N-CSRS 1 d136183dncsrs.htm STERLING CAPITAL FUNDS Sterling Capital Funds

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        811-06719        

Sterling Capital Funds

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

3605 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100

Raleigh, NC 27612

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

James T. Gillespie, President

Sterling Capital Funds

3605 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100

Raleigh, NC 27612

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 228-1872

Date of fiscal year end: September 30

Date of reporting period: March 31, 2016

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.


LOGO


Notice of Privacy Policy & Practices

Sterling Capital Funds recognizes and respects the privacy expectations of our customers.1 We provide this notice to you so that you will know what kinds of information we collect about our customers and the circumstances in which that information may be disclosed to third parties who are not affiliated with the Sterling Capital Funds.

Collection of Customer Information

We collect nonpublic personal information about our customers from the following sources:

 

 

Account Applications and other forms, which may include a customer’s name, address, social security number, and information about a customer’s investment goals and risk tolerance;

 

 

 

Account History, including information about the transactions and balances in a customer’s accounts; and

 

 

 

Correspondence, written, telephonic or electronic between a customer and the Sterling Capital Funds or service providers to the Sterling Capital Funds.

Disclosure of Customer Information

We may disclose all of the consumer information outlined above to third parties who are not affiliated with the Sterling Capital Funds:

 

 

 

as permitted by law — for example with service providers who maintain or service shareholder accounts for the Sterling Capital Funds or to a shareholder’s broker or agent; and

 

 

 

 

to perform marketing services on our behalf or pursuant to a joint marketing agreement with another financial institution.

Security of Customer Information

We require service providers to the Sterling Capital Funds:

 

 

 

to maintain policies and procedures designed to assure only appropriate access to, and use of information about customers of the Sterling Capital Funds; and

 

 

 

 

to maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with applicable legal standards to guard nonpublic personal information of customers of the Sterling Capital Funds.

We will adhere to the policies and practices described in this notice regardless of whether you are a current or former customer of the Sterling Capital Funds.

 

 

 

 

1 For purposes of this notice, the terms “customer” or “customers” includes both individual shareholders of the Sterling Capital Funds and individuals who provide nonpublic personal information to the Sterling Capital Funds, but do not invest in Sterling Capital Funds shares.


 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Letter from the President and the Investment Advisor

     1        

Summary of Portfolio Holdings

     2        

Expense Example

     5        

Schedules of Portfolio Investments

  

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

     9        

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

     11        

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

     12        

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

     15        

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

     16        

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

     17        

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

     21        

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

     23        

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

     27        

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

     31        

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

     33        

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

     40        

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

     43        

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     46        

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     47        

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     49        

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     53        

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     56        

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     59        

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

     62        

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

     63        

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

     64        

Financial Statements

     65        

Notes to Financial Statements

     127        

Other Information

     143        


    

 

Letter from the President and the Investment Advisor

 

Dear Shareholders:

We are pleased to present this Sterling Capital Funds semiannual report covering the six months between October 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016.

It was a volatile period for stocks. U.S. equities made significant gains early in the period, only to reverse course with a sharp sell-off in January. Equities rebounded in February and March, however, managing to finish with modest gains for the six-month period. Concerns about slowing global economic growth, particularly in China, and falling oil and commodity prices drove much of the market volatility.

The U.S. economy remained a relative bright spot amid broader instability in the global economy, even as U.S. GDP slowed during the period under review. U.S. GDP increased at an annualized rate of 1.4% in the final quarter of 2015, but managed just a 0.5% increase through the first quarter of 2016, according to preliminary figures. The weak GDP growth can be partially attributed to meager demand from U.S. consumers. Despite receiving a boost from low oil prices and rising wages, consumer spending growth was relatively low for most of the period.

Economic data offered a mixed picture of the U.S. economy. For much of the six months through March 31, 2016, the manufacturing, housing and retail sectors reported relatively weak results. However, some indicators struck a more positive tone toward the end of the period: for instance, the ISM Manufacturing New Orders Index, a key leading indicator, reached its highest level since November 2014. The labor market also added to positive results, as initial jobless claims fell throughout the period and the unemployment rate started

and ended the period at 5% (the unemployment rate did decrease slightly during the intervening months). Personal income improved as well, due to upward pressure on wages.

In December the U.S. Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate by 25 basis points — the first increase in nearly 10 years. The minor — and much-anticipated — interest rate increase had only a modest impact on stocks and did not prevent fixed-income investments from posting gains for the period. However, the prospect of additional rate hikes by the Fed contributed to some of the equity market volatility early in 2016. A statement in early February by Fed Chair Janet Yellen helped ease investor concerns though; any rate hikes in the coming year would be small, gradual and contingent upon continued improvement in the economy.

A strong dollar continued to create challenges for U.S. exporters, but conditions shifted somewhat during the final month of the period as the dollar showed its largest monthly decline in more than five years.

U.S. stocks outperformed international markets during the period. After many months of declines, emerging markets equities rose sharply during the final months of the period, posting modest gains for the period under review. China and Brazil faced stiff economic headwinds throughout the period. The Chinese economy stabilized somewhat due in part to central bank stimulus measures, but Brazil’s economy suffered from a sharp decline in commodity prices as well as ongoing political turmoil.

The S&P 500® Index1 gained 7.28% during

the six months under review. Small-cap stocks underperformed larger shares, with the Russell 2000 Index of small-cap stocks gaining just 2.02%. Interest rates remained historically low during the period, despite the Fed’s decision to raise its short-term interest rate in December. U.S. fixed-income investments generally performed well in this environment, posting small gains for the period. Investment grade credit spreads grew wider during much of the period, but narrowed significantly towards the period’s end.

We will continue to monitor the evolving economic and market climate, and will manage the Sterling Capital Funds accordingly.

Thank you for your confidence in Sterling Capital Management. We look forward to serving your investment needs during the months and years ahead, and we encourage you to call us at 1-800-228-1872 with any questions.

Sincerely,

 

 

LOGO

James T. Gillespie

President

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

LOGO

Jeffrey J. Schappe, CFA

Managing Director-Chief Market Strategist

Sterling Capital Management LLC

 

 

1 

“S&P 500®” is a registered service mark of Standard & Poor’s Corporation, which does not sponsor and is in no way affiliated with the Sterling Capital Funds. The S&P 500® Index is generally considered to be representative of the performance of the stock market as a whole. The index does not reflect the deduction of expenses associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. A Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for these services. Investors cannot invest directly in an index, although they can invest in its underlying securities.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Mutual fund investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.

This report is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. Sterling Capital Management LLC (“Sterling Capital”) serves as investment advisor to the Sterling Capital Funds (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) and is paid a fee for its services. Shares of the Funds are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, Branch Banking and Trust Company or its affiliates. The Funds are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency. The Funds currently are distributed by Sterling Capital Distributors, LLC. The distributor is not affiliated with Branch Banking and Trust Company or its affiliates.

The foregoing information and opinions are for general information only. Sterling Capital does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness, nor assume liability for any loss, which may result from the reliance by any person upon any such information or opinions. Such information and opinions are subject to change without notice, are for general information only and are not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security or as offering individual or personalized investment advice.

 

    1    
   


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

 

 

Sterling Capital Funds invested, as a percentage of net assets, in the following industries, countries, states, funds or security types, as of March 31, 2016:

 

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund    Percentage
of net assets

Automobiles & Components

       2.3 %

Banks

       9.4 %

Capital Goods

       7.3 %

Consumer Durables & Apparel

       0.4 %

Consumer Services

       1.7 %

Diversified Financials

       6.4 %

Energy

       11.6 %

Food & Staples Retailing

       1.0 %

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

       2.7 %

Health Care Equipment & Services

       3.2 %

Household & Personal Products

       1.6 %

Insurance

       6.4 %

Materials

       2.6 %

Media

       1.5 %

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

       6.7 %

Real Estate

       5.9 %

Retailing

       2.1 %

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       3.0 %

Software & Services

       4.1 %

Technology Hardware & Equipment

       4.4 %

Telecommunication Services

       3.8 %

Transportation

       2.1 %

Utilities

       8.2 %

Exchange Traded Fund

       0.4 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

1.1

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.9

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund    Percentage
of net assets

Automobiles & Components

       3.1 %

Banks

       1.6 %

Capital Goods

       8.4 %

Commercial & Professional Services

       2.7 %

Consumer Durables & Apparel

       2.5 %

Diversified Financials

       12.2 %

Energy

       1.1 %

Health Care Equipment & Services

       6.3 %

Insurance

       11.3 %

Materials

       3.7 %

Media

       10.9 %

Real Estate

       10.6 %

Retailing

       3.1 %

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       1.9 %

Software & Services

       7.2 %

Technology Hardware & Equipment

       7.2 %

Transportation

       1.5 %

Money Market Fund

 

 

      

 

3.3

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

98.6

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund    Percentage
of net assets

Automobiles & Components

       1.9 %

Banks

       21.1 %

Capital Goods

       6.0 %

Commercial & Professional Services

       2.4 %

Consumer Durables & Apparel

       1.6 %

Consumer Services

       2.0 %

Diversified Financials

       1.7 %

Energy

       3.8 %

Food & Staples Retailing

       0.8 %

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

       2.7 %

Health Care Equipment & Services

       3.9 %

Household & Personal Products

       0.6 %

Insurance

       11.3 %

Materials

       2.6 %

Real Estate

       9.2 %

Retailing

       3.8 %

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       1.7 %

Software & Services

       1.5 %

Technology Hardware & Equipment

       6.9 %

Telecommunication Services

       0.4 %

Transportation

       3.5 %

Utilities

       8.4 %

Exchange Traded Fund

       1.0 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

0.8

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.6

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund    Percentage
of net assets

Automobiles & Components

       3.2 %

Banks

       3.4 %

Commercial & Professional Services

       8.4 %

Consumer Durables & Apparel

       5.2 %

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

       2.0 %

Health Care Equipment & Services

       16.6 %

Media

       13.7 %

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

       7.7 %

Real Estate

       5.1 %

Software & Services

       21.5 %

Technology Hardware & Equipment

       3.9 %

Transportation

       1.9 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

6.2

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

98.8

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund    Percentage
of net assets

Automobiles & Components

       2.2 %

Banks

       3.5 %

Capital Goods

       2.1 %

Consumer Durables & Apparel

       1.8 %

Consumer Services

       5.5 %

Diversified Financials

       5.9 %

Energy

       4.1 %

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

       8.2 %

Health Care Equipment & Services

       3.9 %

Insurance

       1.7 %

Materials

       2.8 %

Media

       7.0 %

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

       17.7 %

Real Estate

       2.2 %

Software & Services

       8.0 %

Technology Hardware & Equipment

       8.5 %

Telecommunication Services

       5.3 %

Transportation

       3.7 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

5.6

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.7

 

%

    

 

 

 
 

 

2


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

 

 

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund    Long-Term Investment
Percentage
of net assets

Automobiles & Components

       0.2 %

Banks

       5.6 %

Consumer Durables & Apparel

       1.1 %

Consumer Services

       5.1 %

Diversified Financials

       9.6 %

Energy

       15.6 %

Exchange Traded Funds

       0.3 %

Food & Staples Retailing

       0.5 %

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

       2.6 %

Health Care Equipment & Services

       11.1 %

Insurance

       2.8 %

Materials

       1.0 %

Media

       1.7 %

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

       6.7 %

Real Estate

       1.7 %

Retailing

       2.1 %

Software & Services

       8.5 %

Technology Hardware & Equipment

       7.8 %

Telecommunication Services

       5.0 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

5.1

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

94.1

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund    Investments Sold Short
Percentage
of net assets

Automobiles & Components

       (0.9 )%

Banks

       (1.1 )%

Consumer Durables & Apparel

       (2.9 )%

Consumer Services

       (2.4 )%

Diversified Financials

       (1.0 )%

Energy

       (4.2 )%

Exchange Traded Funds

       (5.9 )%

Food & Staples Retailing

       (0.5 )%

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

       (2.0 )%

Health Care Equipment & Services

       (2.9 )%

Household & Personal Products

       (0.3 )%

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

       (6.6 )%

Real Estate

       (2.6 )%

Retailing

       (2.2 )%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

       (2.0 )%

Software & Services

       (4.2 )%

Technology Hardware & Equipment

       (1.6 )%

Transportation

 

      

 

(0.8

 

)%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

(44.1

 

)%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund   

 

Percentage
of net assets

   

Australia

       7.1 %  

China

       0.5 %  

Denmark

       1.1 %  

Finland

       1.0 %  

France

       11.0 %       

Germany

       6.9 %  

Hong Kong

       4.8 %  

Ireland

       1.0 %  

Israel

       2.6 %  

Italy

       4.3 %  

Japan

       24.3 %  

Netherlands

       2.0 %  

Singapore

       1.1 %  

Spain

       1.2 %  

Sweden

       4.3 %  

Switzerland

       7.0 %  

United Kingdom

       15.7 %  

United States

       2.4 %  

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

1.0

 

%

 

 
    

 

 

   
    

 

 

 

99.3

 

%

 
    

 

 

   
Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund   

Percentage
of net assets

Asset Backed Securities

       19.7 %

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       0.2 %

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       24.0 %

Corporate Bonds

       51.9 %

Municipal Bonds

       2.2 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

2.4

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

100.4

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund   

 

Percentage
of net assets

Asset Backed Securities

       15.3 %

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       1.6 %

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       17.5 %

Corporate Bonds

       57.0 %

Foreign Government Bond

       0.5 %

Municipal Bonds

       1.7 %

Preferred Stocks

       0.3 %

U.S. Treasury Note

       5.1 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

2.4

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

101.4

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund   

 

Percentage
of net assets

Asset Backed Securities

       1.2 %

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       5.4 %

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       0.5 %

Corporate Bonds

       4.7 %

Mortgage-Backed Securities

       7.9 %

Municipal Bonds

       0.7 %

U.S. Government Agencies

       27.3 %

U.S. Treasury Bills

       1.7 %

U.S. Treasury Notes

       48.8 %

Money Market Fund

      

 

1.4

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.6

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund   

 

Percentage
of net assets

Asset Backed Securities

       13.6 %

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       7.2 %

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       16.9 %

Corporate Bonds

       43.6 %

Foreign Government Bonds

       0.6 %

Mortgage-Backed Securities

       9.1 %

Municipal Bonds

       4.1 %

Preferred Stocks

       0.6 %

U.S. Treasury Bonds

       1.3 %

U.S. Treasury Notes

       2.0 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

0.8

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.8

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Corporate Fund   

Percentage
of net assets

Corporate Bonds

       97.1 %

Preferred Stocks

       0.9 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

3.0

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

101.0

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund   

 

Percentage
of net assets

Asset Backed Securities

       25.5 %

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

       17.4 %

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

       22.9 %

Mortgage-Backed Securities

       32.4 %

U.S. Treasury Notes

       0.9 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

2.6

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

101.7

 

%

    

 

 

 
 

 

3


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

 

 

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund    Percentage
of net assets

Kentucky Municipal Bonds

       96.4 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

2.4

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

98.8

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund    Percentage
of net assets

Maryland Municipal Bonds

       98.5 %

Money Market Fund

      
0.5
%
    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.0

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free
Fund
   Percentage
of net assets

North Carolina Municipal Bonds

       96.1 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

3.0

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.1

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free
Fund
   Percentage
of net assets

South Carolina Municipal Bonds.

       94.1 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

4.9

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.0

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund    Percentage
of net assets

District of Columbia Municipal Bonds

       1.7 %

Virginia Municipal Bonds

       95.1 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

2.2

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.0

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund    Percentage
of net assets

West Virginia Municipal Bonds

       97.3 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

1.6

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

98.9

 

%

    

 

 

 

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund (formerly known

as Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Conservative Fund)

   Percentage
of net assets

Equity Funds

       34.4 %

Fixed Income Fund

       64.0 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

1.8

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

100.2

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund    Percentage
of net assets

Equity Funds

       66.4 %

Fixed Income Fund

       32.4 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

1.1

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

99.9

 

%

    

 

 

 
Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund    Percentage
of net assets

Equity Funds

       81.5 %

Fixed Income Fund

       17.1 %

Money Market Fund

 

      

 

1.4

 

%

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

 

100.0

 

%

    

 

 

 
 

 

4


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Expense Example (Unaudited)

 

 

As a shareholder of the Sterling Capital Funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses.

These examples are 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. These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from October 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016.

Actual Example

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

 

                    Annualized
     Beginning    Ending    Expenses Paid    Expense Ratio
     Account Value    Account Value    During Period*    During Period
     10/1/15    3/31/16    10/1/15 - 3/31/16    10/1/15 - 3/31/16

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

           

Class A Shares

   $1,000.00    $1,043.83    $  5.31    1.04%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,039.70        9.13    1.79%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,040.02        9.13    1.79%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,044.79        4.04    0.79%

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,068.41        6.21    1.20%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,064.73      10.07    1.95%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,064.33      10.06    1.95%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,069.57        4.92    0.95%

Class R Shares

     1,000.00      1,067.77        7.44    1.44%

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,027.09        6.03    1.19%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,023.46        9.81    1.94%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,022.49        9.81    1.94%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,028.26        4.77    0.94%

Class R Shares

     1,000.00      1,025.82        7.24    1.43%

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,084.20        6.25    1.20%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,080.50      10.14    1.95%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,079.93      10.14    1.95%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,085.18        4.95    0.95%

Class R Shares

     1,000.00      1,082.90        7.55    1.45%

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,064.27        6.30    1.22%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,060.16      10.15    1.97%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,060.63      10.15    1.97%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,065.38        5.01    0.97%

Class R Shares

     1,000.00      1,062.88        7.58    1.47%

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00         896.19      15.69    3.31%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00         892.54      19.30    4.08%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00         896.78      14.46    3.05%

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,021.43        6.77    1.34%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,016.29      10.48    2.08%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,022.05        5.46    1.08%

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,003.23        3.66    0.73%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,004.45        2.41    0.48%

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,006.51        3.91    0.78%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,003.85        7.66    1.53%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,007.72        2.66    0.53%

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,013.66        4.38    0.87%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,008.89        8.14    1.62%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,008.88        8.14    1.62%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,014.91        3.12    0.62%

 

5


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Expense Example (Unaudited)

 

 

                    Annualized
     Beginning    Ending    Expenses Paid    Expense Ratio
     Account Value    Account Value    During Period*    During Period
     10/1/15    3/31/16    10/1/15 - 3/31/16    10/1/15 - 3/31/16

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

           

Class A Shares

   $1,000.00    $1,022.95    $3.69    0.73%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,019.10      7.47    1.48%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,018.15      7.47    1.48%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,023.23      2.48    0.49%

Class R Shares

     1,000.00      1,020.74      4.95    0.98%

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,017.11      4.49    0.89%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,012.53      8.25    1.64%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,018.38      3.18    0.63%

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,012.69      4.23    0.84%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,008.93      8.04    1.60%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,014.96      3.07    0.61%

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,019.95      4.70    0.93%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,016.15      8.47    1.68%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,021.23      3.44    0.68%

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,023.62      4.35    0.86%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,018.89      8.13    1.61%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,024.87      3.09    0.61%

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,023.75      4.10    0.81%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,020.80      7.83    1.55%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,024.99      2.83    0.56%

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,024.33      4.15    0.82%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,019.55      7.93    1.57%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,025.71      2.89    0.57%

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,023.23      4.10    0.81%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,019.38      7.88    1.56%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,024.48      2.83    0.56%

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,023.80      4.15    0.82%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,019.99      7.93    1.57%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,025.09      2.89    0.57%

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,027.83      2.69    0.53%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,023.55      6.48    1.28%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,024.45      6.48    1.28%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,029.77      1.42    0.28%

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,022.47      2.07    0.41%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,018.29      5.85    1.16%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,018.25      5.90    1.17%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,022.60      0.86    0.17%

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

           

Class A Shares

     1,000.00      1,022.32      2.28    0.45%

Class B Shares

     1,000.00      1,017.45      6.05    1.20%

Class C Shares

     1,000.00      1,018.60      6.06    1.20%

Institutional Shares

     1,000.00      1,023.51      0.96    0.19%

 

*

Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 183 days divided by 366 (to reflect the six month period).

 

6


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Expense Example (Unaudited)

 

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s 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 year. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

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 these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

                    Annualized
     Beginning    Ending    Expenses Paid    Expense Ratio
     Account Value    Account Value    During Period*    During Period
     10/1/15    3/31/16    10/1/15 - 3/31/16    10/1/15 - 3/31/16

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       $1,000.00          $1,019.80          $  5.25          1.04 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,016.05            9.02          1.79 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,016.05            9.02          1.79 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,021.05            3.99          0.79 %

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,019.00            6.06          1.20 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,015.25            9.82          1.95 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,015.25            9.82          1.95 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.25            4.80          0.95 %

Class R Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.80            7.26          1.44 %

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,019.05            6.01          1.19 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,015.30            9.77          1.94 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,015.30            9.77          1.94 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.30            4.75          0.94 %

Class R Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.85            7.21          1.43 %

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,019.00            6.06          1.20 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,015.25            9.82          1.95 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,015.25            9.82          1.95 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.25            4.80          0.95 %

Class R Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.75            7.31          1.45 %

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,018.90            6.16          1.22 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,015.15            9.92          1.97 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,015.15            9.92          1.97 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.15            4.90          0.97 %

Class R Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.65            7.41          1.47 %

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,008.45          16.62          3.31 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,004.60          20.45          4.08 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,009.75          15.32          3.05 %

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,018.30            6.76          1.34 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,014.60          10.48          2.08 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,019.60            5.45          1.08 %

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,021.35            3.69          0.73 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.60            2.43          0.48 %

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,021.10            3.94          0.78 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.35            7.72          1.53 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.35            2.68          0.53 %

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.65            4.39          0.87 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,016.90            8.17          1.62 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,016.90            8.17          1.62 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,021.90            3.13          0.62 %

 

7


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Expense Example (Unaudited)

 

 

                    Annualized
     Beginning    Ending    Expenses Paid    Expense Ratio
     Account Value    Account Value    During Period*    During Period
     10/1/15    3/31/16    10/1/15 - 3/31/16    10/1/15 - 3/31/16

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       $1,000.00          $1,021.35          $3.69          0.73 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.60          7.47          1.48 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.60          7.47          1.48 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.55          2.48          0.49 %

Class R Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.10          4.95          0.98 %

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.55          4.50          0.89 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,016.80          8.27          1.64 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,021.85          3.18          0.63 %

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.80          4.24          0.84 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.00          8.07          1.60 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,021.95          3.08          0.61 %

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.35          4.70          0.93 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,016.60          8.47          1.68 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,021.60          3.44          0.68 %

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.70          4.34          0.86 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,016.95          8.12          1.61 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,021.95          3.08          0.61 %

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.95          4.09          0.81 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.25          7.82          1.55 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.20          2.83          0.56 %

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.90          4.14          0.82 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.15          7.92          1.57 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.15          2.88          0.57 %

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.95          4.09          0.81 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.20          7.87          1.56 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.20          2.83          0.56 %

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,020.90          4.14          0.82 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,017.15          7.92          1.57 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.15          2.88          0.57 %

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.35          2.68          0.53 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,018.60          6.46          1.28 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,018.60          6.46          1.28 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,023.60          1.42          0.28 %

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.95          2.07          0.41 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,019.20          5.86          1.16 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,019.15          5.91          1.17 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,024.15          0.86          0.17 %

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

                   

Class A Shares

       1,000.00          1,022.75          2.28          0.45 %

Class B Shares

       1,000.00          1,019.00          6.06          1.20 %

Class C Shares

       1,000.00          1,019.00          6.06          1.20 %

Institutional Shares

       1,000.00          1,024.05          0.96          0.19 %

 

*

Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 183 days divided by 366 (to reflect the six month period).

 

8


 

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — 98.4%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 2.3%

  

168,450  

General Motors Co.

   $ 5,294,383   
10,829  

Lear Corp.

     1,203,860   
    

 

 

 
       6,498,243   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 9.4%

  
18,050  

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

     1,232,454   
163,100  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     9,658,782   
82,650  

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

     1,314,135   
12,250  

PacWest Bancorp

     455,087   
79,250  

People’s United Financial, Inc.

     1,262,453   
50,700  

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

     4,287,699   
162,499  

Wells Fargo & Co.

     7,858,452   
    

 

 

 
       26,069,062   
    

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods — 7.3%

  

43,100  

AECOM Technology Corp.(a)

     1,327,049   
37,400  

BWX Technologies, Inc.

     1,255,144   
31,750  

Honeywell International, Inc.

     3,557,587   
9,650  

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

     1,321,471   
9,600  

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

     1,137,600   
46,900  

Masco Corp.

     1,475,005   
15,950  

Orbital ATK, Inc.

     1,386,693   
27,350  

Owens Corning

     1,293,108   
42,200  

Raytheon Co.

     5,174,986   
24,200  

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

     1,097,712   
59,950  

Vectrus, Inc.(a)

     1,363,863   
    

 

 

 
       20,390,218   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 0.4%

  

21,000  

Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd.(a)

     1,196,160   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services — 1.7%

  

87,700  

Carnival Corp.

     4,627,929   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 6.4%

  

77,400  

Capital One Financial Corp.

     5,364,594   
6,150  

Credit Acceptance Corp.(a)

     1,116,533   
92,900  

Discover Financial Services

     4,730,468   
1,500  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

     352,710   
22,300  

NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (The)

     1,480,274   
164,750  

Synchrony Financial(a)

     4,721,735   
    

 

 

 
       17,766,314   
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — 11.6%

  
160,900  

Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

     1,475,453   
32,100  

CVR Energy, Inc.

     837,810   
45,850  

FMC Technologies, Inc.(a)

     1,254,456   
34,250  

HollyFrontier Corp.

     1,209,710   
124,650  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     4,634,487   
149,500  

Noble Corp. PLC

     1,547,325   
53,050  

ONEOK, Inc.

     1,584,073   
43,900  

PBF Energy, Inc., Class A

     1,457,480   
65,800  

Phillips 66

     5,697,622   
95,550  

Rowan Cos. PLC, Class A

     1,538,355   
25,950  

Schlumberger, Ltd.

     1,913,813   
313,250  

Seadrill, Ltd.(a)

     1,033,725   
16,350  

Tesoro Corp.

     1,406,263   
79,825  

Valero Energy Corp.

     5,119,976   
29,750  

World Fuel Services Corp.

     1,445,255   
    

 

 

 
       32,155,803   
    

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.0%

  

69,850  

Kroger Co. (The)

     2,671,763   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  

 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 2.7%

  

13,050  

Ingredion, Inc.

   $ 1,393,609   
50,900  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.(a)

     1,292,860   
73,500  

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

     4,899,510   
    

 

 

 
       7,585,979   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 3.2%

  

55,150  

Express Scripts Holding Co.(a)

     3,788,253   
65,750  

HCA Holdings, Inc.(a)

     5,131,787   
    

 

 

 
       8,920,040   
    

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products — 1.6%

  

10,700  

Clorox Co. (The)

     1,348,842   
16,700  

Coty, Inc., Class A

     464,761   
30,350  

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

     1,229,479   
24,000  

Herbalife, Ltd.(a)

     1,477,440   
    

 

 

 
       4,520,522   
    

 

 

 
 

Insurance — 6.4%

  
79,500  

Aflac, Inc.

     5,019,630   
47,250  

Chubb, Ltd.

     5,629,838   
83,050  

Old Republic International Corp.

     1,518,154   
47,500  

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

     5,543,725   
    

 

 

 
       17,711,347   
    

 

 

 
 

Materials — 2.6%

  
26,150  

Cabot Corp.

     1,263,829   
115,500  

Dow Chemical Co. (The)

     5,874,330   
    

 

 

 
       7,138,159   
    

 

 

 
 

Media — 1.5%

  
50,950  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     4,240,569   
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences — 6.7%

   

28,350  

Amgen, Inc.

     4,250,515   
45,300  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     4,161,258   
69,750  

Johnson & Johnson

     7,546,950   
53,950  

Mylan NV(a)

     2,500,583   
    

 

 

 
       18,459,306   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 5.9%

  
16,850  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc., REIT

     1,491,057   
14,400  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., REIT

     1,471,824   
55,936  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A, REIT

     1,136,060   
116,950  

Prologis, Inc., REIT

     5,166,851   
27,650  

Retail Properties of America, Inc., Class A, REIT

     438,253   
37,500  

Ventas, Inc., REIT

     2,361,000   
62,700  

Welltower, Inc., REIT

     4,347,618   
    

 

 

 
       16,412,663   
    

 

 

 
 

Retailing — 2.1%

  
72,000  

Target Corp.

     5,924,160   
    

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment — 3.0%

   

253,000  

Intel Corp.

     8,184,550   
    

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — 4.1%

  
144,400  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     4,886,496   
17,550  

Citrix Systems, Inc.(a)

     1,379,079   
152,950  

eBay, Inc.(a)

     3,649,387   
 

 

Continued

 

9


 

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  

 

Software & Services — (continued)

  

70,950  

Nuance Communications, Inc.(a)

   $ 1,326,055   
    

 

 

 
       11,241,017   
    

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — 4.4%

  

164,700  

Applied Materials, Inc.

     3,488,346   
44,050  

ARRIS International PLC(a)

     1,009,626   
20,550  

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

     1,323,625   
140,000  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     3,985,800   
15,150  

Harris Corp.

     1,179,579   
17,100  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     1,294,470   
    

 

 

 
       12,281,446   
    

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services — 3.8%

  

147,150  

AT&T, Inc.

     5,763,865   
88,250  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     4,772,560   
    

 

 

 
       10,536,425   
    

 

 

 
 

Transportation — 2.1%

  
17,000  

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

     1,394,340   
88,511  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     4,308,715   
    

 

 

 
       5,703,055   
    

 

 

 
 

Utilities — 8.2%

  
70,500  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

     4,681,200   
66,650  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

     5,106,723   
53,200  

PPL Corp.

     2,025,324   
111,950  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     5,277,323   
108,050  

Southern Co. (The)

     5,589,427   
    

 

 

 
       22,679,997   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks
(Cost $253,458,826)

     272,914,727   
    

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND — 0.4%

  

11,390  

iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF

     1,125,446   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Exchange Traded Fund
(Cost $1,157,121)

     1,125,446   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

MONEY MARKET FUND — 1.1%

  
3,005,782  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, 0.170%(b)

   $ 3,005,782   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $3,005,782)

     3,005,782   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost $257,621,729)

     277,045,955   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 0.1%

     356,536   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 277,402,491   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents non-income producing security.

(b)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

ETF — Exchange Traded Funds

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

10


 

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — 95.3%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 3.1%

  

1,237,043  

Gentex Corp.

   $ 19,409,205   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 1.6%

  
640,200  

American Capital, Ltd.(a)

     9,756,648   
    

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods — 8.4%

  
161,450  

AGCO Corp.

     8,024,065   
467,500  

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

     12,613,150   
307,450  

EnPro Industries, Inc.

     17,733,716   
317,400  

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.(a)

     13,822,770   
    

 

 

 
       52,193,701   
    

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services — 2.7%

  

1,108,920  

Civeo Corp.(a)

     1,363,972   
512,400  

Tetra Tech, Inc.

     15,279,768   
    

 

 

 
       16,643,740   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 2.5%

  

1,384,000  

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.(a)

     15,307,040   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 12.2%

  
85,148  

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.(a)

     13,828,035   
866,000  

E*TRADE Financial Corp.(a)

     21,208,340   
1,618,700  

Leucadia National Corp.

     26,174,378   
200,800  

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

     14,750,768   
    

 

 

 
       75,961,521   
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — 1.1%

  
635,145  

Noble Corp. PLC

     6,573,751   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 6.3%

  

159,478  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

     18,679,658   
190,822  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     20,347,350   
    

 

 

 
       39,027,008   
    

 

 

 
 

Insurance — 11.3%

  
352,303  

Assured Guaranty, Ltd.

     8,913,266   
88,230  

Enstar Group, Ltd.(a)

     14,344,433   
25,189  

Markel Corp.(a)

     22,457,757   
207,963  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

     24,676,890   
    

 

 

 
       70,392,346   
    

 

 

 
 

Materials — 3.7%

  
697,690  

Axalta Coating Systems, Ltd.(a)

     20,372,548   
292,800  

Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.

     2,781,600   
    

 

 

 
       23,154,148   
    

 

 

 
 

Media — 10.9%

  
323,600  

CBS Corp., Class B

     17,827,124   
1,486,510  

News Corp., Class B

     19,696,258   
289,700  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     24,111,731   
139,782  

Viacom, Inc., Class B

     5,770,201   
    

 

 

 
       67,405,314   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 10.6%

  
1,555,775  

Annaly Capital Management, Inc., REIT

     15,962,251   

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Real Estate — (continued)

  
673,245  

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(a)

   $ 19,402,921   
350,600  

Lincoln National Corp.

     13,743,520   
326,353  

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., REIT

     16,800,652   
    

 

 

 
       65,909,344   
    

 

 

 
 

Retailing — 3.1%

  
711,250  

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

     9,438,287   
204,190  

Kohl’s Corp.

     9,517,296   
    

 

 

 
       18,955,583   
    

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment — 1.9%

   

555,063  

II-VI, Inc.(a)

     12,050,418   
    

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — 7.2%

  

1,106,300  

DHI Group, Inc.(a)

     8,927,841   
89,582  

DST Systems, Inc.

     10,102,162   
229,700  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

     14,542,307   
583,600  

Western Union Co. (The)

     11,257,644   
    

 

 

 
       44,829,954   
    

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — 7.2%

  

793,700  

Knowles Corp.(a)

     10,460,966   
51,445  

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A(a)

     9,245,695   
832,190  

NCR Corp.(a)

     24,907,447   
    

 

 

 
       44,614,108   
    

 

 

 
 

Transportation — 1.5%

  
862,600  

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(a)

     9,083,178   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks
(Cost $549,380,448)

     591,267,007   
    

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 3.3%

  
20,463,569  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(b)

     20,463,569   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $20,463,569)

     20,463,569   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 98.6%
(Cost $569,844,017)

     611,730,576   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 1.4%

     8,823,861   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 620,554,437   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents non-income producing security.

(b)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

11


 

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — 97.8%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 1.9%

  

25,341  

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.(a)

   $ 389,998   
27,702  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

     1,025,528   
9,584  

Cooper-Standard Holding, Inc.(a)

     688,515   
6,678  

Lear Corp.

     742,393   
    

 

 

 
       2,846,434   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 21.1%

  
19,467  

1st Source Corp.

     619,829   
49,420  

Banc of California, Inc.

     864,850   
24,781  

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior SA., Class E

     600,196   
49,283  

BBCN Bancorp, Inc.

     748,609   
24,735  

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

     665,124   
27,742  

BofI Holding, Inc.(a)

     592,014   
56,847  

Brookline Bancorp, Inc.

     625,885   
14,240  

Camden National Corp.

     598,080   
43,394  

CenterState Banks, Inc.

     646,137   
29,267  

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

     637,143   
21,064  

Chemical Financial Corp.

     751,774   
17,910  

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

     632,581   
31,552  

Customers Bancorp, Inc.(a)

     745,574   
38,626  

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

     680,590   
28,172  

Enterprise Financial Services Corp.

     761,771   
18,519  

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C

     698,722   
38,469  

Fidelity Southern Corp.

     617,043   
21,016  

Financial Institutions, Inc.

     610,935   
75,914  

First Commonwealth Financial Corp.

     672,598   
35,385  

First Financial Bancorp

     643,299   
22,430  

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Class A

     630,956   
29,669  

First Merchants Corp.

     699,298   
17,372  

First NBC Bank Holding Co.(a)

     357,689   
29,282  

Flagstar Bancorp, Inc.(a)

     628,392   
30,766  

Flushing Financial Corp.

     665,161   
71,755  

Fulton Financial Corp.

     960,082   
13,723  

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

     509,535   
26,612  

Great Western Bancorp, Inc.

     725,709   
29,902  

Hanmi Financial Corp.

     658,442   
17,369  

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

     534,792   
32,364  

HomeStreet, Inc.(a)

     673,495   
17,121  

IBERIABANK Corp.

     877,794   
25,508  

Meta Financial Group, Inc.

     1,163,165   
88,891  

MGIC Investment Corp.(a)

     681,794   
38,879  

Oritani Financial Corp

     659,777   
34,615  

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc., Class A(a)

     407,072   
19,213  

Popular, Inc.

     549,684   
38,539  

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

     778,102   
58,357  

Radian Group, Inc.

     723,627   
25,785  

Territorial Bancorp, Inc.

     671,957   
32,435  

Towne Bank

     622,428   
24,660  

TriCo Bancshares

     624,391   
35,232  

Trustmark Corp.

     811,393   
38,433  

United Community Banks, Inc.

     709,858   
50,164  

United Financial Bancorp, Inc.

     631,565   
35,593  

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.(a)

     863,842   
40,706  

Washington Federal, Inc.

     921,991   
    

 

 

 
       32,154,745   
    

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods — 6.0%

  
32,775  

Aegion Corp.(a)

     691,225   
13,129  

AGCO Corp.

     652,511   

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Capital Goods — (continued)

  

29,962  

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

   $ 716,691   
16,383  

BWX Technologies, Inc.

     549,813   
32,649  

DigitalGlobe, Inc.(a)

     564,828   
30,037  

Global Brass & Copper Holdings, Inc.

     749,423   
4,692  

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

     642,522   
19,122  

Insteel Industries, Inc.

     584,560   
17,731  

KLX, Inc.(a)

     569,874   
38,879  

MasTec, Inc.(a)

     786,911   
13,015  

Owens Corning

     615,349   
11,187  

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

     507,442   
10,211  

Universal Forest Products, Inc.

     876,308   
50,080  

Wabash National Corp.(a)

     661,056   
    

 

 

 
       9,168,513   
    

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services — 2.4%

  

38,276  

ACCO Brands Corp.(a)

     343,718   
11,088  

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

     318,780   
27,932  

Brady Corp., Class A

     749,695   
24,758  

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

     586,765   
29,770  

Mistras Group, Inc.(a)

     737,403   
29,100  

Tetra Tech, Inc.

     867,762   
    

 

 

 
       3,604,123   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 1.6%

  

69,275  

JAKKS Pacific, Inc.(a)

     515,406   
20,858  

Movado Group, Inc.

     574,221   
30,002  

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.(a)

     798,653   
65,773  

ZAGG, Inc.(a)

     592,615   
    

 

 

 
       2,480,895   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services — 2.0%

  
14,590  

Bob Evans Farms, Inc./DE

     681,207   
38,656  

Boyd Gaming Corp.(a)

     798,633   
9,901  

Capella Education Co.

     521,189   
54,873  

K12, Inc.(a)

     542,694   
9,630  

Strayer Education, Inc.(a)

     469,463   
    

 

 

 
       3,013,186   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 1.7%

  

125,547  

Cowen Group, Inc., Class A(a)

     478,334   
49,291  

KCG Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

     589,027   
19,882  

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

     782,754   
13,636  

Piper Jaffray Cos.(a)

     675,800   
    

 

 

 
       2,525,915   
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — 3.8%

  
39,297  

Alon USA Energy, Inc.

     405,545   
64,667  

Atwood Oceanics, Inc.(a)

     592,996   
13,715  

CVR Energy, Inc.

     357,961   
99,607  

DHT Holdings, Inc.

     573,736   
20,252  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.(a)

     440,076   
48,256  

Frontline Ltd/Bermuda

     403,903   
40,720  

Noble Corp. PLC

     421,452   
24,159  

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.(a)

     453,223   
57,723  

Parker Drilling Co.(a)

     122,373   
16,707  

PBF Energy, Inc., Class A

     554,672   
31,220  

Rowan Companies PLC, Class A(a)

     502,642   
38,103  

RPC, Inc.(a)

     540,301   
140,117  

Seadrill, Ltd.(a)

     462,386   
    

 

 

 
       5,831,266   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

12


 

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.8%

  

12,312  

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

   $ 461,700   
24,824  

SpartanNash Co.

     752,415   
    

 

 

 
       1,214,115   
    

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 2.7%

  

9,393  

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

     487,591   
75,123  

Darling Ingredients, Inc.(a)

     989,370   
38,045  

Dean Foods Co.

     658,939   
5,750  

Ingredion, Inc.

     614,043   
20,967  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.(a)

     532,562   
9,918  

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

     894,405   
    

 

 

 
       4,176,910   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 3.9%

  

14,206  

Amsurg Corp.(a)

     1,059,768   
13,166  

Centene Corp.(a)

     810,631   
7,898  

LifePoint Health, Inc.(a)

     546,937   
12,783  

Magellan Health Services, Inc.(a)

     868,349   
10,057  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.(a)

     648,576   
7,034  

Owens & Minor, Inc.

     284,314   
13,232  

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc.(a)

     612,377   
24,263  

Triple-S Management Corp.,
Class B(a)

     603,178   
6,034  

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.(a)

     559,653   
    

 

 

 
       5,993,783   
    

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products — 0.6%

  

56,188  

Central Garden & Pet Co., Class A(a)

     915,303   
    

 

 

 
 

Insurance — 11.3%

  
50,042  

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

     840,706   
8,219  

American Financial Group, Inc.

     578,371   
15,565  

AMERISAFE, Inc.

     817,785   
16,492  

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.

     946,476   
11,928  

Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd.

     568,966   
20,086  

Assured Guaranty, Ltd.

     508,176   
63,399  

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

     1,136,110   
30,496  

Employers Holdings, Inc.

     858,157   
8,345  

Endurance Specialty Holdings, Ltd.

     545,262   
4,873  

Enstar Group, Ltd.(a)

     792,252   
11,165  

FBL Financial Group, Inc., Class A

     686,871   
20,820  

Federated National Holding Co.

     409,321   
15,852  

First American Financial Corp.

     604,120   
7,411  

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (The)

     668,620   
52,216  

Maiden Holdings, Ltd.

     675,675   
80,579  

MBIA, Inc.(a)

     713,124   
9,541  

Navigators Group, Inc. (The)(a)

     800,204   
31,379  

Old Republic International Corp.

     573,608   
20,820  

Primerica, Inc.

     927,115   
4,969  

RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.

     595,435   
31,206  

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

     1,142,452   
45,615  

State National Cos., Inc.

     574,749   
36,352  

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

     647,066   
11,992  

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

     565,902   
    

 

 

 
       17,176,523   
    

 

 

 
 

Materials — 2.6%

  
159,126  

AK Steel Holding Corp.(a)

     657,190   
12,963  

Cabot Corp.

     626,502   
4,673  

Stepan Co.

     258,370   
13,705  

Trinseo SA(a)

     504,481   
15,400  

U.S. Concrete, Inc.(a)

     917,532   

    Shares      

           Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

 
 

Materials — (continued)

  

26,696  

Worthington Industries, Inc.

  $ 951,445   
   

 

 

 
      3,915,520   
   

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 9.2%

 
46,356  

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., REIT

    605,873   
143,871  

Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp., REIT

    670,439   
42,514  

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc., REIT

    692,978   
59,428  

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp., REIT

    650,737   
42,112  

Arlington Asset Investment Corp., Class A

    527,663   
105,397  

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., REIT

    672,433   
70,424  

Capstead Mortgage Corp., REIT

    696,493   
37,829  

Chimera Investment Corp., REIT

    514,096   
89,988  

Dynex Capital, Inc., REIT

    598,420   
23,949  

Forest City Realty Trust, Inc., Class A, REIT

    505,084   
32,581  

Getty Realty Corp., REIT

    646,081   
16,515  

HCI Group, Inc.

    549,949   
64,357  

Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc., REIT

    783,868   
78,440  

MFA Financial, Inc., REIT

    537,314   
86,820  

New Residential Investment Corp., REIT

    1,009,717   
62,980  

Orchid Island Capital, Inc., REIT

    653,103   
26,233  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A, REIT

    532,792   
33,597  

Regional Management Corp.(a)

    574,845   
6,251  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    601,659   
25,009  

Starwood Property Trust, Inc., REIT

    473,420   
66,343  

Two Harbors Investment Corp., REIT

    526,763   
23,763  

United Fire Group, Inc.

    1,041,295   
   

 

 

 
      14,065,022   
   

 

 

 
 

Retailing — 3.8%

 
32,052  

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A

    1,010,920   
38,007  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    633,577   
11,736  

Big Lots, Inc.

    531,523   
25,251  

Caleres, Inc.

    714,351   
12,273  

Children’s Place, Inc. (The)

    1,024,427   
35,592  

Express, Inc.(a)

    762,025   
35,834  

Guess?, Inc.

    672,604   
39,509  

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.(a)

    436,970   
   

 

 

 
      5,786,397   
   

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment — 1.7%

   

37,817  

II-VI, Inc.(a)

    821,007   
25,979  

NeuStar, Inc., Class A(a)

    639,083   
25,262  

Teradyne, Inc.

    545,407   
16,861  

Tessera Technologies, Inc.

    522,691   
   

 

 

 
      2,528,188   
   

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — 1.5%

 
73,989  

EarthLink Holdings Corp.

    419,518   
3,673  

Progress Software Corp.(a)

    88,593   
31,520  

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.(a)

    951,274   
23,524  

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(a)

    886,149   
   

 

 

 
      2,345,534   
   

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — 6.9%

  

19,466  

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.(a)

    677,222   
8,498  

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

    547,356   
50,572  

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

    535,052   
12,683  

Cray, Inc.(a)

    531,545   
16,404  

CSG Systems International, Inc.

    740,805   
 

 

Continued

 

13


 

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — (continued)

  

25,595  

Insight Enterprises, Inc.(a)

   $ 733,041   
22,006  

NETGEAR, Inc.(a)

     888,382   
60,465  

Photronics, Inc.(a)

     629,441   
17,632  

Plexus Corp.(a)

     696,817   
43,420  

QLogic Corp.(a)

     583,565   
43,207  

Sanmina Corp.(a)

     1,010,180   
11,136  

SYNNEX Corp.

     1,031,082   
13,868  

Tech Data Corp.(a)

     1,064,646   
66,404  

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

     810,793   
    

 

 

 
       10,479,927   
    

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services — 0.4%

  

86,650  

Iridium Communications, Inc.(a)

     681,935   
    

 

 

 
 

Transportation — 3.5%

  

46,961  

Air Transport Services Group, Inc.(a)

     722,260   
12,050  

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

     988,341   
17,121  

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.(a)

     723,705   
23,127  

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.(a)

     1,091,363   
38,533  

JetBlue Airways Corp.(a)

     813,817   
45,989  

SkyWest, Inc.

     919,320   
    

 

 

 
       5,258,806   
    

 

 

 
 

Utilities — 8.4%

  
19,214  

ALLETE, Inc.

     1,077,329   
24,127  

Avista Corp.

     983,899   
20,492  

Black Hills Corp.

     1,232,184   
35,842  

Calpine Corp.(a)

     543,723   
20,909  

El Paso Electric Co.

     959,305   
18,019  

IDACORP, Inc.

     1,344,037   
27,186  

NiSource, Inc.

     640,502   
20,530  

ONE Gas, Inc.

     1,254,383   
9,410  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

     706,409   
20,636  

PNM Resources, Inc.

     695,846   
30,191  

Portland General Electric Co.

     1,192,243   
17,338  

SJW Corp.

     630,236   
31,249  

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

     889,034   
12,786  

Westar Energy, Inc.

     634,313   
    

 

 

 
       12,783,443   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks
(Cost $136,544,607)

     148,946,483   
    

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND — 1.0%

  
16,246  

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF

     1,514,290   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Exchange Traded Fund
(Cost $1,365,511)

     1,514,290   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

MONEY MARKET FUND — 0.8%

  
1,187,018  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(b)

   $ 1,187,018   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $1,187,018)

     1,187,018   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.6%
(Cost $139,097,136)

     151,647,791   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 0.4%

     608,811   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 152,256,602   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents non-income producing security.

(b)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

ETF — Exchange Traded Fund

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

14


 

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — 92.6%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 3.2%

  

2,453,000  

Ford Motor Co.

   $ 33,115,500   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 3.4%

  
517,000  

Capital One Financial Corp.

     35,833,270   
    

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services — 8.4%

  

822,000  

Nielsen Holdings PLC

     43,286,520   
542,800  

Verisk Analytics, Inc.(a)

     43,380,576   
    

 

 

 
       86,667,096   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 5.2%

  

473,000  

Jarden Corp.(a)

     27,883,350   
540,750  

Lennar Corp., Class A

     26,150,670   
    

 

 

 
       54,034,020   
    

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 2.0%

  

511,000  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

     20,501,320   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 16.6%

  

613,000  

HCA Holdings, Inc.(a)

     47,844,650   
1,216,000  

IMS Health Holdings, Inc.(a)

     32,284,800   
517,000  

MEDNAX, Inc.(a)

     33,408,540   
297,000  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     38,283,300   
187,000  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     19,939,810   
    

 

 

 
       171,761,100   
    

 

 

 
 

Media — 13.7%

  
738,000  

CBS Corp., Class B

     40,656,420   
740,000  

Comcast Corp., Class A

     45,199,200   
1,301,000  

Discovery Communications, Inc., Class C(a)

     35,127,000   
935,000  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.(a)

     20,859,850   
    

 

 

 
       141,842,470   
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences — 7.7%

   

233,000  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     21,403,380   
748,500  

Myriad Genetics, Inc.(a)

     28,016,355   
242,500  

Perrigo Co. PLC

     31,023,025   
    

 

 

 
       80,442,760   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 5.1%

  
544,000  

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(a)

     15,678,080   
731,920  

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., REIT

     37,679,242   
    

 

 

 
       53,357,322   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Software & Services — 21.5%

  
1,262,000  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.(b)

   $ 42,706,080   
711,000  

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

     39,510,270   
62,400  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(a)

     46,484,880   
198,000  

Autodesk, Inc.(a)(b)

     11,545,380   
551,000  

Check Point Software Technologies,
Ltd.(a)

     48,195,970   
329,000  

Intuit, Inc.

     34,219,290   
    

 

 

 
       222,661,870   
    

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — 3.9%

  

1,432,000  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     40,769,040   
    

 

 

 
 

Transportation — 1.9%

  
239,000  

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

     20,133,360   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks
(Cost $706,268,225)

     961,119,128   
    

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 6.2%

  
64,120,578  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(c)

     64,120,578   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $64,120,578)

     64,120,578   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 98.8%
(Cost $770,388,803)

     1,025,239,706   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 1.2%

     11,968,500   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 1,037,208,206   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents non-income producing security.

(b)

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

(c)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

15


 

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — 94.1%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 2.2%

  

1,141,113  

General Motors Co.

   $ 35,865,182   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 3.5%

  
1,185,000  

Wells Fargo & Co.

     57,306,600   
    

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods — 2.1%

  
309,600  

Honeywell International, Inc.

     34,690,680   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 1.8%

  

1,587,000  

PulteGroup, Inc.

     29,692,770   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services — 5.5%

  
1,296,700  

Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

     61,165,339   
232,000  

McDonald’s Corp.(a)

     29,157,760   
    

 

 

 
       90,323,099   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 5.9%

  
1,105,000  

Discover Financial Services

     56,266,600   
1,294,000  

Invesco, Ltd.

     39,816,380   
    

 

 

 
       96,082,980   
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — 4.1%

  
2,160,000  

Spectra Energy Corp.

     66,096,000   
    

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 8.2%

  

45,000  

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.(a)

     3,823,650   
588,500  

PepsiCo, Inc.

     60,309,480   
1,541,000  

Unilever PLC, ADR

     69,622,380   
    

 

 

 
       133,755,510   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 3.9%

  

451,000  

Anthem, Inc.

     62,684,490   
    

 

 

 
 

Insurance — 1.7%

  
617,200  

MetLife, Inc.

     27,119,768   
    

 

 

 
 

Materials — 2.8%

  
623,500  

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The), Class A

     45,372,095   
    

 

 

 
 

Media — 7.0%

  
721,600  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     60,058,768   
100,000  

Time Warner Cable, Inc.(a)

     20,462,000   
450,000  

Time Warner, Inc.

     32,647,500   
    

 

 

 
       113,168,268   
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences — 17.7%

   

1,418,000  

Abbott Laboratories

     59,314,940   
952,000  

AbbVie, Inc.

     54,378,240   
456,000  

Johnson & Johnson

     49,339,200   
836,000  

Merck & Co., Inc.

     44,232,760   

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life
Sciences — (continued)

   

645,000  

Novartis AG, ADR

   $ 46,723,800   
1,165,000  

Pfizer, Inc.

     34,530,600   
    

 

 

 
       288,519,540   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 2.2%

  
2,113,000  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., REIT

     35,287,100   
    

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — 8.0%

  
633,200  

Accenture PLC, Class A

     73,071,280   
1,043,000  

Microsoft Corp.

     57,604,890   
    

 

 

 
       130,676,170   
    

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — 8.5%

  

1,557,900  

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

     57,299,562   
1,195,000  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     61,112,300   
434,000  

Western Digital Corp.

     20,502,160   
    

 

 

 
       138,914,022   
    

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services — 5.3%

  

1,593,000  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     86,149,440   
    

 

 

 
 

Transportation — 3.7%

  

564,900  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

     59,580,003   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks
(Cost $1,223,573,316)

     1,531,283,717   
    

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 5.6%

  
91,863,962  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(b)

     91,863,962   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $91,863,962)

     91,863,962   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.7%
(Cost $1,315,437,278)

     1,623,147,679   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 0.3%

     4,141,250   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 1,627,288,929   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

(b)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

16


 

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — 84.9%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 0.2%

  

2,263  

Gentherm, Inc.(a)

   $ 94,118   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 2.8%

  
28,261  

BBX Capital Corp., Class A(a)(b)

     451,046   
10,600  

Citigroup, Inc.(b)

     442,550   
34,600  

NMI Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

     174,730   
5,000  

SunTrust Banks, Inc.(b)

     180,400   
    

 

 

 
       1,248,726   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 1.0%

  

17,965  

Kate Spade & Co.(a)

     458,467   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services — 5.1%

  
25,961  

Belmond, Ltd., Class A(a)

     246,370   
5,908  

Jack in the Box, Inc.

     377,344   
22,309  

MGM Resorts International(a)

     478,305   
8,457  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings,
Ltd.(a)

     467,588   
25,381  

Penn National Gaming, Inc.(a)(b)

     423,609   
1,600  

Service Corp. International

     39,488   
19,510  

Wendy’s Co. (The)

     212,464   
    

 

 

 
       2,245,168   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 8.7%

  
3,000  

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

     282,030   
22,300  

Ares Management LP

     343,420   
6,500  

Blackstone Group LP (The)

     182,325   
25,900  

Carlyle Group LP (The)(b)

     437,192   
73,900  

Cowen Group, Inc., Class A(a)

     281,559   
4,400  

Federated Investors, Inc., Class B

     126,940   
5,300  

Fifth Street Asset Management, Inc.(b)

     16,218   
7,000  

Invesco, Ltd.

     215,390   
30,400  

KKR & Co. LP(b)

     446,576   
10,300  

Morgan Stanley

     257,603   
27,000  

OM Asset Management PLC

     360,450   
18,400  

Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc., Class A(b)

     290,352   
1,676  

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.(b)

     130,912   
15,500  

Voya Financial, Inc.(b)

     461,435   
    

 

 

 
       3,832,402   
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — 15.6%

  
6,200  

Apache Corp.(b)

     302,622   
4,000  

ARC Resources, Ltd.

     57,975   
26,771  

Black Stone Minerals LP(b)

     375,062   
2,700  

Cimarex Energy Co.(b)

     262,629   
1,800  

Concho Resources, Inc.(a)(b)

     181,872   
6,900  

ConocoPhillips(b)

     277,863   
18,611  

Cross Timbers Royalty Trust

     282,143   
9,500  

Devon Energy Corp.(b)

     260,680   
42,812  

Dorchester Minerals LP(b)

     487,629   
30,301  

Enduro Royalty Trust

     82,722   
7,550  

EOG Resources, Inc.(b)

     547,979   
68,700  

Freehold Royalties, Ltd.

     551,592   
11,300  

Freehold Royalties, Ltd.

     91,705   
5,500  

Hess Corp.

     289,575   
1,000  

Magellan Midstream Partners LP

     68,800   
12,600  

Marathon Oil Corp.(b)

     140,364   
2,600  

Mesa Royalty Trust

     21,580   
6,300  

MPLX LP

     187,047   
10,000  

Newfield Exploration Co.(a)

     332,500   
2,575  

North European Oil Royalty Trust

     20,059   
6,300  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.(b)

     431,109   
3,000  

Pacific Coast Oil Trust

     4,620   

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Energy — (continued)

  

1,400  

PDC Energy, Inc.(a)(b)

   $ 83,230   
32,400  

Permian Basin Royalty Trust

     199,584   
2,800  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     394,072   
4,900  

Plains GP Holdings LP, Class A(b)

     42,581   
2,000  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B, ADR

     98,380   
21,743  

Sabine Royalty Trust(b)

     643,593   
5,300  

Shell Midstream Partners LP

     194,033   
    

 

 

 
       6,913,600   
    

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.5%

  
2,270  

CVS Caremark Corp.(b)

     235,467   
    

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 2.6%

  
8,274  

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B(b)

     795,793   
4,252  

TreeHouse Foods, Inc.(a)(b)

     368,861   
    

 

 

 
       1,164,654   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 11.2%

  

1,503  

ABIOMED, Inc.(a)(b)

     142,500   
1,887  

Adeptus Health, Inc., Class A(a)

     104,804   
2,496  

Amedica Corp.(a)(b)

     3,869   
5,474  

Amedisys, Inc.(a)(b)

     264,613   
1,968  

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.(a)

     66,145   
1,819  

Amsurg Corp.(a)(b)

     135,697   
425  

athenahealth, Inc.(a)

     58,982   
2,129  

Baxter International, Inc.

     87,459   
2,457  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

     46,216   
8,199  

Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.(a)

     130,200   
2,080  

Centene Corp.(a)

     128,066   
602  

Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)

     92,690   
1,198  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)(b)

     105,676   
9,083  

Envision Healthcare Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

     185,293   
2,128  

HCA Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

     166,090   
1,080  

Henry Schein, Inc.(a)(b)

     186,440   
547  

Humana, Inc.

     100,074   
253  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)(b)

     152,066   
7,955  

K2M Group Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

     117,973   
1,352  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)(b)

     158,360   
16,098  

LDR Holding Corp.(a)(b)

     410,338   
992  

McKesson Corp.

     155,992   
5,699  

Medtronic PLC(b)

     427,425   
59,179  

Neovasc, Inc.(a)(b)

     252,694   
3,141  

Nevro Corp.(a)(b)

     176,713   
4,439  

NuVasive, Inc.(a)(b)

     215,957   
3,955  

STERIS PLC(b)

     281,003   
17,616  

Streamline Health Solutions, Inc.(a)

     24,839   
3,244  

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc.(a)(b)

     150,132   
3,074  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(a)

     88,931   
1,592  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(b)

     205,209   
4,299  

Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.(a)(b)

     116,761   
    

 

 

 
       4,939,207   
    

 

 

 
 

Insurance — 2.8%

  
52,100  

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.(a)(b)

     823,180   
3,500  

Primerica, Inc.

     155,855   
3,600  

Prudential Financial, Inc.

     259,992   
    

 

 

 
       1,239,027   
    

 

 

 
 

Materials — 1.0%

  
39,935  

Dominion Diamond Corp.

     442,879   
    

 

 

 
 

Media — 1.7%

  
62,028  

Global Eagle Entertainment, Inc.(a)(b)

     528,479   
 

 

Continued

 

17


 

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Media — (continued)

  
12,949  

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Class A

   $ 228,679   
    

 

 

 
       757,158   
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences — 6.7%

   

2,164  

Akorn, Inc.(a)

     50,919   
2,666  

Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     65,290   
1,770  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

     246,420   
537  

Allergan PLC(a)(b)

     143,932   
9,980  

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

     84,331   
9,361  

AstraZeneca PLC, ADR(b)

     263,606   
1,696  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

     139,886   
1,840  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(b)

     117,539   
2,493  

Catalent, Inc.(a)

     66,488   
107  

Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     1,180   
6,814  

Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)(b)

     123,674   
1,604  

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     64,962   
30,658  

Endocyte, Inc.(a)(b)

     95,040   
12,331  

EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     33,170   
549  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)(b)

     189,273   
10,000  

Minerva Neurosciences, Inc.(a)

     61,400   
2,866  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a)

     113,350   
1,845  

Ophthotech Corp.(a)(b)

     77,988   
3,622  

Otonomy, Inc.(a)(b)

     54,040   
2,389  

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

     126,569   
10,634  

Pfizer, Inc.(b)

     315,192   
4,400  

Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

     89,760   
10,611  

ProQR Therapeutics NV(a)(b)

     51,782   
1,284  

Radius Health, Inc.(a)

     40,369   
6,631  

Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp.(a)

     30,503   
773  

Shire PLC, ADR

     132,879   
1,265  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.(b)

     179,111   
    

 

 

 
       2,958,653   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 1.7%

  
24,000  

Colony Capital, Inc., REIT

     402,480   
23,685  

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc., REIT

     192,322   
5,276  

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., REIT

     163,134   
    

 

 

 
       757,936   
    

 

 

 
 

Retailing — 2.1%

  
9,620  

Aaron’s, Inc.

     241,462   
753  

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)(b)(c)

     447,011   
4,903  

Macy’s, Inc.

     216,173   
1,524  

Tailored Brands, Inc.

     27,280   
    

 

 

 
       931,926   
    

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — 8.4%

  
50  

Absolute Software Corp.

     242   
9,382  

Electronic Arts, Inc.(a)(b)(c)

     620,244   
5,103  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

     582,252   
45,000  

SciQuest, Inc.(a)

     624,600   
50,000  

TiVo, Inc.(a)

     475,500   
15,000  

Upland Software, Inc.(a)

     103,050   
354,295  

YuMe, Inc.(a)(b)

     1,325,063   
    

 

 

 
       3,730,951   
    

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — 7.8%

  

191,963  

Extreme Networks, Inc.(a)(b)

     597,005   
284,784  

ID Systems, Inc.(a)(b)

     1,235,963   
23,100  

Lexmark International, Inc., Class A(b)

     772,233   

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — (continued)

   

140,273  

Numerex Corp., Class A(a)(b)

   $ 855,665   
    

 

 

 
       3,460,866   
    

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services — 5.0%

  

84,605  

Boingo Wireless, Inc.(a)(b)

     653,151   
82,746  

inContact, Inc.(a)(b)

     735,612   
21,297  

magicJack VocalTec, Ltd.(a)(b)

     139,708   
149,077  

Vonage Holdings Corp.(a)(b)

     681,282   
    

 

 

 
       2,209,753   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks
(Cost $40,061,164)

     37,620,958   
    

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.0%

  
 

Banks — 1.0%

  
170,057  

Fannie Mae, Series R, 7.625%(b)

     431,945   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost $1,105,236)

     431,945   
    

 

 

 

 Contracts   

          

CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED — 0.1%

  
 

Materials — 0.0%

  
50       

Builders FirstSource Inc., Expires 05/20/16, Strike Price $10

     8,750   
83       

Dominion Diamond Corp., Expires 05/20/16, Strike Price $12.5

     2,075   
    

 

 

 
       10,825   
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences — 0.0%

   

24       

Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc., Expires 04/15/16, Strike Price $30

     240   
21       

Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc., Expires 04/15/16, Strike Price $35

     105   
    

 

 

 
       345   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 0.0%

  
25       

FelCor Lodging Trust Inc., Expires 06/17/16, Strike Price $7.5

     1,875   
    

 

 

 
 

Retailing — 0.0%

  
3       

Amazon.com Inc., Expires 05/20/16, Strike Price $600

     8,811   
    

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — 0.1%

  
6       

Electronic Arts Inc., Expires 06/17/16, Strike Price $62.5

     3,810   
21       

Electronic Arts Inc., Expires 06/17/16, Strike Price $65

     8,925   
    

 

 

 
       12,735   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Call Options Purchased
(Cost $57,090)

     34,591   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

18


 

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Contracts   

            Fair Value     

PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED — 0.3%

  
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 0.0%

  

4          

VF Corp., Expires 05/20/16, Strike Price $60

   $ 360   
26          

VF Corp., Expires 05/20/16, Strike Price $62.5

     4,030   
    

 

 

 
       4,390   
    

 

 

 
 

Exchange Traded Funds — 0.3%

  

259          

Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares, Expires 01/20/17, Strike Price $28.75

     137,270   
22          

SPDR S&P500 ETF Trust, Expires 04/29/16, Strike Price $201.5

     3,454   
    

 

 

 
       140,724   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Put Options Purchased
(Cost $154,358)

     145,114   
    

 

 

 

    Shares     

          

WARRANTS — 2.7%

  
 

Banks — 1.8%

  
15,700  

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Issued/exercisable 10/28/08, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 10/28/18, Strike Price $42.20)

     277,890   
204,200  

Zions Bancorporation, (Issued/exercisable 05/20/10, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 05/22/20, Strike Price $36.05)(b)

     483,954   
50,268  

Zions Bancorporation, (Issued/exercisable 11/14/08, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 11/14/18, Strike Price $36.27)(b)

     45,241   
    

 

 

 
       807,085   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 0.9%

  

295,457  

Bank of America Corp., (Issued/exercisable 01/09/09, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 10/28/18, Strike Price $30.79)(b)

     59,091   
12,400  

Capital One Financial Corp., (Issued/exercisable 11/14/08, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 11/14/18, Strike Price $42.07)(b)

     354,640   
    

 

 

 
       413,731   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Warrants
(Cost $2,228,488)

     1,220,816   
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 89.0%
(Cost $43,606,336)

     39,453,424   
    

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 5.1%

  
2,241,393  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(d)

     2,241,393   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $2,241,393)

     2,241,393   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Investments Sold Short — 94.1%
(Cost $45,847,729)

     41,694,817   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

INVESTMENTS SOLD SHORT — (44.1)%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — (0.9)%

  

(24,483)  

Gentex Corp.

   $ (384,138
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — (1.1)%

  
(12,639)  

Old National Bancorp

     (154,068
(21,200)  

People’s United Financial, Inc.

     (337,716
    

 

 

 
       (491,784
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — (2.9)%

  

(7,567)  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

     (245,472
(2,159)  

NIKE, Inc., Class B

     (132,714
(454)  

Ralph Lauren Corp.

     (43,702
(4,821)  

Under Armour, Inc., Class A(a)

     (408,965
(6,879)  

VF Corp.(c)

     (445,484
    

 

 

 
       (1,276,337
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services — (2.4)%

  
(5,088)  

Carnival Corp.

     (268,494
(1,104)  

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

     (168,548
(1,742)  

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

     (115,495
(1,483)  

Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

     (69,953
(3,985)  

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

     (205,945
(3,730)  

Starbucks Corp.

     (222,681
    

 

 

 
       (1,051,116
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — (1.0)%

  

(300)  

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

     (45,459
(5,600)  

Financial Engines, Inc.

     (176,008
(1,200)  

Franklin Resources, Inc.

     (46,860
(23,000)  

LendingClub Corp.(a)

     (190,900
    

 

 

 
       (459,227
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — (4.2)%

  
(10,000)  

Callon Petroleum Co.(a)

     (88,500
(8,000)  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     (668,720
(14,500)  

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

     (851,440
(13,000)  

SandRidge Mississippian Trust I

     (33,670
(45,000)  

SandRidge Permian Trust

     (116,100
(9,000)  

Unit Corp.(a)

     (79,290
    

 

 

 
       (1,837,720
    

 

 

 
 

Exchange Traded Funds — (5.9)%

  

(4,957)  

Consumer Staples Select Sector Standard and Poors Fund

     (262,969
(4,800)  

Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X
Shares(a)

     (203,904
(25,223)  

Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X
Shares(a)

     (624,774
(2,611)  

Direxion Daily Small Cap Bull 3X
Shares(a)

     (151,438
(8,500)  

Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund

     (526,320
(1,483)  

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

     (164,048
(13,238)  

SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF

     (271,247
(2,066)  

SPDR S&P500 ETF Trust

     (424,687
    

 

 

 
       (2,629,387
    

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing — (0.5)%

  

(2,030)  

Kroger Co. (The)

     (77,648
(3,143)  

Sysco Corp.

     (146,872
    

 

 

 
       (224,520
    

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — (2.0)%

  

(1,361)  

Campbell Soup Co.

     (86,818
(5,062)  

Dean Foods Co.

     (87,674
(8,343)  

SABMiller PLC, ADR

     (509,757
 

 

Continued

 

19


 

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

INVESTMENTS SOLD SHORT — (continued)

  

 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — (continued)

  

(2,369)  

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

   $ (213,636
    

 

 

 
       (897,885
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — (2.9)%

  

(3,199)  

Computer Programs & Systems, Inc.

     (166,732
(2,519)  

Express Scripts Holding Co.(a)

     (173,030
(4,153)  

MEDNAX, Inc.(a)

     (268,367
(3,439)  

Neogen Corp.(a)

     (173,154
(15,384)  

Select Medical Holdings Corp.

     (181,685
(1,386)  

Stryker Corp.

     (148,704
(841)  

Team Health Holdings, Inc.(a)

     (35,162
(2,088)  

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A(a)

     (52,284
(958)  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     (102,152
    

 

 

 
       (1,301,270
    

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products — (0.3)%

  

(1,135)  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

     (152,669
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences — (6.6)%

   

(2,538)  

AbbVie, Inc.

     (144,971
(546)  

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     (15,266
(2,768)  

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     (112,381
(5,445)  

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     (127,413
(2,469)  

Axovant Sciences, Ltd.(a)

     (28,344
(4,221)  

Cambrex Corp.(a)

     (185,724
(2,128)  

Celgene Corp.(a)

     (212,992
(2,685)  

Cepheid(a)

     (89,572
(2,554)  

Concordia Healthcare Corp.

     (65,382
(771)  

Editas Medicine, Inc.(a)

     (26,630
(5,687)  

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

     (53,856
(7,330)  

ImmunoGen, Inc.(a)

     (62,452
(2,988)  

Intrexon Corp.(a)

     (101,263
(867)  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(a)

     (113,187
(828)  

Juno Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

     (31,539
(405)  

Kite Pharma, Inc.(a)

     (18,594
(10,278)  

Luminex Corp.(a)

     (199,393
(3,264)  

Mallinckrodt PLC(a)

     (200,018
(12,000)  

Meda AB

     (223,349
(6,623)  

NantKwest, Inc.(a)

     (54,441
(7,820)  

Nektar Therapeutics(a)

     (107,525
(1,291)  

Perrigo Co. PLC

     (165,158
(381)  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     (137,328
(4,538)  

Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     (55,226
(2,578)  

Spark Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

     (76,077
(1,212)  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

     (96,342
(618)  

WaVe Life Sciences, Ltd.(a)

     (8,578
(4,773)  

Zoetis, Inc.

     (211,587
    

 

 

 
       (2,924,588
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — (2.6)%

  
(26,250)  

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A, REIT

     (417,367
(6,400)  

Iron Mountain, Inc., REIT

     (217,024
(6,242)  

LaSalle Hotel Properties, REIT

     (157,985
(2,373)  

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc., REIT

     (83,767
(4,265)  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, REIT

     (123,984

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

INVESTMENTS SOLD SHORT — (continued)

  

 

Real Estate — (continued)

  

(10,500)  

Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp., REIT

   $ (155,925
    

 

 

 
       (1,156,052
    

 

 

 
 

Retailing — (2.2)%

  
(2,942)  

Foot Locker, Inc.

     (189,759
(2,281)  

Netflix, Inc.(a)

     (233,187
(808)  

Pool Corp.

     (70,894
(6,532)  

Ross Stores, Inc.

     (378,203
(1,159)  

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

     (90,808
    

 

 

 
       (962,851
    

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment — (2.0)%

   

(5,000)  

Cavium, Inc.(a)

     (305,800
(10,000)  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     (574,200
    

 

 

 
       (880,000
    

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — (4.2)%

  
(5,000)  

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

     (277,850
(7,500)  

Aspen Technology, Inc.(a)

     (270,975
(1,873)  

Cimpress NV(a)

     (169,862
(5,836)  

GrubHub, Inc.(a)

     (146,659
(5,000)  

HubSpot, Inc.(a)

     (218,100
(1,000)  

NetSuite, Inc.(a)

     (68,490
(10,000)  

Nuance Communications, Inc.(a)

     (186,900
(10,200)  

Western Union Co. (The)

     (196,758
(15,088)  

Wix.com, Ltd.(a)

     (305,834
    

 

 

 
       (1,841,428
    

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — (1.6)%

  

(5,000)  

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

     (322,050
(1,400)  

F5 Networks, Inc.(a)

     (148,190
(18,472)  

QLogic Corp.(a)

     (248,264
    

 

 

 
       (718,504
    

 

 

 
 

Transportation — (0.8)%

  
(8,558)  

American Airlines Group, Inc.

     (350,964
    

 

 

 

Total Investments Sold Short — (44.1)%
(Cost $(19,926,098))

     (19,540,440
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 50.0%
(Cost $25,921,631)

     22,154,377   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 50.0%

     22,169,092   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 44,323,469   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents non-income producing security.

(b)

Represents that all or a portion of the security was pledged as collateral in connection with short sales.

 

(c)

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

(d)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

ETF — Exchange Traded Funds

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

20


 

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — 95.9%

  
 

Australia — 7.1%

  
16,225  

Bank of Queensland, Ltd.

   $ 150,739   
18,500  

BHP Billiton PLC

     207,994   
8,300  

Challenger Ltd/Australia

     53,380   
32,650  

Dexus Property Group, REIT

     198,721   
3,225  

Macquarie Group, Ltd.

     163,382   
59,506  

Qantas Airways, Ltd.

     185,649   
11,650  

Westpac Banking Corp.

     271,034   
13,600  

WorleyParsons, Ltd.

     56,087   
    

 

 

 
       1,286,986   
    

 

 

 
 

China — 0.5%

  
120,300  

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings, Ltd.

     87,468   
    

 

 

 
 

Denmark — 1.1%

  
2,800  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

     197,541   
    

 

 

 
 

Finland — 1.0%

  
75  

Nokian Renkaat OYJ

     2,647   
9,900  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

     179,342   
    

 

 

 
       181,989   
    

 

 

 
 

France — 11.0%

  
2,100  

Atos SE

     171,047   
4,375  

BNP Paribas SA

     220,191   
3,500  

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA

     200,646   
12,600  

Credit Agricole SA

     136,465   
3,050  

Danone

     216,947   
100  

Orange SA

     1,752   
9,550  

Peugeot SA(a)

     163,657   
1,925  

Renault SA

     191,271   
1,625  

Sanofi

     131,027   
3,100  

SCOR SE

     110,058   
3,037  

Technip SA

     168,332   
175  

Valeo SA

     27,241   
3,350  

Vinci SA

     249,570   
    

 

 

 
       1,988,204   
    

 

 

 
 

Germany — 6.9%

  
1,600  

Allianz SE

     260,261   
600  

Continental AG

     136,548   
11,125  

Deutsche Lufthansa AG(a)

     179,823   
1,152  

Deutsche Telekom AG

     20,679   
20,125  

E.ON SE

     193,233   
2,200  

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide

     133,455   
1  

Hannover Rueck SE

     116   
1,150  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

     113,023   
975  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

     198,315   
4  

ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG

     206   
    

 

 

 
       1,235,659   
    

 

 

 
 

Hong Kong — 4.8%

  
12,150  

CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.

     157,722   
129,750  

HKT Trust & HKT, Ltd.

     178,634   
114,625  

Sino Land Co., Ltd.

     181,453   
285,300  

WH Group, Ltd.(a)(b)

     206,692   
41,275  

Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings, Ltd.

     141,798   
    

 

 

 
       866,299   
    

 

 

 
 

Ireland — 1.0%

  
3,325  

Shire PLC

     189,063   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Israel — 2.6%

  
36,275  

Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp., Ltd.

   $ 81,845   
1,175  

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.(a)

     168,319   
3,900  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.

     210,457   
    

 

 

 
       460,621   
    

 

 

 
 

Italy — 4.3%

  
16,125  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

     44,661   
60,750  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Savings Shares

     158,026   
7,825  

Prysmian SpA

     177,280   
32,275  

Snam Rete Gas SpA

     202,176   
34,600  

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SPA

     197,448   
    

 

 

 
       779,591   
    

 

 

 
 

Japan — 24.3%

  
5,300  

Alps Electric Co., Ltd.

     92,395   
48,000  

Aozora Bank, Ltd.

     167,613   
300  

Central Japan Railway Co.

     53,059   
9,400  

Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

     209,014   
4,900  

Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

     173,064   
5,100  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

     81,024   
2,400  

Hitachi Metals, Ltd.

     24,758   
3,100  

Hoya Corp.

     117,918   
9,700  

Iida Group Holdings Co., Ltd.

     189,182   
17,000  

ITOCHU Corp.

     209,356   
9,200  

KDDI Corp.

     245,726   
15,900  

Konica Minolta, Inc.

     135,061   
13,800  

Kuraray Co., Ltd.

     168,722   
300  

Lawson, Inc.

     25,110   
7,500  

LIXIL Group Corp.

     152,939   
31,600  

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.

     164,956   
31,000  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.

     166,920   
47,000  

Mitsubishi Materials Corp.

     132,800   
8,700  

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.

     151,281   
39,000  

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

     129,948   
4,100  

Mixi, Inc.

     152,277   
117,800  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

     175,949   
10,900  

Nexon Co., Ltd.

     185,855   
5,500  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

     236,919   
16,000  

Sumitomo Corp.

     159,012   
11,000  

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.

     169,968   
50,000  

Teijin, Ltd.

     174,153   
11,000  

TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK

     99,498   
4,300  

Toyota Motor Corp.

     227,408   
    

 

 

 
       4,371,885   
    

 

 

 
 

Netherlands — 2.0%

  
3,850  

AerCap Holdings NV(a)

     149,226   
2,375  

Heineken Holding NV

     185,339   
550  

Randstad Holding NV

     30,485   
    

 

 

 
       365,050   
    

 

 

 
 

Singapore — 1.1%

  
78,300  

Wilmar International, Ltd.

     195,191   
    

 

 

 
 

Spain — 1.2%

  
2,532  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

     16,834   
764  

Caixabank SA(a)

     2,259   
8,300  

Endesa SA

     159,330   
425  

Red Electrica Corp. SA

     36,899   
    

 

 

 
       215,322   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

21


 

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

  
 

Sweden — 4.3%

  
5,350  

Nordea Bank AB

   $ 51,403   
7,725  

Skanska AB, Class B

     176,324   
6,175  

Svenska Cellulosa AB, Class B

     192,972   
8,600  

Swedbank AB, Class A

     185,279   
4,700  

Swedish Match AB

     159,557   
    

 

 

 
       765,535   
    

 

 

 
 

Switzerland — 7.0%

  
4,275  

Aryzta AG

     177,082   
1,050  

Lonza Group AG

     177,666   
2,675  

Pargesa Holding SA

     170,395   
1,400  

Roche Holding AG

     344,631   
2,275  

Swiss Re AG

     210,335   
750  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

     174,172   
    

 

 

 
       1,254,281   
    

 

 

 
 

United Kingdom — 15.7%

  
1,350  

Admiral Group PLC

     38,449   
3,700  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

     171,008   
12,650  

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

     186,045   
1,975  

Carnival PLC

     106,429   
30,546  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

     162,412   
46,800  

HSBC Holdings PLC

     291,651   
4,650  

Imperial Brands PLC

     257,992   
35,875  

Intu Properties PLC, REIT

     161,274   
25,850  

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

     150,810   
6,950  

National Grid PLC

     98,541   
5,825  

Persimmon PLC

     174,434   
13,775  

Petrofac, Ltd.

     182,213   
7,550  

RELX PLC

     140,317   
18,750  

Royal Mail PLC

     129,451   
22,100  

Subsea 7 SA(a)

     167,325   
8,400  

William Hill PLC

     39,451   
59,600  

Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

     170,088   
8,550  

WPP PLC

     199,794   
    

 

 

 
       2,827,684   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks
(Cost $17,331,552)

     17,268,369   
    

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND — 2.4%

  
 

United States — 2.4%

  
7,500  

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

     428,475   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Exchange Traded Fund
(Cost $431,250)

     428,475   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

MONEY MARKET FUND — 1.0%

  
 

United States — 1.0%

  
172,371  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(c)

   $ 172,371   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $172,371)

     172,371   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.3%
(Cost $17,935,173)

     17,869,215   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 0.7%

     132,140   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 18,001,355   
    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents non-income producing security.

(b)

Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security that is restricted as to resale to qualified institutional investors. The Investment Advisor, using Board approved procedures, has deemed these securities or a portion of these securities to be liquid.

 

(c)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

ETF — Exchange Traded Fund

MSCI — Morgan Stanley Capital International

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     Percentage

Industry

   of net assets

Automobiles & Components

       6.1 %

Banks

       13.9 %

Capital Goods

       10.0 %

Commercial & Professional Services

       0.2 %

Consumer Durables & Apparel

       3.8 %

Consumer Services

       0.8 %

Diversified Financials

       1.2 %

Energy

       3.7 %

Exchange Traded Fund

       2.4 %

Food & Staples Retailing

       3.3 %

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

       7.8 %

Household & Personal Products

       0.6 %

Insurance

       2.9 %

Materials

       7.5 %

Media

       2.9 %

Money Market Fund

       1.0 %

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

       8.8 %

Real Estate

       4.0 %

Retailing

       0.8 %

Software & Services

       2.8 %

Technology Hardware & Equipment

       1.9 %

Telecommunication Services

       4.2 %

Transportation

       3.8 %

Utilities

       4.9 %
    

 

 

 
       99.3 %
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

22


 

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

ASSET BACKED SECURITIES — 19.7%

  
$418,877  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2012-4, Class C, 1.930%, 8/8/18

   $ 419,471   
380,000  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2013-5, Class C, 2.290%, 11/8/19

     382,001   
400,000  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP, LLC, Series 2011-3A, Class A, 3.410%, 11/20/17(a)

     403,014   
365,000  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP, LLC, Series 2012-2A, Class A, 2.802%, 5/20/18(a)

     367,949   
600,000  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP, LLC, Series 2013-1A, Class A, 1.920%, 9/20/19(a)

     594,612   
140,000  

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust, Series 2013-3, Class B, 2.320%, 7/20/18

     140,654   
445,000  

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust, Series 2014-1, Class A4, 1.690%, 10/22/18

     446,099   
450,000  

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust, Series 2013-1, Class C, 1.740%, 10/22/18

     450,129   
147,728  

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2013-4, Class A3, 0.800%, 7/16/18

     147,592   
396,767  

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2014-1, Class A3, 0.790%, 10/15/18

     396,164   
280,000  

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2013-3, Class C, 2.150%, 5/15/19

     281,821   
500,000  

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2013-A3, Class A3, 1.110%, 7/23/18

     500,533   
235,975  

Enterprise Fleet Financing, LLC, Series 2014-1, Class A2, 0.870%, 9/20/19(a)

     235,263   
316,239  

Enterprise Fleet Financing, LLC, Series 2014-2, Class A2, 1.050%, 3/20/20(a)

     314,927   
300,000  

Enterprise Fleet Financing, LLC, Series 2015-2, Class A2, 1.590%, 2/22/21(a)

     299,438   
475,816  

Fifth Third Auto Trust, Series 2014-2, Class A3, 0.890%, 11/15/18

     475,458   
355,153  

First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-FF1, Series 2006-FF1, Class 2A3, 0.673%,
1/25/36(b)

     349,559   
500,000  

Hertz Vehicle Financing, LLC, Series 2011-1A, Class A2, 3.290%, 3/25/18(a)

     505,937   
420,000  

Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2012-C, Class B, 1.060%, 6/15/18

     418,975   
10,506  

Mastr Asset Backed Securities Trust, Series 2006-NC1, Class A3, 0.623%, 1/25/36(b)

     10,480   
68,353  

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-4, Class A3, 0.693%, 11/25/35(b)

     67,845   
66,233  

Park Place Securities, Inc. Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-WHQ1, Class M2, 1.183%, 3/25/35(b)

     65,986   
501,381  

RAMP Trust, Series 2005-RZ4, Class A3, 0.833%, 11/25/35(b)

     497,173   
459,452  

RASC Series 2006-EMX1 Trust, Series 2006-EMX1, Class A3, 0.753%, 1/25/36(b)

     453,986   
418,818  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2014-1, Class B, 1.590%, 10/15/18

     418,948   
325,000  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2014-2, Class B, 1.620%, 2/15/19

     325,108   
350,000  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2014-5, Class C, 2.460%, 6/15/20

     352,138   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Asset Backed Securities

(Cost $9,333,406)

     9,321,260   
    

 

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 0.2%

  
$  53,725  

Fannie Mae, Series 2009-114, Class AC, 2.500%, 12/25/23

   $ 54,068   
22,109  

Fannie Mae, Series 2006-90, Class BE, 6.000%, 4/25/35

     22,223   
30,542  

Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2005-5AR, Class 1A3, 0.703%, 9/25/35(b)

     30,439   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(Cost $107,378)

     106,730   
    

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — 24.0%

  
540,000  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-4, Class AM, 5.675%, 7/10/46

     541,845   
233,407  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-5, Class A4, 5.414%, 9/10/47

     234,876   
22,893  

Banc of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Series 2005-1, Class AJ, 5.339%, 11/10/42(b)

     22,867   
201,672  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-T22, Class AJ, 5.728%, 4/12/38(b)

     201,588   
250,000  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-T28, Class AM, 5.835%, 9/11/42(b)

     262,824   
220,000  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-PWR14, Series 2006-PW14, Class AM, 5.243%, 12/11/38

     222,614   
420,000  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C6, Class A4, 5.705%, 12/10/49(b)

     432,966   
96,848  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C7, Class A4, 5.844%, 6/10/46(b)

     96,744   
400,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C8, Class AM, 5.347%, 12/10/46

     405,910   
410,821  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C9, Class A4, 5.813%, 12/10/49(b)

     426,641   
557,610  

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-GG9, Class A4, 5.444%, 3/10/39

     569,051   
435,530  

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-C3, Series 2007-C3, Class A4, 5.699%, 6/15/39(b)

     445,359   
141,776  

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Series 2006-GG8, Class A4, 5.560%, 11/10/39

     142,628   
441,822  

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-CB20, Class A4, 5.794%, 2/12/51(b)

     459,021   
302,821  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-CB15, Class A4, 5.814%, 6/12/43(b)

     302,614   
500,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-CB16, Class AM, 5.593%, 5/12/45

     502,769   
356,713  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-CB18, Class A4, 5.440%, 6/12/47

     362,967   
450,579  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-LDPX, Class A3, 5.420%, 1/15/49

     459,810   
4,135  

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2004-C1, Class A4, 4.568%, 1/15/31

     4,147   
349,052  

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C7, Class A3, 5.866%, 9/15/45(b)

     367,075   
 

 

Continued

 

23


 

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — (continued)

  
$415,000  

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C7, Class AM, 6.153%, 9/15/45(b)

   $ 428,009   
450,000  

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, Series 2008-C1, Class AM, 6.267%, 2/12/51(b)

     478,638   
448,625  

ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-8, Class A3, 5.864%, 8/12/49(b)

     464,907   
180,453  

ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-7, Class A4, 5.737%, 6/12/50(b)

     186,349   
115,978  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2006-T23, Class A4, 5.891%, 8/12/41(b)

     116,199   
112,105  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2006-HQ10, Class A4, 5.328%, 11/12/41

     112,615   
420,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2006-HQ10, Class AM, 5.360%, 11/12/41

     424,653   
450,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2007-T27, Class AM, 5.645%, 6/11/42(b)

     466,428   
360,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2008-T29, Class AM, 6.268%, 1/11/43(b)

     382,232   
500,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2006-HQ9, Class AM, 5.773%, 7/12/44(b)

     503,213   
413,629  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2007-IQ15, Class A4, 5.918%, 6/11/49(b)

     428,951   
444,689  

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C28, Class A4, 5.572%, 10/15/48

     448,380   
446,126  

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C29, Class A4, 5.308%, 11/15/48

     449,988   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

(Cost $11,691,071)

     11,354,878   
    

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS — 51.9%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 2.0%

  
425,000  

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 1.260%, 3/27/17(b)

     422,985   
250,000  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 2.750%, 5/15/16

     250,451   
250,000  

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., 1.800%,
3/15/18(a)

     250,296   
    

 

 

 
       923,732   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 14.0%

  
200,000  

Abbey National Treasury Services PLC, GMTN, 1.475%, 8/24/18(b)

     198,496   
450,000  

ABN AMRO Bank NV, 1.421%,
10/28/16(a)(b)

     450,772   
225,000  

Bank of Nova Scotia (The), 1.375%, 12/18/17

     224,845   
250,000  

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (The), 1.700%, 3/5/18(a)

     248,650   
250,000  

BNP Paribas SA, MTN, 1.375%, 3/17/17

     250,287   
370,000  

Citigroup, Inc., 1.700%, 7/25/16

     370,614   
250,000  

Compass Bank, BKNT, 1.850%, 9/29/17

     250,333   
300,000  

Credit Suisse, GMTN, 1.125%, 5/26/17(b)

     299,166   
185,000  

Fifth Third Bancorp, 1.043%, 12/20/16(b)

     184,359   
220,000  

Huntington National Bank (The), BKNT, 1.300%, 11/20/16

     220,009   
425,000  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., MTN, 1.350%, 2/15/17

     425,935   
250,000  

KeyBank NA, BKNT, 1.650%, 2/1/18

     250,154   
223,000  

Macquarie Bank, Ltd., 5.000%, 2/22/17(a)

     230,052   

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Banks — (continued)

  
$300,000  

Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co., BKNT, 1.250%, 1/30/17

   $ 300,082   
305,000  

MUFG Union Bank NA, BKNT, 5.950%, 5/11/16

     306,599   
425,000  

PNC Funding Corp., 2.700%, 9/19/16

     427,936   
250,000  

Raymond James Financial, Inc., 4.250%, 4/15/16

     250,235   
275,000  

Royal Bank of Canada, GMTN, 1.450%, 9/9/16

     275,754   
300,000  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 1.875%, 3/31/17

     299,406   
250,000  

SunTrust Bank, BKNT, 1.350%, 2/15/17

     250,170   
250,000  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, 3.125%, 7/12/16

     251,560   
250,000  

UBS, GMTN, 1.375%, 8/14/17

     249,414   
400,000  

US Bancorp, MTN, 1.650%, 5/15/17

     402,100   
    

 

 

 
       6,616,928   
    

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods — 1.0%

  
225,000  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP / PTL Finance Corp., 3.375%, 3/15/18(a)

     229,651   
250,000  

Textron, Inc., 4.625%, 9/21/16

     253,740   
    

 

 

 
       483,391   
    

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services — 0.6%

  

275,000  

Republic Services, Inc., 3.800%, 5/15/18

     286,749   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 0.4%

  

200,000  

D.R. Horton, Inc., 6.500%, 4/15/16

     200,000   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services — 1.3%

  

300,000  

ERAC USA Finance, LLC, 1.400%,
4/15/16(a)

     300,050   
300,000  

Hyundai Capital America, 1.875%,
8/9/16(a)

     300,550   
    

 

 

 
       600,600   
    

 

 

 
 

Containers & Packaging — 0.4%

  
200,000  

Ecolab, Inc., 3.000%, 12/8/16

     202,431   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 7.4%

  
250,000  

AIG Global Funding, 1.650%, 12/15/17(a)

     249,645   
175,000  

Ally Financial, Inc., 2.750%, 1/30/17

     174,125   
325,000  

American Express Co., 1.208%, 5/22/18(b)

     322,850   
300,000  

Capital One Bank USA NA, BKNT, 1.150%, 11/21/16

     300,026   
445,000  

Countrywide Financial Corp., 6.250%, 5/15/16

     447,526   
250,000  

Eksportfinans ASA, 2.375%, 5/25/16

     250,193   
250,000  

HSBC Bank USA NA, BKNT, 6.000%, 8/9/17

     263,103   
300,000  

Macquarie Group, Ltd., 1.616%,
1/31/17(a)(b)

     299,949   
500,000  

Morgan Stanley, 1.369%, 1/5/18(b)

     498,279   
419,000  

Murray Street Investment Trust I, STEP, 4.647%, 3/9/17

     430,774   
250,000  

Principal Life Global Funding II, 1.125%,
2/24/17(a)

     250,082   
    

 

 

 
       3,486,552   
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — 1.7%

  
250,000  

Magellan Midstream Partners LP, 5.650%, 10/15/16

     255,501   
245,000  

Total Capital International SA, 1.550%, 6/28/17

     245,965   
300,000  

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., LLC, 6.400%, 4/15/16

     300,051   
    

 

 

 
       801,517   
    

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 3.0%

  
225,000  

Cargill, Inc., 1.900%, 3/1/17(a)

     226,844   
250,000  

Kraft Foods Group, Inc., 2.250%, 6/5/17

     252,405   
 

 

Continued

 

24


 

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  

 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — (continued)

  

$250,000  

Kraft Heinz Foods Co., 2.000%, 7/2/18(a)

   $ 252,313   
200,000  

PepsiCo, Inc., 2.500%, 5/10/16

     200,422   
250,000  

Reynolds American, Inc., 3.500%, 8/4/16

     251,561   
250,000  

SABMiller Holdings, Inc., 2.450%, 1/15/17(a)

     252,293   
    

 

 

 
       1,435,838   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 0.9%

  

296,000  

Becton Dickinson and Co., 1.750%, 11/8/16

     296,985   
130,000  

DENTSPLY International, Inc., 2.750%, 8/15/16

     130,715   
    

 

 

 
       427,700   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Providers & Services — 1.7%

  

415,000  

Actavis Funding SCS, 1.712%, 3/12/18(b)

     417,283   
375,000  

Zimmer Holdings, Inc., 1.450%, 4/1/17

     374,875   
    

 

 

 
       792,158   
    

 

 

 
 

Insurance — 5.7%

  
200,000  

International Lease Finance Corp., 5.750%, 5/15/16

     200,500   
250,000  

Jackson National Life Global Funding, 1.250%, 2/21/17(a)

     250,294   
250,000  

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 6.700%, 8/15/16(a)

     254,847   
400,000  

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I, 1.300%, 4/10/17(a)

     400,614   
300,000  

Pricoa Global Funding I, 1.150%, 11/25/16(a)

     300,090   
300,000  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc., 5.625%, 3/15/17

     311,176   
250,000  

Sirius International Group, Ltd., 6.375%, 3/20/17(a)

     256,438   
275,000  

Symetra Financial Corp., 6.125%, 4/1/16(a)

     275,000   
425,000  

Wells Fargo & Co., MTN, 1.250%, 7/20/16

     425,754   
    

 

 

 
       2,674,713   
    

 

 

 
 

Materials — 1.1%

  
250,000  

Glencore Funding, LLC, 1.700%, 5/27/16(a)

     249,119   
250,000  

Rio Tinto Finance USA PLC, 1.375%, 6/17/16

     249,875   
       498,994   
 

Media — 1.2%

  
300,000  

Omnicom Group, Inc., 5.900%, 4/15/16

     300,404   
250,000  

Viacom, Inc., 6.250%, 4/30/16

     250,952   
    

 

 

 
       551,356   
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life
Sciences — 0.5%

   

240,000  

Amgen, Inc., 1.250%, 5/22/17

     240,472   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 4.5%

  
250,000  

Essex Portfolio LP, REIT, 5.500%, 3/15/17

     259,022   
250,000  

Highwoods Realty LP, REIT, 5.850%, 3/15/17

     258,900   
128,000  

National Retail Properties, Inc., REIT, 6.875%, 10/15/17

     137,342   
175,000  

Realogy Group, LLC/Sunshine Group Florida, Ltd. (The), 3.375%, 5/1/16(a)

     174,781   
300,000  

Simon Property Group LP, REIT, 2.800%, 1/30/17

     303,019   
250,000  

Ventas Realty LP, REIT, 1.250%, 4/17/17

     248,960   
155,000  

Vereit Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 2.000%, 2/6/17

     153,450   
250,000  

WEA Finance, LLC/Westfield UK & Europe Finance PLC, 1.750%, 9/15/17(a)

     249,049   

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  

 

Real Estate — (continued)

  

$350,000  

Welltower, Inc., REIT, 6.200%, 6/1/16

   $ 352,747   
    

 

 

 
       2,137,270   
    

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — 0.3%

  

150,000  

Apple, Inc., 1.300%, 2/23/18

     151,163   
    

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services — 1.0%

  
225,000  

AT&T, Inc., 1.400%, 12/1/17

     225,109   
241,000  

Verizon Communications, Inc., 2.500%, 9/15/16

     242,856   
    

 

 

 
       467,965   
    

 

 

 
 

Transportation — 1.0%

  
250,000  

Kansas City Southern, 1.321%, 10/28/16(a)(b)

     247,956   
224,000  

Ryder System, Inc., MTN, 2.500%, 3/1/17

     226,193   
    

 

 

 
       474,149   
    

 

 

 
 

Utilities — 2.2%

  
215,000  

Dominion Gas Holdings, LLC, 1.050%, 11/1/16

     215,054   
250,000  

PSEG Power, LLC, 2.750%, 9/15/16

     251,998   
250,000  

Sempra Energy, 6.500%, 6/1/16

     251,953   
325,000  

Southern Co. (The), 1.950%, 9/1/16

     326,535   
    

 

 

 
       1,045,540   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $24,502,551)

     24,499,218   
    

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 2.2%

  

 

California — 0.4%

  
200,000  

Municipal Improvement Corp. of Los Angeles, Taxable Series A Advance Refunding Revenue, 1.924%, 11/1/17

     202,260   
    

 

 

 
 

Illinois — 0.5%

  
250,000  

State of Illinois, Public Improvements G.O., Series A (AGM), 5.000%, 6/1/17

     261,007   
    

 

 

 
 

New Jersey — 0.9%

  
210,000  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Pension Funding Revenue, Series B (NATL), OID, 0.000%, 2/15/17

     207,281   
200,000  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Taxable, School Facilities Construction, Series Q, Refunding Revenue, 1.096%, 6/15/16

     200,014   
    

 

 

 
       407,295   
    

 

 

 
 

Puerto Rico — 0.4%

  
175,000  

Puerto Rico Municipal Finance Agency, Public Improvements, G.O., Series A, Callable 1/11/16 @ 100 (AGM, Government GTD), 5.250%, 8/1/18

     175,607   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $1,039,598)

     1,046,169   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

25


 

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

MONEY MARKET FUND — 2.4%

  
1,117,653  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(c)

   $ 1,117,653   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $1,117,653)

     1,117,653   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.4%
(Cost $47,791,657)

     47,445,908   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — (0.4)%

     (176,616
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 47,269,292   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security that is restricted as to resale to qualified institutional investors. The Advisor, using Board approved procedures, has deemed these securities or a portion of these securities to be liquid.

(b)

The interest rate for this variable rate note, which will change periodically, is based either on the prime rate or an index of market rates. The reflected rate is in effect as of March 31, 2016. The maturity date reflected is the final maturity date.

 

(c)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

AGM — Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

BKNT — Bank Note

G.O. — General Obligation

GMTN — Global Medium Term Note

GTD — Guaranteed

MTN — Medium Term Note

NATL — National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.

OID — Original Issue Discount

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

STEP — Step Coupon Bond

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

26


 

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

ASSET BACKED SECURITIES — 15.3%

  

$  400,000  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables, Series 2015-4, Class B, 2.110%, 1/8/21

   $ 401,959   
12,403  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2012-1, Class C, 2.670%, 1/8/18

     12,406   
680,000  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2014-1, Class B, 1.680%, 7/8/19

     679,565   
1,250,000  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP, LLC, Series 2012-3A, Class A, 2.100%, 3/20/19(a)

     1,247,466   
930,000  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP, LLC, Series 2013-1A, Class A, 1.920%, 9/20/19(a)

     921,648   
1,000,000  

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust, Series 2013-4, Class B, 2.060%, 10/22/18

     1,002,727   
650,000  

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust, Series 2015-3, Class B, 2.430%, 9/21/20

     648,103   
569,231  

Enterprise Fleet Financing, LLC, Series 2014-2, Class A2, 1.050%, 3/20/20(a)

     566,869   
1,200,000  

Enterprise Fleet Financing, LLC, Series 2015-2, Class A3, 2.090%, 2/22/21(a)

     1,196,154   
631,384  

First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-FF1, Class 2A3, 0.673%, 1/25/36(b)

     621,439   
500,000  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2012-D, Class B, 1.010%, 5/15/18

     498,141   
291,667  

Hertz Vehicle Financing, LLC, Series 2013-1A, Class A1, 1.120%, 8/25/17(a)

     291,590   
500,000  

Hertz Vehicle Financing, LLC, Series 2013-1A, Class A2, 1.830%, 8/25/19(a)

     494,754   
950,000  

Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2013-B, Class B, 1.450%, 2/15/19

     950,497   
15,408  

Mastr Asset Backed Securities Trust, Series 2006-NC1, Class A3, 0.623%, 1/25/36(b)

     15,371   
55,303  

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-4, Class A3, 0.693%, 11/25/35(b)

     54,892   
102,360  

Park Place Securities, Inc. Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-WHQ1, Class M2, 1.183%, 3/25/35(b)

     101,978   
804,041  

RASC Series 2006-EMX1 Trust, Series 2006-EMX1, Class A3, 0.753%,
1/25/36(b)

     794,476   
533,042  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2014-1, Class B, 1.590%, 10/15/18

     533,207   
337,000  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2013-5, Class C, 2.250%, 6/17/19

     337,872   
1,000,000  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2015-1, Class B, 1.970%, 11/15/19

     998,661   
500,000  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2015-4, Class B, 2.260%, 6/15/20

     503,249   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Asset Backed Securities
(Cost $12,905,062)

     12,873,024   
    

 

 

 

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE
OBLIGATIONS — 1.6%

   

137,100  

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2004-22CB, Class 1A1, 6.000%, 10/25/34

     137,399   
141,782  

Fannie Mae, Series 2003-66, Class PA, 3.500%, 2/25/33

     145,663   
55,892  

Fannie Mae, Series 2005-67, Class HG, 5.500%, 1/25/35

     59,273   
87,569  

Fannie Mae, Series 2009-100, Class PA, 4.500%, 4/25/39

     90,719   
100,269  

Freddie Mac, Series 2770, Class UE, 4.500%, 3/15/19

     103,760   

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE
OBLIGATIONS — (continued)

   

$645,417  

Ginnie Mae, Series 2013-165, Class PB, 3.000%, 3/20/41

   $ 659,177   
62,881  

PHHMC Trust, Series 2007-6, Class A1, 5.397%, 12/18/37(b)

     62,236   
60,710  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Series 2007-16, Class 1A1, 6.000%, 12/28/37

     62,652   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(Cost $1,324,490)

     1,320,879   
    

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED
SECURITIES — 17.5%

   

288,930  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-3, Class A4, 5.889%, 7/10/44(b)

     288,952   
616,559  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-5, Class A4, 5.492%, 2/10/51

     637,446   
60,885  

Banc of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Series 2005-1, Class AJ, 5.339%, 11/10/42(b)

     60,817   
30,394  

Banc of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Series 2005-3, Class AM, 4.727%, 7/10/43

     30,260   
673,010  

BCAP, LLC Trust, Series 2013-RR4, Class A4A2, 2.000%, 2/13/51(a)

     668,841   
219,679  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-T26, Class A4, 5.471%, 1/12/45(b)

     224,875   
740,000  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-PW18, Class A4, 5.700%, 6/11/50

     767,216   
365,471  

CD Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-CD4, Class A4, 5.322%, 12/11/49

     372,599   
120,000  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C6, Class A4, 5.705%, 12/10/49(b)

     123,704   
655,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C8, Class AM, 5.347%, 12/10/46

     664,678   
744,042  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C9, Class A4, 5.813%, 12/10/49(b)

     772,694   
787,560  

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-GG9, Class A4, 5.444%, 3/10/39

     803,720   
798,472  

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C3, Class A4, 5.699%,
6/1/39(b)

     816,492   
575,000  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C19, Class A2, 3.046%, 4/1/47

     595,769   
306,305  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-CB16, Class A4, 5.552%, 5/12/45

     307,286   
600,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-CB16, Class AM, 5.593%, 5/12/45

     603,323   
396,843  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-CB18, Class A4, 5.440%, 6/12/47

     403,801   
850,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C20, Class A2, 2.872%, 7/1/47

     877,079   
166,714  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-LDPX, Class A3, 5.420%, 1/15/49

     170,130   
578,228  

ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-8, Class A3, 5.864%,
8/12/49(b)

     599,213   
 

 

Continued

 

27


 

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — (continued)

  
$  315,793  

ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-7, Class A4, 5.737%, 6/12/50(b)

   $ 326,111   
800,000  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2014-C17, Class A2, 3.119%, 8/1/47

     832,855   
175,015  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2013-C8, Class A2, 1.689%, 12/15/48

     175,188   
253,494  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2006-T23, Class A4, 5.891%, 8/12/41(b)

     253,977   
530,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2006-HQ10, Class AM, 5.360%, 11/12/41

     535,872   
640,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2008-T29, Class AM, 6.268%, 1/1/43(b)

     679,523   
654,857  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2008-T29, Class A4, 6.268%, 1/11/43(b)

     694,425   
394,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2006-HQ9, Class AM, 5.773%, 7/12/44(b)

     396,532   
196,218  

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C27, Class A3, 5.765%, 7/15/45(b)

     195,915   
310,444  

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C28, Class A4, 5.572%, 10/15/48

     313,020   
500,000  

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-C3, Class A3, 3.998%, 3/15/44(a)

     523,004   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

(Cost $15,317,244)

     14,715,317   
    

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS — 57.0%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 2.2%

  

535,000  

Daimler Finance North America, LLC, 2.375%, 8/1/18(a)

     543,621   
400,000  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 2.400%, 4/10/18

     399,910   
400,000  

Hyundai Capital America, 2.500%,
3/18/19(a)

     403,112   
500,000  

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., 2.550%,
3/8/21(a)

     506,532   
    

 

 

 
       1,853,175   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 14.2%

  
425,000  

Abbey National Treasury Services PLC, GMTN, 2.000%, 8/24/18

     427,405   
450,000  

Athene Global Funding, 2.875%,
10/23/18(a)

     442,951   
1,000,000  

Bank of America Corp., 5.750%, 12/1/17

     1,062,621   
450,000  

Bank of Montreal, 1.400%, 4/10/18

     449,477   
450,000  

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (The), 1.700%, 3/5/18(a)

     447,570   
550,000  

BNP Paribas SA, MTN, 2.400%, 12/12/18

     559,013   
600,000  

Capital One NA, BKNT, 1.650%, 2/5/18

     595,678   
350,000  

CIT Group, Inc., 4.250%, 8/15/17

     356,164   
1,000,000  

Citigroup, Inc., 2.550%, 4/8/19

     1,014,944   
600,000  

Compass Bank, BKNT, 1.850%, 9/29/17

     600,800   
325,000  

Fifth Third Bank, MTN, 2.150%, 8/20/18

     327,650   
575,000  

Huntington National Bank (The), 1.375%, 4/24/17

     574,075   
400,000  

ING Bank NV, 2.050%, 8/17/18(a)

     401,916   
935,000  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, BKNT, 6.000%, 10/1/17

     992,652   

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Banks — (continued)

  
$505,000  

Macquarie Bank, Ltd., 5.000%, 2/22/17(a)

   $ 520,970   
340,000  

Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co., BKNT, 1.250%, 1/30/17

     340,092   
330,000  

NordeaBank AB, 4.875%, 1/27/20(a)

     362,296   
355,000  

PNC Funding Corp., 5.625%, 2/1/17

     367,176   
485,000  

Royal Bank of Canada, 2.500%, 1/19/21

     495,294   
500,000  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 1.875%, 3/31/17

     499,010   
600,000  

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., GMTN, 1.350%, 7/11/17

     597,656   
500,000  

UBS, MTN, 1.375%, 8/14/17

     498,828   
    

 

 

 
       11,934,238   
    

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods — 1.7%

  
295,000  

LSB Industries, Inc., 7.750%, 8/1/19

     270,663   
575,000  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP/PTL Finance Corp., 3.375%, 3/15/18(a)

     586,887   
485,000  

Waste Management, Inc., 6.100%, 3/15/18

     529,781   
    

 

 

 
       1,387,331   
    

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services — 1.4%

  

350,000  

Equifax, Inc., 6.300%, 7/1/17

     369,728   
400,000  

Republic Services, Inc., 3.800%, 5/15/18

     417,090   
350,000  

Service Corp. International, 7.000%, 6/15/17

     373,625   
    

 

 

 
       1,160,443   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 0.6%

  

164,000  

Hanesbrands, Inc., 6.375%, 12/15/20

     169,740   
355,000  

Whirlpool Corp., 1.350%, 3/1/17

     354,891   
    

 

 

 
       524,631   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services — 1.2%

  
500,000  

Carnival Corp., 3.950%, 10/15/20

     531,362   
400,000  

ERAC USA Finance, LLC, 6.375%,
10/15/17(a)

     427,320   
    

 

 

 
       958,682   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 8.1%

  
365,000  

Ally Financial, Inc., 3.600%, 5/21/18

     361,806   
250,000  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The), 2.500%, 4/15/21

     254,937   
240,000  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 2.200%, 3/15/21

     245,094   
400,000  

Caisse Centrale Desjardins, 1.550%,
9/12/17(a)

     398,539   
380,000  

Charles Schwab Corp., MTN (The), 6.375%, 9/1/17

     406,182   
650,000  

Credit Suisse, 1.700%, 4/27/18

     647,179   
300,000  

First Data Corp., 6.750%, 11/1/20(a)

     315,450   
500,000  

GE Capital International Funding Co., 2.342%, 11/15/20(a)

     512,674   
550,000  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 6.000%, 6/15/20

     627,050   
575,000  

HSBC Bank USA NA, BKNT, 6.000%, 8/9/17

     605,137   
900,000  

Morgan Stanley, 2.650%, 1/27/20

     913,307   
484,000  

PetroLogistics LP/PetroLogistics Finance Corp., 6.250%, 4/1/20

     498,520   
500,000  

Ryder System, Inc., MTN, 2.350%, 2/26/19

     499,498   
500,000  

State Street Corp., 4.956%, 3/15/18

     525,523   
    

 

 

 
       6,810,896   
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — 5.5%

  
400,000  

Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., LLC/Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP, 1.700%, 5/1/18(a)

     397,150   
 

 

Continued

 

28


 

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Energy — (continued)

  
$250,000  

Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc., 2.450%, 6/1/18(a)

   $ 247,489   
500,000  

Enbridge Energy Partners LP, Series B, 6.500%, 4/15/18

     514,362   
385,000  

Energy Transfer Partners LP, 6.125%, 2/15/17

     394,340   
500,000  

Enterprise Products Operating, LLC, 1.650%, 5/7/18

     498,183   
375,000  

Magellan Midstream Partners LP, 5.650%, 10/15/16

     383,251   
400,000  

National Oilwell Varco, Inc., 1.350%, 12/1/17

     391,283   
380,000  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 6.650%, 3/15/17

     392,939   
450,000  

Schlumberger Holdings Corp., 2.350%, 12/21/18(a)

     452,952   
260,000  

Spectra Energy Capital, LLC, 6.200%, 4/15/18

     272,940   
250,000  

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., LLC, 6.400%, 4/15/16

     250,042   
425,000  

Western Gas Partners LP, 2.600%, 8/15/18

     403,881   
    

 

 

 
       4,598,812   
    

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.2%

  

175,000  

Reynolds American, Inc., 2.300%, 6/12/18

     178,494   
    

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 1.5%

  

415,000  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc., 2.650%, 2/1/21

     426,449   
450,000  

Kraft Heinz Foods Co., 2.000%,
7/2/18(a)

     454,164   
392,000  

Reynolds American, Inc., 3.250%, 6/12/20

     409,936   
    

 

 

 
       1,290,549   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 2.2%

  

450,000  

Boston Scientific Corp., 2.650%, 10/1/18

     457,974   
475,000  

Humana, Inc., 7.200%, 6/15/18

     528,110   
375,000  

Stryker Corp., 2.625%, 3/15/21

     382,398   
500,000  

Zimmer Holdings, Inc., 2.000%, 4/1/18

     501,188   
    

 

 

 
       1,869,670   
    

 

 

 
 

Insurance — 7.3%

  
400,000  

Citizens Bank NA, BKNT, 2.300%, 12/3/18

     402,260   
415,000  

International Lease Finance Corp., 8.750%, 3/15/17

     437,161   
645,000  

Jackson National Life Global Funding, 2.300%, 4/16/19(a)

     651,058   
500,000  

Lloyds Bank PLC, 1.750%, 3/16/18

     499,412   
445,000  

MUFG Union Bank NA, 2.625%, 9/26/18

     452,937   
375,000  

PACCAR Financial Corp., MTN, 1.450%, 3/9/18

     375,865   
500,000  

Pricoa Global Funding I, 2.200%, 5/16/19(a)

     502,113   
350,000  

Principal Financial Group, Inc., 1.850%, 11/15/17

     350,701   
600,000  

Regions Financial Corp., 2.000%, 5/15/18

     596,190   
570,000  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc., 5.625%, 3/15/17

     591,234   
450,000  

Reliance Standard Life Global Funding II, 2.150%, 10/15/18(a)

     450,729   
350,000  

Sirius International Group, Ltd., 6.375%, 3/20/17(a)

     359,013   
440,000  

Symetra Financial Corp., 6.125%,
4/1/16(a)

     440,000   
    

 

 

 
       6,108,673   
    

 

 

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Materials — 0.4%

  
$   295,000  

Glencore Finance Canada, Ltd., 2.700%, 10/25/17(a)

   $ 289,100   
    

 

 

 
 

Media — 0.5%

  
400,000  

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The), 2.250%, 11/15/17

     400,040   
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life
Sciences — 0.7%

   

550,000  

Actavis Funding SCS, 2.350%, 3/12/18

     556,497   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 4.9%

  
250,000  

Essex Portfolio LP, REIT, 5.500%, 3/15/17

     259,022   
390,000  

HCP, Inc., MTN, REIT, 6.300%, 9/15/16

     397,934   
465,000  

iStar, Inc., REIT, 4.000%, 11/1/17

     453,375   
450,000  

Kimco Realty Corp., REIT, MTN, 4.300%, 2/1/18

     467,078   
500,000  

Simon Property Group LP, REIT, 1.500%, 2/1/18(a)

     500,929   
525,000  

Ventas Realty LP/Ventas Capital Corp., REIT, 4.000%, 4/30/19

     550,845   
330,000  

Vereit Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 2.000%, 2/6/17

     326,700   
600,000  

WEA Finance, LLC/Westfield UK & Europe Finance PLC, 1.750%, 9/15/17(a)

     597,718   
525,000  

Welltower Inc., REIT, 4.700%, 9/15/17

     545,622   
    

 

 

 
       4,099,223   
    

 

 

 
 

Retailing — 0.6%

  
500,000  

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 6.625%, 8/15/17

     530,348   
    

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — 0.5%

  
400,000  

Visa, Inc., 2.200%, 12/14/20

     409,937   
    

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services — 2.3%

  

400,000  

AT&T, Inc., 2.450%, 6/30/20

     405,328   
500,000  

CC Holdings GS V, LLC/Crown Castle GS III Corp., 2.381%, 12/15/17

     504,262   
1,000,000  

Verizon Communications, Inc., 2.550%, 6/17/19

     1,028,694   
    

 

 

 
       1,938,284   
    

 

 

 
 

Utilities — 1.0%

  
600,000  

American Electric Power Co., Inc., 1.650%, 12/15/17

     596,391   
250,000  

PSEG Power, LLC, 2.750%, 9/15/16

     251,998   
    

 

 

 
       848,389   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $47,837,286)

     47,747,412   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

29


 

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BOND — 0.5%

  
 

Columbia — 0.5%

  
$400,000  

Colombia Government International Bond, 7.375%, 1/27/17

   $ 417,600   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Foreign Government Bond
(Cost $419,210)

     417,600   
    

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 1.7%

  
 

Hawaii — 0.5%

  
445,000  

Hawaii State Highway Revenue, Refunding, Taxable, Series C, 1.600%, 1/1/18

     452,654   
    

 

 

 
 

Maine — 0.3%

  
250,000  

Maine Municipal Bond Bank, Miscellaneous Purpose Revenue, Taxable, 1.708%, 6/1/16

     250,555   
    

 

 

 
 

Puerto Rico — 0.4%

  
325,000  

Puerto Rico Municipal Finance Agency, Public Improvements, G.O., Series A, Callable 2/8/16 @ 100 (AGM, Government GTD), 5.250%, 8/1/18

     326,128   
    

 

 

 
 

Washington — 0.5%

  
390,000  

Providence Health & Services Obligated Group Revenue, Taxable, 1.575%, 10/1/17(b)

     391,499   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $1,410,063)

     1,420,836   
    

 

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

U.S. TREASURY NOTE — 5.1%

  
$4,146,100  

1.750%, 10/31/20

   $ 4,247,970   
    

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Treasury Note
(Cost $4,193,251)

     4,247,970   
    

 

 

 

  Shares     

          

PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.3%

  
 

Diversified Financials — 0.2%

  
5,755  

Ally Financial, Inc., Series A, 8.500%(b)

     146,522   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 0.1%

  
3,875  

Public Storage, REIT, Series Q, 6.500%

     97,069   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost $251,790)

     243,591   
    

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 2.4%

  
2,055,590  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(c)

     2,055,590   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $2,055,590)

     2,055,590   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.4%
(Cost $85,713,986)

     85,042,219   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — (1.4)%

     (1,214,315
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 83,827,904   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security that is restricted as to resale to qualified institutional investors. The Advisor, using Board approved procedures, has deemed these securities or a portion of these securities to be liquid.

 

(b)

The interest rate for this variable rate note, which will change periodically, is based either on the prime rate or an index of market rates. The reflected rate is in effect as of March 31, 2016. The maturity date reflected is the final maturity date.

 

(c)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

AGM — Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

BKNT — Bank Note

G.O. — General Obligation

GMTN — Global Medium Term Note

GTD — Guaranteed

MTN — Medium Term Note

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

30


 

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

ASSET BACKED SECURITIES — 1.2%

  
 

Asset Backed Securities — 1.2%

  
$   244,488  

United States Small Business Administration, Series 2015-20G, Class 1, 2.880%, 7/1/35

   $ 251,241   
107,839  

United States Small Business Administration, Series 2015-20H, Class 1, 2.820%, 8/1/35

     110,774   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Asset Backed Securities
(Cost $352,327)

     362,015   
    

 

 

 

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE
OBLIGATIONS — 5.4%

   

829,787  

Fannie Mae, Series 2010-129, Class NA, 3.500%, 3/25/25

     861,433   
419,928  

Freddie Mac, Series 3644, Class BA, 4.500%, 2/15/29

     430,592   
318,459  

Ginnie Mae, Series 1999-17, Class F, 0.741%, 5/16/29(a)

     318,998   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(Cost $1,592,068)

     1,611,023   
    

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED
SECURITIES — 0.5%

   

140,000  

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Series K049, Class A2, 3.010%, 7/25/25

     147,360   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Commercial Mortgage-

Backed Securities

(Cost $143,866)

     147,360   
    

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS — 4.7%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 0.6%

  

180,000  

American Honda Finance Corp., 1.700%, 2/22/19

     181,495   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 2.1%

  
200,000  

Lloyds Bank PLC, 2.050%, 1/22/19

     200,041   
200,000  

State Street Corp., 2.550%, 8/18/20

     205,981   
200,000  

Wells Fargo & Co., GMTN, 2.600%, 7/22/20

     204,656   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 2.0%

  
500,000  

Morgan Stanley, 2.125%, 4/25/18

     503,467   
100,000  

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., MTN, 0.950%, 4/24/17

     99,985   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $1,369,738)

     1,395,625   
    

 

 

 

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — 7.9%

  

 

Fannie Mae — 7.4%

  
1,815,116  

3.583%, 9/1/20, Pool #FN0000

     1,953,984   
136,776  

5.500%, 1/1/33, Pool #678321

     153,282   
98,566  

6.000%, 7/1/37, Pool #938378

     106,095   
    

 

 

 
       2,213,361   
    

 

 

 
 

Ginnie Mae — 0.5%

  
141,367  

5.000%, 11/20/38, Pool #4283

     145,854   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Mortgage-Backed Securities

(Cost $2,185,352)

     2,359,215   
    

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 0.7%

  
 

New York — 0.5%

  
150,000  

New York, NY, Public Improvements, Taxable, G.O., Series A-1,3.823%, 10/1/16

     152,395   
    

 

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Texas — 0.2%

  
$     60,000  

Bexar County, TX, Build America Bonds, Public Improvements G.O., Taxable, Series C, Callable 6/15/19 @ 100, 6.628%, 6/15/39

   $ 68,593   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $220,737)

     220,988   
    

 

 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES — 27.3%

  
 

Fannie Mae — 12.1%

  
1,000,000  

2.750%, 4/3/28, STEP

     1,000,012   
200,000  

2.375%, 4/25/28, STEP

     199,984   
200,000  

2.350%, 4/28/28, STEP

     200,027   
1,000,000  

6.250%, 5/15/29

     1,426,219   
500,000  

7.125%, 1/15/30

     765,435   
    

 

 

 
       3,591,677   
    

 

 

 
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank — 11.6%

  

3,000,000  

4.670%, 2/27/18

     3,219,231   
250,000  

3.480%, 9/11/30

     251,957   
    

 

 

 
       3,471,188   
    

 

 

 
 

Freddie Mac — 3.6%

  
500,000  

4.875%, 6/13/18

     543,973   
500,000  

2.375%, 1/13/22

     524,188   
    

 

 

 
       1,068,161   
    

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government Agencies
(Cost $7,692,251)

     8,131,026   
    

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY BILLS(b) — 1.7%

  
500,000  

0.000%, 5/19/16

     499,913   
    

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Treasury Bills
(Cost $499,816)

     499,913   
    

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY NOTES — 48.8%

  
1,073,330  

0.125%, 4/15/16(c)

     1,073,561   
750,000  

0.250%, 4/15/16

     750,009   
250,000  

0.375%, 4/30/16

     250,025   
2,000,000  

0.500%, 7/31/16

     2,000,742   
500,000  

3.000%, 9/30/16

     506,347   
1,000,000  

3.000%, 2/28/17

     1,021,367   
250,000  

1.875%, 9/30/17

     254,317   
1,011,080  

0.125%, 4/15/19(c)

     1,032,895   
500,000  

1.250%, 4/30/19

     505,371   
1,000,000  

2.125%, 8/31/20

     1,041,016   
1,000,000  

3.125%, 5/15/21

     1,091,992   
500,000  

1.625%, 8/15/22

     503,848   
750,000  

2.000%, 2/15/23

     772,734   
1,135,000  

2.750%, 2/15/24

     1,229,037   
500,130  

0.250%, 1/15/25(c)

     504,343   
500,000  

2.125%, 5/15/25

     515,449   
1,000,000  

2.000%, 8/15/25

     1,019,219   
500,000  

1.625%, 2/15/26

     492,735   
    

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Treasury Notes
(Cost $14,413,664)

     14,565,007   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

31


 

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value       

MONEY MARKET FUND — 1.4%

  
408,598  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(d)

   $ 408,598   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $408,598)

     408,598   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.6%
(Cost $28,878,417)

     29,700,770   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 0.4%

     107,678   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 29,808,448   
    

 

 

 

 

(a)

The interest rate for this variable rate note, which will change periodically, is based either on the prime rate or an index of market rates. The reflected rate is in effect as of March 31, 2016. The maturity date reflected is the final maturity date.

(b)

Discount note or zero coupon bond. Rate disclosed represents the annualized yield from date of purchase.

(c)

Inflation protection security. Principal amount periodically adjusted for inflation.

(d)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

G.O. — General Obligation

GMTN — Global Medium Term Note

MTN - Medium Term Note

STEP — Step Coupon Bond

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

32


 

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

          Fair Value     

ASSET BACKED SECURITIES — 13.6%

 
$3,000,000   

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2014-4, Class B, 1.870%, 12/9/19

  $ 3,004,831   
4,120,000   

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2015-1, Class B, 1.880%, 3/9/20

    4,117,868   
932,347   

Argent Securities, Inc. Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-W3, Class A2D, 0.773%, 11/25/35(a)

    901,099   
3,330,000   

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP, LLC, Series 2014-1A, Class A, 2.460%, 7/20/20(b)

    3,330,060   
9,404,000   

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP, LLC, Series 2014-2A, Class A, 2.500%, 2/20/21(b)

    9,378,739   
2,320,000   

Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities I Trust, Series 2004-BO1, Class M5, 1.833%, 10/25/34(a)

    2,315,860   
4,715,000   

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust, Series 2007-A5, Class A5, 0.476%, 7/15/20(a)

    4,696,261   
1,018,000   

CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2013-2, Class A4, 0.840%, 11/15/18

    1,014,252   
2,478,000   

Chase Issuance Trust, Series 2014-A2, Class A2, 2.770%, 3/15/23

    2,586,707   
3,210,000   

Discover Card Execution Note Trust, Series 2014-A4, Class A4, 2.120%, 12/15/21

    3,277,353   
6,360,000   

Encore Credit Receivables Trust, Series 2005-4, Class M2, 0.873%, 1/25/36(a)

    5,848,651   
6,034,000   

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2014-2, Class A, 2.310%, 4/15/26(b)

    6,088,537   
4,000,000   

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2015-1, Class A, 2.120%, 7/15/26(b)

    4,003,786   
1,600,000   

GSAMP Trust 2006-SEA1, Series 2006-SEA1, Class M1, 0.933%, 5/25/36(a)(b)

    1,488,604   
7,535,000   

Hertz Vehicle Financing, LLC 2016-2, Series 2016-2A, Class A, 2.950%, 3/25/22(b)

    7,543,924   
3,000,000   

JP Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Corp., Series 2005-OPT1, Class M2, 0.903%, 6/25/35(a)

    2,784,992   
1,457,310   

Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-WL2, Class 2A3, 0.633%, 1/25/36(a)

    1,402,266   
1,258,806   

New Century Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2003-4, Class M1, 1.558%, 10/25/33(a)

    1,202,247   
3,550,000   

Park Place Securities, Inc., Series 2005-WHQ2, Class M2, 1.123%, 5/25/35(a)

    3,334,085   
255,901   

Park Place Securities, Inc. Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-WHQ1, Class M2, 1.183%, 3/25/35(a)

    254,946   
2,680,000   

RAMP Trust, Series 2005-RZ4, Class M2, 0.933%, 11/25/35(a)

    2,291,831   
4,500,000   

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2014-5, Class B, 1.760%, 9/16/19

    4,507,212   
2,418,000   

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2015-3, Class B, 2.070%, 4/15/20

    2,415,822   
7,910,000   

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2015-4, Class B, 2.260%, 6/15/20

    7,961,398   
3,267,818   

Securitized Asset Backed Receivables, LLC Trust, Series 2005-OP2, Class A2C, 0.753%, 10/25/35(a)

    3,115,476   
3,774,378   

United States Small Business Administration, Series 2015-20H, Class 1, 2.820%, 8/1/35

    3,877,104   
    

 

 

 
  

Total Asset Backed Securities
(Cost $92,594,945)

    92,743,911   
    

 

 

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — 7.2%

  
$   563,075  

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, Series 2004-5, Class 4A1, 2.973%, 4/25/35(a)

   $ 543,961   
676,268  

Banc of America Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2004-10, Class 1CB1, 6.000%, 11/25/34

     708,975   
2,848,862  

Banc of America Funding Trust, Series 2005-B, Class 3A1, 0.662%, 4/20/35(a)

     2,668,879   
999,206  

Banc of America Funding Trust, Series 2006-2, Class 3A1, 6.000%, 3/25/36

     997,336   
172,880  

Banc of America Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-3, Class 1A24, 5.500%, 4/25/35

     174,219   
144,582  

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Series 2004-NCM2, Class 3CB2, 6.500%, 8/25/19

     149,188   
781,470  

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2004-22CB, Class 1A1, 6.000%, 10/25/34

     783,175   
210,469  

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass Through Trust, Series 2004-3, Class A4, 5.750%, 4/25/34

     217,439   
67,715  

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-2, Class 4A1, 5.250%, 2/25/20

     67,584   
596,611  

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2004-1, Class 2A1, 6.500%, 2/25/34

     625,245   
8,060  

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-6, Class 2A3, 5.500%, 7/25/35

     8,245   
1,070,164  

Fannie Mae, Series 2013-133, Class AV, 4.000%, 12/25/26

     1,182,492   
2,072,849  

Fannie Mae, Series 2014-39, Class VP, 3.000%, 8/1/27

     2,189,738   
2,864,061  

Fannie Mae, Series 2011-38, Class D, 4.500%, 5/25/41

     3,213,783   
4,574,213  

FirstKey Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-1, Class A12, 3.500%, 11/1/44(a)(b)

     4,645,580   
1,546,128  

Freddie Mac, Series 3768, Class V, 4.000%, 11/15/23

     1,685,007   
2,931,627  

Freddie Mac, Series 4387, Class VM, 4.000%, 11/1/25

     3,226,418   
2,018,638  

Freddie Mac, Series 4287, Class V, 4.500%, 10/1/26

     2,259,216   
371,001  

Freddie Mac, Series 4136, Class HZ, 3.500%, 11/15/27

     404,493   
2,936,092  

Freddie Mac, Series 4331, Class V, 4.000%, 11/1/28

     3,248,588   
1,690,295  

Freddie Mac, Series 3632, Class PK, 5.000%, 2/15/40

     1,872,299   
3,477,547  

Freddie Mac, Series 4077, Class PJ, 3.500%, 11/15/40

     3,703,346   
2,059,895  

Freddie Mac, Series 4328, Class KD, 3.000%, 8/15/43

     2,167,536   
863,794  

Ginnie Mae, Series 2008-51, Class PG, 5.000%, 6/20/38

     937,160   
786,949  

MASTR Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2003-5, Class 8A1, 5.500%, 6/25/33

     799,066   
776,845  

MASTR Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2004-13, Class 3A1, 6.500%, 1/25/35

     750,966   
155,615  

MASTR Asset Securitization Trust, Series 2003-4, Class 5A1, 5.500%, 5/25/33

     158,652   
241,506  

MASTR Seasoned Securitization Trust, Series 2005-2, Class 1A1, 5.130%, 10/25/32

     241,391   
 

 

Continued

 

33


 

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

           Fair Value     

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS — (continued)

 
$   604,623  

PHHMC Trust, Series 2007-6, Class A1, 5.397%, 12/18/37(a)

  $ 598,428   
65,240  

RAAC Trust, Series 2004-SP3, Class AI5, 4.890%, 12/25/32(a)

    66,194   
966,021  

RAAC Trust, Series 2004-SP1, Class AI3, STEP, 6.118%, 3/25/34

    982,965   
876,761  

RALI Trust, Series 2005-QR1, Class A, 6.000%, 10/25/34

    906,432   
459,405  

Residential Asset Securitization Trust, Series 2004-IP2, Class 4A, 2.715%, 12/25/34(a)

    441,470   
1,214,997  

Specialty Underwriting & Residential Finance Trust, Series 2004-AA1, Class 1A1, 5.000%, 10/25/34

    1,220,843   
992,284  

Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2004-6, Class 4A1, 2.547%, 6/25/34(a)

    982,498   
338,602  

Structured Asset Securities Corp. Trust, Series 2005-6, Class 5A2, 5.000%, 5/25/35

    340,995   
187,755  

Structured Asset Securities Corp. Trust, Series 2005-6, Class 5A1, 5.000%, 5/25/35

    188,107   
107,696  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Series 2007-3, Class 3A1, 5.500%, 4/25/22

    108,912   
902,415  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Series 2004-BB, Class A2, 2.847%, 1/25/35(a)

    898,222   
353,768  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-4, Class A4, 5.000%, 4/25/35

    356,890   
1,750,665  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-AR16, Class 6A3, 2.761%, 10/25/35(a)

    1,748,000   
195,609  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Series 2007-16, Class 1A1, 6.000%, 12/28/37

    201,864   
   

 

 

 
 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(Cost $47,750,497)

    48,671,797   
   

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — 16.9%

 
1,693,400  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-3, Class A4, 5.889%, 7/10/44(a)

    1,693,527   
1,710,000  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-4, Class AM, 5.675%, 7/10/46

    1,715,841   
2,954,515  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-5, Class A4, 5.414%, 9/10/47

    2,973,113   
2,971,658  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-5, Class A4, 5.492%, 2/10/51

    3,072,328   
608,847  

Banc of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Series 2005-1, Class AJ, 5.339%, 11/10/42(a)

    608,169   
237,072  

Banc of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Series 2005-3, Class AM, 4.727%, 7/10/43

    236,027   
4,882,785  

BCAP, LLC Trust, Series 2013-RR4, Class A4A2, 2.000%, 2/13/51(b)

    4,852,536   
2,500,000  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-T28, Class AM, 5.835%, 9/11/42(a)

    2,628,244   
2,085,000  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-PW18, Class A4, 5.700%, 6/11/50

    2,161,682   

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — (continued)

  
$2,183,594  

CD Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-CD4, Class A4, 5.322%, 12/11/49

   $ 2,226,181   
1,575,000  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C6, Class A4, 5.705%, 12/10/49(a)

     1,623,621   
966,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-CR4, Class A3, 2.853%, 10/15/45

     996,984   
3,545,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-CR12, Class A4, 4.046%, 10/1/46

     3,900,710   
4,050,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C8, Class AM, 5.347%, 12/10/46

     4,109,839   
892,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-CR16, Class A4, 4.051%, 4/10/47

     977,058   
1,208,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-LC17, Class A5, 3.917%, 10/10/47

     1,316,772   
1,344,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-CR20, Class A4, 3.590%, 11/1/47

     1,430,975   
2,236,690  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C9, Class A4, 5.813%, 12/10/49(a)

     2,322,824   
1,500,000  

Commercial Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2008-LS1, Class ASM, 6.095%, 12/10/49(a)

     1,558,871   
1,059,660  

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C4, Class A4, 5.941%, 9/1/39(a)

     1,097,923   
2,390,336  

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2007-C3, Series 2007-C3, Class A4, 5.699%, 6/15/39(a)

     2,444,279   
834,000  

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2008-C1, Series 2008-C1, Class A3, 6.067%, 2/15/41(a)

     870,188   
2,524,000  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-GC24, Class A5, 3.931%, 9/10/47

     2,731,637   
607,093  

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2006-LDP9, Series 2006-LDP9, Class A3, 5.336%, 5/15/47

     616,305   
1,397,000  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C23, Class A5, 3.934%, 9/15/47

     1,521,301   
4,000,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2010-C1, Class B, 5.951%, 6/1/43(b)

     4,306,290   
1,967,695  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-CB16, Class A4, 5.552%, 5/12/45

     1,973,992   
2,350,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-CB16, Class AM, 5.593%, 5/12/45

     2,363,014   
4,000,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2011-C3, Class B, 5.013%, 2/15/46(a)(b)

     4,288,305   
1,926,817  

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C1, Class A4, 5.424%, 2/15/40

     1,960,138   
1,730,000  

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C7, Class AM, 6.153%, 9/15/45(a)

     1,784,229   
3,247,911  

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, Series 2008-C1, Class A4, 5.690%, 2/12/51

     3,400,626   
1,680,000  

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, Series 2008-C1, Class AM, 6.267%, 2/12/51(a)

     1,786,914   
1,495,418  

ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-8, Class A3, 5.864%, 8/12/49(a)

     1,549,690   
2,972,066  

ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-7, Class A4, 5.737%, 6/12/50(a)

     3,069,172   
 

 

Continued

 

34


 

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

           Fair Value     

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — (continued)

 
$   660,000  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2014-C18, Class A4, 3.923%, 10/15/47

  $ 716,118   
1,950,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2007-T27, Class AM, 5.645%, 6/11/42(a)

    2,021,190   
3,946,771  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2008-T29, Class A4, 6.268%, 1/11/43(a)

    4,185,244   
2,355,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2008-T29, Class AM, 6.268%, 1/11/43(a)

    2,500,433   
4,000,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2011-C1, Class B, 5.440%, 9/1/47(a)(b)

    4,395,661   
640,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2011-C1, Class C, 5.440%, 9/1/47(a)(b)

    690,747   
4,535,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2007-IQ14, Class A5, 5.696%, 4/15/49(a)

    4,648,661   
1,050,000  

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2004-C11, Class B, 5.306%, 1/15/41(a)

    1,048,153   
467,478  

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C30, Class A3, 5.246%, 12/15/43

    474,313   
1,147,807  

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C27, Class A3, 5.765%, 7/15/45(a)

    1,146,033   
2,060,674  

Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C28, Class A4, 5.572%, 10/15/48

    2,077,775   
2,000,000  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2010-C1, Class A2, 4.393%, 11/15/43(b)

    2,175,534   
2,306,000  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-P2, Class A4, 3.809%, 12/15/48

    2,481,215   
825,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-C2, Class A4, 4.869%, 2/15/44(a)(b)

    921,226   
2,000,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-C2, Class B, 5.174%, 2/15/44(a)(b)

    2,151,802   
1,000,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-C3, Class A4, 4.375%, 3/15/44(b)

    1,096,496   
1,250,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-C8, Class AS, 3.660%, 8/15/45

    1,314,759   
3,716,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-C22, Class A5, 3.752%, 9/15/57

    3,987,743   
1,008,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-C23, Class A5, 3.917%, 10/15/57

    1,094,297   
   

 

 

 
 

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed

Securities

(Cost $118,897,413)

    115,296,705   
   

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS — 43.6%

 
 

Automobiles & Components — 1.7%

  

1,875,000  

Daimler Finance North America, LLC, 1.600%, 8/3/17(b)

    1,876,373   
1,306,000  

Ford Motor Co., 7.450%, 7/16/31

    1,701,510   
2,915,000  

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 1.260%, 3/27/17(a)

    2,901,180   
3,100,000  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.200%, 7/13/20

    3,093,068   
1,633,000  

Lear Corp., 5.375%, 3/15/24

    1,698,320   
   

 

 

 
      11,270,451   
   

 

 

 
 

Banks — 8.1%

 
1,800,000  

Athene Global Funding, 2.875%, 10/23/18(b)

    1,771,805   

 Principal   
 Amount   

           Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

 
 

Banks — (continued)

 
$4,035,000  

Bank of America Corp., MTN, 6.875%, 4/25/18

  $ 4,430,515   
1,282,000  

Bank of America Corp., MTN, 5.875%, 2/7/42

    1,553,653   
1,874,000  

Bank of America Corp., Series K, 8.000%, 7/29/49(a)

    1,834,177   
1,993,000  

Bank of Nova Scotia (The), 2.450%, 3/22/21

    2,007,417   
1,950,000  

CIT Group, Inc., 4.250%, 8/15/17

    1,984,339   
2,500,000  

Citigroup, Inc., 2.318%, 5/15/18(a)

    2,535,660   
2,031,000  

Citigroup, Inc., 4.400%, 6/10/25

    2,071,035   
1,670,000  

Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen- Boerenleenbank BA, 3.950%, 11/9/22

    1,710,695   
1,815,000  

Credit Suisse, MTN, 3.625%, 9/9/24

    1,840,274   
1,412,000  

GE Capital International Funding Co., 4.418%, 11/15/35(b)

    1,533,987   
2,785,000  

Huntington National Bank (The), 2.000%, 6/30/18

    2,788,607   
5,111,000  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.875%, 9/10/24

    5,241,591   
1,597,000  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series 1, 7.900%, 4/29/49(a)

    1,597,000   
2,000,000  

KeyBank NA, BKNT, 2.500%, 12/15/19

    2,025,546   
1,528,000  

KeyCorp, MTN, 2.900%, 9/15/20

    1,553,042   
2,320,000  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC, 4.650%, 3/24/26

    2,299,278   
1,652,000  

Macquarie Bank, Ltd., 6.625%, 4/7/21(b)

    1,879,741   
838,000  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., 2.950%, 3/1/21

    853,789   
2,860,000  

Morgan Stanley, 4.300%, 1/27/45

    2,877,849   
3,735,000  

Morgan Stanley, GMTN, 6.625%, 4/1/18

    4,080,618   
500,000  

PNC Bank NA, BKNT, 4.875%, 9/21/17

    523,088   
1,007,000  

PNC Bank NA, BKNT, 6.000%, 12/7/17

    1,069,357   
1,505,000  

Prudential Financial, Inc., 8.875%, 6/15/38(a)

    1,651,737   
1,670,000  

Royal Bank of Canada, GMTN, 2.200%, 7/27/18

    1,695,401   
1,595,000  

Wachovia Corp., 5.500%, 8/1/35

    1,778,181   
   

 

 

 
      55,188,382   
   

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods — 1.1%

 
3,077,000  

General Electric Co., Series D, 5.000%, 12/29/49(a)

    3,169,310   
1,478,000  

LSB Industries, Inc., 7.750%, 8/1/19

    1,356,065   
1,369,000  

Masco Corp., 4.375%, 4/1/26

    1,393,793   
1,245,000  

SBA Tower Trust, 2.898%, 10/15/19(b)

    1,250,891   
   

 

 

 
      7,170,059   
   

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services — 1.0%

  

1,400,000  

Republic Services, Inc., 3.550%, 6/1/22

    1,477,920   
457,000  

Republic Services, Inc., 6.200%, 3/1/40

    558,895   
1,701,000  

United Rentals North America, Inc., 7.375%, 5/15/20

    1,779,671   
1,560,000  

Verisk Analytics, Inc., 5.800%, 5/1/21

    1,747,634   
1,335,000  

Waste Management, Inc., 4.100%, 3/1/45

    1,340,128   
   

 

 

 
      6,904,248   
   

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 0.2%

  

1,309,000  

Hanesbrands, Inc., 6.375%, 12/15/20

    1,354,815   
   

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services — 0.2%

 
1,212,000  

Carnival Corp., 3.950%, 10/15/20

    1,288,021   
   

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 5.0%

 
1,928,000  

AerCap Ireland Capital, Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust, 4.250%, 7/1/20

    1,944,870   
2,230,000  

Ally Financial, Inc., 3.600%, 5/21/18

    2,210,487   
1,486,000  

Apollo Management Holdings LP, 4.000%, 5/30/24(b)

    1,510,928   
 

 

Continued

 

35


 

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Diversified Financials — (continued)

  

$1,545,000  

Ares Finance Co., LLC, 4.000%, 10/8/24(b)

   $ 1,487,030   
1,500,000  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 2.750%, 3/15/23

     1,529,769   
2,111,000  

Brixmor Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 3.850%, 2/1/25

     1,934,290   
1,950,000  

Capital One Financial Corp., 3.200%, 2/5/25

     1,930,453   
1,650,000  

First Data Corp., 6.750%, 11/1/20(b)

     1,734,975   
974,000  

General Electric Capital Corp., GMTN, 6.875%, 1/10/39

     1,410,349   
2,166,000  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 1.779%, 4/23/20(a)

     2,152,571   
4,493,000  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 4.250%, 10/21/25

     4,568,424   
1,552,000  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 6.250%, 2/1/41

     1,929,659   
1,500,000  

Morgan Stanley, 5.000%, 11/24/25

     1,623,327   
1,670,000  

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., 4.750%, 4/30/43(a)

     1,608,461   
2,200,000  

Nationwide Building Society, 3.900%, 7/21/25(b)

     2,321,942   
1,305,000  

PetroLogistics LP/PetroLogistics Finance Corp., 6.250%, 4/1/20

     1,344,150   
2,400,000  

Wells Fargo & Co., GMTN, 4.300%, 7/22/27

     2,546,506   
    

 

 

 
       33,788,191   
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — 2.4%

  
1,200,000  

Buckeye Partners LP, 4.150%, 7/1/23

     1,081,828   
1,475,000  

CNOOC Nexen Finance, 4.250%, 4/30/24

     1,525,184   
1,697,000  

Energy Transfer Partners LP, 4.050%, 3/15/25

     1,493,501   
1,330,000  

EnLink Midstream Partners LP, 5.050%, 4/1/45

     894,779   
1,180,000  

Enterprise Products Operating, LLC, 5.950%, 2/1/41

     1,210,933   
1,123,000  

Halliburton Co., 3.375%, 11/15/22

     1,142,842   
1,165,000  

Magellan Midstream Partners LP, 6.550%, 7/15/19

     1,300,079   
1,395,000  

Magellan Midstream Partners LP, 5.000%, 3/1/26

     1,508,595   
856,000  

NuStar Logistics LP, 8.150%, 4/15/18

     856,000   
1,177,000  

Phillips 66, 5.875%, 5/1/42

     1,278,928   
1,629,000  

Regency Energy Partners LP/Regency Energy Finance Corp., 6.500%, 7/15/21

     1,604,565   
1,528,000  

Shell International Finance BV, 4.550%, 8/12/43

     1,586,327   
910,000  

Spectra Energy Capital, LLC, 8.000%, 10/1/19

     1,000,482   
    

 

 

 
       16,484,043   
    

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.7%

  

1,872,000  

CVS Health Corp., 6.125%, 9/15/39

     2,367,281   
2,013,000  

Reynolds American, Inc., 5.850%, 8/15/45

     2,458,197   
    

 

 

 
       4,825,478   
    

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 0.9%

  

2,529,000  

Altria Group, Inc., 5.375%, 1/31/44

     3,089,960   
2,500,000  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc., 4.900%, 2/1/46

     2,793,905   
    

 

 

 
       5,883,865   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 1.3%

  

1,754,000  

Boston Scientific Corp., 3.375%, 5/15/22

     1,790,506   
1,133,000  

Humana, Inc., 4.950%, 10/1/44

     1,159,597   
2,458,000  

Medtronic, Inc., 4.375%, 3/15/35

     2,661,097   
2,100,000  

Stryker Corp., 3.500%, 3/15/26

     2,176,303   

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — (continued)

  

$1,300,000  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 2.700%, 7/15/20

   $ 1,350,432   
    

 

 

 
       9,137,935   
    

 

 

 
 

Insurance — 6.5%

  
1,570,000  

ACE INA Holdings, Inc., 4.350%, 11/3/45

     1,711,003   
1,857,000  

Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings, Ltd., 4.350%, 10/29/25

     1,860,736   
1,624,000  

Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd., 4.650%, 11/15/23

     1,641,622   
2,892,000  

CBRE Services, Inc., 5.250%, 3/15/25

     2,981,808   
1,315,000  

Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (The), 5.100%, 10/29/49(a)(b)

     1,420,200   
1,570,000  

Horace Mann Educators Corp., 4.500%, 12/1/25

     1,615,684   
1,680,000  

KKR Group Finance Co. III, LLC, 5.125%, 6/1/44(b)

     1,645,849   
1,275,000  

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 7.800%, 3/15/37(b)

     1,389,750   
1,081,000  

Loews Corp., 3.750%, 4/1/26

     1,102,268   
1,405,000  

Manulife Financial Corp., 5.375%, 3/4/46

     1,461,540   
870,000  

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., 8.875%, 6/1/39(b)

     1,261,218   
1,750,000  

Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co., 5.200%, 10/20/45(a)(b)

     1,886,850   
1,000,000  

MetLife, Inc., 7.717%, 2/15/19

     1,160,619   
1,068,000  

MetLife, Inc., 4.600%, 5/13/46

     1,094,868   
987,000  

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., 9.375%, 8/15/39(b)

     1,455,110   
1,655,000  

Nippon Life Insurance Co., 5.100%, 10/16/44(a)(b)

     1,766,713   
1,000,000  

Ohio National Life Insurance Co., 6.875%, 6/15/42(b)

     1,137,137   
1,650,000  

Old Republic International Corp., 4.875%, 10/1/24

     1,716,338   
1,447,000  

Pacific LifeCorp, 5.125%, 1/30/43(b)

     1,526,814   
1,065,000  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc., 5.625%, 3/15/17

     1,104,673   
1,450,000  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 4.700%, 7/3/18

     1,492,310   
1,710,000  

Sirius International Group, Ltd., 6.375%, 3/20/17(b)

     1,754,036   
1,735,000  

Symetra Financial Corp., 4.250%, 7/15/24

     1,766,204   
3,140,000  

TIAA Asset Management Finance Co., LLC, 2.950%, 11/1/19(b)

     3,186,679   
1,062,000  

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., 8.000%, 11/30/39

     1,417,890   
805,000  

Validus Holdings, Ltd., 8.875%, 1/26/40

     1,067,491   
1,304,000  

Ventas Realty LP, REIT, 5.700%, 9/30/43

     1,437,931   
1,415,000  

XLIT, Ltd., 4.450%, 3/31/25

     1,401,139   
    

 

 

 
       44,464,480   
    

 

 

 
 

Materials — 1.1%

  
2,635,000  

Glencore Funding, LLC, 1.680%, 4/16/18(a)(b)

     2,371,500   
854,000  

International Paper Co., 7.300%, 11/15/39

     1,016,546   
1,248,000  

Louisiana-Pacific Corp., 7.500%, 6/1/20

     1,296,360   
1,214,000  

Mosaic Co. (The), 5.450%, 11/15/33

     1,248,156   
1,820,000  

West Fraser Timber Co., Ltd., 4.350%, 10/15/24(b)

     1,748,885   
    

 

 

 
       7,681,447   
    

 

 

 
 

Media — 1.3%

  
1,393,000  

21st Century Fox America, Inc., 5.400%, 10/1/43

     1,535,266   
2,365,000  

Comcast Corp., 4.200%, 8/15/34

     2,499,935   
 

 

Continued

 

36


 

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Media — (continued)

  
$1,300,000  

ERAC USA Finance, LLC, 5.625%, 3/15/42(b)

   $ 1,463,158   
1,830,000  

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The), 4.200%, 4/15/24

     1,886,150   
1,525,000  

Omnicom Group, Inc., 3.650%, 11/1/24

     1,571,398   
    

 

 

 
       8,955,907   
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life
Sciences — 1.1%

   

2,925,000  

Actavis Funding SCS, 3.800%, 3/15/25

     3,044,173   
1,600,000  

Celgene Corp., 3.875%, 8/15/25

     1,681,498   
1,195,000  

Johnson & Johnson, 3.700%, 3/1/46

     1,254,660   
1,730,000  

Quintiles Transnational Corp., 4.875%, 5/15/23(b)

     1,774,807   
    

 

 

 
       7,755,138   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 5.3%

  
2,175,000  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., REIT, 2.750%, 1/15/20

     2,171,013   
1,137,000  

American Tower Corp., REIT, 5.050%, 9/1/20

     1,234,842   
1,600,000  

Crown Castle International Corp., REIT, 4.450%, 2/15/26

     1,663,597   
1,849,000  

CubeSmart LP, REIT, 4.800%, 7/15/22

     2,022,880   
1,275,000  

Goodman Funding Pty, Ltd., REIT, 6.375%, 11/12/20(b)

     1,466,881   
2,136,000  

HCP, Inc., REIT, 4.000%, 6/1/25

     2,052,679   
1,976,000  

Healthcare Trust of America Holdings LP, REIT, 3.700%, 4/15/23

     1,944,850   
1,622,000  

Host Hotels & Resorts LP, REIT, Series D, 3.750%, 10/15/23

     1,582,491   
1,934,000  

HSBC Finance Corp., 6.676%, 1/15/21

     2,218,325   
1,560,000  

iStar, Inc., REIT, 4.000%, 11/1/17

     1,521,000   
1,711,000  

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc., 4.400%, 11/15/22

     1,757,866   
1,175,000  

Kilroy Realty LP, REIT, 4.375%, 10/1/25

     1,232,517   
1,100,000  

Kimco Realty Corp., REIT, 3.400%, 11/1/22

     1,115,045   
1,642,000  

National Retail Properties, Inc., REIT, 4.000%, 11/15/25

     1,686,408   
2,712,000  

Prologis LP, 3.750%, 11/1/25

     2,829,815   
2,290,000  

Retail Opportunity Investments Partnership LP, REIT, 5.000%, 12/15/23

     2,352,295   
1,473,000  

Simon Property Group LP, REIT, 10.350%, 4/1/19

     1,816,730   
1,855,000  

Vereit Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 2.000%, 2/6/17

     1,836,450   
1,350,000  

WEA Finance, LLC / Westfield UK & Europe Finance PLC, 4.750%, 9/17/44(b)

     1,369,914   
2,100,000  

Welltower, Inc., REIT, 4.950%, 1/15/21

     2,282,461   
    

 

 

 
       36,158,059   
    

 

 

 
 

Retailing — 0.7%

  
1,291,000  

Home Depot, Inc. (The), 5.875%, 12/16/36

     1,679,880   
1,015,000  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc., 5.800%, 4/15/40

     1,295,185   
2,027,000  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., 3.550%, 3/15/26

     2,085,434   
    

 

 

 
       5,060,499   
    

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — 0.5%

  
1,652,000  

Electronic Arts, Inc., 4.800%, 3/1/26

     1,698,477   
1,673,000  

Microsoft Corp., 4.750%, 11/3/55

     1,859,161   
    

 

 

 
       3,557,638   
    

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — 0.4%

  

2,252,000  

Apple, Inc., 3.250%, 2/23/26

     2,351,237   
    

 

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Telecommunication Services — 2.2%

  

$2,375,000  

AT&T, Inc., 3.000%, 6/30/22

   $ 2,409,533   
856,000  

British Telecommunications PLC, 9.625%, 12/15/30

     1,337,992   
2,490,000  

CCO Safari II, LLC,
4.464%, 7/23/22(b)

     2,602,717   
1,185,000  

Crown Castle Towers, LLC, 6.113%, 1/15/20(b)

     1,307,453   
3,391,000  

Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.550%, 9/15/43

     4,466,717   
2,807,000  

Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.012%, 8/21/54

     2,816,064   
    

 

 

 
       14,940,476   
    

 

 

 
 

Transportation — 0.8%

  
1,381,000  

Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC, 4.950%, 9/15/41

     1,530,743   
1,655,000  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP/PTL Finance Corp., 4.875%, 7/11/22(b)

     1,767,169   
2,100,000  

Ryder System, Inc., MTN, 2.500%, 5/11/20

     2,073,225   
    

 

 

 
       5,371,137   
    

 

 

 
 

Utilities — 1.1%

  
1,675,000  

CMS Energy Corp., 4.700%, 3/31/43

     1,735,771   
1,564,000  

Georgia Power Co., 4.300%, 3/15/42

     1,592,932   
1,650,000  

Indiana Michigan Power Co., Series K, 4.550%, 3/15/46

     1,697,799   
1,050,000  

Pacific Gas & Electric Co., 2.950%, 3/1/26

     1,060,675   
1,354,000  

Progress Energy, Inc., 3.150%, 4/1/22

     1,372,203   
    

 

 

 
       7,459,380   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $291,710,746)

     297,050,886   
    

 

 

 

FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS — 0.6%

  
 

Mexico — 0.6%

  
1,094,000  

United Mexican States, 5.550%, 1/21/45

     1,211,605   
2,628,000  

United Mexican States, MTN, 4.750%, 3/8/44

     2,621,430   
    

 

 

 
       3,833,035   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Foreign Government Bonds
(Cost $3,408,914)

     3,833,035   
    

 

 

 

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — 9.1%

  

 

Fannie Mae — 6.1%

  
20,731  

5.000%, 8/1/20, Pool #832058

     21,406   
129,414  

6.000%, 7/1/22, Pool #944967

     135,315   
116,293  

5.000%, 9/1/25, Pool #255892

     128,536   
1,444,470  

4.000%, 2/1/32, Pool #MA0977

     1,556,658   
3,303,311  

4.000%, 6/1/34, Pool #MA1922

     3,561,510   
3,087,963  

3.500%, 11/1/34, Pool #MA2077

     3,262,273   
110,339  

6.500%, 1/1/35, Pool #809198

     126,646   
3,139,952  

4.000%, 3/1/35, Pool #MA2211

     3,384,896   
58,396  

7.000%, 6/1/35, Pool #255820

     67,362   
178,095  

6.500%, 3/1/36, Pool #866062

     213,320   
116,658  

6.500%, 7/1/36, Pool #885493

     133,422   
1,353,381  

5.500%, 8/1/37, Pool #995082

     1,532,276   
791,045  

4.500%, 10/1/39, Pool #AC2645

     862,875   
664,783  

5.000%, 6/1/40, Pool #AD4927

     739,065   
468,898  

5.000%, 6/1/40, Pool #AD8718

     519,827   
1,736,379  

4.500%, 12/1/40, Pool #AH1100

     1,891,665   
1,281,994  

4.500%, 5/1/41, Pool #AI1023

     1,394,391   
771,499  

4.500%, 11/1/41, Pool #AJ4994

     842,203   
1,237,692  

4.500%, 12/1/41, Pool #AJ7696

     1,348,028   
2,473,690  

3.500%, 6/1/42, Pool #AB5373

     2,600,157   
 

 

Continued

 

37


 

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — (continued)

  

 

Fannie Mae — (continued)

  
$3,890,119  

3.500%, 5/1/43, Pool #AB9368

   $ 4,091,977   
2,060,862  

4.500%, 11/1/44, Pool #MA2100

     2,241,875   
3,685,624  

4.500%, 1/1/45, Pool #MA2158

     4,025,144   
6,355,238  

4.000%, 3/1/45, Pool #MA2217

     6,791,889   
    

 

 

 
       41,472,716   
    

 

 

 
 

Freddie Mac — 2.7%

  
136,478  

5.500%, 10/1/21, Pool #G12425

     147,133   
127,496  

5.000%, 12/1/21, Pool #J04025

     132,927   
183,506  

5.000%, 7/1/25, Pool #C90908

     201,427   
491,461  

2.500%, 1/1/28, Pool #J22069

     506,414   
2,040,221  

3.500%, 7/1/30, Pool #G18562

     2,157,412   
346,040  

4.000%, 11/1/31, Pool #C91410

     373,248   
1,487,361  

3.500%, 4/1/32, Pool #C91437

     1,571,834   
2,311,946  

3.500%, 7/1/32, Pool #C91467

     2,443,264   
165,126  

5.000%, 3/1/36, Pool #G08115

     182,932   
20,301  

6.500%, 5/1/36, Pool #A48509

     23,111   
47,829  

5.000%, 7/1/36, Pool #G02291

     52,985   
504,306  

6.500%, 9/1/36, Pool #G08152

     591,154   
210,719  

5.000%, 2/1/37, Pool #A57714

     232,072   
207,473  

4.500%, 10/1/39, Pool #A89346

     225,877   
713,888  

5.000%, 6/1/40, Pool #C03479

     788,251   
1,649,923  

5.000%, 7/1/40, Pool #A93070

     1,818,968   
2,129,309  

4.000%, 12/1/42, Pool #G07266

     2,276,838   
1,642,351  

3.500%, 5/1/43, Pool #Q18305

     1,721,122   
1,543,411  

4.000%, 5/1/44, Pool #V81186

     1,649,261   
680,968  

4.000%, 7/1/44, Pool #G08595

     727,129   
656,648  

4.000%, 9/1/44, Pool #Q28299

     701,950   
    

 

 

 
       18,525,309   
    

 

 

 
 

Ginnie Mae — 0.3%

  
380,556  

5.000%, 2/15/40, Pool #737037

     421,312   
1,578,636  

4.500%, 9/20/40, Pool #4801

     1,718,210   
    

 

 

 
       2,139,522   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Cost $60,800,055)

     62,137,547   
    

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 4.1%

  
 

California — 1.5%

  
3,700,000  

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Build America Bonds, Water Utility Improvements Revenue, Callable 7/1/19 @ 100, 6.538%, 7/1/39

     4,133,936   
2,100,000  

Sacramento County Sanitation Districts Financing Authority, Refunding Revenue, Taxable, Series B, 2.810%, 12/1/21

     2,210,145   
1,285,000  

State of California, Build America Bonds, School Improvements G.O., 7.625%, 3/1/40

     1,964,971   
1,850,000  

University of California, Univ. & College Improvements, Taxable Revenue, Series AN, 3.338%, 5/15/22

     1,978,834   
    

 

 

 
       10,287,886   
    

 

 

 
 

Connecticut — 0.5%

  
3,000,000  

State of Connecticut Special Tax Revenue, Build America Bonds, Transition Infrastructure, Series B, 4.126%, 11/1/20

     3,264,180   
 

District of Columbia — 0.3%

  
    

 

 

 
1,835,000  

George Washington University (The), Series 2012, 3.485%, 9/15/22

     1,922,056   
    

 

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  
 

New Jersey — 0.2%

  
$  1,305,000  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, School Facilities Construction, Refunding Revenue, Series 00, 1.648%, 3/1/18

   $ 1,305,548   
    

 

 

 
 

New York — 1.3%

  
2,000,000  

New York State Dormitory Authority, Public Improvements, Taxable Revenue, Series D, 2.550%, 3/15/21

     2,093,460   
750,000  

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp., State Revolving Funds, Refunding Revenue, Taxable, Series C, 2.445%, 6/15/20

     768,840   
900,000  

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp., State Revolving Funds, Refunding Revenue, Taxable, Series C, 2.745%, 6/15/22

     918,630   
2,900,000  

New York, NY, Build America Bonds, Public Improvements G.O., 4.774%, 3/1/20

     3,237,357   
1,640,000  

New York, NY, Build America Bonds, Public Improvements G.O., 4.874%, 3/1/21

     1,862,204   
    

 

 

 
       8,880,491   
    

 

 

 
 

Pennsylvania — 0.3%

  
2,260,000  

Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, Refunding Revenue, Taxable, 3.664%, 4/15/22

     2,345,857   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $25,988,694)

     28,006,018   
    

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY BONDS — 1.3%

  
3,040,000  

3.125%, 2/15/43

     3,368,463   
5,634,104  

0.750%, 2/15/45(c)

     5,450,922   
    

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Treasury Bonds
(Cost $8,231,537)

     8,819,385   
    

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY NOTES — 2.0%

  
798,000  

2.125%, 5/15/25

     822,657   
12,587,904  

0.375%, 7/15/25(c)

     12,862,773   
    

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Treasury Notes
(Cost $13,335,029)

     13,685,430   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

          

PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.6%

  
 

Banks — 0.5%

  
61,601  

Citigroup Capital XIII, 6.988%

     1,619,490   
65,135  

US Bancorp, Series F, 6.500%

     1,916,272   
    

 

 

 
       3,535,762   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 0.1%

  
24,978  

Ally Financial, Inc., Series A, 8.500%

     635,940   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost $3,976,031)

     4,171,702   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

38


 

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

MONEY MARKET FUND — 0.8%

  
5,043,143  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(d)

   $ 5,043,143   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $5,043,143)

     5,043,143   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.8%
(Cost $671,737,004)

     679,459,559   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 0.2%

     1,487,589   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 680,947,148   
    

 

 

 

 

(a)

The interest rate for this variable rate note, which will change periodically, is based either on the prime rate or an index of market rates. The reflected rate is in effect as of March 31, 2016. The maturity date reflected is the final maturity date.

(b)

Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security that is restricted as to resale to qualified institutional investors. The Advisor, using Board approved procedures, has deemed these securities or a portion of these securities to be liquid.

(c)

Inflation protection security. Principal amount periodically adjusted for inflation.

(d)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

BKNT — Bank Note

G.O. — General Obligation

GMTN — Global Medium Term Note

MTN — Medium Term Note

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

STEP — Step Coupon Bond

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

39


 

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — 97.1%

  
 

Automobiles & Components — 2.8%

  

$   300,000  

Daimler Finance North America, LLC, 2.625%, 9/15/16(a)

   $ 301,872   
275,000  

Daimler Finance North America, LLC, 3.250%, 8/1/24(a)

     278,961   
490,000  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.200%, 7/13/20

     488,904   
500,000  

Hyundai Capital America, 2.000%, 3/19/18(a)

     503,533   
255,000  

Lear Corp., 5.375%, 3/15/24

     265,200   
    

 

 

 
       1,838,470   
    

 

 

 
 

Banks — 16.3%

  
270,000  

AgriBank FCB, Series AI, 9.125%, 7/15/19

     327,077   
400,000  

Associated Banc-Corp, 2.750%, 11/15/19

     400,954   
350,000  

Athene Global Funding, 2.875%, 10/23/18(a)

     344,518   
940,000  

Bank of America Corp., MTN, 6.875%, 4/25/18

     1,032,140   
875,000  

Bank of America Corp., Series K, 8.000%, 7/29/49(b)

     856,406   
450,000  

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (The), 2.350%, 9/8/19(a)

     453,707   
335,000  

CIT Group, Inc., 4.250%, 8/15/17

     340,899   
335,000  

Citigroup, Inc., 2.650%, 10/26/20

     338,159   
390,000  

Citigroup, Inc., 3.500%, 5/15/23

     389,914   
400,000  

Citigroup, Inc., 4.400%, 6/10/25

     407,885   
355,000  

Credit Suisse, MTN, 3.625%, 9/9/24

     359,943   
975,000  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series 1, 7.900%, 4/29/49(b)

     975,000   
365,000  

KeyCorp, MTN, 5.100%, 3/24/21

     403,917   
500,000  

Lloyds Bank PLC, 3.500%, 5/14/25

     517,175   
410,000  

Macquarie Bank, Ltd., 5.000%, 2/22/17(a)

     422,965   
450,000  

Macquarie Bank, Ltd.,
6.625%, 4/7/21(a)

     512,036   
997,000  

Morgan Stanley, GMTN, 6.625%, 4/1/18

     1,089,257   
255,000  

National City Corp., 6.875%, 5/15/19

     287,047   
265,000  

PNC Bank NA, BKNT, 4.875%, 9/21/17

     277,237   
300,000  

Prudential Financial, Inc., 8.875%, 6/15/38(b)

     329,250   
500,000  

US Bancorp, MTN, 2.950%, 7/15/22

     513,231   
    

 

 

 
       10,578,717   
    

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods — 4.0%

  
1,302,000  

General Electric Co., Series D, 5.000%, 12/29/49(b)

     1,341,060   
290,000  

LSB Industries, Inc., 7.750%, 8/1/19

     266,075   
310,000  

Masco Corp., 4.375%, 4/1/26

     315,614   
300,000  

SBA Tower Trust,
2.898%, 10/15/19(a)

     301,420   
345,000  

Textron, Inc., 3.650%, 3/1/21

     355,479   
    

 

 

 
       2,579,648   
    

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services — 2.5%

  

425,000  

Republic Services, Inc., 3.550%, 6/1/22

     448,654   
280,000  

United Rentals North America, Inc., 7.375%, 5/15/20

     292,950   
445,000  

Verisk Analytics, Inc., 5.800%, 5/1/21

     498,524   
350,000  

Waste Management, Inc., 4.600%, 3/1/21

     375,506   
    

 

 

 
       1,615,634   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel — 1.0%

  

225,000  

Hanesbrands, Inc., 6.375%, 12/15/20

     232,875   
400,000  

Mohawk Industries, Inc., 3.850%, 2/1/23

     413,067   
    

 

 

 
       645,942   
    

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services — 0.7%

  
425,000  

Carnival Corp., 3.950%, 10/15/20

     451,658   
    

 

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Diversified Financials — 14.4%

  
$399,000  

AerCap Ireland Capital, Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust, 4.250%, 7/1/20

   $ 402,491   
360,000  

Ally Financial, Inc., 3.600%, 5/21/18

     356,850   
280,000  

Apollo Management Holdings LP, 4.000%, 5/30/24(a)

     284,697   
380,000  

Ares Finance Co., LLC, 4.000%, 10/8/24(a)

     365,742   
485,000  

Bear Stearns Cos., LLC (The), 5.550%, 1/22/17

     500,427   
335,000  

Blackstone Holdings Finance Co., LLC, 6.625%, 8/15/19(a)

     382,577   
410,000  

Brixmor Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 3.850%, 2/1/25

     375,679   
600,000  

Capital One Financial Corp., 3.200%, 2/5/25

     593,986   
480,000  

Carlyle Holdings Finance, LLC, 3.875%, 2/1/23(a)

     495,608   
355,000  

First American Financial Corp., 4.300%, 2/1/23

     357,407   
335,000  

First Data Corp., 6.750%, 11/1/20(a)

     352,253   
810,000  

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 2.375%, 1/16/18

     811,446   
270,000  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 1.779%, 4/23/20(b)

     268,326   
515,000  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 3.625%, 1/22/23

     531,184   
920,000  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 4.250%, 10/21/25

     935,444   
350,000  

KKR Group Finance Co., LLC, 6.375%, 9/29/20(a)

     411,719   
400,000  

Nationwide Building Society, 3.900%, 7/21/25(a)

     422,171   
410,000  

Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., 5.375%, 3/25/21(a)

     449,508   
330,000  

PetroLogistics LP/PetroLogistics Finance Corp., 6.250%, 4/1/20

     339,900   
336,000  

Ryder System, Inc., MTN, 2.350%, 2/26/19

     335,662   
350,000  

Wells Fargo & Co., GMTN, 4.300%, 7/22/27

     371,365   
    

 

 

 
       9,344,442   
    

 

 

 
 

Energy — 6.8%

  
334,000  

BP Capital Markets PLC, 1.375%, 11/6/17

     332,921   
385,000  

Buckeye Partners LP, 2.650%, 11/15/18

     382,256   
250,000  

Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc., 3.300%, 6/1/20(a)

     248,455   
415,000  

Energy Transfer Partners LP, 4.050%, 3/15/25

     365,234   
405,000  

EnLink Midstream Partners LP, 4.400%, 4/1/24

     325,264   
135,000  

Halliburton Co., 2.700%, 11/15/20

     137,055   
293,000  

Magellan Midstream Partners L.P., 5.000%, 3/1/26

     316,859   
275,000  

Magellan Midstream Partners LP, 6.550%, 7/15/19

     306,886   
303,000  

NuStar Logistics LP, 4.750%, 2/1/22

     254,520   
350,000  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 6.650%, 3/15/17

     361,917   
410,000  

Regency Energy Partners LP/Regency Energy Finance Corp., 6.500%, 7/15/21

     403,850   
300,000  

Schlumberger Holdings Corp., 3.000%, 12/21/20(a)

     304,151   
305,000  

Spectra Energy Capital, LLC, 8.000%, 10/1/19

     335,326   
368,000  

Western Gas Partners LP, 4.000%, 7/1/22

     329,402   
    

 

 

 
       4,404,096   
    

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.8%

  

500,000  

Reynolds American, Inc., 4.450%, 6/12/25

     550,121   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

40


 

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 2.0%

  

$380,000  

Altria Group, Inc., 4.750%, 5/5/21

   $ 430,982   
500,000  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc., 2.650%, 2/1/21

     513,793   
315,000  

Kraft Heinz Foods Co., 2.800%, 7/2/20(a)

     323,549   
    

 

 

 
       1,268,324   
    

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services — 2.5%

  

500,000  

Boston Scientific Corp., 5.125%, 1/12/17

     514,043   
285,000  

DENTSPLY International, Inc., 2.750%, 8/15/16

     286,568   
460,000  

Stryker Corp., 3.500%, 3/15/26

     476,714   
350,000  

Zimmer Holdings, Inc., 2.700%, 4/1/20

     354,907   
    

 

 

 
       1,632,232   
    

 

 

 
 

Insurance — 13.7%

  
295,000  

ACE INA Holdings, Inc., 2.875%, 11/3/22

     304,413   
255,000  

Alleghany Corp., 4.950%, 6/27/22

     279,835   
338,000  

Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings, Ltd., 4.350%, 10/29/25

     338,680   
260,000  

Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd., 4.650%, 11/15/23

     262,821   
250,000  

AXIS Specialty Finance PLC, 2.650%, 4/1/19

     249,976   
232,000  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 2.750%, 3/15/23

     236,604   
380,000  

CBRE Services, Inc., 5.250%, 3/15/25

     391,801   
303,000  

Horace Mann Educators Corp., 4.500%, 12/1/25

     311,817   
400,000  

ING US, Inc., 2.900%, 2/15/18

     406,162   
245,000  

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 4.250%, 6/15/23(a)

     252,509   
330,000  

Manulife Financial Corp., 4.150%, 3/4/26

     337,139   
335,000  

MetLife, Inc., 7.717%, 2/15/19

     388,807   
475,000  

Morgan Stanley, GMTN, 3.700%, 10/23/24

     490,590   
345,000  

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., 10.375%, 11/1/18

     420,730   
255,000  

Old Republic International Corp., 4.875%, 10/1/24

     265,252   
400,000  

Pacific LifeCorp, 6.000%, 2/10/20(a)

     446,808   
250,000  

Protective Life Corp., 7.375%, 10/15/19

     290,699   
400,000  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc., 5.625%, 3/15/17

     414,901   
325,000  

Reliance Standard Life Global Funding II, 2.150%, 10/15/18(a)

     325,527   
365,000  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 4.700%, 7/3/18

     375,650   
467,000  

Sirius International Group, Ltd., 6.375%, 3/20/17(a)

     479,026   
270,000  

Symetra Financial Corp., 4.250%, 7/15/24

     274,856   
610,000  

TIAA Asset Management Finance Co., LLC, 2.950%, 11/1/19(a)

     619,068   
390,000  

WR Berkley Corp., 4.625%, 3/15/22

     420,711   
295,000  

XLIT, Ltd., 4.450%, 3/31/25

     292,110   
    

 

 

 
       8,876,492   
    

 

 

 
 

Materials — 1.4%

  
300,000  

Glencore Funding, LLC, 1.680%, 4/16/18(a)(b)

     270,000   
390,000  

Louisiana-Pacific Corp., 7.500%, 6/1/20

     405,113   
250,000  

West Fraser Timber Co., Ltd., 4.350%, 10/15/24(a)

     240,232   
    

 

 

 
       915,345   
    

 

 

 
 

Media — 3.0%

  
425,000  

Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc., 9.455%, 11/15/22

     600,882   

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Media — (continued)

  
$390,000  

ERAC USA Finance, LLC, 2.800%, 11/1/18(a)

   $ 395,991   
455,000  

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The), 3.750%, 2/15/23

     449,208   
265,000  

Omnicom Group, Inc., 3.650%, 11/1/24

     273,063   
230,000  

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 6.750%, 11/1/19

     256,450   
    

 

 

 
       1,975,594   
    

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences — 1.8%

   

350,000  

Actavis Funding SCS, 3.800%, 3/15/25

     364,260   
475,000  

Celgene Corp., 2.875%, 8/15/20

     489,230   
295,000  

Quintiles Transnational Corp., 4.875%, 5/15/23(a)

     302,641   
    

 

 

 
       1,156,131   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 12.8%

  
352,000  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., REIT, 4.600%, 4/1/22

     379,373   
300,000  

American Tower Corp., REIT, 5.050%, 9/1/20

     325,816   
300,000  

Boston Properties L.P., REIT, 5.625%, 11/15/20

     337,052   
397,000  

CubeSmart LP, REIT, 4.800%, 7/15/22

     434,334   
365,000  

Essex Portfolio LP, REIT, 3.250%, 5/1/23

     363,484   
300,000  

Goodman Funding Pty, Ltd., REIT, 6.375%, 11/12/20(a)

     345,149   
405,000  

Healthcare Trust of America Holdings LP, REIT, 3.375%, 7/15/21

     409,276   
408,000  

Host Hotels & Resorts LP, REIT, Series D, 3.750%, 10/15/23

     398,062   
692,000  

HSBC Finance Corp., 6.676%, 1/15/21

     793,734   
360,000  

iStar, Inc., REIT, 4.000%, 11/1/17

     351,000   
408,000  

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc., 4.400%, 11/15/22

     419,176   
293,000  

Kilroy Realty LP, REIT, 4.375%, 10/1/25

     307,343   
208,000  

Kimco Realty Corp. REIT, 3.400%, 11/1/22

     210,845   
346,000  

National Retail Properties, Inc. REIT, 4.000%, 11/15/25

     355,358   
473,000  

Prologis LP, 3.750%, 11/1/25

     493,548   
390,000  

Retail Opportunity Investments Partnership LP, REIT, 5.000%, 12/15/23

     400,609   
161,000  

Senior Housing Properties Trust, REIT, 6.750%, 4/15/20

     177,255   
395,000  

Simon Property Group LP, REIT, 10.350%, 4/1/19

     487,175   
330,000  

Vereit Operating Partnership LP, REIT, 2.000%, 2/6/17

     326,700   
500,000  

WEA Finance, LLC/Westfield UK & Europe Finance PLC, 2.700%, 9/17/19(a)

     503,399   
435,000  

Welltower, Inc., REIT, 4.950%, 1/15/21

     472,795   
    

 

 

 
       8,291,483   
    

 

 

 
 

Retailing — 1.2%

  
450,000  

Home Depot, Inc. (The), 3.000%, 4/1/26

     472,398   
320,000  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., 3.550%, 3/15/26

     329,225   
    

 

 

 
       801,623   
    

 

 

 
 

Software & Services — 1.0%

  
340,000  

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., 2.500%, 11/28/19

     343,043   
305,000  

Electronic Arts, Inc., 4.800%, 3/1/26

     313,581   
    

 

 

 
       656,624   
    

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment — 0.5%

  

300,000  

Apple, Inc., 1.700%, 2/22/19

     304,482   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

41


 

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

CORPORATE BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Telecommunication Services — 4.4%

  

$400,000  

AT&T, Inc., 3.000%, 6/30/22

   $ 405,816   
650,000  

CCO Safari II, LLC,
4.464%, 7/23/22(a)

     679,424   
450,000  

Crown Castle Towers, LLC, 6.113%, 1/15/20(a)

     496,501   
275,000  

Verizon Communications, Inc., 1.412%, 6/17/19(b)

     274,346   
847,000  

Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.150%, 9/15/23

     977,618   
    

 

 

 
       2,833,705   
    

 

 

 
 

Transportation — 0.7%

  
400,000  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP/PTL Finance Corp., 4.875%, 7/11/22(a)

     427,110   
    

 

 

 
 

Utilities — 2.8%

  
313,000  

CMS Energy Corp., 8.750%, 6/15/19

     378,989   
350,000  

Dominion Resources, Inc., 5.200%, 8/15/19

     383,106   
190,000  

Pacific Gas & Electric Co., 2.950%, 3/1/26

     191,932   
400,000  

Southern Co. (The), 2.750%, 6/15/20

     405,554   
450,000  

Southwestern Electric Power Co., Series E, 5.550%, 1/15/17

     464,517   
    

 

 

 
       1,824,098   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $62,306,010)

     62,971,971   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.9%

  
 

Banks — 0.6%

  
14,500  

Citigroup Capital XIII, 6.988%

   $ 381,205   
    

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials — 0.2%

  
4,629  

Ally Financial, Inc., Series A, 8.500%

     117,854   
    

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 0.1%

  
4,135  

Public Storage , REIT, Series Q, 6.500%

     103,582   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost $619,460)

     602,641   
    

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 3.0%

  
1,958,920  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(c)

     1,958,920   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $1,958,920)

     1,958,920   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.0%
(Cost $64,884,390)

     65,533,532   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — (1.0)%

     (654,443
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 64,879,089   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security that is restricted as to resale to qualified institutional investors. The Advisor, using Board approved procedures, has deemed these securities or a portion of these securities to be liquid.

(b)

The interest rate for this variable rate note, which will change periodically, is based either on the prime rate or an index of market rates. The reflected rate is in effect as of March 31, 2016. The maturity date reflected is the final maturity date.

(c)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

BKNT — Bank Note

GMTN — Global Medium Term Note

MTN — Medium Term Note

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

42


 

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

ASSET BACKED SECURITIES — 25.5%

  
$300,000  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2014-3, Class C, 2.580%, 9/8/20

   $ 300,573   
293,023  

Argent Securities, Inc. Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-W3, Class A2D, 0.773%, 11/25/35(a)

     283,203   
600,000  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP, LLC, Series 2014-2A, Class A, 2.500%, 2/20/21(b)

     598,388   
700,000  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP, LLC, Series 2015-1A, Class A, 2.500%, 7/20/21(b)

     696,606   
300,000  

Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities I Trust, Series 2004-BO1, Class M5, 1.833%, 10/25/34(a)

     299,465   
350,000  

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust, Series 2015-3, Class B, 2.430%, 9/21/20

     348,978   
500,000  

Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust, Series 2015-4, Class B, 2.390%, 11/20/20

     497,458   
450,000  

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2007-A3, Class A3, 6.150%, 6/15/39

     617,227   
640,000  

Encore Credit Receivables Trust, Series 2005-4, Class M2, 0.873%, 1/25/36(a)

     588,544   
15,000  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2014-B, Class C, 1.950%, 2/15/20

     15,121   
500,000  

GSAMP Trust, Series 2006-SEA1, Class M1, 0.933%, 5/25/36(a)(b)

     465,189   
500,000  

Hertz Vehicle Financing II L.P., Series 2015-1A, Class A, 2.730%, 3/25/21(b)

     500,543   
650,000  

Hertz Vehicle Financing, LLC, Series 2013-1A, Class A2, 1.830%, 8/25/19(b)

     643,180   
200,000  

Home Equity Asset Trust, Series 2005-8, Class M1,
0.863%, 2/25/36(a)

     184,802   
500,000  

JP Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Corp., Series 2005-OPT1, Class M2, 0.903%, 6/25/35(a)

     464,165   
375,595  

Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-WL2, Class 2A3, 0.633%, 1/25/36(a)

     361,409   
399,583  

Morgan Stanley Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2005-3, Class M2, 0.903%, 8/25/35(a)

     385,455   
500,000  

New Century Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2005-4, Class M2, 0.943%, 9/25/35(a)

     457,629   
450,000  

Park Place Securities, Inc., Series 2005-WHQ2, Class M2, 1.123%, 5/25/35(a)

     422,631   
400,000  

Park Place Securities, Inc. Pass Through Certificates, Series 2005-WCW3, Class M1,
0.913%, 8/25/35(a)

     370,701   
320,000  

RAMP Trust, Series 2005-RZ4, Class M2, 0.933%, 11/25/35(a)

     273,652   
500,000  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2015-5, Class B, 1.960%, 5/15/20

     499,457   
357,380  

Securitized Asset Backed Receivables, LLC Trust, Series 2005-OP2, Class A2C, 0.753%, 10/25/35(a)

     340,720   
283,096  

United States Small Business Administration, Series 2010-20D, Class 1, 4.360%, 4/1/30

     309,684   
462,001  

United States Small Business Administration, Series 2014-20D, Class 1, 3.110%, 4/1/34

     483,546   
488,976  

United States Small Business Administration, Series 2015-20G, Class 1, 2.880%, 7/1/35

     502,482   

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

ASSET BACKED SECURITIES — (continued)

  

$661,742  

United States Small Business Administration, Series 2015-20H, Class 1, 2.820%, 8/1/35

   $ 679,752   
540,526  

United States Small Business Administration, Series 2015-20I, Class 1, 2.820%, 9/1/35

     555,322   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Asset Backed Securities
(Cost $12,042,305)

     12,145,882   
    

 

 

 

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE
OBLIGATIONS — 17.4%

   

171,285  

Banc of America Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2004-10, Class 1CB1, 6.000%, 11/25/34

     179,569   
489,648  

Banc of America Funding Trust, Series 2005-B, Class 3A1, 0.662%, 4/20/35(a)

     458,714   
115,253  

Banc of America Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-3, Class 1A24, 5.500%, 4/25/35

     116,146   
137,080  

Citicorp Mortgage Securities, Inc., Series 2005-1, Class 1A4, 5.500%, 2/25/35

     137,732   
144,221  

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Series 2004-NCM2, Class 3CB2, 6.500%, 8/25/19

     148,815   
205,650  

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2004-22CB, Class 1A1, 6.000%, 10/25/34

     206,099   
126,282  

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass Through Trust, Series 2004-3, Class A4, 5.750%, 4/25/34

     130,463   
88,428  

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-2, Class 4A1, 5.250%, 2/25/20

     88,256   
230,798  

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2004-1, Class 2A1, 6.500%, 2/25/34

     241,876   
4,884  

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-6, Class 2A3, 5.500%, 7/25/35

     4,996   
16,402  

Fannie Mae, Series 2003-19, Class AR, 5.500%, 3/25/33

     18,489   
475,774  

Fannie Mae, Series 2004-17, Class BZ, 6.000%, 4/25/34

     629,530   
180,000  

Fannie Mae, Series 2011-131, Class PB, 4.500%, 12/25/41

     206,821   
443,000  

Fannie Mae, Series 2013-2, Class LB, 3.000%, 2/25/43

     442,080   
444,000  

Fannie Mae, Series 2013-30, Class PY, 3.000%, 4/25/43

     459,508   
269,885  

FirstKey Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-1, Class A12,
3.500%, 11/25/44(a)(b)

     274,096   
100,000  

Freddie Mac, Series 3558, Class G, 4.000%, 8/15/24

     110,084   
35,770  

Freddie Mac, Series 4079, Class WV, 3.500%, 3/15/27

     38,078   
319,089  

Freddie Mac, Series 4136, Class HZ, 3.500%, 11/15/27

     347,895   
487,327  

Freddie Mac, Series 2525, Class AM, 4.500%, 4/15/32

     544,347   
128,060  

Freddie Mac, Series 2485, Class WG, 6.000%, 8/15/32

     146,844   
148,012  

Freddie Mac, Series 2702, Class CE, 4.500%, 11/15/33

     161,551   
211,132  

Freddie Mac, Series 3440, Class EM, 5.000%, 4/15/38

     234,301   
466,319  

Freddie Mac, Series 3816, Class HM, 4.500%, 5/15/40

     522,630   
 

 

Continued

 

43


 

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE
OBLIGATIONS — (continued)

   

$181,119  

Freddie Mac, Series 3803, Class PJ, 4.250%, 1/15/41

   $ 194,849   
160,373  

Ginnie Mae, Series 2010-85, Class DQ, 3.000%, 12/20/39

     163,879   
279,695  

MASTR Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2003-5, Class 8A1, 5.500%, 6/25/33

     284,001   
74,209  

MASTR Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2004-13, Class 3A1, 6.500%, 1/25/35

     71,737   
90,951  

MASTR Seasoned Securitization Trust, Series 2005-2, Class 1A1, 5.130%, 10/25/32

     90,908   
108,832  

PHHMC Trust, Series 2007-6, Class A1, 5.397%, 12/18/37(a)

     107,717   
127,768  

RALI Trust, Series 2005-QR1, Class A, 6.000%, 10/25/34

     132,092   
111,678  

RBSGC Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2007-B, Class 3A1, 5.319%, 7/25/35(a)

     113,790   
247,959  

Specialty Underwriting & Residential Finance Trust, Series 2004-AA1, Class 1A1, 5.000%, 10/25/34

     249,152   
534,359  

Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2004-6, Class 4A1, 2.547%, 6/25/34(a)

     529,088   
113,164  

Structured Asset Securities Corp. Trust, Series 2005-6, Class 4A1, 5.000%, 5/25/35

     114,057   
40,632  

Structured Asset Securities Corp. Trust, Series 2005-6, Class 5A1, 5.000%, 5/25/35

     40,708   
27,020  

Structured Asset Securities Corp. Trust, Series 2005-6, Class 5A2, 5.000%, 5/25/35

     27,211   
34,009  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Series 2007-3, Class 3A1, 5.500%, 4/25/22

     34,393   
261,481  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-4, Class A4, 5.000%, 4/25/35

     263,788   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(Cost $8,040,202)

     8,266,290   
    

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED
SECURITIES — 22.9%

   

70,000  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-4, Class AM, 5.675%, 7/10/46

     70,239   
156,251  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-5, Class A4, 5.492%, 2/10/51

     161,545   
30,394  

Banc of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Series 2005-3, Class AM, 4.727%, 7/10/43

     30,260   
476,369  

BCAP, LLC Trust, Series 2013-RR4, Class A4A2, 2.000%, 2/13/51(b)

     473,418   
201,672  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-T22, Class AJ, 5.728%, 4/12/38(a)

     201,588   
300,000  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-PW14, Class AM, 5.243%, 12/11/38

     303,565   
250,000  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-T28, Class AM, 5.835%, 9/11/42(a)

     262,824   
300,000  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-GC17, Class AS, 4.544%, 11/10/46

     330,601   
500,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-CR16, Class A4, 4.051%, 4/1/47

     547,678   
180,000  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-CR20, Class A4, 3.590%, 11/10/47

     191,650   

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED
SECURITIES — (continued)

   

$212,714  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C9, Class A4, 5.813%, 12/10/49(a)

   $ 220,905   
100,000  

Commercial Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2008-LS1, Class ASM, 6.095%, 12/10/49(a)

     103,925   
500,000  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-C3, Class A4, 3.718%, 8/15/48

     533,365   
311,000  

Fannie Mae, Series 2015-M10, Class A2, 3.092%, 4/25/27(a)

     328,779   
175,000  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2010-C1, Class B, 5.148%, 8/10/43(b)

     191,858   
450,000  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2010-C2, Class A2, 5.162%, 12/10/43(a)(b)

     504,571   
300,000  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2012-GCJ7, Class AS, 4.085%, 5/10/45

     321,722   
370,000  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-GC24, Class A5, 3.931%, 9/10/47

     400,438   
216,000  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C23, Class A5, 3.934%, 9/15/47

     235,219   
70,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2010-C1, Class B,
5.951%, 6/15/43(b)

     75,360   
369,825  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-CB16, Class A4, 5.552%, 5/12/45

     371,009   
300,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-CB16, Class AM, 5.593%, 5/12/45

     301,661   
500,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2011-C3, Class B, 5.013%, 2/15/46(a)(b)

     536,038   
375,000  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C20, Class AS, 4.043%, 7/15/47

     399,218   
185,000  

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-C7, Class AM, 6.153%, 9/15/45(a)

     190,799   
87,000  

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, Series 2008-C1, Class AM, 6.267%, 2/12/51(a)

     92,537   
398,778  

ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-8, Class A3, 5.864%, 8/12/49(a)

     413,251   
100,000  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2014-C18, Class A4, 3.923%, 10/15/47

     108,503   
400,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2011-C2, Class A4, 4.661%, 6/1/44(b)

     444,023   
103,000  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2007-IQ14, Class A5, 5.696%, 4/15/49(a)

     105,581   
760,000  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2010-C1, Class B, 5.276%, 11/15/43(a)(b)

     836,687   
300,000  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-P2, Class A4, 3.809%, 12/15/48

     322,795   
400,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-C2, Class B, 5.174%, 2/15/44(a)(b)

     430,360   
100,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-C2, Class C, 5.392%, 2/15/44(a)(b)

     105,496   
529,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-C22, Class A5, 3.752%, 9/15/57

     567,685   
164,000  

WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-C23, Class A5, 3.917%, 10/15/57

     178,040   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Cost $10,906,586)

     10,893,193   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

44


 

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — 32.4%

  

 

Fannie Mae — 20.7%

  
$355,513  

4.000%, 6/1/34, Pool #MA1922

   $ 383,302   
226,311  

4.000%, 9/1/34, Pool #MA2019

     244,055   
293,600  

4.000%, 3/1/35, Pool #MA2211

     316,503   
719,209  

3.500%, 5/1/35, Pool #MA2260

     758,565   
203,440  

5.000%, 4/1/36, Pool #AB0111

     226,071   
242,066  

5.500%, 6/1/38, Pool #984277

     272,655   
164,387  

5.500%, 8/1/38, Pool #995072

     185,976   
189,830  

4.500%, 9/1/39, Pool #AC1830

     207,031   
144,553  

5.000%, 12/1/39, Pool #AC8518

     160,139   
129,222  

4.500%, 9/1/40, Pool #AE0411

     141,271   
202,663  

4.500%, 10/1/40, Pool #AE4855

     220,945   
225,679  

5.000%, 1/1/41, Pool #AH3373

     251,257   
255,918  

3.500%, 2/1/41, Pool #AH5646

     271,068   
529,815  

4.000%, 3/1/41, Pool #AH4008

     567,703   
725,332  

4.500%, 3/1/41, Pool #AB2467

     801,104   
140,630  

4.500%, 6/1/41, Pool #AC9298

     153,448   
237,119  

5.000%, 7/1/41, Pool #AI5595

     263,995   
404,061  

4.000%, 9/1/41, Pool #AJ1717

     432,949   
414,686  

3.500%, 6/1/42, Pool #AB5373

     435,886   
364,917  

4.000%, 4/1/44, Pool #AW2882

     389,868   
413,712  

5.000%, 5/1/44, Pool #AL5853

     458,019   
197,323  

4.500%, 10/1/44, Pool #MA2066

     214,610   
488,380  

4.500%, 11/1/44, Pool #MA2100

     531,276   
668,153  

4.000%, 12/1/44, Pool #MA2127

     713,837   
609,499  

4.500%, 1/1/45, Pool #MA2158

     665,647   
559,318  

3.500%, 3/1/45, Pool #AS4552

     588,761   
    

 

 

 
       9,855,941   
    

 

 

 
 

Freddie Mac — 11.6%

  
542,265  

3.500%, 1/1/31, Pool #G18583

     573,925   
708,345  

3.500%, 5/1/32, Pool #C91458

     750,755   
590,707  

3.500%, 7/1/32, Pool #C91467

     624,259   
219,643  

4.000%, 11/1/32, Pool #G30616

     236,956   
118,296  

5.500%, 10/1/39, Pool #A89387

     131,491   
184,765  

5.000%, 4/1/40, Pool #A91812

     204,802   
180,824  

5.500%, 4/1/40, Pool #C03467

     201,789   
170,603  

5.000%, 8/1/40, Pool #C03491

     188,374   
269,495  

4.000%, 11/1/40, Pool #A94742

     290,712   
288,916  

4.000%, 12/1/40, Pool #A95447

     311,672   
540,753  

4.000%, 1/1/41, Pool #A96312

     578,654   
261,830  

3.500%, 3/1/42, Pool #G08479

     274,425   
487,099  

3.500%, 4/1/42, Pool #C03858

     511,965   

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES — (continued)

  

 

Freddie Mac — (continued)

  
$630,929  

3.500%, 8/1/42, Pool #Q10324

   $ 661,194   
    

 

 

 
       5,540,973   
    

 

 

 
 

Ginnie Mae — 0.1%

  
32,564  

4.000%, 12/20/40, Pool #755678

     35,267   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Mortgage-Backed Securities

(Cost $15,162,593)

     15,432,181   
    

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY NOTES — 0.9%

  
399,616  

0.375%, 7/15/25(c)

     408,342   
    

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Treasury Notes
(Cost $390,473)

     408,342   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

          

MONEY MARKET FUND — 2.6%

  
1,260,537  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(d)

     1,260,537   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $1,260,537)

     1,260,537   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.7%
(Cost $47,802,696)

     48,406,425   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — (1.7)%

     (795,213
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 47,611,212   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

The interest rate for this variable rate note, which will change periodically, is based either on the prime rate or an index of market rates. The reflected rate is in effect as of March 31, 2016. The maturity date reflected is the final maturity date.

(b)

Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security that is restricted as to resale to qualified institutional investors. The Advisor, using Board approved procedures, has deemed these securities or a portion of these securities to be liquid.

(c)

Inflation protection security. Principal amount periodically adjusted for inflation.

(d)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

45


 

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 96.4%

  
 

Kentucky — 96.4%

  
$300,000  

City Of Bowling Green KY G.O., Advance Refunding, Series C, Callable 6/1/26 @ 102, 4.000%, 6/1/27

   $ 351,366   
300,000  

Commonwealth of Kentucky, Certificate of Participation, Public Improvements, Callable 6/15/25 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/15/34

     350,040   
400,000  

Eastern Kentucky University, Refunding Revenue, Series A, (State Intercept), 5.000%, 4/1/24

     492,044   
500,000  

Fayette County, KY, School District Finance Corp., Lease Payable from Local Revenues, Series A, 5.000%, 10/1/21

     590,750   
300,000  

Jefferson County School District Finance Corp. School Imps. Revenue Bonds St Intercept, Series C, Callable 12/1/25 @ 100, 4.000%, 12/1/28

     342,990   
250,000  

Jefferson County, KY, School District Finance Corp., School Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 4/1/25 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/27

     307,507   
510,000  

Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission, Project Notes, Federal Highway Trust Transit Improvements Revenue, First Series, Callable 9/1/23 @ 100, 5.250%, 9/1/25

     621,874   
400,000  

Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Baptist Healthcare System, Improvements Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 8/15/18 @ 100, OID, 4.750%, 8/15/19

     428,652   
500,000  

Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Owensboro Medical Health System, Hospital Improvements Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 6/1/16

     503,570   
555,000  

Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, Inc. Refunding & Improvement Revenue, Series A, Callable 5/1/19 @ 100, OID, 5.000%, 5/1/24

     612,787   
500,000  

Kentucky Rural Water Finance Corp., Flexible Term Program, Refunding & Improvements Revenue, Series B, Callable 2/1/20 @ 100, 4.000%, 2/1/21

     546,775   
410,000  

Kentucky State Property & Buildings Commission, Project No. 76, Refunding Revenue, (AMBAC), 5.500%, 8/1/21

     493,181   
460,000  

Kentucky State Property & Buildings Commission, Project No. 83, Refunding Revenue, (AMBAC), 5.000%, 10/1/19

     519,142   
400,000  

Kentucky Turnpike Authority, Revitalization Projects, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 7/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/25

     451,992   
400,000  

Kentucky Turnpike Authority, Revitalization Projects, Revenue, Series A, 4.000%, 7/1/21

     447,936   
300,000  

Laurel County, KY, School District Finance Corp., Refunding Revenue, Callable 3/1/25 @ 100 (State Intercept), 4.000%, 6/1/25

     347,673   
300,000  

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government G.O., Public Imps. Series B, Callable 1/1/25 @100, 5.000%, 1/1/27

     369,741   

 Principal   
 Amount   

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

Kentucky — (continued)

  
$525,000  

Lexington-Fayette Urban County, KY, Airport Board, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 7/1/19

   $ 590,719   
535,000  

Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metropolitan Government, Catholic Health Initiatives, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 12/1/35

     591,319   
250,000  

Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metropolitan Government, Refunding G.O., Series F, Callable 11/1/24 @ 100, 4.000%, 11/1/26

     287,617   
500,000  

Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metropolitan Sewer District, Sewer Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 11/15/21@100, 5.000%, 5/15/30

     583,360   
500,000  

Northern Kentucky University, University & College Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 9/1/17 @ 100, (AMBAC, State Intercept), OID, 4.250%, 9/1/21

     523,740   
250,000  

Owensboro, KY, Public Improvements G.O., Series A, 4.000%, 5/1/22

     285,638   
400,000  

Pulaski County, KY, Public Properties Corp., Administration Office of the Court Judicial Facility, Public Improvement Revenue, Callable 12/1/18 @ 100, OID, 5.500%, 12/1/24

     448,688   
270,000  

Pulaski County, KY, Public Properties Corp., Administration Office of the Court Judicial Facility, Public Improvement Revenue, Callable 12/1/18 @ 100, OID, 5.625%, 12/1/25

     303,753   
200,000  

Russell, KY, Bon Secours Health System, Refunding Revenue, Callable 11/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/26

     234,052   
300,000  

University of Kentucky, Refunding Revenue, Series D (State Intercept), 5.250%, 10/1/20

     354,006   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $11,226,455)

     11,980,912   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

          

MONEY MARKET FUND — 2.4%

  
294,138  

Federated Tax Free Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.14%(a)

     294,138   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $294,138)

     294,138   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 98.8%
(Cost $11,520,593)

     12,275,050   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 1.2%

     147,097   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 12,422,147   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

AMBAC — American Municipal Bond Assurance Corp.

G.O. — General Obligation

OID — Original Issue Discount

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

46


 

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 98.5%

  

 

Maryland — 98.5%

  

$1,000,000  

Anne Arundel County, MD, Consolidated Water & Sewer Utility Improvements G.O., 5.000%, 4/1/22

   $ 1,219,370   
810,000  

Anne Arundel County, MD, Economic Development, Anne Arundel Community College Project, Refunding Revenue, 4.000%, 9/1/20

     898,403   
1,000,000  

Charles County, MD, Consolidated Public School Improvements G.O., 5.000%, 7/15/22

     1,225,910   
890,000  

Charles County, MD, Consolidated Public School Improvements G.O., Callable 7/15/23 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/15/25

     1,093,116   
1,000,000  

Harford County, MD, Consolidated Public Improvements G.O., 5.000%, 9/15/23

     1,252,830   
1,000,000  

Howard County, MD, Consolidated Public Improvements, Series A, Refunding G.O., 5.000%, 2/15/20

     1,153,610   
300,000  

Howard County, MD, Housing Commission, Columbia Commons Apartments, Local Multifamily Housing Revenue, Series A, 3.000%, 6/1/21

     318,747   
275,000  

Howard County, MD, Housing Commission, General Capital Improvement Program, Local Multifamily Housing Revenue, 4.000%, 6/1/22

     307,167   
125,000  

Howard County, MD, Miscellaneous Purpose Certificate of Participation, Series A, 8.050%, 2/15/21

     165,350   
135,000  

Howard County, MD, Public Improvements Certificate of Participation, Series B, 8.250%, 2/15/20

     170,273   
690,000  

Maryland Community Development Administration, Residential Single Family Housing Revenue, Series A, Callable 9/1/18 @ 100, 4.750%, 9/1/29

     720,284   
250,000  

Maryland Economic Development Corp., Electricity Lights & Power Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Callable 3/1/19 @ 100, 6.200%, 9/1/22

     286,370   
115,000  

Maryland Economic Development Corp., Lutheran World Relief Refugee, Refunding Revenue, Callable 4/1/17 @ 100, (Lutheran Center Corp.), 5.250%, 4/1/19

     119,429   
1,975,000  

Maryland Economic Development Corp., Public Health Laboratory Public Improvements Revenue, 5.000%, 6/1/20

     2,283,297   
420,000  

Maryland Economic Development Corp., Public Health Laboratory Public Improvements Revenue, Callable 6/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/26

     492,622   
555,000  

Maryland Environmental Service, Mid Shore II Regional Landfill, Resource Recovery Improvements Revenue, 4.000%, 11/1/17

     583,333   
1,000,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Calvert Health System, Health, Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Callable 07/01/23 @ 100, OID, 5.000%, 7/1/38

     1,119,030   

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

Maryland — (continued)

  

$1,090,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Carroll Hospital, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 7/1/19

   $ 1,210,914   
900,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, College of Notre Dame, Refunding Revenue, 4.000%, 10/1/19

     970,686   
1,000,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Frederick Memorial Hospital, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 7/1/22

     1,168,370   
500,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 7/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/26

     579,740   
1,000,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Johns Hopkins Health System, Health, Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements Revenue, Callable 7/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/25

     1,191,930   
530,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Maryland Institute College of Art, Refunding Revenue, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/23

     619,798   
1,000,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, MedStar Health Inc., Health, Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements Revenue, Series B, Callable 8/15/23 @ 100, 5.000%, 8/15/38

     1,128,540   
400,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Meritus Medical Center Issue, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 7/1/22

     472,484   
400,000  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, University of Maryland Medical System, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 7/1/19

     446,804   
1,160,000  

Maryland Stadium Authority, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 6/15/23

     1,420,316   
500,000  

Maryland State Department of Transportation, Transit Improvements Revenue, Second Issue, Callable 9/1/18 @ 100, 5.000%, 9/1/23

     549,820   
1,100,000  

Maryland State Transportation Authority, Grant & Revenue Anticipation, Highway Improvements Revenue, Callable 3/1/19 @ 100, OID, 5.000%, 3/1/20

     1,227,853   
635,000  

Maryland State Transportation Authority, Transportation Facilities Project, Highway Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 7/1/19

     717,105   
1,000,000  

Maryland State Transportation Authority, Transportation Facilities Project, Highway Revenue, Series A, Callable 7/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/22

     1,126,390   
500,000  

Montgomery County, MD, Department Liquor Control Public Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 4/1/21 @ 100, OID, 4.500%, 4/1/26

     564,280   
1,025,000  

Montgomery County, MD, Revenue Authority, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 5/1/22

     1,228,237   
750,000  

Montgomery County, MD, Water Quality Public Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 4/1/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/30

     857,587   
 

 

Continued

 

47


 

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

Maryland — (continued)

  

$  890,000  

Montgomery County, MD, West Germantown Development District, Refunding, Special Tax, 4.000%, 7/1/23

   $ 1,011,823   
1,000,000  

Prince George’s County, MD, Consolidated Public School Improvements, G.O., Series A, Callable 9/01/24 @ 100, 4.000%, 9/1/25

     1,182,220   
1,000,000  

State of Maryland, Refunding G.O., Series B, 4.000%, 8/1/23

     1,177,550   
1,140,000  

Washington County, MD, Refunding G.O., 4.000%, 1/1/21

     1,290,879   
700,000  

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Consolidated Public Water Utility Improvements, G.O., 4.000%, 6/1/24

     832,846   
    

 

 

 
       34,385,313   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $32,623,449)

     34,385,313   
    

 

 

 

    

Shares

          

MONEY MARKET FUND — 0.5%

  

191,198  

Federated Tax Free Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.14%(a)

   $ 191,198   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $191,198)

     191,198   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.0%
(Cost $32,814,647)

     34,576,511   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 1.0%

     336,188   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 34,912,699   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

G.O. — General Obligation

OID — Original Issue Discount

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

48


 

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

             Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 96.1%

  

 

North Carolina — 96.1%

  

$2,335,000  

Appalachian State University, University & College Improvements Revenue, Callable 10/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/24

   $ 2,762,865   
2,405,000  

Appalachian State University, University & College Improvements Revenue, Callable 10/1/21 @ 100, 4.750%, 10/1/27

     2,731,743   
1,000,000  

Beaufort County, NC, Refunding Revenue Limited Obligation, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/24

     1,183,670   
1,000,000  

Beaufort County, NC, Refunding Revenue Limited Obligation, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/26

     1,166,170   
1,000,000  

Broad River Water Authority, Water System Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 6/1/24

     1,230,060   
1,025,000  

Buncombe County Metropolitan Sewerage District, Sewer Improvements Revenue, Callable 7/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/39

     1,194,145   
1,985,000  

Buncombe County, NC, Public Improvements Revenue, Series A, 4.000%, 6/1/17

     2,061,125   
2,000,000  

Buncombe County, NC, Refunding Revenue, Limited Obligations, Series A, 5.000%, 6/1/20

     2,310,440   
1,000,000  

Cabarrus County, NC Installment Fing Contract Public Imps. Revenue Bonds, Callable 4/1/26 @100, 5.000%, 4/1/28

     1,246,810   
1,000,000  

Cabarrus County, NC, Installment Financing Contract, Correctional Facility Improvements Certificate of Participation, Series C, Callable 6/1/18 @ 100, OID, 5.000%, 6/1/23

     1,090,400   
1,960,000  

Cabarrus County, NC, Installment Financing Contract, School Improvements Certificate of Participation, 5.000%, 1/1/17

     2,023,524   
1,685,000  

Cabarrus County, NC, Installment Financing Contract, School Improvements Certificate of Participation, Callable 1/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/1/20

     1,874,647   
1,730,000  

Cabarrus County, NC, Installment Financing Contract, School Improvements Certificate of Participation, Callable 1/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/1/23

     1,924,711   
1,240,000  

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Water & Sewer System, Improvements Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 8/1/21

     1,478,105   
1,475,000  

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Water & Sewer System, Improvements Refunding Revenue, Callable 8/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 8/1/26

     1,756,695   
1,535,000  

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Water & Sewer System, Improvements Refunding Revenue, Callable 8/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 8/1/28

     1,817,210   
1,160,000  

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Water & Sewer System, Improvements Revenue, Callable 8/1/18 @ 100, 5.000%, 8/1/26

     1,269,933   
1,030,000  

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Water & Sewer System, Improvements Revenue, Callable 8/1/18 @ 100, 5.000%, 8/1/31

     1,125,605   
1,120,000  

Cary, NC, Combined Utility Systems, Refunding Revenue, Callable 12/1/25 @ 100, 4.000%, 12/1/29

     1,298,181   

 Principal 
Amount

             Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

North Carolina — (continued)

  

$1,000,000  

Catawba County, NC, School Improvements Refunding Revenue, 4.000%, 10/1/19

   $ 1,100,930   
1,000,000  

Catawba County, NC, School Improvements Refunding Revenue, 4.000%, 10/1/20

     1,120,780   
1,000,000  

Charlotte, NC, Charlotte Douglas International Airport Refunding Revenue, Callable 7/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/31

     1,188,570   
1,000,000  

Charlotte, NC, Port, Airport & Marina Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 7/1/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/27

     1,137,820   
1,280,000  

Charlotte, NC, Storm Water Fee Public, Improvements Revenue, Callable 6/1/16 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/20

     1,290,099   
1,000,000  

Charlotte, NC, Storm Water Fee Public, Improvements Revenue, Callable 6/1/16 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/23

     1,007,900   
1,000,000  

Charlotte, NC, Water & Sewer System, Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 7/1/20 @100, 5.000%, 7/1/25

     1,160,580   
2,000,000  

Chatham County, NC, Refunding Revenue (County Guaranteed), 5.000%, 12/1/28

     2,548,640   
1,195,000  

City Of Monroe Nc Ref Advance Refunding Revenue Bonds, Callable 3/1/26 @ 100, 5.000%, 3/1/29

     1,472,360   
2,000,000  

Concord, NC, Utilities Systems, Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 12/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 12/1/22

     2,240,980   
1,000,000  

Durham Capital Financing Corp., Limited Obligation Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 6/1/21

     1,183,280   
1,410,000  

Durham County, NC, Industrial Facilities & Pollution Control Financing Authority, Research Triangle Institute, University & College Improvements Revenue, 5.000%, 2/1/20

     1,604,721   
2,000,000  

Durham County, NC, Public Improvements Certificate of Participation, Series A, Callable 6/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/24

     2,255,640   
1,000,000  

Durham, NC, Refunding G.O., 4.000%, 9/1/25

     1,205,130   
1,750,000  

Fayetteville, NC, Public Works Commission, Electric Light & Power Improvements Revenue, Callable 3/1/24 @ 100, 4.000%, 3/1/27

     2,002,787   
1,085,000  

Franklin County, NC, Public Facilities Projects, Certificate of Participation, Callable 9/1/17 @ 100 (NATL), 5.000%, 9/1/22

     1,145,207   
1,030,000  

Henderson County, NC, University & College Improvements Revenue, Series B, 4.000%, 12/1/16

     1,053,680   
1,010,000  

Holly Springs, NC, Public Improvements Revenue, Callable 10/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/27

     1,241,563   
2,335,000  

Iredell County, NC, Refunding G.O., Series B, 5.000%, 2/1/19

     2,607,168   
2,125,000  

Iredell County, NC, Refunding G.O., Series B, 5.000%, 2/1/20

     2,444,855   
2,470,000  

Iredell County, NC, Refunding G.O., Series B, 5.000%, 2/1/21

     2,920,651   
4,000,000  

Johnston County, NC, Refunding G.O., 4.000%, 2/1/26

     4,719,920   
 

 

Continued

 

49


 

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

             Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

North Carolina — (continued)

  

$1,000,000  

Lee County, NC, Public Facilities Projects, School Improvements Certificate of Participation, Callable 4/1/17 @ 100 (AGM), 5.000%, 4/1/19

   $ 1,043,750   
1,570,000  

Lenoir County, NC, Refunding G.O., 4.000%, 2/1/19

     1,702,681   
1,705,000  

Lenoir County, NC, Refunding G.O., 4.000%, 2/1/20

     1,887,469   
1,750,000  

Lincoln County, NC, Refunding G.O., Series A, 5.000%, 6/1/18

     1,908,147   
2,535,000  

Lincoln County, NC, Refunding G.O., Series A, 4.000%, 6/1/19

     2,775,470   
2,000,000  

Mecklenburg County, NC, Refunding G.O., 5.000%, 2/1/21

     2,369,220   
1,280,000  

Monroe, NC, Combined Enterprise System, Refunding Revenue (AGM), 4.000%, 3/1/19

     1,386,522   
1,855,000  

New Hanover County, NC, New Hanover County Projects, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/19

     2,119,894   
1,015,000  

New Hanover County, NC, New Hanover County Projects, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/20

     1,191,285   
1,270,000  

New Hanover County, NC, New Hanover Regional Medical, Refunding Revenue, Callable 10/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/23

     1,479,194   
1,000,000  

New Hanover County, NC, Regional Medical Center, Health Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 10/1/19 @ 100 (AGM), 5.000%, 10/1/21

     1,134,460   
1,050,000  

New Hanover County, NC, Regional Medical Center, Health Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 10/1/19 @ 100 (AGM), 5.000%, 10/1/22

     1,187,424   
1,000,000  

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Series A, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 10/1/32

     1,194,370   
1,215,000  

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Series A, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 10/1/34

     1,441,075   
1,305,000  

North Carolina Capital Facilities Finance Agency, Johnson & Wales University Project, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 4/1/21

     1,519,803   
1,000,000  

North Carolina Capital Facilities Finance Agency, Johnson & Wales University Project, Refunding Revenue, Callable 4/1/23 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/25

     1,197,780   
1,000,000  

North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency, Electric, Lights & Power Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 7/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/1/25

     1,224,780   
1,640,000  

North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency, Electric, Lights & Power Improvements Revenue, Series A, OID, 6.400%, 1/1/21

     1,874,126   
1,005,000  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, First Mortgage Deerfield, Health, Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 11/1/18 @ 100, OID, 6.000%, 11/1/33

     1,098,254   

 Principal 
Amount

             Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

North Carolina — (continued)

  

$1,500,000  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Firsthealth Carolina, Refunding Revenue, Series C, OID, 4.000%, 10/1/18

   $ 1,611,600   
5,000,000  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Health Care Facilities, Duke University Health System, Health, Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements Revenue, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, Series A, 5.000%, 6/1/32

     5,847,050   
915,000  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Health Care Facilities, Refunding Revenue, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Series A, 5.000%, 7/1/19

     1,002,447   
1,180,000  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Health Care Facilities, Refunding Revenue, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Series A, 5.375%, 7/1/20

     1,333,730   
1,000,000  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Mission Health Combine Group, Refunding Revenue, Callable 10/1/17 @ 100 (AGM-CR), 5.000%, 10/1/25

     1,056,400   
3,030,000  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 6/1/20

     3,469,502   
1,530,000  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Refunding Revenue, Callable 6/1/20 @ 100, 5.250%, 6/1/29

     1,733,918   
2,780,000  

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Vidant Health Care Facilities, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/24

     3,245,122   
2,000,000  

North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 10/1/23 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/28

     2,451,060   
4,550,000  

North Carolina State, Public Improvements, Revenue, Series C, Callable 5/1/21 @ 100, 4.000%, 5/1/23

     5,138,907   
2,380,000  

North Carolina State, Refunding G.O., Series B, 5.000%, 4/1/17

     2,485,244   
1,250,000  

Onslow County, NC, Refunding G.O., 5.000%, 12/1/21

     1,496,175   
1,520,000  

Onslow Water & Sewer Authority, Water Utility Improvements Revenue, Series B, Callable 11/9/15 @ 100 (XLCA), 5.000%, 6/1/21

     1,525,259   
1,365,000  

Orange County, NC, Public Facilities Co., Public Improvements, Revenue, Callable 10/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/23

     1,637,058   
1,105,000  

Pasquotank County, NC, Refunding Certificate of Participation (NATL), 5.250%, 6/1/18

     1,195,864   
1,000,000  

Pasquotank County, NC, Refunding Certificate of Participation (NATL), 5.250%, 6/1/19

     1,114,490   
1,210,000  

Pender County, NC, Limited Obligation Refunding Revenue, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/26

     1,458,607   
1,390,000  

Pitt County, NC, Certificate of Participation, Refunding, Callable 4/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/24

     1,653,655   
1,395,000  

Pitt County, NC, Certificate of Participation, Refunding, Callable 4/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/25

     1,649,350   
 

 

Continued

 

50


 

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

             Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

North Carolina — (continued)

  
$2,160,000  

Raleigh Durham Airport Authority, Refunding Revenue, Series B1, Callable 5/1/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/28

   $ 2,476,202   
1,500,000  

Raleigh, NC, Combined Enterprise System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 3/1/23 @ 100, 5.000%, 3/1/27

     1,836,345   
1,615,000  

Raleigh, NC, Combined Enterprise System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 3/1/23 @ 100, 5.000%, 3/1/28

     1,972,190   
1,070,000  

Raleigh, NC, Public Improvements, Revenue, Series A, Callable 10/1/24 @ 100, 4.000%, 10/1/31

     1,188,759   
1,560,000  

Rockingham County, NC, Public Improvements Certificate of Participation (Assured Guaranty), 5.000%, 4/1/17

     1,628,250   
1,510,000  

Rockingham County, NC, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 4/1/18

     1,634,016   
1,985,000  

Sampson County, NC, Refunding Revenue, Callable 12/1/25 @ 100, 5.000%, 12/1/26

     2,464,100   
1,000,000  

Union County, NC, Enterprise Systems, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 12/1/21 @ 100, 4.000%, 12/1/22

     1,143,880   
2,205,000  

Union County, NC, Refunding G.O., Series A, 5.000%, 3/1/22

     2,679,428   
1,000,000  

Union County, NC, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/23

     1,245,180   
2,285,000  

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Refunding Revenue, Callable 4/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/23

     2,702,744   
1,695,000  

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University & College Improvements Revenue, Callable 4/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/28

     2,049,001   
3,260,000  

University of North Carolina System, Appalachian State University, Refunding Revenue, Series B1, Callable 4/1/20 @ 100, 5.250%, 10/1/22

     3,809,636   
3,130,000  

University of North Carolina System, Asheville/Wilmington, Refunding Revenue, Series C, Callable 4/1/20 @ 100 (Assured Guaranty), 5.000%, 10/1/20

     3,645,135   
1,485,000  

University of North Carolina System, Asheville/Wilmington, Refunding Revenue, Series C, Callable 4/1/20 @ 100 (Assured Guaranty), 5.250%, 10/1/24

     1,730,441   
1,975,000  

University of North Carolina System, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Refunding Revenue, Series B2, 5.000%, 4/1/17

     2,057,871   
1,000,000  

University of North Carolina System, University & College Improvements, General Trust Indenture Revenue, Series C, 4.500%, 10/1/17

     1,050,750   
250,000  

University of North Carolina System, University & College Improvements, Prerefunded Revenue, Series A, Callable 10/1/16 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/17

     255,605   
120,000  

University Of North Carolina System, University & College Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 10/1/17

     122,677   

 Principal 
Amount

             Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

North Carolina — (continued)

  

$   405,000  

University Of North Carolina System, University & College Improvements, Unrefunded Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 10/1/17

   $ 414,173   
3,000,000  

Wake County Industrial Facilities & Pollution Control Financing Authority, Duke Energy Progress, Refunding Revenue, Callable 6/1/23 @ 100, 4.000%, 6/1/41

     3,158,400   
2,125,000  

Watauga Public Facilities Corp., Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/24

     2,536,358   
1,000,000  

Watauga Public Facilities Corp., Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/26

     1,179,360   
1,000,000  

Winston-Salem State University Foundation LLC, Refunding Revenue, Callable 4/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/25

     1,149,770   
1,000,000  

Winston-Salem, NC, Transit Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Series C, Callable 6/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/30

     1,199,950   
1,165,000  

Winston-Salem, NC, Water & Sewer System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 6/1/24

     1,471,162   
1,000,000  

Winston-Salem, NC, Water & Sewer System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/17 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/19

     1,050,650   
1,875,000  

Winston-Salem, NC, Water & Sewer System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/25

     2,346,956   
1,000,000  

Winston-Salem, NC, Water & Sewer System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/28

     1,236,440   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $180,629,312)

     192,475,871   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

51


 

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

          

MONEY MARKET FUND — 3.0%

  
6,016,965  

Federated North Carolina Municipal Cash Trust, Institutional Shares, 0.010%(a)

   $ 6,016,965   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $6,016,965)

     6,016,965   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.1%
(Cost $186,646,277)

     198,492,836   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 0.9%

     1,864,018   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 200,356,854   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

AGM — Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

CR — Custodial Receipts

G.O. — General Obligation

NATL — National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.

OID — Original Issue Discount

RE — Reinsurance

XLCA — XL Capital Assurance

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

52


 

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 94.1%

  

 

South Carolina — 94.1%

  

$1,515,000  

Anderson County, SC, School District No 4, Refunding, G.O., Series A, Callable 3/1/25 @ 100, (SCSDE), 5.000%, 3/1/28

   $ 1,870,086   
1,190,000  

Anderson County, SC, School District No 5, Advance Refunding, G.O., (SCSDE), 5.000%, 3/1/23

     1,464,604   
1,215,000  

Anderson County, SC, School District No 5, School Improvements, G.O., (SCSDE), 5.000%, 3/1/25

     1,532,844   
1,000,000  

Anderson Regional Joint Water System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 7/15/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/15/25

     1,160,270   
1,095,000  

Anderson, SC, Water & Sewer, Refunding Revenue (AGM), 5.000%, 7/1/19

     1,231,327   
1,000,000  

Beaufort County, SC, School District, Advance Refunding, G.O., (SCSDE), 5.000%, 3/1/22

     1,207,950   
1,000,000  

Beaufort County, SC, School District, Refunding G.O., Series A, Callable 3/1/17 @ 100 (AGM, SCSDE), 5.000%, 3/1/27

     1,040,290   
1,000,000  

Charleston County, SC, Capital Improvements Transportation Sales Tax, Public Improvements G.O., Callable 11/1/21 @ 100 (State Aid Withholding), 5.000%, 11/1/22

     1,206,100   
1,000,000  

Charleston County, SC, Port, Airport & Marina Improvements Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/22

     1,222,420   
2,500,000  

Charleston Educational Excellence Finance Corp., Charleston County School Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/21

     2,995,750   
1,000,000  

City of Myrtle Beach, SC, Water & Sewer Revenue, Advance Refunding, Revenue Bonds, Callable 3/1/26 @ 100, 5.000%, 3/1/28

     1,239,850   
1,910,000  

Clover School District No. 2, Advance Refunding, G.O., (SCSDE), 5.000%, 3/1/18

     2,063,411   
1,355,000  

Coastal Carolina University, University & College Improvements Revenue, Callable 6/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/34

     1,580,906   
1,295,000  

College of Charleston, University & College Improvements Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 4/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/25

     1,495,829   
1,000,000  

College of Charleston, University & College Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 4/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/25

     1,221,200   
1,095,000  

Columbia, SC, Recreational Facilities Improvements Revenue, Callable 2/1/24 @ 100, 4.000%, 2/1/31

     1,201,357   
1,170,000  

Easley Combined Utility System, Refunding Revenue, Callable 12/1/19 @ 100, (Assured Guaranty), 5.000%, 12/1/24

     1,336,690   
1,135,000  

East Richland County Public Service District, Refunding Revenue, 4.000%, 1/1/22

     1,291,414   
600,000  

Educational Facilities Authority, Wofford College, University & College Improvements Revenue, Series B, 2.000%, 4/1/27(a)

     601,392   
1,000,000  

Florence County, SC, McLeod Regional Medical Center Project, Refunding Revenue, Callable 11/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/28

     1,199,710   
1,100,000  

Florence County, SC, McLeod Regional Medical Center Project, Refunding Revenue, Callable 11/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/33

     1,289,893   

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

South Carolina — (continued)

  

$1,895,000  

Florence County, SC, Public Improvements, G.O., (State Aid Withholding), 4.000%, 6/1/20

   $ 2,117,227   
1,000,000  

Greenville County, SC, School District Building Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/22

     1,215,040   
1,075,000  

Greenville County, SC, School District Building Refunding Revenue, Callable 12/1/16 @ 100, 5.000%, 12/1/22

     1,107,336   
570,000  

Greenville County, SC, School District Building Refunding Revenue, Callable 12/1/16 @ 100, OID, 4.250%, 12/1/21

     584,193   
1,340,000  

Greenville Health System, Hospital System Board, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 5/1/21

     1,567,291   
1,000,000  

Greenville Health System, Hospital System Board, Refunding Revenue, Callable 5/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 5/1/31

     1,149,990   
1,000,000  

Greenwood County, SC, Self Regional Healthcare Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 4/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/24

     1,158,400   
530,000  

Greenwood County, SC, Self Regional Healthcare Revenue, Callable 10/1/19 @ 100, OID, 5.000%, 10/1/23

     594,803   
1,175,000  

Greenwood, SC, Combined Public Utility Revenue, Series A, 4.000%, 12/1/18

     1,263,101   
1,000,000  

Horry County, SC, School District, Refunding, G.O., Series B (SCSDE), 5.000%, 3/1/23

     1,228,540   
1,000,000  

Kershaw County, SC, Kershaw County School District Project, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/23

     1,205,050   
500,000  

Kershaw County, SC, Kershaw County School District Project, Refunding Revenue (AGC), 5.000%, 12/1/16

     514,740   
1,460,000  

Lancaster Educational Assistance Program, Inc., SC, Lancaster County School District Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 12/1/23 @ 100, 5.000%, 12/1/24

     1,774,367   
645,000  

Lexington County, SC, Health Services District, Inc., Refunding Revenue, Callable 11/1/17 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/19

     686,299   
1,000,000  

Lexington County, SC, Health Services District, Inc., Refunding Revenue, Callable 11/1/17 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/23

     1,060,440   
785,000  

Lexington County, SC, Health Services District, Inc., Refunding Revenue, Callable 11/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/22

     931,528   
1,000,000  

Lexington County, SC, School District No. 1, G.O., Series C (SCSDE), 5.000%, 2/1/21

     1,180,380   
1,000,000  

Lexington One School Facilities Corp., Lexington County School District No. 1 Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/16

     1,029,550   
940,000  

Lexington, SC, Combined Waterworks & Sewer System Refunding Revenue, Callable 4/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 4/1/22

     1,094,113   
1,000,000  

Lugoff-Elgin Water Authority, Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 7/1/26 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/30

     1,227,320   
1,460,000  

Newberry, SC, Refunding Revenue (AGM), 5.000%, 4/1/24

     1,773,301   
835,000  

Oconee County, SC, Duke Power Co. Project Refunding Revenue, 3.600%, 2/1/17

     854,155   
 

 

Continued

 

53


 

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

South Carolina — (continued)

  

$1,140,000  

Oconee County, SC, School District, School Improvements, G.O., (SCSDE), Series A, 5.000%, 3/1/24

   $ 1,421,854   
810,000  

Orangeburg County, SC, School District No. 5, Refunding G.O. (SCSDE), 5.000%, 3/1/21

     948,793   
600,000  

Piedmont Municipal Power Agency, Power System Refunding Revenue, Series A3 (Assured Guaranty), 5.000%, 1/1/18

     642,612   
1,000,000  

Piedmont Municipal Power Agency, Power System Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 1/1/22 @ 100, 4.000%, 1/1/23

     1,126,050   
230,000  

Piedmont Municipal Power Agency, Power System, Prerefunded, Refunding Revenue (NATL), OID, 5.375%, 1/1/25

     257,648   
1,000,000  

Renewable Water Resources Sewage System, Refunding Revenue, 4.000%, 1/1/20

     1,101,200   
1,000,000  

Rock Hill, SC, Combined Utility System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 1/1/22 @ 100 (AGM), 5.000%, 1/1/23

     1,187,250   
1,000,000  

Rock Hill, SC, Hospital Fee Pledge, Refunding Revenue, Callable 4/1/23 @100, 5.000%, 4/1/33

     1,132,180   
1,090,000  

Rock Hill, SC, Ltd. Obligations, Hospitality Fee Pledge, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 4/1/21

     1,265,708   
1,500,000  

SCAGO Educational Facilities Corp. for Cherokee School District No. 1, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/24

     1,828,155   
1,135,000  

SCAGO Educational Facilities Corp. for Colleton School District, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/20

     1,306,771   
825,000  

SCAGO Educational Facilities Corp. for Pickens School District, Pickens County Project, School Improvements Revenue, Callable 12/1/16 @ 100, (AGM), 5.000%, 12/1/19

     848,950   
790,000  

SCAGO Educational Facilities Corp. for Union School District, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 12/1/21

     927,365   
500,000  

SCAGO Public Facilities Corp. for Georgetown County, Georgetown County Project, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 12/1/18

     551,140   
500,000  

SCAGO Public Facilities Corp. for Georgetown County, Georgetown County Project, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 12/1/19

     566,435   
550,000  

South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, AnMed Health Project, Refunding & Improvement Revenue, Series B (Assured Guaranty), 5.000%, 2/1/19

     605,853   
1,000,000  

South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, Bons Secours Health System, Inc., Refunding Revenue, Callable 11/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/24

     1,188,460   
1,500,000  

South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, Conway Hospital Income Project, Health, Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements Revenue, Callable 7/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/23

     1,740,645   

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

South Carolina — (continued)

  

$   580,000  

South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, Furman University, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 10/1/24

   $ 718,330   
500,000  

South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, Palmetto Health Facilities, Refunding Revenue, Series A (AGM), 5.000%, 8/1/19

     554,010   
500,000  

South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, Palmetto Health, Refunding & Improvement Facilities Revenue, OID, 5.000%, 8/1/18

     538,790   
1,150,000  

South Carolina Ports Authority, Port, Airport & Marina Improvements Revenue, 5.000%, 7/1/19

     1,288,863   
335,000  

South Carolina State Public Service Authority, Prerefunded, Current Refunding, Revenue Bonds, Series A, Callable 1/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/1/27

     372,316   
345,000  

South Carolina State Public Service Authority, Prerefunded, Current Refunding, Revenue Bonds, Series A, Callable 1/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/1/32

     383,430   
695,000  

South Carolina State Public Service Authority, Unrefunded, Current Refunding, Revenue Bonds, Series A, Callable 1/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/1/27

     766,620   
670,000  

South Carolina State Public Service Authority, Unrefunded, Current Refunding, Revenue Bonds, Series A, Callable 1/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/1/32

     731,030   
600,000  

Spartanburg Regional Health Services District, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 4/15/18 @ 100, (Assured Guaranty), 5.250%, 4/15/21

     650,388   
500,000  

University of South Carolina, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 5/1/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 5/1/28

     568,780   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $76,194,143)

     79,990,083   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

          

MONEY MARKET FUND — 4.9%

  
4,140,435  

Federated Tax Free Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.14%(b)

     4,140,435   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $4,140,435)

     4,140,435   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.0%
(Cost $80,334,578)

     84,130,518   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 1.0%

     843,433   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 84,973,951   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

The interest rate for this variable rate note, which will change periodically, is based either on the prime rate or an index of market rates. The reflected rate is in effect as of March 31, 2016. The maturity date reflected is the final maturity date.

(b)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

 

 

Continued

 

54


 

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

AGC — Assured Guaranty Corp.

AGM — Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

G.O. — General Obligation

NATL — National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.

OID — Original Issue Discount

SCAGO — South Carolina Association of Governmental Organizations

SCSDE — South Carolina School District Enhancement

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

55


 

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 96.8%

  

 

District of Columbia — 1.7%

  

$1,160,000  

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Port, Airport & Marina Improvement Revenue, Series A, Callable 10/1/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/23

   $ 1,347,004   
625,000  

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 10/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/21

     708,237   
    

 

 

 
       2,055,241   
    

 

 

 
 

Virginia — 95.1%

  
1,000,000  

Albemarle County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Albemarle County Project, Public Improvements Revenue, 5.000%, 6/1/21

     1,183,280   
1,730,000  

Albemarle County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Albemarle County Project, Public Improvements Revenue, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/23

     2,063,336   
2,760,000  

Albemarle County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 6/1/20

     3,188,407   
1,000,000  

Alexandria, VA, Refunding G.O. (State Aid Withholding), 5.000%, 6/15/21

     1,194,830   
1,000,000  

Arlington County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, VA Hospital Center Arlington, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 7/1/18

     1,084,550   
1,100,000  

Chesterfield County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Electric & Power, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 5/1/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 5/1/23

     1,233,034   
1,145,000  

Culpeper County, VA, Economic Development Authority, VA Capital Projects, Refunding Revenue, Callable 6/1/24 @ 100, 4.000%, 6/1/26

     1,311,025   
1,410,000  

Fairfax County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Community Services Facilities Project, Health, Hospital, Nursing, Home Improvements, Revenue, Series A, 4.500%, 3/1/21

     1,625,462   
1,875,000  

Fairfax County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Goodwin House Inc., Refunding Revenue, Callable 10/1/17 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/27

     1,952,963   
2,500,000  

Fairfax County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Laurel Hill Public Facilities Project, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 6/1/22

     3,006,450   
1,000,000  

Fairfax County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Inova Health System Project, Refunding Revenue, (AGM-CR), OID, 5.250%, 8/15/19

     1,077,910   
495,000  

Fairfax County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Inova Health Systems Project, Refunding Revenue, Series C, 5.000%, 5/15/18

     538,936   
1,455,000  

Fairfax County, VA, Public Improvements, Advance Refunding G.O., Series A, Callable 4/1/26 @ 100 (State Aid Withholding), 4.000%, 10/1/26

     1,741,227   
2,160,000  

Fairfax County, VA, Sewer Improvements Revenue, Callable 7/15/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/15/22

     2,582,517   

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  
 

Virginia — (continued)

  
$1,000,000  

Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority, Mary Washington Healthcare Obligation Group, Refunding Revenue, Callable 6/15/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/15/26

   $ 1,179,820   
1,000,000  

Hampton, VA, Public Improvements, Refunding G.O., Series A, Callable 1/15/19 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/15/21

     1,114,330   
1,700,000  

Leesburg, VA, Refunding G.O., Callable 1/15/24 @ 100, (State Aid Withholding), 4.000%, 1/15/27

     1,950,461   
1,000,000  

Leesburg, VA, Refunding G.O., Callable 1/15/25 @ 100, (State Aid Withholding), 5.000%, 1/15/27

     1,251,500   
1,000,000  

Loudoun County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Public Improvements Revenue, Callable 12/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 12/1/27

     1,226,290   
1,665,000  

Loudoun County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Refunding Revenue, 4.000%, 12/15/22

     1,945,020   
1,465,000  

Montgomery County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Virginia Tech Foundation, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/27

     1,673,557   
2,460,000  

Montgomery County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Virginia Tech Foundation, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/24

     2,892,050   
1,315,000  

Montgomery County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Public Projects, Public Improvements, Revenue, 5.000%, 2/1/18

     1,414,545   
1,445,000  

Montgomery County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Public Projects, Public Improvements, Revenue, Callable 2/1/18 @ 100, 5.000%, 2/1/24

     1,556,092   
1,250,000  

New River Valley Regional Jail Authority Correctional Facilities Improvement Advance Refunding Revenue, Callable 10/1/26 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/27

     1,564,900   
2,000,000  

Newport News, VA, General Water Improvements, Refunding G.O., Series A, 4.000%, 7/15/20

     2,245,680   
1,000,000  

Newport News, VA, General Water Improvements, Refunding G.O., Series B, 5.250%, 7/1/21

     1,206,580   
1,000,000  

Norfolk, VA, Economic Development Authority, Bon Secours Health System, Inc., Refunding Revenue, Callable 11/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/29

     1,161,400   
1,000,000  

Norfolk, VA, Economic Development Authority, Sentara Healthcare Facilities, Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 11/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/25

     1,186,540   
1,000,000  

Norfolk, VA, Economic Development Authority, Sentara Healthcare, Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 11/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/24

     1,196,310   
1,465,000  

Norfolk, VA, Economic Development Authority, Sentara Healthcare, Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 11/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/36

     1,696,617   
 

 

Continued

 

56


 

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

Virginia — (continued)

  

$1,000,000  

Norfolk, VA, Water Utility Improvements Revenue, Callable 11/1/18 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/23

   $ 1,106,260   
1,000,000  

Pittsylvania County, VA, School Improvements G.O., Series B, 5.000%, 2/1/19

     1,115,370   
1,775,000  

Pittsylvania County, VA, School Improvements G.O., Series B, Callable 2/1/19 @ 100, OID, 5.375%, 2/1/21

     1,999,183   
1,160,000  

Poquoson, VA, Refunding G.O., (State Aid Withholding), 5.000%, 2/15/21

     1,366,944   
1,700,000  

Portsmouth, VA, Public Improvements, Refunding G.O., Series A, Callable 2/1/23 @ 100, (State Aid Withholding), 5.000%, 2/1/27

     2,057,680   
1,325,000  

Portsmouth, VA, Public Utilities, Refunding G.O., Series A, Callable 7/15/22 @ 100, (State Aid Withholding), 5.000%, 7/15/24

     1,613,996   
1,440,000  

Portsmouth, VA, Refunding G.O., Series B, Callable 7/15/19 @ 100, 5.250%, 7/15/23

     1,632,341   
1,055,000  

Portsmouth, VA, Refunding G.O., Series D, Callable 7/15/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/15/21

     1,233,137   
1,150,000  

Prince William County, VA, County Facilities, Refunding Certificate of Participation, 5.000%, 10/1/21

     1,372,111   
1,245,000  

Rappahannock Regional Jail Authority, Refunding Revenue, Callable 10/1/2025 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/26

     1,566,695   
2,000,000  

Richmond, VA, Public Improvements, Refunding G.O., Series A, Callable 3/1/24 @ 100 (State Aid Withholding), 5.000%, 3/1/28 .

     2,431,820   
2,195,000  

Riverside Regional Jail Authority, Refunding Revenue, Callable 7/1/25 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/27

     2,715,105   
1,000,000  

Riverside Regional Jail Authority, Refunding Revenue, Callable 7/1/25 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/30

     1,213,110   
1,760,000  

Riverside, VA, Regional Jail Authority, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 7/1/22

     2,116,312   
1,415,000  

Roanoke, VA, Economic Development Authority, Carillion Health System, Remarketing, Refunding Revenue, Series C, (AGM), 5.000%, 7/1/17

     1,487,108   
885,000  

Smyth County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Mountain States Health Alliance Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 7/1/20

     981,952   
1,000,000  

Smyth County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Mountain States Health Alliance Refunding Revenue, Callable 7/1/20 @ 100, OID, 5.000%, 7/1/23

     1,111,490   
1,530,000  

Smyth County, VA, Public Improvement, Refunding G.O., Series A, Callable 11/1/21 @ 100 (State Aid Withholding), 5.000%, 11/1/25

     1,796,495   
1,220,000  

Spotsylvania County, VA, Economic Development Authority, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 6/1/22

     1,470,332   
1,420,000  

Spotsylvania County, VA, Water & Sewer System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/28

     1,614,242   
2,425,000  

Suffolk, VA, Public Improvements, Refunding G.O., Series A, (NATL), 5.000%, 2/1/17

     2,514,507   

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

Virginia — (continued)

  

$1,100,000  

Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority, Constructions Laboratories Project, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 9/1/19

   $ 1,246,355   
2,500,000  

Virginia College Building Authority, 21st Century College & Equipment, University & College Improvements Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 2/1/22

     3,009,100   
1,750,000  

Virginia College Building Authority, Advance Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 9/1/24 @ 100 (State Aid Withholding), 4.000%, 9/1/25

     2,021,320   
1,000,000  

Virginia College Building Authority, Educational Refunding Revenue, Series A, (State Intercept), 5.000%, 9/1/19

     1,135,940   
1,805,000  

Virginia College Building Authority, Public Higher Education Financing Program, Refunding Revenue, Series B, (State Intercept), 5.000%, 9/1/20

     2,107,644   
1,065,000  

Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board Refunding Revenue, Series B, 5.000%, 5/15/25

     1,357,481   
1,850,000  

Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board, Federal Transportation Grant, Transit Improvements, Revenue, Series B, Callable 9/15/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 3/15/23

     2,249,249   
1,500,000  

Virginia Port Authority Commonwealth Port Fund, Port, Airport & Marina Improvements Revenue, Callable 7/1/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/28

     1,732,770   
2,000,000  

Virginia Public Building Authority, Public Improvements Revenue, Series A, Callable 8/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 8/1/26

     2,361,780   
2,000,000  

Virginia Public School Authority, Refunding Revenue, (State Aid Withholding), 5.000%, 8/1/20

     2,333,760   
1,000,000  

Virginia Public School Authority, School Financing 1997 Resolution, School Improvement Revenue, Series B, Callable 8/1/17 @100, (NATL-RE), 5.000%, 8/1/26

     1,057,020   
1,150,000  

Virginia Resources Authority, State Revolving Fund, Refunding Revenue, 5.500%, 10/1/17

     1,233,122   
1,835,000  

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Sentara Healthcare Refunding Revenue, 4.000%, 11/1/16

     1,871,517   
1,255,000  

Western Regional Jail Authority, Correctional Facilities Improvement Revenue, Callable 6/1/17 @ 100, (NATL-RE), 4.750%, 6/1/23

     1,313,922   
1,525,000  

Western Regional Jail Authority, Refunding Revenue, Callable 12/1/25 @ 100, 5.000%, 12/1/26

     1,903,475   
700,000  

Winchester, VA, Economic Development Authority, Valley Health System Obligated Group, Hospital Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 1/1/22

     828,121   
 

 

Continued

 

57


 

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

 

Virginia — (continued)

  

$920,000  

Winchester, VA, Economic Development Authority, Valley Health System Obligated Group, Hospital Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 1/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/1/26

   $ 1,091,074   
    

 

 

 
       113,615,459   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $109,218,167)

     115,670,700   
    

 

 

 

    Shares      

          

MONEY MARKET FUND — 2.2%

  

2,656,129  

Federated Virginia Municipal Money Market Portfolio, Institutional Shares, 0.010%(a)

     2,656,128   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $2,656,129)

     2,656,128   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.0%
(Cost $111,874,296)

     118,326,828   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 1.0%

     1,231,429   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 119,558,257   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

AGM — Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

CR — Custodial Receipts

G.O. — General Obligation

NATL — National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.

OID — Original Issue Discount

RE — Reinsurance

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

58


 

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

           Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 97.3%

  

$1,060,000  

Berkeley County, WV, Building Commission, Judicial Center Project, Refunding Revenue, Callable 9/1/21 @ 100, 4.500%, 9/1/23

  $ 1,201,786   
1,085,000  

Berkeley County, WV, Building Commission, Lease Refunding Revenue, Callable 12/1/22 @ 100, 4.000%, 12/1/26

    1,199,608   
1,500,000  

Berkeley County, WV, Public Service Sewer District, Miscellaneous Purposes Revenue, Series C, Callable 10/1/23 @ 100, (BAM), 4.500%, 10/1/32

    1,689,795   
765,000  

Berkeley County, WV, Public Service Sewer District, Sewer Improvements Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 3/1/22

    767,547   
670,000  

Braxton County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Improvements G.O., Callable 5/1/18 @ 100, (AGM, West Virginia Board Commission), 5.000%, 5/1/23

    724,444   
1,090,000  

City Of Charles Town, WV, Waterworks & Sewerage System, Water Utility Improvements Revenue, 4.500%, 3/1/36

    1,212,505   
1,000,000  

County Of Ohio, WV, Special District Excise Tax, Refunding Revenue, Series B, 4.375%, 3/1/35

    1,015,010   
1,215,000  

Fairmont State University, WV, University & College Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Series B, 4.000%, 6/1/19

    1,319,855   
1,005,000  

Fairmont State University, WV, University & College Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/23

    1,177,599   
1,495,000  

Fairmont State University, WV, University & College Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Series B, Callable 6/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/23

    1,751,751   
1,100,000  

Fairmont, WV, Waterworks Refunding Revenue, Series D, Callable 7/1/19 @100, (AGM), 4.000%, 7/1/24

    1,169,762   
2,150,000  

Greenbrier County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Improvements G.O., (AGM), 5.000%, 5/1/18

    2,335,567   
1,505,000  

Jefferson County, WV, Board of Education Public School, Refunding G.O., (West Virginia Board Commission), 4.000%, 5/1/19

    1,633,768   
1,700,000  

Marshall University, WV, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 5/1/19

    1,901,178   
1,390,000  

Marshall University, WV, University & College Improvements Revenue, Callable 5/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 5/1/26

    1,614,666   
1,560,000  

Marshall University, WV, University & College Improvements Revenue, Callable 5/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 5/1/27

    1,812,143   
1,000,000  

Mason County, WV, Appalachian Power Co., Industrial Improvements Revenue, Series L, 1.625%, 10/1/22(a)

    1,005,880   
1,545,000  

Monongalia County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Refunding G.O., (West Virginia Board Commission), 5.000%, 5/1/20

    1,774,046   
1,000,000  

Monongalia County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Refunding G.O., Callable 5/1/22 @ 100, (West Virginia Board Commission), 5.000%, 5/1/23

    1,192,730   

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  
$   675,000  

Monongalia County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Refunding G.O., Callable 5/1/22 @ 100, (West Virginia Board Commission), 5.000%, 5/1/31

   $ 797,641   
965,000  

Monongalia County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Refunding G.O., Callable 5/1/22 @ 100, (West Virginia Board Commission), 5.000%, 5/1/33

     1,132,447   
915,000  

Monongalia County, WV, Building Commission, Health System Obligated Group Refunding Revenue, Callable 7/1/21 @ 100, OID, 6.250%, 7/1/31

     1,080,816   
2,000,000  

Monongalia County, WV, Building Commission, Monongalia Health System Group Refunding Revenue, Callable 7/1/25 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/26

     2,399,640   
390,000  

Ohio County, WV, County Commission, Fort Henry Centre Financing District, Public Improvement, Tax Allocation, Series A, 5.350%, 6/1/17

     401,376   
1,000,000  

Parkersburg, WV, Combined Waterworks & Sewerage System, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 8/1/21 @ 100, (BAM), 4.000%, 8/1/22

     1,113,680   
1,210,000  

Pleasants County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Improvements G.O., Callable 5/1/21 @ 100, 4.000%, 5/1/23

     1,341,467   
1,165,000  

Pleasants County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Improvements G.O., Callable 5/1/21 @ 100, 4.000%, 5/1/24

     1,283,003   
1,000,000  

Preston County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Improvements G.O., (West Virginia Board Commission), 3.000%, 5/1/19

     1,061,100   
1,655,000  

Preston County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Improvements G.O., (West Virginia Board Commission), 4.000%, 5/1/21

     1,873,543   
1,285,000  

Princeton, WV, Princeton Community Hospital Project, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 5/1/22

     1,484,329   
1,410,000  

Princeton, WV, Princeton Community Hospital Project, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 5/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 5/1/27

     1,570,980   
2,005,000  

Putnam County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Improvements, G.O., (West Virginia Board Commission), 4.000%, 5/1/19

     2,190,803   
1,000,000  

Putnam County, WV, Board of Education, Public School Improvements, G.O., Callable 5/1/20 @ 100, (West Virginia Board Commission), 4.000%, 5/1/22

     1,103,820   
1,105,000  

School Building Authority of West Virginia, Capital Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 7/1/17 @ 100 (NATL), 5.000%, 7/1/18

     1,165,885   
1,650,000  

School Building Authority of West Virginia, Capital Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 7/1/17 @ 100 (NATL), 5.000%, 7/1/19

     1,740,486   
3,700,000  

School Building Authority of West Virginia, Capital Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 7/1/17 @ 100 (NATL), 5.000%, 7/1/20

     3,898,579   
 

 

Continued

 

59


 

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

$   500,000  

School Building Authority of West Virginia, Lottery Capital Improvements Revenue, Callable 7/1/24 @ 100, Series A, 5.000%, 7/1/27

   $ 604,665   
1,265,000  

School Building Authority of West Virginia, Lottery Capital Improvements Revenue, Callable 7/1/24 @ 100, Series A, 5.000%, 7/1/28

     1,521,340   
1,675,000  

School Building Authority Of West Virginia, School Improvements Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 7/1/28

     2,062,394   
1,000,000  

School Building Authority of West Virginia, School Improvements Revenue, Series B, Callable 7/1/20 @ 100, 5.000%, 7/1/30

     1,140,690   
1,400,000  

Shepherd University Board of Governors, Residence Facilities Projects, University & College Improvements, Revenue, (NATL), 5.000%, 6/1/25

     1,405,460   
500,000  

West Virginia Economic Development Authority, Appalachian Power Co. Amos Plant Project, Refunding Revenue, 1.900%, 3/1/40(a)

     502,870   
1,215,000  

West Virginia Economic Development Authority, Correctional Juvenile Public Safety Facilities Lease, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 6/1/19

     1,363,534   
3,000,000  

West Virginia Economic Development Authority, Correctional Juvenile Public Safety Facilities Lease, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/25

     3,566,100   
3,685,000  

West Virginia Economic Development Authority, Correctional Juvenile Public Safety Facilities Lease, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/26

     4,361,455   
250,000  

West Virginia Economic Development Authority, Department of Environmental Protection Lease, Refunding Revenue, Series B, 4.000%, 11/1/21

     284,857   
1,015,000  

West Virginia Economic Development Authority, State Office Building 3, Public Improvements Revenue, Series D, Callable 6/1/25 @ 100, 5.000%, 6/1/26

     1,249,983   
1,210,000  

West Virginia Economic Development Authority, The Diamond Project, Refunding Revenue, 3.000%, 12/15/18

     1,273,997   
1,890,000  

West Virginia Economic Development Authority, The Diamond Project, Refunding Revenue, Callable 12/15/18 @ 100, 3.000%, 12/15/19

     1,985,256   
1,600,000  

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Higher Education Facilities, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 5.000%, 4/1/20

     1,833,552   
250,000  

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Higher Educational Facilities, Refunding Revenue, Series B, (NATL), 5.000%, 4/1/16

     250,000   
225,000  

West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority, Charleston Area Medical Center, Inc., Health, Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements Revenue, Series A, OID, 6.500%, 9/1/16

     229,950   

 Principal 
Amount

            Fair Value     

MUNICIPAL BONDS — (continued)

  

$2,000,000  

West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority, United Health System Obligation, Health, Hospital, Nursing Home Improvements Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 6/1/23 @ 100, OID, 5.375%, 6/1/38

   $ 2,312,560   
515,000  

West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority, Valley Health System Obligated Group, Refunding Revenue, 5.000%, 1/1/24

     627,460   
630,000  

West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority, Valley Health System Obligated Group, Refunding Revenue, Callable 1/1/24 @ 100, 5.000%, 1/1/26

     749,599   
1,555,000  

West Virginia Housing Development Fund, Refunding Revenue, Series A, 2.750%, 11/1/20

     1,626,250   
1,890,000  

West Virginia State Building Commission, Regional Jail Refunding Revenue, Series A, (AMBAC), 5.375%, 7/1/21

     2,144,262   
1,320,000  

West Virginia State Parkways Economic Development & Tourism Authority, Refunding Revenue (NATL), 5.250%, 5/15/17

     1,386,264   
2,000,000  

West Virginia State Parkways Economic Development & Tourism Authority, Refunding Revenue (NATL), 5.250%, 5/15/19

     2,256,040   
1,000,000  

West Virginia State Water Development Authority, Loan Program II, Refunding Revenue, Series A-II, Callable 11/1/23 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/26

     1,195,580   
2,525,000  

West Virginia State Water Development Authority, Loan Program II, Refunding Revenue, Series A-II, Callable 11/1/23 @ 100, 5.000%, 11/1/27

     2,996,241   
1,500,000  

West Virginia University, University Projects, University & College Improvements Revenue, Series B, 5.000%, 10/1/20

     1,748,610   
1,750,000  

West Virginia University, University Projects, University & College Improvements Revenue, Series B, Callable 10/1/21 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/30

     2,024,610   
1,530,000  

West Virginia University, University Projects, University & College Improvements, Refunding Revenue, Series A, Callable 10/1/22 @ 100, 5.000%, 10/1/35

     1,805,155   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds
(Cost $91,673,626)

     96,647,969   
    

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

60


 

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

MONEY MARKET FUND — 1.6%

  
1,557,140  

Federated Tax Free Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.140%(b)

   $ 1,557,140   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $1,557,140)

     1,557,140   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 98.9%
(Cost $93,230,766)

     98,205,109   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 1.1%

     1,125,920   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 99,331,029   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

The interest rate for this variable rate note, which will change periodically,

 

is based either on the prime rate or an index of market rates. The reflected rate is in effect as of March 31, 2016. The maturity date reflected is the final maturity date.

(b)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

AGM — Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

AMBAC — American Municipal Bond Assurance Corp.

BAM — Build America Mutual

G.O. — General Obligation

NATL — National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.

OID — Original Issue Discount

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

61


 

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

EQUITY FUNDS — 34.4%

  
224,160  

Advisory Research MLP & Energy Income Fund

   $ 1,752,930   
70,245  

First Trust DJ Global Select Dividend Index Fund

     1,584,025   
250,884  

Madison Covered Call & Equity Income Fund

     2,267,991   
162,915  

PowerShares S&P 500 BuyWrite Portfolio

     3,297,400   
26,818  

SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF

     1,632,409   
11,511  

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF

     615,954   
31,284  

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

     2,159,847   
11,029  

Vanguard REIT ETF

     924,230   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Equity Funds
(Cost $15,605,822)

     14,234,786   
    

 

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUNDS — 64.0%

  
120,475  

Guggenheim Floating Rate Strategies Fund

     3,046,818   
250,059  

Hotchkis and Wiley High Yield Fund

     2,765,653   
12,529  

iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF

     1,773,104   
16,445  

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

     2,147,881   
342,590  

MFS Municipal High Income Fund

     2,843,495   
215,453  

Pioneer ILS Interval Fund

     2,257,945   
110,444  

PowerShares Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt Portfolio

     3,125,565   
308,570  

Principal Preferred Securities Fund

     3,076,440   
144,757  

Shenkman Short Duration High Income Fund

     1,420,063   
200,201  

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund, Institutional Shares(a)

     2,028,035   

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

FIXED INCOME FUNDS — (continued)

  
198,894  

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund, Institutional Shares(a)

   $ 1,988,940   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Fixed Income Funds
(Cost $26,623,446)

     26,473,939   
    

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 1.8%

  
726,690  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(b)

     726,690   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $726,690)

     726,690   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.2%
(Cost $42,955,958)

     41,435,415   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — (0.2)%

     (76,072
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 41,359,343   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(b)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

ETF — Exchange Traded Fund

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

62


 

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value     

EQUITY FUNDS — 66.4%

  
1,007,504  

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund, Institutional Shares(a)

   $ 9,299,259   
269,243  

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund, Institutional Shares(a)

     4,625,594   
422,064  

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund, Institutional Shares(a)(b)

     3,296,321   
209,747  

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund, Institutional Shares(a)(b)

     4,700,423   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Equity Funds
(Cost $22,704,117)

     21,921,597   
    

 

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUND — 32.4%

  
1,007,070  

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund, Institutional Shares(a)

     10,674,939   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Fixed Income Fund
(Cost $10,484,161)

     10,674,939   
    

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 1.1%

  
370,884  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(c)

     370,884   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $370,884)

     370,884   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost $33,559,162)

     32,967,420   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 0.1%

     22,008   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 32,989,428   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(b)

Represents non-income producing security.

(c)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

63


 

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares      

            Fair Value       

EQUITY FUNDS — 81.5%

  
866,820  

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund, Institutional Shares(a)

   $ 8,000,745   
235,671  

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund, Institutional Shares(a)

     4,048,821   
358,437  

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund, Institutional Shares(a)(b)

     2,799,395   
182,297  

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund, Institutional Shares(a)(b)

     4,085,281   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Equity Funds
(Cost $19,469,920)

     18,934,242   
    

 

 

 

FIXED INCOME FUND — 17.1%

  
374,033  

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund, Institutional Shares(a)

     3,964,751   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Fixed Income Fund
(Cost $4,004,261)

     3,964,751   
    

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND — 1.4%

  
318,670  

Federated Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.170%(c)

     318,670   
    

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Fund
(Cost $318,670)

     318,670   
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.0%
(Cost $23,792,851)

     23,217,663   

Net Other Assets (Liabilities) — 0.0%

     7,098   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

   $ 23,224,761   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(b)

Represents non-income producing security.

(c)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

64


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets:    Sterling Capital
Behavioral Large Cap
Value Equity Fund
  Sterling Capital
Mid

Value Fund

Investments at fair value (a)

     $ 277,045,955       $ 611,730,576  

Cash

       672         2,774  

Cash held at broker for securities sold short

                

Foreign currency, at value

                

Interest and dividends receivable

       183,389         1,266,703  

Receivable for investments sold

               7,134,684  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       397,542         1,750,553  

Prepaid and other expenses

       38,764         53,392  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Assets

       277,666,322         621,938,682  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

        

Call options written
(premiums received $ — , $ — , $ — , $755,912, $519,914, $7,135, $ — and $ — , respectively)

                

Securities sold short, at value
(proceeds $ — , $ — , $ — , $ — , $ — , $19,926,098, $ — and $ — , respectively)

                

Distributions payable

                

Payable for investments purchased

                

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       58,219         817,738  

Payable for dividends on short sales

                

Payable to broker for service fee on short sales

                

Accrued expenses and other payables:

        

Investment advisory fees

       124,758         359,320  

Accounting out-of-pocket fees

       2,330         3,383  

Administration fees

       20,026         44,226  

Audit fees

       11,987         20,744  

Compliance service fees

       586         1,509  

Distribution (12b-1) fees

       7,721         11,557  

Trustee fees

       143         898  

Custodian fees

       3,526         9,932  

Printing fees

       13,855         29,593  

Transfer agent fees

       20,680         85,345  

Other fees and liabilities

                
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       263,831         1,384,245  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 277,402,491       $ 620,554,437  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

        

Capital

     $ 281,092,344       $ 572,888,187  

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income (loss)

       317,447         1,438,623  

Accumulated realized gain (loss)

       (23,431,526 )       4,341,068  

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       19,424,226         41,886,559  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 277,402,491       $ 620,554,437  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets

        

Class A Shares

     $ 31,037,849       $ 32,136,037  

Class B Shares

       364,359         468,414  

Class C Shares

       1,080,385         5,548,237  

Institutional Shares

       244,919,898         582,401,552  

Class R Shares

               197  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     $ 277,402,491       $ 620,554,437  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares of Beneficial Interest Outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

        

Class A Shares

       1,812,259         2,034,860  

Class B Shares

       21,627         32,465  

Class C Shares

       64,867         386,861  

Institutional Shares

       14,222,312         36,464,933  

Class R Shares

               13  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

       16,121,065         38,919,132  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value

        

Class A Shares - redemption price per share

     $ 17.13       $ 15.79  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class B Shares - offering price per share*

     $ 16.85       $ 14.43  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class C Shares - offering price per share*

     $ 16.66       $ 14.34  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Institutional Shares

     $ 17.22       $ 15.97  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class R Shares

     $       $ 15.38 **
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Maximum Sales Charge - Class A Shares

       5.75 %       5.75 %
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Maximum Offering Price (100%/(100% - Maximum Sales Charge)) of net asset value adjusted to the nearest cent per share - Class A Shares

     $ 18.18       $ 16.75  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

(a) Investments at cost

     $ 257,621,729       $ 569,844,017  

 

 

*

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

**

The Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund and Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund net asset value for Class R Shares is calculated using unrounded net assets of $197.37 and $179.25 divided by the unrounded shares of 12.834 and 12.544, respectively.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

65


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

 

 

Sterling Capital
Behavioral Small Cap
Value Equity Fund
  Sterling Capital
Special
Opportunities Fund
  Sterling Capital
Equity
Income Fund
  Sterling Capital
Long/Short
Equity Fund
  Sterling Capital
Behavioral International
Equity Fund
  Sterling Capital
Ultra Short
Bond Fund
  $ 151,647,791       $ 1,025,239,706       $ 1,623,147,679       $ 41,694,817       $ 17,869,215       $ 47,445,908  
    397         5,150         10,705         2,200,542         53         6,800  
                            19,030,541                  
                                    26,637          
    414,398         1,119,510         3,562,644         25,212         117,198         235,641  
            1,086,452         3,273,047         2,832,709                  
    287,670         12,205,221         4,099,578         726,086         25         276,791  
    30,743         82,259         100,447         31,792         9,593         9,071  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    152,380,999         1,039,738,298         1,634,194,100         66,541,699         18,022,721         47,974,211  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
   

 

    

 

 

      240,600         828,050         7,009                  
   

 

    

 

 

                      19,540,440                  
                    1,683                         3,688  
            189,917         339,336         2,277,892                 656,421  
    3,891         1,049,773         3,897,137         295,833                 20,683  
                            14,694                  
                            542                  
                     
    75,447         562,934         942,209         55,763         5,254         2,379  
    2,229         4,812         7,615         3,507         8,759         5,608  
    10,840         72,757         116,564         3,221         1,299         3,439  
    5,977         42,229         68,856         2,859         1,147         1,998  
    275         1,966         3,549         211         45         91  
    2,229         205,765         327,206         341         93         2,164  
    74         666         1,343                 24          
    3,343         11,589         22,531         1,514         2,220         622  
    6,702         44,185         67,646                 1,130         2,318  
    13,390         102,899         281,446         11,382         1,395         5,508  
                            3,022                  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    124,397         2,530,092         6,905,171         22,218,230         21,366         704,919  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 152,256,602       $ 1,037,208,206       $ 1,627,288,929       $ 44,323,469       $ 18,001,355       $ 47,269,292  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
  $ 142,337,248       $ 759,619,008       $ 1,346,228,109       $ 71,927,953       $ 19,405,051       $ 48,122,226  
    600,726         1,298,828         699,122         (486,326 )       63,708         (163,149 )
    (3,232,027 )       20,924,155         (27,040,567 )       (23,351,030 )       (1,403,182 )       (344,036 )
    12,550,655         255,366,215         307,402,265         (3,767,128 )       (64,222 )       (345,749 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 152,256,602       $ 1,037,208,206       $ 1,627,288,929       $ 44,323,469       $ 18,001,355       $ 47,269,292  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
  $ 8,624,695       $ 322,379,231       $ 449,640,627       $ 594,200       $ 349,596       $ 7,687,068  
    143,120         3,387,147         2,832,289                          
    361,590         169,484,141         277,526,150         248,484         28,369          
    143,127,018         541,830,810         895,244,502         43,480,785         17,623,390         39,582,224  
    179         126,877         2,045,361                          
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 152,256,602       $ 1,037,208,206       $ 1,627,288,929       $ 44,323,469       $ 18,001,355       $ 47,269,292  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
    601,620         14,993,531         26,239,503         76,531         37,936         782,164  
    10,311         182,438         165,401                          
    26,102         9,120,151         16,338,867         32,548         3,085          
    9,907,201         24,172,686         52,116,215         5,565,619         1,909,689         4,028,853  
    13         5,814         120,113                          
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    10,545,247         48,474,620         94,980,099         5,674,698         1,950,710         4,811,017  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
  $ 14.34       $ 21.50       $ 17.14       $ 7.76       $ 9.22       $ 9.83  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 13.88       $ 18.57       $ 17.12       $       $       $  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 13.85       $ 18.58       $ 16.99       $ 7.63       $ 9.19       $  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 14.45       $ 22.42       $ 17.18       $ 7.81       $ 9.23       $ 9.82  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 14.29 **     $ 21.82       $ 17.03       $       $       $  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    5.75 %       5.75 %       5.75 %       5.75 %       5.75 %       0.50 %
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
   

$

    

15.20

 

 

    $ 22.81       $ 18.19       $ 8.23       $ 9.78       $ 9.88  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 139,097,136       $ 770,388,803       $ 1,315,437,278       $ 45,847,729       $ 17,935,173       $ 47,791,657  

 

66


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets:    Sterling Capital
Short Duration
Bond Fund
  Sterling Capital
Intermediate U.S.
Government Fund

Investments at fair value (a)

     $ 85,042,219       $ 29,700,770  

Cash

                

Interest and dividends receivable

       521,652         136,090  

Receivable for investments sold

       1,536,459          

Receivable for capital shares issued

       82,276         90,046  

Prepaid expenses

       16,739         9,680  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Assets

       87,199,345         29,936,586  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

        

Distributions payable

       133,368         27,201  

Payable for investments purchased

       3,166,547          

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       24,969         82,522  

Accrued expenses and other payables:

        

Investment advisory fees

       13,977         7,346  

Administration fees

       6,023         2,186  

Compliance service fees

       177         63  

Distribution (12b-1) fees

       3,505         2,535  

Trustee fees

       41          

Other fees

       22,834         6,285  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       3,371,441         128,138  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 83,827,904       $ 29,808,448  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

        

Capital

     $ 90,868,400       $ 36,171,899  

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income

       (631,558 )       114,515  

Accumulated realized gain (loss)

       (5,737,171 )       (7,300,319 )

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       (671,767 )       822,353  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 83,827,904       $ 29,808,448  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets

        

Class A Shares

     $ 7,656,202       $ 7,468,208  

Class B Shares

               124,260  

Class C Shares

       2,172,192         940,976  

Institutional Shares

       73,999,510         21,275,004  

Class R Shares

                
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     $ 83,827,904       $ 29,808,448  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares of Beneficial Interest Outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

        

Class A Shares

       869,749         729,366  

Class B Shares

               12,180  

Class C Shares

       246,846         92,060  

Institutional Shares

       8,406,695         2,075,652  

Class R Shares

                
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

       9,523,290         2,909,258  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value

        

Class A Shares - redemption price per share

     $ 8.80       $ 10.24  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class B Shares - offering price per share*

     $       $ 10.20  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class C Shares - offering price per share*

     $ 8.80       $ 10.22  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Institutional Shares

     $ 8.80       $ 10.25  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class R Shares

     $       $  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Maximum Sales Charge - Class A Shares

       2.00 %       2.00 %
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Maximum Offering Price (100%/(100% - Maximum Sales Charge)) of net asset value adjusted to the nearest cent per share - Class A Shares

     $ 8.98       $ 10.45  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

(a) Investments at cost

     $ 85,713,986       $ 28,878,417  

 

 

*

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

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

67


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

 

Sterling Capital
Total Return
Bond Fund
  Sterling Capital
Corporate Fund
  Sterling Capital
Securitized
Opportunities
Fund
  Sterling Capital
Kentucky Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
  Sterling Capital
Maryland Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
  $ 679,459,559       $ 65,533,532       $ 48,406,425       $ 12,275,050       $ 34,576,511  
    1,398                         12         19  
    4,550,829         735,626         147,420         156,335         360,895  
                    537,565                  
    3,227,572         161,909         25,515         64,538         32,000  
    34,837         7,122         15,615         2,074         7,808  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    687,274,195         66,438,189         49,132,540         12,498,009         34,977,233  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    672,449         527         3         15,680         31,841  
    4,608,264         1,248,957         1,434,170                  
    716,886         270,942         60,458         51,786         10,822  
                 
    153,225         18,786         12,230         3,679         10,471  
    49,157         4,622         3,399         907         2,579  
    1,272         121         91         28         71  
    18,433         109         57         911         1,885  
    —  24         79                 2      
    107,361         15,012         10,841         2,871         6,863  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    6,327,047         1,559,100         1,521,328         75,862         64,534  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 680,947,148       $ 64,879,089       $ 47,611,212       $ 12,422,147       $ 34,912,699  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
  $ 685,795,367       $ 64,825,598       $ 48,777,884       $ 11,489,636       $ 33,039,804  
    (1,439,491 )       (216 )       (91,034 )       12,234         4,668  
    (11,131,283 )       (595,435 )       (1,679,367 )       165,820         106,363  
    7,722,555         649,142         603,729         754,457         1,761,864  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 680,947,148       $ 64,879,089       $ 47,611,212       $ 12,422,147       $ 34,912,699  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
  $ 61,403,457       $ 338,215       $ 123,202       $ 4,244,436       $ 6,176,626  
    683,266                                  
    5,985,019         47,109         39,296         20,017         672,622  
    612,870,192         64,493,765         47,448,714         8,157,694         28,063,451  
    5,214                                  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 680,947,148       $ 64,879,089       $ 47,611,212       $ 12,422,147       $ 34,912,699  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    5,793,601         33,387         12,333         401,096         548,623  
    64,405                                  
    563,866         4,658         3,937         1,891         59,727  
    57,799,693         6,369,330         4,745,323         771,992         2,488,703  
    494                                  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    64,222,059         6,407,375         4,761,593         1,174,979         3,097,053  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
  $ 10.60       $ 10.13       $ 9.99       $ 10.58       $ 11.26  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 10.61       $       $       $       $  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 10.61       $ 10.11       $ 9.98       $ 10.59       $ 11.26  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 10.60       $ 10.13       $ 10.00       $ 10.57       $ 11.28  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 10.55       $       $       $       $  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    5.75 %       2.00 %       2.00 %       2.00 %       2.00 %
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
   

$

    

11.25

 

 

    $ 10.34       $ 10.19       $ 10.80       $ 11.49  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 671,737,004       $ 64,884,390       $ 47,802,696       $ 11,520,593       $ 32,814,647  

 

68


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets:    Sterling Capital
North Carolina
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
  Sterling Capital
South Carolina
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund

Investments at fair value - unaffiliated (a)

     $ 198,492,836       $ 84,130,518  

Investments at fair value - affiliated (b)

                

Cash

       55         148  

Interest and dividends receivable - unaffiliated

       2,713,560         1,020,061  

Dividends receivable - affiliated

                

Receivable for capital shares issued

       1,170,246         25,272  

Prepaid and other expenses

       9,681         4,780  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Assets

       202,386,378         85,180,779  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

        

Distributions payable

       238,700         82,672  

Payable for investments purchased

       1,449,248          

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       216,076         73,979  

Accrued expenses and other payables:

        

Investment advisory fees

       58,642         24,638  

Administration fees

       14,427         6,066  

Compliance service fees

       382         139  

Distribution (12b-1) fees

       14,357         5,131  

Trustee fees

       14          

Transfer agent fees

       14,958         5,144  

Other fees

       22,720         9,059  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       2,029,524         206,828  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 200,356,854       $ 84,973,951  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

        

Capital

     $ 188,067,584       $ 81,140,826  

Undistributed net investment income (loss)

       84,852         27,146  

Accumulated realized gain (loss)

       357,859         10,039  

Net unrealized appreciation

       11,846,559         3,795,940  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 200,356,854       $ 84,973,951  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets

        

Class A Shares

     $ 49,289,344       $ 17,886,943  

Class B Shares

                

Class C Shares

       5,281,175         1,807,545  

Institutional Shares

       145,786,335         65,279,463  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     $ 200,356,854       $ 84,973,951  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares of Beneficial Interest Outstanding (Unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

        

Class A Shares

       4,458,791         1,587,675  

Class B Shares

                

Class C Shares

       478,124         160,463  

Institutional Shares

       13,188,811         5,833,710  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

       18,125,726         7,581,848  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value

        

Class A Shares - redemption price per share

     $ 11.05       $ 11.27  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class B Shares - offering price per share*

     $       $  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class C Shares - offering price per share*

     $ 11.05       $ 11.26  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Institutional Shares.

     $ 11.05       $ 11.19  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Maximum Sales Charge - Class A Shares

       2.00 %       2.00 %
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Maximum Offering Price (100%/(100% - Maximum Sales Charge)) of net asset value adjusted to the nearest cent per share - Class A Shares

     $ 11.29       $ 11.49  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investments at cost:

        

(a) Investments at cost - unaffiliated

     $ 186,646,277       $ 80,334,578  

(b) Investments at cost - affiliated

     $       $  

 

 

*

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

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

69


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

 

Sterling Capital
Virginia
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
  Sterling Capital
West Virginia
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
  Sterling Capital
Diversified
Income Fund
  Sterling Capital
Strategic Allocation
Balanced Fund
  Sterling Capital
Strategic Allocation
Growth Fund
  $ 118,326,828       $ 98,205,109       $ 37,418,440       $ 370,884       $ 318,670  
                    4,016,975         32,596,536         22,898,993  
    24         71         56         66         35  
    1,254,319         1,378,045                          
                    46,399         30,914         11,299  
    260,525         139,293         49,629         6,689         1,197  
    8,375         8,936         9,702         8,717         7,492  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    119,850,071         99,731,454         41,541,201         33,013,806         23,237,686  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    127,803         111,104         8,768         1,416         302  
                    46,370                  
    89,103         226,879         103,618         8,430         4,021  
                 
    35,053         29,320         8,728                  
    8,637         7,264         3,505                  
    227         194         67         78         57  
    8,848         8,086         4,151         7,776         5,356  
                    61         73         75  
    8,556         5,788         2,970         3,365         2,309  
    13,587         11,790         3,620         3,240         805  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    291,814         400,425         181,858         24,378         12,925  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 119,558,257       $ 99,331,029       $ 41,359,343       $ 32,989,428       $ 23,224,761  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
  $ 112,788,646       $ 93,881,460       $ 48,377,916       $ 37,914,320       $ 30,502,830  
    62,661         69,038         1,311         (107,409 )       (94,622 )
    254,418         406,188         (5,499,341 )       (4,225,741 )       (6,608,259 )
    6,452,532         4,974,343         (1,520,543 )       (591,742 )       (575,188 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 119,558,257       $ 99,331,029       $ 41,359,343       $ 32,989,428       $ 23,224,761  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
  $ 36,329,571       $ 36,225,404       $ 14,477,525       $ 31,586,169       $ 21,552,403  
                    320,867         543,635         550,113  
    1,369,206         574,938         1,048,993         783,084         424,775  
    81,859,480         62,530,687         25,511,958         76,540         697,470  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 119,558,257       $ 99,331,029       $ 41,359,343       $ 32,989,428       $ 23,224,761  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    3,004,372         3,543,932         1,409,528         3,043,717         2,142,472  
                    31,177         53,385         56,224  
    113,250         56,230         102,935         76,877         43,620  
    6,771,295         6,110,561         2,455,808         7,322         69,183  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    9,888,917         9,710,723         3,999,448         3,181,301         2,311,499  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
  $ 12.09       $ 10.22       $ 10.27       $ 10.38       $ 10.06  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $       $       $ 10.29       $ 10.18       $ 9.78  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 12.09       $ 10.22       $ 10.19       $ 10.19       $ 9.74  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 12.09       $ 10.23       $ 10.39       $ 10.45       $ 10.08  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    2.00 %       2.00 %       5.75 %       5.75 %       5.75 %
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
   

$

    

12.35

 

 

    $ 10.43       $ 10.90       $ 11.01       $ 10.67  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
  $ 111,874,296       $ 93,230,766       $ 38,943,396       $ 370,884       $ 318,670  
  $       $       $ 4,012,562       $ 33,188,278       $ 23,474,181  

 

70


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Operations

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Behavioral Large Cap
Value Equity Fund
  Sterling Capital
Mid

Value Fund

Investment Income:

        

Interest income

     $       $  

Dividend income

       3,585,165         4,944,532  

Foreign tax withholding

       (1,548 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

       3,583,617         4,944,532  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Expenses:

        

Investment advisory fees (See Note 5)

       954,312         2,144,314  

Administration fees (See Note 5)

       121,383         272,885  

Distribution fees - Class A Shares

       39,501         41,650  

Distribution fees - Class B Shares

       2,375         3,063  

Distribution fees - Class C Shares

       4,936         26,932  

Distribution fees - Class R Shares

                

Compliance service fees (See Note 5)

       1,554         3,669  

Trustee fees

       12,512         29,638  

Accounting and out-of-pocket fees

       4,725         6,447  

Audit fees

       12,185         28,315  

Custodian fees

       6,736         16,947  

Fund accounting fees (See Note 5)

       10,225         22,975  

Interest expense (See Note 7)

               106  

Legal fees

       14,204         34,227  

Offering costs

                

Printing fees

       15,673         36,437  

Registration fees

       24,460         31,746  

Transfer agent fees (See Note 5)

       50,779         262,340  

Other fees

       8,711         20,107  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short

       1,284,271         2,981,798  

Dividend expense

                

Service fee on securities sold short

                
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers

       1,284,271         2,981,798  

Less expenses waived by the Investment Advisor (See Note 5)

       (162,311 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net expenses

       1,121,960         2,981,798  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

       2,461,657         1,962,734  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

        

Net realized gain (loss) from:

        

Investments

       (2,807,269 )       25,873,615  

Written options

                

Foreign currency transactions

                

Short sales

                

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:

        

Investments

       10,751,788         15,318,069  

Written options

                

Foreign currency transactions

                

Short sales

                
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gain (loss)

       7,944,519         41,191,684  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets from operations

     $ 10,406,176       $ 43,154,418  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

71


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

 

 

Sterling Capital
Behavioral Small Cap
Value Equity Fund
  Sterling Capital
Special
Opportunities Fund
  Sterling Capital
Equity
Income Fund
  Sterling Capital
Long/Short
Equity Fund
  Sterling Capital
Behavioral International
Equity Fund
  Sterling Capital
Ultra Short
Bond Fund
                     
  $ —         $ —         $       $ 134,545       $       $ 338,826  
    1,890,888         7,013,084         25,146,975         442,314         224,553         4,614  
    (1,433 )               (267,210 )       (8,281 )       (14,770 )        
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    1,889,455         7,013,084         24,879,765         568,578         209,783         343,440  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
    516,818         3,615,737         5,477,982         517,092         74,576         46,160  
    61,260         429,052         697,330         30,822         8,308         20,541  
    14,122         360,642         559,991         1,232         546         12,699  
    879         19,901         17,086                          
    1,728         774,268         1,387,477         1,615         142          
            231         5,071                          
    759         5,398         9,095         489         113         257  
    6,201         44,107         73,716         4,262         891         2,103  
    6,337         8,578         13,091         6,966         15,108         11,342  
    6,071         42,892         70,778         3,813         797         2,043  
    3,327         23,281         41,190         2,415         6,121         1,198  
    5,169         36,161         58,693         27,571         699         1,731  
            372                 1,396         26          
    7,063         50,593         85,811         8,104         1,041         3,254  
                                    2,337          
    7,843         55,421         91,361         5,482         1,068         2,622  
    23,726         39,652         42,999         20,213         4,825         14,619  
    33,406         305,178         855,586         33,637         3,219         20,119  
    5,071         28,874         48,625         3,514         4,171         1,850  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    699,780         5,840,338         9,535,882         668,623         123,988         140,538  
                            195,218                  
                            197,165                  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    699,780         5,840,338         9,535,882         1,061,006         123,988         140,538  
    (34,961 )       (126,082 )               (6,102 )       (22,543 )       (16,926 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    664,819         5,714,256         9,535,882         1,054,904         101,445         123,612  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    1,224,636         1,298,828         15,343,883         (486,326 )       108,338         219,828  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
                     
    (797,250 )       25,970,054         (23,873,610 )       (22,297,185 )       (411,430 )       (6,990 )
            (142,943 )       1,363,168         45,676                  
                            1,536         (11,849 )        
                            1,541,131                  
                     
    3,678,229         50,124,446         108,011,684         15,834,176         800,403         (11,698 )
            184,929         (556,381 )       126                  
                            12         1,688          
                            (2,838,072 )                
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    2,880,979         76,136,486         84,944,861         (7,712,600 )       378,812         (18,688 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 4,105,615       $ 77,435,314       $ 100,288,744       $ (8,198,926 )     $ 487,150       $ 201,140  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

72


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Operations

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Short Duration
Bond Fund
  Sterling Capital
Intermediate U.S.
Government Fund

Investment Income:

        

Interest income

     $ 807,460       $ 284,233  

Dividend income

       16,791         226  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

       824,251         284,459  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Expenses:

        

Investment advisory fees (See Note 5)

       126,468         64,222  

Administration fees (See Note 5)

       37,537         13,299  

Distribution fees - Class A Shares

       9,849         9,369  

Distribution fees - Class B Shares

               755  

Distribution fees - Class C Shares

       11,888         4,298  

Distribution fees - Class R Shares

                

Compliance service fees (See Note 5)

       482         170  

Trustee fees

       4,072         1,391  

Accounting and out-of-pocket fees

       15,209         4,182  

Audit fees

       3,867         1,336  

Custodian fees

       2,213         844  

Fund accounting fees (See Note 5)

       3,161         1,120  

Legal fees

       6,181         2,130  

Printing fees

       4,992         1,725  

Registration fees

       17,640         11,574  

Transfer agent fees (See Note 5)

       16,858         6,489  

Other fees

       3,311         1,894  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers

       263,728         124,798  

Less expenses waived by the Investment Advisor (See Note 5)

       (19,161 )       (18,017 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net expenses

       244,567         106,781  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

       579,684         177,678  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

        

Net realized gain (loss) from:

        

Investments

       (124,861 )       35,492  

Distributions from unaffiliated funds

                

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       199,917         210,016  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gain

       75,056         245,508  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets from operations

     $ 654,740       $ 423,186  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

73


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

Sterling Capital
Total Return
Bond Fund
  Sterling Capital
Corporate
Fund
  Sterling Capital
Securitized
Opportunities Fund
  Sterling Capital
Kentucky Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
  Sterling Capital
Maryland Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
                 
  $ 11,217,849       $ 1,147,484       $ 666,670       $ 218,908       $ 469,892  
    173,078         28,509         322         31         49  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    11,390,927         1,175,993         666,992         218,939         469,941  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    1,229,663         111,301         83,563         30,346         80,544  
    295,727         28,298         21,248         6,004         15,918  
    68,305         430         2,720         5,454         8,076  
    4,167                                  
    30,429         84         194         99         3,389  
    13                                  
    3,649         349         263         77         200  
    31,069         2,988         2,225         652         1,696  
    31,962         10,728         12,686         3,373         4,518  
    29,634         2,865         2,165         617         1,615  
    15,944         1,575         1,176         434         965  
    24,926         2,385         1,791         506         1,343  
    49,554         4,803         3,667         742         1,923  
    38,284         3,692         2,810         792         2,079  
    24,538         9,902         10,418         6,595         7,323  
    149,808         20,541         9,749         2,645         7,616  
    19,213         2,512         2,093         1,184         1,802  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    2,046,885         202,453         156,768         59,520         139,007  
    (332,341 )               (9,550 )       (8,190 )       (17,899 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    1,714,544         202,453         147,218         51,330         121,108  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    9,676,383         973,540         519,774         167,609         348,833  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
                 
    (1,490,343 )       (461,545 )       68,790         165,457         111,566  
                            65         92  
    7,540,222         642,947         44,536         (59,196 )       386,824  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    6,049,879         181,402         113,326         106,326         498,482  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 15,726,262       $ 1,154,942       $ 633,100       $ 273,935       $ 847,315  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

74


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Operations

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
North Carolina
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
     Sterling Capital
South Carolina
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund

Investment Income:

           

Interest income

     $ 2,913,201         

$

1,054,205

 

Dividend income - unaffiliated

       255            249  

Dividend income - affiliated

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total investment income

       2,913,456            1,054,454  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Expenses:

           

Investment advisory fees (See Note 5)

       441,829            177,639  

Administration fees (See Note 5)

       87,375            35,115  

Distribution fees - Class A Shares

       58,237            21,463  

Distribution fees - Class B Shares

                   

Distribution fees - Class C Shares

       20,511            7,617  

Compliance service fees (See Note 5)

       1,088            421  

Trustee fees

       9,156            3,609  

Accounting and out-of-pocket fees

       10,730            6,409  

Audit fees

       8,790            3,478  

Custodian fees

       4,781            1,849  

Fund accounting fees (See Note 5)

       7,364            2,961  

Legal fees

       10,356            4,082  

Printing fees

       11,358            4,505  

Registration fees

       6,343            6,722  

Transfer agent fees (See Note 5)

       37,683            15,100  

Other fees

       6,237            2,873  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers

       721,838            293,843  

Less expenses waived by the Investment Advisor (See Note 5)

       (98,184 )          (39,475 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Net expenses

       623,654            254,368  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Net investment income

       2,289,802            800,086  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

           

Net realized gain (loss) from:

           

Investments - unaffiliated

       336,446            9,748  

Investments - affiliated

                   

Distributions from unaffiliated funds

                  357  

Distributions from affiliated funds

                   

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       2,183,873            1,150,403  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gain

       2,520,319            1,160,508  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from operations

     $ 4,810,121          $ 1,960,594  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

75


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

 

Sterling Capital
Virginia
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
  Sterling Capital
West Virginia
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
  Sterling Capital
Diversified
Income Fund
  Sterling Capital
Strategic Allocation
Balanced

Fund
  Sterling Capital
Strategic
Allocation
Growth Fund
                 
  $ 1,672,104       $ 1,449,116       $       $       $  
    90         162         890,336         186         134  
                    10,339         477,192         320,410  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    1,672,194         1,449,278         900,675         477,378         320,544  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
    262,683         225,292         53,425         42,889         30,459  
    51,924         44,599         6,406                  
    45,623         44,417         17,857         40,913         27,732  
                    2,145         3,672         3,822  
    6,416         2,263         4,842         3,805         2,263  
    646         555         217         198         143  
    5,438         4,711         1,987         1,619         1,165  
    7,578         6,938         1,420         1,359         1,289  
    5,203         4,494         1,884         1,510         1,075  
    2,898         2,510         953         983         725  
    4,378         3,755         1,602         1,287         914  
    6,169         5,360         2,285         1,863         1,340  
    6,723         5,767         2,488         1,988         1,436  
    7,912         7,502         11,922         7,777         8,875  
    21,836         19,471         9,249         7,637         5,408  
    4,021         3,595         2,132         2,055         1,777  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    439,448         381,229         120,814         119,555         88,423  
    (58,375 )       (50,065 )       (36,566 )       (42,889 )       (30,459 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    381,073         331,164         84,248         76,666         57,964  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    1,291,121         1,118,114         816,427         400,712         262,580  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                 
                 
    297,696         448,860         (461,444 )       183         29  
                    (64,334 )       (158,171 )       (86,621 )
    369         347         36,125                  
                    61,493         1,032,494         913,682  
    1,176,006         868,002         749,531         (559,666 )       (516,367 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    1,474,071         1,317,209         321,371         314,840         310,723  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 2,765,192       $ 2,435,323       $ 1,137,798       $ 715,552       $ 573,303  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

76


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Behavioral Large Cap
Value Equity Fund
 
    

 

For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)

       For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 

From Investment Activities:

       

Operations:

       

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 2,461,657         $ 4,100,885   

Net realized gain (loss)

     (2,807,269        20,236,440   

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     10,751,788           (30,556,150
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets from operations

     10,406,176           (6,218,825
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions to Class A Shareholders From:

       

Net investment income

     (235,071        (462,866

Net realized gains

                 

Distributions to Class B Shareholders From:

       

Net investment income

     (1,510        (3,997

Net realized gains

                 

Distributions to Class C Shareholders From:

       

Net investment income

     (4,952        (5,366

Net realized gains

                 

Distributions to Institutional Class Shareholders From:

       

Net investment income

     (2,079,749        (3,834,713

Net realized gains

                 

Distributions to Class R Shareholders From:

       

Net investment income

                 

Net realized gains

                 
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets from shareholder distributions

     (2,321,282        (4,306,942
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

       

Change in net assets from capital transactions

     15,416,013           (6,300,271
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

     23,500,907           (16,826,038

Net Assets:

       

Beginning of period

     253,901,584           270,727,622   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 277,402,491         $ 253,901,584   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income

   $ 317,447         $ 177,072   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

77


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

Sterling Capital
Mid Value
Fund
    Sterling Capital
Behavioral Small Cap
Value Equity Fund
    Sterling Capital
Special Opportunities
Fund
 
For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
         
         
$ 1,962,734      $ 3,929,543      $ 1,224,636      $ 1,904,206      $ 1,298,828      $ (2,092,663
  25,873,615        108,655,777        (797,250     1,320,822        25,827,111        138,968,722   
  15,318,069        (109,726,999     3,678,229        321,112        50,309,375        (96,092,383

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  43,154,418        2,858,321        4,105,615        3,546,140        77,435,314        40,783,676   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
         (247,243     (70,344     (164,833              
  (6,361,505     (2,510,139     (6,036     (294,991     (40,021,707     (19,330,945
         
                (548     (490              
  (129,103     (79,254     (86     (9,790     (650,328     (411,768
         
         (4,312     (1,311     (887              
  (1,066,172     (313,445     (154     (9,874     (24,141,758     (7,118,548
         
  (700,298     (5,881,265     (706,523     (2,133,120              
  (103,244,328     (41,702,231     (53,644     (3,571,652     (70,796,454     (26,427,999
         
         (1     (1     (2              
  (35     (12            (5     (13,393     (2,187

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (111,501,441     (50,737,902     (838,647     (6,185,644     (135,623,640     (53,291,447

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
  59,575,697        (66,636,304     23,438,296        (3,137,288     191,049,691        (150,495,703

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (8,771,326     (114,515,885     26,705,264        (5,776,792     132,861,365        (163,003,474
         
  629,325,763        743,841,648        125,551,338        131,328,130        904,346,841        1,067,350,315   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 620,554,437      $ 629,325,763      $ 152,256,602      $ 125,551,338      $ 1,037,208,206      $ 904,346,841   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 1,438,623      $ 176,187      $ 600,726      $ 154,817      $ 1,298,828      $   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

78


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Equity Income
Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
     For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

From Investment Activities:

           

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

     $ 15,343,883          $ 30,577,629  

Net realized gain (loss)

       (22,510,442 )          95,927,171  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       107,455,303            (184,331,736 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from operations

       100,288,744            (57,826,936 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Distributions to Class A Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (4,732,083 )          (9,860,486 )

Net realized gains

       (27,622,612 )          (17,395,887 )

Distributions to Class B Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (20,681 )          (50,462 )

Net realized gains

       (220,993 )          (186,425 )

Distributions to Class C Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (2,023,033 )          (3,076,571 )

Net realized gains

       (17,598,263 )          (8,563,173 )

Distributions to Institutional Class Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (10,101,909 )          (18,447,955 )

Net realized gains

       (50,804,852 )          (27,425,380 )

Distributions to Class R Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (19,595 )          (29,820 )

Net realized gains

       (126,200 )          (48,537 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from shareholder distributions

       (113,270,221 )          (85,084,696 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

           

Change in net assets from capital transactions

       68,952,271            (363,515,354 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       55,970,794            (506,426,986 )

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

       1,571,318,135            2,077,745,121  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 1,627,288,929          $ 1,571,318,135  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income (loss)

     $ 699,122          $ 2,252,541  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 
      

* Commencement of operations.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

79


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

Sterling Capital

Long/Short

Equity Fund

     

Sterling Capital

Behavioral International

Equity Fund

     

Sterling Capital

Ultra Short

Bond Fund

For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
  For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
  For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
  For the Period
November 28, 2014*
to September 30, 2015
  For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
  For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
                     
                     
  $ (486,326 )     $ (1,773,049 )     $ 108,338       $ 537,691       $ 219,828       $ 299,908  
    (20,708,842 )       1,710,584         (423,279 )       (1,069,214 )       (6,990 )       (9,340 )
    12,996,242         (19,605,549 )       802,091         (866,313 )       (11,698 )       (118,860 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (8,198,926 )       (19,668,014 )       487,150         (1,397,836 )       201,140         171,708  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
                    (10,317 )       (232 )       (74,679 )       (78,927 )
    (25,974 )       (72,426 )                                
                     
                                             
                                             
                     
                    (437 )       (2 )                
    (8,379 )       (11,557 )                                
                     
                    (425,047 )       (64,536 )       (306,327 )       (473,901 )
    (1,760,963 )       (3,014,603 )                                
                     
                                             
                                             
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (1,795,316 )       (3,098,586 )       (435,801 )       (64,770 )       (381,006 )       (552,828 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
    (49,599,950 )       18,863,488         (1,201,861 )       20,614,473         3,770,494         (14,321,152 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (59,594,192 )       (3,903,112 )       (1,150,512 )       19,151,867         3,590,628         (14,702,272 )
                     
    103,917,661         107,820,773         19,151,867                 43,678,664         58,380,936  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 44,323,469       $ 103,917,661       $ 18,001,355       $ 19,151,867       $ 47,269,292       $ 43,678,664  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ (486,326 )     $       $ 63,708       $ 391,171       $ (163,149 )     $ (1,971 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

80


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Short Duration
Bond Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
     For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

From Investment Activities:

           

Operations:

           

Net investment income

     $ 579,684          $ 1,236,409  

Net realized gain (loss)

       (124,861 )          (326,041 )

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       199,917            (235,357 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from operations

       654,740            675,011  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Distributions to Class A Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (104,455 )          (275,128 )

Net realized gains

                   

Return of capital

                   

Distributions to Class B Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

                   

Distributions to Class C Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (22,662 )          (48,158 )

Net realized gains

                   

Return of capital

                   

Distributions to Institutional Class Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (1,074,799 )          (2,511,205 )

Net realized gains

                   

Return of capital

                   

Distributions to Class R Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

                   

Change in net assets from shareholder distributions

       (1,201,916 )          (2,834,491 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

           

Change in net assets from capital transactions

       (4,504,602 )          (2,540,713 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (5,051,778 )          (4,700,193 )

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

       88,879,682            93,579,875  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 83,827,904          $ 88,879,682  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income

     $ (631,558 )        $ (9,326 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

81


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

Sterling Capital
Intermediate U.S.
Government Fund
    Sterling Capital
Total Return
Bond Fund
    Sterling Capital
Corporate
Fund
 
For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
         
         
$ 177,678      $ 482,920      $ 9,676,383      $ 18,970,600      $ 973,540      $ 1,863,004   
  35,492        300,814        (1,490,343     384,257        (461,545     (134,816
  210,016        (210,070     7,540,222        (6,339,132     642,947        (825,504

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  423,186        573,664        15,726,262        13,015,725        1,154,942        902,684   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
  (57,673     (195,671     (882,575     (1,509,771     (4,829     (8,731
                                     (295
                                     (147
         
  (594     (2,554     (10,263     (31,362              
         
  (3,377     (9,428     (75,032     (155,968     (180     (184
                                     (9
                                     (3
         
  (191,101     (475,820     (10,452,834     (21,390,337     (968,305     (1,823,294
                                     (60,169
                                     (30,642
         
                (79     (173              
  (252,745     (683,473     (11,420,783     (23,087,611     (973,314     (1,923,474

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
  (579,884     (2,657,019     8,634,028        198,918,590        348,472        14,740,001   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (409,443     (2,766,828     12,939,507        188,846,704        530,100        13,719,211   
         
  30,217,891        32,984,719        668,007,641        479,160,937        64,348,989        50,629,778   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 29,808,448      $ 30,217,891      $ 680,947,148      $ 668,007,641      $ 64,879,089      $ 64,348,989   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 114,515      $ 189,582      $ (1,439,491   $ 304,909      $ (216   $ (442

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

82


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

       
Sterling Capital
Securitized Opportunities
Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
     For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

From Investment Activities:

           

Operations:

           

Net investment income

     $ 519,774          $ 951,039  

Net realized gain

       68,790            149,237  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       44,536            292,812  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from operations

       633,100            1,393,088  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Distributions to Class A Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (24,914 )          (2,743 )

Net realized gains

                   

Distributions to Class C Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (307 )          (687 )

Net realized gains

                   

Distributions to Institutional Class Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (585,587 )          (1,150,964 )

Net realized gains

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from shareholder distributions

       (610,808 )          (1,154,394 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

           

Change in net assets from capital transactions

       1,176,322            9,425,368  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       1,198,614            9,664,062  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

       46,412,598            36,748,536  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 47,611,212          $ 46,412,598  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income

     $ (91,034 )        $  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

83


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

Sterling Capital
Kentucky
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
    Sterling Capital
Maryland
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
    Sterling Capital
North Carolina
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
 
For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
         
         
$ 167,609      $ 374,662      $ 348,833      $ 746,392      $ 2,289,802      $ 4,722,447   
  165,522        208,252        111,658        216,610        336,446        1,061,019   
  (59,196     (281,514     386,824        (234,543     2,183,873        (1,034,641

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  273,935        301,400        847,315        728,459        4,810,121        4,748,825   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
  (50,510     (108,101     (56,758     (123,134     (503,158     (1,024,534
  (52,381     (75,342     (43,187     (33,661     (249,326     (76,229
         
  (156     (318     (3,432     (7,677     (28,598     (46,711
  (235     (319     (4,146     (3,482     (21,666     (5,096
         
  (116,894     (266,191     (287,652     (613,407     (1,755,375     (3,648,473
  (110,771     (171,504     (187,004     (147,308     (787,698     (241,858

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (330,947     (621,775     (582,179     (928,669     (3,345,821     (5,042,901

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
  (1,605,753     (761,209     (1,926,968     (1,254,247     2,554,142        (5,924,173

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (1,662,765     (1,081,584     (1,661,832     (1,454,457     4,018,442        (6,218,249
         
  14,084,912        15,166,496        36,574,531        38,028,988        196,338,412        202,556,661   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 12,422,147      $ 14,084,912      $ 34,912,699      $ 36,574,531      $ 200,356,854      $ 196,338,412   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 12,234      $ 12,184      $ 4,668      $ 3,676      $ 84,852      $ 82,181   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

84


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
South Carolina
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
     For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

From Investment Activities:

           

Operations:

           

Net investment income

     $ 800,086          $ 1,489,941  

Net realized gain

       10,105            275,258  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       1,150,403            (167,796 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from operations

       1,960,594            1,597,403  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Distributions to Class A Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (158,821 )          (331,220 )

Net realized gains

       (54,170 )          (27,810 )

Distributions to Class C Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (8,272 )          (18,902 )

Net realized gains

       (4,526 )          (2,712 )

Distributions to Institutional Class Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (632,846 )          (1,140,264 )

Net realized gains

       (191,305 )          (81,197 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from shareholder distributions

       (1,049,940 )          (1,602,105 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

           

Change in net assets from capital transactions

       7,612,966            8,086,043  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       8,523,620            8,081,341  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

       76,450,331            68,368,990  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 84,973,951          $ 76,450,331  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income

     $ 27,146          $ 26,999  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

85


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

Sterling Capital
Virginia
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
    Sterling Capital
West Virginia
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
 
For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
     
     
$ 1,291,121      $ 2,686,997      $ 1,118,114      $ 2,352,587   
  298,065        412,758        449,207        478,892   
  1,176,006        (553,965     868,002        (374,084

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2,765,192        2,545,790        2,435,323        2,457,395   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     
  (374,416     (813,175     (368,475     (748,083
  (130,362     (222,245     (187,693     (90,668
     
  (8,340     (17,657     (2,995     (5,266
  (4,426     (7,394     (2,185     (1,175
     
  (908,322     (1,856,397     (745,177     (1,585,389
  (280,165     (438,730     (339,731     (180,075

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (1,706,031     (3,355,598     (1,646,256     (2,610,656

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     
  2,076,675        (5,282,537     (3,862,047     (3,362,373

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,135,836        (6,092,345     (3,072,980     (3,515,634
     
  116,422,421        122,514,766        102,404,009        105,919,643   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 119,558,257      $ 116,422,421      $ 99,331,029      $ 102,404,009   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 62,661      $ 62,618      $ 69,038      $ 67,571   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

86


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Diversified
Income Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
     For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

From Investment Activities:

           

Operations:

           

Net investment income

     $ 816,427          $ 804,830  

Net realized gain

       (428,160 )          1,545,401  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       749,531            (3,944,009 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from operations

       1,137,798            (1,593,778 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Distributions to Class A Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (310,544 )          (334,461 )

Distributions to Class B Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (6,851 )          (10,148 )

Distributions to Class C Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (18,449 )          (8,832 )

Distributions to Institutional Class Shareholders From:

           

Net investment income

       (606,941 )          (391,658 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from shareholder distributions

       (942,785 )          (745,099 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

           

Change in net assets from capital transactions

       (2,361,375 )          26,877,456  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (2,166,362 )          24,538,579  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

       43,525,705            18,987,126  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 41,359,343          $ 43,525,705  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income

     $ 1,311          $ 127,669  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

87


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

Sterling Capital
Strategic Allocation
Balanced Fund
    Sterling Capital
Strategic Allocation
Growth Fund
 
For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
     
     
$ 400,712      $ 429,275      $ 262,580      $ 174,106   
  874,506        3,050,374        827,090        2,584,952   
  (559,666     (4,123,398     (516,367     (3,515,566

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  715,552        (643,749     573,303        (756,508

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     
  (509,749     (492,183     (341,326     (228,424
     
  (7,812     (9,918     (9,374     (6,950
     
  (9,221     (5,115     (5,409     (2,384
     
  (1,370     (3,244     (11,124     (11,458

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (528,152     (510,460     (367,233     (249,216

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     
  (2,998,342     (1,424,319     (2,721,963     (203,780

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (2,810,942     (2,578,528     (2,515,893     (1,209,504
     
  35,800,370        38,378,898        25,740,654        26,950,158   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 32,989,428      $ 35,800,370      $ 23,224,761      $ 25,740,654   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ (107,409   $ 20,031      $ (94,622   $ 10,031   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

88


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Behavioral Large Cap
Value Equity Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
     For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

Capital Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

     $ 1,267,345          $ 2,614,509  

Distributions reinvested

       229,750            447,660  

Value of shares redeemed

       (2,547,228 )          (5,136,006 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class A Share transactions

       (1,050,133 )          (2,073,837 )

Class B Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

                  7,486  

Distributions reinvested

       1,497            3,968  

Value of shares redeemed

       (189,365 )          (458,373 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class B Share transactions

       (187,868 )          (446,919 )

Class C Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       314,031            438,703  

Distributions reinvested

       3,757            3,637  

Value of shares redeemed

       (58,554 )          (122,888 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class C Share transactions

       259,234            319,452  

Institutional Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       28,153,084            20,184,490  

Distributions reinvested

       2,067,253            3,816,267  

Value of shares redeemed

       (13,825,557 )          (28,099,724 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Institutional Share transactions

       16,394,780            (4,098,967 )

Class R Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

                   

Distributions reinvested

                   

Value of shares redeemed

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class R Share transactions

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from capital transactions

     $ 15,416,013          $ (6,300,271 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Issued

       72,902            146,143  

Reinvested

       13,234            25,402  

Redeemed

       (154,052 )          (287,021 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class A Shares

       (67,916 )          (115,476 )

Class B Shares:

           

Issued

                  430  

Reinvested

       87            227  

Redeemed

       (11,481 )          (26,085 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class B Shares

       (11,394 )          (25,428 )

Class C Shares:

           

Issued

       18,193            25,212  

Reinvested

       222            212  

Redeemed

       (3,591 )          (7,175 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class C Shares

       14,824            18,249  

Institutional Shares:

           

Issued

       1,594,248            1,130,083  

Reinvested

       118,474            215,497  

Redeemed

       (817,403 )          (1,569,993 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Institutional Shares

       895,319            (224,413 )

Class R Shares:

           

Issued

                   

Reinvested

                   

Redeemed

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class R Shares

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Shares

       830,833            (347,068 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

89


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

Sterling Capital
Mid Value
Fund
    Sterling Capital
Behavioral Small Cap
Value Equity Fund
    Sterling Capital
Special Opportunities
Fund
 
For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
         
$ 1,073,208      $ 3,995,030      $ 446,692      $ 6,293,476      $ 64,163,287      $ 62,671,497   
  5,600,796        2,534,757        74,109        435,815        37,784,514        18,786,909   
  (4,970,915     (10,670,041     (5,385,045     (2,699,126     (26,860,698     (172,645,137

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,703,089        (4,140,254     (4,864,244     4,030,165        75,087,103        (91,186,731
         
  2,246        6,419        4        965        33,184        14,852   
  129,038        79,231        634        10,280        639,576        405,267   
  (251,877     (660,809     (62,979     (135,254     (1,381,156     (3,556,143

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (120,593     (575,159     (62,341     (124,009     (708,396     (3,136,024
         
  1,112,861        1,973,415        30,753        130,839        24,584,503        33,010,471   
  866,589        231,333        1,343        9,780        22,875,216        6,765,229   
  (1,009,726     (1,108,607     (6,683     (112,466     (9,403,883     (12,994,833

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  969,724        1,096,141        25,413        28,153        38,055,836        26,780,867   
         
  89,665,231        123,909,927        34,536,301        13,339,610        106,719,026        258,227,694   
  95,000,641        44,182,703        750,901        5,662,040        58,697,993        23,151,425   
  (127,642,430     (231,109,674     (6,947,735     (26,073,254     (86,888,936     (364,352,863

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  57,023,442        (63,017,044     28,339,467        (7,071,604     78,528,083        (82,973,744
         
                              95,902        95,793   
  35        12        1        7        9,484        1,665   
                              (18,321     (77,529

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  35        12        1        7        87,065        19,929   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 59,575,697      $ (66,636,304   $ 23,438,296      $ (3,137,288   $ 191,049,691      $ (150,495,703

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
         
  66,257        203,628        31,404        421,106        2,937,815        2,698,968   
  362,511        134,503        5,117        29,897        1,802,865        850,856   
  (329,962     (543,986     (379,695     (181,097     (1,256,315     (7,659,540

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  98,806        (205,855     (343,174     269,906        3,484,365        (4,109,716
         
  127        344               66        1,948        712   
  9,126        4,517        45        732        35,219        20,614   
  (17,869     (36,079     (4,628     (9,250     (72,657     (171,412

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (8,616     (31,218     (4,583     (8,452     (35,490     (150,086
         
  72,915        108,419        2,202        8,850        1,308,846        1,588,331   
  61,675        13,237        96        699        1,258,951        343,762   
  (66,218     (61,255     (489     (7,727     (507,460     (622,148

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  68,372        60,401        1,809        1,822        2,060,337        1,309,945   
         
  5,516,744        6,305,423        2,442,638        884,167        4,796,954        10,967,320   
  6,079,045        2,320,846        51,457        384,102        2,686,675        1,014,523   
  (7,581,080     (11,898,139     (492,277     (1,725,858     (4,002,557     (15,184,425

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  4,014,709        (3,271,870     2,001,818        (457,589     3,481,072        (3,202,582
         
                              4,192        4,055   
  2        1        1               445        74   
                              (780     (3,288

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2        1        1               3,857        841   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  4,173,273        (3,448,541     1,655,871        (194,313     8,994,141        (6,151,598

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

90


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Equity Income
Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
     For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

Capital Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

     $ 47,687,596          $ 96,426,885  

Distributions reinvested

       29,928,601            25,697,968  

Value of shares redeemed

       (102,987,017 )          (313,978,501 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class A Share transactions

       (25,370,820 )          (191,853,648 )

Class B Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

                  13,603  

Distributions reinvested

       234,985            232,254  

Value of shares redeemed

       (1,237,260 )          (3,495,236 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class B Share transactions

       (1,002,275 )          (3,249,379 )

Class C Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       13,333,679            29,610,611  

Distributions reinvested

       18,626,295            10,900,826  

Value of shares redeemed

       (29,980,545 )          (51,663,697 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class C Share transactions

       1,979,429            (11,152,260 )

Institutional Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       195,460,345            176,964,153  

Distributions reinvested

       54,919,637            40,823,997  

Value of shares redeemed

       (157,144,670 )          (375,371,954 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Institutional Share transactions

       93,235,312            (157,583,804 )

Class R Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       155,844            558,881  

Distributions reinvested

       145,795            78,357  

Value of shares redeemed

       (191,014 )          (313,501 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class R Share transactions

       110,625            323,737  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from capital transactions

     $ 68,952,271          $ (363,515,354 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Issued

       2,817,537            5,125,334  

Reinvested

       1,796,533            1,399,852  

Redeemed

       (5,952,614 )          (16,667,881 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class A Shares

       (1,338,544 )          (10,142,695 )

Class B Shares:

           

Issued

                  720  

Reinvested

       14,152            12,678  

Redeemed

       (72,784 )          (186,907 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class B Shares

       (58,632 )          (173,509 )

Class C Shares:

           

Issued

       791,518            1,598,787  

Reinvested

       1,130,244            599,348  

Redeemed

       (1,813,601 )          (2,774,922 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class C Shares

       108,161            (576,787 )

Institutional Shares:

           

Issued

       11,563,247            9,468,157  

Reinvested

       3,288,711            2,218,624  

Redeemed

       (9,196,113 )          (19,907,095 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Institutional Shares

       5,655,845            (8,220,314 )

Class R Shares:

           

Issued

       9,356            29,720  

Reinvested

       8,810            4,298  

Redeemed

       (11,541 )          (16,676 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class R Shares

       6,625            17,342  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Shares

       4,373,455            (19,095,963 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        

  
 

* Commencement of operations.

  

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

91


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

Sterling Capital

Long/Short

Equity Fund

     

Sterling Capital

Behavioral International

Equity Fund

     

Sterling Capital

Ultra Short

Bond Fund

For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
  For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
  For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
  For the Period
November 28, 2014*
to September 30, 2015
  For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
  For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
                     
                     
  $ 47,589       $ 986,187       $ 41,367       $ 586,586       $ 7,240,750       $ 10,746,221  
    25,974         60,355         10,255         232         64,592         68,470  
    (635,116 )       (1,777,119 )       (226,846 )       (149 )       (7,872,348 )       (13,633,265 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (561,553 )       (730,577 )       (175,224 )       586,669         (567,006 )       (2,818,574 )
                     
                                             
                                             
                                             
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                                             
                     
    13,750         273,042         750         58,909                  
    8,039         10,371         437         2                  
    (130,453 )       (124,040 )       (1,094 )       (26,318 )                
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (108,664 )       159,373         93         32,593                  
                     
    12,665,210         87,912,677         417,000         26,452,117         8,226,383         11,100,036  
    987,160         1,447,368         5,373         129         293,357         437,754  
    (62,582,103 )       (69,925,353 )       (1,449,103 )       (6,457,035 )       (4,182,240 )       (23,040,368 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (48,929,733 )       19,434,692         (1,026,730 )       19,995,211         4,337,500         (11,502,578 )
                     
                                             
                                             
                                             
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                                             
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ (49,599,950 )     $ 18,863,488       $ (1,201,861 )     $ 20,614,473       $ 3,770,494       $ (14,321,152 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     
                     
    5,987         98,964         4,530         57,632         735,259         1,083,791  
    3,106         6,171         1,067         24         6,898         6,912  
    (79,915 )       (181,333 )       (25,301 )       (16 )       (800,493 )       (1,375,048 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (70,822 )       (76,198 )       (19,704 )       57,640         (58,336 )       (284,345 )
                     
                                             
                                             
                                             
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                                             
                     
    1,559         27,148         81         5,627                  
    975         1,068         46                          
    (15,919 )       (12,722 )       (113 )       (2,556 )                
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (13,385 )       15,494         14         3,071                  
                     
    1,498,005         8,840,835         46,845         2,645,568         836,902         1,119,396  
    117,379         147,540         559         13         29,499         44,220  
    (7,518,262 )       (7,135,189 )       (150,859 )       (632,437 )       (425,098 )       (2,323,600 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (5,902,878 )       1,853,186         (103,455 )       2,013,144         441,303         (1,159,984 )
                     
                                             
                                             
                                             
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                                             
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    (5,987,085 )       1,792,482         (123,145 )       2,073,855         382,967         (1,444,329 )
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

92


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Short Duration
Bond Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
     For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

Capital Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

     $ 1,075,081          $ 1,780,844  

Distributions reinvested

       78,462            195,572  

Value of shares redeemed

       (1,521,276 )          (4,147,988 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class A Share transactions

       (367,733 )          (2,171,572 )

Class B Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

                   

Distributions reinvested

                   

Value of shares redeemed

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class B Share transactions

                   

Class C Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       757,262            866,184  

Distributions reinvested

       14,679            38,764  

Value of shares redeemed

       (998,061 )          (340,975 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class C Share transactions

       (226,120 )          563,973  

Institutional Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       13,530,465            40,419,740  

Distributions reinvested

       377,183            723,318  

Value of shares redeemed

       (17,818,397 )          (42,076,172 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Institutional Share transactions

       (3,910,749 )          (933,114 )

Class R Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

                   

Distributions reinvested

                   

Value of shares redeemed

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class R Share transactions

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from capital transactions

     $ (4,504,602 )        $ (2,540,713 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Issued

       122,110            198,119  

Reinvested

       8,916            21,793  

Redeemed

       (172,837 )          (462,323 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class A Shares

       (41,811 )          (242,411 )

Class B Shares:

           

Issued

                   

Reinvested

                   

Redeemed

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class B Shares

                   

Class C Shares:

           

Issued

       85,961            96,176  

Reinvested

       1,668            4,326  

Redeemed

       (113,511 )          (37,932 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class C Shares

       (25,882 )          62,570  

Institutional Shares:

           

Issued

       1,538,241            4,499,707  

Reinvested

       42,848            80,754  

Redeemed

       (2,023,490 )          (4,683,385 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Institutional Shares

       (442,401 )          (102,924 )

Class R Shares:

           

Issued

                   

Reinvested

                   

Redeemed

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class R Shares

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Shares

       (510,094 )          (282,765 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

93


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

Sterling Capital
Intermediate U.S.
Government Fund
    Sterling Capital
Total Return
Bond Fund
    Sterling Capital
Corporate Fund
 
For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
         
         
$ 548,477      $ 5,617,921      $ 19,582,595      $ 17,808,421      $ 506      $ 102,581   
  51,782        176,965        783,438        1,313,403        4,686        8,740   
  (796,235     (6,858,288     (7,253,014     (9,566,217     (15,793     (25,718

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (195,976     (1,063,402     13,113,019        9,555,607        (10,601     85,603   
         
         4,242               61,690                 
  572        2,500        9,538        29,761                 
  (44,105     (103,686     (259,823     (601,269              

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (43,533     (96,944     (250,285     (509,818              
         
  304,333        45,149        329,858        1,912,192        37,502          
  3,257        9,045        58,063        121,462        180        196   
  (148,450     (100,278     (799,961     (1,155,506              

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  159,140        (46,084     (412,040     878,148        37,682        196   
         
  4,752,438        9,866,530        98,662,260        310,192,582        10,999,831        32,047,361   
  54,976        161,461        6,640,031        13,629,682        965,182        1,854,765   
  (5,306,929     (11,478,580     (109,118,336     (134,827,838     (11,643,622     (19,247,924

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (499,515     (1,450,589     (3,816,045     188,994,426        321,391        14,654,202   
         
                       54                 
                79        173                 
                (700                     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                (621     227                 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ (579,884   $ (2,657,019   $ 8,634,028      $ 198,918,590      $ 348,472      $ 14,740,001   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
         
  53,936        545,502        1,873,956        1,661,183        50        9,931   
  5,096        17,275        74,650        123,015        465        854   
  (78,402     (675,060     (691,804     (898,029     (1,576     (2,527

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (19,370     (112,283     1,256,802        886,169        (1,061     8,258   
         
         417               5,720                 
  57        245        908        2,781                 
  (4,360     (10,149     (24,716     (56,277              

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (4,303     (9,487     (23,808     (47,776              
         
  29,936        4,418        31,473        177,979        3,769          
  321        884        5,525        11,360        18        19   
  (14,603     (9,774     (76,282     (108,440              

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  15,654        (4,472     (39,284     80,899        3,787        19   
         
  467,212        963,312        9,398,630        28,947,287        1,096,633        3,125,906   
  5,406        15,746        632,489        1,275,687        96,029        181,138   
  (520,777     (1,120,290     (10,395,345     (12,661,006     (1,160,650     (1,881,928

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (48,159     (141,232     (364,226     17,561,968        32,012        1,425,116   
         
                       5                 
                8        16                 
                (68                     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                (60     21                 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (56,178     (267,474     829,424        18,481,281        34,738        1,433,393   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

94


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Securitized Opportunities
Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
     For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

Capital Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

     $ 4,819,600          $ 44,803  

Distributions reinvested

       15,414            2,729  

Value of shares redeemed

       (4,783,662 )          (10,517 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class A Share transactions

       51,352            37,015  

Class C Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

                   

Distributions reinvested

       307            687  

Value of shares redeemed

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class C Share transactions

       307            687  

Institutional Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       8,234,617            16,013,633  

Distributions reinvested

       585,588            1,131,660  

Value of shares redeemed

       (7,695,542 )          (7,757,627 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Institutional Share transactions

       1,124,663            9,387,666  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from capital transactions

     $ 1,176,322          $ 9,425,368  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Issued

       483,258            4,462  

Reinvested

       1,552            273  

Redeemed

       (484,924 )          (1,057 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class A Shares

       (114 )          3,678  

Class C Shares:

           

Issued

                   

Reinvested

       31            69  

Redeemed

                   
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class C Shares

       31            69  

Institutional Shares:

           

Issued

       827,915            1,601,075  

Reinvested

       58,862            113,147  

Redeemed

       (774,267 )          (777,454 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Institutional Shares

       112,510            936,768  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Shares

       112,427            940,515  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

95


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

Sterling Capital
Kentucky
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
    Sterling Capital
Maryland
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
    Sterling Capital
North Carolina
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
 
For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
         
         
$ 59,155      $ 173,580      $ 9,191      $ 993,275      $ 5,385,075      $ 3,271,634   
  91,405        157,983        71,582        110,293        595,159        856,621   
  (419,307     (317,405     (816,322     (967,867     (2,972,689     (6,565,206

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (268,747     14,158        (735,549     135,701        3,007,545        (2,436,951
         
                30,089        82,459        2,262,668        1,136,424   
  390        637        7,531        10,790        44,692        41,063   
                (110,951     (95,561     (407,274     (685,456

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  390        637        (73,331     (2,312     1,900,086        492,031   
         
  735,100        2,443,555        1,765,628        6,010,967        10,924,676        35,818,542   
  33,984        71,870        171,321        247,424        610,274        885,369   
  (2,106,480     (3,291,429     (3,055,037     (7,646,027     (13,888,439     (40,683,164

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (1,337,396     (776,004     (1,118,088     (1,387,636     (2,353,489     (3,979,253

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ (1,605,753   $ (761,209   $ (1,926,968   $ (1,254,247   $ 2,554,142      $ (5,924,173

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         
         
  5,570        16,327        821        89,218        486,857        298,779   
  8,676        14,790        6,403        9,851        54,174        78,025   
  (39,734     (29,673     (73,042     (86,735     (269,468     (598,065

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (25,488     1,444        (65,818     12,334        271,563        (221,261
         
                2,659        7,385        205,560        103,490   
  37        60        674        964        4,075        3,743   
                (9,924     (8,520     (37,110     (62,562

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  37        60        (6,591     (171     172,525        44,671   
         
  69,701        229,733        157,068        535,757        992,139        3,254,656   
  3,227        6,748        15,284        22,079        55,539        80,670   
  (199,482     (309,523     (272,250     (682,029     (1,262,277     (3,703,277

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (126,554     (73,042     (99,898     (124,193     (214,599     (367,951

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (152,005     (71,538     (172,307     (112,030     229,489        (544,541

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

96


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
South Carolina
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
    

 

For the Six
Months Ended

March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)

       For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

Capital Transactions:

                                

Class A Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

     $ 1,350,662          $ 1,137,270  

Distributions reinvested

       181,793            297,069  

Value of shares redeemed

       (642,863 )          (407,404 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class A Share transactions

       889,592            1,026,935  

Class C Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       650,592            443,217  

Distributions reinvested

       11,376            16,351  

Value of shares redeemed

       (388,910 )          (2,376,040 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class C Share transactions

       273,058            (1,916,472 )

Institutional Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       9,785,726            15,028,426  

Distributions reinvested

       217,315            287,136  

Value of shares redeemed

       (3,552,725 )          (6,339,982 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Institutional Share transactions

       6,450,316            8,975,580  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from capital transactions

     $ 7,612,966          $ 8,086,043  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Issued

       120,275            102,254  

Reinvested

       16,257            26,667  

Redeemed

       (57,511 )          (213,198 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class A Shares

       79,021            (84,277 )

Class C Shares:

           

Issued

       58,158            39,731  

Reinvested

       1,017            1,468  

Redeemed

       (34,922 )          (36,461 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class C Shares

       24,253            4,738  

Institutional Shares:

           

Issued

       879,540            1,360,106  

Reinvested

       19,545            25,956  

Redeemed

       (320,496 )          (572,809 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Institutional Shares

       578,589            813,253  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Shares

       681,863            733,714  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

97


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

Sterling Capital
Virginia
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
        Sterling Capital
West Virginia
Intermediate
Tax-Free Fund
 

 

For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)

    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
        For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
       
       
$ 700,035      $ 647,538        $ 1,442,222      $ 3,689,399   
  400,575        805,613          463,178        677,107   
  (1,778,041     (5,638,506       (1,242,072     (4,210,504

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (677,431     (4,185,355       663,328        156,002   
       
  123,107        92,545          165,000        76,104   
  11,441        22,214          4,299        5,600   
  (22,019     (351,479       (6,139     (129,627

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  112,529        (236,720       163,160        (47,923
       
  8,557,195        17,263,590          4,512,555        13,932,544   
  285,573        500,475          264,533        308,998   
  (6,201,192     (18,624,527       (9,465,623     (17,711,994

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2,641,576        (860,462       (4,688,535     (3,470,452

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ 2,076,674      $ (5,282,537     $ (3,862,047   $ (3,362,373

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
       
       
  58,233        53,868          141,894        363,040   
  33,319        67,076          45,587        66,738   
  (147,702     (471,168       (122,215     (415,158

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (56,150     (350,224       65,266        14,620   
       
  10,199        7,781          16,059        7,559   
  952        1,850          423        552   
  (1,835     (29,287       (601     (12,715

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  9,316        (19,656       15,881        (4,604
       
  709,616        1,436,452          442,839        1,371,642   
  23,747        41,712          26,035        30,430   
  (515,599     (1,551,666       (929,512     (1,740,598

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  217,764        (73,502       (460,638     (338,526

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  170,930        (443,382       (379,491     (328,510

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

98


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Diversified
Income Fund
     For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
       For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015

Capital Transactions:

                                

Class A Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

     $ 681,482          $ 1,887,859  

Distributions reinvested

       284,445            308,203  

Value of shares redeemed

       (889,358 )          (2,937,504 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class A Share transactions

       76,569            (741,442 )

Class B Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       2,069             

Distributions reinvested

       6,741            9,755  

Value of shares redeemed

       (202,889 )          (287,067 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class B Share transactions

       (194,079 )          (277,312 )

Class C Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       344,366            555,913  

Distributions reinvested

       11,123            6,249  

Value of shares redeemed

       (103,147 )          (27,698 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Class C Share transactions

       252,342            534,464  

Institutional Shares:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       2,972,179            30,753,764  

Distributions reinvested

       598,078            386,573  

Value of shares redeemed

       (6,066,464 )          (3,778,591 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from Institutional Share transactions

       (2,496,207 )          27,361,746  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets from capital transactions

     $ (2,361,375 )        $ 26,877,456  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

           

Class A Shares:

           

Issued

       66,885            176,782  

Reinvested

       27,950            29,144  

Redeemed

       (87,839 )          (274,990 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class A Shares

       6,996            (69,064 )

Class B Shares:

           

Issued

       203             

Reinvested

       660            917  

Redeemed

       (19,877 )          (26,758 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class B Shares

       (19,014 )          (25,841 )

Class C Shares:

           

Issued

       33,754            52,905  

Reinvested

       1,105            599  

Redeemed

       (10,438 )          (2,590 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Class C Shares

       24,421            50,914  

Institutional Shares:

           

Issued

       290,629            2,805,133  

Reinvested

       58,097            36,774  

Redeemed

       (594,885 )          (354,765 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Institutional Shares

       (246,159 )          2,487,142  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in Shares

       (233,756 )          2,443,151  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

99


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

Sterling Capital

Strategic Allocation
Balanced Fund

        Sterling Capital
Strategic Allocation
Growth Fund
 
For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
        For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
    For the
Year Ended
September 30,
2015
 
       
       
$ 783,251      $ 4,039,105        $ 791,385      $ 2,672,841   
  499,537        481,066          337,129        225,466   
  (3,915,806     (4,799,807       (2,583,477     (2,848,121

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (2,633,018     (279,636       (1,454,963     50,186   
       
         8,241          710        11,967   
  7,812        9,918          9,375        6,950   
  (368,478     (1,048,427       (345,573     (976,831

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (360,666     (1,030,268       (335,488     (957,914
       
  63,827        174,979          36,272        96,199   
  9,221        5,115          5,147        1,997   
  (47,007     (159,492       (110,453     (93,956

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  26,041        20,602          (69,034     4,240   
       
  16        44          75,291        860,482   
  1,370        1,785          11,122        11,035   
  (32,085     (136,846       (948,891     (171,809

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (30,699     (135,017       (862,478     699,708   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
$ (2,998,342   $ (1,424,319     $ (2,721,963   $ (203,780

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
       
       
  75,293        373,614          79,490        251,786   
  48,164        44,976          33,419        21,649   
  (381,025     (442,468       (257,647     (268,419

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (257,568     (23,878       (144,738     5,016   
       
         799          70        1,186   
  768        947          954        687   
  (35,967     (98,893       (35,824     (94,604

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (35,199     (97,147       (34,800     (92,731
       
  6,468        16,293          3,743        9,377   
  906        488          526        198   
  (4,628     (14,971       (11,347     (9,025

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  2,746        1,810          (7,078     550   
       
  2        4          7,330        83,195   
  131        166          1,099        1,062   
  (3,024     (12,721       (90,725     (16,514

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (2,891     (12,551       (82,296     67,743   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (292,912     (131,766       (268,912     (19,422

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

100


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Statement of Cash Flows

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

     Sterling Capital
Long/Short
Equity Fund

Cash Used for Operating Activities:

    

Net decrease in net assets from operations

     $ (8,198,926 )
    

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used for operating activities:

    

Decrease in cash held at broker for securities short sales

       15,841,421  

Decrease in interest and dividends receivable

       35,951  

Increase in prepaid expenses

       (18,046 )

Increase in payable for dividends on short sales

       1,365  

Decrease in payable to broker for service fee on short sales

       (226 )

Decrease in investment advisory fees payable

       (77,556 )

Increase in accounting and administration out-of-pocket fees payable

       1,416  

Decrease in administration fees payable

       (5,256 )

Decrease in audit fees payable

       (3,159 )

Decrease in transfer agent fees payable

       (27 )

Decrease in distribution (12b-1) fees payable

       (275 )

Decrease in Trustee fees payable

       (13 )

Decrease in other fees

       (11,646 )

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments

       (47,446 )

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

       20,710,378  

Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency translations

       (12,996,242 )

Premiums received from options written

       133,383  

Premiums paid on closing options written

       (80,573 )

Proceeds from investments sold short

       (99,429,031 )

Purchases to cover investments sold short

       89,755,228  

Purchases of long-term investments

       (86,955,210 )

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments

       121,519,838  

Net purchases of short-term securities

       14,383,847  
    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

       54,559,195  
    

 

 

 

Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of capital shares

       12,246,372  

Payments on redemption of capital shares

       (63,835,646 )

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

       (774,143 )
    

 

 

 

Net cash provided for financing activities

       (52,363,417 )
    

 

 

 

Cash:

    

Net increase in cash

       2,195,778  

Cash at beginning of period

       4,764  
    

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

     $ 2,200,542  
    

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

    

Cash paid during the period for dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short

     $ 391,018  
    

 

 

 

Non-Cash Financing Activities:

    

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of distributions paid to shareholders

     $ 1,021,173  
    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

101


 

 

(This page has been left blank intentionally.)


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Class A Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

          Investment Activities   Distributions
     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)(a)
 

 

 

Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments

  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Total
Distributions
   

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

                                    

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 16.53          0.13         0.60         0.73         (0.13 )               (0.13 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 17.24          0.22         (0.69 )       (0.47 )       (0.24 )               (0.24 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 14.16          0.18         3.06         3.24         (0.16 )               (0.16 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 12.80          0.13         1.36         1.49         (0.13 )               (0.13 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 9.90          0.11         2.90         3.01         (0.11 )               (0.11 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.52          0.11         (0.62 )       (0.51 )       (0.11 )               (0.11 )  

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

                               

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 17.97          0.03         1.13         1.16                 (3.34 )       (3.34 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 19.33          0.06         (0.14 )       (0.08 )       (0.11 )       (1.17 )       (1.28 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 18.78          0.05         1.76         1.81         (0.06 )       (1.20 )       (1.26 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 14.28          0.13         4.47         4.60         (0.10 )               (0.10 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.37          0.10         2.91         3.01         (0.10 )               (0.10 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 12.08          0.04         (0.70 )       (0.66 )       (0.05 )               (0.05 )  

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

  

                          

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 14.04          0.10         0.29         0.39         (0.08 )       (0.01 )       (0.09 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 14.34          0.18         0.16         0.34         (0.20 )       (0.44 )       (0.64 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 15.25          0.11         0.93         1.04         (0.08 )       (1.87 )       (1.95 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 12.01          0.05         3.37         3.42         (0.03 )       (0.15 )       (0.18 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.79          0.03         2.17         2.20                 (0.98 )       (0.98 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.19          (0.05 )       (0.35 )       (0.40 )                          

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

                               

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 22.96          0.03         1.82         1.85                 (3.31 )       (3.31 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 23.33          (0.06 )       0.89         0.83                 (1.20 )       (1.20 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 21.38          (0.02 )       4.26         4.24         (0.01 )       (2.28 )       (2.29 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 18.51          0.05 (e)       3.78         3.83         (0.01 )       (0.95 )       (0.96 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 15.25          (f)       3.57         3.57                 (0.31 )       (0.31 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 15.93          (0.06 )       (0.52 )       (0.58 )               (0.10 )       (0.10 )  

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

                               

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 17.35          0.17         0.90         1.07         (0.18 )       (1.10 )       (1.28 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 18.94          0.31         (1.06 )       (0.75 )       (0.33 )       (0.51 )       (0.84 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 18.14          0.34         1.40         1.74         (0.31 )       (0.63 )       (0.94 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 16.03          0.29         2.23         2.52         (0.25 )       (0.16 )       (0.41 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 13.25          0.25         2.72         2.97         (0.19 )               (0.19 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 13.05          0.25         0.14 (h)       0.39         (0.19 )               (0.19 )  

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

                               

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 8.87          (0.02 )       (0.89 )       (0.91 )               (0.20 )       (0.20 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.90          (0.19 )       (1.54 )       (1.73 )               (0.30 )       (0.30 )  

December 13, 2013 to September 30, 2014(k)

     $ 10.00          (0.13 )       1.03         0.90                            

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

  

                          

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 9.22          0.04         0.17         0.21         (0.21 )               (0.21 )  

November 28, 2014 to September 30, 2015(k)

     $ 10.00          0.18         (0.94 )       (0.76 )       (0.02 )               (0.02 )  

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

                               

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 9.87          0.04         (0.01 )       0.03         (0.07 )               (0.07 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 9.94          0.04         (0.02 )       0.02         (0.09 )               (0.09 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.98          0.05         (0.03 )       0.02         (0.06 )               (0.06 )  

November 30, 2012 to September 30, 2013(k)

     $ 10.00          0.03         (0.02 )       0.01         (0.03 )               (0.03 )  

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

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

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

Includes proceeds received from a settlement of litigation, which impacted the Fund’s total return. Not including these proceeds, the Fund’s total return would have been 11.56%.

(e)

Net investment income per share reflects a special dividend, which amounted to $0.01 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 0.19% per share.

(f)

Amount is less than $0.005.

(g)

Ratio is below 0.005%.

(h)

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the period because of the timing of sales and purchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values during the period.

(i)

Net expense ratio excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short would have been 2.16% per share.

(j)

Net expense ratio excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short would have been 2.08% per share.

(k)

Period from commencement of operations.

(l)

Net expense ratio excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short would have been 2.04% per share.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

103


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return
(excludes
sales charge) (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
  Ratio of net
investment
income
(loss) to
average net
assets (c)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 17.13         4.38 %     $ 31,038         1.04 %       1.58 %       1.16 %       67.73 %
  $ 16.53         (2.81 )%     $ 31,079         1.06 %       1.25 %       1.16 %       135.05 %
  $ 17.24         22.96 %     $ 34,395         1.06 %       1.09 %       1.16 %       113.75 %
  $ 14.16         11.72 %(d)     $ 28,682         1.09 %       0.97 %       1.19 %       164.27 %
  $ 12.80         30.52 %     $ 28,618         1.08 %       0.98 %       1.28 %       68.75 %
  $ 9.90         (5.01 )%     $ 24,603         1.08 %       0.93 %       1.47 %       66.29 %
                         
  $ 15.79         6.84 %     $ 32,136         1.20 %       0.41 %       1.20 %       16.96 %
  $ 17.97         (0.69 )%     $ 34,792         1.19 %       0.29 %       1.19 %       30.61 %
  $ 19.33         9.91 %     $ 41,403         1.18 %       0.26 %       1.18 %       27.30 %
  $ 18.78         32.36 %     $ 36,094         1.17 %       0.79 %       1.17 %       34.03 %
  $ 14.28         26.57 %     $ 21,976         1.19 %       0.78 %       1.20 %       21.62 %
  $ 11.37         (5.51 )%     $ 18,017         1.18 %       0.32 %       1.22 %       38.30 %
                         
  $ 14.34         2.71 %     $ 8,625         1.19 %       1.47 %       1.22 %       65.42 %
  $ 14.04         2.20 %     $ 13,261         1.25 %       1.18 %       1.25 %       101.99 %
  $ 14.34         7.09 %     $ 9,681         1.24 %       0.74 %       1.24 %       68.50 %
  $ 15.25         28.74 %     $ 8,813         1.29 %       0.36 %       1.29 %       176.62 %
  $ 12.01         21.31 %     $ 6,720         1.33 %       0.22 %       1.44 %       32.86 %
  $ 10.79         (3.57 )%     $ 6,152         1.33 %       (0.39 )%       1.69 %       63.02 %
                         
  $ 21.50         8.42 %     $ 322,379         1.20 %       0.26 %       1.22 %       20.52 %
  $ 22.96         3.75 %     $ 264,294         1.22 %       (0.25 )%       1.22 %       26.98 %
  $ 23.33         21.71 %     $ 364,368         1.21 %       (0.11 )%       1.21 %       32.35 %
  $ 21.38         21.59 %     $ 269,300         1.24 %       0.27 %(e)       1.24 %       53.76 %
  $ 18.51         23.67 %     $ 174,085         1.29 %       (0.00 )%(g)       1.38 %       19.38 %
  $ 15.25         (3.72 )%     $ 197,138         1.28 %       (0.35 )%       1.53 %       31.51 %
                         
  $ 17.14         6.43 %     $ 449,641         1.22 %       1.96 %       1.22 %       16.62 %
  $ 17.35         (4.16 )%     $ 478,393         1.21 %       1.66 %       1.21 %       27.53 %
  $ 18.94         9.76 %     $ 714,457         1.20 %       1.79 %       1.20 %       16.13 %
  $ 18.14         16.02 %     $ 690,106         1.20 %       1.69 %       1.20 %       30.56 %
  $ 16.03         22.47 %     $ 371,659         1.19 %       1.61 %       1.26 %       21.30 %
  $ 13.25         2.93 %     $ 214,622         1.18 %       1.80 %       1.43 %       16.64 %
                         
  $ 7.76         (10.38 )%     $ 594         3.31 %(i)       (0.48 )%       3.33 %       191.28 %
  $ 8.87         (16.16 )%     $ 1,307         3.19 %(j)       (1.93 )%       3.19 %       265.99 %
  $ 10.90         9.00 %     $ 2,437         3.44 %(l)       (1.55 )%       3.44 %       193.58 %
                         
  $ 9.22         2.14 %     $ 350         1.34 %       0.76 %       1.56 %       74.63 %
  $ 9.22         (7.57 )%     $ 531         1.28 %       2.16 %       1.44 %       133.50 %
                         
  $ 9.83         0.32 %     $ 7,687         0.73 %       0.79 %       0.80 %       24.46 %
  $ 9.87         0.25 %     $ 8,295         0.78 %       0.43 %       0.80 %       66.19 %
  $ 9.94         0.21 %     $ 11,184         0.73 %       0.51 %       0.73 %       79.98 %
  $ 9.98         0.15 %     $ 13,526         0.73 %       0.41 %       0.73 %       55.18 %

 

104


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Class A Shares

  

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

          Investment Activities   Distributions
     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
   Net
investment
income(a)
  

 

 

 

Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments

  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Return
of
capital
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 8.86          0.05          0.01         0.06         (0.12 )                       (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 9.07          0.10          (0.05 )       0.05         (0.26 )                       (0.26 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.24          0.14          (0.04 )       0.10         (0.27 )                       (0.27 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 9.47          0.17          (0.10 )       0.07         (0.30 )                       (0.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 9.36          0.19          0.24         0.43         (0.32 )                       (0.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 9.68          0.17          (0.19 )       (0.02 )       (0.30 )                       (0.30 )

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.18          0.05          0.09         0.14         (0.08 )                       (0.08 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.19          0.13          0.05         0.18         (0.19 )                       (0.19 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.29          0.14          0.09         0.23         (0.33 )                       (0.33 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 10.86          0.16          (0.43 )       (0.27 )       (0.30 )                       (0.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.79          0.20          0.16         0.36         (0.29 )                       (0.29 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.80          0.24          0.06         0.30         (0.31 )                       (0.31 )

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.53          0.14          0.10         0.24         (0.17 )                       (0.17 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.66          0.28          (0.06 )       0.22         (0.35 )                       (0.35 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.52          0.31          0.21         0.52         (0.37 )       (0.01 )               (0.38 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.15          0.29          (0.46 )       (0.17 )       (0.38 )       (0.08 )               (0.46 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.05          0.29          0.46         0.75         (0.38 )       (0.27 )               (0.65 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.32          0.38          0.01         0.39         (0.45 )       (0.21 )               (0.66 )

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.10          0.14          0.03         0.17         (0.14 )                       (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.25          0.29          (0.14 )       0.15         (0.29 )       (0.01 )       (d)       (0.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.15          0.31          0.20         0.51         (0.31 )       (0.10 )               (0.41 )

February 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013(e)

     $ 10.53          0.22          (0.38 )       (0.16 )       (0.22 )                       (0.22 )

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 9.98          0.10          0.03         0.13         (0.12 )                       (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 9.90          0.20          0.13         0.33         (0.25 )                       (0.25 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.85          0.22          0.11         0.33         (0.28 )                       (0.28 )

February 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013(e)

     $ 10.16          0.11          (0.21 )       (0.10 )       (0.21 )                       (0.21 )

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.62          0.12          0.09         0.21         (0.12 )       (0.13 )               (0.25 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.86          0.25          (0.06 )       0.19         (0.25 )       (0.18 )               (0.43 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.67          0.27          0.18         0.45         (0.26 )                       (0.26 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.17          0.24          (0.44 )       (0.20 )       (0.24 )       (0.06 )               (0.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.80          0.27          0.40         0.67         (0.27 )       (0.03 )               (0.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.83          0.29          0.02 (f)       0.31         (0.29 )       (0.05 )               (0.34 )

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 11.17          0.10          0.16         0.26         (0.10 )       (0.07 )               (0.17 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 11.23          0.20          (d)       0.20         (0.20 )       (0.06 )               (0.26 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.96          0.19          0.27         0.46         (0.19 )                       (0.19 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.56          0.19          (0.45 )       (0.26 )       (0.19 )       (0.15 )               (0.34 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.23          0.24          0.41         0.65         (0.24 )       (0.08 )               (0.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.21          0.28          0.06         0.34         (0.28 )       (0.04 )               (0.32 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

Per share net investment income has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

Amount is less than $0.005.

(e)

Period from commencement of operations.

(f)

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the period because of the timing of sales and purchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values during the period.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

105


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return
(excludes
sales charge) (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
 

 

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

  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 8.80         0.65 %     $ 7,656         0.78 %       1.18 %       0.82 %       32.11 %
  $ 8.86         0.56 %     $ 8,075         0.79 %       1.17 %       0.81 %       55.74 %
  $ 9.07         1.13 %     $ 10,468         0.76 %       1.48 %       0.80 %       56.10 %
  $ 9.24         0.72 %     $ 13,812         0.77 %       1.83 %       0.81 %       56.09 %
  $ 9.47         4.68 %     $ 8,965         0.81 %       2.04 %       0.91 %       85.13 %
  $ 9.36         (0.20 )%     $ 7,684         0.85 %       1.81 %       1.20 %       120.09 %
                         
  $ 10.24         1.37 %     $ 7,468         0.87 %       1.04 %       0.99 %       29.95 %
  $ 10.18         1.81 %     $ 7,625         0.91 %       1.29 %       0.98 %       62.02 %
  $ 10.19         2.23 %     $ 8,778         0.93 %       1.41 %       0.93 %       35.74 %
  $ 10.29         (2.54 )%     $ 10,172         0.93 %       1.50 %       0.93 %       66.16 %
  $ 10.86         3.41 %     $ 12,788         0.97 %       1.81 %       1.10 %       71.68 %
  $ 10.79         2.86 %     $ 13,344         0.96 %       2.30 %       1.33 %       83.62 %
                         
  $ 10.60         2.30 %     $ 61,403         0.73 %       2.71 %       0.83 %       29.46 %
  $ 10.53         2.04 %     $ 47,782         0.73 %       2.63 %       0.83 %       41.37 %
  $ 10.66         5.03 %     $ 38,929         0.81 %       2.90 %       0.83 %       75.21 %
  $ 10.52         (1.51 )%     $ 42,774         0.82 %       2.68 %       0.84 %       149.09 %
  $ 11.15         7.13 %     $ 50,063         0.88 %       2.65 %       0.99 %       110.82 %
  $ 11.05         3.68 %     $ 37,274         0.95 %       3.47 %       1.32 %       131.87 %
                         
  $ 10.13         1.71 %     $ 338         0.89 %       2.81 %       0.89 %       29.00 %
  $ 10.10         1.51 %     $ 348         0.88 %       2.87 %       0.88 %       33.94 %
  $ 10.25         5.16 %     $ 269         0.86 %       3.04 %       0.86 %       105.03 %
  $ 10.15         (1.54 )%     $ 160         0.85 %       3.21 %       0.85 %       99.48 %
                         
  $ 9.99         1.27 %     $ 123         0.84 %       1.93 %       0.88 %       28.91 %
  $ 9.98         3.39 %     $ 124         0.84 %       2.01 %       0.88 %       19.85 %
  $ 9.90         3.38 %     $ 87         0.85 %       2.20 %       0.88 %       98.34 %
  $ 9.85         (1.00 )%     $ 38         0.90 %       1.71 %       0.90 %       193.21 %
                         
  $ 10.58         2.00 %     $ 4,244         0.93 %       2.32 %       1.05 %       8.09 %
  $ 10.62         1.80 %     $ 4,532         0.95 %       2.37 %       1.04 %       17.34 %
  $ 10.86         4.31 %     $ 4,615         0.97 %       2.47 %       0.97 %       11.13 %
  $ 10.67         (1.83 )%     $ 5,849         0.96 %       2.21 %       0.96 %       22.05 %
  $ 11.17         6.21 %     $ 10,969         0.95 %       2.43 %       1.04 %       16.52 %
  $ 10.80         3.00 %     $ 8,729         0.93 %       2.76 %       1.28 %       15.73 %
                         
  $ 11.26         2.36 %     $ 6,177         0.86 %       1.76 %       0.96 %       11.60 %
  $ 11.17         1.79 %     $ 6,865         0.90 %       1.82 %       0.96 %       18.38 %
  $ 11.23         4.26 %     $ 6,763         0.94 %       1.74 %       0.94 %       19.90 %
  $ 10.96         (2.31 )%     $ 8,036         0.95 %       1.70 %       0.95 %       70.60 %
  $ 11.56         5.80 %     $ 9,877         0.95 %       2.08 %       1.05 %       34.94 %
  $ 11.23         3.09 %     $ 9,232         0.92 %       2.52 %       1.28 %       21.89 %

 

106


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Class A Shares

  

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

        Investment Activities   Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
  Net
investment
income(a)
 

 

 

 

Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments

  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                           

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 10.97         0.47         (0.21 )       0.26         (0.12 )       (0.06 )       (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.98         0.24         0.01         0.25         (0.24 )       (0.02 )       (0.26 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 10.74         0.24         0.24         0.48         (0.24 )               (0.24 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 11.36         0.25         (0.54 )       (0.29 )       (0.25 )       (0.08 )       (0.33 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 11.02         0.27         0.41         0.68         (0.27 )       (0.07 )       (0.34 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 11.01         0.29         0.07         0.36         (0.29 )       (0.06 )       (0.35 )

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                           

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 11.14         0.10         0.17         0.27         (0.10 )       (0.04 )       (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 11.14         0.21         0.02         0.23         (0.21 )       (0.02 )       (0.23 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 10.85         0.22         0.29         0.51         (0.22 )               (0.22 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 11.36         0.21         (0.43 )       (0.22 )       (0.21 )       (0.08 )       (0.29 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 10.97         0.24         0.46         0.70         (0.24 )       (0.07 )       (0.31 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 10.93         0.26         0.07         0.33         (0.26 )       (0.03 )       (0.29 )

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                           

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 11.98         0.12         0.15         0.27         (0.12 )       (0.04 )       (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 12.06         0.25         (0.01 )       0.24         (0.25 )       (0.07 )       (0.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 11.79         0.24         0.27         0.51         (0.24 )               (0.24 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 12.45         0.24         (0.56 )       (0.32 )       (0.24 )       (0.10 )       (0.34 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 12.12         0.28         0.40         0.68         (0.28 )       (0.07 )       (0.35 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 12.14         0.31         0.02         0.33         (0.31 )       (0.04 )       (0.35 )

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                           

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 10.14         0.11         0.13         0.24         (0.11 )       (0.05 )       (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.16         0.21         0.01         0.22         (0.21 )       (0.03 )       (0.24 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 9.90         0.21         0.26         0.47         (0.21 )               (0.21 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 10.51         0.22         (0.49 )       (0.27 )       (0.22 )       (0.12 )       (0.34 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 10.16         0.27         0.39         0.66         (0.27 )       (0.04 )       (0.31 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 10.17         0.32                 0.32         (0.32 )       (0.01 )       (0.33 )

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund(d)

                           

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 10.21         0.19         0.09         0.28         (0.22 )               (0.22 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.59         0.26         (0.40 )       (0.14 )       (0.24 )               (0.24 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 9.95         0.22         0.65         0.87         (0.23 )               (0.23 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 9.68         0.22         0.28         0.50         (0.23 )               (0.23 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 8.74         0.20         0.94         1.14         (0.20 )               (0.20 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 9.06         0.22         (0.26 )       (0.04 )       (0.28 )               (0.28 )

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund(d)

                           

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 10.31         0.12         0.11         0.23         (0.16 )               (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.66         0.13         (0.33 )       (0.20 )       (0.15 )               (0.15 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 9.77         0.17         0.90         1.07         (0.18 )               (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 9.13         0.16         0.65         0.81         (0.17 )               (0.17 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 7.95         0.14         1.18         1.32         (0.14 )               (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 8.39         0.15         (0.41 )       (0.26 )       (0.18 )               (0.18 )

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund(d)

                           

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 9.99         0.11         0.11         0.22         (0.15 )               (0.15 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.39         0.07         (0.37 )       (0.30 )       (0.10 )               (0.10 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 9.35         0.12         1.06         1.18         (0.14 )               (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 8.47         0.11         0.89         1.00         (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 7.20         0.10         1.27         1.37         (0.10 )               (0.10 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 7.69         0.10         (0.48 )       (0.38 )       (0.11 )               (0.11 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

Per share net investment income has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

107


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return
(excludes

sales charge) (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
 

 

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

  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 11.05         2.38 %     $ 49,289         0.81 %       8.48 %       0.91 %       2.72 %
  $ 10.97         2.28 %     $ 45,940         0.84 %       2.19 %       0.91 %       16.80 %
  $ 10.98         4.55 %     $ 48,426         0.91 %       2.25 %       0.91 %       11.67 %
  $ 10.74         (2.63 )%     $ 55,416         0.92 %       2.23 %       0.92 %       22.38 %
  $ 11.36         6.25 %     $ 65,544         0.92 %       2.39 %       1.00 %       19.76 %
  $ 11.02         3.35 %     $ 51,294         0.92 %       2.67 %       1.22 %       15.15 %
                         
  $ 11.27         2.43 %     $ 17,887         0.82 %       1.85 %       0.92 %       2.88 %
  $ 11.14         2.11 %     $ 16,802         0.86 %       1.93 %       0.93 %       12.53 %
  $ 11.14         4.76 %     $ 17,748         0.93 %       2.02 %       0.93 %       15.51 %
  $ 10.85         (1.93 )%     $ 21,569         0.94 %       1.92 %       0.94 %       35.38 %
  $ 11.36         6.48 %     $ 22,398         0.95 %       2.16 %       1.02 %       26.49 %
  $ 10.97         3.11 %     $ 16,338         0.96 %       2.43 %       1.26 %       25.83 %
                         
  $ 12.09         2.32 %     $ 36,330         0.81 %       2.05 %       0.91 %       5.01 %
  $ 11.98         1.98 %     $ 36,672         0.85 %       2.08 %       0.92 %       16.01 %
  $ 12.06         4.39 %     $ 41,130         0.91 %       2.04 %       0.91 %       20.48 %
  $ 11.79         (2.60 )%     $ 46,616         0.93 %       1.98 %       0.93 %       40.00 %
  $ 12.45         5.68 %     $ 50,835         0.93 %       2.25 %       1.01 %       21.63 %
  $ 12.12         2.85 %     $ 39,231         0.93 %       2.64 %       1.23 %       15.33 %
                         
  $ 10.22         2.38 %     $ 36,225         0.82 %       2.08 %       0.92 %       4.52 %
  $ 10.14         2.19 %     $ 35,279         0.85 %       2.12 %       0.92 %       10.34 %
  $ 10.16         4.82 %     $ 35,190         0.91 %       2.14 %       0.91 %       21.09 %
  $ 9.90         (2.65 )%     $ 37,266         0.93 %       2.13 %       0.93 %       22.18 %
  $ 10.51         6.59 %     $ 40,019         0.93 %       2.60 %       0.93 %       26.70 %
  $ 10.16         3.22 %     $ 32,791         0.94 %       3.19 %       0.94 %       23.34 %
                         
  $ 10.27         2.78 %     $ 14,478         0.53 %       3.68 %       0.70 %       19.90 %
  $ 10.21         (1.40 )%     $ 14,321         0.45 %       2.45 %       0.70 %       126.46 %
  $ 10.59         8.81 %     $ 15,589         0.45 %       2.11 %       0.70 %       8.67 %
  $ 9.95         5.25 %     $ 14,381         0.54 %       2.18 %       0.69 %       60.51 %
  $ 9.68         13.10 %     $ 13,704         0.69 %       2.09 %       0.77 %       7.99 %
  $ 8.74         (0.55 )%     $ 10,689         0.64 %       2.34 %       0.97 %       8.36 %
                         
  $ 10.38         2.25 %     $ 31,586         0.41 %       2.37 %       0.66 %       4.24 %
  $ 10.31         (1.92 )%     $ 34,047         0.40 %       1.16 %       0.65 %       49.24 %
  $ 10.66         11.05 %     $ 35,437         0.39 %       1.64 %       0.64 %       5.70 %
  $ 9.77         8.95 %     $ 30,638         0.51 %       1.70 %       0.66 %       81.00 %
  $ 9.13         16.76 %     $ 28,375         0.66 %       1.65 %       0.75 %       17.65 %
  $ 7.95         (3.29 )%     $ 25,227         0.58 %       1.68 %       0.91 %       9.96 %
                         
  $ 10.06         2.23 %     $ 21,552         0.45 %       2.21 %       0.70 %       5.35 %
  $ 9.99         (2.93 )%     $ 22,848         0.42 %       0.69 %       0.67 %       58.40 %
  $ 10.39         12.65 %     $ 23,709         0.41 %       1.23 %       0.66 %       8.60 %
  $ 9.35         11.89 %     $ 21,833         0.52 %       1.24 %       0.68 %       96.94 %
  $ 8.47         19.14 %     $ 18,827         0.68 %       1.30 %       0.76 %       20.21 %
  $ 7.20         (5.10 )%     $ 16,246         0.59 %       1.26 %       0.93 %       9.06 %

 

108


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Class B Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

        Investment Activities   Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
  Net
investment
income
(loss)(a)
 

 

 

Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments

  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Total
Distributions
   

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

  

                         

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 16.26         0.07         0.58         0.65         (0.06 )               (0.06 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 16.94         0.08         (0.67 )       (0.59 )       (0.09 )               (0.09 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 13.91         0.05         3.02         3.07         (0.04 )               (0.04 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 12.58         0.03         1.33         1.36         (0.03 )               (0.03 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 9.73         0.03         2.84         2.87         (0.02 )               (0.02 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 10.33         0.02         (0.60 )       (0.58 )       (0.02 )               (0.02 )  

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

  

                         

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 16.75         (0.03 )       1.05         1.02                 (3.34 )       (3.34 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 18.13         (0.09 )       (0.12 )       (0.21 )               (1.17 )       (1.17 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 17.76         (0.10 )       1.67         1.57                 (1.20 )       (1.20 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 13.55         (e)       4.24         4.24         (0.03 )               (0.03 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 10.80         (e)       2.77         2.77         (0.02 )               (0.02 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 11.52         (0.06 )       (0.66 )       (0.72 )                          

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

  

                         

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 13.61         0.04         0.28         0.32         (0.04 )       (0.01 )       (0.05 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 13.88         0.06         0.14         0.20         (0.03 )       (0.44 )       (0.47 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 14.89         (0.01 )       0.93         0.92         (0.06 )       (1.87 )       (1.93 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 11.80         (0.05 )       3.29         3.24                 (0.15 )       (0.15 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 10.69         (0.06 )       2.15         2.09                 (0.98 )       (0.98 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 11.17         (0.15 )       (0.33 )       (0.48 )                          

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

  

                         

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 20.32         (0.05 )       1.61         1.56                 (3.31 )       (3.31 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 20.93         (0.21 )       0.80         0.59                 (1.20 )       (1.20 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 19.53         (0.17 )       3.85         3.68                 (2.28 )       (2.28 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 17.11         (0.08 )(f)       3.45         3.37                 (0.95 )       (0.95 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 14.22         (0.12 )       3.32         3.20                 (0.31 )       (0.31 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 14.97         (0.18 )       (0.47 )       (0.65 )               (0.10 )       (0.10 )  

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

  

                         

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 17.33         0.10         0.90         1.00         (0.11 )       (1.10 )       (1.21 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 18.91         0.17         (1.07 )       (0.90 )       (0.17 )       (0.51 )       (0.68 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 18.10         0.19         1.41         1.60         (0.16 )       (0.63 )       (0.79 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 15.99         0.16         2.22         2.38         (0.11 )       (0.16 )       (0.27 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 13.21         0.13         2.72         2.85         (0.07 )               (0.07 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 13.01         0.14         0.14 (g)       0.28         (0.08 )               (0.08 )  

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

  

                         

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 10.15         0.01         0.08         0.09         (0.04 )               (0.04 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.16         0.06         0.05         0.11         (0.12 )               (0.12 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 10.25         0.07         0.09         0.16         (0.25 )               (0.25 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 10.82         0.08         (0.43 )       (0.35 )       (0.22 )               (0.22 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 10.75         0.12         0.16         0.28         (0.21 )               (0.21 )  

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 10.77         0.17         0.04         0.21         (0.23 )               (0.23 )  

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

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

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

Includes proceeds received from a settlement of litigation, which impacted the Fund’s total return. Not including these proceeds, the Fund’s total return would have been 10.59%.

(e)

Amount is less than $0.005.

(f)

Net investment loss per share reflects a special dividend, which amounted to $0.02 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment loss to average net assets would have been (0.55)% per share.

(g)

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the period because of the timing of sales and purchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values during the period.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

109


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return
(excludes
sales charge) (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
  Ratio of net
investment
income
(loss) to
average net
assets (c)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 16.85         3.97 %     $ 364         1.79 %       0.81 %       1.91 %       67.73 %
  $ 16.26         (3.52 )%     $ 537         1.81 %       0.48 %       1.91 %       135.05 %
  $ 16.94         22.08 %     $ 990         1.81 %       0.33 %       1.91 %       113.75 %
  $ 13.91         10.83 %(d)     $ 1,261         1.84 %       0.23 %       1.94 %       164.27 %
  $ 12.58         29.55 %     $ 1,638         1.83 %       0.24 %       1.95 %       68.75 %
  $ 9.73         (5.67 )%     $ 1,922         1.83 %       0.18 %       1.97 %       66.29 %
                         
  $ 14.43         6.47 %     $ 468         1.95 %       (0.42 )%       1.95 %       16.96 %
  $ 16.75         (1.45 )%     $ 688         1.94 %       (0.50 )%       1.94 %       30.61 %
  $ 18.13         9.09 %     $ 1,311         1.93 %       (0.53 )%       1.93 %       27.30 %
  $ 17.76         31.34 %     $ 2,002         1.92 %       (0.01 )%       1.92 %       34.03 %
  $ 13.55         25.72 %     $ 1,996         1.93 %       (0.01 )%       1.95 %       21.62 %
  $ 10.80         (6.25 )%     $ 2,604         1.93 %       (0.45 )%       1.97 %       38.30 %
                         
  $ 13.88         2.35 %     $ 143         1.94 %       0.65 %       1.98 %       65.42 %
  $ 13.61         1.34 %     $ 203         2.00 %       0.42 %       2.00 %       101.99 %
  $ 13.88         6.33 %     $ 324         1.99 %       (0.04 )%       1.99 %       68.50 %
  $ 14.89         27.74 %     $ 425         2.04 %       (0.41 )%       2.04 %       176.62 %
  $ 11.80         20.43 %     $ 432         2.08 %       (0.53 )%       2.11 %       32.86 %
  $ 10.69         (4.30 )%     $ 571         2.08 %       (1.15 )%       2.19 %       63.02 %
                         
  $ 18.57         8.05 %     $ 3,387         1.95 %       (0.52 )%       1.97 %       20.52 %
  $ 20.32         2.99 %     $ 4,429         1.97 %       (1.00 )%       1.97 %       26.98 %
  $ 20.93         20.78 %     $ 7,704         1.96 %       (0.86 )%       1.96 %       32.35 %
  $ 19.53         20.64 %     $ 8,921         1.99 %       (0.45 )%(f)       1.99 %       53.76 %
  $ 17.11         22.76 %     $ 12,466         2.04 %       (0.77 )%       2.04 %       19.38 %
  $ 14.22         (4.43 )%     $ 16,582         2.03 %       (1.10 )%       2.03 %       31.51 %
                         
  $ 17.12         6.02 %     $ 2,832         1.97 %       1.18 %       1.97 %       16.62 %
  $ 17.33         (4.93 )%     $ 3,883         1.96 %       0.90 %       1.96 %       27.53 %
  $ 18.91         8.97 %     $ 7,516         1.95 %       1.02 %       1.95 %       16.13 %
  $ 18.10         15.13 %     $ 10,335         1.95 %       0.94 %       1.95 %       30.56 %
  $ 15.99         21.60 %     $ 12,653         1.93 %       0.85 %       1.93 %       21.30 %
  $ 13.21         2.13 %     $ 12,314         1.93 %       1.02 %       1.93 %       16.64 %
                         
  $ 10.20         0.89 %     $ 124         1.62 %       0.28 %       1.74 %       29.95 %
  $ 10.15         1.06 %     $ 167         1.67 %       0.55 %       1.72 %       62.02 %
  $ 10.16         1.56 %     $ 264         1.68 %       0.66 %       1.68 %       35.74 %
  $ 10.25         (3.30 )%     $ 533         1.69 %       0.77 %       1.69 %       66.16 %
  $ 10.82         2.64 %     $ 896         1.72 %       1.10 %       1.76 %       71.68 %
  $ 10.75         1.99 %     $ 1,617         1.71 %       1.58 %       1.83 %       83.62 %

 

110


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Class B Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

        Investment Activities   Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
  Net
investment
income(a)
 

 

 

 

Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments

  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

                           

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 10.54         0.10         0.10         0.20         (0.13 )               (0.13 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.67         0.20         (0.06 )       0.14         (0.27 )               (0.27 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 10.53         0.23         0.21         0.44         (0.29 )       (0.01 )       (0.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 11.16         0.21         (0.46 )       (0.25 )       (0.30 )       (0.08 )       (0.38 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 11.06         0.22         0.45         0.67         (0.30 )       (0.27 )       (0.57 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 11.33         0.30         0.01         0.31         (0.37 )       (0.21 )       (0.58 )

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund(d)

  

                       

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 10.23         0.15         0.09         0.24         (0.18 )               (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.62         0.17         (0.40 )       (0.23 )       (0.16 )               (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 9.98         0.14         0.66         0.80         (0.16 )               (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 9.70         0.14         0.29         0.43         (0.15 )               (0.15 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 8.76         0.12         0.94         1.06         (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 9.07         0.15         (0.25 )       (0.10 )       (0.21 )               (0.21 )

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund(d)

                           

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 10.11         0.08         0.11         0.19         (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.45         0.04         (0.32 )       (0.28 )       (0.06 )               (0.06 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 9.57         0.09         0.89         0.98         (0.10 )               (0.10 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 8.94         0.09         0.63         0.72         (0.09 )               (0.09 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 7.79         0.07         1.16         1.23         (0.08 )               (0.08 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 8.22         0.08         (0.40 )       (0.32 )       (0.11 )               (0.11 )

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund(d)

  

                       

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

    $ 9.73         0.07         0.10         0.17         (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

    $ 10.14         (0.01 )       (0.36 )       (0.37 )       (0.04 )               (0.04 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

    $ 9.12         0.04         1.04         1.08         (0.06 )               (0.06 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

    $ 8.26         0.05         0.86         0.91         (0.05 )               (0.05 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

    $ 7.03         0.04         1.24         1.28         (0.05 )               (0.05 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

    $ 7.51         0.04         (0.46 )       (0.42 )       (0.06 )               (0.06 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

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

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

111


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return
(excludes
sales charge) (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
 

 

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

  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 10.61         1.91 %     $ 683         1.48 %       1.93 %       1.58 %       29.46 %
  $ 10.54         1.26 %     $ 930         1.48 %       1.86 %       1.58 %       41.37 %
  $ 10.67         4.25 %     $ 1,452         1.56 %       2.16 %       1.58 %       75.21 %
  $ 10.53         (2.25 )%     $ 1,943         1.57 %       1.93 %       1.59 %       149.09 %
  $ 11.16         6.33 %     $ 3,132         1.63 %       1.97 %       1.67 %       110.82 %
  $ 11.06         2.91 %     $ 3,776         1.70 %       2.74 %       1.82 %       131.87 %
                         
  $ 10.29         2.36 %     $ 321         1.28 %       2.96 %       1.46 %       19.90 %
  $ 10.23         (2.17 )%     $ 513         1.20 %       1.58 %       1.45 %       126.46 %
  $ 10.62         8.07 %     $ 807         1.20 %       1.35 %       1.45 %       8.67 %
  $ 9.98         4.49 %     $ 1,020         1.30 %       1.41 %       1.44 %       60.51 %
  $ 9.70         12.16 %     $ 1,397         1.44 %       1.34 %       1.44 %       7.99 %
  $ 8.76         (1.24 )%     $ 1,813         1.37 %       1.61 %       1.47 %       8.36 %
                         
  $ 10.18         1.83 %     $ 544         1.16 %       1.49 %       1.41 %       4.24 %
  $ 10.11         (2.69 )%     $ 896         1.15 %       0.41 %       1.40 %       49.24 %
  $ 10.45         10.26 %     $ 1,940         1.14 %       0.85 %       1.39 %       5.70 %
  $ 9.57         8.14 %     $ 3,264         1.28 %       0.94 %       1.41 %       81.00 %
  $ 8.94         15.80 %     $ 5,184         1.41 %       0.87 %       1.41 %       17.65 %
  $ 7.79         (4.01 )%     $ 6,560         1.31 %       0.96 %       1.41 %       9.96 %
                         
  $ 9.78         1.75 %     $ 550         1.20 %       1.38 %       1.45 %       5.35 %
  $ 9.73         (3.63 )%     $ 885         1.17 %       (0.07 )%       1.42 %       58.40 %
  $ 10.14         11.84 %     $ 1,863         1.16 %       0.44 %       1.41 %       8.60 %
  $ 9.12         11.04 %     $ 2,986         1.28 %       0.53 %       1.41 %       96.94 %
  $ 8.26         18.19 %     $ 4,346         1.43 %       0.52 %       1.43 %       20.21 %
  $ 7.03         (5.68 )%     $ 5,521         1.33 %       0.52 %       1.43 %       9.06 %

 

112


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Class C Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

          Investment Activities   Distributions
     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)(a)
  Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 16.09          0.06         0.59         0.65         (0.08 )               (0.08 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 16.79          0.09         (0.67 )       (0.58 )       (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 13.81          0.05         3.00         3.05         (0.07 )               (0.07 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 12.49          0.03         1.32         1.35         (0.03 )               (0.03 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 9.67          0.03         2.82         2.85         (0.03 )               (0.03 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.28          0.01         (0.59 )       (0.58 )       (0.03 )               (0.03 )

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 16.67          (0.03 )       1.04         1.01                 (3.34 )       (3.34 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 18.06          (0.08 )       (0.13 )       (0.21 )       (0.01 )       (1.17 )       (1.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 17.72          (0.07 )       1.63         1.56         (0.02 )       (1.20 )       (1.22 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 13.51          0.01         4.23         4.24         (0.03 )               (0.03 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.78          (e)       2.76         2.76         (0.03 )               (0.03 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.50          (0.05 )       (0.67 )       (0.72 )                        

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 13.60          0.05         0.26         0.31         (0.05 )       (0.01 )       (0.06 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 13.87          0.06         0.15         0.21         (0.04 )       (0.44 )       (0.48 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 14.88          (e)       0.92         0.92         (0.06 )       (1.87 )       (1.93 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.79          (0.05 )       3.29         3.24                 (0.15 )       (0.15 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.69          (0.06 )       2.14         2.08                 (0.98 )       (0.98 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.17          (0.15 )       (0.33 )       (0.48 )                        

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 20.34          (0.05 )       1.60         1.55                 (3.31 )       (3.31 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 20.95          (0.20 )       0.79         0.59                 (1.20 )       (1.20 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 19.55          (0.17 )       3.85         3.68                 (2.28 )       (2.28 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 17.12          (0.08 )(f)       3.46         3.38                 (0.95 )       (0.95 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 14.23          (0.12 )       3.32         3.20                 (0.31 )       (0.31 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 14.98          (0.18 )       (0.47 )       (0.65 )               (0.10 )       (0.10 )

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 17.21          0.10         0.90         1.00         (0.12 )       (1.10 )       (1.22 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 18.80          0.17         (1.06 )       (0.89 )       (0.19 )       (0.51 )       (0.70 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 18.01          0.19         1.40         1.59         (0.17 )       (0.63 )       (0.80 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 15.92          0.16         2.22         2.38         (0.13 )       (0.16 )       (0.29 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 13.17          0.13         2.70         2.83         (0.08 )               (0.08 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 12.98          0.15         0.13 (g)       0.28         (0.09 )               (0.09 )

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 8.76          (0.05 )       (0.88 )       (0.93 )               (0.20 )       (0.20 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.85          (0.26 )       (1.53 )       (1.79 )               (0.30 )       (0.30 )

December 13, 2013 to September 30, 2014(j)

     $ 10.00          (0.21 )       1.06         0.85                          

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 9.18          0.01         0.15         0.16         (0.15 )               (0.15 )

November 28, 2014 to September 30, 2015(j)

     $ 10.00          0.19         (0.99 )       (0.80 )       (0.02 )               (0.02 )

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 8.85          0.02         0.01         0.03         (0.08 )               (0.08 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 9.07          0.04         (0.07 )       (0.03 )       (0.19 )               (0.19 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.24          0.06         (0.03 )       0.03         (0.20 )               (0.20 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 9.47          0.09         (0.09 )               (0.23 )               (0.23 )

February 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012(j)

     $ 9.45          0.08         0.10         0.18         (0.16 )               (0.16 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

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

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

Includes proceeds received from a settlement of litigation, which impacted the Fund’s total return. Not including these proceeds, the Fund’s total return would have been 10.72%.

(e)

Amount is less than $0.005.

(f)

Net investment loss per share reflects a special dividend, which amounted to $0.02 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment loss to average net assets would have been (0.55)% per share.

(g)

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the period because of the timing of sales and purchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values during the period.

(h)

Net expense ratio excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short would have been 2.91% per share.

(i)

Net expense ratio excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short would have been 2.84% per share.

(j)

Period from commencement of operations.

(k)

Net expense ratio excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short would have been 2.79% per share.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

113


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return
(excludes
sales charge) (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
  Ratio of net
investment
income (loss) to
average net assets (c)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 16.66         4.00 %     $ 1,080         1.79 %       0.79 %       1.91 %       67.73 %
  $ 16.09         (3.52 )%     $ 805         1.81 %       0.52 %       1.91 %       135.05 %
  $ 16.79         22.09 %     $ 534         1.81 %       0.34 %       1.92 %       113.75 %
  $ 13.81         10.88 %(d)     $ 199         1.84 %       0.21 %       1.94 %       164.27 %
  $ 12.49         29.51 %     $ 167         1.83 %       0.22 %       1.95 %       68.75 %
  $ 9.67         (5.72 )%     $ 176         1.84 %       0.13 %       1.99 %       66.29 %
                         
  $ 14.34         6.43 %     $ 5,548         1.95 %       (0.34 )%       1.95 %       16.96 %
  $ 16.67         (1.43 )%     $ 5,309         1.94 %       (0.41 )%       1.94 %       30.61 %
  $ 18.06         9.12 %     $ 4,661         1.94 %       (0.40 )%       1.94 %       27.30 %
  $ 17.72         31.37 %     $ 1,309         1.92 %       0.04 %       1.92 %       34.03 %
  $ 13.51         25.67 %     $ 538         1.94 %       0.03 %       1.95 %       21.62 %
  $ 10.78         (6.26 )%     $ 398         1.93 %       (0.42 )%       1.97 %       38.30 %
                         
  $ 13.85         2.25 %     $ 362         1.94 %       0.78 %       1.99 %       65.42 %
  $ 13.60         1.37 %     $ 330         2.00 %       0.45 %       2.00 %       101.99 %
  $ 13.87         6.38 %     $ 312         1.99 %       (0.01 )%       1.99 %       68.50 %
  $ 14.88         27.77 %     $ 216         2.03 %       (0.38 )%       2.03 %       176.62 %
  $ 11.79         20.33 %     $ 108         2.08 %       (0.52 )%       2.11 %       32.86 %
  $ 10.69         (4.30 )%     $ 81         2.09 %       (1.13 )%       2.19 %       63.02 %
                         
  $ 18.58         7.99 %     $ 169,484         1.95 %       (0.49 )%       1.97 %       20.52 %
  $ 20.34         2.99 %     $ 143,597         1.98 %       (0.98 )%       1.98 %       26.98 %
  $ 20.95         20.76 %     $ 120,469         1.96 %       (0.86 )%       1.96 %       32.35 %
  $ 19.55         20.69 %     $ 94,718         1.99 %       (0.46 )%(f)       1.99 %       53.76 %
  $ 17.12         22.75 %     $ 82,536         2.04 %       (0.75 )%       2.04 %       19.38 %
  $ 14.23         (4.43 )%     $ 71,564         2.03 %       (1.10 )%       2.03 %       31.51 %
                         
  $ 16.99         6.06 %     $ 277,526         1.97 %       1.20 %       1.97 %       16.62 %
  $ 17.21         (4.92 )%     $ 279,355         1.97 %       0.91 %       1.97 %       27.53 %
  $ 18.80         8.98 %     $ 315,948         1.95 %       1.04 %       1.95 %       16.13 %
  $ 18.01         15.17 %     $ 280,841         1.95 %       0.93 %       1.95 %       30.56 %
  $ 15.92         21.54 %     $ 194,345         1.94 %       0.86 %       1.94 %       21.30 %
  $ 13.17         2.13 %     $ 104,208         1.93 %       1.05 %       1.93 %       16.64 %
                         
  $ 7.63         (10.75 )%     $ 248         4.08 %(h)       (1.25 )%       4.10 %       191.28 %
  $ 8.76         (16.80 )%     $ 402         3.93 %(i)       (2.67 )%       3.93 %       265.99 %
  $ 10.85         8.50 %     $ 330         4.15 %(k)       (2.37 )%       4.15 %       193.58 %
                         
  $ 9.19         1.63 %     $ 28         2.08 %       0.19 %       2.33 %       74.63 %
  $ 9.18         (8.03 )%     $ 28         2.03 %       2.26 %       2.19 %       133.50 %
                         
  $ 8.80         0.39 %     $ 2,172         1.53 %       0.43 %       1.57 %       32.11 %
  $ 8.85         (0.29 )%     $ 2,415         1.55 %       0.39 %       1.57 %       55.74 %
  $ 9.07         0.37 %     $ 1,906         1.53 %       0.69 %       1.56 %       56.10 %
  $ 9.24         (0.03 )%     $ 556         1.52 %       1.02 %       1.56 %       56.09 %
  $ 9.47         1.90 %     $ 216         1.57 %       1.22 %       1.57 %       85.13 %

 

114


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Class C Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

          Investment Activities   Distributions
     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
   Net
investment
income(a)
   Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Return
of
capital
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.17          0.01          0.08         0.09         (0.04 )                       (0.04 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.18          0.06          0.05         0.11         (0.12 )                       (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.27          0.07          0.09         0.16         (0.25 )                       (0.25 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 10.84          0.08          (0.43 )       (0.35 )       (0.22 )                       (0.22 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.77          0.11          0.17         0.28         (0.21 )                       (0.21 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.79          0.16          0.05         0.21         (0.23 )                       (0.23 )

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.55          0.10          0.09         0.19         (0.13 )                       (0.13 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.68          0.20          (0.06 )       0.14         (0.27 )                       (0.27 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.54          0.23          0.21         0.44         (0.29 )       (0.01 )               (0.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.17          0.21          (0.46 )       (0.25 )       (0.30 )       (0.08 )               (0.38 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.07          0.21          0.46         0.67         (0.30 )       (0.27 )               (0.57 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.34          0.30          0.01         0.31         (0.37 )       (0.21 )               (0.58 )

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.09          0.10          0.03         0.13         (0.11 )                       (0.11 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.24          0.22          (0.14 )       0.08         (0.22 )       (0.01 )       (d)       (0.23 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.15          0.24          0.18         0.42         (0.23 )       (0.10 )               (0.33 )

February 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013(e)

     $ 10.53          0.18          (0.39 )       (0.21 )       (0.17 )                       (0.17 )

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 9.97          0.06          0.03         0.09         (0.08 )                       (0.08 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 9.89          0.13          0.13         0.26         (0.18 )                       (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.84          0.16          0.11         0.27         (0.22 )                       (0.22 )

February 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013(e)

     $ 10.16          0.08          (0.23 )       (0.15 )       (0.17 )                       (0.17 )

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.63          0.08          0.09         0.17         (0.08 )       (0.13 )               (0.21 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.86          0.17          (0.05 )       0.12         (0.17 )       (0.18 )               (0.35 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.67          0.19          0.18         0.37         (0.18 )                       (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.16          0.16          (0.43 )       (0.27 )       (0.16 )       (0.06 )               (0.22 )

February 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012(e)

     $ 11.08          0.11          0.09         0.20         (0.12 )                       (0.12 )

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 11.18          0.06          0.15         0.21         (0.06 )       (0.07 )               (0.13 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 11.24          0.12          (d)       0.12         (0.12 )       (0.06 )               (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.96          0.11          0.28         0.39         (0.11 )                       (0.11 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.56          0.11          (0.45 )       (0.34 )       (0.11 )       (0.15 )               (0.26 )

February 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012(e)

     $ 11.47          0.09          0.09         0.18         (0.09 )                       (0.09 )

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.96          0.08          0.15         0.23         (0.08 )       (0.06 )               (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.98          0.16          (d)       0.16         (0.16 )       (0.02 )               (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.74          0.16          0.24         0.40         (0.16 )                       (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.35          0.16          (0.53 )       (0.37 )       (0.16 )       (0.08 )               (0.24 )

February 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012(e)

     $ 11.25          0.11          0.11         0.22         (0.12 )                       (0.12 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

Per share net investment income has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

Amount is less than $0.005.

(e)

Period from commencement of operations.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

115


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return
(excludes
sales charge) (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
  Ratio of net
investment
income to
average net
assets (c)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 10.22         0.89 %     $ 941         1.62 %       0.29 %       1.74 %       29.95 %
  $ 10.17         1.06 %     $ 777         1.67 %       0.56 %       1.73 %       62.02 %
  $ 10.18         1.56 %     $ 823         1.68 %       0.66 %       1.68 %       35.74 %
  $ 10.27         (3.29 )%     $ 1,080         1.68 %       0.74 %       1.68 %       66.16 %
  $ 10.84         2.64 %     $ 1,097         1.72 %       1.06 %       1.75 %       71.68 %
  $ 10.77         1.99 %     $ 658         1.71 %       1.54 %       1.83 %       83.62 %
                         
  $ 10.61         1.82 %     $ 5,985         1.48 %       1.94 %       1.58 %       29.46 %
  $ 10.55         1.28 %     $ 6,362         1.48 %       1.87 %       1.58 %       41.37 %
  $ 10.68         4.24 %     $ 5,578         1.56 %       2.15 %       1.58 %       75.21 %
  $ 10.54         (2.24 )%     $ 5,362         1.57 %       1.92 %       1.59 %       149.09 %
  $ 11.17         6.32 %     $ 5,845         1.63 %       1.90 %       1.66 %       110.82 %
  $ 11.07         2.91 %     $ 4,224         1.70 %       2.68 %       1.82 %       131.87 %
                         
  $ 10.11         1.25 %     $ 47         1.64 %       2.16 %       1.64 %       29.00 %
  $ 10.09         0.75 %     $ 9         1.63 %       2.12 %       1.63 %       33.94 %
  $ 10.24         4.25 %     $ 9         1.59 %       2.31 %       1.59 %       105.03 %
  $ 10.15         (2.02 )%     $ 15         1.59 %       2.58 %       1.59 %       99.48 %
                         
  $ 9.98         0.89 %     $ 39         1.60 %       1.24 %       1.64 %       28.91 %
  $ 9.97         2.62 %     $ 39         1.59 %       1.30 %       1.63 %       19.85 %
  $ 9.89         2.72 %     $ 38         1.58 %       1.59 %       1.62 %       98.34 %
  $ 9.84         (1.49 )%     $ 3         1.64 %       1.17 %       1.64 %       193.21 %
                         
  $ 10.59         1.62 %     $ 20         1.68 %       1.57 %       1.80 %       8.09 %
  $ 10.63         1.13 %     $ 20         1.71 %       1.62 %       1.79 %       17.34 %
  $ 10.86         3.53 %     $ 19         1.71 %       1.72 %       1.71 %       11.13 %
  $ 10.67         (2.47 )%     $ 67         1.71 %       1.48 %       1.71 %       22.05 %
  $ 11.16         1.82 %     $ 209         1.71 %       1.45 %       1.71 %       16.52 %
                         
  $ 11.26         1.89 %     $ 673         1.61 %       1.02 %       1.71 %       11.60 %
  $ 11.18         1.04 %     $ 741         1.65 %       1.07 %       1.71 %       18.38 %
  $ 11.24         3.58 %     $ 747         1.69 %       0.99 %       1.69 %       19.90 %
  $ 10.96         (3.04 )%     $ 1,206         1.70 %       0.95 %       1.70 %       70.60 %
  $ 11.56         1.57 %     $ 1,321         1.71 %       1.12 %       1.71 %       34.94 %
                         
  $ 11.05         2.08 %     $ 5,281         1.55 %       1.40 %       1.65 %       2.72 %
  $ 10.96         1.43 %     $ 3,350         1.59 %       1.44 %       1.66 %       16.80 %
  $ 10.98         3.77 %     $ 2,864         1.66 %       1.52 %       1.66 %       11.67 %
  $ 10.74         (3.27 )%     $ 4,776         1.67 %       1.48 %       1.67 %       22.38 %
  $ 11.35         1.93 %     $ 3,251         1.67 %       1.49 %       1.67 %       19.76 %

 

116


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Class C Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

          Investment Activities   Distributions
     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
   Net
investment
income(a)
  Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 11.14          0.06         0.16         0.22         (0.06 )       (0.04 )       (0.10 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 11.14          0.13         0.02         0.15         (0.13 )       (0.02 )       (0.15 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.85          0.14         0.29         0.43         (0.14 )               (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.36          0.13         (0.43 )       (0.30 )       (0.13 )       (0.08 )       (0.21 )

February 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012(d)

     $ 11.25          0.10         0.11         0.21         (0.10 )               (0.10 )

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 11.98          0.08         0.15         0.23         (0.08 )       (0.04 )       (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 12.06          0.16         (0.01 )       0.15         (0.16 )       (0.07 )       (0.23 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 11.79          0.15         0.27         0.42         (0.15 )               (0.15 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 12.44          0.15         (0.55 )       (0.40 )       (0.15 )       (0.10 )       (0.25 )

February 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012(d)

     $ 12.37          0.11         0.07         0.18         (0.11 )               (0.11 )

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.14          0.07         0.13         0.20         (0.07 )       (0.05 )       (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.16          0.14         0.01         0.15         (0.14 )       (0.03 )       (0.17 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.91          0.14         0.25         0.39         (0.14 )               (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 10.51          0.14         (0.48 )       (0.34 )       (0.14 )       (0.12 )       (0.26 )

February 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012(d)

     $ 10.38          0.11         0.14         0.25         (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund(e)

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.13          0.15         0.09         0.24         (0.18 )               (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.53          0.22         (0.44 )       (0.22 )       (0.18 )               (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.90          0.14         0.66         0.80         (0.17 )               (0.17 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 9.64          0.14         0.28         0.42         (0.16 )               (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 8.71          0.12         0.94         1.06         (0.13 )               (0.13 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 9.03          0.15         (0.26 )       (0.11 )       (0.21 )               (0.21 )

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund(e)

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.13          0.08         0.10         0.18         (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.47          0.04         (0.31 )       (0.27 )       (0.07 )               (0.07 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.60          0.09         0.89         0.98         (0.11 )               (0.11 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 8.98          0.09         0.63         0.72         (0.10 )               (0.10 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 7.82          0.08         1.16         1.24         (0.08 )               (0.08 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 8.26          0.08         (0.40 )       (0.32 )       (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund(e)

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 9.68          0.07         0.11         0.18         (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.09          (0.01 )       (0.35 )       (0.36 )       (0.05 )               (0.05 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.09          0.05         1.02         1.07         (0.07 )               (0.07 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 8.24          0.04         0.87         0.91         (0.06 )               (0.06 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 7.01          0.04         1.24         1.28         (0.05 )               (0.05 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 7.50          0.04         (0.46 )       (0.42 )       (0.07 )               (0.07 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

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

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

Period from commencement of operations.

(e)

The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

117


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return
(excludes
sales charge) (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
  Ratio of net
investment
income to
average net
assets (c)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 11.26         1.96 %     $ 1,808         1.57 %       1.09 %       1.67 %       2.88 %
  $ 11.14         1.35 %     $ 1,517         1.61 %       1.18 %       1.68 %       12.53 %
  $ 11.14         3.97 %     $ 1,465         1.67 %       1.26 %       1.67 %       15.51 %
  $ 10.85         (2.67 )%     $ 899         1.69 %       1.14 %       1.69 %       35.38 %
  $ 11.36         1.86 %     $ 507         1.69 %       1.29 %       1.69 %       26.49 %
                         
  $ 12.09         1.94 %     $ 1,369         1.56 %       1.30 %       1.66 %       5.01 %
  $ 11.98         1.22 %     $ 1,245         1.60 %       1.32 %       1.67 %       16.01 %
  $ 12.06         3.61 %     $ 1,490         1.66 %       1.30 %       1.66 %       20.48 %
  $ 11.79         (3.25 )%     $ 2,687         1.68 %       1.22 %       1.68 %       40.00 %
  $ 12.44         1.48 %     $ 2,884         1.68 %       1.36 %       1.68 %       21.63 %
                         
  $ 10.22         2.00 %     $ 575         1.57 %       1.33 %       1.67 %       4.52 %
  $ 10.14         1.42 %     $ 409         1.61 %       1.36 %       1.67 %       10.34 %
  $ 10.16         3.93 %     $ 457         1.66 %       1.39 %       1.66 %       21.09 %
  $ 9.91         (3.28 )%     $ 764         1.68 %       1.38 %       1.68 %       22.18 %
  $ 10.51         2.41 %     $ 729         1.64 %       1.63 %       1.64 %       26.70 %
                         
  $ 10.19         2.45 %     $ 1,049         1.28 %       2.97 %       1.45 %       19.90 %
  $ 10.13         (2.14 )%     $ 795         1.20 %       2.04 %       1.45 %       126.46 %
  $ 10.53         8.07 %     $ 291         1.20 %       1.35 %       1.45 %       8.67 %
  $ 9.90         4.40 %     $ 241         1.28 %       1.42 %       1.44 %       60.51 %
  $ 9.64         12.23 %     $ 207         1.44 %       1.33 %       1.44 %       7.99 %
  $ 8.71         (1.30 )%     $ 152         1.39 %       1.57 %       1.47 %       8.36 %
                         
  $ 10.19         1.83 %     $ 783         1.17 %       1.60 %       1.42 %       4.24 %
  $ 10.13         (2.60 )%     $ 751         1.15 %       0.42 %       1.40 %       49.24 %
  $ 10.47         10.24 %     $ 757         1.14 %       0.88 %       1.40 %       5.70 %
  $ 9.60         8.10 %     $ 570         1.25 %       0.94 %       1.41 %       81.00 %
  $ 8.98         15.88 %     $ 420         1.41 %       0.91 %       1.41 %       17.65 %
  $ 7.82         (3.97 )%     $ 367         1.35 %       0.93 %       1.42 %       9.96 %
                         
  $ 9.74         1.86 %     $ 425         1.20 %       1.39 %       1.45 %       5.35 %
  $ 9.68         (3.62 )%     $ 491         1.17 %       (0.06 )%       1.42 %       58.40 %
  $ 10.09         11.75 %     $ 506         1.16 %       0.48 %       1.41 %       8.60 %
  $ 9.09         11.07 %     $ 452         1.27 %       0.50 %       1.43 %       96.94 %
  $ 8.24         18.29 %     $ 294         1.43 %       0.55 %       1.43 %       20.21 %
  $ 7.01         (5.78 )%     $ 226         1.36 %       0.50 %       1.43 %       9.06 %

 

118


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Institutional Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

          Investment Activities   Distributions
     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
   Net
investment
income
(loss)(a)
  Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 16.62          0.16         0.59         0.75         (0.15 )               (0.15 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 17.33          0.27         (0.70 )       (0.43 )       (0.28 )               (0.28 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 14.23          0.22         3.08         3.30         (0.20 )               (0.20 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 12.87          0.16         1.36         1.52         (0.16 )               (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 9.95          0.14         2.92         3.06         (0.14 )               (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.57          0.14         (0.62 )       (0.48 )       (0.14 )               (0.14 )

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 18.14          0.05         1.14         1.19         (0.02 )       (3.34 )       (3.36 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 19.50          0.11         (0.14 )       (0.03 )       (0.16 )       (1.17 )       (1.33 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 18.91          0.10         1.77         1.87         (0.08 )       (1.20 )       (1.28 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 14.37          0.17         4.50         4.67         (0.13 )               (0.13 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.43          0.14         2.94         3.08         (0.14 )               (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 12.14          0.08         (0.71 )       (0.63 )       (0.08 )               (0.08 )

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 14.14          0.13         0.27         0.40         (0.08 )       (0.01 )       (0.09 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 14.47          0.22         0.15         0.37         (0.26 )       (0.44 )       (0.70 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 15.34          0.15         0.94         1.09         (0.09 )       (1.87 )       (1.96 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 12.08          0.08         3.39         3.47         (0.06 )       (0.15 )       (0.21 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.82          0.06         2.18         2.24                 (0.98 )       (0.98 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.19          (0.02 )       (0.35 )       (0.37 )                        

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 23.78          0.06         1.89         1.95                 (3.31 )       (3.31 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 24.06          (e)       0.92         0.92                 1.20         1.20  

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 21.96          0.03         4.39         4.42         (0.04 )       (2.28 )       (2.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 18.99          0.11 (f)       3.87         3.98         (0.06 )       (0.95 )       (1.01 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 15.60          0.04         3.66         3.70                 (0.31 )       (0.31 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 16.25          (0.02 )       (0.53 )       (0.55 )               (0.10 )       (0.10 )

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 17.39          0.19         0.90         1.09         (0.20 )       (1.10 )       (1.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 18.98          0.36         (1.07 )       (0.71 )       (0.37 )       (0.51 )       (0.88 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 18.18          0.38         1.41         1.79         (0.36 )       (0.63 )       (0.99 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 16.06          0.33         2.25         2.58         (0.30 )       (0.16 )       (0.46 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 13.27          0.28         2.74         3.02         (0.23 )               (0.23 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 13.07          0.29         0.14 (g)       0.43         (0.23 )               (0.23 )

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 8.91          (0.01 )       (0.89 )       (0.90 )               (0.20 )       (0.20 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.93          (0.17 )       (1.55 )       (1.72 )               (0.30 )       (0.30 )

December 13, 2013 to September 30, 2014(j)

     $ 10.00          (0.11 )       1.04         0.93                          

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 9.24          0.05         0.16         0.21         (0.22 )               (0.22 )

November 30, 2014 to September 30, 2015(j)

     $ 10.00          0.24         (0.97 )       (0.73 )       (0.03 )               (0.03 )

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 9.86          0.05         (0.01 )       0.04         (0.08 )               (0.08 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 9.94          0.07         (0.03 )       0.04         (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.98          0.08         (0.03 )       0.05         (0.09 )               (0.09 )

November 30, 2012 to September 30, 2013(j)

     $ 10.00          0.05         (0.01 )       0.04         (0.06 )               (0.06 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

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

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

Includes proceeds received from a settlement of litigation, which impacted the Fund’s total return. Not including these proceeds, the Fund’s total return would have been 11.78%.

(e)

Amount is less than $0.005.

(f)

Net investment income per share reflects a special dividend, which amounted to $0.02 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 0.45% per share.

(g)

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the period because of the timing of sales and purchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values during the period.

(h)

Net expense ratio excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short would have been 1.91% per share.

(i)

Net expense ratio excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short would have been 1.83% per share.

(j)

Period from commencement of operations.

(k)

Net expense ratio excluding dividend expense and service fee on securities sold short would have been 1.77% per share.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

119


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
  Ratio of net
investment
income
(loss) to
average net
assets (c)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 17.22         4.48 %     $ 244,920         0.79 %       1.84 %       0.91 %       67.73 %
  $ 16.62         (2.55 )%     $ 221,481         0.81 %       1.50 %       0.91 %       135.05 %
  $ 17.33         23.29 %     $ 234,809         0.81 %       1.34 %       0.91 %       113.75 %
  $ 14.23         11.94 %(d)     $ 194,921         0.84 %       1.23 %       0.94 %       164.27 %
  $ 12.87         30.89 %     $ 189,252         0.83 %       1.22 %       0.95 %       68.75 %
  $ 9.95         (4.74 )%     $ 156,832         0.83 %       1.18 %       0.98 %       66.29 %
                         
  $ 15.97         6.96 %     $ 582,402         0.95 %       0.66 %       0.95 %       16.96 %
  $ 18.14         (0.43 )%     $ 588,537         0.94 %       0.55 %       0.94 %       30.61 %
  $ 19.50         10.17 %     $ 696,468         0.93 %       0.53 %       0.93 %       27.30 %
  $ 18.91         32.65 %     $ 548,624         0.92 %       1.03 %       0.92 %       34.03 %
  $ 14.37         27.00 %     $ 340,577         0.93 %       1.02 %       0.95 %       21.62 %
  $ 11.43         (5.29 )%     $ 299,032         0.93 %       0.58 %       0.97 %       38.30 %
                         
  $ 14.45         2.83 %     $ 143,127         0.94 %       1.81 %       0.99 %       65.42 %
  $ 14.14         2.42 %     $ 111,757         1.00 %       1.44 %       1.00 %       101.99 %
  $ 14.47         7.40 %     $ 121,011         0.99 %       0.99 %       0.99 %       68.50 %
  $ 15.34         29.03 %     $ 101,999         1.04 %       0.61 %       1.04 %       176.62 %
  $ 12.08         21.65 %     $ 71,711         1.08 %       0.47 %       1.11 %       32.86 %
  $ 10.82         (3.31 )%     $ 64,962         1.08 %       (0.14 )%       1.19 %       63.02 %
                         
  $ 22.42         8.52 %     $ 541,831         0.95 %       0.51 %       0.97 %       20.52 %
  $ 23.78         4.02 %     $ 491,982         0.97 %       0.01 %       0.97 %       26.98 %
  $ 24.06         22.00 %     $ 574,783         0.96 %       0.14 %       0.96 %       32.35 %
  $ 21.96         21.90 %     $ 452,155         0.99 %       0.53 %(f)       0.99 %       53.76 %
  $ 18.99         23.97 %     $ 386,543         1.04 %       0.25 %       1.04 %       19.38 %
  $ 15.60         (3.46 )%     $ 330,913         1.04 %       (0.09 )%       1.04 %       31.51 %
                         
  $ 17.18         6.54 %     $ 895,245         0.97 %       2.22 %       0.97 %       16.62 %
  $ 17.39         (3.90 )%     $ 807,729         0.97 %       1.91 %       0.97 %       27.53 %
  $ 18.98         10.01 %     $ 1,038,013         0.95 %       2.03 %       0.95 %       16.13 %
  $ 18.18         16.33 %     $ 936,400         0.95 %       1.92 %       0.95 %       30.56 %
  $ 16.06         22.80 %     $ 635,360         0.94 %       1.86 %       0.94 %       21.30 %
  $ 13.27         3.17 %     $ 392,660         0.93 %       2.06 %       0.93 %       16.64 %
                         
  $ 7.81         (10.32 )%     $ 43,481         3.05 %(h)       (0.26 )%       3.07 %       191.28 %
  $ 8.91         (15.92 )%     $ 102,208         2.94 %(i)       (1.66 )%       2.94 %       265.99 %
  $ 10.93         9.30 %     $ 105,053         3.10 %(k)       (1.23 )%       3.10 %       193.58 %
                         
  $ 9.23         2.21 %     $ 17,623         1.08 %       1.17 %       1.32 %       74.63 %
  $ 9.24         (7.36 )%     $ 18,592         1.03 %       2.82 %       1.18 %       133.50 %
                         
  $ 9.82         0.45 %     $ 39,582         0.48 %       1.00 %       0.55 %       24.46 %
  $ 9.86         0.40 %     $ 35,384         0.53 %       0.66 %       0.55 %       66.19 %
  $ 9.94         0.46 %     $ 47,197         0.48 %       0.76 %       0.48 %       79.98 %
  $ 9.98         0.35 %     $ 40,625         0.48 %       0.65 %       0.48 %       55.18 %

 

120


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Institutional Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

          Investment Activities   Distributions
     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
   Net
investment
income(a)
   Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Return
of
capital
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 8.86          0.06          0.01         0.07         (0.13 )                       (0.13 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 9.07          0.13          (0.06 )       0.07         (0.28 )                       (0.28 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.24          0.16          (0.03 )       0.13         (0.30 )                       (0.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 9.47          0.19          (0.10 )       0.09         (0.32 )                       (0.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 9.36          0.22          0.24         0.46         (0.35 )                       (0.35 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 9.68          0.20          (0.19 )       0.01         (0.33 )                       (0.33 )

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.19          0.07          0.08         0.15         (0.09 )                       (0.09 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.21          0.16          0.04         0.20         (0.22 )                       (0.22 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.30          0.17          0.09         0.26         (0.35 )                       (0.35 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 10.87          0.19          (0.44 )       (0.25 )       (0.32 )                       (0.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.80          0.23          0.16         0.39         (0.32 )                       (0.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.82          0.27          0.05         0.32         (0.34 )                       (0.34 )

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.54          0.15          0.09         0.24         (0.18 )                       (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.67          0.31          (0.07 )       0.24         (0.37 )                       (0.37 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.53          0.34          0.21         0.55         (0.40 )       (0.01 )               (0.41 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.16          0.32          (0.46 )       (0.14 )       (0.41 )       (0.08 )               (0.49 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.06          0.32          0.46         0.78         (0.41 )       (0.27 )               (0.68 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.33          0.41          0.01         0.42         (0.48 )       (0.21 )               (0.69 )

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.10          0.15          0.03         0.18         (0.15 )                       (0.15 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.25          0.32          (0.14 )       0.18         (0.31 )       (0.01 )       (0.01 )       (0.33 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.15          0.34          0.20         0.54         (0.34 )       (0.10 )               (0.44 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 10.70          0.37          (0.44 )       (0.07 )       (0.37 )       (0.11 )               (0.48 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 9.94          0.36          0.77         1.13         (0.36 )       (0.01 )               (0.37 )

June 30, 2011 to September 30, 2011(d)

     $ 10.00          0.08          (0.07 )       0.01         (0.07 )                       (0.07 )

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 9.98          0.11          0.04         0.15         (0.13 )                       (0.13 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 9.91          0.23          0.12         0.35         (0.28 )                       (0.28 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 9.85          0.25          0.11         0.36         (0.30 )                       (0.30 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 10.29          0.24          (0.34 )       (0.10 )       (0.34 )                       (0.34 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.11          0.26          0.30         0.56         (0.37 )       (0.01 )               (0.38 )

June 30, 2011 to September 30, 2011(d)

     $ 10.00          0.06          0.12         0.18         (0.07 )                       (0.07 )

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.61          0.14          0.09         0.23         (0.14 )       (0.13 )               (0.27 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.84          0.28          (0.05 )       0.23         (0.28 )       (0.18 )               (0.46 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.65          0.29          0.19         0.48         (0.29 )                       (0.29 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.15          0.27          (0.44 )       (0.17 )       (0.27 )       (0.06 )               (0.33 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.79          0.29          0.39         0.68         (0.29 )       (0.03 )               (0.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.81          0.32          0.03 (e)       0.35         (0.32 )       (0.05 )               (0.37 )

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                                  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 11.19          0.11          0.16         0.27         (0.11 )       (0.07 )               (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 11.25          0.23          (f)       0.23         (0.23 )       (0.06 )               (0.29 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.97          0.22          0.28         0.50         (0.22 )                       (0.22 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.58          0.22          (0.46 )       (0.24 )       (0.22 )       (0.15 )               (0.37 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.25          0.26          0.41         0.67         (0.26 )       (0.08 )               (0.34 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.22          0.31          0.06         0.37         (0.30 )       (0.04 )               (0.34 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

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

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

Period from commencement of operations.

(e)

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the period because of the timing of sales and purchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market values during the period.

(f)

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

121


 

    XXUPDATEXXX

 

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
  Ratio of net
investment
income to
average net
assets (c)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $   8.80         0.77 %     $ 74,000         0.53 %       1.43 %       0.57 %       32.11 %
  $   8.86         0.82 %     $ 78,390         0.55 %       1.41 %       0.57 %       55.74 %
  $   9.07         1.38 %     $ 81,206         0.52 %       1.72 %       0.55 %       56.10 %
  $   9.24         0.98 %     $ 62,115         0.52 %       2.08 %       0.56 %       56.09 %
  $   9.47         4.94 %     $ 47,235         0.56 %       2.30 %       0.58 %       85.13 %
  $   9.36         0.05 %     $ 55,680         0.60 %       2.07 %       0.70 %       120.09 %
                         
  $ 10.25         1.49 %     $ 21,275         0.62 %       1.29 %       0.74 %       29.95 %
  $ 10.19         1.98 %     $ 21,648         0.67 %       1.56 %       0.73 %       62.02 %
  $ 10.21         2.58 %     $ 23,119         0.68 %       1.66 %       0.68 %       35.74 %
  $ 10.30         (2.30 )%     $ 46,686         0.68 %       1.76 %       0.68 %       66.16 %
  $ 10.87         3.67 %     $ 77,460         0.72 %       2.12 %       0.77 %       71.68 %
  $ 10.80         3.02 %     $ 155,814         0.71 %       2.55 %       0.83 %       83.62 %
                         
  $ 10.60         2.32 %     $ 612,870         0.49 %       2.94 %       0.59 %       29.46 %
  $ 10.54         2.29 %     $ 612,927         0.48 %       2.88 %       0.58 %       41.37 %
  $ 10.67         5.29 %     $ 433,198         0.56 %       3.15 %       0.58 %       75.21 %
  $ 10.53         (1.26 )%     $ 436,641         0.57 %       2.93 %       0.59 %       149.09 %
  $ 11.16         7.39 %     $ 514,368         0.62 %       2.90 %       0.66 %       110.82 %
  $ 11.06         3.94 %     $ 383,070         0.70 %       3.73 %       0.82 %       131.87 %
                         
  $ 10.13         1.84 %     $ 64,494         0.63 %       3.06 %       0.63 %       29.00 %
  $ 10.10         1.76 %     $ 63,992         0.63 %       3.12 %       0.63 %       33.94 %
  $ 10.25         5.42 %     $ 50,353         0.60 %       3.30 %       0.60 %       105.03 %
  $ 10.15         (0.65 )%     $ 85,609         0.51 %       3.54 %       0.59 %       99.48 %
  $ 10.70         11.54 %     $ 92,946         0.34 %       3.52 %       0.59 %       73.74 %
  $   9.94         0.12 %     $ 46,328         0.30 %       3.27 %       0.58 %       6.86 %
  $ 10.00         1.50 %     $ 47,449         0.61 %       2.23 %       0.65 %       28.91 %
  $   9.98         3.54 %     $ 46,249         0.59 %       2.28 %       0.63 %       19.85 %
  $   9.91         3.75 %     $ 36,624         0.61 %       2.50 %       0.63 %       98.34 %
  $   9.85         (0.97 )%     $ 58,503         0.51 %       2.33 %       0.62 %       193.21 %
  $ 10.29         5.61 %     $ 88,523         0.34 %       2.54 %       0.59 %       113.69 %
  $ 10.11         1.84 %     $ 33,905         0.34 %       2.50 %       0.64 %       26.17 %
                         
  $ 10.57         2.12 %     $ 8,158         0.68 %       2.57 %       0.80 %       8.09 %
  $ 10.61         2.15 %     $ 9,533         0.70 %       2.62 %       0.79 %       17.34 %
  $ 10.84         4.57 %     $ 10,532         0.72 %       2.72 %       0.72 %       11.13 %
  $ 10.65         (1.59 )%     $ 11,859         0.71 %       2.47 %       0.71 %       22.05 %
  $ 11.15         6.39 %     $ 14,546         0.70 %       2.68 %       0.72 %       16.52 %
  $ 10.79         3.34 %     $ 13,757         0.68 %       3.01 %       0.79 %       15.73 %
                         
  $ 11.28         2.49 %     $ 28,063         0.61 %       2.01 %       0.71 %       11.60 %
  $ 11.19         2.05 %     $ 28,968         0.65 %       2.07 %       0.71 %       18.38 %
  $ 11.25         4.61 %     $ 30,519         0.69 %       1.99 %       0.69 %       19.90 %
  $ 10.97         (2.14 )%     $ 34,574         0.70 %       1.94 %       0.70 %       70.60 %
  $ 11.58         6.05 %     $ 33,974         0.70 %       2.31 %       0.72 %       34.94 %
  $ 11.25         3.44 %     $ 25,174         0.67 %       2.77 %       0.78 %       21.89 %

 

122


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Institutional Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

          Investment Activities   Distributions
     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
   Net
investment
income(a)
   Net realized/
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                              

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.97          0.02          0.25         0.27         (0.13 )       (0.06 )       (0.19 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.98          0.27          0.01         0.28         (0.27 )       (0.02 )       (0.29 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.74          0.27          0.24         0.51         (0.27 )               (0.27 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.36          0.28          (0.54 )       (0.26 )       (0.28 )       (0.08 )       (0.36 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.02          0.30          0.40         0.70         (0.29 )       (0.07 )       (0.36 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.01          0.31          0.07         0.38         (0.31 )       (0.06 )       (0.37 )

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                              

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 11.06          0.12          0.17         0.29         (0.12 )       (0.04 )       (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 11.07          0.24          0.01         0.25         (0.24 )       (0.02 )       (0.26 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.78          0.25          0.29         0.54         (0.25 )               (0.25 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.28          0.24          (0.42 )       (0.18 )       (0.24 )       (0.08 )       (0.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.90          0.27          0.45         0.72         (0.27 )       (0.07 )       (0.34 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.86          0.29          0.06         0.35         (0.28 )       (0.03 )       (0.31 )

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                              

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 11.98          0.14          0.15         0.29         (0.14 )       (0.04 )       (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 12.06          0.28          (0.01 )       0.27         (0.28 )       (0.07 )       (0.35 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 11.79          0.27          0.27         0.54         (0.27 )               (0.27 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 12.44          0.27          (0.55 )       (0.28 )       (0.27 )       (0.10 )       (0.37 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 12.12          0.31          0.39         0.70         (0.31 )       (0.07 )       (0.38 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 12.14          0.34          0.02         0.36         (0.34 )       (0.04 )       (0.38 )

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

                              

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.15          0.12          0.13         0.25         (0.12 )       (0.05 )       (0.17 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.17          0.24          0.01         0.25         (0.24 )       (0.03 )       (0.27 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $   9.92          0.24          0.25         0.49         (0.24 )               (0.24 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 10.52          0.24          (0.48 )       (0.24 )       (0.24 )       (0.12 )       (0.36 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.17          0.29          0.39         0.68         (0.29 )       (0.04 )       (0.33 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 10.18          0.34                  0.34         (0.34 )       (0.01 )       (0.35 )

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund(d)

                              

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.32          0.21          0.09         0.30         (0.23 )               (0.23 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.71          0.46          (0.58 )       (0.12 )       (0.27 )               (0.27 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.05          0.24          0.68         0.92         (0.26 )               (0.26 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $   9.79          0.24          0.28         0.52         (0.26 )               (0.26 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $   8.83          0.22          0.96         1.18         (0.22 )               (0.22 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $   9.15          0.25          (0.27 )       (0.02 )       (0.30 )               (0.30 )

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund(d)

                              

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.39          0.13          0.10         0.23         (0.17 )               (0.17 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.73          0.16          (0.32 )       (0.16 )       (0.18 )               (0.18 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $   9.83          0.19          0.92         1.11         (0.21 )               (0.21 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $   9.18          0.18          0.66         0.84         (0.19 )               (0.19 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $   8.00          0.17          1.18         1.35         (0.17 )               (0.17 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $   8.44          0.19          (0.43 )       (0.24 )       (0.20 )               (0.20 )

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund(d)

                              

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.01          0.09          0.14         0.23         (0.16 )               (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.41          0.11          (0.38 )       (0.27 )       (0.13 )               (0.13 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $   9.37          0.15          1.05         1.20         (0.16 )               (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $   8.48          0.13          0.90         1.03         (0.14 )               (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $   7.21          0.12          1.27         1.39         (0.12 )               (0.12 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $   7.70          0.13          (0.49 )       (0.36 )       (0.13 )               (0.13 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

Per share net investment income has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

123


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
         
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return (b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets (c)
  Ratio of net
investment
income to
average net
assets (c)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 11.05         2.50 %     $ 145,786         0.56 %       0.39 %       0.66 %       2.72 %
  $ 10.97         2.53 %     $ 147,048         0.59 %       2.44 %       0.66 %       16.80 %
  $ 10.98         4.81 %     $ 151,267         0.66 %       2.50 %       0.66 %       11.67 %
  $ 10.74         (2.38 )%     $ 159,039         0.67 %       2.49 %       0.67 %       22.38 %
  $ 11.36         6.51 %     $ 190,055         0.67 %       2.64 %       0.67 %       19.76 %
  $ 11.02         3.60 %     $ 161,486         0.67 %       2.92 %       0.72 %       15.15 %
                         
  $ 11.19         2.57 %     $ 65,279         0.57 %       2.10 %       0.67 %       2.88 %
  $ 11.06         2.27 %     $ 58,132         0.61 %       2.17 %       0.68 %       12.53 %
  $ 11.07         5.03 %     $ 49,157         0.68 %       2.27 %       0.68 %       15.51 %
  $ 10.78         (1.62 )%     $ 49,340         0.69 %       2.17 %       0.69 %       35.38 %
  $ 11.28         6.68 %     $ 52,526         0.70 %       2.41 %       0.70 %       26.49 %
  $ 10.90         3.37 %     $ 39,863         0.71 %       2.68 %       0.76 %       25.83 %
                         
  $ 12.09         2.45 %     $ 81,859         0.56 %       2.30 %       0.66 %       5.01 %
  $ 11.98         2.24 %     $ 78,506         0.60 %       2.33 %       0.67 %       16.01 %
  $ 12.06         4.65 %     $ 79,895         0.66 %       2.29 %       0.66 %       20.48 %
  $ 11.79         (2.28 )%     $ 81,703         0.68 %       2.23 %       0.68 %       40.00 %
  $ 12.44         5.87 %     $ 91,770         0.68 %       2.50 %       0.68 %       21.63 %
  $ 12.12         3.11 %     $ 78,535         0.68 %       2.90 %       0.73 %       15.33 %
                         
  $ 10.23         2.51 %     $ 62,531         0.57 %       2.33 %       0.67 %       4.52 %
  $ 10.15         2.44 %     $ 66,716         0.60 %       2.37 %       0.67 %       10.34 %
  $ 10.17         4.98 %     $ 70,273         0.66 %       2.39 %       0.66 %       21.09 %
  $ 9.92         (2.30 )%     $ 68,936         0.68 %       2.38 %       0.68 %       22.18 %
  $ 10.52         6.85 %     $ 85,125         0.68 %       2.85 %       0.68 %       26.70 %
  $ 10.17         3.48 %     $ 72,451         0.69 %       3.44 %       0.69 %       23.34 %
                         
  $ 10.39         2.98 %     $ 25,512         0.28 %       3.93 %       0.45 %       19.90 %
  $ 10.32         (1.23 )%     $ 27,896         0.20 %       4.29 %       0.45 %       126.46 %
  $ 10.71         9.19 %     $ 2,300         0.20 %       2.32 %       0.45 %       8.67 %
  $ 10.05         5.35 %     $ 3,153         0.29 %       2.42 %       0.44 %       60.51 %
  $ 9.79         13.47 %     $ 3,346         0.44 %       2.33 %       0.44 %       7.99 %
  $ 8.83         (0.31 )%     $ 3,954         0.37 %       2.61 %       0.47 %       8.36 %
                         
  $ 10.45         2.26 %     $ 77         0.17 %       2.56 %       0.42 %       4.24 %
  $ 10.39         (1.57 )%     $ 106         0.15 %       1.43 %       0.40 %       49.24 %
  $ 10.73         11.36 %     $ 244         0.14 %       1.87 %       0.39 %       5.70 %
  $ 9.83         9.28 %     $ 321         0.26 %       1.85 %       0.39 %       81.00 %
  $ 9.18         16.94 %     $ 474         0.42 %       1.98 %       0.42 %       17.65 %
  $ 8.00         (3.02 )%     $ 475         0.29 %       2.13 %       0.41 %       9.96 %
                         
  $ 10.08         2.35 %     $ 697         0.19 %       1.84 %       0.44 %       5.35 %
  $ 10.01         (2.67 )%     $ 1,516         0.17 %       1.00 %       0.42 %       58.40 %
  $ 10.41         12.89 %     $ 872         0.16 %       1.46 %       0.41 %       8.60 %
  $ 9.37         12.27 %     $ 1,007         0.28 %       1.46 %       0.42 %       96.94 %
  $ 8.48         19.40 %     $ 936         0.43 %       1.54 %       0.43 %       20.21 %
  $ 7.21         (4.86 )%     $ 1,127         0.32 %       1.62 %       0.43 %       9.06 %

 

124


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Financial Highlights, Class R Shares

 

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of the Funds’ operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

          Investment Activities   Distributions
     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
   Net
investment
income (loss)(a)
  Net realized/
unrealized
gains (loss)
on investments
  Total from
Investment
Activities
  Net
investment
income
  Net realized
gains on
investments
  Total
Distributions

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 17.59          0.02         1.11         1.13                 (3.34 )       (3.34 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 18.93          0.02         (0.14 )       (0.12 )       (0.05 )       (1.17 )       (1.22 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 18.47          (e)       1.74         1.74         (0.08 )       (1.20 )       (1.28 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 14.20          (0.18 )       4.51         4.33         (0.06 )               (0.06 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.36          0.08         2.90         2.98         (0.14 )               (0.14 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 12.12          0.05         (0.73 )       (0.68 )       (0.08 )               (0.08 )

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 14.00          0.09         0.28         0.37         (0.07 )       (0.01 )       (0.08 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 14.28          0.13         0.15         0.28         (0.12 )       (0.44 )       (0.56 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 15.21          0.10         0.93         1.03         (0.09 )       (1.87 )       (1.96 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 12.03          0.03         3.36         3.39         (0.06 )       (0.15 )       (0.21 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 10.79          0.05         2.17         2.22                 (0.98 )       (0.98 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.18          (0.02 )       (0.37 )       (0.39 )                        

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 23.28                  1.85         1.85                 (3.31 )       (3.31 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 23.69          (0.11 )       0.90         0.79                 (1.20 )       (1.20 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 21.72          (0.09 )       4.34         4.25                 (2.28 )       (2.28 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 18.83          0.01 (f)       3.83         3.84                 (0.95 )       (0.95 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 15.54          (0.04 )       3.64         3.60                 (0.31 )       (0.31 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 16.26          (0.11 )       (0.51 )       (0.62 )               (0.10 )       (0.10 )

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 17.25          0.14         0.90         1.04         (0.16 )       (1.10 )       (1.26 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 18.84          0.26         (1.06 )       (0.80 )       (0.28 )       (0.51 )       (0.79 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 18.04          0.29         1.40         1.69         (0.26 )       (0.63 )       (0.89 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 15.95          0.24         2.22         2.46         (0.21 )       (0.16 )       (0.37 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 13.19          0.20         2.72         2.92         (0.16 )               (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 13.03          0.24         0.13         0.37         (0.21 )               (0.21 )

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

                             

Six Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     $ 10.49                  0.22         0.22         (0.16 )               (0.16 )

Year Ended September 30, 2015

     $ 10.62          0.25         (0.06 )       0.19         (0.32 )               (0.32 )

Year Ended September 30, 2014

     $ 10.48          0.28         0.22         0.50         (0.35 )       (0.01 )       (0.36 )

Year Ended September 30, 2013

     $ 11.11          0.25         (0.45 )       (0.20 )       (0.35 )       (0.08 )       (0.43 )

Year Ended September 30, 2012

     $ 11.02          0.26         0.46         0.72         (0.36 )       (0.27 )       (0.63 )

Year Ended September 30, 2011

     $ 11.32          0.37         (0.03 )       0.34         (0.43 )       (0.21 )       (0.64 )

 

*

During the periods certain fees were waived (See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements). If such reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

**

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

(a)

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

(b)

Not annualized for periods less than one year.

(c)

Annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)

Net Assets are below $1,000.

(e)

Amount is less than $0.005.

(f)

Net investment income per share reflects a special dividend, which amounted to $0.02 per share. Excluding the special dividend, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been (0.05)% per share.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

125


 

    

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

        Ratios/Supplementary Data
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
  Total
Return
(excludes
sales charge)(b)
  Net Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
  Ratio of
net expenses
to average
net assets(c)
  Ratio of net
investment
income

loss to
average net
assets(c)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average
net assets*(c)
  Portfolio
turnover rate**(b)
                         
  $ 15.38         6.78 %     $ (d)       1.44 %       0.19 %       1.44 %       16.96 %
  $ 17.59         (0.89 )%     $ (d)       1.44 %       0.08 %       1.44 %       30.61 %
  $ 18.93         9.68 %     $ (d)       1.39 %       0.02 %       1.39 %       27.30 %
  $ 18.47         30.65 %     $ (d)       1.42 %       (1.04 )%       1.42 %       34.03 %
  $ 14.20         26.17 %     $ (d)       1.44 %       0.59 %       1.44 %       21.62 %
  $ 11.36         (5.71 )%     $ (d)       1.44 %       0.36 %       1.56 %       38.30 %
                         
  $ 14.29         2.58 %     $ (d)       1.43 %       1.21 %       1.43 %       65.42 %
  $ 14.00         1.84 %     $ (d)       1.50 %       0.89 %       1.50 %       101.99 %
  $ 14.28         7.01 %     $ (d)       1.45 %       0.65 %       1.45 %       68.50 %
  $ 15.21         28.48 %     $ (d)       1.55 %       0.24 %       1.55 %       176.62 %
  $ 12.03         21.49 %     $ (d)       1.57 %       0.44 %       1.59 %       32.86 %
  $ 10.79         (3.49 )%     $ (d)       1.57 %       (0.12 )%       1.58 %       63.02 %
                         
  $ 21.82         8.29 %     $ 127         1.45 %       0.01 %       1.48 %       20.52 %
  $ 23.28         3.51 %     $ 46         1.47 %       (0.44 )%       1.47 %       26.98 %
  $ 23.69         21.36 %     $ 26         1.46 %       (0.41 )%       1.46 %       32.35 %
  $ 21.72         21.28 %     $ 450         1.49 %       0.04 %(f)       1.49 %       53.76 %
  $ 18.83         23.41 %     $ 357         1.54 %       (0.25 )%       1.54 %       19.38 %
  $ 15.54         (3.95 )%     $ 289         1.54 %       (0.62 )%       1.54 %       31.51 %
                         
  $ 17.03         6.29 %     $ 2,045         1.47 %       1.71 %       1.47 %       16.62 %
  $ 17.25         (4.40 )%     $ 1,957         1.47 %       1.40 %       1.47 %       27.53 %
  $ 18.84         9.52 %     $ 1,811         1.45 %       1.56 %       1.45 %       16.13 %
  $ 18.04         15.69 %     $ 2,781         1.45 %       1.40 %       1.45 %       30.56 %
  $ 15.95         22.19 %     $ 1,454         1.44 %       1.35 %       1.44 %       21.30 %
  $ 13.19         2.74 %     $ 604         1.43 %       1.72 %       1.43 %       16.64 %
                         
  $ 10.55         2.07 %     $ 5         0.98 %       2.46 %       1.07 %       29.46 %
  $ 10.49         1.77 %     $ 6         0.98 %       2.39 %       1.09 %       41.37 %
  $ 10.62         4.81 %     $ 6         1.04 %       2.65 %       1.04 %       75.21 %
  $ 10.48         (1.83 )%     $ 5         1.07 %       2.34 %       1.08 %       149.09 %
  $ 11.11         6.79 %     $ 6         1.12 %       2.41 %       1.16 %       110.82 %
  $ 11.02         3.24 %     $ 6         1.20 %       3.32 %       1.33 %       131.87 %

 

126


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

  1.

Organization:

Sterling Capital Funds (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“the 1940 Act”), as an open-end investment company established as a Massachusetts business trust.

The Trust offers shares of Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund, Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund, Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund, Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund, Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund, Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund, Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund, Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Corporate Fund, Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund, Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund (formerly known as Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Conservative Fund), Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund, Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund, Sterling Capital Stratton Mid Cap Value Fund, Sterling Capital Stratton Real Estate Fund and Sterling Capital Stratton Small Cap Value Fund (referred to individually as a “Fund” and collectively as the “Funds”). Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund and Sterling Capital Wes Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund are referred to as the “Tax-Free Funds.” Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund, Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund and Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund are referred to as the “Funds of Funds.” The Funds, excluding the Funds of Funds, are referred to as the “Variable Net Asset Value Funds.” The Funds of Funds invest in underlying mutual funds as opposed to individual securities. The financial statements herein do not relate to the Sterling Capital Stratton Mid Cap Value Fund, Sterling Capital Stratton Real Estate Fund and Sterling Capital Stratton Small Cap Value Fund, which are offered through separate prospectuses and a separate SAI, have a fiscal year ending December 31, 2015, and include financial statements in their most recent annual report.

All Funds, other than the Tax-Free Funds, are “diversified” funds, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Tax-Free Funds are non-diversified funds, which means they may invest in the securities of a limited number of issuers.

By owning shares of underlying investment companies, each of the Funds of Funds invests, to varying degrees, in securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including small and medium sized companies, and in debt securities. Funds of Funds with exposure to underlying equity funds may include funds that invest in real estate related securities. In addition, underlying investment companies may invest in derivatives and may engage in long/short equity strategies and in option writing strategies. The Funds of Funds except for Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund currently invest only in other Funds that are part of the Sterling Capital Funds group of investment companies (not including cash sweep vehicles). Financial information for those Sterling Capital Funds is included in this report and also is available at www.sec.gov. Financial information for the other underlying Funds is available at www.sec.gov.

The Funds are authorized to issue an unlimited amount of shares. As of March 31, 2016, the Funds discussed herein offered up to five classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Class R Shares and Institutional Shares. Class B Shares of the Funds are closed to new accounts and additional purchases by existing shareholders. Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund, Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund, Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund, Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund and Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund offer Class R Shares. Class B Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after eight years. Class A Shares of the Variable Net Asset Value Funds and Funds of Funds, excluding Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, Sterling Capital Corporate Fund, Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund, and the Tax-Free Funds, have a maximum sales charge of 5.75% as a percentage of original purchase price. Class A Shares of Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund have a maximum sales charge of 0.50%, and Class A Shares of Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, Sterling Capital Corporate Fund, Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund, and the Tax-Free Funds have a maximum sales charge of 2.00%, as a percentage of the original purchase price. Purchases of $1 million or more of Class A Shares are not subject to a front-end sales charge but will be subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% of the purchase price if redeemed within two years after purchase for all Funds except the Tax-Free Funds, Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, Sterling

 

127


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

Capital Corporate Fund and Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund. With respect to the Tax-Free Funds, Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, Sterling Capital Corporate Fund and Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund, sales of Class A shares over $500,000 are not subject to a sales load but will be subject to a CDSC of 0.50% of the purchase price if redeemed within 18 months of purchase. This charge is based on the lower of the price paid for the shares or their net asset value at the time of redemption. The Class B Shares of the Funds will be subject to a CDSC ranging from a maximum of 5.00% if redeemed less than one year after purchase to 0.00% if redeemed more than six years after purchase. Class C Shares of the Funds are offered without any front-end sales charge but will be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00% if redeemed less than one year after purchase.

Each class of shares has identical rights and privileges except with respect to the fees paid under the distribution plan, voting rights on matters affecting a single class of shares and the exchange privilege of each class of shares.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts with their vendors and others that provide for 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 that risk of loss to be remote.

 

  2.

Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds. The policies are in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements 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 for the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities Valuation — Investments in securities held by the Variable Net Asset Value Funds, the principal market for which is a securities exchange or an over-the-counter market, are valued at the closing price on the principal exchange or market (including the NASDAQ Closing Price for securities traded on NASDAQ), typically 4:00 PM ET or in the absence of such a price, by reference to the latest available bid price in the principal market in which such securities are normally traded. The Variable Net Asset Value Funds may also use an independent pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) to value certain securities, including the use of electronic and matrix techniques. Investments in open-end investment companies, including underlying funds invested in by the Funds of Funds, are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by such companies. Investments in closed-end investment companies and exchange traded funds are valued at their market values based upon the latest available sale price or, absent such a price, by reference to the latest available bid prices in the principal market in which such securities are normally traded. The differences between cost and fair value of investments are reflected as either unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or deemed unreliable (e.g., an approved pricing service does not provide a price, a furnished price is in error, certain stale prices, or an event occurs that materially affects the furnished price) will be fair valued in accordance with procedures established in good faith under the general supervision of the Board. At March 31, 2016, the Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund has written options valued by the Sterling Capital Funds’ Pricing Committee (the “Pricing Committee”) recorded at fair value of $4,200, and represent 0.00041% of net assets.

Fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund’s net asset value is calculated; such securities may be valued at fair value in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board.

Fair Value Measurements — The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Accordingly, the fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described as follows:

●  Level  1  –quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

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

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

 

128


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. During the period ended March 31, 2016, there were no significant changes to the valuation policies and procedures.

The summary of inputs used to determine the fair value of each Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

     Level 1–
Quoted Prices
    Level 2–
Other Significant
Observable Inputs
     Level 3–
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
   Total  

Assets:

          

Investments in Securities

          

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

   $ 277,045,955 (a)      $ —         $—     $ 277,045,955   

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

     611,730,576 (a)      —              611,730,576   

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

     151,647,791 (a)      —              151,647,791   

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

     1,025,239,706 (a)      —              1,025,239,706   

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

     1,623,147,679 (a)      —              1,623,147,679   

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

     41,694,817 (a)      —              41,694,817   

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

     17,866,956 (a)      2,259(a)             17,869,215   

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

     1,117,653 (b)      46,328,255(a)             47,445,908   

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

     2,299,181 (b)      82,743,038(a)             85,042,219   

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

     408,598 (b)      29,292,172(a)             29,700,770   

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

     9,214,845 (b)      670,244,714(a)             679,459,559   

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

     2,561,561 (b)      62,971,971(a)             65,533,532   

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

     1,260,537 (b)      47,145,888(a)             48,406,425   

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     294,138 (b)      11,980,912(a)             12,275,050   

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     191,198 (b)      34,385,313(a)             34,576,511   

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     6,016,965 (b)      192,475,871(a)             198,492,836   

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     4,140,435 (b)      79,990,083(a)             84,130,518   

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     2,656,128 (b)      115,670,700(a)             118,326,828   

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     1,557,140 (b)      96,647,969(a)             98,205,109   

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

     41,435,415 (a)      —              41,435,415   

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

     32,967,420 (a)      —              32,967,420   

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

     23,217,663 (a)      —              23,217,663   

Liabilities:

          

Investments Sold Short

          

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

   $ 19,540,440 (a)      —            $ 19,540,440   

Other Financial Instruments-

          

Written Options (Equity Risk)

          

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund (c)

     236,40     4,200              240,600   

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund (c)

     828,05     —              828,050   

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund (c)

     7,00     —              7,009   

 

  (a)

Industries, countries or security types are disclosed in the Schedules of Portfolio Investments.

  (b)

Represents money market funds and/or certain preferred stocks.

  (c)

Other financial instruments are written options shown at value.

During the six months ended March 31, 2016, Behavioral International Equity had foreign common stock that was transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 due to the application at September 30, 2015 of fair value procedures resulting from volatility in U.S. markets after the close of foreign markets. The beginning of period value of the securities that transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 during the period amounted to $11,803,612 or 61.63% of net assets as of September 30, 2015. The Funds’ policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period ended March 31, 2016 for the remaining Funds.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Funds consider liquid assets deposited with a bank, and certain short term debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or investments. The Funds may invest their excess cash in the Federated Treasury Obligations Fund or a similar money market fund or other short-term investment.

 

129


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

Credit Enhancements — Certain obligations held in the Funds have credit enhancement or liquidity features that may, under certain circumstances, provide for repayment of principal and interest on the obligation upon demand date, interest rate reset date or final maturity. These enhancements may include: letters of credit; liquidity guarantees; security purchase agreements; tender option purchase agreements; and third party insurance (i.e., AMBAC).

Derivative Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure — The Funds’ derivative contracts held at March 31, 2016, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under U.S. GAAP. The following is a summary of the location of the derivative instruments held by the Funds on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and the category of primary risk exposure as of March 31, 2016:

 

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

   Statements of Assets
and Liabilities Location
     Sterling Capital
Special
Opportunities
Fund
     Sterling Capital
Equity

Income
Fund
     Sterling Capital
Long/Short
Equity

Fund

Liabilities

                         

Equity contracts

   Call options written      $240,600      $828,050      $7,009

The effect of derivative financial instruments on the Statements of Operations for the period ended March 31, 2016:

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

   Sterling Capital
Special
Opportunities
Fund
  Sterling Capital
Equity

Income Fund
   Sterling Capital
Long/Short
Equity Fund

Options (equity contracts)*

   $(142,943)   $1,363,168    $(28,059)

 

  *

Purchased options gain/loss are included in realized gain (loss) on investments.

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   Sterling Capital
Special
Opportunities
Fund
   Sterling Capital
Equity

Income Fund
  Sterling Capital
Long/Short
Equity Fund

Written options (equity contracts)

   $184,929    $(556,381)   $126

For the period ended March 31, 2016, the average quarterly balance of derivative financial instruments were as follows:

 

     Sterling Capital
Special
Opportunities
Fund
   Sterling Capital
Equity

Income Fund
   Sterling Capital
Long/Short
Equity Fund

Options (Equity Risk)

              

Average number of written option contracts

       5,050          4,038          26  

Average premium of written option contracts

     $ 875,564        $ 873,597        $ 3,568  

Average number of purchased option contracts

                         1,059  

Average premium of purchased option contracts

     $        $        $ 398,740  

Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly for Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Corporate Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund and the Tax-Free Funds. Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid quarterly for Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund, Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund, Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund, Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund, Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund and the Funds of Funds if the annualized yield of the distribution exceeds an amount determined annually by the Board. Dividends from net investment income for Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund and Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund are declared and paid annually. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually. Distributions to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

 

130


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

Expenses and Allocation Methodology — Expenses directly attributable to a Fund are charged to that Fund. Expenses not directly attributable to a Fund are allocated proportionately among all Funds daily in relation to the net assets of each Fund or on another reasonable basis. Each class of shares bears its pro-rata portion of expenses attributable to its series, except that each class separately bears expenses related specifically to that class, such as distribution fees. Income and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets or another appropriate basis.

Foreign Currency Translation — The accounting records of the Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the latest foreign exchange bid quotation (from an approved pricing vendor) to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange, on the respective dates of such transactions. The Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments and foreign currencies.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — The Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund, the Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund, the Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund, the Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund, the Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund and the Sterling Capital Corporate Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (foreign currency exchange risk) in connection with planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge the U.S. dollar value of Funds securities denominated in a particular currency. A foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a future date. The Funds can be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In the event of default by the counterparty to the transaction, the Funds’ maximum amount of loss, as either the buyer or seller, is the unrealized gain of the contract. The forward foreign currency exchange contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses until the contract settlement date. When the contract is closed, the Funds record a realized gain (loss) equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls — The Variable Net Asset Value Funds may sell mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contract to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specific future date at an agreed-upon price. The market value of the securities that a Fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. Pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold. During the period between the sale and repurchase, a Fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Proceeds of the sale will be invested in additional instruments for a Fund, and the income from these investments will generate income for a Fund. If such income does not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of a Fund compared with what the performance would have been without the use of dollar rolls. The Funds account for mortgage dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales. The Funds did not hold any mortgage dollar rolls during the period.

Offering Costs — Offering costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over one year from each Fund’s respective commencement of operations. In the event that any of the initial shares are redeemed during the period of amortization of a Fund’s offering costs, the redemption proceeds will be reduced by any such unamortized offering costs in the same proportion as the number of shares being redeemed bears to the number of those shares outstanding at the time of redemption.

Options Contracts — Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund, Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund, and Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund write (sell) “covered” call options on securities and purchase options on securities to close out options previously written by them. Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund purchases put options, which gives a Fund the right to sell a specified amount of an underlying security at a specified price within a specified time. These transactions are entered into to hedge against changes in security prices (equity risk) or for the purposes of earning additional income (i.e., speculation). Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund may invest in underlying funds that engage in options writing strategies (including cash-secured put writing and covered call writing).

 

131


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

The risk associated with purchasing an option is that a Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Funds bear the risk of loss of the premium and change in value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as other securities owned. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by the premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

In writing an option, a Fund contracts with a specified counterparty to purchase (put option written) or sell (call option written) a specified quantity (notional amount) of an underlying asset at a specified price during a specified period upon demand of the counterparty. The risk associated with writing an option is that the Funds bear the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of an underlying asset and are required to buy or sell an underlying asset under the contractual terms of the option at a price different from the current value. The Funds execute transactions in both listed and over-the-counter options. When purchasing over-the-counter options, a Fund bears the risk of economic loss from counterparty default, equal to the market value of the option. Listed options involve minimal counterparty risk since the listed options are guaranteed against default by the exchange on which they trade. Transactions in over-the-counter options expose the Funds to the risk of default by the counterparty to the transaction. In the event of default by the counterparty to the over-the-counter transaction, the Funds’ maximum amount of loss is the premium paid (as the purchaser) or the unrealized depreciation of the contract (as the writer).

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund, Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund and Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund invested in written options to economically hedge the downside exposure by collecting a premium when sold against the equity holding. Details of written option activity for the period ended March 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

     Sterling Capital
Special Opportunities
Fund
     Sterling Capital
Equity Income
Fund
     Sterling Capital
Long/Short
Equity Fund

Covered Call Options

   Number of
Contracts
     Premiums
Received
     Number of
Contracts
     Premiums
Received
     Number of
Contracts
     Premiums
Received

Balance at beginning of period

       5,400          $ 604,184            4,325          $ 1,150,294                     $  

Options written

       6,700            1,189,885            7,550            1,284,342            860            114,841  

Options closed

       (3,300 )          (248,748 )          (3,600 )          (504,567 )          (488 )          (62,939 )

Options expired

       (4,600 )          (789,409 )          (5,825 )          (1,410,155 )          (195 )          (29,657 )

Options exercised

                                                   (125 )          (15,110 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

       4,200          $ 755,912            2,450          $ 519,914            52          $ 7,135  
    

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

The following is a summary of written call options outstanding as of March 31, 2016:

 

     Number of
Contracts
     Value

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

           

Autodesk, Inc., $67.50, 7/15/16

       800          $ (52,800 )

Autodesk, Inc., $70.00, 4/15/16(a)

       800            (4,000 )

Autodesk, Inc., $75.00, 4/15/16(a)

       200            (200 )

Activision Blizzard, Inc., $36.00, 5/20/16

       1,200            (98,400 )

Activision Blizzard, Inc., $37.00, 5/20/16

       1,200            (85,200 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 
       4,200          $ (240,600 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

           

McDonald’s Corporation, Inc., $125.00, 06/17/16

       1,000          $ (396,000 )

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co., $16.00, 5/20/16

       450            (22,050 )

Time Warner Cable, Inc., $210.00, 06/17/16

       1,000            (410,000 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 
       2,450          $ (828,050 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

132


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

     Number of
Contracts
     Value

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

           

Amazon.com, Inc., $660.00, 5/20/16

       3          $ (2,694 )

Electronic Arts, Inc., $70.00, 6/17/16

       11            (2,277 )

Electronic Arts, Inc., $75.00, 6/17/16

       16            (1,488 )

VF Corp., $55.00, 5/20/16

       22            (550 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 
       52          $ (7,009 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Security was fair valued under methods approved by the Board.

Risks Associated with Foreign Securities and Currencies — Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries. Certain foreign investments may also be subject to foreign withholding taxes.

Securities Transactions and Related Income — During the period, security transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, security transactions as of the last business day of the reporting period are accounted for on the trade date. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization/accretion of premium or discount. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized from sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

Short Sales — Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund enters into short sale transactions in which it sells a security it may not hold in anticipation of a decline in the market price of that security. When the Fund makes a short sale, it will borrow the security sold short and deliver the security to the counterparty to which it sold the security short. An amount equal to the proceeds received by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the market value of the short sale. The Fund is required to repay the counterparty any dividends received on the security sold short, which is shown as dividend expense in the Statements of Operations. The Fund may pay a fee on the assets borrowed from the counterparty, which is shown as service fees on securities sold short in the Statements of Operations. The Fund maintains a segregated account of deposits of cash with the broker-dealer as collateral for the short sales. The Fund may receive interest on the cash collateral deposited with the broker-dealer. These positions are speculative and may be more risky than “long” positions because the cost of the replacement security or derivative is unknown. Short selling strategies typically reduce returns relative to “long only” strategies during rising equity markets, and involve risk of significant losses; potential loss on uncovered short positions is unlimited. Short selling strategies also involve significant transaction costs. Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund may invest in underlying funds that engage in long/short equity strategies.

When-Issued and Forward Commitments — The Funds may purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis. Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund, Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund, Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund, Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund and Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund may also purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. The Funds record when-issued securities on the trade date and pledge assets with a value at least equal to the purchase commitment for payment of the securities purchased. The value of the securities underlying when-issued or forward commitments to purchase securities, and any subsequent fluctuation in their value, is taken into account when determining the net asset value of the Funds commencing with the date the Funds agree to purchase the securities. The Funds do not accrue interest or dividends on “when-issued” securities until the underlying securities are received.

 

133


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

  3.

Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding U.S. government securities and securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the period ended March 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

   $ 197,743,821       $ 181,293,172   

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

     101,769,105         169,457,734   

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

     112,937,223         89,390,776   

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

     194,529,067         192,878,646   

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

     250,354,321         351,046,016   

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

     155,738,722         205,357,514   

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

     13,633,184         14,945,173   

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

     17,417,297         10,098,761   

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

     19,160,215         24,468,375   

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

     1,078,845         937,220   

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

     132,054,623         108,248,649   

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

     16,907,441         16,480,724   

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

     7,851,519         5,396,377   

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     1,051,017         2,558,535   

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     4,041,344         5,965,421   

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     8,330,241         5,174,541   

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     6,843,567         2,183,674   

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     5,740,141         6,739,661   

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     4,413,365         8,579,151   

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

     8,414,566         11,069,192   

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

     1,437,494         3,047,000   

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

     1,286,682         2,966,000   

Purchases and sales of U.S. government securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the period ended March 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

   $ 64,565       $ 184,496   

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

     7,473,890         3,269,088   

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

     6,441,868         6,915,359   

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

     91,777,872         85,377,172   

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

     1,418,216         1,447,000   

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

     10,096,011         8,400,298   

 

  4.

Investments in Affiliated Issuers:

A summary of the Funds’ transactions in the shares of affiliated issuers during the period ended March 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

     Shares Held at
September 30,
2015
   Shares
Purchased
   Shares
Sold
   Shares Held at
March 31,
2016
   Value at
March 31,
2016
   Dividend
Income
October 1, 2015-
March 31, 2016
   Distributions
and Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
October 1, 2015-
March 31, 2016

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

                                  

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund, Institutional Shares

       216,414          3,225          19,438          200,201        $ 2,028,035        $ 5,662        $ (3,242 )

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund, Institutional Shares

       219,233          2,732          23,070          198,895          1,988,940          4,677          401  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Affiliates

       435,647          5,957          42,508          399,096        $ 4,016,975        $ 10,339        $ (2,841 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

134


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

     Shares Held at
September 30,
2015
   Shares
Purchased
   Shares
Sold
   Shares Held at
March 31,
2016
   Value at
March 31,
2016
   Dividend
Income
October 1, 2015-
March 31, 2016
   Distributions
and Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
October 1, 2015-
March 31, 2016

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

                                  

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund, Institutional Shares

       1,040,079          23,059          55,635          1,007,503        $ 9,299,259        $ 222,000        $ (24,489 )

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund, Institutional Shares

       277,201          17,919          25,877          269,243          4,625,594          56,249          255,027  

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund, Institutional Shares

       392,836          32,704          3,476          422,064          3,296,321                   72,417  

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund, Institutional Shares

       202,824          30,609          23,687          209,746          4,700,423                   641,789  

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund, Institutional Shares

       1,154,248                   147,179          1,007,069          10,674,939          198,943          (70,421 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Affiliates

       3,067,188          104,291          255,854          2,915,625        $ 32,596,536        $ 477,192        $ 874,323  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

                                  

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund, Institutional Shares

       948,804          13,128          95,112          866,820        $ 8,000,745        $ 197,676        $ (26,767 )

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund, Institutional Shares

       252,935          16,022          33,286          235,671          4,048,821          49,799          233,773  

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund, Institutional Shares

       342,793          27,077          11,433          358,437          2,799,395                   56,373  

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund, Institutional Shares

       185,048          26,396          29,147          182,297          4,085,281                   596,353  

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund, Institutional Shares

       432,415          9,767          68,149          374,033          3,964,751          72,935          (32,671 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Affiliates

       2,161,995          92,390          237,127          2,017,258        $ 22,898,993        $ 320,410        $ 827,061  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  5.

Related Party Transactions:

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, Sterling Capital Management LLC (“Sterling Capital” or the “Advisor”) is entitled to receive fees based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Funds. These fees are accrued daily and payable on a monthly basis and are reflected on the Statements of Operations as “Investment advisory fees.” Sterling Capital’s waived investment advisory fees are included on the Statements of Operations as “Less expenses waived by the Investment Advisor.” Information regarding these transactions is as follows for the period ended March 31, 2016:

 

     Prior to February 1, 2016   Effective February 1, 2016
     Contractual
Fee Rate
  Fee Rate after
Contractual
Waivers
  Contractual
Fee Rate
  Fee Rate after
Contractual
Waivers

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

       0.70 %       0.60 %(1)       0.70 %       0.54 %(2)

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

       0.70 %       0.70 %       0.70 %       0.70 %

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

       0.75 %       0.75 %       0.75 %       0.60 %(2)

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

       0.75 %(3)       0.75 %(3)       0.75 %       0.67 %(2)

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

       0.70 %(4)       0.70 %(4)       0.70 %       0.70 %

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

       1.50 %       1.50 %       1.50 %       1.50 %

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

       0.80 %       0.65 %(5)       0.80 %       0.40 %(2)

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

       0.20 %       0.20 %(6)       0.20 %       0.10 %(2)

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

       0.30 %       0.28 %(1)       0.30 %       0.20 %(2)

 

135


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

     Prior to February 1, 2016   Effective February 1, 2016
     Contractual
Fee Rate
  Fee Rate after
Contractual
Waivers
  Contractual
Fee Rate
  Fee Rate after
Contractual
Waivers

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

       0.43 %       0.35 %(1),(6)       0.43 %       0.32 %(2)

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

       0.37 %       0.27 %(7)       0.37 %       0.27 %(2)

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

       0.35 %       0.35 %       0.35 %       0.35 %

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

       0.35 %       0.31 %(1)       0.35 %       0.31 %(2)

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       0.45 %       0.35 %(1),(6)       0.45 %       0.35 %(2)

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       0.45 %       0.35 %(1)       0.45 %       0.35 %(2)

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       0.45 %       0.35 %(1)       0.45 %       0.35 %(2)

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       0.45 %       0.35 %(1)       0.45 %       0.35 %(2)

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       0.45 %       0.35 %(1)       0.45 %       0.35 %(2)

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       0.45 %       0.35 %(1)       0.45 %       0.35 %(2)

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

       0.25 %       0.00 %(1)       0.25 %       0.25 %

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

       0.25 %       0.00 %(1)       0.25 %       0.00 %(2)

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

       0.25 %       0.00 %(1)       0.25 %       0.00 %(2)

 

  (1) 

Sterling Capital contractually agreed to limit the advisory fees paid by the Fund from February 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016.

  (2) 

Sterling Capital contractually agreed to limit the advisory fees paid by the Fund from February 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017.

  (3) 

The Fund pays 0.75% on the first $1 billion of average net assets, 0.70% on the next $1 billion of average net assets, 0.65% on the next $2 billion of average net assets, and 0.60% of average net assets over $4 billion.

  (4) 

The Fund pays 0.70% on the first $2 billion of average net assets, 0.65% on the next $2 billion of average net assets, and 0.60% of average net assets over $4 billion.

  (5) 

Effective on November 28, 2014, Sterling Capital contractually agreed to limit the advisory fees paid by the Fund to 0.65% from November 28, 2014 through January 31, 2016.

  (6) 

For all or a portion of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, Sterling Capital voluntarily waived and/or reimbursed certain expenses of the Funds. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements of expenses may be discontinued at any time.

  (7) 

Sterling Capital contractually agreed to limit advisory fees paid by the Fund to 0.27% from September 29, 2014 through January 31, 2016.

Pursuant to sub-advisory agreements with Sterling Capital, during the reporting period, Highland Capital Healthcare Advisors, L.P., Gator Capital Management, Lucas Capital Management LLC, Emancipation Capital, LLC, and Caerus Investors, LLC served as the sub-advisors to the Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund, subject to the general supervision of the Funds’ Board of Trustees and Sterling Capital. Caerus Investors, LLC began to serve as sub-advisor to the Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund beginning on February 1, 2016. For their services, sub-advisors are entitled to a fee, payable by Sterling Capital.

Sterling Capital serves as the administrator to the Funds pursuant to an administration agreement. The Funds (except the Funds of Funds) pay their portion of a fee to Sterling Capital for providing administration services based on the aggregate assets of the Funds, excluding the assets of the Funds of Funds, at a rate of 0.1075% on the first $3.5 billion of average net assets, 0.075% on the next $1 billion of average net assets; 0.06% on the next $1.5 billion of average net assets; and 0.04% of average net assets over $6 billion. Pursuant to a sub-administration agreement with Sterling Capital, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon” or the “Sub-Administrator”), serves as the sub-administrator to the Funds subject to the general supervision of the Board and Sterling Capital. For these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to a fee payable by Sterling Capital.

BNY Mellon serves as the Funds’ fund accountant and transfer agent and receives compensation by the Funds for these services.

Sterling Capital’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) serves as the Funds’ CCO. The CCO’s compensation is reviewed and approved by the Funds’ Board and paid by Sterling Capital. However, the Funds reimburse Sterling Capital for their allocable portion of the CCO’s base salary and incentive pay. As a result, the CCO fee paid by the Funds is only part of the total compensation received by the COO.

For the period ended March 31, 2016, the Funds paid $59,209 in brokerage fees to BB&T Securities LLC on the execution of purchases and sales of the Funds’ portfolio investments.

The Funds have adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan (the “Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Sterling Capital Distributors, LLC (“the Distributor”) serves as distributor to the Funds pursuant to an underwriting agreement. The Plan provides for payments to the Distributor of up to 0.25%, 1.00%, 1.00% and 0.50% of the average daily

 

136


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

net assets of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, and Class R Shares, respectively. The Distributor is entitled to receive commissions on sales of shares of the Variable Net Asset Value Funds. For the period ended March 31, 2016, the Distributor received $444,869 from commissions earned on sales of shares of the Variable Net Asset Value Funds. Commissions paid to affiliated broker-dealers during the period ended March 31, 2016 were $252,931. The fees may be used by the Distributor to pay banks, broker dealers and other institutions, including affiliates of the Advisor.

Sterling Capital, the Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay out of their own assets (and not as an additional charge to a fund) compensation to selected affiliated and unaffiliated brokers, dealers and other financial intermediaries in connection with the sale and distribution of the shares and/or the retention and/or servicing of Fund investors and Fund shares. These payments, sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing” payments, are over and above any sales charges (including Rule 12b-1 fees) and service fees paid by the Funds. The amount of these payments is determined at the discretion of the Advisor, the Distributor and/or their affiliates from time to time, may be substantial, and may be different for different financial advisors. Receipt of, or the prospect of receiving, this additional compensation may influence your financial intermediary’s recommendation of a Fund or a of a particular share class of a Fund.

Certain Officers and a Trustee of the Funds are affiliated with Sterling Capital or the Sub-Administrator. Such Officers and Trustee receive no compensation from the Funds for serving in their respective roles. Each of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust who serve on the Board are compensated at the annual rate of $70,000 plus $5,000 for each regularly scheduled quarterly meeting attended, $4,000 for each special meeting attended in person and $1,500 for each special meeting attended by telephone, plus reimbursement for certain out of pocket expenses. Each Trustee serving on a Committee of the Board receives a fee of $4,000 for each Committee meeting attended in person and $1,500 for each Committee meeting attended by telephone, plus reimbursement for certain out of pocket expenses. Committee meeting fees are only paid when such Committee meetings are not held in conjunction with a regular board meeting. Additionally, the Chairman of the Board receives additional compensation at the annual rate of $20,000, the Audit Committee Chairman receives additional compensation at the annual rate of $15,000, and the Chairman of the Nominations Committee receives additional compensation at the annual rate of $6,000. The fees are allocated across the Trust based upon relative net assets.

 

  6.

Concentration of Credit Risk:

The Tax-Free Funds invest primarily in debt instruments of municipal issuers in their respective states. The issuers’ abilities to meet their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific state or region.

 

  7.

Line of Credit:

U.S. Bank, N.A. has made available a credit facility to the Trust, pursuant to an umbrella credit agreement (“the Agreement”). The primary purpose of the Agreement is to allow the Trust to avoid security liquidations that Sterling Capital believes are unfavorable to shareholders. Under the Agreement, an aggregate commitment amount of $50,000,000 has been made available for use by all funds of the Trust. Outstanding principal amounts under the Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate minus two percent (2%), but never at a rate of less than one percent (1%) per annum. The Agreement will expire on March 28, 2017. During the period ended March 31, 2016, each of the following Funds utilized its line of credit:

 

     Average
Interest Rate
  Average
Loan Balance
   Number of
Days Outstanding
   Interest Expense
Incurred
   Maximum Amount
Borrowed

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

       1.25 %     $ 1,013,000          3        $ 106        $ 1,013,000  

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

       1.25 %       2,685,024          4          372          3,940,000  

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

       1.25 %       1,340,352          30          1,396          5,511,000  

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

       1.25 %       144,576          5          26          214,000  

 

  8.

Federal Tax Information:

It is the policy of each Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax was required in the Funds’ financial statements.

Management evaluates its tax positions to determine if the tax positions taken meet the minimum recognition threshold in connection with accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions taken or expected to be taken for the purposes of measuring

 

137


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

and recognizing tax liabilities in the financial statements. Recognition of tax benefits of an uncertain tax position is required only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. During the period, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (current and prior three tax years), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax was required in the Funds’ financial statements. The Funds’ federal income and excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

Capital losses originating in taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010 are permitted to be carried forward for eight taxable years; in the year to which they are carried forward, such losses are treated as short-term capital losses that first offset any short-term capital gains, and then offset any long-term capital gains. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, capital losses originating in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (“post-2010 capital losses”) are carried forward indefinitely. Furthermore, post-2010 capital losses will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term capital losses as under previous law.

At September 30, 2015, the following Funds had net capital loss carry forwards available to offset future net capital gains, if any, to the extent provided by the Treasury regulations:

     Amount With No Expiration*          
     Short-term
Losses
   Long-term
Losses
   Amount    Expires

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

     $        $        $ 8,858,685          2017  

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

                         10,325,708          2018  

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

                         6,354,182          2017  

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

                         2,370,804          2017  

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

       946,403                             

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Fund

       66,873          270,173                    

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

       1,172,079          2,371,503                    

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

                         160,380          2016  

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

                         385,647          2019  

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

                         6,852,937          2016  

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

                         37,850          2019  

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

       250,655          101,957                    

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

       4,229,612          1,875,370                    

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

       108,928          19,682                    

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

       1,384,668          355,951                    

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

                         5,021,747          2018  

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

                         1,083,564          2018  

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

                         3,964,763          2019  

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

                         2,740,917          2018  

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

                         4,640,596          2019  

 

  *

Post-2010 Capital Losses: Must be utilized prior to losses subject to expiration.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 was as follows:

 

     Distributions paid from                    
     Ordinary
Income
   Net
Long-Term
Gains
   Total Taxable
Distributions
   Return
Of Capital
   Tax Exempt
Distributions
   Total
Distributions
Paid*

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

     $ 4,306,942        $        $ 4,306,942        $        $        $ 4,306,942  

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

       13,589,934          37,147,968          50,737,902                            50,737,902  

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

       4,117,892          2,067,752          6,185,644                            6,185,644  

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

       15,443,582          37,847,865          53,291,447                            53,291,447  

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

       31,465,335          53,619,402          85,084,737                            85,084,737  

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

       3,051,801          46,785          3,098,586                            3,098,586  

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

       64,770                   64,770                            64,770  

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

       558,799                   558,799                            558,799  

 

138


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements — (continued)

March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

     Distributions paid from                    
     Ordinary
Income
   Net
Long-Term
Gains
   Total Taxable
Distributions
   Return
Of Capital
   Tax Exempt
Distributions
   Total
Distributions
Paid*

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

     $ 2,880,133        $        $ 2,880,133        $        $        $ 2,880,133  

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

       689,893                   689,893                            689,893  

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

       22,999,367                   22,999,367                            22,999,367  

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

       1,861,461          60,465          1,921,926          30,792                   1,952,718  

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

       1,157,473                   1,157,473                            1,157,473  

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       7,426          247,165          254,591                   372,666          627,257  

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       16          184,451          184,467                   752,870          937,337  

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       190          323,183          323,373                   4,766,517          5,089,890  

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       20          111,719          111,739                   1,490,837          1,602,576  

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       41,448          626,853          668,301                   2,703,034          3,371,335  

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

       70,946          271,918          342,864                   2,292,554          2,635,418  

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

       736,807                   736,807                            736,807  

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

       512,549                   512,549                            512,549  

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

       249,557                   249,557                            249,557  

 

  *

Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because distributions are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of March 31, 2016, federal income tax cost, gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation on securities were as follows:

 

     Tax Cost      Gross Tax
Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Tax
Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Tax
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Sterling Capital Behavioral Large Cap Value Equity Fund

   $ 260,438,764       $ 25,489,276       $ (8,882,085   $ 16,607,191   

Sterling Capital Mid Value Fund

     577,253,289         103,030,233         (68,552,946     34,477,287   

Sterling Capital Behavioral Small Cap Value Equity Fund

     139,347,061         17,161,555         (4,860,825     12,300,730   

Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund

     771,091,435         271,010,832         (16,862,561     254,148,271   

Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund

     1,315,912,149         340,645,038         (33,409,508     307,235,530   

Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

     28,587,666         2,961,481         (9,394,770     (6,433,289

Sterling Capital Behavioral International Equity Fund

     17,953,240         1,418,255         (1,502,280     (84,025

Sterling Capital Ultra Short Bond Fund

     47,791,656         28,497         (374,245     (345,748

Sterling Capital Short Duration Bond Fund

     85,713,986         244,643         (916,410     (671,767

Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund

     28,878,417         823,371         (1,018     822,353   

Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund

     671,783,921         16,001,930         (8,326,292     7,675,638   

Sterling Capital Corporate Fund

     64,888,878         1,407,563         (762,909     644,654   

Sterling Capital Securitized Opportunities Fund

     47,811,399         822,991         (227,965     595,026   

Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     11,520,832         755,008         (790     754,218   

Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     32,814,649         1,761,862                1,761,862   

Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     186,651,014         11,841,822                11,841,822   

Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     80,334,578         3,795,940                3,795,940   

Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     111,874,296         6,452,532                6,452,532   

Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

     93,230,766         4,974,343                4,974,343   

Sterling Capital Diversified Income Fund

     43,019,350         527,596         (2,111,531     (1,583,935

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Balanced Fund

     33,642,233         956,100         (1,630,913     (674,813

Sterling Capital Strategic Allocation Growth Fund

     23,878,467         793,631         (1,454,435     (660,804

 

  9.

Subsequent Events:

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has noted no events that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

139


BOARD CONSIDERATION OF ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Continuation of Current Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Board of Trustees conducted in-person meetings in August and November 2015 to consider the continuance of the investment advisory agreement between Sterling Capital Funds (the “Trust”) and Sterling Capital Management LLC (“Sterling Capital” or the “Adviser”), the investment adviser to each series of the Trust (the “Funds”), for a new term running through January 31, 2017. The Board of Trustees also considered the continuance of the sub-advisory agreements of Sterling Capital with each of Lucas Capital Management, Gator Capital Management, Emancipation Capital LLC and Highland Capital Healthcare Advisors, L.P. (each, a “Sub-Adviser” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”), with respect to the Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund (the “Long/Short Fund”), each for a new term running through January 31, 2017. The above referenced agreements are collectively referred to herein as the “Advisory Agreements” and the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers are collectively referred to herein as the “Advisers.”

The Trustees reviewed extensive material in connection with their consideration of the Advisory Agreements, including data from an independent provider of mutual fund data (as assembled by the Trust’s administrator), which, where applicable, included comparisons with industry averages for comparable funds for advisory fees, 12b-1 fees, and total fund expenses. The Trustees considered the contractual investment advisory fee levels for each Fund, as well as the fee waivers that Sterling Capital had agreed to implement for certain Funds. The Board was assisted in its review by independent legal counsel, who provided a memorandum detailing the legal standards for review of the Advisory Agreements. The Board received detailed presentations from Sterling Capital, including analysis of each Fund’s investment process and performance. The Board also received and considered information from Sterling Capital relating to its profitability in respect of each Fund, and from all Funds in the aggregate. Presentations were also provided by each Sub-Adviser. The Board also received and considered profitability information from the Sub-Advisers with respect to the Long/Short Fund. As part of their deliberations, the Independent Trustees conducted several private meetings with their independent legal counsel, outside the presence of Sterling Capital and other Fund management.

In their deliberations regarding the Advisory Agreements, each Trustee attributed different weights to various factors involved in an analysis of the Advisory Agreements, and in each case no factor alone was considered determinative. The Trustees determined that the arrangements between the Trust and the Advisers, as provided in the Advisory Agreements, were fair and reasonable and that the continuance of the Advisory Agreements was in the best interests of each applicable Fund and its shareholders.

The Trustees considered the following factors, among others, in reaching their conclusions.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by the Adviser

The Trustees received and considered information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to each Fund under the Advisory Agreements. The Trustees took into account information furnished throughout the year at Trustee meetings, as well as materials furnished specifically in connection with the annual review process. The Trustees conduct periodic meetings with representatives of each Fund’s portfolio management team over the course of the year, and periodically receive “deep dive” attribution analyses regarding specific Funds. The Trustees considered the background and experience of each Adviser’s senior management and the expertise of investment personnel of the Adviser responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund. The Trustees considered the overall reputation, and the capabilities and commitment of the Advisers to provide high quality service to the applicable Funds.

The Trustees received information concerning the investment philosophy and investment processes applied or to be applied by the Advisers in managing each Fund as well as each Adviser’s Form ADV. The Trustees also considered information regarding regulatory compliance and compliance with the investment policies of the Funds. The Trustees evaluated each Adviser’s trading practices, and considered the procedures of the Advisers designed to fulfill the Advisers’ fiduciary duty to the Funds with respect to possible conflicts of interest, including the Advisers’ codes of ethics (regulating the personal trading of its officers and employees).

Based on their review, the Trustees concluded that, with respect to the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided by the Advisers, the nature and extent of responsibilities was consistent with mutual fund industry norms, and the quality of the services provided or to be provided by the Advisers was or was expected to be satisfactory or better.

Investment Performance

The Trustees considered the performance results of each Fund over various periods in absolute terms and relative to each Fund’s benchmark and peer group. In conducting their review, the Trustees focused particular attention on cases where a Fund’s longer-term performance compared unfavorably with peers. The Trustees noted that Sterling Capital had been proactive in identifying and replacing underperforming portfolio managers and taking other steps to address underperformance concerns with certain Funds.

 

140


After reviewing the performance of each Fund and taking into consideration the management style, investment strategies, and prevailing market conditions during the prior year and for longer periods, the Trustees concluded that the performance of each Fund was acceptable or better or that, in cases where performance issues were encountered, Sterling Capital had taken appropriate steps to address the situation.

Cost of Services, Including the Profits Realized by the Advisers and Affiliates, and Other Benefits

The Trustees considered peer group information with respect to the advisory fees charged by Sterling Capital to each of the Funds, taking into consideration both contractual and actual (i.e., after fee waivers) fee levels. The Trustees concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Funds fell within an acceptable range as compared to peer groups, and were fair and reasonable, particularly in light of the fee waivers agreed to by Sterling Capital through January 2017 (and discussed below under “Economies of Scale”).

As part of their review, the Trustees considered benefits to Sterling Capital aside from investment advisory fees. The Trustees reviewed administration fees received by Sterling Capital and considered the fallout benefits to Sterling Capital such as the research services available to Sterling Capital by reason of brokerage commissions generated by the Funds’ turnover. The Trustees also considered benefits to Sterling Capital’s affiliates, including brokerage commissions received by a Sterling Capital affiliate for executing certain trades on behalf of the Funds. With respect to these trades, the Trustees considered Sterling Capital’s assurances that such trades were effected in accordance with board approved procedures.

The Trustees also considered information from Sterling Capital regarding fees for separate accounts managed by Sterling Capital with investment objectives and strategies similar to those of comparable Funds. The Trustees noted that a representative of Sterling Capital explained that management of the Funds was a much more intensive process than management of separate accounts, including management of cash flows and the need to comply with extensive and complex restrictions set by applicable regulation or established in Fund disclosure documents, and therefore the Trustees concluded that the differences between the services that Sterling Capital provides to the Funds and those it provides to separate accounts substantially limit the probative value of comparisons to those other clients.

The Trustees also considered the reasonableness of current and proposed advisory fees in the context of the profitability of the Advisers. In determining whether the investment advisory fees were reasonable, the Trustees considered profitability information provided by the Advisers with respect to the services they provide to the Funds. With respect to such information, the Trustees recognized that such profitability data was generally unaudited and represented an Adviser’s own determination of its and its affiliates’ revenues from the contractual services provided or expected to be provided to the Funds, less expenses of providing such services. Expenses include direct and indirect costs and were calculated using an allocation methodology developed by the Adviser. The Trustees also recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund investment advisory contracts, because comparative information is not generally publicly available and could be affected by numerous factors. Based on their review, the Trustees concluded that the profitability of the Advisers as a result of their relationships with the Funds was acceptable.

Based on the foregoing, the Trustees concluded that the fees proposed under the Advisory Agreements were fair and reasonable, in light of the services and benefits provided or expected to be provided to each Fund.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees also considered whether fee levels reflect economies of scale and whether economies of scale would be produced by the growth of the Funds’ assets. The Trustees considered that Sterling Capital had reduced the total expense ratios for a number of Funds in part through fee waivers, including fee waivers agreed to as part of the 2015 contract review process for the Sterling Capital Total Return Bond Fund, Sterling Capital Intermediate U.S. Government Fund, Sterling Capital Kentucky Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital South Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, Sterling Capital Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund and Sterling Capital West Virginia Intermediate Tax-Free Fund. In addition, the Trustees noted that Sterling Capital had agreed to implement an investment advisory fee breakpoint for each of the Sterling Capital Equity Income Fund and Sterling Capital Special Opportunities Fund as part of the 2013 contract review process. The Trustees found that the asset levels of the other Funds were not currently so large as to warrant formal contractual breakpoints.

Approval of Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Sterling Capital Long/Short Equity Fund

The Board of Trustees, at meetings held on November 18-19, 2015, formally considered the approval of a Subadvisory Agreement (the “New Subadvisory Agreement”) between Sterling Capital (the “Adviser”) and Caerus Investors, LLC (“Caerus”) with respect to the Long/Short Fund.

With respect to the Long/Short Fund, the Trustees’ determination to approve the New Subadvisory Agreement was based on a comprehensive evaluation of all information provided to them. In the process of considering the New Subadvisory Agreement, the Trustees considered information regarding, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided by the Adviser and Caerus. The Trustees noted that the Adviser would dedicate personnel and resources to overseeing Caerus’ activities with respect to the Long/Short Fund and that the Adviser would provide Caerus with investment parameters with respect to its management of a portion of the Long/Short Fund’s assets. The Trustees received a detailed presentation from Caerus that included information regarding, among other things, its portfolio construction process, its risk management approach, its experience with respect to comparable investment strategies, and the qualifications and experience of the proposed portfolio management team.

 

141


In their deliberations regarding the New Subadvisory Agreement, each Trustee attributed different weights to various factors involved in an analysis of the New Subadvisory Agreement, and in each case no factor alone was considered determinative. The Trustees determined that the terms of the arrangement between the Adviser and Caerus, as provided in the New Subadvisory Agreement, were fair and reasonable and that the approval of the New Subadvisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Long/Short Fund and its shareholders.

The Trustees considered the following factors, among others, in reaching their conclusions.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by the Adviser and the SubAdvisor

The Trustees received and considered information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services expected to be provided by Caerus to the Long/Short Fund under the New Subadvisory Agreement. The Trustees considered the proposed services to be provided to the Long/Short Fund by Caerus. The Board also considered the Adviser’s specific responsibilities with respect to oversight of Caerus as well as the qualifications, experience and responsibilities of the other key personnel that would be involved in the day-to-day activities of the Long/Short Fund. The Trustees concluded that the nature and quality of services that Caerus would provide to the Long/Short Fund appeared consistent with both those already provided to the Fund by other subadvisors and industry norms.

The Trustees received information concerning the investment philosophy and investment processes to be applied by Caerus in managing the Long/Short Fund as well as Caerus’ Form ADV. The Trustees also considered information regarding regulatory compliance and reviewed Caerus’ compliance policies and procedures. The Trustees considered the procedures of Caerus designed to fulfill Caerus’ fiduciary duty to the Long/Short Fund with respect to possible conflicts of interest, including Caerus’ code of ethics (regulating the personal trading of its officers and employees).

Based on their review, the Trustees concluded that, with respect to the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided by Caerus, the nature and extent of responsibilities was consistent with mutual fund industry norms, and that the quality of the services to be provided by Caerus was expected to be satisfactory or better.

Investment Performance

The Trustees considered Caerus’ performance record managing a similar strategy to what it will provide for the Long/Short Fund, although noted that different investment restrictions, cash flows and other factors could lead to divergent future performance.

Cost of Services, Including the Profits Realized by the Advisers and Affiliates, and Other Benefits

The Trustees considered that Caerus would receive the same subadvisory fee as the other subadvisors to the Long/Short Fund. The Trustees noted that Caerus’ subadvisory fees were lower than the fees Caerus typically receives for managing other similar accounts.

The Trustees noted that there was no information available with respect to Caerus’ profitability from the Long/Short Fund because it had not yet commenced serving as subadvisor to the Long/Short Fund.

As part of their review, the Trustees considered benefits to Caerus aside from subadvisory fees. The Trustees considered the fallout benefits to Caerus such as the research services available to Caerus by reason of brokerage commissions generated by the Long/Short Fund.

Based on the foregoing, the Trustees concluded that the fees proposed under the New Subadvisory Agreement with the Adviser and Caerus were fair and reasonable, in light of the services and benefits expected to be provided to the Long/Short Fund.

Economies of Scale

The Trustees also considered whether fee levels reflect economies of scale and whether economies of scale would be produced by the growth of the Long/Short Fund’s assets. The Trustees found that the asset levels of the Long/Short Fund were not currently so large as to warrant formal contractual breakpoints and the Fund was unlikely to build its assets to such a point during the initial term of the New Subadvisory Agreement. The Trustees also noted that Caerus’ sub advisory fees would be paid by the Adviser out of the Adviser’s investment advisory fees, not by the Fund.

 

142


 

Sterling Capital Funds

 

 

March 31, 2016

 

    

 Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-228-1872; and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website at www.sec.gov.

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-228-1872 and (ii) on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

The Funds file complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-Q are available without charge on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’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.

 

143


INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Sterling Capital Management LLC

4350 Congress Street, Suite 1000

Charlotte, NC 28209

DISTRIBUTOR

Sterling Capital Distributors, LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

LEGAL COUNSEL

Ropes & Gray LLP

Prudential Tower

800 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02199

TRANSFER AGENT

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP

1601 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103


LOGO


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 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 officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the design and operation of such procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

  (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 second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1) Not applicable.

 

  (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)                              Sterling Capital Funds                                                                       
    
By (Signature and Title)     /s/ James T. Gillespie                                                                              
                                    James T. Gillespie, President   
                                    (principal executive officer)   

Date    5/24/2016                                                                                                                               

  

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/ James T. Gillespie                                                                             
                                           James T. Gillespie, President      
                                           (principal executive officer)      

Date    5/24/2016                                                                                                                               

  

 

By (Signature and Title)     /s/ Todd M. Miller                                                                                  
                                     Todd M. Miller, Treasurer   
                                     (principal financial officer)   

Date    5/24/2016