stores, since 1989; Trustee of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from November 2002 to September 2005; Trustee of AmeriPrime Funds from December 2002 to July 2005; Trustee of CCMI Funds from June 2003 to March 2005.

 

 

 

 


Interested Trustees & Officers

Name, Address*, (Age), Position with Trust,** Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

and Other Directorships

Nancy V. Kelly (Age - 52)***

Trustee, November 2007 to present

Executive Vice President of Huntington National Bank, the Trust’s custodian, since December 2001.

Anthony J. Ghoston(Age - 48)

 

President, July 2004 to present

President of Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, since June 2005, Executive Vice President from June 2004 to June 2005, Senior Vice President from April 2003 to June 2004; Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Unified Financial Services, Inc., the parent company of the Trust’s administrator and distributor, from 1997 to November 2004; President of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from July 2004 to September 2005; President of AmeriPrime Funds from July 2004 to July 2005; President of CCMI Funds from July 2004 to March 2005.

John C. Swhear (Age - 46)

Senior Vice President, May 2007 to present

Vice President of Legal Administration and Compliance for Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, since April 2007; Chief Compliance Officer of Unified Financial Securities, Inc., the Trust’s distributor, since May 2007; Employed in various positions with American United Life Insurance Company from 1983 to April 2007, including: Associate General Counsel, April 2007, Investment Adviser Chief Compliance Officer, June 2004 to April 2007, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors, December 2002 to April 2007, Chief Compliance Officer of OneAmerica Funds, Inc., June 2004 to April 2007, Chief Counsel and Secretary, OneAmerica Securities, Inc., December 2002 to April 2007.

William J. Murphy (Age - 45)

 

Interim Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, February 2008 to present

 

Manager of Fund Administration for Unified Fund Services, Inc., since October 2007.

Lynn E. Wood (Age - 61)

 

Chief Compliance Officer, October 2004 to present

Chief Compliance Officer of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from October 2004 to September 2005; Chief Compliance Officer of AmeriPrime Funds from October 2004 to July 2005; Chief Compliance Officer of CCMI Funds from October 2004 to March 2005; Chief Compliance Officer of Unified Financial Securities, Inc., the Trust’s distributor, from December 2004 to October 2005 and from 1997 to 2000, Chairman from 1997 to December 2004, President from 1997 to 2000; Director of Compliance of Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, from October 2003 to September 2004; Chief Compliance Officer of Unified Financial Services, Inc., the parent company of the Trust’s administrator and distributor, from 2000 to 2004.

Heather Bonds (Age - 31)

Secretary, July 2005 to present; Assistant Secretary , September 2004 to June 2005

Employed by Unified Fund Services, Inc., the Trust’s administrator, since January 2004 and from December 1999 to January 2002, currently Manager, Board Relations and Legal Administration, since March 2008; Assistant Secretary of Dean Family of Funds August 2004 to March 2007; Regional Administrative Assistant of The Standard Register Company from February 2003 to January 2004; Full time student at Indiana University from January 2002 to June 2002; Secretary of AmeriPrime Advisors Trust from July 2005 to September 2005, Assistant Secretary from September 2004 to June 2005; Assistant Secretary of AmeriPrime Funds from September 2004 to July 2005; Assistant Secretary of CCMI Funds from September 2004 to March 2005.

 

*

The address for each officer is 2960 North Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

** The Trust currently consists of 36 series. 

*** Ms. Kelly is deemed an interested trustee because she is an officer of an entity that is under common control with Unified Financial Securities, Inc., one of the Trust’s distributors.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes information about the trustees and is available, without charge, upon request. You may call toll-free (888) 912-4562 to request a copy of the SAI or to make shareholder inquiries.

 


 

Proxy Voting

 

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 by calling 1-800-327-3656 or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

TRUSTEES

Stephen A. Little

Gary E. Hippenstiel

Daniel J. Condon

Ronald C. Tritschler

Nancy V. Kelly

 

OFFICERS

Anthony J. Ghoston, President

John Swhear, Senior Vice President

William J. Murphy, Interim Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Heather A. Bonds, Secretary

Lynn E. Wood, Chief Compliance Officer

 

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

DEAN INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES LLC

2480 Kettering Tower

Dayton, Ohio 45423

 

UNDERWRITER & DISTRIBUTOR

Unified Financial Securities, Inc.

2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300

Indianapolis, IN 46208

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd.

800 Westpoint Pkwy., Suite 1100

Westlake, Ohio 44145

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

Thompson Coburn LLP

One U.S. Bank Plaza

St. Louis, Missouri 63101

 

LEGAL COUNSEL TO THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

Thompson Hine, LLP

312 Walnut Street, 14th Floor

Cincinnati, OH 45202

 

CUSTODIAN

U.S. Bank, N.A.

425 Walnut St.

Cincinnati, OH 45202

 

Huntington National Bank

41 South Street

Columbus, OH 43125

 

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT

AND FUND ACCOUNTANT

Unified Fund Services, Inc.

2960 N. Meridian St., Suite 300

Indianapolis, IN 46208

 

SHAREHOLDER SERVICE

Nationwide: (Toll-Free) 888-899-8343

 

This report is intended only for the information of shareholders or those who have received the Funds’ prospectus which contains information about the Funds’ management fee and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

 


 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

(a)       As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

(b)       For purposes of this item, “code of ethics” means written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

 

 

(1)

Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

(2)

Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;

 

(3)

Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;

 

(4)

The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and

 

(5)

Accountability for adherence to the code.

 

(c)        Amendments: During the period covered by the report, there have not been any amendments to the provisions of the code of ethics.

 

(d)       Waivers: During the period covered by the report, the registrant has not granted any express or implicit waivers from the provisions of the code of ethics.

 

(e)        Posting: We do not intend to post the Code of Ethics for the Officers or any amendments or waivers on a website.

 

(f)        Availability: The Code of Ethics for the Officers can be obtained, free of charge by calling the toll free number for the appropriate Fund.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

(a)       The registrant’s board of trustees has determined that the registrant does not have an audit committee financial expert. The committee members and the full Board considered a possibility of adding a member that would qualify as an expert. The audit committee determined that, although none of its members meet the technical definition of an audit committee expert, the committee has sufficient financial expertise to adequately perform its duties under the Audit Committee Charter without the addition of a qualified expert.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)

Audit Fees

 

 

Dean Large Cap Value Fund:

FY 2008

$11,000

 

FY 2007

$13,000

 

 

Dean Small Cap Value Fund:

FY 2008

$11,000

 

FY 2007

$12,500

 

 

Dean International Fund:

FY 2008

$13,000

 

FY 2007

$21,250

 

 


 

(b)

Audit-Related Fees

 

Registrant

 

 

Dean Large Cap Value Fund:

FY 2008

$1,000

 

FY 2007

$0

 

 

Dean Small Cap Value Fund:

FY 2008

$1,000

 

FY 2007

$0

 

 

Dean International Fund:

FY 2008

$1,500

 

FY 2007

$0

 

 

(c)

Tax Fees

 

Registrant

 

 

Dean Large Cap Value Fund:

FY 2008

$2,000

 

FY 2007

$1,950

 

 

Dean Small Cap Value Fund:

FY 2008

$2,000

 

FY 2007

$1,950

 

 

Dean International Fund:

FY 2008

$3,000

 

FY 2007

$3,900

 

 

Nature of the fees:

Preparation of the 1120 RIC and Excise review

 

(d)

All Other Fees

 

Registrant

 

 

Dean Large Cap Value Fund:

FY 2008

$0

 

FY 2007

$0

 

 

Dean Small Cap Value Fund:

FY 2008

$0

 

FY 2007

$0

 

 

Dean International Fund:

FY 2008

$0

 

FY 2007

$0

 

 

(e)

(1)

Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies  

 

The Audit Committee Charter requires the Audit Committee to be responsible for the selection, retention or termination of auditors and, in connection therewith, to (i) evaluate the proposed fees and other compensation, if any, to be paid to the auditors, (ii) evaluate the independence of the auditors, (iii) pre-approve all audit services and, when appropriate, any non-audit services provided by the independent auditors to the Trust, (iv) pre-approve, when appropriate, any non-audit services provided by the independent auditors to the Trust's investment adviser, or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser and that provides ongoing services to

 


the Trust if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Trust, and (v) receive the auditors’ specific representations as to their independence;

 

 

(2)

Percentages of Services Approved by the Audit Committee

 

 

Registrant

 

 

Audit-Related Fees:

100

%

 

Tax Fees:

100

%

 

All Other Fees:

100

%

 

(f)        During audit of registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year, less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.

 

(g)        The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and 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 adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant:

 

 

Registrant

Adviser

 

FY 2008

$ 0

$ 0

 

FY 2007

$ 0

$ 0

 

(h)       Not applicable. The auditor performed no services for the registrant’s investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies. Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

Not applicable – schedule filed with Item 1.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Funds. 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

The registrant has not adopted procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)       Based on an evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 26, 2008, the disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that the information required in filings on Forms N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

 

(b)       There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)

Code is filed herewith

 

(a)(2)

Certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2under the

 

Investment Company Act of 1940 are filed herewith.

 

(a)(3)

Not Applicable

 

(b)

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is filed 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)

Unified Series Trust

 

By

*__ /s/ Anthony Ghoston______________

 

Anthony Ghoston, President

 

Date

6/5/08________________

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By

*____/s/ Anthony Ghoston______________

Anthony Ghoston, President

 

Date

_6/5/08________________

 

By

*___ _/s/ William J. Murphy______________

William J. Murphy, Interim Treasurer

 

Date

6/5/08_________________