N-CSRS/A 1 ast-wbif_ncsrsa.htm AMENDED SEMI-ANNUAL CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT ast-wbif_ncsrsa.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 2013
 
 
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 811-07959



Advisors Series Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Douglas G. Hess, President
Advisors Series Trust
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, 5th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Name and address of agent for service)



(414) 765-6609
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



Date of fiscal year end: November 30, 2013



Date of reporting period: May 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
 
Client Logo
 
 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund

 
 
Semi-Annual Report
May 31, 2013
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
WBI Funds
EXPENSE EXAMPLE – at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 
Generally, shareholders of mutual funds incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, redemption fees, and exchange fees, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service fees, and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in the No Load Shares and the Institutional Shares of each Fund at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (12/1/12– 5/31/13).
 
Actual Expenses

The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses, with actual net expenses being limited to 2.00% and 1.75% per the operating expenses limitation agreement for the No Load Shares and the Institutional Shares, respectively, of each Fund. Although the Funds charge no sales load or transaction fees, you will be assessed fees for outgoing wire transfers, returned checks, and stop payment orders at prevailing rates charged by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Funds’ transfer agent. To the extent the Funds invest in shares of other investment companies as part of its investment strategy, you will indirectly bear your proportionate share of any fees and expenses charged by the underlying funds in which the Funds invest in addition to the expenses of the Funds.  Actual expenses of the underlying funds are expected to vary among the various underlying funds.  The Example below includes, but is not limited to, management fees, 12b-1 fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. You may use the information in the first 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 tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.  Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the second line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these costs were included, your transaction costs would have been higher.
 
 
 
 
3

 
 
WBI Funds
EXPENSE EXAMPLE – at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued

 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund – No Load Shares
 
   
Beginning 
Account Value 
12/1/12 
 
Ending
Account Value
5/31/13   
 
Expenses Paid
During Period
12/1/12 – 5/31/13*
             
 Actual     $1,000.00    $1,013.70    $10.04
 Hypothetical            
 (5% return before expenses)   $1,000.00   $1,014.96   $10.05
 
*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 2.00%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182 (days in most recent fiscal half-year) divided by 365 days to reflect the one-half year expense.
                                
  
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund – Institutional Shares
 
   
Beginning 
Account Value 
12/1/12 
 
Ending
Account Value
5/31/13   
 
Expenses Paid
During Period
12/1/12 – 5/31/13*
             
 Actual     $1,000.00   $1,014.20   $8.79
 Hypothetical            
 (5% return before expenses)   $1,000.00   $1,016.21   $8.80
 
*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.75%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182 (days in most recent fiscal half-year) divided by 365 days to reflect the one-half year expense.
 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund – No Load Shares
 
   
Beginning 
Account Value 
12/1/12 
 
Ending
Account Value
5/31/13   
 
Expenses Paid
During Period
12/1/12 – 5/31/13*
             
 Actual     $1,000.00   $1,101.10   $10.48
 Hypothetical            
 (5% return before expenses)   $1,000.00    $1,014.96    $10.05
 
*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 2.00%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182 (days in most recent fiscal half-year) divided by 365 days to reflect the one-half year expense.
 
 
 
 
4

 
WBI Funds
 
EXPENSE EXAMPLE – at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued

 
   
Beginning 
Account Value 
12/1/12 
 
Ending
Account Value
5/31/13   
 
Expenses Paid
During Period
12/1/12 – 5/31/13*
             
 Actual      $1,000.00     $1,101.30     $9.17
 Hypothetical            
 (5% return before expenses)   $1,000.00    $1,016.21    $8.80
 
*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.75%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182 (days in most recent fiscal half-year) divided by 365 days to reflect the one-half year expense.
 
 
 
 
5

 
 
WBI Funds
SECTOR ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS – at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
Pie Chart
 
SECTOR ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS – at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
Pie Chart
 
 
Percentages represent market value as a percentage of total investments.
 
6

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
 
 Shares      COMMON STOCKS - 39.26%   Value
   
Amusement, Gambling, and
Recreation Industries - 0.96%
  $ 844,505
 11,325    Six Flags Entertainment Corp      
     Chemical Manufacturing - 2.49%      
 32,765    LyondellBasell Industries NV - Class A (a)     2,183,787
     Clothing and Clothing      
     Accessories Stores - 2.70%      
 45,465    American Eagle Outfitters, Inc     899,752
 42,675    Foot Locker, Inc.     1,464,606
     Computer and Electronic     2,364,358
     Product Manufacturing - 0.97%      
 72,809    Ericsson - ADR     849,681
   
 Credit Intermediation and
 Related Activities - 4.45%
     
 19,742    Ameriprise Financial, Inc.     1,609,368
 14,604    Royal Bank of Canada (a)     867,624
 17,577    Toronto-Dominion Bank (a)      1,421,100
     Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and     3,898,092
     Component Manufacturing - 2.40%      
 36,613    Emerson Electric Co.     2,103,783
     Food Manufacturing - 1.57%      
 40,768    ConAgra Foods, Inc.      1,373,474
     Forestry and Logging - 2.22%      
 65,091    Weyerhaeuser Co.     1,941,014
     Insurance Carriers and      
     Related Activities - 0.99%      
 33,079    Fidelity National Financial, Inc.      870,308
   
 Machinery Manufacturing - 1.73%
     
 26,988    KLA-Tencor Corp.      1,519,155
   
 Miscellaneous Manufacturing - 3.55%
     
 53,415    Coach, Inc.      3,111,958
   
 Primary Metal Manufacturing - 1.03%
     
 58,889    Steel Dynamics, Inc.       903,357
   
 Printing and Related Support Activities - 1.02%
     
 20,498    Avery Dennison Corp.     891,663
 
                                                                          
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
7

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued
 
 Shares        Value
     Professional, Scientific & Technical Services - 2.24%    
 46,982    Infosys Limited - ADR    $ 1,961,499
     Publishing Industries (except Internet) - 1.02%      
 41,586    Gannett Co., Inc.     894,099
   
 Securities, Commodity Contracts, and
     Other Financial Investments and
     Related Activities - 2.08%
     
 3,292    BlackRock, Inc.     919,126
 22,490    NYSE Euronext     904,773
         
 1,823,899
     Telecommunications - 3.28%    
 
 30,114    Time Warner Cable, Inc.     2,876,188
     Transportation Equipment      
     Manufacturing - 3.46%      
 193,065    Ford Motor Co.       3,027,259
     Wholesale Electronic Markets and      
     Agents and Brokers - 1.10%      
 41,050    KAR Auction Services, Inc    
962,623
     TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $33,160,758)
   
34,400,702
           
     EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS - 35.58%      
 45,161    iShares Barclays 7-10 Year      
    Treasury Bond Fund    
4,439,771
 87,604    iShares Floating Rate Note ETF     4,756,357
 99,485    iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade      
     Corporate Bond Fund      
11,724,307
 37,449    iShares JP Morgan USD Emerging      
     Markets Bond Fund    
4,308,507
 124,421    iShares S&P U.S. Preferred Stock      
     Index Fund    
5,015,410
 13,719    SPDR S&P Dividend ETF     925,347
   
 TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
 (Cost $31,446,970) 
    31,169,699

 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
8

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued
 
Principal
Amount 
   CORPORATE BONDS - 19.20%   Value
   
 Aerospace Product and
     
   
 Parts Manufacturing - 0.45%
     
     Lockheed Martin Corp.      
$356,000    4.25%, 11/15/2019   $ 398,238
   
 Agencies, Brokerages, and Other
Insurance Related Activities - 0.17%
     
     Aon PLC      
 142,000    3.50%, 9/30/2015     149,866
   
 Beverage Manufacturing - 0.17%
     
     Anheuser-Busch Cos., LLC      
 135,000   4.50%, 4/1/2018       150,234
     Building Equipment Contractors - 0.61%      
   
 Omnicom Group, Inc.
     
     4.45%, 8/15/2020      537,697
     Business Support Services - 0.83%      
     Western Union Co.      
 650,000    5.93%, 10/1/2016      726,532
     Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing - 0.99%      
     Hewlett-Packard Co.      
 857,000    4.30%, 6/1/2021     863,630
     Depository Credit Intermediation - 1.50%      
     Bank of America Corp.      
 440,000    5.00%, 5/13/2021     488,128
     Citigroup, Inc.      
 3,000    5.125%, 5/5/2014     3,119
 580,000    6.125%, 11/21/2017      679,157
     Wells Fargo & Co.      
 136,000    5.00%, 11/15/2014      144,156
         
1,314,560
     Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution - 0.99%      
     Exelon Generation Co., LLC      
 135,000    5.20%, 10/1/2019     151,891
     PSEG Power LLC      
 675,000    4.15%, 9/15/2021     714,480
          866,371
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
9

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued
 
 Principal Value       Value
   
Health and Personal Care Stores - 0.18%
     
     Express Scripts, Inc.      
 $148,000   3.125%, 5/15/2016   $ 156,297
     Household Appliance Manufacturing - 0.29%      
   
 Whirlpool Corp.
     
 220,000   6.50%, 6/15/2016      250,461
     Insurance Carriers - 1.75%      
     American International Group, Inc.      
 800,000   5.85%, 1/16/2018     923,018
     Cigna Corp.      
 140,000  
8.30%, 1/15/2033
    178,964
     Wellpoint, Inc.      
 440,000    3.125%, 5/15/2022     434,913
           1,536,895
     Investigation and Security Services - 0.13%    
 
     Tyco International Finance      
 105,000     3.375%, 10/15/2015     110,438
     Machinery Manufacturing - 0.56%      
      Kennametal, Inc.      
 490,000    2.65%, 11/1/2019     486,820
    Management of Companies and Enterprises - 0.81%      
     JPMorgan Chase & Co.      
 688,000    2.60%, 1/15/2016     712,107
     Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories - 0.19%      
     Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings      
 170,000    3.75%, 8/23/2022     170,058 
     Medical Equipment and      
     Supplies Manufacturing - 0.12%      
     Zimmer Holdings, Inc.      
 90,000    4.625%, 11/30/2019     101,036
     Miscellaneous Manufacturing - 0.98%      
       Mattel, Inc.      
 865,000    1.70%, 3/15/2018     861,401
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
10

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued
 
Principal Value         Value
   
 Motion Picture and Video Industries - 0.96%
     
   
 Time Warner, Inc.
     
 $273,000    4.00%, 1/15/2022   $ 289,212
     Viacom, Inc.      
 522,000    3.50%, 4/1/2017      555,403
         
844,615
   
 Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and
   
 
     Directory Publishers - 0.23%      
     Thomson Reuters Corp.      
 193,000    3.95%, 9/30/2021      205,745
      Non-Depository Credit Intermediation - 1.09%      
       American Express Credit      
 650,000     2.80%, 9/19/2016     684,468
      General Electric Capital Corp.      
 15,000  
 5.55%, 10/15/2020 
    17,079
 230,000    5.15%, 6/15/2023     256,602
         
958,149
     Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying - 0.66%    
 
     Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc.      
 543,000    3.25%, 12/1/2017     579,688
     Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores - 0.79%      
     Staples, Inc.      
 680,000    2.75%, 1/12/2018     692,746
     Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing - 1.22%      
     Amgen, Inc.      
 656,000    2.125%, 5/15/2017      670,097
     Celgene Corp.      
 400,000    3.25%, 8/15/2022     399,830
         
1,069,927
     Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas - 0.20%      
     Kinder Morgan Energy Partners      
 165,000    4.15%, 3/1/2022     172,944 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
11

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued
 
 Principal Value       Value
     Securities and Commodity Contracts      
     Intermediation and Brokerage - 1.26%      
     Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.      
 $660,000   3.625%, 2/7/2016   $ 698,518
     Prudential Financial, Inc.      
    3.00%, 5/12/2016      404,884
 384,000        
1,103,402
     Software Publishers - 1.14%      
 315,000    BMC Software, Inc.      
    4.25%, 2/15/2022     319,281
   
 Symantec Corp.
     
 660,000   2.75%, 6/15/2017     677,146
   
 
   
996,427
     Traveler Accommodation - 0.36%      
       Marriott International, Inc.      
 320,000   3.25%, 9/15/2022      312,828
     Wireless Telecommunications Carriers - 0.57%      
     AT&T, Inc.      
 336,000   4.45%, 5/15/2021     375,620
     BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.      
 100,000   6.375%, 6/1/2028     120,709
         
496,329
     TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS    
 
       (Cost $16,802,593)     16,825,441
           
Shares   SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 5.68%      
4,973,823
   Invesco STIT-Treasury Portfolio -      
     Institutional Class, 0.02% (b)    
4,973,823
     TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS      
       (Cost $4,973,823)     4,973,823
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES      
       (Cost $86,384,144) - 99.72%    
87,369,665
    Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 0.28%    
242,670
     NET ASSETS - 100.00%   $ 87,612,335
 
ADR - American Depositary Receipt
ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund
(a) U.S. traded security of a foreign issuer.
(b) Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield as of May 31, 2013.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
12

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
 
 Shares      COMMON STOCKS - 87.24%   Value
   
 Administrative and Support Services - 2.95%
     
 40,825    Robert Half International, Inc.   $ 1,419,077
           
     Air Transportation - 1.03%      
 10,167    Ryanair Holdings PLC - ADR    
496,556
           
     Chemical Manufacturing - 8.23%      
 19,322    Agrium, Inc. (a)    
1,784,966
  18,826    Eastman Chemical Co.    
1,350,201
  5,119    Novo Nordisk A/S - ADR    
824,671
         
3,959,838
   
 Clothing and Clothing
Accessories Stores - 6.79%
   
 
 35,385    Foot Locker, Inc.    
1,214,413
 50,597    Gap, Inc.    
2,051,709
         
3,266,122
   
 Computer and Electronic
Product Manufacturing - 4.93%
     
 4,241
   Apple, Inc.    
1,907,093
 16,576    MKS Instruments, Inc.    
466,614
         
2,373,707
   
 Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and
Component Manufacturing - 4.05%
     
 33,922    Emerson Electric Co.      1,949,158
   
 
     
     Fabricated Metal
Product Manufacturing - 4.17%
     
  15,157    Parker Hannifin Corp.    
1,512,063
  5,447    Snap-on, Inc.    
496,167
         
2,008,230
     Insurance Carriers and
Related Activities - 3.82%
   
 
  28,800   Manulife Financial Corp. (a)    
455,040
  48,594   Unum Group    
1,383,957
         
1,838,997
     Machinery Manufacturing - 3.81%    
 
 24,649    KLA-Tencor Corp.    
1,387,492
 59,314    Nam Tai Electronics, Inc. (a)    
444,855
          1,832,347
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
13

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued
 
 Shares         Value
   
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods - 1.98%
     
 10,320   Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.    $ 496,082
 18,391   Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. - Class A      454,258
         
950,340
    Miscellaneous Manufacturing - 6.84%      
 15,491    Baxter International, Inc.     1,089,482
 37,815   Coach, Inc.     2,203,102
         
3,292,584
   
Oil and Gas Extraction - 3.88%
     
 61,664   Suncor Energy, Inc. (a) .       1,869,036
           
   
Paper Manufacturing - 3.84%
     
12,567   Domtar Corp.     910,730
 19,141   Packaging Corp of America     937,909
         
1,848,639
    Personal and Laundry Services - 0.97%      
 10,215   Weight Watchers International, Inc.     468,358
           
   
Petroleum and Coal
Products Manufacturing - 3.60%
     
    HollyFrontier Corp.      1,729,827
           
   
Professional, Scientific, and
Technical Services - 3.08%
     
 34,946   Ebix, Inc.     570,975
 28,779   URS Corp.     912,416
         
1,483,391
 18,836   Rail Transportation - 1.87%      
 5,805   Union Pacific Corp.     897,569
           
   
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and
Other Financial Investments and
Related Activities - 6.16%
     
 4,488   BlackRock, Inc.     
1,253,050
73,009   TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.    
1,711,331
         
2,964,381
    Support Activities for Mining - 2.93%      
 23,416   Ensco PLC - Class A (a)    
1,408,941
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
14

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued
 
 Shares         Value
   
Telecommunications - 6.01%
  $  
43,824   Mobile TeleSystems - ADR      844,489
21,410   Time Warner Cable, Inc.        2,044,869
         
2,889,358
    Transportation Equipment      
   
Manufacturing - 3.61%
     
78,767   Ford Motor Co.     1,235,066
11,690   Thor Industries, Inc.      499,280
         
1,734,346
    Utilities - 2.69%      
8,442   Siemens AG - ADR     887,254
16,169  
Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. - ADR
     407,944
         
1,295,198
    TOTAL COMMON STOCKS      
       (Cost $40,434,945)      41,976,000
           
    EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS - 5.17%      
15,251   SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust    
2,489,574
    TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS      
    (Cost $2,244,295)    
2,489,574
           
    PREFERRED STOCKS - 2.71%      
   
Beverage and Tobacco
    Product Manufacturing - 2.71%
     
    Companhia de Bebidas      
34,200   das Americas - ADR      1,301,994
    TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS      
    (Cost $1,396,102)     1,301,994
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
15

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
 
 Shares         Value  
4,454,356  
Invesco STIT-Treasury Portfolio -
 Institutional Class, 0.02% (b)
  $ 4,454,356  
   
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
       
    (Cost $4,454,356)      4,454,356  
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES        
    (Cost $48,529,698) - 104.38%      50,221,924  
   
 Liabilities in Excess
       
    of Other Assets - (4.38)%        (2,106,884
    NET ASSETS - 100.00%   $ 48,115,040  
 
ADR - American Depositary Receipt
ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund
(a) U.S. traded security of a foreign issuer.
(b) Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield as of May 31, 2013
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
16

 
 
 
 
(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)
 
 
 
 
17

 
 
WBI Funds
 
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 
   
WBI Absolute 
Return
Balanced
Fund 
   
WBI Absolute
Return 
Dividend
Growth Fund
ASSETS          
 Investments in securities, at value
 (identified cost $86,384,144
 and $48,529,698, respectively)
$ 87,369,665   $  50,221,924
     Receivables          
 Investment securities sold    763,693      
 Dividends and interest    266,781      120,257
 Fund shares sold    261,071      204,058
 Dividend tax reclaim           1,556
     Prepaid expenses    88,240      48,800
 Total assets    88,749,450      50,596,595
 LIABILITIES          
 Payables          
 Investment securities purchased    875,737      2,376,685
 Fund shares redeemed     117,304      13,000
 Advisory fees    77,767      32,778
 Administration and fund accounting fees    25,754      24,367
 12b-1 fees    13,237      5,580
 Transfer agent fees and expenses    12,675      13,915
 Audit fees    9,493      9,493
 Shareholder reporting    2,420      2,741
 Chief Compliance Officer fee     2,230      2,231
 Custody fees    257      103
 Legal fees    241      662
 Total liabilities    1,137,115      2,481,555
 NET ASSETS  $  87,612,335   $  48,115,040
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
18 

 
 
WBI Funds
 
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited), Continued

 
   
WBI Absolute 
Return
Balanced
Fund 
   
WBI Absolute
Return 
Dividend
Growth Fund
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET
    VALUE PER SHARE
         
No Load Shares
         
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding $  32,619,404   $  20,206,636
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited number
  of shares (par value $0.01) authorized] 
  3,051,334     1,701,407
Net asset value, offering and
  redemption price per share
$ 10.69   $ 11.88
Institutional Shares
         
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding     54,992,931     27,908,404
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited number
  of shares (par value $0.01) authorized] 
  5,129,718     2,342,368
Net asset value, offering and
  redemption price per share
$ 10.72   $ 11.91
COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS          
Paid-in capital      85,898,141      44,323,041
Undistributed net investment income/(loss)    107,713     (1,335)
Accumulated net realized gain on
  investments and options
  620,960     2,101,260
 Net unrealized appreciation on investments   985,521     1,692,074
   Net assets  $ 87,612,335   $ 48,115,040
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
19

 
 
 
 
(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)
 
 
 
 
20

 
 
WBI Funds
 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS For the six months ended May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 
   
WBI Absolute 
Return
Balanced
Fund 
     
WBI Absolute
Return 
Dividend
Growth Fund
 
INVESTMENT INCOME              
 Income
             
Dividends (Net of foreign taxes withheld
of $6,736 and $11,237, respectively)
$  705,275     $  451,626  
Interest    178,745       1,053  
Total investment income    884,020       452,679  
     Expenses              
Advisory fees (Note 4)   
372,184
     
176,711
 
Administration and fund accounting fees (Note 4) .  
51,509
     
47,900
 
Shareholder servicing fees -
  Institutional Shares (Note 6)
 
27,738
     
11,078
 
Shareholder servicing fees -
  No Load Shares (Note 6)  
  14,126       9,679  
Distribution fees - No Load Shares (Note 5)    34,658        20,384  
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)  
32,747
     
26,287
 
Registration fees   
18,663
     
14,901
 
Audit fees  
9,493
     
9,493
 
Legal fees  
5,441
     
5,007
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee (Note 4)  
4,481
     
4,481
 
Custody fees (Note 4)  
4,384
     
2,719
 
Reports to shareholders  
4,047
     
1,840
 
Trustee fees  
2,531
     
2,287
 
Other expenses  
1,339
     
1,617
 
Insurance expense    1,216        1,308  
Total expenses  
584,557
     
335,692
 
Add: advisory fee recoupment (Note 4)   
101,423
     
 
Less: advisory fee waiver (Note 4)         (6,064
Net expenses   685,980       329,628  
  Net investment income   198,040       123,051  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS AND OPTIONS
             
 Net realized gain/(loss) on:              
Investments   627,958       3,124,667  
Purchased options    (7,200 )      (11,145
Written options   —        528  
 Capital gain distributions from              
 regulated investment companies   200       —   
 Net change in unrealized              
 appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   61,966       (55,578
 Net realized and unrealized gain on investments   682,924       3,058,472  
 Net Increase in Net Assets
 Resulting from Operations
$  880,964     $ 3,181,523  
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
21

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 
   
Six Months Ended
May 31, 2013(Unaudited)  
     
Year Ended
November 30, 2012
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET
     ASSETS FROM:
OPERATIONS
             
Net investment income
$ 198,040     $ 243,640  
Net realized gain/(loss) on:              
Investments   627,958       1,038,037  
Purchased options    (7,200 )      
Capital gain distributions from              
regulated investment companies   200        
 Net change in unrealized              
appreciation on investments   61,966       655,784  
Net increase in net assets              
resulting from operations     880,964        1,937,461  
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS              
From net investment income
             
No Load Shares    
(49,648
)    
(76,572
Institutional Shares   
(99,487
)    
(151,082
From net realized gain on investments              
No Load Shares   
(172,158
   
 
Institutional Shares  
(278,662
)    
 
Total distributions to shareholders  
(599,955
   
(227,654
)
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
             
Net increase in net assets derived from
             
net change in outstanding shares (a)  
32,904,052
     
41,532,898
 
Total increase in net assets  
33,185,061
      43,242,705  
NET ASSETS              
Beginning of period   
54,427,274
       11,184,569  
End of period $ 87,612,335     $ 54,427,274  
Undistributed net investment              
income at end of period $ 107,713     $ 59,191  
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
22

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS, Continued

(a) A summary of share transactions is as follows:
 
    No Load Shares     No Load Shares  
   
Six Months Ended
May 31, 2013
(Unaudited)
   
Year Ended
November 30, 2012
 
                     
 
 
    Shares    
Paid-in Capital
    Shares    
Paid-in Capital
 
Shares sold  
    1,353,773     $ 14,464,340       1,737,707     $ 18,214,570  
Shares issued on
reinvestments of
distributions
    19,594       206,972      
6,675
     
68,750
 
Shares redeemed**     (277,041 )     (2,966,546 )    
(298,824
)    
(3,125,867
)
Net increase     1,096,326     $ 11,704,766      
1,445,558
    $ 15,157,453  
 ** Net of redemption fees of             $ 627             $ 1,255  
 
 
    Institutional Shares     Institutional Shares  
   
Six Months Ended
May 31, 2013
(Unaudited)
   
Year Ended
November 30, 2012
 
                     
 
 
    Shares    
Paid-in Capital
    Shares    
Paid-in Capital
 
Shares sold  
    2,807,667     $ 30,066,249       2,862,198     $ 29,943,312  
Shares issued on
reinvestments of
distributions
   
23,437
     
248,038
     
8,263
     
85,773
 
Shares redeemed**    
(848,963
)    
(9,115,001
)    
(349,670
   
(3,653,640
)
Net increase    
1,982,141
    $ 21,199,286      
2,520,791
    $ 26,375,445  
 ** Net of redemption fees of             $ 3,076              $ 2,332  
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
23

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 
     
Six Months Ended
May 31, 2013
 (Unaudited) 
     
Year Ended
November 30, 2012
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET
ASSETS FROM:
OPERATIONS
               
Net investment income    $ 123,051     $ 216,332  
Net realized gain/(loss) on:                
Investments      3,124,667       2,724,400  
Purchased options      (11,145 )      
Written options     528        
Net change in unrealized
  apppreciation/(depreciation) on investments
    (55,578     454,030   
Net increase in net assets                
  resulting from operations     3,181,523       3,394,762  
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                
From net investment income                
No Load Shares    
(87,471
   
(62,674
Institutional Shares      
(96,787
)    
(153,402
Total distributions to shareholders      
(184,258
    (216,076  )
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS                
Net increase in net assets derived from
  net change in outstanding shares (a)
   
18,901,132
     
2,997,086
 
 Total increase in net assets    
21,898,397
     
6,175,772
 
NET ASSETS                
Beginning of period  
    26,216,643       20,040,871  
End of period 
  $ 48,115,040     $ 26,216,643  
Undistributed net investment
  income/(loss) at end of period
  $ (1,335 )   $ 60,018  
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
24

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS, Continued

(a) A summary of share transactions is as follows:
 
    No Load Shares     No Load Shares  
   
Six Months Ended
May 31, 2013
(Unaudited)
   
Year Ended
November 30, 2012
 
                     
 
 
    Shares    
Paid-in Capital
    Shares    
Paid-in Capital
 
Shares sold  
    610,666     $ 7,025,636       925,830     $ 9,548,415  
Shares issued on
reinvestments of
distributions
   
7,128
     
78,266
     
5,215
     
53,827
 
Shares redeemed**     (101,145 )     (1,164,749 )     (253,178 )     (2,596,668 )
Net increase    
516,649
    $ 5,939,153      
677,867
    $ 7,005,574  
 ** Net of redemption fees of             $ 793             $ 2,108  
 
 
    Institutional Shares     Institutional Shares  
   
Six Months Ended
May 31, 2013
(Unaudited)
   
Year Ended
November 30, 2012
 
                     
 
 
    Shares    
Paid-in Capital
    Shares    
Paid-in Capital
 
Shares sold  
    1,293,497     $ 14,985,058       730,501     $ 7,446,093  
Shares issued on
reinvestments of
distributions
   
7,957
     
87,524
     
13,940
     
139,700
 
Shares redeemed**     (185,500 )     (2,110,603 )     (1,120,634     (11,594,281 )
Net increase    
1,115,954
    $ 12,961,979       (376,193 )   $  (4,008,488 )
 ** Net of redemption fees of             $ 554             $ 1,304  
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
25

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – For a share outstanding throughout each period

 
    No Load Shares  
    Six Months
Ended
May 31, 
2013
(Unaudited)
    Year
Ended
November 30,
2012
    December 29,
2010*
to
November 30,
2011
 
                   
Net asset value, beginning of period    $ 10.65     $ 9.83     $ 10.00  
Income from investment operations:                        
Net investment income  
0.02
^  
0.08
^   0.08 ^
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)
  on investments and options
    0.12       0.83       (0.25 )
Total from investment operations     0.14       0.91       (0.17 )
Less distributions:                        
From net investment income      (0.02 )     (0.09 )      
From net realized
  gain on investments
   
(0.08)
     
       
Total distributions    
(0.10)
     
(0.09
)      
Redemption fees retained    
0.00
^#    
0.00
^#  
0.00
^#
Net asset value, end of period     $10.69       $10.65     $ 9.83  
                         
Total return       1.37 %‡     9.34       -1.70 %‡ 
                         
Ratios/supplemental data:                        
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   $ 32,619     $ 20,826     $ 5,010  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (a):                            
Before expense
  reimbursement/recoupment
     1.73 %†     2.21     6.66 %†
                                
After expense
  reimbursement/recoupment  
    2.00 %†     2.00 %      2.00 %†
                            
Ratio of net investment income/(loss)
    to average net assets (b):
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
                         
Before expense
  reimbursement/recoupment
    0.66 %†     0.51 %     (3.77 )%†
                         
After expense
  reimbursement/recoupment
    0.39 %†     0.72 %     089 %†
Portfolio turnover rate
    65.16 %‡     202.76 %     225.23 %‡
 
*   Commencement of operations.
^   Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
#   Amount is less than $0.01.
‡   Not annualized.
†   Annualized.
(a) Does not include expenses of the investment companies in which the Fund invests.
(b) Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
26

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – For a share outstanding throughout each period

 
    Institutional Shares  
    Six Months
Ended
May 31, 
2013
(Unaudited)
    Year
Ended
November 30,
2012
    December 29,
2010*
to
November 30,
2011
 
                   
Net asset value, beginning of period    $ 10.68     $ 9.85     $ 10.00  
Income from investment operations:                        
Net investment income  
0.03
^  
0.10
^   0.10 ^
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)
  on investments and options
    0.12       0.84       (0.25 )
Total from investment operations     0.15       0.94       (0.15 )
Less distributions:                        
From net investment income      (0.03 )     (0.09 )      
From net realized gain on investments
   
(0.08
)    
       
Total distributions    
(0.11
)    
(0.11)
       
Redemption fees retained    
0.00
^#    
0.00
^#  
0.00
^#
Net asset value, end of period   $ 10.72     $ 10.68      $ 9.85  
                         
Total return       1.42 %‡     9.65 %       -1.50 %‡
                         
Ratios/supplemental data:                        
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   54,993     $ 33,602     $ 6,174  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (a):                            
Before expense
  reimbursement/recoupment
     1.47%     1.94 %     5.80 %†
                                
After expense
  reimbursement/recoupment  
    1.75%     1.75 %      1.75 %†
                            
Ratio of net investment income/(loss)
  to average net assets (b):
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
                         
Before expense
  reimbursement/recoupment
    0.89 %†     0.76 %     (2.97 )%†
                         
After expense
  reimbursement/recoupment
    0.61 %†     0.95 %     1.08 %†
Portfolio turnover rate
    65.16 %‡     202.76 %     225.23 %‡
 
*   Commencement of operations.
^   Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
#   Amount is less than $0.01.
‡   Not annualized.
†   Annualized.
(a) Does not include expenses of the investment companies in which the Fund invests.
(b) Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
27

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – For a share outstanding throughout each period

 
    No Load Shares
                   
   
Six Months
Ended
May 31,
2013
(Unaudited)
   
Year
Ended
November 30,
2012
   
December 29,
2010*
to
November 30,
2011
 
Net asset value, beginning of period . . . . .
  $ 10.86     $ 9.50     $ 10.00  
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 
0.03
^  
0.06
^  
0.03
^
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)
  on investments and options
    1.06       1.37       (0.55 )
Total from investment operations
    1.09       1.43       (0.52 )
Less distributions:
From net investment income
    (0.07 )     (0.07 )      
Total distributions
    (0.07 )     (0.07 )      
Redemption fees retained
 
0.00
^#   
0.00
^#  
0.02
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 11.88     $ 10.86     $ 9.50  
                         
Total return      10.11 %‡       15.16 %      -5.00 %‡ 
                         
Ratios/supplemental data:                        
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   $ 20,207     $ 12,866     $ 4,815  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (a):                        
Before expense reimbursement    
2.03
%†     
2.31
%    
4.56
%†
After expense reimbursement    
2.00
%†    
2.00
%      
2.00
%†
Ratio of net investment income/(loss)
  to average net assets (b):
                       
Before expense reimbursement    
0.56
%†    
0.23
%    
(2.20
 )%†
After expense reimbursement    
0.59
%†     
0.54
%    
0.36
%†
Portfolio turnover rate    
116.24
%‡     
261.95
   
301.31
%‡
 
*   Commencement of operations.
^   Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
#   Amount is less than $0.01.
‡   Not annualized.
†   Annualized.
(a) Does not include expenses of the investment companies in which the Fund invests.
(b) Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
28

 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – For a share outstanding throughout each period
 
   
Institutional Shares
   
Six Months
Ended
May 31,
2013
(Unaudited)
   
Year
Ended
November 30,
2012
   
December 29,
2010*
to
November 30,
2011
 
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 10.89     $ 9.50     $ 10.00  
Income from investment operations:                        
 Net investment income   0.04 ^   0.10 ^   0.05 ^
 Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)
   on investments and options
    1.06       1.39       (0.55
 Total from investment operations     1.10       1.49       (0.50 )
Less distributions:                        
From net investment income     (0.08 )     (0.10 )      
Total distributions     (0.08     (0.10 )        
Redemption fees retained   0.00 ^#   0.00 ^#   0.00 ^#
Net asset value, end of period   $ 11.91     $ 10.89     $ 9.50  
                         
Total return      10.13 %‡     15.75 %     -5.00 %‡
                         
Ratios/supplemental data:                        
Net assets, end of period (thousands)   $ 27,908     $ 13,351     $ 15,226  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (a):                        
Before expense reimbursement     1.78 %†     1.95 %     2.92 %†
After expense reimbursement     1.75 %†     1.57 %     1.75 %†
Ratio of net investment income/(loss
  to average net assets (b):
                       
Before expense reimbursement
    0.76 %†     0.61 %     (0.59 )%†
After expense reimbursement
    0.79 %†     0.99 %     0.58 %†
Portfolio turnover rate
    116.24 %‡     261.95 %     301.31 %‡
 
*   Commencement of operations.
^   Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
#   Amount is less than $0.01.
‡   Not annualized.
†   Annualized.
(a) Does not include expenses of the investment companies in which the Fund invests.
(b) Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
29

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
 
The WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund and the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund (the “Funds”) are each diversified series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. Each Fund offers No Load Shares and Institutional Shares. The investment objective of the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund is to seek current income and long-term appreciation, while also seeking to protect principal during unfavorable market conditions. The investment objective of the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation and current income. The Funds commenced operations on December 29, 2010.
 
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
A.
Security Valuation:   All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value, as described in note 3.
 
B.
Federal  Income Taxes:   It is the Funds’ policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income or excise tax provision is required.
 
 
The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities.  Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for the open tax years 2011-2012, or expected to be taken in the Funds’ 2013 tax returns.  The Funds identify their major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal and the state of Wisconsin; however the Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.
 
C.
Security Transactions, Income and Distributions:  Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized over the life of the respective security. Dividend income, income and capital gain distributions from underlying funds, and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for inaccordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.
 
 
 
30

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

 
The Funds distribute substantially all net investment income, if any, quarterly and net realized capital gains, if any, annually.  The amount of dividends and distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, which differs from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  To the extent these book/tax differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their Federal tax treatment.
 
 
Invesetment income, expenses (other than those specific to the class of shares), and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated to the separate classes of each Fund based upon their relative net assets on the date income is earned or expensed and realized and unrealized gains and losses are incurred.
 
 
Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to the Fund, such as investment advisory, custody and transfer agent fees. Expenses that are not attributable to a Fund are typically allocated among the Funds in proportion to their respective net assets.
 
D.
Reclassification  of Capital Accounts:  Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting.  These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.
 
E.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
F. 
Redemption Fees:  The Funds charge a 2.00% redemption fee to shareholders who redeem shares held for 60 days or less.  Such fees are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid-in capital.  During the six months ended May 31, 2013, the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund – No Load Shares, and Institutional Shares retained $627 and $3,076, respectively, in redemption fees. During the six months ended May 31, 2013, the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund – No Load Shares and Institutional Shares retained $793 and $554, respectively, in redemption fees.
 
 
 
31

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

G.
Derivative Transactions:  The Funds have adopted the financial accounting reporting rules as required by the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The Funds are required to include enhanced disclosure that enables investors to understand how and why an entity uses derivatives, how derivatives are accounted for, and how derivative instruments affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position.
 
 
The Funds are subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives. The Funds enter into written call options to hedge against changes in the value of equities. The writing of call options is intended to reduce the volatility of the portfolio and to earn premium income. Written call options expose the Funds to minimal counterparty credit risk since they are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearing house guarantees the options against default. The Funds may also purchase put options to provide protection against adverse price effects from changes in prices of securities.   In addition, the Funds enter into written put options to hedge against changes in the value of purchased put options.
 
 
The Funds may purchase and write call and put options on securities and indices and enter into related closing transactions.  As a holder of a call option, the Funds have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a security at the exercise price during the exercise period.  As the writer of a call option, the Funds have the obligation to sell the security at the exercise price during the exercise period in the event the option is exercised.  As a holder of a put option, the Funds have the right, but not the obligation, to sell a security at the exercise price during the exercise period.  As the writer of a put option, the Funds have the obligation to buy the underlying security at the exercise price during the exercise period.
 
 
When the Funds write an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Funds is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current fair value of the option written.  Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Funds on the expiration date as realized gains from options written.  The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or, if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss.  If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Funds have realized a gain or a loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium is deducted from the cost basis of the security purchased. The Funds, as writers of an option, bear the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.
 
 
 
 
32

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

 
When purchasing options, the Funds will recognize a realized loss equal to the premium paid to purchase the option, if the option expires unexercised. The difference between the proceeds received on effecting a closing sale transaction and the premium paid will be recognized as a realized gain or loss.  If a put option is exercised, the premium paid is deducted from the proceeds on the sale of the underlying security in determining whether the Funds have a realized gain or loss.
 
Average Balance Information
 
The average monthly market values of purchased and written options during the period ended May 31, 2013 for the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund was $1,167 and $8,000, respectively.
 
Transactions in written options contracts for the period ended May 31, 2013, are as follows:

WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
   
Contracts
   
Premiums Received
 
Beginning Balance
        $  
Options Written     200       9,800  
Options Closed
    (200 )     (9,800 )
Outstanding at May 31, 2013
        $  
 
The average monthly market values of purchased and written options during the period ended May 31, 2013 for the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund was $1,325 and $8,638, respectively.
 
Transactions in written options contracts for the period ended May 31, 2013, are as follows:

WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
   
Contracts
   
Premiums Received
 
Beginning Balance
        $  
Options Written     195       10,905  
Options Expired
    (24 )     (528 )
Options Closed
    (171 )     (10,377 )
Outstanding at May 31, 2013
        $  
 
The effect of derivative instruments on the statement of operations for the period ended May 31, 2013 is as follows:
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
Derivative Type
Location of  Gain/(Loss) on
Derivatives Recognized in Income
 
Value
 
Equity Contract
Change in realized loss on
purchased options
  $ (7,200 )

 
 
 
33

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
Derivative Type 
Location of  Gain/(Loss) on
Derivatives Recognized in Income
   Value  
Equity Contract
Change in realized loss on
purchased options
  $ (11,145 )
Equity Contract
Change in realized gain on
written options
    528  
 
H.
Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Period End:   In preparing the financial statements as of May 31, 2013, management considered the impact of subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
NOTE 3 – SECURITIES VALUATION
 
The Funds have adopted authoritative fair value accounting standards which establish an authoritative definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value.  These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair value, a discussion in changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period and expanded disclosure of valuation levels for major security types. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
 
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Funds have the ability to access.
 
 
Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
 
 
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
 
Following is a description of the valuation techniques applied to the Funds’ major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Equity Securities – The Funds’ investments are carried at fair value. Equity securities, including common stocks and exchange-traded funds, that are primarily traded on a national securities exchange shall be valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are primarily traded on the day of valuation or, if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices.  Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”).  If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. Over-the-counter securities which are not traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System shall be valued at the most recent sales price.  Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their net asset value per share.  To the extent, these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
 
 
34

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

Corporate  Bonds – Corporate bonds, including listed issues, are valued at market on the basis of valuations furnished by an independent pricing service which utilizes both dealer-supplied valuations and formula-based techniques. The pricing service may consider recently executed transactions in securities of the issuer or comparable issuers, market price quotations (where observable), bond spreads, and fundamental data relating to the issuer.  Most corporate bonds are categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
Options – Options are valued using the composite pricing via the National Best Bid and Offer quotes. Composite pricing looks at the last trade on the exchange where the option is traded. If there are no trades for an option on a given business day, as of closing, the Funds will value the option at the mean of the highest bid price and lowest ask price across the exchanges where the option is traded. Options that are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange are categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Options that are valued at the mean of the highest bid price and lowest asked price are categorized in level 2.
 
Short-Term Securities – Short-term securities having a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.  To the extent the inputs are observable and timely, these securities would be classified in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or if the closing price does not represent fair value, are valued following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees (“Board”).  These procedures consider many factors, including the type of security, size of holding, trading volume and news events.  Depending on the relative significance of the valuation inputs, these securities may be classified in either level 2 or level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The Board has delegated day-to-day valuation issues to a Valuation Committee which is comprised of one or more trustees and representatives from U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Funds’ administrator. The function of the Valuation Committee is to value securities where current and reliable market quotations are not readily available. All actions taken by the Valuation Committee are reviewed and ratified by the Board.
 

 
 
35

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.  The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ securities as of May 31, 2013:
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Common Stocks                        
  Agriculture, Forestry,
     Fishing, and Hunting 
  $ 1,941,014     $     $     $ 1,941,014  
  Arts, Entertainment and
     Recreation     
    844,505                   844,505  
  Finance and Insurance      6,592,300        —             6,592,300  
  Information     3,770,287                   3,770,287  
  Manufacturing         15,964,117               —       15,964,117  
  Professional, Scientific
     and Technical Services
    1,961,498                    1,961,498  
  Retail Trade      2,364,358                    2,364,358  
  Wholesale Trade      962,623                   962,623  
Total Common Stocks     34,400,702                   34,400,702  
Exchange-Traded Funds     31,169,699              —       31,169,699  
Corporate Bonds                                
  Accommodation and
     Food Services
          312,828        —       312,828  
  Administrative Support
     and Waste Management
          726,532             726,532  
  Finance and Insurance              5,774,979             5,774,979  
  Health Care and Social
     Assistance  
          170,058             170,058  
  Information            2,653,554              2,653,554  
  Manufacturing            4,181,747             4,181,747  
  Mining, Quarrying, and
     Oil and Gas Extraction 
          579,688             579,688  
  Professional, Scientific,
     and Technical Services 
          537,697             537,697  
  Retail Trade           849,043             849,043  
  Transportation and
     Warehousing
          172,944             172,944  
  Utilities            866,371             866,371  
Total Corporate Bonds           16,825,441             16,825,441  
Short-Term Investments     4,973,823              —       4,973,823  
Total Investments
  in Securities
  $ 70,544,224     $ 16,825,441     $     $ 87,369,665  
                                               
 
 
 
36

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund
 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Common Stocks                        
  Administrative Support
     and Waste Management
  $ 1,419,077     $     $     $ 1,419,077  
  Finance and Insurance
    4,803,378        —              4,803,378  
  Information       2,889,358                   2,889,358  
  Manufacturing      20,728,676                   20,728,676  
  Mining, Quarrying, and
     Oil and Gas Extraction 
    3,277,977         —              3,277,977  
  Other Services (Except
     Public Administration) 
    468,358                   468,358  
  Professional, Scientific
     and Technical Services  
    1,483,391                   1,483,391  
  Retail Trade         3,266,122                   3,266,122  
  Transportation and
     Warehousing    
     1,394,125              —       1,394,125  
  Utilities      1,295,198                —       1,295,198  
  Wholesale Trade      950,340                   950,340  
Total Common Stocks       41,976,000                   41,976,000  
Exchange-Traded Funds     2,489,574                   2,489,574  
Preferred Stock                                
  Manufacturing     1,301,994                   1,301,994  
Total Preferred Stock        1,301,994              —       1,301,994  
Short-Term Investments       4,454,356        —             4,454,356  
Total Investments
  in Securities 
  $ 50,221,924     $  —     $     $ 50,221,924  
                                      
Refer to the Funds’ Schedule of Investments for a detailed break-out of securities by industry classification. Transfers between levels are recognized at May 31, 2013, the end of the reporting period. The Funds recognized no transfers to/from Level 1 or Level 2. There were no Level 3 securities held in the Funds during the period ended May 31, 2013.
 
New Accounting Pronouncement – In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01 Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance requires retrospective application for all comparative periods presented. The Funds are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2013-01 will have on the financial statements disclosures.
 
 
 
 
37

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

NOTE 4 – INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

For the six months ended May 31, 2013, WBI Investments, Inc. (the “Advisor”) provided the Funds with investment management services under an Investment Advisory Agreement. The Advisor furnished all investment advice, office space, facilities, and provides most of the personnel needed by the Funds. As compensation for its services, the Advisor is entitled to a monthly fee at the annual rate of 1.00% based upon the average daily net assets of each Fund. For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund and the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund incurred $372,184 and $176,711, respectively, in advisory fees.

The Funds are responsible for their own operating expenses.  For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the Advisor agreed to reduce fees payable to it by the Funds and to pay the Funds’ operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit each Fund’s No Load Shares aggregate annual operating expenses to 2.00% of average daily net assets and each Fund’s Institutional Shares aggregate annual operating expenses to 1.75% of average daily net assets.   The Advisor is permitted to be reimbursed only for fee reductions and expense payments made in the previous three fiscal years.  Any such reimbursement is also contingent upon Board of Trustees review and approval at the time the reimbursement is made. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Funds’ payment of current ordinary operating expenses.  For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the Advisor recouped expenses of $101,423 for the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund.  For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the Advisor reduced its fees and absorbed Fund expenses in the amount of $6,064 for the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund. Cumulative expenses subject to recapture pursuant to the aforementioned conditions expire as follows:
             
WBI Absolute 
Return Balanced
Fund
 
WBI Absolute
Return Dividend
Growth Fund
 Year Amount   Year Amount
2014
$ 80,684   2014 $ 166,283
2015
  55,787   2015   92,504
  $ 136,471   2016   6,064
          $ 264,851
 
 
 
 
38

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the “Administrator” or “USBFS”) acts as the Funds' Adminstrator under an Administration Agreement.  The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, reports and returns for the Funds; prepares reports and materials to be supplied to the Trustees; monitors the activities of the Funds’ custodian, transfer agent and accountants; coordinates the preparation and payment of the Funds’ expenses and reviews the Funds’ expense accruals.   U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC also serves as the fund accountant and transfer agent to the Funds. U.S. Bank N.A., an affiliate of U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, serves as the Funds’ custodian.
 
For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund and the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund incurred the following expenses for administration and fund accounting, transfer agency, chief compliance officer fees, and custody:
 
   
WBI Absolute ReturnBalanced 
Fund
    WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund  
 Administration and Fund Accounting   $ 51,509     $ 47,900  
 Transfer Agency (a)        26,105       22,053  
 Chief Compliance Officer       4,481       4,481  
 Custody      4,384       2,719  
 
(a) Does not include out-of-pocket expenses.
 
At May 31, 2013, the Funds had payables due to USBFS for administration and fund accounting, transfer agency, chief compliance officer fees and to U.S. Bank, N.A. for custody fees in the following amounts:
 
   
WBI Absolute ReturnBalanced 
Fund
    WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund  
 Administration and Fund Accounting   $ 25,754     $ 24,367  
 Transfer Agency (a)        10,981       11,257  
 Chief Compliance Officer       2,230       2,231  
 Custody      257       103  
                                                                            
(a) Does not include out-of-pocket expenses.
 
Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares. The Distributor is an affiliate of the Administrator.
 
Certain officers of the Funds are also employees of the Administrator.
 

NOTE 5 – DISTRIBUTION (12B-1) FEE
 
The Funds have adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Plan”) for the No Load Shares only. The Plan permits the Funds to pay for distribution and related expenses at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’s No Load Shares.  The expenses covered by the Plan may include the cost in connection with the promotion and distribution of shares and 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, and the printing and mailing of sales literature.  Payments made pursuant to the Plan will represent compensation for distribution and service activities, not reimbursements for specific expenses incurred.  For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund No Load Shares and the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund No Load Shares paid the Distributor $34,658 and $20,384, respectively.
 
 
 
 
39

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

NOTE 6 – SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEE
 
The Funds have entered into a Shareholder Servicing Agreement (the “Agree ment”) with the Advisor, under which the No Load Shares and Institutional Shares may pay servicing fees at an annual rate of 0.40% of the average daily net assets of each class. For the period December 1, 2012 through April 15, 2013 the Advisor voluntarily reduced each Fund’s shareholder servicing plan fee from 0.40% of each Fund’s average daily net assets to 0.00% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. Effective April 16, 2013, the Advisor has determined to reinstate the shareholder servicing plan fee accrual of average daily net assets at 0.35%, for the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund – No Load Shares and the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund – Institutional Shares. Effective April 16, 2013, the Advisor has determined to reinstate the shareholder servicing plan fee accrual of average daily net assets at 0.40% for the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund – Institutional Shares and the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund – No Load Shares. Payments to the Advisor under the Agreement may reimburse the Advisor for payments it makes to selected brokers, dealers and administrators which have entered into Service Agreements with the Advisor for services provided to shareholders of the Funds.  The services provided by such intermediaries are primarily designed to assist shareholders of the Funds and include the furnishing of office space and equipment, telephone facilities, personnel and assistance to the Funds in servicing such shareholders. Services provided by such intermediaries also include the provision of support services to the Funds and include establishing and maintaining shareholders’ accounts and record processing, purchase and redemption transactions, answering routine client inquiries regarding the Funds, and providing such other personal services to shareholders as the Funds may reasonably request.  For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund No Load Shares and Institutional Shares incurred shareholder servicing fees of $14,126 and $27,738, respectively, under the Agreement. For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund No Load Shares and Institutional Shares incurred shareholder servicing fees of $9,679 and $11,078, respectively, under the Agreement.
 
 
 
 
40

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

NOTE 7 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
 
For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities for the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund, were $77,109,718 and $26,737,478, respectively.
 
For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities for the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund, were $51,319,775 and $30,333,973, respectively.
 
The Funds made no purchases or sales of U.S. government securities.
 
NOTE 8 – LINES OF CREDIT
 
The WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund and the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund had lines of credit in the amount of $1,600,000 and $2,800,000, respectively. These lines of credit are intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions, in connection with shareholder redemptions. The credit facility is with the Funds’ custodian, U.S. Bank N.A. During the six months ended May 31, 2013, the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund and the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund did not draw upon their lines of credit. At May 31, 2013, the Funds had no outstanding loan amounts.
 
NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
The distributions paid by the Fund during the six months ended May 31, 2013 and the year ended November 30, 2012, were characterized as follows:
 
   
WBI Absolute
Return Balanced 
Fund
   
WBI Absolute
Return Dividend
Growth Fund
   
May 31, 
2013
   
Nov. 30, 
2012
   
May 31, 
2013
   
Nov. 30,
2012
Ordinary Income                      $ 545,426     $ 227,654     $ 184,258     $ 216,076
Long-Term Capital Gains      54,529                  
                                    
Ordinary income distributions may include dividends paid from short-term capital gains.
 
 
 
 
41

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited). Continued

As of November 30, 2012, the Funds’ most recently completed fiscal year end, the components of accumulated earnings/(losses) were as follows:
 
   
WBI Absolute
Return Balanced
Fund
   
WBI Absolute
Return Dividend
Growth Fund
 
Cost of investments (a)
  $ 54,965,757     $ 26,504,915  
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
  $ 1,030,067     $ 1,812,293  
Gross tax unrealized depreciation            (106,512 )         (64,641 )
Net tax unrealized appreciation
    923,555       1,747,652  
Undistributed ordinary income
    455,452       60,018  
Undistributed long-term capital gain
    54,500        
Total distributable earnings
    509,952       60,018  
Other accumulated gains/(losses)
          (1,012,936 )
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)
  $ (1,433,507 )   $ 794,734  
 
(a) The difference between book-basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
 
At November 30, 2012, the Funds had capital loss carryforwards as follows:
 
  Short-Term
Capital Loss Carryover
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund     $           —
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund       1,012,936
 
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), net capital losses recognized after December 31, 2010, may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long- term losses. Under the law in effect prior to the Act, preenactment net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that postenactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund utilized $587,119 of short-term capital loss carryforward and WBI Absolute Dividend Growth Fund utilized $2,694,108 of short-term capital loss carryforward.
 
 
 
 
42

 
 
WBI Funds
NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDERS at May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
How to Obtain a Copy of the Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-WBI-FUND (1-855-924-3863) or on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
How to Obtain a Copy of the Funds’ Proxy Voting Records for the 12-Month Period ended June 30

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-WBI-FUND (1-855-924-3863). Furthermore, you can obtain the Funds’ proxy voting records on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
Quarterly Filings on Form N-Q

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q.  The Funds’ Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.  The Funds’ Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-202-551-8090.  Information included in the Funds’ Form N-Q is also available, upon request, by calling 1-855-WBI-FUND (1-855-924-3863).

 
 
 
43

 
 
WBI Funds
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited)
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund

At a meeting held on December 4-6, 2012, the Board, including all the persons who are Independent Trustees as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, considered and approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund and WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund (the “Funds”) with WBI Investments, Inc. (the “Advisor”) for an annual term.  At this meeting, and at a prior meeting held on October 24-25, 2012, the Board received and reviewed substantial information regarding the Funds, the Advisor and the services provided by the Advisor to the Funds under the Advisory Agreement.  This information, together with the information provided to the Board throughout the course of the year, formed the primary (but not exclusive) basis for the Board’s determinations. Below is a summary of the factors considered by the Board and the conclusions that formed the basis for the Board’s continuance of the Advisory Agreement:
 
1. 
THE NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED AND TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ADVISOR UNDER THE ADVISORY AGREEMENT.  The Board considered the Advisor’s specific responsibilities in all aspects of day-to-day investment management of the Funds.  The Board considered the qualifications, experience and responsibilities of the portfolio managers, as well as the responsibilities of other key personnel of the Advisor involved in the day-to-day activities of the Funds.  The Board also considered the resources and compliance structure of the Advisor, including information regarding its compliance program, its chief compliance officer and the Advisor’s compliance record, and the Advisor’s business continuity plan.  The Board also considered its knowledge of the Advisor’s operations, and noted that during the course of the prior year they had met with the Advisor in person to discuss various marketing and compliance topics, including the Advisor’s diligence in risk oversight.  The Board concluded that the Advisor had the quality and depth of personnel, resources, investment methods and compliance policies and procedures essential to performing its duties under the Advisory Agreement and that the nature, overall quality, cost and extent of such management services are satisfactory and reliable.
 
2. 
THE FUNDS’ HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE AND THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE ADVISOR.   In assessing the quality of the portfolio management delivered by the Advisor, the Board reviewed the short-term and long-term performance of the Funds as of August 31, 2012 on both an absolute basis, and in comparison to both benchmarks and itspeer funds as classified by Lipper and Morningstar.  The Board considered that each Fund was relatively new, with less than two years of performance information.  When reviewing performance against the comparative peer group universe, the Board took into account that the investment objective and strategies of the Funds, as well as each Fund’s level of risk tolerance, may differ significantly from funds in the peer universe.
 
 
 
44

 
 
WBI Funds
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), continued
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund.  The Board noted that the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund’s performance, with regard to its Lipper comparative universe, was above its peer group median and Lipper Index for all relevant periods.  The Board noted that the Fund’s performance, with regard to its Morningstar comparative universe, was below its peer group median and average for all relevant periods.
 
 
The Board also considered any differences in performance between similarly managed accounts and the performance of the Fund and reviewed the performance of the Fund against broad-based securities market benchmarks.
 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund.  The Board noted that the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund’s performance, with regard to its Lipper comparative universe, was above its peer group median and Lipper Index for all relevant periods.  The Board noted that the Fund’s performance, with regard to its Morningstar comparative universe, was above its peer group median and average for the three-month and one-year periods, and below its peer group median and average for the year-to-date and since-inception periods.
 
 
The Board also considered any differences in performance between similarly managed accounts and the performance of the Fund and reviewed the performance of the Fund against a broad-based securities market benchmark.
 
3. 
THE COSTS OF THE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ADVISOR AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE ADVISOR’S FEE UNDER THE ADVISORY AGREEMENT.   In considering the appropriateness of the advisory fee, the Board considered the level of the fee itself as well as the total fees and expenses of each Fund.  The Board reviewed information as to fees and expenses of advisers and funds within the relevant Lipper peer funds as well as fees charged by the Advisor to other similarly managed accounts.  When reviewing fees charged to other similarly managed accounts, the Board took into account the type of account and the differences in the management of that account that might be germane to the difference, if any, in the fees charged to such accounts.
 

 
 
45

 
 
WBI Funds
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), continued
 
WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund.  The Board noted that the Advisor had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund of 1.75% for Institutional shares and 2.00% for No Load shares (the “Expense Caps”). The Board noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio for both Institutional shares and No Load shares was above the median and average of its peer group.  Additionally, the Board noted that when the Fund’s peer group was adjusted to include only funds with similar asset sizes, the total expense ratio for Institutional shares was below the average of this segment of its peer group, and the total expense ratio for No Load shares was above the average of this segment of its peer group.  The Board also noted that the contractual advisory fee was just below its peer group average, as well as the average of the Fund’s peer group when adjusted to include only funds with similar asset sizes, but above the median of its peer group.  The Board also considered that after advisory fee waivers and the payment of Fund expenses necessary to maintain the Expense Caps, the net advisory fees received by the Advisor from the Fund during the most recent fiscal period were below the peer group median and average.  The Board also took into consideration the services the Advisor provided to its similarly managed account clients, comparing the fees charged for those management services to the management fees charged to the Fund.  The Board found that the management fees charged to the Fund were in-line with the fees charged to the Advisor’s similarly managed account clients. As a result, the Trustees noted that the Fund’s expenses and advisory fee were not outside the range of its peer group.
 
 
WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund.  The Board noted that the Advisor had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund of 1.75% for Institutional shares and 2.00% for No Load shares (the “Expense Caps”).  The Board noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio for both Institutional shares and No Load shares was above the median average of its peer group. Additionally, the Board noted that when the Fund’s peer group was adjusted to include only funds with similar asset sizes, the total expense ratio for Institutional shares was below the average of this segment of its peer group, and the total expense ratio for No Load shares was above the average of this segment of its peer group. The Board also noted that the contractual advisory fee was just below its peer group average, as well as the average of the Fund’s peer group when adjusted to include only funds with similar asset sizes, but above the median of its peer group. The Board also considered that after advisory fee waivers and the payment of Fund expenses necessary to maintain the Expense Caps, the net advisory fees received by the Advisor from the Fund during the most recent fiscal period were below the peer group median and average. The Board also took into consideration the services the Advisor provided to its similarly managed account clients, comparing the fees charged for those management services to the management fees charged to the Fund. The Board found that the management fees charged to the Fund were in-line with the fees charged to the Advisor’s similarly managed account clients. As a result, the Trustees noted that the Fund’s expenses and advisory fee were not outside the range of its peer group.
 
 
 
46

 
 
WBI Funds
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), continued
4. 
ECONOMIES OF SCALE.  The Board also considered that economies of scale would be expected to be realized by the Advisor as the assets of the Funds grow.  The Board noted that the Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its advisory fees or reimburse Fund expenses so that each Fund does not exceed its specified Expense Caps.  The Board concluded that there were no effective economies of scale to be shared with the Funds at current asset levels, but indicated they would revisit this issue in the future as circumstances changed and asset levels increased.
 
5.
THE PROFITS TO BE REALIZED BY THE ADVISOR AND ITS AFFILIATES FROM THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FUNDS.  The Board reviewed the Advisor’s financial information and took into account both the direct benefits and the indirect benefits to the Advisor from advising the Funds.  The Board considered the profitability to the Advisor from its relationship with the Funds and considered any additional benefits derived by the Advisor from its relationship with the Funds, including benefits received in the form of Rule 12b-1 fees. The Board also considered that the Funds do not currently utilize “soft dollars,” but may do so in the future.  After such review, the Board determined that the profitability to the Advisor with respect to the Advisory Agreement was not excessive, and that the Advisor had maintained adequate resources and profit levels to support the services it provides to the Funds.
 
No single factor was determinative of the Board’s decision to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund and WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund, but rather the Board based its determination on the total mix of information available to them.  Based on a consideration of all the factors in their totality, the Board determined that the advisory arrangements with the Advisor, including the advisory fees, were fair and reasonable.  The Board therefore determined that the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Fund and WBI Absolute Return Dividend Growth Fund would be in the best interest of each Fund and its shareholders.

 
 
 
47

 
 
WBI Funds
PRIVACY NOTICE
The Funds collect non-public information about you from the following sources:

•  Information we receive about you on applications or other forms;

•  Information you give us orally; and/or

•  Information about your transactions with us or others.

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers without the customer’s authorization, except as permitted by law or in response to inquiries from governmental authorities. We may share information with affiliated and unaffiliated third parties with whom we have contracts for servicing the Fund.  We will provide unaffiliated third parties with only the information necessary to carry out their assigned responsibilities.  We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your non- public personal information and require third parties to treat your personal information with the same high degree of confidentiality.
 
In the event that you hold shares of the Funds through a financial intermediary, including, but not limited to, a broker-dealer, bank, or trust company, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary would govern how your non-public personal information would be shared with those entities with unaffiliated third parties.


 
48 

 

 

(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)

 

 
 

 
 
Investment Advisor
WBI Investments, Inc.
34 Sycamore Avenue, Suite 1-E Little Silver, NJ  07739

 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP
1818 Market Street, Suite 2400
Philadelphia, PA  19103

 
Legal Counsel
Paul Hastings LLP
75 East 55th Street
New York, NY  10022-3205

 
Custodian
U.S. Bank National Association
Custody Operations
1555 N. River Center Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI  53212

 
Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Fund Administrator
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street, 2nd Floor
Milwaukee, WI  53202
1-855-WBI-FUND (1-855-924-3863)

 
Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI  53202


 

This report is intended for the shareholders of the Funds and may not be used as
sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.  
To obtain a free prospectus, please call 1-855-924-3863
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable to registrants who are not listed issuers (as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

Item 6. Investments.

(a)  
Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
 
(b)  
Not Applicable.
 

 
 

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

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

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

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

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

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

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

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a)  
The Registrant’s President/Principal Executive Officer and Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider.

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

Item 12. Exhibits.

(a)  
(1) Any code of ethics or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit. Not Applicable.

(2) A separate certification for each principal executive and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Filed herewith.

(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons.  Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

(b) 
Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Furnished herewith.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
SIGNATURES
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


(Registrant)  Advisors Series Trust                                                                                                                                     

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Douglas G. Hess                                                                                                       
   Douglas G. Hess, President

Date   12/2/13                                                                                                                                                                           
 

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

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Douglas G. Hess                                                                                                       
   Douglas G. Hess, President

Date  12/2/13                                                                                          

 
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Cheryl L. King                                                                                                          
   Cheryl L. King, Treasurer

Date  12/2/13                                                                            
 
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.