NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
The First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Fund (the “Global Listed Fund”) and the First Sentier American Listed Infrastructure Fund (the “American Listed Fund”), (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the
“Funds”) are each a series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. The Global Listed Fund is diversified
and the American Listed Fund is non-diversified. The Funds follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services –
Investment Companies.” The investment objective of the Global Listed Fund and the American Listed Fund is to seek to achieve growth of capital and inflation-protected income. The Global Listed Fund and the American Listed Fund currently offer
Class I shares. The Global Listed Fund’s Class I shares commenced operations on February 28, 2017. The American Listed Fund’s Class I shares commenced operations on December 29, 2020.
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
A. |
Security Valuation: All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value, as described in Note 3. |
B. |
Federal Income Taxes: It is the Funds’ policy to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment |
The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. The tax returns of the Funds’ prior three fiscal years are open for examination. Management has reviewed all open tax years in major jurisdictions and concluded that there is no impact on the Funds’ net assets and no tax liability
resulting from unrecognized tax events relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The Funds identify their major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal and the state of Wisconsin. The Funds
are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.
C. |
Security Transactions, Income, Expenses and Distributions: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on securities |
Common expenses of the Trust are typically allocated among the funds in the Trust based on a fund’s respective net assets, or by other equitable means.
The Funds distribute substantially all net investment income, if any, and net realized gains, if any, annually. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term
capital gains. All short-term capital gains are included in ordinary income for tax purposes.
The amount of dividends and distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations which differ
from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. To the extent these book/tax differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their Federal tax treatment.
D. |
Foreign Securities: The Global Listed Fund may invest up to 75% of its net assets in securities of foreign companies, including but not limited to depositary |
First Sentier Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2022 (Continued)
U.S. economy and individual foreign companies may differ from domestic companies in the same industry. |
Foreign companies or entities are frequently not subject to accounting and financial reporting standards applicable to domestic companies, and there may be less information available about
foreign issuers.
Securities of foreign issuers are generally less liquid and more volatile than those of comparable domestic issuers. There is frequently less government regulation of broker-dealers and
issuers than in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are subject to the possibility of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could adversely affect the
value of those investments.
Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment
securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate the portion of the results of operations from changes in
foreign exchange rates on investments from those resulting from the changes in market prices of securities held. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of portfolio securities, sales and maturities of short-term
securities, sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on
the Funds’ books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, including investments in securities at
fiscal period end, resulting from changes in the exchange rate.
E. |
REITs: The Funds have made certain investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which pay dividends to their shareholders based upon funds available |
F. |
Reclassification of Capital Accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets |
Total Distributable Earnings |
Paid-in Capital |
||
Global Listed Fund |
$337 |
$(337) |
G. |
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires |
H. |
Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Year End: In preparing the financial statements as of October 31, 2022, management considered the impact of subsequent events |
First Sentier Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2022 (Continued)
NOTE 3 – SECURITIES VALUATION
The Funds have adopted authoritative fair value accounting standards which establish an authoritative definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value. These standards require additional disclosures about the
various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair value, a discussion in changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period and expanded disclosure of valuation levels for major security types.
These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1 – |
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Funds have the ability to access. |
Level 2 – |
Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may |
Level 3 – |
Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing each Fund’s own assumptions about the |
Following is a description of the valuation techniques applied to the Funds’ major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Each Fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (4:00 p.m. EST).
Equity Securities: Equity securities that are primarily traded on a national securities exchange shall be valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are
primarily traded on the day of valuation or, if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System for which market quotations are readily available
shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the
bid and asked prices. Over-the-counter securities which are not traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System shall be valued at the most recent sales price. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not
applied, they are categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investment Companies: Investments in open-end mutual funds, including money market funds, are generally priced at their net asset value per share provided by the service
agent of the funds and will be classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Foreign securities will be priced at their local currencies as of the close of their primary exchange or market or as of the time the Fund calculates its net asset value per share, whichever is earlier. Foreign
securities, currencies and other assets denominated in foreign currencies are then translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the U.S. dollar, as provided by an approved pricing service. All assets denominated
in foreign currency will be converted into U.S. dollars using the applicable currency exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m. EST.
to foreign security holdings held by the Funds. The use of this third-party pricing service is designed to capture events occurring after a foreign exchange closes that may affect the value of certain holdings of each Fund’s securities traded
on those foreign exchanges. The Funds utilize a confidence interval when determining the use of the FVIS provided prices. The confidence interval is a measure of the historical relationship that each foreign exchange traded security has to
movements in various indices and the price of the security’s corresponding American Depositary Receipt, if one exists. FVIS provides the confidence interval for each security for which it provides a price. If the FVIS provided price falls
within the confidence interval the Funds will value the particular security at that price. If the FVIS provided price does not fall within the confidence interval the particular security will be valued at the preceding closing price on its
respective foreign
First Sentier Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2022 (Continued)
exchange, or if there were no transactions on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. These securities would generally be categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The Adviser anticipates that the Funds’ portfolio
holdings will be fair valued only if market quotations for those holdings are considered unreliable.
Prior to the effectiveness of Rule 2a-5 on September 8, 2022, the Board of Trustees had delegated day-to-day valuation issues to a Valuation Committee of the Trust which was comprised of representatives from the
Funds’ administrator, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”). The function of the Valuation Committee was to value securities where current and reliable market quotations were not
readily available, or the closing price did not represent fair value by following procedures approved by the Board. These procedures considered many factors, including the type of security, size of holding, trading volume and news events. All
actions taken by the Valuation Committee were subsequently reviewed and ratified by the Board of Trustees. Effective September 8, 2022, the Board of Trustees approved the Adviser as the Funds’ valuation designee under Rule 2a-5.
Depending on the relative significance of the valuation inputs, fair valued securities may be classified in either level 2 or level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ securities as of October 31, 2022:
Global Listed Fund
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total |
||||||||||||||
Common Stocks |
|||||||||||||||||
Communication Services |
$ |
– |
$ |
847,718 |
$ |
– |
$ |
847,718 |
|||||||||
Energy |
6,713,095 |
– |
– |
6,713,095 |
|||||||||||||
Industrials |
8,632,435 |
17,022,774 |
– |
25,655,209 |
|||||||||||||
Utilities |
31,068,879 |
5,662,590 |
– |
36,731,469 |
|||||||||||||
Total Common Stocks |
46,414,409 |
23,533,082 |
– |
69,947,491 |
|||||||||||||
REITs |
5,144,899 |
– |
– |
5,144,899 |
|||||||||||||
Total Investments in Securities |
$ |
51,559,308 |
$ |
23,533,082 |
$ |
– |
$ |
75,092,390 |
American Listed Fund
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total |
||||||||||||||
Common Stocks |
|||||||||||||||||
Energy |
$ |
253,854 |
$ |
– |
$ |
– |
$ |
253,854 |
|||||||||
Industrials |
440,035 |
– |
– |
440,035 |
|||||||||||||
Utilities |
1,117,473 |
– |
– |
1,117,473 |
|||||||||||||
Total Common Stocks |
1,811,362 |
– |
– |
1,811,362 |
|||||||||||||
REITs |
348,414 |
– |
– |
348,414 |
|||||||||||||
Total Investments in Securities |
$ |
2,159,776 |
$ |
– |
$ |
– |
$ |
2,159,776 |
Refer to the Funds’ schedules of investments for a detailed break-out of securities by industry classification.
and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Rule 18f-4 imposes limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminates the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treats
derivatives as senior securities and requires funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.
The Funds’ most recently filed statement of additional information allows the Funds to enter into derivative transactions. The Funds are considered limited derivatives users under Rule 18f-4. During the
First Sentier Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2022 (Continued)
year ended October 31, 2022, the Funds did not enter into derivatives transactions. The Funds are in compliance with Rule 18f-4.
In December 2020, the SEC adopted a new rule providing a framework for fund valuation practices (“Rule 2a-5”). Rule 2a-5 establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940
Act. Rule 2a-5 permits fund boards to designate certain parties to perform fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain other conditions. Rule 2a-5 also defines when market quotations are “readily available” for purposes
of the 1940 Act and the threshold for determining whether a fund must fair value a security. In connection with Rule 2a-5, the SEC also adopted related recordkeeping requirements and rescinded previously issued guidance, including with respect
to the role of a board in determining fair value and the accounting and auditing of fund investments. The Funds are in compliance with Rule 2a-5, which had a compliance date of September 8, 2022.
The global outbreak of COVID-19 (commonly referred to as “coronavirus”) has disrupted economic markets and the prolonged economic impact is uncertain. Although vaccines for COVID-19 are becoming more widely
available, the ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, amid the spread of COVID-19 variants, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual companies are not known. The operational and financial performance of
individual companies and the market in general depends on future developments, including the duration and spread of any future outbreaks and the pace of recovery which may vary from market to market, and such uncertainty may in turn adversely
affect the value and liquidity of the Funds’ investments, impair the Funds’ ability to satisfy redemption requests, and negatively impact the Funds’ performance.
NOTE 4 – INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Adviser provides the Funds with investment management services under an investment advisory agreement. The Adviser furnishes all investment advice, office space, facilities, and provides most of the
personnel needed by the Funds. As compensation for its services, each Fund pays the Adviser a monthly management fee. The Funds each pay fees calculated at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has
delegated the day-to-day investment management of the Funds to First Sentier Investors (Australia) IM Ltd (the “Sub-Adviser”). The Sub-Adviser is compensated by the Adviser from the management fees paid to the Adviser. The sub-advisory fee to
be received by the Sub-Adviser is 0.60% of average daily net assets. The percentage of compensation the Sub-Adviser receives from the Adviser is subject to adjustment according to the Adviser’s transfer pricing methodology and therefore is
subject to change. For the year ended October 31, 2022, the Global Listed Fund and the American Listed Fund incurred advisory fees of $543,360 and $29,776, respectively.
The Funds are responsible for their own operating expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce fees payable to it by the Funds and to pay Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and
expenses, interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and class specific expenses such as the shareholder servicing plan fee) to the extent necessary to limit each Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses as a percent of average daily net assets
as follows:
Global Listed Fund 0.85%
American Listed Fund 0.75%
Any such reduction made by the Adviser in its fees or payment of expenses which are a Fund’s obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Fund to the Adviser, if so requested by the Adviser, in any subsequent
month in the 36-month period from the date of the management fee reduction and expense payment if the aggregate amount actually paid by the Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into account the reimbursement) will not
cause the Fund to exceed the lesser of: (1) the expense limitation in place at the time of the management fee reduction and expense payment; or (2) the expense limitation in place at the time of the reimbursement. Any such reimbursement is
also contingent upon Board of Trustees review and approval. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Funds’ payment of current ordinary operating expenses. For the year ended October 31, 2022, the Adviser reduced its fees in the amount
of $210,284 and $234,985 in the Global Listed Fund and the American Listed Fund, respectively. No amounts were recouped by the Adviser. The expense limitation will remain in effect through at least February 27, 2023 and may be terminated only
by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Adviser may recapture portions of the amounts shown below no later than the corresponding dates:
First Sentier Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2022 (Continued)
10/31/2023 |
10/31/2024 |
10/31/2025 |
Total |
|||||||||||||
Global Listed Fund |
$ |
249,900 |
$ |
225,162 |
$ |
210,284 |
$ |
685,346 |
||||||||
American Listed Fund |
– |
176,883 |
234,985 |
411,868 |
Fund Services serves as the Funds’ administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent. U.S. Bank N.A. serves as custodian (the “Custodian”) to the Funds. The Custodian is an affiliate of Fund Services. Fund
Services maintains the Funds’ books and records, calculates the Funds’ NAV, prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, coordinates the payment of fund expenses, reviews expense accruals and prepares materials supplied to the Board
of Trustees. The officers of the Trust, including the Chief Compliance Officer, are employees of Fund Services. Fees paid by the Funds for administration and accounting, transfer agency, custody and compliance services for the year ended
October 31, 2022 are disclosed in the statements of operations.
Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar”) acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares. Quasar is a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC.
NOTE 5 – SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEE
The Funds have entered into a shareholder servicing agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Adviser, under which the Funds may pay servicing fees at an annual rate of up to 0.10% of each Funds’ average daily net
assets. Payments to the Adviser under the Agreement may reimburse the Adviser for payments it makes to selected brokers, dealers and administrators which have entered into service agreements with the Adviser for services provided to
shareholders of the Funds. The services provided by such intermediaries are primarily designed to assist shareholders of the Funds and include the furnishing of office space and equipment, telephone facilities, personnel and assistance to the
Funds in servicing such shareholders. Services provided by such intermediaries also include the provision of support services to the Funds and include establishing and maintaining shareholders’ accounts and record processing, purchase and
redemption transactions, answering routine client inquiries regarding the Funds, and providing such other personal services to shareholders as the Funds may reasonably request. The shareholder servicing fees accrued by the Funds for the year
ended October 31, 2022 are disclosed in the statements of operations.
NOTE 6 – LINE OF CREDIT
The Global Listed Fund has a secured line of credit in the amount of $5,000,000. This line of credit is intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions, in connection with
shareholder redemptions. The credit facility is with the Fund’s custodian, U.S. Bank N.A. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund did not draw upon the line of credit.
NOTE 7 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the year ended October 31, 2022, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:
Cost of Purchases |
Proceeds from Sales |
||||||||
Global Listed Fund |
$ |
43,871,456 |
$ |
31,176,866 |
|||||
American Listed Fund |
2,935,473 |
6,085,521 |
The Funds had no purchases or sales of U.S. government securities during the year ended October 31, 2022.
NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The tax character of distributions paid by the Funds during the year ended October 31, 2022 and the period ended October 31, 2021 was as follows:
First Sentier Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2022 (Continued)
October 31, 2022 |
October 31, 2021 |
||||||||
Global Listed Fund |
|||||||||
Ordinary income |
$ |
2,687,350 |
$ |
695,359 |
|||||
Long-term capital gains |
1,643,828 |
763,387 |
|||||||
October 31, 2022 |
October 31, 2021 |
||||||||
American Listed Fund |
|||||||||
Ordinary income |
$ |
315,542 |
$ |
– |
|||||
Long-term capital gains |
974 |
– |
|||||||
As of October 31, 2022, the components of accumulated earnings/(losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
Global Listed Fund | American Listed Fund | ||||||||
Cost of investments (a) |
$ |
80,026,041 |
$ |
2,201,792 |
|||||
Gross unrealized appreciation |
$ |
3,805,296 |
$ |
129,560 |
|||||
Gross unrealized depreciation |
(8,738,947 |
) |
(171,576 |
) |
|||||
Net unrealized depreciation (a) |
(4,933,651 |
) |
(42,016 |
) |
|||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on foreign currrency |
(5,251 |
) |
9 |
||||||
Undistributed ordinary income |
1,725,318 |
277,969 |
|||||||
Undistributed long-term capital gain |
1,629,061 |
103,900 |
|||||||
Total distributable earnings |
3,354,379 |
381,869 |
|||||||
Total accumulated earnings/(losses) |
$ |
(1,584,523 |
) |
$ |
339,862 |
(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and net unrealized depreciation is attributable primarily to wash sales and partnerships.
NOTE 9 – PRINCIPAL RISKS
Below is a summary of some, but not all, of the principal risks of investing in the Fund, each of which may adversely affect the Funds’ net asset value and total return. The Funds’ most recent prospectus
provides further descriptions of the Funds’ investment objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks.
• |
Market and Regulatory Risk. Events in the financial markets and economy may cause volatility and uncertainty and adversely impact the Funds’ performance. Market |
• |
Infrastructure Companies Risk (Both Funds). Infrastructure companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or |
First Sentier Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2022 (Continued)
economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy |
In particular, the operations of infrastructure projects are exposed to unplanned interruptions caused by significant catastrophic events, such as cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, floods,
explosion, fire, terrorist attack, major plant breakdown, pipeline or electricity line rupture or other disasters. Operational disruption, as well as supply disruption, could adversely impact the cash flows available from these assets.
Further, national and local environmental laws and regulations affect the operations of infrastructure projects. Standards are set by these laws, and regulations are imposed regarding certain
aspects of health and environmental quality, and they provide for penalties and other liabilities for the violation of such standards, and establish, in certain circumstances, obligations to remediate and rehabilitate current and former
facilities and locations where operations are, or were, conducted. These laws and regulations may have a detrimental impact on the financial performance of infrastructure projects.
• |
Concentration Risk (Both Funds). Since the securities of companies in the same industry or group of industries will comprise a significant portion of each |
• |
Emerging Markets Risk (Global Listed Fund). Emerging markets are markets of countries in the initial stages of industrialization and generally have low per |
• |
Stapled Securities Risk (Both Funds). A stapled security is comprised of two different securities—a unit of a trust and a share of a company—that are “stapled” |
• |
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk (Both Funds). Investments in REITs will be subject to the risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate and |
• |
Limited Partnership and MLP Risk (Global Listed Fund). Investments in securities (units) of partnerships, including MLPs, involve risks that differ from an |
• |
Non-Diversification Risk (American Listed Fund). To the extent that the Fund invests its assets in fewer securities, the Fund is subject to a greater risk of |
First Sentier Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2022 (Continued)
NOTE 10 – CONTROL OWNERSHIP
The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates a presumption of control of the fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. The following table reflects shareholders that
maintain accounts of more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund as of October 31, 2022:
Fund |
Shareholder |
Percent of Shares Held |
||
Global Listed Fund |
Capinco, c/o U.S. Bank N.A. |
96.43% | ||
American Listed Fund |
Randy Paas IRA, c/o U.S. Bank N.A. |
83.08% |
NOTE 11 –TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Mr. Joe Redwine became the Audit Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2022. Ms. Michele Rackey was approved by the Board as an Independent Trustee effective January 1, 2023. Mr. Kevin Hayden was approved by the Board as Vice
President, Treasurer and Ms. Cheryl King was approved as Assistant Treasurer effective January 1, 2023. Mr. Ryan Charles resigned as Assistant Secretary effective January 1, 2023.
NOTE 12 – OTHER TAX INFORMATION
The Funds have declared distributions to be paid, on December 12, 2022, to shareholders of record on December 9, 2022, as follows:
Long-Term Capital Gain |
Short-Term Capital Gain |
Income |
||
Global Listed Fund |
$0.22259 |
$0.10434 |
$0.18020630 |
|
American Listed Fund |
$0.50052 |
$1.16093 |
$0.23659097 |
First Sentier Funds
Expense Example – at October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
As a shareholder of a mutual fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including redemption fees and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service
fees; and other fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is
based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (5/1/22 – 10/31/22).
Actual Expenses
For each Fund, two lines are presented in the tables below, with the first line providing information about actual account values and actual expenses. Although the Funds charge no sales load or transaction
fees, you will be assessed fees for outgoing wire transfers, returned checks, and stop payment orders at prevailing rates charged by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Funds’ transfer agent. The Example below includes, but is not
limited to, management fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your
account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid
on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
For each Fund, the second line provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the respective Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year
before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to
compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the
expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the second line of the table for each Fund 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 transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Fund
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
Beginning |
Ending |
Expenses Paid |
|
Account Value |
Account Value |
During Period* |
|
5/1/22 |
10/31/22 |
5/1/22 – 10/31/22 |
|
Actual |
$1,000.00 |
$ 912.20 |
$4.58 |
Hypothetical |
$1,000.00 |
$1,020.42 |
$4.84 |
(5% return before expenses) |
*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 0.95%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (days in most recent fiscal half-year)/365 days
to reflect the one-half year expense.
First Sentier American Listed Infrastructure Fund
Expenses Paid |
|||
Account Value |
Account Value |
During Period* |
|
5/1/22 – 10/31/22 |
|||
Actual |
$1,000.00 |
$ 919.40 |
$3.63 |
Hypothetical |
$1,000.00 |
$1,021.42 |
$3.82 |
(5% return before expenses) |
*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 0.75%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (days in most recent fiscal half-year)/365 days
to reflect the one-half year expense.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Trustees
Advisors Series Trust and
Shareholders of
First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Fund
First Sentier American Listed Infrastructure Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Fund and First Sentier American Listed Infrastructure Fund (the “Funds”), each a series
of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), including the schedules of investments, as of October 31, 2022, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights
for each of the periods indicated in the table below, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Funds as of October 31, 2022, the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets and their financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
Individual Funds constituting First Sentier Funds |
Statement of |
Statements of |
Financial highlights |
|||
First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Fund |
For the year ended October 31, 2022 |
For each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2022 |
For each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2022 |
|||
First Sentier American Listed Infrastructure Fund |
For the year ended October 31, 2022 |
For the year ended October 31, 2022 and for the period December 29, 2020 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2021 |
For the year ended October 31, 2022 and for the period December 29, 2020 (commencement of |
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting
firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We have served as the auditor of one or more funds in the trust since 2003.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to
obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such
opinion.
To the Board of Trustees
Advisors Series Trust and
Shareholders of
First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Fund
First Sentier American Listed Infrastructure Fund
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.
Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were
not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
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TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 30, 2022
First Sentier Funds
NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS at October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
For the year ended October 31, 2022, the Global Listed Fund and the American Listed Fund designated $2,687,350 and $315,542, respectively, as ordinary income for purposes of the dividends paid deduction. For the year ended October 31,
2022, the Global Listed Fund and the American Listed Fund designated $1,643,828 and $974, respectively, as long-term capital gains for purposes of the dividends paid deduction.
Certain dividends paid by the Funds may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 23.8%, as provided by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. For the Global Listed Fund and the American Listed Fund, the percentage of dividends declared from
net investment income designated as qualified dividend income for the year ended October 31, 2022 was 60.18% and 19.38%, respectively.
For corporate shareholders in the Global Listed Fund and the American Listed Fund, the percent of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for the year ended October 31, 2021 was 26.76%
and 19.32%, respectively.
The percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions that are designated as short-term capital gain distributions under Internal Revenue Sections 871(k)(2)(C) for the Global Listed Fund and the American Listed Fund was 54.12% and
80.11%, respectively.
How to Obtain a Copy of the Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies
A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-898-5040 or on the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.
How to Obtain a Copy of the Funds’ Proxy Voting Records
Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-898-5040.
Furthermore, you can obtain the Funds’ proxy voting records on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Quarterly Filings on Form N-PORT
The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Part F of Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Information included in the Funds’ Form N-PORT is also available, upon request, by calling 1-888-898-5040.
First Sentier Funds
STATEMENT REGARDING LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (Unaudited)
Each Fund has adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “program”). The Board has designated a committee at the Adviser to serve as the administrator of the program. The Adviser’s committee
conducts the day-to-day operation of the program pursuant to policies and procedures administered by the committee.
Under the program, the Adviser’s committee manages each Fund’s liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund could not meet shareholder redemption requests without significant dilution of remaining
shareholders’ interests in the Fund. This risk is managed by monitoring the degree of liquidity of each Fund’s investments, limiting the amount of each Fund’s illiquid investments, and utilizing various risk management tools and
facilities available to each Fund for meeting shareholder redemptions, among other means. The committee’s process of determining the degree of liquidity of the Fund’s investments is supported by one or more third-party liquidity
assessment vendors.
The Board reviewed a report prepared by the committee regarding the operation and effectiveness of the program for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The report noted that the First Sentier
Global Listed Infrastructure Fund made use of its line of credit during the reporting period and that such line was fully repaid in a timely manner. No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the report. In
addition, the committee provided its assessment that the program had been effective in managing each Fund’s liquidity risk.
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)
This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee the Funds. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the Funds and execute policies formulated by
the Trustees.
Independent Trustees(1)
Name, Address and Age |
Position Held with the Trust |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served* |
Principal Occupation During Past Five Years |
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(2) |
Other Directorships Held During Past Five Years(3) |
|
David G. Mertens (age 62) 615 E. Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
Trustee |
Indefinite term; since March 2017. |
Partner and Head of Business Development Ballast Equity Management, LLC (a privately- held investment advisory firm) (February 2019 to present); Managing Director and Vice President, Jensen Investment Management, Inc. (a privately-held investment advisory firm) (2002 to 2017). |
2 |
Trustee, Advisors Series Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds). |
|
Joe D. Redwine (age 75) 615 E. Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
Trustee |
Indefinite term; since September 2008. |
Retired; formerly Manager, President, CEO, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC and its predecessors (May 1991 to July 2017). |
2 |
Trustee, Advisors Series Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds). |
Raymond B. Woolson (age 63) 615 E. Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
Chairman of the Board Trustee |
Indefinite term; since January 2020. Indefinite term; since January 2016. |
President, Apogee Group, Inc. (financial consulting firm) (1998 to present). |
2 |
Trustee, Advisors Series Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds); Independent Trustee, DoubleLine Funds Trust (an open-end investment company with 20 portfolios), DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund, DoubleLine Selective Credit Fund and DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund, from 2010 to present. |
Officers
Name, Address and Age |
Position Held |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupation During Past Five Years |
Jeffrey T. Rauman (age 53) 615 E. Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer |
Indefinite term; since December 2018. |
Senior Vice President, Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (February 1996 to present). |
Cheryl L. King (age 61) 615 E. Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
Vice President, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
Indefinite term; since December 2007. |
Vice President, Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (October 1998 to present). |
Kevin J. Hayden (age 51) 615 E. Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
Assistant Treasurer |
Indefinite term; since September 2013. |
Vice President, Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (June 2005 to present). |
Name, Address and Age |
Position Held |
Term of Office and Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupation During Past Five Years |
Richard R. Conner (age 40) 615 E. Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
Assistant Treasurer |
Indefinite term; since December 2018. |
Assistant Vice President, Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (July 2010 to present). |
Michael L. Ceccato (age 65) 615 E. Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 |
Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and AML Officer |
Indefinite term; since September 2009. |
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services and Vice President, U.S. Bank N.A. (February 2008 to present). |
Elaine E. Richards (age 54) 2020 East Financial Way, Suite 100 Glendora, CA 91741 |
Vice President and Secretary |
Indefinite term; since September 2019. |
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (July 2007 to present). |
Ryan Charles (age 44) 2020 East Financial Way, Suite 100 Glendora, CA 91741 |
Assistant Secretary |
Indefinite term; since January 2022. |
Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (May 2021 to present); Chief Legal Officer and Secretary Davis Selected Advisers, L.P. (2004 to 2021). |
* |
The Trustees have designated a mandatory retirement age of 75, such that each Trustee, serving as such on the date he or she reaches the age of 75, shall submit his or her resignation not later than the last day of the |
(1) |
The Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”). |
(2) |
As of October 31, 2022, the Trust was comprised of 34 active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Funds. The Funds do not hold |
(3) |
“Other Directorships Held” includes only directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (that is, “public |
The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-888-898-5040.
HOUSEHOLDING
In an effort to decrease costs, the Funds will reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses, supplements, and certain other shareholder documents that you receive by sending only one copy of
each to those addresses shown by two or more accounts. Please call the Funds’ transfer agent toll free at 888-898-5040 to request individual copies of these documents.
The Funds will begin sending individual copies 30 days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.
First Sentier Funds
PRIVACY NOTICE
The Funds collect non-public information about you from the following sources:
• Information we
receive about you on applications or other forms;
• Information you
give us orally; and/or
• Information
about your transactions with us or others.
We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers without the customer’s authorization, except as permitted by law or in response to
inquiries from governmental authorities. We may share information with affiliated and unaffiliated third parties with whom we have contracts for servicing the Funds. We will provide unaffiliated third parties with only the
information necessary to carry out their assigned responsibilities. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your non-public personal information and require third parties to treat your personal
information with the same high degree of confidentiality.
In the event that you hold shares of the Funds through a financial intermediary, including, but not limited to, a broker-dealer, bank, or trust company, the privacy policy of your
financial intermediary would govern how your non-public personal information would be shared by those entities with unaffiliated third parties.
Investment Adviser
First Sentier Investors (US) LLC
10 East 53rd Street, 21st
Floor
New York, New York 10022
Investment Sub-Adviser
First Sentier Investors (Australia) IM Ltd
Darling Park, Tower 1
201 Sussex Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Australia
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP
Two Liberty Place
50 South 16th Street, Suite 2900
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
Legal Counsel
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
1633 Broadway, 32nd Floor
New York, New York 10019
Custodian
U.S. Bank National Association
Custody Operations
1555 North RiverCenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Fund Administrator
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC
111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
This report is intended for shareholders of the Funds and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus. For a current prospectus please call 1-888-898-5040.
(b) Not applicable
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer. The registrant has not made any substantive amendments to its code of ethics during the
period covered by this report. The registrant has not granted any waivers from any provisions of the code of ethics during the period covered by this report.
A copy of the registrant’s Code of Ethics is filed herewith.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that there is at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. Mr. Joe D. Redwine is the “audit committee financial expert” and is considered to be
“independent” as each term is defined in Item 3 of Form N‑CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The registrant has engaged its principal accountant to perform audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services during the past two fiscal years. “Audit services” refer to performing an audit of the
registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. “Audit-related services” refer to the
assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit. “Tax services” refer to professional services rendered by the principal accountant including the review of
federal income tax returns, review of federal excise tax returns, review of state tax returns, if any, and assistance with calculation of required income, capital gain and excise distributions. There were no “other services”
provided by the principal accountant. The following table details the aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed for each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees and other fees by the
principal accountant.
FYE 10/31/2022 |
FYE 10/31/2021 |
|
(a) Audit Fees |
$34,800 |
$30,400 |
(b) Audit-Related Fees |
N/A |
N/A |
(c) Tax Fees |
$7,200 |
$7,200 |
(d) All Other Fees |
N/A |
N/A |
(e)(1) The audit committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures that require the audit committee to pre‑approve all audit and non‑audit services of the registrant, including services provided to any entity
affiliated with the registrant.
(e)(2) The percentage of fees billed by Tait, Weller, & Baker LLP applicable to non-audit services pursuant to waiver of pre-approval requirement were as
follows:
FYE 10/31/2022 |
FYE 10/31/2021 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
0% |
0% |
Tax Fees |
0% |
0% |
All Other Fees |
0% |
0% |
(f) All of the principal accountant’s hours spent on auditing the registrant’s financial statements were attributed to work performed by full‑time permanent employees of the principal accountant.
(g) The following table indicates the non-audit fees billed or expected to be billed by the registrant’s accountant for services to the registrant and to the registrant’s investment
adviser (and any other controlling entity, etc.—not sub-adviser) for the last two years.
Non-Audit Related Fees |
FYE 10/31/2022 |
FYE 10/31/2021 |
Registrant |
N/A |
N/A |
Registrant’s Investment Adviser |
N/A |
N/A |
(h) The audit committee of the board of trustees/directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser is compatible with maintaining the principal
accountant’s independence and has concluded that the provision of such non-audit services by the accountant has not compromised the accountant’s independence.
The registrant has not been identified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as having filed an annual report issued by a registered public accounting firm branch or
office that is located in a foreign jurisdiction where the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is unable to inspect or completely investigate because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction.
The registrant is not a foreign issuer.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
(a) Not applicable to registrants who are not listed issuers (as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
(b) Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) Schedule of Investments 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 to open-end investment companies.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed‑End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
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.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) |
The Registrant’s President/Chief Executive Officer/Principal Executive Officer and Vice President/Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer have reviewed the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in |
(b) |
There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or |
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 13. Exhibits.
(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c‑1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the
registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant. There was no change in the registrant’s independent public accountant for the period covered by
this report.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) Advisors Series Trust
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Jeffrey T. Rauman
Jeffrey T. Rauman, President/Chief Executive Officer/Principal
Executive Officer
Date 1/9/2023
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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/ Jeffrey T. Rauman
Jeffrey T. Rauman, President/Chief Executive Officer/Principal
Executive Officer
Date 1/9/2023
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Kevin J. Hayden
Kevin J. Hayden, Vice President/Treasurer/Principal Financial
Officer
Date 1/9/2023
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.
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