N-CSRS 1 v369556_ncsrs.htm N-CSRS

 

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 811-03651

 

Touchstone Strategic Trust - June Funds
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

303 Broadway, Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4203
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Jill T. McGruder
303 Broadway, Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4203
(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 800-638-8194

 

Date of fiscal year end: June 30

 

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2013

 

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

 

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 
 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 

December 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

Touchstone Strategic Trust

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund

Touchstone Value Fund

  

 

 
 

 

Table of Contents

 

  Page  
Tabular Presentation of Portfolios of Investments 3 - 4  
Portfolio of Investments:    
Touchstone Capital Growth Fund 5  
Touchstone International Small Cap Fund 7  
Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund 10  
Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund 12  
Touchstone Value Fund 14  
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 16 - 19  
Statements of Operations 20 - 21  
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 22 - 24  
Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Capital Stock Activity 26 - 30  
Financial Highlights 31 - 48  
Notes to Financial Statements 49 - 61  
Other Items 62 - 69  
Privacy Protection Policy 71  

 

This report identifies the Funds' investments on December 31, 2013. These holdings are subject to change. Not all investments in each Fund performed the same, nor is there any guarantee that these investments will perform as well in the future. Market forecasts provided in this report may not occur.

 

2
 

 

Tabular Presentation of Portfolios of Investments (Unaudited) 

December 31, 2013

 

The tables below provide each Fund’s sector allocation. We hope it will be useful to shareholders as it summarizes key information about each Fund’s investments.

 

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund    
Sector Allocation*  (% of Net Assets) 
Information Technology   27.6%
Consumer Discretionary   20.1 
Industrials   15.0 
Health Care   10.5 
Consumer Staples   8.1 
Energy   7.7 
Financials   6.1 
Materials   3.1 
Investment Funds   3.0 
Other Assets/Liabilities (Net)   (1.2)
Total   100.0%

 

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund    
Sector Allocation*  (% of Net Assets) 
Financials   21.7%
Industrials   11.5 
Information Technology   11.2 
Materials   10.5 
Consumer Discretionary   9.9 
Health Care   8.9 
Consumer Staples   8.9 
Utilities   7.7 
Energy   7.4 
Exchange Traded Fund   0.5 
Investment Fund   3.5 
Other Assets/Liabilities (Net)   (1.7)
Total   100.0%

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund    
Sector Allocation*  (% of Net Assets) 
Industrials   21.8%
Financials   18.5 
Consumer Discretionary   16.6 
Information Technology   8.9 
Materials   8.8 
Consumer Staples   7.5 
Health Care   7.0 
Telecommunication Services   2.6 
Energy   2.0 
Utilities   1.7 
Exchange Traded Fund   2.4 
Investment Funds   5.5 
Other Assets/Liabilities (Net)   (3.3)
Total   100.0%

 

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund    
Sector Allocation*  (% of Net Assets) 
Financials   29.6%
Consumer Discretionary   17.0 
Industrials   13.4 
Information Technology   10.9 
Health Care   8.8 
Energy   6.5 
Consumer Staples   3.9 
Materials   3.7 
Utilities   2.5 
Telecommunication Services   0.3 
Exchange Traded Fund   0.9 
Investment Funds   14.3 
Other Assets/Liabilities (Net)   (11.8)
Total   100.0%

 

* Sector classifications are based upon the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®).

 

3
 

 

Tabular Presentation of Portfolios of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Touchstone Value Fund    
Sector Allocation*  (% of Net Assets) 
Financials   25.9%
Health Care   21.8 
Industrials   13.9 
Energy   11.9 
Consumer Staples   6.4 
Information Technology   6.3 
Consumer Discretionary   5.9 
Telecommunication Services   4.8 
Utilities   1.0 
Materials   1.0 
Investment Fund   1.1 
Other Assets/Liabilities (Net)    
Total   100.0%

 

* Sector classifications are based upon the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®).

 

4
 

 

Portfolio of Investments

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund – December 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

       Market 
   Shares   Value 
           
Common Stocks— 98.2%          
           
Information Technology — 27.6%          
Analog Devices, Inc.   56,835   $2,894,607 
Apple, Inc.   15,755    8,840,288 
ARM Holdings PLC, ADR   57,370    3,140,434 
ASML Holding NV   21,853    2,047,626 
eBay, Inc.*   65,460    3,593,099 
EMC Corp.   134,281    3,377,167 
Google, Inc. - Class A*   7,739    8,673,175 
International Business Machines Corp.   12,378    2,321,741 
LinkedIn Corp. - Class A*   11,260    2,441,506 
Qualcomm, Inc.   53,150    3,946,388 
Splunk, Inc.*   57,045    3,917,280 
Trimble Navigation Ltd.*   118,720    4,119,584 
Visa, Inc. - Class A   28,060    6,248,401 
         55,561,296 
           
Consumer Discretionary — 20.1%          
Amazon.com, Inc.*   8,005    3,192,315 
Autoliv, Inc.†   22,015    2,020,977 
BorgWarner, Inc.   82,600    4,618,166 
Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*†   42,025    2,480,736 
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. (British Virgin Islands)*   59,945    4,866,935 
priceline.com, Inc.*   3,280    3,812,672 
Ralph Lauren Corp.   12,920    2,281,284 
Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc.*   44,250    2,978,025 
Starbucks Corp.   28,465    2,231,371 
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.   52,730    4,189,398 
Urban Outfitters, Inc.*   76,175    2,826,092 
VF Corp.   39,390    2,455,573 
Walt Disney Co. (The)   32,525    2,484,910 
         40,438,454 
           
Industrials — 15.0%          
Danaher Corp.   46,700    3,605,240 
Flowserve Corp.   45,480    3,585,188 
Fluor Corp.   37,360    2,999,634 
Precision Castparts Corp.   15,945    4,293,988 
Rockwell Automation, Inc.   19,585    2,314,164 
Union Pacific Corp.   25,115    4,219,320 
United Rentals, Inc.*   60,765    4,736,632 
United Technologies Corp.   38,240    4,351,712 
         30,105,878 
           
Health Care — 10.5%          
Celgene Corp.*   28,091    4,746,255 
Cerner Corp.*   45,048    2,510,976 
Henry Schein, Inc.*   43,821    5,006,987 
Shire PLC, ADR   14,245    2,012,676 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   34,875    3,883,331 
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (Canada)*   25,340    2,974,916 
         21,135,141 
           
Consumer Staples — 8.1%          
Anheuser-Busch InBev N.V., ADR   35,910    3,822,979 
Diageo PLC, ADR   27,670   3,664,061 
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The) - Class A   31,945    2,406,097 
Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (The)*   28,820    2,616,280 
Walgreen Co.   64,745    3,718,953 
         16,228,370 
           
Energy — 7.7%          
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.   28,950    2,296,314 
Cameron International Corp.*   52,345    3,116,098 
Chevron Corp.   17,180    2,145,954 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   22,413    4,125,561 
Schlumberger Ltd. (Cook Islands)   42,876    3,863,556 
         15,547,483 
           
Financials — 6.1%          
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.   34,417    3,959,676 
BlackRock, Inc.   15,600    4,936,932 
Ocwen Financial Corp.*   62,205    3,449,267 
         12,345,875 
           
Materials — 3.1%          
Monsanto Co.   53,220    6,202,791 
Total Common Stocks       $197,565,288 
           
Investment Funds— 3.0%          
Invesco Government & Agency          
Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03%**Ω   4,542,285    4,542,285 
Touchstone Institutional Money Market          
Fund, 0.01%^Ω   1,401,368    1,401,368 
Total Investment Funds       $5,943,653 
           
Total Investment Securities —101.2%          
(Cost $123,987,051)       $203,508,941 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.2%)        (2,396,650)
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $201,112,291 

 

*Non-income producing security.

 

**Represents collateral for securities loaned.

 

^Affiliated Fund. See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements.

 

All or a portion of the security is on loan. The total market value of the securities on loan as of December 31, 2013 was $4,447,708.

 

ΩRepresents the 7-day SEC yield as of December 31, 2013.

 

5
 

 

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Portfolio Abbreviations:

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt

 

PLC - Public Limited Company

 

Other Information:

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table below, please refer to the security valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Valuation inputs at Reporting Date: 
Description  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common                    
Stocks  $197,565,288   $   $   $197,565,288 
Investment                    
Funds   5,943,653            5,943,653 
                  $203,508,941 

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6
 

 

Portfolio of Investments

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund – December 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

       Market 
   Shares   Value 
         
Common Stocks— 95.4%          
           
United Kingdom — 20.9%          
Ashtead Group PLC   95,561   $1,202,662 
Berendsen PLC   88,463    1,371,888 
Blinkx PLC*   496,411    1,687,228 
Cineworld Group PLC   200,265    1,260,196 
Close Brothers Group PLC   61,000    1,385,904 
Elementis PLC   245,588    1,093,572 
Just Retirement Group PLC*   326,896    1,136,785 
Majestic Wine PLC   116,705    1,039,731 
Micro Focus International PLC   128,598    1,635,484 
Northgate PLC   169,300    1,438,214 
Paragon Group of Cos. PLC   238,840    1,467,338 
Playtech PLC   110,000    1,342,485 
Rightmove PLC   34,554    1,567,827 
Rotork PLC   20,207    960,358 
Savills PLC   205,604    2,199,446 
Synergy Health PLC   57,000    1,135,508 
TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC   337,100    1,708,164 
Taylor Wimpey PLC   744,411    1,374,475 
TUI Travel PLC   292,162    1,998,612 
WS Atkins PLC   66,551    1,562,716 
         28,568,593 
           
Japan — 17.6%          
Chiyoda Co. Ltd.   33,000    636,120 
COMSYS Holdings Corp.   72,000    1,132,034 
Credit Saison Co. Ltd.   40,700    1,072,934 
Daiichikosho Co. Ltd.   25,500    721,025 
FP Corp.   14,300    1,019,607 
HIS Co. Ltd.   26,900    1,344,057 
Hoshizaki Electric Co. Ltd.   50,100    1,781,591 
Iriso Electronics Co. Ltd.   23,305    1,073,380 
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co.   28,500    1,080,909 
Kakaku.com, Inc.   53,300    936,290 
Kanamoto Co. Ltd.†   53,000    1,349,224 
Monex Group, Inc.   302,500    1,358,179 
Nippon Paint Co. Ltd.   79,633    1,324,942 
Pola Orbis Holdings, Inc.†   31,000    1,107,022 
Sawai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.   16,400    1,058,949 
Seria Co. Ltd.   31,400    1,262,280 
Ship Healthcare Holdings, Inc.   30,000    1,164,936 
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.   61,800    879,705 
Suzuken Co. Ltd.   25,000    809,824 
Takuma Co. Ltd.   113,000    990,970 
Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co. Ltd.   41,900    897,234 
Yokogawa Electric Corp.   72,000    1,106,986 
         24,108,198 
           
Canada — 7.1%          
Element Financial Corp.*   128,275    1,690,610 
Horizon North Logistics, Inc.   199,922    1,872,651 
Intertape Polymer Group, Inc.   136,498    1,802,840 
Onex Corp.   23,500    1,268,746 
Stantec, Inc.†   19,800    1,227,609 
Westjet Airlines Ltd.   68,955    1,812,402 
         9,674,858 
           
Denmark — 6.3%          
GN Store Nord A/S   83,082   2,041,822 
H Lundbeck A/S   55,015    1,391,583 
Matas A/S*   47,051    1,303,055 
Royal UNIBREW A/S   13,280    1,802,421 
Topdanmark A/S*   76,446    2,014,599 
         8,553,480 
           
Germany — 6.2%          
Aurelius AG   46,331    1,882,531 
Deutz AG*   154,612    1,383,781 
Freenet AG   61,419    1,845,401 
Jungheinrich AG   21,694    1,413,349 
NORMA Group AG   39,359    1,956,640 
         8,481,702 
           
Ireland — 5.7%          
C&C Group PLC   229,503    1,341,846 
Glanbia PLC   74,331    1,151,420 
Greencore Group PLC   630,946    2,329,949 
Kingspan Group PLC*   76,000    1,359,197 
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC*   65,027    1,597,719 
         7,780,131 
           
France — 4.4%          
Plastic Omnium SA   91,086    2,543,742 
Teleperformance   23,514    1,432,869 
UBISOFT Entertainment*   148,322    2,097,606 
         6,074,217 
           
Italy — 3.5%          
Banca Generali SpA   60,104    1,860,069 
Interpump Group SpA   130,974    1,571,899 
Recordati SpA   89,278    1,285,496 
         4,717,464 
           
Sweden — 3.0%          
Axis Communications AB†   32,200    1,119,785 
Fastighets AB Balder, Class B*   182,282    1,872,503 
JM AB   39,300    1,110,358 
         4,102,646 
           
Cayman Islands — 2.8%          
500.com Ltd. - Class A ADR*†   23,139    818,425 
NagaCorp Ltd.   1,352,000    1,424,479 
Towngas China Co. Ltd.   1,311,000    1,519,917 
         3,762,821 
           
Switzerland — 2.4%          
Aryzta AG   19,962    1,533,859 
Bucher Industries AG   6,066    1,762,714 
         3,296,573 
           
Finland — 2.2%          
Huhtamaki OYJ   71,160    1,830,402 
Pohjola Bank PLC, Class A   61,161    1,226,325 
         3,056,727 

 

7
 

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

       Market 
   Shares   Value 
         
Common Stocks — 95.4% (Continued)          
           
Bermuda — 1.7%          
Catlin Group Ltd.   134,538   $1,293,292 
Lancashire Holdings Ltd.   76,450    1,026,710 
         2,320,002 
           
Belgium — 1.4%          
Arseus NV   19,238    731,515 
Barco NV   15,200    1,185,638 
         1,917,153 
           
Luxembourg — 1.4%          
Samsonite International SA   616,300    1,875,692 
           
Israel — 1.2%          
Delek Group Ltd.   4,156    1,587,228 
           
South Korea — 1.1%          
Hanssem Co. Ltd.   32,000    1,526,475 
           
Australia — 1.1%          
DuluxGroup Ltd.   311,488    1,490,759 
           
Spain — 1.1%          
Bankinter SA   215,800    1,480,526 
           
Austria — 1.0%          
Oesterreichische Post AG   27,200    1,305,106 
           
Jersey — 0.7%          
Henderson Group PLC   268,738    1,017,313 
           
Portugal — 0.7%          
CTT-Correios de Portugal SA*   131,697    1,012,775 
           
Norway — 0.7%          
Borregaard ASA   190,562    950,436 
           
Singapore — 0.6%          
SATS Ltd.   347,848    890,328 
           
Thailand — 0.6%          
Thai Tap Water Supply PCL   2,807,002    856,761 
Total Common Stocks       $130,407,964 
           
Exchange Traded Fund — 2.4%          
iShares MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index          
Fund   65,000    3,313,700 
           
Investment Funds— 5.5%          
Invesco Government & Agency          
Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03%**Ω   4,761,045    4,761,045 
Touchstone Institutional Money Market          
Fund, 0.01%^Ω   2,712,795    2,712,795 
Total Investment Funds       $7,473,840 
           
Total Investment Securities —103.3%          
(Cost $107,666,320)       $141,195,504 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (3.3%)        (4,525,012)
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $136,670,492 

 

*Non-income producing security.

 

**Represents collateral for securities loaned.

 

^Affiliated Fund. See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements.

 

All or a portion of the security is on loan. The total market value of the securities on loan as of December 31, 2013 was $4,513,344.

 

ΩRepresents the 7-day SEC yield as of December 31, 2013.

 

Portfolio Abbreviations:

 

PCL - Public Company Limited

 

PLC - Public Limited Company

 

Other Information:

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table below, please refer to the security valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8
 

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

  Valuation inputs at Reporting Date: 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common                    
Stocks                    
Australia  $1,490,759   $   $   $1,490,759 
Austria       1,305,106        1,305,106 
Belgium   1,917,153            1,917,153 
Bermuda   2,320,002            2,320,002 
Canada   9,674,858            9,674,858 
Cayman                    
Islands   3,762,821            3,762,821 
Denmark   1,802,421    6,751,059        8,553,480 
Finland       3,056,727        3,056,727 
France   6,074,217            6,074,217 
Germany       8,481,702        8,481,702 
Ireland   7,780,131            7,780,131 
Israel   1,587,228            1,587,228 
Italy       4,717,464        4,717,464 
Japan       24,108,198        24,108,198 
Jersey   1,017,313            1,017,313 
Luxembourg    1,875,692            1,875,692 
Norway       950,436        950,436 
Portugal   1,012,775            1,012,775 
Singapore   890,328            890,328 
South                    
Korea       1,526,475        1,526,475 
Spain   1,480,526            1,480,526 
Sweden       4,102,646        4,102,646 
Switzerland       3,296,573        3,296,573 
Thailand       856,761        856,761 
United                    
Kingdom    28,568,593            28,568,593 
Exchange                    
Traded Fund   3,313,700            3,313,700 
Investment                    
Funds   7,473,840            7,473,840 
                  $141,195,504 

 

At December 31, 2013, securities valued at $41,495,945 were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2. Transfers from Level 1 to Level 2 are due to the closure of several foreign markets.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9
 

 

Portfolio of Investments

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund – December 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

       Market 
   Shares   Value 
         
Common Stocks— 97.7%          
           
Financials — 21.7%          
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. REIT   37,690   $2,397,838 
Allstate Corp. (The)   31,116    1,697,067 
American Campus Communities, Inc.          
REIT   68,896    2,219,140 
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.   20,415    2,348,746 
Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd.          
(Bermuda)   35,026    2,054,975 
Fifth Third Bancorp   139,834    2,940,708 
Hancock Holding Co.   50,148    1,839,429 
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.   70,906    2,568,924 
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. REIT   111,652    2,170,515 
PartnerRe Ltd. (Bermuda)   20,389    2,149,612 
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.   31,696    2,453,587 
SunTrust Banks, Inc.   69,122    2,544,381 
TCF Financial Corp.   99,173    1,611,561 
Unum Group   39,184    1,374,575 
Willis Group Holdings PLC (United          
Kingdom)   46,355    2,077,168 
Zions Bancorporation   66,453    1,990,932 
         34,439,158 
           
Industrials — 11.5%          
Cintas Corp.   37,506    2,234,983 
Clean Harbors, Inc.*   38,809    2,326,988 
Dover Corp.   24,346    2,350,363 
Fluor Corp.   26,468    2,125,116 
Parker Hannifin Corp.   18,536    2,384,471 
Regal-Beloit Corp.   29,559    2,179,089 
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.   29,659    2,393,185 
Xylem, Inc.   63,371    2,192,637 
         18,186,832 
           
Information Technology — 11.2%          
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*   143,263    2,008,547 
Citrix Systems, Inc.*   32,577    2,060,495 
Diebold, Inc.   55,985    1,848,065 
Fidelity National Information Services,          
Inc.   48,650    2,611,531 
Juniper Networks, Inc.*   83,354    1,881,300 
Microchip Technology, Inc.†   53,415    2,390,321 
Symantec Corp.   88,425    2,085,062 
Synopsys, Inc.*   69,049    2,801,318 
         17,686,639 
           
Materials — 10.5%          
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.   14,912    1,666,863 
Albemarle Corp.   34,282    2,173,136 
Allegheny Technologies, Inc.   67,835    2,416,961 
Greif, Inc. - Class A   37,152    1,946,765 
Nucor Corp.   29,649    1,582,664 
Owens-Illinois, Inc.*   50,834    1,818,841 
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.   21,634    1,555,917 
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The) - Class A   30,044    1,869,338 
Silgan Holdings, Inc.   32,862    1,578,033 
         16,608,518 
           
Consumer Discretionary — 9.9%          
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. - Class A   43,469   1,430,565 
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.   112,934    1,626,250 
Dollar General Corp.*   24,521    1,479,107 
Harley-Davidson, Inc.   27,391    1,896,553 
Hasbro, Inc.   31,475    1,731,440 
Interpublic Group of Cos, Inc. (The)   79,623    1,409,327 
Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.   66,268    2,147,746 
PetSmart, Inc.   23,428    1,704,386 
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.*   75,724    2,289,137 
         15,714,511 
           
Health Care — 8.9%          
AmerisourceBergen Corp.   24,478    1,721,048 
CareFusion Corp.*   55,240    2,199,657 
Charles River Laboratories International,          
Inc.*   35,079    1,860,590 
Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)   15,391    1,906,021 
DENTSPLY International, Inc.   44,323    2,148,778 
Patterson Cos., Inc.   62,738    2,584,806 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.†   33,005    1,767,088 
         14,187,988 
           
Consumer Staples — 8.9%          
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.   35,711    1,575,926 
Darling International, Inc.*   116,754    2,437,824 
Ingredion, Inc.   27,945    1,913,115 
JM Smucker Co. (The)   19,665    2,037,687 
Kroger Co. (The)   48,523    1,918,114 
Molson Coors Brewing Co.   43,690    2,453,194 
Sysco Corp.   49,409    1,783,665 
         14,119,525 
           
Utilities — 7.7%          
AGL Resources, Inc.   44,661    2,109,338 
Edison International   33,532    1,552,532 
Great Plains Energy, Inc.   95,178    2,307,115 
Portland General Electric Co.   76,198    2,301,180 
SCANA Corp.   34,403    1,614,533 
Xcel Energy, Inc.   82,092    2,293,650 
         12,178,348 
           
Energy — 7.4%          
EQT Corp.   22,404    2,011,431 
McDermott International, Inc.          
(Panama)*†   134,230    1,229,547 
Nabors Industries Ltd. (Bermuda)   62,078    1,054,705 
Newfield Exploration Co.*   65,514    1,613,610 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   11,835    2,178,468 
Range Resources Corp.   14,099    1,188,687 
Spectra Energy Corp.   66,933    2,384,153 
         11,660,601 
Total Common Stocks       $154,782,120 
           
Exchange Traded Fund — 0.5%          
iShares Russell Midcap Value Index Fund   12,118    796,274 

 

10
 

 

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

       Market 
   Shares   Value 
         
Investment Fund — 3.5%          
Invesco Government & Agency          
Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03%**Ω   5,496,576   $5,496,576 
           
Total Investment Securities —101.7%          
(Cost $155,768,967)        161,074,970 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.7%)        (2,666,342)
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $158,408,628 

 

*Non-income producing security.

 

**Represents collateral for securities loaned.

 

All or a portion of the security is on loan. The total market value of the securities on loan as of December 31, 2013 was $5,386,956.

 

ΩRepresents the 7-day SEC yield as of December 31, 2013.

 

Portfolio Abbreviations:

 

PLC - Public Limited Company

 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

 

Other Information:

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table below, please refer to the security valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Valuation inputs at Reporting Date: 
Description  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common                    
Stocks  $154,782,120   $   $   $154,782,120 
Exchanged                    
Traded Fund   796,274            796,274 
Investment                    
Fund   5,496,576            5,496,576 
                  $161,074,970 

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11
 

 

Portfolio of Investments

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund – December 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

       Market 
   Shares   Value 
         
Common Stocks— 96.6%          
           
Financials — 29.6%          
Altisource Portfolio Solutions SA          
(Luxembourg)*   15,300   $2,427,039 
American Equity Investment Life          
Holding Co.   82,900    2,186,902 
Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.   23,800    983,178 
Bofi Holding, Inc.*   16,700    1,309,781 
Capstead Mortgage Corp. REIT   82,500    996,600 
Cash America International, Inc.   40,250    1,541,575 
Columbia Banking System, Inc.   58,600    1,612,086 
DFC Global Corp.*   72,200    826,690 
Encore Capital Group, Inc.*   46,000    2,311,960 
Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd.   33,300    1,953,711 
First Cash Financial Services, Inc.*   26,200    1,620,208 
First Commonwealth Financial Corp.   154,300    1,360,926 
Home Loan Servicing Solutions Ltd.   72,800    1,672,216 
Horace Mann Educators Corp.   45,000    1,419,300 
Iberiabank Corp.   31,500    1,979,775 
Lexington Realty Trust REIT   178,000    1,817,380 
Maiden Holdings Ltd.   104,400    1,141,092 
Newcastle Investment Corp. REIT   402,600    2,310,924 
Stewart Information Services Corp.   49,500    1,597,365 
Stifel Financial Corp.*   44,100    2,113,272 
SVB Financial Group*   15,400    1,614,844 
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*   35,600    2,214,320 
Tower Group International Ltd.          
(Bermuda)†   66,790    225,750 
Wintrust Financial Corp.   39,800    1,835,576 
         39,072,470 
           
Consumer Discretionary — 17.0%          
American Public Education, Inc.*   16,600    721,602 
Barnes & Noble, Inc.*   33,700    503,815 
Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. (The)*   36,600    2,085,102 
Deckers Outdoor Corp.*†   24,600    2,077,716 
EW Scripps Co. - Class A*   69,400    1,507,368 
Gentherm, Inc.*   71,500    1,916,915 
LifeLock, Inc.*†   75,900    1,245,519 
LIN Media LLC*   60,500    1,736,955 
Media General, Inc. - Class A*†   55,900    1,263,340 
Outerwall, Inc.*†   27,300    1,836,471 
Rent-A-Center, Inc. TX   47,200    1,573,648 
Ruby Tuesday, Inc.*   87,800    608,454 
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.*†   83,200    1,122,368 
Stage Stores, Inc.   91,600    2,035,352 
TravelCenters of America LLC*   101,800    991,532 
Universal Electronics, Inc.*   33,500    1,276,685 
         22,502,842 
           
Industrials — 13.4%          
ABM Industries, Inc.   56,350    1,611,047 
Acacia Research Corp.†   41,300    600,502 
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.*   16,000    658,400 
Con-way, Inc.   20,000    794,200 
DXP Enterprises, Inc.*   15,600    1,797,120 
Generac Holdings, Inc.   30,100    1,704,864 
Greenbrier Cos., Inc.*   48,700    1,599,308 
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.*   62,800   1,860,764 
ICF International, Inc.*   34,300    1,190,553 
JetBlue Airways Corp.*†   179,500    1,534,725 
Mueller Water Products, Inc. - Class A   148,300    1,389,571 
Tutor Perini Corp.*   75,500    1,985,650 
Wabash National Corp.*   80,100    989,235 
         17,715,939 
           
Information Technology — 10.9%          
AVG Technologies N.V. (Netherlands)*   61,100    1,051,531 
Chipmos Technologies Bermuda Ltd.   68,800    1,323,712 
Cirrus Logic, Inc.*†   53,000    1,082,790 
DST Systems, Inc.   17,800    1,615,172 
GT Advanced Technologies, Inc.*†   100,300    874,616 
InvenSense, Inc.*†   67,900    1,410,962 
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.          
(Singapore)*   67,850    902,405 
Methode Electronics, Inc.   50,600    1,730,014 
Silicon Image, Inc.*   222,000    1,365,300 
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.*   47,400    2,097,924 
Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*   43,400    946,554 
         14,400,980 
           
Health Care — 8.8%          
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.*   46,400    1,354,880 
Air Methods Corp.*   28,500    1,662,405 
Cambrex Corp.*   82,400    1,469,192 
Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   54,600    2,293,746 
Kindred Healthcare, Inc.   58,500    1,154,790 
Providence Service Corp. (The)*   42,900    1,103,388 
Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.†   24,100    1,312,245 
Team Health Holdings, Inc.*   27,400    1,248,070 
         11,598,716 
           
Energy — 6.5%          
Delek U.S. Holdings, Inc.   52,300    1,799,643 
Energy XXI Bermuda Ltd. (Bermuda)   61,100    1,653,366 
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*   52,200    1,209,996 
Newpark Resources, Inc.*   102,000    1,253,580 
Western Refining, Inc.†   23,100    979,671 
World Fuel Services Corp.   38,600    1,665,976 
         8,562,232 
           
Consumer Staples — 3.9%          
Andersons, Inc. (The)   14,800    1,319,716 
Medifast, Inc.*   61,700    1,612,221 
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.*   32,200    2,219,224 
         5,151,161 
           
Materials — 3.7%          
FutureFuel Corp.   90,550    1,430,690 
Headwaters, Inc.*   167,400    1,638,846 
PH Glatfelter Co.   66,250    1,831,150 
         4,900,686 
           
Utilities — 2.5%          
NorthWestern Corp.   42,800    1,854,096 

 

12
 

 

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

       Market 
   Shares   Value 
         
Common Stocks — 96.6% (Continued)          
           
Utilities — (Continued)          
PNM Resources, Inc.   59,800   $1,442,376 
         3,296,472 
           
Telecommunication Services — 0.3%          
Magicjack Vocaltec Ltd.*†   39,200    467,264 
Total Common Stocks       $127,668,762 
           
Exchange Traded Fund — 0.9%          
iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund†   12,800    1,273,600 
           
Investment Funds— 14.3%          
Invesco Government & Agency          
Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03%**Ω   14,907,695    14,907,695 
Touchstone Institutional Money Market          
Fund, 0.01%^Ω   3,983,301    3,983,301 
Total Investment Funds       $18,890,996 
           
Total Investment Securities —111.8%          
(Cost $117,881,292)       $147,833,358 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (11.8%)        (15,650,464)
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $132,182,894 

 

*Non-income producing security.

 

**Represents collateral for securities loaned.

 

^Affiliated Fund. See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements.

 

All or a portion of the security is on loan. The total market value of the securities on loan as of December 31, 2013 was $14,706,434.

 

ΩRepresents the 7-day SEC yield as of December 31, 2013.

 

Portfolio Abbreviations:

 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

 

Other Information:

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table below, please refer to the security valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Valuation inputs at Reporting Date: 
Description  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common                    
Stocks  $127,668,762   $   $   $127,668,762 
Exchanged                    
Traded Fund   1,273,600            1,273,600 
Investment                    
Funds   18,890,996            18,890,996 
                  $147,833,358 

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

13
 

 

Portfolio of Investments

Touchstone Value Fund – December 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

       Market 
   Shares   Value 
         
Common Stocks— 98.9%          
           
Financials — 25.9%          
American Express Co.   140,079   $12,709,368 
Bank of America Corp.   553,443    8,617,108 
Capital One Financial Corp.   161,638    12,383,087 
Citigroup, Inc.   178,446    9,298,821 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   220,461    12,892,559 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.   133,078    10,324,191 
SLM Corp.   321,319    8,444,263 
State Street Corp.   112,826    8,280,300 
Wells Fargo & Co.   284,814    12,930,556 
         95,880,253 
           
Health Care — 21.8%          
Cardinal Health, Inc.   77,203    5,157,932 
Johnson & Johnson   110,644    10,133,884 
Medtronic, Inc.   215,151    12,347,516 
Merck & Co., Inc.   182,085    9,113,354 
Pfizer, Inc.   401,906    12,310,381 
Sanofi ADR   132,870    7,125,818 
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR   163,670    6,559,894 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   112,724    8,488,117 
WellPoint, Inc.   99,876    9,227,544 
         80,464,440 
           
Industrials — 13.9%          
Emerson Electric Co.   126,955    8,909,702 
General Dynamics Corp.   71,500    6,831,825 
Honeywell International, Inc.   106,876    9,765,260 
Illinois Tool Works, Inc.   89,190    7,499,095 
Raytheon Co.   133,335    12,093,484 
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.   76,207    6,149,143 
         51,248,509 
           
Energy — 11.9%          
BP PLC ADR   232,124    11,283,548 
ConocoPhillips   138,548    9,788,416 
Marathon Oil Corp.   215,360    7,602,208 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.   117,138    11,139,824 
Phillips 66   54,590    4,210,527 
         44,024,523 
           
Consumer Discretionary — 6.4%          
Carnival Corp. (Paraguay)   225,717    9,067,052 
Delphi Automotive PLC (Jersey)   108,920    6,549,360 
Target Corp.   130,074    8,229,782 
         23,846,194 
           
Information Technology — 6.3%          
Intel Corp.   173,775    4,511,199 
Microsoft Corp.   304,687    11,404,434 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   171,503    7,530,697 
         23,446,330 
           
Consumer Staples — 5.9%          
Altria Group, Inc.   156,248    5,998,361 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   122,320    10,657,742 
Walgreen Co.   91,385   5,249,154 
         21,905,257 
           
Telecommunication Services — 4.8%          
AT&T, Inc.   193,246    6,794,529 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   138,124    6,787,413 
Vodafone Group PLC ADR   110,300    4,335,893 
         17,917,835 
           
Materials — 1.0%          
EI du Pont de Nemours & Co.   56,520    3,672,104 
           
Utilities — 1.0%          
Entergy Corp.   56,011    3,543,816 
Total Common Stocks       $365,949,261 
           
Investment Fund — 1.1%          
Touchstone Institutional Money Market          
Fund, 0.01%^Ω   3,933,271    3,933,271 
           
Total Investment Securities —100.0%          
(Cost $271,269,644)       $369,882,532 
           
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.0%        94,724 
           
Net Assets — 100.0%       $369,977,256 

 

^Affiliated Fund. See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ΩRepresents the 7-day SEC yield as of December 31, 2013.

 

Portfolio Abbreviations:

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt

 

PLC - Public Limited Company

 

Other Information:

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table below, please refer to the security valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Valuation inputs at Reporting Date: 
Description  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common                    
Stocks  $365,949,261   $   $   $365,949,261 
Investment                    
Fund   3,933,271            3,933,271 
                  $369,882,532 

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14
 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

15
 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities 

December 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

         
   Touchstone   Touchstone 
   Capital   International 
   Growth   Small Cap 
   Fund   Fund 
Assets          
Investments, at cost  $123,987,051   $107,666,320 
Affiliated securities, at market value  $1,401,368   $2,712,795 
Non-affiliated securities, at market value   202,107,573    138,482,709 
Investments, at market value (A)  $203,508,941   $141,195,504 
Foreign currency (B)       139,411 
Dividends and interest receivable   86,848    140,891 
Receivable for capital shares sold   858,538    990,146 
Receivable for investments sold   1,610,236     
Receivable for securities lending income   227    7,630 
Tax reclaim receivable   73    114,683 
Other assets   16,904    15,837 
Total Assets   206,081,767    142,604,102 
           
Liabilities          
Bank overdrafts   1,519    6,942 
Payable for return of collateral for securities on loan   4,542,285    4,761,045 
Payable for capital shares redeemed   202,037    302,363 
Payable for investments purchased       659,756 
Payable to Investment Advisor   106,173    97,676 
Payable to other affiliates   22,468    412 
Payable to Trustees   5,969    5,957 
Payable to Transfer Agent   71,080    34,985 
Payable for reports to shareholders   5,437    19,925 
Payable for professional services   10,040    26,192 
Payable for pricing services   1,008    13,496 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   1,460    4,861 
Total Liabilities   4,969,476    5,933,610 
           
Net Assets  $201,112,291   $136,670,492 
           
Net assets consist of:          
Paid-in capital  $134,847,888   $125,949,363 
Accumulated net investment income (loss)   (22,103)   (661,051)
Accumulated net realized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency transactions   (13,235,384)   (22,151,262)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions   79,521,890    33,533,442 
           
Net Assets  $201,112,291   $136,670,492 
(A) Includes market value of securities on loan of:  $4,447,708   $4,513,344 
(B) Cost of foreign currency:  $   $138,628 

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16
 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Touchstone   Touchstone     
Mid Cap   Small Cap     
Value   Value   Touchstone 
Opportunities   Opportunities   Value 
Fund   Fund   Fund 
          
$155,768,967   $117,881,292   $271,269,644 
$   $3,983,301   $3,933,271 
 161,074,970    143,850,057    365,949,261 
$161,074,970   $147,833,358   $369,882,532 
          
 247,367    150,139    568,836 
 433,448    94,112    441,988 
 4,013,174         
 258    20,185     
 172         
 24,821    16,231    26,304 
 165,794,210    148,114,025    370,919,660 
             
             
 325,667    1,494    1,494 
 5,496,576    14,907,695     
 604,062    58,928    616,709 
 796,414    807,998    49 
 110,109    98,293    199,796 
 2,429    10,511    13,067 
 5,958    5,957    5,997 
 22,034    14,840    64,043 
 11,180    13,479    28,178 
 9,183    9,933    9,616 
 1,183    1,553    803 
 787    450    2,652 
 7,385,582    15,931,131    942,404 
             
$158,408,628   $132,182,894   $369,977,256 
             
             
$137,457,326   $97,203,890   $302,270,042 
 5,431    (8,259)   (12,910)
 15,639,868    5,035,197    (30,892,764)
 5,306,003    29,952,066    98,612,888 
             
$158,408,628   $132,182,894   $369,977,256 
$5,386,956   $14,706,434   $ 
$   $   $ 

 

17
 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

   Touchstone   Touchstone 
   Capital   International 
   Growth   Small Cap 
   Fund   Fund 
         
Pricing of Class A Shares          
Net assets applicable to Class A shares  $1,936,932   $3,390,665 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding          
(unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)   72,785    230,517 
Net asset value price per share*  $26.61   $14.71 
Maximum offering price per share  $28.23   $15.61 
           
Pricing of Class C Shares          
Net assets applicable to Class C shares  $89,293   $123,239 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding          
(unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)   3,398    8,429 
Net asset value, offering price per share**  $26.28   $14.62 
           
Pricing of Class Y Shares          
Net assets applicable to Class Y shares  $199,010,903   $103,061,768 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding          
(unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)   7,338,383    6,847,317 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share  $27.12   $15.05 
           
Pricing of Institutional Class Shares          
Net assets applicable to Institutional Class shares  $75,163   $30,094,820 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding          
(unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)   2,755    1,990,843 
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share  $27.28   $15.12 

 

* There is no sales load on subscriptions of $1 million or more. Redemptions that were part of a $1 million or more subscription may be subject to a contingent deferred sales load if redeemed within a one-year period from the date of purchase.

 

** Redemption price per share varies by length of time shares are held.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18
 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Touchstone   Touchstone     
Mid Cap Value   Small Cap Value   Touchstone 
Opportunities   Opportunities   Value 
Fund   Fund   Fund 
          
          
$14,514,422   $3,148,755   $58,464,392 
             
 1,583,447    159,954    6,467,811 
$9.17   $19.69   $9.04 
$9.73   $20.89   $9.59 
             
             
$1,156,413   $94,538   $3,618,266 
             
 127,462    4,835    400,484 
$9.07   $19.55   $9.03 
             
             
$113,150,375   $119,815,676   $104,763,605 
             
 12,261,653    5,823,093    11,555,029 
$9.23   $20.58   $9.07 
             
             
$29,587,418   $9,123,925   $203,130,993 
             
 3,208,823    438,960    22,450,954 
$9.22   $20.79   $9.05 

 

19
 

 

Statements of Operations 

For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

   Touchstone   Touchstone 
   Capital   International 
   Growth   Small Cap 
   Fund   Fund 
Investment Income          
Dividends from affiliated securities  $133   $149 
Dividends from non-affiliated securities(A)   965,119    1,140,106 
Income from securities loaned   1,582    51,765 
Total Investment Income   966,834    1,192,020 
Expenses          
Investment advisory fees   665,331    590,253 
Administration fees   156,002    101,941 
Compliance fees and expenses   823    822 
Custody fees   2,795    23,183 
Professional fees   12,100    19,817 
Transfer Agent fees, Class A   547    455 
Transfer Agent fees, Class C   88    41 
Transfer Agent fees, Class Y   123,921    72,656 
Transfer Agent fees, Institutional Class   64    65 
Pricing Expense   1,286    17,231 
Registration Fees, Class A   7,693    8,320 
Registration Fees, Class C   219    280 
Registration Fees, Class Y   9,262    8,627 
Registration Fees, Institutional Class   6,409    6,614 
Reports to Shareholders, Class A   2,679    2,755 
Reports to Shareholders, Class C   2,218    2,288 
Reports to Shareholders, Class Y   9,934    9,135 
Reports to Shareholders, Institutional Class   2,221    2,337 
Distribution expenses, Class A   1,272    1,780 
Distribution expenses, Class C   343    188 
Trustee fees   5,975    5,969 
Other expenses   49,377    32,382 
Total Expenses   1,060,559    907,139 
Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Advisor and/or Affiliates(B)   (108,423)   (161,446)
Net Expenses   952,136    745,693 
Net Investment Income   14,698    446,327 
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments          
Net realized gains on investments   11,681,411    4,092,987 
Net realized losses on foreign currency       (11,556)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments   25,310,984    16,758,911 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency transactions       10,870 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains on Investments   36,992,395    20,851,212 
Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $37,007,093   $21,297,539 
(A)Net of foreign tax withholding of:  $6,759   $35,722 
(B)See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements          

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20
 

 

Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Touchstone   Touchstone     
Mid Cap Value   Small Cap Value   Touchstone 
Opportunities   Opportunities   Value 
Fund   Fund   Fund 
          
$487   $187   $443 
 1,567,628    648,047    4,730,905 
 22,674    122,779    246 
 1,590,789    771,013    4,731,594 
             
 631,714    573,611    1,216,049 
 121,898    99,092    294,489 
 823    822    823 
 3,843    4,725    4,724 
 11,581    11,369    14,804 
 3,993    1,278    50,797 
 227    35    3,160 
 39,311    26,932    46,122 
 907    435    721 
 1,494    1,983    1,026 
 8,254    8,082    9,891 
 567    196    240 
 9,354    9,010    13,041 
 9,916    8,080    7,483 
 2,781    2,938    9,917 
 2,241    2,308    3,833 
 6,157    4,860    8,773 
 3,004    2,496    9,744 
 13,173    2,116    71,623 
 3,134    346    16,684 
 5,971    5,969    5,989 
 14,643    9,883    25,736 
 894,986    776,566    1,815,669 
 (153,353)   (67,016)   (421,240)
 741,633    709,550    1,394,429 
 849,156    61,463    3,337,165 
             
 30,054,960    12,816,104    6,534,462 
          
 (11,959,278)   14,241,327    35,622,599 
          
 18,095,682    27,057,431    42,157,061 
$18,944,838   $27,118,894   $45,494,226 
$1,511   $   $12,704 

  

21
 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   Touchstone 
   Capital 
   Growth Fund 
   For the     
   Six Months     
   Ended     
   December 31,   For the Year 
   2013   Ended 
   (Unaudited)   June 30,2013 
From Operations          
Net investment income  $14,698   $173,556 
Net realized gains on investments and foreign currency transactions   11,681,411    18,725,481 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions   25,310,984    5,878,081 
Change in Net Assets from Operations   37,007,093    24,777,118 
           
Distributions to Shareholders from:          
Net investment income, Class A        
Net investment income, Class C       (A)
Net investment income, Class Y   (104,218)   (218,564)
Net investment income, Institutional Class   (105)   (68)
Net realized gains, Class A        
Net realized gains, Class C        
Net realized gains, Class Y        
Net realized gains, Institutional Class        
Total Distributions   (104,323)   (218,632)
           
Net Increase (Decrease) from Share Transactions(B)   (8,276,130)   (17,375,158)
           
Total Increase in Net Assets   28,626,640    7,183,328 
           
Net Assets          
Beginning of period   172,485,651    165,302,323 
End of period  $201,112,291   $172,485,651 
           
Accumulated Net Investment Income (Loss)  $(22,103)  $67,522 

 

(A) Amount rounds to less than $0.50.

(B) For details on share transactions, by class, see Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Capital Stock Activity on pages 26-28.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22
 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

Touchstone   Touchstone 
International   Mid Cap 
Small Cap Fund   Value Opportunities Fund 
For the       For the     
Six Months       Six Months     
Ended       Ended     
December 31,   For the Year   December 31,   For the Year 
2013   Ended   2013   Ended 
(Unaudited)   June 30,2013   (Unaudited)   June 30,2013 
              
$446,327   $1,766,215   $849,156   $1,781,773 
 4,081,431    2,960,500    30,054,960    19,380,415 
 16,769,781    17,012,490    (11,959,278)   6,794,557 
 21,297,539    21,739,205    18,944,838    27,956,745 
                  
                  
 (44,598)   (5,381)   (63,907)   (14,855)
 (1,662)   (22)   (3,425)   (17)
 (1,419,428)   (1,271,067)   (591,960)   (845,877)
 (442,867)   (249,360)   (184,433)   (390,985)
         (1,754,648)   (252,628)
         (138,473)   (435)
         (13,747,412)   (10,540,601)
         (3,981,668)   (5,173,566)
 (1,908,555)   (1,525,830)   (20,465,926)   (17,218,964)
                  
 10,422,611    1,821,419    41,673,654    6,937,651 
                  
 29,811,595    22,034,794    40,152,566    17,675,432 
                  
 106,858,897    84,824,103    118,256,062    100,580,630 
$136,670,492   $106,858,897   $158,408,628   $118,256,062 
                  
$(661,051)  $801,177   $5,431   $ 

 

23
 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

   Touchstone Small Cap   Touchstone 
   Value Opportunities Fund   Value Fund 
   For the       For the     
   Six Months       Six Months     
   Ended       Ended     
   December 31,   For the   December 31,   For the 
   2013   Year Ended   2013   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   June 30, 2013   (Unaudited)   June 30, 2013 
From Operations                    
Net investment income  $61,463   $817,524   $3,337,165   $6,260,187 
Net realized gains on investments   12,816,104    20,108,352    6,534,462    33,676,826 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments   14,241,327    742,439    35,622,599    16,063,683 
Change in Net Assets from Operations   27,118,894    21,668,315    45,494,226    56,000,696 
                     
Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Net investment income, Class A   (3,917)   (21,532)   (452,605)   (741,258)
Net investment income, Class C           (15,043)   (25,816)
Net investment income, Class Y   (336,256)   (534,115)   (939,906)   (1,911,954)
Net investment income, Institutional Class   (31,299)   (38,047)   (1,942,521)   (3,581,840)
Net realized gains, Class A   (313,414)   (411,110)       (1,261,426)
Net realized gains, Class C   (14,880)   (276)       (80,161)
Net realized gains, Class Y   (17,996,689)   (8,672,644)       (3,086,060)
Net realized gains, Institutional Class   (1,318,126)   (738,390)       (5,131,975)
Total Distributions   (20,014,581)   (10,416,114)   (3,350,075)   (15,820,490)
                     
Net Increase (Decrease) from Share Transactions(A)   19,053,942    2,863,294    (15,012,450)   180,083,499 
                     
Total Increase in Net Assets   26,158,255    14,115,495    27,131,701    220,263,705 
                     
Net Assets                    
Beginning of period   106,024,639    91,909,144    342,845,555    122,581,850 
End of period  $132,182,894   $106,024,639   $369,977,256   $342,845,555 
Accumulated Net Investment Income (Loss)  $(8,259)  $301,750   $(12,910)  $ 

(A) For details on share transactions by class, see Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Capital Stock Activity in pages 29-30.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24
 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

25
 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Capital Stock Activity

 

   Touchstone Capital Growth Fund 
   For the Six Months     
   Ended   For the 
   December 31, 2013   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   June 30, 2013 
   Shares   Dollars   Shares   Dollars 
Class A                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   37,415   $982,399    54,764   $1,158,223 
Reinvestment of distributions                
Cost of Shares redeemed   (15,111)   (353,252)   (33,765)   (711,164)
Change in Net Assets from Class A Share Transactions   22,304    629,147    20,999    447,059 
Class C                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   1,229    29,821    2,045    44,317 
Reinvestment of distributions                
Cost of Shares redeemed   (1)   (15)        
Change in Net Assets from Class C Share Transactions   1,228    29,806    2,045    44,317 
Class Y                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   72,661    1,813,142    282,019    6,131,148 
Reinvestment of distributions   3,668    98,960    10,235    209,920 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (432,467)   (10,852,097)   (1,131,710)   (24,100,893)
Change in Net Assets from Class Y Share Transactions   (356,138)   (8,939,995)   (839,456)   (17,759,825)
Institutional Class                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   383    10,000    934    18,816 
Reinvestment of distributions   3    91    3    68 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (208)   (5,179)   (6,191)   (125,593)
Change in Net Assets from Institutional Class Share Transactions   178    4,912    (5,254)   (106,709)
Net Increase (Decrease) from Share Transactions  $(332,428)  $(8,276,130)   (821,666)  $(17,375,158)

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26
 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Capital Stock Activity (Continued)

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund 
For the Six Months     
Ended   For the 
December 31, 2013   Year Ended 
(Unaudited)   June 30, 2013 
Shares   Dollars   Shares   Dollars 
              
 191,899   $2,698,573    26,602   $315,859 
 2,877    41,895    357    4,133 
 (3,139)   (42,212)   (7,570)   (91,704)
 191,637    2,698,256    19,389    228,288 
                  
 7,854    111,142    582    7,074 
 115    1,662    2    22 
 (80)   (1,108)   (275)   (3,147)
 7,889    111,696    309    3,949 
                  
 97,791    1,369,719    116,715    1,459,632 
 92,341    1,375,877    103,876    1,225,021 
 (360,699)   (5,094,212)   (967,013)   (11,575,060)
 (170,567)   (2,348,616)   (746,422)   (8,890,407)
                  
 1,032,524    14,140,956    1,333,832    15,915,712 
 29,603    442,867    20,975    248,348 
 (329,743)   (4,622,548)   (466,601)   (5,684,471)
 732,384    9,961,275    888,206    10,479,589 
 761,343   $10,422,611    161,482   $1,821,419 

 

27
 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Capital Stock Activity (Continued)

 

   Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund 
   For the Six Months     
   Ended   For the 
   June 30, 2013   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   June 30, 2013 
   Shares   Dollars   Shares   Dollars 
Class A                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   1,239,936   $12,273,478    378,106   $3,377,789 
Reinvestment of distributions   193,859    1,717,418    27,708    209,648 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (316,541)   (3,164,642)   (106,496)   (895,744)
Change in Net Assets from Class A Share Transactions   1,117,254    10,826,254    299,318    2,691,693 
Class C                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   111,159    1,100,279    18,556    166,338 
Reinvestment of distributions   12,683    111,058    60    452 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (14,711)   (148,800)   (583)   (5,296)
Change in Net Assets from Class C Share Transactions   109,131    1,062,537    18,033    161,494 
Class Y                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   3,362,744    33,239,034    1,098,206    9,707,354 
Reinvestment of distributions   1,529,256    13,643,059    1,463,395    11,127,631 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (1,476,533)   (14,401,941)   (1,291,652)   (11,143,689)
Change in Net Assets from Class Y Share Transactions   3,415,467    32,480,152    1,269,949    9,691,296 
Institutional Class                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   431,549    4,156,875    1,037,811    8,742,179 
Reinvestment of distributions   107,775    961,646    141,150    1,073,105 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (782,233)   (7,813,810)   (1,825,101)   (15,422,116)
Change in Net Assets from Institutional Class Share Transactions   (242,909)   (2,695,289)   (646,140)   (5,606,832)
Net Increase (Decrease) from Share Transactions   4,398,943   $41,673,654    941,160   $6,937,651 

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28
 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Capital Stock Activity (Continued)

 

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund 
For the Six Months     
Ended   For the 
December 31, 2013   Year Ended 
(Unaudited)   June 30, 2013 
Shares   Dollars   Shares   Dollars 
              
 91,015   $1,829,619    142,142   $2,469,527 
 16,104    302,907    26,279    413,524 
 (17,014)   (362,058)   (217,734)   (3,726,829)
 90,105    1,770,468    (49,313)   (843,778)
                  
 4,134    86,556    1,749    30,000 
 633    11,799    17    276 
 (1,845)   (38,766)        
 2,922    59,589    1,766    30,276 
                  
 188,527    4,120,101    443,625    7,998,195 
 918,330    18,084,643    555,066    9,051,359 
 (249,517)   (5,381,708)   (766,392)   (13,741,561)
 857,340    16,823,036    232,299    3,307,993 
                  
 150,493    3,278,046    157,469    2,911,887 
 67,787    1,349,425    37,917    623,558 
 (191,963)   (4,226,622)   (180,985)   (3,166,642)
 26,317    400,849    14,401    368,803 
 976,684   $19,053,942    199,153   $2,863,294 

 

29
 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Capital Stock Activity (Continued)

 

   Touchstone Value Fund 
   For the Six Months     
   Ended   For the Year 
   December 31, 2013   Ended 
   (Unaudited)   June 30, 2013 
   Shares   Dollars   Shares   Dollars 
Class A                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   435,753   $3,704,541    2,686,402   $19,925,893 
Proceeds from Shares issued in connection with merger(A)           4,934,586    35,709,582 
Reinvestment of distributions   40,790    367,112    223,431    1,614,615 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (667,618)   (5,783,282)   (1,413,277)   (10,625,867)
Change in Net Assets from Class A Share Transactions   (191,075)   (1,711,629)   6,431,142    46,624,223 
Class C                    
Proceeds from Shares issued   58,239    497,899    57,700    426,590 
Proceeds from Shares issued in connection with merger(A)           380,586    2,753,770 
Reinvestment of distributions   931    8,379    8,642    61,616 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (35,807)   (310,074)   (70,172)   (522,176)
Change in Net Assets from Class C Share Transactions   23,363    196,204    376,756    2,719,800 
Class Y                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   848,138    7,317,921    2,825,877    21,698,663 
Proceeds from Shares issued in connection with merger(A)           25,947,803    188,290,146 
Reinvestment of distributions   73,198    660,980    597,448    4,288,083 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (1,716,949)   (14,672,936)   (24,403,044)   (178,396,079)
Change in Net Assets from Class Y Share Transactions   (795,613)   (6,694,035)   4,968,084    35,880,813 
Institutional Class                    
Proceeds from Shares sold   1,669,891    14,268,197    26,603,580    194,446,619 
Reinvestment of distributions   183,877    1,656,734    970,333    7,016,860 
Cost of Shares redeemed   (2,683,927)   (22,727,921)   (14,289,720)   (106,604,816)
Change in Net Assets from Institutional Class Share Transactions   (830,159)   (6,802,990)   13,284,193    94,858,663 
Net Increase (Decrease) from Share Transactions   (1,793,484)  $(15,012,450)  $25,060,175   $180,083,499 

 

(A)See Note 9 in the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

30
 

  

Financial Highlights

 

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund—Class A
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $21.86   $18.96   $20.49   $18.95   $15.98   $11.01   $18.69 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income (loss)(A)   (0.03)   (0.03)   (B)   (0.03)   (0.01)       (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   4.78    2.93    (1.53)   1.57    2.98    4.98    (7.67)
Total from investment operations   4.75    2.90    (1.53)   1.54    2.97    4.98    (7.68)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income                       (0.01)    
Net asset value at end of period  $26.61   $21.86   $18.96   $20.49   $18.95   $15.98   $11.01 
Total return(C)   21.73%(D)   15.30%   (7.47)%(D)   8.13%   18.59%   45.22%   (41.09)%
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $1,937   $1,937   $559   $705   $1,111   $1,066   $1,700 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.25%(E)   1.25%   1.23%(E)   1.14%   1.23%   1.36%   1.50%
Gross expenses   3.34%(E)   3.43%   7.09%(E)   2.93%(F)   2.70%(F)   0.36%(F)   2.44%(F)
Net investment income (loss)   (0.23)%(E)   (0.15%)   0.01%(E)   (0.15%)   (0.07%)   0.01%   (0.06%)
Portfolio turnover rate   17%(D)   38%   6%(D)   27%   33%   99%   161%

 

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund—Class C
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months         
   Ended   Year   Period 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012(G) 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $21.66   $18.93   $20.06 
Income (loss) from investment operations:               
Net investment loss(A)   (0.12)   (0.19)   (0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   4.74    2.92    (1.09)
Total from investment operations   4.62    2.73    (1.12)
Distributions from:               
Net investment income       (B)   (0.01)
Net asset value at end of period  $26.28   $21.66   $18.93 
Total return(C)   21.33%(D)   14.42%   (5.59%)(D)
Ratios and supplemental data:               
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $89   $47   $2 
Ratio to average net assets:               
Net expenses   2.00%(E)   2.00%   2.00%(E)
Gross expenses   9.29%(E)   23.11%   962.52%(E)
Net investment loss   (0.98%)(E)   (0.90%)   (0.76%)(E)
Portfolio turnover rate   17%(D)   38%   6%(D)

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)Less than $0.005 per share.
(C)Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.
(F)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
(G)The Fund began issuing Class C shares on April 12, 2012.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

31
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund—Class Y
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $22.26   $19.29   $20.83   $19.24   $16.21   $11.18   $18.91 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income(A)   (B)   0.02    0.01    0.02    0.03    0.04    0.02 
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   4.87    2.98    (1.55)   1.59    3.04    5.05    (7.75)
Total from investment operations   4.87    3.00    (1.54)   1.61    3.07    5.09    (7.73)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.01)   (0.03)   (B)   (0.02)   (0.04)   (0.05)    
Return of capital                       (0.01)    
Total distributions   (0.01)   (0.03)       (0.02)   (0.04)   (0.06)    
Net asset value at end of period  $27.12   $22.26   $19.29   $20.83   $19.24   $16.21   $11.18 
Total return   21.90%(C)   15.61%   (7.42%)(C)   8.39%   18.93%   45.52%   (40.88%)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $199,011   $171,277   $164,589   $182,828   $188,671   $178,941   $136,809 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.00%(D)   1.00%   0.98%(D)   0.89%   0.98%   1.08%   1.25%
Gross expenses   1.09%(D)   1.14%   1.27%(D)   1.30%(E)   1.32%(E)   1.44%(E)   1.61%(E)
Net investment income   0.02%(D)   0.10%   0.26%(D)   0.13%   0.18%   0.27%   0.14%
Portfolio turnover rate   17%(C)   38%   6%(C)   27%   33%   99%   161%

 

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund—Institutional Class
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $22.40   $19.38   $20.95   $19.35   $16.31   $11.25   $18.96 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income(A)   0.02    0.04    0.02    0.04    0.05    0.06    0.19 
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   4.90    3.00    (1.58)   1.60    3.04    5.07    (7.90)
Total from investment operations   4.92    3.04    (1.56)   1.64    3.09    5.13    (7.71)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.04)   (0.02)   (0.01)   (0.04)   (0.05)   (0.05)    
Return of capital                       (0.02)    
Total distributions   (0.04)   (0.02)   (0.01)   (0.04)   (0.05)   (0.07)    
Net asset value at end of period  $27.28   $22.40   $19.38   $20.95   $19.35   $16.31   $11.25 
Total return   21.96%(C)   15.71%   (7.44%)(C)   8.51%   18.99%   45.69%   (40.66%)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $75   $58   $152   $14,636   $19,423   $26,977   $1,610 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   0.90%(D)   0.90%   0.88%(D)   0.79%   0.88%   0.90%   0.95%
Gross expenses   27.57%(D)   24.29%   1.83%(D)   0.90%(E)   0.85%(E)   0.79%(E)   8.98%(E)
Net investment income   0.12%(D)   0.20%   0.36%(D)   0.20%   0.28%   0.41%   1.74%
Portfolio turnover rate   17%(C)   38%   6%(C)   27%   33%   99%   161%

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)Less than $0.005 per share.
(C)Not annualized.
(D)Annualized.
(E)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund—Class A
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months      Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $12.58   $10.21   $11.12   $11.88   $9.25   $6.25   $9.61 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income (loss)   (A)   0.11    0.09(B)   0.03(B)   (0.10)(B)   (0.08)(B)   (0.03)(B)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   2.34    2.43    (0.90)   (0.84)   2.73    3.09(C)   (3.33)(C)
Total from investment operations   2.34    2.54    (0.81)   (0.81)   2.63    3.01    (3.36)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.21)   (0.17)   (0.10)   (0.15)       (0.01)    
Capital contribution               0.20(D)            
Net asset value at end of period  $14.71   $12.58   $10.21   $11.12   $11.88   $9.25   $6.25 
Total return(E)   18.61%(F)   24.99%   (7.28%)(F)   (4.96%)(D)   28.43%   48.12%(C)   (34.96%)(C)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $3,391   $489   $199   $143   $207   $918   $720 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.55%(G)   1.55%   1.55%(G)   1.55%   1.55%   1.55%   1.36%
Gross expenses   3.14%(G)   7.77%   19.37%(G)   10.50%(H)   3.23%(H)   0.44%(H)   4.20%(H)
Net investment income (loss)   0.37%(G)   1.41%   3.36%(G)   0.26%   (1.02%)   (0.97%)   (0.32%)
Portfolio turnover rate   33%(F)   79%   21%(F)   207%   152%   172%   290%

 

(A)Less than $0.005 per share.
(B)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(C)Impact of payment from affiliate was less than $0.01 per share and 0.01%, respectively.
(D)Impact of one time distribution of settlement funds from the Bank of America Fair Fund. If the distribution had not occurred the total return would have been lower.
(E)Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(F)Not annualized.
(G)Annualized.
(H)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

33
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund—Class C
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months         
   Ended   Year   Period 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012(A) 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $12.54   $10.19   $10.94 
Income (loss) from investment operations:               
Net investment income (loss)   (0.01)   0.14    0.05(B)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   2.29    2.31    (0.69)
Total from investment operations   2.28    2.45    (0.64)
Distributions from:               
Net investment income   (0.20)   (0.10)   (0.11)
Net asset value at end of period  $14.62   $12.54   $10.19 
Total return(C)   18.20%(D)   24.08%   (5.84%)(D)
Ratios and supplemental data:               
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $123   $7   $2 
Ratio to average net assets:               
Net expenses   2.30%(E)   2.30%   2.30%(E)
Gross expenses   16.19%(E)   94.29%   968.58%(E)
Net investment income (loss)   (0.38%)(E)   0.66%   2.12%(E)
Portfolio turnover rate   33%(D)   79%   21%(D)

 

(A)The Fund began issuing Class C shares on April 12, 2012.
(B)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(C)Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

34
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund—Class Y
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $12.84   $10.40   $11.32   $12.14   $9.44   $6.37   $9.78 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income (loss)   0.05    0.21    0.10(A)   0.07(A)   (0.08)(A)   (0.05)(A)   (A)
Net realized and unrealized gains(losses) on investments   2.37    2.40    (0.92)   (0.88)   2.80    3.14(B)   (3.41)(B)
Total from investment operations   2.42    2.61    (0.82)   (0.81)   2.72    3.09    (3.41)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.21)   (0.17)   (0.10)   (0.21)   (0.02)   (0.02)    
Capital contribution               0.20(C)            
Net asset value at end of period  $15.05   $12.84   $10.40   $11.32   $12.14   $9.44   $6.37 
Total return   18.77%(D)   25.38%   (7.22%)(D)   (4.81%)(C)   28.82%   48.56%(B)   (34.87%)(B)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $103,062   $90,125   $80,754   $90,029   $118,679   $107,478   $79,518 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.23%(E)   1.24%   1.30%(E)   1.30%   1.30%   1.30%   1.10%
Gross expenses   1.46%(E)   1.53%   1.74%(E)   1.69%(F)   1.59%(F)   1.74%(F)   1.75%(F)
Net investment income (loss)   0.69%(E)   1.71%   3.61%(E)   0.60%   (0.80%)   (0.65%)   (0.01%)
Portfolio turnover rate   33%(D)   79%   21%(D)   207%   152%   172%   290%

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)Impact of payment from affiliate was less than $0.01 per share and 0.01%, respectively.
(C)Impact of one time distribution of settlement funds from the Bank of America Fair Fund. If the distribution had not occurred the total return would have been lower.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.
(F)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

35
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund—Institutional Class
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, Year Ended March 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $12.90   $10.45   $11.37   $12.20   $9.49   $6.39   $9.80 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income (loss)   0.07    0.23    0.10(A)   0.13(A)   (0.06)(A)   (0.03)(A)   (0.02)(A)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   2.38    2.42    (0.91)   (0.93)   2.81    3.16(B)   (3.39)(B)
Total from investment operations   2.45    2.65    (0.81)   (0.80)   2.75    3.13    (3.41)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.23)   (0.20)   (0.11)   (0.24)   (0.04)   (0.03)    
Capital contribution               0.21(C)            
Net asset value at end of period  $15.12   $12.90   $10.45   $11.37   $12.20   $9.49   $6.39 
Total return   18.93%(D)   25.59%   (7.13%)(D)   (4.55%)(C)   29.00%   49.05%(B)   (34.80%)(B)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $30,095   $16,238   $3,869   $6,288   $1,173   $3,168   $11,923 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.05%(E)   1.05%   1.05%(E)   1.05%   1.05%   1.05%   1.06%
Gross expenses   1.35%(E)   1.50%   2.05%(E)   1.46%(F)   2.22%(F)   1.14%(F)   18.23%(F)
Net investment income (loss)   0.87%(E)   1.90%   3.86%(E)   1.15%   (0.61%)   (0.35%)   (0.32%)
Portfolio turnover rate   33%(D)   79%   21%(D)   207%   152%   172%   290%

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)Impact of payment from affiliate was less than $0.01 per share and 0.01%, respectively.
(C)Impact of one time distribution of settlement funds from the Bank of America Fair Fund. If the distribution had not occurred the total return would have been lower.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.
(F)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

36
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund—Class A
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $9.21   $8.46   $9.01   $9.42   $7.86   $5.61   $8.69 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income   0.03    0.12(A)   0.01(A)   0.03(A)   0.04(A)   0.03(A)   0.02(A)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   1.22    2.17    (0.21)(B)   0.14    1.54    2.24    (3.07)
Total from investment operations   1.25    2.29    (0.20)   0.17    1.58    2.27    (3.05)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.04)   (0.08)   (0.05)   (0.03)   (0.02)   (0.02)   (0.03)
Realized capital gains   (1.25)   (1.46)   (0.30)   (0.55)            
Total distributions   (1.29)   (1.54)   (0.35)   (0.58)   (0.02)   (0.02)   (0.03)
Net asset value at end of period  $9.17   $9.21   $8.46   $9.01   $9.42   $7.86   $5.61 
Total return(C)   14.13%(D)   31.36%   (2.21%)(D)   2.54%   20.14%   40.41%   (35.07%)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $14,514   $4,292   $1,412   $1,512   $4,234   $5,408   $5,304 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.29%(E)   1.29%   1.31%(E)   1.40%   1.40%   1.40%   1.40%
Gross expenses   1.60%(E)   2.56%   3.93%(E)   2.34%(F)   2.10%(F)   1.94%(F)   2.53%(F)
Net investment income   0.85%(E)   1.43%   0.55%(E)   0.32%   0.53%   0.36%   0.29%
Portfolio turnover rate   152%(D)   102%   20%(D)   101%   89%   125%   163%

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)For the period ended June 30, 2012, the Fund received a corporate action payment that resulted in a one-time increase to realized gains. If the corporate action event had not occurred, the net realized and unrealized gains (losses) per share would have been lower by approximately $0.05 per share.
(C)Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.
(F)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

37
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund—Class C
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months         
   Ended   Year   Period 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012(A) 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $9.15   $8.44   $8.76 
Income (loss) from investment operations:               
Net investment income (loss)   0.01    0.06(B)   (—)(B)(C)
Net realized and unrealized gains on               
investments   1.19    2.16    0.04(D)
Total from investment operations   1.20    2.22    0.04 
Distributions from:               
Net investment income   (0.03)   (0.05)   (0.06)
Realized capital gains   (1.25)   (1.46)   (0.30)
Total distributions   (1.28)   (1.51)   (0.36)
Net asset value at end of period  $9.07   $9.15   $8.44 
Total return(E)   13.63%(F)   30.37%   0.46%(F)
Ratios and supplemental data:               
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $1,156   $168   $3 
Ratio to average net assets:               
Net expenses   2.04%(G)   2.04%   2.04%(G)
Gross expenses   3.03%(G)   19.56%   931.83%(G)
Net investment income (loss)   0.10%(G)   0.68%   (0.21%)(G)
Portfolio turnover rate   152%(F)   102%   20%(F)

 

(A)The Fund began issuing Class C shares on April 12, 2012.
(B)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(C)Less than $0.005 per share.
(D)For the period ended June 30, 2012, the Fund received a corporate action payment that resulted in a one-time increase to realized gains. If the corporate action event had not occurred, the net realized and unrealized gains (losses) per share would have been lower by approximately $0.05 per share.
(E)Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(F)Not annualized.
(G)Annualized.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

38
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund—Class Y
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009(A) 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $9.25   $8.50   $9.04   $9.50   $7.92   $5.65   $6.02 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income   0.05    0.15(B)   0.02(B)   0.07(B)   0.07(B)   0.05(B)   0.07(B)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   1.23    2.16    (0.21)(C)   0.12    1.56    2.26    (0.41)
Total from investment operations   1.28    2.31    (0.19)   0.19    1.63    2.31    (0.34)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.05)   (0.10)   (0.05)   (0.10)   (0.05)   (0.04)   (0.03)
Realized capital gains   (1.25)   (1.46)   (0.30)   (0.55)            
Total distributions   (1.30)   (1.56)   (0.35)   (0.65)   (0.05)   (0.04)   (0.03)
Net asset value at end of period  $9.23   $9.25   $8.50   $9.04   $9.50   $7.92   $5.65 
Total return   14.38%(D)   31.46%   (2.02%)(D)   2.77%   20.59%   40.90%   (5.60%)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $113,150   $81,869   $64,371   $68,366   $76,756   $76,965   $60,618 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.00%(E)   1.02%   1.05%(E)   1.12%   1.12%   1.12%   1.12%
Gross expenses   1.17%(E)   1.24%   1.38%(E)   1.36%(F)   1.37%(F)   1.38%(F)   3.20%(F)
Net investment income   1.14%(E)   1.70%   0.81%(E)   0.83%   0.80%   0.64%   1.29%
Portfolio turnover rate   152%(D)   102%   20%(D)   101%   89%   125%   163%

 

(A)Class commenced operations on December 9, 2008.
(B)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(C)For the period ended June 30, 2012, the Fund received a corporate action payment that resulted in a one-time increase to realized gains. If the corporate action event had not occurred, the net realized and unrealized gains (losses) per share would have been lower by approximately $0.05 per share.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.
(F)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

39
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund—Institutional Class
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $9.25   $8.49   $9.03   $9.49   $7.92   $5.65   $8.72 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income   0.07    0.16(A)   0.02(A)   0.08(A)   0.08(A)   0.06(A)   0.05(A)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   1.21    2.17    (0.20)(B)   0.12    1.55    2.25    (3.08)
Total from investment operations   1.28    2.33    (0.18)   0.20    1.63    2.31    (3.03)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.06)   (0.11)   (0.06)   (0.11)   (0.06)   (0.04)   (0.04)
Realized capital gains   (1.25)   (1.46)   (0.30)   (0.55)            
Total distributions   (1.31)   (1.57)   (0.36)   (0.66)   (0.06)   (0.04)   (0.04)
Net asset value at end of period  $9.22   $9.25   $8.49   $9.03   $9.49   $7.92   $5.65 
Total return   14.35%(C)   31.77%   (1.99%)(C)   2.91%   20.61%   41.01%   (34.81%)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $29,587   $31,927   $34,795   $103,016   $205,410   $171,807   $57,430 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   0.89%(D)   0.89%   0.91%(D)   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
Gross expenses   1.14%(D)   1.18%   1.22%(D)   1.08%(E)   1.06%(E)   1.06%(E)   1.18%(E)
Net investment income   1.25%(D)   1.83%   0.96%(D)   0.85%   0.91%   0.82%   0.58%
Portfolio turnover rate   152%(C)   102%   20%(C)   101%   89%   125%   163%

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)For the period ended June 30, 2012, the Fund received a corporate action payment that resulted in a one-time increase to realized gains. If the corporate action event had not occurred, the net realized and unrealized gains (losses) per share would have been lower by approximately $0.05 per share.
(C)Not annualized.
(D)Annualized.
(E)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

40
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund—Class A

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, Year Ended March 31,
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $18.75   $16.97   $18.08   $19.06   $16.43   $11.05   $19.43 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income (loss)   (0.05)   0.09(A)   (0.01)   (0.06)(A)   (0.08)(A)   (0.01)(A)   (—)(A)(B)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   4.65    3.66    (0.57)   0.04    2.71    5.39    (6.66)(C)
Total from investment operations   4.60    3.75    (0.58)   (0.02)   2.63    5.38    (6.66)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.02)   (0.09)                   (0.02)
Realized capital gains   (3.64)   (1.88)   (0.53)   (0.96)           (1.70)
Total distributions   (3.66)   (1.97)   (0.53)   (0.96)           (1.72)
Net asset value at end of period  $19.69   $18.75   $16.97   $18.08   $19.06   $16.43   $11.05 
Total return(D)   25.44%(E)   24.31%   (3.09%)(E)   0.60%   16.01%   48.71%   (34.71)%(C)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $3,149   $1,309   $2,023   $2,251   $3,068   $4,815   $2,160 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.50%(F)   1.50%   1.50%(F)   1.50%   1.50%   1.50%   1.53%
Gross expenses   2.87%(F)   2.46%   3.31%(F)   2.27%(G)   2.10%(G)   1.47%(G)   3.25%(G)
Net investment income (loss)   (0.22%)(F)   0.53%   (0.16%)(F)   (0.34%)   (0.46%)   (0.08%)   (0.01%)
Portfolio turnover rate   39%(E)   95%   18%(E)   49%   55%   83%   140%

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)Less than $0.005 per share.
(C)Impact of payment from affiliate was less than $0.01 per share and 0.01%, respectively.
(D)Total return shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(E)Not annualized.
(F)Annualized.
(G)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

41
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund—Class C

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

   Six Months         
   Ended   Year   Period 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012(A) 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $18.69   $16.95   $17.58 
Income (loss) from investment operations:               
Net investment loss   (0.12)   (0.04)(B)   (0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   4.62    3.66    (0.07)
Total from investment operations   4.50    3.62    (0.10)
Distributions from:               
Realized capital gains   (3.64)   (1.88)   (0.53)
Net asset value at end of period  $19.55   $18.69   $16.95 
Total return(C)   25.07%(D)   23.44%   (0.51%)(D)
Ratios and supplemental data:               
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $95   $36   $2 
Ratio to average net assets:               
Net expenses   2.25%(E)   2.25%   2.25%(E)
Gross expenses   9.52%(E)   25.27%   942.58%(E)
Net investment loss   (0.97%)(E)   (0.22%)   (0.95%)(E)
Portfolio turnover rate   39%(D)   95%   18%(D)

 

(A)The Fund began issuing Class C shares on April 12, 2012.
(B)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(C)Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

42
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund— Class Y

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31,
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $19.45   $17.51   $18.62   $19.55   $16.80   $11.29   $19.76 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income (loss)   (A)   0.15(B)   0.01    (0.02)(B)   (0.04)(B)   0.03(B)   0.02(B)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   4.83    3.77    (0.59)   0.05    2.79    5.51    (6.77)(C)
Total from investment operations   4.83    3.92    (0.58)   0.03    2.75    5.54    (6.75)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.06)   (0.10)               (0.03)   (0.02)
Realized capital gains   (3.64)   (1.88)   (0.53)   (0.96)           (1.70)
Total distributions   (3.70)   (1.98)   (0.53)   (0.96)       (0.03)   (1.72)
Net asset value at end of period  $20.58   $19.45   $17.51   $18.62   $19.55   $16.80   $11.29 
Total return   25.68%(D)   24.68%   (3.05%)(D)   0.85%   16.37%   49.10%   (34.57%)(C)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $119,816   $96,584   $82,861   $87,984   $98,269   $86,737   $55,976 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.18%(E)   1.19%   1.22%(E)   1.25%   1.25%   1.25%   1.23%
Gross expenses   1.25%(E)   1.29%   1.40%(E)   1.27%(F)   1.26%(F)   1.30%(F)   1.37%(F)
Net investment income (loss)   0.10%(E)   0.84%   0.12%(E)   (0.09%)   (0.23%)   0.18%   0.15%
Portfolio turnover rate   39%(D)   95%   18%(D)   49%   55%   83%   140%

 

(A)Less than $0.005 per share.
(B)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(C)Impact of payment from affiliate was less than $0.01 per share and 0.01%, respectively.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.
(F)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

43
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund— Institutional Class

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, Year Ended March 31,
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009(A) 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $19.62   $17.63   $18.75   $19.65   $16.87   $11.32$   14.28 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income (loss)   0.01    0.17(B)   0.01    0.01(B)   (0.01)(B)   0.05(B)   0.02(B)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   4.87    3.82    (0.60)   0.05    2.79    5.54    (1.26)(C)
Total from investment operations   4.88    3.99    (0.59)   0.06    2.78    5.59    (1.24)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.07)   (0.12)               (0.04)   (0.02)
Realized capital gains   (3.64)   (1.88)   (0.53)   (0.96)           (1.70)
Total distributions   (3.71)   (2.00)   (0.53)   (0.96)       (0.04)   (1.72)
Net asset value at end of period  $20.79   $19.62   $17.63   $18.75   $19.65   $16.87  11.32 
Total return   25.73%(D)   24.82%   (3.04%)(D)   1.00%   16.48%   49.46%   (9.52%)(C)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $9,124   $8,096   $7,023   $19,066   $20,119   $26,915   
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.10%(E)   1.10%   1.10%(E)   1.10%   1.10%   1.10%   1.09%
Gross expenses   1.42%(E)   1.46%   1.60%(E)   1.18%(F)   1.18%(F)   1.16%(F)   24,873.11%(F)
Net investment income (loss)   0.18%(E)   0.93%   0.24%(E)   0.06%   (0.08%)   0.34%   0.15%
Portfolio turnover rate   39%(D)   95%   18%(D)   49%   55%   83%   140%

 

(A)Class commenced operations on December 9, 2008.
(B)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(C)Impact of payment from affiliate was less than $0.01 per share and 0.01%, respectively.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.
(F)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

44
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Value Fund—Class A

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30,   Year Ended March 31,
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $8.02   $6.95   $7.14   $6.67   $6.17   $4.00   $6.64 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income   0.07    0.15(A)   0.03(A)   0.12(A)   0.08(A)   0.09(A)   0.14(A)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   1.02    1.30    (0.16)   0.45    0.50    2.17    (2.66)
Total from investment operations   1.09    1.45    (0.13)   0.57    0.58    2.26    (2.52)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.07)   (0.15)   (0.06)   (0.10)   (0.08)   (0.09)   (0.12)
Realized capital gains       (0.23)                    
Total distributions   (0.07)   (0.38)   (0.06)   (0.10)   (0.08)   (0.09)   (0.12)
Net asset value at end of period  $9.04   $8.02   $6.95   $7.14   $6.67   $6.17   $4.00 
Total return(B)   13.60%(C)   21.56%   (1.83%)(C)   8.77%   9.59%   57.05%   (38.39%)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $58,464   $53,433   $1,583   $1,606   $2,325   $2,514   $2,530 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   1.05%(D)   1.00%   1.20%(D)   1.20%   1.20%   1.26%   1.35%
Gross expenses   1.37%(D)   1.51%   3.49%(D)   1.96%(E)   2.04%(E)   1.76%(E)   2.23%(E)
Net investment income   1.59%(D)   1.96%   1.68%(D)   1.84%   1.31%   1.72%   2.76%
Portfolio turnover rate   9%(C)   110%(F)   13%(C)   15%   13%   25%   17%

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(C)Not annualized.
(D)Annualized.
(E)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
(F)Portfolio turnover excludes the purchases and sales of the Acquired Fund (see Note 9). If these transactions were included, portfolio turnover would have been higher.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

45
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Value Fund—Class C

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

   Six Months         
   Ended   Year   Period 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, 
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012(A) 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $8.02   $6.95   $6.90 
Income from investment operations:               
Net investment income   0.04    0.09(B)   0.01(B)
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments   1.01    1.30    0.10 
Total from investment operations   1.05    1.39    0.11 
Distributions from:               
Net investment income   (0.04)   (0.09)   (0.06)
Realized capital gains       (0.23)    
Total distributions   (0.04)   (0.32)   (0.06)
Net asset value at end of period  $9.03   $8.02   $6.95 
Total return(C)   13.08%(D)   20.62%   1.56%(D)
Ratios and supplemental data:               
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $3,618   $3,025   $3 
Ratio to average net assets:               
Net expenses   1.80%(E)   1.75%   1.95%(E)
Gross expenses   2.30%(E)   2.30%   929.36%(E)
Net investment income   0.84%(E)   1.21%   0.93%(E)
Portfolio turnover rate   9%(D)   110%(F)   13%(D)

 

(A)The Fund began issuing Class C shares on April 12, 2012.
(B)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(C)Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(D)Not annualized.
(E)Annualized.
(F)Portfolio turnover excludes the purchases and sales of the Acquired Fund (see Note 9). If these transactions were included, portfolio turnover would have been higher.
  

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

46
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Value Fund—Class Y

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, Year Ended March 31,
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $8.05   $6.97   $7.16   $6.69   $6.19   $4.01   $6.65 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income   0.08    0.16(A)   0.03(A)   0.12(A)   0.09(A)   0.10(A)   0.16(A)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   1.02    1.32    (0.15)   0.47    0.51    2.19    (2.68)
Total from investment operations   1.10    1.48    (0.12)   0.59    0.60    2.29    (2.52)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.08)   (0.17)   (0.07)   (0.12)   (0.10)   (0.11)   (0.12)
Realized capital gains       (0.23)                    
Total distributions   (0.08)   (0.40)   (0.07)   (0.12)   (0.10)   (0.11)   (0.12)
Net asset value at end of period  $9.07   $8.05   $6.97   $7.16   $6.69   $6.19   $4.01 
Total return   13.69%(B)   21.91%   (1.69%)(B)   9.01%   9.86%   57.65%   (38.29%)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $104,764   $99,398   $51,447   $87,546   $86,659   $88,766   $67,325 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   0.80%(C)   0.77%   0.95%(C)   0.95%   0.95%   1.00%   1.10%
Gross expenses   1.00%(C)   1.09%   1.23%(C)   1.03%(D)   1.04%(D)   1.07%(D)   1.22%(D)
Net investment income   1.84%(C)   2.19%   1.93%(C)   1.90%   1.58%   1.87%   3.03%
Portfolio turnover rate   9%(B)   110%(E)   13%(B)   15%   13%   25%   17%

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)Not annualized.
(C)Annualized.
(D)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
(E)Portfolio turnover excludes the purchases and sales of the Acquired Fund (see Note 9). If these transactions were included, portfolio turnover would have been higher.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

47
 

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

Touchstone Value Fund—Institutional Class              
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period            

 

   Six Months       Three                 
   Ended   Year   Months                 
   December 31,   Ended   Ended                 
   2013   June 30,   June 30, Year Ended March 31,
   (Unaudited)   2013   2012   2012   2011   2010   2009 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $8.03   $6.96   $7.15   $6.68   $6.18   $4.01   $6.63 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                   
Net investment income   0.09    0.17(A)   0.03(A)   0.13(A)   0.10(A)   0.11(A)   0.17(A)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments   1.02    1.31    (0.16)   0.46    0.51    2.18    (2.66)
Total from investment operations   1.11    1.48    (0.13)   0.59    0.61    2.29    (2.49)
Distributions from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.09)   (0.18)   (0.06)   (0.12)   (0.11)   (0.12)   (0.13)
Realized capital gains       (0.23)                    
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.41)   (0.06)   (0.12)   (0.11)   (0.12)   (0.13)
Net asset value at end of period  $9.05   $8.03   $6.96   $7.15   $6.68   $6.18   $4.01 
Total return   13.80%(B)   21.92%   (1.62%)(B)   9.13%   9.99%   57.64%   (38.06%)
Ratios and supplemental data:                                   
Net assets at end of period (000's)  $203,131   $186,990   $69,549   $33,727   $42,106   $51,274   $44,011 
Ratio to average net assets:                                   
Net expenses   0.67%(C)   0.67%   0.85%(C)   0.85%   0.85%   0.87%   0.90%
Gross expenses   0.89%(C)   0.99%   1.09%(C)   0.88%(D)   0.89%(D)   0.90%(D)   1.02%(D)
Net investment income   1.97%(C)   2.29%   2.04%(C)   2.00%   1.67%   2.01%   3.24%
Portfolio turnover rate   9%(B)   110%(E)   13%(B)   15%   13%   25%   17%

 

(A)The net investment income per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(B)Not annualized.
(C)Annualized.
(D)Legal, printing and/or compliance audit expenses relating to civil litigation and certain regulatory actions in connection with market timing allegations were incurred, and the Former Adviser paid these expenses on behalf of the Funds. Had the Former Adviser not paid these expenses, the expenses for the Funds would have been higher than what is reflected in the financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
(E)Portfolio turnover excludes the purchases and sales of the Acquired Fund (see Note 9). If these transactions were included, portfolio turnover would have been higher.

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

48
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements 

December 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

1. Organization

 

The Touchstone Strategic Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust was established as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated November 18, 1982. The Trust consists of eighteen funds including the following five funds (individually, a “Fund”, and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund (“Capital Growth Fund”)

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund (“International Small Cap Fund”)

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund (“Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund”) Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund (“Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund”) Touchstone Value Fund (“Value Fund”)

 

Each Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment company, with the exception of the Capital Growth Fund and Value Fund, each of which is an open-end, non-diversified management investment company.

 

The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of each Fund. The Funds are registered to offer the following classes of shares: Class A shares, Class C shares, Class Y shares, and Institutional Class shares. The assets of each Fund are segregated, and a shareholder’s interest is limited to the Fund in which shares are held. The Funds’ prospectus provides a description of each Fund’s investment goals, policies, and strategies along with information on the classes of shares currently being offered.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

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

 

Security valuation and fair value measurements — All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value. The Funds define the term “market value”, as used throughout this report, as the estimated fair value. The Funds use various methods to measure fair value of their portfolio securities on a recurring basis. Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) establish a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For example, money market instruments are valued using amortized cost, in accordance with rules under the 1940 Act. Generally, amortized cost approximates the current fair value of a security, but since the value is not obtained from a quoted price in an active market, such securities are reflected as Level 2.

 

The aggregate value by input level, as of December 31, 2013, for each Fund’s investments, as well as a reconciliation of assets for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value, if applicable, is included in each Fund’s Portfolio of Investments or Tabular Presentation, which also includes a breakdown of the Fund’s investments by geographic or sector allocation. The Funds did not hold any Level 3 categorized securities during the six months ended December 31, 2013.

 

49
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

All transfers in and out of the levels are recognized at the value at the end of the period. During the six months ended December 31, 2013, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for all Funds except as shown in the Portfolio of Investments for the International Small Cap Fund.

 

The Funds’ portfolio securities are valued as of the close of the regular session of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). Portfolio securities traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last sale price, and to the extent these securities are actively traded, they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Portfolio securities quoted by NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). Securities not traded on a particular day, or for which the last sale price is not readily available, are valued at their last broker-quoted bid prices as obtained from one or more of the major market makers for such securities by an independent pricing service and are categorized in Level 2. Money market instruments and other debt securities with a remaining maturity of less than 60 days are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value and are categorized in Level 2. While this method provides consistency in valuation (and may only be used if it approximates market value), it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price that would be received if the Fund sold the investment. Securities for which market quotations or the NOCP are not readily available are fair valued as determined by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees and are categorized in Level 3. Shares of open-end mutual funds in which the Funds invest are valued at their respective net asset values (“NAV”) as reported by the underlying funds and are categorized in Level 1. The prices for foreign securities are reported in local currency and translated into U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates.

 

Level 2 Valuation— Securities mainly traded on a non-U.S. exchange are generally valued according to the preceding closing values on that exchange. However, if an event that may change the value of a security occurs after the time that the closing value on the non-U.S. exchange was determined, but before the close of regular trading on the NYSE, the security may be priced based on fair value. This may cause the value of the security on the books of the Fund to be significantly different from the closing value on the non-U.S. exchange and may affect the calculation of the NAV of the Funds. Any debt securities held by the Funds for which market quotations are not readily available are generally priced at their most recent bid prices as obtained from one or more of the major market makers for such securities.

 

Level 3 Valuation— Securities held by the Funds that do not have readily available market quotations, or securities for which the available market quotations are not reliable, are priced at their fair values using procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

The Funds may use fair value pricing under the following circumstances, among others:

 

If the value of a security has been materially affected by events occurring before the Funds’ pricing time but after the close of the primary markets on which the security is traded.

 

If the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded closes early or if trading in a particular portfolio security was halted during the day and did not resume prior to the Funds’ NAV calculation.

 

If a security is so thinly traded that reliable market quotations are unavailable due to infrequent trading.

 

If the validity of market quotations is not reliable.

 

Investment companies— Certain Funds may invest in securities of other investment companies, including exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), open-end funds, and closed-end funds. Open-end funds are investment companies that issue new shares continuously and redeem shares daily. Closed-end funds are investment companies that typically issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a securities exchange or over-the-counter. An ETF is an investment company that typically seeks to track the performance of an index by holding in its portfolio shares of all the companies, or a representative sample of the companies, that are components of a particular index.

 

50
 

  

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

ETFs are traded on a securities exchange based on their market value. The risks of investment in other investment companies typically reflect the risks of the types of securities in which investment companies invest. Investments in ETFs and closed-end funds are subject to the additional risk that their shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV. When a Fund invests in another investment company, shareholders of the Fund indirectly bear their proportionate share of the other investment company’s fees and expenses, including operating, registration, trustee, licensing and marketing, as well as their share of the Funds’ fees and expenses.

 

Foreign currency translation — The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars and translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

 

(1)market value of investment securities, assets and liabilities at the current rate of exchange on the valuation date; and

 

(2)purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the relevant rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

 

The Funds do not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments in equity securities that is due to changes in the foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of equity securities.

 

Portfolio securities loaned — Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Lending portfolio securities exposes a Fund to the risk that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities or may not be able to provide additional collateral or that the Funds may experience delays in recovery of the loaned securities or loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower fails financially. To minimize these risks, the borrower must agree to maintain cash collateral with the Funds’ custodian. The loaned securities are secured by collateral valued at least equal, at all times, to the market value of the securities loaned plus accrued interest, if any. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The cash collateral is reinvested by the Funds’ custodian into an approved investment vehicle.

 

As of December 31, 2013, the following Funds loaned securities and received collateral as follows:

 

   Market   Market 
   Value of   Value of 
   Securities   Collateral 
Fund  Loaned   Received 
Capital Growth Fund  $4,447,708   $4,542,285 
International Small Cap Fund   4,513,344    4,761,045 
Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund   5,386,956    5,496,576 
Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund   14,706,434    14,907,695 

 

All collateral received as cash is received, held and administered by the Funds’ custodian for the benefit of the Funds in the applicable custody account or other account established for the purpose of holding collateral.

 

Funds participating in securities lending receive compensation in the form of fees. The Funds retain the interest or dividends on the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Funds also continue to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned.

 

Unrealized gain or loss on the market value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan is recognized by the Funds. The Funds have the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

 

Share valuation — The NAV per share of each class of shares of each Fund is calculated daily by dividing the total value of a Fund’s assets attributable to that class, less liabilities attributable to that class, by the number of outstanding shares of that class.

 

51
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

The maximum offering price per share of Class A shares of the Funds is equal to the NAV per share plus a sales load equal to 6.10% of the net asset value (or 5.75% of the offering price). There is no sales load on purchases of $1 million or more of Class A shares. The maximum offering price per share of Class C, Class Y, and Institutional Class shares of the Funds is equal to the NAV per share.

 

The redemption price per share of each class of shares of the Funds is generally equal to the NAV per share. However, Class A redemptions that were part of a no load $1 million subscription may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of up to 1% if redeemed within a one-year period from the date of purchase. Additionally, purchases of Class C shares of the Funds are subject to a CDSC of 1.00% of the original purchase price if redeemed within a one-year period from the date of purchase.

 

Investment income — Dividend income from securities is recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of foreign withholding taxes, if any, which are reduced by any amounts reclaimable by the Funds, where applicable. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted

 

Distributions to shareholders — Each Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of its income and capital gains. Each Fund, except the Value Fund, declares and distributes net investment income, if any, annually, as a dividend to shareholders. The Value Fund declares and distributes net investment income, if any, semi-annually, as a dividend to shareholders. Each Fund makes distributions of capital gains, if any, at least annually, net of applicable capital loss carryforwards. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations. Recognition of the Funds’ net investment income that invest in underlying funds is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by underlying funds.

 

Allocations — Investment income earned, realized capital gains and losses, and unrealized appreciation and depreciation for a Fund are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon its proportionate share of total net assets of the Fund. Class-specific expenses are charged directly to the class incurring the expense. Common expenses, which are not attributable to a specific class, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon their proportionate share of total net assets of the Fund. Expenses not directly billed to a Fund are allocated proportionally among all Funds in the Trust, and, if applicable, in Touchstone Investment Trust, Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, Touchstone Variable Series Trust, Touchstone Funds Group Trust and Touchstone Tax-Free Trust (collectively with the Trust,“Touchstone Fund Complex”), daily in relation to net assets of each Fund or another reasonable measure.

 

Security transactions — Security transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis.

 

Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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 income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3. Investment Transactions

 

Investment transactions (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Government securities) were as follows for the six months ended December 31, 2013:

 

       International   Mid Cap Value 
   Capital Growth   Small Cap   Opportunities 
   Fund   Fund   Fund 
Purchases of investment securities  $31,019,651   $45,728,946   $237,510,898 
Proceeds from sales and maturities  $41,446,030   $39,851,988   $211,204,192 

 

52
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

   Small Cap     
   Value     
   Opportunities   Value 
   Fund   Fund 
Purchases of investment securities  $45,773,568   $30,538,222 
Proceeds from sales and maturities  $47,439,883   $38,805,709 

 

There were no purchases or proceeds from sales and maturities of U.S. government securities by the Funds for the six months ended December 31, 2013.

 

4. Transactions with Affiliates and Other Related Parties

 

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (the “Advisor”), Touchstone Securities, Inc. (the “Underwriter”) or BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”), the Sub-Administrator and Transfer Agent to the Funds. Such officers receive no compensation from the Trust. The Advisor and the Underwriter are each wholly-owned, indirect subsidiaries of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc.

 

Management & Expense Limitation Agreements

 

The Advisor provides general investment supervisory services for the Funds, under terms of an advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Advisor a fee, which is computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate based on average daily net assets of each Fund as shown in the table below.

 

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund 0.70% on the first $300 million
  0.685% on the next $200 million
  0.675% on the next $500 million
  0.625% on the next $500 million
  0.575% on the next $500 million
  0.525% of such assets over $2 billion
Touchstone International Small Cap Fund 0.95% on the first $300 million
  0.90% on the next $200 million
  0.85% on the next $250 million
  0.80% on the next $250 million
  0.75% on the next $500 million
  0.70% on the next $500 million
  0.65% of such assets over $2 billion
Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund 0.85% on the first $300 million
  0.80% on the next $200 million
  0.75% of such assets over $500 million
Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund 0.95% on the first $300 million
  0.90% on the next $200 million
  0.85% of such assets over $500 million
Touchstone Value Fund 0.65%*

 

*Prior to August 23, 2013, the Fund paid 0.75% on the first $300 million, 0.73% on the next $200 million, 0.72% on the next $250 million, 0.70% on the next $250 million, 0.68% on the next $500 million, 0.67% on the next $500 million, and 0.66% of such assets over $2 billion.

 

53
 

  

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

The Advisor has entered into investment sub-advisory agreements with the following parties (each, a “Sub-Advisor”):

 

Ashfield Capital Partners, LLC Lee Munder Capital Group LLC
Capital Growth Fund Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund*
   
Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC
Value Fund Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund
   
Copper Rock Capital Partners LLC  
International Small Cap Fund  

 

*Effective November 22, 2013, Lee Munder Capital Group LLC became the sub-advisor of the Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund; prior to November 22, 2013, Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC was the sub-advisor.

 

The Advisor, not the Funds, pays the sub-advisory fees to each Sub-Advisor.

 

The Advisor entered into an expense limitation agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) to contractually limit operating expenses of the Funds, excluding: dividend expenses on short sales; interest; taxes; brokerage commissions; other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP; the cost of “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”, if any; and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business. The maximum operating expense limit in any year with respect to the Funds is based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Funds. The Advisor has agreed to separately waive class-level expenses, advisory and administration fees, and to reimburse expenses in order to maintain the following expense limitations for the Funds:

 

               Institutional   Termination 
   Class A   Class C   Class Y   Class   Date 
Capital Growth Fund   1.25%   2.00%   1.00%   0.90%   October 30, 2014 
International Small Cap Fund   1.55%   2.30%   1.30%   1.05%   April 16, 2014 
International Small Cap Fund   1.55%   2.30%   1.30%   1.18%   October 30, 2014 
Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund   1.29%   2.04%   1.04%   0.89%   October 30, 2014 
Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund   1.50%   2.25%   1.25%   1.10%   October 30, 2014 
Value Fund*   1.08%   1.83%   0.83%   0.68%   October 30, 2014 

 

* Prior to September 10, 2013 the expense limitation for Class A, Class C, Class Y and Institutional Class Shares were 1.00%, 1.75%, 0.75% and 0.65%, respectively.

 

Where multiple caps are in effect, the lower of the two amounts will apply.

 

During the six months ended December 31, 2013, the Advisor or its affiliates waived investment advisory fees and administration fees or reimbursed expenses, including distribution fees, of the Funds as follows:

 

           Other 
   Investment       Operating 
   Advisory   Administration   Expenses 
   Fees Waived   Fees Waived   Reimbursed 
Capital Growth Fund  $   $37,614   $70,809 
International Small Cap Fund   38,399    101,941    21,106 
Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund   7,931    121,898    23,524 
Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund       42,480    24,536 
Value Fund   70,167    294,489    56,584 

 

54
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Under the terms of the Expense Limitation Agreement, the Advisor is entitled to recover, subject to approval by the Funds’ Board of Trustees, such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three years from the year in which the Advisor reduced its compensation or assumed expenses for the Funds. No recoupment will occur unless a Fund’s operating expenses are below the expense limitation amount.

 

As of December 31, 2013, the Advisor may seek recoupment of previously waived fee and reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

   Expiration   Expiration   Expiration 
   June 30,   June 30,   June 30, 
   2015   2016   2017 
Capital Growth Fund  $118,022   $283,205   $106,807 
International Small Cap Fund   99,781    346,008    159,478 
Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund   90,213    271,865    143,645 
Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund   59,559    132,190    64,555 
Value Fund   81,083    897,689    383,233 

 

The Advisor did not recoup any amounts it previously waived or reimbursed during the six months ended December 31, 2013.

 

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

 

The Advisor entered into an Administration Agreement with the Trust, whereby the Advisor is responsible for: supplying executive and regulatory compliance services; supervising the preparation of tax returns; coordinating the preparation of reports to shareholders and reports to, and filings with, the Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities authorities, as well as materials for meetings of the Board of Trustees; calculating the daily NAV per share; and maintaining the financial books and records of each Fund. For its services, the Advisor receives an annual fee of 0.20% on the first $6 billion of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Touchstone Fund Complex (excluding Touchstone Institutional Money Market Fund,Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, and Touchstone Variable Series Trust); 0.16% of the next $4 billion of aggregate average daily net assets; and 0.12% of the aggregate average daily net assets of all such assets in excess of $10 billion. The fee is allocated among the funds of the Touchstone Fund Complex (excluding Touchstone Institutional Money Market Fund, Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, and Touchstone Variable Series Trust) on the basis of relative daily net assets.

 

The Advisor has engaged BNY Mellon as the Sub-Administrator to the Trust. BNY Mellon provides administrative and accounting services to the Trust and is compensated directly by the Advisor, not the Trust.

 

TRANSFER AGENT AGREEMENT

 

Under the terms of the Transfer Agent Agreement between the Trust and BNY Mellon, BNY Mellon maintains the records of each shareholder’s account, answers shareholders’ inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of each Fund’s shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs other shareholder service functions. For these services, BNY Mellon receives a monthly fee per shareholder account from each Fund. In addition, each Fund pays out-of-pocket expenses incurred by BNY Mellon, including, but not limited to, postage and supplies.

 

PLANS OF DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEE ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Trust has adopted distribution plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for each class of shares it offers that are subject to 12b-1 distribution fees. The plans allow each Fund to pay distribution and other fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and for services provided to shareholders. Under the Class A plan,

 

55
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

each Fund offering Class A shares pays an annual fee of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets that are attributable to Class A shares. Under the Class C plan, each Fund offering Class C shares pays an annual fee of up to 1.00% of average daily net assets that are attributable to Class C shares (of which up to 0.75% is a distribution fee and up to 0.25% is a shareholder servicing fee).

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

The Underwriter is the Funds’ principal underwriter and, as such, acts as exclusive agent for distribution of the Funds’ shares. Under the terms of the Underwriting Agreement between the Trust and the Underwriter, the Underwriter earned the following from underwriting and broker commissions on the sale of Class A shares of the Funds listed below during the six months ended December 31, 2013:

 

   Amount 
Capital Growth  $196 
International Small Cap Fund   859 
Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund   2,745 
Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund   681 
Value Fund   1,501 

 

In addition, the Underwriter collected CDSC on the redemption of Class C shares of the Funds listed below during the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

   Amount 
Touchstone International Small Cap Fund  $10 
Touchstone Value Fund   75 

 

AFFILIATED INVESTMENTS

 

Each Fund may invest in the Touchstone Institutional Money Market Fund, subject to compliance with several conditions set forth in an exemptive order received by the Trust from the SEC. To the extent that the Funds are invested in the Touchstone Institutional Money Market Fund, the Advisor and Administrator will be paid additional fees from the Touchstone Institutional Money Market Fund that will not be waived or reimbursed.

 

A summary of each Fund’s investment, as applicable, in the Touchstone Institutional Money Market Fund for the six months ended December 31, 2013, is as follows:

 

   Share Activity         
                       Market 
   Balance           Balance       Value 
   06/30/13   Purchases   Sales   12/31/13   Dividends   12/31/13 
Capital Growth Fund   1,639,168    13,457,388    (13,695,188)   1,401,368   $133   $1,401,368 
International Small Cap Fund   699,197    24,516,940    (22,503,342)   2,712,795    149    2,712,795 
Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund   7,005,605    35,531,496    (42,537,101)       487     
Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund   2,374,756    27,354,265    (25,745,720)   3,983,301    187    3,983,301 
Value Fund   8,753,580    29,406,632    (34,226,941)   3,933,271    443    3,933,271 

 

56
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

5. Federal Tax Information

 

Federal income tax — It is each Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. As provided therein, in any fiscal year in which a Fund so qualifies and distributes at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, the Fund (but not the shareholders) will be relieved of federal income tax on the income distributed. It is each Fund’s policy to distribute all of its taxable income and accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been made.

 

In order to avoid imposition of the excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies, it is also each Fund’s intention to declare and pay as dividends in each calendar year at least 98% of its investment company taxable income (earned during the calendar year) and 98.2% of its net realized capital gains (earned during the twelve months ending October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years.

 

The tax character of distributions paid for the year ended June 30, 2013, period ended June 30, 2012 and year ended March 31, 2012 was as follows:

 

               International 
   Capital Growth   Small Cap 
   Fund   Fund 
   Three Months   Three Months 
   Year Ended   Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Ended   Year Ended 
   June 30,   June 30,   March 31,   June 30,   June 30,   March 31, 
   2013   2012   2012   2013   2012   2012 
From ordinary income  $218,632   $31,849   $215,362   $1,525,830   $802,324   $1,842,301 
Total Distributions  $218,632   $31,849   $215,362   $1,525,830   $802,324   $1,842,301 

 

   Mid Cap Value   Small Cap Value 
   Opportunities   Opportunities 
   Fund   Fund 
      Three Months          Three Months     
   Year Ended   Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Ended   Year Ended 
   June 30,   June 30,   March 31,   June 30,   June 30,   March 31, 
   2013   2012   2012   2013   2012   2012 
From ordinary income  $8,052,985   $627,574   $2,171,072   $1,230,862   $   $ 
From long-term capital gains  $9,165,979   $3,418,930   $11,225,590   $9,185,252   $2,691,474   $5,495,825 
Total Distributions  $17,218,964   $4,046,504   $13,396,662   $10,416,114   $2,691,474   $5,495,825 

 

   Value 
   Fund 
   Year Ended   Three Months Ended   Year Ended 
   June 30,   June 30,   March 31, 
   2013   2012   2012 
From ordinary income  $9,968,846   $1,228,217   $2,287,808 
From long-term capital gains   5,851,644         
Total Distributions  $15,820,490   $1,228,217   $2,287,808 

 

The following information is computed on a tax basis for each item as of June 30, 2013:

 

       International   Mid Cap Value 
   Capital   Small Cap   Opportunities 
   Growth Fund   Fund   Fund 
Tax cost of portfolio investments  $120,067,429   $96,698,381   $113,824,625 
Gross unrealized appreciation   54,949,721    18,909,364    18,688,220 
Gross unrealized depreciation   (1,124,224)   (2,709,768)   (3,061,173)
Net portfolio unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   53,825,497    16,199,596    15,627,047 
Net other unrealized appreciation (depreciation)       (6,612)    
Accumulated capital and other losses   (24,221,746)   (26,090,771)   (3,299,947)

 

57
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

       International   Mid Cap Value 
   Capital   Small Cap   Opportunities 
   Growth Fund   Fund   Fund 
Post-October and qualified late-year losses   (309,640)        
Undistributed Ordinary Income   67,522    1,229,932     
Undistributed long-term capital gains           10,145,290 
Accumulated earnings (deficit)  $29,361,633   $(8,667,855)  $22,472,390 

 

   Small Cap Value     
   Opportunities   Value 
   Fund   Fund 
Tax cost of portfolio investments  $100,433,155   $280,563,947 
Gross unrealized appreciation   19,185,061    63,763,179 
Gross unrealized depreciation   (3,628,559)   (2,869,684)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   15,556,502    60,893,495 
Accumulated capital and other losses   (1,829,031)   (35,330,432)
Undistributed ordinary income   6,545,981     
Undistributed long-term capital gains   7,601,239     
Accumulated earnings (deficit)  $27,874,691   $25,563,063 

 

The difference between the tax cost of portfolio investments and the financial statement cost is primarily due to wash sale loss deferrals and passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) adjustments.

 

As of June 30, 2013, the Funds had the following capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes:

 

                   No   No     
   Short Term Expiring On   Expiration   Expiration     
   2015   2016   2017   2018   Short Term*   Long Term*   Total 
Capital Growth Fund**  $5,765,572   $3,960,100   $14,496,074   $   $   $   $24,221,746 
International Small Cap                                   
Fund**   10,436,336    4,523,327    4,884,304        6,246,804        26,090,771 
Mid Cap Value                                   
Opportunities Fund**           3,299,947                3,299,947 
Small Cap Value                                   
Opportunities Fund**   1,829,031                        1,829,031 
Value Fund**,^           31,829,885    3,500,547            35,330,432 

 

*The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2010. The Act makes changes to several tax rules impacting the Funds. The provisions of the Act were effective for the Funds’ since the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. Although the Act provides several benefits, including the unlimited carryover of future capital losses, there may be a greater likelihood that all or a portion of each Fund’s pre-enactment capital loss carryovers may expire without being utilized due to the fact that post-enactment capital losses must be utilized before pre-enactment capital loss carryovers may be utilized. Under the Act, new capital losses may now be carried forward indefinitely, and retain the character of the original loss as compared with pre-enactment law, where capital losses could be carried forward for up to eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital losses, irrespective of the character of the original loss.

 

**Utilization may be limited by current income tax regulations.

 

^ Value Fund’s ability to utilize the capital loss carryforwards is limited, under Internal Revenue Services regulations. $25,021,131 was written off due to limitations.

 

The capital loss carryforwards may be utilized in future years to offset net realized capital gains, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.

 

The Funds have analyzed their tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended March 31, 2010 through June 30, 2013) and have concluded that no provision for income tax is required in their financial statements.

 

58
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2013, the Trust had the following federal tax cost resulting in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as follow:

 

               Net 
       Gross   Gross   Unrealized 
   Federal Tax   Unrealized   Unrealized   Appreciation 
Fund  Cost   Appreciation   Depreciation   (Depreciation) 
Capital Growth Fund  $123,987,051   $80,153,198   $(631,308)  $79,521,890 
International Small Cap Fund   107,666,320    34,863,210    (1,334,026)   33,529,184 
Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund   155,768,967    6,876,735    (1,570,732)   5,306,003 
Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund   117,881,292    32,447,913    (2,495,847)   29,952,066 
Value Fund   271,269,644    98,858,874    (245,986)   98,612,888 

 

6. Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Funds indemnify the Trust’s officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from their performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.

 

7. Risks Associated with Foreign Investments

 

Some of the Funds may invest in the securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the U.S. may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. For example, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies, particularly those not subject to the disclosure and reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Investments in foreign securities also involve the risk of possible adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets of the Fund, political or financial instability or diplomatic and other developments which could affect such investments. Foreign stock markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the U.S., and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets, broker-dealers, and issuers than in the U.S.

 

8 Risks Associated with Concentration

 

Certain funds may invest a high percentage of their assets in specific sectors of the market in order to achieve a potentially greater investment return. As a result, the Funds may be more susceptible to economic, political, and regulatory developments in a particular sector of the market, positive or negative, and may experience increased volatility on the Fund’s NAV and magnified effect on the total return.

 

9. Fund Mergers

 

At a meeting held on March 13, 2012, the Board of Trustees of the Trust approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) providing for the transfer of all assets and liabilities of the Fifth Third Disciplined Large Cap Value Fund and the Fifth Third All Cap Value Fund (each, an “Acquired Fund”), each a series of the Fifth Third Funds (“Fifth Third”), to the Touchstone Value Fund, (the “Acquiring Fund”). The tax-free mergers took place on September 10, 2012.

 

59
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

The following is a summary of shares outstanding, net assets, net asset value per share, and unrealized appreciation immediately before and after the reorganization:

 

               After 
   Before Reorganization   Reorganization 
   Fifth Third             
   Disciplined   Fifth Third   Touchstone   Touchstone 
   Large Cap   All Cap   Value   Value 
   Value Fund   Value Fund   Fund   Fund 
Class A *                    
Shares   1,419,797(A)   3,514,789(B)   245,017    5,179,603 
Net Assets  $10,274,502   $25,435,080   $1,773,081   $37,482,663 
Net Asset Value  $7.24(A)  $7.24(B)  $7.24   $7.24 
Class C                    
Shares   39,232(C)   341,354(D)   366    380,953 
Net Assets  $283,871   $2,469,899   $2,651   $2,756,421 
Net Asset Value  $7.24(C)  $7.24(D)  $7.24   $7.24 
Class Y                    
Shares   20,691,815(E)   5,255,988(F)   6,754,404    32,702,207 
Net Assets  $150,150,006   $38,140,140   $49,013,423   $237,303,569 
Net Asset Value  $7.26(E)  $7.26(F)  $7.26   $7.26 
Institutional Class                    
Shares           10,340,227    10,340,227 
Net Assets  $   $   $74,892,668   $74,892,668 
Net Asset Value  $   $   $7.24   $7.24 
Fund Total                    
Shares Outstanding   13,906,702    3,991,534    17,340,014    48,602,989 
Net Assets  $160,708,379   $66,045,119   $125,681,823   $352,435,321 
Unrealized Depreciation  $(13,753,975)  $(7,038,724)  $(28,894,804)  $(49,687,503)

 

(A)Reflects a 1.5919:1 reverse stock split on Class A Shares and a 1.6123:1 reverse stock split on Class B Shares which occurred on the date of reorganization, September 10, 2012.
(B)Reflects a 2.2762:1 reverse stock split on Class A Shares and a 2.1413:1 reverse stock split on Class B Shares which occurred on the date of reorganization, September 10, 2012.
(C)Reflects a 1.5725:1 reverse stock split which occurred on the date of reorganization, September 10, 2012.
(D)Reflects a 2.1338:1 reverse stock split which occurred on the date of reorganization, September 10, 2012.
(E)Reflects a 1.5929:1 reverse stock split which occurred on the date of reorganization, September 10, 2012.
(F)Reflects a 2.3023:1 reverse stock split which occurred on the date of reorganization, September 10, 2012.
*The Acquired Funds had Class B shares outstanding immediately prior to the reorganization, which were exchanged for Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

Assuming the reorganization had been completed on July 1, 2012, the results of operations for the Value Fund for the year ended June 30, 2013 would have been as follows:

 

   Touchstone 
   Value 
   Fund 
Net investment income  $7,031,003 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments  $87,588,530 
Net increase in asset from operations  $94,619,533 

 

10. Litigation

 

In January 2012, the Old Mutual Mid-Cap Fund (which reorganized into the TS&W Mid-Cap Value Fund in March 2009 and reorganized into the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund in April 2012) was served with a summons and complaint in an action brought by Edward S. Weisfelner, as Trustee of the LB

 

60
 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Creditor Trust, in the case captioned Weisfelner v. Fund 1, et al. (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York, Adv. Pro No. 10-4609) (the “Action”). The Action alleges that, under state law, all payments made to shareholders in the December 2007 leveraged buyout of Lyondell Chemical Company were made, by means of intentional and constructive fraudulent transfer and seeks to recover all those payments. The amount sought to be disgorged is what the Fund received in payments in connection with the leveraged buyout, $3,784,800. The Fund (along with thousands of other defendants) has filed a joinder to the currently pending motion to dismiss and awaits the court’s ruling on that motion. The path the litigation will follow (including whether it will proceed at all) depends on the outcome of that ruling; it is uncertain when that ruling will come down, however. At this nascent stage of the litigation, it is not possible to assess likely outcome. The Fund is currently assessing the case and has not yet determined the potential effect, if any, on its net asset value.

 

11. Subsequent Events

 

At a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Touchstone Strategic Trust (“TST”) and Touchstone Funds Group Trust (“TFGT”), held on November 21, 2013, the Board, approved a reorganization of the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund (the “Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund”), a series of TST, into the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund (the “Mid Cap Value Fund”), a series of TFGT, pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization. The Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund will liquidate by transferring substantially all of its assets and liabilities to the Mid Cap Value Fund. The reorganization is expected to occur on or about March 24, 2014.

 

61
 

 

Other Items (Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting Guidelines

 

The Sub-Advisors are responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and held by the Funds. A description of the policies and procedures that the Sub-Advisors use in fulfilling this responsibility is available as an appendix to the most recent Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained without charge by calling toll free 1.800.543.0407 or by visiting the Touchstone website at www.touchstoneinvestments.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website www.sec.gov. Information regarding how those proxies were voted during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is also available without charge by calling toll free 1.800.543.0407 or on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

 

The Trust files a complete listing of portfolio holdings for each Fund as of the end of the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The complete listing (i) is available on the Commission’s website; (ii) may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC; (iii) will be made available to shareholders upon request by calling 1.800.543.0407; or (iv) can be obtained on the Touchstone website at www.touchstoneinvestments.com. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1.800.SEC.0330.

 

Schedule of Shareholder Expenses

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including reinvested dividends or other distributions; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees; distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013).

 

Actual Expenses

 

The first line for each share class of a Fund in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the six months ended December 31, 2013” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

The second line for each share class of a Fund in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the 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 balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 

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), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the second line of the table below 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.

 

62
 

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Schedule of Shareholder Expenses (Continued)

 

                   Expenses 
       Net Expense   Beginning   Ending   Paid During 
       Ratio   Account   Account   the Six Months 
       Annualized   Value   Value   Ended 
       December 31,   July 1,   December 31,   December 31, 
       2013   2013   2013   2013* 
Touchstone Capital Growth Fund                     
Class A   Actual    1.25%  $1,000.00   $1,217.30   $6.99 
Class A   Hypothetical    1.25%  $1,000.00   $1,018.90   $6.36 
                          
Class C   Actual    2.00%  $1,000.00   $1,213.30   $11.16 
Class C   Hypothetical    2.00%  $1,000.00   $1,015.12   $10.16 
                          
Class Y   Actual    1.00%  $1,000.00   $1,219.00   $5.59 
Class Y   Hypothetical    1.00%  $1,000.00   $1,020.16   $5.09 
                          
Institutional Class   Actual    0.90%  $1,000.00   $1,219.60   $5.04 
Institutional Class   Hypothetical    0.90%  $1,000.00   $1,020.67   $4.58 
                          
Touchstone International Small Cap Fund                     
Class A   Actual    1.55%  $1,000.00   $1,186.10   $8.54 
Class A   Hypothetical    1.55%  $1,000.00   $1,017.39   $7.88 
                          
Class C   Actual    2.30%  $1,000.00   $1,182.00   $12.65 
Class C   Hypothetical    2.30%  $1,000.00   $1,013.61   $11.67 
                          
Class Y   Actual    1.23%  $1,000.00   $1,187.70   $6.78 
Class Y   Hypothetical    1.23%  $1,000.00   $1,019.00   $6.26 
                          
Institutional Class   Actual    1.05%  $1,000.00   $1,189.30   $5.79 
Institutional Class   Hypothetical    1.05%  $1,000.00   $1,019.91   $5.35 
                          
Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund                     
Class A   Actual    1.29%  $1,000.00   $1,141.30   $6.96 
Class A   Hypothetical    1.29%  $1,000.00   $1,018.70   $6.56 
                          
Class C   Actual    2.04%  $1,000.00   $1,136.30   $10.98 
Class C   Hypothetical    2.04%  $1,000.00   $1,014.92   $10.36 
                          
Class Y   Actual    1.00%  $1,000.00   $1,143.80   $5.40 
Class Y   Hypothetical    1.00%  $1,000.00   $1,020.16   $5.09 
                          
Institutional Class   Actual    0.89%  $1,000.00   $1,143.50   $4.81 
Institutional Class   Hypothetical    0.89%  $1,000.00   $1,020.72   $4.53 

 

63
 

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Schedule of Shareholder Expenses (Continued)

 

                   Expenses 
       Net Expense   Beginning   Ending   Paid During 
       Ratio   Account   Account   the Six Months 
       Annualized   Value   Value   Ended 
       December 31,   July 1,   December 31,   December 31, 
       2013   2013   2013   2013* 
Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund                     
Class A   Actual    1.50%  $1,000.00   $1,254.40   $8.52 
Class A   Hypothetical    1.50%  $1,000.00   $1,017.64   $7.63 
                          
Class C   Actual    2.25%  $1,000.00   $1,250.70   $12.76 
Class C   Hypothetical    2.25%  $1,000.00   $1,013.86   $11.42 
                          
Class Y   Actual    1.18%  $1,000.00   $1,256.80   $6.71 
Class Y   Hypothetical    1.18%  $1,000.00   $1,019.26   $6.01 
                          
Institutional Class   Actual    1.10%  $1,000.00   $1,257.30   $6.26 
Institutional Class   Hypothetical    1.10%  $1,000.00   $1,019.66   $5.60 
                          
Touchstone Value Fund                     
Class A   Actual    1.05%  $1,000.00   $1,136.00   $5.65 
Class A   Hypothetical    1.05%  $1,000.00   $1,019.91   $5.35 
                          
Class C   Actual    1.80%  $1,000.00   $1,130.80   $9.67 
Class C   Hypothetical    1.80%  $1,000.00   $1,016.13   $9.15 
                          
Class Y   Actual    0.80%  $1,000.00   $1,136.90   $4.31 
Class Y   Hypothetical    0.80%  $1,000.00   $1,021.17   $4.08 
                          
Institutional Class   Actual    0.67%  $1,000.00   $1,138.00   $3.61 
Institutional Class   Hypothetical    0.67%  $1,000.00   $1,021.83   $3.41 

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by [184/365] (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreement Approval Disclosure

 

At a meeting held on November 21, 2013, the Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”) of the Touchstone Strategic Trust (the “Trust”), and by a separate vote, the Independent Trustees of theTrust, approved the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor with respect to each Fund of the Trust, and the continuance of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Advisor and each Fund’s respective Sub-Advisor with the exception of the Sub-Advisory Agreements relating to Touchstone Capital Growth Fund and Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund. The Sub-Advisory Agreement relating to Touchstone Capital Growth Fund was not up for renewal because it had been approved in November 2012 for an initial two-year period. Also at the November 21, 2013 meeting, the Board, and by a separate vote, the Independent Trustees initially approved a new Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Advisor and Lee Munder Capitol Group, LLC (“Lee Munder”) relating to Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities (the “New Sub-Advisory Agreement”).

 

In determining whether to approve the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Advisor furnished information necessary for a majority of the Independent Trustees to make the determination that the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement and each Sub-Advisory Agreement and the initial approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement were in the best interests of the respective Funds and their shareholders. The information provided to the Board included:

 

64
 

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

(1) industry data comparing advisory fees and expense ratios of comparable investment companies; (2) comparative performance information; (3) the Advisor’s and its affiliates’ revenues and costs of providing services to the Funds; and (4) information about the Advisor’s, Sub-Advisors’ and Lee Munder’s personnel. Prior to voting, the Independent Trustees reviewed the proposed continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements and the proposed approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement with management and experienced independent legal counsel and received materials from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement and each Sub-Advisory Agreement and the proposed approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Independent Trustees also reviewed the proposed continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement and each Sub-Advisory Agreement and the proposed approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement with independent legal counsel in private sessions at which no representatives of management were present.

 

In approving the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered various factors, among them: (1) the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds, including the personnel providing such services; (2) the Advisor’s compensation and profitability; (3) a comparison of fees and performance with other advisers; (4) economies of scale; and (5) the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board’s analysis of these factors is set forth below. The Independent Trustees were advised by independent legal counsel throughout the process.

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Advisor Services. The Board considered the level and depth of knowledge of the Advisor, including the professional experience and qualifications of senior personnel. In evaluating the quality of services provided by the Advisor, the Board took into account its familiarity with the Advisor’s senior management through Board meetings, discussions and reports during the preceding year. The Board also took into account the Advisor’s compliance policies and procedures. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Advisor’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, was also considered. The Board also considered the Advisor’s relationship with its affiliates and the resources available to them, as well as any potential conflicts of interest.

 

The Board discussed the Advisor’s effectiveness in monitoring the performance of each Sub-Advisor, and the Advisor’s timeliness in responding to performance issues. The Board considered the Advisor’s process for monitoring each of the Sub-Advisors, which includes an examination of both qualitative and quantitative elements of the Sub-Advisor’s organization, personnel, procedures, investment discipline, infrastructure and performance. The Board considered that the Advisor conducts regular on-site compliance visits with each Sub-Advisor, during which the Advisor examines a wide variety of factors, such as the financial condition of the Sub-Advisor, the quality of the Sub-Advisor’s systems, the effectiveness of the Sub-Advisor’s disaster recovery programs, trade allocation and execution procedures, compliance with the Sub-Advisor’s policies and procedures, results of regulatory examinations and any other factors that might affect the quality of services that the Sub-Advisor provides to the applicable Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor’s compliance monitoring processes also include quarterly reviews of compliance reports, and that any issues arising from such reports and the Advisor’s compliance visits to the Sub-Advisors are reported to the Board.

 

The Trustees concluded that they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to each Fund by the Advisor under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

Advisor’s Compensation and Profitability. The Board took into consideration the financial condition and profitability of the Advisor and its affiliates and the direct and indirect benefits derived by the Advisor and its affiliates from the Advisor’s relationship with the Funds. The information considered by the Board included operating profit margin information for the Advisor’s business as a whole. The Board noted that the Advisor had waived a portion of advisory fees and administrative fees and/or reimbursed expenses in order to limit the Funds’ net operating expenses. The Board also noted that the Advisor pays the Sub-Advisors’ sub-advisory fees out of

 

65
 

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

the advisory fees the Advisor receives from the Funds. The Board reviewed the profitability of the Advisor’s relationship with the Funds both before and after tax expenses, and also considered whether the Advisor has the financial wherewithal to continue to provide services to the Funds, noting the ongoing commitment of the Advisor’s parent company with respect to providing support and resources as needed. The Board also considered that the Funds’ distributor, an affiliate of the Advisor, receives Rule 12b-1 distribution fees from the Funds and receives a portion of the sales charges on sales or redemptions of certain classes of shares. The Board also noted that the Advisor derives benefits to its reputation and other benefits from its association with the Funds.

 

The Board recognized that the Advisor should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits in exchange for the level of services it provides to each Fund and the entrepreneurial risk that it assumes as Advisor. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the Advisor’s and its affiliates’ level of profitability, if any, from their relationship with each Fund was reasonable and not excessive.

 

Expenses and Performance. The Board compared the respective advisory fees and total expense ratios for each of the Funds with various comparative data, including the median and average advisory fees and total expense ratios of each Fund’s respective peer group. The Board also considered, among other data, the Funds’ respective performance results during the six-month, twelve-month and thirty-six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and noted that the Board reviews on a quarterly basis detailed information about each Fund’s performance results, portfolio composition and investment strategies. The Board also took into account current market conditions and their effect on the Funds’ performance.

 

The Board also considered the effect of each Fund’s growth and size on its performance and expenses. The Board noted that the Advisor had waived a portion of the fees and/or reimbursed expenses of the Funds in order to reduce those Funds’ respective operating expenses to targeted levels. The Board noted that the sub-advisory fees under the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund were paid by the Advisor out of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund and considered the impact of such sub-advisory fees on the profitability of the Advisor. In reviewing the respective expense ratios and performance of each of the Funds, the Board also took into account the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Advisor and its affiliates.

 

The Board considered, among other data, the specific factors and related conclusions set forth below with respect to each Fund:.

 

Touchstone Capital Growth Fund. The Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio (net of applicable expense waivers and reimbursements) were at the median of its peer group. The Board noted that the Advisor was currently waiving a portion of the Fund’s fees. The Fund’s performance for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 was in the 5th quintile of its peer group. The Fund’s performance for the twelve- and thirty-six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 was in the 4th quintile of its peer group. The Board noted management’s discussion of the Fund’s performance, management’s continued monitoring of the Fund and its plans with respect to the Fund. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that appropriate action was being taken to address the Fund’s performance, and that the advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Advisor and the other factors considered.

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund. The Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio (net of applicable expense waivers and reimbursements) were below the median of its peer group. The Board noted that the Advisor was currently waiving a portion of the Fund’s fees. The Fund’s performance for the six- and twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2013 was in the 2nd quintile of its peer group. The Fund’s performance for the thirty-six-month period ended June 30, 2013 was in the 4th quintile of its peer group. The Board noted management’s discussion of the Fund’s performance and management’s continued monitoring of the Fund. Based upon their review,

 

66
 

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

the Trustees concluded appropriate action was being taken to address the Fund’s performance, and that the advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Advisor and the other factors considered.

 

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund. The Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio (net of applicable expense waivers and reimbursements) were above the median and at the median of its peer group, respectively. The Board noted that the Advisor was currently waiving a portion of the Fund’s fees. The Fund’s performance for the six-, twelve- and thirty-six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 was in the 1st quintile of its peer group. The Board took into account the pending resignation of the Fund’s current sub-advisor and that the Advisor was recommending that the Fund be merged into the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund in 2014 and that Lee Munder manage the combined fund using the investment strategies it currently uses to manage the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund. The Board also reviewed the performance of the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund. The Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund’s performance for the six- and twelve-month periods ended June 30, 2013 was in the 3rd quintile, while its performance for the thirty-six month period ended June 30, 2013 was in the 4th quintile. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the replacement of the Fund’s current sub-advisor by Lee Munder was appropriate given the comparative performance records of the Fund and Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund, and that the advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Advisor and the other factors considered.

 

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund. The Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio (net of applicable expense waivers and reimbursements) were above the median of its peer group. The Board noted that the Advisor was currently waiving a portion of the Fund’s fees. The Fund’s performance for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 was in the 2nd quintile of its peer group. The Fund’s performance for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2013 was in the 3rd quintile of its peer group, and the Fund’s performance for the thirty-six-month period ended June 30, 2013 was in the 4th quintile of its peer group. The Board noted management’s discussion of the Fund’s performance, including its relatively strong recent performance. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the Fund’s overall performance was satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices, and that the advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Advisor and the other factors considered.

 

Touchstone Value Fund. The Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio (net of applicable expense waivers and reimbursements) were above the median and below the median of its peer group, respectively. The Board noted that the Advisor was currently waiving a portion of the Fund’s fees. The Fund’s performance for the six- and thirty-six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 was in the 2nd quintile of its peer group. The Fund’s performance for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2013 was in the 3rd quintile of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the Fund’s overall performance was satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices, and that the advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Advisor and the other factors considered

 

Economies of Scale. The Board considered the effect of each Fund’s current size and potential growth on its performance and expenses. The Board took into account management’s discussion of the Funds’ advisory fee structure. The Board considered the effective advisory fees under the Investment Advisory Agreement as a percentage of assets at different asset levels and possible economies of scale that might be realized if the assets of each Fund increase. The Board noted that the advisory fee schedules for some of the Funds contain breakpoints that would reduce the respective advisory fee rate on assets above specified levels as the respective Fund’s assets increased and considered the necessity of adding breakpoints with respect to the Fund that did not currently have such breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule. The Board determined that adding breakpoints at specified levels to the advisory fee schedule of the Fund that currently did not have such breakpoints was not appropriate at that time. The Board also noted that if a Fund’s assets increase over time, the Fund might realize other economies of scale if assets increase proportionally more than certain other expenses. The Board also considered the fact

 

67
 

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

that, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the advisory fee payable to the Advisor by a Fund was reduced by the total sub-advisory fee paid by the Advisor to the Fund’s Sub-Advisor. With respect to Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund, the Board took into account that if the Fund was merged with Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund, that merger was expected to result in greater economies of scale for both Funds following the merger.

 

Conclusion. In considering the renewal of the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, did not identify any single factor as controlling, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to the various factors. TheTrustees evaluated all information available to them on a Fund-by-Fund basis, and their determinations were made separately with respect to each Fund. The Board reached the following conclusions regarding the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreement with the Advisor, among others: (a) the Advisor demonstrated that it possesses the capability and resources to perform the duties required of it under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (b) the Advisor maintains an appropriate compliance program; (c) the overall performance of each Fund is satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices; or, as discussed above, is being addressed; and (d) each Fund’s advisory fee is reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Advisor and the other factors considered. Based on their conclusions, the Trustees determined with respect to each Fund that continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

In approving the Funds’ respective Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board considered various factors with respect to each Fund and the applicable Sub-Advisory Agreement, among them: (1) the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund, including the personnel providing such services; (2) the Sub-Advisor’s compensation; (3) a comparison of the sub-advisory fee and performance with other advisers; and (4) the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement. With respect to the New Sub-Advisory Agreement relating to Touchstone Mid CapValue Opportunities, the Board considered, among other factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided by Lee Munder, including the personnel who would be providing such services; (2) Lee Munder’s proposed compensation; (3) Lee Munder’s past performance with respect to Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund; and (4) the terms of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Board’s analysis of these factors is set forth below. The Independent Trustees were advised by independent legal counsel throughout the process.

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided; Investment Personnel. The Board considered information provided by the Advisor regarding the services provided by each Sub-Advisor, including information presented periodically throughout the previous year.The Board noted that, on a periodic basis, the Board meets with portfolio managers of the Sub-Advisors to discuss their respective performance and investment processes and strategies. With respect to Lee Munder, the Board also noted its familiarity with the firm owing to Lee Munder’s management of the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund. The Board also considered each Sub-Advisor’s level of knowledge and investment style. The Board reviewed the experience and credentials of the applicable investment personnel who are responsible for managing the investment of portfolio securities with respect to the Funds. The Board also noted each Sub-Advisor’s brokerage practices.

 

Sub-Advisor’s Compensation, Profitability and Economies of Scale. The Board also took into consideration the financial condition of each Sub-Advisor, including Lee Munder, and any indirect benefits derived by each Sub-Advisor and its affiliates from the Sub-Advisor’s relationship with the Funds. In considering the profitability to each Sub-Advisor of its relationship with the Funds, the Board noted the undertaking of the Advisor to maintain expense limitations for the Funds and also noted that the sub-advisory fees under the Sub-Advisory Agreements were paid by the Advisor out of the advisory fees that it receives under the Investment Advisory Agreement and are negotiated at arm’s-length. As a consequence, the profitability to each Sub-Advisor of its relationship with a Fund was not a substantial factor in the Board’s deliberations. For similar reasons, the Board did not consider the potential economies of scale in each Sub-Advisor’s management of the applicable Fund to be a substantial factor in its consideration, although the Board noted that the sub-advisory fee schedule for some

 

68
 

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

of the Funds, including the proposed sub-advisory fee for the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund, contained breakpoints that would reduce the sub-advisory fee rate on assets above specified levels as the applicable Fund’s assets increased.

 

Sub-Advisory Fees and Fund Performance. The Board considered that each Fund pays an advisory fee to the Advisor and that the Advisor pays the sub-advisory fee to the Sub-Advisor out of the advisory fee it receives from the respective Fund. The Board also compared the sub-advisory fees paid by the Advisor to fees charged by each Sub-Advisor, including Lee Munder, to manage comparable institutional separate accounts. The Board considered the amount retained by the Advisor and the sub-advisory fee paid to each Sub-Advisor with respect to the various services provided by the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor. The Board also noted that the Advisor negotiated the sub-advisory fee with each of the Sub-Advisors at arm’s-length. The Board reviewed the sub-advisory fee for each Fund in relation to various comparative data, including the median and average sub-advisory fees of each Fund’s peer group, and considered the following information:

 

Touchstone International Small Cap Fund. The Fund’s sub-advisory fee was below the median of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Sub-Advisor and the other factors considered.

 

Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund. The Board took into account that the proposed sub-advisory fee to be paid to Lee Munder by the Advisor under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement was identical to the current sub-advisory fee Lee Munder was paid for managing the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund. The Touchstone Mid Cap Value Fund’s sub-advisory fee was above the median of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the proposed sub-advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services to be received by the Fund from Lee Munder.

 

Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund. The Fund’s sub-advisory fee was above the median of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Sub-Advisor and the other factors considered.

 

Touchstone Value Fund. The Fund’s sub-advisory fee was below the median of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Sub-Advisor and the other factors considered.

 

Conclusion. In considering the renewal of the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund and the initial approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, did not identify any single factor as controlling, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Board reached the following conclusions regarding each Sub-Advisory Agreement and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, among others: (a) the Sub-Advisor is qualified to manage each Fund’s assets in accordance with the Fund’s investment goals and policies; (b) the Sub-Advisor maintains an appropriate compliance program; (c) the overall performance of each Fund is satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices or, as discussed above, is being addressed; (d) each Fund’s sub-advisory fee is reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Sub-Advisor and the other factors considered; and (e) the Sub-Advisor’s investment strategies are appropriate for pursuing the investment goals of each Fund. Based on its conclusions, the Board determined that approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund and the New Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

69
 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

70
 

 

PRIVACY PROTECTION POLICY

 

We Respect Your Privacy

 

Thank you for your decision to invest with us. Touchstone and its affiliates have always placed a high value on the trust and confidence our clients place in us. We believe that confidence must be earned and validated through time. In today’s world, when technology allows the sharing of information at light speeds, trust must be reinforced by our sincere pledge to take the steps necessary to ensure that the information you share with us is treated with respect and confidentiality.

 

Our Pledge to Our Clients

 

We collect only the information we need to service your account and administer our business.

 

We are committed to keeping your information confidential and we place strict limits and controls on the use and sharing of your information.

 

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of your information.

 

We Collect the Following Nonpublic Personal Information About You:

 

Information we receive from you on or in applications or other forms, correspondence, or conversations, including, but not limited to, your name, address, phone number, social security number, assets, income and date of birth; and

 

Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others, including, but not limited to, your account number and balance, payment history, parties to transactions, cost basis information, and other financial information.

 

Categories of Information We Disclose and Parties to Whom We Disclose

 

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our current or former clients to nonaffiliated third parties, except as required or permitted by law.

 

We Place Strict Limits and Controls on the Use and Sharing of Your Information

 

We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to authorized employees who need the information to administer your business.

 

We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to protect this information.

 

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our current or former clients to anyone, except as required or permitted by law or as described in this document.

 

We will not sell your personal information to anyone.

 

We May Provide Information to Service Your Account

 

Sometimes it is necessary to provide information about you to various companies such as transfer agents, custodians, broker-dealers and marketing service firms to facilitate the servicing of your account. These organizations have a legitimate business need to see some of your personal information in order for us to provide service to you. We may disclose to these various companies the information that we collect as described above. We require that these companies, including our own subsidiaries and affiliates, strictly maintain the confidentiality of this information and abide by all applicable laws. Companies within our corporate family that may receive this information are financial service providers and insurance companies. We do not permit these associated companies to sell the information for their own purposes, and we never sell our customer information.

 

This policy is applicable to the following affiliated companies: Touchstone Funds Group Trust, Touchstone Investment Trust, Touchstone Strategic Trust, Touchstone Tax-Free Trust, Touchstone Variable Series Trust, Touchstone Institutional Funds Trust, Touchstone Securities, Inc.,* and W&S Brokerage Services, Inc.

 

* Touchstone Securities, Inc. serves as the underwriter to the Touchstone Funds.

 

A Member of Western & Southern Financial Group®

 

The Privacy Protection Policy is not part of the Semi-Annual Report.

 

71
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Touchstone Investments

 

Distributor

Touchstone Securities, Inc.*

303 Broadway

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4203 800.638.8194

www.touchstoneinvestments.com

 

Investment Advisor

Touchstone Advisors, Inc.*

303 Broadway

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4203

 

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

 

Shareholder Service

800.543.0407

* A Member of Western & Southern Financial Group

 
 

 

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 Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

  

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

  

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

 

Not applicable.

 

 
 

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

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

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

(b)There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

  

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)Not applicable.

 

(a)(2)Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

(a)(3)Not applicable.

 

(b)Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

 
 

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)   Touchstone Strategic Trust

 

By (Signature and Title)*   /s/ Jill T. McGruder

Jill T. McGruder, President

(principal executive officer)

 

Date 02/28/14

 

 

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/ Jill T. McGruder

Jill T. McGruder, President

(principal executive officer)

 

Date 02/28/14

 

 

By (Signature and Title)*   /s/ Terrie A. Wiedenheft

Terrie A. Wiedenheft, Controller and Treasurer

(principal financial officer)

 

Date 02/28/14

 

 

 

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.