N-CSR 1 elvf-ncsra.htm EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND ANNUAL REPORT 10-31-20

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: October 31, 2020



Date of reporting period: October 31, 2020


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.







Edgar Lomax Value Fund



Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund (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 Fund or your financial intermediary electronically through the Fund’s website.
 
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund 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.
 


Annual Report


For the year ended
October 31, 2020



EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND

Annual Report
October 31, 2020
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
 
As you probably are aware, the market’s recent narrow focus on “growth” stocks, which we discussed in our last semi-annual report, dominated much of the year as investors literally threw money—in a growing emotional state, in our view—into the best performers from the first half of the year.  As before, the S&P 500 index got an enormous boost from the index’s biggest five components (the “Big 5”:  Apple, Microsoft, Amazon.com, Alphabet [“GOOGL”] and Facebook); further, the most expensive stocks (that is, most “growthy”) in terms of price-to-earnings ratios, or P/Es, were generally the year’s best performers, even among the index’s “value” half of stocks comprising the S&P 500 Value index.  The following data is telling:
 
 
Fiscal Year Performance
   
S&P 500
   9.7%
   
S&P 500, Excluding the Big 5’s 51.1% rise
   0.9%
Note:
Statistics calculated
S&P 500 Value
  -7.1%
 
using FactSet Data.
10% of S&P Value with lowest P/Es
-20.4%
   

In this environment, the Fund’s “large-cap value” portfolio returned -15.8% during the year.  Following is a summary of average annual total returns through October 31, 2020:
 
 
 
S&P 500
 
Lipper Large-Cap
Morningstar Large Cap
 
Fund
Value Index
S&P 500 Index
Value Funds Index
Value Category
1-year
-15.83%
-7.09%
  9.71%
-5.42%
-7.54%
5-year
   5.44%
 6.88%
11.71%
 6.60%
 5.30%
10-year
   8.82%
 9.85%
13.01%
 9.28%
 8.53%
15-year
   6.33%
 6.56%
  9.11%
 6.43%
 6.12%

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.  Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (866) 205-0524 or visiting www.edgarlomax.com.  Before deducting fees that the Advisor contractually waived or expenses of the Fund that the Advisor absorbed, the gross expense ratio is 0.97%*; however, after such waivers or absorptions, the Fund’s maximum net expense ratio is 0.71%.  Including the voluntary performance-based waiver arrangement, actual Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (the net expenses that investors paid) were 0.71% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.
 
For much of 2020 the most expensive stocks were generally the best performers in both the S&P 500 and the S&P 500 Value.  From documented market history beginning in the early 1900s, we know that this trend has always ended and, then, reversed.  In the S&P 500, for example, the most expensive 10 stocks (of companies with positive earnings) in terms of their P/Es—with a mean P/E of 220 versus the index’s P/E of 33 and the Fund’s P/E of 19—returned an average 11.5%, ahead of the index by 1.8%.
__________________
 
*
Figures are from the Fund’s prospectus dated February 28, 2020.  The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund to ensure that Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not exceed 0.70% (excluding acquired funds fees and expenses, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses) through at least February 27, 2021.  In addition, the Advisor has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee contingent upon the Fund’s performance versus the S&P 500 Value Index.  While the Advisor may discontinue its voluntary waiver any time after February 27, 2021, it has no current intention of doing so.

 

Historically, the degree of incredible “growth” preference we have seen over the past year has not been sustainable.  For instance, the Fund experienced this type of environment during the 1999-2000 “high-tech” era.  The following happened:
 
 
1-Year Perf. from
6-Month Perf. from
Portfolio
6/30/99 thru 6/30/00
6/30/00 thru 12/31/00
Edgar Lomax Value Fund
-19.7%
24.7%
S&P 500
   7.2%
 -8.7%
S&P 500 Value
  -5.1%
10.6%

Please note that, at the height of the market’s focus on “high-tech” stocks, the Fund trailed the S&P 500 by -26.9% over the 1-year period shown above, and then reversed sharply to outperform the index over the next six months by 33.4%.
 
In early 2000, we repeatedly informed clients of our belief that investors were unrealistically projecting unusually high earnings’ growth rates (for the S&P’s “growth” stocks) into the indefinite future.  We believe investors are making that same mistake today.
 
As always, you may find a complete listing of the Fund’s stock holdings in a section of this report titled “Schedule of Investments.”  A few are particularly noteworthy in that they had a meaningful impact on our full-year performance.  In order of the size of their positive contributions, two stocks—Target and United Parcel Service—performed exceptionally.  Target, rose 45% over the year, and it enters the holiday season with a management that has its past stumbles behind it and continues to execute well.  After its strong rise, the stock still maintains a reasonable valuation with a P/E of just 20.  From the industrial sector, United Parcel Service rose just over 39%.  It has good profits and sports a 2.6% dividend yield.
 
The Fund holds an appreciable position in the Energy sector, which declined about -45% as a group during the year.  Pandemic-driven declines in demand resulted in significant reductions in oil prices over the past year.  However, we expect our holdings of dominant industry operators (such as Chevron and Exxon) to return to sustained profitability as the pandemic eases and then passes.  Both companies, meanwhile, are currently paying substantial dividends (with respective annual dividend yields of approximately 7.4% and 10.7%).
 
Thank you, once again, for your confidence in our management of the Fund.  We remain committed to handling your hard-earned money as carefully as we do our own.
 
Cordially,
 
Randall R. Eley
Thomas B. Murray
Chief Investment Officer
Portfolio Manager


 
____________________
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 
Mutual fund investing involves risk; principal loss is possible.  “Value” investing as a strategy may be out of favor in the market for an extended period.  Value stocks can perform differently from the market as a whole and from other types of stocks.
 

 
2

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND

Investment performance reflects expense waivers in effect.  In the absence of such waivers, total return would be reduced.
 
The opinions expressed are those of The Edgar Lomax Company, the Fund’s investment advisor, are subject to change, and forecasts made cannot be guaranteed.  Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.  Please see the Schedule of Investments in this report for current Fund holdings information.
 
The Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio is calculated by dividing the current price of a stock by the company’s trailing 12 months’ earnings per share.
 
The Dividend Yield is calculated by dividing a company’s per-share projected annual dividend payment by the company’s stock price per share.
 
The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to represent the broad domestic economy.  The S&P 500 Value Index is a capitalization-weighted index of stocks in the S&P 500® Index which exhibit strong value characteristics.  The S&P 500 Growth Index is a capitalization-weighted index of stocks in the S&P 500® Index which exhibit strong growth characteristics.  The Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Index measures the performance of 30 of the largest funds in the large cap value category as tracked by Lipper, Inc.  You cannot invest directly in an index.
 
Each Morningstar category average represents a universe of funds with similar objectives.
 





3

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
Comparison of the change in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Edgar Lomax Value Fund vs.
the S&P 500® Index, the S&P 500® Value Index, and the Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Index



Average Annual Total Return:
       
 
One Year
Five Years1
Ten Years1
Fifteen Years1
Edgar Lomax Value Fund
-15.83%
  5.44%
  8.82%
6.33%
S&P 500® Index
   9.71%
11.71%
13.01%
9.11%
S&P 500® Value Index
  -7.09%
  6.88%
  9.85%
6.56%
Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Index
  -5.42%
  6.60%
  9.28%
6.43%
Morningstar Large Cap Value Category
  -7.54%
  5.30%
  8.53%
6.12%

Past performance does not guarantee future results.  The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (866) 205-0524 or visiting www.edgarlomax.com.
 
Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions.  Fee waivers are in effect.  In the absence of fee waivers, returns would be reduced. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions, or redemption of Fund shares. Indices do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.
 
The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to represent the broad domestic economy.
 
The S&P 500® Value Index is a market-value-weighted index of stocks in the S&P 500® Index which score highest based on an average of book-to-price ratio, sales-to-price ratio and earnings-to-price ratio, representing 50% of the total market value of the S&P 500® Index.
 
The Lipper Large-Cap Value Funds Index consists of the largest funds as tracked by Lipper, Inc.  Large Cap Value Funds seek long-term growth of capital by investing in companies that are considered to be undervalued relative to a major unmanaged stock index based on price-to-current earnings, book value, asset value, or other factors. Lipper rankings are based on total returns, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated period; this calculation does not include sales charges.
 
Each Morningstar category average represents a universe of funds with similar objectives.
 
1
Average Annual Total Return represents the average annual change in account value over the period indicated.

4

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND

EXPENSE EXAMPLE at October 31, 2020 (Unaudited)

Shareholders in mutual funds generally incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions; redemption fees; and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. The Edgar Lomax Value Fund is a no-load mutual fund and has no shareholder transaction expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (5/1/20 – 10/31/20).
 
Actual Expenses
The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Although the Fund charges no sales load or transaction fees, you will be assessed fees for outgoing wire transfers, returned checks, and stop payment orders at prevailing rates charged by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent. The Example below includes, but is not limited to, management fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. You may use the information in the first line of the table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds, as they may charge transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees.
 
 
Beginning
Ending
Expenses Paid
 
Account Value
Account Value
During Period*
 
5/1/20
10/31/20
5/1/20 – 10/31/20
Actual
$1,000.00
$   981.90
$2.49
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,022.62
$2.54

*
Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 0.50%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184 (days in most recent fiscal half-year)/366 days to reflect the one-half year expense.



5

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS at October 31, 2020 (Unaudited)


 

 

 


 
Percentages represent market value as a percentage of total investments.

6

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at October 31, 2020

Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS - 98.76%
 
Value
 
   
Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing - 4.66%
     
 
3,850
 
Altria Group, Inc.
 
$
138,908
 
 
64,400
 
Coca-Cola Co.
   
3,095,064
 
 
5,800
 
PepsiCo, Inc.
   
773,082
 
           
4,007,054
 
     
Broadcasting (Except Internet) - 3.20%
       
 
41,600
 
Comcast Corp. - Class A
   
1,757,184
 
 
8,191
 
Walt Disney Co.
   
993,159
 
           
2,750,343
 
     
Chemical Manufacturing - 8.64%
       
 
8,800
 
AbbVie, Inc.
   
748,880
 
 
12,200
 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
   
713,090
 
 
14,300
 
Dow, Inc.
   
650,507
 
 
12,000
 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
   
697,800
 
 
130,402
 
Pfizer, Inc.
   
4,626,663
 
           
7,436,940
 
     
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing - 9.68%
       
 
114,600
 
Cisco Systems, Inc.
   
4,114,140
 
 
19,900
 
Intel Corp.
   
881,172
 
 
3,900
 
Otis Worldwide Corp.
   
238,992
 
 
40,555
 
Raytheon Technologies Corp.
   
2,202,947
 
 
6,200
 
Texas Instruments, Inc.
   
896,458
 
           
8,333,709
 
     
Couriers and Messengers - 1.22%
       
 
6,700
 
United Parcel Service, Inc. - Class B
   
1,052,637
 
               
     
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities - 9.56%
       
 
3,300
 
American Express Co.
   
301,092
 
 
86,900
 
Bank of America Corp.
   
2,059,530
 
 
23,700
 
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
   
814,332
 
 
41,300
 
Capital One Financial Corp.
   
3,018,204
 


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

7

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at October 31, 2020, continued

Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS - 98.76%
 
Value
 
   
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities - 9.56%, continued
     
 
12,300
 
Citigroup, Inc.
 
$
509,466
 
 
12,400
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
   
1,215,696
 
 
14,600
 
Wells Fargo & Co.
   
313,170
 
           
8,231,490
 
     
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and
       
     
  Component Manufacturing - 1.18%
       
 
15,700
 
Emerson Electric Co.
   
1,017,203
 
               
     
Food Manufacturing - 2.96%
       
 
24,300
 
Kraft Heinz Co.
   
743,337
 
 
33,900
 
Mondelez International, Inc. - Class A
   
1,800,768
 
           
2,544,105
 
     
General Merchandise Stores - 1.34%
       
 
7,600
 
Target Corp.
   
1,156,872
 
               
     
Health and Personal Care Stores - 3.85%
       
 
97,300
 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
   
3,312,092
 
               
     
Insurance Carriers and Related Activities - 9.83%
       
 
49,700
 
Allstate Corp.
   
4,410,875
 
 
107,000
 
MetLife, Inc.
   
4,049,950
 
           
8,460,825
 
     
Machinery Manufacturing - 2.20%
       
 
7,900
 
Carrier Global Corp.
   
263,781
 
 
10,400
 
Caterpillar, Inc.
   
1,633,320
 
           
1,897,101
 
     
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods - 4.13%
       
 
11,200
 
3M Co.
   
1,791,552
 
 
10,700
 
Honeywell International, Inc.
   
1,764,965
 
           
3,556,517
 


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

8

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at October 31, 2020, continued

Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS - 98.76%
 
Value
 
   
Oil and Gas Extraction - 0.20%
     
 
19,000
 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
 
$
173,470
 
               
     
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing - 6.47%
       
 
42,300
 
Chevron Corp.
   
2,939,850
 
 
80,700
 
Exxon Mobil Corp.
   
2,632,434
 
           
5,572,284
 
     
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services - 2.63%
       
 
20,300
 
International Business Machines Corp.
   
2,266,698
 
               
     
Rail Transportation - 1.83%
       
 
8,900
 
Union Pacific Corp.
   
1,576,991
 
               
     
Real Estate - 0.39%
       
 
5,300
 
Simon Property Group, Inc.
   
332,893
 
               
     
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments
       
     
  and Related Activities - 2.87%
       
 
900
 
BlackRock, Inc.
   
539,289
 
 
8,100
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
   
1,531,224
 
 
8,200
 
Morgan Stanley
   
394,830
 
           
2,465,343
 
     
Support Activities for Mining - 0.34%
       
 
19,500
 
Schlumberger N.V. (b)
   
291,330
 
               
     
Telecommunications - 6.98%
       
 
128,900
 
AT&T, Inc.
   
3,482,878
 
 
44,300
 
Verizon Communications, Inc.
   
2,524,657
 
           
6,007,535
 
     
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing - 3.05%
       
 
13,600
 
General Dynamics Corp.
   
1,786,088
 
 
2,400
 
Lockheed Martin Corp.
   
840,312
 
           
2,626,400
 


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

9

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at October 31, 2020, continued

Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS - 98.76%
 
Value
 
   
Utilities - 11.55%
     
 
21,600
 
Duke Energy Corp.
 
$
1,989,576
 
 
121,400
 
Exelon Corp.
   
4,842,646
 
 
37,000
 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
   
440,300
 
 
46,500
 
Southern Co.
   
2,671,425
 
           
9,943,947
 
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $102,607,469)
   
85,013,779
 
               
     
WARRANT - 0.01%
       
     
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction - 0.01%
       
 
2,525
 
Occidental Petroleum Corp. (a)
   
6,237
 
     
TOTAL WARRANT (Cost $—)
   
6,237
 
               
     
MONEY MARKET FUND - 1.16%
       
 
995,412
 
Invesco STIT-Treasury Portfolio - Institutional Class, 0.01% (c)
   
995,412
 
     
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUND (Cost $995,412)
   
995,412
 
     
Total Investments in Securities (Cost $103,602,881) - 99.93%
   
86,015,428
 
     
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 0.07%
   
63,900
 
     
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%
 
$
86,079,328
 

(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
U.S. traded security of a foreign issuer.
(c)
Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield as of October 31, 2020.



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

10

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at October 31, 2020

ASSETS
     
Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $103,602,881)
 
$
86,015,428
 
Receivables
       
Fund shares sold
   
34,134
 
Dividends and interest
   
172,411
 
Due from Advisor (Note 4)
   
1,562
 
Return of capital
   
9,713
 
Prepaid expenses
   
6,404
 
Total assets
   
86,239,652
 
         
LIABILITIES
       
Payables
       
Fund shares redeemed
   
24,233
 
Administration fees
   
61,891
 
Audit fees
   
21,000
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses
   
20,033
 
Fund accounting fees
   
13,079
 
Shareholder reporting
   
7,340
 
Custody fees
   
5,306
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee
   
5,000
 
Legal fees
   
2,442
 
Total liabilities
   
160,324
 
         
NET ASSETS
 
$
86,079,328
 
         
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
       
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
 
$
86,079,328
 
Shares issued and outstanding
       
  [unlimited number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
7,199,461
 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
 
$
11.96
 
         
COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
       
Paid-in capital
 
$
92,906,465
 
Total distributable deficit
   
(6,827,137
)
Net assets
 
$
86,079,328
 



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

11

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS – For the year ended October 31, 2020

INVESTMENT INCOME
     
Dividends
 
$
3,697,495
 
Interest
   
23,563
 
Total investment income
   
3,721,058
 
         
EXPENSES
       
Advisory fees (Note 4)
   
578,851
 
Administration fees (Note 4)
   
191,934
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)
   
111,261
 
Fund accounting fees (Note 4)
   
39,535
 
Registration fees
   
30,992
 
Custody fees (Note 4)
   
21,325
 
Audit fees
   
21,000
 
Reports to shareholders
   
16,165
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee (Note 4)
   
14,501
 
Trustee fees and expenses
   
14,177
 
Legal fees
   
11,235
 
Other expenses
   
5,334
 
Insurance expense
   
2,523
 
Total expenses
   
1,058,833
 
Less: advisory fee waiver (Note 4)
   
(491,007
)
Net expenses
   
567,826
 
Net investment income
   
3,153,232
 
         
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
       
Net realized gain on investments
   
11,665,416
 
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments
   
(33,269,727
)
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments
   
(21,604,311
)
Net decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
 
$
(18,451,079
)


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

12

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
October 31, 2020
   
October 31, 2019
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS
           
Net investment income
 
$
3,153,232
   
$
2,514,686
 
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments
   
11,665,416
     
(62,225
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments
   
(33,269,727
)
   
7,461,222
 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
   
(18,451,079
)
   
9,913,683
 
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
               
Total distributions to shareholders
   
(2,708,829
)
   
(11,966,806
)
                 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
               
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets derived from
               
  net change in outstanding shares (a)
   
(11,814,323
)
   
35,798,183
 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets
   
(32,974,231
)
   
33,745,060
 
                 
NET ASSETS
               
Beginning of year
   
119,053,559
     
85,308,499
 
End of year
 
$
86,079,328
   
$
119,053,559
 

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

     
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
     
October 31, 2020
   
October 31, 2019
 
     
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
 
Shares sold
   
1,675,203
   
$
22,131,221
     
3,171,720
   
$
43,629,313
 
 
Shares issued on reinvestments of distributions
   
182,897
     
2,694,076
     
909,589
     
11,888,324
 
 
Shares redeemed
   
(2,863,490
)
   
(36,639,620
)
   
(1,439,975
)
   
(19,719,454
)
 
Net increase/(decrease)
   
(1,005,390
)
 
$
(11,814,323
)
   
2,641,334
   
$
35,798,183
 


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

13

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a share outstanding throughout each year

   
Year Ended October 31,
 
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
14.51
   
$
15.33
   
$
15.25
   
$
13.00
   
$
13.95
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income
   
0.42
     
0.30
     
0.33
     
0.36
     
0.30
 
Net realized and unrealized
                                       
  gain/(loss) on investments
   
(2.65
)
   
0.87
     
1.06
     
2.25
     
0.60
 
Total from investment operations
   
(2.23
)
   
1.17
     
1.39
     
2.61
     
0.90
 
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
From net investment income
   
(0.32
)
   
(0.31
)
   
(0.36
)
   
(0.29
)
   
(0.35
)
From net realized gain on investments
   
     
(1.68
)
   
(0.95
)
   
(0.07
)
   
(1.50
)
Total distributions
   
(0.32
)
   
(1.99
)
   
(1.31
)
   
(0.36
)
   
(1.85
)
                                         
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
11.96
   
$
14.51
   
$
15.33
   
$
15.25
   
$
13.00
 
                                         
Total return
   
-15.83
%
   
9.07
%
   
9.44
%
   
20.43
%
   
7.70
%
                                         
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
86,079
   
$
119,054
   
$
85,308
   
$
81,873
   
$
77,809
 
                                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
   
1.01
%
   
0.96
%
   
1.00
%
   
1.06
%
   
1.27
%
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
   
0.54
%
   
0.70
%
   
0.70
%
   
0.50
%
   
0.64
%
                                         
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
                                       
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
   
2.52
%
   
2.10
%
   
1.86
%
   
1.90
%
   
1.73
%
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
   
2.99
%
   
2.36
%
   
2.16
%
   
2.46
%
   
2.36
%
                                         
Portfolio turnover rate
   
45.46
%
   
23.83
%
   
40.62
%
   
37.01
%
   
56.00
%


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

14

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2020

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
 
The Edgar Lomax Value Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. The Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies.” The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth while providing some income.  The Fund began operations on December 12, 1997.
 
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
 
A.
Security Valuation: All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value, as described in note 3.
     
 
B.
Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income or excise tax provision is required.
     
   
The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities.  The tax returns of the Fund’s prior three fiscal years are open for examination. Management has reviewed all open tax years in major jurisdictions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The Fund identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal and the state of Wisconsin. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.
     
 
C.
Securities Transactions, Income and Distributions: Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on securities sold are determined on a first-in, first-out basis.  Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.  Dividend income, income and capital gain distributions from underlying funds, and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
     
   
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 Fund distributes substantially all net investment income, if any, and net realized gains, if any, annually.  Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term capital gains.  All short-term capital gains are included in ordinary income for tax purposes.
     
   
The amount of dividends and distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, which differs from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  To the extent these book/tax differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their Federal tax treatment.

 
15

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2020, continued

 
D.
Reclassification of Capital Accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund made the following permanent tax adjustments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 
Distributable Earnings
Paid-in Capital
 
 
$(3,462,514)
$3,462,514
 

 
E.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
     
 
F.
Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Year End:  In preparing the financial statements as of October 31, 2020, management considered the impact of subsequent events for the potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. Management has determined there were no subsequent events that would need to be disclosed in the Fund’s financial statements.

NOTE 3 – SECURITIES VALUATION
 
The Fund has adopted authoritative fair value accounting standards which establish an authoritative definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value.  These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair value, a discussion in changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period and expanded disclosure of valuation levels for major security types.  These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
 
Level 1 –
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.
     
 
Level 2 –
Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
     
 
Level 3 –
Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the 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 Fund’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
The 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).
 
Equity Securities: The Fund’s investments are carried at fair value. Securities that are primarily traded on a national securities exchange shall be valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are primarily traded on the day of valuation or, if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices.  Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System for which market quotations are readily available
 

 
16

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2020, continued

shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”).  If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices.  Over-the-counter securities which are not traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System shall be valued at the most recent sales price.  To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investment Companies: Investments in open-end mutual funds, including money market funds, are generally priced at their net asset value per share provided by the service agent of the funds and will be classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
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 (“Board”) has delegated day-to-day valuation issues to a Valuation Committee of the Trust which is comprised of representatives from the Fund’s 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.
 
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.  The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s securities as of October 31, 2020:
 
     
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
 
Common Stocks
                       
 
  Finance and Insurance
 
$
16,139,454
   
$
   
$
   
$
16,139,454
 
 
  Information
   
8,757,878
     
     
     
8,757,878
 
 
  Management of Companies and Enterprises
   
3,018,204
     
     
     
3,018,204
 
 
  Manufacturing
   
35,226,348
     
     
     
35,226,348
 
 
  Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
   
464,800
     
     
     
464,800
 
 
  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
   
2,266,698
     
     
     
2,266,698
 
 
  Real Estate
   
332,893
     
     
     
332,893
 
 
  Retail Trade
   
4,468,964
     
     
     
4,468,964
 
 
  Transportation and Warehousing
   
2,629,628
     
     
     
2,629,628
 
 
  Utilities
   
9,943,947
     
     
     
9,943,947
 
 
  Wholesale Trade
   
1,764,965
     
     
     
1,764,965
 
 
Total Common Stocks
   
85,013,779
     
     
     
85,013,779
 
 
Warrant
   
6,237
     
     
     
6,237
 
 
Money Market Fund
   
995,412
     
     
     
995,412
 
 
Total Investments in Securities
 
$
86,015,428
   
$
   
$
   
$
86,015,428
 

 
17

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2020, continued

Refer to the Fund’s schedule of investments for a detailed break-out of common stocks by industry classification.
 
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. The Fund has adopted all applicable provisions of ASU 2018-13.
 
The global outbreak of COVID-19 (commonly referred to as “coronavirus”) has disrupted economic markets and the prolonged economic impact is uncertain. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. The operational and financial performance of the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests depends on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, and such uncertainty may in turn adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, impair the Fund’s ability to satisfy redemption requests, and negatively impact the Fund’s performance.
 
NOTE 4 – INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
The Edgar Lomax Company (the “Advisor”) provides the Fund with investment management services under an investment advisory agreement. The Advisor furnishes all investment advice, office space, facilities, and provides most of the personnel needed by the Fund. As compensation for its services, the Advisor is entitled to a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.55% based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund. Additionally, the Advisor has agreed to voluntarily waive a portion of its management fee and pay certain Fund expenses such that “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” will decline to 0.50% for underperformance versus the S&P 500® Value Index during either the 3-year or 5-year period. While this voluntary management fee waiver can be discontinued at any time, the Advisor has no intention of doing so. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund incurred $578,851 in advisory fees, of which the Advisor contractually waived $322,112 and voluntarily waived $168,895, resulting in net advisory fees of $87,844.
 
The Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. The Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce fees payable to it by the Fund and to pay Fund operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses) to 0.70% of average daily net assets. If the Advisor waives advisory fees under the arrangement described above, it has also agreed to absorb all expenses, other than advisory fees. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the Fund’s aggregate annual operating expenses were reduced to 0.54% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, including contractual expense limits. Any such reduction made by the Advisor in its fees or payment of expenses which are the Fund’s obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Fund to the Advisor, if so requested by the Advisor, 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 towards 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
 

 
18

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2020, continued

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 the Board’s review and approval at the time the reimbursement is made. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Fund’s payment of current ordinary operating expenses. For the year ended October 31, 2020, excluding amounts voluntarily waived, the Advisor reduced its fees and absorbed Fund expenses in the amount of $322,112; no amounts were reimbursed to the Advisor. The Advisor may recapture portions of the amounts shown below no later than the corresponding dates:
 
 
Expires
 
Amount
 
 
10/31/2021
 
$
249,949
 
 
10/31/2022
   
280,759
 
 
10/31/2023
   
322,112
 
     
$
852,820
 

Fund Services serves as the Fund’s administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent. U.S. Bank N.A. serves as the custodian (the “Custodian”) to the Fund. The Custodian is an affiliate of Fund Services. Fund Services maintains the Fund’s books and records, calculates the 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.  The officers of the Trust and the Chief Compliance Officer are also employees of Fund Services. Fees paid by the Fund for administration and accounting, transfer agency, custody and compliance services for the year ended October 31, 2020 are disclosed in the statement of operations.
 
Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar” or the “Distributor”) acts as the Fund’s principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund’s shares.  Effective March 31, 2020, Foreside Financial Group, LLC (“Foreside”) acquired Quasar from U.S. Bancorp. As a result of the acquisition, Quasar became a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Foreside and is no longer affiliated with U.S. Bancorp.  The Board of the Fund has approved a new distribution agreement to enable Quasar to continue serving as the Fund’s Distributor.
 
The Fund has 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, and facilitating shareholder telephone transactions. The Fund expensed $84,225 of sub-transfer agent fees during the year ended October 31, 2020. These fees are included in the transfer agent fees and expenses amount indicated in the statement of operations.
 
NOTE 5 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
 
For the year ended October 31, 2020, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, were $46,169,899 and $52,934,551, respectively.
 

 
19

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at October 31, 2020, continued

NOTE 6 – INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019 was as follows:
 
     
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
     
October 31, 2020
   
October 31, 2019
 
 
Net investment income
 
$
2,708,829
   
$
1,867,891
 
 
Long-term capital gains
   
     
10,098,915
 

As of October 31, 2020, the components of accumulated earnings/(losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
 
 
Cost of investments (a)
 
$
103,629,043
   
 
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
   
4,899,018
   
 
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
   
(22,512,633
)
 
 
Net tax unrealized depreciation (a)
   
(17,613,615
)
 
 
Undistributed ordinary income
   
2,661,117
   
 
Undistributed long-term capital gain
   
8,125,361
   
 
Total distributable earnings
   
10,786,478
   
 
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)
 
$
(6,827,137
)
 

 
(a)
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized depreciation is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

NOTE 7 – OTHER TAX INFORMATION
 
The Fund declared the payment of a distribution to be paid, on December 11, 2020, to shareholders of record on December 10, 2020 as follows:

   
Long-Term
 
 
Income
Capital Gains
 
 
$0.4378542
$1.13925
 


20

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Trustees Advisors Series Trust and
Shareholders of Edgar Lomax Value Fund
 
Opinion on the Financial Statements
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Edgar Lomax Value Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, 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 Fund as of October 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Basis for Opinion
 
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.  We have served as the auditor of one or more funds in the trust since 2003.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.  The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its 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 Fund’s 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 presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 30, 2020

21

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS at October 31, 2020 (Unaudited)

For the year ended October 31, 2020, the Edgar Lomax Value Fund designated $2,708,829 as ordinary income.
 
For the year ended October 31, 2020, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The percentage of dividends declared from net investment income designated as qualified dividend income was 100%.
 
For corporate shareholders, the percent of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for the year ended October 31, 2020 was 100%.
 
The percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions that are designated as short-term capital gains under Internal Revenue Section 871(k)(2)(C) for the year ended October 31, 2020 was 0%.
 
Certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 23.8%, as provided by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
 
How to Obtain a Copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policies
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge upon request by calling 1-866-205-0524 or on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
How to Obtain a Copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Records for the 12-Month Period Ended June 30
 
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-205-0524.  Furthermore, you can obtain the Fund’s proxy voting records on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
Quarterly Filings on Form N-PORT
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Part F of Form N-PORT.  The Fund’s Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Information included in the Fund’s Form N-PORT is also available by calling 1-866-205-0524.
 

 

 
HOUSEHOLDING (Unaudited)

In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund intends to reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other similar documents you receive by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders the Transfer Agent reasonably believes are from the same family or household. Once implemented, if you would like to discontinue householding for your accounts, please call toll-free at 1-866-205-0524 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.
 

22

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
STATEMENT REGARDING LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (Unaudited)

The Fund has adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “program”). The Board has designated a committee at the Advisor to serve as the administrator of the program. The Advisor’s committee conducts the day-to-day operation of the program pursuant to policies and procedures administered by the committee.
 
Under the program, the Advisor’s committee manages the Fund’s liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund could not meet shareholder redemption requests without significant dilution of remaining shareholders’ interests in the Fund. This risk is managed by monitoring the degree of liquidity of the Fund’s investments, limiting the amount of the Fund’s illiquid investments, and utilizing various risk management tools and facilities available to the Fund for meeting shareholder redemptions, among other means. The committee’s process of determining the degree of liquidity of the Fund’s investments is supported by one or more third-party liquidity assessment vendors.
 
The Board reviewed a report prepared by the committee regarding the operation and effectiveness of the program for the period June 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the report. In addition, the committee provided its assessment that the program had been effective in managing the Fund’s liquidity risk.
 







23

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee the Fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the Fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.
 
       
Number of
 
       
Portfolios
 
   
Term of
 
in Fund
Other
 
Position
Office and
 
Complex
Directorships
Name, Address
Held with
Length of
Principal Occupation
Overseen
Held During
and Age
the Trust
Time Served*
During Past Five Years
by Trustee(2)
Past Five Years(3)
Independent Trustees(1)
         
           
Gail S. Duree
Trustee
Indefinite
Director, Alpha Gamma Delta
1
Trustee, Advisors
(age 74)
 
term; since
Housing Corporation (collegiate
 
Series Trust (for
615 E. Michigan Street
 
March 2014.
housing management) (2012 to
 
series not affiliated
Milwaukee, WI 53202
   
July 2019); Trustee and Chair
 
with the Fund).
     
(2000 to 2012), New Covenant
   
     
Mutual Funds (1999 to 2012);
   
     
Director and Board Member,
   
     
Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation
   
     
(philanthropic organization)
   
     
(2005 to 2011).
   
           
David G. Mertens
Trustee
Indefinite
Partner and Head of Business
1
Trustee, Advisors
(age 60)
 
term; since
Development Ballast Equity
 
Series Trust (for
615 E. Michigan Street
 
March 2017.
Management, LLC (a privately-held
 
series not affiliated
Milwaukee, WI 53202
   
investment advisory firm) (February
 
with the Fund).
     
2019 to present); Managing Director
   
     
and Vice President, Jensen Investment
   
     
Management, Inc. (a privately-held
   
     
investment advisory firm)
   
     
(2002 to 2017).
   
           
Joe D. Redwine
Trustee
Indefinite
Retired; formerly Manager, President,
1
Trustee, Advisors
(age 73)
 
term; since
CEO, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services,
 
Series Trust (for
615 E. Michigan Street
 
September
LLC and its predecessors
 
series not affiliated
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
2008.
(May 1991 to July 2017).
 
with the Fund).

 

 

 
24

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited), continued

       
Number of
 
       
Portfolios
 
   
Term of
 
in Fund
Other
 
Position
Office and
 
Complex
Directorships
Name, Address
Held with
Length of
Principal Occupation
Overseen
Held During
and Age
the Trust
Time Served*
During Past Five Years
by Trustee(2)
Past Five Years(3)
Raymond B. Woolson
Chairman
Indefinite
President, Apogee Group, Inc.
1
Trustee, Advisors
(age 61)
of the
term; since
(financial consulting firm)
 
Series Trust (for
615 E. Michigan Street
Board
January
(1998 to present).
 
series not affiliated
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
2020.
   
with the Fund);
         
Independent
 
Trustee
Indefinite
   
Trustee,
   
term; since
   
DoubleLine Funds
   
January
   
Trust (an open-end
   
2016.
   
investment
         
company with
         
19 portfolios),
         
DoubleLine
         
Opportunistic
         
Credit Fund,
         
DoubleLine
         
Selective Credit
         
Fund and
         
DoubleLine
         
Income Solutions
         
Fund, from 2010
         
to present.

 

 

 
25

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited), continued

Name, Address
Position Held
Term of Office and
Principal Occupation
and Age
with the Trust
Length of Time Served
During Past Five Years
Officers
     
       
Jeffrey T. Rauman
President, Chief
Indefinite term; since
Senior Vice President, Compliance and
(age 51)
Executive Officer
December 2018.
Administration, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 E. Michigan Street
and Principal
 
(February 1996 to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Executive Officer
   
       
Cheryl L. King
Vice President,
Indefinite term; since
Vice President, Compliance and Administration,
(age 59)
Treasurer and
December 2007.
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (October 1998
615 E. Michigan Street
Principal Financial
 
to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Officer
   
       
Kevin J. Hayden
Assistant
Indefinite term; since
Vice President, Compliance and Administration,
(age 49)
Treasurer
September 2013.
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 E. Michigan Street
   
(June 2005 to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
     
       
Richard R. Conner
Assistant
Indefinite term; since
Assistant Vice President, Compliance and
(age 38)
Treasurer
December 2018.
Administration, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 E. Michigan Street
   
(July 2010 to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
     
       
Michael L. Ceccato
Vice President,
Indefinite term; since
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund
(age 63)
Chief Compliance
September 2009.
Services and Vice President, U.S. Bank N.A.
615 E. Michigan Street
Officer and
 
(February 2008 to present).
Milwaukee, WI 53202
AML Officer
   

 

 

 
26

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited), continued

Name, Address
Position Held
Term of Office and
Principal Occupation
and Age
with the Trust
Length of Time Served
During Past Five Years
Elaine E. Richards, Esq.
Vice President
Indefinite term; since
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund
(age 52)
and Secretary
September 2019.
Services (July 2007 to present).
2020 East Financial Way,
     
Suite 100
     
Glendora, CA 91741
     

*
The Trustees have designated a mandatory retirement age of 75, such that each Trustee, serving as such on the date he or she reaches the age of 75, shall submit his or her resignation not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 75th birthday occurs (“Retiring Trustee”). Upon request, the Board may, by vote of a majority of Trustees eligible to vote on such matter, determine whether or not to extend such Retiring Trustee’s term and on the length of a one-time extension of up to three additional years.
(1)
The Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”).
(2)
As of October 31, 2020, the Trust was comprised of 34 active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisers.  The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Fund.  The Fund does not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor does it share the same investment adviser with any other series.
(3)
“Other Directorships Held” includes only directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (that is, “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-866-205-0524.
 




27

EDGAR LOMAX VALUE FUND
PRIVACY NOTICE

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







28









(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)









Advisor
The Edgar Lomax Company
5971 Kingstowne Village Parkway, Suite 240
Alexandria, VA 22315
www.edgarlomax.com

Distributor
Quasar Distributors, LLC
111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200
Milwaukee, WI 53202

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

Transfer Agent
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
1-866-205-0524

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

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





This report is intended for the shareholders of the Fund and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus. To obtain a free prospectus please call 1-866-205-0524.
 

ED-ANNUAL


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  10/31/2020
FYE  10/31/2019
Audit Fees
          $17,400
          $17,400
Audit-Related Fees
          N/A
          N/A
Tax Fees
          $3,600
          $3,600
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  10/31/2020
FYE  10/31/2019
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  10/31/2020
FYE  10/31/2019
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.



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

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


SIGNATURES

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


(Registrant)  Advisors Series Trust 

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Jeffrey T. Rauman
Jeffrey T. Rauman, President/Chief Executive
Officer/Principal Executive Officer

Date  1/6/2021 



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

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Jeffrey T. Rauman
Jeffrey T. Rauman, President/Chief Executive
Officer/Principal Executive Officer

Date  1/6/2021 

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

Date  1/7/2021 

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