N-CSR/A 1 ast-cdgf_ncsra.htm ANNUAL CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT ast-cdgf_ncsra.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2014
 
 
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:  March 31, 2014

 
Date of reporting period:  March 31, 2014


 
 

 
 
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.



 
 
Client Logo
 
 
 
 
 


COLDSTREAM DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND
 




Annual Report
March 31, 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
 
March 31, 2014, marks the end of the Funds third fiscal year. We are generally pleased with the absolute performance of the Fund as returns exceeded 20% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. However, on a relative basis the Fund slightly underperformed the benchmark Russell 1000® Index and the S&P 500® Index.  Having said that, performance improved as the fiscal year went on and the Fund did outperform both indexes during the past quarter.

As investors became more comfortable with improving global growth, cyclical stocks started outperforming the general market. The Fund took on a decidedly more cyclical posture and this change was helpful to performance later in the year. For example, during March the Fund returned 2.30% and the Russell 1000® index was up 0.64%, while the S&P 500® Index increased 0.84%.
 
Performance for the periods ended March 31, 2014 are as follows:
 
 
CMDGX Fund
Russell 1000®
Index
S&P 500®
Index
 
Fiscal Year
4/1/13 - 3/31/14
20.89%
22.41%
21.86%
 
Last Quarter
1/1/14 - 3/31/14
2.07%
2.05%
1.81%
Since Inception
(annualized)
9/30/10 - 3/31/14
14.45%
18.01%
17.69%

 
Gross Expense Ratio: 1.25%
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-877-476-1909. For time periods over one year, returns are annualized.

Holdings that helped drive performance over the fiscal year include Cardinal Health Inc. (+71.74%), Magna International, Inc. (+66.87%), Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (+52.99%), Microsoft Corporation (+47.57%), Corning, Incorporated (+46.19% since purchase on 8/20/2013), Macys, Inc. (+44.64%), Safeway, Inc. (+44.44%) and Walgreens, Co. (+41.64%).
 
 
 
 
- 2 -

 
 
On  the  other  hand,  detractors  from  performance  were  Target  Corporation (-9.31%), Ensco, plc (-8.09%), Philip Morris International Inc.  ( -7.99%), ConAgra Foods, Inc. (-5.98% since purchase on 6/07/2013) and Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (+2.08%).
 
Listed below are the Fund's top ten holdings as of 3/31/2014:
 
 
 
Company
 
Percent Weighting
(%)
 
Annualized Yield
(%)
General Electric Company
3.53
3.38
Microsoft Corporation
3.12
2.74
Apple, Inc.
3.04
2.26
Cisco Systems Inc.
3.02
3.30
Target Corp.
2.87
5.87
Ensco plc
2.79
2.81
International Paper Company
2.76
3.01
CSX Corporation
2.57
2.07
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
2.52
2.64
Macy's, Inc.
2.52
1.65
 
Over the past year, the markets again were not reflective of the relatively weak underlying  economy.  Economic  growth  appears  to  be  stuck  around  2%  of Growth Domestic Product ("GDP.") Unemployment is falling but so is the labor participation rate which makes employment look better than the reality. The Eurozone is better, but only modestly, and emerging markets have experienced some slowing in their growth as well. Yet despite this as an economic backdrop the Fund returned in excess of 20% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.
 
This performance again brings to mind that markets are forward looking, and see better times ahead. As we look out into 2014, we see an economy that seems to be improving on all fronts. GDP growth is expected to hit 3% later this year, housing starts could hit one million units, private employment is at all-time highs, capital expenditures are finally picking up and energy and manufacturing continue to be a great American success story.
 
 
 
 
- 3 -

 
 
When you couple improving economic trends with modest inflation, benign interest  rates, reasonable equity valuation and excess corporate cash, we believe you have an environment conducive to equity investing. The Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund invests in equities which we believe pay reasonable dividends, have earnings and cash flow growth potential and attractive dividend growth characteristics. Some investors seem to have turned to equities as a source of income, as yields on some fixed income opportunities remain constrained.
 
While the markets are certainly long overdue a 10% correction, as we look out six to twelve months we see a reasonable balance between risk and opportunity. Slow worldwide economic growth could favor domestic large cap, dividend paying stocks. We would like to thank you again for your investment in the Fund, and we are excited about the opportunities we see ahead.
 
Sincerely,

Robert Frazier Signature

Robert D. Frazier
Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager
 
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
 
Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible.   The Fund may invest in foreign securities which involve greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.   Investments in securities (units) of MLPs involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock.  To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry.   Additionally, holders of the units of MLPs have more limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership.  There are also certain tax risks associated with an investment in units of MLPs.
 
Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.  Please see the Schedule of Investments in this report for complete Fund holdings.
 
The information provided herein represents the opinion of Coldstream Capital Management and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, nor investment advice.
 
 
 
 
- 4 - 

 
 
The S&P 500® Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation.  It is a market-value weighted index, with each stocks weight in the Index proportionate to its market value.
 
The Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and includes approximately 1,000 of the largest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership.
 
You cannot directly invest in an index.
 
Annualized yield - An annualized rate of return is the return on an investment over a period other than one year (such as a month, or two years) multiplied or divided to give a comparable one-year return.  For instance, a one-month ROI of 1% could be stated as an annualized rate of return of 12%.  Or two-year ROI of 10% could be stated as an annualized rate of return of 5%.
 
Dividend payments are not guaranteed. Dividend payments are a function of a companys current/projected cash flow and earnings and there are a number of risks that may hinder dividend payments.  These risks can include but are not limited to: regulatory risks, economic risk and environmental risk. These risks can determine a companys profitability and its ability to pay dividends.
 
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)  Gross Domestic Product is the amount of goods and services produced in a year, in a country.
 
The information contained in this report is authorized for use when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for the Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund, which includes more complete information on the charges and expenses related to an ongoing investment in the Fund.   Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.
 
The Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
 
 
 
 
- 5 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
Fund Performance Chart at March 31, 2014

Page 6 Bar Graph
Average Annual Total Return:          
 
One
Year
 
Three
Year
 
Since
Inception 1
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund 20.89%   12.83%   14.45%
S&P 500® Index 21.86%   14.66%   17.69%
Russell 1000® Index 22.41%   14.75%   18.01%
 
Past performance does not guarantee future results.  The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (877) 476-1909.
 
Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.   Fee waivers are in effect.  In the absence of fee waivers, returns would be reduced. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions, or redemption Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund of Fund shares. Indices do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 
 
 
- 6 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
Fund Performance Chart at March 31, 2014, Continued


The  S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to represent the broad domestic economy.
 
The Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and includes approximately 1,000 of the largest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership.
 
¹ The Fund commenced operations on September 30, 2010.
 

 
 
- 7 - 

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
EXPENSE EXAMPLE at March 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
Shareholders in mutual funds generally incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions; redemption fees; and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other  fund  expenses.  The Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund is a no-load mutal fund and has no shareholder transaction expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (10/1/13  3/31/14).
 
Actual Expenses
The first line  of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses, with actual net expenses being limited to 1.25% per the operating expenses limitation agreement. Although the Fund charges no sales load or transaction fees, you will be assessed fees for outgoing wire transfers, returned checks, and stop payment orders at prevailing rates charged by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC,  the  Funds  transfer  agent.  The  Example below  includes,  but  is  not  limited  to,  management  fees,  fund  accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. You may use the information in the first line of the table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period'' to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds, as they may charge transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees.
 
 
 
 
- 8 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
EXPENSE EXAMPLE at March 31, 2014 (Unaudited), Continued

 
   
Beginning
Account
Value
10/1/13
 
Ending
Account Value
3/31/14
 
Expenses Paid
During Period*
10/1/13-
3/31/14
Actual
Hypothetical
  $1,000.00   $1,129.60   $6.64
(5% return
before expenses)
  $1,000.00   $1,018.70   $6.29
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.25%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182 (days in most recent fiscal half-year)/365 days to reflect the one-half year expense.
 
 
 
 
- 9 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
Sector Allocation of Portfolio Assets at March 31, 2014 (Unaudited)
 
Page 10 Pie Chart
Percentages represent market value as a percentage of total investments.
 
 
 
 
- 10 - 

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2014

 
 Shares   COMMON STOCKS ‐ 93.07%  Value
   
Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing 5.71%
 29,165  
Altria Group, Inc.
  $ 1,091,646
 12,000  
PepsiCo, Inc.
    1,002,000
14,000  
Philip Morris International, Inc.
    1,146,180
          3,239,826
   
Chemical Manufacturing 10.58%
     
 22,700  
AbbVie, Inc.
    1,166,780
 27,000  
Dow Chemical Co.
    1,311,930
17,600  
E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
    1,180,960
 11,200   Johnson & Johnson      1,100,176
 14,000   Lyondell Basell Industries NV - Class A (a)      1,245,160
          6,005,006
   
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing ‐8.44%
     
 3,200  
Apple, Inc.
    1,717,568
 76,000  
Cisco Systems, Inc.
    1,703,160
 22,300  
Medtronic, Inc.
    1,372,342
          4,793,070
   
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities ‐6.48%
     
 9,500  
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
    1,045,665
 30,000   BB&T Corp.      1,205,100
 23,500   JPMorgan Chase & Co.      1,426,685
           3,677,450
    Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Componet Manufacturing - 2.20%      
 60,000   Corning, Inc.      1,249,200
   
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing ‐2.00%
     
 16,000  
Crane Co.
    1,138,400
   
Food and Beverage Stores ‐1.63%
     
 25,000  
Safeway, Inc.
    923,500
   
Food Manufacturing - 4.12%
     
 26,000  
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.
    1,128,140
 39,000  
ConAgra Foods, Inc.
    1,210,170
           2,338,310
   
General Merchandise Stores 5.28%
     
24,000  
Macy's, Inc.
    1,422,960
 26,000  
Target Corp.
    1,573,260
         
2,996,220
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
 
 
- 11 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2014, Continued

 
Shares    COMMON STOCKS ‐ 93.07%   Value
         
    Health and Personal Care Stores ‐ 2.33%    
 20,000   Walgreen Co.   $ 1,320,600
    Insurance Carriers and Related Activities ‐ 1.91%      
22,000   Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.     1,084,600
    Machinery Manufacturing ‐ 3.51%      
76,985   General Electric Co.     1,993,142
    Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods ‐ 2.39%      
 120,000   Xerox Corp.     1,356,000
    Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods ‐ 1.89%      
15,300   Cardinal Health, Inc.     1,070,694
    Miscellaneous Manufacturing ‐ 4.03%      
8,200   3M Co.     1,112,412
16,000   Baxter International, Inc.     1,177,280
           2,289,692
   
Oil and Gas Extraction ‐ 3.49%
     
11,900   Enterprise Products Partners L.P.      825,384
15,000   Phillips 66     1,155,900
          1,981,284
    Paper Manufacturing - 2.75%      
34,000   International Paper Co.     1,559,920
    Pipeline Transportation - 3.46%      
12,300   Genesis Energy L.P.     666,660
13,400   Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.     738,608
 11,000   Williams Partners L.P.     560,340
           1,965,608
    Publishing Industries (except Internet) ‐ 3.10%      
43,000   Microsoft Corp.     1,762,570
    Rail Transportation ‐ 4.63%      
 50,000   CSX Corp.      1,448,500
 6,300   Union Pacific Corp.      1,182,258
           2,630,758
    Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial      
   
Investments and Related Activities ‐ 1.99%
     
 3,600   BlackRock, Inc.      1,132,128
    Support Activities for Mining ‐ 4.77%      
 15,000   ConocoPhillips      1,090,425
 30,700   Ensco PLC ‐Class A (a)      1,620,345
           2,710,771
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
 
 
- 12 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2014, Continued

 
Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS ‐ 93.07%
 
Value
   
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing ‐ 6.38%
   
 18,700   Eaton Corp. PLC (a)
1,404,744
 12,000   Honeywell International, Inc.    1,113,120
11,500  
Magna International, Inc. (a)
 
1,107,565
   
3,625,429
         
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $41,100,796)
 
52,844,178
 
Shares
 
SHORT‐TERM INVESTMENTS ‐ 6.29%
Value
3,569,616  
Fidelity Institutional Money Market Portfolio ‐Class I, 0.05% (b)
  3,569,616
    TOTAL SHORT‐TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $3,569,616)    3,569,616
         
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES (Cost $44,670,412) ‐ 99.36%    56,413,794
    Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities ‐ 0.64%    362,740
     NET ASSETS ‐100.00% $ 56,776,534
 
(a) U.S. traded security of a foreign issuer.
(b) Rate shown is the 7‐day annualized yield as of March 31, 2014.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
 
 
- 13 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at March 31, 2014

 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $44,670,412)
  $ 56,413,794  
Receivables:        
Fund shares sold     349,500  
Dividends and interest
    90,906  
Prepaid expenses     15,800  
Total assets     56,870,000  
         
LIABILITIES        
Payables:        
Advisory fees     45,172  
Audit fees      18,000  
Administration and fund accounting fees     17,586  
Transfer agent fees and expenses     6,652  
Legal fees      3,276  
Chief Compliance Officer fee     2,250  
Custody fees     332  
Shareholder reporting     198  
    Total liabilities     93,466  
NET ASSETS   $ 56,776,534  
         
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE        
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding   $ 56,776,534  
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited number of shares (par value
     $0.01) authorized]
    4,089,397  
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 13.88  
         
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS        
Paid‐in capital   $ 43,530,366  
Accumulated net investment loss     (147,805
Undistributed net realized gain on investments     1,650,591  
Net unrealized appreciation on investments     11,743,382  
Net assets   $ 56,776,534  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
 
 
- 14 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended March 31, 2014

 
INVESTMENT INCOME    
Income   $ 1,251,561
 Dividends (net of foreign tax withheld of $2,671)     1,480
 Interest     1,253,041
Total income
     
       
Expenses
     
 Advisory fees (Note 4)
    433,315
 Adminstration and fund accounting fees (Note 4)
    70,660
 Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)
    27,823
 Audit fees
    18,000
 Legal fees
    12,511
 Chief Compliance Officer fee (Note 4)
    9,000
 Registration fees
    6,915
 Custody fees (Note 4)
    5,771
 Trustee fees
    5,746
 Insurance expense
    3,474
 Miscellaneous expenses
    2,986
 Reports to shareholders
    696
Total expenses
    596,897
Add: advisory fee recoupment (Note 4)
    40,332
 Net expenses
    637,229
Net investment income
    615,812
       
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS
     
Net realized gain on investments
    3,402,207
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments
    5,702,770
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
    9,104,977
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations   $ 9,720,789
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
 
- 15 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 
     
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
     
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
 
                     
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM: 
OPERATIONS
                   
Net investment income 
    $ 615,812       $ 562,137  
Net realized gain on investments
      3,402,207         3,840,937  
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments
      5,702,770         938,105  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
      9,720,789         5,341,179  
 
                   
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                    
From net investment income       (616,326 )        (551,240 )
From net realized gain on investments        (5,157,934 )        
Total distributions to shareholders       (5,774,260 )        (551,240 )
                     
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS                    
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets derived from net
     change in outstanding shares (a)
      7,431,974         (2,862,854 )
Total increase in net assets       11,378,503         1,927,085  
                     
NET ASSETS                    
Beginning of year       45,398,031         43,470,946  
End of year      $ 56,776,534        $ 45,398,031  
Undistributed net investment income/(loss)      $ (147,805 )      $ 46,158  
 
 
(a) A summary of share transactions is as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
March 31, 2014
   
Year Ended
March 31, 2013
 
   
Shares
   
Paid‐in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid‐in Capital
 
Shares sold
    580,564     $ 7,868,244       587,378     $ 6,734,891  
Shares issued on reinvestments
                               
of distributions
    436,034       5,774,260       47,429       551,240  
Shares redeemed
    (456,634 )     (6,210,530 )     (882,670 )     (10,148,985 )
Net increase/(decrease)
    559,964     $ 7,431,974       (247,863 )   $ (2,862,854 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
 
 
- 16 - 

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 
             
      2014 
  Year Ended March 31,
 
2013
2012
     
 Sept. 30, 2010*
through
March 31, 2011
 
                               
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $  12.86    $ 11.51     $ 11.13      $  10.00  
                               
Income from investment operations:                              
Net investment income 
     0.16     0.15       0.14        0.06  
Net realized and unrealized gain on 
    investments
     2.43     1.35       0.40        1.10  
Total from investment operations
     2.59     1.50       0.54        1.16  
                               
Less distributions:
                             
From net investment income      (0.16   (0.15     (0.16 )        (0.03 )
From net realized gain on 
    investments
     (1.41               0.00 #
Total distributions      (1.57     (0.15 )      (0.16 )      (0.03 )
                               
Net asset value, end of period
   13.88    $ 12.86      $ 11.51      $  11.13  
 
                             
Total return
     20.89  
13.19
%    
4.96
%      11.65 %‡ 
                               
Ratios/supplemental data:                              
Net assets, end of period (thousands)    56,777    $ 45,398      $ 43,471      $  34,962  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:                              
Before advisory fee waiver/recoupment
     1.17   1.24     1.30 %      1.46 %†
After advisory fee waiver/recoupment
     1.25   1.25 %     1.25 %      1.25 %†
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:                              
Before advisory fee waiver/recoupment     1.29   1.34 %     1.27 %      0.94 %†
After advisory fee waiver/recoupment      1.21   1.33 %     1.32 %      1.15 %†
Portfolio turnover rate      38.13   86.58 %     56.12 %      24.38 %‡
 
*
Commencement of operations.
Annualized.
Not annualized.
#
Amount is less than $0.01.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
 
 
- 17 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2014


NOTE 1  ORGANIZATION
 
  The Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund (the Fund”) is a diversified series of Advisors Series Trust (the Trust), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,  (the  1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company.  The investment objective of the Fund is to seek dividend income while maintaining exposure to the market.   The Fund commenced operations on September 30, 2010.
 
NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed  by  the  Fund.  These  policies  are  in  conformity  with  accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
 
A.
Security Valuation: All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value, as described in note 3.
 
 
B.
Federal Income Taxes: It is the  Funds policy to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income or excise tax provision is required.
 
The Fund recognizes 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 2011-2013, or expected to be taken in the Funds 2014 tax returns.   The Fund identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal and the state of Wisconsin; however, the Fund  is  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.
Securities   Transactions,   Income   and   Distributions:   Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on securities sold are determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.  Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
 
 
 
 
- 18 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2014, Continued

 
The Fund distributes 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.
 
 
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.
 
For the year end March 31, 2014, the Fund made the following permanent tax adjustments on the statement of assets and liabilities:
 
   
Undistributed
Net Investment
Income/(Loss)
   
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
   
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
  $  (193,449 )   $ 193,154     $ 295  
 
 
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.
Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Year End:   In preparing the financial statements as of March 31, 2014, management considered the impact of subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 
- 19 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2014, Continued

 
NOTE 3  SECURITIES VALUATION
 
The Fund has 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 Fund has 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 Funds 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. Securities that are primarily traded on a national securities exchange shall be valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are primarily traded on the day of valuation or, if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices.  Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the  NASDAQ Official  Closing  Price (“NOCP). If the  NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. Over-the-counter securities which are not traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System shall be valued at the most recent sales price. Investments in open-end 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.
 
 
 
 
- 20 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2014, Continued

 
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.
 
The Board of Trustees (“Board”) has delegated day-to-day valuation issues to a Valuation Committee of the Trust which is comprised of representatives from U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Fund's administrator.  The function of the Valuation Committee is to value securities where current and reliable market quotations are not readily available or the closing price does not represent fair value by following procedures approved by the Board. These procedures consider many factors, including the type of security, size of holding, trading volume and news events. All actions taken by the Valuation Committee are subsequently reviewed and ratified by the Board.
 
Depending on the relative significance of the valuation inputs, fair valued securities may be classified in either level 2 or level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.   The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's securities as of March 31, 2014:

 
 
- 21 -

 
                          

 Common Stocks        Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Finance and Insurance
  $ 5,894,178   $ -   $ -   $ 5,894,178  
Information
    1,762,570     -         1,762,570  
Manufacturing     28,231,995             28,231,995  
Mining, Quarrying, Oil
                         
    and Gas Extraction      4,692,055             4,692,055  
Retail Trade     5,240,320                 5,240,320  
Transportation and
    Warehousing
       4,596,366              4,596,366  
Wholesale Trade
     2,426,694             2,426,694  
Total Common Stocks
    52,844,178     -     -     52,844,178  
Short-Term Investments
      3,569,616     -     -     3,569,616  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 56,413,794   $ -   $ -   $ 56,413,794  
 
Refer to the  Funds  Schedule of Investments for a detailed  break-out of common stocks by industry classification. Transfers between levels are recognized at March 31, 2014, the end of the reporting period. The Fund recognized no transfers to/from Level 1 or Level 2. There were no Level 3 securities held in the Fund during the year ended March 31, 2014.

NOTE 4 - INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
The Fund has an investment advisory agreement with Coldstream Capital Management,  Inc. (the Advisor) pursuant to which the Advisor is responsible for providing investment management services to the Fund.   The Advisor furnished all investment advice, office space and facilities, and provides most of the personnel needed by the Fund. As compensation for its services, the Advisor is entitled to a fee, computed daily and payable monthly.  The Fund pays fees calculated at an annual rate of 0.85% based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund.  For the year ended March 31, 2014, the Fund incurred $433,315 in advisory fees.
 
 
 
 
- 22 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2014, Continued

 
The Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. The Advisor has agreed to reduce fees payable to it by the Fund and to pay Fund operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit the aggregate annual operating expenses to 1.25% of average daily net assets of the Fund.  Any such reduction made by the Advisor in its fees or payment of expenses which are the Funds obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Fund to the Advisor, if so requested by the Advisor, in subsequent fiscal years if the aggregate amount actually paid by the Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into account the reimbursement) does not exceed the applicable limitation on Fund expenses. 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 year ended March 31, 2014, the Advisor recouped expenses of $40,332. Cumulative expenses subject to recapture pursuant to the aforementioned conditions amounted to $4,876 at March 31, 2014.  The expense limitation will remain in effect through at least July 28, 2014, and may be terminated only by the Trusts Board of Trustees.
 
Cumulative expenses subject to recapture expire as follows:
 
Year Amount
2015 $4,876
  $4,876
 
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC  (the Administrator) acts as the Funds Administrator under an Administration Agreement.  The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, reports and returns for the Fund; 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.  Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Administrator receives from the Fund, a combined fee that would cover both fund accounting and fund administration services.

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”)   also serves as the  fund accountant and transfer agent to the Fund.  U.S. Bank N.A., an affiliate of USBFS, serves as the Fund’s custodian.  For the year ended March 31, 2014, the Fund incurred the following expenses for administration and fund accounting, transfer agency, Chief Compliance Officer, and custody fees:
 
 
 
 
- 23 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2014, Continued

 
Administration and Fund
Accounting
  $ 70,660  
Transfer Agency (a)
    19,501  
Chief Compliance Officer
    9,000  
Custody
    5,771  
(a) Does not include out-of-pocket expenses
 

At March 31, 2014, the Fund 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:
 
Administration and Fund
Accounting
  $ 17,586  
Transfer Agency (a)
    4,882  
Chief Compliance Officer
    2,250  
Custody
    332  
(a) Does not include out-of-pocket expenses
 
Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) acts as the Fund’s principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund’s shares.  The Distributor is an affiliate of the Administrator.
 
Certain officers of the Trust are employees of the Administrator.
 
NOTE 5  PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
 
For the year ended March 31, 2014, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term securities) were $21,466,555 and $18,455,221, respectively.
 
NOTE 6  INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
The distributions paid by the Fund during the years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, were characterized as follows:
 
 
 
 
- 24 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2014, Continued

 
   
March 31, 2014
   
March 31, 2013
 
Ordinary income
  $ 1,729,713     $ 551,240  
Long-Term capital gains
  $ 4,044,547     $           -  
 
Ordinary income distributions may include dividends paid from short-term capital gains.
 
As of March 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings/(losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
 
Cost of investments
  $ 44,680,309  
Gross unrealized appreciation
    12,226,458  
Gross unrealized depreciation
    (492,973 ) 
Net unrealized appreciation (a)
    11,733,485  
Undistributed ordinary income
    275,092  
Undistributed long-term capital gain
    1,237,591  
Total distributable earnings
    1,512,683  
Other accumulated gains/(losses)
    -  
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)
  $ 13,246,168  
 
(a) Difference between book unrealized and tax unrealized appreciation is attributable to the tax treatment of wash sales and partnership adjustments.
 
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, pre-enactment net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses.  As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.
 
 
 
 
- 25 -

 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Trustees
Advisors Series Trust and
Shareholders of
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund (the “Fund),  a series of Advisors Series Trust, including theschedule of investments, as of March 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the period September 30, 2010 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2011.  These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the  Funds management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.  The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.   An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian.   An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund as of March 31, 2014, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the period September 30, 2010 to March 31, 2011,  in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
 
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 28, 2014
 

 
 
- 26 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS at March 31, 2014 (Unaudited)                                                                                                

 
For the year ended March 31, 2014, the Fund designated $1,729,713 as ordinary income and $4,044,547 as long-term capital gains for purposes of the dividends paid deduction.
 
For the year ended March 31, 2014, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The percentage of dividends declared from net investment income designated as qualified dividend income was 63.33%.
 
For corporate shareholders, the percent of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for the year ended March 31, 2014 was 63.32%.

The percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions that are designated as short-term capital gain distributions under Internal Revenue Section 871(k)(2)(C) for the year ended March 31, 2014 was 64.37%.
 
 
How to Obtain a Copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policies
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge upon request by calling (877) 476-1909 or on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC”) website at  http://www.sec.gov.
 

How to Obtain a Copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Records for the 12-Month Period Ended June 30, 2013
 
Information  regarding  how  the  Fund  voted  proxies  relating  to   portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 476-1909.  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 Fund files its 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 (202) 551-8090. Information included in the Fund’s Form N-Q is also available by calling (877) 476-1909.
 
 
 
 
- 27 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
HOUSEHOLDING                                                                                            

 
In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund intends to reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other similar documents you receive by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders the Transfer Agent reasonably believes are from the same family or household.   Once implemented, if you would like to discontinue householding for your accounts, please call toll-free at (877) 476-1909 to request individual copies of these documents.  Once the Transfer Agent receives notice to stop householding, the Transfer Agent will begin sending individual copies thirty days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.

 
 
 
- 28 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS at March 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

 
This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee the Fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operation of the Fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.
 
Independent Trustees(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name, Address
and Age
 
 
 
 
Position Held
with the Trust 
 
 
 
 
 
Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
 
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(2)
 
 
 
 
Other Directorships Held
During Past Five Years
 
Gail S. Duree
(age 67)
615 E. Michigan St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Trustee
Indefinite term since
March 2014.
Director, Alpha Gamma Delta Housing Corporation (collegiate housing management) (2012 to present); Trustee and Chair (2000 to 2012), New Covenant Mutual Funds (1999-2012); Director and Board Member, Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation (philanthropic
organization) (2005
to 2011).
1
Trustee, Advisors Series Trust
(for series not affiliated with the Fund); Independent Trustee from 1999 to 2012,
New Covenant Mutual Funds.
           
Donald E. O’Connor
(age 77)
615 E. Michigan St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Trustee
Indefinite term since February 1997.
Retired; former Financial Consultant and former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ICI Mutual Insurance Company (until January 1997).
 
1
Trustee, Advisors Series Trust
(for series not affiliated with the Fund); Trustee, The Forward Funds
(31 portfolios).
 
 
 
 
- 29 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS at March 31, 2014 (Unaudited), Continued

 
Independent Trustees(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name, Address
and Age
 
 
 
Position Held
with the Trust
 
 
 
 
Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
 
 
 
 
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
 
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(2)
 
 
 
Other Directorships Held
During Past Five Years
 
George J. Rebhan
(age 79)
615 E. Michigan St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Trustee
Indefinite term since
May 2002.
Retired; formerly
President, Hotchkis and Wiley Funds (mutual funds) (1985 to 1993).
1
Trustee, Advisors Series Trust
(for series not affiliated with the Fund); Independent Trustee from 1999 to 2009,
E*TRADE Funds.
           
George T. Wofford
(age 74)
615 E. Michigan St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Trustee
Indefinite term since
February 1997.
Retired; formerly
Senior Vice President, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.
1
Trustee, Advisors Series Trust
(for series not affiliated with the Fund).

 
Interested Trustee
 
 
 
 
Name, Address
and Age
 
 
 
 
Position Held with the Trust
 
 
 
Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
 
 
 
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
 
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee(2)
 
 
Other Directorships Held
During Past Five Years
 
Joe D. Redwine(4)
(age 66)
615 E. Michigan St.
Milwaukee,WI 53202
 
Interested
Trustee
Indefinite term since
September 2008.
President, CEO, U.S. Bancorp
Fund Services, LLC
(May 1991 to present).
1
Trustee, Advisors Series Trust
(for series not affiliated with the Fund).
 


 
- 30 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS at March 31, 2014 (Unaudited), Continued

 
Officers
 
 
 
Name, Address
and Age
 
 
 
Position Held
with the Trust
 
 
 
Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
 
 
 
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
 
 
Joe D. Redwine(4)
(age 66)
615 E. Michigan St.
Milwaukee,WI 53202
 
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
 
Indefinite term since
September 2007.
 
President, CEO, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
(May 1991 to present).
       
 
Douglas G. Hess
(age 46)
615 E. Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
President and Principal
Executive Officer
 
Indefinite term since
June 2003.
 
Senior Vice President, Compliance and Administration,
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
(March 1997 to present).
 
       
 
Cheryl L. King
(age 52)
615 E. Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Treasurer and Principal
Financial Officer
 
Indefinite term since
December 2007.
 
Vice President, Compliance and Administration,
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
(October 1998 to present).
       
 
Kevin J. Hayden
(age 42)
615 E. Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Assistant Treasurer  
 
Indefinite term since
September 2013.
 
Assistant Vice President, Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
(June 2005 to present).
 
       
 
Albert Sosa
(age 43)
615 E. Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Assistant Treasurer 
 
Indefinite term since
September 2013.
 
Assistant Vice President Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC 
(June 2004 to present).

       
 
Michael L. Ceccato
(age 56)
615 E. Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer
and AML Officer
 
Indefinite term since
September 2009.
 
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (February 2008 to present)

 
 
 

 
- 31 -

 
 
Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS at March 31, 2014 (Unaudited), Continued


Officers - Continued
 
 
 
Name, Address
and Age
 
 
 
Position Held
with the Trust
 
 
 
Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
 
 
 
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
 
 
Jeanine M. Bajczyk, Esq.
(age 48)
615 E. Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Secretary   
 
Indefinite term since
June 2007.
 
Senior Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (May 2006 to present);
Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (May 2005 to May 2006);
Senior Counsel, Strong Financial Corporation
(January 2002 to April 2005).
 
 
(1)
The Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”).
(2)
As of March 31, 2014, the Trust is comprised of 40 active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisors. The term Fund Complex applies only to the Fund. The Fund does not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor does it share the same investment adviser with any other series.
(3)
“Other  Directorships  Held” includes  only directorships  of companies  required  to register or file reports with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended  that is, public companies) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.
(4)
Mr. Redwine is an “interested person” of the Trust as defined by the 1940 Act. Mr. Redwine is an interested Trustee of the Trust by virtue of the fact that he is an interested person of Quasar Distributors, LLC who acts as principal underwriter to the series of the Trust.
 
The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling (877) 476-1909.
 
 
 
 
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Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited)

 
At a meeting held on December 3-5, 2013, 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 investment advisory agreement  (the Advisory Agreement) between  Advisors Series Trust (the Trust) and Coldstream Capital Management,  Inc. (the Advisor) for the Coldstream
 Dividend Growth Fund (the Fund”) for another annual term.  At this meeting, and at a prior meeting held on October 24, 2013, the Board received and reviewed substantial information regarding the Fund, the Advisor and the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund 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 Boards determinations.   Below is a summary of the factors considered by the Board and the conclusions that formed the basis for the Boards 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 nature, extent and quality of the Advisors overall services provided to the Fund as well as its specific responsibilities in all aspects of day-to- day investment management of the Fund.   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 Fund.   The Board also considered the resources and compliance structure of the Advisor, including information regarding its compliance program, its chief compliance officer, the Advisor's compliance record, and the Advisors 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 Advisors risk management process.  The Board also took into account that the Fund was currently being offered only to existing advisory clients of the Advisor and  to  friends and  family of the  Advisor’s  employees.    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 and extent of such management services are satisfactory.

 
 
 
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Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), Continued

 
 
2.
THE FUND'S HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE AND THE OVERAL 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 Fund as of August 31, 2013 on both an absolute basis, and in comparison to both benchmarks and its peer funds as classified by Lipper and Morningstar.   While the Board considered performance over both short and long term periods, it placed less emphasis on very short term performance and greater emphasis on longer term performance.  When reviewing performance against the comparative peer group universe, the Board took into account that the investment objective and strategies of the Fund, as well as its level of risk tolerance, may differ significantly from funds in the peer universe.

The Board noted that the Funds performance, with regard to its Lipper comparative universe, was below its peer group median and average for the one-year and since inception periods.

The Board noted that the Funds performance, with regard to its Morningstar comparative universe, was slightly above its peer group median and average for the one-year period and below its peer group median and average for the since inception period.

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.   The Board considered that while the Funds performance has been disappointing, the Fund has less than two years of operating history and discussed with the Advisor its plans to improve performance.

 
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, the Board considered the level of the fee itself as well as the total fees and expenses of the Fund.  The Board reviewed information as to fees and expenses of advisors and funds within the relevant Lipper  peer  funds,  fees charged  by  the Advisor to other similarly managed accounts, as well as information regarding fee offsets for separate accounts invested in the Fund.  When reviewing fees charged to other similarly managed accounts, the Board management of that account that might be germane to the difference, if any, in the fees charged to such accounts.
 
 
 
 
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Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), Continued

 
The Board noted that the Advisor had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the Fund of 1.25% (the Expense Cap”) and that the Fund's total expense ratio was above the median and average of  its peer group.  The Board also noted that the Funds total expense ratio was above the average of its peer group when it was adjusted to include only funds with similar asset sizes.  The Board also noted that the contractual advisory fee was well above the median and average of its peer group and that when the peer group was adjusted to include only funds with similar asset sizes, the contractual advisory fee remained materially higher than the peer group average.   The Board also took into consideration the services the Advisor provided to its separately managed account clients, comparing the fees charged for those management services to the management fees charged to the Fund.  The Board took into account that the Fund was relatively new and that it was not being broadly distributed at this time.  The Board determined to  continue to monitor closely the  Funds  expense  and performance in the upcoming year.
 
 
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 Fund grow.  In this regard, the Board noted that the Advisor anticipated recognizing certain economies of scale if Fund assets should increase materially from current levels.  The Board noted that the Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its advisory fees or reimburse Fund expenses so that the Fund does not exceed its specified Expense Cap. The Board concluded that there were no effective economies of scale to be shared with the Fund 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 FUND.  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 Fund.  The Board considered the profitability to the Advisor from its relationship with the Fund and considered any additional benefits derived by the Advisor from its relationship with the Fund.  The Board also considered that the Fund does not charge any Rule 12b-1 fees or utilize soft dollars.”  The Board also reviewed information regarding fee offsets for separate accounts invested in the Fund and determined that the Advisor was not receiving an advisory fee both at the separate account and at the Fund level for these accounts, and as a result was not receiving additional fall-out benefits from these relationships.  After such review, the Board determined that the profitability to the Advisor with respect to the Advisory  Agreement  was  not  excessive  at  this  time,  and  that  the Advisor had maintained adequate resources and profit levels to support the services it provides to the Fund.
 
 
 
 
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Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), Continued

 
No single factor was determinative  of the Boards decision to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Coldstream 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 arrangement with the Advisor, including the advisory fee, was fair and reasonable.  The  Board therefore determined that the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund would be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 
 
 
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Coldstream Dividend Growth Fund
PRIVACY POLICY

 
The Fund collects 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 customers 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 Fund through a financial intermediary, including,  but  not  limited  to,  a  broker-dealer, bank,  or  trust  company,  the privacy policy of your financial intermediary would govern how your non-public personal information would be shared by those entities with unaffiliated third parties.


 
 
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Investment Advisor 
Coldstream Capital Management, Inc.
One  100th Avenue NE, Suite 102
Bellevue, WA 98004
 

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

Legal Counsel
Paul Hastings LLP
77 East 55th Street
New York, NY 10022
 

Custodian
U.S. Bank N.A.
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
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(877) 476-1909
 

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

 
 
  This report is intended for shareholders of the Fund and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.  For a current prospectus please call (877) 476-1909.  Statements and other information herein are dated and are subject to change.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Item 2. Code of Ethics.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer.  The registrant has not made any amendments to its code of ethics during the period covered by this report.  The registrant has not granted any waivers from any provisions of the code of ethics during the period covered by this report.

A copy of the registrant’s Code of Ethics is filed herewith.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that there is at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.  Ms. Gail S. Duree is the “audit committee financial expert” and is considered to be “independent” as each term is defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The registrant has engaged its principal accountant to perform audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services during the past two fiscal years.  “Audit services” refer to performing an audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for these fiscal years.  “Audit-related services” refer to the assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit.  “Tax services” refer to professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.  There were no “other services” provided by the principal accountant.  The following table details the aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed for the last two fiscal years for audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees and other fees by the principal accountant.

 
FYE  3/31/2014
FYE  3/31/2013
Audit Fees
          $14,900
          $14,500
Audit-Related Fees
          N/A
          N/A
Tax Fees
          $3,100
          $3,000
All Other Fees
          N/A
          N/A

The audit committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures that require the audit committee to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services of the registrant, including services provided to any entity affiliated with the registrant.

The percentage of fees billed by Tait, Weller, & Baker LLP applicable to non-audit services pursuant to waiver of pre-approval requirement were as follows:

 
FYE  3/31/2014
FYE  3/31/2013
Audit-Related Fees
0%
0%
Tax Fees
0%
0%
All Other Fees
0%
0%

All of the principal accountant’s hours spent on auditing the registrant’s financial statements were attributed to work performed by full-time permanent employees of the principal accountant.

The following table indicates the non-audit fees billed or expected to be billed by the registrant’s accountant for services to the registrant and to the registrant’s investment adviser (and any other controlling entity, etc.—not sub-adviser) for the last two years.  The audit committee of the Board of Trustees has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant's investment adviser is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence and has concluded that the provision of such non-audit services by the accountant has not compromised the accountant’s independence.

Non-Audit Related Fees
FYE  3/31/2014
FYE  3/31/2013
Registrant
N/A
N/A
Registrant’s Investment Adviser
N/A
N/A


 
 

 
 
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 fourth 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 subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit. Filed herewith.

 
(2)
Certifications 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)  
Certification 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  6/9/14                                                                                                                                                                               



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  6/9/14                                                                               
                                                                                                 

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

Date  6/9/14                                                                                                                                                                                          

 
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.