N-CSRS 1 d309809dncsrs.htm VALUED ADVISERS TRUST Valued Advisers Trust

 

 

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 811-22208

 

 

Valued Advisers Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

Ultimus Asset Services, LLC 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450   Cincinnati, OH 45246
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

Capitol Services, Inc.

615 S. Dupont Hwy.

Dover, DE 19901

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

With a copy to:

John H. Lively, Esq.

The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc.

A member firm of The 1940 Act Law GroupTM

11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway,

Suite 310

Leawood, KS 66221

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 513-587-3400

Date of fiscal year end: 5/31

Date of reporting period: 11/30/16

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 


SEMI-ANNUAL

REPORT

November 30, 2016

BFS Equity Fund

LOGO


BFS Equity Fund

 

Letter to Shareholders

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

Greetings in the New Year! This report covers the six-month period June 1, 2016 through November 30, 2016.

At the beginning of its fiscal year, the BFS Equity Fund (the “Fund”) had net assets of $23.9 million. During the course of the last six months, the net assets of the Fund increased 3.3% to $24.7 million as of November 30, 2016. This growth was driven by both inflows from investors into the Fund as well as by the modest positive investment returns achieved by the Fund over the last six months. As of November 30, 2016, there were approximately 544 investors in the Fund.

This report includes a commentary from the Lead Portfolio Manager, Tim Foster, and Co-Portfolio Managers, Tom Sargent and Keith LaRose. You will also find a listing of the portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2016, as well as financial statements and detailed information about the performance and positioning of the Fund.

The S&P 500® Index (“S&P 500”) hit what was at the time an all-time high at 2,193.42 on August 23, 2016, but as the presidential race tightened amidst charges and counter-charges between the contenders, the S&P 500 sold off around 3% by the close of trading on November 7, 2016, the night before the election. As the returns came in and it began to look like Trump might win, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures plunged over 800 points. Yet, when the stock market opened the next morning, the S&P 500 showed little change and then began to rise, confounding the predictions of many investors. Like most, we were surprised, believing that Trump’s unconventional behavior and threats on trade would cause many investors to sell. Instead, investors focused on the pro-business aspects of Trump’s platform including the possibility of tax reform, repatriation of billions of dollars of offshore funds by U.S. multi-nationals, and less regulation. As a result, a large, short-term gulf in performance swiftly opened between more stable businesses and more cyclical businesses, with value stocks outperforming growth stocks post-election. Between Election Day and November 30, 2016, the S&P 500 rose 2.95% bringing its total return for the six-month period to 6.01%. With strong weightings in industrials, financials, and value stocks, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the six-month period with an even better total return of 8.89%. The Fund achieved a positive total return of 2.94% for the six-month period ended November 30, 2016.

 

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Since the market’s close on Election Day, November 8, 2016, the S&P 500 has continued its upward trend. Investors are enthusiastic about President Trump’s plans to accelerate economic growth and create new jobs. Much of what we know of President Trump’s policies emanate from his ad hoc tweets on Twitter and, thus, it is difficult to state with any certainty his economic priorities but they appear to be the following:

 

   

Reform the tax code, including significantly decreasing individual and corporate tax rates

 

   

Enact policies which will encourage U.S. multi-nationals to repatriate hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars now in overseas banks

 

   

Plan and execute significant U.S. infrastructure spending

 

   

Cut regulation, including repealing many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act

 

   

Repeal the Affordable Care Act, replacing it with a less costly, more efficient health care system

 

   

Renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and halt Chinese infractions of World Trade Organization rules

 

   

Create millions of new manufacturing jobs, especially in the Rust Belt

This program represents an ambitious effort to increase economic growth. It is likely that President Trump will succeed in his efforts on the tax front, as Republicans hold both houses of Congress. It is also probable that the Trump administration will be able to roll back some regulations, which are perceived to hinder economic growth – especially in the banking and finance sector. However, in the areas of immigration and health care, change will be more difficult, as the nation continues to be evenly divided at the ballot box. The parts of President Trump’s program which deal with trade and bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. are problematic and even potentially quite harmful. Damaging trade wars could result, leading to a serious recession and the loss of millions of jobs.

At the moment, a recession does not appear likely in 2017. During the third quarter of 2016, GDP growth bounced back to 3.5%. In 2016, 2.2 million jobs were created – while down from 2.7 million jobs created in 2015, it is still a positive sign. The consumer sector of the U.S economy, which accounts for more than 70% of GDP, appears to be in good shape. While the market is no longer inexpensive, it is not as overvalued as some might argue. We remain cautiously optimistic that there is a reasonable chance that the bull market can continue another year.

 

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In closing, it is important to reiterate our belief that our investment strategy of investing in quality growth stocks purchased with a risk-mitigating approach and positioned to provide a margin of safety in the case of economic or market weakness is effective over the longer term. Of the 36 companies which the Fund owned as of November 30, 2016, 28 pay dividends, and several are so-called “dividend aristocrats” – companies which have increased their dividend payouts annually for the past 25 years. We believe the Fund’s ownership of shares in quality companies with strong brands, good balance sheets, professional management, and robust cash flow should be able to withstand market corrections, even bear markets, and perform well over the longer term.

The Portfolio Managers of the Fund and I are shareholders together with you. We thank you for the trust that you have placed in us to manage your assets.

Sincerely,

Stephen L. Willcox

President

Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc.

 

3


BFS Equity Fund

 

Portfolio Managers’ Letter

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS

November 30, 2016 marks the third anniversary for the Fund. During this three year period, the Fund’s net asset value has increased from $10.00 to $11.89. For the six month period from June 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016, the Fund produced a total return of 2.94%. The S&P 500 produced a total return of 6.01% during this same period.

The Fund commenced operations in the mid to late stage of the recovery from the 2008 Financial Crisis. Understanding the market rally was well underway for this economic recovery cycle, the management team chose to ease the Fund into the market action by avoiding large sector or single stock bets and to build a portfolio we believe can perform solidly under all economic and market scenarios. Employing this initially conservative approach has resulted in less than benchmark performance during this three year period of rising stock prices. While we cannot forecast how the strategy will play out during market declines, preparing and positioning for those periods by staying disciplined about valuations is certainly part of our thinking.

While lagging the S&P 500 benchmark for the six month period, we continued to narrow down our portfolio of stocks to 36 with a focus on what we believe to be the best candidates for long term growth under both productive and adverse economic conditions. A portfolio of 36 names is more narrowly focused than many mutual funds, yet the diversity of the portfolio extends into all of the market sectors we see as currently attractive. The importance of maintaining a focus on a relatively short list of holdings is to ensure we understand each of the companies we own and how those business models and stock valuations are sustainable under multiple economic and market conditions. The Fund is widely held among the principals and families of Bradley, Foster & Sargent. Our interests are aligned with yours to see the Fund prosper on both an absolute and relative basis. For now, we are pleased to see our NAV rising and we look forward to seeing what we believe to be a portfolio of above average participants in the S&P 500 outperforming the rest of the pack over time.

Subsequent to our third year anniversary, the Morningstar mutual fund rating service initiated coverage of the Fund.

MARKET COMMENTARY

This six month period can be uniquely divided into five months of pre-election and one month of post-election profiles. Uncertainty abounded in the pre-election period notwithstanding the rising probability for a continuation of a Democratic presidency,

 

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with one set of likely winners and another set of losers among the market sectors. By the evening of the election with the surprising, if not shocking, Trump victory, those market participants still in the game from both sides of the political aisle likely fell off their chairs over in an effort to pull their cards from the table and to reassess what might happen next under an unorthodox populist agenda. As the dark horse candidate nosed ahead towards the finish line, futures plummeted by 800 points on the Dow Jones Industrial Index (“Dow”) and it looked to be a coming rout at the post-election day market opening bell. Remarkably, by the time the opening bell did sound at 9:30 a.m. post-election day, the decline in the futures evaporated and the market opened flat. Within two trading days, the Dow was off to a subsequent 2000 point rally. Within the indices, many of the pre-election winners became losers and many of the laggards raced to new highs. Specifically, Industrials and Financials became the new market darlings, while Healthcare, Consumer Staples and interest rate sensitive Utilities and Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) lost nearly all of their pre-election gains. The ten year U.S. Treasury leaped from approximately 1.5% to 2.5% and the bond market suffered sharp losses. The 35 year bull market for bonds is now likely history, in our opinion. The Goldman Sachs commodity index surged, with the index up for the 2016 year to date, as of late December, by 25%. Oil prices have doubled since their February 2016 lows. Natural gas is up 50% year to date. Industrial commodities rallied with copper up 22%. Gold, a victim of post-election U.S. dollar strength, rolled over with a 20+% decline. Post-election 2016 held enough surprises to upend almost every investors’ apple cart!

INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Despite the market’s recent confidence that new policy initiatives will drive GDP growth above the lethargic 2% pace of the past couple of years, we believe that the reality is that it may take more time and encounter more bumps in the road than the current consensus views. The Fed has clearly interpreted the dramatic improvement in labor markets as compelling evidence to moderate extremely accommodative monetary policy. The Fed notched up the Federal Funds rate by 25 basis points for the second time this cycle in December 2016. There is no escaping rising rates driving down bond prices, but rising rates present a headwind for equities as well. Higher rates correlate with lower equity multiples, providing a headwind for equities. Fundamentally, it will be earnings growth that drives stock prices higher from here. Lower corporate tax rates may help, but a stronger U.S. dollar may provide a counterpunch to that beneficial effect. Barring any changes to the tax code for now, we believe overall corporate profits may advance mid-single digits in 2017. Sectors with significant changes in underlying pricing like banking, energy and many basic materials may see double digit earnings growth. Many consumer

 

5


packaged goods companies may only see low single digit growth, especially considering the stronger U.S. dollar.

We like companies that offer unique products and/or services. We have added two new names in the big data arena. The marketing data these companies provide, like Nielsen in the consumer goods and media industries, as well as Quintiles in the pharmaceuticals arena, is essential for producer companies to define, market, monitor and defend their products in global commerce. We continue with our allocations to double digit growth prospects, like Alphabet, Amazon, Facebook and Under Armour. In the cyclical growth category, we like Caterpillar, Deere, Delta and Mosaic. Beneficiaries of recent positive events include Chubb, given the synergy opportunities of the merger of the former Ace and Chubb insurance companies. We also like Mondelez’s opportunities to expand operating margins in the new efficiency frontier pioneered by private equity group 3G’s purchase of Heinz and Kraft. Among our best-of-breed holdings are Exxon, Schlumberger, Disney, Starbucks, J.P. Morgan, Microsoft and Zoetis. Core holdings that we like that operate in the relentless pursuit of lean manufacturing include Danaher, Fortive and United Technologies.

INVESTMENT COMMENTARY

As of the third quarter of 2016, S&P 500 profits showed positive year over year comparisons for the first time in five quarters. The sharp recovery in oil prices certainly aided the profitability of the Energy sector. The pre-election stabilization of the U.S. dollar helped reduce currency headwinds for U.S. exporters. With commodity prices up sharply, coupled with cycle low unemployment (sub 5%) and accelerating average hourly earnings, we believe the bottom in inflation is now probably behind us. Enhanced pricing power enabled by modestly accelerating inflation, as well as the potential for lower corporate taxes promised by the new administration, should drive continued positive earnings comparisons in both 2017 and 2018. The companies that can exploit these factors to accelerate their earnings growth will likely be the stock market winners, and our primary focus, going forward.

Industrials

Industrials were our largest absolute weighting at 20.0% in the Fund, almost double the 10.5% weighting for the S&P 500. Although the Fund’s Industrial sector’s return for the six month period lagged the S&P 500 Industrial sector modestly at +9.6% versus +12.2%, the sector was a very positive contributor to total return. Deere was our best performing industrial at +27.8%, followed closely by Raytheon at +16.6% and Caterpillar at +16.5%. Nielsen, which had been among our best performing industrials, reported a surprisingly

 

6


soft third quarter and the stock’s return was down -18.2% for the six month period. We believe Nielsen has a virtually impenetrable moat in its marketing data for media and consumer packaged goods companies. The generous 2.9% dividend provides an attractive incentive to remain a loyal shareholder while discretionary spending picks up with the economy.

Technology

Technology was our second heaviest weighted sector at 18.6%, slightly lower than the S&P 500 Technology sector at 20.8%. Our Tech selections returned +4.3% over the past six months versus the S&P 500 Technology sector return of +9.4%. Amphenol, Apple and Microsoft provided solid returns of +16.8%, +11.9% and +15.2%, respectively. Cognizant at -17.8% and MasterCard at -2.4% had the largest negative returns. We maintain our holdings in still rapidly growing Alphabet (the Fund’s largest holding at 3.8% of the portfolio), Adobe and Facebook which provided returns of +3.6%, +3.4%, and -0.3% respectively. While their performances were modest during the six month period, their long term growth prospects remain robust.

Healthcare

We overweighted Healthcare in the Fund at 16.2% versus 13.7% for the S&P 500. Healthcare became a political football during the election process and the market behaved as if the sector would make no money for any investors. The Fund’s Healthcare sector performance of -0.1% was better than the S&P 500 decline of -2.8%. Danaher, IMS, Merck and Zoetis all provided solid mid-single digit returns, while Abbot Laboratories, Quintiles, Novartis and Thermo Fisher balanced the gains with offsetting declines. Given the current discounted valuations and continued growth prospects for both pharmaceutical and biotech stocks, we believe the sector will again return to above average market performance. We also like the non-pharma exposure to healthcare including Thermo Fisher’s dominance of life science equipment distribution, the diagnostic and medical device profiles of Abbott and Johnson & Johnson, and the dominant position in the animal health sector of Zoetis.

Consumer Discretionary

Also overweighted versus the S&P 500 was the Consumer Discretionary sector at 15.6% versus 12.3% for the S&P 500. We ran into a number of headwinds in our Consumer Discretionary holdings and our performance in the sector at -4.2% lagged the S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary sector, which returned +4.0%. Consumer Discretionary names proved vexing this period. The economy was sluggish, but improving in the later months. If some of the tax reduction proposals of the new administration are enacted, we believe

 

7


consumers will have more disposable income in their pockets and discretionary spending will improve. We eked out small gains with Starbucks at +6.5% and Amazon at +3.8%. We suffered our worst loss with Under Armour at -18.4%. Under Armour is worth noting because the company continues on a 20+% growth course. We continue to accumulate the stock. Uncertainty about trade policies on foreign made goods hurt Under Armour and created negative returns for Nike (-8.8%) as well. We think both companies offer extraordinary global consumer franchises and will continue to thrive in almost any economic scenario. Disney is one of our largest positions in the Fund at 3.2% of the portfolio; however, it provided almost no return this period at +0.6%, but the Disney media franchise is one of the world’s strongest and we believe Disney will continue to garner a healthy share of global consumer spending.

Financials

Financials were the fifth largest sector weighting in the Fund at 12.8%, somewhat lower than the 14.6% weighting for the S&P 500. As bank stocks rocketed in the aftermath of the election, our underweighting and lagging performance of +9.4 versus the S&P 500 of +18.0% was one of the primary contributing factors to the Fund’s overall performance lagging the S&P 500 benchmark. J.P. Morgan drove our performance in the sector at +24.7%, followed by US Bancorp at +16.8% and American Express at +10.6%. Our biggest regret is not owning more of all three! Wells Fargo hurt our returns at -11.8%. The cross selling and consumer fraud discoveries at the company at least temporarily clocked the stock. While generally trying to avoid reactive selling to negative news, we had purchased Wells Fargo because of our confidence in management. These damaging management discoveries negated our investment thesis. When an investment thesis is negated, we sell the stock regardless of gain or loss. We sold our entire Wells Fargo position in August. A new addition to the Financial sector is Chubb. While the stock only produced a modest +2.2% gain in the period, we have high hopes that the Ace management team will bring new efficiencies and synergies to the Chubb franchise. Chubb is now the second largest holding in the Fund at 3.6% of the portfolio.

Energy

During a year in which oil prices ranged between $27 and $57 per barrel, the Energy sector proved volatile, but contributed positive returns as oil prices generally drifted higher as the year progressed. The Fund was somewhat underweighted at 6.6% versus the S&P 500 at 7.5%. The Fund’s return at +8.2% lagged the S&P 500 return of +11.2%. We are not surprised that our performance trailed the index during the period. For most of the period, we owned only two energy stocks: Exxon, which returned +0.2%, and

 

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Schlumberger, which returned +10.9%. We view both as best in class and consider them to be core holdings in the Energy sector, regardless of interim performance variances versus the benchmarks. Spectra Energy was our best performer at +13.4%, but after its takeover by Enbridge Energy, we saw little upside in the stock and sold the position in August.

Consumer Staples

Consumer Staples was a leading sector early in the year, but lost significant ground to the market post-election. Given still high relative values, we underweighted the sector at 4.4% versus the S&P 500 weighting of 9.3%. Returns were negative for the Fund at -5.8% and for the S&P 500, as well, at -2.8%. Pepsi was our best performer with a nominal return of only +1.1%. Mondelez was the worst at -6.5%. Interestingly, there had been shareholder activism to combine the two companies. While we see that as unlikely, we believe Mondelez has lagged the margin improvement evident in names like Kraft Heinz and we see Mondelez either driving itself in the enhanced margin direction or being driven by outside influences, such as activist shareholders, to improve margins.

Materials, Telecommunication Services, Utilities and REITs

The Fund had only a single holding across all of these sectors. Mosaic, a fertilizer manufacturer, drove performance of +7.4% for our Materials sector exposure. The S&P 500 Materials sector returned about the same at +7.5%. The managers of the Fund are of a mind that interest rates hit bottom in 2016 and will likely continue to rise in the coming years. The interest rate sensitivity of REITs, Utilities and Telecom, given their high dividend yields, was reason enough for the Fund to avoid exposure to any of these sectors. That strategy worked well as the S&P 500 REITs, Utilities and Telecoms returned -6.1%, -3.2%, and 0.0%, respectively.

CLOSING COMMENTS

While the market continues to sell at a not unreasonable multiple relative to history and to prevailing interest rates, the post-Trump rally may have gotten a little ahead of itself. Proposals for economic stimulus, from tax cuts to massive fiscal spending projects, may or may not actually happen, may or may not actually work, and, in any event, will likely take more time than the recent rally in stock prices may suggest. There has been little reason to sell and realize potentially taxable gains late in the year. There may be more reason to do so in the new year. We do not attempt to time the market by raising large amounts of cash, but we do like to take a conservative stance in our stock selections. The market flip flopped from a preference for growth pre-election to a strong preference for value post-election. We own what we believe to be high quality companies in both

 

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categories. We believe that the longer term focus we employ will enable us to find exceptional current value within both profiles and that the market should eventually come to appreciate the improved earnings we now foresee down the road as they materialize.

We, at Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc., look forward to serving you through our management of the BFS Equity Fund. Thank you for placing your capital under our care.

 

Timothy Foster    Keith LaRose    Thomas Sargent
Lead Portfolio Manager    Co-Portfolio Manager    Co-Portfolio Manager

 

10


BFS Equity Fund

 

SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW

(UNAUDITED)

The Fund performed behind the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average for the six month period ended November 30, 2016, returning +2.94% versus +6.01% for the S&P 500 and +8.98% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Key Detractors from Relative Results

 

   

Sector weightings were a contributing factor to the Fund’s underperformance vs. the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Our over weighting in the underperforming Healthcare sector (16.2% vs. 13.7% for the S&P 500), as well our underweighting in the better performing Financial sector (12.8% vs. 14.6% for the S&P 500) and Energy sector (6.6% vs. 7.5% for the S&P 500) proved to be an anchor for the Fund in measuring up to the benchmark indices.

   

Adverse stock selection, particularly in the Financial and Technology sectors, also detracted from performance. Larger positions, such as Alphabet with a return of +3.6%, trailed the Tech sector returns. Another favorite long term growth name, Disney at a return of -0.6%, also provided sub-benchmark returns. Our purchase of Under Armour was ill timed, as this stock suffered a -18.4% pullback since our purchase. We continue to hold all three names and expect improved performance from them in subsequent periods.

Key Contributors to Relative Results

 

   

Two stocks provided well above benchmark returns: Deere at +27.8% and J.P. Morgan +24.7%.

   

The Fund’s large overweighting in Industrials (20.0% vs. 10.5% for the S&P 500) helped by providing a +9.6% return.

   

Avoiding the REIT, Utility and Telecom sectors proved beneficial to the Fund’s performance as these three sectors provided virtually no net gains to the S&P 500 performance for the period.

November 30, 2016

FUND INFORMATION

ASSET ALLOCATION

(as a percentage of total investments)

 

LOGO

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS (%)

   FUND  

Alphabet, Inc. — Class A

     3.8   

Chubb Ltd.

     3.6   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     3.5   

Facebook, Inc.

     3.4   

Apple, Inc.

     3.4   

Amazon.com, Inc.

     3.4   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     3.3   

Walt Disney Co./The

     3.2   

Schlumberger Ltd.

     3.1   

U.S. Bancorp

     3.0   

 

SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION (%)

  FUND     S&P 500  

Industrial

    20.0        10.5   

Information Technology

    18.6        20.8   

Healthcare

    16.2        13.7   

Consumer Discretionary

    15.6        12.3   

Financials

    12.8        14.6   

Energy

    6.6        7.5   

Consumer Staples

    4.4        9.3   

Cash Equivalents

    3.3        0.0   

Materials

    2.5        2.9   

Telecommunication Services

    0.0        2.5   

Utilities

    0.0        3.1   

REITs

    0.0        2.8   

 

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BFS Equity Fund

 

Investment Results (Unaudited)

Average Annual Total Returns(a) (For the periods ended November 30, 2016)

    Six Months     One Year     Since Inception
(November 8, 2013)
 

BFS Equity Fund

    2.94%        1.49%        6.04%   

S&P 500® Index(b)

    6.01%        8.06%        9.64%   

Dow Jones Industrial Average®(c)

    8.98%        10.91%        9.25%   

Total annual fund operating expenses, as disclosed in the BFS Equity Fund’s (the “Fund”) prospectus dated September 28, 2016, were 1.86% of average daily net assets (1.25% after fee waivers/expense reimbursements by Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc. (the “Adviser”)). The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive or limit its fees and assume other expenses of the Fund until September 30, 2017, so that total annual fund operating expenses does not exceed 1.00%. This contractual arrangement may only be terminated by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and it will automatically terminate upon the termination of the investment advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser. This operating expense limitation does not apply to: (i) interest, (ii) taxes, (iii) brokerage commissions, (iv) other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (v) other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, (vi) dividend expense on short sales, (vii) expenses incurred under a plan of distribution under Rule 12b-1, and (viii) expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement, if applicable, in any fiscal year. The operating expense limitation also excludes any “Fees and Expenses of Acquired Funds,” which are the expenses indirectly incurred by the Fund as a result of investing in money market funds or other investment companies, including ETFs, that have their own expenses. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Advisor is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the expense was incurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

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 Fund shares. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. Current performance of a Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (855) 575-2430.

 

(a)   

Average annual total returns reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions. The Fund’s returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable periods. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(b)   

The S&P 500® Index (“S&P 500”) is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity prices and is representative of a broader market and range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. The index is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees. Individuals cannot invest directly in this index; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

(c)   

The Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity prices and is representative of a narrower market and range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. The index is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees. Individuals cannot invest directly in this 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’s investment objectives, strategies, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund and may be obtained by calling the same number as above. Please read it carefully before investing.

The Fund is distributed by Unified Financial Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

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Availability of Portfolio Schedule (Unaudited)

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as of the end of the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q will be available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

 

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BFS Equity Fund

Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)

November 30, 2016

 

Shares            Fair Value  
  COMMON STOCKS — 96.55%   
   Aerospace & Defense — 5.26%   
  4,000      

Raytheon Co.

   $ 598,160   
  6,500      

United Technologies Corp.

     700,180   
     

 

 

 
        1,298,340   
     

 

 

 
   Airlines — 2.73%   
  14,000      

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     674,520   
     

 

 

 
   Banks — 3.01%   
  15,000      

U.S. Bancorp

     744,300   
     

 

 

 
   Beverages — 2.03%   
  5,000      

PepsiCo, Inc.

     500,500   
     

 

 

 
   Biotechnology — 1.79%   
  1,500      

Biogen, Inc. *

     441,105   
     

 

 

 
   Chemicals — 2.53%   
  22,000      

Mosaic Co./The

     624,800   
     

 

 

 
   Computers & Peripherals — 3.36%   
  7,500      

Apple, Inc.

     828,900   
     

 

 

 
   Consumer Finance — 2.92%   
  10,000      

American Express Co.

     720,400   
     

 

 

 
   Diversified Financial Services — 3.25%   
  10,000      

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     801,700   
     

 

 

 
   Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 2.49%   
  9,000      

Amphenol Corp. — Class A

     614,340   
     

 

 

 
   Energy Equipment & Services — 3.06%   
  9,000      

Schlumberger Ltd.

     756,450   
     

 

 

 
   Food Products — 2.34%   
  14,000      

Mondelez International, Inc. — Class A

     577,360   
     

 

 

 
   Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.31%   
  15,000      

Abbott Laboratories

     571,050   
     

 

 

 
   Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.11%   
  9,000      

Starbucks Corp.

     521,730   
     

 

 

 
   Industrial Conglomerates — 5.27%   
  8,000      

Danaher Corp.

     625,360   
  22,000      

General Electric Co.

     676,720   
     

 

 

 
        1,302,080   
     

 

 

 
   Insurance — 3.63%   
  7,000      

Chubb Ltd.

     896,000   
     

 

 

 
   Internet & Catalog Retail — 3.34%   
  1,100      

Amazon.com, Inc. *

     825,627   
     

 

 

 

 

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

 

14


BFS Equity Fund

Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2016

 

Shares            Fair Value  
  COMMON STOCKS — (continued)   
   Internet Software & Services — 7.13%   
  1,200      

Alphabet, Inc. — Class A *

   $ 931,056   
  7,000      

Facebook, Inc. — Class A *

     828,940   
     

 

 

 
        1,759,996   
     

 

 

 
   Life Sciences Tools & Services — 5.23%   
  7,680      

Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. *

     590,054   
  5,000      

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     700,550   
     

 

 

 
        1,290,604   
     

 

 

 
   Machinery — 6.63%   
  5,000      

Caterpillar, Inc.

     477,800   
  5,000      

Deere & Co.

     501,000   
  12,000      

Fortive Corp.

     659,880   
     

 

 

 
        1,638,680   
     

 

 

 
   Media — 3.21%   
  8,000      

Walt Disney Co./The

     792,960   
     

 

 

 
   Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 3.53%   
  10,000      

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     873,000   
     

 

 

 
   Pharmaceuticals — 4.25%   
  4,000      

Johnson & Johnson

     445,200   
  12,000      

Zoetis, Inc.

     604,560   
     

 

 

 
        1,049,760   
     

 

 

 
   Professional Services — 2.62%   
  15,000      

Nielsen Holdings PLC

     646,500   
     

 

 

 
   Software — 5.63%   
  6,500      

Adobe Systems, Inc. *

     668,265   
  12,000      

Microsoft Corp.

     723,120   
     

 

 

 
        1,391,385   
     

 

 

 
   Specialty Retail — 2.62%   
  5,000      

Home Depot, Inc./The

     647,000   
     

 

 

 
   Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 4.27%   
  10,000      

NIKE, Inc.

     500,700   
  18,000      

Under Armour, Inc. — Class A *

     554,400   
     

 

 

 
        1,055,100   
     

 

 

 
  

Total Common Stocks (Cost $20,633,157)

     23,844,187   
     

 

 

 

 

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

 

15


BFS Equity Fund

Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2016

 

Shares            Fair Value  
  MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 3.34%   
  824,650      

Fidelity Investments Government Money Market Portfolio — Institutional Class, 0.32% (a)

   $ 824,650   
     

 

 

 
  

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $824,650)

     824,650   
     

 

 

 
     
  

Total Investments – 99.89% (Cost $21,457,807)

     24,668,837   
     

 

 

 
     
  

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.11%

     26,930   
     

 

 

 
     
  

NET ASSETS – 100.00%

   $ 24,695,767   
     

 

 

 

 

(a)   Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of November 30, 2016.
*   Non-income producing security.

The industries shown on the schedule of investments are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard, or GICS® (“GICS”). The GICS was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). GICS is a service mark of MSCI, Inc. and S&P and has been licensed for use by Ultimus Asset Services, LLC.

 

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

 

16


BFS Equity Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)

November 30, 2016

 

Assets

  

Investments in securities at fair value (cost $21,457,807)

   $ 24,668,837   

Dividends receivable

     44,801   

Prepaid expenses

     18,449   

Total Assets

     24,732,087   

Liabilities

  

Payable to Adviser

     4,775   

Payable to administrator, fund accountant, and transfer agent

     6,863   

Distribution fees accrued

     10,115   

Other accrued expenses

     14,567   

Total Liabilities

     36,320   

Net Assets

   $ 24,695,767   

Net Assets consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 22,085,736   

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

     101,377   

Accumulated undistributed net realized loss from investment transactions

     (702,376

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     3,211,030   

Net Assets

   $ 24,695,767   

Shares outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

     2,077,748   

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 11.89   

 

17

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


BFS Equity Fund

Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

For the six months ended November 30, 2016

 

Investment Income

  

Dividend income

   $ 200,358   

Total investment income

     200,358   

Expenses

  

Investment Adviser

     90,932   

Distribution (12b-1)

     30,311   

Administration

     19,052   

Fund accounting

     12,534   

Registration

     12,361   

Legal

     9,197   

Transfer agent

     9,077   

Audit

     8,022   

Printing

     6,564   

Trustee

     2,568   

Custodian

     2,126   

Miscellaneous

     15,883   

Total expenses

     218,627   

Fees waived by Adviser

     (66,626

Net operating expenses

     152,001   

Net investment income

     48,357   

Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain on Investments

  

Net realized gain on investment securities transactions

     110,451   

Net change in unrealized appreciation of investment securities

     538,879   

Net realized and change in unrealized gain on investments

     649,330   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 697,687   

 

18

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


BFS Equity Fund

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:  

For the Six Months Ended

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

    For the Year
Ended
May 31, 2016
 

Operations

   

Net investment income

  $ 48,357      $ 94,935   

Net realized gain/(loss) on investment securities transactions

    110,451        (458,394

Net change in unrealized appreciation of investment securities

    538,879        217,958   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    697,687        (145,501

Distributions

   

From net investment income

           (69,881

Total distributions

           (69,881

Capital Transactions

   

Proceeds from shares sold

    807,019        5,178,205   

Reinvestment of distributions

           62,385   

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (693,086     (1,308,552

Net increase in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    113,933        3,932,038   

Total Increase in Net Assets

    811,620        3,716,656   

Net Assets

  

Beginning of period

    23,884,147        20,167,491   

End of period

  $ 24,695,767      $ 23,884,147   

Accumulated undistributed net investment income included in net assets at end of period

  $ 101,377      $ 53,020   

Share Transactions

   

Shares sold

    69,123        455,719   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

           5,364   

Shares redeemed

    (59,468     (118,087

Net increase in shares outstanding

    9,655        342,996   

 

19

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


BFS Equity Fund

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding during each period)

 

     For the
Six Months Ended
November 30, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the Year
Ended
May 31, 2016
    For the Year
Ended
May 31, 2015
    For the Period
Ended
May 31, 2014(a)
 

Selected Per Share Data:

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $11.55        $11.69        $10.73        $10.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

       

Net investment income

    0.02        0.04        0.02        0.04   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

    0.32        (0.15     0.97        0.70   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.34        (0.11     0.99        0.74   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

           (0.03     (0.03     (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.03     (0.03     (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 11.89        $ 11.55        $ 11.69        $ 10.73   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

    2.94 %(c)      (0.91 )%      9.27     7.36 %(c) 
       

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $24,696        $23,884        $20,167        $12,745   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    1.25 %(d)      1.25     1.25     1.25 %(d) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before waiver and reimbursement

    1.80 %(d)      1.86     2.26     3.93 %(d) 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.40 %(d)      0.43     0.30     0.68 %(d) 

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets before waiver and reimbursement

    (0.15 )%(d)      (0.18 )%      (0.71 )%      (2.00 )%(d) 

Portfolio turnover rate

    27.12 %(c)      49.38     51.17     46.50 %(c) 

 

 

(a)   For the period November 8, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
(b)   Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends, if any.
(c)   Not annualized
(d)   Annualized

 

20

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


BFS Equity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

November 30, 2016

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION

The BFS Equity Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as an open-end diversified series of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”) on July 23, 2013 and commenced operations on November 8, 2013. The Trust is a management investment company established under the laws of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 2008 (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. The Fund is one of a series of funds authorized by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Fund’s investment adviser is Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc. (the “Adviser”). The investment objective of the Fund is long-term appreciation through growth of principal and income.

NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies”. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Securities Valuation – All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value as described in Note 3.

Federal Income Taxes – The Fund makes no provision for federal income or excise tax. The Fund has qualified and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income. The Fund also intends to distribute sufficient net investment income and net capital gains, if any, so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

As of, and during the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

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 another appropriate basis.

Security Transactions and Related Income – The Fund follows industry practice and records security transactions on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The Fund has chosen specific identification as its tax lot identification method for all securities transactions. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are generally recorded as soon as such information becomes available. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted or amortized using the effective interest method. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Fund to meet their obligations may be affected by economic and political developments in a

 

21


BFS Equity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2016

 

specific country or region. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

Dividends and Distributions – The Fund intends to distribute its net investment income and net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the period from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily 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.

NOTE 3 – SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.

Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

   

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments and/or registered investment companies where the value per share is determined and published and is the basis for current transactions for identical assets or liabilities at the valuation date.

 

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for an identical security in an inactive market, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments based on the best information available)

 

22


BFS Equity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2016

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy which is reported, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Equity securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued at the last quoted sale price on the security’s primary exchange. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange traded security is generally valued at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When using the market quotations and when the market is considered active, the security is classified as a Level 1 security. In the event that market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable due to market or other events, the Fund values its securities and other assets at fair value in accordance with policies established by and under the general supervision of the Board. Under these policies, the securities will be classified as Level 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used.

Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds, are generally priced at the ending net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the pricing agent of the funds. These securities will be categorized as Level 1 securities.

In accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies, the Adviser 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, because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of an issue of securities being valued by the Adviser would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale. Methods that 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. Fair-value 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 the Fund’s 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.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2016:

 

     Valuation Inputs         
Assets    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks(a)

   $ 23,844,187       $       $       $ 23,844,187   

Money Market Funds

     824,650                         824,650   

Total

   $ 24,668,837       $       $       $ 24,668,837   

 

(a)  

Refer to Schedule of Investments for industry classifications.

 

23


BFS Equity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2016

 

The Fund did not hold any investments during the reporting period for which other significant observable inputs (Level 2) were used in determining fair value. The Fund did not hold any assets during the reporting period for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value; therefore, no reconciliation of Level 3 securities is included for this reporting period. The Fund did not hold any derivative instruments during the reporting period.

The Trust recognizes transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between any levels as of November 30, 2016 based on input levels assigned at May 31, 2016.

NOTE 4 – FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement on behalf of the Fund (the “Agreement”), the Adviser manages the Fund’s investments subject to oversight of the Board. As compensation for its services, the Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Adviser earned a fee of $90,932 from the Fund before the waivers described below. At November 30, 2016, the Fund owed the Adviser $4,775.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive or limit its fee and reimburse other expenses of the Fund, until September 30, 2017, so that the ratio of total annual operating expenses does not exceed 1.00%. This operating expense limitation does not apply to interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, dividend expense on short sales, expenses incurred under a plan of distribution under Rule 12b-1, and expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement, if applicable, incurred by the Fund in any fiscal year. The operating expense limitation also excludes any “Fees and Expenses of Acquired Funds,” which are the expenses indirectly incurred by the Fund as a result of investing in money market funds or other investment companies, including ETFs, that have their own expenses. The Adviser may be entitled to recoup the sum of all fees previously waived or expenses reimbursed during any of the previous three years, less any recoupment previously paid, provided total expenses do not exceed the limitation set forth above. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, fees and expenses totaling $66,626 were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser. The amounts subject to repayment by the Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions are as follows:

 

Recoverable
through
May 31,
    Amount
  2017      $146,030
  2018      163,520
  2019      135,629
  2020      66,626

The Trust retains Ultimus Asset Services, LLC (“Ultimus”) to provide the Fund with administration and compliance, fund accounting, and transfer agent services, including all regulatory reporting.

 

24


BFS Equity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2016

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2016, Ultimus earned fees of $19,052 for administration services, $12,534 for fund accounting services and $9,077 for transfer agent services. At October 31, 2016, the Fund owed Ultimus $6,863 for such services.

The officers and one trustee of the Trust are members of management and/or employees of Ultimus. Unified Financial Securities, LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as the principal distributor of the Fund’s shares. Certain officers of the Trust are officers of the Distributor and each such person may be deemed to be an affiliate of the Distributor.

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). The Plan provides that the Fund will pay 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 the 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 Fund shareholders, the printing and mailing of sales literature and servicing shareholder accounts (“12b-1 Expenses”). The Fund or Distributor 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. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, 12b-1 expense incurred by the Fund was $30,311. The Fund owed $10,115 for 12b-1 fees as of November 30, 2016.

NOTE 5 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

For the six months ended November 30, 2016, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments and short-term U.S. government obligations, were as follows:

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 
$6,492,883   $ 6,426,616   

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. government obligations during the six months ended November 30, 2016.

NOTE 6 – ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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.

NOTE 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 a fund, under Section 2(a) (9) of the 1940 Act. At November 30, 2016, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) owned, as record shareholder, 56% of

 

25


BFS Equity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2016

 

the outstanding shares of the Fund. It is not known whether Schwab or any of the underlying beneficial owners owned or controlled more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund.

NOTE 8 – FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

At November 30, 2016, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for tax purposes was as follows:

 

Gross Unrealized Appreciation

   $ 3,430,422   

Gross Unrealized Depreciation

     (237,923

Net Unrealized Appreciation on Investments

   $ 3,192,499   

At November 30, 2016, the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was $21,476,338.

At May 31, 2016, the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 53,020   

Accumulated capital and other losses

     (794,296

Unrealized appreciation

     2,653,620   

Total

   $ 1,912,344   

The difference between book and tax basis appreciation was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

The tax character of distributions paid for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was as follows:

 

      2016  

Distributions paid from:

  

Ordinary Income

   $ 69,881   

As of May 31, 2016, the Fund has available for federal tax purposes an unused capital loss carryforward of $31,655 and $400,253 of long-term and short-term capital losses, respectively, with no expiration, which is available to offset against future taxable net capital gains. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future gains, it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

Certain capital losses incurred after October 31, and within the current taxable year, are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund’s following taxable year. For the tax year ended May 31, 2016, the Fund deferred post October capital losses in the amount of $362,388.

NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Fund indemnifies its officers and trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

 

26


BFS Equity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2016

 

NOTE 10 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management of the Fund has evaluated the need for disclosure and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financials were issued. Management has determined there were no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

 

27


BFS Equity Fund

 

Summary of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example in the table below is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period, and held for the six month period from June 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016.

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 = 8.60), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the 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 ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

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), or redemption fees. 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.

 

       Beginning
Account Value

June 1,  2016
    Ending
Account Value
November 30, 2016
    Expenses Paid During
the Period(a)
 

Actual

     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,029.40      $ 6.36   

Hypothetical(b)

     $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.80      $ 6.33   

 

(a)   

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.25%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365.

(b)   

Assumes a 5% return before expenses.

 

28


BFS Equity Fund

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited)

At a meeting held on June 7-8, 2016, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) considered the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) between Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”) and Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc. (“BFS”) with respect to the BFS Equity Fund (the “Fund”). BFS provided written information to the Board to assist the Board in its considerations.

The Trustees discussed the fact that BFS no longer waives its entire management fee for the Fund. Counsel reminded the Trustees of their fiduciary duties and responsibilities as summarized in a memorandum from his firm, including the factors to be considered, and the application of those factors to BFS. In assessing the factors and reaching its decision, the Board took into consideration information furnished by BFS and the Trust’s other service providers for the Board’s review and consideration throughout the year, as well as information specifically prepared or presented in connection with the annual renewal process, including: (i) reports regarding the services and support provided to the Fund and its shareholders by BFS; (ii) quarterly assessments of the investment performance of the Fund by personnel of BFS; (iii) commentary on the reasons for the performance; (iv) presentations by BFS addressing its investment philosophy, investment strategy, personnel, and operations; (v) compliance and audit reports concerning the Fund and BFS; (vi) disclosure information contained in the registration statement of the Trust and the Form ADV of BFS; and (vii) a memorandum from trust counsel, that summarized the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of the Board in reviewing and approving the Agreement. The Board also requested and received materials including, without limitation: (i) documents containing information about BFS, including its financial information, its personnel, and the services provided to the Fund; (ii) investment advice, performance, compliance, legal matters related to the Fund; (iii) comparative expense and performance information for other mutual funds with strategies similar to the Fund; and (iv) benefits to be realized by BFS from its relationship with the Fund. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to approve the Agreement and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors.

 

1. The nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided by BFS. In this regard, the Board considered BFS’s responsibilities under the Agreement. The Trustees considered the services being provided by BFS to the Fund including, without limitation: the quality of its investment advisory services (including research and recommendations with respect to portfolio securities), its process for formulating investment recommendations and assuring compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives and limitations, its coordination of services for the Fund among the Fund’s service providers, and its efforts to promote the Fund and grow its assets. The Trustees considered BFS’s continuity of, and commitment to: retain qualified personnel, maintain and enhance its resources and systems, and overseeing the management of the Fund’s portfolio and investment objective. The Trustees considered BFS’s personnel, including their education and experience. After considering the foregoing information and further information in the meeting materials provided by BFS, the Board concluded that, in light of all the facts and circumstances, the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by BFS were satisfactory and adequate for the Fund.

 

2.

Investment Performance of the Fund and BFS. In this regard, the Trustees compared the performance of the Fund with the performance of funds with similar objectives managed by other investment advisers, with aggregated peer group data, as well as with the performance of the Fund’s benchmark. The Trustees also considered the consistency of BFS’s management of the Fund with its investment objectives, strategies, and limitations. The Trustees noted

 

29


 

that the Fund had outperformed its benchmark for the calendar year 2015, but had underperformed compared to the benchmark for the year-to-date period as of March 31, 2016. They also noted that the Fund had outperformed its peer group average for the three-month and one-year periods. The Board reviewed the performance of BFS in managing a composite with investment strategies similar to that of the Fund and observed that the Fund’s performance was above the composite for the one-year period but it trailed the composite for the year-to-date period as of March 31, 2016. After further reviewing and discussing these and other relevant factors, the Board concluded, in light of all the facts and circumstances, that the investment performance of the Fund and BFS was satisfactory.

 

3. The costs of the services to be provided and profits to be realized by BFS from the relationship with the Fund. In this regard, the Trustees considered: (1) BFS’s financial condition; (2) the asset level of the Fund; (3) the overall expenses of the Fund; and (4) the nature and frequency of management fee payments. The Trustees reviewed information provided by BFS regarding its profits associated with managing the Fund, noting that BFS is currently waiving most of its management fee and reimbursing a portion of the Fund’s expenses. The Trustees also considered potential benefits for BFS in managing the Fund. The Trustees then compared the fees and expenses of the Fund (including the management fee) to other comparable mutual funds. The Trustees noted that the Fund’s management fee was below the average and median management fees of peers in its category. The Trustees also noted that the Fund’s net expense ratio was relatively comparable to that of the average and median of peers in its category, because of BFS’s contractual commitment to limit the expenses of the Fund. Based on the foregoing, the Board concluded that the fees to be paid to BFS by the Fund and the profits to be realized by BFS, in light of all the facts and circumstances, were fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by BFS.

 

4. The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows and whether advisory fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s investors. In this regard, the Board considered the Fund’s fee arrangements with BFS. The Board considered that while the management fee remained the same at all asset levels, the Fund’s shareholders experienced benefits from the Fund’s expense limitation arrangement. The Trustees noted that once the Fund’s expenses fell below the cap set by the arrangement, the shareholders would continue to benefit from economies of scale under the Fund’s arrangements with other service providers to the Fund, and the Trustees attributed this benefit, in part, to the direct and indirect efforts of BFS at the inception of the Fund to ensure that a cost structure was in place that was beneficial for the Fund as it grew. In light of its ongoing consideration of the Fund’s asset and fees levels and expectations for growth, the Board determined that the Fund’s fee arrangements, in light of all the facts and circumstances, were fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by BFS.

 

5.

Possible conflicts of interest and benefits to BFS. In considering BFS’s practices regarding conflicts of interest, the Trustees evaluated the potential for conflicts of interest and considered such matters as the experience and ability of the advisory personnel assigned to the Fund; the basis of decisions to buy or sell securities for the Fund and/or BFS’s other accounts; and the substance and administration of BFS’s code of ethics. The Trustees also considered disclosure in the registration statement of the Trust relating to BFS’s potential conflicts of interest. The Trustees noted that BFS may utilize soft dollars and the Trustees

 

30


 

noted BFS’s policies and processes for managing the conflicts of interest that could arise from soft dollar arrangements. The Trustees noted other potential benefits to BFS, including the fact that the Fund provides an attractive vehicle for smaller accounts, which may increase the total assets under management by BFS. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the standards and practices of BFS relating to the identification and mitigation of potential conflicts of interest and the benefits to be realized by BFS in managing the Fund were satisfactory.

After additional consideration of the factors delineated in the memorandum provided by counsel and further discussion among the Board members, the Board determined to approve the continuation of the Agreement between the Trust and BFS.

 

31


VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

PRIVACY POLICY

The following is a description of the policies of the Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”) regarding disclosure of nonpublic personal information that shareholders provide to a series of the Trust (each, a “Fund”) or that the Fund collects from other sources. In the event that a shareholder holds shares of a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the privacy policy of the financial intermediary would govern how shareholder nonpublic personal information would be shared with nonaffiliated third parties.

Categories of Information a Fund May Collect. A Fund may collect the following nonpublic personal information about its shareholders:

 

   

Information the Fund receives from a shareholder on applications or other forms, correspondence, or conversations (such as the shareholder’s name, address, phone number, social security number, and date of birth); and

 

   

Information about the shareholder’s transactions with the Fund, its affiliates, or others (such as the shareholder’s account number and balance, payment history, cost basis information, and other financial information).

Categories of Information a Fund May Disclose. A Fund may not disclose any nonpublic personal information about its current or former shareholders to unaffiliated third parties, except as required or permitted by law. A Fund is permitted by law to disclose all of the information it collects, as described above, to its service providers (such as the Fund’s custodian, administrator, transfer agent, accountant and legal counsel) to process shareholder transactions and otherwise provide services to the shareholder.

Confidentiality and Security. Each Fund shall restrict access to shareholder nonpublic personal information to those persons who require such information to provide products or services to the shareholder. Each Fund shall maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard shareholder nonpublic personal information.

Disposal of Information. The Funds, through their transfer agent, have taken steps to reasonably ensure that the privacy of a shareholder’s nonpublic personal information is maintained at all times, including in connection with the disposal of information that is no longer required to be maintained by the Funds. Such steps shall include, whenever possible, shredding paper documents and records prior to disposal, requiring off-site storage vendors to shred documents maintained in such locations prior to disposal, and erasing and/or obliterating any data contained on electronic media in such a manner that the information can no longer be read or reconstructed.

 

32


Proxy Voting

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted those proxies during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30, is available without charge upon request by (1) calling the Fund at (855) 575-2430 and (2) from Fund documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

TRUSTEES

R. Jeffrey Young, Chairman

Ira P. Cohen

Andrea N. Mullins

OFFICERS

R. Jeffrey Young, Principal Executive Officer and President

Bryan W. Ashmus, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

John C. Swhear, Chief Compliance Officer, AML Officer and Vice President

Carol J. Highsmith, Vice President and Secretary

Matthew J. Miller, Vice President

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc.

185 Asylum Street, City Place II

Hartford, Connecticut 06103

DISTRIBUTOR

Unified Financial Securities, LLC

9465 Counselors Row, Suite 200

Indianapolis, IN 46240

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Cohen & Company, Ltd.

1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800

Cleveland, OH 44115

LEGAL COUNSEL

The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc.

A member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group TM

11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310

Leawood, KS 66211

CUSTODIAN

Huntington National Bank

41 South High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND FUND ACCOUNTANT

Ultimus Asset Services, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

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

Distributed by Unified Financial Securities, LLC

Member FINRA/SIPC


 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT 

November 30, 2016 

 

LOGO

CLOUD CAPITAL FUNDS

Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund

Fund Adviser:

Cloud Capital LLC

P.O. Box 451179

Grove, OK 74345

Toll Free (877) 670-2227

 

 


Investment Results (Unaudited)

  

 

Average Annual Total Returns (a)

(For the periods ended November 30, 2016)

 
   
      Six Months     One Year     Five Year     Since Inception
(June 29, 2011)
 

Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund

     6.79     12.39     13.06     10.67

Russell 3000® Index (b)

     6.93     8.31     14.41     12.18

Russell 1000® Equal Weight Index (b)

     6.86     11.51     14.00     11.36

Russell 2000® Equal Weight Index (b)

     16.85     13.31     12.16     8.86

 

Total annual operating expenses, as disclosed in the Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund’s (the “Fund”) prospectus dated September 30, 2016, were 1.90% of average daily net assets (1.40% after fee waivers/expense reimbursements by Cloud Capital LLC (the “Adviser”)). The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee in its entirety. This waiver is not subject to recoupment and will continue through September 30, 2017.

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 the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 670-2227.

 

(a) Average annual total returns reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions. The Fund’s returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable periods. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

 

(b)

Russell 1000® Equal Weight Index, Russell 2000® Equal Weight Index and the Russell 3000® Index are unmanaged indices that assume reinvestment of all distributions and exclude the effect of taxes and fees. These 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 these 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’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund and may be obtained by calling (877) 670-2227. Please read it carefully before investing.

The Fund is distributed by Unified Financial Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

1


Fund Holdings (Unaudited)

  

 

LOGO

 

(a) As a percent of investments.

The investment objective of the Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund is long-term capital appreciation.

Availability of Portfolio Schedule (Unaudited)

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as of the end of the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

2


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — 236.8%

         

 

Consumer Discretionary — 32.3%

   
  908     

Aaron’s, Inc.

  $ 26,445     
  1,020     

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A

    14,654     
  51     

Adient PLC *

    2,711     
  76     

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

    12,825     
  16     

Amazon.com, Inc. *

    12,016     
  417     

AMC Networks, Inc., Class A *

    23,018     
  1,237     

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    20,492     
  757     

American Public Education, Inc. *

    17,487     
  2,528     

Ascena Retail Group, Inc. *

    15,268     
  858     

Ascent Capital Group, Inc., Class A *

    15,504     
  243     

AutoNation, Inc. *

    10,866     
  15     

AutoZone, Inc. *

    12,008     
  260     

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

    11,667     
  305     

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    13,919     
  415     

Big Lots, Inc.

    20,979     
  344     

BorgWarner, Inc.

    12,232     
  1,826     

Bridgepoint Education, Inc. *

    18,552     
  428     

Brinker International, Inc.

    22,751     
  489     

Brunswick Corp.

    24,521     
  142     

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *

    23,888     
  459     

Cabela’s, Inc., Class A *

    28,552     
  42     

Cable One, Inc.

    25,117     
  618     

CalAtlantic Group, Inc.

    20,647     
  1,798     

Career Education Corp. *

    17,962     
  201     

CarMax, Inc. *

    11,616     
  249     

Carnival Corp.

    12,815     
  231     

Carter’s, Inc.

    21,077     
  229     

CBS Corp., Class B

    13,898     
  380     

CEB, Inc.

    22,387     
  442     

Cheesecake Factory, Inc./The

    26,166     
  1,946     

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

    29,789     
  31     

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. *

    12,202     
  154     

Churchill Downs, Inc.

    23,524     
  610     

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

    24,306     
  297     

Coach, Inc.

    10,817     
  183     

Comcast Corp., Class A

    12,699     
  144     

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

    23,399     
  480     

CST Brands, Inc.

    23,066     
  361     

D.R. Horton, Inc.

    10,001     
  1,587     

Dana, Inc.

    26,810     
  193     

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

    14,161     
  333     

Deckers Outdoor Corp. *

    19,781     
  180     

Delphi Automotive PLC

    11,511     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 
 

Consumer Discretionary —
(Continued)

   
  857     

Delta Apparel, Inc. *

  $ 17,491     
  933     

DeVry Education Group, Inc.

    27,845     
  388     

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

    22,928     
  450     

Discovery Communications, Inc., Class A *

    12,198     
  465     

Discovery Communications, Inc., Class C *

    12,290     
  132     

Dollar General Corp.

    10,197     
  125     

Dollar Tree, Inc. *

    11,041     
  152     

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

    25,543     
  472     

Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

    25,608     
  105     

Expedia, Inc.

    12,986     
  177     

Foot Locker, Inc.

    12,673     
  969     

Ford Motor Co.

    11,586     
  717     

Fossil Group, Inc. *

    23,974     
  721     

GameStop Corp., Class A

    17,791     
  442     

Gap, Inc./The

    11,044     
  224     

Garmin Ltd.

    11,681     
  377     

General Motors Co.

    13,019     
  1,270     

Gentex Corp.

    23,483     
  116     

Genuine Parts Co.

    11,139     
  407     

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co./The

    12,480     
  45     

Graham Holdings Co.

    21,810     
  1,754     

Gray Television, Inc. *

    17,715     
  1,457     

Guess?, Inc.

    22,327     
  488     

H&R Block, Inc.

    10,824     
  430     

Hanesbrands, Inc.

    9,987     
  222     

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    13,494     
  139     

Harman International Industries, Inc.

    15,251     
  146     

Hasbro, Inc.

    12,458     
  252     

Helen of Troy Ltd. *

    21,426     
  88     

Home Depot, Inc./The

    11,383     
  528     

HSN, Inc.

    20,130     
  669     

International Speedway Corp., Class A

    24,614     
  515     

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.

    12,406     
  2,220     

J.C. Penney Co., Inc. *

    21,019     
  231     

Jack in the Box, Inc.

    24,006     
  393     

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A

    21,568     
  1,212     

K12, Inc. *

    17,792     
  1,160     

Kate Spade & Co. *

    17,229     
  1,418     

KB Home

    22,465     
  559     

Kohl’s Corp.

    30,102     
  155     

L Brands, Inc.

    10,899     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

3


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 
 

Consumer Discretionary —
(Continued)

   
  228     

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

  $ 10,935     
  248     

Lennar Corp., Class A

    10,545     
  845     

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. *

    23,387     
  334     

LKQ Corp. *

    10,964     
  155     

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    10,958     
  300     

Macy’s, Inc.

    12,646     
  284     

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    22,359     
  357     

Mattel, Inc.

    11,271     
  105     

McDonald’s Corp.

    12,510     
  3,343     

MDC Partners, Inc., Class A *

    20,727     
  425     

Meredith Corp.

    23,624     
  235     

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. *

    10,938     
  56     

Mohawk Industries, Inc. *

    11,148     
  309     

Murphy USA, Inc.

    21,055     
  125     

Netflix, Inc. *

    14,622     
  1,731     

New York Times Co./The, Class A

    22,506     
  220     

Newell Brands, Inc.

    10,365     
  862     

News Corp., Class A

    9,968     
  841     

News Corp., Class B

    10,045     
  201     

NIKE, Inc., Class B

    10,077     
  226     

Nordstrom, Inc.

    12,613     
  13     

NVR, Inc. *

    21,481     
  6,326     

Office Depot, Inc.

    30,806     
  142     

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    12,318     
  42     

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. *

    11,582     
  104     

Panera Bread Co., Class A *

    22,163     
  247     

Polaris Industries, Inc.

    21,471     
  227     

Pool Corp.

    22,815     
  9     

Priceline Group, Inc./The *

    13,937     
  548     

PulteGroup, Inc.

    10,333     
  110     

PVH Corp.

    11,696     
  110     

Ralph Lauren Corp.

    11,553     
  645     

Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc. *

    23,237     
  186     

Ross Stores, Inc.

    12,541     
  168     

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

    13,591     
  186     

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., Class A

    12,882     
  850     

Service Corp. International

    22,946     
  127     

Signet Jewelers Ltd.

    11,613     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 
 

Consumer Discretionary —
(Continued)

   
  901     

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A *

  $ 20,519     
  555     

Sotheby’s

    21,662     
  1,393     

Staples, Inc.

    13,475     
  212     

Starbucks Corp.

    12,311     
  169     

Target Corp.

    13,054     
  554     

TEGNA, Inc.

    12,432     
  286     

Tempur Sealy International, Inc. *

    18,085     
  507     

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

    23,793     
  287     

Thor Industries, Inc.

    28,827     
  174     

Tiffany & Co.

    14,378     
  148     

Time Warner, Inc.

    13,611     
  1,609     

Time, Inc.

    26,068     
  152     

TJX Cos., Inc./The

    11,921     
  717     

Toll Brothers, Inc. *

    21,256     
  140     

Tractor Supply Co.

    10,534     
  1,619     

TRI Pointe Group, Inc. *

    18,808     
  190     

TripAdvisor, Inc. *

    9,156     
  347     

Tupperware Brands Corp.

    19,256     
  471     

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class B

    13,216     
  480     

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class A

    13,496     
  44     

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. *

    11,453     
  304     

Under Armour, Inc., Class C *

    7,845     
  275     

Under Armour, Inc., Class A *

    8,457     
  321     

Urban Outfitters, Inc. *

    10,155     
  186     

VF Corp.

    10,139     
  287     

Viacom, Inc., Class B

    10,755     
  576     

Vista Outdoor, Inc. *

    23,109     
  125     

Walt Disney Co./The

    12,435     
  2,291     

Wendy’s Co./The

    28,798     
  65     

Whirlpool Corp.

    10,558     
  426     

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

    23,329     
  168     

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

    12,104     
  126     

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

    12,828     
  152     

Yum China Holdings Inc *

    4,276     
  135     

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    8,539     
              2,600,874     

 

Consumer Staples — 16.7%

   
  280     

Altria Group, Inc.

    17,913     
  421     

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    18,214     
  6,663     

Avon Products, Inc.

    35,778     
  196     

Boston Beer Co., Inc./The, Class A *

    33,956     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

4


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Consumer Staples — (Continued)

   
  367     

Brown-Forman Corp., Class B

  $ 16,651     
  307     

Campbell Soup Co.

    17,460     
  281     

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

    33,875     
  370     

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

    16,205     
  144     

Clorox Co./The

    16,603     
  424     

Coca-Cola Co./The

    17,105     
  249     

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    16,253     
  399     

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

    14,654     
  113     

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

    17,025     
  110     

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    16,583     
  190     

CVS Health Corp.

    14,612     
  2,182     

Dean Foods Co.

    43,326     
  196     

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.

    17,034     
  485     

Edgewell Personal Care Co.

    38,375     
  763     

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

    34,232     
  201     

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc./The, Class A

    15,597     
  2,473     

Flowers Foods, Inc.

    38,375     
  262     

General Mills, Inc.

    15,958     
  1,004     

Hain Celestial Group, Inc./The *

    39,354     
  164     

Hershey Co./The

    15,872     
  474     

Hormel Foods Corp.

    16,221     
  273     

Ingredion, Inc.

    32,094     
  129     

JM Smucker Co./The

    16,228     
  224     

Kellogg Co.

    16,148     
  145     

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    16,785     
  206     

Kraft Heinz Co./The

    16,816     
  562     

Kroger Co.

    18,158     
  265     

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. *

    8,877     
  281     

Lancaster Colony Corp.

    38,085     
  181     

McCormick & Co., Inc.

    16,529     
  217     

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.

    15,644     
  185     

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

    18,100     
  428     

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    17,649     
  350     

Monster Beverage Corp. *

    15,674     
  654     

Natural Health Trends Corp.

    16,540     
  172     

PepsiCo, Inc.

    17,197     
  186     

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    16,389     
  437     

Post Holdings, Inc. *

    33,365     
  213     

Procter & Gamble Co./The

    17,534     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Consumer Staples — (Continued)

   
  366     

Reynolds American, Inc.

  $ 19,797     
  444     

Seneca Foods Corp., Class A *

    16,694     
  1,060     

Snyder’s-Lance, Inc.

    39,506     
  449     

SpartanNash Co.

    16,258     
  1,625     

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. *

    32,517     
  6,843     

SUPERVALU, Inc. *

    31,753     
  349     

Sysco Corp.

    18,587     
  989     

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

    37,341     
  387     

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. *

    26,797     
  245     

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

    13,929     
  784     

United Natural Foods, Inc. *

    36,830     
  224     

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    18,940     
  253     

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

    17,853     
  680     

WestRock Co.

    34,829     
  677     

WhiteWave Foods Co./The *

    37,303     
  626     

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

    19,010     
              1,342,987     

 

Energy — 22.7%

   
  381     

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    26,359     
  401     

Apache Corp.

    26,476     
  410     

Baker Hughes, Inc.

    26,399     
  813     

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    17,989     
  3,292     

Chesapeake Energy Corp. *

    23,044     
  210     

Chevron Corp.

    23,445     
  158     

Cimarex Energy Co.

    21,818     
  163     

Concho Resources, Inc. *

    23,312     
  493     

ConocoPhillips

    23,923     
  2,208     

Consol Energy, Inc. *

    45,449     
  1,021     

CVR Energy, Inc.

    17,081     
  2,277     

Dawson Geophysical Co. *

    17,874     
  12,974     

Denbury Resources, Inc. *

    49,041     
  470     

Devon Energy Corp.

    22,726     
  1,095     

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

    19,775     
  680     

Dril-Quip, Inc. *

    38,464     
  710     

Energen Corp.

    44,047     
  4,790     

Ensco PLC, Class A

    46,275     
  233     

EOG Resources, Inc.

    23,877     
  295     

EQT Corp.

    20,684     
  1,575     

Era Group, Inc. *

    18,443     
  241     

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    21,034     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

5


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Energy — (Continued)

   
  744     

FMC Technologies, Inc. *

  $ 25,493     
  3,875     

Gener8 Maritime, Inc. *

    15,732     
  1,459     

Gulfport Energy Corp. *

    37,477     
  469     

Halliburton Co.

    24,874     
  338     

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    25,585     
  375     

Hess Corp.

    21,007     
  1,515     

HollyFrontier Corp.

    43,585     
  956     

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    21,229     
  1,299     

Marathon Oil Corp.

    23,453     
  511     

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    24,013     
  728     

Murphy Oil Corp.

    24,675     
  3,878     

Nabors Industries Ltd.

    62,430     
  595     

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    22,230     
  462     

Newfield Exploration Co. *

    20,875     
  6,495     

Noble Corp. PLC

    40,396     
  597     

Noble Energy, Inc.

    22,780     
  280     

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    19,972     
  1,403     

Oceaneering International, Inc.

    37,396     
  1,208     

Oil States International, Inc. *

    43,300     
  1,886     

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

    50,299     
  272     

Phillips 66

    22,579     
  117     

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    22,393     
  1,945     

QEP Resources, Inc.

    38,236     
  517     

Range Resources Corp.

    18,182     
  2,988     

Rowan Cos. PLC, Class A

    53,247     
  260     

Schlumberger Ltd.

    21,824     
  1,051     

SM Energy Co.

    41,877     
  1,513     

Southwestern Energy Co. *

    17,168     
  589     

Spectra Energy Corp.

    24,127     
  2,171     

Superior Energy Services, Inc. *

    37,422     
  285     

Tesoro Corp.

    23,148     
  9,175     

Tidewater, Inc.

    21,011     
  2,074     

Transocean Ltd. *

    26,757     
  388     

Valero Energy Corp.

    23,863     
  3,474     

Weatherford International PLC *

    17,752     
  1,739     

Western Refining, Inc.

    62,373     
  1,030     

Westmoreland Coal Co. *

    17,840     
  7,477     

Willbros Group, Inc. *

    19,365     
  753     

Williams Cos., Inc./The

    23,102     
  877     

World Fuel Services Corp.

    39,001     
  3,308     

WPX Energy, Inc. *

    51,407     
              1,827,010     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Financials — 22.7%

   
  64     

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. *

  $ 9,476     
  125     

Aflac, Inc.

    8,951     
  512     

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

    22,546     
  18     

Alleghany Corp. *

    10,464     
  133     

Allstate Corp.

    9,322     
  793     

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

    16,439     
  138     

American Express Co.

    9,967     
  131     

American Financial Group, Inc.

    10,747     
  154     

American International Group, Inc.

    9,755     
  242     

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

    27,609     
  84     

Aon PLC

    9,530     
  426     

Arrow Financial Corp.

    16,124     
  188     

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    9,478     
  216     

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

    10,990     
  487     

Associated Banc-Corp.

    11,134     
  106     

Assurant, Inc.

    9,116     
  398     

BancorpSouth, Inc.

    11,373     
  595     

Bank of America Corp.

    12,574     
  137     

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    11,437     
  265     

Bank of Marin Bancorp

    16,814     
  226     

Bank of New York Mellon Corp./The

    10,714     
  616     

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.

    29,884     
  240     

BB&T Corp.

    10,875     
  60     

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B *

    9,523     
  26     

BlackRock, Inc.

    9,494     
  689     

BofI Holding, Inc. *

    16,281     
  262     

Brown & Brown, Inc.

    11,374     
  132     

Capital One Financial Corp.

    11,103     
  311     

Cathay General Bancorp

    10,906     
  139     

CBOE Holdings, Inc.

    9,571     
  299     

Charles Schwab Corp./The

    11,567     
  74     

Chubb Ltd.

    9,427     
  122     

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

    9,348     
  195     

Citigroup, Inc.

    11,019     
  386     

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    12,934     
  86     

CME Group, Inc.

    9,717     
  689     

CNB Financial Corp.

    16,026     
  607     

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

    10,865     
  199     

Comerica, Inc.

    12,663     
  204     

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

    11,182     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

6


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Financials — (Continued)

   
  133     

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

  $ 10,969     
  158     

Discover Financial Services

    10,712     
  162     

Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. *

    3,085     
  359     

E*TRADE Financial Corp. *

    12,400     
  276     

East West Bancorp, Inc.

    13,207     
  238     

Eaton Vance Corp.

    9,644     
  612     

Encore Capital Group, Inc. *

    16,799     
  147     

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd.

    13,596     
  525     

Enterprise Bancorp, Inc.

    16,564     
  51     

Everest Re Group Ltd.

    10,644     
  776     

F.N.B. Corp.

    11,855     
  314     

Federated Investors, Inc., Class B

    8,629     
  463     

Fifth Third Bancorp

    12,037     
  224     

First American Financial Corp.

    8,459     
  610     

First Community Bancshares, Inc.

    17,202     
  630     

First Horizon National Corp.

    12,017     
  1,973     

First NBC Bank Holding Co. *

    13,910     
  639     

First of Long Island Corp./The

    16,358     
  247     

Franklin Resources, Inc.

    9,684     
  674     

Fulton Financial Corp.

    11,965     
  2,318     

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A *

    9,921     
  54     

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc./The

    11,931     
  1,300     

Green Bancorp, Inc. *

    16,250     
  784     

Greene County Bancorp, Inc.

    17,052     
  303     

Hancock Holding Co.

    12,593     
  122     

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

    10,589     
  224     

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc./The

    10,563     
  513     

Hennessy Advisors, Inc.

    17,437     
  1,136     

Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.

    16,392     
  162     

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    8,972     
  762     

International Bancshares Corp.

    29,675     
  298     

Invesco Ltd.

    9,345     
  649     

Janus Capital Group, Inc.

    8,760     
  174     

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

    17,628     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Financials — (Continued)

   
  138     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  $ 11,066     
  259     

Kemper Corp.

    10,594     
  747     

KeyCorp

    12,923     
  6,838     

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc. *

    16,548     
  268     

Legg Mason, Inc.

    8,547     
  486     

Leucadia National Corp.

    10,706     
  198     

Lincoln National Corp.

    12,677     
  220     

Loews Corp.

    9,830     
  78     

M&T Bank Corp.

    11,183     
  58     

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

    9,592     
  136     

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    9,460     
  243     

MB Financial, Inc.

    10,521     
  182     

Mercury General Corp.

    10,634     
  226     

MetLife, Inc.

    12,405     
  86     

Moody’s Corp.

    8,661     
  297     

Morgan Stanley

    12,285     
  109     

MSCI, Inc., Class A

    8,614     
  130     

Nasdaq, Inc.

    8,333     
  1,577     

Navient Corp.

    27,176     
  672     

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

    10,732     
  133     

Northern Trust Corp.

    10,914     
  501     

Old Republic International Corp.

    8,959     
  3,007     

On Deck Capital, Inc. *

    13,832     
  228     

PacWest BanCorp

    11,676     
  589     

People’s United Financial, Inc.

    11,024     
  106     

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

    11,724     
  401     

Primerica, Inc.

    28,380     
  192     

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

    11,076     
  209     

PrivateBancorp, Inc.

    9,779     
  281     

Progressive Corp./The

    9,344     
  177     

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.

    11,690     
  120     

Prudential Financial, Inc.

    12,045     
  169     

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    12,138     
  940     

Regions Financial Corp.

    12,723     
  93     

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    11,384     
  81     

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

    10,630     
  3,464     

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. *

    18,532     
  75     

S&P Global, Inc.

    8,927     
  1,210     

Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc. *

    16,674     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

7


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Financials — (Continued)

   
  206     

SEI Investments Co.

  $ 9,721     
  81     

Signature Bank *

    12,127     
  3,072     

SLM Corp. *

    30,935     
  515     

Southern First Bancshares, Inc. *

    15,810     
  132     

State Street Corp.

    10,409     
  600     

Stifel Financial Corp. *

    29,895     
  675     

Summit Financial Group, Inc.

    16,524     
  214     

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

    11,112     
  89     

SVB Financial Group *

    14,136     
  336     

Synchrony Financial

    11,606     
  295     

Synovus Financial Corp.

    11,401     
  132     

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

    9,785     
  672     

TCF Financial Corp.

    11,656     
  144     

Torchmark Corp.

    10,068     
  79     

Travelers Cos., Inc./The

    8,945     
  2,000     

TrustCo Bank Corp. NY

    16,300     
  345     

Trustmark Corp.

    11,615     
  210     

U.S. Bancorp

    10,407     
  595     

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

    10,578     
  1,194     

United Insurance Holdings Corp.

    16,215     
  264     

Unum Group

    11,153     
  1,014     

Valley National Bancorp

    11,500     
  168     

W.R. Berkley Corp.

    10,400     
  519     

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A

    10,131     
  367     

Washington Federal, Inc.

    11,910     
  255     

Webster Financial Corp.

    12,666     
  190     

Wells Fargo & Co.

    10,034     
  75     

Willis Towers Watson PLC

    9,310     
  931     

WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

    10,294     
  280     

World Acceptance Corp. *

    15,756     
  273     

XL Group Ltd.

    9,846     
  313     

Zions BanCorp

    12,435     
              1,823,781     

 

Health Care — 21.3%

   
  226     

AAC Holdings, Inc. *

    1,898     
  383     

Abbott Laboratories

    14,593     
  256     

AbbVie, Inc.

    15,584     
  194     

ABIOMED, Inc. *

    21,799     
  58     

Acceleron Pharma, Inc. *

    1,954     
  156     

Aduro Biotech, Inc. *

    1,782     
  634     

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. *

    1,807     
  141     

Aetna, Inc.

    18,503     
  444     

Agenus, Inc. *

    1,827     
  351     

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    15,419     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Health Care — (Continued)

   
  92     

Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. *

  $ 2,077     
  804     

Akorn, Inc. *

    17,053     
  74     

Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    1,753     
  122     

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    14,974     
  253     

Align Technology, Inc. *

    23,570     
  68     

Allergan PLC *

    13,157     
  1,815     

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. *

    19,924     
  46     

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    2,028     
  190     

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

    14,846     
  97     

Amgen, Inc.

    13,940     
  368     

AmSurg Corp. *

    25,053     
  132     

Anthem, Inc.

    18,759     
  236     

Applied Genetic Technologies Corp. *

    2,173     
  154     

Ardelyx, Inc. *

    2,283     
  186     

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    2,507     
  509     

Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. *

    2,114     
  122     

Audentes Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,009     
  350     

Baxter International, Inc.

    15,513     
  97     

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    16,326     
  96     

Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    1,721     
  54     

Biogen, Inc. *

    15,808     
  1,649     

Bio-Path Holdings, Inc. *

    2,028     
  154     

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A *

    26,795     
  222     

Bio-Techne Corp.

    23,379     
  38     

Bluebird Bio, Inc. *

    2,310     
  693     

Boston Scientific Corp. *

    14,171     
  283     

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    15,964     
  78     

C.R. Bard, Inc.

    16,374     
  206     

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    14,614     
  495     

Castlight Health, Inc., Class B *

    2,300     
  919     

Catalent, Inc. *

    21,987     
  148     

Celgene Corp.

    17,522     
  174     

Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. *

    2,333     
  239     

Centene Corp. *

    13,783     
  259     

Cerner Corp. *

    12,900     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

8


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Health Care — (Continued)

   
  283     

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. *

  $ 20,097     
  897     

ChromaDex Corp. *

    2,179     
  207     

Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,152     
  127     

Cigna Corp.

    17,168     
  62     

Clovis Oncology, Inc. *

    2,132     
  2,246     

Community Health Systems, Inc. *

    12,218     
  127     

Cooper Cos., Inc./The

    20,876     
  242     

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,031     
  628     

Curis, Inc. *

    1,814     
  257     

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc. *

    16,304     
  279     

Dentsply Sirona, Inc.

    16,203     
  395     

Dimension Therapeutics, Inc. *

    1,739     
  207     

Edge Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,506     
  144     

Edwards LifeSciences Corp. *

    11,969     
  293     

Egalet Corp. *

    1,969     
  206     

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    2,540     
  211     

Eli Lilly & Co.

    14,138     
  852     

Endo International PLC *

    13,639     
  194     

Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,044     
  144     

Exelixis, Inc. *

    2,437     
  219     

Express Scripts Holding Co. *

    16,655     
  109     

FibroGen, Inc. *

    2,404     
  110     

Flexion Therapeutics, Inc. *

    1,812     
  405     

Fluidigm Corp. *

    2,603     
  209     

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    15,375     
  117     

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,246     
  147     

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. *

    1,731     
  643     

Halyard Health, Inc. *

    23,871     
  224     

HCA Holdings, Inc. *

    15,874     
  61     

HealthEquity, Inc. *

    2,733     
  105     

Henry Schein, Inc. *

    15,572     
  405     

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.

    21,620     
  418     

Hologic, Inc.

    16,016     
  94     

Humana, Inc.

    19,893     
  1,348     

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    2,278     
  213     

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. *

    25,050     
  339     

Ignyta, Inc. *

    2,120     
  97     

Illumina, Inc. *

    12,944     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Health Care — (Continued)

   
  309     

Immune Design Corp. *

  $ 2,269     
  1,105     

ImmunoGen, Inc. *

    1,967     
  1,711     

Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    1,985     
  174     

Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. *

    2,431     
  25     

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. *

    15,880     
  452     

InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. *

    2,238     
  53     

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    2,298     
  141     

Johnson & Johnson

    15,732     
  79     

Juno Therapeutics, Inc. *

    1,583     
  365     

Kadmon Holdings, Inc. *

    1,824     
  231     

Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,132     
  386     

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    2,241     
  110     

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. *

    1,988     
  122     

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings *

    15,324     
  105     

Lannett Co., Inc. *

    2,409     
  418     

LifePoint Health, Inc. *

    22,976     
  318     

Lion Biotechnologies, Inc. *

    2,113     
  385     

LivaNova PLC *

    17,054     
  82     

Loxo Oncology, Inc. *

    2,257     
  73     

MacroGenics, Inc. *

    1,880     
  39     

Magellan Health, Inc. *

    2,804     
  201     

Mallinckrodt PLC *

    10,593     
  3,280     

MannKind Corp.

    1,543     
  87     

McKesson Corp.

    12,488     
  427     

Medgenics, Inc. *

    2,195     
  363     

MEDNAX, Inc. *

    23,734     
  192     

Medtronic PLC

    14,006     
  264     

Merck & Co., Inc.

    16,125     
  352     

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    1,941     
  58     

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *

    23,724     
  176     

Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. *

    2,264     
  418     

Molina Healthcare, Inc. *

    22,097     
  190     

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    2,682     
  360     

Mylan NV *

    13,172     
  128     

MyoKardia, Inc. *

    2,022     
  317     

NantKwest, Inc. *

    2,070     
  225     

Natera, Inc. *

    2,698     
  278     

Neos Therapeutics, Inc. *

    1,977     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

9


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Health Care — (Continued)

   
  158     

NewLink Genetics Corp. *

  $ 1,746     
  268     

Novocure Ltd. *

    2,078     
  266     

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. *

    2,468     
  193     

Omeros Corp. *

    2,373     
  352     

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,095     
  125     

Otonomy, Inc. *

    2,120     
  701     

Owens & Minor, Inc.

    23,785     
  338     

PAREXEL International Corp. *

    19,919     
  358     

Patterson Cos., Inc.

    13,873     
  298     

PerkinElmer, Inc.

    15,118     
  184     

Perrigo Co. PLC

    15,854     
  477     

Pfizer, Inc.

    15,332     
  485     

Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. *

    23,090     
  34     

Prothena Corp. PLC *

    2,030     
  187     

PTC Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,088     
  59     

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. *

    2,545     
  198     

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

    17,361     
  44     

Radius Health, Inc. *

    2,320     
  58     

Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A *

    1,514     
  40     

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    15,311     
  107     

REGENXBIO, Inc. *

    2,378     
  581     

Regulus Therapeutics, Inc. *

    1,424     
  348     

ResMed, Inc.

    21,410     
  134     

Revance Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,237     
  402     

Rockwell Medical, Inc. *

    2,611     
  470     

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. *

    1,504     
  1,218     

Second Sight Medical Products, Inc. *

    2,472     
  120     

Selecta Biosciences, Inc. *

    2,462     
  39     

Spark Therapeutics, Inc. *

    2,143     
  485     

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    1,895     
  203     

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

    16,075     
  336     

STERIS PLC

    22,078     
  148     

Stryker Corp.

    16,786     
  181     

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A *

    2,933     
  438     

Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    2,303     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Health Care — (Continued)

   
  1,592     

Synthetic Biologics, Inc. *

  $ 1,269     
  130     

Teleflex, Inc.

    19,220     
  329     

Teligent, Inc. *

    2,364     
  1,660     

Tenet Healthcare Corp. *

    25,284     
  64     

Theravance Biopharma, Inc. *

    1,788     
  108     

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    15,128     
  357     

Trevena, Inc. *

    1,955     
  27     

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc. *

    2,128     
  183     

United Therapeutics Corp. *

    22,975     
  118     

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    18,699     
  138     

Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B

    16,938     
  175     

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. *

    15,706     
  326     

VCA, Inc. *

    20,382     
  177     

Versartis, Inc. *

    2,207     
  167     

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    13,669     
  103     

Waters Corp. *

    13,830     
  206     

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. *

    28,165     
  290     

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    23,532     
  130     

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

    13,269     
  325     

Zoetis, Inc.

    16,375     
  196     

Zogenix, Inc. *

    2,470     
              1,713,966     

 

Industrials — 35.2%

   
  67     

3M Co.

    11,559     
  482     

A.O. Smith Corp.

    23,434     
  42     

Acuity Brands, Inc.

    10,638     
  709     

AECOM *

    25,766     
  814     

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. *

    16,540     
  466     

AGCO Corp.

    26,025     
  176     

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

    14,514     
  165     

Allegion PLC

    11,033     
  330     

American Airlines Group, Inc.

    15,329     
  240     

AMETEK, Inc.

    11,366     
  970     

Arconic, Inc.

    18,706     
  466     

B/E Aerospace, Inc.

    27,976     
  89     

Boeing Co./The

    13,440     
  1,778     

CAI International, Inc. *

    15,700     
  220     

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

    24,654     
  146     

Caterpillar, Inc.

    13,913     
  2,285     

Celadon Group, Inc.

    18,394     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

10


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Industrials — (Continued)

   
  175     

CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

  $ 13,116     
  105     

Cintas Corp.

    12,068     
  357     

CLARCOR, Inc.

    25,150     
  474     

Clean Harbors, Inc. *

    25,038     
  436     

Copart, Inc. *

    23,862     
  354     

Crane Co.

    26,024     
  424     

CSX Corp.

    15,196     
  96     

Cummins, Inc.

    13,542     
  257     

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

    25,851     
  206     

Danaher Corp.

    16,099     
  136     

Deere & Co.

    13,615     
  328     

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    15,808     
  338     

Deluxe Corp.

    22,865     
  616     

Donaldson Co., Inc.

    24,987     
  163     

Dover Corp.

    11,806     
  86     

Dun & Bradstreet Corp./The

    10,523     
  659     

DXP Enterprises, Inc. *

    22,202     
  251     

Dycom Industries, Inc. *

    18,360     
  180     

Eaton Corp. PLC

    11,942     
  424     

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    29,422     
  224     

Emerson Electric Co.

    12,638     
  438     

Engility Holdings, Inc. *

    15,877     
  91     

Equifax, Inc.

    10,450     
  301     

Esterline Technologies Corp. *

    26,439     
  234     

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

    12,316     
  276     

Fastenal Co.

    13,087     
  72     

FedEx Corp.

    13,774     
  242     

Flowserve Corp.

    11,468     
  226     

Fluor Corp.

    12,118     
  232     

Fortive Corp.

    12,754     
  190     

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

    10,458     
  1,094     

FreightCar America, Inc.

    16,053     
  525     

FTI Consulting, Inc. *

    22,428     
  508     

GATX Corp.

    27,738     
  985     

General Cable Corp.

    18,469     
  79     

General Dynamics Corp.

    13,879     
  384     

General Electric Co.

    11,826     
  330     

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Class A *

    25,208     
  587     

Gorman-Rupp Co.

    17,581     
  307     

Graco, Inc.

    24,898     
  746     

Granite Construction, Inc.

    43,987     
  933     

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

    17,177     
  424     

Herc Holdings, Inc. *

    16,850     
  653     

Herman Miller, Inc.

    21,219     
  4,138     

Hill International, Inc. *

    16,552     
  424     

HNI Corp.

    22,382     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Industrials — (Continued)

   
  102     

Honeywell International, Inc.

  $ 11,655     
  211     

Hubbell, Inc.

    23,724     
  137     

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

    24,502     
  244     

IDEX Corp.

    22,821     
  101     

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    12,590     
  178     

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

    13,250     
  484     

Insteel Industries, Inc.

    19,152     
  640     

ITT, Inc.

    25,848     
  219     

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. *

    13,602     
  146     

JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

    13,969     
  475     

Johnson Controls International PLC

    21,375     
  833     

Joy Global, Inc.

    23,359     
  121     

Kansas City Southern

    10,752     
  2,483     

KBR, Inc.

    41,498     
  800     

Kennametal, Inc.

    27,609     
  414     

Kirby Corp. *

    26,285     
  625     

KLX, Inc. *

    24,357     
  2,247     

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. *

    16,448     
  82     

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

    12,870     
  332     

Landstar System, Inc.

    27,009     
  145     

Lennox International, Inc.

    21,608     
  354     

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

    27,818     
  49     

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    12,958     
  171     

LSC Communications, Inc.

    3,525     
  3,175     

Manitowoc Co., Inc. *

    18,923     
  322     

ManpowerGroup

    27,473     
  337     

Masco Corp.

    10,651     
  445     

MasTec, Inc. *

    16,888     
  228     

Moog, Inc., Class A *

    15,921     
  403     

MSA Safety, Inc.

    25,049     
  312     

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A

    27,892     
  3,107     

NL Industries, Inc. *

    19,419     
  232     

Nordson Corp.

    24,744     
  131     

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    13,905     
  57     

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    14,198     
  1,079     

NOW, Inc. *

    23,236     
  329     

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. *

    28,700     
  305     

Orbital ATK, Inc.

    26,000     
  423     

Oshkosh Corp.

    29,631     
  201     

PACCAR, Inc.

    12,464     
  97     

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

    13,441     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

11


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Industrials — (Continued)

   
  185     

Pentair PLC

  $ 10,621     
  647     

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

    9,279     
  304     

Preformed Line Products Co.

    17,006     
  455     

Quanta Services, Inc. *

    15,358     
  456     

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

    7,925     
  4,950     

Radiant Logistics, Inc. *

    18,018     
  85     

Raytheon Co.

    12,770     
  363     

Regal-Beloit Corp.

    26,472     
  235     

Republic Services, Inc.

    13,034     
  313     

Robert Half International, Inc.

    14,065     
  101     

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    13,504     
  142     

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

    13,207     
  821     

Rollins, Inc.

    26,376     
  68     

Roper Technologies, Inc.

    12,397     
  183     

Ryder System, Inc.

    14,356     
  3,218     

Scorpio Bulkers, Inc. *

    16,734     
  78     

Snap-on, Inc.

    13,032     
  328     

Southwest Airlines Co.

    15,284     
  542     

SPX FLOW, Inc. *

    16,986     
  98     

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

    11,644     
  142     

Stericycle, Inc. *

    10,337     
  408     

Sun Hydraulics Corp.

    16,214     
  595     

TASER International, Inc. *

    16,202     
  211     

Teledyne Technologies, Inc. *

    26,379     
  941     

Terex Corp.

    28,729     
  1,660     

Textainer Group Holdings Ltd.

    16,102     
  290     

Textron, Inc.

    13,342     
  675     

Timken Co./The

    26,375     
  467     

Toro Co./The

    24,744     
  43     

TransDigm Group, Inc.

    10,909     
  913     

Trinity Industries, Inc.

    25,362     
  1,009     

Triton International Ltd.

    19,464     
  719     

Triumph Group, Inc.

    19,990     
  579     

Tutor Perini Corp. *

    15,112     
  126     

Union Pacific Corp.

    12,762     
  252     

United Continental Holdings, Inc. *

    17,381     
  110     

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    12,699     
  318     

United Rentals, Inc. *

    32,174     
  112     

United Technologies Corp.

    12,042     
  172     

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    25,609     
  734     

Vectrus, Inc. *

    16,955     
  146     

Verisk Analytics, Inc. *

    12,114     
  426     

VSE Corp.

    16,490     
  52     

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

    11,911     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Industrials — (Continued)

   
  303     

Wabtec Corp.

  $ 25,683     
  184     

Waste Management, Inc.

    12,783     
  158     

Watsco, Inc.

    23,523     
  950     

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

    25,689     
  372     

Woodward, Inc.

    25,165     
  236     

Xylem, Inc.

    12,152     
              2,833,669     

 

Information Technology — 28.4%

   
  1,208     

3D Systems Corp.

    16,725     
  102     

Accenture PLC, Class A

    12,164     
  1,035     

ACI Worldwide, Inc. *

    19,256     
  284     

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    10,398     
  750     

Acxiom Corp. *

    19,901     
  115     

Adobe Systems, Inc. *

    11,841     
  2,482     

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. *

    22,115     
  215     

Akamai Technologies, Inc. *

    14,367     
  58     

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

    13,369     
  16     

Alphabet, Inc., Class C *

    12,115     
  15     

Alphabet, Inc., Class A *

    11,861     
  187     

Amphenol Corp., Class A

    12,785     
  182     

Analog Devices, Inc.

    13,485     
  196     

ANSYS, Inc. *

    18,396     
  107     

Apple, Inc.

    11,826     
  386     

Applied Materials, Inc.

    12,437     
  706     

ARRIS International PLC *

    20,266     
  285     

Arrow Electronics, Inc. *

    19,481     
  182     

Autodesk, Inc. *

    13,189     
  129     

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    12,367     
  459     

Avnet, Inc.

    21,076     
  258     

Belden, Inc.

    19,101     
  66     

Broadcom Ltd.

    11,297     
  281     

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

    18,193     
  1,870     

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

    23,073     
  338     

CA, Inc.

    10,817     
  759     

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. *

    19,944     
  331     

CDK Global, Inc.

    19,111     
  871     

Ciena Corp. *

    18,687     
  377     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    11,246     
  131     

Citrix Systems, Inc. *

    11,403     
  382     

Cognex Corp.

    22,789     
  199     

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A *

    10,941     
  366     

CommVault Systems, Inc. *

    19,788     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

12


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 
 

Information Technology —
(Continued)

   
  407     

Computer Sciences Corp.

  $ 24,673     
  694     

comScore, Inc. *

    20,160     
  647     

Convergys Corp.

    16,736     
  480     

CoreLogic, Inc. *

    18,097     
  509     

Corning, Inc.

    12,220     
  804     

Cree, Inc. *

    20,346     
  444     

CSRA, Inc.

    14,226     
  766     

CTS Corp.

    16,929     
  1,715     

Cypress Semiconductor Corp.

    19,293     
  41     

Dell Technologies, Inc., Class V *

    2,199     
  668     

Diebold, Inc.

    15,226     
  158     

DST Systems, Inc.

    16,348     
  375     

eBay, Inc. *

    10,422     
  141     

Electronic Arts, Inc. *

    11,148     
  93     

F5 Networks, Inc. *

    13,050     
  92     

Facebook, Inc., Class A *

    10,924     
  55     

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

    8,779     
  151     

Fair Isaac Corp.

    17,170     
  144     

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    11,083     
  307     

First Solar, Inc. *

    9,316     
  111     

Fiserv, Inc. *

    11,628     
  374     

FLIR Systems, Inc.

    13,414     
  542     

Fortinet, Inc. *

    16,326     
  211     

Gartner, Inc. *

    21,655     
  150     

Global Payments, Inc.

    10,307     
  126     

Harris Corp.

    13,070     
  525     

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    12,491     
  792     

HP, Inc.

    12,195     
  544     

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A

    20,379     
  943     

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. *

    22,065     
  326     

Intel Corp.

    11,301     
  278     

InterDigital, Inc.

    22,045     
  72     

International Business Machines Corp.

    11,677     
  1,030     

Intersil Corp., Class A

    22,818     
  102     

Intuit, Inc.

    11,635     
  225     

IPG Photonics Corp. *

    21,555     
  289     

j2 Global, Inc.

    21,222     
  911     

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

    19,271     
  217     

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

    18,742     
  489     

Juniper Networks, Inc.

    13,465     
  621     

Keysight Technologies, Inc. *

    22,866     
  169     

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    13,527     
  1,343     

Knowles Corp. *

    21,536     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 
 

Information Technology —
(Continued)

   
  1,665     

KVH Industries, Inc. *

  $ 18,148     
  122     

Lam Research Corp.

    12,986     
  481     

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    24,626     
  7,015     

Limelight Networks, Inc. *

    14,872     
  196     

Linear Technology Corp.

    12,261     
  319     

Manhattan Associates, Inc. *

    16,715     
  119     

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    12,184     
  325     

MAXIMUS, Inc.

    17,975     
  811     

Mentor Graphics Corp.

    29,654     
  187     

Microchip Technology, Inc.

    12,357     
  704     

Micron Technology, Inc. *

    13,751     
  472     

Microsemi Corp. *

    25,857     
  199     

Microsoft Corp.

    11,970     
  150     

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    12,049     
  679     

National Instruments Corp.

    19,999     
  562     

NCR Corp. *

    21,792     
  328     

NetApp, Inc.

    12,003     
  649     

NetScout Systems, Inc. *

    20,255     
  802     

NeuStar, Inc., Class A *

    19,443     
  226     

Nielsen Holdings PLC

    9,732     
  375     

NVIDIA Corp.

    34,549     
  275     

Oracle Corp.

    11,060     
  192     

Paychex, Inc.

    11,341     
  302     

PayPal Holdings, Inc. *

    11,882     
  381     

Plantronics, Inc.

    19,750     
  452     

PTC, Inc. *

    21,996     
  202     

Qorvo, Inc. *

    10,809     
  183     

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    12,468     
  3,454     

RealNetworks, Inc. *

    16,165     
  153     

Red Hat, Inc. *

    12,116     
  2,100     

Rubicon Project, Inc./The *

    15,855     
  147     

Salesforce.com, Inc. *

    10,587     
  305     

Science Applications International Corp.

    25,205     
  362     

Seagate Technology PLC

    14,511     
  344     

Silicon Laboratories, Inc. *

    22,835     
  157     

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

    12,103     
  481     

Symantec Corp.

    11,723     
  346     

Synaptics, Inc. *

    18,900     
  179     

SYNNEX Corp.

    20,936     
  326     

Synopsys, Inc. *

    19,692     
  182     

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    12,287     
  236     

Tech Data Corp. *

    19,990     
  2,764     

Telenav, Inc. *

    16,584     
  358     

Teradata Corp. *

    9,618     
  912     

Teradyne, Inc.

    22,242     
  166     

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    12,282     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

13


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 
 

Information Technology —
(Continued)

   
  236     

Total System Services, Inc.

  $ 11,631     
  690     

Trimble Navigation Ltd. *

    19,456     
  1,180     

TubeMogul, Inc. *

    16,520     
  116     

Tyler Technologies, Inc. *

    17,310     
  92     

Ultimate Software Group, Inc./The *

    18,853     
  1,291     

Unisys Corp. *

    19,171     
  984     

VeriFone Systems, Inc. *

    16,613     
  151     

VeriSign, Inc. *

    11,922     
  254     

ViaSat, Inc. *

    18,110     
  141     

Visa, Inc., Class A

    10,896     
  1,368     

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

    20,720     
  382     

WebMD Health Corp. *

    20,380     
  248     

Western Digital Corp.

    15,806     
  541     

Western Union Co./The

    11,374     
  193     

WEX, Inc. *

    21,362     
  1,178     

Xerox Corp.

    11,015     
  216     

Xilinx, Inc.

    11,652     
  268     

Yahoo!, Inc. *

    10,973     
  277     

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A *

    21,907     
              2,281,131     

 

Materials — 29.7%

   
  4     

AdvanSix, Inc. *

    83     
  197     

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    28,488     
  2,033     

AK Steel Holding Corp. *

    18,561     
  364     

Albemarle Corp.

    31,937     
  316     

Alcoa Corp.

    9,158     
  2,605     

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.

    45,698     
  1,166     

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.

    18,131     
  597     

AptarGroup, Inc.

    43,676     
  399     

Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.

    44,942     
  391     

Avery Dennison Corp.

    28,158     
  378     

Ball Corp.

    28,395     
  890     

Bemis Co., Inc.

    44,554     
  926     

Cabot Corp.

    47,186     
  1,221     

Carpenter Technology Corp.

    43,680     
  1,703     

Century Aluminum Co. *

    15,702     
  1,235     

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    35,745     
  2,231     

Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc. *

    19,655     
  3,628     

Commercial Metals Co.

    79,850     
  622     

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

    48,238     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Materials — (Continued)

   
  1,237     

Domtar Corp.

  $ 48,584     
  570     

Dow Chemical Co./The

    31,758     
  433     

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    31,897     
  551     

Eagle Materials, Inc.

    53,604     
  454     

Eastman Chemical Co.

    34,114     
  247     

Ecolab, Inc.

    28,818     
  1,445     

Ferroglobe PLC

    16,487     
  632     

FMC Corp.

    35,477     
  2,540     

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., Class B *

    38,989     
  1,108     

Greif, Inc., Class A

    56,905     
  390     

Haynes International, Inc.

    16,992     
  220     

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

    26,670     
  654     

International Paper Co.

    31,839     
  2,390     

Louisiana-Pacific Corp. *

    46,228     
  1,965     

LSB Industries, Inc. *

    15,130     
  391     

Lyondellbasell Industries NV, Class A

    35,273     
  156     

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

    34,181     
  653     

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

    52,865     
  282     

Monsanto Co.

    28,919     
  1,046     

Mosaic Co./The

    29,707     
  104     

NewMarket Corp.

    43,318     
  700     

Newmont Mining Corp.

    22,713     
  602     

Nucor Corp.

    37,456     
  2,151     

Olin Corp.

    55,933     
  704     

Olympic Steel, Inc.

    17,213     
  1,653     

Owens-Illinois, Inc. *

    30,359     
  602     

Packaging Corp. of America

    51,010     
  1,350     

PolyOne Corp.

    44,500     
  286     

PPG Industries, Inc.

    27,421     
  249     

Praxair, Inc.

    29,991     
  622     

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

    50,422     
  555     

Royal Gold, Inc.

    38,640     
  844     

RPM International, Inc.

    44,630     
  1,363     

Ryerson Holding Corp. *

    19,491     
  563     

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co./The, Class A

    51,344     
  640     

Sealed Air Corp.

    29,167     
  627     

Sensient Technologies Corp.

    48,988     
  104     

Sherwin-Williams Co./The

    27,825     
  959     

Silgan Holdings, Inc.

    47,470     
  895     

Sonoco Products Co.

    48,470     
  1,811     

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    64,266     
  2,815     

United States Steel Corp.

    91,027     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

14


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Materials — (Continued)

   
  435     

Valspar Corp./The

  $ 44,443     
  98     

Versum Materials, Inc. *

    2,401     
  254     

Vulcan Materials Co.

    31,958     
  1,073     

Worthington Industries, Inc.

    60,413     
              2,387,143     

 

Real Estate — 17.1%

   
  187     

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    20,522     
  413     

American Campus Communities, Inc.

    19,445     
  214     

American Tower Corp., Class A

    21,859     
  534     

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A

    22,468     
  137     

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    22,575     
  173     

Boston Properties, Inc.

    21,441     
  246     

Camden Property Trust

    19,347     
  709     

Care Capital Properties, Inc.

    17,082     
  817     

CBRE Group, Inc. *

    23,739     
  672     

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

    16,759     
  1,972     

CoreCivic, Inc.

    44,778     
  721     

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    20,640     
  256     

Crown Castle International Corp.

    21,345     
  418     

DCT Industrial Trust, Inc.

    19,184     
  248     

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    22,874     
  550     

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

    20,187     
  737     

Duke Realty Corp.

    18,736     
  456     

Education Realty Trust, Inc.

    18,514     
  260     

EPR Properties

    18,101     
  65     

Equinix, Inc.

    22,068     
  654     

Equity One, Inc.

    19,521     
  382     

Equity Residential

    22,948     
  106     

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

    22,858     
  303     

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

    21,240     
  152     

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    21,286     
  716     

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

    18,932     
  415     

FRP Holdings, Inc. *

    15,749     
  828     

General Growth Properties, Inc.

    20,983     
  521     

GEO Group, Inc./The

    17,328     
  625     

HCP, Inc.

    18,444     
  582     

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

    17,091     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Real Estate — (Continued)

   
  387     

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

  $ 18,615     
  684     

Hospitality Properties Trust

    19,843     
  1,417     

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    25,280     
  639     

Iron Mountain, Inc.

    21,082     
  291     

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    21,025     
  816     

Kimco Realty Corp.

    20,852     
  327     

Lamar Advertising Co., Class A

    21,703     
  779     

LaSalle Hotel Properties

    21,863     
  506     

Liberty Property Trust

    19,929     
  107     

Life Storage, Inc.

    8,715     
  293     

Macerich Co./The

    19,871     
  735     

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

    19,887     
  1,360     

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    16,212     
  216     

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    19,764     
  404     

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    17,222     
  569     

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    16,775     
  305     

Post Properties, Inc.

    19,840     
  530     

Potlatch Corp.

    21,766     
  447     

Prologis, Inc.

    22,768     
  108     

Public Storage

    22,706     
  84     

Quality Care Properties, Inc. *

    1,260     
  746     

Rayonier, Inc.

    19,769     
  361     

Realty Income Corp.

    20,009     
  257     

Regency Centers Corp.

    17,164     
  923     

Senior Housing Properties Trust

    16,672     
  114     

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    20,484     
  214     

SL Green Realty Corp.

    22,537     
  539     

Stratus Properties, Inc. *

    16,035     
  512     

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.

    17,658     
  263     

Taubman Centers, Inc.

    19,129     
  670     

UDR, Inc.

    22,806     
  714     

Urban Edge Properties

    19,345     
  335     

Ventas, Inc.

    20,212     
  236     

Vornado Realty Trust

    23,085     
  1,589     

Washington Prime Group, Inc.

    15,921     
  503     

Weingarten Realty Investors

    17,877     
  325     

Welltower, Inc.

    20,403     
  774     

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    23,874     
              1,378,002     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

15


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 
 

Telecommunication
Services — 1.3%

   
  431     

AT&T, Inc.

  $ 16,640     
  609     

CenturyLink, Inc.

    14,334     
  3,829     

Frontier Communications Corp.

    13,975     
  354     

Level 3 Communications, Inc. *

    19,472     
  939     

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.

    25,293     
  332     

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    16,582     
              106,296     

 

Utilities — 9.4%

   
  1,106     

AES Corp.

    12,669     
  348     

Alliant Energy Corp.

    12,484     
  269     

Ameren Corp.

    13,204     
  204     

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    12,020     
  175     

American Water Works Co., Inc.

    12,698     
  634     

Aqua America, Inc.

    18,858     
  268     

Atmos Energy Corp.

    19,075     
  336     

Black Hills Corp.

    19,711     
  595     

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    14,197     
  314     

CMS Energy Corp.

    12,640     
  176     

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

    12,310     
  178     

Dominion Resources, Inc., Class A

    13,013     
  143     

DTE Energy Co.

    13,300     
  166     

Duke Energy Corp.

    12,256     
  181     

Edison International

    12,464     
  172     

Entergy Corp.

    11,812     
  243     

Eversource Energy

    12,541     
  390     

Exelon Corp.

    12,667     
  409     

FirstEnergy Corp.

    12,805     
  2,591     

Genie Energy Ltd., Class B

    14,898     
  714     

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

    18,850     
  669     

Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.

    20,609     
  259     

IDACORP, Inc.

    19,721     
  853     

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

    23,730     
  345     

National Fuel Gas Co.

    19,478     
  585     

New Jersey Resources Corp.

    20,152     
  109     

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    12,478     
  543     

NiSource, Inc.

    11,906     
  1,065     

NRG Energy, Inc.

    12,073     
  641     

OGE Energy Corp.

    20,295     
  322     

ONE Gas, Inc.

    19,339     
  447     

ONEOK, Inc.

    24,542     
  211     

PG&E Corp.

    12,428     
Shares          Fair Value         

 

Common Stocks — (Continued)

         

 

Utilities — (Continued)

   
  176     

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

  $ 12,978     
  605     

PNM Resources, Inc.

    19,133     
  383     

PPL Corp.

    12,807     
  309     

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    12,771     
  186     

SCANA Corp.

    13,098     
  126     

Sempra Energy

    12,600     
  261     

Southern Co./The

    12,233     
  280     

Southwest Gas Corp.

    20,777     
  1,447     

Talen Energy Corp. *

    20,197     
  441     

UGI Corp.

    19,778     
  400     

Vectren Corp.

    19,628     
  220     

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

    12,318     
  368     

Westar Energy, Inc.

    20,969     
  313     

WGL Holdings, Inc.

    22,700     
  319     

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    12,428     
        755,638     

 
 

Total Common Stocks
(Cost $17,609,327)

    19,050,497     

 

Exchange-Traded Funds — 45.9%

         
  26,000     

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

    3,421,860     
  900     

SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust

    266,787     

 
 

Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(Cost $3,523,345)

    3,688,647     

 

Delaware Statutory Trust — 0.0%

         

 

Materials — 0.0%

         
  1,445     

Ferroglobe Representation & Warranty Insurance Trust * (a)

        

 
 

Total Delaware Statutory Trust
(Cost $0)

        

 

Rights — 0.0%

         

 

Consumer Staples — 0.0%

         
  1,104     

Safeway, (Casa Ley) * (a)

    1,121     
  1,104     

Safeway, Inc. (Property Development Centers) * (a)

    54     

 
 

Total Rights
(Cost $0)

    1,175     
 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

16


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Shares          Fair Value         

 

Cash Equivalents — 19.7%

         
  9     

FOLIOfn Investment Cash Account, 0.01% (b)

  $ 9     
  1,586,328     

FOLIOfn Investment Sweep Account, 0.01% (b)

    1,586,328     

 
 

Total Cash Equivalents
(Cost $1,586,337)

    1,586,337     

 
 

Total Investments
(Cost $22,719,009) — 302.4%

    24,326,656     

 
 

Liabilities in Excess of Other
Assets — (202.4)% (c)

    (16,281,838)     

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

  $ 8,044,818     
(a) Securities have been deemed illiquid and represent 0.00% of the Fund’s net assets.

 

(b) Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of November 30, 2016.

 

(c) Includes payable for fund shares redeemed of $18,490,304 as noted on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

* Non-income producing security.

The sectors shown on the schedule of investments are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard, or GICS® (“GICS”). The GICS was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). GICS is a service mark of MSCI, Inc. and S&P and has been licensed for use by Ultimus Asset Services, LLC.

 

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

17


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Assets:   

Investments in securities

  

At cost

   $ 22,719,009   
          

At fair value

   $ 24,326,656   

Cash

     2,977   

Receivable for investments sold

     2,209,581   

Receivable for fund shares sold

     106   

Interest and dividends receivable

     33,376   

Prepaid expenses

     10,953   

Total assets

     26,583,649   
Liabilities:   

Payable for investments purchased

     1,679   

Payable for fund shares redeemed

     18,490,304   

Payable to administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent

     7,246   

Payable for administrative servicing fees

     6,010   

Other accrued expenses

     33,592   

Total Liabilities

     18,538,831   

Net Assets

   $ 8,044,818   
          
Net Assets consist of:   

Paid in capital

   $ 5,846,417   

Accumulated undistributed net investment income

     61,689   

Accumulated net realized gain from investment transactions

     529,065   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     1,607,647   

Net Assets

   $ 8,044,818   
          

Shares Outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

     947,640   

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share:

   $ 8.49   
          

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

18


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Statement of Operations

For the six months ended November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Income   

Dividend income

   $ 195,424   

Interest income

     151   

Total investment income

     195,575   
Expenses   

Investment Adviser

     63,936   

Administration

     20,306   

Administrative servicing

     18,118   

Audit

     17,846   

Pricing

     12,869   

Fund accounting

     12,534   

Registration

     11,824   

Transfer agent

     10,047   

Legal

     8,980   

Printing

     6,236   

Line of credit

     4,952   

Trustee

     2,583   

Custodian

     929   

Miscellaneous

     16,159   

Total expenses

     207,319   

Fees contractually waived by Adviser

     (63,936

Net operating expenses

     143,383   

Net investment income

     52,192   
Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments   

Net realized gain on investment securities and foreign currency transactions

     1,875,669   

Net change in unrealized appreciation of investment securities

     (254,916

Net realized and change in unrealized gain on investments

     1,620,753   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 1,672,945   
          

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

19


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

      Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2016
     Year
Ended
May 31,
2016
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:      (Unaudited   
Operations:      

Net investment income

   $ 52,192       $ 66,663   

Net realized gain on investment securities and foreign currency transactions

     1,875,669         1,102,791   

Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments

     (254,916 )      (969,145 )

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     1,672,945        200,309  
Distributions:      

From net investment income

             (49,771

From net realized gain

             (2,277,631

Total distributions

             (2,327,402 )
Capital Transactions:      

Proceeds from shares sold

     3,607,670         6,728,812   

Reinvestment of distributions

             1,924,067   

Amount paid for shares redeemed

     (21,800,673      (7,359,258

Net change resulting from capital transactions

     (18,193,003 )      1,293,621  

Total Decrease in Net Assets

     (16,520,058 )      (833,472 )
Net Assets:      

Beginning of period

     24,564,876         25,398,348   

End of period

   $ 8,044,818      $ 24,564,876  
                   

Accumulated net investment income included in net assets at end of period

   $ 61,689      $ 9,497  
Share Transactions:      

Shares sold

     440,580         872,747   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

             266,861   

Shares redeemed

     (2,583,506      (971,490

Net change resulting from share transactions

     (2,142,926 )      168,118  

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

20


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding during each period)

 

     For the
Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2016
    For the
Year Ended
May 31,
2016
    For the
Year Ended
May 31,
2015
    For the
Year Ended
May 31,
2014
    For the
Year Ended
May 31,
2013
    For the
Period Ended
May 31,
2012 (a)
 
Selected Per Share Data:     (Unaudited          

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $  7.95        $    8.69      $ 18.55      $ 17.00      $ 14.46      $ 15.00   

Income from investment operations:

           

Net investment income

    0.06        0.03        0.06 (b)      0.13        0.13        0.07   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.48        0.02        0.77        3.22        3.54        (0.54

Total from investment operations

    0.54        0.05        0.83        3.35        3.67        (0.47

Less distributions to shareholders:

           

From net investment income

           (0.02     (0.22     (0.08     (0.14     (0.04

From net realized gains

           (0.77     (10.47     (1.72     (0.99     (0.03

Total distributions

           (0.79     (10.69     (1.80     (1.13     (0.07

Net asset value, end of period

    $  8.49        $    7.95      $ 8.69      $ 18.55      $ 17.00      $ 14.46   
                                                 
Total Return(c)     6.79 %(d)      1.49     7.99     20.81     26.51     (3.12 )%(d) 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:            

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $8,045        $24,565      $ 25,398      $ 24,388      $ 46,746      $ 38,550   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(i)

    1.12 %(e)(f)      1.44 %(e)(g)      1.26 %(h)      1.23     1.40     1.40 %(f) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before waiver and recoupment(i)

    1.62 %(e)(f)      1.86     1.74     1.15     1.27     1.90 %(f) 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(j)

    0.41 %(f)      0.28     0.51     0.57     0.78     0.53 %(f) 

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets before waiver and recoupment(j)

    (0.09 )%(f)      (0.14 )%      0.03     0.65     0.91     0.03 %(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate

    238.07 %(d)      288.93     61.71     90.14     72.66     163.38 %(d) 

 

(a) For the period June 29, 2011 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2012.
(b) Net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding during the year.
(c) Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Not annualized
(e) Includes 0.04% for line of credit fees.
(f) Annualized
(g) Includes recoupment of previously waived fees of 0.08%.
(h) Includes recoupment of previously waived fees of 0.04%.
(i) These ratios exclude the impact of expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund may invest, as represented in the Schedule of Investments.
(j) Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

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

Semi-Annual Report

 

21


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Notes to the Financial Statements

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Note 1. Organization

The Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as an open-end diversified series of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is a management investment company established under the laws of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 2008 (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. The Fund is one of a series of funds authorized by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Fund only offers Institutional Class Shares. The Fund’s Institutional Class Shares commenced operations on June 29, 2011. The Fund’s investment adviser is Cloud Capital LLC (the “Adviser”). The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies”. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Securities Valuation—All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value as described in Note 3.

Federal Income Taxes—The Fund makes no provision for federal income or excise tax. The Fund has qualified and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income. The Fund also intends to distribute sufficient net investment income and net capital gains, if any, so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

For the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

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 another appropriate basis.

Security Transactions and Related Income—The Fund follows industry practice and records security transactions on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The Fund has chosen specific identification as its tax lot identification method for all securities transactions. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

22


except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are generally recorded as soon as such information becomes available. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted or amortized using the effective interest method. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Fund to meet their obligations may be affected by economic and political developments in a specific country or region. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

Dividends and Distributions—The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income, if any, as dividends to its shareholders on at least an annual basis. The Fund also intends to distribute its net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, at least once a year. Dividends to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the period from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense or realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified among 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.

Note 3. Securities Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.

Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk (the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value such as pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique). Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

23


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Notes to the Financial Statements

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments and/or registered investment companies where the value per share is determined and published and is the basis for current transactions for identical assets or liabilities at the valuation date.

 

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for an identical security in an inactive market, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments based on the best information available)

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy which is reported is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Equity securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued at the last quoted sale price on the security’s primary exchange. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange traded security is generally valued at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When using the market quotations and when the market is considered active, the security is classified as a Level 1 security. In the event that market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable due to market or other events, the Fund values its securities and other assets at fair value in accordance with policies established by and under the general supervision of the Board. Under these policies, the securities will be classified as Level 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used.

In accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies, the Adviser 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, because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of an issue of securities being valued by the Adviser would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale. Methods that are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market prices 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. Fair-value 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 the Fund’s net asset value 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.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

24


The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2016:

 

        Valuation Inputs          
        Level 1        Level 2        Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks *

     $ 19,050,497         $             —         $             —       $ 19,050,497   

Exchange-Traded Funds

       3,688,647                             3,688,647   

Cash Equivalents

       1,586,337                             1,586,337   

Rights *

                           1,175         1,175   

Delaware Statutory Trust*

                           **         
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 24,325,481         $         $ 1,175       $ 24,326,656   

 

* Please refer to Schedule of Investments for industry classifications.

 

** Management has determined the fair value of this holding to be $0.

The Fund did not hold any investments during the reporting period for which other significant observable inputs (Level 2) were used in determining fair value. The Fund did not hold any derivative instruments during the reporting period. The following is a summary of the Level 3 reconciliation as of November 30, 2016:

 

      Rights  

Balance as of May 31, 2016

   $ 1,175   

Realized gain/(loss)

       

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       

Purchases

       

Sales

       

Transfers in to Level 3

       

Transfers out of Level 3

       

Balance as of November 30, 2016

   $ 1,175   

The Trust recognizes transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers between any levels as of November 30, 2016 based on input levels assigned at May 31, 2016.

Note 4. Risks

The Fund may invest in leveraged and inverse exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Leveraged ETFs are riskier than traditional ETFs as they use borrowings and derivative instruments to generate a return in multiples of a benchmark index. Investments in inverse and leveraged ETFs may magnify and compound changes in the Fund’s share price and result in increased volatility and potential loss. Inverse ETFs seek to negatively correlate to the performance of the particular index that they track by using various forms of derivative transactions, including by short-selling the underlying index. Certain ETFs, such as ultra-short ETFs, seek to multiply the negative return of the tracked index by a magnitude of two or three times the inverse return. As a result, investments in an inverse ETF will decrease in value when the value of the underlying index

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

25


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Notes to the Financial Statements

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

rises. By investing in ultra-short ETFs and gaining magnified short exposure to a particular index, the Fund can commit less assets to the investment in the securities represented on the index than would otherwise be required. ETFs that seek to multiply the negative return of the tracked index are subject to a special form of correlation risk which is the risk that for periods greater than one day, the use of leverage tends to cause the performance of the ETF to be either greater than or less than the index performance times the stated multiple in the ETF’s investment objective.

The Fund maintains cash and cash equivalent balances with a financial institution which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. Cash equivalents include short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and have original maturities of three months or less. Management deems the risk of loss related to cash and cash equivalents to be remote.

Note 5. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates and Other Service Providers

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement on behalf of the Fund (the “Agreement”), the Adviser manages the Fund’s investments subject to oversight of the Board. As compensation for its management services, the Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Adviser earned fees of $63,936 from the Fund before the waivers described below.

Prior to September 30, 2016, the Adviser had contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse certain Fund operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that the Fund’s net expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, extraordinary expenses and indirect expenses (such as fees and expenses of acquired funds) would not exceed 1.40% of the net assets of the Fund. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive, in its entirety, its advisory fees through September 30, 2017. This contractual arrangement may only be terminated by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board, and it will automatically terminate upon the termination of the investment advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Adviser waived fees of $63,936. This amount is not subject to potential recoupment by the Adviser.

The Trust retains Ultimus Asset Services, LLC (“Ultimus”) to provide the Fund with administration and compliance, fund accounting, and transfer agent services, including all regulatory reporting. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, Ultimus earned fees of $20,306 for administration and compliance services, $12,534 for fund accounting services and $10,047 for transfer agent services. At November 30, 2016, the Fund owed Ultimus $7,246 for such services.

The officers and one trustee of the Trust are members of management and/or employees of Ultimus. Unified Financial Securities, LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as the principal distributor of

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

26


the Fund’s shares. Certain officers of the Trust are officers of the Distributor and each such person may be deemed to be an affiliate of the Distributor.

The Fund may pay certain financial intermediaries that provide certain administrative services to shareholders who invest in the Fund, including record keeping and sub-accounting shareholder accounts. The Fund is authorized to pay up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s shares. The payments may also be made to certain financial intermediaries in connection with client account maintenance support, statement preparation and transaction processing. The types of payments under this category include, among others, payment of ticket charges per purchase or exchange order placed by a financial intermediary, payment of networking or other recordkeeping fees, or one-time payments for ancillary services such as setting up the Fund on a financial intermediary’s trading systems. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Fund incurred administrative servicing fees of $18,118. At November 30, 2016, the Fund owed $6,010 in administrative servicing fees.

Note 6. Purchases and Sales of Securities

For the six months ended November 30, 2016, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments and short-term U.S. government obligations, were as follows:

 

Purchases    Sales  

$52,077,853

   $ 52,033,107   

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government obligations during the six months ended November 30, 2016.

Note 7. Line of Credit

On December 3, 2015, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, renewed its short-term credit agreement (“Line of Credit”) with Huntington National Bank (“Huntington”), expiring on December 3, 2016. Under the terms of the agreement, the Fund may borrow up to $3 million at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 150 basis points. Any borrowings under the Line of Credit are collateralized by securities in the Fund’s portfolio. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. Huntington receives an annual facility fee of 0.125% on $3 million as well as an additional annual fee of 0.125% on any unused portion of the credit facility, invoiced quarterly, for providing the Line of Credit. The Fund will not borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 10% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

27


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Notes to the Financial Statements

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

repurchase transactions. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Fund had no borrowings under this Line of Credit.

Note 8. Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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.

Note 9. 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 a fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. At November 30, 2016, FOLIOfn Investments, Inc. (“FOLIOfn”) owned, as record shareholder 96% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. It is not known whether FOLIOfn or any of the underlying beneficial owners owned or controlled more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund.

Note 10. Federal Tax Information

At November 30, 2016, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for federal tax purposes was as follows:

 

Tax Cost of
Securities
   Unrealized
Appreciation
   Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

$23,983,315

   $759,538    $(416,197)   $343,341

The difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

The tax characterization of distributions paid for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, was as follows:

 

      2016  

Ordinary Income*

   $ 246,054   

Long-Term Capital Gain

     2,081,348   

Total Distributions

   $ 2,327,402   
* Short-term capital gains distributions are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

28


At May 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
   Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
   Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
   Total
Accumulated
Earnings (Loss)

$18,845

   $—    $(91,646)    $598,257    $525,456

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

The Fund indemnifies its officers and trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

Note 12. Subsequent Events

Management of the Fund has evaluated the need for disclosure and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financials were issued. Shareholder redemptions as presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities occurred on December 7, 2016. The impact of these redemptions will likely result in a higher operational expense ratio, which may adversely impact performance. On December 3, 2016, the Line of Credit was renewed for a period of one year at terms substantially similar. The new Line of Credit expires on December 2, 2017. Management has determined that there were no other items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

29


Cloud Capital Strategic All Cap Fund   

Summary of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example in the table below is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period, and held for the entire period from June 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the table 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 = 8.60), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratios 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.

Expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the 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.

 

     

Beginning
Account
Value

June 1, 2016

  

Ending

Account Value

November 30, 2016

    

Expenses
Paid
During

Period (a)

 

Actual

   $1,000.00    $ 1,067.90       $ 5.79   

Hypothetical (b)

   $1,000.00    $ 1,019.46       $ 5.66   

 

(a) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.12%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365.
(b) Assumes a 5% return before expenses.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

30


Valued Advisers Trust

  

 

PRIVACY POLICY

The following is a description of the policies of the Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”) regarding disclosure of nonpublic personal information that shareholders provide to a series of the Trust (each, a “Fund”) or that the Fund collects from other sources. In the event that a shareholder holds shares of a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the privacy policy of the financial intermediary would govern how shareholder nonpublic personal information would be shared with nonaffiliated third parties.

Categories of Information a Fund May Collect.

A Fund may collect the following nonpublic personal information about its shareholders:

 

 

Information the Fund receives from a shareholder on applications or other forms, correspondence, or conversations (such as the shareholder’s name, address, phone number, social security number, and date of birth); and

 

 

Information about the shareholder’s transactions with the Fund, its affiliates, or others (such as the shareholder’s account number and balance, payment history, cost basis information, and other financial information).

Categories of Information a Fund May Disclose.

A Fund may not disclose any nonpublic personal information about its current or former shareholders to unaffiliated third parties, except as required or permitted by law. A Fund is permitted by law to disclose all of the information it collects, as described above, to its service providers (such as the Fund’s custodian, administrator, transfer agent, accountant and legal counsel) to process shareholder transactions and otherwise provide services to the shareholder.

Confidentiality and Security.

Each Fund shall restrict access to shareholder nonpublic personal information to those persons who require such information to provide products or services to the shareholder. Each Fund shall maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard shareholder nonpublic personal information.

Disposal of Information.

The Funds, through their transfer agent, have taken steps to reasonably ensure that the privacy of a shareholder’s nonpublic personal information is maintained at all times, including in connection with the disposal of information that is no longer required to be maintained by the Funds. Such steps shall include, whenever possible, shredding paper documents and records prior to disposal, requiring off-site storage vendors to shred documents maintained in such locations prior to disposal, and erasing and/or obliterating any data contained on electronic media in such a manner that the information can no longer be read or reconstructed.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

31


PROXY VOTING

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted those proxies during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30, is available without charge upon request by (1) calling the Fund at (877) 670-2227 and (2) from Fund documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

TRUSTEES

R. Jeffrey Young, Chairman

Ira P. Cohen

Andrea N. Mullins

OFFICERS

R. Jeffrey Young, Principal Executive Officer and President

Bryan W. Ashmus, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

John C. Swhear, Chief Compliance Officer, AML Officer and Vice President

Carol J. Highsmith, Vice President and Secretary

Matthew J. Miller, Vice President

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Cloud Capital LLC

P.O. Box 451179

Grove, OK 74345

DISTRIBUTOR

Unified Financial Securities, LLC

9465 Counselors Row, Suite 200

Indianapolis, IN 46240

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Cohen & Company, Ltd.

1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800

Cleveland, OH 44115

LEGAL COUNSEL

The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc.

A member firm of The 1940 Act Law Group TM

11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310

Leawood, KS 66211

CUSTODIAN

FOLIOfn Investments, Inc.

8180 Greensboro Drive

8th Floor

McLean, VA 22102

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT

AND FUND ACCOUNTANT

Ultimus Asset Services, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

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

Distributed by Unified Financial Securities, LLC

Member FINRA/SIPC


LOGO


To Shareholders of the LS Opportunity Fund,

Prospector Partners, LLC (“Prospector”), based in Guilford, CT is the sub-adviser of the LS Opportunity Fund (“LSOFX” or the “Fund”). Prospector has a long/short hedge fund track record that spans 19 years with a substantially similar investment objective to LSOFX and brings its experience to the Fund in a daily liquid mutual fund format with a goal of downside protection and a consistency of returns.

The Fund aims to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in both long and short positions within a portfolio consisting of primarily publicly-traded common stock, with less net exposure than that of the stock market in general. Through extensive research, risk management, and no leverage in the long book, the Fund strives to preserve capital while delivering solid risk adjusted returns and managing volatility. For additional information, please visit our website at www.longshortadvisors.com.

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

Performance

The six month period ended November 30, 2016 (the “Period”) was characterized by uncertainty over both the U.S. presidential elections and historically low US interest rates. Overall, LSOFX returned 4.3% for the Period while the S&P 500® Index (“S&P 500”) finished the Period with a return of 6.0%. The HFRX Equity Hedge Index (“HFRX”) returned 2.5%.

 

LOGO

 

1


Long Book

Top Positions

At Period’s end, the Fund contained 70 long positions in the portfolio representing companies with what management believes represents long-term value and favorable characteristics such as a discount to private market value, attractive free cash flow yields, and strong balance sheets. The Fund’s top 10 long positions represented approximately 33% of the portfolio and included Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), PNC Financial (PNC), Citigroup (C), Microsoft (MSFT), T. Rowe Price (TROW), KeyCorp (KEY), Brown & Brown (BRO), US Bancorp (USB), Science Applications (SAIC), and Hartford Financial (HIG).

Contributors

The five stocks in the long book that contributed the largest returns during the Period, from largest to smallest were: KeyCorp (KEY), Endurance Specialty (ENH), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), PNC Financial (PNC), and Science Applications (SAIC).

Detractors

Over the six month Period, the three stocks in the long book that detracted from returns the most during the Period, from largest to smallest were: Patterson (PDCO), Celadon (CGI), and Church & Dwight (CHD).

Largest Purchases

The top purchases by dollar value in the long book for the Period were: Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), Brown & Brown (BRO), PNC Financial (PNC), Citigroup (C), and Invesco (IVZ).

Largest Sales

The top sales by dollar value in the long book for the Period were: Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), Endurance Specialty (ENH), Procter & Gamble (PG), Yum! Brands (YUM), and Primerica (PRI).

Short Book

Top Positions

The Fund’s short book at Period’s end contained 34 individual companies that have business model challenges, excessive valuations, and/or potential balance sheet issues. The Fund’s top 10 short positions represented approximately 18% of the portfolio.

 

2


Risk Management

Risk management strategy is thoroughly embedded throughout our investment process, and it shows. Our top consideration is always, “What can go wrong?” Downside protection is the basis of the LSOFX investment discipline. In addition LSOFX does not employ leverage on the long side.

Prospector employs the following risk management principles. The portfolio typically operates within a long established net exposure range of between 50%-80% of capital. Prospector “underwrites” each position independently while assessing downside risk as well as upside potential, looking for less financially leveraged companies with strong underlying franchise and asset values as well as owner-oriented management behavior. Prospector often views equities through a credit lens and approaches risk management from a credit analyst’s perspective. Prospector utilizes multiple valuation methods to avoid overreliance on any one metric or investment rationale. In addition there is careful monitoring of position size, liquidity, geography, market cap, beta, and gross and net exposures. Finally, Prospector maintains an alignment of interest with our clients, having significant assets invested alongside clients in all their fund strategies.

Winning by Not Losing

Using strategies designed to protect capital during bear markets, LSOFX strives to compound returns from a higher base during bull markets, thus creating the opportunity to outperform competitive offerings over a complete market cycle.

“The Secret of Wealth Creation is to Avoid Large Losses”

-John Gillespie, portfolio manager

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to reporting to you again following our annual report date of May 31, 2017.

Steadfast, we remain committed to making you money while protecting your wealth.

Long Short Advisors

The views and opinions expressed in Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance are those of the adviser and sub-adviser as of the end of the period. These views and opinions are subject to change at any time based on factors such as market and economic conditions. These views and opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, or as an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but neither the adviser nor the sub-adviser makes any representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical

 

3


performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.

The S&P 500® Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of equity prices and is representative of a broader market and range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. The index is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees. Individuals cannot invest directly in this index; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

HFRX Equity Hedge Index is compiled by Hedge Fund Research, Inc. It is comprised solely of hedge funds, and is designed to be representative of the overall composition of the hedge fund universe implementing a long/short equity strategy. The Fund’s performance is not intended to reflect the performance of the index, which is provided for comparison purposes only. The index is not available for direct investment.

 

4


Investment Results – (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns(a)  
(For the periods ended November 30, 2016)  
   
      Six Month     One Year     Five Year     Since Inception
(September  30, 2010)
 

LS Opportunity Fund

     4.34     7.35     6.89     6.11

S&P 500® Index(b)

     6.01     8.06     14.45     13.62

 

Total annual operating expenses, as disclosed in the LS Opportunity Fund’s (the “Fund”) prospectus dated September 28, 2016, were 3.92% of average daily net assets (2.93% after fee waivers and expense reimbursements by Long Short Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”)). The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement, pursuant to which it will waive its fees and/or reimburse other expenses of the Fund until September 30, 2017, so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses does not exceed 1.95%. This operating expense limitation does not apply to borrowing costs such as interest and dividends on securities sold short, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, expenses incurred under a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution, “acquired fund fees and expenses,” and expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement. Each fee waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the expense was incurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement. This agreement may only be terminated by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees.

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. Prior to May 28, 2015, the Fund’s performance was attributable to a previous sub-adviser. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-877-336-6763.

(a) Average annual total returns reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions, if any. The Fund’s returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable periods. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(b) The S&P 500® Index (“Index”) is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity prices and is representative of a broader market and range of securities

 

5


than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. The Index is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees. Individuals cannot invest directly in this 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’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund and may be obtained by calling 1-877-336-6763. Please read it carefully before investing.

The Fund is distributed by Unified Financial Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

6


Fund Holdings – (Unaudited)

Sector Exposure (11/30/2016)

(Based on Net Assets)

 

     Long     Short     Gross     Net  

Consumer Discretionary

     4.27     -0.43     4.70     3.84

Consumer Staples

     8.86     -5.91     14.77     2.95

Energy

     3.66     -0.68     4.34     2.98

Financials

     54.47     -26.01     80.48     28.46

Health Care

     6.89     0.00     6.89     6.89

Industrials

     5.62     -2.19     7.81     3.43

Information Technology

     12.27     -0.46     12.73     11.81

Materials

     0.90     0.00     0.90     0.90

Real Estate

     0.58     0.00     0.58     0.58

Money Market Securities

     1.43     0.00     1.43     1.43

Unclassified

     0.11     -0.02     0.13     0.09
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     99.06     -35.70     134.76     63.36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The LS Opportunity Fund seeks to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in both long and short positions within a portfolio consisting of primarily publicly-traded common stock, with less risk than that of the stock market in general.

Availability of Portfolio Schedule – (Unaudited)

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as of the end of the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Public Reference Room in Washington DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

 

7


LS Opportunity Fund

Schedule of Investments

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Common Stocks — Long — Domestic – 84.58%    Shares      Fair Value  

Consumer Discretionary — 4.27%

  

Brinker International, Inc.(a)

     5,600       $      297,416   

Darden Restaurants, Inc.(a)

     4,100         300,530   

Home Depot, Inc./The(a)

     2,900         375,260   

Hyatt Hotels Corp. – Class A(a)*

     3,400         174,556   

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.(a)

     8,600         606,730   
     

 

 

 
        1,754,492   
     

 

 

 

Consumer Staples – 6.66%

  

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.(a)

     18,600         814,494   

Coca-Cola Co./The(a)

     9,400         379,290   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.(a)

     6,800         443,564   

Mondelez International, Inc. – Class A(a)

     19,700         812,428   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.(a)

     4,000         281,720   
     

 

 

 
        2,731,496   
     

 

 

 

Energy – 2.02%

  

Hess Corp.(a)

     3,900         218,244   

Noble Energy, Inc.(a)

     16,000         610,560   
     

 

 

 
        828,804   
     

 

 

 

Financials – 48.13%

  

Aflac, Inc.(a)

     7,200         513,936   

Beneficial Bancorp, Inc.(a)

     29,400         511,560   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. – Class B(a)*

     19,500         3,070,080   

Brown & Brown, Inc.(a)

     24,300         1,053,405   

Capital Bank Financial Corp. – Class A

     2,600         93,080   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.(a)

     8,300         245,265   

Citigroup, Inc.(a)

     23,500         1,325,165   

Comerica, Inc.(a)

     4,500         286,875   

Erie Indemnity Co. – Class A(a)

     1,200         128,604   

Federated Investors, Inc. – Class B(a)

     21,600         593,784   

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

     5,000         432,950   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc./The(a)

     17,500         824,600   

Invesco Ltd.(a)

     22,200         695,082   

KeyCorp(a)

     61,800         1,069,758   

Leucadia National Corp.(a)

     33,000         726,660   

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.(a)

     9,400         651,514   

OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd. – Class A(a)

     28,000         429,800   

 

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

 

8


LS Opportunity Fund

Schedule of Investments – continued

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Common Stocks — Long — Domestic – 84.58% – continued    Shares      Fair Value  

Financials – 48.13% – continued

  

Oritani Financial Corp.(a)

     19,100       $ 337,115   

PJT Partners, Inc. – Class A(a)

     11,000         323,950   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.(a)

     15,200           1,680,208   

Primerica, Inc.(a)

     7,500         530,250   

ProAssurance Corp.(a)

     8,700         487,635   

Progressive Corp./The(a)

     20,600         685,980   

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.(a)

     7,500         308,250   

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.(a)

     15,000         1,110,900   

Torchmark Corp.(a)

     9,400         658,846   

U.S. Bancorp(a)

     19,700         977,514   
     

 

 

 
        19,752,766   
     

 

 

 

Health Care – 5.03%

  

Abbott Laboratories(a)

     10,100         384,507   

Invacare Corp.(a)

     8,200         94,300   

Johnson & Johnson(a)

     5,800         645,540   

Merck & Co., Inc.

     6,600         403,854   

Patterson Companies, Inc.(a)

     13,800         534,612   
     

 

 

 
        2,062,813   
     

 

 

 

Industrials – 5.62%

  

CIRCOR International, Inc.(a)

     6,600         418,242   

Eaton Corp. PLC(a)

     8,500         565,335   

General Dynamics Corp.(a)

     3,400         596,190   

Kirby Corp.(a)*

     3,300         209,385   

United Technologies Corp.(a)

     4,800         517,056   
     

 

 

 
        2,306,208   
     

 

 

 

Information Technology – 12.27%

  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.(a)

     7,600         729,752   

eBay, Inc.(a)*

     6,600         183,546   

FLIR Systems, Inc.(a)

     18,000         646,380   

Microsoft Corp.(a)

     21,600         1,301,616   

Paychex, Inc.(a)

     6,500         383,175   

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)*

     8,100         318,168   

Science Applications International Corp.(a)

     10,800         891,756   

VeriSign, Inc.(a)*

     2,700         212,895   

Xilinx, Inc.(a)

     6,800         367,064   
     

 

 

 
        5,034,352   
     

 

 

 

 

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

 

9


LS Opportunity Fund

Schedule of Investments – continued

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Common Stocks — Long — Domestic – 84.58% – continued    Shares      Fair Value  

Real Estate – 0.58%

  

Cousins Properties, Inc.(a)

     25,223       $      199,514   

Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.(a)

     1,998         38,322   
     

 

 

 
        237,836   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS — LONG — DOMESTIC
(Cost $31,297,210)

   

     34,708,767   
     

 

 

 

Common Stocks — Long — International – 12.94%

     

Consumer Staples – 2.20%

     

Diageo PLC ADR(a)

     5,800         587,192   

Nestle SA(a)

     4,700         315,594   
     

 

 

 
        902,786   
     

 

 

 

Energy – 1.64%

  

Suncor Energy, Inc.(a)

     21,100         672,246   
     

 

 

 

Financials – 6.34%

  

Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a)*

     9,200         761,024   

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd.(a)

     2,300         212,060   

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.(a)

     6,270         818,611   

Validus Holdings Ltd.(a)

     14,900         809,666   
     

 

 

 
        2,601,361   
     

 

 

 

Health Care – 1.86%

  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC ADR

     10,200         385,458   

Roche Holding AG

     1,700         378,334   
     

 

 

 
        763,792   
     

 

 

 

Materials – 0.90%

  

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.(a)

     9,000         369,450   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS — LONG — INTERNATIONAL
(Cost $4,976,398)

   

     5,309,635   
     

 

 

 

 

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

 

10


LS Opportunity Fund

Schedule of Investments – continued

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Options Purchased — Long* – 0.11%    Contracts      Fair Value  

Bank of America Corp., Put @ $15, Expiring December 2016

     72       $ 72   

CarMax, Inc., Put @ $43, Expiring January 2017

     44         440   

CarMax, Inc., Put @ $45, Expiring January 2017

     7         140   

CarMax, Inc., Put @ $50, Expiring January 2017

     24         1,800   

Cheesecake Factory, Inc./The, Put @ $48, Expiring January 2017

     12         60   

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc., Put @ $55, Expiring January 2017

     32         160   

Hain Celestial Group, Inc./The, Call @ $45, Expiring May 2017(b)

     88         17,160   

Howard Hughes Corp./The, Put @ $100, Expiring January 2017

     10         350   

Lowe’s Companies, Inc., Call @ $80, Expiring January 2017

     22         154   

MetLife, Inc., Call @ $52.50, Expiring January 2017

     21         7,665   

MetLife, Inc., Call @ $52.50, Expiring January 2018

     10         7,230   

MetLife, Inc., Call @ $55, Expiring January 2018

     10         6,050   

Mondelez International, Inc., Call @ $50, Expiring January 2017

     39         390   

Mondelez International, Inc., Call @ $45, Expiring March 2017

     28         2,772   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS PURCHASED — LONG
(Cost $89,137)

   

     44,443   
     

 

 

 
Money Market Securities – 1.43%    Shares         

Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust Treasury Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.26%(c)

     589,957         589,957   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL MONEY MARKET SECURITIES
(Cost $589,957)

        589,957   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.06%
(Cost $36,952,702)

        40,652,802   
     

 

 

 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.94%

        384,809   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS – 100.00%

      $ 41,037,611   
     

 

 

 

 

(a)

All or a portion of the security is held as collateral for securities sold short. The fair value of this collateral on November 30, 2016 was $22,372,739.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is held as collateral for written call options.

(c)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of November 30, 2016.

*

Non-income producing security.

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

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

 

11


LS Opportunity Fund

Schedule of Securities Sold Short

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Common Stocks — Short — Domestic – (22.13)%    Shares     Fair Value  

Consumer Discretionary – (0.43)%

  

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. – Class A

     (9,400   $ (176,532

Consumer Staples – (5.91)%

  

Constellation Brands, Inc. – Class A

     (2,700     (408,078

Kellogg Co.

     (5,300     (381,600

Molson Coors Brewing Co. – Class B

     (7,500     (735,225

Procter & Gamble Co./The

     (5,000     (412,300

Sysco Corp.

     (9,200     (489,900
    

 

 

 
       (2,427,103
    

 

 

 

Energy – (0.68)%

  

Chevron Corp.

     (2,500     (278,900
    

 

 

 

Financials – (12.46)%

  

Allstate Corp.

     (11,900     (832,048

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

     (5,200     (593,892

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

     (13,300     (338,618

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

     (4,900     (246,715

Bank of America Corp.

     (26,300     (555,456

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

     (7,800     (598,572

Community Bank System, Inc.

     (5,100     (289,170

CVB Financial Corp.

     (3,300     (68,541

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

     (11,900     (477,785

Markel Corp.*

     (415     (372,811

Travelers Cos., Inc./The

     (3,800     (430,730

Trustmark Corp.

     (9,200     (310,132
    

 

 

 
       (5,114,470
    

 

 

 

Industrials – (2.19)%

  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     (1,700     (450,925

PACCAR, Inc.

     (3,100     (192,665

Union Pacific Corp.

     (2,500     (253,325
    

 

 

 
       (896,915
    

 

 

 

Information Technology – (0.46)%

  

Apple, Inc.

     (1,700     (187,884
    

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS — SHORT — DOMESTIC
(Proceeds Received $8,300,105)

       (9,081,804
    

 

 

 

 

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

 

12


LS Opportunity Fund

Schedule of Securities Sold Short – continued

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Common Stocks — Short — International – (13.55)%    Shares     Fair Value  

Financials – (13.55)%

  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

     (5,300   $ (416,951

Canadian Western Bank

     (10,600     (229,880

Chubb Ltd.

     (5,758     (737,024

Comdirect Bank AG

     (2,800     (28,464

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

     (15,000     (871,661

Everest Re Group Ltd.

     (3,200     (673,760

HSBC Holdings PLC ADR

     (5,500     (217,470

UBS Group AG

     (23,400     (370,890

Westpac Banking Corp.

     (18,969     (438,258

Willis Towers Watson PLC

     (6,406     (796,714

XL Group Ltd.

     (21,600     (780,408

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS — SHORT — INTERNATIONAL (Proceeds Received $5,327,755)

       (5,561,480
    

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT – (35.68)%
(Proceeds Received $13,627,860)

     $ (14,643,284
    

 

 

 

 

*

Non-dividend expense producing security.

ADR American Depositary Receipt

The sectors shown on the schedule of investments and schedule of securities sold short are based on the Global Industry Classification Standard, or GICS® (“GICS”). The GICS was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). GICS is a service mark of MSCI, Inc. and S&P and has been licensed for use by Ultimus Asset Services, LLC.

LS Opportunity Fund

Schedule of Written Options

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Written Options – (0.02)%    Contracts     Fair Value  

Hain Celestial Group, Inc./The, Call @ $50, Expiring May 2017

     (88   $ (7,920
    

 

 

 

TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS
(Premiums Received $14,384)

     $ (7,920
    

 

 

 

 

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

 

13


LS Opportunity Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

November 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Assets

  

Investments in securities at fair value (cost $36,952,702)

   $ 40,652,802   

Cash(a)

     14,838,758   

Receivable for fund shares sold

     395,417   

Dividends receivable

     55,816   

Tax reclaims receivable

     1,025   

Prepaid expenses

     14,484   
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     55,958,302   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

  

Investment securities sold short, at fair value (proceeds $13,627,860)

     14,643,284   

Written options, at fair value (premiums received $14,384)

     7,920   

Payable for fund shares redeemed

     142,333   

Dividend expense payable on short positions

     49,230   

Payable to Adviser

     45,778   

Payable to administrator, fund accountant, and transfer agent

     9,504   

Other accrued expenses

     22,642   
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     14,920,691   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 41,037,611   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 39,124,858   

Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss)

     (215,158

Accumulated undistributed net realized gain/(loss) from investments

     (563,566

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investment securities and securities sold short

     2,684,676   

Written option contracts

     6,464   

Foreign currency

     337   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 41,037,611   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

     3,218,755   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 12.75   
  

 

 

 

 

(a)

See Note 2 in the Notes to Financial Statements regarding restricted cash.

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

 

14


LS Opportunity Fund

Statement of Operations

For the six months ended November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

Investment Income

  

Dividend income (net of foreign taxes withheld of $908)

   $ 366,219   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     366,219   
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Investment Adviser

     283,170   

Dividend expense on securities sold short

     141,555   

Administration

     17,753   

Fund accounting

     17,583   

Transfer agent

     18,470   

Legal

     9,884   

Audit

     8,523   

Short sale & interest expense

     5,200   

Trustee

     2,675   

Compliance services

     1,504   

Miscellaneous

     57,170   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     563,487   

Fees waived by Adviser

     (99,505
  

 

 

 

Net operating expenses

     463,982   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

     (97,763
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain/(Loss)

  

Net realized gain/(loss) on:

  

Investment securities

     129,837   

Securities sold short

     (219,707

Foreign currency

     (264

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investment securities

     2,740,061   

Securities sold short

     (877,115

Written option contracts

     6,464   

Foreign currency

     317   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and change in unrealized gain/(loss) on investment securities, securities sold short, written options, and foreign currency

     1,779,593   
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 1,681,830   
  

 

 

 

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

 

15


LS Opportunity Fund

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the Six Months
Ended
November 30, 2016
    For the Year
Ended
May 31, 2016
 
     (Unaudited)        

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:

    

Operations

    

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ (97,763   $ (425,275

Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions

     (90,134     (271,513

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments

     1,869,727        1,169,896   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     1,681,830        473,108   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions

    

From net realized gains

            (4,087,143
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

            (4,087,143
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Transactions

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     21,067,970        3,781,205   

Reinvestment of distributions

            4,014,686   

Amount paid for shares redeemed

     (6,871,065     (75,311,472

Proceeds from redemption fees(a)

     10,400        9,374   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     14,207,305        (67,506,207
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     15,889,135        (71,120,242
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

    

Beginning of period

     25,148,476        96,268,718   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 41,037,611      $ 25,148,476   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated undistributed net investment Income/(loss) included in net assets at end of period

   $ (215,158   $ (117,395
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share Transactions

    

Shares sold

     1,718,548        320,085   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

            338,581   

Shares redeemed

     (558,227     (6,270,268
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in share transactions

     1,160,321        (5,611,602
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Prior to September 28, 2016, a redemption fee of 2% was charged on shares held less than 60 days.

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

 

16


LS Opportunity Fund

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding during each period)

 

    For the Six
Months Ended
November 30,
2016
    For the Fiscal
Year Ended
May 31,
2016
    For the Fiscal
Year Ended
May 31,
2015
    For the Fiscal
Year Ended
May 31,
2014
    For the Fiscal
Year Ended
May 31,
2013
    For the Fiscal
Year Ended
May 31,
2012
 
    (Unaudited)                                

Selected Per Share Data:

           

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.22      $ 12.55      $ 12.72      $ 12.04      $ 10.29      $ 11.45   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

           

Net investment income/(loss)

    (0.04 )(a)      (0.21     (0.42     (0.26 )(a)      (0.24 )(a)      (0.23 )(a) 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

    0.57        0.66        0.49        1.44        1.99        (0.91
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.53        0.45        0.07        1.18        1.75        (1.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less Distributions to Shareholders:

           

From net realized gains

           (0.78     (0.24     (0.50            (0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees

    (b)      (b)             (b)      (b)      (b) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.75      $ 12.22      $ 12.55      $ 12.72      $ 12.04      $ 10.29   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)(d)

    4.34 %(e)      3.80     0.50     9.72     17.01     (9.92 )% 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 41,038      $ 25,148      $ 96,269      $ 149,857      $ 37,750      $ 48,864   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(f)

    2.85 %(g)      2.93     2.51     2.49     3.12 %(h)      3.16

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before waiver and reimbursement/recoupment by Adviser(f)

    3.46 %(g)      3.92     2.60     2.71     3.12     3.06

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets

    (0.60 )%(g)      (1.11 )%      (1.72 )%      (2.04 )%      (2.22 )%      (2.19 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    43.82 %(e)      89.54     551.53     312.34     310.57     444.62

 

(a)

Per share net investment income/(loss) has been calculated using the average shares method.

(b)

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

(d)

Excludes redemption fee.

(e)

Not Annualized.

(f)

Includes dividend and interest expense of 0.90% for the six months ended November 30, 2016 and 0.98%, 0.56%, 0.54%, 0.77%, and 0.66% for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(g)

Annualized.

(h)

Effective February 4, 2013, the Adviser agreed to waive fees to maintain Fund expenses at 1.95%. Prior to that date, the expense cap was 2.50% (See Note 4. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates and Other Service Providers).

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

 

17


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION

The LS Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) is an open-end, diversified series of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is a management investment company established under the laws of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 2008 (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. The Fund is one of a series of funds authorized by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Fund’s investment adviser is Long Short Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”). The Adviser has retained Prospector Partners, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) to serve as the sub-adviser to provide portfolio management and related services to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser receives a fee from the Adviser (not the Fund) for these services. The investment objective of the Fund is to generate long term capital appreciation by investing in both long and short positions within a portfolio consisting of primarily publicly-traded common stock, with less net exposure than that of the stock market in general.

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies”. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Securities Valuation – All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value as described in Note 3.

Federal Income Taxes – The Fund makes no provision for federal income or excise tax. The Fund has qualified and intends to qualify each year as a “regulated investment company” (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income. The Fund also intends to distribute sufficient net investment income and net capital gains, if any, so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

As of and during the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties,

 

18


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

 

if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

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.

Security Transactions and Related Income – The Fund follows industry practice and records security transactions on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The specific identification method is used for determining gains or losses for financial statements and income tax purposes. Dividend income and dividend expense are recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Dividend income from real estate investment trusts (REITs) and distributions from limited partnerships are recognized on the ex-date. The calendar year end classification of distributions received from REITs during the fiscal year are reported subsequent to year end; accordingly, the Fund estimates the character of REIT distributions based on the most recent information available. Income or loss from Limited Partnerships is reclassified among the components of net assets upon receipt of Schedules K-1(Form 1065). Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized or accreted using the effective interest method. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

Redemption Fees – Prior to September 28, 2016, the Fund charged a 2.00% redemption fee for shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. These fees were deducted from the redemption proceeds otherwise payable to the shareholder. The Fund retained the fee charged as an increase in paid-in capital and such fees became part of the Fund’s daily NAV calculation.

Foreign Currency Translations – Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows: (i) assets and liabilities at the rate of exchange at the end of the respective period; and (ii) purchases and sales of securities and income and expenses at the rate of exchange prevailing on the dates of such transactions. The portion of the results of operations arising from changes in the exchange rates and the portion due to fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities are not isolated. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

 

19


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

 

The Fund may enter into transactions to purchase or sell foreign currencies to protect the U.S. dollar value of its underlying portfolio securities against the effect of possible adverse movements in foreign exchange rates. Principal risks associated with such transactions include the movement in value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar and the ability of the counterparty to perform. Fluctuations in the value of such forward currency transactions are recorded daily as unrealized gain or loss; realized gain or loss includes net gain or loss on transactions that have terminated by settlement or by the Fund entering into offsetting commitments. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the company’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. These instruments involve market risk, credit risk, or both kinds of risks, in excess of the amount that would be recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from movement in currency and securities values and interest rates.

Dividends and Distributions – The Fund intends to distribute its net investment income and net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the year from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily 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 among the components of 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 value per share of the Fund.

Short Sales – The Fund may make short sales as part of its overall portfolio management strategies or to offset a potential decline in value of a security. The Fund may engage in short sales with respect to various types of securities, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs). A short sale involves the sale of a security that is borrowed from a broker or other institution to complete the sale. The Fund may engage in short sales with respect to securities it owns, as well as securities that it does not own. Short sales expose the Fund to the risk that it will be required to

 

20


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

 

acquire, convert or exchange securities to replace the borrowed securities (also known as “covering” the short position) at a time when the securities sold short have appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. The amount of loss may exceed the proceeds received in a short sale. The Fund’s investment performance may also suffer if the Fund is required to close out a short position earlier than it had intended. The Fund must segregate assets determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board, or otherwise cover its position in a permissible manner. The Fund will be required to pledge its liquid assets to the broker in order to secure its performance on short sales. As a result, the assets pledged may not be available to meet the Fund’s needs for immediate cash or other liquidity. In addition, the Fund may be subject to expenses related to short sales that are not typically associated with investing in securities directly, such as costs of borrowing and margin account maintenance costs associated with the Fund’s open short positions. These types of short sales expenses are sometimes referred to as the “negative cost of carry,” and will tend to cause the Fund to lose money on a short sale even in instances where the price of the underlying security sold short does not change over the duration of the short sale.

Dividend expenses on securities sold short and borrowing costs are not covered under the Adviser’s expense limitation agreement with the Fund and, therefore, these expenses will be borne by the shareholders of the Fund. The amount of restricted cash held at the broker as collateral for securities sold short was $14,838,758 as of November 30, 2016.

Purchasing Call Options – The Fund may purchase call options. As the holder of a call option, the Fund has the right to purchase the underlying security at the exercise price at any time during the option period. The Fund may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to such options, exercise them or permit them to expire. The Fund may also purchase call options on relevant stock indexes. Call options may also be purchased by the Fund for the purpose of acquiring the underlying securities for its portfolio. Utilized in this fashion, the purchase of call options enables the Fund to acquire the securities at the exercise price of the call option plus the premium paid. At times the net cost of acquiring securities in this manner may be less than the cost of acquiring the securities directly. This technique may also be useful to the Fund in purchasing a large block of securities that would be more difficult to acquire by direct market purchases. So long as it holds such a call option rather than the underlying security itself, the Fund is partially protected from any unexpected decline in the market price of the underlying security and in such event could allow the call option to expire, incurring a loss only to the extent of the premium paid for the option.

 

21


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

 

Purchasing Put Options – The Fund may purchase put options. As the holder of a put option, the Fund has the right to sell the underlying security at the exercise price at any time during the option period. The Fund may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to such options, exercise them or permit them to expire. The Fund may purchase a put option on an owned underlying security (a “protective put”) as a defensive technique to protect against an anticipated decline in the value of the security. Such hedge protection is provided only during the life of the put option when the Fund, as the holder of the put option, is able to sell the underlying security at the put exercise price regardless of any decline in the underlying security’s market price. The Fund may also purchase put options at a time when it does not own the underlying security. By purchasing put options on a security it does not own, the Fund seeks to benefit from a decline in the market price of the underlying security. If the put option is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or greater than the exercise price during the life of the put option, the Fund will lose its entire investment in the put option. In order for the purchase of a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs.

Writing Options – The Fund may write covered call options on equity securities or futures contracts that the Fund is eligible to purchase to extend a holding period to obtain long-term capital gain treatment, to earn premium income, to assure a definite price for a security it has considered selling, or to close out options previously purchased. The Fund may write covered call options if, immediately thereafter, not more than 30% of its net assets would be committed to such transactions. A call option gives the holder (buyer) the right to purchase a security or futures contract at a specified price (the exercise price) at any time until a certain date (the expiration date). A call option is “covered” if the Fund owns the underlying security subject to the call option at all times during the option period. When the Fund writes a covered call option, it maintains a segregated account with its Custodian, cash or liquid portfolio securities in an amount not less than the exercise price at all times while the option is outstanding.

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts – The Fund may engage in foreign currency exchange transactions. The value of the Fund’s portfolio securities that are invested in non-U.S. dollar denominated instruments as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either

 

22


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

 

on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The Fund will not, however, hold foreign currency except in connection with the purchase and sale of foreign portfolio securities.

Derivative Transactions – The following table identifies the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2016.

 

Derivatives   Location of Gain/(Loss) on
Derivatives on Statement
of  Operations
  Contracts
Opened
    Contracts
Expired
    Contracts
Closed
    Realized
Gain/
(Loss) on
Derivatives
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) on
Derivatives
 

Equity Risk:

                     

Call Options Purchased

  Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investment securities     160               179      $ 6,143      $ (11,685

Equity Risk:

                     

Put Options Purchased

  Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investment securities     661        516        67        (49,355     (20,530

The Fund is not subject to a master netting arrangement and its policy is to not offset assets and liabilities related to its investment in derivatives.

Call options written are presented separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability at fair value and on the Statement of Operations under change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on written option contracts, respectively.

At November 30, 2016 :

 

Derivatives   Location of Derivatives on
Statement of Assets & Liabilities
      

Equity Risk:

       

Written Call Options

  Written options, at fair value   $ (7,920

Equity Risk:

       

Written Call Options

  Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on written option contracts   $ 6,464   

 

23


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2016:

 

Derivatives   Location of Gain (Loss) on  Derivatives on
Statement of Operations
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) on
Derivatives
 

Equity Risk:

       

Written Call Options

  Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on written option contracts   $ 6,464   

Transactions in written options by the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2016, were as follows:

 

     Number of
Contracts
     Premiums
Received
 

Outstanding at May 31, 2016

           $   

Options written

     88         14,384   

Options exercised

               

Options closed

               
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at November 30, 2016

     88       $ 14,384   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.

Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk (the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value such as pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique). Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions

 

24


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS – continued

 

about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

   

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments and/or registered investment companies where the value per share is determined and published and is the basis for current transactions for identical assets or liabilities at the valuation date

 

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for an identical security in an inactive market, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments based on the best information available)

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy which is reported is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Equity securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued at the last quoted sale price on the security’s primary exchange. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange traded security is generally valued at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When using the market quotations and when the market is considered active, the security is classified as a Level 1 security. In the event that market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable due to market or other events, the Fund values its securities and other assets at fair value in accordance with policies established by and under the general supervision of the Board. Under these policies, the securities will be classified as Level 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used.

Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds, are generally priced at the ending net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the pricing agent of the funds. These securities are categorized as Level 1 securities.

 

 

25


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS – continued

 

Call and put options in which the Fund invests in are generally traded on an exchange and are generally valued at the last trade price as provided by a pricing agent. If the last sale price is not available, the options will be valued using the last bid price. The options will generally be categorized as Level 1 securities unless the market is considered inactive or the absence of a last bid price, in which case, they will generally be categorized as Level 2 securities.

Derivative instruments in which the Fund invests in, such as forward currency exchange contracts, are valued by a pricing agent at the interpolated rates based on the prevailing banking rates and are generally categorized as Level 2 securities.

In accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies, the Adviser 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, because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of an issue of securities being valued by the Adviser would appear to be the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale. Methods that are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market prices 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. Fair-value 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 the Fund’s 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. Fair-value pricing may also be used in instances when the bonds in which the Fund invests may default or otherwise cease to have market quotations readily available.

 

26


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS – continued

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2016:

 

     Valuation Inputs  
Assets   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Common Stocks*

  $ 40,018,402      $      $      $ 40,018,402   

Options Purchased

    44,371        72               44,443   

Money Market Securities

    589,957                      589,957   

Total

  $ 40,652,730      $ 72      $      $ 40,652,802   
*

Please refer to Schedule of Investments for industry classifications.

 

     Valuation Inputs  
Liabilities   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Common Stocks*

  $ (14,643,284   $      $      $ (14,643,284

Written Options

    (7,920                   (7,920

Total

  $ (14,651,204   $      $      $ (14,651,204
*

Please refer to Schedule of Securities Sold Short for industry classifications.

The Fund did not hold any investments during the reporting period for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value; therefore, no reconciliation of Level 3 securities is included for this reporting period. The Trust recognizes transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. There were no transfers between any levels as of November 30, 2016 based on input levels assigned at May 31, 2016.

NOTE 4. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

The Adviser, under the terms of the management agreement (the “Agreement”), manages the Fund’s investments. As compensation for its management services, the Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 1.75% of the Fund’s average net assets. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Adviser earned a fee of $283,170 from the Fund before the waivers described below.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and reimburse certain Fund operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that the Fund’s

 

27


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 4. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS – continued

 

net expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, dividend expense on short sales, expenses incurred under a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution, “acquired fund fees and expenses” (i.e., investment companies in which the Fund may invest), and expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement) do not exceed 1.95% of net assets. The contractual agreement is effective through September 30, 2017. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, the Adviser waived fees of $99,505. At November 30, 2016, the Adviser was owed $45,778 from the Fund for advisory services.

The fee waiver or expense reimbursement by the Adviser with respect to the Fund is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which that particular fee waiver or expense reimbursement incurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation that is in effect at the time of the repayment or at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

The amount subject to repayment by the Fund pursuant to the aforementioned conditions at November 30, 2016 was:

 

Amount

   Recoverable through
May 31,
 

$ 159,710

     2017   

  148,331

     2018   

  380,899

     2019   

    99,505

     2020   

The Adviser has retained the Sub-Adviser to provide portfolio management and related services to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser receives a fee from the Adviser (not the Fund) for these services.

The Trust retains Ultimus Asset Services, LLC (“Ultimus”) to provide the Fund with administration and compliance, fund accounting, and transfer agent services, including all regulatory reporting. For the six months ended November 30, 2016, Ultimus earned fees of $17,753 for administration services, $17,583 for fund accounting services and $18,470 for transfer agent services. At October 31, 2016, the Fund owed Ultimus $9,504 for such services.

 

28


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 4. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS – continued

 

The officers and one trustee of the Trust are members of management and/or employees of Ultimus. Unified Financial Securities, LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as the principal distributor of the Fund’s shares. Certain officers of the Trust are officers of the Distributor and each such person may be deemed to be an affiliate of the Distributor. There were no payments made to the Distributor by the Fund for the six months ended November 30, 2016.

NOTE 5. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

For the six months ended November 30, 2016, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments, were as follows:

 

Purchases

  

U.S. Government Obligations

   $   

Other

     25,604,882   

Sales

  

U.S. Government Obligations

   $   

Other

     17,717,512   

NOTE 6. ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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.

NOTE 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 a fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. At November 30, 2016, National Financial Services, LLC (“NFS”) owned, as record shareholder, 58% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. It is not known whether NFS or any of the underlying beneficial owners owned or controlled more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund.

 

29


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 8. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

At November 30, 2016, the appreciation/(depreciation) of investments, net of proceeds for investment securities sold short, for tax purposes was as follows:

 

     Amount  

Gross Unrealized Appreciation

   $ 4,241,266   

Gross Unrealized Depreciation

     (1,831,295
  

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)

   $ 2,409,971   
  

 

 

 

At November 30, 2016, the aggregate cost of securities, net of proceeds for investment securities sold short, for federal income tax purposes, was $23,599,547.

The tax characterization of distributions for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was as follows:

 

     2016  

Distributions paid from:

  

Ordinary Income

   $ 2,624,587   

Long-Term Capital Gains

     1,462,556   
  

 

 

 
   $ 4,087,143   
  

 

 

 

At May 31, 2016, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains

   $ 24,417   

Accumulated Capital and Other Losses

     (340,539

Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)

     547,045   
  

 

 

 
   $ 230,923   
  

 

 

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of wash losses.

 

30


LS Opportunity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements – continued

November 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 8. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION – continued

 

Certain capital losses incurred after October 31, and within the current taxable year, are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund’s following taxable year. For the tax year ended May 31, 2016, the Fund deferred post October capital losses in the amount of $221,670 and $108,640 in Qualified Late Year Ordinary Losses.

NOTE 9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Fund indemnifies its officers and trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from their performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

NOTE 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Management of the Fund has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. There were no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

 

31


Summary of Fund Expenses – (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs (such as short-term redemption fees); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example in the table below is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period, and for the entire period from June 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the table 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 = 8.60), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratios 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.

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), or redemption fees. 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.

 

     

Beginning
Account Value

June 1, 2016

    

Ending

Account Value

November 30, 2016

    

Expenses Paid
During

the Period(a)

 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,043.40       $ 14.61   

Hypothetical(b)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,010.77       $ 14.38   

 

(a) 

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 2.85%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365.

(b) 

Assumes a 5% return before expenses.

 

32


Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited)

At a meeting held on June 7-8, 2016, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) considered the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) between Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”) and Long Short Advisors, LLC (“LSA”) with respect to the LS Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”). LSA provided written information to the Board to assist the Board in its considerations.

The Board discussed the contractual arrangements between LSA and the Trust for the Fund. They reflected upon the Board’s prior experience with LSA in managing the Fund, as well as their recent discussions with LSA. The Board noted that in response to its requests during the March 2016 meeting, LSA revised its responses to meet the expectations of the Trustees.

Counsel then directed the Trustees to a memorandum from his firm that summarized, among other things, the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of the Board in reviewing and approving the Agreement. In assessing the factors and reaching its decision, the Board took into consideration information furnished by LSA and the Trust’s other service providers for the Board’s review and consideration throughout the renewal period, as well as information specifically prepared or presented in connection with the renewal process, including: (i) reports regarding the services and support provided to the Fund by LSA; (ii) quarterly assessments of the investment performance of the Fund; (iii) commentary on the reasons for the performance; (iv) presentations by LSA addressing its investment philosophy, investment strategy, personnel, and operations of LSA and Prospector Partners, LLC, the Fund’s sub-adviser (“Prospector”); (v) compliance and audit reports concerning the Fund, LSA, and Prospector; (vi) disclosure information contained in the registration statement of the Trust for the Fund and LSA’s Form ADV; (vii) information relating to the manner in which LSA oversees Prospector; and (viii) a memorandum from counsel, that summarized the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of the Board in reviewing and approving the Agreement. The Board also requested and received materials including, without limitation: (i) documents containing information about LSA, its financial information, its personnel, and the services provided to the Fund; (ii) investment advice, performance, compliance, legal matters, (iii) comparative expense and performance information for other mutual funds with strategies similar to the Fund; and (iv) benefits to be realized by LSA from its relationship with the Fund. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to approve the Agreement and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors.

 

1.

The nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided by LSA. In this regard, the Board considered LSA’s responsibilities under the Agreement. The Trustees considered the services being provided by LSA to the Fund including its process for overseeing the sub-adviser’s portfolio management of the Fund, assuring compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives and limitations, its coordination of services for the Fund among its service providers, and LSA’s

 

33


 

efforts to promote the Fund and grow its assets. The Trustees reviewed the steps LSA takes to oversee the sub-adviser, as described in the materials provided by LSA. The Trustees considered the relationship of LSA’s affiliate and its utilization of the infrastructure and other resources of its affiliate. The Trustees considered LSA’s continuity of, and commitment: to retain qualified personnel, maintain and enhance its resources and systems, and overseeing the management of the Fund’s portfolio and investment objectives. The Trustees considered LSA’s personnel, including their education and experience. The Trustees spent considerable time reflecting on the efforts of the personnel of LSA to improve the quality of information provided to the Board. After considering the foregoing information and further information in the meeting materials provided by LSA, the Board concluded that, in light of all the facts and circumstances, the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by LSA were satisfactory and adequate for the Fund.

 

2.

Investment Performance of the Fund and LSA. In this regard, the Trustees noted that LSA did not manage any accounts directly and that it had delegated the portfolio management responsibilities of the Fund to a sub-adviser. Accordingly, the Trustees concluded that their consideration of this factor for LSA was less relevant than other factors in their determination of LSA’s performance of its duties. The Trustees considered the consistency of LSA’s management oversight of the Fund’s sub-adviser with the Fund’s investment objective, strategies, and limitations. The Trustees also compared the performance of the Fund with the performance of its benchmark index and comparable funds managed by other investment advisers. The Trustees noted that the Fund’s performance was better than the average and median of comparable funds in its Morningstar category (Long Short, Under $50, True No-Load) for the one, three and five-year periods. The Trustees also observed that as of the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Fund had underperformed its benchmark (the S&P 500) for the one, three, and five-year periods, but had outperformed the HFRX Index for the same period. After further reviewing and discussing these other relevant factors, the Board concluded, in light of all the facts and circumstances, that the investment performance, and LSA’s oversight of the sub-adviser to the Fund, was satisfactory.

 

3.

The costs of the services to be provided and profits to be realized by LSA from its relationship with the Fund. In this regard, the Trustees considered: (1) LSA’s financial condition; (2) asset levels of the Fund; (3) the overall expenses of the Fund; and (4) the nature and frequency of management fee payments. The Trustees reviewed information provided by LSA regarding its profits associated with managing the Fund. The Trustees also considered the relationship of LSA’s affiliate, which is also a registered investment adviser, and the utilization by LSA of the infrastructure and other resources of that affiliate. The Trustees also considered potential benefits for LSA in managing the Fund. The Trustees then compared the fees and expenses of the Fund (including the management fee) to other comparable mutual funds. The Trustees noted that both the Fund’s

 

34


 

management fee and net expense ratio were higher than the average and median of its comparable Morningstar category and peer group. In this regard, the Trustees reflected upon their discussion with representatives of LSA earlier in the meeting, and commented on LSA’s assertion that the firm provided a premium product in comparison to other products in the marketplace. The Board concluded that the fees to be paid to LSA by the Fund and the profits to be realized by LSA, in light of all the facts and circumstances, were fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by LSA.

 

4.

The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows and whether advisory fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s investors. In this regard, the Board considered the Fund’s fee arrangements with LSA. The Board considered that while the management fee remained the same at all asset levels, the Fund’s shareholders had experienced benefits from the expense limitation arrangement. The Trustees noted that once the Fund’s expenses fell below the cap set by the arrangement, the shareholders would continue to benefit from economies of scale under the Fund’s arrangements with other service providers to the Fund, and the Trustees attributed this benefit, in part, to the direct and indirect efforts of LSA at the inception of the Fund to ensure that a cost structure was in place that was beneficial for the Fund as it grew. In light of its ongoing consideration of the Fund’s asset and fees levels and expectations for growth, the Board determined that the Fund’s fee arrangements, in light of all the facts and circumstances, were fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by LSA.

 

5.

Possible conflicts of interest and benefits to LSA. In considering LSA’s practices regarding conflicts of interest, the Trustees evaluated the potential for conflicts of interest and considered such matters as the experience and ability of the advisory personnel assigned to the Fund; the operations of LSA’s investment advisory affiliate; and the substance and administration of LSA’s code of ethics. The Trustees also considered disclosure in the registration statement of the Trust relating to LSA’s potential conflicts of interest. The Trustees noted other potential benefits (in addition to the management fee) to LSA, such as the ability to offer the Fund as an investment option for the smaller clients of LSA’s affiliate. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that LSA’s standards and practices relating to the identification and mitigation of potential conflicts of interest and the benefits to be realized by LSA in managing the Fund were satisfactory.

After additional consideration of the factors delineated in the memorandum provided by counsel and further discussion among the Board members, the Board determined to approve the continuation of the Agreement between the Trust and LSA.

 

35


VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

PRIVACY POLICY

The following is a description of the policies of the Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”) regarding disclosure of nonpublic personal information that shareholders provide to a series of the Trust (each, a “Fund”) or that the Fund collects from other sources. In the event that a shareholder hold shares of a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, the privacy policy of the financial intermediary would govern how shareholder nonpublic personal information would be shared with nonaffiliated third parties.

Categories of Information a Fund May Collect. A Fund may collect the following nonpublic personal information about its shareholders:

 

   

Information the Fund receives from a shareholder on applications or other forms, correspondence, or conversations (such as the shareholder’s name, address, phone number, social security number, and date of birth); and

 

   

Information about the shareholder’s transactions with the Fund, its affiliates, or others (such as the shareholder’s account number and balance, payment history, cost basis information, and other financial information).

Categories of Information a Fund May Disclose. A Fund may not disclose any nonpublic personal information about its current or former shareholders to unaffiliated third parties, except as required or permitted by law. A Fund is permitted by law to disclose all of the information it collects, as described above, to its service providers (such as the Fund’s custodian, administrator, transfer agent, accountant and legal counsel) to process shareholder transactions and otherwise provide services to the shareholder.

Confidentiality and Security. Each Fund shall restrict access to shareholder nonpublic personal information to those persons who require such information to provide products or services to the shareholder. Each Fund shall maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard shareholder nonpublic personal information.

Disposal of Information. The Funds, through their transfer agent, have taken steps to reasonably ensure that the privacy of a shareholder’s nonpublic personal information is maintained at all times, including in connection with the disposal of information that is no longer required to be maintained by the Funds. Such steps shall include, whenever possible, shredding paper documents and records prior to disposal, requiring off-site storage vendors to shred documents maintained in such locations prior to disposal, and erasing and/or obliterating any data contained on electronic media in such a manner that the information can no longer be read or reconstructed.

 

36


PROXY VOTING

A copy of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, as well as a record of how the Fund voted any such proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is available without charge and upon request by calling the Fund at (877) 336-6763. This information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

TRUSTEES

R. Jeffrey Young, Chairman

Ira P. Cohen

Andrea N. Mullins

OFFICERS

R. Jeffrey Young, Principal Executive Officer and President

Bryan W. Ashmus, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

John C. Swhear, Chief Compliance Officer, AML Officer and Vice President

Carol J. Highsmith, Vice President and Secretary

Matthew J. Miller, Vice President

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Long Short Advisors, LLC

1818 Market Street, 33rd Floor, Suite 3323

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DISTRIBUTOR

Unified Financial Securities, LLC

9465 Counselors Row, Suite 200

Indianapolis, IN 46240

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Cohen & Company, Ltd.

1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800

Cleveland, OH 44115

LEGAL COUNSEL

The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc.,

A member firm of The 1940 Act Law GroupTM

11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310

Leawood, KS 66211

CUSTODIAN

U.S. Bank, N.A.

425 Walnut St.

Cincinnati, OH 45202

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND FUND ACCOUNTANT

Ultimus Asset Services, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

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

Distributed by Unified Financial Securities, LLC

Member FINRA/SIPC


Item 2. Code of Ethics.    NOT APPLICABLE – disclosed with annual report

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. NOT APPLICABLE- disclosed with annual report

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. NOT APPLICABLE – disclosed with annual report

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to listed companies only

Item 6. Schedule of Investments. Schedules filed with Item 1.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only


Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only

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

The guidelines applicable to shareholders desiring to submit recommendations for nominees to the Registrant’s board of trustees are contained in the statement of additional information of the Trust with respect to the Fund(s) for which this Form N-CSR is being filed.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed and are operating effectively to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared, and that the information required in filings on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a)    (1) Not Applicable – filed with annual report

 

  (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-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are filed herewith.

 

  (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.


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) Valued Advisers Trust

By

 

/s/ R. Jeffrey Young

R. Jeffrey Young, President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

  1/27/2017

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/ R. Jeffrey Young

R. Jeffrey Young, President and Principal Executive Officer

 
Date   1/27/2017
By  

/s/ Bryan W. Ashmus

  Bryan W. Ashmus, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
Date   1/27/2017