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
80 Arkay Drive., Hauppauge, NY 11788
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 631-470-2600
Date of fiscal year end: 12/31
Date of reporting period: 6/30/21
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
OnTrack Core Fund
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2021
Investor Class Shares (OTRFX)
Advisor Class Shares (OTRGX)
1-855-747-9555
www.advisorspreferred.com
Distributed by Ceros Financial Services, Inc.
August 20, 2021
Dear Shareholders,
This Semi-annual Report for the OnTrack Core Fund (Fund) covers the period from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. 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 4.65%, while the Advisor Class Shares of the Fund returned 4.54%. The Bloomberg-Barclays U.S. 1-3-month Treasury Bill Index gained 0.02%, while the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index declined by -1.60%. The S&P 500 Total Return Index increased by 15.25% for the period.
The Fund uses a flexible approach to investing that emphasizes capital preservation but enables the Sub-advisor to increase emphasis on capital appreciation when warranted by favorable market conditions. The Fund began 2021 fully invested and leveraged, primarily in low volatility bond and income mutual funds designed to follow the overall trend of the stock market, but without the same day-to-day volatility. This approach produced strong gains with low volatility until the spike in U.S. Treasury yields in February. High yield municipal bonds had performed well based on the expectation of a bailout for financially distressed cities and states. However, they were impacted by the falling Treasures and were sold as they hit previously established stops. The decline in Treasuries continued to have an impact on other bond and income classes, including high yield corporate bonds, which were weak the end of February and the first half of March. As the Funds holdings were affected by the rise in Treasury yields, positions were sold during the month of March reducing the overall portfolio exposure.
After the period of weakness in March, a high yield or junk bond index, which the Sub-advisor utilizes as a good barometer of the overall health of the stock market, resumed its uptrend. At the beginning of April, the Fund remained fully invested in low volatility bond and income mutual funds. Holdings were selected based on their volatility characteristics to reduce the odds of a sharp drawdown if the market should suddenly pull back. Reduced volume in summer months can lead to increased stock market volatility, but the Fund entered the summer months in a steady low volatility uptrend.
For the six-month period, neither the increasing number of Delta variant COVID-19 cases nor rising inflation fears stemmed the bull market in stocks, but these factors, along with the underperformance of small cap stocks, were reasons for vigilance. At the end of the period, the Fund remained fully invested and leveraged in low volatility bond and income mutual funds. The Fund achieves leverage primarily through the use of swaps. Even with its selective use of leverage, the day-to-day volatility of the Fund remained much less than that of the major stock market indices through the first half of 2021, in keeping with its paramount focus on risk management.
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)
June 30, 2021
The Funds performance figures* for the periods ended June 30, 2021, as compared to its benchmarks: | ||||||
Annualized | ||||||
Since Inception | Since Inception | |||||
Six Months | One Year | Five Year | June 21, 2013 | January 15, 2013 | ||
OnTrack Core Fund - Investor Class | 4.65% | 16.78% | 8.93% | N/A | 5.90% | |
OnTrack Core Fund - Advisor Class | 4.54% | 16.56% | 8.71% | 5.67% | N/A | |
Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill Index ** | 0.02% | 0.07% | 1.11% | 0.71% | 0.68% | |
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index *** | (1.60)% | (0.33)% | 3.03% | 3.45% | 2.94% | |
S&P 500 Total Return Index **** | 15.25% | 40.79% | 17.65% | 15.44% | 15.80% | |
* | 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 Funds prospectus dated May 1, 2021 is 3.45% for the Investor Class and 3.67% for the Advisor Class. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The Funds 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 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 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 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.
|
Top Holdings * | % of Net Assets | |||
Open End Mutual Funds | 85.8 | % | ||
Money Market Funds | 10.9 | % | ||
Other Assets Less Liabilities | 3.3 | % | ||
100.0 | % |
* | The Top Holdings detailed does not include derivative exposure. |
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this report for a detailed listing of the Funds holdings.
2
ONTRACK CORE FUND |
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) |
June 30, 2021 |
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
OPEN END MUTUAL FUNDS — 85.8% | ||||||||
DEBT FUNDS - 85.8% | ||||||||
114,286 | AlphaCentric Income Opportunities Fund, Class I | $ | 1,333,714 | |||||
525,727 | Angel Oak Financials Income Fund, Institutional Class | 4,710,515 | ||||||
193,050 | BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund, Institutional Class | 2,063,707 | ||||||
3,027,959 | Braddock Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Institutional Class | 22,225,216 | ||||||
298,107 | Catalyst Enhanced Income Strategy Fund, Class I | 3,341,784 | ||||||
3,555,217 | Columbia Mortgage Opportunities Fund, Class I3 | 38,538,553 | ||||||
942,507 | Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund, Class I | 10,028,275 | ||||||
500,330 | Diamond Hill High Yield Fund, Class I | 5,778,809 | ||||||
1,713,885 | Diamond Hill Short Duration Securitized Bond Fund, Class I | 17,447,345 | ||||||
428,725 | Doubleline Income Fund, Class I | 3,991,425 | ||||||
830,484 | Holbrook Income Fund, Class I | 8,877,876 | ||||||
618,760 | James Alpha Structured Credit Value Portfolio, Class I | 6,843,490 | ||||||
944,287 | Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond, Class I | 10,018,886 | ||||||
638,085 | PGIM Floating Rate Income Fund, Class Z | 6,189,429 | ||||||
189,243 | PIA High Yield Fund, Investor Class | 1,915,139 | ||||||
671,236 | RiverPark Strategic Income Fund, Institutional Class | 6,235,778 | ||||||
2,125,271 | Semper MBS Total Return Fund, Institutional Class | 20,381,352 | ||||||
1,819,027 | Thompson Bond Fund | 20,100,249 | ||||||
682,580 | Touchstone High Yield Fund, Institutional Class | 5,836,057 | ||||||
195,857,599 | ||||||||
TOTAL OPEN END MUTUAL FUNDS (Cost $189,480,671) | 195,857,599 | |||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 10.9% | ||||||||
MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 10.9% | ||||||||
12,405,923 | Fidelity Government Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.01%(a) | 12,405,923 | ||||||
12,405,923 | First American Government Obligations Fund, Class Z, 0.02%(a) | 12,405,923 | ||||||
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS (Cost $24,811,846) | 24,811,846 | |||||||
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $24,811,846) | 24,811,846 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
3
ONTRACK CORE FUND |
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) |
June 30, 2021 |
Fair Value | ||||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 96.7% (Cost $214,292,517) | $ | 220,669,445 | ||||||
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES- 3.3% | 7,560,234 | |||||||
NET ASSETS - 100.0% | $ | 228,229,679 |
(a) | Rate disclosed is the seven-day effective yield as of June 30, 2021. |
TOTAL RETURN SWAPS
Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||
Number of | Notional Amount | Termination | Appreciation | |||||||||||||
Shares | Reference Entity* | at June 30, 2021 | Interest Rate Payable (1) | Date | Counterparty | (Depreciation) | ||||||||||
Long Position: | ||||||||||||||||
2,104,628 | AlphaCentric Income Opportunities Fund | 24,561,014 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp | 7/11/2022 | CIBC | $ | — | |||||||||
1,852,277 | American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunityes Fund | 18,374,588 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
391,390 | Angel Oak Multi-Strategy Income Fund | 4,074,364 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
968,992 | BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund | 10,358,527 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
337,268 | BlackRock Strategic Municipal Opportunities Fund | 4,040,472 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
1,217,242 | Diamond Hill High Yield Fund | 14,059,143 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
305,188 | Diamond Hill Short Duration Total Return Fund | 3,106,816 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
1,026,958 | Invesco Income Fund | 8,215,661 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
1,101,591 | Invesco Rochester Mulicipal Opportunities Fund | 9,055,080 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
22,604 | Invesco Short Duration Inflation Pretected Fund | 248,870 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp | 6/27/2022 | CIBC | — | ||||||||||
1,089,325 | Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | 20,174,291 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
1,072,235 | Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund | 19,225,169 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
982,252 | PIMCO High Yield Spectrum Fund | 9,960,038 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
966,089 | PIMCO Preferred and Capital Security Fund | 10,974,774 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp | 7/5/2022 | CIBC | — | ||||||||||
474,834 | Principal Spectrum Preferred and Capital Securities Income Fund | 5,004,748 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 185 bp | 7/15/2022 | CIBC | — | ||||||||||
1,909,091 | Thompson Bond Fund | 21,095,455 | 3-Mth USD LIBOR plus 150 bp | 6/30/2022 | BRC | — | ||||||||||
Total: | $ | — |
BRC - Barclays Capital
CIBC - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
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 June 30, 2021. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
4
OnTrack Core Fund |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited) |
June 30, 2021 |
ASSETS | ||||
Investment securities: | ||||
At cost | $ | 214,292,517 | ||
At value | $ | 220,669,445 | ||
Receivable for swap resets | 2,168,840 | |||
Cash | 5,280,000 | |||
Dividends and interest receivable | 401,578 | |||
Receivable for Fund shares sold | 149,384 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 84,585 | |||
TOTAL ASSETS | 228,753,832 | |||
LIABILITIES | ||||
Investment advisory fees payable | 486,993 | |||
Distribution (12b-1) fees payable - Advisor Class | 18,576 | |||
Shareholder services fees payable - Investor Class | 15,021 | |||
Payable for swap resets | 2,163 | |||
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | 1,400 | |||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 524,153 | |||
NET ASSETS | $ | 228,229,679 | ||
Composition of Net Assets: | ||||
Paid in capital | $ | 221,103,243 | ||
Distributable earnings | 7,126,436 | |||
NET ASSETS | $ | 228,229,679 | ||
Net Asset Value Per Share: | ||||
Investor Class Shares: | ||||
Net Assets | $ | 135,550,030 | ||
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized) | 2,239,420 | |||
Net asset value (Net Assets ÷ Shares Outstanding), offering price and redemption price per share | $ | 60.53 | ||
Advisor Class Shares: | ||||
Net Assets | $ | 92,679,649 | ||
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized) | 1,518,523 | |||
Net asset value (Net Assets ÷ Shares Outstanding), offering price and redemption price per share | $ | 61.03 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
5
OnTrack Core Fund |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) |
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 |
INVESTMENT INCOME | ||||
Dividends | $ | 2,625,896 | ||
Interest | 2,068 | |||
TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME | 2,627,964 | |||
EXPENSES | ||||
Investment advisory fees | 2,030,861 | |||
Distribution (12b-1) fees - Advisor Class | 69,503 | |||
Shareholder services fees - Investor Class | 37,403 | |||
Other expenses | 8,152 | |||
TOTAL EXPENSES | 2,145,919 | |||
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | 482,045 | |||
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS | ||||
Net realized gain from: | ||||
Investments | 736,520 | |||
Swaps | 4,046,968 | |||
Net Realized Gain on Investments and Swaps | 4,783,488 | |||
Net change in unrealized appreciation on: | ||||
Investments | 1,201,653 | |||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Investments | 1,201,653 | |||
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS | 5,985,141 | |||
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | $ | 6,467,186 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
6
OnTrack Core Fund |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS |
For the | For the | |||||||
Six Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||
June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 482,045 | $ | 1,281,616 | ||||
Net realized gain on investments and swaps | 4,783,488 | 5,142,317 | ||||||
Distributions from underlying investment companies | — | 23,448 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments | 1,201,653 | 4,547,601 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 6,467,186 | 10,994,982 | ||||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS | ||||||||
Total distributions paid: | ||||||||
Investor Class | — | (1,715,839 | ) | |||||
Advisor Class | — | (214,253 | ) | |||||
Total distributions to shareholders | — | (1,930,092 | ) | |||||
Net Realized Gain on Investments and Swaps | ||||||||
Proceeds from shares sold: | ||||||||
Investor Class | 92,041,347 | 62,492,736 | ||||||
Advisor Class | 83,073,267 | 11,596,310 | ||||||
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions: | ||||||||
Investor Class | — | 1,651,391 | ||||||
Advisor Class | — | 212,746 | ||||||
Cost of shares redeemed: | ||||||||
Investor Class | (40,388,340 | ) | (16,187,685 | ) | ||||
Advisor Class | (2,346,080 | ) | (3,937,296 | ) | ||||
Net increase from shares of beneficial interest transactions | 132,380,194 | 55,828,202 | ||||||
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS | 138,847,380 | 64,893,092 | ||||||
NET ASSETS | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 89,382,299 | 24,489,207 | ||||||
End of period | $ | 228,229,679 | $ | 89,382,299 | ||||
SHARE ACTIVITY | ||||||||
Investor Class: | ||||||||
Shares Sold | 1,544,601 | 1,125,788 | ||||||
Shares Reinvested | — | 28,655 | ||||||
Shares Redeemed | (677,269 | ) | (297,230 | ) | ||||
Net increase in shares of beneficial interest outstanding | 867,332 | 857,213 | ||||||
Advisor Class: | ||||||||
Shares Sold | 1,385,951 | 221,564 | ||||||
Shares Reinvested | — | 3,657 | ||||||
Shares Redeemed | (38,997 | ) | (72,246 | ) | ||||
Net increase in shares of beneficial interest outstanding | 1,346,954 | 152,975 |
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 or Period |
Investor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ended June 30, | For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year or period | $ | 57.84 | $ | 45.89 | $ | 43.54 | $ | 48.96 | $ | 47.21 | $ | 45.77 | ||||||||||||
Activity from investment operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.18 | 1.55 | 0.67 | 0.57 | 0.06 | 0.23 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 2.51 | 11.76 | 2.31 | (2.88 | ) | 3.01 | 4.54 | |||||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 2.69 | 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 or period | $ | 60.53 | $ | 57.84 | $ | 45.89 | $ | 43.54 | $ | 48.96 | $ | 47.21 | ||||||||||||
Total return (b) | 4.65 | % (f) | 29.03 | % | 6.86 | % | (4.70 | )% | 6.49 | % | 10.41 | % (c) | ||||||||||||
Net assets, at end of year or period (000s) | $ | 135,550 | $ | 79,367 | $ | 23,628 | $ | 25,692 | $ | 30,753 | $ | 35,802 | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (d) | 2.58 | % (g) | 2.54 | % | 2.53 | % | 2.53 | % | 2.53 | % | 2.53 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (d,e) | 0.62 | % (g) | 2.90 | % | 1.47 | % | 1.17 | % | 0.14 | % | 0.48 | % | ||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 35 | % (f) | 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 period. |
(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. |
(f) | Not annualized. |
(g) | Annualized. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
8
OnTrack Core Fund |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout each Year or Period |
Advisor Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Six | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, | For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year or period | $ | 58.38 | $ | 46.33 | $ | 43.90 | $ | 49.21 | $ | 47.45 | $ | 46.00 | ||||||||||||
Activity from investment operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) (a) | 0.16 | 1.55 | 0.55 | 0.20 | (0.04 | ) | (0.20 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 2.49 | 11.78 | 2.38 | (2.61 | ) | 3.02 | 4.88 | |||||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 2.65 | 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 or period | $ | 61.03 | $ | 58.38 | $ | 46.33 | $ | 43.90 | $ | 49.21 | $ | 47.45 | ||||||||||||
Total return (b) | 4.54 | % (f) | 28.78 | % | 6.67 | % | (4.90 | )% | 6.27 | % | 10.18 | % (c) | ||||||||||||
Net assets, at end of year or period (000s) | $ | 92,680 | $ | 10,016 | $ | 862 | $ | 1,104 | $ | 4,860 | $ | 5,120 | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (d) | 2.77 | % (g) | 2.76 | % | 2.75 | % | 2.75 | % | 2.75 | % | 2.75 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (d,e) | 0.54 | % (g) | 2.79 | % | 1.23 | % | 0.40 | % | (0.07 | )% | (0.40 | )% | ||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 35 | % (f) | 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 period. |
(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. |
(f) | Not annualized. |
(g) | Annualized. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
9
OnTrack Core Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021
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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Trusts 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
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June 30, 2021
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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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.
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June 30, 2021
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, 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 June 30, 2021 for the Funds assets measured at fair value:
Assets * | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Open End Mutual Funds | $ | 195,857,599 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 195,857,599 | ||||||||
Short-Term Investments | 24,811,846 | — | — | 24,811,846 | ||||||||||||
Total Investments | $ | 220,669,445 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 220,669,445 |
* | Refer to the Schedule 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 Funds 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 Funds 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
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June 30, 2021
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 Funds 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, 2018 to December 31, 2020, or expected to be taken in the Funds December 31, 2021 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021
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 Schedule of Investments. Such collateral is held for the benefit of the counterparty in a segregated account at the Funds 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 SECs 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.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021
ETNs are subject to default risks.
3. | INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS |
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, other than short-term investments, U.S. Government securities, and derivatives, amounted to $163,305,715 and $48,099,394, respectively.
4. | OFFSETTING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND DERIVATIVE ASSETS |
Impact of Derivatives on the Statement of Operations
The Funds 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 June 30, 2021 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 Funds Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021:
Derivative Investment Type | Location of Gain/Loss on Derivative |
Swaps | Net realized gain from Swaps |
The following is a summary of the Funds realized gain/(loss) on derivative investments recognized in the Statement of Operations categorized by primary risk exposure for the six months ended June 30, 2021:
Realized gain on derivatives recognized in the Statement of Operations | ||||||||
Derivative Investment | Total for the Six Months Ended | |||||||
Type | Credit Risk | June 30, 2021 | ||||||
Swaps | $ | 4,046,968 | $ | 4,046,968 | ||||
Total | $ | 4,046,968 | $ | 4,046,968 |
The derivative instruments outstanding as of June 30, 2021 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 Funds 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 Funds financial statements. All financial instruments are recognized at fair value, and all changes in market conditions directly affect net income. A Funds investments in derivative instruments are exposed to market risk and are disclosed in the schedule of investments.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021
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.
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 Funds 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 Funds 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 $2,030,861 in advisory fees for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
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.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021
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 Funds 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 Funds 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 six months ended June 30, 2021, pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan, the Advisor Class paid $69,503 which was paid out to brokers and dealers.
The Trust has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan under the 1940 Act for the Funds 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 Funds average net assets attributable to Investor Class shares. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan, the Investor Class paid $37,403 which was paid out to brokers and dealers.
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. 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 six months ended June 30, 2021, Ceros, a registered broker/dealer and an affiliate of the Advisor, executed trades on behalf of the Fund and received $2,434 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 June 30, 2021, were as follows:
Tax | Gross Unrealized | Gross Unrealized | Net Unrealized | |||||||||||
Cost | Appreciation | (Depreciation) | Appreciation | |||||||||||
$ | 214,292,517 | $ | 6,385,528 | $ | (8,600 | ) | $ | 6,376,928 |
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 |
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021
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 June 30, 2021, National Financial Services LLC and TD Ameritrade held approximately 51.20% and 25.16%, 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.
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OnTrack Core Fund
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021
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 January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.
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 Funds actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balances or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare 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 | 1/1/2021 | 6/30/2021 | 1/1/2021-6/30/2021 |
Investor Class | 2.58% | $1,000.00 | $1,046.50 | $13.09 |
Advisor Class | 2.77% | $1,000.00 | $1,045.40 | $14.05 |
Table 2 | ||||
Hypothetical | Annualized | Beginning | Ending Account | |
(5% return before | Expense | Account Value | Value | Expenses Paid During Period * |
expenses) | Ratio | 1/1/2021 | 6/30/2021 | 1/1/2021-6/30/2021 |
Investor Class | 2.58% | $1,000.00 | $1,012.00 | $12.87 |
Advisor Class | 2.77% | $1,000.00 | $1,011.06 | $13.81 |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Funds annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the number of days in the period (181) divided by the numbers of days in the fiscal year (365). |
19
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement – OnTrack Core Fund
At a video conference meeting held on May 25, 2021 (the Meeting), held in accordance with relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) to ease certain governance obligations required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) in light of travel concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic (the SEC Relief Order) the Board of Trustees (the Board) of Advisors Preferred Trust (the Trust), including a majority of Trustees who are not interested persons (the Independent Trustees), as such term is defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement) between Advisors Preferred, LLC (the Adviser) and the Trust, on behalf of OnTrack Core Fund (the Fund or OnTrack); and the renewal of the sub-advisory agreement between the Adviser and Price Capital Management, Inc. (PCM or the Sub-Adviser) (together the Advisory Agreements).
In connection with the Boards consideration of the Advisory Agreements the Adviser and Sub-Adviser provided the Board in advance of the Meeting with written materials, which included information regarding: (a) a description of the investment management personnel of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser; (b) the Advisers and Sub-Advisers operations and financial condition; (c) the Advisers brokerage practices (including any soft dollar arrangements); (d) the level of the advisory fees proposed to be charged compared with the fees charged to comparable mutual funds or accounts; (e) anticipated direct level of profitability to the Adviser and Sub-Adviser and from related operations; (f) the Advisers and Sub-Advisers compliance policies and procedures; and (g) information regarding the performance of the Fund as compared to benchmarks and Morningstar category. The Boards review of the materials and deliberations are presented contemporaneously given the overlapping considerations, paralleled issues and conclusions drawn by the Board.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the nature, extent and quality of services provided, the Trustees reviewed the Advisers Form ADV, and the Sub-Advisers Form ADV, a description of the manner in which investment decisions will be made for the Fund by the Sub-Adviser, a description of the services provided by the Adviser and those services provided by the Sub-Adviser and those executed by the Adviser. The Board reviewed the experience of professional personnel from both the Adviser and Sub-Adviser performing services for the Fund, including the team of individuals that primarily monitor and execute the investment and administration process, and the portfolio managers. Further reviewed by the Board was a certification from each of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser certifying that each has adopted a Code of Ethics containing provisions reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons, as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, from engaging in conduct prohibited by Rule 17j-1(b) and that each of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating such Code of Ethics. The Trustees also noted the financial resources of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser appeared adequate.
The Board also discussed the Advisers compliance program with the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of the Trust. The Board noted that the Adviser continues to have in place procedures which are currently working to prevent violations of applicable securities laws. The CCO noted she works closely with the Advisers CCO. The Board concluded that the Adviser has qualified professionals, resources, and compliance policies essential to performing its duties under the Advisory Agreement.
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Regarding the compliance programs of the Sub-Adviser, the CCO of the Trust noted that she works with the CCO of the Sub-Adviser. The Board noted the Trusts CCO had reviewed the policies and procedures manual of the Sub-Adviser, including latest revisions and business continuity plans. The Board determined that the Sub-Adviser has a compliance program in place that prevents violations of the applicable securities law.
Performance. The Board considered that the Adviser delegates day-to-day investment decisions to the Sub-Adviser and, therefore, would not directly control the performance of the Fund. The Board considered the Advisers other responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement, including with respect to trade oversight, reviewing daily positions and balance reports for the Fund, obtaining derivative agreements and reporting to the Board, and concluded that the Adviser appears to be adequately monitoring the Sub-Advisers adherence to the Funds investment objectives and appears to be carrying out its functions appropriately.
With respect to the performance results from the Sub-Advisers daily management and investment strategies, the Board considered the updated performance of the Fund compared to its primary benchmark and Morningstar category for various periods provided by the Adviser. The Trustees also reviewed the Sub-Advisers strategy and the Funds performance for various periods with explanations for over/under performance.
With respect to the performance of the PCM, the Board considered the performance of OnTrack Core Fund (Investor Class shares) for the various periods ended April 30, 2021 as compared to the Barclays 1-3 Month Treasury Index, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and the Morningstar Macro Trading category for each of the one-year, three-year, five-year, and since inception periods (except for the newer Morningstar Macro Trading category). The Board noted that the Find outperformed the Barclays 1-3 Month Treasury, Bloomberg US Aggerate Index and the Morningstar Macro Trading category for all periods indicated. With respect to the S&P 500 Total Return Index, the Board reported that the Funds investment objective is total return with lower volatility and downside risk than that of equity market indices. OnTracks five-star Morningstar rating and risk-adjusted performance was reviewed. The Trustees acknowledged the strong performance based on its strategy, and that with Adviser oversight, PCM was expected to continue to obtain an acceptable level of investment returns for shareholders over the long term.
Fees and Expenses. As to the costs of the services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, respectively, the Board reviewed and discussed the advisory fee and total operating expenses of each Fund compared to its peer group and Morningstar category as presented in the Meeting Materials.
The Board noted that advisory fee of 2.50% for OnTrack was above the average for the Morningstar Multialternative Category and was close to the maximum management fee. The unitary structure of expenses for the Fund was discussed by the Trustees as they observed that since the Adviser pays virtually all Fund expenses that the advisory fee could be reduced by operating expenses for a purer comparison. The Board noted that the net expenses of 3.45% for Investor Class was within range for similar class funds and below the maximum net expense for the Morningstar Multialternative Institutional Class. With regards to OnTrack Adviser Class shares, the Board noted the net expense ratio of 3.67% was above the average and below the maximum net expense ratio for the Morningstar Multialternative A category. The Board concluded that the advisory fee and net expenses for OnTrack Core Fund were not unreasonable.
Profitability of Adviser. The Board reviewed the levels of profits to the Adviser for the two most recent fiscal years or partial fiscal periods from the Fund with respect to advisory fees and from
21
the total relationship with the Fund. They considered whether profits from the Fund were reasonable in light of services provided, including the assets levels and payments to the Sub-Adviser, and any breakpoints in fee structures for the Fund.
With respect to the Fund, the Adviser reported a small profit from the advisory fee and its relationship with the Fund. The Board considered the fee split with the Sub-Adviser to be acceptable. The Board noted that the Advisor charges a unitary-type fee of 2.50% of the Funds average annual net assets (exclusive of distribution fees, acquired fund fees and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by the Fund), of which the Adviser is entitled to 0.35%, with the remaining balance paid to the Sub-Adviser less the other operating expenses of the Fund, resulting in an approximate 1.75% fee to the Sub-Adviser. The Board considered that the Adviser is responsible for the payment of most operational Fund expenses incurred and found that at recent asset levels the Advisers relationship with the Fund was slightly profitable at a 4% margin for advisory services as well as when viewed from a totality of the relationship with the Fund perspective. The Board concluded that any excess profit to the Adviser from OnTrack was not a current issue. The Trustees agreed to monitor adviser profits as assets of the Fund grow.
Profitability Sub-Adviser: The Board reviewed the levels of profits to the Sub-Adviser for the two most recent fiscal years or partial fiscal periods from the Fund with respect to sub-advisory fees and from the total relationship with the Fund. With regards to the Fund, the Board noted that the Sub-Adviser usually charges higher fees for separately managed accounts with similar investment strategies, if any.
The Board reviewed the profitability reports submitted by PCM, and noted that with respect to sub-advisory fees, noted it receives a net fee after the advisory fee, and after other Fund expenses required to be paid by the Adviser. The Board determined the profits to PCM for the fiscal periods were modest at 12% gross profit from advisory fees received for managing the portfolio assets. The Board concluded that based on the assets levels and services provided, the Sub-Adviser having excess profits was not a current concern.
Economies of Scale. As to the extent to which the Fund will realize economies of scale, the Adviser reported an estimate of $500 million to be the minimum asset level required to reach such economies of scale and that the Fund may not achieve economies of scale as it may face capacity issues. The Board discussed the Advisers expectations for the growth of the Fund and concluded that any material economies of scale were not a concern at present assets levels. The Trustees agreed to revisit economies of scale as assets of the Fund continue to grow.
Conclusion. The Board was assisted by counsel throughout the Advisory Agreements review process. The Board members relied upon the advice of counsel, and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating each of the Advisory Agreements In considering the approval Board noted that each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching the conclusion to renew with respect to the Advisory Agreements.
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LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Fund has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the Liquidity Rule) under the Investment Company Act. The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Funds liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, the Funds investment strategies and the liquidity of portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; short and long-term cash flow projections; and cash holdings and access to other funding sources.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Trusts Liquidity Program Administrator (LPA) and the Board reviewed the Funds investments and they determined that, generally, the Fund held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. Accordingly, the Board and the LPA concluded that (i) the Funds liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Funds liquidity risk management program has been effectively implemented.
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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 dont share |
For joint marketing with other financial companies | No | We dont share |
For our affiliates everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences |
No | We dont share |
For our affiliates everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness |
No | We dont share |
For nonaffiliates to market to you | No | We dont share |
Questions? | Call 1-866-862-9686 |
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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 drivers license
We also collect your personal information from other companies. | ||||
Why cant 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 doesnt jointly market. | ||||
25
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 Commissions (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 SECs 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
ONTRACK-SAR21
(b) Not applicable.
Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. Not applicable.
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. None
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) Not applicable.
(a)(3) Not applicable for open-end investment companies.
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 8/30/21
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 8/30/21
By (Signature and Title)
/s/ Christine Casares
Christine Casares, Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer
Date 8/30/21
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Catherine Ayers-Rigsby, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Ontrack Core Fund (a series of Advisors Preferred Trust);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: 8/30/21 /s/ Catherine Ayers-Rigsby
Catherine Ayers-Rigsby, President/Principal Executive Officer
I, Christine Casares, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Ontrack Core Fund (a series of Advisors Preferred Trust);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Date: 8/30/21 /s/ Christine Casares
Christine Casares, Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer
certification
Catherine Ayers-Rigsby, President, and Christine Casares, Treasurer of Advisors Preferred Trust (the “Registrant”), each certify to the best of his knowledge that:
1. The Registrant’s periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended June 30, 2021 (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of Sections 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.
President/Principal Executive Officer Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer
Advisor Preferred Trust Advisor Preferred Trust
/s/ Catherine Ayers-Rigsby /s/ Christine Casares
Cathernine Ayers Rigsby Christine Casares
Date: 8/30/21 Date: 8/30/21
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Advisors Preferred Trust and will be retained by the Advisors Preferred Trust and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) or its staff upon request.
This certification is being furnished to the Commission solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR filed with the Commission.