N-CSR 1 sf-ncsra.htm SEMPER FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11-30-19

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)


Jeffrey T. Rauman, President/Chief Executive Officer
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)



(626) 914-7363
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



Date of fiscal year end: November 30, 2019



Date of reporting period: November 30, 2019


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
 

 
 

 
Semper MBS Total Return Fund
Class A – SEMOX
Investor Class – SEMPX
Institutional Class – SEMMX
 
 
Semper Short Duration Fund
Investor Class – SEMRX
Institutional Class – SEMIX
 

 
Annual Report
November 30, 2019
 

 

 
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Funds (defined herein) or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
 
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds or your financial intermediary electronically through the Funds’ website.
 
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Funds or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the fund complex and may apply to all funds held through your financial intermediary.
 


SEMPER FUNDS


Table of Contents
 
 
Shareholder Letter
1
Allocation of Portfolio Assets
7
Expense Example
9
Investment Highlights
11
Schedules of Investments
13
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
52
Statements of Operations
55
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
56
Financial Highlights
60
Notes to Financial Statements
65
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
81
Notice to Shareholders
82
Information about Trustees and Officers
83
Householding
88
Privacy Notice
89




SEMPER FUNDS

January 6, 2020
 
Dear Shareholder,
 
The Semper MBS Total Return Fund (the “Total Return Fund” or the “Fund”) completed its sixth full fiscal year on November 30, 2019.  The Fund’s assets grew from approximately $1.94 billion to over $2.3 billion, representing close to 20% growth versus one year earlier.  Net performance for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 for the Institutional Class was 4.45%, for the Investor Class net performance was 4.19%, and for the Class A net performance was 4.19% without the maximum 2.00% front-end sales load and 2.15% including the maximum 2.00% front-end sales load.  The performance of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index (the “Index”), the Fund’s benchmark index, during the fiscal year was 7.98%.  Performance of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index, which represents the overall bond market was 10.79%.
 
The Fund’s primary strategies during the year remained unchanged.  The Total Return Fund, under normal market conditions, invests at least 80% of its net assets in mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), and seeks to provide a high level of risk-adjusted current income and capital appreciation.  Throughout the fiscal year, the Fund’s largest allocation was to the non-agency residential MBS (“RMBS”) sector as it has been since inception of the Fund in 2013.  The November 30, 2019 allocation to RMBS totaled 93%.  Approximately 60% of this RMBS position was allocated to newer issue securitizations supported by recent vintage loans, with about 40% consisting of legacy (pre-financial crisis) securitizations including Prime, Alt-A and Subprime bonds along with seasoned loans packaged into newer securitizations.  Examples of new issue securitizations are Agency Credit Risk Transfer bonds (CRT) issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Jumbo 2.0 securitizations, Non-QM (non-qualifying mortgages) securitizations, and Single Family Rental (SFR) bonds.  Examples of newer issue securitizations supported by seasoned loans include Reperforming Loan securitizations (RPL) and Non-Performing Loan securitizations (NPL). The Fund also had an allocation to commercial MBS (CMBS), primarily multi-family housing securities.  The Fund did not have an allocation to government agency guaranteed MBS given our relative value view on the sector characterized by greater interest rate sensitivity and lower yield.
 
As of November 30, 2019, the Fund received a 5-Star Overall Morningstar Rating and 4-Star 3-year Morningstar Rating among 282 nontraditional bond funds and a 5-Star 5-year Morningstar Rating among 225 nontraditional bond funds.
 
The primary source of performance during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 was the portfolio’s yield advantage from its allocation to non-agency RMBS.  The trailing twelve month yield for the Institutional Class was 5.05%, and interest income contributed about 5.5% to performance.  Overall, price appreciation contributed about ¼% to performance.
 
The case for investing in RMBS remains intact. Our economy has benefited from strong and improving housing fundamentals for nearly a decade.  Since bottoming in
 


1

SEMPER FUNDS

2012, home prices nationally have risen an average of 4% per year, and home price appreciation (HPA) nationally currently remains above the rate of inflation.  From a credit enhancement standpoint, higher home values help build equity which adds additional credit support to these non-government guaranteed RMBS deals. Consistent with the national average of sustained positive price appreciation, mortgage delinquencies and home foreclosures along with LTV ratios (“Loan-To-Value”) have seen steady declines, creating a favorable environment for RMBS performance from both credit and technical perspectives.
 
The economic backdrop for the Fund’s prior fiscal year was characterized by reasonably robust economic activity and fiscal stimulus, leading the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) to raise their target Fed Funds rate four times during the period: December 2017, March 2018, June 2018, and September 2018. The Fed raised the rate again in December 2018, bringing the target up to 2.5%, likely approaching neutral.  However, this gradual decline in Fed accommodation began to concern markets in late fall 2018, in combination with the Administration’s imposition of trade tariffs, the beginning of yet-to-be-resolved standoff with China over trade and other policies.  The 10-year Treasury yield peaked at 3.2% on November 8, 2018, stood at 2.99% at the end of November 2018, and had declined to 2.69% by December 31, 2018.  These market concerns led to a sharp risk-off environment, leading to fears that the economy would fall into a recession in 2019.
 
RMBS spreads widened during this brief period of uncertainty, with many prices declining but by much less than other risk assets.  The price of the Fund’s shares declined by 5 to 6 cents during December 2018, the result of price softness in the RMBS market. However, the Fed tone changed sharply and quickly, taking on a dovish tone and market sentiment quickly reversed moving into 2019 with equities and high yield credit rising sharply, and mortgage credit rebounding but in a more subdued fashion.  From that point through the end of August, market yields generally declined, with the 10-year Treasury yield declining to below 1.50% at August month-end.  Bond sectors with duration, including agency MBS rallied significantly through this period, and then traded roughly in a flat range as interest rates rose somewhat in the fall, reaching 1.77% on the 10-year Treasury on November 30, 2019, the end of the current fiscal year.  Equities and high yield credit rallied for most of this period as well, with domestic equities setting a number of record highs.
 
The Fund’s share prices were roughly unchanged over the course of calendar year 2019.  The Fund’s overall duration remained short during this period, consistent with our preference for higher quality, shorter cash flows in the RMBS sector.  Positive price appreciation for the portion of the Fund in longer duration securities including Jumbo 2.0 securitizations and Reperforming Loan securitizations (RPL) was largely offset by price declines in very high-dollar price and interest-only profiles, which are negatively impacted by declining market rates as expectations for higher mortgage prepayments grew.
 
Supply-demand technicals remained favorable in the RMBS sector, as the outstanding size of legacy RMBS declined by over 10% year-over-year to approximately
 


2

SEMPER FUNDS

$350 billion.  The mortgage credit curve flattened further over much of the year as higher risk, longer duration securities outperformed, and yields compressed.  New issue, or next generation, RMBS issuance grew by about $125 billion for the second consecutive year, and these next generation bonds continued to grow in importance and opportunity thanks to their good liquidity, attractive delevering and credit upgrade potential, and overall strong risk adjusted performance opportunities.
 
We expect to maintain a similar overall Fund structure in 2020, with the largest allocation to non-agencies, with a growing percentage in newer issue securities, a modest allocation to CMBS, and a continued target duration of under two years.  We expect volatility across all markets resulting from uncertainty in economic activity, in global trade negotiations – with the largest unknown being the U.S / China negotiations – as well as from the 2020 election cycle.  We currently expect the Fed to remain on hold following their three 2019 rate cuts.  We firmly believe that strength will persist in the housing market’s credit fundamentals, with lower rates providing a strong underpinning, and expect that new issuance in non-agency RMBS will be robust, offering many attractive investment opportunities.
 
We believe that one of the RMBS sector’s key attributes is its low level of interest rate sensitivity and high relative current yield.  We believe that the greater likelihood is for rates to be stable or rise modestly from here, and therefore we continue to prefer a portfolio with low interest rate sensitivity.
 
The Fund’s effective duration as of November 30, 2019, was 1.5 years, versus 3.1 years for the Index, and the portfolio’s bonds have exhibited even less rate sensitivity than the duration would infer.  The Fund continued to have a yield advantage relative to the Index.  The Fund’s yield to maturity as of November 30, 2019 was 3.5%, and its current yield was 4.5% versus the Index’s yield to maturity of 2.5%.  As of November 30, 2019, the Fund’s 30-day subsidized and unsubsidized 30-day SEC yields for the Institutional Class, Investor Class and Class A were 4.04%, 3.79% and 3.71%, respectively.
 
At the end of November 2019, the Total Return Fund’s portfolio was well diversified with over 480 positions.
 
The Semper Short Duration Fund (the “Short Duration Fund” or the “Fund”) ended the fiscal year on November 30, 2019, with approximately $450 million in assets, a $283 million increase versus one year earlier.  For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019, performance for the Institutional Class was 3.38% and for the Investor Class was 3.20%.  The performance of the Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Government Index during this same period was 4.20%.  The performance of the Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index was 4.20% for the same period.  Performance for the Fund trailed index performance during the year because the Fund maintained a very short duration, or interest rate sensitivity.  The Fund’s duration of about ½ year was significantly lower than the duration of the indices, approximately 1.9 years.  The nearly 1.2% yield decline for short maturity Treasuries resulted in price appreciation for the indices significantly in excess of the Fund’s price appreciation, while the Fund’s yield advantage partially offset that disadvantage.
 


3

SEMPER FUNDS

The front end of the yield curve also declined for much of the year, with the 2-year Treasury yield falling from 2.79% at the beginning of the fiscal year to 1.61% on November 30, 2019.  The yield curve spent much of the year nearly or slightly inverted until Fed easing took hold and recession fears ebbed, but the 2-year to 10-year spread ended the year at +18 basis points, similar to its starting point a year earlier.
 
Performance for the Fund was positive each month during the fiscal year, buoyed by strong relative yield, solid credit performance, and low interest rate sensitivity.  Interest income contributed about 3.7% to performance, with price declines contributing about 0.5% to performance.  Fund performance has been positive each month since February 2016.  As of November 30, 2019, the Fund received a 5-Star Overall Morningstar Rating and a 5-Star 3-year  Morningstar Rating among 159 ultrashort bond bunds and a 5-Star Morningstar Rating for the 5-year among 127 ultrashort bond funds.
 
Similar to the Total Return Fund, the Short Duration Fund is primarily allocated to structured credit sectors including MBS, CMBS, asset-backed securities (ABS), and senior tranches of collateralized loan obligations (CLO) rated AAA.  Duration was maintained at a relatively low level during the fiscal year, generally remaining in a range of 0.3 years to 0.5 years, and ending the fiscal year at 0.4 years.  At the end of November 2019, the Short Duration Fund was well diversified with over 300 positions.  23% of the Fund’s portfolio was invested in non-agency RMBS, 23% in agency MBS, primarily Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued Credit Risk Transfer securities, 13% in CMBS, 15% in ABS, 23% in senior CLO securities, and 2% in cash equivalents.  More than 80% of the Fund assets were rated investment grade, with less than 6% below investment grade and less than 11% non-rated.  69% of the Fund was invested in floating rate securities, typically resetting monthly above a one-or three-month LIBOR reference rate.  The focus on short duration structured credit resulted in an attractive yield to maturity (to forward yields) of 2.87% and a 30-day SEC yield of 2.92% subsidized, and 2.85% unsubsidized for the Institutional Class as of November 30, 2019.  The 30-day SEC yield for the Investor Class as of November 30, 2019 was 2.67% subsidized and 2.59% unsubsidized.  The trailing twelve-month yield for the Institutional Class was 2.74%.  In an environment of sharply lower rates in which the Fed cut short term rates 3 times totaling 75 basis points, we believe that the yield of this Fund remains attractive.
 
We expect that the portfolio’s overall structure in 2020 will remain similar, with a significant allocation to RMBS, CMBS, and ABS with low interest rate sensitivity.  This low rate sensitivity is supported by the low average lives of most of the Fund’s positions, including the allocation to floating rate securities. Given our expectation that the Fed is likely on hold for most or all of 2020, we expect that there may be some upward pressure on short maturity interest rates.  Additionally, our strategy of investing in securities with credit sensitivity to improving real estate fundamentals and investing in securitized debt generally, can best position the Fund to perform well in 2020 on an absolute and relative basis.
 


4

SEMPER FUNDS

Both the Total Return Fund and the Short Duration Fund have significant capacity and appropriate liquidity, including lines of credit to be used only for redemption purposes, looking to the new fiscal year.
 
Sincerely,
Semper Capital Management, L.P.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
 
Opinions expressed are those of Semper Capital Management, L.P., the Semper MBS Total Return Fund’s and the Semper Short Duration Bond Fund’s investment adviser, and are subject to change, are not guaranteed and should not be considered investment advice.
 
Mutual fund investing involves risk.  Principal loss is possible.
 
The Funds invest in debt securities: As interest rates rise, the value of debt securities decrease; whereas prepayment risk tends to occur during periods of declining interest rates. This risk is usually greater for longer-term debt securities. Recent turbulence in the financial markets and reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income market may have an adverse effect on the Funds. Investments in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities include additional risks that investors should be aware of such as credit risk, interest rate risk, prepayment risk, real estate market risk, possible illiquidity and default, as well as increased susceptibility to adverse economic developments. Many of the risks of investing in commercial mortgage-backed securities reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans. Accordingly, the Funds may not be suitable for all investors.
 
In addition, the MBS Total Return Fund invests in lower-rated and non-rated securities that present a greater risk of loss to principal and interest than higher-rated securities. The Fund may make short sales of securities, which involves the risk that losses to those securities may exceed the original amount invested by the Fund. The Fund may invest in securities that are less liquid which can be difficult to sell. The Fund may use certain types of investment derivatives such as futures, forwards, and swaps. Derivatives involve risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than the risks presented by more traditional investments. The Fund may use leverage which may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of portfolio securities. The Fund may invest in To Be Announced (“TBA”) securities which involve interest rate and investment exposure risks. The Fund may invest in when-issued securities which may involve less favorable prices for securities, when delivered, and failure to deliver securities could cause a loss to the Fund.
 
Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.  For a complete listing of Fund holdings, please refer to the schedule of investments in this report.
 
Diversification does not assure a profit nor protect against loss in a declining market.
 
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. MBS Index covers agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities – both fixed-rate and hybrid ARM – issued by Ginnie Mae (GNMA), Fannie Mae (FNMA), and Freddie Mac (FHLMC).  Pool aggregates must have at least $250 million outstanding with a weighted average maturity of at least one year.
 
The Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Government Index covers U.S. Treasury and agency securities issued by the U.S. Government with a maturity from 1 up to but not including 3 years.  This unmanaged index contains only dollar-denominated issues with at least $250 million par outstanding.
 
The Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index covers U.S. Treasury securities issued by the U.S. Government with a maturity from 1 up to but not including 3 years.  This unmanaged index contains only dollar-denominated issues with at least $250 million par outstanding.
 
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is a market capitalization-weighted index, meaning the securities in the index are weighted according to the market size of each bond type. Most U.S. traded investment grade bonds are represented. Municipal bonds, and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities are
 


5

SEMPER FUNDS

excluded, due to tax treatment issues. The index includes Treasury securities, Government agency bonds, mortgage-backed bonds, corporate bonds, and a small amount of foreign bonds traded in the U.S.
 
One cannot invest directly in an index.
 
The Morningstar Rating for funds, or “star rating”, is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history, without adjustment for sales loads. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product’s monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods. As of 11/30/19 the Semper Short Duration Fund (SEMIX) received a 5-Star Overall Morningstar Rating and a 5-Star 3-Year Morningstar Rating among 159 ultrashort bond bunds and a 5-Star Morningstar Rating for the 5-year among 127 ultrashort bond funds.
 
Morningstar Rankings represent a fund’s total-return rank relative to all funds that have the same Morningstar Category. The highest rank is 1 and the lowest is based on the total number of funds ranked in the category. It is based on Morningstar total return, which includes both income and capital gains or losses and is not adjusted for sales charges or redemption fees.
 
©2019 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein (1) is proprietary to Morningstar (2) may not be copied or distributed and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.
 
Credit Quality weights by rating are derived from the highest bond rating as determined by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Moody’s or Fitch. Bond ratings are grades given to bonds that indicate their credit quality as determined by private independent rating services such as S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. These firms evaluate a bond issuer’s financial strength, or its ability to pay a bond’s principal and interest in a timely fashion. Ratings are expressed as letters ranging from ‘AAA’, which is the highest grade, to ‘D’, which is the lowest grade. In limited situations when none of the three rating agencies have issued a formal rating, the adviser will classify the security as non-rated.
 
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR): An indicative average interest rate at which a selection of banks known as the panel banks are prepared to lend one another unsecured funds on the London money market.
 
Effective Duration: Calculation for bonds with cash flow variability.  It takes into account that expected cash flows will fluctuate as interest rates change.
 
Yield: Interest income divided by price for a bond or portfolio of bonds.
 
Yield to Maturity: Anticipated rate of return on a bond or portfolio of bonds if held until the maturity date.
 
30-Day SEC Yield: Standardized yield which is calculated based on a 30-day period ending on the last day of the previous month.  It is computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned during the period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period.
 
Par is the face value or nominal value of a bond.
 
Basis point equals 1/100th of 1%.
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 
The Semper Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
 

6

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS at November 30, 2019 (Unaudited)


 


 
Percentages represent market value as a percentage of total investments.
 


7

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS at November 30, 2019 (Unaudited)


 


 
Percentages represent market value as a percentage of total investments.
 


8

SEMPER FUNDS

EXPENSE EXAMPLE at November 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of a mutual fund, you 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 at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (6/1/19 – 11/30/19).
 
Actual Expenses
 
The information in the table under the heading “Actual” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses, with actual net expenses being limited to 1.15%, 1.15% and 0.90% per the operating expenses limitation agreement for the Semper MBS Total Return Fund – Class A, Investor Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively, and limited to 0.85% and 0.60% per the operating expenses limitation agreement for the Semper Short Duration Fund – Investor Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively.  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, 12b-1 fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees.  You may use this information, 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 information in the table under the heading “Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is different from the Fund’s actual returns.  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 do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees.  Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
 

 

 
9

SEMPER FUNDS

EXPENSE EXAMPLE at November 30, 2019 (Unaudited), Continued

Total Return Fund
 
 
Beginning
Ending
Expenses Paid
 
Account Value
Account Value
During Period
 
6/1/19
11/30/19
6/1/19 – 11/30/19(1)
Class A
     
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,016.00
$5.15
       
Hypothetical (5% return
$1,000.00
$1,019.95
$5.16
  before expenses)
     
       
Investor Class
     
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,016.00
$5.15
       
Hypothetical (5% return
$1,000.00
$1,019.95
$5.16
  before expenses)
     
       
Institutional Class
     
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,018.30
$3.90
       
Hypothetical (5% return
$1,000.00
$1,021.21
$3.90
  before expenses)
     

(1)
Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183 (days in most recent fiscal half-year)/365 days to reflect the one-half year expense.  The annualized expense ratios of the Semper MBS Total Return Fund – Class A, Investor Class and Institutional Class are 1.02%, 1.02% and 0.77%, respectively.

Short Duration Fund
 
 
Beginning
Ending
Expenses Paid
 
Account Value
Account Value
During Period
 
6/1/19
11/30/19
6/1/19 – 11/30/19(1)
Investor Class
     
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,014.00
$4.29
       
Hypothetical (5% return
$1,000.00
$1,020.81
$4.31
  before expenses)
     
       
Institutional Class
     
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,014.30
$3.03
       
Hypothetical (5% return
$1,000.00
$1,022.06
$3.04
  before expenses)
     

(1)
Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183 (days in most recent fiscal half-year)/365 days to reflect the one-half year expense.  The annualized expense ratios of the Semper Short Duration Fund – Investor Class and Institutional Class are 0.85% and 0.60%, respectively.


10

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

Comparison of the change in value of a $1,000,000 investment in the
Semper MBS Total Return Fund – Institutional Class vs
the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. MBS Index


 
 
       
Since
Since
 
One
Three
Five
Inception
Inception
Average Annual Total Return
Year
Years
Years
(7/22/13)
(12/18/2015)
Semper MBS Total Return Fund –
         
  Investor Class
4.19%
4.81%
4.27%
6.05%
Semper MBS Total Return Fund –
         
  Institutional Class
4.45%
5.08%
4.53%
6.32%
Semper MBS Total Return Fund –
         
  Class A (with sales load)
2.15%
4.09%
3.80%
Semper MBS Total Return Fund –
         
  Class A (without sales load)
4.19%
4.81%
4.32%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. MBS Index
7.98%
3.15%
2.56%
3.01%
2.80%

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 their original cost.  Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.  The most recent month-end performance may be obtained by calling 1-855-736-7799 (855-SEM-PRXX).
 
Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.  Fee waivers were in effect prior to November 30, 2014.  In the absence of fee waivers, returns would be reduced.  For the years ended November 30, 2015, November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017 the adviser recouped previously waived fees. In the absence of the recoupment, returns would be higher.  Class A shares may be subject to a 2.00% front-end sales load.  The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on dividends, capital gains distributions, or redemption of Fund shares. This chart does not imply any future performance.  Indices do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.
 
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. MBS Index covers agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities – both fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable rate mortgages – issued by Ginnie Mae (GNMA), Fannie Mae (FNMA), and Freddie Mac (FHLMC). Pool aggregates must have at least $250 million par outstanding with a weighted average maturity of at least one year.
 


11

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

Comparison of the change in value of a $1,000,000 investment in
the Semper Short Duration Fund – Institutional Class vs
the Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year Government Index and the
Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index



 
       
Since
 
One
Three
Five
Inception
Average Annual Total Return
Year
Years
Years
(12/23/10)
Semper Short Duration Fund – Investor Class
3.20%
2.76%
2.25%
2.35%
Semper Short Duration Fund – Institutional Class
3.38%
2.99%
2.50%
2.61%
Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year Government Index
4.20%
1.80%
1.31%
1.13%
Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index
4.20%
1.79%
1.30%
1.11%

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 their original cost.  Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.  The most recent month-end performance may be obtained by calling 1-855-736-7799 (855-SEM-PRXX).
 
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 may pay on dividends, capital gains distributions, or redemption of Fund shares.  This chart does not imply any future performance.  Indices do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.
 
The Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year Government Index (the “Index”) includes Treasury and agency securities issued by the U.S. Government with a maturity from one up to (but not including) three years.  The Index contains only dollar denominated, investment grade issues with at least $250 million par outstanding. Total return includes the reinvestment of income.
 
The Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index covers U.S. Treasury securities issued by the U.S. Government with a maturity from one up to but not including three years.  This unmanaged index contains only dollar-denominated issues with at least $250 million par outstanding. Total return includes the reinvestment of income.
 


12

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019
   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – AGENCY – 0.0%
           
Fannie Mae-Aces
           
  Series 2010-M6, Class SA, 4.682%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.390%), 9/25/20 (g)(h)
 
$
983,997
   
$
8,689
 
  Series 2006-M1, Class IO, 0.075%, 3/25/36 (a)(g)
   
2,346,640
     
1,547
 
GNMA REMIC Trust
               
  Series 2012-25, Class IO, 0.434%, 8/16/52 (a)(g)
   
2,410,370
     
39,195
 
  Series 2013-173, Class AC, 2.700%, 10/16/53 (a)
   
16,760
     
17,118
 
Government National Mortgage Association
               
  Series 2002-28, Class IO, 0.545%, 1/16/42 (a)(g)
   
21,359
     
1
 
  Series 2005-23, Class IO, 0.004%, 6/17/45 (a)(g)
   
352,286
     
37
 
  Series 2006-68, Class IO, 0.262%, 5/16/46 (a)(g)
   
596,733
     
4,137
 
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – Agency
               
  (cost $215,343)
           
70,724
 
                 
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – NON-AGENCY – 5.6%
               
Bayview Commercial Asset Trust
               
  Series 2004-3, Class B2, 6.733%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 5.025%), 1/25/35 (c)(h)
   
60,557
     
61,329
 
  Series 2006-2A, Class M1, 2.018%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.310%), 7/25/36 (c)(h)
   
1,143,058
     
1,104,644
 
  Series 2006-2A, Class M3, 2.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.350%), 7/25/36 (c)(h)
   
1,652,333
     
1,584,158
 
  Series 2006-3A, Class M1, 2.048%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.340%), 10/25/36 (c)(h)
   
1,675,800
     
1,614,135
 
  Series 2006-4A, Class A2, 1.978%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.270%), 12/25/36 (c)(h)
   
2,131,430
     
2,062,547
 
  Series 2007-2A, Class A1, 1.978%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.270%), 7/25/37 (c)(h)
   
2,250,869
     
2,161,659
 
  Series 2007-3, Class M1, 2.018%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.310%), 7/25/37 (c)(h)
   
361,713
     
345,692
 
  Series 2007-6A, Class A3A, 2.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 12/25/37 (c)(h)
   
2,200,905
     
2,208,870
 
BX Trust
               
  Series 2019-CALM, Class E, 3.750%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 11/25/32 (c)(h)
   
3,125,000
     
3,132,809
 
CNL Commercial Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2003-1A, Class A1, 2.265%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.500%), 5/15/31 (c)(h)
   
430,369
     
420,282
 
Freddie Mac Military Housing Bonds Resecuritization Trust
               
  Series 2015-R1, Class C3, 5.492%, 11/25/52 (a)(c)
   
2,964,750
     
2,959,937
 
  Series 2015-R1, Class D1, 16.597%, 11/25/55 (a)(c)
   
4,572,131
     
4,318,325
 


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

13

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
FREMF Mortgage Trust
           
  Series 2014-KF05, Class B, 5.785%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.000%), 9/25/22 (c)(h)
 
$
921,717
   
$
931,228
 
  Series 2017-KF35, Class B, 4.535%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.750%), 8/25/24 (c)(h)
   
2,352,288
     
2,360,547
 
  Series 2017-KF39, Class B, 4.285%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 11/25/24 (c)(h)
   
1,843,091
     
1,852,434
 
  Series 2018-KF42, Class B, 3.985%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.200%), 12/25/24 (c)(h)
   
1,539,092
     
1,542,561
 
  Series 2018-KF44, Class B, 3.935%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.150%), 2/25/25 (c)(h)
   
3,628,271
     
3,642,338
 
  Series 2018-K731, Class C, 3.932%, 2/25/25 (a)(c)
   
1,223,000
     
1,249,249
 
  Series 2018-KF47, Class B, 3.785%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 5/25/25 (c)(h)
   
5,814,086
     
5,791,200
 
  Series 2018-KF51, Class B, 3.635%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.850%), 8/25/25 (c)(h)
   
6,950,317
     
6,900,006
 
  Series 2018-KF53, Class B, 3.835%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.050%), 10/25/25 (h)
   
1,351,801
     
1,353,275
 
  Series 2018-KF55, Class B, 4.085%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.300%), 11/25/25 (c)(h)
   
4,000,000
     
4,002,246
 
  Series 2019-KF58, Class B, 3.935%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.150%), 1/25/26 (c)(h)
   
3,871,003
     
3,905,174
 
  Series 2019-KF62, Class B, 3.835%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.050%), 4/25/26 (c)(h)
   
1,499,978
     
1,501,563
 
  Series 2017-KF33, Class B, 4.335%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.550%), 6/25/27 (c)(h)
   
3,491,088
     
3,547,106
 
  Series 2017-KF37, Class B, 4.535%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.750%), 6/25/27 (c)(h)
   
1,650,041
     
1,674,418
 
  Series 2018-KF43, Class B, 3.935%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.150%), 1/25/28 (c)(h)
   
3,621,792
     
3,630,995
 
  Series 2018-KF48, Class B, 3.835%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.050%), 6/25/28 (c)(h)
   
5,823,088
     
5,779,734
 
  Series 2018-KF50, Class B, 3.685%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.900%), 7/25/28 (c)(h)
   
1,443,391
     
1,443,107
 
  Series 2018-KF52, Class B, 3.735%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.950%), 9/25/28 (h)
   
7,114,458
     
7,096,146
 
  Series 2018-KF56, Class B, 4.235%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.450%), 11/25/28 (c)(h)
   
4,521,183
     
4,537,039
 
  Series 2019-KF57, Class B, 4.035%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 1/25/29 (c)(h)
   
3,022,303
     
3,031,554
 
  Series 2019-KF59, Class B, 4.135%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.350%), 2/25/29 (c)(h)
   
2,249,676
     
2,260,903
 
  Series 2019-KF61, Class B, 3.985%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.200%), 4/25/29 (c)(h)
   
4,999,367
     
5,013,770
 


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

14

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
FREMF Mortgage Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2019-KF67, Class B, 4.035%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 8/25/29 (c)(h)
 
$
1,400,000
   
$
1,408,733
 
Lehman Brothers Small Balance Commercial Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2006-3A, Class M2, 2.098%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.390%), 12/25/36 (c)(h)
   
3,722,000
     
3,461,277
 
  Series 2007-1A, Class M1, 2.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.500%), 3/25/37 (c)(h)
   
5,881,000
     
5,380,846
 
Multi-family Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust
               
  Series 2019-01, Class M10, 4.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.250%), 10/15/49 (c)(h)
   
20,610,000
     
21,499,579
 
Velocity Commercial Capital Loan Trust
               
  Series 2017-2, Class M4, 5.000%, 11/25/47 (a)(c)
   
761,241
     
772,412
 
  Series 2017-2, Class M5, 6.420%, 11/25/47 (a)(c)
   
646,097
     
671,767
 
  Series 2018-1, Class M5, 6.260%, 4/25/48 (c)
   
473,841
     
488,989
 
  Series 2018-2, Class M3, 4.720%, 10/26/48 (a)(c)
   
490,229
     
499,530
 
  Series 2019-1, Class M5, 5.700%, 3/25/49 (a)(c)
   
745,709
     
762,087
 
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed
               
  Securities – Non-Agency (cost $129,160,402)
           
129,966,200
 
                 
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – AGENCY – 21.3%
               
Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities
               
  Series 2013-C01, Class M2, 6.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 5.250%), 10/25/23 (h)
   
2,111,732
     
2,326,675
 
  Series 2016-C01, Class 1M2, 8.458%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.750%), 8/25/28 (h)
   
19,700,653
     
21,846,795
 
  Series 2016-C01, Class 2M2, 8.658%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.950%), 8/25/28 (h)
   
5,816,760
     
6,307,020
 
  Series 2016-C02, Class 1M2, 7.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.000%), 9/25/28 (h)
   
16,858,676
     
18,409,607
 
  Series 2016-C03, Class 1M2, 7.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 5.300%), 10/25/28 (h)
   
11,166,580
     
12,096,718
 
  Series 2016-C05, Class 2M2, 6.158%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.450%), 1/25/29 (h)
   
4,110,859
     
4,331,313
 
  Series 2016-C06, Class 1M2, 5.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.250%), 4/25/29 (h)
   
3,000,000
     
3,222,028
 
  Series 2016-C07, Class 2M2, 6.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.350%), 5/25/29 (h)
   
6,747,317
     
7,096,126
 
  Series 2018-C05, Class 1M2, 4.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.350%), 1/25/31 (h)
   
3,125,000
     
3,153,497
 
  Series 2018-C06, Class 1M2, 3.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 3/25/31 (h)
   
1,000,000
     
1,003,484
 


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

15

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities (Continued)
           
  Series 2018-R07, Class 1ED2, 2.808%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.100%), 4/25/31 (c)(h)
 
$
20,707,000
   
$
20,710,388
 
  Series 2018-R07, Class 1M2, 4.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.400%), 4/25/31 (c)(h)
   
1,410,000
     
1,423,488
 
  Series 2018-R07, Class 1B1, 6.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.350%), 4/25/31 (c)(h)
   
5,564,000
     
6,034,475
 
  Series 2018-R07, Class 1J2, 6.823%, 4/25/31 (a)(c)(e)
   
3,750,000
     
3,787,500
 
  Series 2019-R01, Class 2ED2, 2.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.150%), 7/25/31 (c)(h)
   
20,525,000
     
20,462,216
 
  Series 2019-R01, Class 2B1, 6.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.350%), 7/25/31 (c)(h)
   
6,046,000
     
6,538,652
 
  Series 2019-R02, Class 1B1, 5.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.150%), 8/25/31 (c)(h)
   
3,500,000
     
3,749,428
 
  Series 2019-R03, Class 1ED3, 2.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 9/25/31 (c)(h)
   
12,500,000
     
12,515,610
 
  Series 2019-R03, Class 1J3, 5.773%, 9/25/31 (a)(c)
   
4,750,000
     
4,677,975
 
  Series 2019-R03, Class 1B1, 5.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.100%), 9/25/31 (c)(h)
   
14,392,500
     
15,283,792
 
  Series 2019-R04, Class 2ED3, 3.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.400%), 6/25/39 (c)(h)
   
12,500,000
     
12,558,969
 
  Series 2019-R04, Class 2J3, 5.208%, 6/25/39 (c)
   
4,750,000
     
4,668,678
 
  Series 2019-R04, Class 2B1, 6.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 5.250%), 6/25/39 (c)(h)
   
7,000,000
     
7,626,434
 
  Series 2019-R05, Class 1ED3, 3.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.300%), 7/25/39 (c)(h)
   
7,000,000
     
6,995,395
 
  Series 2019-R05, Class 1M2, 3.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 7/25/39 (c)(h)
   
14,670,000
     
14,734,676
 
  Series 2019-R05, Class 1J3, 5.108%, 7/25/39 (a)(c)
   
3,500,000
     
3,456,122
 
  Series 2019-R05, Class 1B1, 5.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.100%), 7/25/39 (c)(h)
   
18,729,000
     
19,232,115
 
  Series 2019-R06, Class 2ED2, 2.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.000%), 9/25/39 (c)(h)
   
21,243,500
     
21,142,181
 
  Series 2019-R06, Class 2ED3, 3.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.400%), 9/25/39 (c)(h)
   
12,500,000
     
12,535,572
 
  Series 2019-R06, Class 2M2, 3.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.100%), 9/25/39 (c)(h)
   
7,000,000
     
7,038,129
 
  Series 2019-R06, Class 2J3, 5.323%, 9/25/39 (a)(c)
   
4,750,000
     
4,735,891
 
  Series 2019-R06, Class 2B1, 5.458%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.750%), 9/25/39 (c)(h)
   
14,000,000
     
14,139,651
 
  Series 2019-R07, Class 1M2, 3.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.100%), 10/25/39 (c)(h)
   
18,440,000
     
18,529,266
 
  Series 2019-HRP1, Class M2, 3.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.150%), 11/25/39 (c)(h)
   
3,000,000
     
3,010,050
 


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

16

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
FHLMC Structured Pass Through Securities
           
  Series T-67, Class 1A1C, 3.843%, 3/25/36 (a)
 
$
56,452
   
$
57,622
 
FNMA Grantor Trust
               
  Series 2003-T2, Class A1, 2.035%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.140%), 3/25/33 (h)
   
50,037
     
49,096
 
  Series 2004-T3, Class 2A, 4.447%, 8/25/43 (a)
   
53,335
     
55,394
 
FNMA Pool
               
  5.500%, 5/1/36, #871313
   
6,970
     
7,273
 
  5.000%, 8/1/37, #888534
   
13,549
     
14,574
 
FNMA REMIC Trust
               
  Series 2007-30, Class ZM, 4.250%, 4/25/37
   
53,057
     
61,846
 
  Series 2007-W8, Class 1A5, 6.353%, 9/25/37 (a)
   
12,635
     
14,558
 
Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk
               
  Series 2013-DN2, Class M2, 5.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.250%), 11/25/23 (h)
   
2,938,107
     
3,165,727
 
  Series 2014-DN2, Class M3, 5.308%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.600%), 4/25/24 (h)
   
23,000,000
     
24,460,240
 
  Series 2016-DNA1, Class M3, 7.258%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 5.550%), 7/25/28 (h)
   
7,000,000
     
7,731,300
 
  Series 2016-HQA1, Class M3, 8.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.350%), 9/25/28 (h)
   
8,155,000
     
8,974,326
 
  Series 2017-DNA1, Class M2, 4.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.250%), 7/25/29 (h)
   
5,250,000
     
5,529,236
 
  Series 2017-DNA2, Class M2, 5.158%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.450%), 10/25/29 (h)
   
4,557,007
     
4,858,286
 
  Series 2018-HRP2, Class M3, 4.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.400%), 2/25/47 (c)(h)
   
12,909,372
     
13,190,425
 
  Series 2017-SPI1, Class M2, 3.980%, 9/25/47 (a)(c)
   
2,782,000
     
2,778,798
 
  Series 2018-SPI1, Class M2, 3.738%, 2/25/48 (a)(c)
   
3,700,000
     
3,561,199
 
  Series 2018-SPI2, Class M2, 3.814%, 5/25/48 (a)(c)
   
2,329,080
     
2,263,333
 
  Series 2018-SPI3, Class M2, 4.156%, 8/25/48 (a)(c)
   
15,810,000
     
15,832,925
 
  Series 2018-DNA3, Class M2, 3.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.100%), 9/25/48 (c)(h)
   
4,500,000
     
4,518,657
 
  Series 2018-SPI4, Class M2, 4.459%, 11/25/48 (a)(c)
   
1,500,000
     
1,514,418
 
  Series 2019-DNA1, Class M2SB, 6.158%, 1/25/49 (c)(e)
   
5,222,500
     
5,399,167
 
  Series 2019-HRP1, Class M3, 3.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 2/25/49 (c)(h)
   
1,000,000
     
1,002,977
 
  Series 2019-DNA3, Class M2AT, 2.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.000%), 7/25/49 (c)(h)
   
7,500,000
     
7,509,368
 
  Series 2019-DNA3, Class M2TB, 4.808%, 7/25/49 (c)
   
7,250,000
     
7,150,632
 
  Series 2019-DNA4, Class M2, 3.658%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.950%), 10/25/49 (c)(h)
   
11,125,000
     
11,138,885
 


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

17

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk (Continued)
           
  Series 2019-DNA4, Class B2, 7.958%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.250%), 10/25/49 (c)(h)
 
$
4,015,000
   
$
4,062,187
 
Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk REMIC Trust
               
  Series 2019-HQA4, Class M2, 3.815%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.050%), 11/25/49 (c)(h)
   
28,320,000
     
28,355,298
 
  Series 2019-HQA4, Class B2, 8.365%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.600%), 11/25/49 (c)(h)
   
5,500,000
     
5,506,780
 
Freddie Mac Whole Loan Securities Trust
               
  Series 2017-SC02, Class M2, 3.831%, 5/25/47 (a)(c)
   
1,411,000
     
1,401,894
 
GNMA II Pool
               
  5.000%, 6/20/40, #745378
   
64,338
     
67,878
 
Total Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities –
               
  Agency (cost $492,720,809)
           
495,614,215
 
                 
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – NON-AGENCY – 71.2%
               
Accredited Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2005-3, Class M6, 2.709%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.700%), 9/25/35 (h)
   
5,375,000
     
3,763,669
 
  Series 2006-1, Class M1, 2.038%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.330%), 4/25/36 (h)
   
2,414,000
     
2,260,734
 
ACE Securities Corp. Home Equity Loan Trust
               
  Series 2006-HE4, Class A2B, 1.818%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.110%), 10/25/36 (h)
   
12,174,027
     
6,622,790
 
  Series 2006-HE4, Class A1, 1.848%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.140%), 10/25/36 (h)
   
984,129
     
589,639
 
AFC Home Equity Loan Trust
               
  Series 1997-3, Class 1A4, 7.470%, 9/27/27 (k)
   
145,719
     
146,730
 
American Home Mortgage Assets Trust
               
  Series 2006-6, Class A1A, 1.898%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.190%), 12/25/46 (h)
   
12,419,400
     
10,873,001
 
  Series 2007-1, Class A1, 3.026%
               
  (12 Month US Treasury Average + 0.700%), 2/25/47 (h)
   
14,988,108
     
9,290,642
 
  Series 2007-2, Class A1, 1.833%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.125%), 3/25/47 (h)
   
7,512,476
     
7,015,027
 
  Series 2007-5, Class A1, 1.898%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.190%), 6/25/47 (h)
   
1,468,806
     
1,337,110
 
American Homes 4 Rent Trust
               
  Series 2014-SFR2, Class E, 6.231%, 10/17/36 (c)
   
3,000,000
     
3,322,052
 
Amresco Residential Securities Corp. Trust
               
  Series 1998-1, Class M1F, 7.000%, 1/25/28 (a)
   
162,186
     
165,501
 


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

18

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
AMSR Trust
           
  Series 2019-SFR1, Class G, 4.857%, 1/19/39 (c)(e)
 
$
2,502,000
   
$
2,501,882
 
  Series 2019-SFR1, Class H, 6.040%, 1/19/39 (c)(e)
   
1,220,000
     
1,219,936
 
Angel Oak Mortgage Trust I LLC
               
  Series 2017-2, Class B1, 4.646%, 7/25/47 (a)(c)
   
4,023,000
     
4,080,383
 
  Series 2019-1, Class B1, 5.400%, 11/25/48 (a)(c)
   
7,500,000
     
7,780,964
 
  Series 2019-2, Class B1, 5.016%, 3/25/49 (a)(c)
   
2,500,000
     
2,588,792
 
  Series 2019-3, Class B1, 4.099%, 5/25/59 (a)(c)
   
5,000,000
     
5,063,201
 
Asset Backed Securities Corp. Home Equity Loan Trust
               
  Series 1999-LB1, Class A1F, 7.110%, 6/21/29
   
1,062,805
     
1,090,848
 
Asset Backed Securities Corp. Long
               
  Beach Home Equity Loan Trust
               
  Series 2000-LB1, Class AF5, 7.490%, 9/21/30 (k)
   
582,183
     
605,872
 
Banc of America Funding Corp.
               
  Series 2006-D, Class 5A2, 4.349%, 5/20/36 (a)
   
16,982
     
16,241
 
  Series 2008-R4, Class 1A4, 2.158%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.450%), 7/25/37 (c)(h)
   
2,318,403
     
1,445,481
 
  Series 2007-5, Class 7A2, 35.048%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 46.150%), 7/25/47 (h)(j)
   
140,251
     
278,746
 
Bayview Financial Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2005-C, Class M4, 2.902%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.800%), 6/28/44 (h)
   
3,037,000
     
2,819,824
 
Bear Stearns ALT-A Trust
               
  Series 2005-8, Class 11A1, 2.248%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.540%), 10/25/35 (h)
   
5,087,954
     
5,038,326
 
  Series 2005-9, Class 11A1, 2.228%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.520%), 11/25/35 (h)
   
6,436,968
     
7,437,713
 
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities I Trust
               
  Series 2006-IM1, Class A3, 2.268%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.280%), 4/25/36 (h)
   
11,455,383
     
12,542,676
 
  Series 2006-IM1, Class A6, 1.938%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.320%), 4/25/36 (h)
   
11,326,218
     
12,221,798
 
  Series 2006-HE9, Class 1A3, 1.938%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.230%), 11/25/36 (h)
   
11,943,000
     
11,204,795
 
Bear Stearns Mortgage Securities, Inc.
               
  Series 1997-6, Class 1A, 6.314%, 3/25/31 (a)
   
145,985
     
145,753
 
Bear Stearns Second Lien Trust
               
  Series 2007-SV1A, Class M2, 3.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.350%), 1/25/36 (c)(h)
   
5,303,614
     
5,315,918
 
BNC Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2007-4, Class A2, 3.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.500%), 11/25/37 (h)
   
4,812,500
     
3,412,224
 
BRAVO Residential Funding Trust
               
  Series 2019-NQM2, Class B2, 4.797%, 11/25/59 (a)(c)(e)
   
1,350,000
     
1,349,981
 


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

19

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Carrington Mortgage Loan Trust
           
  Series 2006-FRE2, Class A3, 1.868%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.160%), 10/25/36 (h)
 
$
2,179,438
   
$
1,667,517
 
Chase Home Lending Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2019-ATR1, Class A12, 6.500%, 4/25/49 (a)(c)
   
5,590,531
     
6,193,516
 
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2004-HYB4, Class WA, 4.266%, 12/25/34 (a)
   
18,968
     
19,508
 
  Series 2013-2, Class 4A2, 2.573%, 8/25/35 (a)(c)
   
6,447,363
     
5,003,862
 
  Series 2009-6, Class 16A2, 6.000%, 3/25/36 (a)(c)
   
1,465,279
     
1,338,995
 
  Series 2007-AMC1, Class A1, 1.868%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.160%), 12/25/36 (c)(h)
   
2,506,756
     
1,722,067
 
  Series 2007-AMC3, Class A2D, 2.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.350%), 3/25/37 (h)
   
162,030
     
143,385
 
  Series 2007-WFH2, Class M3, 2.178%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.470%), 3/25/37 (h)
   
9,500,000
     
9,158,943
 
  Series 2007-AHL3, Class A3A, 1.768%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.060%), 7/25/45 (h)
   
615,710
     
485,612
 
  Series 2018-RP2, Class M1, 3.500%, 2/25/58 (a)(c)
   
4,500,000
     
4,722,344
 
CitiMortgage Alternative Loan Trust
               
  Series 2007-A7, Class 2A1, 2.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.400%), 7/25/37 (h)
   
290,705
     
237,509
 
COLT Funding LLC
               
  Series 2018-3, Class M2, 4.583%, 10/26/48 (a)(c)
   
1,440,000
     
1,460,668
 
Conseco Finance Home Loan Trust
               
  Series 2000-E, Class B1, 10.260%, 8/15/31 (a)
   
343,205
     
374,996
 
CoreVest American Finance Trust
               
  Series 2017-2, Class M, 5.622%, 12/25/27 (c)
   
9,000,000
     
9,631,438
 
  Series 2018-1, Class D, 4.920%, 6/15/51 (c)
   
6,000,000
     
6,434,320
 
  Series 2018-1, Class E, 6.108%, 6/15/51 (a)(c)
   
1,534,000
     
1,688,375
 
  Series 2019-1, Class D, 4.818%, 3/15/52 (c)
   
1,500,000
     
1,631,126
 
  Series 2019-1, Class E, 5.489%, 3/15/52 (c)
   
242,500
     
259,435
 
  Series 2019-3, Class E, 4.740%, 10/15/52 (c)
   
1,650,000
     
1,670,714
 
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust
               
  Series 2004-15, Class 2A2, 4.276%, 9/25/34 (a)
   
402,554
     
378,164
 
  Series 2005-J10, Class 1A9, 2.408%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.700%), 10/25/35 (h)
   
982,534
     
790,964
 
  Series 2005-54CB, Class 1A8, 5.500%, 11/25/35
   
520,600
     
351,349
 
  Series 2006-4CB, Class 2A3, 5.500%, 4/25/36
   
7,525
     
7,342
 
  Series 2006-OA3, Class 1A1, 2.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.200%), 5/25/36 (h)
   
12,622
     
10,908
 
  Series 2006-18CB, Class A1, 2.178%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.470%), 7/25/36 (h)
   
9,423,749
     
5,822,581
 


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

20

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2006-45T1, Class 1A2, 2.258%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.550%), 2/25/37 (h)
 
$
9,466,517
   
$
3,400,366
 
  Series 2007-16CB, Class 1A2, 2.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.400%), 8/25/37 (h)
   
1,056,131
     
811,191
 
  Series 2006-OA9, Class 1A1, 1.924%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.200%), 7/20/46 (h)
   
39,902
     
28,065
 
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates
               
  Series 2006-S4, Class A5, 6.236%, 7/25/34 (a)
   
3,726,450
     
3,835,855
 
  Series 2006-21, Class 1A, 1.848%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.140%), 5/25/35 (h)
   
338,720
     
329,653
 
  Series 2005-2, Class M6, 3.733%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.025%), 8/25/35 (h)
   
11,821,153
     
10,910,575
 
  Series 2006-24, Class 2A3, 1.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.150%), 6/25/47 (h)
   
44,797
     
43,128
 
  Series 2007-12, Class 2A3, 2.508%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.800%), 8/25/47 (h)
   
435,021
     
426,712
 
Countrywide Home Loans
               
  Series 2003-56, Class 9A1, 4.369%, 12/25/33 (a)
   
76,131
     
76,213
 
  Series 2007-11, Class A1, 6.000%, 8/25/37
   
5,202,578
     
4,023,560
 
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.
               
  Series 2003-1, Class DB1, 6.734%, 2/25/33 (a)
   
50,930
     
52,110
 
  Series 2003-AR18, Class 4M3, 3.624%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.900%), 7/25/33 (h)
   
536,445
     
527,683
 
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2015-1R, Class 6A2, 2.103%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.280%), 5/27/37 (c)(h)
   
2,700,165
     
2,469,031
 
  Series 2010-6R, Class 2A6B, 6.250%, 7/26/37 (c)
   
27,851,824
     
30,463,634
 
Deephaven Residential Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2017-1A, Class B1, 6.250%, 12/26/46 (a)(c)
   
8,500,000
     
8,669,573
 
  Series 2017-3A, Class B1, 4.814%, 10/25/47 (a)(c)
   
3,500,000
     
3,517,604
 
  Series 2018-1A, Class B1, 4.340%, 12/25/57 (a)(c)
   
12,045,000
     
12,064,391
 
  Series 2018-2A, Class M1, 4.375%, 4/25/58 (a)(c)
   
5,000,000
     
5,062,609
 
  Series 2018-2A, Class B1, 4.776%, 4/25/58 (a)(c)
   
1,500,000
     
1,508,320
 
  Series 2018-3A, Class B1, 5.007%, 8/25/58 (a)(c)
   
6,151,000
     
6,312,490
 
  Series 2019-1A, Class B1, 5.252%, 1/25/59 (a)(c)
   
5,250,000
     
5,357,452
 
  Series 2019-3A, Class B1, 4.258%, 7/25/59 (a)(c)
   
1,500,000
     
1,516,582
 
Fieldstone Mortgage Investment Trust
               
  Series 2007-1, Class 2A2, 1.978%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.270%), 4/25/47 (h)
   
4,105,654
     
3,409,735
 
First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2006-FF11, Class 2A3, 2.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.150%), 8/25/36 (h)
   
9,542,090
     
8,536,453
 


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

21

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust
           
  Series 2005-FA6, Class A8, 2.208%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.500%), 9/25/35 (h)
 
$
727,444
   
$
527,335
 
First Horizon Mortgage Pass-Through Trust
               
  Series 2006-AR2, Class 1A1, 2.750%, 7/25/36 (a)
   
58,310
     
52,810
 
FirstKey Lending Trust
               
  Series 2015-SFR1, Class E, 5.298%, 3/9/47 (a)(c)
   
2,444,598
     
2,444,000
 
GMACM Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2003-GH2, Class A4, 5.500%, 10/25/33 (k)
   
190,967
     
196,842
 
GreenPoint Mortgage Funding Trust
               
  Series 2005-AR4, Class 4A1A, 2.328%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.620%), 10/25/45 (h)
   
23,460,104
     
21,720,729
 
GS Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust
               
  Series 2019-SL1, Class M1, 3.125%, 1/25/59 (a)(c)
   
10,000,000
     
9,962,243
 
GSAA Home Equity Trust
               
  Series 2006-5, Class 2A1, 1.848%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.070%), 3/25/36 (h)
   
32,985
     
17,087
 
Home Partners of America Trust
               
  Series 2017-1, Class E, 4.416%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.650%), 7/17/34 (c)(h)
   
750,000
     
754,902
 
  Series 2017-1, Class F, 5.305%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.539%), 7/17/34 (c)(h)
   
2,000,000
     
2,007,706
 
  Series 2018-1, Class E, 3.616%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.850%), 7/17/37 (c)(h)
   
11,250,000
     
11,268,503
 
  Series 2018-1, Class F, 4.116%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.350%), 7/17/37 (c)(h)
   
17,800,000
     
17,807,939
 
  Series 2019-1, Class F, 4.101%, 9/17/39 (c)
   
500,000
     
503,218
 
  Series 2019-2, Class F, 3.866%, 10/19/39 (c)
   
3,358,000
     
3,346,469
 
Homeward Opportunities Fund Trust
               
  Series 2018-1, Class M1, 4.548%, 6/25/48 (a)(c)
   
1,250,000
     
1,277,425
 
  Series 2018-1, Class B1, 5.295%, 6/25/48 (a)(c)
   
1,250,000
     
1,278,148
 
  Series 2019-1, Class B1, 4.800%, 1/25/59 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
1,957,208
 
IMC Home Equity Loan Trust
               
  Series 1998-3, Class A7, 6.720%, 8/20/29 (k)
   
1,028,753
     
1,071,028
 
Impac CMB Trust
               
  Series 2002-9F, Class A1, 5.216%, 12/25/32 (l)
   
240,319
     
241,597
 
Impac Secured Assets Trust
               
  Series 2006-5, Class 1A1C, 1.978%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.270%), 2/25/37 (h)
   
18,314,595
     
15,791,234
 
IndyMac Residential Asset-Backed Trust
               
  Series 2007-A, Class 2A2, 1.898%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.190%), 4/25/37 (h)
   
348,853
     
260,416
 


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

22

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Invitation Homes Trust
           
  Series 2018-SFR1, Class E, 3.766%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 3/17/37 (c)(h)
 
$
19,862,285
   
$
19,941,278
 
  Series 2018-SFR2, Class E, 3.765%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 6/17/37 (c)(h)
   
9,462,000
     
9,506,842
 
  Series 2018-SFR2, Class F, 4.015%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 6/17/37 (c)(h)
   
31,520,000
     
31,584,559
 
  Series 2018-SFR3, Class E, 3.766%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 7/17/37 (c)(h)
   
21,580,000
     
21,682,984
 
  Series 2018-SFR3, Class F, 4.016%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 7/17/37 (c)(h)
   
20,000,000
     
20,041,760
 
JP Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Trust
               
  Series 2005-OPT1, Class M6, 2.773%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.065%), 6/25/35 (h)
   
2,018,640
     
1,822,479
 
  Series 2006-CW1, Class M2, 1.998%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.290%), 5/25/36 (h)
   
8,822,000
     
7,587,601
 
  Series 2006-CH2, Class MV1, 1.918%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.210%), 10/25/36 (h)
   
6,500,000
     
5,485,592
 
  Series 2006-HE3, Class A3, 1.818%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.110%), 11/25/36 (h)
   
7,230,425
     
6,687,114
 
  Series 2006-HE3, Class A4, 1.868%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.160%), 11/25/36 (h)
   
2,702,511
     
2,339,290
 
  Series 2006-HE3, Class A5, 1.948%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.240%), 11/25/36 (h)
   
6,989,252
     
6,096,053
 
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2006-S4, Class A8, 2.088%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.380%), 1/25/37 (h)
   
7,060,263
     
3,033,493
 
  Series 2014-IVR6, Class 2A1, 2.500%, 7/25/44 (a)(c)
   
8,503,599
     
8,519,357
 
  Series 2014-IVR6, Class B4, 3.031%, 7/25/44 (a)(c)
   
500,500
     
497,412
 
  Series 2014-IVR3, Class B4, 3.149%, 9/25/44 (a)(c)
   
2,884,421
     
2,839,778
 
  Series 2015-1, Class B2, 3.344%, 12/25/44 (a)(c)
   
4,478,640
     
4,475,374
 
  Series 2015-1, Class B3, 3.344%, 12/25/44 (a)(c)
   
4,951,450
     
4,946,408
 
  Series 2015-1, Class B4, 3.344%, 12/25/44 (a)(c)
   
4,695,349
     
4,689,886
 
  Series 2015-5, Class B3, 3.232%, 5/25/45 (a)(c)
   
2,700,676
     
2,671,767
 
  Series 2015-5, Class B4, 3.232%, 5/25/45 (a)(c)
   
3,112,000
     
3,038,439
 
  Series 2018-7FRB, Class B1, 3.409%, 4/25/46 (a)(c)
   
6,843,843
     
6,875,521
 
  Series 2018-7FRB, Class B2, 3.409%, 4/25/46 (a)(c)
   
2,893,356
     
2,847,172
 
  Series 2018-7FRB, Class B3, 3.409%, 4/25/46 (a)(c)
   
1,080,710
     
1,059,951
 
  Series 2017-2, Class AX3, 0.500%, 5/25/47 (a)(c)(g)
   
20,265,851
     
296,649
 
  Series 2017-3, Class 1AX1, 0.440%, 8/25/47 (a)(c)(g)
   
134,931,864
     
1,855,077
 
  Series 2018-1, Class AX1, 0.248%, 6/25/48 (a)(c)(g)
   
328,853,109
     
2,124,687
 
  Series 2018-3, Class AX1, 0.267%, 9/25/48 (a)(c)(g)
   
63,344,532
     
470,606
 
  Series 2018-3, Class B2, 3.767%, 9/25/48 (a)(c)
   
2,681,364
     
2,789,222
 


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

23

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2018-4, Class AX1, 0.284%, 10/25/48 (a)(c)(g)
 
$
72,287,698
   
$
537,900
 
  Series 2017-5, Class B3, 3.161%, 10/26/48 (a)(c)
   
3,700,162
     
3,614,681
 
  Series 2017-6, Class AX1, 0.330%, 12/25/48 (a)(c)(g)
   
139,603,881
     
1,767,099
 
  Series 2018-6, Class 1AX1, 0.531%, 12/25/48 (a)(c)(g)
   
52,622,206
     
690,709
 
  Series 2018-6, Class B2, 3.968%, 12/25/48 (a)(c)
   
1,210,435
     
1,256,366
 
  Series 2018-8, Class AX1, 0.215%, 1/25/49 (a)(c)(g)
   
68,960,078
     
251,084
 
  Series 2019-1, Class AX1, 0.223%, 5/25/49 (a)(c)(g)
   
141,149,369
     
475,151
 
  Series 2019-3, Class B2, 4.766%, 9/25/49 (a)(c)
   
5,687,298
     
6,099,790
 
  Series 2019-3, Class B3, 4.766%, 9/25/49 (a)(c)
   
4,792,534
     
5,099,059
 
  Series 2019-3, Class B4, 4.766%, 9/25/49 (a)(c)
   
3,258,369
     
3,268,027
 
  Series 2019-3, Class B5, 4.766%, 9/25/49 (a)(c)
   
775,000
     
696,842
 
  Series 2019-3, Class B6, 4.766%, 9/25/49 (a)(c)
   
1,936,702
     
1,363,890
 
  Series 2019-HYB1, Class B3, 4.000%, 10/25/49 (a)(c)
   
2,946,417
     
3,022,132
 
  Series 2019-5, Class B3, 4.463%, 11/25/49 (a)(c)
   
8,526,816
     
8,918,804
 
  Series 2019-5, Class B4, 4.463%, 11/25/49 (a)(c)
   
4,421,202
     
4,367,332
 
  Series 2019-5, Class B5, 4.463%, 11/25/49 (a)(c)
   
1,263,342
     
1,131,042
 
  Series 2019-5, Class B6, 4.463%, 11/25/49 (a)(c)
   
4,136,930
     
2,649,734
 
  Series 2019-6, Class AX1, 0.266%, 12/25/49 (a)(c)(g)
   
143,517,025
     
732,425
 
JP Morgan Seasoned Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2014-1, Class B2, 2.724%, 5/25/33 (a)(c)
   
6,994,455
     
6,861,637
 
  Series 2014-1, Class B3, 2.724%, 5/25/33 (a)(c)
   
5,392,110
     
5,272,941
 
Lehman Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2005-2, Class 2A1, 2.388%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.680%), 12/25/35 (h)
   
2,008,033
     
1,498,410
 
  Series 2008-4, Class A1, 2.088%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.380%), 1/25/37 (h)
   
41,144,687
     
17,576,031
 
  Series 2006-9, Class 1A5, 2.308%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.600%), 1/25/37 (h)
   
5,175,486
     
3,698,146
 
Lehman XS Trust
               
  Series 2007-6, Class 3A1, 1.868%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.160%), 5/25/37 (h)
   
2,504,072
     
2,472,477
 
  Series 2007-6, Class 3A2, 4.656%, 5/25/37 (l)
   
4,299,702
     
4,376,392
 
  Series 2007-6, Class 3A5, 4.656%, 5/25/37 (l)
   
143,354
     
142,327
 
  Series 2006-9, Class A1C, 2.228%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.260%), 5/25/46 (h)
   
5,068,429
     
4,740,687
 
Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2006-8, Class 1A, 1.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.150%), 9/25/36 (h)
   
3,875,076
     
2,853,732
 
  Series 2006-11, Class 1A, 1.868%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.160%), 12/25/36 (h)
   
12,038,101
     
9,063,976
 
LSTAR Securities Investment Ltd.
               
  Series 2019-3, Class A2, 4.281%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 4/1/24 (c)(h)
   
5,550,000
     
5,584,108
 


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

24

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
LSTAR Securities Investment Ltd. (Continued)
           
  Series 2019-4, Class A2, 4.281%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 5/1/24 (c)(h)
 
$
13,200,000
   
$
13,268,517
 
  Series 2019-5, Class A2, 4.203%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 11/1/24 (c)(e)(h)
   
23,000,000
     
23,000,000
 
LSTAR Securities Investment Trust
               
  Series 2019-1, Class A2, 4.381%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.600%), 3/1/24 (c)(h)
   
17,000,000
     
17,059,517
 
  Series 2019-2, Class A2, 4.281%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 4/1/24 (c)(h)
   
12,300,000
     
12,340,637
 
MASTR Asset Backed Securities Trust
               
  Series 2003-WMC2, Class M5, 7.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.000%), 8/25/33 (h)
   
218,383
     
213,171
 
  Series 2005-WF1, Class M7, 3.433%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.725%), 6/25/35 (h)
   
917,217
     
929,153
 
  Series 2006-HE2, Class A3, 2.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.150%), 6/25/36 (h)
   
7,850,983
     
4,538,052
 
  Series 2006-NC2, Class A5, 1.948%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.240%), 8/25/36 (h)
   
1,931,367
     
1,038,248
 
  Series 2007-WMC1, Class A2, 1.758%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.050%), 1/25/37 (h)
   
3,523,941
     
1,414,760
 
  Series 2007-WMC1, Class A3, 1.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.100%), 1/25/37 (h)
   
5,148,398
     
2,086,271
 
  Series 2007-WMC1, Class A1, 1.853%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.145%), 1/25/37 (h)
   
17,224,841
     
7,536,714
 
  Series 2007-WMC1, Class A4, 1.868%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.160%), 1/25/37 (h)
   
6,659,435
     
2,728,602
 
MASTR Reperforming Loan Trust
               
  Series 2006-2, Class 1A1, 4.363%, 5/25/36 (a)(c)
   
8,690,744
     
8,415,299
 
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust
               
  Series 2005-AR1, Class M2, 2.713%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.005%), 6/25/36 (h)
   
2,556,703
     
2,327,390
 
Mill City Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2019-1, Class B1, 3.500%, 10/25/69 (a)(c)
   
2,245,863
     
2,177,119
 
Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust
               
  Series 2006-HE4, Class A3, 2.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.150%), 6/25/36 (h)
   
6,023,270
     
4,222,062
 
  Series 2006-HE4, Class A4, 2.188%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.240%), 6/25/36 (h)
   
14,991,099
     
10,703,516
 
  Series 2006-WMC2, Class A2C, 2.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.150%), 7/25/36 (h)
   
6,130,969
     
3,208,864
 
  Series 2007-NC1, Class A2B, 1.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.100%), 11/25/36 (h)
   
3,161,929
     
1,999,773
 


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

25

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2007-NC1, Class A1, 1.838%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.130%), 11/25/36 (h)
 
$
10,121,405
   
$
6,081,572
 
  Series 2007-NC1, Class A2D, 1.928%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.220%), 11/25/36 (h)
   
4,727,480
     
2,770,116
 
  Series 2007-HE5, Class A2B, 1.888%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.180%), 3/25/37 (h)
   
2,011,244
     
1,091,635
 
New Century Home Equity Loan Trust
               
  Series 2006-2, Class A2C, 1.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.250%), 8/25/36 (h)
   
8,092,000
     
7,478,979
 
New Residential Mortgage LLC
               
  Series 2018-FNT1, Class E, 4.890%, 5/25/23 (c)(e)
   
1,070,442
     
1,071,554
 
  Series 2018-FNT2, Class E, 5.120%, 7/25/54 (c)
   
3,136,391
     
3,135,411
 
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2015-1A, Class B3, 5.372%, 5/28/52 (a)(c)
   
3,132,560
     
3,309,880
 
  Series 2014-1A, Class B1IO, 1.059%, 1/25/54 (a)(c)(g)
   
367,201
     
11,337
 
  Series 2014-3A, Class B1, 4.750%, 11/25/54 (a)(c)
   
999,008
     
1,069,504
 
  Series 2017-5A, Class B2, 3.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.500%), 6/25/57 (c)(h)
   
3,714,062
     
3,741,263
 
  Series 2017-5A, Class B3, 4.464%, 6/25/57 (a)(c)(e)
   
1,873,273
     
1,940,336
 
Nomura Asset Acceptance Corp. Alternative Loan Trust
               
  Series 2005-AP3, Class A3, 5.318%, 8/25/35 (a)
   
388,724
     
253,644
 
Oaktown Re III Ltd.
               
  Series 2019-1A, Class M2, 4.258%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.550%), 7/25/29 (c)(h)
   
1,750,000
     
1,758,927
 
Ocwen Residential MBS Corp.
               
  Series 1998-R2, Class AP, 2.339%, 11/25/34 (a)(c)
   
55,541
     
15,545
 
Option One Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2007-HL1, Class 2A2, 1.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.250%), 2/25/38 (h)
   
537,800
     
471,057
 
Preston Ridge Partners Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2017-3A, Class A1, 3.470%, 11/25/22 (a)(c)
   
135,009
     
135,506
 
  Series 2018-1A, Class A1, 3.750%, 4/25/23 (a)(c)
   
74,248
     
74,541
 
  Series 2018-1A, Class A2, 5.000%, 4/25/23 (a)(c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,005,309
 
  Series 2018-2A, Class A1, 4.000%, 8/25/23 (a)(c)
   
75,463
     
75,571
 
  Series 2018-2A, Class A2, 5.000%, 8/25/23 (a)(c)
   
500,000
     
500,399
 
  Series 2018-3A, Class A1, 4.483%, 10/25/23 (a)(c)
   
1,703,270
     
1,719,048
 
  Series 2018-3A, Class A2, 5.808%, 10/25/23 (a)(c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,019,056
 
  Series 2019-2A, Class A2, 5.438%, 4/25/24 (c)(k)
   
2,500,000
     
2,544,100
 
  Series 2019-3A, Class A1, 3.351%, 7/25/24 (c)(k)
   
3,340,709
     
3,369,319
 
  Series 2019-3A, Class A2, 4.458%, 7/25/24 (c)(k)
   
10,000,000
     
10,076,182
 
  Series 2019-GS1, Class A2, 4.750%, 10/25/24 (a)(c)
   
618,052
     
618,652
 


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

26

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Pretium Mortgage Credit Partners I, LLC
           
  Series 2018-NPL4, Class A1, 4.826%, 9/25/58 (c)(k)
 
$
1,666,544
   
$
1,680,501
 
  Series 2019-NPL3, Class A2, 4.581%, 7/27/59 (c)(k)
   
4,000,000
     
4,000,052
 
  Series 2019-NPL1, Class A2, 5.927%, 7/25/60 (c)(k)
   
400,000
     
404,423
 
Progress Residential Trust
               
  Series 2015-SFR3, Class F, 6.643%, 11/12/32 (c)
   
14,046,000
     
14,048,781
 
  Series 2017-SFR1, Class F, 5.350%, 8/17/34 (c)
   
5,475,000
     
5,644,161
 
  Series 2017-SFR2, Class F, 4.836%, 12/17/34 (c)
   
2,750,000
     
2,791,207
 
  Series 2018-SFR1, Class E, 4.380%, 3/17/35 (c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,027,520
 
  Series 2018-SFR1, Class F, 4.778%, 3/17/35 (c)
   
1,435,000
     
1,462,325
 
  Series 2019-SFR1, Class E, 4.466%, 8/17/35 (c)
   
3,000,000
     
3,098,583
 
  Series 2018-SFR2, Class E, 4.656%, 8/17/35 (c)
   
5,750,000
     
5,909,986
 
  Series 2018-SFR2, Class F, 4.953%, 8/17/35 (c)
   
4,150,000
     
4,250,698
 
  Series 2019-SFR1, Class F, 5.061%, 8/17/35 (c)
   
7,004,000
     
7,260,835
 
  Series 2018-SFR3, Class E, 4.873%, 10/17/35 (c)
   
10,500,000
     
10,857,495
 
  Series 2018-SFR3, Class F, 5.368%, 10/17/35 (c)
   
12,000,000
     
12,418,423
 
  Series 2019-SFR2, Class F, 4.837%, 5/17/36 (c)
   
8,000,000
     
8,210,827
 
  Series 2019-SFR3, Class F, 3.867%, 9/17/36 (c)
   
3,000,000
     
2,976,256
 
RAAC Series Trust
               
  Series 2004-SP1, Class AI3, 6.118%, 3/25/34 (l)
   
11,029
     
11,241
 
RALI Series Trust
               
  Series 2006-QS6, Class 1AV, 0.761%, 6/25/36 (a)(g)
   
9,557,627
     
250,267
 
  Series 2006-QS6, Class 1A11, 2.408%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.700%), 6/25/36 (h)
   
4,218,463
     
3,497,251
 
  Series 2007-QS1, Class 1A5, 2.258%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.550%), 1/25/37 (h)
   
7,118,544
     
5,555,780
 
  Series 2006-QO6, Class A1, 1.888%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.180%), 6/25/46 (h)
   
3,231,188
     
1,269,803
 
RAMP Series Trust
               
  Series 2005-EFC6, Class M4, 2.593%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.885%), 11/25/35 (h)
   
3,000,000
     
2,785,932
 
  Series 2007-RS1, Class A3, 1.878%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.170%), 2/25/37 (h)
   
13,362,841
     
7,695,424
 
  Series 2007-RS1, Class A4, 1.988%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.280%), 2/25/37 (h)
   
10,547,597
     
2,981,438
 
RBSSP Resecuritization Trust
               
  Series 2009-7, Class 9A3, 5.000%, 9/26/36 (a)(c)
   
1,507,446
     
1,099,160
 
  Series 2009-7, Class 6A2, 6.500%, 10/26/36 (a)(c)
   
741,479
     
695,962
 
RCO V Mortgage LLC
               
  Series 2018-2, Class A2, 5.926%, 10/25/23 (c)(k)
   
1,292,000
     
1,287,775
 
Reperforming Loan REMIC Trust
               
  Series 2005-R1, Class 1AF1, 2.068%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.360%), 3/25/35 (c)(h)
   
3,251,038
     
3,032,795
 


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

27

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Reperforming Loan REMIC Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2006-R1, Class AF1, 2.048%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.340%), 1/25/36 (c)(h)
 
$
4,183,901
   
$
4,097,407
 
Residential Accredit Loans, Inc. Series Trust
               
  Series 2005-QS13, Class 2A1, 2.408%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.700%), 9/25/35 (h)
   
5,845,444
     
4,933,082
 
  Series 2006-QS6, Class 1A9, 2.308%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.600%), 6/25/36 (h)
   
5,160,979
     
4,219,473
 
  Series 2008-QR1, Class 2A1, 2.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.500%), 9/25/36 (h)
   
2,888,545
     
2,353,191
 
  Series 2006-QS18, Class 1A1, 2.308%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.600%), 12/25/36 (h)
   
5,290,502
     
4,227,392
 
Residential Funding Securities Corp.
               
  Series 2002-RP1, Class A1, 2.568%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.860%), 3/25/33 (c)(h)
   
751,106
     
702,192
 
Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust
               
  Series 2016-1, Class M1, 3.000%, 9/25/55 (a)(c)
   
1,025,000
     
1,002,788
 
  Series 2017-1, Class M2, 4.000%, 1/25/56 (a)(c)
   
4,450,000
     
4,373,907
 
  Series 2017-3, Class M2, 4.750%, 7/25/56 (a)(c)
   
9,975,000
     
9,978,992
 
  Series 2017-2, Class M2, 4.000%, 8/25/56 (a)(c)
   
7,200,000
     
7,183,004
 
  Series 2018-1, Class M, 4.750%, 5/25/57 (a)
   
6,225,000
     
6,295,454
 
  Series 2018-3, Class M, 4.750%, 8/25/57 (a)(c)
   
11,023,000
     
10,752,033
 
  Series 2018-2, Class XSIO, 0.065%, 11/25/57 (a)(g)
   
647,740,843
     
2,135,342
 
  Series 2018-2, Class M, 4.750%, 11/25/57
   
7,475,000
     
7,354,025
 
  Series 2018-4, Class M, 4.750%, 3/25/58 (c)
   
9,000,000
     
8,902,674
 
  Series 2019-1, Class M, 4.750%, 7/25/58 (a)(c)
   
3,000,000
     
3,005,406
 
  Series 2019-2, Class M, 4.750%, 8/25/58 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
1,994,088
 
  Series 2019-3, Class M, 4.750%, 10/25/58 (a)
   
4,000,000
     
4,127,397
 
  Series 2019-4, Class M, 4.500%, 2/25/59 (a)(c)
   
10,000,000
     
10,082,338
 
Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC Trust
               
  Series 2006-FR3, Class A3, 2.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.250%), 5/25/36 (h)
   
1,829,813
     
1,173,141
 
Sequoia Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2016-1, Class AIO1, 0.322%, 6/25/46 (a)(c)(g)
   
103,078,163
     
950,484
 
  Series 2017-1, Class AIO3, 0.500%, 2/25/47 (a)(c)(g)
   
14,595,928
     
214,853
 
  Series 2018-7, Class AIO1, 0.233%, 9/25/48 (a)(c)(g)
   
177,884,101
     
1,457,698
 
  Series 2019-3, Class B3, 4.125%, 9/25/49 (a)(c)
   
1,510,590
     
1,514,137
 
  Series 2019-4, Class B3, 3.803%, 11/25/49 (a)(c)
   
1,794,538
     
1,783,808
 
Shellpoint Co-Originator Trust
               
  Series 2017-1, Class AX1, 0.182%, 4/25/47 (a)(c)(g)
   
197,831,580
     
1,599,983
 
Soundview Home Loan Trust
               
  Series 2006-OPT1, Class M1, 2.053%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.345%), 3/25/36 (h)
   
3,750,000
     
3,271,653
 
  Series 2006-OPT4, Class M1, 1.988%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.280%), 6/25/36 (h)
   
2,045,285
     
1,504,720
 


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

28

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Soundview Home Loan Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2006-OPT3, Class M1, 2.018%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.310%), 6/25/36 (h)
 
$
3,659,260
   
$
2,867,396
 
  Series 2006-OPT5, Class 2A4, 1.948%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.240%), 7/25/36 (h)
   
10,000,000
     
9,455,359
 
  Series 2006-WF1, Class A4, 1.988%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.280%), 10/25/36 (h)
   
1,455,029
     
1,455,273
 
Starwood Waypoint Homes Trust
               
  Series 2017-1, Class E, 4.365%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.600%), 1/17/35 (c)(h)
   
7,431,000
     
7,450,286
 
Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2005-21, Class 3A1, 3.585%, 11/25/35 (a)
   
65,813
     
62,785
 
Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust
               
  Series 2003-BC9, Class M1, 2.758%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.050%), 8/25/33 (h)
   
679,983
     
686,306
 
Terwin Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2004-4SL, Class B3, 8.000%, 3/25/34 (a)(c)
   
198,921
     
184,867
 
Towd Point Asset Funding, LLC
               
  Series 2019-HE1, Class M1, 2.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.100%), 4/25/48 (c)(h)
   
8,264,629
     
8,338,067
 
  Series 2019-HE1, Class M2, 3.458%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.750%), 4/25/48 (c)(h)
   
4,461,000
     
4,523,044
 
Towd Point Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2019-HY1, Class B1, 3.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.150%), 10/25/48 (c)(h)
   
3,350,000
     
3,427,790
 
  Series 2019-HY1, Class B2, 3.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.150%), 10/25/48 (c)(h)
   
11,339,000
     
11,356,643
 
  Series 2019-HY1, Class XA, 5.000%, 10/25/48 (a)(c)
   
9,073,575
     
9,086,106
 
  Series 2015-1, Class B1, 3.955%, 10/25/53 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,051,753
 
  Series 2015-3, Class B3, 4.272%, 3/25/54 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,091,711
 
  Series 2016-1, Class B3, 4.299%, 2/25/55 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,070,246
 
  Series 2015-5, Class B3, 4.018%, 5/25/55 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,095,324
 
  Series 2016-3, Class B3, 4.143%, 4/25/56 (a)(c)
   
5,000,000
     
5,251,686
 
  Series 2016-4, Class B3, 4.020%, 7/25/56 (a)(c)
   
7,019,000
     
7,330,039
 
  Series 2016-5, Class B2, 3.797%, 10/25/56 (a)(c)
   
6,500,000
     
6,730,550
 
  Series 2016-5, Class B3, 3.797%, 10/25/56 (a)(c)
   
2,750,000
     
2,787,546
 
  Series 2017-1, Class B3, 3.996%, 10/25/56 (a)(c)
   
2,750,000
     
2,757,177
 
  Series 2017-5, Class M2, 3.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.500%), 2/25/57 (c)(h)
   
20,472,000
     
20,955,712
 
  Series 2017-5, Class B1, 3.508%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.800%), 2/25/57 (c)(h)
   
10,625,000
     
11,063,264
 
  Series 2017-5, Class B2, 3.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.100%), 2/25/57 (c)(h)
   
6,641,000
     
7,013,176
 


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

29

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Towd Point Mortgage Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2017-5, Class B3, 4.208%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 2/25/57 (c)(h)
 
$
5,415,000
   
$
5,516,418
 
  Series 2017-2, Class B3, 4.171%, 4/25/57 (a)(c)
   
5,000,000
     
5,195,632
 
  Series 2017-3, Class B3, 4.035%, 7/25/57 (a)(c)
   
5,000,000
     
5,109,344
 
  Series 2018-6, Class B2, 3.843%, 3/25/58 (a)(c)
   
2,750,000
     
2,702,846
 
  Series 2019-1, Class B2, 3.911%, 3/25/58 (a)(c)
   
4,000,000
     
3,940,336
 
  Series 2019-HY2, Class M2, 3.608%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 5/25/58 (c)(h)
   
9,851,000
     
10,023,954
 
  Series 2019-HY2, Class B1, 3.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 5/25/58 (c)(h)
   
8,639,000
     
8,576,805
 
  Series 2019-HY2, Class B2, 3.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.900%), 5/25/58 (c)(h)
   
3,500,000
     
3,550,984
 
  Series 2018-3, Class B2, 4.066%, 5/25/58 (a)(c)
   
1,750,000
     
1,719,764
 
  Series 2018-4, Class B2, 3.338%, 6/25/58 (a)(c)
   
1,750,000
     
1,658,790
 
  Series 2018-5, Class B2, 3.529%, 7/25/58 (a)(c)
   
1,750,000
     
1,673,778
 
  Series 2018-SJ1, Class M1, 4.500%, 10/25/58 (a)(c)
   
4,810,500
     
5,004,190
 
  Series 2018-SJ1, Class M2, 4.750%, 10/25/58 (a)(c)
   
10,000,000
     
10,464,241
 
  Series 2018-SJ1, Class B1, 5.250%, 10/25/58 (a)(c)
   
10,000,000
     
10,503,443
 
  Series 2019-SJ1, Class M1, 4.400%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
5,606,000
     
5,826,969
 
  Series 2019-SJ2, Class M2, 4.750%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
12,000,000
     
12,440,767
 
  Series 2019-SJ1, Class M2, 4.750%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
10,438,000
     
10,862,563
 
  Series 2019-SJ1, Class A2, 5.000%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
15,559,316
     
15,621,864
 
  Series 2019-SJ1, Class B1, 5.000%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
10,466,000
     
10,965,214
 
  Series 2019-SJ2, Class B1, 5.000%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
13,052,000
     
13,714,932
 
  Series 2019-2, Class M2, 3.750%, 12/25/58 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,049,355
 
  Series 2019-3, Class M2, 4.250%, 2/25/59 (a)(c)
   
4,238,000
     
4,564,359
 
  Series 2019-HY3, Class M2, 3.408%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.700%), 10/25/59 (c)(h)
   
10,115,000
     
10,231,514
 
  Series 2019-HY3, Class B1, 3.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 10/25/59 (c)(h)
   
5,514,000
     
5,543,886
 
  Series 2019-HY3, Class B2, 3.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 10/25/59 (c)(h)
   
4,130,000
     
4,032,992
 
  Series 2015-2, Class 1B3, 3.792%, 11/25/60 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,044,439
 
Tricon American Homes Trust
               
  Series 2016-SFR1, Class F, 5.769%, 11/17/33 (c)
   
13,343,000
     
13,751,336
 
  Series 2017-SFR1, Class E, 4.011%, 9/17/34 (c)
   
750,000
     
759,300
 
  Series 2017-SFR1, Class F, 5.151%, 9/17/34 (c)
   
26,246,000
     
27,049,059
 
  Series 2017-SFR2, Class F, 5.104%, 1/17/36 (c)
   
10,125,000
     
10,587,146
 
  Series 2018-SFR1, Class E, 4.564%, 5/17/37 (c)
   
6,250,000
     
6,558,400
 
  Series 2018-SFR1, Class F, 4.960%, 5/17/37 (c)
   
6,500,000
     
6,836,772
 
Vericrest Opportunity Loan Trust
               
  Series 2019-NPL2, Class A2, 6.292%, 2/25/49 (c)(k)
   
1,500,000
     
1,515,165
 
  Series 2019-NPL3, Class A2, 6.170%, 3/25/49 (c)(k)
   
1,000,000
     
1,012,150
 


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

30

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Vericrest Opportunity Loan Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2019-NPL4, Class A1B, 4.150%, 8/25/49 (c)(k)
 
$
4,000,000
   
$
3,996,656
 
  Series 2019-NPL4, Class A2, 5.438%, 8/25/49 (c)(k)
   
2,000,000
     
1,997,966
 
  Series 2019-NPL5, Class A1B, 4.250%, 9/25/49 (c)(k)
   
2,000,000
     
2,002,397
 
  Series 2019-NPL5, Class A2, 5.194%, 9/25/49 (c)(k)
   
1,800,000
     
1,802,242
 
  Series 2019-NPL7, Class A1A, 3.179%, 10/25/49 (c)(k)
   
6,545,091
     
6,549,998
 
  Series 2019-NPL7, Class A1B, 3.967%, 10/25/49 (c)(k)
   
3,250,000
     
3,247,486
 
  Series 2019-NPL7, Class A2, 5.193%, 10/25/49 (c)(k)
   
7,894,000
     
7,890,241
 
  Series 2019-NPL8, Class A1A, 3.278%, 11/25/49 (c)(k)
   
5,483,168
     
5,489,793
 
  Series 2019-NPL8, Class A1B, 4.090%, 11/25/49 (c)(k)
   
2,500,000
     
2,504,678
 
  Series 2019-NPL8, Class A2, 5.193%, 11/25/49 (c)(k)
   
6,000,000
     
6,011,924
 
Verus Securitization Trust
               
  Series 2018-1, Class B1, 3.801%, 1/25/58 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,011,639
 
  Series 2018-3, Class B1, 5.694%, 10/25/58 (a)(c)
   
4,000,000
     
4,101,160
 
  Series 2019-1, Class B1, 5.311%, 2/25/59 (a)(c)
   
214,000
     
219,181
 
  Series 2019-2, Class B1, 4.437%, 5/25/59 (a)(c)(k)
   
1,577,000
     
1,601,166
 
  Series 2019-INV2, Class B1, 4.452%, 7/25/59 (a)(c)(k)
   
500,000
     
500,870
 
  Series 2019-4, Class B1, 3.860%, 11/25/59 (a)(c)(k)
   
1,579,000
     
1,590,679
 
  Series 2019-INV3, Class B2, 4.791%, 11/25/59 (a)(c)(e)(k)
   
650,000
     
649,990
 
VOLT LXII LLC
               
  Series 2017-NPL9, Class A2, 4.625%, 9/25/47 (c)(k)
   
2,851,485
     
2,859,036
 
VOLT LXIV LLC
               
  Series 2017-NPL11, Class A1, 3.375%, 10/25/47 (c)(k)
   
2,360,994
     
2,372,209
 
VOLT LXXII LLC
               
  Series 2018-NPL8, Class A1B, 4.655%, 10/26/48 (c)(k)
   
2,000,000
     
2,016,722
 
VOLT LXXV LLC
               
  Series 2019-NPL1, Class A1B, 4.826%, 1/25/49 (c)(k)
   
13,324,000
     
13,420,627
 
VOLT LXXX LLC
               
  Series 2019-NPL6, Class A1A, 3.228%, 10/25/49 (c)(k)
   
7,797,785
     
7,823,434
 
  Series 2019-NPL6, Class A1B, 4.090%, 10/25/49 (c)(k)
   
8,385,000
     
8,435,416
 
  Series 2019-NPL6, Class A2, 5.071%, 10/25/49 (c)(k)
   
2,250,000
     
2,259,904
 
VOLT LXXXIII LLC
               
  Series 2019-NPL9, Class A1B, 4.090%, 11/26/49 (c)(k)
   
3,000,000
     
3,001,488
 
  Series 2019-NPL9, Class A2, 4.949%, 11/26/49 (c)(k)
   
4,500,000
     
4,506,993
 
VOLT LXXXIV LLC
               
  Series 2019-NPL10, Class A1B, 3.967%, 12/27/49 (c)(k)
   
5,700,000
     
5,704,267
 
  Series 2019-NPL10, Class A2, 4.704%, 12/27/49 (c)(k)
   
4,500,000
     
4,503,364
 
WaMu Asset-Backed Certificates WaMu Series Trust
               
  Series 2007-HE1, Class 2A3, 1.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.150%), 1/25/37 (h)
   
3,520,781
     
2,130,070
 
  Series 2007-HE2, Class 2A1, 1.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.100%), 2/25/37 (h)
   
21,893,715
     
8,988,015
 
  Series 2007-HE2, Class 2A2, 1.898%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.190%), 4/25/37 (h)
   
9,193,583
     
4,835,552
 


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

31

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
WaMu Asset-Backed Certificates WaMu Series Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2007-HE2, Class 2A3, 1.958%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.250%), 4/25/37 (h)
 
$
13,086,951
   
$
6,846,734
 
  Series 2007-HE4, Class 2A4, 1.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.250%), 7/25/47 (h)
   
4,553,602
     
3,205,892
 
WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
               
  Series 2006-AR14, Class 1A3, 3.268%, 11/25/36 (a)
   
2,668,046
     
2,587,027
 
  Series 2006-AR18, Class 1A1, 3.451%, 1/25/37 (a)
   
1,472,635
     
1,421,774
 
  Series 2005-AR6, Class B1, 2.608%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.900%), 4/25/45 (h)
   
4,377,575
     
3,240,751
 
  Series 2005-AR11, Class B1, 2.623%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.610%), 8/25/45 (h)
   
12,825,346
     
12,038,184
 
  Series 2005-AR13, Class B1, 2.608%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.600%), 10/25/45 (h)
   
8,138,194
     
7,704,169
 
  Series 2005-AR17, Class X, 1.300%, 12/25/45 (a)(g)
   
54,049,707
     
2,510,993
 
  Series 2005-AR17, Class A1B3, 2.408%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.350%), 12/25/45 (h)
   
2,395,673
     
2,352,871
 
  Series 2005-AR17, Class A1C4, 2.508%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.400%), 12/25/45 (h)
   
5,097,577
     
3,824,645
 
  Series 2005-AR17, Class A1B2, 2.528%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.410%), 12/25/45 (h)
   
727,521
     
716,554
 
  Series 2006-AR5, Class A1A, 3.316%
               
  (12 Month US Treasury Average + 0.990%), 6/25/46 (h)
   
1,546,289
     
1,539,089
 
Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
               
  Series 2007-4, Class 1A5, 7.000%, 6/25/37
   
6,538,770
     
4,348,600
 
  Series 2006-AR9, Class 2A, 3.166%
               
  (12 Month US Treasury Average + 0.840%), 11/25/46 (h)
   
4,452,227
     
4,089,308
 
  Series 2007-OA1, Class A1, 3.036%
               
  (12 Month US Treasury Average + 0.710%), 12/25/46 (h)
   
4,248,334
     
4,068,737
 
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities
               
  Series 2018-1, Class AIO1, 0.197%, 7/25/47 (a)(c)(g)
   
137,871,690
     
739,723
 
Total Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities –
               
  Non-Agency (cost $1,685,887,197)
           
1,658,385,691
 
                 
PRIVATE PLACEMENT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS – 0.3%
               
BasePoint – BP SLL Trust, Series SPL-III,
               
  9.500%, 12/31/20 (d)(e)
   
6,077,217
     
6,077,217
 
CCTC Acquisition Partners LLC,
               
  Convertible Promissory Note
               
  12.000%, 2/8/20 (e)(f)(i)
   
749,058
     
828,308
 
Total Private Placement Participation Agreements
               
  (cost $6,826,275)
           
6,905,525
 


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

32

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

             
   
Shares
   
Value
 
MONEY MARKET FUND – 1.5%
           
First American Government
           
  Obligations Fund – Class Z, 1.52% (b)
   
35,535,560
   
$
35,535,560
 
Total Money Market Fund (cost $35,535,560)
           
35,535,560
 
Total Investments (cost $2,350,345,586) – 99.9%
           
2,326,477,915
 
Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.1%
           
1,779,572
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.0%
         
$
2,328,257,487
 

(a)
Variable rate security.  The coupon is based on an underlying pool of loans and represents the rate in effect as of November 30, 2019.
(b)
Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield as of November 30, 2019.
(c)
Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may be sold only to dealers in the program or other “qualified institutional buyers.” As of November 30, 2019, the value of these investments was $1,648,871,783 or 70.8% of total net assets.
(d)
Security is restricted.  The Fund cannot sell or otherwise transfer this agreement without prior written approval of  Basepoint – BP SLL Trust, Series SPL-III.  As of November 30, 2019, the value of this investment was $6,077,217 or 0.3% of total net assets. The security was acquired from October 2017 to November 2019 at a cost of $6,077,217.
(e)
Security valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees of Advisors Series Trust.  Value determined using significant unobservable inputs. As of November 30, 2019, the total value of fair valued securities was $47,825,871 or 2.1% of total net assets.
(f)
Non-income producing.
(g)
Interest only security.
(h)
Variable or floating rate security based on a reference index and spread.  The rate reported is the rate in effect as of November 30, 2019.
(i)
Security is restricted.  The Fund cannot sell or otherwise transfer this agreement without prior written approval of CCTC Acquisition Partners LLC.  As of November 30, 2019, the value of this investment was $828,308 or 0.0% of total net assets. The security was acquired in February 2018 at a cost of $749,058.
(j)
Inverse floating rate security whose interest rate moves in the opposite direction of reference interest rates. Reference interest rates are typically based on a negative multiplier or slope. Interest rate may also be subject to a cap or floor.
(k)
Step-up bond.  The interest rate will step up if the issuer does not redeem the bond by an expected redemption date. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect as of November 30, 2019.
(l)
Step-up bond. The interest rate may step up conditioned upon the aggregate remaining principal balance of the underlying mortgage loans being reduced below a targeted percentage of the aggregate original principal balance of the mortgage loans.  The interest rate shown is the rate in effect as of November 30, 2019.
FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA – Federal National Mortgage Association
FREMF – Freddi Mac K Series
GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
REMIC – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit



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

33

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – AGENCY – 0.0%
           
Small Business Administration Participation Certificates
           
  Series 2012-10E, Class 1, 0.980%, 9/1/22
 
$
77
   
$
76
 
Total Asset-Backed Securities – Agency (cost $76)
           
76
 
                 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES – NON-AGENCY – 14.7%
               
ACC Trust
               
  Series 2018-1, Class A, 3.700%, 12/21/20 (c)
   
33,538
     
33,557
 
American Credit Acceptance Receivables Trust
               
  Series 2016-4, Class D, 4.110%, 4/12/23 (c)
   
250,000
     
251,667
 
  Series 2017-1, Class E, 5.440%, 3/13/24 (c)
   
2,500,000
     
2,557,708
 
American Express Credit Account Master Trust
               
  Series 2017-5, Class A, 2.145%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.380%), 2/18/25 (f)
   
1,250,000
     
1,253,338
 
Barclays Dryrock Issuance Trust
               
  Series 2017-1, Class A, 2.095%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.330%), 3/15/23 (f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,000,875
 
  Series 2017-2, Class A, 2.065%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.300%), 5/15/23 (f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,000,964
 
  Series 2018-1, Class A, 2.095%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.330%), 7/15/24 (f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,000,398
 
Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust
               
  Series 2018-A2, Class A2, 2.115%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.350%), 3/16/26 (f)
   
670,000
     
669,705
 
Carvana Auto Receivables Trust
               
  Series 2019-3A, Class D, 3.040%, 4/15/25 (c)
   
1,500,000
     
1,509,586
 
Cazenovia Creek Funding II LLC
               
  Series 2018-1A, Class A, 3.561%, 7/15/30 (c)
   
1,139,695
     
1,148,488
 
CPS Auto Trust
               
  Series 2016-D, Class D, 4.530%, 1/17/23 (c)
   
925,000
     
942,764
 
Drive Auto Receivables Trust
               
  Series 2017-1, Class D, 3.840%, 3/15/23
   
1,940,000
     
1,961,118
 
  Series 2016-CA, Class D, 4.180%, 3/15/24 (c)
   
1,998,411
     
2,025,507
 
  Series 2018-1, Class D, 3.810%, 5/15/24
   
2,000,000
     
2,032,178
 
  Series 2017-BA, Class E, 5.300%, 7/15/24 (c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,063,842
 
  Series 2018-2, Class D, 4.140%, 8/15/24
   
2,000,000
     
2,045,259
 
  Series 2018-3, Class C, 3.720%, 9/16/24
   
2,500,000
     
2,523,033
 
  Series 2019-2, Class D, 3.690%, 8/17/26
   
1,000,000
     
1,031,948
 
  Series 2019-4, Class D, 2.700%, 2/16/27
   
1,000,000
     
1,003,411
 
DT Auto Owner Trust
               
  Series 2017-3A, Class C, 3.010%, 5/15/23 (c)
   
85,713
     
85,782
 
  Series 2016-3A, Class D, 4.520%, 6/15/23 (c)
   
168,368
     
169,191
 


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

34

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
DT Auto Owner Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2018-2A, Class C, 3.670%, 3/15/24 (c)
 
$
500,000
   
$
505,811
 
  Series 2017-4A, Class E, 5.150%, 11/15/24 (c)
   
2,500,000
     
2,583,586
 
  Series 2019-2A, Class D, 3.480%, 2/18/25 (c)
   
500,000
     
509,836
 
  Series 2019-4A, Class D, 2.850%, 7/15/25 (c)
   
2,500,000
     
2,502,760
 
First Investors Auto Owner Trust
               
  Series 2016-2A, Class D, 3.350%, 11/15/22 (c)
   
2,500,000
     
2,524,204
 
Flagship Credit Auto Trust
               
  Series 2015-3, Class D, 7.120%, 11/15/22 (c)
   
2,500,000
     
2,571,742
 
  Series 2017-3, Class D, 3.730%, 9/15/23 (c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,018,538
 
Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust
               
  Series 2018-1, Class A2, 2.045%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.280%), 5/15/23 (f)
   
1,250,000
     
1,250,052
 
  Series 2018-3, Class A2, 2.165%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.400%), 10/15/23 (f)
   
1,250,000
     
1,250,346
 
GLS Auto Receivables Trust
               
  Series 2017-1A, Class B, 2.980%, 12/15/21 (c)
   
199,648
     
200,006
 
  Series 2018-1A, Class A, 2.820%, 7/15/22 (c)
   
66,590
     
66,773
 
  Series 2019-2A, Class C, 3.540%, 2/18/25 (c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,048,889
 
GMF Floorplan Owner Revolving Trust
               
  Series 2018-4, Class A2, 2.175%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.410%), 9/15/23 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
999,839
 
Gracechurch Card Funding Plc
               
  Series 2018-1A, Class A, 2.165%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.400%), 7/15/22 (c)(f)
   
1,600,000
     
1,600,814
 
NextGear Floorplan Master Owner Trust
               
  Series 2018-2A, Class A1, 2.365%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.600%), 10/15/23 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,002,298
 
Prestige Auto Receivables Trust
               
  Series 2016-2A, Class D, 3.910%, 11/15/22 (c)
   
1,085,000
     
1,096,971
 
  Series 2017-1A, Class D, 3.610%, 10/16/23 (c)
   
2,055,000
     
2,099,134
 
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust
               
  Series 2018-2, Class C, 3.350%, 7/17/23
   
1,205,000
     
1,217,163
 
SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust
               
  Series 2003-C, Class A5, 2.930%
               
  (28 Day Auction Rate + 0.000%), 9/15/32 (f)
   
500,000
     
496,197
 
SoFi Professional Loan Program, LLC
               
  Series 2016-B, Class A1, 2.908%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.200%), 6/25/33 (c)(f)
   
255,351
     
256,708
 
  Series 2016-C, Class A1, 2.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.100%), 10/27/36 (c)(f)
   
399,583
     
401,921
 
  Series 2015-D, Class A1, 3.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.500%), 10/27/36 (c)(f)
   
183,907
     
185,867
 


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

35

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
South Carolina Student Loan Corp.
           
  Series 2013-1, Class A, 2.208%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.500%), 1/25/41 (f)
 
$
141,098
   
$
140,093
 
Trillium Credit Card Trust II
               
  Series 2018-1A, Class A, 1.953%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.250%), 2/27/23 (c)(f)
   
775,000
     
775,117
 
United Auto Credit Securitization Trust
               
  Series 2018-1, Class D, 3.520%, 11/10/22 (c)
   
500,000
     
502,035
 
  Series 2019-1, Class D, 3.470%, 8/12/24 (c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,021,557
 
Volvo Financial Equipment Master Owner Trust
               
  Series 2017-A, Class A, 2.265%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.500%), 11/15/22 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,002,065
 
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust
               
  Series 2018-3A, Class B, 3.320%, 10/16/23 (c)
   
2,500,000
     
2,522,383
 
  Series 2018-2A, Class D, 4.000%, 1/16/24 (c)
   
2,500,000
     
2,562,901
 
  Series 2019-1A, Class D, 3.670%, 3/15/24 (c)
   
1,500,000
     
1,532,044
 
  Series 2019-3A, Class D, 2.720%, 11/15/24 (c)
   
2,500,000
     
2,502,608
 
Total Asset-Backed Securities – Non-Agency
               
  (cost $65,875,892)
           
66,260,577
 
                 
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS – 23.1%
               
ACIS CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-4A, Class A, 3.329%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.420%), 5/1/26 (c)(f)
   
1,350,013
     
1,352,508
 
  Series 2014-5A, Class A1, 3.419%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.510%), 11/1/26 (c)(f)
   
1,499,051
     
1,501,256
 
  Series 2017-7A, Class A1, 3.259%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.350%), 5/1/27 (c)(f)
   
1,992,155
     
1,993,995
 
  Series 2015-6A, Class A1, 3.499%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.590%), 5/1/27 (c)(f)
   
392,386
     
393,207
 
ALM Loan Funding
               
  Series 2015-16A, Class AAR2, 2.901%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.900%), 7/15/27 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
2,994,135
 
AMMC CLO XIV Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-14R, Class A1LR, 3.190%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 7/25/29 (c)(f)
   
1,155,000
     
1,155,034
 
Anchorage Capital CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-4RA, Class A, 2.986%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.050%), 1/28/31 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,495,818
 
Apex Credit CLO LLC
               
  Series 2017-1A, Class A1, 3.406%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.470%), 4/24/29 (c)(f)
   
4,000,000
     
4,001,414
 


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

36

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Apidos CLO XVI
           
  Series 2013-16A, Class A1R, 2.946%
           
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.980%), 1/19/25 (c)(f)
 
$
5,941
   
$
5,941
 
Atlas Senior Loan Fund V Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-1A, Class AR2, 3.261%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.260%), 7/16/29 (c)(f)
   
2,766,000
     
2,761,131
 
Benefit Street Partners CLO II Ltd.
               
  Series 2013-IIA, Class A1R, 3.251%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 7/15/29 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
2,000,086
 
Benefit Street Partners CLO VII Ltd.
               
  Series 2015-VIIA, Class A1AR, 2.783%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.780%), 7/18/27 (c)(f)
   
3,122,422
     
3,122,355
 
BlueMountain CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2012-2A, Class AR2, 2.949%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.050%), 11/20/28 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
2,000,204
 
  Series 2013-1A, Class A1R2, 3.196%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.230%), 1/20/29 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
2,999,949
 
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2015-3A, Class A1R, 2.936%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.000%), 7/28/28 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,000,649
 
Catamaran CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-2A, Class A1R, 3.403%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.400%), 10/18/26 (c)(f)
   
1,475,636
     
1,475,948
 
  Series 2013-1A, Class AR, 2.786%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.850%), 1/27/28 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
2,986,294
 
Cent CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2013-19A, Class A1A, 3.258%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.330%), 10/29/25 (c)(f)
   
416,292
     
416,911
 
CIFC Funding Ltd.
               
  Series 2015-2A, Class AR, 2.781%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.780%), 4/15/27 (c)(f)
   
2,871,815
     
2,867,596
 
  Series 2017-1A, Class A, 3.326%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.360%), 4/23/29 (c)(f)
   
1,250,000
     
1,250,046
 
  Series 2019-2A, Class A, 3.252%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 4/17/30 (c)(f)
   
3,250,000
     
3,248,319
 
  Series 2014-2RA, Class A1, 2.986%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.050%), 4/24/30 (c)(f)
   
1,760,000
     
1,754,708
 
  Series 2014-4RA, Class A1A, 3.132%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.130%), 10/17/30 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,497,483
 
Cutwater Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-1A, Class A1AR, 3.251%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 7/15/26 (c)(f)
   
1,445,681
     
1,447,680
 


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

37

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Ellington CLO IV Ltd.
           
  Series 2019-1A, Class A, 3.841%
           
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.840%), 4/15/29 (c)(f)
 
$
2,000,000
   
$
1,977,432
 
Flagship VII Ltd.
               
  Series 2013-7A, Class BR, 3.516%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.550%), 1/20/26 (c)(f)
   
459,705
     
460,291
 
Gallatin CLO VIII Ltd.
               
  Series 2017-1A, Class A, 3.051%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.050%), 7/15/27 (c)(f)
   
647,526
     
648,012
 
GoldenTree Loan Opportunities IX Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-9A, Class AR2, 3.038%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.110%), 10/29/29 (c)(f)
   
1,900,000
     
1,900,144
 
Golub Capital Partners CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2018-39A, Class A1, 3.116%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.150%), 10/20/28 (c)(f)
   
280,000
     
280,015
 
Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-3A, Class AR, 3.053%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.100%), 10/22/25 (c)(f)
   
108,779
     
108,803
 
  Series 2014-1A, Class A1R, 3.133%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.130%), 4/18/26 (c)(f)
   
1,234,961
     
1,236,413
 
  Series 2015-1A, Class AR, 2.886%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.920%), 4/20/27 (c)(f)
   
540,075
     
540,068
 
Highbridge Loan Management Ltd.
               
  Series 2015-7A, Class XR, 2.510%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.600%), 3/15/27 (c)(f)
   
25,000
     
24,976
 
Hull Street CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-1A, Class AR, 3.223%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.220%), 10/18/26 (c)(f)
   
1,714,939
     
1,716,785
 
ICG US CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-1A, Class A1R, 3.186%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.220%), 1/20/30 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
1,982,783
 
KKR Financial CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2013-1A, Class A1R, 3.291%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.290%), 4/15/29 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
2,001,659
 
LCM XXV Ltd.
               
  Series 2017-25, Class A, 3.176%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.210%), 7/20/30 (c)(f)
   
791,000
     
789,062
 
Madison Park Funding XI Ltd.
               
  Series 2013-11A, Class AR, 3.094%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.160%), 7/23/29 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
1,998,464
 
Mountain Hawk II CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2013-2A, Class BR, 3.566%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.600%), 7/20/24 (c)(f)
   
500,000
     
500,132
 


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

38

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Mountain Hawk III CLO Ltd.
           
  Series 2014-3A, Class AR, 3.203%
           
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.200%), 4/18/25 (c)(f)
 
$
1,368,268
   
$
1,368,485
 
Mountain View CLO LLC
               
  Series 2017-2A, Class X, 2.651%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.650%), 1/16/31 (c)(f)
   
75,000
     
74,856
 
Mountain View CLO X Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-1A, Class ARR, 2.801%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.800%), 10/15/26 (c)(f)
   
2,694,678
     
2,687,948
 
  Series 2015-10A, Class AR, 2.821%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.820%), 10/13/27 (c)(f)
   
2,840,000
     
2,834,613
 
Nassau II Ltd.
               
  Series 2017-IIA, Class AL, 3.251%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 1/15/30 (c)(f)
   
800,000
     
792,017
 
Newfleet CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2016-1A, Class A1R, 2.916%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.950%), 4/20/28 (c)(f)(d)
   
500,000
     
496,260
 
OCP CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2015-9A, Class A1R, 2.801%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.800%), 7/15/27 (c)(f)
   
2,071,654
     
2,071,814
 
  Series 2015-10A, Class A1R, 2.756%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.820%), 10/26/27 (c)(f)
   
3,400,000
     
3,397,511
 
OHA Loan Funding Ltd.
               
  Series 2015-1A, Class AR, 3.320%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.410%), 8/15/29 (c)(f)
   
1,250,000
     
1,248,304
 
Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd.
               
  Series 2017-1A, Class A1, 2.741%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.740%), 10/15/25 (c)(f)
   
1,104,158
     
1,103,004
 
Regatta VI Funding Ltd.
               
  Series 2016-1A, Class AR, 3.046%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.080%), 7/20/28 (c)(f)
   
500,000
     
499,760
 
Saranac CLO III Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-3A, Class ALR, 3.259%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.100%), 6/22/30 (c)(f)
   
1,800,000
     
1,797,729
 
Telos CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-6A, Class A1R, 3.272%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.270%), 1/17/27 (c)(f)
   
2,354,610
     
2,355,784
 
  Series 2013-4A, Class AR, 3.242%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.240%), 1/17/30 (c)(f)
   
250,000
     
249,180
 
TICP CLO I Ltd.
               
  Series 2015-1A, Class AR, 2.766%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.800%), 7/20/27 (c)(f)
   
199,017
     
198,387
 


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

39

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Tralee CLO V Ltd.
           
  Series 2018-5A, Class A1, 3.076%
           
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.110%), 10/20/28 (c)(f)
 
$
2,250,000
   
$
2,236,592
 
Trinitas CLO IV Ltd.
               
  Series 2016-4A, Class XR, 2.753%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.750%), 10/18/31 (c)(f)
   
550,000
     
550,134
 
Venture XVII CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-17A, Class ARR, 2.881%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.880%), 4/15/27 (c)(f)
   
1,965,000
     
1,960,995
 
Venture XXVI CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2017-26A, Class A, 3.416%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.450%), 1/20/29 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
2,001,040
 
Venture XXVII CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2017-27A, Class A, 3.266%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.300%), 7/20/30 (c)(f)
   
100,000
     
99,681
 
Vibrant Clo VI Ltd.
               
  Series 2017-6A, Class A, 3.396%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.240%), 6/20/29 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
2,994,579
 
WhiteHorse IX Ltd.
               
  Series 2014-9A, Class AR, 3.162%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.160%), 7/17/26 (c)(f)
   
3,441,988
     
3,444,615
 
Wind River CLO Ltd.
               
  Series 2016-1A, Class AR, 3.036%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.050%), 7/15/28 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
998,609
 
Zais CLO 5 Ltd.
               
  Series 2016-2A, Class A1, 3.531%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 1.530%), 10/15/28 (c)(f)
   
2,442,000
     
2,432,823
 
Zais CLO 8 Ltd.
               
  Series 2018-8, Class A, 2.951%
               
  (3 Month LIBOR USD + 0.950%), 4/15/29 (c)(f)
   
2,300,000
     
2,282,306
 
Total Collateralized Loan Obligations
               
  (cost $104,036,371)
           
104,064,732
 
                 
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – AGENCY – 0.0%
               
GNMA
               
  Series 2009-4, Class IO, 0.390%, 1/16/49 (a)(i)
   
349,920
     
2,586
 
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – Agency
               
  (cost $1,736)
           
2,586
 


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

40

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – NON-AGENCY – 13.0%
           
AREIT Trust
           
  Series 2018-CRE2, 2.743%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.980%), 11/14/35 (c)(d)
 
$
3,316,267
   
$
3,317,304
 
Bayview Commercial Asset Trust
               
  Series 2007-2A, Class A1, 1.978%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.270%), 7/25/37 (c)(f)
   
354,419
     
340,372
 
  Series 2007-6A, Class A3A, 2.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 12/25/37 (c)(f)
   
261,494
     
262,440
 
BSPRT Issuer Ltd.
               
  Series 2018-FL3, Class A, 2.815%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.050%), 3/15/28 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,500,176
 
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2019-XL, Class A, 2.685%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.920%), 10/15/36 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,005,621
 
BX Trust
               
  Series 2019-CALM, Class A, 2.626%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.876%), 11/15/32 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,005,625
 
  Series 2019-MMP, Class A, 2.765%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.000%), 8/15/36 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,003,551
 
BXMT Ltd.
               
  Series 2017-FL1, Class A, 2.633%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.870%), 6/15/35 (c)(f)
   
2,696,460
     
2,700,502
 
  Series 2017-FL1, Class B, 3.263%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.500%), 6/15/35 (c)(f)
   
750,000
     
750,469
 
  Series 2017-FL1, Class C, 3.713%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.950%), 6/15/35 (c)(f)
   
500,000
     
501,002
 
Cherrywood SB Commercial Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2016-1A, Class AFL, 4.358%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.650%), 3/25/49 (c)(f)
   
119,836
     
120,927
 
CNL Commercial Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2003-1A, Class A1, 2.265%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.500%), 5/15/31 (c)(f)
   
118,197
     
115,426
 
DBCG Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2017-BBG, Class C, 2.765%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.000%), 6/15/34 (c)(f)
   
350,000
     
350,051
 
FREMF Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2017-KF35, Class B, 4.535%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.750%), 8/25/24 (c)(f)
   
1,055,916
     
1,059,623
 
  Series 2018-KF47, Class B, 3.785%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 5/25/25 (c)(f)
   
447,237
     
445,477
 
  Series 2018-KF51, Class B, 3.635%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.850%), 8/25/25 (c)(f)
   
837,791
     
831,727
 


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

41

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
FREMF Mortgage Trust (Continued)
           
  Series 2019-KF58, Class B, 3.935%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.150%), 1/25/26 (c)(f)
 
$
1,873,066
   
$
1,889,600
 
  Series 2019-KF62, Class B, 3.835%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.050%), 4/25/26 (c)(f)
   
1,499,978
     
1,501,563
 
  Series 2019-KF68, Class B, 3.985%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.200%), 7/25/26 (c)(f)
   
1,999,950
     
2,006,492
 
  Series 2017-KF33, Class B, 4.335%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.550%), 6/25/27 (c)(f)
   
930,451
     
945,381
 
  Series 2017-KF37, Class B, 4.535%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.750%), 6/25/27 (c)(f)
   
550,014
     
558,139
 
  Series 2018-KF43, Class B, 3.935%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.150%), 1/25/28 (c)(f)
   
1,300,931
     
1,304,237
 
  Series 2018-KF48, Class B, 3.835%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.050%), 6/25/28 (c)(f)
   
1,552,824
     
1,541,262
 
  Series 2018-KF50, Class B, 3.685%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.900%), 7/25/28 (c)(f)
   
1,632,688
     
1,632,367
 
  Series 2018-KF52, Class B, 3.735%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.950%), 9/25/28 (f)
   
790,495
     
788,461
 
  Series 2018-KF56, Class B, 4.235%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.450%), 11/25/28 (c)(f)
   
1,955,106
     
1,961,963
 
  Series 2019-KF57, Class B, 4.035%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 1/25/29 (c)(f)
   
985,748
     
988,765
 
GE Business Loan Trust
               
  Series 2007-1A, Class A, 1.935%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.170%), 4/15/35 (c)(f)
   
299,265
     
293,483
 
GPMT Ltd.
               
  Series 2018-FL1, Class A, 2.622%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.900%), 11/21/35 (c)(f)
   
199,039
     
198,849
 
  Series 2019-FL2, Class A, 3.022%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.300%), 2/22/36 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,003,498
 
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust
               
  Series 2017-500K, Class E, 3.265%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.500%), 7/15/32 (c)(f)
   
500,000
     
500,467
 
Hunt CRE Ltd.
               
  Series 2018-FL2, Class A, 2.845%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.080%), 8/15/28 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,008,625
 
  Series 2017-FL1, Class A, 2.765%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.000%), 8/15/34 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,001,198
 
IMT Trust
               
  Series 2017-APTS, Class DFL, 3.315%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.550%), 6/15/34 (c)(f)
   
500,000
     
501,058
 


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

42

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
           
  Series 2019-MFP, Class A, 2.725%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.960%), 7/15/36 (c)(f)
 
$
3,000,000
   
$
2,996,241
 
KREF Ltd.
               
  Series 2018-FL1, Class A, 2.863%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.100%), 6/15/36 (c)(d)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,002,813
 
Lehman Brothers Small Balance Commercial Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2007-3A, Class AJ, 5.513%, 10/25/37 (a)(c)
   
1,514,000
     
1,555,559
 
LoanCore Issuer Ltd.
               
  Series 2018-CRE1, Class A, 2.895%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.130%), 5/15/28 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,003,657
 
Motel 6 Trust
               
  Series 2017-MTL6, Class A, 2.685%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.920%), 8/15/34 (c)(f)
   
2,034,629
     
2,035,903
 
Stonemont Portfolio Trust
               
  Series 2017-MONT, Class A, 2.574%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.850%), 8/20/30 (c)(f)
   
871,494
     
871,442
 
Velocity Commercial Capital Loan Trust
               
  Series 2017-1, Class AFL, 2.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 5/25/47 (c)(f)
   
263,987
     
264,631
 
  Series 2017-2, Class AFL, 2.608%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.900%), 11/25/47 (c)(f)
   
324,726
     
325,245
 
  Series 2019-2, Class M3, 3.480%, 7/25/49 (a)(c)
   
597,964
     
603,243
 
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed
               
  Securities – Non-Agency (cost $58,538,150)
           
58,594,435
 
                 
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – AGENCY – 22.7%
               
Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities
               
  Series 2013-C01, Class M2, 6.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 5.250%), 10/25/23 (f)
   
2,601,723
     
2,866,540
 
  Series 2014-C02, Class 1M2, 4.308%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.600%), 5/25/24 (f)
   
1,870,666
     
1,948,832
 
  Series 2014-C03, Class 1M2, 4.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.000%), 7/25/24 (f)
   
2,309,785
     
2,429,560
 
  Series 2014-C04, Class 2M2, 6.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 5.000%), 11/25/24 (f)
   
1,694,413
     
1,813,366
 
  Series 2016-C01, Class 1M2, 8.458%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.750%), 8/25/28 (f)
   
2,168,390
     
2,404,609
 
  Series 2016-C02, Class 1M2, 7.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 6.000%), 9/25/28 (f)
   
2,109,972
     
2,304,081
 
  Series 2016-C03, Class 1M2, 7.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 5.300%), 10/25/28 (f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,708,241
 


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

43

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities (Continued)
           
  Series 2016-C04, Class 1M2, 5.958%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.250%), 1/25/29 (f)
 
$
3,000,000
   
$
3,183,675
 
  Series 2016-C05, Class 2M2, 6.158%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.450%), 1/25/29 (f)
   
2,163,610
     
2,279,638
 
  Series 2016-C06, Class 1M2, 5.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.250%), 4/25/29 (f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,685,023
 
  Series 2016-C07, Class 2M2, 6.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.350%), 5/25/29 (f)
   
1,523,588
     
1,602,351
 
  Series 2017-C01, Class 1M2, 5.258%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.550%), 7/25/29 (f)
   
3,250,000
     
3,419,457
 
  Series 2017-C02, Class 2ED3, 3.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.350%), 9/25/29 (f)
   
3,500,000
     
3,505,873
 
  Series 2017-C07, Class 1M2A, 4.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.400%), 5/25/30 (f)
   
750,000
     
766,408
 
  Series 2017-C07, Class 2M2A, 4.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 5/25/30 (f)
   
1,550,000
     
1,577,244
 
  Series 2018-R07, Class 1ED2, 2.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.100%), 4/25/31 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,500,409
 
  Series 2019-R01, Class 2ED2, 2.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.150%), 7/25/31 (c)(f)
   
3,250,000
     
3,240,059
 
  Series 2019-R01, Class 2M2, 4.158%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.450%), 7/25/31 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,037,246
 
  Series 2019-R02, Class 1M2, 4.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.300%), 8/25/31 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,026,482
 
  Series 2019-R03, Class 1ED3, 2.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 9/25/31 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,503,122
 
  Series 2019-R03, Class 1M2, 3.858%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.150%), 9/25/31 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,021,118
 
  Series 2019-R04, Class 2ED3, 3.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.400%), 6/25/39 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,511,794
 
  Series 2019-R05, Class 1ED3, 3.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.300%), 7/25/39 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,498,355
 
  Series 2019-R06, Class 2ED2, 2.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.000%), 9/25/39 (c)(f)
   
3,250,000
     
3,234,499
 
  Series 2019-R06, Class 2ED3, 3.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.400%), 9/25/39 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,507,114
 
  Series 2019-R07, Class 1M2, 3.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.100%), 10/25/39 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,014,523
 
FHLMC REMIC Trust
               
  Series 129, Class H, 8.850%, 3/15/21
   
41
     
41
 
  Series 3823, Class GA, 3.500%, 1/15/26
   
5,215
     
5,314
 
  Series 3834, Class GA, 3.500%, 3/15/26
   
8,181
     
8,363
 


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

44

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
FNMA REMIC Trust
           
  Series 2010-137, Class MC, 3.000%, 10/25/38
 
$
4,336
   
$
4,338
 
Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk
               
  Series 2014-DN2, Class M3, 5.308%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.600%), 4/25/24 (f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,063,489
 
  Series 2014-HQ2, Class M3, 5.458%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.750%), 9/25/24 (f)
   
550,000
     
594,278
 
  Series 2016-DNA2, Class M3, 6.358%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 4.650%), 10/25/28 (f)
   
1,743,079
     
1,872,056
 
  Series 2017-HQA3, Class M2, 4.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.350%), 4/25/30 (f)
   
2,917,004
     
2,974,086
 
  Series 2018-HRP1, Class M2, 3.358%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.650%), 4/25/43 (c)(f)
   
2,945,075
     
2,956,025
 
  Series 2018-HRP2, Class M2, 2.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 2/25/47 (c)
   
3,330,000
     
3,338,044
 
  Series 2018-HRP2, Class M3, 4.108%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.400%), 2/25/47 (c)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,065,314
 
  Series 2017-SPI1, Class M1, 3.982%, 9/25/47 (a)(c)
   
97,236
     
97,704
 
  Series 2018-SPI2, Class M1, 3.813%, 5/25/48 (a)(c)
   
613,131
     
614,816
 
  Series 2019-FTR2, Class M1, 2.658%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.950%), 11/25/48 (c)(f)
   
3,500,000
     
3,501,431
 
  Series 2019-DNA1, 2.558%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.850%), 1/25/49 (c)(d)
   
3,000,000
     
3,000,000
 
  Series 2019-DNA3, Class M2AT, 2.708%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.000%), 7/25/49 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,503,122
 
  Series 2019-DNA3, Class M2, 3.758%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.050%), 7/25/49 (c)(f)
   
2,036,000
     
2,041,112
 
Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk REMIC Trust
               
  Series 2019-HQA4, Class M2, 3.815%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.050%), 11/25/49 (c)(f)
   
2,880,000
     
2,883,590
 
Freddie Mac Whole Loan Securities Trust
               
  Series 2015-SC02, Class M2, 3.669%, 9/25/45 (a)
   
2,514,350
     
2,548,098
 
  Series 2016-SC01, Class M1, 3.838%, 7/25/46 (a)
   
1,003,232
     
1,018,893
 
  Series 2016-SC02, Class M1, 3.605%, 10/25/46 (a)
   
490,028
     
494,904
 
  Series 2017-SC01, Class M1, 3.589%, 12/25/46 (a)(c)
   
825,589
     
831,429
 
  Series 2017-SC02, Class M1, 3.831%, 5/25/47 (a)(c)
   
62,097
     
62,534
 
GNMA
               
  Series 2008-55, Class WT, 5.344%, 6/20/37 (a)
   
12,916
     
13,876
 
  Series 2010-144, Class DK, 3.500%, 9/16/39
   
58,295
     
59,931
 
  Series 2010-150, Class GD, 2.500%, 9/20/39
   
21,454
     
21,483
 
Total Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities – Agency
               
  (cost $102,250,120)
           
102,163,890
 


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

45

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES – NON-AGENCY – 23.0%
           
American Homes 4 Rent Trust
           
  Series 2014-SFR2, Class E, 6.231%, 10/17/36 (c)
 
$
1,900,000
   
$
2,103,966
 
  Series 2015-SFR2, Class D, 5.036%, 10/17/52 (c)
   
1,250,000
     
1,360,456
 
Angel Oak Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2017-1, Class A1, 2.810%, 1/25/47 (a)(c)
   
174,409
     
174,733
 
  Series 2017-3, Class A2, 2.883%, 11/25/47 (a)(c)
   
28,412
     
28,131
 
Bear Stearns Mortgage Securities, Inc.
               
  Series 1997-6, Class 1A, 6.314%, 3/25/31 (a)
   
33,502
     
33,449
 
Bellemeade Re Ltd.
               
  Series 2018-2A, Class M1B, 3.058%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.350%), 8/25/28 (c)(f)
   
201,760
     
202,107
 
  Series 2019-1A, Class M1A, 3.008%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.300%), 3/25/29 (c)(f)
   
422,221
     
423,077
 
  Series 2019-1A, Class M1B, 3.458%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.750%), 3/25/29 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,002,436
 
Bombardier Capital Mortgage Securitization Corp.
               
  Series 1999-B, Class A3, 7.180%, 12/15/29 (a)
   
86,567
     
25,988
 
CDC Mortgage Capital Trust
               
  Series 2003-HE4, Class A1, 2.328%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.620%), 3/25/34 (f)
   
465,452
     
420,700
 
Centex Home Equity Loan Trust
               
  Series 2003-A, Class AF4, 4.250%, 12/25/31 (g)
   
28,154
     
28,431
 
Colony American Finance Ltd.
               
  Series 2015-1, Class C, 4.833%, 10/15/47 (c)
   
555,000
     
561,103
 
COLT Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2018-1, Class A3, 3.084%, 2/25/48 (a)(c)
   
38,026
     
38,161
 
  Series 2018-1, Class M1, 3.661%, 2/25/48 (a)(c)
   
1,500,000
     
1,513,662
 
  Series 2019-4, Class A3, 2.988%, 11/25/49 (a)(c)
   
1,933,446
     
1,929,821
 
ContiMortgage Home Equity Loan Trust
               
  Series 1997-1, Class M1, 7.420%, 3/15/28
   
276,249
     
294,841
 
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates
               
  Series 2004-11, Class M3, 3.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.500%), 1/25/35 (f)
   
2,000,000
     
2,006,502
 
Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization
               
  Series 2003-CB1, Class AF, 3.950%, 1/25/33 (g)
   
6
     
6
 
Deephaven Residential Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2017-1A, Class A3, 3.485%, 12/26/46 (a)(c)
   
14,932
     
14,975
 
  Series 2017-1A, Class B1, 6.250%, 12/26/46 (a)(c)
   
743,000
     
757,823
 
  Series 2019-3A, Class B1, 4.258%, 7/25/59 (a)(c)
   
500,000
     
505,527
 


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

46

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Eagle RE Ltd.
           
  Series 2018-1, Class M1, 3.408%
           
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.700%), 11/25/28 (c)(f)
 
$
223,045
   
$
223,448
 
  Series 2019-1, Class M1A, 2.958%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.250%), 4/25/29 (c)(f)
   
1,940,629
     
1,991,837
 
  Series 2019-1, Class M1B, 3.592%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.800%), 4/25/29 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
2,053,086
 
Flagstar Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2018-6RR, Class 1A2, 2.408%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.700%), 10/25/48 (c)(f)
   
2,467,075
     
2,463,202
 
GMACM Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2003-GH2, Class A4, 5.500%, 10/25/33 (h)
   
88,885
     
91,619
 
GSAA Trust
               
  Series 2004-3, Class M1, 6.220%, 4/25/34 (g)
   
33,824
     
35,012
 
Home Partners of America Trust
               
  Series 2017-1, Class E, 4.416%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.650%), 7/17/34 (c)(f)
   
750,000
     
754,902
 
  Series 2017-1, Class F, 5.305%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 3.539%), 7/17/34 (c)(f)
   
250,000
     
250,963
 
  Series 2018-1, Class A, 2.666%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.900%), 7/17/37 (c)(f)
   
407,000
     
407,381
 
  Series 2018-1, Class E, 3.616%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.850%), 7/17/37 (c)(f)
   
500,000
     
500,822
 
Home RE Ltd.
               
  Series 2019-1, Class M1, 3.358%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.650%), 5/25/29 (c)(f)
   
1,744,993
     
1,767,762
 
Imc Home Equity Loan Trust
               
  Series 1993-3, Class A8, 6.720%, 8/20/29 (h)
   
6,290
     
6,314
 
Impac CMB Trust
               
  Series 2002-9F, Class A1, 5.216%, 12/25/32 (g)
   
164,671
     
165,547
 
  Series 2002-9F, Class M1, 5.867%, 12/25/32 (g)
   
24,668
     
25,064
 
Invitation Homes Trust
               
  Series 2018-SFR1, Class E, 3.766%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 3/17/37 (c)(f)
   
2,064,718
     
2,072,929
 
  Series 2018-SFR2, Class F, 4.015%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 6/17/37 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,002,048
 
  Series 2018-SFR3, Class E, 3.766%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.000%), 7/17/37 (c)(f)
   
2,500,000
     
2,511,930
 
  Series 2018-SFR3, Class F, 4.016%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.250%), 7/17/37 (c)(f)
   
500,000
     
501,044
 
JP Morgan Alternative Loan Trust
               
  Series 2005-A2, Class 1A1, 2.228%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.520%), 1/25/36 (f)
   
159,184
     
160,006
 


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

47

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust
           
  Series 2013-1, Class B1, 3.534%, 3/25/43 (a)(c)
 
$
347,732
   
$
354,295
 
  Series 2014-IVR6, Class 2A1, 2.500%, 7/25/44 (a)(c)
   
1,942,966
     
1,946,567
 
  Series 2014-IVR6, Class B2, 3.031%, 7/25/44 (a)(c)
   
1,450,465
     
1,452,277
 
  Series 2014-IVR6, Class B3, 3.031%, 7/25/44 (a)(c)
   
1,959,439
     
1,960,269
 
  Series 2015-1, Class B3, 3.344%, 12/25/44 (a)(c)
   
505,653
     
505,138
 
  Series 2015-IVR2, Class B3, 2.804%, 1/25/45 (a)(c)
   
2,394,657
     
2,387,397
 
  Series 2018-7FRB, Class B2, 3.409%, 4/25/46 (a)(c)
   
859,656
     
845,934
 
  Series 2019-LTV3, Class A11, 2.558%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.850%), 3/25/50 (c)(f)
   
2,930,039
     
2,911,289
 
Lehman Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2008-4, Class A1, 2.088%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.380%), 1/25/37 (f)
   
947,085
     
404,572
 
LSTAR Securities Investment Ltd.
               
  Series 2019-3, Class A2, 4.281%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 4/1/24 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
2,012,291
 
  Series 2019-4, Class A2, 4.281%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 5/1/24 (c)(f)
   
1,000,000
     
1,005,191
 
  Series 2019-5, Class A2, 4.203%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 11/1/24 (c)(d)(f)
   
3,000,000
     
3,000,000
 
LSTAR Securities Investment Trust
               
  Series 2019-1, Class A2, 4.381%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.600%), 3/1/24 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
2,007,002
 
  Series 2019-2, Class A2, 4.281%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.500%), 4/1/24 (c)(f)
   
2,000,000
     
2,006,608
 
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2014-3A, Class B1, 4.750%, 11/25/54 (a)(c)
   
867,797
     
929,034
 
Preston Ridge Partners Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2017-3A, Class A1, 3.470%, 11/25/22 (a)(c)
   
120,945
     
121,391
 
  Series 2019-3A, Class A1, 3.351%, 7/25/24 (c)(h)
   
954,488
     
962,662
 
  Series 2019-3A, Class A2, 4.458%, 7/25/24 (c)(h)
   
1,500,000
     
1,511,427
 
Progress Residential Trust
               
  Series 2015-SFR3, Class F, 6.643%, 11/12/32 (c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,000,198
 
  Series 2017-SFR1, Class E, 4.261%, 8/17/34 (c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,023,700
 
  Series 2017-SFR1, Class F, 5.350%, 8/17/34 (c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,030,897
 
  Series 2017-SFR2, Class E, 4.142%, 12/17/34 (c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,009,150
 
  Series 2018-SFR1, Class E, 4.380%, 3/17/35 (c)
   
3,000,000
     
3,041,280
 
  Series 2019-SFR1, Class E, 4.466%, 8/17/35 (c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,032,861
 
  Series 2018-SFR3, Class F, 5.368%, 10/17/35 (c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,034,869
 
Residential Asset Mortgage Products, Inc.
               
  Series 2004-RS8, Class MII1, 2.608%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 0.900%), 8/25/34 (f)
   
95,751
     
94,602
 


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

48

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust
           
  Series 2016-1, Class M1, 3.000%, 9/25/55 (a)(c)
 
$
800,000
   
$
782,663
 
Sequoia Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2013-1, Class 2A1, 1.855%, 2/25/43 (a)
   
59,942
     
58,017
 
  Series 2013-6, Class B1, 3.522%, 5/25/43 (a)
   
785,706
     
802,331
 
Starwood Waypoint Homes Trust
               
  Series 2017-1, Class E, 4.365%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 2.600%), 1/17/35 (c)(f)
   
3,200,000
     
3,208,305
 
Structured Asset Securities Corp.
               
  Series 2003-31A, Class 2A1, 4.054%, 10/25/33 (a)
   
228,909
     
235,521
 
Towd Point Asset Funding, LLC
               
  Series 2019-HE1, Class M1, 2.808%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.100%), 4/25/48 (c)(f)
   
1,632,116
     
1,646,619
 
Towd Point Mortgage Trust
               
  Series 2019-HY1, Class XA, 5.000%, 10/25/48 (a)(c)
   
1,233,301
     
1,235,005
 
  Series 2017-5, Class M2, 3.208%
               
  (1 Month LIBOR USD + 1.500%), 2/25/57 (c)(f)
   
500,000
     
511,814
 
  Series 2018-SJ1, Class B1, 5.250%, 10/25/58 (a)(c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,050,344
 
  Series 2019-MH1, Class A1, 3.000%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
2,386,271
     
2,413,017
 
  Series 2019-SJ1, Class M2, 4.750%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,081,349
 
  Series 2019-SJ1, Class A2, 5.000%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
1,762,097
     
1,769,181
 
  Series 2019-SJ1, Class B1, 5.000%, 11/25/58 (a)(c)
   
1,000,000
     
1,047,699
 
Tricon American Homes Trust
               
  Series 2016-SFR1, Class D, 3.886%, 11/17/33 (c)
   
500,000
     
503,206
 
  Series 2016-SFR1, Class F, 5.769%, 11/17/33 (c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,061,206
 
  Series 2017-SFR1, Class F, 5.151%, 9/17/34 (c)
   
2,000,000
     
2,061,195
 
UCFC Home Equity Loan
               
  Series 1998-D, Class MF1, 6.905%, 4/15/30
   
518
     
528
 
Vericrest Opportunity Loan Trust
               
  Series 2019-NPL2, Class A2, 6.292%, 2/25/49 (c)(h)
   
500,000
     
505,055
 
  Series 2019-NPL7, Class A2, 5.193%, 10/25/49 (c)(h)
   
2,000,000
     
1,999,048
 
  Series 2019-NPL8, Class A1A, 3.278%, 11/25/49 (c)(h)
   
996,939
     
998,144
 
  Series 2019-NPL8, Class A1B, 4.090%, 11/25/49 (c)(h)
   
2,000,000
     
2,003,742
 
Verus Securitization Trust
               
  Series 2019-INV2, Class B1, 4.452%, 7/25/59 (a)(c)(h)
   
500,000
     
500,870
 
  Series 2019-4, Class B1, 3.860%, 11/25/59 (a)(c)(h)
   
947,000
     
954,004
 
VOLT LXII LLC
               
  Series 2017-NPL9, Class A2, 4.625%, 9/25/47 (c)(h)
   
1,000,000
     
1,002,648
 
VOLT LXXXVII LLC
               
  Series 2019-NPL4, Class A1A, 3.352%, 8/25/49 (c)(h)
   
916,658
     
919,527
 
VOLT LXXX LLC
               
  Series 2019-NPL6, Class A1A, 3.228%, 10/25/49 (c)(h)
   
974,723
     
977,929
 


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

49

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
VOLT LXXXI LLC
           
  Series 2019-NPL7, Class A1A, 3.179%, 10/25/49 (c)(h)
 
$
998,488
   
$
999,237
 
VOLT LXXXIII LLC
               
  Series 2019-NPL9, Class A1B, 4.090%, 11/26/49 (c)(h)
   
3,000,000
     
3,001,488
 
VOLT LXXXIV LLC
               
  Series 2019-NPL10, Class A1B, 3.967%, 12/27/49 (c)(h)
   
1,900,000
     
1,901,422
 
Washington Mutual MSC Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
               
  Series 2003-MS2, Class 5A1, 5.750%, 2/25/33
   
76,912
     
78,686
 
WinWater Mortgage Loan Trust
               
  Series 2015-1, Class A8, 3.000%, 1/20/45 (a)(c)
   
572,084
     
575,247
 
Total Residential Mortgage-Backed
               
  Securities – Non-Agency (cost $103,229,424)
           
103,886,759
 
                 
PRIVATE PLACEMENT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT – 0.2%
               
BasePoint – BP SLL Trust, Series SPL-III,
               
  9.500%, 12/31/20 (d)(e)
   
712,527
     
712,527
 
Total Private Placement Participation
               
  Agreement (cost $712,527)
           
712,527
 



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

50

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

             
   
Shares
   
Value
 
MONEY MARKET FUND – 2.5%
           
First American Government
           
  Obligations Fund – Class Z, 1.52% (b)
   
11,062,480
   
$
11,062,480
 
Total Money Market Fund (cost $11,062,480)
           
11,062,480
 
Total Investments (cost $445,706,776) – 99.2%
           
446,748,062
 
Other Assets less Liabilities – 0.8%
           
3,458,865
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.0%
         
$
450,206,927
 

(a)
Variable rate security.  The coupon is based on an underlying pool of loans and represents the rate in effect as of November 30, 2019.
(b)
Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield as of November 30, 2019.
(c)
Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may be sold only to dealers in the program or other “qualified institutional buyers.”  As of November 30, 2019, the value of these investments was $363,164,070 or 80.7% of total net assets.
(d)
Security valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees of Advisors Series Trust.  Value determined using significant unobservable inputs. As of November 30, 2019, the total value of fair valued securities was $13,528,904 or 3.0% of total net assets.
(e)
Security is restricted.  The Fund cannot sell or otherwise transfer this agreement without prior written approval of BasePoint – BP SLL Trust, Series SPL-III. As of November 30, 2019, the value of this investment was $712,527 or 0.2% of total net assets. The security was acquired from December 2016 to November 2019 at a cost of $712,527.
(f)
Variable or floating rate security based on a reference index and spread.  The rate reported is the rate in effect as of November 30, 2019.
(g)
Step-up bond. The interest rate may step up conditioned upon the aggregate remaining principal balance of the underlying mortgage loans being reduced below a targeted percentage of the aggregate original principal balance of the mortgage loans. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect as of November 30, 2019.
(h)
Step-up bond.  The interest rate will step up if the issuer does not redeem the bond by an expected redemption date. The interest rate shown is in effect as of November 30, 2019.
(i)
Interest only security.
FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA – Federal National Mortgage Association
FREMF – Freddi Mac K Series
GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate
REMIC – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit



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

51

SEMPER FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at November 30, 2019

   
Semper MBS Total
   
Semper Short
 
   
Return Fund
   
Duration Fund
 
ASSETS
           
Investments in securities, at value
           
  (identified cost $2,350,345,586
           
  and $445,706,776, respectively)
 
$
2,326,477,915
   
$
446,748,062
 
Cash
   
57,688
     
51,041
 
Receivables
               
Fund shares issued
   
4,330,810
     
6,807,565
 
Securities sold
   
19,175,113
     
2,510,918
 
Interest
   
4,877,895
     
903,612
 
Prepaid expenses
   
69,204
     
38,839
 
Total assets
   
2,354,988,625
     
457,060,037
 
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Payables
               
Dividends
   
2,255,776
     
95,032
 
Investments purchased
   
20,390,419
     
6,001,357
 
Fund shares redeemed
   
2,109,592
     
444,404
 
Due to Adviser
   
1,104,588
     
94,045
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses
   
315,811
     
60,165
 
Administration and fund accounting fees
   
349,201
     
83,508
 
12b-1 distribution fees
   
101,151
     
32,048
 
Custody fees
   
38,830
     
7,224
 
Audit fees
   
26,557
     
24,961
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee
   
2,687
     
2,687
 
Accrued expenses
   
36,526
     
7,679
 
Total liabilities
   
26,731,138
     
6,853,110
 
NET ASSETS
 
$
2,328,257,487
   
$
450,206,927
 



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

52

SEMPER FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
Semper MBS Total
   
Semper Short
 
   
Return Fund
   
Duration Fund
 
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET
           
  VALUE PER SHARE
           
Class A
           
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
 
$
33,799,183
       
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited
             
  number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
3,239,091
       
Net asset value and
             
  redemption price per share
 
$
10.43
       
Maximum offering price per share (Net asset
             
  value per share divided by 98.00%)
 
$
10.64
       
Investor Class
             
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
 
$
205,755,297
   
$
88,502,262
 
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited
               
  number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
19,723,591
     
8,946,329
 
Net asset value, offering and
               
  redemption price per share
 
$
10.43
   
$
9.89
 
Institutional Class
               
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
 
$
2,088,703,007
   
$
361,704,665
 
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited
               
  number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
200,097,050
     
36,554,113
 
Net asset value, offering and
               
  redemption price per share
 
$
10.44
   
$
9.90
 
                 
COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
               
Paid-in capital
 
$
2,384,004,960
   
$
451,446,092
 
Total distributable earnings
   
(55,747,473
)
   
(1,239,165
)
Net assets
 
$
2,328,257,487
   
$
450,206,927
 


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

53

SEMPER FUNDS








(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)
 









54

SEMPER FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended November 30, 2019

   
Semper MBS Total
   
Semper Short
 
   
Return Fund
   
Duration Fund
 
INVESTMENT INCOME
           
Income
           
Interest
 
$
112,186,561
   
$
10,385,410
 
Total income
   
112,186,561
     
10,385,410
 
                 
Expenses
               
Advisory fees (Note 4)
   
12,168,997
     
1,002,909
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)
   
1,851,712
     
314,074
 
Administration and fund
               
  accounting fees (Note 4)
   
1,349,158
     
341,878
 
12b-1 fees – Class A (Note 5)
   
72,486
     
 
12b-1 fees – Investor Class (Note 5)
   
536,111
     
187,351
 
Registration fees
   
241,704
     
60,431
 
Custody fees (Note 4)
   
235,766
     
37,922
 
Shareholder reporting
   
90,569
     
19,618
 
Trustees fees and expenses
   
37,644
     
17,358
 
Audit fees
   
26,558
     
24,961
 
Legal fees (Note 4)
   
26,340
     
9,872
 
Miscellaneous
   
24,459
     
10,193
 
Insurance expense
   
19,226
     
2,858
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee (Note 4)
   
10,603
     
10,604
 
Total expenses
   
16,691,333
     
2,040,029
 
Advisory fee waiver (Note 4)
   
     
(133,406
)
Net expenses
   
16,691,333
     
1,906,623
 
Net investment income
   
95,495,228
     
8,478,787
 
                 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED
               
  GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
               
Net realized loss on investments
   
(6,918,122
)
   
(158,652
)
Net change in unrealized
               
  appreciation/(depreciation) on investments
   
355,485
     
1,131,083
 
Net realized and unrealized
               
  gain/(loss) on investments
   
(6,562,637
)
   
972,431
 
Net Increase in Net Assets
               
  Resulting from Operations
 
$
88,932,591
   
$
9,451,218
 


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

55

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
November 30, 2019
   
November 30, 2018
 
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE)
           
  IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS
           
Net investment income
 
$
95,495,228
   
$
80,076,264
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments
   
(6,918,122
)
   
2,174,506
 
Net change in unrealized
               
  appreciation/(depreciation) on investments
   
355,485
     
(23,453,222
)
Net increase in net assets
               
  resulting from operations
   
88,932,591
     
58,797,548
 
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
               
Class A
   
(1,377,909
)
   
(1,369,487
)
Investor Class
   
(10,225,757
)
   
(9,324,204
)
Institutional Class
   
(91,707,560
)
   
(80,616,095
)
Total distributions to shareholders
   
(103,311,226
)
   
(91,309,786
)
                 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
               
Net increase in net assets derived from
               
  net change in outstanding shares (a)
   
399,344,574
     
849,579,165
 
Total increase in net assets
   
384,965,939
     
817,066,927
 
                 
NET ASSETS
               
Beginning of year
   
1,943,291,548
     
1,126,224,621
 
End of year
 
$
2,328,257,487
   
$
1,943,291,548
 



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

56

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS, Continued

(a)
A summary of share transactions is as follows:

 
Class A
                       
     
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
     
November 30, 2019
   
November 30, 2018
 
     
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
 
Shares sold
   
1,632,245
   
$
17,098,194
     
869,349
   
$
9,258,570
 
 
Shares issued on
                               
 
  reinvestments of
                               
 
  distributions
   
108,138
     
1,132,374
     
115,286
     
1,227,084
 
 
Shares redeemed
   
(832,280
)
   
(8,717,157
)
   
(606,542
)
   
(6,439,044
)
 
Net increase
   
908,103
   
$
9,513,411
     
378,093
   
$
4,046,610
 
                                   
 
Investor Class
                               
     
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
     
November 30, 2019
   
November 30, 2018
 
     
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
 
Shares sold
   
15,617,016
   
$
163,500,951
     
24,232,644
   
$
257,996,475
 
 
Shares issued on
                               
 
  reinvestments of
                               
 
  distributions
   
860,544
     
9,009,002
     
784,543
     
8,339,224
 
 
Shares redeemed
   
(18,185,924
)
   
(190,377,334
)
   
(12,670,542
)
   
(134,675,556
)
 
Net increase/(decrease)
   
(1,708,364
)
 
$
(17,867,381
)
   
12,346,645
   
$
131,660,143
 
                                   
 
Institutional Class
                               
     
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
     
November 30, 2019
   
November 30, 2018
 
     
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
 
Shares sold
   
116,851,754
   
$
1,223,867,106
     
103,081,265
   
$
1,098,339,721
 
 
Shares issued on
                               
 
  reinvestments of
                               
 
  distributions
   
5,962,548
     
62,458,672
     
4,756,347
     
50,612,961
 
 
Shares redeemed
   
(83,907,665
)
   
(878,627,234
)
   
(40,915,615
)
   
(435,080,270
)
 
Net increase
   
38,906,637
   
$
407,698,544
     
66,921,997
   
$
713,872,412
 


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

57

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
November 30, 2019
   
November 30, 2018
 
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE)
           
  IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS
           
Net investment income
 
$
8,478,787
   
$
2,245,753
 
Net realized loss from investments
   
(158,652
)
   
(120,112
)
Net change in unrealized
               
  appreciation/(depreciation) on investments
   
1,131,083
     
(195,714
)
Net increase in net assets
               
  resulting from operations
   
9,451,218
     
1,929,927
 
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
               
Investor Class
   
(2,203,039
)
   
(746,839
)
Institutional Class
   
(6,632,085
)
   
(1,616,372
)
Total distributions to shareholders
   
(8,835,124
)
   
(2,363,211
)
                 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
               
Net increase in net assets derived from
               
  net change in outstanding shares (a)
   
282,140,860
     
111,091,568
 
Total increase in net assets
   
282,756,954
     
110,658,284
 
                 
NET ASSETS
               
Beginning of year
   
167,449,973
     
56,791,689
 
End of year
 
$
450,206,927
   
$
167,449,973
 



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

58

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS, Continued

(a)
A summary of share transactions is as follows:

 
Investor Class
                       
     
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
     
November 30, 2019
   
November 30, 2018
 
     
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
 
Shares sold
   
11,680,001
   
$
115,355,794
     
6,145,783
   
$
60,785,385
 
 
Shares issued on
                               
 
  reinvestments of
                               
 
  distributions
   
203,480
     
2,009,738
     
66,765
     
660,297
 
 
Shares redeemed
   
(9,231,596
)
   
(91,161,995
)
   
(1,338,175
)
   
(13,240,502
)
 
Net increase
   
2,651,885
   
$
26,203,537
     
4,874,373
   
$
48,205,180
 
                                   
 
Institutional Class
                               
     
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
     
November 30, 2019
   
November 30, 2018
 
     
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
 
Shares sold
   
35,732,900
   
$
353,134,407
     
11,654,112
   
$
115,367,362
 
 
Shares issued on
                               
 
  reinvestments of
                               
 
  distributions
   
576,073
     
5,694,228
     
144,842
     
1,433,735
 
 
Shares redeemed
   
(10,411,376
)
   
(102,891,312
)
   
(5,444,034
)
   
(53,914,709
)
 
Net increase
   
25,897,597
   
$
255,937,323
     
6,354,920
   
$
62,886,388
 


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

59

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each period

Class A
                     
December 18,
 
                     
2015*

                     
through
 
   
Year Ended November 30,
   
November 30,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Net asset value,
                         
  beginning of period
 
$
10.50
   
$
10.69
   
$
10.56
   
$
10.92
 
                                 
Income from investment operations:
                               
Net investment income^
   
0.46
     
0.53
     
0.44
     
0.56
 
Net realized and unrealized
                               
  gain/(loss) on investments
   
(0.03
)
   
(0.12
)
   
0.21
     
(0.28
)
Total from investment operations
   
0.43
     
0.41
     
0.65
     
0.28
 
                                 
Less distributions:
                               
From net investment income
   
(0.50
)
   
(0.60
)
   
(0.52
)
   
(0.64
)
Total distributions
   
(0.50
)
   
(0.60
)
   
(0.52
)
   
(0.64
)
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
10.43
   
$
10.50
   
$
10.69
   
$
10.56
 
                                 
Total return
   
4.19
%
   
3.91
%
   
6.34
%
   
2.66
%+
                                 
Ratios/supplemental data:
                               
Net assets, end of
                               
  period (thousands)
 
$
33,799
   
$
24,483
   
$
20,873
   
$
6,582
 
Ratio of expenses to
                               
  average net assets:
                               
Before fee waiver
                               
  and recoupment
   
1.02
%
   
1.00
%
   
0.94
%**
   
1.01
%++
After fee waiver and
                               
  recoupment
   
1.02
%
   
1.00
%
   
0.95
%**
   
1.00
%++
Ratio of net investment income to
                               
  average net assets:
                               
Before fee waiver
                               
  and recoupment
   
4.38
%
   
4.97
%
   
4.15
%
   
5.58
%++
After fee waiver
                               
  and recoupment
   
4.38
%
   
4.97
%
   
4.14
%
   
5.59
%++
Portfolio turnover rate
   
118
%
   
137
%
   
238
%
   
135
%+

*
 
Commencement of operations.
^
 
Based on average shares outstanding.
+
 
Not annualized.
++
 
Annualized.
 
Portfolio turnover rate calculated for the year ended November 30, 2016.
**
 
Includes extraordinary expenses of 0.01% that occurred during the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.


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

60

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each year

Investor Class
   
Year Ended November 30,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
10.50
   
$
10.69
   
$
10.56
   
$
10.91
   
$
11.08
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income^
   
0.46
     
0.51
     
0.45
     
0.58
     
0.51
 
Net realized and unrealized
                                       
  gain/(loss) on investments
   
(0.03
)
   
(0.10
)
   
0.20
     
(0.30
)
   
(0.05
)
Total from investment operations
   
0.43
     
0.41
     
0.65
     
0.28
     
0.46
 
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
From net investment income
   
(0.50
)
   
(0.60
)
   
(0.52
)
   
(0.63
)
   
(0.56
)
From net realized gain on investments
   
     
     
     
     
(0.07
)
Total distributions
   
(0.50
)
   
(0.60
)
   
(0.52
)
   
(0.63
)
   
(0.63
)
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
10.43
   
$
10.50
   
$
10.69
   
$
10.56
   
$
10.91
 
                                         
Total return
   
4.19
%
   
3.92
%
   
6.34
%
   
2.67
%
   
4.26
%
                                         
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
205,755
   
$
225,054
   
$
97,089
   
$
79,614
   
$
67,073
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waiver and recoupment
   
1.02
%
   
1.01
%
   
0.94
%**
   
0.97
%
   
0.99
%
After fee waiver and recoupment
   
1.02
%
   
1.01
%
   
0.95
%**
   
1.00
%
   
1.00
%
Ratio of net investment income
                                       
  to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waiver and recoupment
   
4.38
%
   
4.77
%
   
4.20
%
   
5.45
%
   
4.65
%
After fee waiver and recoupment
   
4.38
%
   
4.77
%
   
4.19
%
   
5.42
%
   
4.64
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
118
%
   
137
%
   
238
%
   
135
%
   
166
%

^
 
Based on average shares outstanding.
**
 
Includes extraordinary expenses of 0.01% that occurred during the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.


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

61

SEMPER MBS TOTAL RETURN FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each year

Institutional Class
   
Year Ended November 30,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
10.51
   
$
10.70
   
$
10.57
   
$
10.92
   
$
11.09
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income^
   
0.48
     
0.55
     
0.47
     
0.60
     
0.54
 
Net realized and unrealized
                                       
  gain/(loss) on investments
   
(0.02
)
   
(0.11
)
   
0.21
     
(0.30
)
   
(0.05
)
Total from investment operations
   
0.46
     
0.44
     
0.68
     
0.30
     
0.49
 
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
From net investment income
   
(0.53
)
   
(0.63
)
   
(0.55
)
   
(0.65
)
   
(0.59
)
From net realized gain on investments
   
     
     
     
     
(0.07
)
Total distributions
   
(0.53
)
   
(0.63
)
   
(0.55
)
   
(0.65
)
   
(0.66
)
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
10.44
   
$
10.51
   
$
10.70
   
$
10.57
   
$
10.92
 
                                         
Total return
   
4.45
%
   
4.20
%
   
6.59
%
   
2.92
%
   
4.51
%
                                         
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
2,088,703
   
$
1,693,755
   
$
1,008,263
   
$
466,344
   
$
360,443
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waiver and recoupment
   
0.77
%
   
0.76
%
   
0.70
%**
   
0.73
%
   
0.74
%
After fee waiver and recoupment
   
0.77
%
   
0.76
%
   
0.70
%**
   
0.75
%
   
0.75
%
Ratio of net investment income
                                       
  to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waiver and recoupment
   
4.63
%
   
5.13
%
   
4.37
%
   
5.68
%
   
4.88
%
After fee waiver and recoupment
   
4.63
%
   
5.13
%
   
4.37
%
   
5.66
%
   
4.87
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
118
%
   
137
%
   
238
%
   
135
%
   
166
%

^
 
Based on average shares outstanding.
**
 
Includes extraordinary expenses of 0.01% that occurred during the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.


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

62

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each year

Investor Class

   
Year Ended November 30,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
9.87
   
$
9.92
   
$
9.92
   
$
10.00
   
$
10.19
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income^
   
0.28
     
0.26
     
0.20
     
0.24
     
0.29
 
Net realized and unrealized
                                       
  gain/(loss) on investments
   
0.03
     
(0.05
)
   
0.08
     
(0.07
)
   
(0.16
)
Total from investment operations
   
0.31
     
0.21
     
0.28
     
0.17
     
0.13
 
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
From net investment income
   
(0.29
)
   
(0.26
)
   
(0.28
)
   
(0.25
)
   
(0.31
)
From net realized gain on investments
   
     
     
     
     
(0.01
)
Total distributions
   
(0.29
)
   
(0.26
)
   
(0.28
)
   
(0.25
)
   
(0.32
)
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
9.89
   
$
9.87
   
$
9.92
   
$
9.92
   
$
10.00
 
                                         
Total return
   
3.20
%
   
2.17
%
   
2.90
%
   
1.77
%
   
1.23
%
                                         
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
88,502
   
$
62,155
   
$
14,088
   
$
405
   
$
1,591
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waiver and
                                       
  expense reimbursement
   
0.90
%
   
1.07
%
   
1.22
%*
   
1.21
%
   
1.35
%
After fee waiver and
                                       
  expense reimbursement#
   
0.85
%
   
0.85
%
   
0.88
%*
   
0.85
%
   
1.02
%
Ratio of net investment income
                                       
  to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waiver and
                                       
  expense reimbursement
   
2.77
%
   
2.37
%
   
1.69
%
   
2.07
%
   
2.59
%
After fee waiver and
                                       
  expense reimbursement
   
2.82
%
   
2.59
%
   
2.03
%
   
2.43
%
   
2.92
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
131
%
   
158
%
   
141
%
   
108
%
   
56
%

^
 
Based on average shares outstanding.
#
 
Excluding interest expense, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been 0.85% for the year ended November 30, 2015.
*
 
Includes extraordinary expenses of 0.03% that occurred during the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.


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

63

SEMPER SHORT DURATION FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each year

Institutional Class
   
Year Ended November 30,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
9.88
   
$
9.93
   
$
9.93
   
$
10.01
   
$
10.20
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income^
   
0.30
     
0.28
     
0.24
     
0.25
     
0.32
 
Net realized and unrealized
                                       
  gain/(loss) on investments
   
0.03
     
(0.04
)
   
0.07
     
(0.05
)
   
(0.17
)
Total from investment operations
   
0.33
     
0.24
     
0.31
     
0.20
     
0.15
 
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
From net investment income
   
(0.31
)
   
(0.29
)
   
(0.31
)
   
(0.28
)
   
(0.33
)
From net realized gain on investments
   
     
     
     
     
(0.01
)
Total distributions
   
(0.31
)
   
(0.29
)
   
(0.31
)
   
(0.28
)
   
(0.34
)
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
9.90
   
$
9.88
   
$
9.93
   
$
9.93
   
$
10.01
 
                                         
Total return
   
3.38
%
   
2.45
%
   
3.16
%
   
2.04
%
   
1.48
%
                                         
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
361,705
   
$
105,295
   
$
42,704
   
$
41,946
   
$
43,016
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waiver and
                                       
  expense reimbursement
   
0.65
%
   
0.82
%
   
0.97
%*
   
0.98
%
   
1.14
%
After fee waiver and
                                       
  expense reimbursement#
   
0.60
%
   
0.60
%
   
0.61
%*
   
0.60
%
   
0.81
%
Ratio of net investment income
                                       
  to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waiver and
                                       
  expense reimbursement
   
2.96
%
   
2.57
%
   
2.08
%
   
2.11
%
   
2.82
%
After fee waiver and
                                       
  expense reimbursement
   
3.01
%
   
2.79
%
   
2.44
%
   
2.49
%
   
3.15
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
131
%
   
158
%
   
141
%
   
108
%
   
56
%

^
 
Based on average shares outstanding.
#
 
Excluding interest expense, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been 0.60% for the year ended November 30, 2015.
*
 
Includes extraordinary expenses of 0.01% that occurred during the Fund’s fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.


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

64

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
 
The Semper MBS Total Return Fund and the Semper Short Duration Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are each 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.  Prior to March 31, 2014, the Semper Short Duration Fund was a series of Forum Funds. The Funds follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies”.
 
The investment objective of the Semper MBS Total Return Fund (“Total Return Fund”) is to seek a high level of risk-adjusted current income and capital appreciation.  The investment objective of the Semper Short Duration Fund (“Short Duration Fund”) is to seek a high level of current income that is consistent with preservation of capital.  Each Fund currently offers Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares and the Total Return Fund offers Class A shares.  The Total Return Fund Class A shares may be subject to a 2.00% front-end sales load.  The Total Return Fund’s Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares commenced operations on July 22, 2013 and the Class A shares commenced operations on December 18, 2015.  The Short Duration Fund’s Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares commenced operations on December 23, 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 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 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 open tax years 2016-2018, or expected to be taken in the Funds’ 2019 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.

 
65

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

 
C.
Security Transactions, Income and Distributions:  Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on securities sold are calculated on the basis of high amortized cost.  Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.  Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted/amortized over the life of the respective security using the effective interest method.  Non-cash interest income included in interest income, if any, is recorded at the fair market value of additional par received.  Paydown gains and losses on mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are recorded as components of interest income on the statement of operations.  Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
     
   
Investment 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.  Common expenses of the Trust are typically allocated among the funds in the Trust based on a fund’s respective net assets, or by other equitable means.
     
   
The Funds declare dividends from net investment income daily and distribute the dividends to shareholders monthly.  The Funds distribute any realized gains, if any, annually.  Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term capital gains.  All short-term capital gains are included in ordinary income for tax purposes.
     
   
The amount of dividends and distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations which differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  To the extent these book/tax differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their Federal tax treatment.
     
 
D.
Restricted Securities:  The Funds may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale (“restricted securities”).  Restricted securities may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration under the Federal securities laws.  Private placement securities are generally considered to be restricted except for those securities traded between qualified institutional investors under the provisions of Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.  The sale or other disposition of these securities may involve additional expenses and the prompt sale of these securities at an acceptable price may be difficult.  At November 30, 2019, the Funds hold

 
66

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

   
securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.  All Rule 144A securities have been classified as liquid under the Funds’ liquidity risk management program.  Other restricted investments held by the Funds at November 30, 2019 are disclosed in the notes to the schedules of investments.
     
 
E.
Repurchase Agreements:  Under a master repurchase agreement with a broker counterparty and custodian, each Fund may enter into transactions whereby the Fund purchases securities under agreements to resell such securities at an agreed upon price and date (“repurchase agreement”).  The Funds, through the custodian, take possession of securities collateralizing the repurchase agreement, the fair value of which exceeds the amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest.  If the counterparty defaults, and the fair value of the collateral declines, realization of the collateral may be delayed or limited.
     
   
The Funds did not hold repurchase agreements at November 30, 2019.
     
 
F.
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 ended November 30, 2019, there were no reclassifications between paid-in capital and distributable earnings.
     
 
G.
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.
     
 
H.
Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Year End:  In preparing the financial statements as of November 30, 2019, management considered the impact of subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.  Refer to Note 10 for more information about subsequent events.
 
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 each Fund has the ability to access.

 
67

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

 
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 each 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.
 
Each Fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (4:00 pm EST).
 
Market values for fixed income securities are normally determined on the basis of valuations provided by independent pricing services.  Each independent pricing service typically values securities based on one or more inputs as described below.  Securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described below are categorized as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  To the extent the significant inputs are unobservable, the values are generally categorized as level 3.
 
Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities:  Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are securities issued as separate tranches, or classes, of securities within each deal.  These securities are normally valued by independent pricing service providers that use broker-dealer quotations or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models.  The pricing models for these securities usually consider tranche-level attributes, estimated cash flows and market-based yield spreads for each tranche, current market data and incorporate deal collateral performance, as available.
 
U.S. Government Securities:  U.S. Government securities are normally valued using a model that incorporates market observable data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data.  Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.
 
U.S. Government Agency Securities:  U.S. Government agency securities are comprised of two main categories consisting of agency issued debt and mortgage pass-throughs.  Agency issued debt securities are generally valued in a manner similar to U.S. Government securities.  Mortgage pass-throughs include to-be-announced (“TBAs”) securities and mortgage pass-through certificates.  TBA securities and mortgage pass-throughs are generally valued using dealer quotations.
 
 
68

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

Other Debt Securities:  Other debt securities, including corporate and municipal bonds, are valued at their mean prices furnished by an independent pricing service provider using valuation methods that are designed to represent fair value. These valuation methods can include matrix pricing and other analytical pricing models, market transactions, and dealer-supplied valuations. The pricing service may consider yields or recently executed transactions of investments with comparable quality, type of issue, coupon maturity and rating, market price quotations (where observable), bond spreads, and fundamental data relating to the issuer.
 
Investment Companies:  Investments in open-end mutual funds, including money market funds, are generally priced at their net asset value per share provided by the service agent of the Funds and will be classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
Short-Term Securities:  Short-term debt securities, including those securities having a maturity of 60 days or less, are valued at the evaluated mean between the bid and asked prices.  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 (the “Board”) has delegated day-to-day valuation issues to a Valuation Committee of the Trust which is comprised of representatives from the Funds’ administrator, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”).  The function of the Valuation Committee 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.
 

 

 

 

 
69

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, 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 November 30, 2019:
 
Total Return Fund
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Fixed Income
                       
                         
Commercial
                       
  Mortgage-Backed
                       
  Securities –
                       
  Agency
 
$
   
$
70,724
   
$
   
$
70,724
 
Commercial
                               
  Mortgage-Backed
                               
  Securities –
                               
  Non-Agency
   
     
129,966,200
     
     
129,966,200
 
Residential
                               
  Mortgage-Backed
                               
  Securities – Agency
   
     
486,427,548
     
9,186,667
     
495,614,215
 
Residential Mortgage-
                               
  Backed Securities –
                               
  Non-Agency
   
     
1,626,652,012
     
31,733,679
     
1,658,385,691
 
Total Fixed Income
   
     
2,243,116,484
     
40,920,346
     
2,284,036,830
 
Private Placement
                               
  Participation
                               
  Agreements
   
     
     
6,905,525
     
6,905,525
 
Money
                               
  Market Fund
   
35,535,560
     
     
     
35,535,560
 
Total Investments
 
$
35,535,560
   
$
2,243,116,484
   
$
47,825,871
   
$
2,326,477,915
 




 
70

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

Short Duration Fund
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Fixed Income
                       
                         
Asset-Backed
                       
  Securities – Agency
 
$
   
$
76
   
$
   
$
76
 
Asset-Backed
                               
  Securities –
                               
  Non-Agency
   
     
66,260,577
     
     
66,260,577
 
Collateralized
                               
  Loan Obligations
   
     
103,568,472
     
496,260
     
104,064,732
 
Commercial
                               
  Mortgage-Backed
                               
  Securities – Agency
   
     
2,586
     
     
2,586
 
Commercial
                               
  Mortgage-Backed
                               
  Securities – Non-Agency
   
     
52,274,318
     
6,320,117
     
58,594,435
 
Residential
                               
  Mortgage-Backed
                               
  Securities – Agency
   
     
99,163,890
     
3,000,000
     
102,163,890
 
Residential
                               
  Mortgage-Backed
                               
  Securities –
                               
  Non-Agency
   
     
100,886,759
     
3,000,000
     
103,886,759
 
Total Fixed Income
   
     
422,156,678
     
12,816,377
     
434,973,055
 
Private Placement
                               
  Participation
                               
  Agreement
   
     
     
712,527
     
712,527
 
Money
                               
  Market Fund
   
11,062,480
     
     
     
11,062,480
 
Total Investments
 
$
11,062,480
   
$
422,156,678
   
$
13,528,904
   
$
446,748,062
 

Refer to each Fund’s schedule of investments for a detailed break-out of securities by type.  Transfers between levels are recognized at November 30, 2019, the end of the reporting period.  The Funds recognized no transfers to/from level 1 or level 2.

 
 
 
71

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

The following is a reconciliation of the Total Return Fund’s level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining value.
 
Total Return Fund
 
   
Investments in Securities, at Value
 
   
Asset-
                   
   
Backed
   
Collateralized
   
Commercial
   
Residential
 
   
Securities –
   
Debt
   
MBS –
   
MBS –
 
   
Real Estate
   
Obligations
   
Non-Agency
   
Agency
 
Balance as of November 30, 2018
 
$
1,000,100
   
$
2,178,423
   
$
9,594,697
   
$
75,281,739
 
Accrued discounts/premiums
   
     
4,941
     
(2,873
)
   
(12,868
)
Realized gain/(loss)
   
1
     
221,466
     
     
229,425
 
Change in unrealized
                               
  appreciation/(depreciation)
   
(101
)
   
(226,690
)
   
646,160
     
807,624
 
Purchases
   
     
     
3,157,188
     
20,507,434
 
Sales
   
(1,000,000
)
   
(2,178,140
)
   
     
(87,626,687
)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
   
     
     
(13,395,172
)
   
 
Balance as of November 30, 2019
 
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
9,186,667
 
                                 
                           
Private
 
                   
Residential
   
Placement
 
                   
MBS –
   
Participation
 
                   
Non-Agency
   
Agreements
 
Balance as of November 30, 2018
                 
$
84,806,066
   
$
5,949,047
 
Accrued discounts/premiums
                   
11,821
     
 
Realized gain/(loss)
                   
289,097
     
 
Change in unrealized
                               
  appreciation/(depreciation)
                   
1,279,364
     
 
Purchases
                   
34,425,021
     
2,602,945
 
Sales
                   
(67,168,238
)
   
(1,646,467
)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
                   
(21,909,452
)
   
 
Balance as of November 30, 2019
                 
$
31,733,679
   
$
6,905,525
 

The change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 securities still held at November 30, 2019, and still classified as level 3 was $43,344.
 

 

 
72

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

The following is a reconciliation of the Short Duration Fund’s level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining value.
 
Short Duration Fund
 
   
Investments in Securities, at Value
 
   
Asset-
                   
   
Backed
   
Collateralized
   
Collateralized
   
Commercial
 
   
Securities –
   
Debt
   
Loan
   
MBS –
 
   
Non-Agency
   
Obligations
   
Obligations
   
Non-Agency
 
Balance as of November 30, 2018
 
$
94,998
   
$
216,018
   
$
1,744,895
   
$
263,770
 
Accrued discounts/premiums
   
(3
)
   
667
     
     
 
Realized gain/(loss)
   
131
     
20,243
     
(625
)
   
51
 
Change in unrealized
                               
  appreciation/(depreciation)
   
(128
)
   
(19,290
)
   
1,365
     
(5,098
)
Purchases
   
     
     
     
6,320,116
 
Sales
   
(94,998
)
   
(217,638
)
   
(1,249,375
)
   
(137,795
)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
   
     
     
     
(120,927
)
Balance as of November 30, 2019
 
$
   
$
   
$
496,260
   
$
6,320,117
 
                                 
                           
Private
 
           
Residential
   
Residential
   
Placement
 
           
MBS –
   
MBS –
   
Participation
 
           
Agency
   
Non-Agency
   
Agreement
 
Balance as of November 30, 2018
         
$
5,151,214
   
$
2,083,628
   
$
447,254
 
Accrued discounts/premiums
           
(4,293
)
   
     
 
Realized gain/(loss)
           
(83,304
)
   
     
 
Change in unrealized
                               
  appreciation/(depreciation)
           
42,856
     
(200
)
   
 
Purchases
           
3,000,000
     
3,000,000
     
492,682
 
Sales
           
(5,106,473
)
   
(2,083,428
)
   
(227,409
)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
           
     
     
 
Balance as of November 30, 2019
         
$
3,000,000
   
$
3,000,000
   
$
712,527
 

The change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for level 3 securities still held at November 30, 2019, and still classified as level 3 was $1,430.
 

 

 
73

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

The following is a summary of quantitative information about level 3 valued measurements:
 
Total Return Fund
 
   
Value at
 
Valuation
Unobservable
     
   
11/30/19
 
Technique(s)
Input
 
Input/Range
 
Residential
 
$
3,787,500
 
Market Comparable
Single Broker Quote
 
$101.00
 
MBS –
                   
Agency
   
5,399,167
 
Market
Recent Transaction
 
$103.38
 
         
Transaction
         
         
Method
         
Total
 
$
9,186,667
             
                   
Residential
 
$
3,011,890
 
Market Comparable
Single Broker Quote
 
$100.10 -$103.58
 
MBS –
               
(weighted avg. $102.34)
 
Non-Agency
                   
     
28,721,789
 
Market
Recent Transaction
 
$99.99 – $100.00
 
         
Transaction
   
(weighted avg. $100.00)
 
         
Method
         
Total
 
$
31,733,679
             
                   
Private
 
$
6,905,525
 
Market
Recent Transaction
 
$100.00 – $110.58
 
Placement
       
Transaction
   
(weighted avg. $101.27)
 
Participation
       
Method
         
Agreements
                   
                     
Short Duration Fund
                   
                     
   
Value at
 
Valuation
Unobservable
       
   
11/30/19
 
Technique(s)
Input
 
Input/Range
 
Collateralized
 
$
496,260
 
Market Comparable
Single Broker Quote
 
$99.25
 
Loan
                   
Obligations
                   
                   
Commercial
 
$
6,320,117
 
Market
Recent Transaction
 
$100.03 – $100.09
 
MBS –
       
Transaction
   
(weighted avg. $100.06)
 
Non-Agency
       
Method
         
                   
Residential
 
$
3,000,000
 
Market
Recent Transaction
 
$100.00
 
MBS –
       
Transaction
         
Agency
       
Method
         
                   
Residential
 
$
3,000,000
 
Market
Recent Transaction
 
$100.00
 
MBS –
       
Transaction
         
Non-Agency
       
Method
         
                   
Private
 
$
712,527
 
Market
Recent Transaction
 
$100.00
 
Placement
       
Transaction
         
Participation
       
Method
         
Agreement
                   

Significant changes in the market broker quotes would have resulted in direct and proportional changes in the fair value of the security.
 
 
74

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). The primary focus of ASU 2018-13 is to improve the effectiveness of the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The changes affect all companies that are required to include fair value measurement disclosures. In general, the amendments in ASU 2018-13 are effective for all entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. An entity is permitted to early adopt the removed or modified disclosures upon the issuance of ASU 2018-13 and may delay adoption of the additional disclosures, which are required for public companies only, until their effective date. Management is currently evaluating the impact these changes will have on the Funds’ financial statements and disclosures.
 
NOTE 4 – INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
Semper Capital Management, L.P. (the “Adviser”) provides the Funds with investment management services under an investment advisory agreement. The Adviser furnishes all investment advice, office space, facilities, and provides most of the personnel needed by the Funds. As compensation for its services, each Fund pays the Adviser a monthly management fee.  For the Total Return Fund, the fees are calculated at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the first $1.5 billion of assets, 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the next $1 billion of assets, and 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion.  For the Short Duration Fund, the Adviser is entitled to a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.35% based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets.  For the year ended November 30, 2019, the advisory fees incurred by the Funds are disclosed in the statement of operations.
 
Each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses.  During the year ended November 30, 2019, the Total Return Fund and the Short Duration Fund incurred $17,086 and $0, respectively, in extraordinary expenses which are reflected in the Funds’ legal fees on the statement of operations.  The Adviser has agreed to reduce fees payable to it by each Fund and to pay Fund operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit the aggregate annual operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, dividends and interest expense on securities sold short and extraordinary expenses).  The Total Return Fund expenses are limited to 1.15%, 1.15%, and 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class A, Investor Class, and Institutional Class, respectively, and 0.85% and 0.60% of the average daily net assets of the Short Duration Fund’s Investor Class and Institutional Class, respectively.  Any such reductions made by the Adviser in its fees or payment of expenses which are a Fund’s obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Fund to
 
 
75

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

the Adviser, if so requested by the Adviser, in any subsequent month in the 36-month period from the date of the management fee reduction and expense payment if the aggregate amount actually paid by the Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into account the reimbursement) will not cause the Fund to exceed the lesser of:  (1) the expense limitation in place at the time of the management fee reduction and expense payment; or (2) the expense limitation in place at the time of the reimbursement.  Any such reimbursement is also contingent upon Board of Trustees review and approval at time the reimbursement is made.  Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to each Fund’s payment of current ordinary operating expenses.
 
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the amount of fees waived by the Adviser are disclosed in the statement of operations.  Any amount due from the Adviser is paid monthly to the Fund.  The expense limitation will remain in effect through at least March 29, 2020, and may be terminated only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.  The Advisor may recapture portions of the amounts shown below no later than the corresponding dates:
 
 
Short Duration Fund
   
 
Expiration
 
Amount
   
 
11/30/20
 
$
160,726
   
 
11/30/21
   
180,291
   
 
11/30/22
   
133,406
   
     
$
474,423
   

Fund Services serves as the Funds’ administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent. In those capacities Fund Services maintains the Funds’ books and records, calculates each Fund’s NAV, prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, coordinates the payment of fund expenses, reviews expense accruals and prepares materials supplied to the Board of Trustees. The officers of the Trust and the Chief Compliance Officer are also employees of Fund Services.  Fees paid by the Funds to Fund Services for these services for the year ended November 30, 2019 are disclosed in the statement of operations.
 
Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor” or “Quasar”) acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares. U.S. Bank N.A. serves as custodian (the “Custodian”) to the Funds. Both the Distributor and Custodian are affiliates of Fund Services. Fees paid by the Funds to the Custodian for the year ended November 30, 2019 are disclosed in the statement of operations.
 
The Funds have entered into agreements with various brokers, dealers and financial intermediaries to compensate them for transfer agent services that would otherwise be executed by Fund Services.  These sub-transfer agent services include pre-processing and quality control of new accounts, maintaining detailed shareholder account records, shareholder correspondence, answering customer inquiries regarding account status,
 
 
76

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

and facilitating shareholder telephone transactions. The Total Return Fund and the Short Duration Fund expensed $1,341,743 and $215,607, respectively, of sub-transfer agent fees during the year ended November 30, 2019. These fees are included in the transfer agent fees and expenses amount disclosed in the statements of operations.
 
NOTE 5 – DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN
 
The Funds have adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Plan”).  The Plan permits the Funds to pay the Distributor for distribution and related expenses at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’s Investor Class and the Total Return Fund’s Class A.  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 year ended November 30, 2019, the 12b-1 distribution fees incurred by the Funds are disclosed in the statements of operations.
 
NOTE 6 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
 
For the year ended November 30, 2019, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities and transfer in-kind purchases, were as follows:
 
   
Non-Government
   
Government
 
   
Purchases
   
Sales
   
Purchases
   
Sales
 
Total Return Fund
 
$
2,761,023,512
   
$
2,411,661,914
   
$
9,271
   
$
29,587
 
Short Duration Fund
   
607,229,306
     
331,849,927
     
31,796,384
     
33,925,031
 

On February 26, 2019, the Total Return Fund satisfied a purchase in-kind request by transferring interest and securities into the Fund.  The transfer was made in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Board.  The Total Return Fund received $70,303 in interest and $37,874,984 in securities in exchange for 3,627,656 shares issued.
 
NOTE 7 – LINES OF CREDIT
 
The Total Return Fund and the Short Duration Fund have an unsecured line of credit in the amount of $275,000,000.  The line of credit is intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions, in connection with shareholder redemptions.  The credit facility is with the Funds’ custodian, U.S. Bank N.A.  During the year ended November 30, 2019, the Funds did not draw on their lines of credit.  At November 30, 2019, the Funds had no outstanding loan amounts.

 
77

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
Net investment income/(loss) and net realized gains/(losses) can differ for financial statement and tax purposes due to differing treatments of paydowns.
 
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended November 30, 2019 and November 30, 2018 was as follows:
 
   
Total Return Fund
Short Duration Fund
   
Nov. 30, 2019
Nov. 30, 2018
Nov. 30, 2019
Nov. 30, 2018
 
Ordinary income
$103,311,226
$91,309,786
$8,835,124
$2,363,211

As of November 30, 2019, the components of capital on a tax basis were as follows:
 
     
Total
   
Short
 
     
Return Fund
   
Duration Fund
 
 
Cost of investments (a)
 
$
2,350,700,197
   
$
445,725,256
 
 
Gross unrealized appreciation
   
31,503,144
     
1,812,685
 
 
Gross unrealized depreciation
   
(55,725,426
)
   
(789,879
)
 
Net unrealized
               
 
  appreciation/(depreciation) (a)
   
(24,222,282
)
   
1,022,806
 
 
Undistributed ordinary income
   
3,122,636
     
202,754
 
 
Undistributed long-term capital gains
   
     
 
 
Total distributable earnings
   
3,122,636
     
202,754
 
 
Other accumulated gains/(losses)
   
(34,647,827
)
   
(2,464,725
)
 
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)
 
$
(55,747,473
)
 
$
(1,239,165
)

 
(a)
The difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and cost is attributable primarily to wash sales. The difference between book basis and tax basis distributable earnings are primarily due to losses disallowed and recognized on wash sales, capital loss carryforwards, and tax adjustments to dividends payable.

The Funds had tax capital losses which may be carried over to offset future gains.  Such losses expire as follows:
 
   
Short-Term Indefinite
 
Long-Term Indefinite
 
Total Return Fund
 
$
21,645,150
     
$
10,746,901
 
 
Short Duration Fund
   
1,695,545
       
674,148
 
 
NOTE 9 – PRINCIPAL RISKS
 
Below is a summary of some, but not all, of the principal risks of investing in the Funds, each of which may adversely affect a Fund’s net asset value and total return. The Funds’ most recent prospectus provides further descriptions of each Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks.
 
 
78

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

 
Risks Associated with Mortgage-Backed and Other Asset-Backed Securities – In addition to the risks associated with other fixed income securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are subject to certain other risks. The value of these securities will be influenced by the factors affecting the housing market or the other assets underlying such securities. As a result, during periods of declining asset values, difficult or frozen credit markets, significant changes in interest rates, or deteriorating economic conditions, mortgage- backed and asset-backed securities may decline in value, face valuation difficulties, become more volatile and/or become illiquid.
     
 
Privately Issued Mortgage-Related Securities Risk – MBS issued or guaranteed by private issuers is also known as “non-agency MBS”. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities generally offer a higher rate of interest (but greater credit risk) than securities issued by U.S. Government issuers, as there are no direct or indirect governmental guarantees of payment. The degree of risks will depend significantly on the ability of borrowers to make payments on the underlying mortgages and the seniority of the security held by the Funds with respect to such payments. The market for privately issued mortgage-backed securities is smaller and less liquid than the market for mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government issuers.
     
 
Sub-Prime Mortgage Risk – The risk that an issuer of a sub-prime mortgage security will default on its payments of interest or principal on a security when due. These risks are more pronounced in the case of sub-prime mortgage instruments than more highly ranked securities. Because of this increased risk, these securities may also be less liquid and subject to more pronounced declines in value than more highly rated instruments in times of market stress.
     
 
Rule 144A Securities Risk – The market for Rule 144A securities typically is less active than the market for publicly-traded securities. Rule 144A securities carry the risk that the liquidity of these securities may become impaired, making it more difficult for the Funds to sell these securities.
     
 
Risks Associated with Real Estate and Regulatory Actions – The securities that the Funds own are dependent on real estate prices. If real estate experiences a significant price decline, this could adversely affect the prices of the securities the Funds own.  Any adverse regulatory action could impact the prices of the securities the Funds own.
     
 
High Yield Risk – Fixed income securities that are rated below investment grade (i.e. “junk bonds”) are subject to additional risk factors due to the speculative nature of the securities, such as increased possibility of default liquidation of the security, and changes in value based on public perception of the issuer.
     
 
Counterparty Risk – Counterparty risk arises upon entering into borrowing arrangements or derivative transactions and is the risk from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

 
79

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at November 30, 2019, Continued

 
TBA Securities Risk – In a TBA transaction, a seller agrees to deliver a security at a future date, but does not specify the particular security to be delivered. Instead, the seller agrees to accept any security that meets specified terms. The principal risks of TBA transactions are increased interest rate risk and increased overall investment exposure.
     
 
Liquidity Risk – Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. Each Fund’s investments in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Liquidity risk may be the result of, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active market. Liquid investments may become illiquid or less liquid after purchase by each Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid and relatively less liquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets.
 
NOTE 10 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On November 25, 2019, U.S. Bancorp, the parent company of Quasar Distributors, LLC, the Funds’ distributor, announced that it had signed a purchase agreement to sell Quasar to Foreside Financial Group, LLC (“Foreside”) such that Quasar will become a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Foreside. The transaction is expected to close by the end of March 2020. Quasar will remain the Funds’ distributor at the close of the transaction, subject to Board approval.
 
NOTE 11 – OTHER TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)
 
For the year ended November 30, 2019, none of the dividends paid from net investment income qualifies for the dividend received deduction available to corporate shareholders of the Funds. For shareholders in the Funds, none of the dividend income distributed for the year ended November 30, 2019 is designated as qualified dividend income under the Jobs and Growth Relief Act of 2003.
 
On December 27, 2019, the Investor class, the Institutional class and Class A of the Total Return Fund each distributed $0.00038598 per share of net investment income.
 
On December 31, 2019, the Investor class, Institutional class, and Class A of the MBS Total Return Fund distributed $0.038585815, $0.040803973, and $0.038586886 per share of net investment income, respectively.
 
On December 27, 2019, the Investor class and the Institutional class of the Short Duration Fund each distributed  $0.00197426 per share of net investment income.
 
On December 31, 2019, the Investor class and the Institutional class of the Short Duration Fund distributed  $0.020282747 and $0.022067246 per share of net investment income, respectively.
 

80

SEMPER FUNDS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Trustees
Advisors Series Trust and Shareholders of:
Semper MBS Total Return Fund
Semper Short Duration Fund
 
Opinion on the Financial Statements
 
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of the Semper MBS Total Return Fund and Semper Short Duration Fund (the “Funds”), each a series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), including the schedules of investments, as of November 30, 2019, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).  In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of November 30, 2019, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and their financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Basis for Opinion
 
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.  We have served as the auditor of one or more of the funds in the Trust since 2003.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.  The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting.  As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
 
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.  Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.  Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian, private companies, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies were not received.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
 
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 29, 2020



81

SEMPER FUNDS

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS at November 30, 2019 (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 1-855-736-7799 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 12-month period ended June 30 will be available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-736-7799.  Furthermore, you can obtain the Funds’ proxy voting records on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
 
Quarterly Filings on Form N-PORT
 
The Funds file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Part F of Form N-PORT.  The Funds’ Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Information included in the Funds’ Form N-PORT is also available, upon request, by calling 1-855-736-7799.
 







82

SEMPER FUNDS

INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee the Funds.  Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the Funds and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.
 
   
Term of
 
Number of
 
   
Office
 
Portfolios
Other
   
and
Principal
in Fund
Directorships
 
Position
Length
Occupation
Complex
Held
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
During Past
Overseen by
During Past
and Age
the Trust
Served
Five Years
Trustee(2)
Five Years(3)
Independent Trustees(1)
         
           
Gail S. Duree
Trustee
Indefinite
Director, Alpha
3
Trustee,
(age 73)
 
term;
Gamma Delta Housing
 
Advisors
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
Corporation (collegiate
 
Series Trust
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
March
housing management)
 
(for series not
   
2014.
(2012 to July 2019);
 
affiliated with
     
Trustee and Chair
 
the Funds);
     
(2000 to 2012),
 
Independent
     
New Covenant Mutual
 
Trustee from
     
Funds (1999 to 2012);
 
1999 to 2012,
     
Director and Board
 
New Covenant
     
Member, Alpha Gamma
 
Mutual Funds
     
Delta Foundation
 
(an open-end
     
(philanthropic
 
investment
     
organization)
 
company with
     
(2005 to 2011).
 
4 portfolios).
           
David G. Mertens
Trustee
Indefinite
Partner and Head of
3
Trustee,
(age 59)
 
term*;
Business Development
 
Advisors
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
Ballast Equity
 
Series Trust
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
March
Management, LLC
 
(for series not
   
2017.
(a privately-held
 
affiliated with
     
investment advisory
 
the Funds).
     
firm) (February 2019
   
     
to present); Managing
   
     
Director and Vice
   
     
President, Jensen
   
     
Investment
   
     
Management, Inc. (a
   
     
privately-held
   
     
investment advisory
   
     
firm) (2002 to 2017).
   

 

 
83

SEMPER FUNDS

INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited), Continued

   
Term of
 
Number of
 
   
Office
 
Portfolios
Other
   
and
Principal
in Fund
Directorships
 
Position
Length
Occupation
Complex
Held
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
During Past
Overseen by
During Past
and Age
the Trust
Served
Five Years
Trustee(2)
Five Years(3)
George J. Rebhan(4)
Chairman
Indefinite
Retired; formerly
3
Trustee,
(age 85)
of the
term;
President, Hotchkis and
 
Advisors
615 E. Michigan Street
Board
since
Wiley Funds (mutual
 
Series Trust
Milwaukee, WI 53202
and
May
funds) (1985 to 1993).
 
(for series not
 
Trustee
2002.
   
affiliated with
         
the Funds);
         
Independent
         
Trustee from
         
1999 to 2009,
         
E*TRADE
         
Funds.
           
Joe D. Redwine
Trustee
Indefinite
Retired; formerly
3
Trustee,
(age 72)
 
term;
Manager, President,
 
Advisors
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
CEO, U.S. Bancorp
 
Series Trust
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
September
Fund Services, LLC,
 
(for series not
   
2008.
and its predecessors,
 
affiliated with
     
(May 1991 to
 
the Funds).
     
July 2017).
   

 

 

 

 

 

 
84

SEMPER FUNDS

INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited), Continued

   
Term of
 
Number of
 
   
Office
 
Portfolios
Other
   
and
Principal
in Fund
Directorships
 
Position
Length
Occupation
Complex
Held
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
During Past
Overseen by
During Past
and Age
the Trust
Served
Five Years
Trustee(2)
Five Years(3)
Raymond B. Woolson(4)
Trustee
Indefinite
President, Apogee
3
Trustee,
(age 60)
 
term*;
Group, Inc. (financial
 
Advisors
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
consulting firm)
 
Series Trust
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
January
(1998 to present).
 
(for series not
   
2016.
   
affiliated with
         
the Funds);
         
Independent
         
Trustee,
         
DoubleLine
         
Funds Trust
         
(an open-end
         
investment
         
company with
         
16 portfolios),
         
DoubleLine
         
Opportunistic
         
Credit Fund
         
and
         
DoubleLine
         
Income
         
Solutions
         
Fund, from
         
2010 to
         
present;
         
Independent
         
Trustee,
         
DoubleLine
         
Equity Funds
         
from 2010
         
to 2016.





 

 
85

SEMPER FUNDS

INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited), Continued

   
Term of
 
   
Office
 
   
and
 
 
Position
Length
 
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
Principal Occupation
and Age
the Trust
Served
During Past Five Years
Officers
     
       
Jeffrey T. Rauman
President,
Indefinite
Senior Vice President, Compliance and
(age 50)
Chief
term;
Administration, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 E. Michigan Street
Executive
since
(February 1996 to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Officer and
December
 
 
Principal
2018.
 
 
Executive
   
 
Officer
   
       
Cheryl L. King
Vice
Indefinite
Vice President, Compliance and Administration,
(age 58)
President,
term;
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 E. Michigan Street
Treasurer
since
(October 1998 to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
and
December
 
 
Principal
2007.
 
 
Financial
   
 
Officer
   
       
Kevin J. Hayden
Assistant
Indefinite
Assistant Vice President, Compliance and
(age 48)
Treasurer
term;
Administration, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
(June 2005 to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
September
 
   
2013.
 
       
Richard R. Conner
Assistant
Indefinite
Assistant Vice President, Compliance and
(age 37)
Treasurer
term;
Administration, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
(July 2010 to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
December
 
   
2018.
 
       
Michael L. Ceccato
Vice
Indefinite
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund
(age 62)
President,
term;
Services and Vice President, U.S. Bank N.A.
615 E. Michigan Street
Chief
since
(February 2008 to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Compliance
September
 
 
Officer and
2009.
 
 
AML Officer
   

 


 

 
86

SEMPER FUNDS

INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited), Continued

   
Term of
 
   
Office
 
   
and
 
 
Position
Length
 
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
Principal Occupation
and Age
the Trust
Served
During Past Five Years
Elaine E. Richards, Esq.
Vice
Indefinite
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund
(age 51)
President
term;
Services (July 2007 to present).
2020 East Financial Way,
and
since
 
Suite 100
Secretary
September
 
Glendora, CA 91741
 
2019.
 

*
Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, a Trustee serves during the continued lifetime of the Trust until he/she dies, resigns, is declared bankrupt or incompetent by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, or is removed, or, if sooner, until the election and qualification of his/her successor.  In addition, the Trustees have designated a mandatory retirement age of 75, such that each Trustee first elected or appointed to the Board after December 1, 2015, serving as such on the date he or she reaches the age of 75, shall submit his or her resignation not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 75th birthday occurs.
(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 November 30, 2019, the Trust was comprised of 39 active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisers.  The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Funds.  The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor do they 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. George Rebhan retired as an Independent Trustee on December 31, 2019. Mr. Raymond Woolson became the Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2020.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-855-736-7799.
 



87

SEMPER FUNDS

HOUSEHOLDING (Unaudited)

In an effort to decrease costs, the Funds intend 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 1-855-736-7799 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.
 









88

SEMPER FUNDS

PRIVACY NOTICE

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









89


Investment Adviser
Semper Capital Management, L.P.
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, Suite 401
New York, New York 10017


Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP
Two Liberty Place
50 South 16th Street, Suite 2900
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102


Legal Counsel
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
1633 Broadway, 32nd Floor
New York, New York 10019


Custodian
U.S. Bank N.A.
Custody Operations
1555 North RiverCenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212


Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Fund Administrator
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
1-855-736-7799 (855-SEM-PRXX)


Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, 6th Floor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202


This report is intended for shareholders of the Funds and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.  For a current prospectus, please call 1-855-736-7799 (855-SEM-PRXX).  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 substantive amendments to its code of ethics during the period covered by this report.  The registrant has not granted any waivers from any provisions of the code of ethics during the period covered by this report.

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

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that there is at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.  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 those fiscal years.  “Audit-related services” refer to the assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit.  “Tax services” refer to professional services rendered by the principal accountant 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 each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees and other fees by the principal accountant.

 
FYE  11/30/2019
FYE  11/30/2018
Audit Fees
          $44,400
          $41,900
Audit-Related Fees
          N/A
          N/A
Tax Fees
          $7,200
          $7,200
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  11/30/2019
FYE  11/30/2018
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  11/30/2019
FYE  11/30/2018
Registrant
N/A
N/A
Registrant’s Investment Adviser
N/A
N/A

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

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

(b)
Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

(a)
Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
 
(b)    Not Applicable.
 
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

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

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

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

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

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

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

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a)
The Registrant’s President/Chief Executive Officer/Principal Executive Officer and Vice President/Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing 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 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. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

Item 13. 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.  Filed herewith

(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer 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.

(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant.  There was no change in the registrant’s independent public accountant for the period covered by this report.

(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/ Jeffrey T. Rauman
Jeffrey T. Rauman, President/Chief Executive
Officer/Principal Executive Officer

Date  2/10/20 


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/ Jeffrey T. Rauman
Jeffrey T. Rauman, President/Chief Executive
Officer/Principal Executive Officer

Date  2/10/20 

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Cheryl L. King
Cheryl L. King, Vice President/Treasurer/Principal
Financial Officer

Date  2/4/20 

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