N-CSRS 1 cagf-ncsrs.htm CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND SEMIANNUAL REPORT 6-30-21
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: December 31, 2021



Date of reporting period: June 30, 2021


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

(a) [Insert full text of semi-annual or annual report here]


Capital Advisors Growth Fund








Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2021







CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

July 22, 2021
 
Dear Shareholder,
 
The Capital Advisors Growth Fund (the “Fund”) advanced 12.68% in the first six months of 2021, compared to a gain of 15.25% for the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P 500® Total Return Index.
 
The following data summarizes the Fund’s performance over various holding periods ending June 30, 2021, in comparison to the Fund’s relevant benchmark:
 
Periods Ending June 30, 2021
 
   
S&P 500® Total
 
Fund
Return Index
6-Months (not annualized)
12.68%
15.25%
12-Months
39.22%
40.79%
3-Years
20.73%
18.67%
5-Years
17.84%
17.65%
10-Years
13.71%
14.84%

Net Expense Ratio: 1.02%^ Gross Expense Ratio 1.14% (as of the Fund’s most recently filed Prospectus)
 
^
Capital Advisors, Inc. (“Capital Advisors”), the Fund’s investment advisor, has contractually agreed to waive a portion or all of its management fees and/or pay Fund expenses, through at least April 29, 2022, to ensure that the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.00% of average daily net assets of the Fund.  The net expense ratio represents the percentage paid by investors.

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 1-866-205-0523.
 
The Fund imposes a 2.00% redemption fee if shares are redeemed within 7 days of purchase. Performance data does not reflect the redemption fee. If it had, returns would be reduced.
 
PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTION
 
The stocks that contributed most positively to the Fund’s return during the first half of the year were concentrated in the technology sector, including Alphabet, Inc. (GOOG: $2,506) Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT: $137),
 
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CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NXPI: $206), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT: $271), and Nvidia Corp. (NVDA: $800).  These companies have all experienced robust demand for their products and services thus far in 2021 after a year of similar strength the year before.
 
The under-performers during the first half span multiple industries, although healthcare was well-represented with three companies, including Editas Medicine, Inc. (EDIT: $44), Teledoc Health, Inc. (TDOC: $166), and the iShares S&P Biotech ETF (XBI: $135).  Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.,  (BFAM: $147) faced industry-specific challenges from Covid due to the interpersonal nature of its business providing childcare services for working parents.  Lemonade, Inc. (LMND: $109) experienced a company-specific setback from winter storm, Uri, which triggered extraordinary insurance claims among the renter’s insurance policies the company underwrites in affected states like Texas.
 
OUTLOOK
 
 
Conventional inflation readings soared in the first half of 2021, while the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield declined (pushing “real” returns well into negative territory).

   
a.
We believe the following are among the key reasons for such low interest rates: Fed bond buying, other U.S. and global government stimulus measures, investors’ willingness to follow governments’ implied asset price support, and skepticism about the global economy’s ability to support large debt loads over the long term.

   
b.
We believe the following are among the key reasons for the recent inflation spike: workers’ unwillingness to return to certain jobs while COVID remains atop the headlines and after paying down their own debts, post-shutdown supply and logistic shortages, and an evolving geopolitical landscape regarding the global supply chain that is centered in China.  Countering those forces remain key factors that have justifiably depressed inflation for more than a decade, including digitization (which actually accelerated during the shutdown), global demographic shifts, and the still-very-intact global supply chain.

 
We are currently framing our investment decisions around three broad considerations:

   
a.
Policy makers are embarking on a grand, long-term experiment in coordinated fiscal and monetary stimulus that has never been tried before (the Financial Crisis).

   
b.
Inflation readings could overshoot to the upside…but long-term inflation expectations remain subdued.

3

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

   
c.
If the Fed starts to taper sooner than expected, market volatility could increase, but that is unlikely to cause a major retrenchment unless the rate of liquidity withdrawal materially exceeds expectations.

 
We believe certain key financial measures, such as very-negative real interest rates, are unlikely to last structurally, therefore it is prudent to design investment portfolios for resilience.

 
This attitude is reflected in the current design of the Fund to seek greater resilience to the possibility of fluctuating inflation and interest rates, without abandoning important structural investment themes that we believe can drive long-term value creation.

 
Although we have not over-prepared for significantly higher interest rates, we still consider it to be one of the most important risk factors for investors over the next several quarters, and we remain open to the possibility of adjusting further if conditions warrant.

 
We are also cognizant of the “natural order” of asset markets, whereby the events that cause the most damage tend to emerge from places least expected.

 
Although market shocks are unpredictable by their nature, we are tracking developments in the realm of Covid variants, vaccination trends, geopolitics, monetary and fiscal policies, and credit and currency markets for any signs of stress that might signal a change in the risk climate.

CURRENT PORTFOLIO DESIGN
 
As the global economy recovers, and monetary as well as fiscal stimulus remain significant (potentially too much so), we are identifying companies that may lead cyclical trends as well as longer-term opportunities that emerge from those trends.  We are also managing – through the gyrations of near-term market swings – core positions with companies that can shape the evolution of what are, or could become, very attractive market opportunities.
 
An example of one trend we believe has accelerated during the economic re-opening is “decarbonization” – an emphasis by governments to reduce the amount of carbon the global economy generates.  For instance, China’s authorities recently idled certain inefficient, pollution-heavy factories, which helped support global commodity prices.
 
While economic cycles are transitory, we believe the electrification of energy grids and transportation fleets represents an early-phase, multi-year opportunity.  Copper is one industrial metal we believe will be essential to electrification and decarbonization because it is the most efficient superconducting material that can be produced on a significant, industrial scale.
 
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CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

We also believe electric and autonomous technologies can continue to drive innovation within the transportation sector.  This year, we added copper-mining leader Freeport-McMoran, Inc. (FCX ~$37), and automobile parts supplier and contract manufacturer, Magna International, Inc. (MGA ~$93) to the Fund’s portfolio.  One example of a recent contract manufacturing project for Magna is the Fisker Ocean electronic vehicle (EV) with innovative design features, including a solar roof.1
 
We are also focusing on a diversified set of leaders in what we believe to be some of the global economy’s most attractive value creation trends.  While some of these companies specialize in technologies that help converge market opportunities, others are leaders of attractive markets that are far from traditional “Tech.”
 


Source: Orion as of June 24, 2021

The chart shows positions in companies we believe have leadership positions in the listed themes
 
We believe risk management and portfolio “balance” do not have to mean sacrificing returns when we focus on the right mix of ingredients, or value drivers.  Over time, the Fund has achieved generous returns while experiencing lower volatility than the overall stock market.2  This was accomplished through multi-layered risk management that starts with emphasis on portfolio balance among positions.  We also regard cash as “risk capital” that we use not only to help balance portfolio exposures, but also to serve as “dry powder” that can take advantage of opportunities that may arise without having to sell other important positions to do so.
 
_____________
 
1
Source: Green Car Reports, “Fisker teases more power, unique clutch, for Ocean EV as production agreement signed”, June 21, 2021.  Production is currently scheduled to begin in late 2022.  Fisker is a publicly traded company (FSR ~$19)
2
Source: Bloomberg:  The Fund had a 2020 beta versus the S&P 500 Index of 0.9.  As of June 24, 2021, the Fund has also delivered 24-month and 36-month betas of 0.9.

5

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

FUND HOLDINGS
 
The ten largest holdings in the Fund as of June 30, 2021, were as follows:
 
Security
No. Shares
Cost/Share
Market/Share
Portfolio %
Alphabet, Inc.
  2,285
619.49
2,506.32
5.6
Microsoft Corp.
18,775
  75.13
   270.90
5.0
Waste Management, Inc.
31,550
111.90
   140.11
4.4
Apple, Inc.
32,040
  23.84
   136.96
4.3
Amazon.com, Inc.
  1,255
591.00
3,440.16
4.3
Danaher Corp.
13,670
118.01
   268.36
3.6
Blackrock, Inc.
  4,070
467.08
   874.97
3.5
Accenture Plc
11,840
208.33
   294.79
3.4
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
21,939
103.72
   155.54
3.4
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
  6,460
277.17
   504.47
3.2

Of the 40 positions held in the Fund as of June 30, 2021, the 10 largest holdings represented 40.7% of total assets.  The Fund held 7.3% of its assets in interest bearing cash reserves as of June 30, 2021.
 
RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE FUND
 
Recent new additions to the Fund’s portfolio include Freeport-McMoran, Inc. (FCX: $37), Magna International, Inc. (MGA: $93) and Dollar General Corp. (DG: $216).
 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. (FCX)
 
We believe sustainable demand trends related to the global shift toward renewable energy, combined with a recent period of industry underinvestment in supply capacity, could dampen the cyclicality that typically depresses Freeport’s valuation multiple.
 
Copper is primarily used as an electricity conduit.  The “greening” of the worlds electricity grids and transportation fleets cannot occur without material consumption of copper, in our opinion.  For example, electric vehicles use up to four times more copper than internal combustion vehicles, and renewable technologies for power production consume four-to-five times more copper than fossil fuel generation.3
 
_____________
 
3
International Copper Association, from Freeport-McMoRan’s 1Q 2021 financial presentation, slide 5

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CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

Many analysts believe large miners have underinvested in production capacity since the last cyclical peak in copper prices roughly one decade ago.  For example, there are only 33 projects in the global pipeline currently, versus 51 in 2012.4  It takes years for a new mine to become properly permitted and ready for production, which could keep supply under control for the foreseeable future, even if copper prices remain elevated for several years.  As industry analysts like to say, “There is no shale-oil-equivalent for copper.”
 
Freeport has key operations coming back online this year in Indonesia and Arizona.  The company recently announced a performance-based payout structure for dividends and share repurchases whereby it will target returning 50% of available cash to shareholders.
 
Magna International, Inc.
 
Magna is one of the world’s largest automobile components suppliers and has a significant outsourced manufacturing operation.  We believe management has navigated the pandemic and semiconductor shortage impressively well.  The company’s ability to be an end-to-end design and manufacturing partner can be of special value in a rapidly changing market where large numbers of small automobile design companies are creating innovative vehicles.  For example, management recently formed a significant joint venture with LG Electronics to help develop e-motors and power inverters.  It has a similar partnership with a unit of SAIC Motor, one of China’s largest automobile manufacturers.
 
Magna’s balance sheet is particularly strong, in our view – it also has deep customer relationships, and a healthy cash flow structure.  According to management, over 90% of the company’s 2023 sales forecast represents orders already received.5
 
Dollar General Corp.
 
We believe Dollar General is a well-managed, somewhat unique retailer that has several attractive, medium-term drivers.  Management primarily locates stores in rural areas that typically cannot support multiple retailers.  Approximately 75% of the American population is within five miles of these stores.6  Traditionally, customers frequent Dollar General to get quick, necessary items, then occasionally travel farther-away to a Walmart, Inc. (WMT ~$136) or grocery chain to stock up.
 
_____________
 
4
Wood McKenzie, from Freeport-McMoRan’s 1Q 2021 financial presentation, slide 6
5
Magna International, “Message From The Chief Executive Officer – A Significant Force in Transformative Times”
6
Source: Morningstar, “Dollar General, Business Strategy & Outlook,” December 6, 2021

7

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

Dollar General has highly efficient supply and logistics chains, in our view.  It matches Walmart’s pricing, which management states is approximately 20%-30% below local, rural alternatives.
 
In our view, the economic shutdown pulled remote work trends ahead several years, helping accelerate “rural-fication.”  We believe increasing amounts of wealthier customers are becoming aware of DG’s value – they are more willing to shop there on occasion, and more willing to spread positive word-of-mouth.  Management is refurbishing many stores (something it claims has a high return on investment), adding higher-capacity freezer space, offering more fresh foods, opening larger new stores, and launching a new store concept targeted at a slightly younger, wealthier demographic. Each initiative could make Dollar General a more frequent destination versus the occasional “stock up at Walmart” trip.
 
Like any successful retailer, DG faces increased competitive challenges.  Despite these, we believe management has a visible line to steady sales growth (beyond the COVID-inflated year-ago compares) and potential margin expansion.
 
As always, we appreciate the trust you have placed with the Capital Advisors Growth Fund.
 
   
Keith C. Goddard, CFA
Steven V. Soranno, CFA, CAIA
Chief Investment Officer
Co-Portfolio Manager
Capital Advisors Growth Fund
Capital Advisors Growth Fund
CEO, Capital Advisors, Inc.
Director of Equity Research,
 
Capital Advisors, Inc.

8

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

Investment performance reflects voluntary fee waivers in effect.  In the absence of such waivers, total return would be reduced.
 
Opinions expressed are those of Keith C. Goddard and Steven V. Soranno, and are subject to change, are not guaranteed, and should not be considered investment advice.
 
The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged, capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to represent the broad domestic economy.
 
Fund holdings and/or sector weightings are subject to change and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell a security.  Please refer to the schedule of investments for more complete holding information.
 
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Growth stocks typically are more volatile than value stocks. The Fund invests in foreign securities which involve political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility and differences in accounting methods. The Fund may invest in derivatives, such as options, which involve risks different from, an in certain cases, greater than the risks presented by traditional investments.
 
“Cash Flow” is the movement of money into or out of a business.  It is usually measured during a specified period of time.  Measurement of cash flow can be used for calculating other parameters that give information on a company’s value and situation.
 
Return on invested capital (“ROIC”) is a financial measure that quantifies how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business.  It is defined as net operating profit less adjusted taxes divided by invested capital, and is usually expressed as a percentage.
 
Beta is a measure of the volatility—or systematic risk—of a security or portfolio compared to the market as a whole.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.  Please read it carefully before you invest.
 
The Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
 
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CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

EXPENSE EXAMPLE at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Shareholders in mutual funds generally 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 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 indicated and held for the entire period (1/1/21 – 6/30/21).
 
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 may be assessed a fee 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 this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of 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 transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the second set of lines 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 transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
 
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CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

EXPENSE EXAMPLE at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
 
Beginning
Ending
Expenses Paid
 
Account Value
Account Value
During Period*
 
1/1/21
6/30/21
1/1/21 – 6/30/21
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,126.80
$5.27
       
Hypothetical (5% return
     
  before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,019.84
$5.01

*
Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.00%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (days in most recent fiscal half-year)/365 days to reflect the one-half year expense.

11

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

SECTOR ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS – June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
 
 


 
Percentages represent market value as a percentage of total investments.
 
12

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS - 91.60%
 
Value
 
   
Asset Management - 3.51%
     
 
4,070
 
BlackRock, Inc.
 
$
3,561,128
 
               
     
Auto Manufacturers - 2.62%
       
 
45,000
 
General Motors Co.*
   
2,662,650
 
               
     
Auto Parts - 1.94%
       
 
21,295
 
Magna International, Inc.#
   
1,972,769
 
               
     
Banks - Diversified - 2.85%
       
 
40,800
 
Citigroup, Inc.
   
2,886,600
 
               
     
Banks - Global - 3.36%
       
 
21,939
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
   
3,412,392
 
               
     
Biotechnology - 1.29%
       
 
6,520
 
Beam Therapeutics, Inc.*
   
839,189
 
 
10,560
 
Berkeley Lights, Inc.*
   
473,194
 
           
1,312,383
 
     
Business Services - 2.09%
       
 
9,080
 
Visa, Inc. - Class A
   
2,123,086
 
               
     
Business Software & Services - 5.01%
       
 
18,775
 
Microsoft Corp.
   
5,086,147
 
               
     
Catalog & Mail Order Houses - 4.26%
       
 
1,255
 
Amazon.com, Inc.*
   
4,317,401
 
               
     
Credit Services - 3.09%
       
 
10,750
 
PayPal Holdings, Inc.*
   
3,133,410
 
               
     
Copper - 1.29%
       
 
35,115
 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.
   
1,303,118
 
               
     
Diagnostics & Research - 7.24%
       
 
13,670
 
Danaher Corp.
   
3,668,481
 
 
12,200
 
Invitae Corp.*
   
411,506
 
 
6,460
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
   
3,258,876
 
           
7,338,863
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
13

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
Shares
     
Value
 
   
Discount Stores - 1.81%
     
 
8,470
 
Dollar General Corp.
 
$
1,832,823
 
               
     
Electronic Gaming & Multimedia - 0.68%
       
 
2,520
 
Sea Ltd. - ADR*
   
691,992
 
               
     
Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery - 2.20%
       
 
24,965
 
PACCAR, Inc.
   
2,228,126
 
               
     
Grocery Stores - 2.03%
       
 
53,825
 
Kroger Co.
   
2,062,036
 
               
     
Health Care Plans - 2.42%
       
 
6,140
 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
   
2,458,702
 
               
     
Health Information Services - 0.86%
       
 
5,251
 
Teladoc Health, Inc.*
   
873,189
 
               
     
Information Technology Services - 3.44%
       
 
11,840
 
Accenture PLC - Class A#
   
3,490,314
 
               
     
Insurance - Diversified - 1.93%
       
 
7,050
 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. - Class B*
   
1,959,336
 
               
     
Insurance - Property & Casualty - 0.49%
       
 
4,500
 
Lemonade, Inc.*
   
492,345
 
               
     
Insurance - Reinsurance - 0.02%
       
 
405
 
Brookfield Asset Management
       
     
  Reinsurance Partners Ltd. - Class A#*
   
21,045
 
               
     
Internet Information Providers - 5.62%
       
 
410
 
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A*
   
1,001,134
 
 
1,875
 
Alphabet, Inc. - Class C*+
   
4,699,350
 
           
5,700,484
 
     
Medical Devices - 1.91%
       
 
7,475
 
Stryker Corp.
   
1,941,482
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
14

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
Shares
     
Value
 
   
Medical Instruments & Supplies - 1.58%
     
 
1,741
 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*
 
$
1,601,093
 
               
     
Oil & Gas E&P - 1.79%
       
 
11,195
 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.
   
1,819,411
 
               
     
Personal Computers - 4.33%
       
 
32,040
 
Apple, Inc.
   
4,388,198
 
               
     
Personal Products - 2.67%
       
 
20,038
 
Procter & Gamble Co.
   
2,703,727
 
               
     
Processed & Packaged Goods - 2.58%
       
 
17,639
 
PepsiCo, Inc.
   
2,613,571
 
               
     
Real Estate Development - 2.95%
       
 
58,660
 
Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. - Class A#
   
2,990,487
 
               
     
Scientific Research & Development Services - 0.88%
       
 
5,515
 
CRISPR Therapeutics AG#*
   
892,823
 
               
     
Semiconductor Equipment & Materials - 5.86%
       
 
16,090
 
Applied Materials, Inc.
   
2,291,216
 
 
3,110
 
NVIDIA Corp.
   
2,488,311
 
 
5,665
 
NXP Semiconductors N.V.#
   
1,165,404
 
           
5,944,931
 
     
Specialty Industrial Machinery - 2.64%
       
 
12,215
 
Honeywell International, Inc.
   
2,679,360
 
               
     
Waste Management - 4.36%
       
 
31,550
 
Waste Management, Inc.
   
4,420,470
 
     
Total Common Stocks (Cost $53,468,088)
   
92,915,892
 
               
     
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND - 1.05%
       
 
7,880
 
SPDR S&P Biotech ETF
   
1,066,952
 
     
Total Exchange-Traded Fund (Cost $646,824)
   
1,066,952
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
15

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued

Shares
 
MONEY MARKET FUND - 7.43%
 
Value
 
 
7,539,169
 
First American Government Obligations
     
     
  Fund, Class X, 0.03%† (Cost $7,539,169)
 
$
7,539,169
 
     
Total Investments in Securities
       
     
  (Cost $61,654,081) - 100.08%
   
101,522,013
 
     
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (0.08)%
   
(79,513
)
     
Net Assets - 100.00%
 
$
101,442,500
 

*
Non-income producing security.
#
U.S. traded security of a foreign issuer.
Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield as of June 30, 2021.
+
Non-voting shares.
ADR - American Depository Receipt
ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
16

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
ASSETS
     
Investments, at value (cost $61,654,081)
 
$
101,522,013
 
Cash
   
6,482
 
Receivables:
       
Fund shares issued
   
217,362
 
Dividends and interest
   
19,401
 
Prepaid expenses
   
22,054
 
Total assets
   
101,787,312
 
LIABILITIES
       
Payables:
       
Fund shares redeemed
   
51,790
 
Securities purchased
   
198,182
 
Due to advisor
   
56,710
 
Audit fees
   
10,414
 
Shareholder reporting
   
2,022
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses
   
4,324
 
Administration and fund accounting fees
   
17,787
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee
   
2,438
 
Custodian fees
   
927
 
Trustee fees and expenses
   
218
 
Total liabilities
   
344,812
 
         
NET ASSETS
 
$
101,442,500
 
         
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
       
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
 
$
101,442,500
 
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited
       
  number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
2,491,993
 
Net asset value, offering and
       
  redemption price per share
 
$
40.71
 
         
COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
       
Paid-in capital
 
$
53,510,643
 
Total distributable earnings
   
47,931,857
 
Net assets
 
$
101,442,500
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
17

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the six months ended June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
INVESTMENT INCOME
     
Income
     
Dividends (net of foreign tax
     
  withheld and issuance fees of $3,140)
 
$
443,089
 
Interest
   
1,399
 
Total income
   
444,488
 
Expenses
       
Advisory fees (Note 4)
   
352,791
 
Administration and fund accounting fees (Note 4)
   
68,727
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)
   
17,924
 
Registration fees
   
14,330
 
Audit fees
   
10,414
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee (Note 4)
   
7,438
 
Trustee fees and expenses
   
7,319
 
Shareholder reporting
   
4,984
 
Custody fees (Note 4)
   
4,753
 
Legal fees
   
4,657
 
Miscellaneous fees
   
2,109
 
Insurance
   
1,411
 
Total expenses
   
496,857
 
Less: advisory fee waiver (Note 4)
   
(26,469
)
Net expenses
   
470,388
 
Net investment loss
   
(25,900
)
         
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS
       
Net realized gain from investments
   
6,422,129
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)
       
  on investments
   
4,931,159
 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
   
11,353,288
 
Net increase in net assets
       
  resulting from operations
 
$
11,327,388
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
18

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 
Six Months Ended
       
   
June 30, 2021
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
December 31, 2020
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS
           
Net investment income/(loss)
 
$
(25,900
)
 
$
77,928
 
Net realized gain on investments
   
6,422,129
     
6,507,201
 
Net realized gain from redemption in-kind
   
     
682,614
 
Capital gain distributions from
               
  regulated investment companies
   
     
2
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/
               
  (depreciation) on investments
   
4,931,159
     
12,983,372
 
Net increase in net assets
               
  resulting from operations
   
11,327,388
     
20,251,117
 
                 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
               
  TO SHAREHOLDERS
               
Net dividends and distributions
               
  to shareholders
   
     
(5,293,321
)
Total dividends and distributions
   
     
(5,293,321
)
                 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
               
Net increase in net assets
               
  derived from net change in
               
  outstanding shares (a)
   
1,487,356
     
4,807,856
 
Total increase in net assets
   
12,814,744
     
19,765,652
 
                 
NET ASSETS
               
Beginning of period
   
88,627,756
     
68,862,104
 
End of period
 
$
101,442,500
   
$
88,627,756
 

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

     
Six Months Ended
             
     
June 30, 2021
   
Year Ended
 
     
(Unaudited)
   
December 31, 2020
 
     
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
 
Shares sold
   
166,703
   
$
6,367,690
     
479,842
   
$
14,620,781
 
 
Shares issued in
                               
 
  reinvestment
                               
 
  of distributions
   
     
     
144,549
     
5,140,163
 
 
Shares redeemed+
   
(127,896
)
   
(4,880,334
)
   
(481,396
)
   
(14,953,088
)
 
Net increase
   
38,807
   
$
1,487,356
     
142,995
   
$
4,807,856
 
 
+ Net of redemption
                               
 
    fees of
         
$
280
           
$
183
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
19

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout the period
   
Six Months
                               
   
Ended
                               
   
June 30,
                               
   
2021
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
 
Net asset value,
                                   
  beginning of period
 
$
36.13
   
$
29.81
   
$
22.97
   
$
25.68
   
$
24.11
   
$
22.12
 
Income from
                                               
  investment operations:
                                               
Net investment
                                               
  income/(loss)
   
(0.01
)(3)
   
0.03
(3) 
   
0.08
     
0.05
(3) 
   
0.05
     
0.03
 
Net realized and
                                               
  unrealized gain/(loss)
                                               
  on investments
   
4.59
     
8.58
     
7.89
     
(1.19
)
   
3.56
     
2.12
 
Total from
                                               
  investment operations
   
4.58
     
8.61
     
7.97
     
(1.14
)
   
3.61
     
2.15
 
Less distributions:
                                               
From net
                                               
  investment income
   
     
(0.04
)
   
(0.08
)
   
(0.05
)
   
(0.05
)
   
(0.05
)
From net realized
                                               
  gain on investments
   
     
(2.25
)
   
(1.05
)
   
(1.52
)
   
(1.99
)
   
(0.11
)
Total distributions
   
     
(2.29
)
   
(1.13
)
   
(1.57
)
   
(2.04
)
   
(0.16
)
Redemption fees retained
   
0.00
(3)(4) 
   
0.00
(3)(4) 
   
     
0.00
(3)(4) 
   
0.00
(3)(4) 
   
 
Net asset value,
                                               
  end of period
 
$
40.71
   
$
36.13
   
$
29.81
   
$
22.97
   
$
25.68
   
$
24.11
 
Total return
   
12.68
%(2)
   
29.03
%
   
34.81
%
   
-4.80
%
   
14.98
%
   
9.71
%
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                               
Net assets, end of
                                               
  period (thousands)
 
$
101,443
   
$
88,628
   
$
68,862
   
$
48,427
   
$
51,880
   
$
45,471
 
Ratio of expenses to
                                               
  average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
1.06
%(1)
   
1.12
%
   
1.17
%
   
1.18
%
   
1.39
%
   
1.48
%
After fee waivers
   
1.00
%(1)
   
1.00
%
   
1.00
%
   
1.00
%
   
1.18
%
   
1.25
%
Ratio of net investment
                                               
  income/(loss) to
                                               
  average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
(0.11
)%(1)
   
(0.01
)%
   
0.12
%
   
0.00
%
   
(0.01
)%
   
(0.11
)%
After fee waivers
   
(0.05
)%(1)
   
0.11
%
   
0.29
%
   
0.18
%
   
0.20
%
   
0.12
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
18.70
%(2)
   
42.57
%
   
43.55
%
   
46.32
%
   
58.34
%
   
39.60
%

(1)
Annualized.
(2)
Not Annualized.
(3)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(4)
Amount is less than $0.01.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
20

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
 
The Capital Advisors Growth Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended, 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 began operations on December 31, 1999. The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term capital growth.
 
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 concluded that there is no impact on the Fund’s net assets and no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax events relating to uncertain income 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.
Security Transactions, Income and Distributions: Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date.  Realized gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.  Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Dividend income, income and capital gain distributions from underlying funds, and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes

21

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
   
on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

   
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 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.

   
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.

 
D.
Reclassification of Capital Accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting.  These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.

 
E.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 
F.
REITs:  The Fund is able to make certain investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which pay dividends to their shareholders based upon available funds from operations.  It is quite common for these dividends to exceed the REITs’ taxable earnings and profits resulting in the excess portion being designated as a return of capital.  The Fund intends to include the gross dividends from such REITs in its annual distributions to its shareholders and, accordingly, a portion of the Fund’s distributions may also be designated as a return of capital.

22

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
 
G.
Redemption Fees:  The Fund charges a 2.00% redemption fee to shareholders who redeem shares held 7 days or less. Such fees are retained by the Fund and accounted for as an addition to paid-in capital.

   
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Fund retained $280 in redemption fees.

 
H.
Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Period End: In preparing the financial statements as of June 30, 2021, management considered the impact of subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. Refer to Note 9 for more information about subsequent events.
 
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 a majority of 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.
 
23

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
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. Equity securities, including common stocks and exchange-traded funds, that are primarily traded on a national securities exchange shall be valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are primarily traded on the day of valuation or, if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. Over-the-counter securities which are not traded in the NASDAQ Global Market System shall be valued at the most recent sales price. 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.
 
24

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.  The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s securities as of June 30, 2021.
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common Stocks
                       
Basic Materials
 
$
1,303,118
   
$
   
$
   
$
1,303,118
 
Communication Services
   
691,992
     
     
     
691,992
 
Consumer Cyclical
   
4,635,419
     
     
     
4,635,419
 
Consumer Defensive
   
3,894,859
     
     
     
3,894,859
 
Consumer Goods
   
5,317,298
     
     
     
5,317,298
 
Energy
   
1,819,411
     
     
     
1,819,411
 
Financial
   
20,579,828
     
     
     
20,579,828
 
Healthcare
   
16,418,535
     
     
     
16,418,535
 
Industrial
   
9,327,957
     
     
     
9,327,957
 
Services
   
6,608,617
     
     
     
6,608,617
 
Technology
   
22,318,858
     
     
     
22,318,858
 
Total Common Stocks
   
92,915,892
     
     
     
92,915,892
 
Exchange-Traded Fund
   
1,066,952
     
     
     
1,066,952
 
Money Market Fund
   
7,539,169
     
     
     
7,539,169
 
Total Investments in Securities
 
$
101,522,013
   
$
   
$
   
$
101,522,013
 

Refer to the Fund’s schedule of investments for a detailed break-out of securities by industry classification.
 
New Rule 18f-4 accounting pronouncement – In October 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”).  Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.  Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of Rule 18f-4 on the Fund.
 
New Rule 2a-5 accounting pronouncement – In December 2020, the SEC adopted a new rule providing a framework for fund valuation practices (“Rule 2a-5”).  Rule 2a-5 establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act.  Rule 2a-5 will permit fund boards to designate certain parties to perform fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain other conditions.  Rule 2a-5 also defines when
 
25

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
market quotations are “readily available” for purposes of the 1940 Act and the threshold for determining whether a fund must fair value a security.  In connection with Rule 2a-5, the SEC also adopted related recordkeeping requirements and is rescinding previously issued guidance, including with respect to the role of a board in determining fair value and the accounting and auditing of fund investments.  The Fund will be required to comply with the rules by September 8, 2022.  Management is currently assessing the potential impact of the new rules on the Fund’s financial statements.
 
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
 
Capital Advisors, Inc. (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 an annual rate of 0.75%, based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund.  For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Fund incurred $352,791 in advisory fees.
 
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 (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and other class-specific expense) to the extent necessary to limit the Fund’s aggregate annual operating expenses to 1.00% of average daily net assets.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Advisor reduced its fees in the amount of $26,469. The Advisor does not have the ability to recoup previously waived fees and expenses or future waived fees and expenses.
 
Fund Services serves as the Fund’s administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent. U.S. Bank N.A. serves as custodian (the “Custodian”) to the Fund. The Custodian is an affiliate of Fund Services. Fund Services maintains
 
26

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
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 of Trustees.  The officers of the Trust and the Chief Compliance Officer are also employees of Fund Services.  Fees paid by the Fund to Fund Services for these services for the six months ended June 30, 2021 are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.
 
Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar”) acts as the Fund’s principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund’s shares. Quasar is a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (“Foreside”).
 
NOTE 5 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, were $17,792,923 and $15,905,434, respectively. There were no purchases and sales of U.S. government securities during the six months ended June 30, 2021.
 
NOTE 6 – INCOME TAXES
 
The tax character of distributions paid during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:
 
   
June 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
 
Ordinary income
$            —
$     77,928
 
Long-term capital gains
              —
  5,215,393

As of December 31, 2020, the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year end, the components of accumulated earnings/(losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
 
 
Cost of investments
 
$
53,710,132
   
 
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
   
34,979,895
   
 
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
   
(48,944
)
 
 
Net tax unrealized appreciation
   
34,930,951
   
 
Undistributed ordinary income
   
   
 
Undistributed long-term capital gain
   
1,673,518
   
 
Total distributable earnings
   
1,673,518
   
 
Other accumulated gains/(losses)
   
   
 
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)
 
$
36,604,469
   

The difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation and cost is attributable to wash sales.
 
27

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
NOTE 7 – PRINCIPAL RISKS
 
Below is a summary of some, but not all, of the principal risks of investing in the Fund, each of which may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value and total return. The Fund’s most recent prospectus provides further descriptions of the Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks.
 
 
Market and Regulatory Risk – Events in the financial markets and economy may cause volatility and uncertainty and adversely impact the Fund’s performance. Traditionally liquid investments may experience periods of diminished liquidity. Governmental and regulatory actions, including tax law changes, may also impair portfolio management and have unexpected or adverse consequences on particular markets, strategies, or investments. The Fund’s investments may decline in value due to factors affecting individual issuers (such as the results of supply and demand), or sectors within the securities markets. The value of a security or other investment also may go up or down due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in interest rates or exchange rates, or adverse investor sentiment generally. In addition, unexpected events and their aftermaths, such as the spread of deadly diseases; natural, environmental or man-made disasters; financial, political or social disruptions; terrorism and war; and other tragedies or catastrophes, can cause investor fear and panic, which can adversely affect the economies of many companies, sectors, nations, regions and the market in general, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen.

 
Growth-Style Investing Risk – Over time, a growth-oriented investing style may go in and out of favor, which may cause the Fund to underperform other equity funds that use different investing styles.

 
Non-U.S. Investment Risk – Foreign securities can be more volatile than domestic (U.S.) securities. Securities markets of other countries are generally smaller than U.S. securities markets. Many foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities, which could affect the Fund’s investments.

 
Depositary Receipt Risk – The risks of depository receipts include many risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, such as individual country risk and liquidity risk. Unsponsored ADRs, which are issued by a depositary bank without the participation or consent of the issuer, involve additional risks because U.S. reporting requirements do not apply, and the issuing bank will recover shareholder distribution costs from movement of share prices and payment of dividends.

28

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited), Continued
NOTE 8 – CONTROL OWNERSHIP
 
The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly of more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund creates a presumption of control of the Fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of June 30, 2021, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and National Financial Services LLC, for the benefit of their customers, owned 64.84% and 25.95%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
 
NOTE 9 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
On July 7, 2021, Foreside Financial Group, LLC (“Foreside”), the parent company of Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar”), the Fund’s distributor, announced that it had entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement with Genstar Capital (“Genstar”) such that Genstar would acquire a majority stake in Foreside. The transaction is expected to close at the end of the third quarter of 2021. Quasar will remain the Fund’s distributor at the close of the transaction, subject to Board approval.
 
29

CAPITAL ADVISORS GROWTH FUND

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS at June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
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 1-866-205-0523 or on the SEC’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 1-866-205-0523. 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 1-866-205-0523.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Householding
 
In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund will reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses, supplements, and certain other shareholder documents that you receive by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shown by two or more accounts. Please call the Fund’s transfer agent toll free at 1-866-205-0523 to request individual copies of these documents. The Fund will begin sending individual copies 30 days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.
 
30

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.
 
31

Advisor
Capital Advisors, Inc.
2222 South Utica Place, Suite 300
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114

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

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

Transfer Agent
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
1-866-205-0523

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

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






This report is intended for shareholders of the Fund and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.
 
Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance.  Share price and returns will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.  Statements and other information herein are dated and are subject to change.
 

(b) Not applicable

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

(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. Not Applicable.


(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, 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  9/7/21


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  9/7/21

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

Date  9/3/21

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