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 811-22208  

 

Valued Advisers Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450 Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

Attn: Gregory Knoth

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 513-587-3400  

 

Date of fiscal year end: 10/31  
     
Date of reporting period: 10/31/2020  

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

 

 

DANA LARGE CAP EQUITY FUND
DANA EPIPHANY ESG SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND

(formerly, the Dana Small Cap Equity Fund)
DANA EPIPHANY ESG EQUITY FUND

 

Annual Report
October 31, 2020

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Funds or from your financial intermediary such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds electronically by contacting the Funds at (855) 280-9648 or, if you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary.

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Funds that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting the Funds at (855) 280-9648. If you own shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this document to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the fund complex or at your financial intermediary.

 

Dana Investment Advisors, Inc.
20700 Swenson Drive, Suite 400
Waukesha, WI 53186
(855) 280-9648
www.danafunds.com

 

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

 

The year 2020 has been a challenging year on so many levels. The challenge of a persistent pandemic that has affected our society deeply has been the key event, and the pandemic has been the lens through which we will view all that has taken place this year. As investors, we have to continue to look forward for opportunities, and we have done that this year. We have experienced both a full bear market and a full market recovery over the last twelve months, and our portfolio management team has had to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape while looking forward at the same time. We look forward to both the challenges and opportunities that we will face in the future, and we will strive to be good stewards of the capital you have entrusted to our care.

 

Economic and Market Recap

 

From October 31, 2019 through the beginning of February 2020, markets continued to push higher, with the S&P 500® Index reaching a new high on February 19th. Economic growth was aided by low inflation and an accommodative Federal Reserve, which cut rates three times in the second half of 2019. Longer term interest rates drifted lower through this period, and market appreciation reflected the belief that the expansion would continue. On the political front, the race for the Democratic presidential nomination was wide open, and President Trump was acquitted by the Senate in his impeachment trial.

 

In January, our portfolio management team began to monitor a virus outbreak in a city named Wuhan in central China. Wuhan has a population larger than New York City. Reports of sickness and death, and images of entire new hospitals built in weeks, appeared on news feeds. By late February and into early March, it was clear that the virus was spreading around the world. Stocks fell over 30% in a five-week period, and the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve realized the threat to our economy and our markets. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates 150 basis points in a two-week period in early March while also coming out with a list of programs dedicated to supporting the markets. Emergency aid was passed by Congress, and the Treasury added its own emergency lending and asset purchase programs. Markets bottomed in late March and began to rebound, even as the virus spread. The S&P 500® Index briefly reached positive territory for the year in early June and moved up significantly through July and August.

 

Different market sectors were either rewarded or severely punished based on their economic prospects under an economy where many were either not working or working from home. Growth generally outperformed value by a significant margin through the market peak in early September, when the market began to broaden, and consolidate through the end of October. All of our strategies had to navigate this rotation into growth and tech companies early in the year, as well as a broadening and a move back to what had been weaker areas of the market towards the end of the year.

 

The presidential election provided yet another interesting backdrop to a tumultuous year. The widespread implementation of voting by mail delayed the results and increased the level of uncertainty surrounding the outcome. It appears that divided government will be the result, and the markets have continued to move higher on that news.

 

Looking forward, we are hopeful that the recent advances towards a workable vaccine can continue through production and distribution phases. Sectors of the economy that would benefit from more mobility and a more open economy are already beginning to rebound in the market. We continue to pursue opportunities in the market that offer attractive valuations and future prospects for expansion.

 

1

 

 

 

Dana Large Cap Fund (the “Large Cap Fund”) Discussion

 

Despite having to deal with the unique challenges we have all faced this year, our team continued to focus their efforts on finding high-quality companies and managing the Large Cap Fund with a longer-term investment horizon. The Large Cap Fund’s (Institutional Class) absolute performance of +4.65% was favorable in light of all that has transpired, and it was above the equal-weighted S&P 500® Index return of 0.58%. Yet, with a select few mega-cap growth companies dominating the cap-weighted S&P 500® Index, the Large Cap Fund trailed the benchmark S&P 500® Index return of +9.71%. The impacts of COVID-19 have extended the market’s preference for growth versus value-orientated stocks based on style indices to historic extremes. This dynamic is creating wonderful opportunities despite COVID-19 impacts still lingering over many industries. The Large Cap Fund was able to take advantage of the market’s pullback in early 2020, positioning itself in attractively valued securities that were driven down with the overall market swoon. This proved advantageous to performance when the market started bouncing back in April. Relative performance strengthened during the late spring and early summer.

 

For the full fiscal year, the performance of the Large Cap Fund’s holdings in Consumer Discretionary and Technology sectors helped deliver the strongest absolute returns. Energy was the weakest sector on an absolute basis, followed by Financials in the S&P 500® Index. Top performing contributors to the Large Cap Fund for the year included Consumer Discretionary holdings, Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY), the consumer electronics retailer stalwart, and D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI), the largest homebuilder in the United States. Other top performers were Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (TMO), a key supplier in the health care and biotechnology industries, and Lam Research Corporation (LRCX), a key enabler of memory solutions for 5G and artificial intelligence. Holdings that detracted most from performance included companies that were negatively impacted by coronavirus shut downs, such as Starwood Property Trust, Inc., a REIT with exposure to hotels, and Sysco Corporation (SYY), a foodservice distributor to restaurants, hotels, and office buildings. Both companies were eventually sold from the Large Cap Fund. Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC), American Express Company (AXP), and Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (CFG) also lagged the market and were replaced with new alternatives.

 

Our analysis shows that the Dana Large Cap Equity Fund is trading at attractive relative valuations versus its benchmark and is performing well in terms of actual earnings and cash flow generation. We remain committed to our investment discipline as investors sort out expectations for the coming year.

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund (the “Small Cap Fund”) Discussion

 

The Small Cap Fund (Institutional Class) returned -4.04% versus the Russell 2000® Index return of -0.14% for the fiscal year. The numbers do little justice in telling the complete story of the underlying market environment in the prior twelve months. The Russell 2000® Index made 52-week highs throughout January and February then entered a bear market in the record time of 19 days, dropping further in the middle of March. The good news is that small cap stocks have historically outperformed large cap stocks coming off market bottoms, a pattern that repeated in the second quarter, as well as off the market lows this fall. The Small Cap Fund rode the same wave as the Index through much of the 1st quarter of 2020 and saw a strong rebound from April through July. August proved to be a difficult month for relative performance as there appeared to be a shift into deep value from many growthier names in an apparent profit-taking phase. The year finished in strong form in September and October, despite elevated uncertainty with a second round of stimulus and an undetermined and stressful political backdrop.

 

2

 

 

 

During the fiscal year, the Small Cap Fund realized strong returns from Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Real Estate sectors, while Consumer Staples, Industrials, and Health Care detracted from relative performance. Two of the Small Cap Fund’s top contributing holdings were Horizon Therapeutics, PLC (HZNP) and Five9, Inc. (FIVN). Horizon is a pharmaceutical company with a legacy product line in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as newer offerings of treatment for gout and recently FDA approved product treatment for thyroid eye disease. Five9 is a leading contact center as a service software provider in the cloud that was in high demand before the pandemic, but their tailwind increased as a result of the work-from-home trend. Two of the larger detractors were Performance Food Group Company (PFGC) and CONMED Corporation (CNMD). Performance Food Group is a nationwide food supplier and distribution company whose customers in the restaurant, college, and theater industries were all greatly impacted by shutdowns related to COVID-19. The position was sold due to leverage and seriously impaired end markets. CONMED is a global medical technology company that specializes in the development and sale of surgical and patient-monitoring products and services utilized in specialized medicine fields. The line of products is sensitive to demand for elective procedures that were impacted heavily by hospital and clinic shutdowns.

 

Portfolio turnover is generally higher during periods of accelerating economic uncertainty, which almost always correlate with market volatility. Volatility can be both a threat and an opportunity, and the Small Cap Fund took advantage of opportunities to add excellent businesses at discounted prices in the first half of 2020. Some of the portfolio trading was done with an eye on tax efficiency, and the result should equal an advantageous position for Small Cap Fund owners when the accounting dust settles.

 

There are tremendous stories being written in small cap America. Exciting developments in various technologies and end markets are visible in many industries in our universe. The strength of the security selection in the Small Cap Fund is not always easy to see, especially with an increasingly complicated benchmark that has a rising sum of low-quality companies. One measure of our success is the maturation of Small Cap Fund holdings like Chegg, Inc. (CHGG), Horizon, and Five9 into midcap market winners. The Small Cap Fund continues to seek opportunities to add value through a relative value discipline that focuses on fundamentally driven stock selection and believes the Small Cap Fund will reward investors over the long term.

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund (the “Epiphany ESG Fund”) Discussion

 

The Epiphany ESG Fund was exposed to the same challenges and news flow as it holds companies across the market capitalization spectrum. While it was rewarding for the Epiphany ESG Fund (Institutional Class) to return +4.76% during such a volatile fiscal year, the Epiphany ESG Fund did trail the cap-weighted S&P 500® Index return of +9.71%. While the relative performance headwind caused by concentrated growth stocks in the Index is disappointing, we continue to adhere to strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) pillars that are integrated into our relative value investment philosophy. Many of the underlying ESG themes in the portfolio point to longer-term sustainable trends; therefore, we remain focused on long-term prospects of these companies in lieu of short-term hurdles. ESG investing has been a boon for the industry during the last 12 months, and while we certainly appreciate the attention it has received, we pause to remind you that not all ESG offerings are created equal. We encourage you as shareholders to understand the comprehensive process we utilize and the active company engagement we undertake as shareholder advocates.

 

3

 

 

 

During the fiscal year, the Epiphany ESG Fund realized strong returns from the Consumer Discretionary and Utilities sectors, while Technology and Consumer Staples detracted from relative performance. Two of the top contributing holdings were Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. (EBS) and Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY). Emergent is a specialty life sciences company focused on vaccines and anti-infectives sold primarily to government entities; their strong free cash flow and net cash position stand out in the biotech industry. Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY), the consumer electronics retailer stalwart, showed strong performance in light of the work-from-home transition as many scrambled to update their home office capabilities. Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) and Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (STWD) were two of the larger detractors in the fiscal year. In addition, the Epiphany ESG Fund’s relative performance in the Information Technology sector was primarily a result of lower weightings than what was held in the Index – a pillar risk control in Dana’s investment process.

 

The Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund continues to invest in companies that meet our ESG criteria and provide growth at attractive valuations relative to peers.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Mark R. Mirsberger, CPA
Chief Executive Officer – Dana Investment Advisors, Inc.

 

 

Duane Roberts, CFA
Portfolio Manager and Director of Equities – Dana Investment Advisors, Inc.

 

4

 

 

 

Investment Results (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns(a) as of October 31, 2020

 

One
Year

Five
Year

Ten
Year

Since
Inception
(10/29/13)

Dana Large Cap Equity Fund

   

Institutional Class

4.65%

9.83%

N/A

9.93%

Investor Class

4.43%

9.56%

11.23%

N/A

S&P 500® Index(b)

9.71%

11.71%

13.01%

11.38%

 

 

Expense Ratios(c)

 

Institutional
Class

Investor
Class

Gross

0.85%

1.10%

With Applicable Waivers

0.73%

0.98%

 

The performance quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Dana Large Cap Equity Fund (the “Large Cap Fund”) distributions or the redemption of Large Cap Fund shares. Current performance of the Large Cap Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-855-280-9648.

 

(a)

Average annual total returns reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions. The Large Cap Fund’s returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable period. If such reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower.

(b)

The S&P 500® Index (“S&P Index”) is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity securities and is representative of a broader domestic equity market and range of securities than is found in the Large Cap Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the S&P Index; however, an individual can invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

(c)

The expense ratios are from the Large Cap Fund’s prospectus dated February 28, 2020. Expense ratios with applicable waivers reflect that Dana Investment Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to waive or limit its fees and to assume other expenses of the Large Cap Fund until February 28, 2021, so that total annual fund operating expenses do not exceed 0.73% of the Large Cap Fund’s average daily net assets. This operating expense limitation does not apply to brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, fees and expenses paid under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1, fees and expenses paid under a shareholder services plan, and indirect expenses (such as “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”). Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three years following the date of such waiver or reimbursement, provided that the Large Cap Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and the expense limitation in place at the time of the repayment. This agreement may only be terminated by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. Additional information pertaining to the Large Cap Fund’s expense ratios as of October 31, 2020 can be found in the financial highlights.

 

The Large Cap Fund’s investment objectives, strategies, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Large Cap Fund and may be obtained by calling the same number as above. Please read it carefully before investing.

 

The Large Cap Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

5

 

 

 

Investment Results (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns(a) as of October 31, 2020

 

One
Year

Since
Inception
(11/3/15)

Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund

Institutional Class

(4.04)%

1.48%

Russell 2000® Index(b)

(0.14)%

6.73%

 

 

Expense
Ratios
(c)

 

Institutional
Class

Gross

1.88%

With Applicable Waivers

0.95%

 

The performance quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund (the “Small Cap Fund”) distributions or the redemption of Small Cap Fund shares. Current performance of the Small Cap Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-855-280-9648.

 

(a)

Average annual total returns reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions. The Small Cap Fund’s returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable period. If such reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower. Effective at the close of business on June 4, 2020, Investor Class shares of the Small Cap Fund were exchanged for Institutional Class shares, resulting in the closing of the Investor Class.

(b)

The Russell 2000® Index (“Russell Index”) is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity securities and is representative of a broader domestic equity market and range of securities than are found in the Small Cap Fund’s portfolio. Individuals can not invest directly in the Russell Index; however, an individual can invest in ETFs or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

(c)

The expense ratios are from the Small Cap Fund’s prospectus dated February 28, 2020 (as amended October 1, 2020). Expense ratios with applicable waivers reflect that the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive or limit its fees and to assume other expenses of the Small Cap Fund until February 28, 2021, so that total annual fund operating expenses do not exceed 0.95% of the Small Cap Fund’s average daily net assets. This operating expense limitation does not apply to brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, fees and expenses paid under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1, fees and expenses paid under a shareholder services plan, and indirect expenses (such as “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”). Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Small Cap Fund within three years following the date of such waiver or reimbursement, provided that the Small Cap Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and the expense limitation in place at the time of the repayment. This agreement may only be terminated by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. Additional information pertaining to the Small Cap Fund’s expense ratios as of October 31, 2020 can be found in the financial highlights.

 

The Small Cap Fund’s investment objectives, strategies, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Small Cap Fund and may be obtained by calling the same number as above. Please read it carefully before investing.

 

The Small Cap Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

6

 

 

 

Investment Results (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns(a) as of October 31, 2020

 

One
Year

Five
Year

Ten
Year

Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund

     

Institutional Class

4.76%

8.67%

9.48%

S&P 500® Index(b)

9.71%

11.71%

13.01%

 

 

Expense
Ratios
(c)

 

Institutional
Class

Gross

2.13%

With Applicable Waivers

0.85%

 

The performance quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund (the “Epiphany ESG Fund”) distributions or the redemption of Epiphany ESG Fund shares. Current performance of the Epiphany ESG Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-855-280-9648.    

 

(a)

Average annual total returns reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions. The Epiphany ESG Fund’s returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable period. If such reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower. Effective at the close of business on June 4, 2020, Investor Class shares of the Epiphany ESG Fund were exchanged for Institutional Class shares, resulting in the closing of the Investor Class.

(b)

The S&P 500® Index (“S&P Index”) is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity securities and is representative of a broader domestic equity market and range of securities than is found in the Epiphany ESG Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the S&P Index; however, an individual can invest in ETFs or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

(c)

The expense ratios are from the Epiphany ESG Fund’s prospectus dated February 28, 2020. Expense ratios with applicable waivers reflect that the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive or limit its fees and to assume other expenses of the Epiphany ESG Fund until February 28, 2021, so that total annual fund operating expenses do not exceed 0.85% of the Epiphany ESG Fund’s average net assets. This operating expense limitation does not apply to brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, fees and expenses paid under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1, fees and expenses paid under a shareholder services plan, and indirect expenses (such as “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”). Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Epiphany ESG Fund within three years following the date of such waiver or reimbursement, provided that the Epiphany ESG Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and the expense limitation in place at the time of the repayment. This agreement may only be terminated by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. Additional information pertaining to the Epiphany ESG Fund’s expense ratios as of October 31, 2020 can be found on the financial highlights.

 

The Epiphany ESG Fund’s investment objectives, strategies, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Epiphany ESG Fund and may be obtained by calling the same number as above. Please read it carefully before investing.

 

The Epiphany ESG Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

7

 

 

 

Comparison of Growth of $10,000 Investment in the
Dana Large Cap Equity Fund, Investor Class and
the S&P 500
® Index (Unaudited)

 

The chart above assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on October 31, 2010 held through October 31, 2020. THE LARGE CAP FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Large Cap Fund distributions or the redemption of Large Cap Fund shares. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original purchase price.

 

Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For more information on the Large Cap Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end or to request a prospectus, please call 1-855-280-9648. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Large Cap Fund before investing. The Large Cap Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Large Cap Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 

The Large Cap Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

8

 

 

 

Comparison of Growth of $10,000 Investment in the
Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund,
Institutional Class and the Russell 2000
® Index (Unaudited)

 

The chart above assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on November 3, 2015 (commencement of Institutional Class operations) held through October 31, 2020. THE SMALL CAP FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Small Cap Fund distributions or the redemption of Small Cap Fund shares. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original purchase price.

 

Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For more information on the Small Cap Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end or to request a prospectus, please call 1-855-280-9648. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Small Cap Fund before investing. The Small Cap Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Small Cap Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 

The Small Cap Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

9

 

 

 

Comparison of Growth of $10,000 Investment in the
Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund, Institutional Class and
the S&P 500
® Index (Unaudited)

 

The chart above assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on October 31, 2010 held through October 31, 2020. THE EPIPHANY ESG FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Epiphany ESG Fund distributions or the redemption of Epiphany ESG Fund shares. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original purchase price.

 

Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For more information on the Epiphany ESG Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end or to request a prospectus, please call 1-855-280-9648. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Epiphany ESG Fund before investing. The Epiphany ESG Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Epiphany ESG Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 

The Epiphany ESG Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

10

 

 

 

Portfolio Illustration (Unaudited)

October 31, 2020

 

The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Large Cap Fund by sector weighting as a percentage of net assets as of October 31, 2020.

 

 

11

 

 

 

Portfolio Illustration (Unaudited)

October 31, 2020

 

The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Small Cap Fund by sector weighting as a percentage of net assets as of October 31, 2020.

 

 

12

 

 

 

Portfolio Illustration (Unaudited)

October 31, 2020

 

The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Epiphany ESG Fund by sector weighting as a percentage of net assets as of October 31, 2020.

 

 

Availability of Portfolio Schedules (Unaudited)

 

The Large Cap Fund, the Small Cap Fund and the Epiphany ESG Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

13

 

 

 

Dana Large Cap Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2020

 

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 99.22%

               

Communications — 10.99%

               

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    18,400     $ 1,393,432  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    2,100       3,393,831  

AT&T, Inc.

    1,000       27,020  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    36,000       1,520,640  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(a)

    8,400       2,210,124  

T-Mobile US, Inc.(a)

    19,600       2,147,572  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    36,000       2,051,640  
              12,744,259  

Consumer Discretionary — 13.05%

               

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    1,280       3,886,272  

AutoZone, Inc.(a)

    1,200       1,354,776  

Best Buy Co, Inc.

    20,500       2,286,775  

BorgWarner, Inc.

    50,000       1,749,000  

D.R. Horton, Inc.

    30,000       2,004,300  

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

    22,000       1,779,140  

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    7,800       2,080,338  
              15,140,601  

Consumer Staples — 6.90%

               

Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.

    1,000       26,900  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    15,200       2,015,368  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    38,000       2,018,560  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    14,000       1,866,060  

Walmart, Inc.

    15,000       2,081,250  
              8,008,138  

Energy — 1.88%

               

Chevron Corp.

    500       34,750  

ConocoPhillips

    32,000       915,840  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1,000       32,620  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    15,000       1,193,400  
              2,176,610  

Financials — 9.70%

               

American Express Co.

    400       36,496  

Aon PLC, Class A

    9,000       1,656,090  

Bank of America Corp.

    80,000       1,896,000  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

    55,000       1,889,800  

Discover Financial Services

    28,000       1,820,280  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    20,200       1,980,408  

Morgan Stanley

    41,000       1,974,150  
              11,253,224  

 

 

14

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Large Cap Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 99.22% — (continued)

Health Care — 14.01%

               

Abbott Laboratories

    20,000     $ 2,102,200  

AbbVie, Inc.

    1,000       85,100  

Amgen, Inc.

    9,400       2,039,236  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    20,000       1,169,000  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC(a)

    26,000       1,948,180  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    27,000       2,030,670  

STERIS PLC

    12,000       2,126,280  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    5,200       2,460,224  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    7,500       2,288,550  
              16,249,440  

Industrials — 6.84%

               

Boeing Co. (The)

    200       28,878  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    1,000       30,640  

Dover Corp.

    17,700       1,959,567  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    5,500       1,925,715  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    9,600       2,007,552  

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

    9,500       1,979,420  
              7,931,772  

Materials — 2.91%

               

Avery Dennison Corp.

    12,000       1,660,680  

Packaging Corp. of America

    15,000       1,717,350  
              3,378,030  

Real Estate — 2.64%

               

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    4,800       727,296  

American Tower Corp., Class A

    5,000       1,148,250  

Prologis, Inc.

    12,000       1,190,400  
              3,065,946  

Technology — 27.16%

               

Adobe Systems, Inc.(a)

    4,800       2,146,080  

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

    22,000       2,092,640  

Apple, Inc.

    38,000       4,136,680  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    20,600       2,253,022  

CDW Corp.

    18,000       2,206,800  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    1,000       35,900  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    13,000       1,619,670  

Intel Corp.

    700       30,996  

Lam Research Corp.

    6,700       2,291,936  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    1,000       83,000  

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    4,500       1,298,880  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

15

 

 

 

 

Dana Large Cap Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 99.22% — (continued)

Technology — 27.16% — (continued)

               

Microchip Technology, Inc.

    20,000     $ 2,101,600  

Microsoft Corp.

    18,000       3,644,460  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)

    10,000       1,861,300  

Qorvo, Inc.(a)

    17,000       2,165,120  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    7,600       1,380,996  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a)

    7,600       2,155,664  
              31,504,744  

Utilities — 3.14%

               

Eversource Energy

    18,200       1,588,314  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    28,000       2,049,880  
              3,638,194  

Total Common Stocks (Cost $91,656,839)

            115,090,958  
                 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS 0.43%

               
                 

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.02%(b)

    501,732       501,732  

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $501,732)

            501,732  
                 

Total Investments — 99.65% (Cost $92,158,571)

            115,592,690  
                 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.35%

            401,022  
                 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

          $ 115,993,712  

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of October 31, 2020.

 

16

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2020

 

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.89%

               

Communications — 2.28%

               

Glu Mobile, Inc.(a)

    15,550     $ 111,338  

Vonage Holdings Corp.(a)

    10,701       113,217  
              224,555  

Consumer Discretionary — 9.09%

               

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.(a)

    6,392       204,672  

Chegg, Inc.(a)

    2,254       165,534  

Deckers Outdoor Corp.(a)

    840       212,830  

Malibu Boats, Inc., Class A(a)

    2,995       152,236  

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.

    1,668       161,129  
              896,401  

Consumer Staples — 4.75%

               

e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.(a)

    9,265       187,801  

Helen of Troy Ltd.(a)

    902       171,019  

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.(a)

    5,773       109,976  
              468,796  

Energy — 1.00%

               

WPX Energy, Inc.(a)

    21,376       98,543  
                 

Financials — 14.26%

               

Encore Capital Group, Inc.(a)

    4,666       148,985  

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

    1,649       157,744  

Home BancShares, Inc.

    9,942       165,037  

Houlihan Lokey, Inc., Class A

    2,526       158,380  

Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.

    7,750       151,203  

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

    1,786       142,755  

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.

    3,915       179,268  

Primerica, Inc.

    1,231       135,705  

Western Alliance Bancorp

    4,061       167,313  
              1,406,390  

Health Care — 17.89%

               

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(a)

    2,350       240,357  

CONMED Corp.

    1,271       99,100  

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.(a)

    2,235       201,083  

Ensign Group, Inc. (The)

    3,383       199,055  

HMS Holdings Corp.(a)

    6,011       160,013  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC(a)

    2,619       196,242  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class B(a)

    2,176       179,411  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

17

 

 

 

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.89% — (continued)

Health Care — 17.89% — (continued)

Medpace Holdings, Inc.(a)

    1,558     $ 172,845  

NuVasive, Inc.(a)

    3,791       168,434  

uniQure N.V.(a)

    3,644       147,327  
              1,763,867  

Industrials — 14.87%

               

Cactus, Inc., Class A

    5,471       93,007  

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

    3,372       154,438  

Federal Signal Corp.

    6,077       174,288  

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.(a)

    2,674       153,621  

MasTec, Inc.(a)

    3,685       182,923  

Regal-Beloit Corp.

    1,550       152,908  

Rexnord Corp.

    5,803       186,160  

TopBuild Corp.(a)

    1,383       211,889  

TriNet Group, Inc.(a)

    2,280       157,138  
              1,466,372  

Materials — 5.75%

               

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

    2,430       154,135  

Avient Corp.

    5,607       174,210  

Boise Cascade Co.

    3,245       124,543  

W.R. Grace & Co.

    2,629       114,335  
              567,223  

Real Estate — 7.87%

               

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    1,236       164,487  

Global Medical REIT, Inc.

    14,311       177,886  

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure

    3,483       145,764  

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

    2,333       143,503  

STAG Industrial, Inc.

    4,643       144,490  
              776,130  

Technology — 17.62%

               

Cohu, Inc.

    9,114       198,047  

Cubic Corp.

    3,069       181,409  

DXC Technology Co.

    8,976       165,338  

Five9, Inc.(a)

    1,212       183,885  

Omnicell, Inc.(a)

    2,529       218,884  

Perficient, Inc.(a)

    3,748       146,772  

Rapid7, Inc.(a)

    2,591       160,461  

 

 

18

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.89% — (continued)

Technology — 17.62% — (continued)

Sailpoint Technologies Holdings, Inc.(a)

    3,790     $ 157,323  

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.(a)

    7,748       164,955  

Upland Software, Inc.(a)

    3,838       160,121  
              1,737,195  

Utilities — 3.51%

               

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

    1,892       183,922  

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

    2,470       162,328  
              346,250  

Total Common Stocks (Cost $8,564,704)

            9,751,722  
                 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 1.03%

               
                 

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.02%(b)

    101,402       101,402  

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $101,402)

            101,402  
                 

Total Investments — 99.92% (Cost $8,666,106)

            9,853,124  
                 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.08%

            8,262  
                 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

          $ 9,861,386  

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of October 31, 2020.

 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

19

 

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2020

 

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.03%

               

Communications — 10.94%

               

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    30     $ 48,483  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(a)

    230       372,833  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    5,700       240,768  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(a)

    1,000       263,110  

T-Mobile US, Inc.(a)

    2,200       241,054  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    4,600       262,154  
              1,428,402  

Consumer Discretionary — 13.32%

               

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    120       364,338  

Best Buy Co, Inc.

    2,200       245,410  

BorgWarner, Inc.

    6,300       220,374  

D.R. Horton, Inc.

    3,600       240,516  

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

    3,100       250,697  

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    820       218,702  

Tractor Supply Co.

    1,500       199,815  
              1,739,852  

Consumer Staples — 6.74%

               

General Mills, Inc.

    3,800       224,656  

Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.

    7,700       207,130  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    1,700       225,403  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    4,200       223,104  
              880,293  

Energy — 1.89%

               

ConocoPhillips

    4,200       120,204  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    1,600       127,296  
              247,500  

Financials — 7.93%

               

American Express Co.

    1,100       100,364  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

    4,800       164,928  

Discover Financial Services

    2,400       156,024  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    2,100       205,884  

Morgan Stanley

    4,100       197,415  

Truist Financial Corp.

    5,000       210,600  
              1,035,215  

 

 

20

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.03% — (continued)

Health Care — 11.96%

               

CVS Health Corp.

    4,700     $ 263,623  

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.(a)

    2,900       260,913  

Encompass Health Corp.

    4,100       251,371  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC(a)

    3,700       277,241  

Humana, Inc.

    640       255,539  

Zoetis, Inc.

    1,600       253,680  
              1,562,367  

Industrials — 8.05%

               

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    1,270       265,582  

Regal-Beloit Corp.

    2,900       286,085  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    2,200       213,136  

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

    820       287,017  
              1,051,820  

Materials — 2.75%

               

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    600       165,744  

Avery Dennison Corp.

    1,400       193,746  
              359,490  

Real Estate — 4.48%

               

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    720       109,094  

American Tower Corp., Class A

    500       114,825  

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure, Inc.

    5,800       242,730  

Prologis, Inc.

    1,200       119,040  
              585,689  

Technology — 25.84%

               

Accenture PLC, Class A

    1,100       238,601  

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

    2,300       218,776  

Apple, Inc.

    4,000       435,440  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    2,400       262,488  

CDW Corp.

    2,100       257,460  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    5,900       211,810  

Dropbox, Inc., Class A(a)

    9,000       164,340  

Intel Corp.

    2,600       115,128  

Lam Research Corp.

    740       253,139  

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    660       190,502  

Microchip Technology, Inc.

    2,460       258,497  

Microsoft Corp.

    1,700       344,199  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)

    1,300       241,969  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    1,010       183,527  
              3,375,876  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

21

 

 

 

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.03% — (continued)

Utilities — 3.13%

               

Eversource Energy

    2,200     $ 191,994  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    2,960       216,702  
              408,696  

Total Common Stocks (Cost $10,184,146)

            12,675,200  
                 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 3.89%

               
                 

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.02%(b)

    507,720       507,720  

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $507,720)

            507,720  
                 

Total Investments — 100.92% (Cost $10,691,866)

            13,182,920  
                 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.92)%

            (120,814 )
                 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

          $ 13,062,106  

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of October 31, 2020.

 

22

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Statements of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2020

 

   

Dana Large Cap
Equity Fund

   

Dana Epiphany
ESG Small Cap
Equity Fund

   

Dana Epiphany
ESG Equity Fund

 

Assets

               

Investments in securities at fair value (cost $92,158,571, $8,666,106 and $10,691,866) (Note 3)

  $ 115,592,690     $ 9,853,124     $ 13,182,920  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    640,036             54,896  

Receivable for investments sold

          49,060       188,712  

Dividends receivable

    139,134       5,920       18,985  

Receivable from Adviser (Note 4)

          8,695       5,901  

Prepaid expenses

    23,240       19,259       12,214  

Total Assets

    116,395,100       9,936,058       13,463,628  

Liabilities

               

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    290,135             2,452  

Payable for investments purchased

          35,317       361,420  

Payable to Adviser (Note 4)

    50,148              

Accrued Distribution (12b-1) fees (Note 4)

    5,523              

Payable to Administrator (Note 4)

    22,851       12,667       11,450  

Payable to trustees

    2,155       1,424       1,513  

Other accrued expenses

    30,576       25,264       24,687  

Total Liabilities

    401,388       74,672       401,522  

Net Assets

  $ 115,993,712     $ 9,861,386     $ 13,062,106  

Net Assets consist of:

                       

Paid-in capital

    90,715,471       10,083,044       10,318,752  

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

    25,278,241       (221,658 )     2,743,354  

Net Assets

  $ 115,993,712     $ 9,861,386     $ 13,062,106  

Institutional Class:

                       

Net Assets

  $ 91,379,130     $ 9,861,386     $ 13,062,106  

Shares outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

    4,299,265       1,004,156       1,273,744  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Note 2)

  $ 21.25     $ 9.82     $ 10.25  

Investor Class:

                       

Net Assets

  $ 24,614,582                  

Shares outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

    1,158,052                  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Note 2)

  $ 21.26                  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

23

 

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Statements of Operations

For the year ended October 31, 2020

 

   

Dana Large Cap
Equity Fund

   

Dana Epiphany
ESG Small Cap
Equity Fund

   

Dana Epiphany
ESG Equity Fund

 

Investment Income

                       

Dividend income

  $ 2,332,417     $ 112,243     $ 237,506  

Total investment income

    2,332,417       112,243       237,506  

Expenses

                       

Investment Adviser fees (Note 4)

    828,212       87,190       84,680  

Administration and compliance services fees (Note 4)

    78,889       37,917       32,133  

Distribution (12b-1) fees, Investor Class (Note 4)

    62,911       2,694 (a)      11,229 (a) 

Fund accounting fees (Note 4)

    48,168       29,917       24,625  

Registration expenses

    40,308       36,512       30,493  

Legal fees

    25,992       25,645       23,539  

Transfer agent fees (Note 4)

    25,433       23,217       18,441  

Custodian fees

    19,967       5,647       5,339  

Audit and tax preparation fees

    18,800       18,800       18,500  

Printing and postage expenses

    17,617       2,689       3,149  

Insurance expenses

    11,660       3,234       2,159  

Trustee fees

    9,726       6,215       5,146  

Interest

          16       19  

Miscellaneous expenses

    32,139       21,085       16,586  

Total expenses

    1,219,822       300,778       276,038  

Fees contractually waived and expenses reimbursed by Adviser (Note 4)

    (227,431 )     (187,744 )     (154,164 )

Net operating expenses

    992,391       113,034       121,874  

Net investment income (loss)

    1,340,026       (791 )     115,632  

Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities transactions

    2,299,800       (1,256,551 )     234,203  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment securities

    2,714,687       (80,215 )     362,862  

Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    5,014,487       (1,336,766 )     597,065  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 6,354,513     $ (1,337,557 )   $ 712,697  

 

(a)

Effective at the close of business on June 4, 2020, Investor Class shares of the Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Fund and Dana Epiphany ESG Fund were consolidated into the Institutional Class shares of the Small Cap Fund and Epiphany ESG Fund.

 

24

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

Dana Large Cap Equity Fund

   

Dana Epiphany ESG
Small Cap Equity Fund

 
   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2019

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2019

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:

                       

Operations

                       

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 1,340,026     $ 2,398,203     $ (791 )   $ 11,830  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities transactions

    2,299,800       12,973,907       (1,256,551 )     (111,430 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities

    2,714,687       2,070,388       (80,215 )     73,430  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    6,354,513       17,442,498       (1,337,557 )     (26,170 )

Distributions to Shareholders from Earnings (Note 2)

               

Institutional Class

    (12,130,253 )     (15,403,587 )     (5,901 )     (1,098,363 )

Investor Class

    (2,798,272 )     (3,132,699 )           (245,803 )

Total distributions

    (14,928,525 )     (18,536,286 )     (5,901 )     (1,344,166 )

Capital Transactions – Institutional Class (a)

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    31,507,881       48,852,531       1,008,397       1,528,842  

Shares issued in connection with class consolidation

                1,513,471        

Reinvestment of distributions

    5,707,638       11,841,958       5,764       1,065,846  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (46,107,580 )     (129,198,946 )     (3,966,219 )     (5,237,003 )

Total – Institutional Class

    (8,892,061 )     (68,504,457 )     (1,438,587 )     (2,642,315 )

Capital Transactions – Investor Class (a)

                       

Proceeds from shares sold

    1,784,299       604,696       94,173       152,674  

Reinvestment of distributions

    2,782,815       3,128,798             245,803  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (3,531,248 )     (7,535,002 )     (555,014 )     (1,436,942 )

Shares redeemed in connection with class consolidation

                (1,513,471 )      

Total – Investor Class

    1,035,866       (3,801,508 )     (1,974,312 )     (1,038,465 )

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (7,856,195 )     (72,305,965 )     (3,412,899 )     (3,680,780 )

Total Decrease in Net Assets

    (16,430,207 )     (73,399,753 )     (4,756,357 )     (5,051,116 )

 

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

25

 

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

Dana Large Cap Equity Fund

   

Dana Epiphany ESG
Small Cap Equity Fund

 
   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2019

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2019

 

Net Assets

                               

Beginning of year

  $ 132,423,919     $ 205,823,672     $ 14,617,743     $ 19,668,859  

End of year

  $ 115,993,712     $ 132,423,919     $ 9,861,386     $ 14,617,743  

Share Transactions – Institutional Class (a)

               

Shares sold

    1,538,470       2,457,771       98,505       155,114  

Shares issued in connection with class consolidation

                161,172        

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    262,762       651,067       657       121,257  

Shares redeemed

    (2,218,189 )     (6,308,605 )     (469,527 )     (523,215 )

Total – Institutional Class

    (416,957 )     (3,199,767 )     (209,193 )     (246,844 )

Share Transactions – Investor Class (a)

                       

Shares sold

    85,588       28,606       11,511       15,249  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    127,884       171,527             28,188  

Shares redeemed

    (174,728 )     (372,375 )     (65,194 )     (141,956 )

Shares redeemed in connection with class consolidation

                (163,036 )      

Total – Investor Class

    38,744       (172,242 )     (216,719 )     (98,519 )

 

(a)

Effective at the close of business on June 4, 2020, Investor Class shares of the Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Fund were consolidated into the Institutional Class shares.

 

26

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund

 
   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2019

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:

               

Operations

               

Net investment income

  $ 115,632     $ 134,153  

Net realized gain on investment securities transactions

    234,203       1,947,772  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities

    362,862       (578,233 )

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    712,697       1,503,692  

Distributions to Shareholders from Earnings (Note 2)

               

Institutional Class

    (862,512 )     (746,819 )

Investor Class

    (1,182,772 )     (1,014,147 )

Total distributions

    (2,045,284 )     (1,760,966 )

Capital Transactions – Institutional Class (a)

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    2,228,653       282,765  

Shares issued in connection with class consolidation

    7,410,006        

Reinvestment of distributions

    856,169       734,812  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (2,402,606 )     (2,277,604 )

Total – Institutional Class

    8,092,222       (1,260,027 )

Capital Transactions – Investor Class (a)

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    963,569       394,428  

Reinvestment of distributions

    1,167,223       993,640  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (1,238,947 )     (2,571,196 )

Shares redeemed in connection with class consolidation

    (7,410,006 )      

Total – Investor Class

    (6,518,161 )     (1,183,128 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    1,574,061       (2,443,155 )

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

    241,474       (2,700,429 )

Net Assets

               

Beginning of year

    12,820,632       15,521,061  

End of year

  $ 13,062,106     $ 12,820,632  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

27

 

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund

 
   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2019

 

Share Transactions Institutional Class (a)

       

Shares sold

    242,216       25,958  

Shares issued in connection with class consolidation

    747,410        

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    82,565       72,259  

Shares redeemed

    (237,169 )     (208,847 )

Total – Institutional Class

    835,022       (110,630 )

Share Transactions – Investor Class (a)

       

Shares sold

    87,988       34,862  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    108,459       95,050  

Shares redeemed

    (123,629 )     (226,525 )

Shares redeemed in connection with class consolidation

    (722,853 )      

Total – Investor Class

    (650,035 )     (96,613 )

 

(a)

Effective at the close of business on June 4, 2020, Investor Class shares of the Dana Epiphany ESG Fund were consolidated into the Institutional Class shares.

 

28

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Large Cap Equity Fund – Institutional Class
Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding during each year)

 

   

Years Ended October 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 

Selected Per Share Data

                                       

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 22.69     $ 22.35     $ 22.64     $ 17.67     $ 18.22  
                                         

Investment operations:

                                       

Net investment income

    0.23       0.38       0.32       0.32       0.26 (a) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.86       2.46       0.45       4.96       (0.56 )

Total from investment operations

    1.09       2.84       0.77       5.28       (0.30 )
                                         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.23 )     (0.36 )     (0.32 )     (0.31 )     (0.25 )

Net realized gains

    (2.30 )     (2.14 )     (0.74 )            

Total distributions

    (2.53 )     (2.50 )     (1.06 )     (0.31 )     (0.25 )
                                         

Redemption fees

                      (b)      (b) 
                                         

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 21.25     $ 22.69     $ 22.35     $ 22.64     $ 17.67  
                                         

Total Return(c)

    4.65 %     15.55 %     3.27 %     30.11 %     (1.66 )%
                                         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

                                       
                                         

Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)

  $ 91,379     $ 107,026     $ 176,954     $ 134,291     $ 138,540  

Before waiver

                                       

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    0.91 %     0.85 %     0.86 %     0.92 %     0.91 %

After waiver

                                       

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    0.73 %     0.73 %     0.73 %     0.74 %(d)     0.73 %

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.10 %     1.68 %     1.41 %     1.48 %     1.45 %

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    57 %     50 %     58 %     50 %     69 %
                                         

 

(a)

Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

(d)

This ratio includes the impact of overdraft fees. If this cost had been excluded, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been 0.73% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.

(e)

Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

29

 

 

 

 

Dana Large Cap Equity Fund – Investor Class
Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding during each year)

 

   

Years Ended October 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 

Selected Per Share Data

                                       

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 22.69     $ 22.35     $ 22.64     $ 17.68     $ 18.23  
                                         

Investment operations:

                                       

Net investment income

    0.18       0.30       0.28       0.24       0.22 (a) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.87       2.50       0.43       4.98       (0.57 )

Total from investment operations

    1.05       2.80       0.71       5.22       (0.35 )
                                         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.18 )     (0.32 )     (0.26 )     (0.26 )     (0.20 )

Net realized gains

    (2.30 )     (2.14 )     (0.74 )            

Total distributions

    (2.48 )     (2.46 )     (1.00 )     (0.26 )     (0.20 )
                                         

Redemption fees

                            (b) 
                                         

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 21.26     $ 22.69     $ 22.35     $ 22.64     $ 17.68  
                                         

Total Return(c)

    4.43 %     15.29 %     3.01 %     29.72 %     (1.91 )%
                                         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

                                       
                                         

Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)

  $ 24,615     $ 25,398     $ 28,870     $ 40,957     $ 32,514  

Before waiver

                                       

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    1.16 %     1.10 %     1.11 %     1.17 %     1.16 %

After waiver

                                       

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    0.98 %     0.98 %     0.98 %     0.99 %(d)     0.98 %

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.85 %     1.40 %     1.17 %     1.20 %     1.22 %

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    57 %     50 %     58 %     50 %     69 %
                                         

 

(a)

Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

(d)

This ratio includes the impact of overdraft fees. If this cost had been excluded, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been 0.98% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017.

(e)

Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

30

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund – Institutional Class
Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding during each period)

 

   

Years Ended October 31,

   

For the
Period
Ended
October 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016(a)

 

Selected Per Share Data

                                       

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.24     $ 11.09     $ 11.43     $ 9.30     $ 10.00  
                                         

Investment operations:

                                       

Net investment income (loss)

    0.01       0.01       (0.03 )     (b)      0.01  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    (0.42 )     (0.05 )     (0.31 )     2.14       (0.70 )(c)

Total from investment operations

    (0.41 )     (0.04 )     (0.34 )     2.14       (0.69 )
                                         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.01 )           (b)      (0.01 )     (0.01 )

Net realized gains

          (0.81 )                  

Total distributions

    (0.01 )     (0.81 )     (b)      (0.01 )     (0.01 )
                                         

Redemption fees

                            (b) 
                                         

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.82     $ 10.24     $ 11.09     $ 11.43     $ 9.30  
                                         

Total Return(d)

    (4.04 )%     0.83 %     (2.95 )%     23.08 %     (6.87 )%(e)
                                         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

                                       
                                         

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

  $ 9,861     $ 12,421     $ 16,196     $ 14,011     $ 6,575  

Before waiver

                                       

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    2.58 %     1.88 %     1.75 %     2.02 %     4.11 %(f)

After waiver

                                       

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %(f)

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    0.02 %     0.11 %     (0.24 )%     %     0.12 %(f)

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    88 %     50 %     78 %     58 %     54 %(e)
                                         

 

(a)

For the period November 3, 2015 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2016.

(b)

Rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the year does not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the year because of the timing of sales and purchases of fund shares in relation to fluctuating values during the year.

(d)

Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Not annualized

(f)

Annualized

(g)

Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

31

 

 

 

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund – Institutional Class
Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding during each year)

 

   

Years Ended October 31,

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2018

   

2017(a)

   

2016

 

Selected Per Share Data

                                       

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 11.58     $ 11.80     $ 13.09     $ 10.86     $ 11.64  
                                         

Investment operations:

                                       

Net investment income (loss)

    0.09       0.14       0.08 (b)      0.04 (b)      (0.03 )(b)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.47       1.15       0.74       2.37       (0.15 )

Total from investment operations

    0.56       1.29       0.82       2.41       (0.18 )
                                         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.10 )     (0.12 )     (0.08 )     (0.01 )     (c) 

Net realized gains

    (1.79 )     (1.39 )     (2.03 )     (0.17 )     (0.60 )

Total distributions

    (1.89 )     (1.51 )     (2.11 )     (0.18 )     (0.60 )
                                         

Redemption fees

                      (c)      (c) 
                                         

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.25     $ 11.58     $ 11.80     $ 13.09     $ 10.86  
                                         

Total Return(d)

    4.76 %     12.76 %     6.32 %     22.46 %     (1.46 )%
                                         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

                                       
                                         

Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)

  $ 13,062     $ 5,079     $ 6,485     $ 7,429     $ 6,748  

Before waiver

                                       

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    2.00 %     2.13 %     1.63 %     2.15 %     2.43 %

After waiver

                                       

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    0.85 %     0.90 %     1.25 %     1.82 %     2.25 %

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    0.89 %     1.19 %     0.62 %     0.36 %     (0.27 )%

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    67 %     60 %     23 %     97 %     63 %
                                         

 

(a)

Effective May 30, 2017, Class C shares were renamed Class I shares. Effective December 19, 2018, Class I shares were renamed Institutional Class shares.

(b)

Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)

Rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

(d)

Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

32

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Notes to the Financial Statements

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION

 

The Dana Large Cap Equity Fund (the “Large Cap Fund”), the Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund (formerly, the Dana Small Cap Equity Fund) (the “Small Cap Fund”), and the Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund (the “Epiphany ESG Fund”) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are each an open-end diversified series of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is a management investment company established under the laws of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 2008 (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Board of Trustees (“Board”) to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. Each Fund is one of a series of funds currently authorized by the Board. The investment adviser to the Funds is Dana Investment Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”). Each Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

 

The Large Cap Fund currently offers Investor shares and Institutional shares. The Small Cap Fund and Epiphany ESG Fund currently offer Institutional Class shares. Effective on the close of business on October 13, 2017, Class A shares were consolidated into Class N shares of the Large Cap Fund which was subsequently re-designated Investor Class shares. Each share represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to the Fund and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income belonging to the Fund as declared by the Board. Effective at the close of business on June 4, 2020, Investor Class shares of the Small Cap Fund and Epiphany ESG Fund were consolidated into the Institutional Class shares of the Small Cap Fund and Epiphany ESG Fund. Prior to this consolidation each share represented an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to each Fund and were entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income belonging to each Fund as declared by the Board. Prior to February 28, 2017, all share classes of the Large Cap Fund and the Small Cap Fund imposed a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase.

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Federal Income Taxes – The Funds make no provision for federal income or excise tax. Each Fund has qualified and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income. Each

 

33

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Fund also intends to distribute sufficient net investment income and net capital gains, if any, so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

 

As of and during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Funds did not have any liabilities for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense on the Statements of Operations when incurred. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties. Management of the Funds has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last three tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

 

Expenses – Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not relate to a specific fund of the Trust are allocated to the individual funds based on each fund’s relative net assets or another appropriate basis (as determined by the Board). Expenses specifically attributable to any class are borne by that class. Income, realized gains and losses, unrealized appreciation and depreciation, and fund-wide expenses not allocated to a particular class shall be allocated to each class based on the net assets of that class in relation to the net assets of the entire fund.

 

Security Transactions and Related Income – The Funds follow industry practice and record security transactions on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The specific identification method is used for determining gains or losses for financial statement and income tax purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, if any, have been provided for in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

 

The Funds may hold Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) which pay dividends to their shareholders based upon available funds from operations. It is possible for these dividends to exceed the REIT’s underlying taxable earnings and profits resulting in the excess portion of such dividends being designated as a return of capital. Distributions received from REITs that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of the cost of the REITs or as a realized gain, respectively.

 

Dividends and Distributions – The Funds intend to distribute substantially all of their net investment income, if any, at least quarterly. The Funds intend to distribute their net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, annually. Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the year from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified in the components of the net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations or net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Funds.

 

34

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Funds made the following reclassifications to increase (decrease) the components of net assets:

 

 

 

Paid-In
Capital

   

Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)

 

Large Cap Fund

  $ 1     $ (1 )

Small Cap Fund

           

Epiphany ESG Fund

    (1 )     1  

 

Share Valuation – The NAV per share of each class of each Fund is calculated each day the New York Stock Exchange is open by dividing the total value of the assets attributable to that class, less liabilities attributable to that class, by the number of shares outstanding of that class.

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Each Fund values its portfolio securities at fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day the NYSE is open for business. Fair value is defined as the price that a Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.

 

Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk (the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique). Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained and available from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments and/or registered investment companies where the value per share is determined and published and is the basis for current transactions for identical assets or liabilities at the valuation date

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for an identical security in an inactive market, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining fair value of investments based on the best information available)

 

35

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy which is reported is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

Equity securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued at the last quoted sale price on the security’s primary exchange. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange-traded security is generally valued at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When using the market quotations and when the market is considered active, the security is classified as a Level 1 security. In the event that market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable due to market or other events, a Fund values its securities and other assets at fair value in accordance with policies established by and under the general supervision of the Board. Under these policies, the securities will be classified as Level 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used.

 

Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds, are generally priced at the ending NAV. These securities are categorized as Level 1 securities.

 

In accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies, the Adviser is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable as described above. No single method exists for determining fair value, because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of a security being valued by the Adviser would be the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale. Methods that are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market prices of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security or a basket of securities traded on other markets, exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods. Fair-value pricing is permitted if, in the Adviser’s opinion, the validity of market quotations appears to be questionable based on factors such as evidence of a thin market in the security based on a small number of quotations, a significant event occurs after the close of a market but before a Fund’s NAV calculation that may affect a security’s value, or the Adviser is aware of any other data that calls into question the reliability of market quotations.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of October 31, 2020:

 

Large Cap Fund

 

Valuation Inputs

         

Assets

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks(a)

  $ 115,090,958     $     $     $ 115,090,958  

Money Market Funds

    501,732                   501,732  

Total

  $ 115,592,690     $     $     $ 115,592,690  

 

36

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

Small Cap Fund

 

Valuation Inputs

         

Assets

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks(a)

  $ 9,751,722     $     $     $ 9,751,722  

Money Market Funds

    101,402                   101,402  

Total

  $ 9,853,124     $     $     $ 9,853,124  

 

Epiphany ESG Fund

 

Valuation Inputs

         

Assets

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks(a)

  $ 12,675,200     $     $     $ 12,675,200  

Money Market Funds

    507,720                   507,720  

Total

  $ 13,182,920     $     $     $ 13,182,920  

 

(a)

Refer to Schedule of Investments for sector classifications.

 

The Funds did not hold any investments at the end of the reporting period for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value; therefore, no reconciliation of Level 3 securities is included for this reporting period.

 

NOTE 4. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

 

The Adviser, under the terms of the management agreement for each Fund, manages the Funds’ investments subject to oversight of the Board. As compensation for its management services, the Funds are obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.65%, 0.75% and 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Large Cap Fund, the Small Cap Fund and the Epiphany ESG Fund, respectively. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Adviser earned fees of $828,212 from the Large Cap Fund, $87,190 from the Small Cap Fund and $84,680 from the Epiphany ESG Fund before the waivers described below. At October 31, 2020, the Large Cap Fund owed the Adviser $50,148 and the Adviser owed the Small Cap Fund and Epiphany ESG Fund $8,695 and $5,901, respectively.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses through February 28, 2021, but only to the extent necessary so that the Funds’ net expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, fees and expenses paid under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1, fees and expenses paid under a shareholder services plan, and indirect expenses (such as “acquired fund fees and expenses”) do not exceed 0.73% of the average daily net assets of the Institutional Class and the Investor Class for the Large Cap Fund, 0.95% of the average daily net assets of the Institutional Class for the Small Cap Fund, and 0.85% of the average daily net assets of the Institutional Class for the Epiphany ESG Fund.

 

Each fee waiver or expense reimbursement by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the applicable Fund within three years following the date in which the fee waiver or expense reimbursement occurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation that is in effect at the time of the waiver or expense reimbursement, and the expense limitation in effect at the time of the repayment. The expense limitation agreements may not be terminated except by

 

37

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Adviser waived fees of $227,431 from the Large Cap Fund, $187,744 from the Small Cap Fund and $154,164 from the Epiphany ESG Fund.

 

The amounts subject to repayment by the Funds, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions are as follows:

 

Recoverable through

 

Large Cap
Fund

   

Small Cap
Fund

   

Epiphany ESG
Fund

 

October 31, 2021

  $ 267,323     $ 170,979     $  

October 31, 2022

    169,051       153,464       137,305  

October 31, 2023

    227,431       187,744       154,164  

 

The Trust retains Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus” or “Administrator”) to provide the Funds with administration and compliance (including a chief compliance officer), fund accounting and transfer agent services, including all regulatory reporting. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, fees for administration, compliance, fund accounting, and transfer agent services, and amounts due to the Administrator at October 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

 

 

Large Cap
Fund

   

Small Cap
Fund

   

Epiphany ESG
Fund

 

Administration and compliance

  $ 78,889     $ 37,917     $ 32,133  

Fund accounting

    48,168       29,917       24,625  

Transfer agent

    25,433       23,217       18,441  

Payable to Administrator

    22,851       12,667       11,450  

 

The officers and one trustee of the Trust are members of management and/or employees of the Administrator and are not paid by the Trust for services to the Funds. Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as the distributor of the Funds’ shares. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ultimus.

 

The Trust, with respect to each Fund, has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Plan provides that the Funds will pay the Distributor and any registered securities dealer, financial institution or any other person (a “Recipient”) a shareholder servicing fee aggregating at a rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets for the Investor Class shares in connection with the promotion and distribution of the Funds’ shares or the provision of shareholder support services to shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, advertising, compensation to underwriters, dealers and selling personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Investor Class shareholders, the printing and mailing of sales literature and servicing shareholder accounts (“12b-1 Expenses”). The Funds or Distributor may pay all or a portion of these fees to any Recipient who renders assistance in distributing or promoting the sale of shares, or who provides certain shareholder services, pursuant to a written agreement. The Plan is a compensation plan, which means that compensation is paid regardless of 12b-1 Expenses actually incurred. It is anticipated that the Plan will benefit shareholders

 

38

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

because an effective sales program typically is necessary in order for the Funds to reach and maintain a sufficient size to achieve efficiently their investment objectives and to realize economies of scale. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Investor Class shares 12b-1 expense incurred by the Large Cap Fund, Small Cap Fund and Epiphany ESG Fund were $62,911, $2,694 and $11,229, respectively. As of October 31, 2020, the Large Cap Fund owed the Distributor $5,523 for Investor Class 12b-1 fees.

 

NOTE 5. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments were as follows:

 

 

 

Large Cap
Fund

   

Small Cap
Fund

   

Epiphany ESG
Fund

 

Purchases

  $ 71,164,624     $ 10,113,733     $ 8,581,025  
                         

Sales

    91,481,584       13,339,119       9,182,762  

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. government obligations during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.

 

NOTE 6. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

 

At October 31, 2020, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and tax cost of investments for tax purposes was as follows:

 

   

Large Cap
Fund

   

Small Cap
Fund

   

Epiphany ESG
Fund

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 23,648,831     $ 1,692,576     $ 2,666,772  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (778,540 )     (543,782 )     (197,577 )

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

  $ 22,870,291     $ 1,148,794     $ 2,469,195  

Tax cost of investments

  $ 92,722,399     $ 8,704,330     $ 10,713,722  

 

At October 31, 2020, the difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation for the Large Cap Fund, Small Cap Fund and Epiphany ESG Fund was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

39

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

At October 31, 2020, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

 

 

Large Cap
Fund

   

Small Cap
Fund

   

Epiphany
ESG Fund

 

Undistributed ordinary income

  $ 87,881     $     $ 18,398  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

    2,320,069             255,761  

Accumulated capital and other losses

          (1,370,452 )      

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    22,870,291       1,148,794       2,469,195  

Total accumulated earnings (deficit)

  $ 25,278,241     $ (221,658 )   $ 2,743,354  

 

The tax character of distributions paid for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

   

Large Cap Fund

   

Small Cap Fund

   

Epiphany ESG Fund

 

 

 

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

 

Distributions paid from:

                                               

Ordinary income (a)

  $ 1,329,710     $ 2,385,415     $ 5,901     $     $ 112,014     $ 118,259  

Long-term capital gains

    13,598,815       16,150,871             1,344,166       1,933,270       1,642,707  

Total distributions paid

  $ 14,928,525     $ 18,536,286     $ 5,901     $ 1,344,166     $ 2,045,284     $ 1,760,966  

 

(a)

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income distributions.

 

As of October 31, 2020, the Small Cap Fund had available for tax purposes unused capital loss carryforwards of $953,863 of short-term and $405,471 of long-term capital losses with no expiration, which are available to offset against future taxable net capital gains. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future gains, it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

For the tax year ended October 31, 2020, the Small Cap Fund deferred Qualified Late Year Ordinary losses of $11,118.

 

NOTE 7. SECTOR RISK

 

If a Fund has significant investments in the securities of issuers within a particular sector, any development affecting that sector will have a greater impact on the value of the net assets of the Fund than would be the case if the Fund did not have significant investments in that sector. In addition, this may increase the risk of loss in the Fund and increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV per share. For instance, economic or market factors, regulatory changes or other developments may negatively impact all companies in a particular sector, and therefore the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be adversely affected. As of October 31, 2020, the Large Cap Fund and the Epiphany ESG Fund had 27.16% and 25.84% of the value of its net assets invested in stocks within the Technology sector.

 

40

 

 

 

Dana Funds
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTIGENCIES

 

The Trust indemnifies its officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from their performance of their duties to the Trust or the Funds. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

NOTE 9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Management of the Funds has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date at which these financial statements were issued. Based upon this evaluation, management has determined there were no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

 

NOTE 10. LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (UNAUDITED)

 

Valued Advisers Trust has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the 1940 Act. The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, the Fund’s investment strategy and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; its short and long-term cash flow projections; and its cash holdings and access to other funding sources. The Board approved the appointment of a Liquidity Administrator Committee, which includes representatives from Dana Investment Advisors, Inc., the Funds’ investment adviser, and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, the Funds’ Administrator. The Liquidity Administrator Committee is responsible for the program’s administration and oversight and for reporting to the Board on at least an annual basis regarding the program’s operation and effectiveness. The Liquidity Administrator Committee updated its assessment of each Fund’s liquidity risk profile, considering additional data gathered in the 12 months ended May 31, 2020 and the adequacy and effectiveness of the liquidity risk management program’s operations since its inception on June 1, 2019 (the “Review Period”) in order to prepare a written report for the Board (the “Report”) for consideration at its meeting held on September 9, 2020. The Report noted that during the Review Period none of the Funds experienced unusual stress or disruption to its operations related to purchase and redemption activity. It further noted that during the Review Period each Fund held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. The Report concluded that (i) the Trust’s liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Trust’s liquidity risk management program had been effectively implemented during the Review Period.

 

41

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders of Dana Large Cap Equity Fund, Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund (formerly Dana Small Cap Equity Fund), and Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund and
Board of Trustees of Valued Advisers Trust

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of Dana Large Cap Equity Fund, Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund (formerly Dana Small Cap Equity Fund), and Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund (the “Funds”), each a series of Valued Advisers Trust, as of October 31, 2020, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five periods in the period then ended for Dana Large Cap Equity Fund and Dana Epiphany ESG Small Cap Equity Fund, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, including the related notes, for Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of October 31, 2020, the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated above, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund’s financial highlights for the years ended October 31, 2018, and prior, were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 26, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

 

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 Funds 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 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.

 

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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the

 

42

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (continued)

 

accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies within Dana Funds since 2012.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
December 23, 2020

 

43

 

 

 

Summary of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in each Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Each Fund’s example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The first line of the table for each class provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, 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 = 8.60), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

The second line of the table for each class provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratios 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 balances 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 other funds.

 

Expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the table for each class is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

44

 

 

 

Summary of Fund Expenses (Unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 

Beginning
Account
Value
May 1, 2020

Ending
Account
Value,
October 31, 2020

Expenses
Paid
During
Period
(a)

Annualized
Expense
Ratio

Large Cap Fund

Institutional Class

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,120.60

$3.89

0.73%

           
 

Hypothetical (b)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,021.47

$3.71

0.73%

           

Investor Class

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,119.70

$5.22

0.98%

           
 

Hypothetical (b)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,020.21

$4.98

0.98%

Small Cap Fund

Institutional Class

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,179.60

$5.20

0.95%

           
 

Hypothetical (b)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,020.36

$4.82

0.95%

Epiphany ESG Fund

Institutional Class

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,122.30

$4.54

0.85%

           
 

Hypothetical (b)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,020.86

$4.32

0.85%

 

(a)

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). The annualized expense ratios reflect reimbursement of expenses by the Fund’s investment adviser for the period beginning May 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020. The “Financial Highlights” tables in the Fund’s financial statements, included in this report, also show the gross expense ratios, without such reimbursements.

 

(b)

Hypothetical assumes 5% annual return before expenses.

 

45

 

 

 

Additional Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

The Form 1099-DIV you receive in January 2021 will show the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2020. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals and the dividends received deduction for corporations.

 

Qualified Dividend Income. The Funds designate the following percentage or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate.

 

 

Large Cap
Fund

Small Cap
Fund

Epiphany ESG
Fund

Qualified Dividend Income

100%

100%

100%

 

Qualified Business Income. The Funds designate the following percentage of ordinary income dividends, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified business income.

 

 

Large Cap
Fund

Small Cap
Fund

Epiphany ESG
Fund

Qualified Business Income

0%

0%

0%

 

Dividends Received Deduction. Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Funds’ dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Funds’ calendar year 2020 ordinary income dividends, the following percentage qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

 

Large Cap
Fund

Small Cap
Fund

Epiphany ESG
Fund

Dividends Received Deduction

100%

100%

100%

 

The Funds designate the following amounts as long-term capital gains distributions. The amounts designated may not agree with long-term capital gains in the tax character of distribution table due to utilization of earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares.

 

 

 

Large Cap
Fund

   

Small Cap
Fund

   

Epiphany ESG
Fund

 

Long-Term Capital Gains Distributions

  $ 13,598,815     $     $ 1,933,270  

 

46

 

 

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

 

The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Trust. Each Trustee serves as a trustee until termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, retires or is removed.

 

The following table provides information regarding each of the Independent Trustees.

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
and Other Directorships

Other Directorships

Ira P. Cohen, 61

Independent Trustee

Since June 2010

Current: Independent financial services consultant (since February 2005); Executive Vice President of Asset Management Services, Recognos Financial (since August 2015).

Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman, Griffin Institutional Access Credit Fund (since January 2017); Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman, Griffin Institutional Real Estate Access Fund (since May 2014); Trustee, Angel Oak Funds Trust (since October 2014) (4 portfolios); Trustee, Chairman, and Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman, Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund (since December 2017), Trustee and Chairman, Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (since May 2019).

Andrea N. Mullins, 53

Independent Trustee
Since December 2013

 

Chairperson since March 2017

Current: Private investor; Independent Contractor, SWM Advisors (since April 2014).

Trustee, Angel Oak Funds Trust (since February 2019) (4 portfolios); Trustee, Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund (since February 2019), Trustee, Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (since May 2019).

 

*

The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

**

As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

 

The following table provides information regarding the Trustee who is considered an “interested person” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. Based on the experience of the Trustee, the Trust concluded that the individual described below should serve as a Trustee.

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Mark J. Seger***, 58

Trustee Since March 2017

Current: Vice Chairman and Co-Founder, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC and its subsidiaries (since 1999).

None.

 

*

The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

**

As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

***

Mr. Seger is considered an “interested person” of the Trust because of his relationship with the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and distributor.

 

47

 

 

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

 

The following table provides information regarding the Officers of the Trust:

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Adam T. Kornegay, 35

Principal Executive Officer and President Since April 2018

Current: Vice President, Business Development Director, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since June 2018).

None.

Kevin J. Patton, 50

Chief Compliance Officer Since March 2020

Current: Assistant Vice President, Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since January 2020).

 

Previous: Partner and Chief Compliance Officer, Renaissance Investment Management (August 2005 to January 2020).

None.

Carol J. Highsmith, 56

Vice President Since August 2008

Secretary Since March 2014

Current: Vice President, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

 

Previous: Employed in various positions with Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (November 1994 to December 2015), most recently Vice President of Legal Administration (2005 to December 2015).

None.

Matthew J. Miller, 44

Vice President Since December 2011

Current: Assistant Vice President, Relationship Management, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

 

Previous: Employed in various positions with Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (July 1998 to December 2015), most recently Vice President of Relationship Management (2005 to December 2015).

None.

 

48

 

 

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Gregory T. Knoth, 50

Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer Since April 2019

Current: Vice President, Mutual Fund Controller, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

 

Previous: Vice President and Manager of Fund Accounting, Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (June 2013 to December 2015)

None.

Stephen L. Preston, 54

AML Officer since June 2017

Current: Chief Compliance Officer of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (since June 2011).

 

Previous: Chief Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (June 2011 to August 2019); Chief Compliance Officer, Unified Financial Securities, LLC (April 2018 to December 2019)

None.

 

*

The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

**

As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

 

49

 

 

 

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited)

 

At a meeting held on June 2, 2020, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) considered the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreements (the “Dana Agreements”) between Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”) and Dana Investment Advisors, Inc. (“Dana”) with respect to the Dana Large Cap Equity Fund (the “Large Cap Fund”), the Dana Small Cap Equity Fund (the “Small Cap Fund”), and the Dana Epiphany ESG Equity Fund (the “ESG Fund”) (collectively, the “Dana Funds”). Dana provided written information to the Board to assist the Board in its considerations.

 

The Board discussed the contractual arrangements between Dana and the Trust for the Dana Funds. They reflected upon the Board’s prior experience with Dana in managing the Dana Funds, as well as their earlier discussions with Dana.

 

Counsel then directed the Trustees to a memorandum from his firm that summarized, among other things, the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of the Board in reviewing and approving the Dana Agreements. In assessing the factors and reaching its decision, the Board took into consideration information furnished by Dana and the Trust’s other service providers for the Board’s review and consideration throughout the year, as well as information specifically prepared or presented in connection with the renewal process, including: (i) reports regarding the services and support provided to the Dana Funds by Dana; (ii) quarterly assessments of the investment performance of the Dana Funds; (iii) commentary on the reasons for the performance; (iv) presentations by Dana addressing its investment philosophy, investment strategy, personnel, and operations of Dana; (v) compliance and audit reports concerning the Dana Funds and Dana; (vi) disclosure information contained in the registration statement of the Trust for the Dana Funds and Dana’s Form ADV; and (vii) a memorandum from counsel, that summarized the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of the Board in reviewing and approving the Dana Agreements. The Board also requested and received materials including, without limitation: (a) documents containing information about Dana, including its financial information; a description of its personnel and the services it provides to the Dana Funds; information on Dana’s investment advice and performance; summaries of the Dana Funds’ expenses, compliance program, current legal matters, and other general information; (b) comparative expense and performance information for other mutual funds with strategies similar to the Dana Funds; and (c) the benefits to be realized by Dana from its relationship with the Dana Funds. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to approve the Dana Agreements and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors.

 

1.

The nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided by Dana. The Board considered Dana’s responsibilities under the Dana Agreements. The Trustees considered the services being provided by Dana to the Dana Funds including, without limitation: the quality of its investment advisory services (including research and recommendations with respect to portfolio securities), its process for formulating investment recommendations and assuring compliance with the Dana Funds’ investment objectives and limitations, its coordination of services for the Dana Funds among their service providers, and its efforts to promote the Dana Funds and grow their assets. The Trustees considered Dana’s continuity of, and commitment to retain, qualified personnel and Dana’s commitment to maintain and enhance its resources and systems, the commitment of Dana’s personnel to finding alternatives and options that allow the Dana Funds to maintain their goals, and Dana’s continued cooperation with the Board and counsel for the Dana Funds. The Trustees considered Dana’s personnel, including their education and experience. After considering

 

50

 

 

 

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited) (continued)

 

the foregoing information and further information in the Meeting materials provided by Dana, the Board concluded that, in light of all the facts and circumstances, the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by Dana were satisfactory and adequate for the Dana Funds.

 

2.

Investment Performance of the Dana Funds and Dana. The Trustees compared the performance of each of the Dana Funds with the performance of funds with similar objectives managed by other investment advisers, with aggregated peer group data, as well as with the performance of each of the Dana Funds’ benchmark. The Trustees also considered the consistency of Dana’s management of the Dana Funds with their investment objectives, strategies, and limitations. The Trustees noted that, as of March 31, 2020, the Large Cap Fund’s performance was above its peer group median for the one-year, three-year, and since inception periods, and below the peer group median for the five-year period. The Trustees noted that the Large Cap Fund’s performance was below that of its benchmark for all periods presented. When compared to other funds in its custom Morningstar category, the Trustees observed that the Large Cap Fund’s performance was above the average and median for the one-year and three-year periods, below the average and median for the five-year period, and above the median for the since inception period. The Trustees also considered the performance of Dana’s separate accounts that were managed in a manner similar to that of the Large Cap Fund and they noted that the performance of Dana’s composite was higher, and that the reasons for the difference were reasonable. The Trustees considered the performance of the Small Cap Fund, and observed that, as of March 31, 2020, the Small Cap Fund performed below the median of its peer group for the one-year, three-year and since inception periods. As compared to its benchmark, the Trustees noted that the Small Cap Fund also underperformed for the periods presented. They also noted that the Small Cap Fund’s performance was below the average and median of its custom Morningstar category for all periods presented. The Trustees also considered the performance of Dana’s separate accounts that were managed in a manner similar to that of the Small Cap Fund and they noted that the performance of the separate account composite was higher, and that the reasons for the difference were reasonable. The Trustees then considered the performance of the ESG Fund, noting that Dana began managing the Fund in December of 2018. For this reason, the Trustees focused their attention on the one-year performance of the ESG Fund. They observed that for the one-year period ended March 31, 2020, the ESG Fund underperformed as compared to its benchmark, the median of its peer group, and the median and average of its custom Morningstar category. The Trustees also considered the performance of Dana’s separate accounts that were managed in a manner similar to that of the ESG Fund and they noted that the performance of the separate account composites were higher, and that the reasons for the differences were reasonable. The Trustees took into consideration discussions with representatives of Dana regarding the reasons for the performance of each of the Dana Funds. After reviewing and discussing these and other relevant factors, the Board concluded, in light of all the facts and circumstances, that the investment performance of the Dana Funds and Dana was satisfactory.

 

3.

The costs of the services to be provided and profits to be realized by Dana from the relationship with the Dana Funds. The Trustees considered: (1) Dana’s financial condition; (2) the asset level of the Dana Funds; (3) the overall expenses of each of the Dana Funds; and (4) the nature and frequency of management fee payments. The Trustees reviewed information provided by Dana regarding its profits associated with managing each of the Dana Funds, noting that Dana is currently waiving a portion of its management fee and/or reimbursing other expenses with respect to each of the Dana Funds. The Trustees also considered potential benefits for Dana

 

51

 

 

 

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited) (continued)

 

in managing the Dana Funds. The Trustees then compared the fees and expenses of the Dana Funds (including the management fee) to other comparable mutual funds. The Trustees noted that the Large Cap Fund’s management fee was equal to the average and above the median of its peer group and above the average and median of its custom Morningstar category. The Trustees also noted that the Large Cap Fund’s net expense ratio for the Institutional Class was below the average and equal to the median of its peer group and above the median but equal to the average of its custom Morningstar category. With respect to the Small Cap Fund, the Trustees noted that the management fee was below the average and median of its peer group and custom Morningstar category. They also noted that the Small Cap Fund’s net expense ratio for the Institutional Class was below the average and median of its peer group and below the average and median of its custom Morningstar category. With respect to the ESG Fund, the Board noted that the management fee was below the average and equal to the median of its peer group and above both the average and median of its custom Morningstar category. They also noted that the ESG Fund’s net expense ratio for the Institutional Class was below the average and equal to the median of its peer group and above both the average and median of its custom Morningstar category. The Board also considered the fact that Dana contractually lowered the management fee for the Large Cap Fund and the Small Cap Fund in the past, and had contractually agreed to limit expenses of each of the Dana Funds. The Board noted that the fees that Dana assesses for separate account clients that have strategies similar to that of each of the Dana Funds, respectively, could be comparable or lower and they expressed the view that the reasons for such differences were acceptable and reasonable. Based on the foregoing, the Board concluded that the fees to be paid to Dana by each of the Dana Funds and the profits to be realized by Dana, in light of all the facts and circumstances, were fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by Dana.

 

4.

The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Dana Funds grow and whether advisory fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of the Dana Funds’ investors. The Board considered the Dana Funds’ fee arrangements with Dana. The Board considered that while the management fee remained the same at all asset levels, the shareholders experienced benefits from each of the Dana Funds’ expense limitation arrangements. The Trustees noted that once the expenses fell below the cap set by each arrangement, the shareholders would continue to benefit from economies of scale under the Dana Funds’ arrangements with other service providers to the Dana Funds, and the Trustees attributed this benefit, in part, to the direct and indirect efforts of Dana at the inception of each of the Dana Funds to ensure that a cost structure was in place that was beneficial for the Dana Funds as they grew. In light of its ongoing consideration of the Dana Funds’ asset levels, expectations for growth in the Dana Funds, and fee levels, the Board determined that the Dana Funds’ fee arrangements, in light of all the facts and circumstances, were fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by Dana.

 

5.

Possible conflicts of interest and benefits to Dana. The Trustees evaluated the potential for conflicts of interest and considered such matters as the experience and ability of the advisory personnel assigned to the Dana Funds; the basis of decisions to buy or sell securities for the Dana Funds and the substance and administration of Dana’s code of ethics. The Trustees also considered disclosure in the registration statement of the Trust relating to Dana’s potential conflicts of interest. The Trustees noted that Dana may utilize soft dollars and the Trustees noted Dana’s policies and processes for managing the conflicts of interest that could arise from soft

 

52

 

 

 

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited) (continued)

 

dollar arrangements. The Trustees noted other potential benefits to Dana, including the fact that the Dana Funds provide an attractive vehicle for smaller accounts, which may increase the total assets under management by Dana and provide marginal cost efficiency. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the standards and practices of Dana relating to the identification and mitigation of potential conflicts of interest and the benefits to be realized by Dana in managing the Dana Funds were satisfactory.

 

After additional consideration of the factors delineated in the memorandum provided by counsel and further discussion among the Board members, the Board determined to approve the continuation of the Dana Agreements between the Trust and Dana.

 

53

 

 

 

FACTS

WHAT DO THE DANA FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

   

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

   

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

■ Social Security number

■ account balances and account transactions

■ transaction or loss history and purchase history

■ checking account information and wire transfer instructions

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

   

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Dana Funds choose to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

   

Reasons we can share your personal information

Do Dana Funds share?

For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes

For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you

No

For joint marketing with other financial companies

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
information about your transactions and experiences

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –
information about your creditworthiness

No

For nonaffiliates to market to you

No

   

Questions?

Call (855) 280-9648

 

 

54

 

 

 

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

Dana Funds
Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (Distributor)
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Administrator)

What we do

How do Dana Funds protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How do Dana Funds collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

■ open an account or deposit money

■ buy securities from us or sell securities to us

■ make deposits or withdrawals from your account

■ give us your account information

■ make a wire transfer

■ tell us who receives the money

■ tell us where to send the money

■ show your government-issued ID

■ show your driver’s license

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

■ sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness

■ affiliates from using your information to market to you

■ sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

Dana Investment Advisors, Inc., the investment adviser to the Fund, could be deemed to be an affiliate.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

The Dana Funds do not share your personal information with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

The Dana Funds do not jointly market.

 

 

55

 

 

 

This page is intentionally left blank.

 

 

This page is intentionally left blank.

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the trustees and is available without charge, upon request. You may call toll-free at (855) 280-9648 to request a copy of the SAI or to make shareholder inquiries.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

A description of the policies and procedures that each Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how each Fund voted those proxies during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30, are available (1) without charge upon request by calling the Funds at (855) 280-9648 and (2) in Fund documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

TRUSTEES

Andrea N. Mullins, Chairperson

Ira P. Cohen

Mark J. Seger

 

OFFICERS

Adam T. Kornegay, Principal Executive Officer and President

Gregory T. Knoth, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

Kevin J. Patton, Chief Compliance Officer

Carol J. Highsmith, Vice President and Secretary

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Dana Investment Advisors, Inc.

20700 Swenson Drive, Suite 400

Waukesha, WI 53186

 

DISTRIBUTOR

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Cohen & Company, Ltd.

1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800

Cleveland, OH 44115

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
3000 Two Logan Square
18th and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

CUSTODIAN

Huntington National Bank

41 South High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

 

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND FUND ACCOUNTANT

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

This report is intended only for the information of shareholders or those who have received the Funds’ prospectus which contains information about each Fund’s management fee and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC

Member FINRA/SIPC

 

 

 

 

Annual Report

 

October 31, 2020

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap
Value Fund

 

Investor Class – DRSVX
Institutional Class – DRISX

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by contacting the Fund at (800) 247-1014 or, if you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary.

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting the Fund at (800) 247-1014. If you own shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this document to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the fund complex or at your financial intermediary.

 

Foundry Funds
c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
(800) 247-1014

 

 

Market Overview and Fund Performance

 

Market Review

 

The year of the COVID-19 pandemic is almost at a close! However, the destruction to the economy due to the economic shut down coupled with the psychological impact of the shelter in place will leave a tremendous impact on every business and human on earth. How we work, where we live, consumer behavior and consumption, and supply chain management are just a few of the many opportunities the pandemic has brought to the forefront of 2020. The work from home mandates forced companies to reimagine their workspace and proved that employees can be just as productive at home as they are in the office. The ability to work from home, whether full-time or part-time, may lead to a suburban migration, increasing demand for homes, a trend we have already seen. Consumer behavior and consumption is constantly evolving, and online shopping has accelerated its dominance over physical stores. The supply chain is already being reimagined as parts for manufacturing and drugs manufactured in China were delayed due to COVID-19. With these challenges are many questions: How do you build a hybrid workforce and create a culture? How do you empower teams to quickly move with the fast-changing consumer behaviors and consumption trends? What inventory levels are necessary and how geographically close do I need suppliers? As investors, we see opportunity!

 

Portfolio Review

 

Amidst the volatility the Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) (Institutional Class) underperformed the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index, by 105 basis points over the course of the last twelve months ended October 31, 2020. Detractors to performance were Technology, Utilities, Consumer Staples, Health Care, Financials, Industrials, Communications, Consumer Discretionary, and Energy. Our contributors included Real Estate and Materials.

 

Technology was the worst performer for the fiscal year due to poor stock selection. Several contract manufacturers fell during the period due to the COVID shutdown. ScanSource and Celestica were down -45.60% and -28.02%, respectively. Offsetting some of the weakness were our semiconductor companies such as Canadian Solar and Diodes, posting positive returns of 64.48% and 2.59%, respectively.

 

Stock selection within Financials was also weak. Banks were under pressure most of the year as the pandemic brought fresh fears of a credit crisis. The pull back in banks was swift and painful with TCF Financial, down -39.77%; Associated Bancorp, losing -35.57%; and Fulton Financial, dropping -34.54%. We took advantage of the volatility in the banks to add to our positions. Many of these banks were trading near the levels of the 2008 financial crisis. However, this time the banks balance sheets were in much better shape than in 2008. In addition, the banks have maintained strong reserve balances and received fees from the implementation of the Payroll Protection Program, PPP, from the government.

 

Within the Materials sector, our precious metal stocks were worth their weight in gold! Alamos Gold rose 52.99% over the past twelve months as it moves to begin mining operations at several locations. Pan American Silver was also strong, jumping 35.04%. Both stocks benefitted from the flight to safety amid the pandemic.

 

Annual Report

1

 

 

 

Market Overview and Fund Performance (Continued)

 

 

Stock selection and an underweight helped to add value within the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Many of our names posted poor returns but outperformed the index holdings. In addition, we added to our hotel and retail REITs at the height of the pandemic. Those trades proved to be timely and produced good returns.

 

Volatility has increased, and we believe so has opportunity! We are excited about the valuations and stocks that we are seeing come through the small cap space. The market movements have been violent and severe, an unprecedented drop, followed by a “V” shaped recovery. Without a doubt the world has changed and will continue to evolve. However, these changes and new trends, we believe, will lead to a resurgence of value investing over the coming years. A market where valuation and fundamentals matter, a market where companies ridden with debt and unable to make money will fall to the wayside as easy monetary policy will cease to provide liquidity for their survival. Simply put, a market where the art of stock picking and understanding companies will matter - It should be a great time to be a value investor!

 

 

The Fund’s performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-800-247-1014. Information provided with respect to the Fund’s Portfolio Holdings, Sector Weightings and Number of Holdings are as of October 31, 2020 and are subject to change at any time.

 

Value stocks may remain undervalued for extended periods of time and the market may not recognize the intrinsic value of these securities.

 

Micro-cap and small-cap investing involves greater risk not associated with investing in more established companies, such as greater price volatility, business risk, less liquidity and increased competitive threat.

 

The opinions expressed are those of the investment management team and are subject to change without notice, as are statements of financial market trends, which are based on current conditions. Under no circumstances does the information contained within represent a recommendation to buy, hold or sell any security and it should not be assumed that the companies discussed were, or will prove to be, profitable. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

 

Annual Report

2

 

 

 

Investment Results (Unaudited)

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns(a)
As of October 31, 2020

 

Investor
Class

Institutional
Class

Russell 2000®
Value Index
(b)

One Year

-15.17%

-14.97%

-13.92%

Three Year

-6.58%

-6.34%

-4.05%

Five Year

1.44%

1.70%

3.71%

Ten Year

5.75%

5.99%

7.06%

Since Inception (8/22/07)

N/A

4.18%

4.35%

Since Inception (12/31/03)

7.45%

4.73%

6.10%

 

Expense Ratios(c)

 
 

Investor
Class

Institutional
Class

 
 

1.33%

1.08%

 

 

The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. THE FUND’S RETURNS REPRESENT PAST PERFORMANCE AND DO NOT PREDICT FUTURE RESULTS. The returns shown are net of all recurring expenses. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For more information on the Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, or to request a prospectus, please call 1-800-247-1014.

You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risk, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund and should be read carefully before investing.

(a)

Average annual total returns reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions. The Fund’s returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable periods. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower.

(b)

The Russell 2000® Value Index (“Index”) is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees. The Index is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity prices and is representative of a broader market and range of securities than are found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Index; however, an individual can invest in Exchange-Traded Funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

(c)

The expense ratios are from the Fund’s prospectus dated February 28, 2020. Foundry Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse certain Fund operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that the Fund’s net expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, extraordinary expenses and indirect expenses (such as fees and expenses of acquired funds), does not exceed 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The contractual agreement is effective through February 28, 2021. This contractual arrangement may only be terminated by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees, and it will automatically terminate upon the termination of the investment advisory agreement between the Trust and the Adviser. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three years following the date of such waiver or reimbursement, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement, and the expense limitation in place at the time of the repayment. Information pertaining to the Fund’s expense ratios as of October 31, 2020 can be found in the financial highlights.

The Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

Annual Report

3

 

 

 

Investment Results (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

 

The chart above assumes an initial investment of $100,000 made on October 31, 2010 and held through October 31, 2020. THE FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT PREDICT FUTURE RESULTS. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that Fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original purchase price. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.

 

For more information on the Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, or to request a prospectus, please call 1-800-247-1014. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risk, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains important information about the Fund’s investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, charges and expenses, and other information and should be read carefully before investing.

 

The Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

Annual Report

4

 

 

 

Fund Holdings (Unaudited)

 

 

 

(a)

As a percent of net assets.

 

Availability of Portfolio Schedules (Unaudited)

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Annual Report

5

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2020

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.43%

       

Communications — 1.22%

       

TEGNA, Inc.

    196,954     $ 2,369,357  

Consumer Discretionary — 12.40%

       

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.(a)

    30,954       950,288  

Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.

    146,993       2,054,962  

Brunswick Corp.

    30,345       1,933,280  

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

    64,418       2,215,335  

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

    31,355       3,326,138  

Herman Miller, Inc.

    59,767       1,821,100  

KB Home

    103,129       3,325,910  

M/I Homes, Inc.(a)

    67,543       2,763,860  

Qurate Retail Group, Inc. - Series A

    131,400       889,578  

ScanSource, Inc.(a)

    43,587       876,099  

Winnebago Industries, Inc.

    32,301       1,516,532  

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

    92,768       2,474,123  
              24,147,205  

Consumer Staples — 3.01%

       

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

    27,874       986,461  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.(a)

    123,369       2,065,197  

SpartanNash Co.

    62,520       1,150,993  

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.

    29,296       1,666,064  
              5,868,715  

Energy — 3.08%

       

Canadian Solar, Inc.(a)

    22,629       822,564  

Cimarex Energy Co.

    20,613       522,952  

CVR Energy, Inc.

    37,181       409,363  

Devon Energy Corp.

    44,467       397,090  

Enerplus Corp.

    217,771       398,521  

EnerSys

    27,535       1,971,506  

EQT Corp.

    59,736       904,403  

Hess Midstream LP, Class A

    33,287       568,542  
              5,994,941  

Financials — 23.45%

       

AllianceBernstein Holding LP

    101,148       2,939,361  

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

       

Financials — (continued)

       

Associated Banc-Corp

    220,556     $ 3,019,412  

Axos Financial, Inc.(a)

    56,019       1,527,078  

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

    238,577       4,234,742  

F.N.B. Corp.

    307,674       2,326,015  

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

    272,259       3,416,849  

Fulton Financial Corp.

    212,960       2,340,430  

Hancock Whitney Corp.

    117,479       2,686,745  

International Bancshares Corp.

    14,960       414,093  

Lazard Ltd., Class A

    56,906       1,916,025  

MGIC Investment Corp.

    328,164       3,301,330  

Old National Bancorp

    154,053       2,153,661  

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.

    21,081       1,071,336  

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.

    46,337       2,121,771  

TCF Financial Corp.

    71,475       1,944,835  

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

    148,557       1,865,876  

Unum Group

    142,586       2,518,069  

Washington Federal, Inc.

    78,845       1,678,610  

WesBanco, Inc.

    75,030       1,822,479  

Wintrust Financial Corp.

    48,378       2,381,649  
              45,680,366  

Health Care — 3.02%

       

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    40,962       1,146,936  

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.(a)

    62,676       1,074,893  

Pacira BioSciences, Inc.(a)

    20,052       1,048,720  

Select Medical Holdings Corp.(a)

    124,363       2,609,136  
              5,879,685  

Industrials — 19.63%

       

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.(a)

    38,534       2,599,889  

Aegion Corp.(a)

    62,528       882,270  

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.(a)

    37,173       2,426,654  

ArcBest Corp.

    39,139       1,194,522  

Crane Co.

    18,683       948,162  

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

    23,386       1,972,843  

DHT Holdings, Inc.

    252,279       1,213,463  

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Annual Report

6

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

       

Industrials — (continued)

       

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    68,008     $ 4,637,465  

Frontdoor, Inc.(a)

    38,911       1,541,654  

H&R Block, Inc.

    92,197       1,591,320  

Hillenbrand, Inc.

    66,146       1,934,771  

Hub Group, Inc., Class A(a)

    22,764       1,141,159  

Itron, Inc.(a)

    24,807       1,685,636  

KBR, Inc.

    186,414       4,155,168  

Kennametal, Inc.

    72,583       2,250,072  

Korn Ferry International

    40,774       1,230,967  

Oshkosh Corp.

    30,538       2,057,040  

Regal-Beloit Corp.

    38,492       3,797,235  

Timken Co. (The)

    16,307       973,528  
              38,233,818  

Materials — 9.30%

       

Alamos Gold, Inc., Class A

    284,465       2,602,855  

Boise Cascade Co.

    13,167       505,349  

Cabot Corp.

    76,696       2,915,214  

Commercial Metals Co.

    87,717       1,811,356  

Eagle Materials, Inc.

    24,214       2,064,244  

Kraton Corp.(a)

    41,864       1,184,751  

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

    37,482       2,049,891  

Pan American Silver Corp.

    66,330       2,109,294  

UFP Industries, Inc.

    57,429       2,866,282  
              18,109,236  

Real Estate — 7.06%

       

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

    82,990       821,601  

Brandywine Realty Trust

    86,846       760,771  

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

    100,727       1,722,432  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

    266,337       1,315,705  

Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

    58,390       1,119,920  

Kite Realty Group Trust

    97,334       1,008,380  

Lexington Realty Trust

    334,184       3,318,447  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

    75,725       864,780  

COMMON STOCKS — (continued)

       

Real Estate — (continued)

       

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

    42,277     $ 1,756,609  

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

    110,034       1,070,631  
              13,759,276  

Technology — 12.46%

       

Arrow Electronics, Inc.(a)

    6,523       508,076  

ChipMOS Technology, Inc. - ADR

    45,524       885,442  

CSG Systems International, Inc.

    65,526       2,482,124  

Diodes, Inc.(a)

    49,097       2,839,280  

FLIR Systems, Inc.

    28,091       974,477  

j2 Global, Inc.(a)

    15,800       1,072,504  

Jabil, Inc.

    59,508       1,972,095  

NextGen Healthcare, Inc.(a)

    79,241       1,077,678  

Omnicell, Inc.(a)

    19,406       1,679,589  

Onto Innovation, Inc.(a)

    54,247       1,739,701  

Sanmina Corp.(a)

    69,158       1,690,222  

Science Applications International Corp.

    23,480       1,793,168  

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.(a)

    34,323       1,175,220  

Verint Systems, Inc.(a)

    18,777       911,060  

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

    214,871       3,485,207  
              24,285,843  

Utilities — 2.80%

       

ALLETE, Inc.

    54,230       2,797,184  

IDACORP, Inc.

    20,170       1,769,514  

NorthWestern Corp.

    16,886       880,267  
              5,446,965  

Total Common Stocks (Cost $191,736,431)

            189,775,407  

PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.20%

       

Consumer Discretionary — 0.20%

       

Qurate Retail, Inc., 8.00%, 3/15/2031

    3,942       385,606  

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $425,105)

            385,606  

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Annual Report

7

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

October 31, 2020

 

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 1.94%

       

Federated Hermes Government Obligations Fund, Institutional Class, 0.01%(b)

    3,782,327     $ 3,782,327  

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $3,782,327)

    3,782,327  

Total Investments — 99.57% (Cost $195,943,863)

    193,943,340  

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.43%

    842,459  

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

  $ 194,785,799  

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of October 31, 2020.

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Annual Report

8

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2020

 

Assets

       

Investments in securities at fair value (cost $195,943,863) (Note 3)

  $ 193,943,340  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    52,578  

Receivable for investments sold

    966,761  

Dividends receivable

    152,804  

Prepaid expenses

    23,898  

Total Assets

    195,139,381  

Liabilities

       

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    149,527  

Payable to Adviser (Note 4)

    146,219  

Accrued distribution (12b-1) fees

    2,775  

Payable to Administrator (Note 4)

    18,383  

Payable to trustees

    1,609  

Other accrued expenses

    35,069  

Total Liabilities

    353,582  

Net Assets

  $ 194,785,799  

Net Assets consist of:

       

Paid-in capital

    213,343,470  

Accumulated deficit

    (18,557,671 )

Net Assets

  $ 194,785,799  

Investor Class:

       

Net Assets

  $ 12,442,904  

Shares outstanding

    738,232  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Note 2)

  $ 16.85  

Institutional Class:

       

Net Assets

  $ 182,342,895  

Shares outstanding

    10,761,946  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Note 2)

  $ 16.94  

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Annual Report

9

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended October 31, 2020

 

Investment Income

       

Dividend income (net of foreign taxes withheld of $20,785)

  $ 4,225,886  

Total investment income

    4,225,886  

Expenses

       

Investment Adviser fees (Note 4)

    1,611,578  

Administration and compliance services fees (Note 4)

    136,061  

Fund accounting fees (Note 4)

    54,423  

Registration expenses

    47,382  

Distribution (12b-1) fees, Investor Class

    38,851  

Custodian fees

    28,752  

Legal fees

    26,513  

Transfer agent fees (Note 4)

    23,000  

Audit and tax preparation fees

    17,500  

Printing and postage expenses

    14,857  

Insurance expenses

    13,057  

Trustee fees

    10,652  

Miscellaneous expenses

    47,861  

Net operating expenses

    2,070,487  

Net investment income

    2,155,399  

Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

       

Net realized loss on investment securities transactions

    (17,339,377 )

Net realized loss on foreign currency translations

    (6 )

Net change in unrealized depreciation of investment securities and foreign currency translations

    (7,570,186 )

Net realized and change in unrealized loss on investments

    (24,909,569 )

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (22,754,170 )

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Annual Report

10

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2019

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:

               

Operations

               

Net investment income

  $ 2,155,399     $ 2,451,852  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities transactions

    (17,339,383 )     4,194,487  

Net change in unrealized depreciation of investment securities

    (7,570,186 )     (2,245,041 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (22,754,170 )     4,401,298  

Distributions to Shareholders From Earnings (Note 2)

               

Investor Class

    (729,182 )     (2,046,739 )

Institutional Class

    (6,664,011 )     (13,206,296 )

Total Distributions

    (7,393,193 )     (15,253,035 )

Capital Transactions - Investor Class

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    1,282,613       1,795,212  

Reinvestment of distributions

    713,576       1,992,112  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (6,557,518 )     (6,777,093 )

Total Capital Transactions - Investor Class

    (4,561,329 )     (2,989,769 )

Capital Transactions - Institutional Class

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    65,160,727       34,498,680  

Reinvestment of distributions

    6,436,461       12,712,182  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (36,751,011 )     (22,193,984 )

Total Capital Transactions - Institutional Class

    34,846,177       25,016,878  

Net increase in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    30,284,848       22,027,109  

Total Increase in Net Assets

    137,485       11,175,372  

Net Assets

               

Beginning of year

    194,648,314       183,472,942  

End of year

  $ 194,785,799     $ 194,648,314  

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Annual Report

11

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

 

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2019

 

Share Transactions - Investor Class

               

Shares sold

    75,419       88,608  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    33,548       112,231  

Shares redeemed

    (395,063 )     (339,496 )

Total Share Transactions - Investor Class

    (286,096 )     (138,657 )

Share Transactions - Institutional Class

               

Shares sold

    4,355,311       1,708,345  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    301,756       714,167  

Shares redeemed

    (2,299,683 )     (1,111,865 )

Total Share Transactions - Institutional Class

    2,357,384       1,310,647  

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Annual Report

12

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Investor Class Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding during each year)

 

 

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2019

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2018

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2017

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2016

 

Selected Per Share Data

                                       

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 20.55     $ 22.11     $ 24.32     $ 20.49     $ 21.41  
                                         

Investment operations:

                                       

Net investment income

    0.18       0.25       0.12       0.05       0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    (3.15 )     (0.03 )     (1.52 )     4.37       1.32  

Total from investment operations

    (2.97 )     0.22       (1.40 )     4.42       1.48  
                                         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.26 )     (0.08 )     (0.08 )     (0.13 )     (0.26 )

Net realized gains

    (0.47 )     (1.70 )     (0.73 )     (0.46 )     (2.14 )

Total distributions

    (0.73 )     (1.78 )     (0.81 )     (0.59 )     (2.40 )
                                         

Paid in capital from redemption fees

                            (a) 
                                         

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 16.85     $ 20.55     $ 22.11     $ 24.32     $ 20.49  
                                         

Total Return (b)

    (15.17 )%     2.28%       (6.02 )%     21.68%       8.23%  
                                         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

                                       

Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)

  $ 12,443     $ 21,048     $ 25,715     $ 41,786     $ 38,864  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    1.32%       1.32%       1.31%       1.36%       1.43%  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.90%       1.15%       0.49%       0.22%       0.84%  

Portfolio turnover rate (c)

    60.56%       47.17%       34.41%       28.16%       12.85%  

 

(a)

Rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

(b)

Total return represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends, and excludes any sales charges and redemption fees that were charged by the Fund prior to August 30, 2016.

(c)

Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Annual Report

13

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Institutional Class Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding during each year)

 

 

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2019

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2018

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2017

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2016

 

Selected Per Share Data

                                       

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 20.66     $ 22.24     $ 24.46     $ 20.60     $ 21.52  
                                         

Investment operations:

                                       

Net investment income

    0.21       0.27       0.18       0.11       0.25  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    (3.14 )     (a)      (1.53 )     4.39       1.29  

Total from investment operations

    (2.93 )     0.27       (1.35 )     4.50       1.54  
                                         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.32 )     (0.15 )     (0.14 )     (0.18 )     (0.32 )

Net realized gains

    (0.47 )     (1.70 )     (0.73 )     (0.46 )     (2.14 )

Total distributions

    (0.79 )     (1.85 )     (0.87 )     (0.64 )     (2.46 )
                                         

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 16.94     $ 20.66     $ 22.24     $ 24.46     $ 20.60  
                                         

Total Return (b)

    (14.97 )%     2.55%       (5.78 )%     22.01%       8.50%  
                                         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

                                       

Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)

  $ 182,343     $ 173,600     $ 157,758     $ 151,757     $ 97,987  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    1.07%       1.07%       1.06%       1.11%       1.18%  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.16%       1.34%       0.76%       0.45%       1.05%  

Portfolio turnover rate (c)

    60.56%       47.17%       34.41%       28.16%       12.85%  

 

(a)

Rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

(b)

Total return represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends, and excludes any sales charges that were charged by the Fund prior to August 30, 2016.

(c)

Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Annual Report

14

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION

 

The Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) is an open-end diversified series of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is a management investment company established under the laws of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 2008 (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. The Fund is one of a series of funds authorized by the Board. The Fund’s investment adviser is Foundry Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”). The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.

 

The Fund currently offers Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares. Each share represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to the applicable class of the Fund and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income belonging to the applicable class of the Fund as are declared by the Board. On matters that affect the Fund as a whole, each class has the same voting and other rights and preferences as any other class. On matters that affect only one class, only shareholders of that class may vote. The Fund may offer additional classes of shares in the future.

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Federal Income Taxes – The Fund makes no provision for federal income or excise tax. The Fund has qualified and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income. The Fund also intends to distribute sufficient net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

 

Annual Report

15

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements

October 31, 2020 (Continued)

 

As of and during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any liabilities for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense on the Statement of Operations when incurred. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties. Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last three tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

 

Expenses – Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not relate to a specific fund of the Trust are allocated to the individual funds based on each fund’s relative net assets or another appropriate basis (as determined by the Board). Expenses specifically attributable to any class are borne by that class. Income, realized gains and losses, unrealized appreciation and depreciation, and fund-wide expenses not allocated to a particular class shall be allocated to each class based on the net assets of that class in relation to the net assets of the entire fund.

 

Security Transactions and Related Income – The Fund follows industry practice and records security transactions on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The specific identification method is used for determining gains or losses for financial statement and income tax purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash income, if any, is recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, if any, have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

 

The Fund holds Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) which pay dividends to their shareholders based upon available funds from operations. It is possible for these dividends to exceed the REIT’s underlying taxable earnings and profits resulting in the excess portion of such dividends being designated as a return of capital. Distributions received from REITs that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of the cost of the REITs or as a realized gain, respectively.

 

Dividends and Distributions – The Fund intends to distribute its net investment income and net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the period from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified among the components of net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations or net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Fund.

 

Annual Report

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund made the following reclassifications to increase (decrease) the components of net assets:

 

Paid-In
Capital

Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)

$ (49,131)

$ 49,131

 

Share Valuation – The NAV is calculated each day the New York Stock Exchange is open by dividing the total value of the Fund’s assets, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding for the Fund.

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Fund values its portfolio securities at fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day the NYSE is open for business. Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.

 

Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk (the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique). Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained and available from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments and/or registered investment companies where the value per share is determined and published and is the basis for current transactions for identical assets or liabilities at the valuation date

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for an identical security in an inactive market, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

Annual Report

17

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements

October 31, 2020 (Continued)

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments based on the best information available)

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy which is reported is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

Equity securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued at the last quoted sale price on the security’s primary exchange. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange-traded security is generally valued at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When using the market quotations and when the market is considered active, the security is classified as a Level 1 security. In the event that market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable due to market or other events, the Fund values its securities and other assets at fair value in accordance with policies established by and under the general supervision of the Board. Under these policies, the securities will be classified as Level 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used.

 

Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds, are generally priced at the ending NAV. These securities are categorized as Level 1 securities.

 

In accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies, the Adviser is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable as described above. No single method exists for determining fair value, because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of a security being valued by the Adviser would be the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale. Methods that are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market prices of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security or a basket of securities traded on other markets, exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods. Fair-value pricing is permitted if, in the Adviser’s opinion, the validity of market quotations appears to be questionable based on factors such as evidence of a thin market in the security based on a small number of quotations, a significant event occurs after the close of a market but before the Fund’s NAV calculation that may affect a security’s value, or the Adviser is aware of any other data that calls into question the reliability of market quotations.

 

Annual Report

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of October 31, 2020:

 

Valuation Inputs

Assets

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks (a)

  $ 189,775,407     $     $     $ 189,775,407  

Preferred Stocks (a)

    385,606                   385,606  

Money Market Funds

    3,782,327                   3,782,327  

Total

  $ 193,943,340     $     $     $ 193,943,340  

 

(a)

Refer to Schedule of Investments for sector classifications.

 

The Fund did not hold any investments at the end of the reporting period for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value; therefore, no reconciliation of Level 3 securities is included for this reporting period.

 

NOTE 4. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

 

Under the terms of the management agreement between the Trust and the Adviser for the Fund, the Adviser manages the Fund’s investments subject to oversight of the Board. As compensation for its management services, the Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.85% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Adviser earned a fee of $1,611,578 from the Fund. At October 31, 2020, the Fund owed the Adviser $146,219.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that the Fund’s net expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest expense and dividends on securities sold short), taxes, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as fees and expenses of acquired funds), do not exceed an annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

Each fee waiver or expense reimbursement by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three years following the date in which the fee waiver or expense reimbursement occurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation that is in effect at the time of the repayment, and the expense limitation that is in effect at the time of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement. As of October 31, 2020, the Adviser has made no previous waivers that may be recouped. The contractual agreement is in effect through February 28, 2021. The expense cap may not be terminated prior to this date except by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Adviser did not waive any fees from the Fund.

 

Annual Report

19

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements

October 31, 2020 (Continued)

 

The Trust retains Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus” or the “Administrator”), to provide the Fund with administration and compliance, including a chief compliance officer, fund accounting and transfer agent services, including all regulatory reporting. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Administrator earned fees of $136,061 for administrative and compliance services, $54,423 for fund accounting services, and $23,000 for transfer agent services. At October 31, 2020, the Administrator was owed $18,383 for administrative services.

 

The officers and one trustee of the Trust are members of management and/or employees of the Administrator and are not paid by the Trust for services to the Fund. Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as the distributor of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ultimus.

 

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor or any registered securities dealer, financial institution or any other person (a “Recipient”) a fee aggregating at a rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class shares in connection with the promotion and distribution of the Fund’s shares or the provision of personal services to shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, advertising, compensation to underwriters, dealers and selling personnel; the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Fund shareholders; the printing and mailing of sales literature; and servicing shareholder accounts. The Fund or the Adviser may pay all or a portion of these fees to any Recipient who renders assistance in distributing or promoting the sale of shares, or who provides certain shareholder services, pursuant to a written agreement. The Plan is a compensation plan, which means that compensation is paid regardless of 12b-1 expenses actually incurred. It is anticipated that the Plan will benefit shareholders because an effective sales program typically is necessary in order for the Fund to reach and maintain a sufficient size to achieve efficiently its investment objectives and to realize economies of scale. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Investor Class shares 12b-1 expense incurred by the Fund was $38,851. The Fund owed $2,775 for Investor Class shares 12b-1 fees as of October 31, 2020.

 

NOTE 5. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments, were $144,244,155 and $111,112,762, respectively.

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. government obligations during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.

 

Annual Report

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE 6. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

 

At October 31, 2020, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and tax cost of investments for tax purposes was as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 16,943,832  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (19,973,337 )

Net unrealized depreciation on investments

  $ (3,029,505 )

Tax cost of investments

  $ 196,972,845  

 

At October 31, 2020, the difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and partnership basis adjustments.

 

At October 31, 2020, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

  $ 1,653,485  

Accumulated capital and other losses

    (17,181,651 )

Unrealized depreciation on investments

    (3,029,505 )

Total accumulated earnings (deficit)

  $ (18,557,671 )

 

The tax character of distributions paid for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

 

2020

   

2019

 

Distributions paid from:

               

Ordinary income(a)

  $ 3,057,636     $ 1,151,123  

Long-term capital gains

    4,335,557       14,101,912  

Total taxable distributions

  $ 7,393,193     $ 15,253,035  

Total distributions paid

  $ 7,393,193     $ 15,253,035  

 

(a) Short-term capital gain distributions are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes.

 

As of October 31, 2020, the Fund had available for tax purposes unused capital loss carryforwards of $2,174,936 and $15,006,715 of short-term and long-term capital losses with no expiration, which is available to offset against future taxable net capital gains. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future gains, it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

Annual Report

21

 

 

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements

October 31, 2020 (Continued)

 

NOTE 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Trust indemnifies its officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from their performance of their duties to the Trust or the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

NOTE 8. OTHER MATTERS

 

In April 2014, New York based fashion company The Jones Group went private through a leveraged buyout (the “LBO”). In connection with the LBO, Jones Group paid out roughly $1.2 billion to its shareholders to buy back its outstanding stock at $15 per share. Four years later, Nine West Holdings, the company that emerged from the LBO, filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. After Nine Wests Chapter 11 plan was confirmed, the Trustee of a Litigation Trust formed under the plan, together with the Indenture Trustee for certain notes issued by Jones Group/Nine West, commenced a series of lawsuits against the former Jones Group shareholders who tendered their shares in the LBO, including the Fund. The plaintiffs in these suits seek to unwind the stock repurchase transactions that were part of the LBO on the grounds that they constitute fraudulent conveyances under the Bankruptcy Code and state law and to recover the amounts paid to the former Jones Group shareholders. Plaintiffs allege that the Fund received $1,209,420 for its shares in the LBO and seek to claw back those funds as part of the lawsuit.

 

On August 27, 2020, the Southern District of New York dismissed all fraudulent conveyance and unjust enrichment claims with respect to the payments made to stockholders in connection with the LBO, including the payments made to the Fund, on the basis that the transaction qualified for protection under the safe harbor provided for in Section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code. As part of the ruling, all claims against the Fund were dismissed and judgment was entered in its favor. The Trustee has appealed the ruling, and the matter is now pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

 

NOTE 9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Management of the Fund has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date at which these financial statements were issued. Based upon this evaluation, management has determined there were no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

 

Annual Report

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE 10. LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (UNAUDITED)

 

Valued Advisers Trust has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the 1940 Act. The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, the Fund’s investment strategy and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; its short and long-term cash flow projections; and its cash holdings and access to other funding sources. The Board of Trustees approved the appointment of a Liquidity Administrator Committee, which includes representatives from Foundry Partners, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, the Fund’s Administrator. The Liquidity Administrator Committee is responsible for the program’s administration and oversight and for reporting to the Board on at least an annual basis regarding the program’s operation and effectiveness. The Liquidity Administrator Committee updated its assessment of the Fund’s liquidity risk profile, considering additional data gathered in the 12 months ended May 31, 2020 and the adequacy and effectiveness of the liquidity risk management program’s operations since its inception on June 1, 2019 (the “Review Period”) in order to prepare a written report for the Board of Trustees (the “Report”) for consideration at its meeting held on September 9, 2020. The Report noted that during the Review Period the Fund did not experience unusual stress or disruption to its operations related to purchase and redemption activity. It further noted that during the Review Period the Fund held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. The Report concluded that (i) the Trust’s liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Trust’s liquidity risk management program had been effectively implemented during the Review Period.

 

Annual Report

23

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Shareholders of Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund and
Board of Trustees of Valued Advisers Trust

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Valued Advisers Trust, as of October 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s 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 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.

 

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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the Fund’s auditor since 2006.

 

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
December 23, 2020

 

Annual Report

24

 

 

 

Summary of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)

 

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The first line of the table for each class provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, 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 = 8.60), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

The second line of the table for each class provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratios 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 balances or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the 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.

 

Expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the table for each class is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Beginning
Account
Value
May 1, 2020

Ending
Account
Value
October 31, 2020

Expenses
Paid
During
Period
(a)

Annualized
Expense
Ratio

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund

Investor Class

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,092.70

$6.95

1.32%

 

Hypothetical (b)

$1,000.00

$1,018.50

$6.70

1.32%

Institutional Class

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,094.30

$5.63

1.07%

 

Hypothetical (b)

$1,000.00

$1,019.76

$5.43

1.07%

 

(a)

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

(b)

Hypothetical assumes 5% annual return before expenses.

 

Annual Report

25

 

 

 

Additional Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you receive in January 2021 will show the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2020. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals and the dividends received deduction for corporations.

 

Qualified Dividend Income. The Fund designates approximately 100% or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for a reduced tax rate.

 

Qualified Business Income. The Fund designates approximately 0% of its ordinary income dividends, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified business income.

 

Dividends Received Deduction. Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s calendar year 2020 ordinary income dividends, 100% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund designated $4,335,557 as long-term capital gain distributions.

 

Annual Report

26

 

 

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

 

 

The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Trust. Each Trustee serves as a trustee until termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, retires or is removed.

 

The following table provides information regarding each of the Independent Trustees.

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years and Other Directorships

Other Directorships

Ira P. Cohen, 61
Independent Trustee Since June 2010

Current: Independent financial services consultant (since February 2005); Executive Vice President of Asset Management Services, Recognos Financial (since August 2015).

Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman, Griffin Institutional Access Credit Fund (since January 2017); Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman, Griffin Institutional Real Estate Access Fund (since May 2014); Trustee, Angel Oak Funds Trust (since October 2014) (4 portfolios); Trustee, Chairman, and Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman, Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund (since December 2017), Trustee and Chairman, Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (since May 2019).

Andrea N. Mullins, 53
Independent Trustee Since December 2013 Chairperson since March 2017

Current: Private investor; Independent Contractor, SWM Advisors (since April 2014).

Trustee, Angel Oak Funds Trust (since February 2019) (4 portfolios); Trustee, Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund (since February 2019), Trustee, Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (since May 2019).

 

*

The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

**

As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

 

 

Annual Report

27

 

 

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The following table provides information regarding the Trustee who is considered an “interested person” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. Based on the experience of the Trustee, the Trust concluded that the individual described below should serve as a Trustee.

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Mark J. Seger***, 58
Trustee Since March 2017

Current: Vice Chairman and Co-Founder, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC and its subsidiaries (since 1999).

None.

 

*

The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

**

As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

***

Mr. Seger is considered an “interested person” of the Trust because of his relationship with the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and distributor.

 

The following table provides information regarding the Officers of the Trust:

 

Name, Address*, Age, Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Adam T. Kornegay, 35
Principal Executive Officer and President Since April 2018

Current: Vice President, Business Development Director, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since June 2018).

None.

Kevin J. Patton, 50
Chief Compliance Officer Since March 2020

Current: Assistant Vice President, Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since January 2020).

Previous: Partner and Chief Compliance Officer, Renaissance Investment Management (August 2005 to January 2020).

None.

Carol J. Highsmith, 56
Vice President Since August 2008 Secretary Since March 2014

Current: Vice President, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

Previous: Employed in various positions with Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (November 1994 to December 2015), most recently Vice President of Legal Administration (2005 to December 2015).

None.

 

Annual Report

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address*, Age, Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Matthew J. Miller, 44
Vice President Since December 2011

Current: Assistant Vice President, Relationship Management, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

Previous: Employed in various positions with Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (July 1998 to December 2015), most recently Vice President of Relationship Management (2005 to December 2015).

None.

Gregory T. Knoth, 50
Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer Since April 2019

Current: Vice President, Mutual Fund Controller, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

Previous: Vice President and Manager of Fund Accounting, Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (June 2013 to December 2015).

None.

Stephen L. Preston, 54
AML Officer since June 2017

Current: Chief Compliance Officer of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (since June 2011).

Previous: Chief Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (June 2011 to August 2019); Chief Compliance Officer, Unified Financial Securities, LLC (April 2018 to December 2019).

None.

 

*

The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

**

As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

 

Other Information (Unaudited)

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the trustees and is available without charge, upon request. You may call toll-free at (800) 247-1014 to request a copy of the SAI or to make shareholder inquiries.

 

Annual Report

29

 

 

 

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited)

 

 

At a meeting held on June 2, 2020, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) considered the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Foundry Agreement”) between Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”) and Foundry Partners, LLC (“Foundry”) with respect to the Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund (the “Foundry Fund”). Foundry provided written information to the Board to assist the Board in its considerations.

 

The Board discussed the contractual arrangements between Foundry and the Trust for the Foundry Fund. They reflected upon the Board’s prior experience with Foundry in managing the Foundry Fund, as well as their earlier discussions with Foundry.

 

Counsel then directed the Trustees to a memorandum from his firm that summarized, among other things, the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of the Board in reviewing and approving the Foundry Agreement. In assessing the factors and reaching its decision, the Board took into consideration information furnished by Foundry and the Trust’s other service providers for the Board’s review and consideration throughout the year, as well as information specifically prepared or presented in connection with the renewal process, including: (i) reports regarding the services and support provided to the Foundry Fund by Foundry; (ii) quarterly assessments of the investment performance of the Foundry Fund; (iii) commentary on the reasons for the performance; (iv) presentations by Foundry addressing its investment philosophy, investment strategy, personnel, and operations of Foundry; (v) compliance and audit reports concerning the Foundry Fund and Foundry; (vi) disclosure information contained in the registration statement of the Trust for the Foundry Fund and Foundry’s Form ADV; and (vii) a memorandum from counsel, that summarized the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of the Board in reviewing and approving the Foundry Agreement. The Board also requested and received materials including, without limitation: (a) documents containing information about Foundry, including its financial information; a description of its personnel and the services it provides to the Foundry Fund; information on Foundry’s investment advice and performance; summaries of the Foundry Fund’s expenses, compliance program, current legal matters, and other general information; (b) comparative expense and performance information for other mutual funds with strategies similar to the Foundry Fund; and (c) the benefits to be realized by Foundry from its relationship with the Foundry Fund. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to approve the Foundry Agreement and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors.

 

 

1.

The nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided by Foundry. The Board considered Foundry’s responsibilities under the Foundry Agreement. The Trustees considered the services being provided by Foundry to the Foundry Fund including, without limitation: the quality of its investment advisory services (including research and recommendations with respect to portfolio securities), its process for formulating investment recommendations and assuring compliance with the Foundry Fund’s investment objectives and limitations, its coordination of services for the Foundry Fund among the Foundry Fund’s service providers, and its efforts to promote the Foundry Fund and grow its assets. The Trustees considered Foundry’s continuity of, and commitment to retain qualified personnel, commitment to maintain and enhance its resources and systems, and options that allow the Foundry Fund to maintain its goals, and Foundry’s continued cooperation with the Board and counsel for the Foundry Fund. The Trustees

 

Annual Report

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

considered Foundry’s personnel, including their education and experience. After considering the foregoing information and further information in the Meeting materials provided by Foundry, the Board concluded that, in light of all the facts and circumstances, the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by Foundry were satisfactory and adequate for the Foundry Fund.

 

 

2.

Investment Performance of the Foundry Fund and Foundry. The Trustees compared the performance of the Foundry Fund with the performance of funds with similar objectives managed by other investment advisers, with aggregated peer group data, as well as with the performance of the Foundry Fund’s benchmark. The Trustees also considered the consistency of Foundry’s management of the Foundry Fund with its investment objectives, strategies, and limitations. The Trustees acknowledged that Foundry has served as adviser to the Foundry Fund only since June of 2016, but one portfolio manager has managed the portfolio since 2006 and the other since 2010. The Trustees noted that the Foundry Fund had underperformed as compared to its benchmark for the one-year, three-year and five-year periods ended March 31, 2020, and outperformed the benchmark for the period since inception of the Foundry Fund. They also noted that the Foundry Fund had performed better than the average and median of its custom Morningstar category for the one-year period ended March 31, 2020, but below the average and median for the three-year, five-year, and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020. In comparing the Foundry Fund’s performance to that of its custom peer group, the Board noted that the Foundry Fund performed above the median for the one-year period ended March 31, 2020, and below the median for the three-year, five-year, and since inception periods. The Board reviewed the performance of Foundry in managing separate accounts with investment strategies similar to that of the Foundry Fund and observed that the Foundry Fund’s performance was very comparable. The Trustees took into consideration discussions with representatives of Foundry during the prior year regarding the reasons for the performance of the Foundry Fund. After further reviewing and discussing these and other relevant factors, the Board concluded, in light of all the facts and circumstances, that the investment performance of the Foundry Fund and Foundry was satisfactory.

 

 

3.

The costs of the services to be provided and profits to be realized by Foundry from the relationship with the Foundry Fund. The Trustees considered: (1) Foundry’s financial condition; (2) the asset level of the Foundry Fund; (3) the overall expenses of the Foundry Fund; and (4) the nature and frequency of management fee payments. The Trustees reviewed information provided by Foundry regarding its profits associated with managing the Foundry Fund, noting that Foundry is not currently waiving any of its management fee. The Trustees also considered potential benefits for Foundry in managing the Foundry Fund. The Trustees then compared the fees and expenses of the Foundry Fund (including the management fee) to other comparable mutual funds. The Trustees noted that the Foundry Fund’s management fee was higher than the average and median of its peer group, and that the net expense ratio was higher than the peer group average and median. They noted that the Foundry Fund’s management fee was higher than the average and median of funds in its custom Morningstar category, and that the Foundry Fund’s net

 

Annual Report

31

 

 

 

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

expense ratio was also higher than the average and median. The Board noted that the fees that Foundry assesses for separate account clients that have strategies similar to that of the Foundry Fund could be comparable or lower and they expressed the view that the reasons for such differences were acceptable and reasonable. Based on the foregoing, the Board concluded that the fees to be paid to Foundry by the Foundry Fund and the profits to be realized by Foundry, in light of all the facts and circumstances, were fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by Foundry.

 

 

4.

The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Foundry Fund grows and whether advisory fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of the Foundry Fund’s investors. The Board considered the Foundry Fund’s fee arrangements with Foundry. The Board considered that while the management fee remained the same at all asset levels, the Foundry Fund’s shareholders could experience benefits from the Foundry Fund’s expense limitation arrangement if asset levels fell and/or expenses increased. The Trustees noted that although the Foundry Fund’s expenses currently fell below the cap set by the arrangement, the shareholders would continue to benefit from economies of scale under the Foundry Fund’s arrangements with other service providers to the Foundry Fund, and the Trustees attributed this benefit, in part, to the direct and indirect efforts of Foundry to ensure that a cost structure was in place that was beneficial for the Foundry Fund as it grew. In light of its ongoing consideration of the Foundry Fund’s asset and fees levels and expectations for growth, the Board determined that the Foundry Fund’s fee arrangements, in light of all the facts and circumstances, were fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by Foundry.

 

 

5.

Possible conflicts of interest and benefits to Foundry. In considering Foundry’s practices regarding conflicts of interest, the Trustees evaluated the potential for conflicts of interest and considered such matters as the experience and ability of the advisory personnel assigned to the Foundry Fund; the basis of decisions to buy or sell securities for the Foundry Fund and/or Foundry’s other accounts; and the substance and administration of Foundry’s code of ethics. The Trustees also considered disclosure in the registration statement of the Trust relating to Foundry’s potential conflicts of interest. The Trustees noted that Foundry may utilize soft dollars and the Trustees noted Foundry’s policies and processes for managing the conflicts of interest that could arise from soft dollar arrangements. The Trustees noted other potential benefits to Foundry, including the fact that the Foundry Fund could provide an attractive vehicle for smaller accounts, which may increase the total assets under management by Foundry. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the standards and practices of Foundry relating to the identification and mitigation of potential conflicts of interest and the benefits to be realized by Foundry in managing the Foundry Fund were satisfactory.

 

After additional consideration of the factors delineated in the memorandum provided by counsel and further discussion among the Board members, the Board determined to approve the continuation of the Foundry Agreement between the Trust and Foundry.

 

Annual Report

32

 

 

 

Valued Advisers Trust Privacy Policy

 

 

FACTS

WHAT DOES Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

   

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

   

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

■ Social Security number

■ account balances and account transactions

■ transaction or loss history and purchase history

■ checking account information and wire transfer instructions

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

   

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

   

Reasons we can share your personal information

Does the Fund share?

For our everyday business purposes—
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes

For our marketing purposes—
to offer our products and services to you

No

For joint marketing with other financial companies

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—
information about your transactions and experiences

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—
information about your creditworthiness

No

For nonaffiliates to market to you

No

   

Questions?

Call (800) 247-1014

 

 

 

 

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund
Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (Distributor)
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Administrator)

   

What we do

How does the Fund protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does the Fund collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

■ open an account or deposit money

■ buy securities from us or sell securities to us

■ make deposits or withdrawals from your account

■ give us your account information

■ make a wire transfer

■ tell us who receives the money

■ tell us where to send the money

■ show your government-issued ID

■ show your driver’s license

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

■ sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness

■ affiliates from using your information to market to you

■ sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

Foundry Partners, LLC, the investment adviser to the Fund, could be deemed to be an affiliate.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

The Fund does not share your personal information with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

The Fund doesn’t jointly market.

 

 

 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

PROXY VOTING

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted those proxies during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30, are available (1) without charge upon request by calling the Fund at (800) 247-1014 and (2) in Fund documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

TRUSTEES

Andrea N. Mullins, Chairperson

Ira P. Cohen

Mark J. Seger

 

OFFICERS

Adam T. Kornegay, Principal Executive Officer and President

Gregory T. Knoth, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

Kevin J. Patton, Chief Compliance Officer

Carol J. Highsmith, Vice President and Secretary

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Foundry Partners, LLC

323 Washington Avenue North, Suite 360

Minneapolis, MN 55401

 

DISTRIBUTOR

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Cohen & Company, Ltd.

1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800

Cleveland, OH 44115

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP

3000 Two Logan Square

18th and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

CUSTODIAN

Huntington National Bank

41 South High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

 

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND FUND ACCOUNTANT

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

This report is intended only for the information of shareholders or those who have received the Fund’s prospectus which contains information about the Fund’s management fee and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC
Member FINRA/SIPC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Report

 

October 31, 2020

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by contacting the Fund at (888) 695-3729 or, if you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary.

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting the Fund at (888) 695-3729. If you own shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this document to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the fund complex or at your financial intermediary.

 

Fund Adviser:

 

Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC
115 South LaSalle Street, 27th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
Toll Free (888) 695-3729

 

 

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS – (UNAUDITED)

 

Kovitz Investment Group launched the Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund (the Fund) with the goal of seeking long-term capital appreciation through high risk-adjusted returns. To accomplish this, Fund management implements a fundamental, research-driven process, in order to build a diversified portfolio of equity investments through the purchase of competitively advantaged and financially strong companies at prices substantially less than our estimate of their intrinsic values.

 

We remain focused on the careful and patient application of our investment criteria and valuation requirements. Our bottom-up research emphasizes business quality, industry structures, growth opportunities, management skill and corporate culture. It is further augmented by our assessment of the company’s ability to sustain earnings power over the long haul through an understanding of its competitive advantages and management’s proficiency in the allocation of capital. We use absolute, rather than relative, methods to estimate companies’ intrinsic values and we use the movement of market prices around these intrinsic value estimates to construct and manage a portfolio of high-quality businesses that have the potential to create sustained shareholder value over many years.

 

MARKET AND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

 

During the second half of the fiscal year (May 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020), the Fund returned 19.76%. In comparison, our benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, gained 13.29% during the same period. For the full fiscal year ending October 31, 2020, the Fund returned 0.23%, while the S&P 500 gained 9.71%. Since inception on December 28, 2011, the Fund has compounded at a rate of 10.50% annually, versus 13.65% annually for the S&P 500 over the same time period.

 

On August 10th, after eking out a modest 0.28% gain on the day, the stock market recovered the last bit of the ground it lost during the pandemic-induced sell-off earlier this year. All told, it took 33 days for the market to lose nearly 34% and 140 days to gain it all back. Not even six months elapsed from start to finish.

 

Since 1929, there have been nine instances of the stock market declining 25% or more following an all-time high. As you can see in the table below, the 2020 drawdown (highlighted below) is notable for both the speed of the decline, but even more so for the rapidity of the recovery.

 

     

Dates

 

 

 

Days

 

 

 
 

Rank

Drawdown

Peak

Trough

New Peak

 

Drawdown

Recovery

Total

 
 

1

-86.19%

9/16/1929

6/1/1932

1/28/1946

 

989

4,989

5,978

 
 

2

-55.22%

10/9/2007

3/9/2009

4/2/2012

 

517

1,120

1,637

 
 

3

-47.42%

9/1/2000

10/9/2002

10/23/2006

 

768

1,475

2,243

 
 

4

-44.80%

1/11/1973

10/3/1974

7/9/1976

 

630

645

1,275

 
 

5

-33.79%

2/19/2020

3/23/2020

8/10/2020

 

33

140

173

 
 

6

-32.93%

8/25/1987

10/19/1987

5/15/1989

 

55

574

629

 
 

7

-32.58%

11/29/1968

5/26/1970

3/15/1971

 

543

293

836

 
 

8

-26.88%

12/12/1961

6/26/1962

4/15/1963

 

196

293

489

 
 

9

-25.22%

5/29/1946

5/19/1947

9/30/1949

 

355

865

1,220

 

 

“But, is it real?” This is a question we often receive. It might seem odd that the stock market is oscillating around its all-time high while unemployment remains around 7%, over 230,000 deaths in the U.S. have been attributed to COVID-19, and the country continues to lose almost 1000 more people per day to the pandemic. In addition, many feel detached from the world from being cooped up in our houses and practicing social distancing for the past six months.

 

1

 

 

Yet, there are two main factors that are strongly supportive of current stock market valuations. First, the accommodative monetary policy enacted by the Federal Reserve – exemplified by near-zero interest rates – is making all forms of credit, from home mortgages to commercial loans, easier to attain by businesses and individuals. Recently, Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, declared that the fed funds target rate will likely remain in its current 0%-0.25% range until at least 2023. In such an environment, stocks become relatively more attractive purely for a lack of alternative means of generating returns.

 

Second, and perhaps more important from a mathematical perspective, the effects of COVID on various industries are not evenly distributed and those companies least impacted happen to already make up the lion’s share of the stock market’s total capitalization.

 

It is often said in some circles that the stock market does not equal the economy. It would be inaccurate to believe the two are completely unrelated, but a more apt phrasing would be that the stock market roughly approximates future expectations for the economy, while neither the stock market nor the overall economy necessarily reflects the experience of the median person in the economy.

 

In some ways, the recession is essentially over for a certain subset of the population – mainly those with college degrees and higher incomes. These two factors are strongly correlated with the ability to work from home. On the other end of the spectrum are those with only a high school diploma or who never completed high school. These individuals – who tend to have lower incomes, jobs disproportionately located in the hospitality, food service, and retail sectors that have been decimated by COVID, and no ability to work from home – continue to experience what feels to many of them like a deep recession.

 

To be sure, there is some diversity of experience among these groups. Not everyone in the former group is unaffected by the pandemic, just as not everyone in the latter group is struggling. However, on the whole, the fortunes of these two groups continue to diverge.

 

Nevertheless, current stock market valuations express the long-term view that better days are ahead for the overall economy and that hypothetical median person. At the Fund, we are generally supportive of this view. The United States and the world are not faced with an intractable credit crisis coupled with a loss of confidence such as that faced during the Great Depression, or even the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. There is a singular problem faced by humanity: COVID-19. There is merit in the idea that a combination of continuously improving treatments for COVID-19 and the scientific community inching closer to a vaccine will eventually lead to an end to the pandemic. At the very least, these developments will result in a dramatic decrease in the risk of contracting the disease.

 

In the long run, human progress through technological innovation, rising living standards, increasing life expectancy, and virtually every other metric moves forward. Always forward. We would not bet against that changing.

 

However, as we know too well, there are always many unknowns in the short run that could upset this bullish tilt to the market. London Business School Professor Elroy Dimson once said, “Risk means more things can happen than will happen.” This simple statement encapsulates why uncertainty and risk are inescapable, particularly in the field of investing. Understanding that this is just a natural and ordinary part of the investment landscape is why we remain singularly focused on ascertaining the difference between what we think a business is worth and its current stock price. This emphasis on business value, as opposed to share price action, empowers us to act when others may be fleeing the markets. Through experience, we know that business values are far less volatile than stock prices and with patience, share price ultimately converges with business value.

 

We believe there are certain stocks of great businesses, with durable balance sheets and reasonably predictable cash flow streams, that are undervalued relative to their future earning power. For those focused on long-term horizons, it’s a good time to be investing in such opportunities.

 

2

 

 

PORTFOLIO ACTIVITY

 

Given the volatility caused by the coronavirus, we were active market participants. We’ve consistently driven home the message that we typically use market dislocations as opportunities to upgrade the overall quality of our portfolio. This time was no different. When the dust settled after two of the most unforgettable and unpredictable quarters in market history, we were fortunate to have been able to initiate numerous new positions, add to several existing positions, and generally upgrade the quality of the portfolio. As such, we entered the second half of the fiscal year with a well-balanced portfolio of businesses we believe are positioned to generate solid returns amidst a variety of market conditions. Despite the myriad risks, the expected forward returns of the portfolio today look substantially better than it did even a year ago, and we would argue the quality is also higher.

 

We are utilizing the same approach we have always used – a valuation framework that focuses on the long-term fundamentals and minimizing the odds of a permanent loss of capital. We have been using the volatility to upgrade both the quality of the portfolio and the expected return profile. One of the identifiable themes to our recent activity is maintaining or initiating positions in exceptional businesses that we believe will weather any coronavirus-related macroeconomic downturn quite well and emerge stronger on the other side due to the possession of one or more competitive advantages. We have also maintained or increased several current positions in quality businesses that may experience near-term cash flow constraints due to the coronavirus, but we believe will endure and offer significant upside as the current challenges abate.

 

The following portfolio actions were taken during the Fund’s fiscal year period:

 

INITIATED POSITIONS in the following companies: Amazon (AMZN), Arista Networks (ANET), Autodesk (ADSK), Becton Dickinson (BDX), Charter Communications (CHTR), Hasbro (HAS), Keysight Technologies (KEYS), Lockheed Martin (LMT), Lowes (LOW), Motorola Solutions (MSI), Northern Trust (NTRS), NVR (NVR), Visa (V).

 

EXITED POSITIONS in the following companies: Amerco (UHAL), Analog Devices (ADI), Bank of America (BAC), Boeing (BA), Delta, eBay (EBAY), FedEx (FDX), Goldman Sachs (GS), PPG, Tencent (TCEHY), US Foods (USFD), United Parcel Service (UPS), and Valmont (VMI).

 

THE FUND’S FIVE LARGEST POSITIONS as of October 31, 2020 were Alphabet, Quanta, Facebook, Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB), and Philip Morris (PM).

 

PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTION

 

Key Contributors to Relative Results

 

The individual positions that contributed the most to performance, on a dollar basis, during the year were: Apple (AAPL), Quanta Services (PWR), Covetrus (CVET), Alphabet (GOOG/GOOGL), and Facebook (FB).

 

On a percentage total return basis, the top performers for the year were: Covetrus (+149%), Lowes (LOW, +93%), Apple (77%), NVR (NVR,+74%), and Amazon (AMZN,+69%).

 

On a sector basis, the largest contributor to relative results was the Fund’s underweight position Energy sector. Security selection in the Health Care and Communication Services sectors also contributed.

 

Key Detractors to Relative Results

 

The individual positions that detracted the most from performance, on a dollar basis, during the year were: Delta (DAL), Mohawk (MHK), Boeing (BA), Viacom CBS (VIAC), and Expedia (EXPE).

 

On a percentage basis, the worst performers for the year were: Boeing (-56%), Delta (-48%), Citigroup (C,-40%), PPG (PPG,-33%), and Expedia (-31)%.

 

3

 

 

On a sector basis, security selection in Consumer Discretionary along with an underweight position in Information Technology detracted from the Fund’s from results.

 

GREEN OWL’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

 

Given the current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the Fund’s employees continue to work remotely. Business operations and client service have not been disrupted. The Fund’s management team is in the business of risk management and typically, focus on and assess market-related risks very well. Over the past several months the Fund has been implementing various business continuity plans to ensure we protect the health and safety of our employees, while also continuing to be able to manage the portfolio and serve its clients. We have robust business continuity programs in place that we can call on as needed to manage the situation in the safest, most effective way possible.

 

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our ability to manage your investment in the Fund.

 

Your Kovitz Team

 

4

 

 

INVESTMENT RESULTS – (Unaudited)

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

(For the periods ended October 31, 2020)

 
   

One Year

Five Year

Since Inception
(December 22, 2011)
(a)

 
 

Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund

0.23%

8.13%

10.50%

 
 

S&P 500® Index**

9.71%

11.71%

13.65%

 

 

Total annual operating expenses, as disclosed in the Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund (the “Fund”) prospectus dated February 28, 2020, were 1.33% of average daily net assets (1.11% after fee waivers/expense reimbursements by Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”)). The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse other expenses of the Fund until February 28, 2022, so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not exceed 1.10%. This operating expense limitation does not apply to interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, dividend expense on short sales, expenses incurred under a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution, “acquired fund fees and expenses,” and expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement. Each waiver and/or reimbursement of an expense is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three years following the date the particular expense payment occurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and the expense limitation in place at the time of the repayment. This agreement may only be terminated by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. Additional information pertaining to the Fund’s expense ratios as of October 31, 2020 can be found in the financial highlights.

 

The performance quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (888) 695-3729.

 

(a)

The Fund commenced operations on December 22, 2011. However, the Fund did not invest in long-term securities towards the investment objective until December 27, 2011. December 27, 2011 is the performance calculation inception date.

 

*

Return figures reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions. The Fund’s returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable periods. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower.

 

**

The S&P 500® Index is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity securities and is representative of a broader domestic equity market and range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Index; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

 

The Fund’s investment objectives, strategies, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund and may be obtained by calling the same number as above. Please read it carefully before investing.

 

The Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

5

 

 

 

The Fund commenced operations on December 22, 2011. However, the Fund did not invest in long-term securities towards the investment objective until December 27, 2011. December 27, 2011 is the performance calculation inception date. The chart above assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on December 28, 2011 and held through October 31, 2020. The S&P 500® Index is a widely recognized unmanaged index of equity securities and is representative of a broader domestic equity market and range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Index; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index. THE FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original purchase price.

 

Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For more information on the Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end or to request a prospectus, please call (888) 695-3729. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 

The Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA.

 

6

 

 

FUND HOLDINGS – (Unaudited)

 

 

(a)

As a percentage of net assets.

 

The investment objective of the Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund is long-term capital appreciation.

 

Availability of Portfolio Schedule – (Unaudited)

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

7

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2020

 

COMMON STOCKS — 99.59%

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

Communications — 26.46%

               

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    373     $ 602,809  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(a)

    2,948       4,778,738  

Booking Holdings, Inc.(a)

    862       1,398,595  

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A(a)

    4,184       2,526,383  

Expedia Group, Inc.

    10,360       975,394  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(a)

    15,135       3,982,170  

GoDaddy, Inc., Class A(a)

    30,223       2,137,975  

ViacomCBS, Inc., Class B

    54,430       1,555,065  

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    21,425       2,597,781  
              20,554,910  

Consumer Discretionary — 15.94%

               

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    570       1,730,606  

CarMax, Inc.(a)

    16,578       1,433,002  

General Motors Co.

    74,055       2,557,119  

Gildan Activewear, Inc.

    98,170       2,038,991  

Hasbro, Inc.

    23,385       1,934,407  

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

    6,130       969,153  

Mohawk Industries, Inc.(a)

    8,102       836,045  

NVR, Inc.(a)

    222       877,586  
              12,376,909  

Consumer Staples — 3.76%

               

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    41,090       2,918,212  
                 

Financials — 20.12%

               

American Express Co.

    25,647       2,340,032  

Aon PLC, Class A

    12,860       2,366,369  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)

    17,210       3,474,699  

Blackstone Group L.P. (The), Class A(b)

    29,460       1,485,373  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    41,220       1,694,554  

Citigroup, Inc.

    19,605       812,039  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    13,020       1,276,481  

Northern Trust Corp.

    27,840       2,179,037  
              15,628,584  

Health Care — 4.74%

               

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

    10,490       2,424,553  

Covetrus, Inc.(a)

    51,037       1,260,104  
              3,684,657  

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

8

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
– continued

October 31, 2020

 

COMMON STOCKS — 99.59% – continued

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

Industrials — 11.92%

               

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

    25,688     $ 2,440,360  

Keysight Technologies, Inc.(a)

    8,050       844,204  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    3,576       1,252,065  

Quanta Services, Inc.

    69,445       4,335,451  

Robert Half International, Inc.

    7,665       388,539  
              9,260,619  

Real Estate — 3.08%

               

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(a)

    47,395       2,388,708  
                 

Technology — 13.57%

               

Apple, Inc.

    24,780       2,697,550  

Arista Networks, Inc.(a)

    5,930       1,238,777  

Autodesk, Inc.(a)

    7,210       1,698,243  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    12,925       2,042,926  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

    31,075       1,840,262  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    5,615       1,020,302  
              10,538,060  

Total Common Stocks (Cost $55,243,620)

            77,350,659  
                 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS — 0.24%

               

Federated Hermes Treasury Obligations Fund, Institutional Class, 0.01%(c)

    184,640       184,640  

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $184,640)

            184,640  

Total Investments — 99.83% (Cost $55,428,260)

            77,535,299  

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.17%

            129,481  

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

          $ 77,664,780  

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

(b)

Master Limited Partnership

 

(c)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of October 31, 2020.

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

9

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2020

 

Assets

       

Investments in securities at fair value (cost $55,428,260) (Note 3)

  $ 77,535,299  

Cash

    11,718  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    131,191  

Dividends receivable

    46,523  

Tax reclaims receivable

    14,975  

Prepaid expenses

    18,109  

Total Assets

    77,757,815  
         

Liabilities

       

Payable to Adviser (Note 4)

    51,120  

Payable to Administrator (Note 4)

    9,201  

Payable to trustees

    1,459  

Other accrued expenses

    31,255  

Total Liabilities

    93,035  

Net Assets

  $ 77,664,780  
         

Net Assets consist of:

       

Paid-in capital

    53,105,558  

Accumulated earnings

    24,559,222  

Net Assets

  $ 77,664,780  
         

Shares outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

    4,328,383  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Note 2)

  $ 17.94  

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

10

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the year ended October 31, 2020

 

Investment Income

       

Dividend income (net of foreign taxes withheld of $3,231)

  $ 981,694  

Total investment income

    981,694  
         

Expenses

       

Investment Adviser fees (Note 4)

    782,543  

Administration fees (Note 4)

    62,072  

Fund accounting fees (Note 4)

    31,179  

Registration expenses

    29,988  

Legal fees

    24,357  

Transfer agent fees (Note 4)

    22,633  

Audit and tax preparation fees

    17,500  

Printing and postage expenses

    14,269  

Custodian fees

    14,205  

Trustee fees

    6,551  

Insurance expenses

    6,492  

Line of credit (Note 5)

    3,523  

Compliance service fees (Note 4)

    3,000  

Pricing

    267  

Interest expense

    194  

Miscellaneous expenses

    29,641  

Total expenses

    1,048,414  

Fees contractually waived by Adviser

    (184,529 )

Net operating expenses

    863,885  

Net investment income

    117,809  
         

Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

       

Net realized gain on:

       

Investment securities transactions

    2,374,519  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investment securities transactions

    (1,745,560 )

Written options

    (4,597 )

Foreign currency translations

    636  

Net realized and change in unrealized gain on investments

    624,998  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 742,807  

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

11

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2019

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:

               

Operations

               

Net investment income

  $ 117,809     $ 833,911  

Net realized gain on investment securities transactions and foreign currency translations

    2,374,519       3,445,186  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)of investment securities transactions, written options and foreign currency translations

    (1,749,521 )     3,712,451  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    742,807       7,991,548  
                 

Distributions to Shareholders from Earnings (Note 2)

    (4,242,749 )     (7,548,220 )
                 

Capital Transactions

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    13,118,828       13,521,730  

Reinvestment of distributions

    4,026,812       7,250,182  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (19,946,651 )     (15,666,914 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (2,801,011 )     5,104,998  

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

    (6,300,953 )     5,548,326  
                 

Net Assets

               

Beginning of year

    83,965,733       78,417,407  

End of year

  $ 77,664,780     $ 83,965,733  
                 

Share Transactions

               

Shares sold

    845,509       772,039  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    216,031       448,650  

Shares redeemed

    (1,198,050 )     (885,378 )

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (136,510 )     335,311  

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

12

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(For a share outstanding during each year)

 

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2020

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2019

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2018

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2017

   

For the
Year Ended
October 31,
2016

 

Selected Per Share Data

                                       

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 18.81     $ 18.99     $ 19.09     $ 15.08     $ 14.84  

Investment operations:

                                       

Net investment income

    0.03       0.19       0.05       0.04       0.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.05       1.47       0.24       4.03       0.47  

Total from investment operations

    0.08       1.66       0.29       4.07       0.53  
                                         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.17 )     (0.05 )     (0.04 )     (0.06 )     (0.06 )

Net realized gains

    (0.78 )     (1.79 )     (0.35 )           (0.23 )

Total distributions

    (0.95 )     (1.84 )     (0.39 )     (0.06 )     (0.29 )

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 17.94     $ 18.81     $ 18.99     $ 19.09     $ 15.08  
                                         

Total Return(a)

    0.23 %     10.34 %     1.50 %     27.02 %     3.65 %

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

                                       

Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)

  $ 77,665     $ 83,966     $ 78,417     $ 82,068     $ 61,267  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after expense waiver

    1.10 %     1.10 %     1.10 %     1.10 %     1.10 %

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before expense waiver

    1.34 %     1.32 %     1.32 %     1.32 %     1.40 %

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets after expense waiver

    0.15 %     1.04 %     0.26 %     0.22 %     0.41 %

Portfolio turnover rate

    46 %     29 %     33 %     17 %     21 %

 

(a)

Total return represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

13

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION

 

The Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund (the “Fund”) is an open-end diversified series of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is a management investment company established under the laws of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 2008 (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. The Fund is one of a series of funds authorized by the Board. The Fund commenced operations on December 22, 2011. The Fund’s investment adviser is Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”). The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation.

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Foreign Currency Translation – The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange each business day to determine the value of investments, and other assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of foreign securities, and income and expenses, are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective date of these transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuation arising from changes in market prices of securities held. These fluctuations are included with the unrealized gain or loss from investments. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s 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 fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

 

Federal Income Taxes – The Fund makes no provision for federal income or excise tax. The Fund has qualified and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income. The Fund also intends to distribute sufficient net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

 

As of and during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund did not have any liabilities for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense on the Statement of Operations when incurred. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties. Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that

 

14

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
– (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

 

remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last three tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

 

Expenses – Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not relate to a specific fund of the Trust are allocated to the individual funds based on each fund’s relative net assets or another appropriate basis (as determined by the Board).

 

Security Transactions and Related Income – The Fund follows industry practice and records security transactions on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The specific identification method is used for determining gains or losses for financial statement and income tax purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted or amortized using the effective interest method, if applicable. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, if any, have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

 

Dividends and Distributions – The Fund intends to distribute its net investment income and net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the period from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified among the components of net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations or net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Fund.

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund made the following reclassifications to increase (decrease) the components of net assets:

 

 

Paid-In
Capital

   

Accumulated
earnings (deficit)

 
    $(10)       $10  

 

Derivative Transactions – The following tables identify the location and fair value of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2020 and the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020:

 

Derivatives

 

Location of Gain
(Loss) on Derivatives
on Statement of
Operations

   

Realized
Gain
(Loss) on
Derivatives

   

Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
on Derivatives

 

Equity Price Risk:

                       

Written Call Options

    Net realized gain and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on written options     $     $ (4,597 )

 

15

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
– (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – continued

 

The following summarizes the average ending monthly fair value of derivatives outstanding during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020:

 

   

Average
Ending
Monthly
Fair Value

 

Written options

  $ 60,915 (a) 

 

(a)

Average based on the two months during the period that had activity.

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Fund values its portfolio securities at fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day the NYSE is open for business. Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.

 

Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk (the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique). Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained and available from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments and/or registered investment companies where the value per share is determined and published and is the basis for current transactions for identical assets or liabilities at the valuation date

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for an identical security in an inactive market, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments based on the best information available)

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy which is reported is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

16

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
– (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS – continued

 

Equity securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued at the last quoted sale price on the security’s primary exchange. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange-traded security is generally valued at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When using the market quotations and when the market is considered active, the security is classified as a Level 1 security. In the event that market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable due to market or other events, the Fund values its securities and other assets at fair value in accordance with policies established by and under the general supervision of the Board. Under these policies, the securities will be classified as Level 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used.

 

Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds, are generally priced at the ending NAV. These securities are categorized as Level 1 securities.

 

Call and put options purchased or sold by the Fund are valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices as provided by a pricing service. If there is no such reported ask price on the valuation date, options are valued at the most recent bid price. If there is no such reported bid price on the valuation date, options are valued at the most recent ask price. Options will generally be categorized as Level 2 securities.

 

In accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies, the Adviser is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable as described above. No single method exists for determining fair value, because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of a security being valued by the Adviser would be the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale. Methods that are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market prices of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security or a basket of securities traded on other markets, exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods. Fair-value pricing is permitted if, in the Adviser’s opinion, the validity of market quotations appears to be questionable based on factors such as evidence of a thin market in the security based on a small number of quotations, a significant event occurs after the close of a market but before the Fund’s NAV calculation that may affect a security’s value, or the Adviser is aware of any other data that calls into question the reliability of market quotations.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of October 31, 2020:

 

   

Valuation Inputs

 

Assets

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks(a)

  $ 77,350,659     $     $     $ 77,350,659  

Money Market Funds

    184,640                   184,640  

Total

  $ 77,535,299     $     $     $ 77,535,299  

 

(a)

Refer to Schedule of Investments for sector classifications.

 

The Fund did not hold any investments at the end of the reporting period for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value; therefore, no reconciliation of Level 3 securities is included for this reporting period.

 

17

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
– (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 4. ADVISER FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS

 

Under the terms of the management agreement, on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser manages the Fund’s investments subject to approval by the Board. As compensation for its management services, the Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Adviser earned a fee of $782,543 from the Fund before the reimbursement described below. At October 31, 2020, the Fund owed the Adviser $51,120.

 

The Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse other expenses of the Fund until February 28, 2022, so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not exceed 1.10%. This operating expense limitation does not apply to interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, dividend expense on short sales, expenses incurred under a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution, “acquired fund fees and expenses,” and expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement.

 

Each waiver and/or reimbursement of an expense is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three years following the date the particular expense payment occurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and the expense limitation in place at the time of the repayment. This agreement may only be terminated by mutual consent of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Adviser waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses of $184,529.

 

The amounts subject to repayment by the Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions are as follows:

 

Recoverable through

       

October 31, 2021

  $ 179,666  

October 31, 2022

    175,543  

October 31, 2023

    184,529  

 

The Trust retains Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“the Administrator”) to provide the Fund with administration, compliance (including a chief compliance officer), fund accounting and transfer agent services, including all regulatory reporting. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Administrator earned fees of $62,072, $3,000, $31,179 and $22,633 for administrative, compliance, accounting and transfer agent services, respectively. At October 31, 2020, the Administrator was owed $9,201 from the Fund for these services.

 

The officers and one trustee of the Trust are members of management and/or employees of the Administrator and are not paid by the Trust for services to the Fund. Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as the distributor of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Administrator.

 

There were no payments made by the Fund to the Distributor during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.

 

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund paid $11,853 to Kovitz Securities, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser, for the execution of purchases and sales of the Fund’s portfolio investments.

 

18

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
– (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 5. LINE OF CREDIT

 

The Fund participated in a short-term credit agreement (“Line of Credit”) with Huntington National Bank (“HNB”) that was terminated on January 6, 2020. Under the terms of the agreement, the Fund was able to borrow the lesser of $1,000,000 or 5% of the Fund’s daily market value at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 150 basis points. The purpose of the agreement was to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. HNB received an annual facility fee of 0.125% on $1 million, subject to a minimum fee of $1,250, as well as an additional annual fee of 0.125% on any unused portion of the credit facility, invoiced quarterly, for providing the Line of Credit. As of and during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund had no outstanding borrowings under this Line of Credit.

 

NOTE 6. PURCHASES AND SALES

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments, were $35,146,908 and $36,842,363, respectively.

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. government obligations during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.

 

NOTE 7. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

 

At October 31, 2020, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and tax cost of investments for tax purposes was as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 23,370,224  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (1,233,261 )

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

  $ 22,136,963  
         

Tax cost of investments

  $ 55,398,852  

 

At October 31, 2020, the difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on organizational expense amortization and partnership basis adjustments.

 

On December 14, 2020, the Fund paid an income distribution of $0.003489 per share and a long-term capital gain distribution of $0.590662 per share to shareholders of record on December 11, 2020.

 

The tax character of distributions paid for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

   

2020

   

2019

 

Distributions paid from:

               

Ordinary income(a)

  $ 743,955     $ 727,840  

Long-term capital gains

    3,498,794       6,820,380  

Total distributions paid

  $ 4,242,749     $ 7,548,220  

 

(a)

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income distributions.

 

19

 

 

GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
– (continued)

October 31, 2020

 

NOTE 7. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION – continued

 

At October 31, 2020, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed Ordinary Income

  $ 14,230  

Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains

    2,409,553  

Accumulated Capital and Other Losses

    (1,524 )

Unrealized Appreciation on Investments

    22,136,963  

Total Accumulated Earnings

  $ 24,559,222  

 

NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Trust indemnifies its officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from their performance of their duties to the Trust or the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

NOTE 9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Management of the Fund has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date at which these financial statements were issued. Based upon this evaluation, management has determined there were no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

 

NOTE 10. LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (UNAUDITED)

 

Valued Advisers Trust has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the Investment Company Act. The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, the Fund’s investment strategy and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; its short and long-term cash flow projections; and its cash holdings and access to other funding sources. The Board of Trustees approved the appointment of a Liquidity Administrator Committee, which includes representatives from Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, the Fund’s Administrator. The Liquidity Administrator Committee is responsible for the program’s administration and oversight and for reporting to the Board on at least an annual basis regarding the program’s operation and effectiveness. The Liquidity Administrator Committee updated its assessment of the Fund’s liquidity risk profile, considering additional data gathered in the 12 months ended May 31, 2020 and the adequacy and effectiveness of the liquidity risk management program’s operations since its inception on June 1, 2019 (the “Review Period”) in order to prepare a written report for the Board of Trustees (the “Report”) for consideration at its meeting held on September 9, 2020. The Report noted that during the Review Period the Fund did not experience unusual stress or disruption to its operations related to purchase and redemption activity. It further noted that during the Review Period the Fund held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. The Report concluded that (i) the Trust’s liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Trust’s liquidity risk management program had been effectively implemented during the Review Period.

 

20

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders of Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund and
Board of Trustees of Valued Advisers Trust

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Valued Advisers Trust, as of October 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s 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 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.

 

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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the Fund’s auditor since 2012.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
December 23, 2020

 

21

 

 

SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES – (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020.

 

Actual Expenses

 

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

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the 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 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.

 

Expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the table below is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Green Owl
Intrinsic Value Fund

Beginning
Account Value
May 1, 2020

Ending
Account Value
October 31, 2020

Expenses Paid
During Period
(a)

Annualized
Expense Ratio

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,197.60

$ 6.10

1.10%

Hypothetical(b)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,019.59

$ 5.61

1.10%

 

(a)

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

(b)

Hypothetical assumes 5% annual return before expenses.

 

22

 

 

ADDITIONAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION – (Unaudited)

 

The Form 1099-DIV you receive in January 2021 will show the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2020. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals and the dividends received deduction for corporations.

 

Qualified Dividend Income. The Fund designates approximately 100% or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for a reduced tax rate.

 

Qualified Business Income. The Fund designates approximately 0% of its ordinary income dividends, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified business income.

 

Dividends Received Deduction. Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s calendar year 2020 ordinary income dividends, 100% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund designated $3,498,794 as long-term capital gain distributions.

 

23

 

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS – (Unaudited)

 

The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Trust. Each Trustee serves as a trustee until termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, retires or is removed.

 

The following table provides information regarding each of the Independent Trustees.

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years and Other Directorships

Other Directorships

Ira P. Cohen, 61
Independent Trustee Since June 2010

Current: Independent financial services consultant (since February 2005); Executive Vice President of Asset Management Services, Recognos Financial (since August 2015).

Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman, Griffin Institutional Access Credit Fund (since January 2017); Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman, Griffin Institutional Real Estate Access Fund (since May 2014); Trustee, Angel Oak Funds Trust (since October 2014) (4 portfolios); Trustee, Chairman, and Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman, Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund (since December 2017), Trustee and Chairman, Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (since May 2019).

Andrea N. Mullins, 53
Independent Trustee Since December 2013 Chairperson since March 2017

Current: Private investor; Independent Contractor, SWM Advisors (since April 2014).

Trustee, Angel Oak Funds Trust (since February 2019) (4 portfolios); Trustee, Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund (since February 2019), Trustee, Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (since May 2019).

 

* The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

** As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

 

The following table provides information regarding the Trustee who is considered an “interested person” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. Based on the experience of the Trustee, the Trust concluded that the individual described below should serve as a Trustee.

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Mark J. Seger***, 58
Trustee Since March 2017

Current: Vice Chairman and Co-Founder, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC and its subsidiaries (since 1999).

None.

 

* The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

** As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

*** Mr. Seger is considered an “interested person” of the Trust because of his relationship with the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and distributor.

 

24

 

 

The following table provides information regarding the Officers of the Trust:

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Adam T. Kornegay, 35
Principal Executive Officer and President Since April 2018

Current: Vice President, Business Development Director, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since June 2018).

Previous: Assistant Vice President, Business Development Director, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (March 2015 to June 2018).

None.

Kevin J. Patton, 50
Chief Compliance Officer Since March 2020

Current: AVP, Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since January 2020).

Previous: Partner and Chief Compliance Officer, Renaissance Investment Management (August 2005 to January 2020).

None.

Carol J. Highsmith, 56
Vice President Since August 2008 Secretary Since March 2014

Current: Vice President, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

Previous: Employed in various positions with Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (November 1994 to December 2015), most recently Vice President of Legal Administration (2005 to December 2015).

None.

Matthew J. Miller, 44
Vice President Since December 2011

Current: Assistant Vice President, Relationship Management, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

Previous: Employed in various positions with Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (July 1998 to December 2015), most recently Vice President of Relationship Management (2005 to December 2015).

None.

 

25

 

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Gregory T. Knoth, 50
Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer Since April 2019

Current: Vice President, Mutual Fund Controller, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

Previous: Vice President and Manager of Fund Accounting, Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (June 2013 to December 2015)

None.

Stephen L. Preston, 54
AML Officer since June 2017

Current: Chief Compliance Officer of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (since June 2011).

Previous: Chief Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (June 2011 to August 2019); Chief Compliance Officer, Unified Financial Securities, LLC (April 2018 to December 2019)

None.

 

26

 

 

FACTS

WHAT DOES GREEN OWL INTRINSIC VALUE FUND (THE “Fund”) DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

   

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

   

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

■ Social Security number

■ account balances and account transactions

■ transaction or loss history and purchase history

■ checking account information and wire transfer instructions

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

   

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

   

Reasons we can share your personal information

Does the Fund share?

For our everyday business purposes—
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes

For our marketing purposes—
to offer our products and services to you

No

For joint marketing with other financial companies

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—
information about your transactions and experiences

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—
information about your creditworthiness

No

For nonaffiliates to market to you

No

   

Questions?

Call (888) 695-3729

 

27

 

 

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund

 

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (Distributor)

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Administrator)

What we do

How does the Fund
protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does the Fund
collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

■ open an account or deposit money

■ buy securities from us or sell securities to us

■ make deposits or withdrawals from your account or provide account information

■ give us your account information

■ make a wire transfer

■ tell us who receives the money

■ tell us where to send the money

■ show your government-issued ID

■ show your driver’s license

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

■ sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness

■ affiliates from using your information to market to you

■ sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC, the investment adviser to the Fund, could be deemed to be an affiliate.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

The Fund does not share your personal information with nonaffiliates so they can market to you

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

The Fund doesn’t jointly market.

 

28

 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the trustees and is available without charge, upon request. You may call toll-free at (888) 695-3729 to request a copy of the SAI or to make shareholder inquiries.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted those proxies during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30, are available (1) without charge upon request by calling the Fund at (888) 695-3729 and (2) in Fund documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

TRUSTEES

Andrea N. Mullins, Chairperson

Ira P. Cohen

Mark J. Seger

 

OFFICERS

Adam T. Kornegay, Principal Executive Officer and President

Gregory T. Knoth, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

Kevin J. Patton, Chief Compliance Officer

Carol J. Highsmith, Vice President and Secretary

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC

115 South LaSalle Street, 27th Floor

Chicago, IL 60603

 

DISTRIBUTOR

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Cohen & Company, Ltd.

1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800

Cleveland, OH 44115

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP

3000 Two Logan Square 18th and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

CUSTODIAN

Huntington National Bank

41 South High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

 

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND FUND ACCOUNTANT

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

This report is intended only for the information of shareholders or those who have received the Fund’s prospectus which contains information about the Fund’s management fee and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC
Member FINRA/SIPC

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOUND MIND INVESTING FUND (SMIFX)

 

 

 

SMI DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND (SMIDX)

 

 

 

SMI 50/40/10 FUND (SMILX)

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2020

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Funds or from your financial intermediary such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds electronically by contacting the Funds at (877) 764-3863 or, if you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary.

 

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Funds that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting the Funds at (877) 764-3863. If you own shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this document to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the fund complex or at your financial intermediary.

 

Funds’ Adviser:
SMI Advisory Services, LLC
4400 Ray Boll Blvd.
Columbus, IN 47203

 

(877) 764-3863
(877) SMI-FUND
www.smifund.com

 

 

 

Dear Fellow Shareholder,

 

It’s no exaggeration to suggest the past year was unlike anything today’s investors have ever seen before. The COVID-19 pandemic had a brutal impact that extended well beyond the economy and financial markets. But the virus — and the monetary/fiscal response to the economic shutdowns it caused — drove the market action as well.

 

While past bear markets have been deeper than 2020’s, none has ever unfolded with the speed of this decline. From the all-time high established on February 19, 2020, the S&P 500® Index (“S&P 500”) fell -20% in just 16 trading sessions. That’s warp speed in terms of reaching the traditional -20% bear market threshold: historically bear markets have averaged eight months to cover that amount of ground. Just seven days later, on March 23, 2020, the market would hit its low point, down -35% intraday.

 

And then, just as quickly, the market reversed course and blasted higher. By April 9, 2020, the S&P 500 had recovered half of its losses and by mid-August was back to an all-time high.

 

Governments and Central Banks around the world threw everything but the kitchen sink at the crisis, acting with incredible speed and scale. The Fed’s massive interventions helped turn a rapidly deteriorating crisis into a strong rebound for both credit and equity markets.

 

Performance Review

 

SMI’s Stock Upgrading strategy (the sole strategy used in SMIFX and 40% of SMILX) gained +3.92% from November 1st, 2019 through October 31st, 2020. This beat SMIFX’s Morningstar Fund Category (Allocation – 85%+ Equity) average, which came in at just +2.47%. But it was considerably less than SMIFX’s benchmark, the Wilshire 5000® Total Market Index (“Wilshire 5000”) (+10.18%), which reflects the difficulty active funds had navigating the unprecedented speed of the 2020 bear market and subsequent recovery.

 

The reason for Stock Upgrading’s underperformance relative to the benchmark is clear. The Upgrading strategy is designed with the flexibility to move at least partially into cash during extreme market conditions. These defensive protocols triggered during the 2020 bear market. But given how quickly the bear market ended and then recovered, this shift of a portion of the portfolio’s assets to cash was counterproductive.

 

SMIFX performed extremely well after returning to its fully-invested posture. From May 1st, 2020 to October 31st, 2020 SMIFX gained +16.74%, considerably better than the Wilshire 5000’s gain of +14.93% or the Morningstar Category average of +13.03%. (The Fund ranked in the top 7% of its category over those final six months of the period, and the top 1% of its category over the final three months, while placing

 

1

 

 

in the middle of the pack (55%) for the 12 months overall.) However, being less than 100% invested in stocks during the early weeks of the market recovery left a performance gap too large for the Fund’s late performance surge to overcome.

 

SMI’s Dynamic Asset Allocation (“DAA”) strategy (the sole strategy used in SMIDX and 50% of SMILX) ended the 12-month period with a return similar to Stock Upgrading’s, gaining +3.55%, but arrived there in the exact opposite fashion.

 

When the stock market is rising rapidly, the DAA strategy will normally lag because it is limited to a maximum one-third allocation to U.S. Stocks. This was the case in the November-January pre-bear market period, as well as the April-August recovery period. However, during the actual bear market, DAA played the situation extraordinarily well. It shifted out of Foreign Stocks and Real Estate at the end of January in favor of Long-Term Bonds and Gold, then sold its U.S. stock exposure at the end of February, moving into cash. DAA was almost perfectly positioned, having just one-third of its portfolio exposed to the stock market decline for roughly one week of the bear market!

 

Of course, this bear market turned with unprecedented speed and this defensive positioning was soon punished rather than rewarded. While SMIDX lagged its blended benchmark (60% Wilshire 5000 / 40% Bloomberg Barclay’s U.S. Aggregate Bond Index) during the rebound, it has performed well in 2020, trailing the blended benchmark only slightly through the first ten months of 2020. Relative to its Morningstar Tactical Allocation peer group, SMIDX ranks in the 33rd percentile over the 12-month period (outperforming its average peer +3.55% vs. +1.54%) and in the 18th percentile for the ten months ended October 31, 2020 (+4.27% vs. -1.74%). As these category returns illustrate, the past year has been a tough environment for most active managers.

 

SMI’s 50/40/10 portfolio (used in SMILX) consists of 50% DAA, 40% Stock Upgrading, and 10% in a strategy called Sector Rotation. From November 1st, 2019 through October 31st, 2020, the SMI 50/40/10 Fund returned +4.91%. This lagged the pure market benchmarks but compared favorably to its Morningstar peer group (Allocation 70%-85% Equity), where it outperformed by a +4.91% vs. +1.83% margin and finished in the 35th percentile for the 12-month period. Its year-to-date performance through October 31, 2020 has been even stronger, landing in the 17th percentile of its peer group with a return advantage of +2.81% vs. -2.67%.

 

Having already covered Stock Upgrading and DAA, which make up 90% of the Fund’s weighting, the final component to discuss is the 10% Sector Rotation allocation. This portion of the 50/40/10 Fund outperformed the other two strategies, gaining +4.6% for the 12-month period. Sector Rotation is the polar opposite of the DAA strategy, typically excelling during market rallies and lagging during declines.

 

Conclusion

 

Importantly, all of the SMI Funds utilize quantitative strategies supported by extensive testing and, with the exception of DAA, long performance histories. In 2020, the strategies executed as they were designed to, rapidly positioning our portfolios for a bear market as richly valued stocks ran headlong into a deep economic recession. The unprecedented speed and force of the market rebound caught virtually all active managers off guard.

 

2

 

 

While the house was successfully rescued before burning to the ground this time, we don’t feel it is inappropriate to have “fire insurance” built into our strategies. Opportunity costs of the type we experienced in 2020 can be disappointing, but they pale beside the actual financial losses suffered by investors in past bear markets.

 

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you!

 

Blessings,

 

 

Mark Biller
Senior Portfolio Manager
The Sound Mind Investing Funds

 

The SMI Fund lineup, shown below, now offers investors a way to mix and match professionally managed funds to custom tailor the risk level desired for their portfolio. If you’d like assistance customizing your portfolio in this manner, please call a Stewardship Advisor at (800) 796-4975.

 

 

3

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE RESULTS – (Unaudited)

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns(a)
(For the periods ended October 31, 2020)

 

Three
Months

Six Months

One Year

Five Year

Ten Year

Sound Mind Investing Fund

4.40%

16.74%

3.92%

6.28%

7.50%

Wilshire 5000® Total Market Index(b)

1.02%

14.93%

10.18%

11.59%

12.82%

S&P 500® Index(b)

0.37%

13.29%

9.71%

11.71%

13.01%

SMI Custom Index(c)

1.76%

14.47%

2.07%

8.12%

9.84%

 

Total annual operating expenses, as disclosed in the Sound Mind Investing Fund’s (“SMI Fund”) prospectus dated February 28, 2020, were 1.94% of average daily net assets, which includes acquired fund fees and expenses. All expenses are reflected in performance results. SMI Advisory Services, LLC (the “Adviser”) contractually has agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenses which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, extraordinary expenses, dividend expense on short sales, 12b-1 fees, and acquired fund fees and expenses) do not exceed 1.50% of the SMI Fund’s average daily net assets through February 28, 2021. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the SMI Fund within the three years following the date of such waiver or reimbursement, provided that the SMI Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the fee waiver or reimbursement and the expense limitation at the time of the repayment. This expense cap may not be terminated prior to this date except by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”).

 

Average Annual Total Returns(a)
(For the periods ended October 31, 2020)

 

Three
Months

Six Months

One Year

Five Year

Since Inception
(February 28, 2013)

SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund

-5.90%

3.92%

3.55%

3.59%

4.16%

Wilshire 5000® Total Market Index(b)

1.02%

14.93%

10.18%

11.59%

12.57%

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index(b)

-1.30%

1.27%

6.19%

4.08%

3.31%

Weighted Index(c)

0.18%

9.41%

9.30%

8.85%

9.04%

 

Total annual operating expenses, as disclosed in the SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund’s prospectus dated February 28, 2020, were 1.45% of average daily net assets, which includes acquired fund fees and expenses. All expenses are reflected in performance results. The Adviser contractually has agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenses which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, extraordinary expenses, dividend expense on short sales, 12b-1 fees, and acquired fund fees and expenses) do not exceed 1.45% of the SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund’s average daily net assets through February 28, 2021. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund within the three years following the date of such waiver or reimbursement, provided that the SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the fee waiver or reimbursement and the expense limitation at the time of the repayment. This expense cap may not be terminated prior to this date except by the Board.

 

4

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE RESULTS – (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns(a)
(For the periods ended October 31, 2020)

 

Three
Months

Six Months

One Year

Five Year

Since Inception
(April 29, 2015)

SMI 50/40/10 Fund

-1.20%

10.27%

4.91%

5.47%

3.37%

Wilshire 5000® Total Market Index(b)

1.02%

14.93%

10.18%

11.59%

10.26%

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index(b)

-1.30%

1.27%

6.19%

4.08%

3.67%

Weighted Index(c)

0.18%

9.41%

9.30%

8.85%

7.89%

 

Total annual operating expenses, as disclosed in the SMI 50/40/10 Fund’s prospectus dated February 28, 2020, were 1.71% of average daily net assets (1.76% before fee waivers/expense reimbursements by the Adviser), which includes acquired fund fees and expenses. All expenses are reflected in performance results. The Adviser contractually has agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenses which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, extraordinary expenses, dividend expense on short sales, 12b-1 fees, and acquired fund fees and expenses) do not exceed 1.15% of the SMI 50/40/10 Fund’s average daily net assets through February 28, 2021. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the SMI 50/40/10 Fund within the three years following the date of such waiver or reimbursement, provided that the SMI 50/40/10 Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the fee waiver or reimbursement and the expense limitation at the time of the repayment. This expense cap may not be terminated prior to this date except by the Board.

 

The performance quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance of the Sound Mind Investing Fund, SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund, and SMI 50/40/10 Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 764-3863.

 

 

(a)

Average annual total returns reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions. The Funds’ returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable periods. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(b)

The Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (“S&P 500”), Wilshire 5000® Total Market Index (“Wilshire 5000”), Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, Russell 1000® Value Index, Russell 1000® Growth Index, Russell 2000® Value Index, Russell 2000® Growth Index and MSCI EAFE Index (collectively, the “Indices”) are unmanaged indices that assume reinvestment of all distributions and exclude the effect of taxes and fees. These Indices are widely recognized unmanaged indices and are representative of a broader market and range of securities than is found in each Fund’s portfolio. The returns of the Indices are not reduced by any fees or operating expenses. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Indices; however, an individual can invest in exchange-traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

(c)

The SMI Custom Index for the Sound Mind Investing Fund is comprised of 20% Russell 1000® Value Index, 20% Russell 1000® Growth Index, 20% Russell 2000® Value Index, 20% Russell 2000® Growth Index and 20% MSCI EAFE Index and the Weighted Index for the SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund and the SMI 50/40/10 Fund is comprised of 60% Wilshire 5000 and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

 

The Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Funds and may be obtained by calling the same number as above. Please read it carefully before investing.

 

5

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE RESULTS – (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

 

The chart above assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on October 31, 2010 and held through October 31, 2020. THE FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original purchase price.

 

Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For more information on the Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end or to request a prospectus, please call (877) 764-3863. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 

The SMI Custom Index for the Sound Mind Investing Fund is comprised of 20% Russell 1000® Value Index, 20% Russell 1000® Growth Index, 20% Russell 2000® Value Index, 20% Russell 2000® Growth Index and 20% MSCI EAFE Index.

 

The Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

6

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE RESULTS – (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

 

The chart above assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on February 28, 2013 (commencement of Fund operations) and held through October 31, 2020. THE FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original purchase price.

 

Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For more information on the Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end or to request a prospectus, please call (877) 764-3863. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 

The Weighted Index is comprised of 60% Wilshire 5000® Total Market Index and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

 

The Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

7

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE RESULTS – (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

 

The chart above assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on April 29, 2015 (commencement of Fund operations) and held through October 31, 2020. THE FUND’S RETURN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Investment returns and principal values will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original purchase price. The information presented above, for the periods prior to April 28, 2018 is historical information for the Former SMI 50/40/10 Fund.

 

Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For more information on the Fund, and to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end or to request a prospectus, please call (877) 764-3863. You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

 

The Weighted Index is comprised of 60% Wilshire 5000® Total Market Index and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

 

The Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

 

8

 

 

 

FUND HOLDINGS – (Unaudited)

 

 

 

(a)

As a percentage of net assets.

 

Sound Mind Investing Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of other investment companies using a “Stock Upgrading” strategy. The Stock Upgrading investment strategy is a systematic investment approach that is based on the belief of the Adviser that superior returns can be obtained by constantly monitoring the performance of a wide universe of other investment companies, and standing ready to move assets into the funds deemed by the Adviser to be most attractive at the time of analysis.

 

9

 

 

 

FUND HOLDINGS – (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

 

(a)

As a percentage of net assets.

 

SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund seeks total return. Total return is composed of both income and capital appreciation. The Fund uses a “Dynamic Asset Allocation” investment strategy to achieve its investment objective. This is done by investing in open-end mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest in securities from the following six asset classes – U.S. Equities, International Equities, Fixed Income Securities, Real Estate, Precious Metals, and Cash.

 

10

 

 

 

FUND HOLDINGS – (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

 

(a)

As a percentage of net assets.

 

SMI 50/40/10 Fund seeks total return. Total return is composed of both income and capital appreciation. The Adviser allocates the Fund’s assets on a 50/40/10 basis among various investment strategies as follows:

 

 

50% - Dynamic Asset Allocation Strategy (“DAA”)

 

 

40% - Stock Upgrading Strategy

 

 

10% - Sector Rotation Strategy

 

The “Sector Rotation Strategy” involves the Adviser selecting from a universe of mutual funds and ETFs it has compiled using proprietary methods (“Underlying Funds”). This universe is specifically designed by the Adviser to balance exposure to a wide variety of market sectors and industries. This universe includes leveraged, non-leveraged and inverse Underlying Funds. The Adviser ranks these Underlying Funds based on their recent performance across multiple short-term performance periods, then uses an upgrading approach to invest in the top performing market sector or sectors. Once a particular sector or sectors is identified, the Adviser purchases one or more Underlying Funds to gain the desired exposure to that particular sector. This portion of the Fund may be concentrated, meaning that the Fund may be invested in as few as one or two sectors at a time and potentially as few as one Underlying Fund.

 

Availability of Portfolio Schedules – (Unaudited)

 

Each Fund files their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

11

 

 

 

SOUND MIND INVESTING FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2020

 

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS – 18.05%

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1

    19,800     $ 5,333,724  

Invesco S&P 500® Top 50 ETF

    37,720       9,529,204  

Renaissance IPO ETF

    36,760       1,862,997  

Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF

    32,880       5,791,483  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $21,129,231)

            22,517,408  

 

MUTUAL FUNDS – 81.78%

               

Akre Focus Fund, Institutional Class

    101       4,935  

Allianz NFJ Dividend Value Fund, Institutional Class

    200       1,986  

Allianz NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund, Institutional Class

    162       2,207  

American Century Equity Income Fund, Investor Class

    100       813  

American Century International Opportunities Fund, Institutional Class

    360       4,274  

AMG Yacktman Focused Fund, Institutional Class

    100       1,745  

AMG Yacktman Fund, Institutional Class

    100       1,942  

Artisan International Small Cap Fund, Investor Class

    100       1,685  

Artisan International Value Fund, Investor Class

    150       4,818  

Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund, Investor Class

    279       4,530  

Artisan Small Cap Fund, Investor Class

    125       5,454  

Baron Focused Growth Fund, Institutional Class

    300,715       9,683,030  

BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio, Institutional Class

    100       2,857  

BNY Mellon Opportunistic Small Cap Fund, Investor Class

    100       2,630  

Bridgeway Small-Cap Growth Fund, Class N

    205       4,632  

Bridgeway Ultra-Small Company Market Fund, Class N

    100       1,060  

Buffalo Small Cap Fund, Inc.

    150       2,639  

Centre American Select Equity Fund, Institutional Class

    317,220       3,793,951  

Champlain Small Company Fund, Institutional Class

    100       1,988  

Chartwell Small Cap Value Fund

    118       1,745  

Columbia Acorn Fund, Class Z

    137       2,125  

Columbia Acorn International, Class Z

    100       3,185  

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund, Class Z

    91       2,551  

Columbia Small Cap Growth Fund I, Class Z

    100       2,747  

Davis Opportunity Fund, Class Y

    100       3,445  

Delaware Select Growth Fund, Institutional Class

    100       3,640  

Delaware Small Cap Value Fund, Institutional Class

    100       5,043  

Delaware Value Fund, Institutional Class

    144       2,685  

Deutsche Small Cap Core Fund, Institutional Class

    52       1,450  

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio, Institutional Class

    100       1,565  

DFA International Small Company Portfolio, Institutional Class

    100       1,684  

DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio, Institutional Class

    100       2,734  

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

12

 

 

 

SOUND MIND INVESTING FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

MUTUAL FUNDS – 81.78% – continued

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

Fairholme Fund

    100     $ 2,175  

Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund, Institutional Class

    94,076       12,640,040  

Fidelity Mid-Cap Stock Fund

    150       4,866  

Fidelity Small Cap Discovery Fund

    100       2,008  

Fidelity Small Cap Stock Fund

    150       2,541  

Fidelity Small Cap Value Fund

    150       1,971  

Franklin Small Cap Value Fund, Advisor Class

    100       4,462  

Hartford International Opportunities Fund (The), Class Y

    248       4,344  

Heartland Value Fund

    100       3,500  

Hennessy Cornerstone Mid Cap 30 Fund, Institutional Class

    201,230       2,778,979  

Hennessy Focus Fund, Investor Class

    50       3,584  

Invesco American Value Fund, Class Y

    141       4,134  

Invesco Oppenheimer International Small-Mid Company Fund, Class Y

    100       5,129  

Janus Henderson Contrarian Fund, Class T

    282,089       6,496,520  

Janus Henderson Mid Cap Value Fund, Class T

    200       2,740  

Janus Henderson Overseas Fund, Class T

    100       3,246  

Janus Henderson Venture Fund, Class T

    100       8,527  

JOHCM International Select Fund, Institutional Class

    100       2,680  

JPMorgan Mid Cap Value Fund, Institutional Class

    100       3,374  

JPMorgan Small Cap Equity Fund, Select Class

    100       5,817  

JPMorgan Small Cap Growth Fund, Class L

    100       2,550  

JPMorgan U.S. Large Cap Core Plus Fund, Institutional Class

    251,794       6,788,370  

JPMorgan U.S. Large Cap Core Plus Fund, Class A

    95,639       2,528,692  

JPMorgan U.S. Research Enhanced Equity Fund, Institutional Class

    100       2,832  

Longleaf Partners Fund

    150       2,741  

Longleaf Partners International Fund

    150       2,067  

Longleaf Partners Small-Cap Fund

    100       2,135  

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc., Institutional Class

    100       3,397  

MainStay Mackay U.S. Equity Opportunities Fund, Institutional Class

    100       770  

Miller Opportunity Trust, Institutional Class

    194,333       6,228,386  

Morgan Stanley International Opportunity Portfolio, Institutional Class

    272,835       9,666,557  

Morgan Stanley Discovery Portfolio, Institutional Class

    241,856       9,115,543  

Morgan Stanley Growth Portfolio, Institutional Class

    100       8,236  

Morgan Stanley Multi-Cap Growth Trust, Institutional Class

    128,536       10,604,230  

Needham Small Cap Growth Fund, Institutional Class

    157,940       3,591,557  

Neuberger Berman Genesis Fund, Institutional Class

    100       6,208  

Nicholas Fund, Inc.

    50       3,539  

Oakmark International Fund, Investor Class

    150       2,903  

Oakmark International Small Cap Fund, Institutional Class

    150       2,024  

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

13

 

 

 

SOUND MIND INVESTING FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

MUTUAL FUNDS – 81.78% – continued

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

Oakmark Select Fund, Institutional Class

    150     $ 5,799  

Polen Growth Fund, Institutional Class

    100       4,139  

PRIMECAP Odyssey Aggressive Growth Fund

    100       4,807  

Principal SmallCap Growth Fund I, Institutional Class

    200       3,112  

Prudential Jennison International Opportunities, Class Z

    246,106       7,028,795  

Royce Micro-Cap Fund, Investment Class

    106       1,085  

Royce Opportunity Fund, Investment Class

    100       1,176  

Royce Premier Fund, Investment Class

    300       3,507  

Royce Special Equity Fund, Institutional Class

    150       2,487  

T. Rowe Price International Discovery Fund, Investor Class

    75       5,972  

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Investor Class

    50       5,046  

T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund, Investor Class

    100       8,068  

T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund, Investor Class

    100       4,368  

Thornburg Value Fund, Institutional Class

    100       7,855  

TIAA-CREF International Equity Fund, Institutional Class

    100       1,091  

Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund, Class Y

    100       1,865  

Tweedy Browne Global Value Fund

    150       3,497  

Vanguard International Growth Fund, Admiral Shares

    66,446       8,883,168  

Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund, Investor Class

    100       3,054  

Victory RS Small Cap Growth Fund, Class Y

    100       9,215  

Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund, Investor Class

    1,000       3,090  

Wasatch International Growth Fund, Investor Class

    150       5,123  

Wasatch Micro Cap Fund, Investor Class

    201,832       1,945,663  

Total Mutual Funds (Cost $85,607,720)

            102,047,131  

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS – 0.34%

               

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.02%(a)

    423,589       423,589  

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $423,589)

            423,589  

Total Investments — 100.17% (Cost $107,160,540)

          $ 124,988,128  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.17)%

            (212,779 )

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

          $ 124,775,349  

 

 

(a)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of October 31, 2020.

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

14

 

 

 

SMI DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2020

 

 

CLOSED-END FUNDS – 3.11%

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

Sprott Physical Gold Trust

    234,840     $ 3,524,948  

Total Closed End Funds (Cost $3,287,145)

            3,524,948  

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 96.72%

               

Invesco DB Gold Fund(a)

    588,590       32,320,183  

SPDR S&P 500® ETF(a)

    114,210       37,294,134  

VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF

    45,600       1,709,544  

VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF

    8,300       441,643  

Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF(a)

    344,360       37,703,976  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $101,861,858)

            109,469,480  

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS – 0.24%

               

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.02%(b)

    275,716       275,716  

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $275,716)

            275,716  

Total Investments — 100.07% (Cost $105,424,719)

          $ 113,270,144  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.07)%

            (75,412 )

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

          $ 113,194,732  

 

 

(a)

Represents an investment greater than 25% of the Fund’s net assets. Performance of the Fund may be adversely impacted by concentrated investments in securities. The financial statements and portfolio holdings for these securities can be found at www.sec.gov. As of October 31, 2020, the percentage of net assets invested in Invesco DB Gold Fund, SPDR S&P 500 ETF and Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF were 28.55%, 32.95% and 33.31%, respectively, of the Fund.

(b)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of October 31, 2020.

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

SPDR - Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

15

 

 

 

SMI 50/40/10 FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2020

 

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS – 72.81%

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

ARK Innovation ETF

    63,500     $ 5,765,165  

Invesco DB Gold Fund

    171,980       9,443,628  

Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1

    4,970       1,338,819  

Invesco S&P 500® Top 50 ETF

    7,360       1,859,357  

Renaissance IPO ETF

    18,270       925,924  

SPDR S&P 500® ETF

    29,860       9,750,483  

VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF

    17,210       645,203  

VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF

    12,120       644,905  

Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF

    90,150       9,870,524  

Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF

    4,240       746,834  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $38,027,863)

            40,990,842  

 

MUTUAL FUNDS – 27.14%

               

AMG Yacktman Focused Fund, Institutional Class

    100       1,745  

Baron Focused Growth Fund, Institutional Class

    31,009       998,480  

Centre American Select Equity Fund, Institutional Class

    59,172       707,692  

Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund, Institutional Class

    20,181       2,711,485  

Hennessy Cornerstone Mid Cap 30 Fund, Institutional Class

    53,850       743,675  

Invesco Oppenheimer International Small-Mid Company Fund, Class Y

    100       5,129  

Janus Henderson Contrarian Fund, Class T

    40,345       929,139  

JPMorgan U.S. Large Cap Core Plus Fund, Class A

    26,779       708,034  

Longleaf Partners International Fund

    150       2,067  

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc., Institutional Class

    100       3,397  

Miller Opportunity Trust, Institutional Class

    27,837       892,184  

Morgan Stanley International Opportunity Portfolio, Institutional Class

    38,913       1,378,698  

Morgan Stanley Discovery Portfolio, Institutional Class

    42,840       1,614,627  

Morgan Stanley Multi-Cap Growth Trust, Institutional Class

    17,735       1,463,161  

Needham Small Cap Growth Fund, Institutional Class

    17,699       402,475  

Oakmark International Fund, Investor Class

    50       968  

Prudential Jennison International Opportunities, Class Z

    47,760       1,364,034  

Royce Opportunity Fund, Investment Class

    100       1,176  

Vanguard International Growth Fund, Admiral Shares

    10,060       1,344,873  

Wasatch International Growth Fund, Investor Class

    100       3,415  

Total Mutual Funds (Cost $12,748,719)

            15,276,454  

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

16

 

 

 

SMI 50/40/10 FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUNDS – 0.19%

 

Shares

   

Fair Value

 

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.02%(a)

    105,119     $ 105,119  

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $105,119)

            105,119  

Total Investments — 100.14% (Cost $50,881,701)

          $ 56,372,415  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.14)%

            (80,980 )

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

          $ 56,291,435  

 

 

(a)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of October 31, 2020.

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

SPDR - Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

17

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 2020

 

 

   

Sound Mind
Investing Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund

   

SMI
50/40/10 Fund

 

Assets

                       

Investments in securities at fair value (cost $107,160,540, $105,424,719 and $50,881,701) (Note 3)

  $ 124,988,128     $ 113,270,144     $ 56,372,415  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    6,758       32,568       14,184  

Receivable for investments sold

    956,217       37,842,022       10,436,897  

Dividends receivable

    22       9       7  

Prepaid expenses

    18,191       11,185       8,355  

Total Assets

    125,969,316       151,155,928       66,831,858  
                         

Liabilities

                       

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    91,773       3,333       20,963  

Payable for investments purchased

    945,689       37,820,344       10,440,729  

Payable to Adviser (Note 4)

    112,742       100,196       45,141  

Payable to Administrator (Note 4)

    7,515       6,014       3,357  

Payable to trustees

    2,034       2,013       1,720  

Other accrued expenses

    34,214       29,296       28,513  

Total Liabilities

    1,193,967       37,961,196       10,540,423  

Net Assets

  $ 124,775,349     $ 113,194,732     $ 56,291,435  
                         

Net Assets consist of:

                       

Paid-in capital

    119,290,167       100,091,324       53,982,585  

Accumulated earnings

    5,485,182       13,103,408       2,308,850  

Net Assets

  $ 124,775,349     $ 113,194,732     $ 56,291,435  

Shares outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

    12,510,671       9,090,044       5,698,771  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Note 2)

  $ 9.97     $ 12.45     $ 9.88  

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

18

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended October 31, 2020

 

 

   

Sound Mind
Investing Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund

   

SMI
50/40/10 Fund

 

Investment Income

                       

Dividend income

  $ 1,083,733     $ 1,875,203     $ 732,313  

Total investment income

    1,083,733       1,875,203       732,313  
                         

Expenses

                       

Investment Adviser fees (Note 4)

    1,320,930       1,149,768       527,679  

Administration fees (Note 4)

    38,796       34,093       17,319  

Registration fees

    32,037       28,120       25,965  

Transfer agent fees (Note 4)

    25,291       10,380       10,056  

Legal fees

    22,404       22,403       22,403  

Fund accounting fees (Note 4)

    20,242       17,776       9,033  

Audit and tax preparation fees

    17,500       17,500       14,500  

Printing and postage expenses

    17,033       14,668       8,432  

Insurance expenses

    10,860       9,356       5,832  

Custodian fees

    10,763       6,226       5,765  

Compliance service fees (Note 4)

    8,100       8,100       8,100  

Trustee fees

    7,981       7,672       6,265  

Line of credit fees

    6,024       5,064       2,647  

Interest expense

    1,236       265       1,716  

Miscellaneous expenses

    47,752       36,313       30,859  

Total expenses

    1,586,949       1,367,704       696,571  

Fees contractually waived by Adviser

                (18,349 )

Net operating expenses

    1,586,949       1,367,704       678,222  

Net investment income (loss)

    (503,216 )     507,499       54,091  
                         

Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

                       

Long term capital gain dividends from investment companies

    3,011,228       65,462       465,258  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities transactions

    (4,819,482 )     6,164,434       958,023  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment securities

    7,174,100       (2,860,800 )     1,024,760  

Net realized and change in unrealized gain on investments

    5,365,846       3,369,096       2,448,041  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 4,862,630     $ 3,876,595     $ 2,502,132  

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

19

 

 

 

SOUND MIND INVESTING FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31, 2019

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:

               

Operations

               

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (503,216 )   $ 709,947  

Long term capital gain dividends from investment companies

    3,011,228       6,889,793  

Net realized loss on investment securities transactions

    (4,819,482 )     (16,922,243 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation of investment securities

    7,174,100       15,285,250  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    4,862,630       5,962,747  
                 

Distributions to Shareholders from Earnings (Note 2)

    (706,878 )     (31,686,762 )
                 

Capital Transactions

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    6,831,421       9,534,328  

Reinvestment of distributions

    693,203       31,137,671  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (34,554,822 )     (41,770,932 )

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (27,030,198 )     (1,098,933 )

Total Decrease in Net Assets

    (22,874,446 )     (26,822,948 )
                 

Net Assets

               

Beginning of year

    147,649,795       174,472,743  

End of year

  $ 124,775,349     $ 147,649,795  
                 

Share Transactions

               

Shares sold

    744,801       1,016,592  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    69,320       3,689,298  

Shares redeemed

    (3,614,487 )     (4,368,826 )

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (2,800,366 )     337,064  

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

20

 

 

 

SMI DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31, 2019

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:

               

Operations

               

Net investment income

  $ 507,499     $ 1,246,765  

Long term capital gain dividends from investment companies

    65,462        

Net realized gain on investment securities transactions

    6,164,434       4,523,670  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities

    (2,860,800 )     890,142  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    3,876,595       6,660,577  
                 

Distributions to Shareholders from Earnings (Note 2)

    (1,402,469 )     (1,904,317 )
                 

Capital Transactions

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    14,919,092       10,593,607  

Reinvestment of distributions

    1,379,020       1,855,382  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (24,916,503 )     (30,864,920 )

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (8,618,391 )     (18,415,931 )

Total Decrease in Net Assets

    (6,144,265 )     (13,659,671 )
                 

Net Assets

               

Beginning of year

    119,338,997       132,998,668  

End of year

  $ 113,194,732     $ 119,338,997  
                 

Share Transactions

               

Shares sold

    1,215,642       923,300  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    115,592       168,060  

Shares redeemed

    (2,043,773 )     (2,699,471 )

Net decrease in shares outstanding

    (712,539 )     (1,608,111 )

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

21

 

 

 

SMI 50/40/10 FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31, 2020

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31, 2019

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:

               

Operations

               

Net investment income

  $ 54,091     $ 334,016  

Long term capital gain dividends from investment companies

    465,258       1,095,968  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities transactions

    958,023       (4,904,653 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation of investment securities

    1,024,760       5,538,418  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    2,502,132       2,063,749  
                 

Distributions to Shareholders from Earnings (Note 2)

    (279,593 )     (2,086,727 )
                 

Capital Transactions

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    4,779,527       12,088,587  

Reinvestment of distributions

    274,667       2,049,221  

Amount paid for shares redeemed

    (13,599,005 )     (17,805,897 )

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions

    (8,544,811 )     (3,668,089 )

Total Decrease in Net Assets

    (6,322,272 )     (3,691,067 )
                 

Net Assets

               

Beginning of year

    62,613,707       66,304,774  

End of year

  $ 56,291,435     $ 62,613,707  
                 

Share Transactions

               

Shares sold

    506,503       1,336,143  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    28,641       239,395  

Shares redeemed

    (1,455,132 )     (1,964,177 )

Net decrease in shares outstanding

    (919,988 )     (388,639 )

 

 

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

22

 

 

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

 

SOUND MIND INVESTING FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding during each year)

 

 

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2020

 

Selected Per Share Data:

       

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 9.64  
         

Income from investment operations:

       

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.04 )

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

    0.42  

Total from investment operations

    0.38  
         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

    (0.05 )

Net realized gains

     

Total distributions

    (0.05 )

Paid in capital from redemption fees

     

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 9.97  
         

Total Return(d)

    3.92 %
         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)

  $ 124,775  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(e)

    1.20 %

Ratio of expenses to average net assets excluding interest expenses(e) (f)

    1.20 %

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets(a) (e)

    (0.38 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

    214.07 %

 

 

(a)

Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(b)

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the year does not correspond with the change in aggregate gains and losses in the portfolio of securities during the year because of the timing of sales and purchases of fund shares in relation to fluctuating values during the year.

(c)

Rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

(d)

Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

These ratios exclude the impact of expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests as represented in the Schedule of Investments.

(f)

These ratios do not include the effects of line of credit interest expense and borrowing costs.

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

24

 

 

 

SOUND MIND INVESTING FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding during each year) – (Continued)

 

 

 

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2019

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2018

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2017

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2016

 
                               
  $ 11.65     $ 12.52     $ 10.30     $ 11.76  
                               
                               
    0.05       0.04       (0.05 )     0.01  
    0.14       0.26       2.27       0.04 (b) 
    0.19       0.30       2.22       0.05  
                               
                               
    (0.05 )                  
    (2.15 )     (1.17 )           (1.51 )
    (2.20 )     (1.17 )           (1.51 )
                (c)      (c) 
  $ 9.64     $ 11.65     $ 12.52     $ 10.30  
                               
    4.28 %     2.36 %     21.55 %     0.55 %
                               
                               
  $ 147,650     $ 174,473     $ 196,564     $ 194,678  
    1.18 %     1.16 %     1.15 %     1.16 %
    1.17 %     1.16 %     1.15 %     1.15 %
    0.45 %     0.34 %     (0.41 )%     0.15 %
    192.77 %     163.54 %     176.40 %     131.40 %

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

25

 

 

 

SMI DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding during each year)

 

 

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2020

 

Selected Per Share Data:

       

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 12.17  
         

Income from investment operations:

       

Net investment income(a)

    0.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.37  

Total from investment operations

    0.43  
         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

    (0.15 )

Net realized gains

     

Total distributions

    (0.15 )

Paid in capital from redemption fees

     

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 12.45  
         

Total Return(c)

    3.55 %
         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)

  $ 113,195  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d)

    1.19 %

Ratio of expenses to average net assets excluding interest expenses(d) (e)

    1.19 %

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(a) (d)

    0.44 %

Portfolio turnover rate

    275.33 %

 

 

(a)

Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(b)

Rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

(d)

These ratios exclude the impact of expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests as represented in the Schedule of Investments.

(e)

These ratios do not include the effects of line of credit interest expense and borrowing costs.

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

26

 

 

 

SMI DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding during each year) – (Continued)

 

 

 

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2019

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2018

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2017

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2016

 
                               
  $ 11.66     $ 11.75     $ 10.92     $ 10.99  
                               
                               
    0.12       0.18       0.07       0.09  
    0.56       (0.16 )     0.79       (0.02 )
    0.68       0.02       0.86       0.07  
                               
                               
    (0.17 )     (0.11 )     (0.03 )     (0.14 )
                       
    (0.17 )     (0.11 )     (0.03 )     (0.14 )
                (b)      (b) 
  $ 12.17     $ 11.66     $ 11.75     $ 10.92  
                               
    5.97 %     0.15 %     7.87 %     0.62 %
                               
                               
  $ 119,339     $ 132,999     $ 162,002     $ 180,404  
    1.18 %     1.16 %     1.16 %     1.15 %
    1.17 %     1.16 %     1.15 %     1.15 %
    1.02 %     1.45 %     0.57 %     0.80 %
    218.06 %     61.28 %     247.10 %     151.88 %

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

27

 

 

 

SMI 50/40/10 FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding during each year)

 

 

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2020

 

Selected Per Share Data:

       

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 9.46  
         

Income from investment operations:

       

Net investment income (loss)(b)

    0.01  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.45  

Total from investment operations

    0.46  
         

Less distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

    (0.04 )

Net realized gains

     

Total distributions

    (0.04 )

Paid in capital from redemption fees

     

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 9.88  
         

Total Return(e)

    4.91 %
         

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

       

Net assets, end of year (000 omitted)

  $ 56,291  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(f)

    1.16 %

Ratio of expenses to average net assets excluding interest expenses(f) (g)

    1.15 %

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before waiver and reimbursement(f)

    1.19 %

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets(b) (f)

    0.09 %

Portfolio turnover rate

    252.74 %

 

 

(a)

As described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Financial Statements, the Former 50/40/10 Fund was reorganized into the SMI Conservative Allocation Fund as of the close of business, April 27, 2018 and subsequently renamed the SMI 50/40/10 Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is the successor to the Former 50/40/10 Fund. The performance and financial information presented incorporates the operations of the Former 50/40/10 Fund, which, is a result of the reorganization, are the Fund’s operations. The per share amounts have been adjusted for a stock split that occurred on April 27, 2018.

(b)

Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(c)

Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the year.

(d)

Rounds to less than $0.005 per share.

(e)

Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

(f)

These ratios exclude the impact of expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests as represented in the Schedule of Investments.

(g)

These ratios do not include the effects of line of credit interest expense and borrowing costs.

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

28

 

 

 

SMI 50/40/10 FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding during each year) – (Continued)

 

 

 

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2019

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2018
(a)

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2017
(a)

   

For the Year
Ended
October 31,
2016
(a)

 
                               
  $ 9.46     $ 9.65     $ 8.20     $ 8.13  
                               
                               
    0.04       0.10 (c)      (0.01 )     0.03  
    0.26       (0.04 )     1.49       0.08  
    0.30       0.06       1.48       0.11  
                               
                               
    (0.06 )     (0.11 )     (0.03 )     (0.04 )
    (0.24 )     (0.14 )            
    (0.30 )     (0.25 )     (0.03 )     (0.04 )
                (d)      (d) 
  $ 9.46     $ 9.46     $ 9.65     $ 8.20  
                               
    3.55 %     0.36 %     17.99 %     1.44 %
                               
                               
  $ 62,614     $ 66,305     $ 22,007     $ 18,363  
    1.16 %     1.24 %     1.46 %     1.45 %
    1.15 %     1.23 %     1.45 %     1.45 %
    1.21 %     1.39 %     1.56 %     1.76 %
    0.53 %     1.03 %     (0.17 )%     0.30 %
    225.42 %     155.28 %     212.36 %     146.24 %

 

See accompanying notes which are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

29

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020

 

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION

 

The Sound Mind Investing Fund (“SMI Fund”), SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund and SMI 50/40/10 Fund (formerly, the SMI Conservative Allocation Fund) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are each a diversified series of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is a management investment company established under the laws of Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated June 13, 2008 (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. Each Fund is one of a series of funds currently authorized by the Trustees. The investment adviser to the Funds is SMI Advisory Services, LLC (the “Adviser”). The SMI Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation. The SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund and SMI 50/40/10 Fund seek total return.

 

Each of the Funds is a “fund-of-funds” in which each Fund may invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded and closed-end funds. For a discussion on the strategies employed by each of the Funds, please refer to pages 1-2 of this report.

 

At the close of business on April 27, 2018, the SMI Conservative Allocation Fund was renamed the SMI 50/40/10 Fund and acquired all of the assets and assumed all of the liabilities of the previous SMI 50/40/10 Fund (the “Former 50/40/10 Fund”), pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization approved by the Board on December 12, 2017. The reorganization qualified as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes with no gain or loss recognized to the Funds or their shareholders. The SMI 50/40/10 Fund is considered the surviving entity for tax purposes.

 

Due to the reorganization on April 27, 2018, the number of outstanding shares of the Former 50/40/10 Fund increased by a factor of 1.132099; and since the Former 50/40/10 Fund’s total number of shares outstanding increased, the net asset value decreased. The reorganization did not affect the value of the Former 50/40/10 Fund’s net assets or each shareholder’s proportional ownership interest in those assets. The per share data presented in the Financial Highlights have been adjusted for periods prior to April 27, 2018 as a result.

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies.” The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

30

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (Continued)

 

Federal Income Taxes – The Funds make no provision for federal income or excise tax. Each Fund has qualified and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income. Each Fund also intends to distribute sufficient net investment income and net capital gains, if any, so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

 

As of and during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Funds did not have any liabilities for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense on the Statements of Operations when incurred. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties. Management of the Funds has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last three tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

 

Expenses – Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not relate to a specific fund of the Trust are allocated to the individual funds based on each fund’s relative net assets or another appropriate basis (as determined by the Board).

 

Security Transactions and Related Income – The Funds follow industry practice and record security transactions on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The specific identification method is used for determining gains or losses for financial statement and income tax purposes. Dividend income and long-term capital gains dividends from investment companies are recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted or amortized using the effective interest method, if applicable. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, if any, have been provided for in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

 

Dividends and Distributions – Each Fund intends to distribute its net investment income and net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the period from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified among the components of the net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations or net asset value (NAV) per share of the Funds.

 

31

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (Continued)

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Funds made the following reclassifications to increase (decrease) the component of net assets:

 

Fund

 

Paid-In Capital

   

Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)

 

SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund

  $ (7,626 )   $ 7,626  

SMI 50/40/10 Fund

    39,399       (39,399 )

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Each Fund values its portfolio securities at fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day the NYSE is open for business. Fair value is defined as the price that a Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.

 

Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk (the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique). Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained and available from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments and/or registered investment companies where the value per share is determined and published and is the basis for current transactions for identical assets or liabilities at the valuation date

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for an identical security in an inactive market, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining fair value of investments based on the best information available)

 

32

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS – (Continued)

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy which is reported is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

Equity securities, including ETFs and closed-end funds, that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued at the last quoted sale price on the security’s primary exchange. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange-traded security is generally valued at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When using the market quotations and when the market is considered active, the security is classified as a Level 1 security. In the event that market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable due to market or other events, a Fund values its securities and other assets at fair value in accordance with policies established by and under the general supervision of the Board. Under these policies, the securities will be classified as Level 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used.

 

Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds, are generally priced at the ending NAV. These securities are categorized as Level 1 securities. In the event that the ending NAV for a mutual fund is unavailable at the end of day pricing time, the Adviser may, in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies, consider all appropriate factors in determining the fair value of the mutual fund. In such cases the security will generally be categorized as a Level 2 security.

 

In accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies, the Adviser is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable as described above. No single method exists for determining fair value, because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of a security being valued by the Adviser would be the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale. Methods that are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market prices of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security or a basket of securities traded on other markets, exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods. Fair-value pricing is permitted if, in the Adviser’s opinion, the validity of market quotations appears to be questionable based on factors such as evidence of a thin market in the security based on a small number of quotations, a significant event occurs after the close of a market but before a Fund’s NAV calculation that may affect a security’s value, or the Adviser is aware of any other data that calls into question the reliability of market quotations.

 

   

Valuation Inputs

 

SMI Fund

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

  $ 22,517,408     $     $     $ 22,517,408  

Mutual Funds

    102,044,501       2,630             102,047,131  

Money Market Funds

    423,589                   423,589  

Total

  $ 124,985,498     $ 2,630     $     $ 124,988,128  

 

33

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS – (Continued)

 

   

Valuation Inputs

 

SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Closed-End Funds

  $ 3,524,948     $     $     $ 3,524,948  

Exchange-Traded Funds

    109,469,480                   109,469,480  

Money Market Funds

    275,716                   275,716  

Total

  $ 113,270,144     $     $     $ 113,270,144  

 

   

Valuation Inputs

 

SMI 50/40/10 Fund

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

  $ 40,990,842     $     $     $ 40,990,842  

Mutual Funds

    15,276,454                   15,276,454  

Money Market Funds

    105,119                   105,119  

Total

  $ 56,372,415     $     $     $ 56,372,415  

 

The Funds did not hold any investments at the end of the reporting period for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value; therefore, no reconciliation of Level 3 securities is included for this reporting period.

 

NOTE 4. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

 

Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement with respect to each Fund (the “Advisory Agreements”), the Adviser is responsible for managing each Fund’s investments. As compensation for its management services, each Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee based on the Fund’s average daily net assets as follows:

 

Fund Assets

 

SMI Fund
Management Fee

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund
Management Fee

   

SMI 50/40/10 Fund
Management Fee

 

$1 – $100 million

    1.00 %     1.00 %     0.90 %

$100,000,001 – $250 million

    1.00 %     1.00 %     0.80 %

$250,000,001 to $500 million

    0.90 %     0.90 %     0.70 %

Over $500 million

    0.80 %     0.80 %     0.60 %

 

34

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 4. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES – (Continued)

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, fees earned and waived by the Adviser and amounts due to the Adviser at October 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

   

SMI Fund
Management Fee

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund
Management Fee

   

SMI 50/40/10 Fund
Management Fee

 

Management fees earned

  $ 1,320,930     $ 1,149,768     $ 527,679  

Fees waived by Adviser

                (18,349 )

Payable to Adviser

    112,742       100,196       45,141  

 

The Adviser contractually has agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that each Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenses which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, extraordinary expenses, dividend expense on short sales, 12b-1 fees, and acquired fund fees and expenses) do not exceed 1.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to the SMI Fund, 1.45% with respect to the SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund, and 1.15% with respect to the SMI 50/40/10 Fund. The contractual arrangement for each Fund is in place through February 28, 2021.

 

Each fee waiver or expense reimbursement by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the applicable Fund within the three years following the date in which the fee waiver or expense reimbursement occurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in effect at the time of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement and the expense limitation at the time of the repayment.

 

As of October 31, 2020, the Adviser may seek repayment of investment advisory fee waivers and expense reimbursements from the SMI 50/40/10 Fund as follows:

 

Recoverable through

 

Amount

 

October 31, 2021

  $ 88,833  

October 31, 2022

    33,330  

October 31, 2023

    18,349  

 

The Trust retains Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus” or “Administrator”), to provide the Funds with administration, compliance (including a chief compliance officer), fund accounting, and transfer agent services, including all regulatory reporting. Expenses incurred by the Funds for these services are allocated to the individual Funds based on each Fund’s relative net assets.

 

The officers and one trustee of the Trust are members of management and/or employees of the Administrator and are not paid by the Trust for services to the Funds. Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as the distributor of the Funds’ shares. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ultimus.

 

35

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 4. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES – (Continued)

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, fees for administration, compliance, fund accounting, and transfer agent services, and amounts due to the Administrator at October 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

   

SMI Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund

   

SMI
50/40/10 Fund

 

Administration

  $ 38,796     $ 34,093     $ 17,319  

Compliance services

    8,100       8,100       8,100  

Fund accounting

    20,242       17,776       9,033  

Transfer agent

    25,291       10,380       10,056  

Payable to Administrator

    7,515       6,014       3,357  

 

There were no payments made to the Distributor by the Funds for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.

 

NOTE 5. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments were as follows:

 

   

SMI Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund

   

SMI
50/40/10 Fund

 

Purchases

  $ 278,080,159     $ 310,949,269     $ 147,242,070  

Sales

  $ 303,055,189     $ 319,545,425     $ 155,400,671  

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. government obligations during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.

 

NOTE 6. LINE OF CREDIT

 

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, entered into in a short-term credit agreement (“Line of Credit”) with Huntington National Bank (“Huntington”), expiring on January 22, 2021. Under the terms of the agreement, each of the Funds may borrow up to the lesser of 10% of a Fund’s daily market value or $5 million at an interest rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 150 basis points, 1.65% as of October 31, 2020. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. Huntington receives an annual facility fee of 0.125% on $5 million as well as an additional annual fee of 0.125% on any unused portion of the credit facility, invoiced quarterly, for providing the Line of Credit. The Funds will not borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of a Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons

 

36

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 6. LINE OF CREDIT – (Continued)

 

for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of a Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. To the extent that the line of credit is utilized, it will be collateralized by securities in the Funds’ portfolios.

 

As of October 31, 2020, the Funds had no outstanding borrowings under this Line of Credit.

 

Fund

 

Average
Daily Loan
Balance
(a)

   

Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
(a)

   

Number of Days
Outstanding
(b)

   

Interest
Expense
Accrued

   

Maximum
Loan
Outstanding

 

SMI Fund

  $ 550,985       2.98%       33     $ 1,508     $ 2,500,000  

SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund

    180,000       2.94%       18       265       825,000  

SMI 50/40/10 Fund

    528,289       2.78%       35       1,429       1,850,000  

 

 

(a) Averages based on the number of days outstanding.

(b) Number of Days Outstanding represents the total days during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, that a Fund utilized the Line of Credit.

 

NOTE 7. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

 

At October 31, 2020, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and tax cost of investments for tax purposes was as follows:

 

   

SMI Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund

   

SMI
50/40/10 Fund

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 17,673,270     $ 7,983,112     $ 5,546,251  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (127,860 )     (137,687 )     (156,106 )

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

  $ 17,545,410     $ 7,845,425     $ 5,390,145  

Tax cost of investments

  $ 107,442,718     $ 105,424,719     $ 50,982,270  

 

37

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 7. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION – (Continued)

 

The tax character of distributions for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

   

SMI Fund

   

SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

 

Distributions paid from: (a)

                               

Ordinary income

  $ 706,878     $ 8,111,023     $ 1,402,469     $ 1,904,317  

Long-term capital gains

          23,575,739              

Total taxable distributions paid

  $ 706,878     $ 31,686,762     $ 1,402,469     $ 1,904,317  

 

   

SMI 50/40/10 Fund

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Distributions paid from:(a)

               

Ordinary income

  $ 279,593     $ 473,367  

Long-term capital gains

          1,613,360  

Total distributions paid

  $ 279,593     $ 2,086,727  

 

 

(a)

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income distributions.

 

At October 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis was as follows:

 

   

SMI Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Al-location Fund

   

SMI 50/40/10
Fund

 

Undistributed ordinary income

  $     $ 1,407,821     $  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

          3,850,162        

Accumulated capital and other losses

    (12,060,228 )           (3,081,295 )

Unrealized apprecation on investments

    17,545,410       7,845,425       5,390,145  

Total accumulated earnings

  $ 5,485,182     $ 13,103,408     $ 2,308,850  

 

At October 31, 2020, the difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

38

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 7. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION – (Continued)

 

At October 31, 2020, the following Funds had net capital loss carryforwards which are available to offset future net capital gains, if any:

 

      SMI Fund     SMI 50/40/10 Fund  
      Short-Term     Long-Term     Short-Term     Long-Term  

Non-Expiring

    $ 11,557,011     $     $ 2,956,975     $  

 

Capital loss carryforwards are available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce further taxable gain distributions. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund and SMI 50/40/10 Fund utilized $828,030 and $1,522,486, respectively of their capital loss carryforwards.

 

For the tax year ended October 31, 2020, the SMI Fund and the SMI 50/40/10 Fund deferred late year ordinary losses of $503,217 and $124,320, respectively.

 

NOTE 8. INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Each Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in shares of one or more investment companies, including ETFs, open-end and closed-end mutual funds and money market mutual funds. The Funds will incur additional indirect expenses (acquired fund fees and expenses) to the extent it invests in shares of other investment companies. As of October 31, 2020, the SMI Fund had 18.05% of the value of its net assets invested in ETFs and had 81.78% of the value of its net assets invested in open-end mutual funds. As of October 31, 2020, the SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund had 96.72% of the value of its net assets invested in ETFs and had 3.11% of the value of its net assets invested in closed-end mutual funds. As of October 31, 2020, the SMI 50/40/10 Fund had 72.81% of the value of its net assets invested in ETFs and had 27.14% of the value of its net assets invested in open-end and closed-end mutual funds. The financial statements of these ETFs and open-end mutual funds can be found at www.sec.gov.

 

NOTE 9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTIGENCIES

 

The Trust indemnifies its officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from their performance of their duties to the Trust or the Funds. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

39

 

 

 

SMI FUNDS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2020 – (Continued)

 

 

NOTE 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Management of the Funds has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date at which these financial statements were issued. Based upon this evaluation, management has determined there were no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

 

NOTE 11. LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (UNAUDITED)

 

Valued Advisers Trust has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, the Fund’s investment strategy and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; its short and long-term cash flow projections; and its cash holdings and access to other funding sources. The Board of Trustees approved the appointment of a Liquidity Administrator Committee, which includes representatives from SMI Advisory Services, LLC, the Funds’ investment adviser, and Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, the Funds’ Administrator. The Liquidity Administrator Committee is responsible for the program’s administration and oversight and for reporting to the Board on at least an annual basis regarding the program’s operation and effectiveness. The Liquidity Administrator Committee updated its assessment of each Fund’s liquidity risk profile, considering additional data gathered in the 12 months ended May 31, 2020 and the adequacy and effectiveness of the liquidity risk management program’s operations since its inception on June 1, 2019 (the “Review Period”) in order to prepare a written report for the Board of Trustees (the “Report”) for consideration at its meeting held on September 9, 2020. The Report noted that during the Review Period none of the Funds experienced unusual stress or disruption to its operations related to purchase and redemption activity. It further noted that during the Review Period each Fund held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. The Report concluded that (i) the Trust’s liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Trust’s liquidity risk management program had been effectively implemented during the Review Period.

 

40

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To the Shareholders of Sound Mind Investing Fund, SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund, and
SMI 50/40/10 Fund and
Board of Trustees of Valued Advisers Trust

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of Sound Mind Investing Fund, SMI Dynamic Allocation Fund, and SMI 50/40/10 Fund (the “Funds”), each a series of Valued Advisers Trust, as of October 31, 2020, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of October 31, 2020, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

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 Funds 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 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.

 

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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies within SMI Funds since 2006.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
December 23, 2020

 

41

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES – (Unaudited)

 

 

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in each Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Each Fund’s example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020.

 

Actual Expenses

 

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

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the 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 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.

 

Expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the table below is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

42

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES – (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

   

Beginning
Account Value
May 1, 2020

   

Ending
Account Value
October 31, 2020

   

Expenses Paid
During Period
(a)

   

Annualized
Expense Ratio

 

SMI FUND

                               

Actual

  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,167.40     $ 6.54       1.20 %

Hypothetical(b)

  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,019.10     $ 6.09       1.20 %
                                 

SMI DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

               

Actual

  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,039.20     $ 6.10       1.19 %

Hypothetical(b)

  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,019.15     $ 6.04       1.19 %
                                 

SMI 50/40/10 FUND

                               

Actual

  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,102.70     $ 6.13       1.16 %

Hypothetical(b)

  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,019.30     $ 5.89       1.16 %

 

(a)

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

(b)

Hypothetical assumes 5% annual return before expenses.

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you receive in January 2021 will show the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2020. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals and the dividends received deduction for corporations.

 

Qualified Dividend Income. The Funds designate the following percentage or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate.

 

   

SMI Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund

   

SMI 50/40/10
Fund

 

Qualified Dividend Income

    100 %     23 %     86 %

 

43

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION
(Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

Qualified Business Income. The Funds designate the following percentage of ordinary income dividends, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified business income.

 

   

SMI Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund

   

SMI 50/40/10
Fund

 

Qualified Business Income

    0 %     34 %     14 %

 

Dividends Received Deduction. Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Funds’ dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Funds’ calendar year 2020 ordinary income dividends, the following percentage qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

   

SMI Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund

   

SMI 50/40/10
Fund

 

Dividends Received Deduction

    100 %     12 %     85 %

 

The Funds designate the following amounts as long-term capital gains distributions. The amounts designated may not agree with long-term capital gains in the tax character of distribution table due to utilization of earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares.

 

   

SMI Fund

   

SMI Dynamic
Allocation Fund

   

SMI 50/40/10
Fund

 

Long-Term Capital Gains Distributions

  $     $     $  

 

44

 

 

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS – (Unaudited)

 

 

The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Trust. Each Trustee serves as a trustee until termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, retires or is removed.

 

The following table provides information regarding each of the Independent Trustees.

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years and Other Directorships

Other Directorships

Ira P. Cohen, 61
Independent Trustee Since June 2010

Current: Independent financial services consultant (since February 2005); Executive Vice President of Asset Management Services, Recognos Financial (since August 2015).

Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman, Griffin Institutional Access Credit Fund (since January 2017); Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman, Griffin Institutional Real Estate Access Fund (since May 2014); Trustee, Angel Oak Funds Trust (since October 2014) (4 portfolios); Trustee, Chairman, and Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman, Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund (since December 2017), Trustee and Chairman, Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (since May 2019).

Andrea N. Mullins, 53
Independent Trustee Since December 2013

 

Chairperson since March 2017

Current: Private investor; Independent Contractor, SWM Advisors (since April 2014).

Trustee, Angel Oak Funds Trust (since February 2019) (4 portfolios); Trustee, Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund (since February 2019), Trustee, Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (since May 2019).

 

*

The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

**

As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

 

The following table provides information regarding the Trustee who is considered an “interested person” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. Based on the experience of the Trustee, the Trust concluded that the individual described below should serve as a Trustee.

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Mark J. Seger***, 58
Trustee Since March 2017

Current: Vice Chairman and Co-Founder, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC and its subsidiaries (since 1999).

None.

 

*

The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

**

As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

***

Mr. Seger is considered an “interested person” of the Trust because of his relationship with the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and distributor.

 

45

 

 

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS – (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

The following table provides information regarding the Officers of the Trust:

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Adam T. Kornegay, 35 Principal Executive Officer and President Since April 2018

Current: Vice President, Business Development Director, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since June 2018).

None.

Kevin J. Patton, 50
Chief Compliance Officer Since March 2020

Current: Assistant Vice President, Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since January 2020).

 

Previous: Partner and Chief Compliance Officer, Renaissance Investment Management (August 2005 to January 2020).

None.

Carol J. Highsmith, 56
Vice President Since August 2008

 

Secretary Since March 2014

Current: Vice President, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

 

Previous: Employed in various positions with Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (November 1994 to December 2015), most recently Vice President of Legal Administration (2005 to December 2015).

None.

Matthew J. Miller, 44
Vice President Since December 2011

Current: Assistant Vice President, Relationship Management, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

 

Previous: Employed in various positions with Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (July 1998 to December 2015), most recently Vice President of Relationship Management (2005 to December 2015).

None.

 

46

 

 

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS – (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

 

Name, Address*, Age,
Position with Trust**,
Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During
Past 5 Years

Other Directorships

Gregory T. Knoth, 50
Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer Since April 2019

Current: Vice President, Mutual Fund Controller, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since December 2015).

 

Previous: Vice President and Manager of Fund Accounting, Huntington Asset Services, Inc. (n/k/a Ultimus Asset Services, LLC) (June 2013 to December 2015).

None.

Stephen L. Preston, 54
AML Officer since June 2017

Current: Chief Compliance Officer of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (since June 2011).

 

Previous: Chief Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (June 2011 to August 2019); Chief Compliance Officer, Unified Financial Securities, LLC (April 2018 to December 2019).

None.

 

*

The address for each Trustee and officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

**

As of the date of this report, the Trust consists of 12 series.

 

 

47

 

 

FACTS

WHAT DO THE SMI FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

   

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

   

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

● Social Security number

● account balances and account transactions

● transaction or loss history and purchase history

● checking account information and wire transfer instructions

 

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

   

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons SMI Funds choose to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

   

Reasons we can share your personal information

Do SMI Funds share?

For our everyday business purposes—
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes

For our marketing purposes—
to offer our products and services to you

No

For joint marketing with other financial companies

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—
information about your transactions and experiences

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—
information about your creditworthiness

No

For nonaffiliates to market to you

No

   

Questions?

Call (877) 764-3863

 

48

 

 

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

SMI Funds
Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (Distributor)
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Administrator)

   

What we do

How do SMI Funds protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How do SMI Funds collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

● open an account or deposit money

● buy securities from us or sell securities to us

● make deposits or withdrawals from your account

● give us your account information

● make a wire transfer

● tell us who receives the money

● tell us where to send the money

● show your government-issued ID

● show your driver’s license

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

● sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness

● affiliates from using your information to market to you

● sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

SMI Advisory Services, LLC, the investment adviser to the Fund, could be deemed to be an affiliate.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

The SMI Funds do not share your personal information with nonaffiliates so they can market to you

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

The SMI Funds do not jointly market.

 

49

 

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the trustees and is available without charge, upon request. You may call toll-free at (877) 764-3863 to request a copy of the SAI or to make shareholder inquiries.

 

 

PROXY VOTING

 

 

A description of the policies and procedures that each Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how each Fund voted those proxies during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30, are available (1) without charge upon request by calling the Funds at (877) 764-3863 and (2) in Fund documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

TRUSTEES

Andrea N. Mullins, Chairperson

Ira P. Cohen

Mark J. Seger

 

OFFICERS

Adam T. Kornegay, Principal Executive Officer and President

Gregory T. Knoth, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

Kevin J. Patton, Chief Compliance Officer

Carol J. Highsmith, Vice President and Secretary

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

SMI Advisory Services, LLC

4400 Ray Boll Blvd.

Columbus, IN 47203

 

DISTRIBUTOR

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Cohen & Company, Ltd.

1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800

Cleveland, OH 44115

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP

3000 Two Logan Square

18th and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

CUSTODIAN

Huntington National Bank

41 South High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

 

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND FUND ACCOUNTANT

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

This report is intended only for the information of shareholders or those who have received the Funds’ prospectus which contains information about each Fund’s management fee and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC
Member FINRA/SIPC

 

50

 

 

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

 

 

 

SOUND MIND
INVESTING FUND
(SMIFX)

 

 

 

SMI DYNAMIC
ALLOCATION FUND
(SMIDX)

 

 

 

SMI 50/40/10 FUND
(SMILX)

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2020

 

Funds’ Adviser:
SMI Advisory Services, LLC
4400 Ray Boll Blvd.
Columbus, IN 47203

 

(877) 764-3863
(877) SMI-FUND
www.smifund.com

 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. Pursuant to Item 13(a)(1), a copy of registrant’s code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics has not been amended, and the registrant has not granted any waivers, including implicit waivers, from the provisions of the code of ethics.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

(a)(1) The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.

 

(a)(2) The audit committee financial expert is Andrea N. Mullins, who is “independent” for purposes of this Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a) Audit Fees

 

Sound Mind Investing Funds: FY 2020 $40,500
  FY 2019 $40,500

 

Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund: FY 2020 $13,500
  FY 2019 $13,500

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund: FY 2020 $14,000
  FY 2019 $14,000

 

Dana Funds: FY 2020 $42,000
  FY 2019 $42,000

 

(b) Audit-Related Fees

 

Sound Mind Investing Funds: FY 2020 $0
  FY 2019 $0

 

Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund: FY 2020 $0
  FY 2019 $0

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund: FY 2020 $0
  FY 2019 $0

 

Dana Funds: FY 2020 $0
  FY 2019 $0

 

(c) Tax Fees

 

Sound Mind Investing Funds: FY 2020 $9,000
  FY 2019 $9,000

 

Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund: FY 2020 $3,000
  FY 2019 $3,000

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund: FY 2020 $3,000
  FY 2019 $3,000

 

 

 

Dana Funds: FY 2020 $9,000
  FY 2019 $9,000

 

Nature of the fees: Preparation of the 1120 RIC and Excise review

 

(d) All Other Fees

 

Sound Mind Investing Funds: FY 2020 $0
  FY 2019 $0

 

Green Owl Intrinsic Value Fund: FY 2020 $0
  FY 2019 $0

 

Foundry Partners Fundamental Small Cap Value Fund: FY 2020 $0
  FY 2019 $0

 

Dana Funds: FY 2020 $0
  FY 2019 $0

 

(e) (1) Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies

 

The Audit Committee Charter requires the Audit Committee to be responsible for the selection, retention or termination of auditors and, in connection therewith, to (i) evaluate the proposed fees and other compensation, if any, to be paid to the auditors, (ii) evaluate the independence of the auditors, (iii) pre-approve all audit services and, when appropriate, any non-audit services provided by the independent auditors to the Trust, (iv) pre-approve, when appropriate, any non-audit services provided by the independent auditors to the Trust's investment adviser, or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser and that provides ongoing services to the Trust if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Trust, and (v) receive the auditors’ specific representations as to their independence;

 

(2) All of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of Item 4 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

(f) During audit of registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year, less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.

 

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant:

 

  Registrant Adviser
FY 2020 $24,000 $0
FY 2019 $24,000 $0

 

 

 

(h) Not applicable. The auditor performed no services for the registrant’s investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to listed companies only

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments. Schedules filed with Item 1.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only

 

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

The guidelines applicable to shareholders desiring to submit recommendations for nominees to the Registrant's board of trustees are contained in the statement of additional information of the Trust with respect to the Fund(s) for which this Form N-CSR is being filed.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed and are operating effectively to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared, and that the information required in filings on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) 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. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a) (1) Code is filed herewith.

 

(2) Certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are filed herewith.

 

(3) Not Applicable

 

(b) Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is filed herewith.

 

 

 

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) Valued Advisers Trust  
     
By /s/ Adam T. Kornegay  
  Adam T. Kornegay, President and Principal Executive Officer  
     
Date 1/5/2021  

 

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

 

By /s/ Adam T. Kornegay  
  Adam T. Kornegay, President and Principal Executive Officer  
     
Date 1/5/2021  
     
By /s/ Gregory Knoth  
  Gregory Knoth, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer  
     
Date 1/5/2021  

 

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

1.4 Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers

June 7, 2018

 

I. Covered Officers/Purpose of the Code

 

This code of ethics (this “Code”) applies to the persons acting as principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Trust”), as set forth on Exhibit A and amended from time to time (collectively, the “Covered Officers”) for the purpose of promoting:

 

honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Trust files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in other public communications made by each series of the Trust;

 

compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;

 

the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in this Code; and

 

accountability for adherence to this Code.

 

Each Covered Officer should adhere to a high standard of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.

 

II. Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest

 

Overview. A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Covered Officer’s private interests interfere with the interests of, or the Covered Officer’s service to, the Trust. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of the Covered Officer’s family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of the Covered Officer’s position with the Trust.

 

Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between Covered Officers and the Trust and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”). For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with any series of the Trust because of their status as “affiliated persons” of the Trust. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace any compliance programs and procedures of the Trust or any investment adviser to any series of the Trust designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act.

 

Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between the Trust and the Trust’s administrator or its principal underwriter of which a Covered Officer is also an officer or employee. As a result, this Code recognizes that Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties, whether formally for the Trust or any service provider or affiliate of the Trust, be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions that will have different effects on these entities and the Trust. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between the Trust and its service providers and affiliates and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Trust. Thus, if performed in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, such activities will be deemed to have been handled ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Board of Trustees (“Board”) that the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees of one or more investment companies covered by other codes.

 

 

 

Other conflicts of interest are covered by this Code, even if such conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act. The following list provides examples of conflicts of interest under this Code, but Covered Officers should keep in mind that these examples are not exhaustive. The overarching principle is that the personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interests of the Trust.

 

Each Covered Officer must:

 

not use personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by any series of the Trust whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the series;

 

not cause the Trust or any series to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than the benefit of the Trust;

 

not use material non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for any series of the Trust to trade personally or cause others to trade personally in contemplation of the market effect of such transactions;

 

report at least annually any affiliations or other relationships related to conflicts of interest that the Trustees and Officers Questionnaire covers.

 

There are some conflict of interest situations that should always be discussed with the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust or counsel to the Trust, if material. Examples of these include:

 

service as a director on the board of any public company;

 

the receipt of any non-nominal gifts;

 

the receipt of any entertainment from any company with which the Trust has current or prospective business dealings unless such entertainment is business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to raise any questions of impropriety;

 

any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Trust’s service providers, other than its principal underwriter, transfer agent, administrator or any affiliated person thereof; and

 

 

 

a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges, soft dollar credits or spreads paid by any series of the Trust for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer’s employment, such as compensation or equity ownership.

 

III. Disclosure and Compliance

 

Each Covered Officer shall become familiar with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Trust.

 

Each Covered Officer should not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Trust to others, whether within or outside the Trust, including to the Trust’s directors and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations.

 

Each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within the Covered Officer’s area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the investment advisers to each series of the Trust and the Trust’s administrator with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents that each series of the Trust files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the series.

 

It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote Trust compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

IV. Reporting and Accountability

 

Each Covered Officer must:

 

upon adoption of this Code (or thereafter as applicable, upon becoming a Covered Officer), affirm in writing to the Board that the Covered Officer has received, read, and understands this Code; 

 

annually thereafter affirm to the Board that the Covered Officer has complied with the requirements of this Code;

 

not retaliate against any other Covered Officer or any employee of the Trust or their affiliated persons for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith; and

 

notify the Chief Compliance Officer promptly if the Covered Officer knows of any violation of this Code. Failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code.

 

The Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. However, any approvals or waivers sought by a Covered Officer will be considered by the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), which will make recommendations to the Board.

 

The Trust will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code:

 

 

 

the Chief Compliance Officer for the Trust will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to the Compliance Officer;

 

the Chief Compliance Officer will review with the outside legal counsel to the Trust the findings and conclusions of such investigation;

 

if, after such investigation and review, the Chief Compliance Officer believes that no violation has occurred, the Chief Compliance Officer is not required to take any further action;

 

any matter that the Chief Compliance Officer believes is a violation will be reported to the Committee;

 

if the Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, it will inform and make a recommendation to the Board, which will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures (including changes to this Code); notification of the violation to appropriate personnel of the investment adviser or the administrator or its board; or a recommendation to take disciplinary action against the Covered Officer, which may include, without limitation, dismissal;

 

the Board will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate; and

 

any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules, currently on Form N-CSR.

 

V. Other Policies and Procedures

 

This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Trust for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and forms applicable to registered investment companies thereunder. The codes of ethics adopted by the Trust and its affiliates under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others, and are not part of this Code.

 

VI. Amendments

 

Any amendments to this Code, other than amendments to Exhibit A, must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Board, including a majority of trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act.

 

VII. Confidentiality

 

To the extent possible, all records, reports and other information prepared, maintained or acquired pursuant to this Code will be treated as confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or regulation or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Board, it being understood that it may be necessary or advisable, that certain matters be disclosed to third parties (e.g., to the board of directors or officers of the investment adviser to an applicable series or the Trust’s administrator).

 

 

 

VIII. Internal Use

 

This Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Trust and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of the Trust, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

VALUED ADVISERS TRUST

 

Persons Covered by this Code of Ethics

 

Adam Kornegay, President and Chief Executive Officer

Gregory Knoth, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit 99.CERT

 

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATIONS

 

CERTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Adam T. Kornegay, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Valued Advisers Trust;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: 1/5/2021   /s/ Adam T. Kornegay  
      Adam T. Kornegay  
      President and Principal Executive Officer  

 

 

 

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATIONS

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Gregory Knoth, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Valued Advisers Trust;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date 1/5/2021  

/s/ Gregory Knoth

 
      Gregory Knoth  
      Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer  

 

EX-99.906CERT

 

certification of president and Treasurer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the sarbanes oxley act of 2002

 

Adam T. Kornegay, President, and Gregory Knoth, Treasurer of Valued Advisers Trust (the “Registrant”), each certify to the best of his or her knowledge that:

 

1. The Registrant’s periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended October 31, 2020 (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of Sections 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

2. The information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

President and Principal Executive Officer   Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer  
Valued Advisers Trust   Valued Advisers Trust  
       
/s/ Adam T. Kornegay   /s/ Gregory Knoth  
Adam T. Kornegay   Gregory Knoth  

 

Date: 1/5/2021   Date: 1/5/2021  

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to Valued Advisers Trust and will be retained by Valued Advisers Trust and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) or its staff upon request.

 

This certification is being furnished to the Commission solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR filed with the Commission.