N-CSR 1 t67214_ncsr.htm FORM N-CSR t67214_ncsr.htm


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   811-04471 

­­ Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

220 East 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 212-907-1500

Date of fiscal year end: January 31, 2010

Date of reporting period: January 31, 2010
 
 
 

 

Item I.  Reports to Stockholders.

A copy of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the period ended 1/31/10 is included with this Form.
           
           
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
EULAV Asset Management, LLC
 
A N N U A L  R E P O R T
 
   
220 East 42nd Street
 
J a n u a r y  3 1 ,  2 0 1 0
 
   
New York, NY 10017-5891
     
           
DISTRIBUTOR
 
EULAV Securities, Inc.
220 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017-5891
     
           
CUSTODIAN BANK
 
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
     
           
SHAREHOLDER
 
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
     
SERVICING AGENT
 
c/o BFDS
P.O. Box 219729
Kansas City, MO 64121-9729
     
           
INDEPENDENT
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Value Line
Aggressive
Income Trust
 
REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
LEGAL COUNSEL
 
300 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017
 
Peter D. Lowenstein, Esq.
496 Valley Road
Cos Cob, CT 06807-0272
   
         
DIRECTORS
 
Joyce E. Heinzerling
Francis C. Oakley
David H. Porter
Paul Craig Roberts
Thomas T. Sarkany
Nancy-Beth Sheerr
Daniel S. Vandivort
   
           
OFFICERS
 
Mitchell E. Appel
President
Howard A. Brecher
Vice President and Secretary
Michael J. Wagner
Chief Compliance Officer
Emily D. Washington
Treasurer
     
           
       
graphic
 
           
This audited report is issued for information to shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a currently effective prospectus of the Trust (obtainable from the Distributor).
     
#00071695      
 
 
 

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
To Our Value Line Aggressive
 
To Our Shareholders (unaudited):
 
Enclosed is your annual report for the period ended January 31, 2010. I encourage you to carefully review this report, which includes our economic observations, your Trust’s performance data and highlights, schedule of investment holdings, and financial statements.
 
For the twelve months ended January 31, 2010, the total return of the Value Line Aggressive Income Trust was 28.92%. During the past year, high-yield fixed income securities posted their strongest returns in the roughly 20-year history of the category. The Federal stimulus programs, both fiscal and monetary, began to take hold in 2009 and helped thaw the frozen credit environment. With improved liquidity and yield spreads at record levels, investors began to move back into the riskier assets classes. While default rates increased to 12% last year, the level was contained by many of the U.S. Government’s bailout and guarantee programs. As the economy looks to grow in the year ahead, and banks extend some of the maturities of their most leveraged loans, the default rate is expected to drop back to its historical norm in the mid-single digits in 2010.
 
Given the uncertain investment environment in 2009, the Trust took a very conservative investment stance. As it has traditionally done, it limited its investment holdings in the lowest rated securities (CCC and below) due to their historically high default rates. We also underweighted the financial sector given our concerns about continued bad debt problems in both the residential and commercial real estate areas. These sectors proved to be the strongest return segments, with CCC and below rated issues providing nearly twice the return of the overall industry. In addition, the Trust held a cash position in the high-single digit area, given potential liquidity concerns, which also proved to be a drag on performance. During the past year, the Trust trailed the returns of the average High Yield Bond Fund, as measured by Lipper Inc., which gained 41.44%, and the Barclay’s Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index, a proxy for the overall high-yield market, which rose 58.21% for the same period. Despite this one year lag, the Trust remains competitive with its peer group over the last 3- and 5-year periods.
 
The Trust continues to seek good risk/reward investment opportunities in an effort to maintain the current yield of the Trust in a falling rate environment. Energy-related securities continue to account for the largest sector weighting of the Trust. While commodity prices in this sector can be volatile, we still like this investment segment considering its strong cash flows and earnings potential. Preserving capital in difficult market environments, while allowing for an attractive dividend yield, remains our goal. We thank you for your continued investment with us.
 
 
Sincerely,
   
 
/s/ Mitchell Appel
 
Mitchell Appel, President
 
March 18, 2010

   
(1)
The Lipper High Current Yield Bond Funds Average aims at high (relative) current yield from fixed income securities, has no quality or maturity restrictions, and tends to invest in lower grade debt issues. An investment cannot be made in Peer Group Average.
   
(2)
The Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index is representative of the broad based fixed-income market. It includes non-investment grade corporate bonds. The returns for the Index do not reflect charges, expenses, or taxes, and it is not possible to directly invest in this unmanaged Index.
 
 

2

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
Income Trust Shareholders
 
Economic Observations (unaudited)
 
The recession, which commenced in the latter stages of 2007 and proved to be long and severe, most likely ended in the third quarter of last year, although the National Bureau of Economic Research, which assigns dates to the beginning and end of recessions, has yet to determine the exact conclusion of the recent downturn. In all, the business contraction—which produced a succession of quarterly declines in the nation’s gross domestic product along with countless additional upheavals—apparently concluded with the restoration of a modest 2.2% rise in GDP in the third quarter of 2009. The nascent up cycle was underpinned initially by strengthening consumer spending, lesser declines in housing construction and home sales (with that ailing sector boosted by government assistance for first-time home buyers), and an irregular comeback in business spending.
 
Going forward, the upturn should be supported by further, but uneven, improvement in consumer and industrial activity. It is worth noting that the prospective rate of GDP growth in the year upcoming should be, at an estimated 2.5%-3.0%, well below the historical norm of 3.0%-4.0%. The problem is that there is just too much overall weakness in certain critical sectors—notably housing and employment—to generate the greater levels of consumer spending needed for significantly higher levels of economic growth, in our opinion.
 
The long and painful recession was traceable to several events, beginning with sharp declines in housing construction, home sales, and real estate prices. We also experienced a large reduction in credit availability, a high level of bank failures, increasing foreclosures and bank repossessions, a multi-decade high in unemployment, weak retail activity, and trendless manufacturing. Unfortunately, several of these problems are likely to stay with us for some time—notably the weakness in housing and employment. Such continuing difficulties underscore why we expect below-trend rates of U.S. GDP growth though 2010. Encouragingly, though, most business barometers are now either stabilizing or improving selectively. It is much the same overseas, where severe business declines had been seen earlier across Europe and Asia. Those prior setbacks, which generally got under way several months after our own reversal commenced, have also largely run their course. Following this initially moderate business recovery stateside, we would look for sufficient brightening in housing and employment to help underpin a more substantial economic recovery in 2011 and through the middle years of the next decade. By then, in fact, we would expect GDP growth to average a fairly sustainable 3.0%-3.5%.
 
Inflation, which moved up sharply last year, following dramatic gains in oil, food, and commodity prices, has moved onto a more irregular path recently. Going forward, we expect pricing to chart an uneven path, with further up-and-down swings in oil and commodities being the norm, as the economy’s expansion matures. On average, we think that pricing will increase less sharply over the next year or two than it did before the 2007-2009 recession. Looking further out, we expect pricing pressures to evolve later on in the business up cycle—as is only natural, as demand for labor and materials increases. The Federal Reserve, meanwhile, continues to express support for an accommodative monetary approach. As a result, we believe that it is unlikely to start raising interest rates until well into 2010, and to do so rather gently once it does finally opt to tighten the credit reins. Clearly, the risks to the sustainability of the economic up cycle appear too great for the Fed to consider tightening aggressively anytime soon.
 
Overall, we see a comparatively benign period ahead for the equity and fixed-income markets over the next year or so.
 
 

3

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
(unaudited)
 
The following graph compares the performance of the Value Line Aggressive Income Trust to that of the Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index. The Value Line Aggressive Income Trust is a professionally managed mutual fund, while the Indices are not available for investment and are unmanaged. The returns for the Indices do not reflect charges, expenses or taxes, but do include the reinvestment of dividends. The comparison is shown for illustrative purposes only.
 
Comparison of a Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in the
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust and the Barclays Capital
U.S. Corporate High Yield Index*
 
Graphic
 
Performance Data: **
                 
   
Average Annual
Total Return
   
Growth of an Assumed
Investment of $10,000
 
                 
1 year ended 1/31/10
     28.92 %   $ 12,892  
5 years ended 1/31/10
     4.89 %   $ 12,698  
10 years ended 1/31/10
     3.40 %   $ 13,972  

   
*
The Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index is representative of the broad based fixed-income market. It includes non-investment grade corporate bonds. The returns for the Index do not reflect charges, expenses, or taxes, which are deducted from the Trust’s returns, and it is not possible to directly invest in this unmanaged Index.
   
**
The performance data quoted represent past performance and are no guarantee of future performance. The average annual total returns and growth of an assumed investment of $10,000 include dividends reinvested and capital gains distributions accepted in shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investment, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than its original cost. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on trust distributions or the redemption of trust shares.
 
 

4

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
 
TRUST EXPENSES (unaudited):
 
Example
 
As a shareholder of the Trust, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Trust expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Trust 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 (August 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010).
 
Actual Expenses
 
The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Trust’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Trust’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Trust 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 table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
                         
   
Beginning
 account value
8/1/09
   
  Ending
account value 1/31/10
   
Expenses
paid during
period 8/1/09
thru 1/31/10*
 
                         
Actual
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,093.74     $ 6.41  
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,019.08     $ 6.18  

   
*
Expenses are equal to the Trust’s annualized expense ratio of 1.21% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 to reflect the one-half year period. This expense ratio may differ from the expense ratio shown in the Financial Highlights.
 
 

5

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
Portfolio Highlights at January 31, 2010 (unaudited)
 
Ten Largest Holdings
                   
Issue
 
Principal
Amount
   
Value
   
Percentage of
Net Assets
 
Williams Companies, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.13%, 9/1/11
  $ 600,000     $ 657,000       1.7 %
Ferrellgas Escrow LLC/Ferrellgas Finance Escrow Corp., Senior Notes, 6.75%, 5/1/14
  $ 600,000     $ 591,000       1.6 %
Principal Financial Group, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.88%, 5/15/14
  $ 500,000     $ 572,293       1.5 %
Nabors Industries, Inc., Guaranteed Senior Notes, 6.15%, 2/15/18
  $ 495,000     $ 529,234       1.4 %
Plains Exploration & Production Co., Senior Notes, 7.75%, 6/15/15
  $ 500,000     $ 510,000       1.4 %
Whiting Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes, 7.25%, 5/1/13
  $ 500,000     $ 506,250       1.3 %
Encore Acquisition Co., Senior Subordinated Notes, 6.25%, 4/15/14
  $ 500,000     $ 501,875       1.3 %
KCS Energy, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.13%, 4/1/12
  $ 500,000     $ 498,750       1.3 %
EchoStar DBS Corp., Senior Notes, 6.63%, 10/1/14
  $ 500,000     $ 496,250       1.3 %
Gulfmark Offshore, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 7.75%, 7/15/14
  $ 500,000     $ 496,250       1.3 %

Asset Allocation – Percentage of Total Net Assets
 
Graphic
 
Sector Weightings – Percentage of Total Investment Securities
 
Graphic
 
 

6

 
 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
   
Schedule of Investments
January 31, 2010

               
Principal
Amount
     
Value
 
CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES (76.1%)
       
         
     
BASIC MATERIALS (3.0%)
       
$
400,000
 
Dow Chemical Co. (The), Senior Notes, 8.55%, 5/15/19
 
$
478,368
 
 
300,000
 
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., Senior Notes, 8.25%, 4/1/15
   
324,750
 
 
346,000
 
United States Steel Corp., Senior Notes, 5.65%, 6/1/13
   
345,296
 
           
1,148,414
 
               
     
COMMUNICATIONS (10.3%)
       
 
400,000
 
American Tower Corp., Senior Notes, 7.00%, 10/15/17
   
444,500
 
 
350,000
 
Cricket Communications, Inc., 9.38%, 11/1/14
   
348,250
 
 
300,000
 
Crown Castle International Corp., Senior Notes, 9.00%, 1/15/15
   
325,125
 
 
350,000
 
DirecTV Holdings LLC/Direc TV Financing Co., Senior Notes, 6.38%, 6/15/15
   
362,687
 
 
500,000
 
EchoStar DBS Corp., Senior Notes, 6.63%, 10/1/14
   
496,250
 
 
400,000
 
Hughes Network Systems LLC, Senior Notes, 9.50%, 4/15/14
   
409,000
 
 
350,000
 
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., Senior Notes, 9.25%, 11/1/14
   
352,188
 
 
400,000
 
Qwest Corp., Senior Notes, 8.88%, 3/15/12
   
429,500
 
 
350,000
 
Sprint Capital Corp., 8.38%, 3/15/12
   
356,125
 
 
350,000
 
Windstream Corp., Senior Notes, 8.13%, 8/1/13
   
367,500
 
           
3,891,125
 
               
     
CONSUMER, CYCLICAL (11.5%)
       
 
350,000
 
AmeriGas Partners L.P., Senior Notes, 7.25%, 5/20/15
   
355,250
 
 
500,000
 
Boyd Gaming Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 6.75%, 4/15/14
   
462,500
 

Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
               
$
210,000
 
Dillard’s, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.85%, 10/1/12
 
$
211,050
 
 
600,000
 
Ferrellgas Escrow LLC/ Ferrellgas Finance Escrow Corp., Senior Notes, 6.75%, 5/1/14
   
591,000
 
 
500,000
 
Ford Motor Co., Global Landmark Securities, Senior Notes, 7.45%, 7/16/31
   
445,000
 
 
350,000
 
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The), Senior Notes, 10.50%, 5/15/16
   
379,750
 
 
400,000
 
Inergy LP/Inergy Finance Corp., Senior Notes, 8.25%, 3/1/16
   
409,000
 
 
444,000
 
Payless ShoeSource, Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.25%, 8/1/13
   
453,435
 
 
350,000
 
Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., Senior Notes, 7.25%, 2/15/11
   
350,875
 
 
300,000
 
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Senior Notes, 6.88%, 12/1/13
   
297,000
 
 
400,000
 
Wynn Las Vegas LLC / Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp., Senior Mortgage Notes, 6.63%, 12/1/14
   
383,000
 
           
4,337,860
 
               
     
CONSUMER, NON-CYCLICAL (11.3%)
       
 
400,000
 
Bausch & Lomb, Inc., Senior Notes, 9.88%, 11/1/15
   
420,000
 
 
300,000
 
Chiquita Brands International, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.50%, 11/1/14
   
294,000
 
 
450,000
 
Community Health Systems, Inc., Senior Notes, 8.88%, 7/15/15
   
465,188
 
 
400,000
 
Constellation Brands, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.25%, 5/15/17
   
401,500
 
 
300,000
 
Dean Foods Co., Senior Notes, 7.00%, 6/1/16
   
292,500
 
 
300,000
 
Humana, Inc., Senior Notes, 6.45%, 6/1/16
   
315,318
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.

7

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
   
 
January 31, 2010

Principal
Amount
       
Value
 
$
350,000
 
Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.00%, 5/15/16
 
$
357,875
 
 
300,000
 
NBTY, Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.13%, 10/1/15
   
303,000
 
 
350,000
 
Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.75%, 7/15/15
   
335,125
 
 
300,000
 
Reynolds American, Inc., Senior Secured Notes, 6.75%, 6/15/17
   
319,860
 
 
400,000
 
SUPERVALU, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.50%, 11/15/14
   
401,000
 
 
350,000
 
Tyson Foods, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.85%, 4/1/16
   
367,500
 
           
4,272,866
 
               
     
DIVERSIFIED (1.3%)
       
 
500,000
 
Leucadia National Corp., Senior Notes, 7.13%, 3/15/17
   
492,500
 
               
     
ENERGY (24.1%)
       
 
400,000
 
Allis-Chalmers Energy, Inc., Senior Notes, 9.00%, 1/15/14
   
388,000
 
 
350,000
 
Arch Western Finance LLC, Guaranteed Senior Notes, 6.75%, 7/1/13
   
346,500
 
 
400,000
 
Bill Barrett Corp., Senior Notes, 9.88%, 7/15/16
   
430,000
 
 
300,000
 
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes, 7.50%, 6/15/14
   
304,500
 
 
350,000
 
Cimarex Energy Co., Senior Notes, 7.13%, 5/1/17
   
348,687
 
 
400,000
 
Complete Production Services, Inc., Senior Notes, 8.00%, 12/15/16
   
396,000
 
 
350,000
 
Dynegy Holdings, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.50%, 6/1/15
   
313,250
 
 
500,000
 
Encore Acquisition Co., Senior Subordinated Notes, 6.25%, 4/15/14
   
501,875
 
 
300,000
 
Frontier Oil Corp., 8.50%, 9/15/16
   
313,500
 

Principal
Amount
      Value  
$
500,000
 
KCS Energy, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.13%, 4/1/12
 
$
498,750
 
 
300,000
 
McMoRan Exploration Co., Senior Notes, 11.88%, 11/15/14
   
327,000
 
 
495,000
 
Nabors Industries, Inc., Guaranteed Senior Notes, 6.15%, 2/15/18
   
529,234
 
 
400,000
 
Newfield Exploration Co., Senior Notes, 6.63%, 9/1/14
   
404,000
 
 
250,000
 
North American Energy Partners, Inc., Senior Notes, 8.75%, 12/1/11
   
249,375
 
 
400,000
 
Peabody Energy Corp., Senior Notes, 7.38%, 11/1/16
   
425,000
 
 
300,000
 
PetroHawk Energy Corp., Senior Notes, 7.88%, 6/1/15
   
307,500
 
 
428,000
 
PetroQuest Energy, Inc., Senior Notes, 10.38%, 5/15/12
   
436,560
 
 
500,000
 
Plains Exploration & Production Co., Senior Notes, 7.75%, 6/15/15
   
510,000
 
 
325,000
 
Regency Energy Partners L.P./Regency Energy Finance Corp., Senior Notes, 8.38%, 12/15/13
   
339,625
 
 
350,000
 
Tesoro Corp., Notes, 6.50%, 6/1/17
   
333,375
 
 
250,000
 
W&T Offshore, Inc., Senior Notes, 8.25%, 6/15/14 (1)
   
240,000
 
 
500,000
 
Whiting Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes, 7.25%, 5/1/13
   
506,250
 
 
600,000
 
Williams Companies, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.13%, 9/1/11
   
657,000
 
           
9,105,981
 
               
     
FINANCIAL (2.3%)
       
 
300,000
 
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, Senior Notes, 8.00%, 12/15/16
   
301,779
 
 
500,000
 
Principal Financial Group, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.88%, 5/15/14
   
572,293
 
           
874,072
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.

8

 
 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
   
Schedule of Investments
 

Principal
Amount
       Value  
     
INDUSTRIAL (7.9%)
       
$
350,000
 
Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 6.75%, 4/1/16
 
$
349,125
 
 
400,000
 
Baldor Electric Co., Senior Notes, 8.63%, 2/15/17
   
407,000
 
 
350,000
 
Case New Holland, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.13%, 3/1/14
   
350,000
 
 
400,000
 
General Cable Corp., Senior Notes, 7.13%, 4/1/17
   
393,000
 
 
500,000
 
Gulfmark Offshore, Inc., Guaranteed Notes, 7.75%, 7/15/14
   
496,250
 
 
400,000
 
L-3 Communications Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 5.88%, 1/15/15
   
405,000
 
 
200,000
 
Ryder System, Inc., Senior Notes, 4.63%, 4/1/10
   
200,539
 
 
400,000
 
Terex Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.00%, 11/15/17
   
382,000
 
           
2,982,914
 
               
     
TECHNOLOGY (1.8%)
       
 
81,000
 
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., Senior Notes, 6.13%, 6/1/17
   
82,212
 
 
350,000
 
First Data Corp., Senior Notes, 9.88%, 9/24/15
   
312,375
 
 
300,000
 
Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, 6.80%, 10/1/16
   
298,875
 
           
693,462
 
               
     
UTILITIES (2.6%)
       
 
400,000
 
NRG Energy, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.38%, 2/1/16
   
398,000
 
 
350,000
 
RRI Energy, Inc., Senior Notes, 7.63%, 6/15/14
   
336,000
 
 
300,000
 
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 10.25%, 11/1/15
   
234,749
 
           
968,749
 
     
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES (76.1%)
(Cost $27,002,008)
   
28,767,943
 

Principal
Amount
     
Value
 
CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES (10.8%)
       
               
     
BASIC MATERIALS (1.0%)
       
$
400,000
 
Ferro Corp., Senior Notes, 6.50%, 8/15/13
 
$
366,000
 
               
     
COMMUNICATIONS (1.4%)
       
 
300,000
 
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc., Senior Notes, 4.25%, 3/15/23
   
296,250
 
 
250,000
 
NII Holdings, Inc. 3.13%, 6/15/12
   
229,063
 
           
525,313
 
               
     
CONSUMER, NON-CYCLICAL (3.5%)
       
 
250,000
 
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., Senior Notes, 2.25%, 6/15/13
   
246,562
 
 
200,000
 
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., Senior Subordinated Debentures, 3.25%, 8/15/25
   
180,500
 
 
250,000
 
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., Senior Subordinated Debentures, 3.50%, 5/15/14
   
226,563
 
 
400,000
 
Medtronic, Inc., Senior Notes, 1.63%, 4/15/13
   
410,500
 
 
300,000
 
Omnicare, Inc., 3.25%, 12/15/35
   
244,500
 
           
1,308,625
 
               
     
ENERGY (0.7%)
       
 
300,000
 
Global Industries Ltd., Senior Debentures, 2.75%, 8/1/27
   
190,500
 
 
100,000
 
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., Senior Notes, 3.25%, 12/15/25
   
90,375
 
           
280,875
 
     
FINANCIAL (1.0%)
       
 
400,000
 
NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (The), Senior Notes, 2.50%, 8/15/13
   
378,000
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.

9

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
   
 
January 31, 2010

Principal
Amount
     
Value
 
     
INDUSTRIAL (1.8%)
       
$
400,000
 
AGCO Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 1.25%, 12/15/36
 
$
408,500
 
 
350,000
 
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., Senior Notes, 3.00%, 3/15/13
   
269,937
 
           
678,437
 
     
TECHNOLOGY (1.4%)
       
 
350,000
 
Micron Technology, Inc., Senior Notes, 1.88%, 6/1/14
   
304,938
 
 
300,000
 
SanDisk Corp., Senior Notes, 1.00%, 5/15/13
   
242,625
 
           
547,563
 
     
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES (10.8%)
(Cost $3,641,990)
   
4,084,813
 

 
Shares
       
Value
 
COMMON STOCKS (1.9%)
       
         
     
ENERGY (1.4%)
       
 
10,000
 
Boardwalk Pipeline Partners L.P.
   
294,800
 
 
2,500
 
Energy Transfer Partners L.P.
   
111,850
 
 
2,000
 
Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.
   
106,180
 
           
512,830
 
     
FINANCIALS (0.3%)
       
 
3,000
 
Equity Residential
   
96,150
 
               
     
HEALTH CARE (0.2%)
       
 
5,000
 
Pfizer, Inc.
   
93,300
 
               
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (2) (1.9%)
(Cost $570,124)
   
702,280
 

Shares
     
Value
 
PREFERRED STOCKS (0.2%)
       
         
     
FINANCIALS (0.2%)
       
               
 
3,000
 
Health Care REIT, Inc. Series F, 7.625%
 
$
73,500
 
     
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (2) (0.2%)
(Cost $75,000)
   
73,500
 
     
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES (3) (89.0%)
(Cost $31,289,122)
   
33,628,536
 

Principal
Amount
     
Value
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (9.5%)
       
         
$
3,600,000
 
With Morgan Stanley, 0.08%, dated 01/29/10, due 02/01/10, delivery value $3,600,024
(collateralized by $3,590,000 U.S. Treasury Notes 4.75%, due 02/15/10, with a value of $3,673,555)
   
3,600,000
 
     
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (3) (9.5%)
(Cost $3,600,000)
   
3,600,000
 
               
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (1.5%)
   
558,184
 
           
NET ASSETS (100%)
 
$
37,786,720
 
           
NET ASSET VALUE OFFERING AND REDEMPTION PRICE, PER OUTSTANDING SHARE
($37,786,720 ÷ 8,034,470 shares outstanding)
 
$
4.70
 
 
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, this security can only be sold to qualified institutional investors.
 
(2)
Values determined based on Level 1 inputs established by FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
 
(3)
Unless otherwise indicated, the values of the Portfolio are determined based on Level 2 inputs established by FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.

10

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
         
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
at January 31, 2010
       
         
Assets:
       
Investment securities, at value
(Cost - $31,289,122)
 
$
33,628,536
 
Repurchase agreement
(Cost - $3,600,000)
   
3,600,000
 
Cash
   
71,672
 
Interest and dividends receivable
   
584,783
 
Receivable for trust shares sold
   
27,500
 
Prepaid expenses
   
17,828
 
Total Assets
   
37,930,319
 
Liabilities:
       
Payable for trust shares redeemed
   
62,021
 
Dividends payable to shareholders
   
32,338
 
Accrued expenses:
       
Advisory fee
   
14,690
 
Service and distribution plan fees
   
4,897
 
Other
   
29,653
 
Total Liabilities
   
143,599
 
Net Assets
 
$
37,786,720
 
Net assets consist of:
       
Shares of beneficial interest, at $0.01 par value (authorized unlimited, outstanding 8,034,470 shares)
 
$
80,345
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
43,896,633
 
Distributions in excess of net investment income
   
(32,419
)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency
   
(8,497,253
)
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency translations
   
2,339,414
 
Net Assets
 
$
37,786,720
 
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Outstanding Share
($37,786,720 ÷ 8,034,470 shares outstanding)
 
$
4.70
 
 
Statement of Operations
for the Year Ended January 31, 2010
       
         
Investment Income:
       
Interest (net of foreign withholding tax of $516)
 
$
2,643,554
 
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $97)
   
40,400
 
Total Income
   
2,683,954
 
Expenses:
       
Advisory fee
   
263,476
 
Service and distribution plan fees
   
87,825
 
Printing and postage
   
48,672
 
Registration and filing fees
   
35,526
 
Transfer agent fees
   
34,945
 
Custodian fees
   
32,604
 
Auditing and legal fees
   
27,453
 
Trustees’ fees and expenses
   
3,428
 
Insurance
   
3,226
 
Other
   
9,210
 
Total Expenses Before Custody Credits and Fees Waived
   
546,365
 
Less: Service and Distribution Plan Fees Waived
   
(35,130
)
Less: Advisory Fees Waived
   
(115,354
)
Less: Custody Credits
   
(15
)
Net Expenses
   
395,866
 
Net Investment Income
   
2,288,088
 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/ (Loss) on Investments and Foreign Exchange Transactions:
       
Net Realized Loss
   
(1,479,744
)
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)
   
8,228,511
 
Increase from payment by affiliate
   
4,043
 
Net Realized Loss and Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) on Investments and Foreign Exchange Transactions
   
6,752,810
 
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations
 
$
9,040,898
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.

11

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
for the Years Ended January 31, 2010 and 2009

   
Year Ended
January 31, 2010
   
Year Ended
January 31, 2009
 
Operations:
           
Net investment income
  $ 2,288,088     $ 2,094,843  
Net realized loss on investments and foreign currency
    (1,479,744 )     (1,051,210 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)
    8,228,511       (5,295,392 )
Increase from payment by affiliate
    4,043        
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations
    9,040,898       (4,251,759 )
                 
Distributions to Shareholders:
               
Net investment income
    (2,273,909 )     (2,074,111 )
                 
Trust Share Transactions:
               
Proceeds from sale of shares
    14,135,221       3,664,679  
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends to shareholders
    1,856,215       1,585,465  
Cost of shares redeemed*
    (10,895,800 )     (5,459,613 )
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from trust share transactions
    5,095,636       (209,469 )
Total Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets
    11,862,625       (6,535,339 )
                 
Net Assets:
               
Beginning of year
    25,924,095       32,459,434  
End of year
  $ 37,786,720     $ 25,924,095  
Distributions in excess of net investment income, at end of year
  $ (32,419 )   $ (36,918 )
 
* Net of redemption fees (see Note 1K and Note 2).
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.

12

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
1. Significant Accounting Policies
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The primary investment objective of the Trust is to maximize current income through investment in a diversified portfolio of high-yield fixed-income securities. As a secondary investment objective, the Trust will seek capital appreciation, but only when consistent with its primary objective. Lower rated or unrated (i.e., high-yield) securities are more likely to react to developments affecting market risk (general market liquidity) and credit risk (issuers’ inability to meet principal and interest payments on their obligations) than are more highly rated securities, which react primarily to movements in the general level of interest rates. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Trust to meet their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific industry.
 
The following significant accounting principles are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies. Such policies are consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. Generally accepted accounting principles may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosure in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
 
(A) Security Valuation: The Trustees have determined that the value of bonds and other fixed income corporate securities be calculated on the valuation date by reference to valuations obtained from an independent pricing service that determines valuations for normal institutional-size trading units of debt securities, without exclusive reliance upon quoted prices. This service takes into account appropriate factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data in determining valuations. Securities, other than bonds and other fixed income securities, not priced in this manner are valued at the midpoint between the latest available and representative bid and asked prices or, when stock valuations are used, at the latest quoted sale price as of the regular close of business of the New York Stock Exchange on the valuation date. Other assets and securities for which market valuations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as the Trustees may determine. In addition, the Trust may use the fair value of a security when the closing price on the primary exchange where the security is traded no longer reflects the value of a security due to factors affecting one or more relevant securities markets or the specific issuer. Short term instruments with maturities of 60 days or less, at the date of purchase, are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value.
 
(B) Fair Value Measurements: In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (FASB ASC 820-10), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157), the Trust discloses the fair value of its investments in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation (level 3 measurements). FASB ASC 820-10-35-39 to 55 provides three levels of the fair value hierarchy as follows:
   
Level 1 – Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Trust has the ability to access at the measurement date;
   
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including inputs in markets that are not considered to be active;
   
Level 3 – Inputs that are unobservable.
 
 

13

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
January 31, 2010
 
During the year ended January 31, 2010, the Trust adopted the authoritative guidance included in FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, on determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and identifying transactions that are not orderly (formerly FSP FAS 157-4). FASB ASC 820-10-35-51A to 51H indicates that if an entity determines that either the volume and/or level of activity for an asset or liability has significantly decreased (from normal conditions for that asset or liability) or price quotations or observable inputs are not associated with orderly transactions, increased analysis and management judgment will be required to estimate fair value.
 
Valuation techniques such as an income approach might be appropriate to supplement or replace a market approach in those circumstances. It provides a list of factors to determine whether there has been a significant decrease in relation to normal market activity. Regardless, however, of the valuation technique and inputs used, the objective for the fair value measurement in those circumstances is unchanged from what it would be if markets were operating at normal activity levels and/or transactions were orderly; that is, to determine the current exit price as promulgated by FASB ASC 820-10.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of January 31, 2010 in valuing the Trust’s investments carried at value:
                         
Investments in Securities:
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets
                       
Corporate Bonds & Notes
  $ 0     $ 28,767,943     $ 0     $ 28,767,943  
Convertible Corporate Bonds & Notes
    0       4,084,813       0       4,084,813  
Short Term Investments
    0       3,600,000       0       3,600,000  
Common Stocks
    702,280       0       0       702,280  
Preferred Stocks
    73,500       0       0       73,500  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 775,780     $ 36,452,756     $ 0     $ 37,228,536  
 
For the year ended January 31, 2010, there were no Level 3 investments. The types of inputs used to value each security are identified in the Schedule of Investments, which also includes a breakdown of the Schedule’s investments by category.
 
(C) Repurchase Agreements: In connection with repurchase agreements, the Trust’s custodian takes possession of the underlying collateral securities, the value of which exceeds the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, it is the Trust’s policy to mark-to-market the collateral on a daily basis to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. In the event of default of the obligation to repurchase, the Trust has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. Under certain circumstances, in the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral or proceeds may be subject to legal proceedings.
 
(D) Distributions: It is the policy of the Trust to distribute all of its net investment income to shareholders. Dividends from net investment income will be declared daily and paid monthly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed to shareholders annually or more frequently if necessary to comply with the Internal Revenue Code. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Trust unless the shareholder has requested otherwise. Income earned by the Trust on weekends, holidays and other days on which the Trust is closed for business is declared as a dividend on the next day on which the Trust is open for business.
 
(E) Federal Income Taxes: It is the Trust’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies, including the distribution requirements of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
 
 

14

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
(F) Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Trust are maintained in U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities which are denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. The Trust does not isolate changes in the value of investments caused by foreign exchange rate differences from the changes due to other circumstances.
 
Income and expenses are translated to U.S. dollars based upon the rates of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions.
 
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from currency fluctuations realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the differences between the U.S. dollar amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded by the Trust and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments, at the end of the fiscal period, resulting from changes in the exchange rates. The effect of the change in foreign exchange rates on the value of investments is included in realized gain/loss on investments and change in net unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on investments.
 
(G) Representations and Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Trust expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
(H) Security Transactions: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are recorded on the identified-cost basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of discount and premium, is earned from settlement date and recognized on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
 
(I) Accounting for Real Estate Investment Trusts: The Trust owns shares of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Distributions received from REITs during the year which represent a return of capital are recorded as a reduction of cost and distributions which represent a capital gain dividend are recorded as a realized long-term capital gain on investments.
 
(J) Foreign Taxes: The Trust may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments, or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Trust will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.
 
(K) Redemption Fee: The Trust charges a 2% redemption fee on shares held for less than 120 days. Such fees are retained by the Trust and accounted for as paid in capital.
 
 

15

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
January 31, 2010
 
(L) Other: On November 4, 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), Value Line, Inc. (“VLI”), Value Line Securities, Inc., currently, EULAV Securities, Inc. (“ESI” or the “Distributor”), Jean B. Buttner, former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of VLI and David Henigson, a former Director and Officer of VLI, settled a matter related to brokerage commissions charged by ESI to certain Value Line mutual funds (“Funds”), from 1986 through November of 2004. The matter also involved alleged misleading disclosures provided by VLI to the Boards of Directors/Trustees and shareholders of the Funds regarding such brokerage commissions. VLI agreed to pay disgorgement in the amount of $24,168,979 (representing disgorgement of commissions received), prejudgment interest of $9,536,786, and a civil penalty in the amount of $10,000,000. Also as part of the settlement, Mrs. Buttner and Mr. Henigson each agreed to pay a civil penalty, are barred from association with any broker, dealer or investment adviser, and are prohibited from serving as an employee, officer, director, member of an advisory board, investment adviser or depositor of, or principal underwriter for, a registered investment company or affiliated person of such investment adviser, depositor, or principal underwriter, subject to a limited exception (limited in scope and for a one-year period) for Mrs. Buttner. Pursuant to Section 308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, a fund will be created for VLI’s disgorgement, interest and penalty (“Fair Fund”). VLI will bear all costs associated with any Fair Fund distribution, including retaining a third-party consultant approved by the SEC staff to administer any Fair Fund distribution. VLI informed the Funds’ Board that it has paid the settlement, continues to have adequate liquid assets, and that the resolution of this matter will not have a materially adverse effect on the ability of EULAV Asset Management LLC (“EULAV” or the “Adviser”), the Funds’ investment adviser, or ESI, the Funds’ distributor, to perform their respective contracts with the Funds.
 
On March 11, 2010, VLI and the Boards of Trustees/Directors of the Value Line Funds entered into an agreement pursuant to which VLI will reimburse the Funds in the aggregate amount of $917,302 for various expenses incurred by the Funds in connection with the SEC matter referred to above. The receivable for this expense reimbursement was accrued on March 11, 2010 by the applicable Funds that incurred the expenses and will be paid by VLI in twelve equal monthly installments commencing April 1, 2010. The Aggressive Income Trust accrued $2,853 in expense reimbursements from VLI.
 
(M) Subsequent Events: Management has evaluated all subsequent transactions and events through the date on which these financial statements were issued. On March 11, 2010, with an effective date of June 1, 2010, the Adviser contractually agreed to waive 0.20% of the advisory fee for a one year period and the Distributor waives 0.10% of the Rule 12b-1 fee.
 
2. Trust Share Transactions and Distributions to Shareholders
 
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest in the Trust were as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
January 31, 2010
   
Year Ended
January 31, 2009
 
Shares sold
    3,455,006       860,199  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends and distributions
    427,536       366,094  
Shares redeemed
    (2,514,225 )     (1,275,156 )
Net increase/(decrease)
    1,368,317       (48,863 )
Dividends per share from net investment income
  $ 0.2812     $ 0.3140  
 
Redemption fees of $24,940 and $5,692 were retained by the Trust for the year ended January 31, 2010 and the year ended January 31, 2009, respectively.
 
 

16

 
 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
   
Notes to Financial Statements
 
 
3. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:
         
   
Year Ended
January 31, 2010
 
Purchases:
       
Investment Securities
 
$
20,299,360
 
Sales:
       
Investment Securities
 
$
15,730,704
 
 
4. Income Taxes
 
At January 31, 2010, information on the tax components of capital is as follows:
         
Cost of investments for tax purposes
 
$
34,887,527
 
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
 
$
2,527,943
 
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
 
$
(186,934
)
Net tax unrealized appreciation on investments
 
$
2,341,009
 
Undistributed ordinary income
 
$
 
Capital loss carryforward, expires
       
January 31, 2011
 
$
(5,624,767
)
January 31, 2017
 
$
(911,547
)
January 31, 2018
 
$
(1,962,534
)
 
During the year ended January 31, 2010, as permitted under federal income tax regulations, the Trust elected to defer $82 of post-October net currency losses to the next taxable year.
 
During the year ended January 31, 2010, $20,653,696 of the Trust’s capital loss carryforwards expired.
 
To the extent future capital gains are offset by capital losses, the Trust does not anticipate distributing any such gains to shareholders. It is uncertain whether the Trust will be able to realize the benefits of the losses before they expire.
 
The tax composition of dividends to shareholders for the years ended January 31, 2010 and January 31, 2009 were as follows:
             
   
2010
   
2009
 
Ordinary income
  $ 2,273,909     $ 2,074,111  
 
Permanent book-tax differences relating to the classifications of certain distributions and income in the current year were reclassified within the composition of the net asset accounts. The Trust increased distributions in excess of net investment income by $9,680, decreased accumulated realized loss on investments by $20,666,985 and decreased additional paid-in-capital by $20,657,305. Net assets were not affected by these reclassifications. These reclassifications are primarily due to differing treatments for tax purposes of foreign currency, expired capital loss carryforward, interest write-off, investments in partnerships, investment in securities, distributions in excess and consent payments.
 
5. Investment Advisory Fee, Service and Distribution Fees and Transactions With Affiliates
 
An advisory fee of $263,476 was paid or payable to EULAV Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) for the year ended January 31, 2010. This was computed at an annual rate of 0.75% on the first $100 million of the Trust’s average daily net assets during the period, and 0.50% on the average daily net assets in excess thereof prior to any fee waivers. The Adviser provides research, investment programs, supervision of the investment portfolio and pays costs of administrative services and office space. The Adviser also provides persons, satisfactory to the Trust’s Trustees, to act as officers of the Trust and pays their salaries. Effective June 1, 2007 and 2008, the Adviser contractually agreed to reduce the Trust’s advisory fee by 0.40% for one year periods. Effective June 1, 2009, the Adviser contractually agreed to waive 0.30% of the advisory fee for a one year period. The fees waived amounted to $115,354 for the year ended January 31, 2010. The Adviser has no right to recoup previously waived amounts.
 
The Trust has a Service and Distribution Plan (the “Plan”), adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which compensates EULAV Securities, Inc. (the “Distributor”) for advertising, marketing and distributing the Trust’s shares and for servicing the Trust’s shareholders at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Trust’s average daily net assets. Fees amounting to $87,825 before fee waivers were accrued under the Plan for the year ended January 31, 2010. Effective June 1, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Distributor contractually agreed to reduce the 12b-1 fee by 0.10% for one year periods. The fees waived amounted to $35,130 for the year ended January 31, 2010. The Distributor has no right to recoup previously waived amounts.
 
 

17

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
   
 
January 31, 2010
 
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Trust’s expenses were reduced by $15 under a custody credit arrangement with the custodian.
 
Direct expenses of the Trust are charged to the Trust while common expenses of the Value Line Funds are allocated proportionately based upon the Funds’ respective net assets. The Trust bears all other costs and expenses.
 
Certain officers, employees and a director of Value Line and affiliated companies are also officers and a Trustee of the Trust. At January 31, 2010, the officers and Trustees as a group owned 654 shares of beneficial interest in the Trust, representing less than 1% of the outstanding shares.
 
 

18

 
 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
   
Financial Highlights
 
 
Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year:
                               
   
Years Ended January 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Net asset value, beginning of year
  $ 3.89     $ 4.83     $ 5.06     $ 5.01     $ 5.16  
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income
    0.28       0.32       0.34       0.32       0.31  
Net gains or (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized)
    0.81       (0.95 )     (0.23 )     0.05       (0.15 )
Total from investment operations
    1.09       (0.63 )     0.11       0.37       0.16  
Redemption fees
    0.00 (3)     0.00 (3)     0.00 (3)     0.00 (3)     0.00 (3)
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
    (0.28 )     (0.31 )     (0.34 )     (0.32 )     (0.31 )
                                         
Net asset value, end of year
  $ 4.70     $ 3.89     $ 4.83     $ 5.06     $ 5.01  
                                         
Total return
    28.92 %     (13.42  )%     2.14 %     7.80 %     3.32 %
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
  $ 37,787     $ 25,924     $ 32,459     $ 37,340     $ 43,761  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets(1)
    1.56 %     1.50 %     1.28 %     1.50 %     1.45 %
Ratio of expenses to average net assets(2)
    1.13 %     0.98 %     0.77 %     1.04 %     1.45 %
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
    6.51 %     7.17 %     6.76 %     6.54 %     6.19 %
Portfolio turnover rate
    51 %     39 %     30 %     31 %     27 %

(1)
Ratio reflects expenses grossed up for custody credit arrangement and grossed up for the waiver of a portion of the advisory fee by the Adviser and a portion of the service and distribution plan fees by the Distributor. The ratio of expenses to average net assets, net of custody credits, but exclusive of the waiver of a portion of the advisory fee by the Adviser and the waiver of the service and distribution plan fees by the Distributor, would have been 1.48%, 1.27% and 1.49% for the years ended January 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and would have been unchanged for the other years shown.
   
(2)
Ratio reflects expenses net of the waiver of a portion of the advisory fee by the Adviser and a portion of the service and distribution plan fees by the Distributor and net of the custody credit arrangement.
   
(3)
Amount is less than $.01 per share.
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.

19

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Value Line Aggressive Income Trust (the “Trust”) at January 31, 2010, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Trust’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at January 31, 2010 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
 
March 26, 2010
 
 

20

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)
 
For corporate taxpayers 0.17% of the ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010 qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction.
 
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010, 0.33% of the ordinary income distributions are treated as qualified dividends.
 
The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trust’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, and information regarding how the Trust voted these proxies for the 12-month period ended June 30 is available through the Trust’s website at http://www.vlfunds.com and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The description of the policies and procedures is also available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-243-2729.
 
 

21

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
Management of the Trust
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
 
The business and affairs of the Trust are managed by the Trust’s officers under the direction of the Board of Trustees. The following table sets forth information on each Trustee and Officer of the Trust. Each Trustee serves as a director or trustee of each of the 14 Value Line Funds. Each Trustee serves until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
 
Name, Address, and DOB
 
Position
 
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal Occupation
During the Past 5 Years
 
Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
Interested Trustee*
               
Thomas T. Sarkany
DOB: June 1946
 
Trustee
 
Since 2008
 
Mutual Fund Marketing Director of EULAV Securities, Inc. (the “Distributor”), formerly Value Line Securities, Inc. Secretary of Value Line, Inc. since November 2009 and a Director since February 2010.
 
Value Line, Inc.
Non-Interested Trustees
               
Joyce E. Heinzerling
500 East 77th Street
New York, NY 10162
DOB: January 1956
 
Trustee
 
Since 2008
 
President, Meridian Fund Advisers LLC. (consultants) since April 2009; General Counsel, Archery Capital LLC (private investment fund) until April 2009.
 
Burnham Investors Trust, since 2004 (4 funds).
Francis C. Oakley
54 Scott Hill Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
DOB: October 1931
 
Trustee (Lead Independent Trustee since 2008)
 
Since 2000
 
Professor of History, Williams College, (1961-2002). Professor Emeritus since 2002; President Emeritus since 1994 and President, (1985-1994); Chairman (1993-1997) and Interim President (2002-2003) of the American Council of Learned Societies. Trustee since 1997 and Chairman of the Board since 2005, National Humanities Center.
 
None
David H. Porter
5 Birch Run Drive
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
DOB: October 1935
 
Trustee
 
Since 1997
 
Professor, Skidmore College since 2008; Visiting Professor of Classics, Williams College, (1999-2008); President Emeritus, Skidmore College since 1999 and President, (1987-1998).
 
None
Paul Craig Roberts
169 Pompano St.
Panama City Beach, FL
32413
DOB: April 1939
 
Trustee
 
Since 1986
 
Chairman, Institute for Political Economy.
 
None
Nancy-Beth Sheerr
1409 Beaumont Drive
Gladwyne, PA 19035
DOB: March 1949
 
Trustee
 
Since 1996
 
Senior Financial Adviser, Veritable L.P. (Investment adviser).
 
None
 
 

22

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
Management of the Trust
 
Name, Address, and DOB
 
Position
 
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal Occupation
During the Past 5 Years
 
Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
Daniel S. Vandivort
59 Indian Head Road
Riverside, CT 06878
DOB: July 1954
 
Trustee
 
Since 2008
 
President, Chief Investment Officer, Weiss, Peck and Greer/Robeco Investment Management 2005-2007; Managing Director, Weiss, Peck and Greer, 1995-2005.
 
None
Officers
               
Mitchell E. Appel
DOB: August 1970
 
President
 
Since 2008
 
President of each of the Value Line Funds since June 2008; Chief Financial Officer of Value Line since April 2008 and from September 2005 to November 2007; Treasurer from June 2005 to September 2005; Director since February 2010; Chief Financial Officer of XTF Asset Management from November 2007 to April 2008; Chief Financial Officer of Circle Trust Company from 2003 through May 2005; Chief Financial Officer of the Distributor since April 2008 and President since February 2009; President of the Adviser since February 2009.
Howard A. Brecher
DOB: October 1953
 
Vice President
and Secretary
 
Since 2008
 
Vice President and Secretary of each of the Value Line Funds since June 2008; Vice President and Secretary of Value Line until November 2009; Director of Value Line; Acting Chairman and Acting CEO of Value Line since November 2009; Secretary and Treasurer of the Adviser since February 2009; Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, General Counsel and a Director of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc.
Michael J. Wagner
DOB: November 1950
 
Chief
Compliance
Officer
 
Since 2009
 
Chief Compliance Officer of each of the Value Line Funds since June 2009; President of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (formerly Fund Compliance Services, LLC (2006-present) and Senior Vice President (2004-2006) and Chief Operations Officer (2003-2006) of Gemini Fund Services, LLC; Director of Constellation Trust Company until 2008.
Emily D. Washington
DOB: January 1979
 
Treasurer
 
Since 2008
 
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of each of the Value Line Funds since August 2008; Associate Director of Mutual Fund Accounting at Value Line until August 2008.
 
*
Mr. Sarkany is an “interested person” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 by virtue of his position with the Distributor.
 
Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the above officers is c/o Value Line Funds, 220 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017.
 
The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes additional information about the Trust’s Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-243-2729 or on the Fund’s website, www.vlfunds.com.
 
 

23

 
 
Value Line Aggressive Income Trust
 
The Value Line Family of Funds
 
1950 — The Value Line Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. Current income is a secondary objective.
 
1952 — Value Line Income and Growth Fund’s primary investment objective is income, as high and dependable as is consistent with reasonable risk. Capital growth to increase total return is a secondary objective.
 
1956 — Value Line Premier Growth Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. No consideration is given to current income in the choice of investments.
 
1972 — Value Line Larger Companies Fund’s sole investment objective is to realize capital growth.
 
1979 — Value Line U.S. Government Money Market Fund**, a money market fund, seeks to secure as high a level of current income as is consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
 
1981 — Value Line U.S. Government Securities Fund seeks maximum income without undue risk to capital. Under normal conditions, at least 80% of the value of its net assets will be invested in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities.
 
1983 — Value Line Centurion Fund* seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
1984 — The Value Line Tax Exempt Fund seeks to provide investors with the maximum income exempt from federal income taxes while avoiding undue risk to principal. The fund may be subject to state and local taxes and the Alternative Minimum Tax (if applicable).
 
1985 — Value Line Convertible Fund seeks high current income together with capital appreciation primarily from convertible securities ranked 1, 2 or 3 for the year-ahead performance by the Value Line Convertible Ranking System.
 
1986 — Value Line Aggressive Income Trust seeks to maximize current income.
 
1987 — Value Line New York Tax Exempt Trust seeks to provide New York taxpayers with the maximum income exempt from New York State, New York City and federal income taxes while avoiding undue risk to principal. The Trust may be subject to state and local taxes and the Alternative Minimum Tax (if applicable).
 
1987 — Value Line Strategic Asset Management Trust* seeks to achieve a high total investment return consistent with reasonable risk.
 
1993 — Value Line Emerging Opportunities Fund invests in US common stocks of small capitalization companies, with its primary objective being long-term growth of capital.
 
1993 — Value Line Asset Allocation Fund seeks high total investment return, consistent with reasonable risk. The Fund invests in stocks, bonds and money market instruments utilizing quantitative modeling to determine the asset mix.
   
*
Only available through the purchase of Guardian Investor, a tax deferred variable annuity, or ValuePlus, a variable life insurance policy.
   
**
Effective August 19, 2009, The Value Line Cash Fund, Inc. changed its name to the Value Line U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Inc.

For more complete information about any of the Value Line Funds, including charges and expenses, send for a prospectus from EULAV Securities, Inc., 220 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017-5891 or call 1-800-243-2729, 9am–5pm CST, Monday–Friday, or visit us at www.vlfunds.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.
 
 

24

 
 
Item 2.  Code of Ethics

(a) The Registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, and principal financial officer and  principal accounting officer.

(f) Pursuant to item 12(a), the Registrant is attaching as an exhibit a copy of its Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, and principal financial officer and principal accounting officer.

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

(a)(1)The Registrant has an Audit Committee Financial Expert serving on its Audit Committee.

(2) The Registrant’s Board has designated Daniel S. Vandivort, a member of the Registrant’s Audit Committee, as the Registrant’s Audit Committee Financial Expert.  Mr. Vandivort is an independent director who has served as President, Chief Investment Officer to Weis, Peck and Greer/Robeco Investment Management.  He has also previously served as Managing Director for Weis, Peck and Greer (1995-2005).

A person who is designated as an “audit committee financial expert” shall not make such person an "expert" for any purpose, including without limitation under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 or under applicable fiduciary laws, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 
(a)
Audit  Fees 2010 $ 9,169
     
 
(b)
Audit-Related fees – None.
     
 
(c)
Tax Preparation Fees 2010 $4,668
     
 
(d)
All Other Fees – None
     
 
(e)
(1)  Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy. All services to be performed for the Registrant  by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP must be pre-approved by the audit committee.
     
 
(e)
(2) Not applicable.
     
 
(f)
Not applicable.
     
 
(g)
Aggregate Non-Audit  Fees 2010 $ 2,350
     
 
(h)
Not applicable.

 
 

 

Item 11.  Controls and Procedures.

 
(a)
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-2(c) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(c) ) based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, are appropriately designed to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to such officers and are operating effectively.
     
 
(b)
The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have determined that there have been no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Item 12.  Exhibits.

 
(a)
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers attached hereto as Exhibit 99.COE
     
 
(b)
 (1) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
     
   
(2) Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906.CERT.
 
 
 

 
 
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.


By
/s/ Mitchell E. Appel
 
 
Mitchell E. Appel, President
     
     
Date:
April 5, 2010  

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


By:
/s/ Mitchell E. Appel
 
 
Mitchell E. Appel, President, Principal Executive Officer
     
     
By:
/s/ Emily D. Washington
 
 
Emily D. Washington, Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer
     
     
Date:
April 5, 2010