N-CSR 1 ontrackncsr.htm N-CSR

united states
securities and exchange commission
washington, d.c. 20549

form n-csr

certified shareholder report of registered management
investment companies

Investment Company Act file number 811-22756

 

Advisors Preferred Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Richard Malinowski, Gemini Fund Services, LLC.

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 631-470-2734

 

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31

 

Date of reporting period: 12/31/20

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OnTrack Core Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares (OTRFX)

Advisor Class Shares (OTRGX)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-855-747-9555

www.advisorspreferred.com

 

 

Distributed by Ceros Financial Services, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 22, 2021

 

Dear Shareholders,

 

This Annual Report for the OnTrack Core Fund (“Fund”) covers the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Price Capital Management, Inc. serves as the Sub-advisor to the OnTrack Core Fund. During the period, the Investor Class Shares of the Fund returned 29.03%, while the Advisor Class Shares of the Fund returned 28.78%. The Bloomberg-Barclays U.S. 1-3-month Treasury Bill Index earned 0.54%, and the S&P 500 Total Return Index gained 18.40% for the period. The Bloomberg Barclay’s U.S. Aggregate Bond Index returned 7.51% for the year.

 

At the end of January 2020, the Fund remained fully invested with a small exposure to stocks, but with significant positions in high yield bonds, preferred funds, and other low volatility bond and income funds. The Fund moved to a more defensive position in the last week of February. During the bear market decline in February and March, the overall stock market as represented by the NYSE Composite Index was down over -38% while the OnTrack Core Fund declined -4.72%. At the end of the first quarter, the Fund had eliminated its small stock exposure, but was beginning to rebuild positions in high yield bond, securitized bond and preferred mutual funds and ETFs that had started recovering from the steep declines experienced during the short bear market.

 

In the second quarter, the Fund shifted to low volatility bond and income funds that could be directly or indirectly supported by the Fed’s bond buying program. The Fund remained fully invested and leveraged to varying degrees, almost entirely in low-volatility bond and income mutual funds throughout the second half of the year. The Sub-advisor sought to take advantage of the unusual opportunity offered in these instruments by the Federal Reserve’s ultra- accommodative stance as well as the associated low cost of leverage. The Sub-advisor adjusted the leverage periodically as market conditions fluctuated especially in September. Leverage in the Fund was and is primarily achieved through the use of swaps. At year end, the Fund remained fully invested in low volatility bond and income mutual funds.

 

In 2020, the overall market was greater than six times more volatile than the OnTrack Core Fund as measured by standard deviation (lower standard deviation implies lower risk.) The Sub- advisor’s philosophy is based on their belief that they cannot always control the return they achieve, but they can control the amount of risk they take. Therefore, they are continually focused on risk management. The risk management approach of the OnTrack Core Fund appears to be well-suited for investors for whom wealth preservation is the most important objective. Thank you as always for your confidence in us. If at any time you would like further information about the OnTrack Core Fund, please visit our website at www.ontrackcore.com.

 

Price Capital Management, Inc. Advisors Preferred, LLC
   
Sub-advisor to the OnTrack Core Fund Advisor to the OnTrack Core Fund

1

 

OnTrack Core Fund
Portfolio Review (Unaudited)
December 31, 2020

 

The Fund’s performance figures* for the periods ended December 31, 2020, as compared to its benchmarks:

             
      Annualized
         Since Inception  Since Inception
   One Year  Five Year  June 21, 2013  January 15, 2013
OnTrack Core Fund - Investor Class  29.03%  9.09%  N/A  5.68%
OnTrack Core Fund - Advisor Class  28.78%  8.87%  5.43%  N/A
Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Month T-Bill Index **  0.54%  1.13%  0.76%  0.72%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index **  7.51%  4.44%  3.90%  3.34%
S&P 500 Total Return Index ****  18.40%  15.22%  14.36%  14.80%

 

*The Performance data quoted is historical. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your 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 on the redemptions of Fund shares. Returns greater than 1 year are annualized. The total gross operating expenses including underlying funds as stated in the fee table of the Fund’s prospectus dated May 1, 2020 is 3.17% for the Investor Class and 3.39% for the Advisor Class. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus contain these as well as other information about the Fund and should be read carefully before investing. A prospectus or summary prospectus and current performance may be obtained by calling 1-855-747-9555.

 

**The Bloomberg Barclays Capital 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index includes all publicly issued zero-coupon U.S. Treasury Bills that have a remaining maturity of less than 3 months and more than 1 month, are rated investment grade, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value.

 

***The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index comprised of U.S. investment grade, fixed rate bond market securities, including government, government agency, corporate and mortgage-backed securities between one and ten years. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. It is also known as Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

****The S&P 500 Total Return Index is an unmanaged composite of 500 large capitalization companies and includes the reinvestment of dividends. This index is widely used by professional investors as a performance benchmark for large-cap stocks. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Comparison of the Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment

Since Inception through December 31, 2020 +

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

+Inception date is January 15, 2013, for Investor Class.

 

Top Holdings *  % of Net Assets 
Open End Mutual Funds   88.9%
Money Market Funds   8.4%
Other Assets Less Liabilities   2.7%
    100.0%

 

*The Top Holdings detailed does not include derivative exposure.

 

Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments in this annual report for a detailed listing of the Fund’s holdings.

2

 

OnTrack Core Fund
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2020

 

Shares      Value 
     OPEN END MUTUAL FUNDS - 88.9%     
     DEBT FUNDS - 88.9%     
 114,286   AlphaCentric Income Opportunities Fund - Class I  $1,260,571 
 132,597   Barings Diversified Income Fund - Class Y   1,233,149 
 2,890,972   Braddock Multi-Strategy Income Fund - Institutional Class   20,728,271 
 298,107   Catalyst Enhanced Income Strategy Fund - Class I   3,359,671 
 198,929   Cohen & Steers Preferred Securities and Income Fund, Inc. - Class I   2,866,565 
 1,715,851   Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund - Class I3   17,793,379 
 183,875   Destra Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred and Income Fund - Class I   3,440,306 
 500,330   Diamond Hill High Yield Fund - Class I   5,703,759 
 926,868   Diamond Hill Short Duration Total Return Fund - Class I   9,352,092 
 361,664   James Alpha Structured Credit Value Portfolio - Class I   3,916,817 
 326,559   PGIM Floating Rate Income Fund - Class Z   3,092,514 
 439,853   Principal Spectrum Preferred and Capital Securities Income Fund - Institutional Class   4,605,264 
 223,964   Semper MBS Total Return Fund - Institutional Class   2,073,908 
     TOTAL OPEN END MUTUAL FUNDS (Cost - $74,250,991)   79,426,266 
           
     SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 8.4%     
     MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 8.4%     
 3,776,222   Fidelity Investments Money Market Funds - Government Portfolio - Class I 0.01% (a)   3,776,222 
 3,776,223   First American Government Obligations Fund - Class Z 0.03% (a)   3,776,223 
     TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost - $7,552,445)   7,552,445 
           
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 97.3% (Cost - $81,803,436)   86,978,711 
     OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES - 2.7%   2,403,588 
     NET ASSETS - 100.0%  $89,382,299 

 

(a)Money market fund; interest rate reflects seven-day effective yield on December 31, 2020.

 

TOTAL RETURN SWAPS 
       Notional Amount            Unrealized 
Number of      at December 31,            Appreciation 
Shares   Reference Entity*  2020   Interest Rate Payable (1)  Termination Date  Counterparty  (Depreciation) 
Long Position:                     
 257,290   AB High Income Municipal Portfolio  $3,082,333   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC  $ 
 819,281   AlphaCentric Income Opportunities Fund   9,036,674   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 391,389   Angel Oak Multi-Strategy Income Fund   4,046,967   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 714,286   BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund   7,214,286   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 923,483   BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio   7,193,931   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 348,432   Diamond Hill High Yield Fund   3,972,126   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 305,189   Diamond Hill Short Duration Total Return Fund   3,079,349   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 293,255   Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund   3,002,933   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 403,553   Eaton Vance Short Duration Inflation-Protected Income Fund   4,063,782   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 1,026,958   Invesco Income Fund   8,041,078   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 468,165   Invesco Short Duration Inflation Protected Fund   5,042,135   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 558,972   Merger Fund   9,698,155   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 360,144   MFS Municipal High Income Fund   3,057,623   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 1,037,332   Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund   18,225,932   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 454,227   PIMCO Global Bond Fund   4,882,944   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 438,152   PIMCO International Bond Fund   4,859,107   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
 830,839   PIMCO Preferred and Capital Security Fund   9,222,314   3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp  6/30/2022  BRC    
                         
                   Total:  $ 

 

BRC - Barclays Capital

 

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

 

(1)Interest rate is based upon predetermined notional amounts, which may be a multiple of the number of shares plus a specified spread.

 

*Swap contract reset at December 31, 2020.

 

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

3

 

OnTrack Core Fund
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2020

 

ASSETS     
Investment securities:     
At cost  $81,803,436 
At value  $86,978,711 
Receivable for swap resets   2,078,798 
Receivable for Fund shares sold   383,333 
Dividends and interest receivable   160,836 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   19,873 
TOTAL ASSETS   89,621,551 
      
LIABILITIES     
Investment advisory fees payable   179,229 
Payable for swap resets   55,978 
Distribution (12b-1) fees payable - Advisor Class   2,161 
Shareholder services fees payable - Investor Class   1,884 
TOTAL LIABILITIES   239,252 
NET ASSETS  $89,382,299 
      
Composition of Net Assets:     
Paid in capital  $88,723,049 
Distributable earnings   659,250 
NET ASSETS  $89,382,299 
      
Net Asset Value Per Share:     
Investor Class Shares:     
Net Assets  $79,366,600 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)   1,372,088 
Net asset value (Net Assets ÷ Shares Outstanding), offering price and redemption price per share  $57.84 
      
Advisor Class Shares:     
Net Assets  $10,015,699 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)   171,569 
Net asset value (Net Assets ÷ Shares Outstanding), offering price and redemption price per share  $58.38 

 

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

4

 

OnTrack Core Fund
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

INVESTMENT INCOME     
Dividends  $2,411,465 
Interest   10,821 
TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME   2,422,286 
      
EXPENSES     
Investment advisory fees   1,106,756 
Distribution (12b-1) fees - Advisor Class   14,478 
Shareholder services fees - Investor Class   11,544 
Other expenses   7,892 
TOTAL EXPENSES   1,140,670 
      
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   1,281,616 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS     
Net realized gain (loss) from:     
Investments   491,220 
Capital gain distributions from regulated investment companies   23,448 
Futures   (73,074)
Swaps   4,724,171 
Net Realized Gain on Investments, Futures and Swaps   5,165,765 
      
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:     
Investments   4,836,768 
Futures   (74,942)
Swaps   (214,225)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments and Futures   4,547,601 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS   9,713,366 
      
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $10,994,982 

 

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

5

 

OnTrack Core Fund
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   For the   For the 
   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019 
           
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS          
Net investment income  $1,281,616   $373,926 
Net realized gain on investments, futures and swaps   5,142,317    727,541 
Distributions from underlying investment companies   23,448    13,502 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and futures   4,547,601    587,158 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   10,994,982    1,702,127 
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS          
Total distributions paid:          
Investor Class   (1,715,839)   (321,021)
Advisor Class   (214,253)   (9,262)
Total distributions to shareholders   (1,930,092)   (330,283)
           
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST          
Proceeds from shares sold:          
Investor Class   62,492,736    2,211,193 
Advisor Class   11,596,310    84,445 
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions:          
Investor Class   1,651,391    291,976 
Advisor Class   212,746    2,429 
Cost of shares redeemed:          
Investor Class   (16,187,685)   (5,882,740)
Advisor Class   (3,937,296)   (385,758)
Net increase (decrease) from shares of beneficial interest transactions   55,828,202    (3,678,455)
           
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS   64,893,092    (2,306,611)
           
NET ASSETS          
Beginning of year   24,489,207    26,795,818 
End of year  $89,382,299   $24,489,207 
           
SHARE ACTIVITY          
Investor Class:          
Shares Sold   1,125,788    49,346 
Shares Reinvested   28,655    6,368 
Shares Redeemed   (297,230)   (130,916)
Net increase (decrease) in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   857,213    (75,202)
           
Advisor Class:          
Shares Sold   221,564    1,869 
Shares Reinvested   3,657    52 
Shares Redeemed   (72,246)   (8,475)
Net increase (decrease) in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   152,975    (6,554)

 

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

6

 

OnTrack Core Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout each Year

 

   Investor Class 
     
   For the Year Ended December 31, 
   2020   2019   2018   2017   2016 
                          
Net asset value, beginning of year  $45.89   $43.54   $48.96   $47.21   $45.77 
Activity from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   1.55    0.67    0.57    0.06    0.23 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   11.76    2.31    (2.88)   3.01    4.54 
Total from investment operations   13.31    2.98    (2.31)   3.07    4.77 
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (1.36)   (0.63)   (3.11)   (1.32)   (3.33)
Total distributions   (1.36)   (0.63)   (3.11)   (1.32)   (3.33)
Net asset value, end of year  $57.84   $45.89   $43.54   $48.96   $47.21 
Total return (b)   29.03%   6.86%   (4.70)%   6.49%   10.41% (c)
Net assets, at end of year (000s)  $79,367   $23,628   $25,692   $30,753   $35,802 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (d)   2.54%   2.53%   2.53%   2.53%   2.53%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (d,e)   2.90%   1.47%   1.17%   0.14%   0.48%
Portfolio Turnover Rate   213%   249%   604%   515%   435%
                          
(a)Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year.

 

(b)Total return assumes reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and consequently the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

(d)The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income (loss) to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

(e)Recognition of net investment income (loss) by the Fund is affected by the timing and declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

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

7

 

OnTrack Core Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout each Year

 

   Advisor Class 
     
   For the Year Ended December 31, 
   2020   2019   2018   2017   2016 
                          
Net asset value, beginning of year  $46.33   $43.90   $49.21   $47.45   $46.00 
Activity from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   1.55    0.55    0.20    (0.04)   (0.20)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   11.78    2.38    (2.61)   3.02    4.88 
Total from investment operations   13.33    2.93    (2.41)   2.98    4.68 
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (1.28)   (0.50)   (2.90)   (1.22)   (3.23)
Total distributions   (1.28)   (0.50)   (2.90)   (1.22)   (3.23)
Net asset value, end of year  $58.38   $46.33   $43.90   $49.21   $47.45 
Total return (b)   28.78%   6.67%   (4.90)%   6.27%   10.18% (c)
Net assets, at end of year (000s)  $10,016   $862   $1,104   $4,860   $5,120 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (d)   2.76%   2.75%   2.75%   2.75%   2.75%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (d,e)   2.79%   1.23%   0.40%   (0.07)%   (0.40)%
Portfolio Turnover Rate   213%   249%   604%   515%   435%
                          
(a)Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year.

 

(b)Total return assumes reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and consequently the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

(d)The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income (loss) to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

(e)Recognition of net investment income (loss) by the Fund is affected by the timing and declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

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

8

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2020

 

1.ORGANIZATION

 

OnTrack Core Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of shares of Advisors Preferred Trust (the “Trust”), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 15, 2012 and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund seeks total returns while keeping the Fund’s volatility and downside risk below that of major equity market indices. The Fund commenced operations on January 15, 2013.

 

The Fund currently offers two classes of shares: Investor Class and Advisor Class. Investor Class shares commenced operations on January 15, 2013 and Advisor Class shares commenced operations on June 21, 2013. Investor Class and Advisor Class shares are offered at net asset value. Each class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund and classes are identical except for differences in their ongoing service and distribution charges. All classes of shares have equal voting privileges except that each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to its service and/or distribution plans. The Fund’s income, expenses (other than class specific shareholder servicing and distribution fees) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated proportionately each day based upon the relative net assets of each class.

 

2.SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

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

 

Securities Valuation – Securities listed on an exchange are valued at the last reported sale price at the close of the regular trading session of the exchange on the business day the value is being determined, or in the case of securities listed on NASDAQ at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). In the absence of a sale, such securities shall be valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the day of valuation. Futures and future options are valued at the final settled price or, in the absence of a settled price, at the last sale price on the day of valuation. Swaps are valued based upon prices from third party vendor models or quotations from market makers to the extent available. Investments valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. Short-term debt obligations, excluding U.S. Treasury Bills, having 60 days or less remaining until maturity, at time of purchase, may be valued at amortized cost.

 

The Fund may hold securities, such as private investments, interests in commodity pools, other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value committee composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) advisor and/or sub-advisor. The committee may also enlist third party consultants such as a valuation specialist at a public accounting firm, valuation consultant or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

Fair Valuation Process – As noted above, the fair value committee is composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) advisor and/or sub-advisor. The applicable investments are valued collectively via inputs from each of these groups. For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a

9

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source), (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the advisor or sub-advisor, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the advisor or sub-advisor to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an asked price is available; the spread between bid and asked prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a “significant event”) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to the Fund’s calculation of its net asset value. Specifically, interests in commodity pools or managed futures pools are valued on a daily basis by reference to the closing market prices of each futures contract or other asset held by a pool, as adjusted for pool expenses. Restricted or illiquid securities, such as private investments or non-traded securities are valued via inputs from the advisor or sub-advisor based upon the current bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances). If the advisor or sub-advisor is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the fair value committee shall determine the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Fund’s holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.

 

Valuation of Fund of Funds – The Fund may invest in portfolios of open-end or closed-end investment companies (the “Underlying Funds”). The Underlying Funds value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value by the methods established by the board of directors/trustees of the Underlying Funds.

 

Open-ended investment companies are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by such investment companies. The shares of many closed-end investment companies, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is different than the net asset value per share. The difference represents a market premium or market discount of such shares. There can be no assurances that the market discount or market premium on shares of any closed-end investment company purchased by the Fund will not change.

 

The Fund utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of all of its investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of input are:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

 

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors,

10

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

 

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 within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following tables summarize the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 for the Fund’s assets measured at fair value:

 

Assets *  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Investments:                
Open End Mutual Funds  $79,426,266   $   $   $79,426,266 
Short-Term Investments   7,552,445            7,552,445 
Total Investments  $86,978,711   $   $   $86,978,711 

 

*Refer to the Portfolio of Investments for industry classifications.

 

The Fund did not hold any Level 3 securities during the period.

 

Security Transactions and Investment Income – Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized on securities purchased over the lives of the respective securities using the effective yield method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains or losses from sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds. The accounting records are maintained in U.S. Dollars.

 

Foreign Currency Translations – All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the rate of exchange of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of securities and income and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange quoted on the respective date that such transactions are recorded. The Fund does not isolate the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held.

 

The Fund’s investments in foreign securities are subject to foreign currency fluctuations, higher volatility than U.S. securities, varying degrees of regulation and limited liquidity. Greater political, economic, credit and information risks are also associated with foreign securities.

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders – Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Distributable net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and distributed annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-date. Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are considered either temporary (e.g., deferred losses, capital loss carryforwards) or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets, results from operations or net asset values per share of the Fund.

 

Federal Income Tax – It is the Fund’s policy to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated

11

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years ended December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2019, or expected to be taken in the Fund’s December 31, 2020 year-end tax returns. The Fund identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal and foreign jurisdictions where the Fund makes significant investments; however the Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.

 

The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the year, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

Expenses – Expenses of the Trust that are directly identifiable to a specific fund are charged to that fund. Expenses, which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund, are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the nature and type of expense and the relative sizes of the funds in the Trust.

 

Indemnification – The Trust indemnifies its officers and trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnities. 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. However, based on experience, the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities appears to be remote.

 

Swap Contracts – The Fund is subject to equity price risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and counterparty risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Fund may enter into various swap transactions for investment purposes or to manage interest rate, equity, or credit risk. These would be two-party contracts entered into primarily to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of returns) earned or realized on particular pre-determined investments or instruments.

 

Standard equity swap contracts are between two parties that agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross amount to be exchanged is calculated with respect to a “notional amount” (i.e. the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index or industry sector on underlying fund). Most equity swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties on a “net basis”. Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement generally will be equal to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative value of the positions held by each party. The Fund’s obligations are accrued daily (offset by any amounts owed to the Fund).

 

The Fund may enter into swap contracts that provide the opposite return of the particular benchmark or security (“short” the index or security). The operations are similar to that of the swaps disclosed above except that the counterparty pays interest to the Fund on the notional amount outstanding and the dividends on the underlying securities reduce the return of the swap. However, in certain instances, market factors such as the interest rate environment and the demand to borrow the securities underlying the swap agreement can cause a scenario in which the Fund pays the counterparty interest. These amounts are netted with any unrealized appreciation or depreciation to determine the value of the swap. The Fund will typically enter into equity swap agreements in instances where the advisor believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying a security or the securities represented by a particular index.

 

The Fund may enter into credit default swaps (“CDS”). CDS are typically two-party (bilateral) financial contracts that transfer credit exposure between the two parties. One party to a CDS (referred to as the credit protection “buyer”) receives credit protection or sheds credit risk, whereas the other party to a CDS (referred to as the credit

12

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

protection “seller”) is selling credit protection or taking on credit risk. The seller typically receives pre-determined periodic payments from the other party. These payments are in consideration for agreeing to make compensating specific payments to the buyer should a negative credit event occur, such as (1) bankruptcy or (2) failure to pay interest or principal on a reference debt instrument, with respect to a specified issuer or one of the reference issuers in a CDS portfolio. In general, CDS may be used by the Fund to obtain credit risk exposure similar to that of a direct investment in high yield bonds.

 

The Fund may enter into Interest Rate Swaps. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of commitments to pay and receive interest based on a notional principal amount. The Fund may elect to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate or receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate on a notional principal amount.

 

The amounts to be exchanged or “swapped” between parties are calculated with respect to the notional amount. Changes in the value of swap agreements are recognized as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations by “marking to market” on a daily basis to reflect the value of the swap agreement at the end of each trading day. Payments received or paid at the beginning of the agreement are reflected as such on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and may be referred to as upfront payments. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination of the swap agreement is recorded as a realized gain or loss on the Statement of Operations. The maximum pay-outs for these contracts are limited to the notional amount of each swap. CDS may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly and are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk.

 

The Fund collateralizes swap agreements with money market investments as indicated on the Portfolio of Investments. Such collateral is held for the benefit of the counterparty in a segregated account at the Fund’s custodian to protect the counterparty against non-payment by the Fund. The Fund does not net collateral. In the event of a default by the counterparty, the Fund will seek return of this collateral and may incur certain costs exercising its rights with respect to the collateral. Under the tri-party agreement, the amount lost would be profits on the swap that had not yet been moved to the custody bank under the tri-party arrangements. Amounts expected to be owed to the Fund may be collateralized either directly with the Fund or in a segregated account at the custodian.

 

The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty to the extent that posted collateral is insufficient. The Fund will enter into swap agreements only with large, well-capitalized and established financial institutions. The creditworthiness of each of the firms that is counterparty to a swap agreement is monitored by the Advisor. The financial statements of these counterparties may be available by accessing the SEC’s website, at www.sec.gov.

 

International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) govern Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) financial derivative transactions entered into by the Fund and those counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral and events of default or termination. Events of termination include conditions that may entitle counterparties to elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all outstanding transactions under the applicable ISDA Master Agreements. Any election to early terminate could be material to the financial statements.

 

Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”) – The Fund may invest in ETFs. ETFs are typically a type of index bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and typically represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. The Fund may purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although the lack of liquidity on an ETF could result in it being more volatile. Additionally, ETFs have fees and expenses that reduce their value.

 

Mutual Fund and Exchange Traded Notes (“ETNs”) Risk: Mutual funds and ETNs are subject to investment advisory or management and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund. Each is subject to specific risks, depending on investment strategy. Also, each may be subject to leverage risk, which will magnify losses.

13

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

ETNs are subject to default risks.

 

Futures Contracts – The Fund is subject to interest rate risk and forward currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in the value of equities and interest rates. Initial margin deposits required upon entering into futures contracts are satisfied by the segregation of specific securities or cash as collateral for the account of the broker (the Fund’s agent in acquiring the futures position). During the period the futures contracts are open, changes in the value of the contracts are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by “marking to market” on a daily basis to reflect the market value of the contracts at the end of each day’s trading. Variation margin payments are received or made depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contracts are closed, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from, or cost of, the closing transaction and the Fund’s basis in the contract. If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract and/or enter into an offsetting closing transaction, the Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the value of the contracts and continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contracts. The Fund segregates cash having a value at least equal to the amount of the current obligation under any open futures contract. With futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since futures are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.

 

3.INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, other than short-term investments, U.S. Government securities, and derivatives, amounted to $136,545,510 and $85,680,567, respectively.

 

4.OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND DERIVATIVE ASSETS

 

Impact of Derivatives on the Statement of Operations

 

The Fund’s policy is to recognize a gross asset (liability) equal to the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and swaps contracts. The swaps held by the Fund as of December 31, 2020 had no unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

 

The Fund uses derivative instruments as part of its principal investment strategy to achieve its investment objective. For additional discussion on the risks associated with the derivative instruments, see Note 2.

 

The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020:

 

Derivative Investment Type  Location of Gain/Loss on Derivative
Swaps/Futures Contracts  Net realized gain from Swaps
   Net realized loss from Futures Contracts
   Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures contracts
   Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on swaps

 

The following is a summary of the Fund’s realized gain/(loss) on derivative investments recognized in the Statement of Operations categorized by primary risk exposure for the year ended December 31, 2020:

14

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

Realized gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in the Statement of Operations  
Derivative Investment              Total for the Year Ended 
Type  Interest Rate Risk   Equity Risk   Credit Risk   December 31, 2020 
Future Contracts  $(75,875)  $2,801   $   $(73,074)
Swaps           4,724,171    4,724,171 
Total  $(75,875)  $2,801   $4,724,171   $4,651,097 

 

Changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives recognized in the Statement of Operations  
Derivative Investment          Total for the Year Ended 
Type  Equity Risk   Credit Risk   December 31, 2020 
Future Contracts  $(74,942)  $   $(74,942)
Swaps       (214,225)   (214,225)
Total  $(74,942)  $(214,225)  $(289,167)

 

The derivative instruments outstanding as of December 31, 2020 as disclosed in the Notes to the Financial Statements and the amounts of realized and changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments during the period as disclosed in the Statement of Operations serve as indicators of the volume of derivative activity for the Fund.

 

Market Risk – Market risk is the risk that changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates or equity prices will affect the positions held by the Fund. The Fund is exposed to market risk on financial instruments that are valued at market prices as disclosed in the Portfolios of Investments. The prices of derivative instruments, including swaps and futures prices, can be highly volatile. Price movements of derivative contracts in which the Fund’s assets may be invested are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments, and national and international political and economic events and policies. The Fund is exposed to market risk on derivative contracts in that the Fund may not be able to readily dispose of its holdings when it chooses and also that the price obtained on disposal is below that at which the investment is included in Fund’s financial statements. All financial instruments are recognized at fair value, and all changes in market conditions directly affect net income. A Fund’s investments in derivative instruments are exposed to market risk and are disclosed in the portfolio of investments.

 

Unexpected local, regional or global events, such as war; acts of terrorism; financial, political or social disruptions; natural, environmental or man-made disasters; the spread of infectious illnesses or other public health issues; and recessions and depressions could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments and may impair market liquidity. Such events can cause investor fear, which can adversely affect the economies of nations, regions and the market in general, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness known as COVID-19, which is caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread globally. This coronavirus has resulted in, among other things, travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, significant disruptions to business operations, market closures, cancellations and restrictions, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, and significant volatility and declines in global financial markets, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19 has adversely affected, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future could adversely affect, the economies of many nations and the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

15

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

Counterparty Risk: The Fund invests in derivative instruments (the “Product”) issued for the Fund by Barclays Bank (“Barclays”). If Barclays becomes insolvent, Barclays may not be able to make any payments under the Product and investors may lose their Fund capital invested in the Product. A decline in Barclays financial standing is likely to reduce the market value of the Product and therefore the price the Fund may receive for the Product if it sells it in the market.

 

Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk is the risk that the Fund will encounter difficulty in raising funds to meet commitments. Liquidity risk may result in an inability to sell investments quickly at close to fair value. The Fund’s financial instruments include investments in securities which are not traded on organized public exchanges and which generally may be illiquid. As a result, the Fund may not be able to quickly liquidate its investments in these instruments at an amount close to its fair value in order to meet its liquidity requirements. The Fund does not anticipate any material losses as a result of liquidity risk.

 

5.INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

 

Advisors Preferred LLC (“Advisor”), serves as investment Advisor to the Fund. The Advisor has engaged Price Capital Management, Inc. (the “Sub-Advisor”) to serve as the sub-advisor to the Fund.

 

Pursuant to an advisory agreement with the Trust, the Advisor, under the oversight of the Board, directs the daily operations of the Fund and supervises the performance of administrative and professional services provided by others. As compensation for its services and the related expenses borne by the Advisor, the Fund pays the Advisor computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 2.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Advisor pays all operating expenses of the Fund, with the exception of shareholder servicing fees, 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividends on securities sold short, if any) and extraordinary expenses. Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Advisor received $1,106,756 in advisory fees for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”), provides administration, fund accounting, and transfer agent services to the Trust. Pursuant to separate servicing agreements with GFS, GFS provides administration, fund accounting and transfer agent services to the Fund. Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of GFS, and are not paid any fees directly by the Fund for serving in such capacities. These expenses are the responsibility of the Advisor.

 

In addition, certain affiliates of GFS provide services to the Fund as follows:

 

BluGiant, LLC (“Blu Giant”), an affiliate of GFS, provides EDGAR conversion and filing services as well as print management services for the Fund on an ad-hoc basis. These expenses are the responsibility of the Advisor.

 

The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan and Agreement (the “Rule 12b-1 Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Fund’s Advisor Class shares pursuant to which the Fund pays fees to Ceros Financial Services, Inc. (“Ceros” or “Distributor”), an affiliate of the Advisor, to provide distribution and/or shareholder services to the Fund. Under the Rule 12b-1 Plan, Advisor Class shares of the Fund may pay an account maintenance fee for account maintenance services and/or distribution fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average net assets attributable to Advisor Class shares as compensation for the Distributor providing account maintenance and distribution services to shareholders. The Rule 12b-1 Plan is a compensation plan, which means that compensation is provided regardless of 12b-1 expenses incurred. During the year ended December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan, the Advisor Class paid $14,478 which was paid out to brokers and dealers.

 

The Trust has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan under the 1940 Act for the Fund’s Investor Class pursuant to which the Fund pays fees to the Distributor for providing administrative shareholder services and/or account maintenance services at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average net assets attributable to Investor Class shares. During the year ended December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan, the

16

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

Investor Class paid $11,544 which was paid out to brokers and dealers.

 

Effective October 1, 2020, each Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust or Advisor is compensated at a rate of $50,000 per year plus $2,500 per meeting for certain special meetings as well as for reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, paid quarterly. Prior to that date, each Trustee received $30,000 per year. The “interested persons” who serve as Trustees of the Trust receive no compensation for their services as Trustees. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust. Interested trustees of the Trust are also officers or employees of the Advisor and its affiliates.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, Ceros, a registered broker/dealer and an affiliate of the Advisor, executed trades on behalf of the Fund and received $6,799 in trade commissions.

 

6.AGGREGATE UNREALIZED APPRECIATION AND DEPRECIATION – TAX BASIS

 

The identified cost of investments in securities and owned by the Fund for federal income tax purposes excluding futures and its respective gross unrealized appreciation and (depreciation) at December 31, 2020, were as follows:

 

    Gross   Gross     
Tax   Unrealized   Unrealized   Net Unrealized 
Cost   Appreciation   (Depreciation)   Appreciation 
$81,803,436   $5,258,458   $(83,183)  $5,175,275 

 

7.DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL

 

The tax character of fund distributions paid for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows:

 

   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019 
Ordinary Income  $1,930,092   $330,283 

 

As of December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings/(accumulated deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed   Undistributed   Post October Loss   Capital Loss   Other   Unrealized   Total 
Ordinary   Long-Term   and   Carry   Book/Tax   Appreciation/   Accumulated 
Income   Gains   Late Year Loss   Forwards   Differences   (Depreciation)   Earnings/(Deficits) 
$4,437,866   $   $   $(8,953,891)  $   $5,175,275   $659,250 

 

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains and capital loss carryforwards utilized, as follows:

 

Non-Expiring   Non-Expiring       CLCF 
Short-Term   Long-Term   Total   Utilized 
$7,703,804   $1,250,087   $8,953,891   $556,720 

 

8.CONTROL OWNERSHIP

 

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumption of control of the fund pursuant to Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2020,

17

 

OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

National Financial Services LLC and TD Ameritrade held approximately 35.90% and 35.59%, respectively, of the Fund for the benefit of its customers.

 

9.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that no events or transactions occurred requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

18

 

(COHEN & CO LOGO)

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders of OnTrack Core Fund and

Board of Trustees of Advisors Preferred Trust

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of OnTrack Core Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Advisors Preferred Trust, as of December 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

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

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies advised by Advisors Preferred, LLC since 2012.

 

(-s- COHEN & COMPANY)

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

Chicago, Illinois.

March 1, 2021

 

C O H E N  &  C O M P A N Y ,  L T D .

800.229.1099 | 866.818.4535 fax | cohencpa.com

 

Registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

19

 

OnTrack Core Fund
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (Unaudited)
December 31, 2020

 

As a shareholder of OnTrack Core Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the OnTrack Core Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

 

Table 1. Actual Expenses

 

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

 

Table 2. Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

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

 

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

 

  Table 1              
     Annualized  Beginning  Ending Account     
  Actual  Expense  Account Value  Value  Expenses Paid During Period *  
  Expenses  Ratio  7/1/2020  12/31/2020  7/1/2020-12/31/2020  
  Investor Class  2.56%  $1,000.00  $1,115.90  $13.62  
  Advisor Class  2.77%  $1,000.00  $1,115.00  $14.73  
                 
  Table 2              
  Hypothetical  Annualized  Beginning  Ending Account     
  (5% return before  Expense  Account Value  Value  Expenses Paid During Period *  
  expenses)  Ratio  7/1/2020  12/31/2020  7/1/2020-12/31/2020  
  Investor Class  2.56%  $1,000.00  $1,012.27  $12.95  
  Advisor Class  2.77%  $1,000.00  $1,011.21  $14.00  

 

*Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184) divided by the numbers of days in the fiscal year (366).

20

 

PRIVACY NOTICE 

 

Rev. May 2014

 

FACTS WHAT DOES ADVISORS PREFERRED TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
   
Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
   
What? The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
   
    Social Security number Purchase History
         
  Assets Account Balances
         
  Retirement Assets Account Transactions
         
  Transaction History Wire Transfer Instructions
         
  Checking Account Information    
   
  When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.
   
How? All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Advisors Preferred Trust chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

  

Reasons we can share your personal information Does Advisors
Preferred Trust
share?
Can you limit this
sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

No We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies No We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

No We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call 1-866-862-9686

21

 

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Advisors Preferred Trust

What we do
How does Advisors Preferred Trust protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does Advisors Preferred Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

■    Open an account

 

■    Provide account information

 

■    Give us your contact information

 

■    Make deposits or withdrawals from your account

 

■    Make a wire transfer

 

■    Tell us where to send the money

 

■    Tells us who receives the money

 

■    Show your government-issued ID

 

■    Show your driver’s license

 

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only  

■    Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

■    Affiliates from using your information to market to you

 

■    Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions
Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

■    Advisors Preferred Trust does not share with our affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.  

   Advisors Preferred Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

   Advisors Preferred Trust doesn’t jointly market.

22

 

Ontrack Core Fund
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
December 31, 2020

 

Independent Trustees

 

The following table provides information regarding each Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Name, Address 1 and
Year of Birth
Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
Term of
Office/Length
of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past
5 Years
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee 2
Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past 5
Years
Charles R. Ranson
Born: 1947
Trustee Indefinite, since November 2012 Principal, Ranson & Associates (business consultancy) (since 2003) 16 Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (since 2015)
Felix Rivera
Born: 1963
Trustee Indefinite, since November 2012 Managing Partner, Independent Channel Advisors, LLC (investment advisory consultancy), (since January 2011). 16 Centerstone Investors Trust (since 2016)
David Feldman
Born: 1963
Trustee Indefinite, since September 2017 Independent Consultant (since January 2015). Head of Intermediary Sales, Baron Capital Inc. (February 2010 to December 2014) 16 None

 

1Unless otherwise specified, the mailing address of each Trustee is Advisors Preferred Trust, 1445 Research Blvd, Suite 530, Rockville, MD 20850.

 

2The “Fund Complex” consists of the series of the Trust.

  

AP 12/31/20 v2

23

 

Ontrack Core Fund
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
December 31, 2020

 

Interested Trustees and Officers

 

The following table provides information regarding each Trustee who is an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, and each officer of the Trust.

 

Name, Address 1
and Year of Birth
Position(s)
Held with
the Fund
Term of Office/
Length of Time
Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5
Years
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee 2
Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
Catherine Ayers-Rigsby
Born: 1948
Trustee, Chairperson , President Indefinite; since November 2012 CEO, Advisors Preferred, LLC (since June 2011); President, Ceros Financial Services, Inc. ((since August 2019); CEO Atcap Partners, LLC, (investment adviser) (since July 2011) 16 None
Brian S. Humphrey
Born: 1972
Trustee Indefinite; since November 2012 Managing Director, Ceros Financial Services, Inc. (since January 2011). 16 None
Christine Casares
Born: 1975
Treasurer Indefinite; since May 2019 Vice President, Tax Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since February 2016); Assistant Vice President, Tax Administration (January 2012 – January 2016) N/A N/A
Angela Holland
Born: 1970
Chief Compliance Officer Indefinite; since July 1, 2020 Chief Compliance Officer, Ceros Financial Services, Inc. (since January 2016), Sales Supervisor/AML Compliance Officer, Ceros Financial Services, Inc. (April 2012 – January 2016); Compliance Manager, Advisors Preferred, LLC (Since April 2012 ); Compliance Manager, AtCap Partners, LLC (since April 2012) N/A N/A
Richard Malinowski
Born: 1983
Secretary Indefinite; since November 2012 Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since February 2020); Senior Vice President, legal Administration, (February 2017- January 2019) Vice President and Counsel (April 2016-2017) and AVP and Staff Attorney (Sept. 2012 – March 2016). N/A N/A

 

1Unless otherwise specified, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o Advisors Preferred Trust, 1445 Research Blvd., Suite 530, Rockville, MD 20850.

 

2The “Fund Complex” consists of the series of the Trust.

 

The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available free of charge by calling toll- free 1-855-747-9555.

 

AP 12/31/20 v2

24

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-747-9555 or by referring to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT, within sixty days after the end of the period. Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The information on Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-747-9555.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Advisors Preferred LLC

1445 Research Blvd., Suite 530

Rockville, MD 20850

 

SUB-ADVISOR

Price Capital Management, Inc.

85 Chanteclaire Circle

Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

 

ADMINISTRATOR

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022

 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

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

 

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

 

(1)Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
(2)Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;
(3)Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;
(4)The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and
(5)Accountability for adherence to the code.

 

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

 

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

 

(e) The Code of Ethics is not posted on Registrant’ website.

 

(f) A copy of the Code of Ethics is attached as an exhibit.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

(a)The Registrant’s board of trustees has determined that Felix Rivera is the audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.  Mr. Rivera is independent for purposes of this Item 3.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)Audit Fees

2020 - $16,500

2019 - $16,500

 

(b)Audit-Related Fees

2020 – None

2019 - None

 

(c)Tax Fees

2020 - $3,000

2019 - $3,000

 

Preparation of Federal & State income tax returns, assistance with calculation of required income, capital gain and excise distributions and preparation of Federal excise tax returns.

 

(d)All Other Fees

2020 – None

2019 - None

 

(e)(1) Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies

 

The registrant’s Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all audit services and, when appropriate, any non-audit services (including audit-related, tax and all other services) to the registrant. The registrant’s Audit Committee also is required to pre-approve, when appropriate, any non-audit services (including audit-related, tax and all other services) to its adviser, or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant, to the extent that the services may be determined to have an impact on the operations or financial reporting of the registrant. Services are reviewed on an engagement by engagement basis by the Audit Committee.

 

(2)Percentages of Services Approved by the Audit Committee
   2020  2019
Audit-Related Fees:   100%   100%
Tax Fees:   100%   100%
All Other Fees:   100%   100%

 

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

 

(g)The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant:

 

2020 - $3,000

2019 - $3,000

 

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

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments. Schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included under Item 1.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Funds. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Funds. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. Vote of security holders is included under item 1.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)       Based on an evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of filing date of this Form N-CSR, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Registrant have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Registrant are reasonably designed to ensure that the information required in filings on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported by the filing date, including that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b)       There were no significant changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s last fiscal half-year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable.

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) Code of Ethics filed herewith.

 

(a)(2) Certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and Item 11(a)(2) of Form N-CSR) are filed herewith.

 

(a)(3) Not applicable for open-end investment companies.

 

(b)       Certifications required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and Item 11(b) of Form N-CSR) are filed herewith.

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant) Advisors Preferred Trust

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Catherine Ayers-Rigsby

Catherine Ayer-Rigsby, President/Principal Executive Officer

 

Date 3/8/21

 

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

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/Catherine Ayers-Rigsby

Catherine Ayers-Rigsby, President/Principal Executive Officer

 

Date 3/8/21

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Christine Casares

Christine Casares, Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer

 

Date 3/8/21