N-CSRS 1 scharf-ncsrs.htm SCHARF FUNDS SEMIANNUAL REPORT 3-31-22


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: September 30, 2022



Date of reporting period:  March 31, 2022



Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

(a)








Scharf Fund
Institutional Class – LOGIX
Retail Class – LOGRX
 

Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund
Institutional Class – LOGOX
Retail Class – LOGBX
 
 
Scharf Global Opportunity Fund
Retail Class – WRLDX
 

 



 

 

 
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
March 31, 2022
 


Scharf Investments, LLC

 


 





(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)








SCHARF FUNDS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from the President
   
2
       
To Our Shareholders
   
8
       
Expense Examples
   
11
       
Sector Allocation of Portfolio Assets
   
13
       
Schedules of Investments
   
16
       
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
   
30
       
Statements of Operations
   
32
       
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
   
34
       
Financial Highlights
   
39
       
Notes to Financial Statements
   
44
       
Notice to Shareholders
   
61
       
Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program
   
62
       
Householding
   
62
       
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
   
63
       
Privacy Notice
   
68
       

SCHARF FUNDS

Letter from the President
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders,
 
We want to start by acknowledging what is currently taking place in Ukraine. Like most people, we are horrified to see what is going on in the news. A recent headline, “Russian Troops Have Left Zhytomyr Highway Littered with Shot-Up Cars and Dead Bodies of People Who Tried to Escape the War,” particularly hits home for me as part of my family was originally from Zhytomyr. We can all hope for a quick resolution to the situation. To do our part, Scharf Investments is donating $5,000 to World Central Kitchen to help the children affected by this war.

 
For investors, it has been a tumultuous year so far. From January 1, 2022, through March 14, 2022, the Nasdaq plummeted 19.5%, the S&P 500® (“S&P 500”) fell 12.2%, the MSCI ACWI Index fell 12.5%, while the Russell 1000® Value Index (“Russell 1000 Value”) dropped 5.7%. The high-quality nature of our portfolio showed its resilience with our Scharf Fund down 5.3% over the same time period, which is less than the four benchmarks.
 
Stocks rallied in the last few weeks to finish the quarter down 8.9%, down 4.6%, down 5.4% and down 0.7% for the Nasdaq, S&P 500, MSCI ACWI Index and Russell 1000 Value indexes, respectively. By comparison, our Scharf Fund – Institutional Class was down 1.4%. Bonds had one of their worst quarters in over a decade with the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index down 5.9% and the Lipper Balanced Funds Index down 5.0%. Our Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund – Institutional Class was down approximately 2.0% on the quarter. The Global Opportunity Fund finished the quarter up 0.29%.
 
Inflation Up, Consumer Sentiment Down
 
There is a lot of noise out there right now. Investors are faced with war, lockdowns in China, rising inflation, continued supply chain problems, falling consumer sentiment, rising gas prices, to name just a few things. One concerning data point comes from the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index, which sank to its lowest level since 2011. Falling real incomes and surging fuel prices were key drivers of the pessimism with the expected year-ahead inflation rate at 5.4%, the highest since November 1981. More consumers mentioned reduced living standards due to rising inflation than any other time except during the two worst recessions in the past 50 years. Nearly one-third of all consumers expect their overall financial position to worsen in the year ahead, the highest recorded level since the surveys started in the mid-1940s. Given these data points, it seems clear that the Federal Reserve is going to need to act on the inflation front.
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Source: University of Michigan. Shaded areas indicate U.S. recessions.
 
Fed Late to Take the Punch Bowl Away?
 
Bill Dudley, a former Federal Reserve Board Member, thinks the Fed has waited too long to raise rates. He believes the Fed will need to increase rates sharply, which will likely trigger a recession. With official inflation levels around 7.9% year-over-year, the U.S. federal funds rate is the furthest it has been below the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) since 1951. This has led to the increased inflation expectations and falling consumer sentiment shown above.
 
In today’s hot labor market, seasonally adjusted unemployment has fallen to 3.6%. To bring down inflation, Dudley believes the Fed will need to increase unemployment at least back to the “natural” rate of unemployment of roughly 4.4%. Said another way, the Fed will need to trigger the loss of 1.3 million jobs just to bring the labor market back to “equilibrium” in order to bring down inflation expectations. Dudley also points out that over the past 75 years, whenever the unemployment rate has increased by 0.5 percentage points vs. the prior 12-month low level, a recession is either already underway or about to start.
 
With unemployment already so low (3.6%) and inflation already so high (7.9%), the Fed is in a tough spot and engineering a “soft landing” won’t be easy. The fact that the Fed doubled its balance sheet in response to the pandemic certainly complicates things as does the war in Ukraine.
 
Yield Curve Flashes Warning Signals
 
One market indicator that agrees with Mr. Dudley is the recent inversion of the yield curve. Historically, this has been one of the best warning signals of future recessions. What is the yield curve and what does it mean to be inverted? The yield curve is a
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graph showing the relationship between short-term and long-term interest rates of U.S. Treasury notes. To compensate for the extra risk that investors are taking by lending for a longer period of time, long-term rates are usually higher than short-term ones.
 
The graph below shows the difference between the 10-year and 2-year Treasury yields. When the line shown in the graph is below zero it means 2-year yields are above 10-year yields. In Wall Street speak, the curve has “inverted.” Today’s inversion of the yield curve is a reflection of market expectations that the Federal Reserve needs to tighten monetary policy by aggressively raising short-term interest rates. The Fed needs to do this in order to slow down an “overheated” economy in which inflation has been running persistently high. This bond market phenomenon has been a reliable recession indicator as inversions of that part of the curve have preceded nearly every recession over the past 40 years. The graph illustrates this point.
 

Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.). Shaded areas indicate U.S. recessions.
 
On a more positive note, some market pros believe the 3-month yield to the 10-year yield is a more accurate recession forecaster, and that curve has not flattened. That spread has actually widened, a signal for better economic growth. In addition, after the five instances where the 2-year and 10-year yields inverted since 1988, the S&P 500 had a median return of 15.8% over the next 12 months.
 
Regardless, an inverted yield curve should be taken as a sign that the Federal Reserve’s efforts to counter inflation by raising short-term interest rates may be nearing a tipping point which could result in slower economic growth over the next 12-24 months. For stock market investors, the emergence of an inverted yield curve is akin to seeing dark clouds on the horizon. It is a time to be prepared for a possible
4

SCHARF FUNDS

change in the weather. Our expectation is that the growth rate of the economy is most likely to decelerate in the year ahead, and there is a greater chance of a recession in the next year or two. We cannot forecast when it is going to happen, but we can strive to own very high-quality businesses with consistent earnings power and strong balance sheets. Owning high-quality businesses with pricing power is one of the best ways to keep up with inflation, and our experience has been that owning high-quality businesses also provides resilience when storms eventually arrive.
 
A Final Word on Valuation
 
An old rule on Wall Street is the “rule of 20”. This says the market is fairly valued when the price-to-earnings ratio (or “P/E”) equals 20 minus the inflation rate. With CPI inflation expectations near 6%, the implied “fair” P/E for the S&P 500 is roughly 14 times (20-6) compared to the current P/E of roughly 20 times. This would imply the current P/E is still too high despite the recent decline in stocks. Even if the Fed manages to bring inflation expectations down to 4%, that still implies a “fair” multiple of roughly 16 times, or 20% below where it is today. That says nothing of the risk that S&P 500 earnings would decline if the Fed were to inadvertently cause a recession. During the last four profit recessions, S&P earnings fell by roughly 25% from peak to trough. Thus, the S&P could have around 40% downside in a Fed induced recession. By comparison, our portfolio already trades at a P/E of under 16 times with a much more resilient earnings profile.
 
The war further complicates the Fed’s task of engineering a soft landing as it will increase inflation expectations and cause further supply chain issues. We believe investors would do well to remain cautious and de-risk their portfolio if they are still holding any speculative darlings of the past. For our part, we continue to emphasize high-quality companies with strong balance sheets trading with good favorability ratios. This has served us well in the past and we believe will serve us well in the future. As the late Edwin Starr would say, “War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” Say it again, Edwin, say it again.
 
I hope that you, your families and those closest to you are healthy and well. Thank you for your continued trust and confidence in Scharf Investments and the Scharf Funds. My team and I welcome your comments and the opportunity to respond to your questions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
 
Best regards,
 

Brian Krawez, CFA
President and Portfolio Manager
May 1, 2022
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SCHARF FUNDS

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The Funds may invest in securities representing equity or debt. These securities may be issued by small- and medium-sized companies, which involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility. The Funds may invest in foreign securities which involve greater volatility, political, economic and currency risks, and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for emerging markets. The Funds may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) or mutual funds, the risks of owning either generally reflecting the risks of owning the underlying securities held by the ETF or mutual fund. The Funds follow an investment style that favors relatively low valuations. Investment in debt securities typically decrease in value when interest rates rise. This risk is usually greater for longer-term debt securities. Investment in lower-rated, non-rated and distressed securities presents a greater risk of loss to principal and interest than higher-rated securities.
 
Forward earnings and EPS Growth are not measures of the Funds’ future performance.
 

 
Terms and Definitions:
 
The S&P 500® Index is a broad-based unmanaged index of 500 stocks, which is widely recognized as representative of the equity market in general.
 
The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000® companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
 
The Nasdaq Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of more than 3,700 stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
 
The Lipper Balanced Funds Index is an index of open-end mutual funds whose primary objective is to conserve principal by maintaining at all times a balanced portfolio of both equities and bonds.
 
The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government related and corporate securities.
 
The MSCI All Country World Index (Net) is a broad measure of stock performance throughout the world, with the exception of U.S.-based companies.
 
Consumer Sentiment Index is a statistical measurement of the overall health of the economy as determined by consumer opinion.  It takes into account people’s feelings toward their current financial health, the health of the economy in the short-term, and the prospects for longer-term economic growth, and is widely considered to be a useful economic indicator.
 
You cannot invest directly in an index.
 
Favorability Ratio is a proprietary metric we use in stock selection. To qualify for purchase, securities must offer at least 3-to-1 upside potential compared with downside risk.
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SCHARF FUNDS

Price to Earnings Ratio (P/E) is a valuation ratio of a company’s current share price compared to its per-share earnings. Upside to historical median P/E and downside to historical median P/E are terms used to describe the adviser’s estimated reward and risk of an individual security.
 
Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the overall change in consumer prices over time based on a representative basket of goods and services.
 
Spread in finance, a spread refers to the difference between two prices, rates, or yields.
 
The information provided herein represents the opinion of the Funds’ manager, is subject to change at any time, is not guaranteed and should not be considered investment advice.
 
The Funds’ holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time and should not be considered recommendations to buy and sell any security. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this report for a complete list of Fund holdings.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
7

SCHARF FUNDS

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS

PERFORMANCE AS OF 3/31/2022
SCHARF FUND
             
           
Since
Since
 
6
One
Three
Five
Ten
Inception
Inception
Cumulative:
Months
Year
Year
Year
Year
12/30/11
1/28/15
  Scharf Fund –
             
    Institutional Class
8.13%
13.41%
54.08%
  76.19%
200.60%
235.54%
N/A
  Scharf Fund –
             
    Retail Class
7.98%
13.09%
52.79%
  73.69%
N/A
N/A
  95.16%
  S&P 500® Index
5.92%
15.65%
68.20%
109.94%
291.97%
341.30%
159.67%
    (with dividends reinvested)
             
  Russell 1000® Value
6.98%
11.67%
44.38%
  63.17%
202.35%
235.97%
  96.72%
    (with dividends reinvested)
             
Annualized:
             
  Scharf Fund –
             
    Institutional Class
15.50%
  11.99%
  11.63%
  12.53%
N/A
  Scharf Fund –
             
    Retail Class
15.18%
  11.67%
N/A
N/A
   9.77%
  S&P 500® Index
18.92%
  15.99%
  14.64%
  15.58%
  14.24%
    (with dividends reinvested)
             
  Russell 1000® Value
13.02%
  10.29%
  11.70%
  12.55%
   9.90%
    (with dividends reinvested)
             
               
SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND
 
           
Since
Since
   
6
One
Three
Five
Inception
Inception
Cumulative:
 
Months
Year
Year
Year
12/31/12
1/21/16
  Scharf Multi-Asset
             
    Opportunity Fund –
             
    Institutional Class
 
5.30%
9.46%
41.46%
57.36%
128.63%
N/A
  Scharf Multi-Asset
             
    Opportunity Fund – Retail Class
 
5.13%
9.15%
40.32%
55.29%
N/A
76.64%
  Lipper Balanced Funds Index
 
-0.70%
2.05%
34.45%
52.34%
111.35%
79.68%
    (with dividends reinvested)
             
  Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate
             
    Bond Index
 
-5.92%
-4.15%
5.15%
11.19%
20.11%
14.02%
  S&P 500® Index
             
    (with dividends reinvested)
 
5.92%
15.65%
68.20%
109.94%
280.42%
172.37%
Annualized:
             
  Scharf Multi-Asset
             
    Opportunity Fund –
             
    Institutional Class
 
12.26%
9.49%
9.36%
N/A
  Scharf Multi-Asset
             
    Opportunity Fund – Retail Class
 
11.96%
9.20%
N/A
9.62%
  Lipper Balanced Funds Index
 
10.37%
8.78%
8.43%
9.93%
    (with dividends reinvested)
             
  Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate
             
    Bond Index
 
1.69%
2.14%
2.00%
2.14%
  S&P 500® Index
             
    (with dividends reinvested)
 
18.92%
15.99%
15.55%
17.57%
               
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SCHARF FUNDS

SCHARF GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY FUND
 

       
Since
 
6
One
Three
Five
Inception
Cumulative:
Months
Year
Year
Year
10/14/14
  Scharf Global Opportunity Fund
6.46%
10.61%
53.67%
80.66%
124.38%
  MSCI All Country World Index (Net)
0.96%
  7.28%
47.19%
73.43%
105.77%
Annualized:
         
  Scharf Global Opportunity Fund
 15.40%
12.56%
  11.44%
  MSCI All Country World Index (Net)
 13.75%
11.64%
  10.16%

Performance data quoted represents past performance; 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 Funds may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-866-572-4273.
 
The gross expense ratios, as of the Funds’ registration statement dated January 31, 2022, for the Scharf Fund Institutional Class, Scharf Fund Retail Class, Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund Institutional Class, Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund Retail Class, and Scharf Global Opportunity Fund are 0.97%, 1.22%, 1.49%, 1.74%, and 1.96%, respectively. The net expense ratios, as of the Funds’ registration statement dated January 31, 2022, for the Scharf Fund Institutional Class, Scharf Fund Retail Class, Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund Institutional Class, Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund Retail Class, and Scharf Global Opportunity Fund represent the percentages paid by investors and are 0.89%, 1.14%, 1.00%, 1.25%, and 0.89%, respectively, after fee waivers and expense reimbursements, including acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses. Scharf Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”), the Funds’ investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive fees through January 27, 2023, for the Scharf Fund, Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, and Scharf Global Opportunity Fund. Had fees not been waived, returns would have been lower. The Scharf Fund charges a 2.00% redemption fee on redemptions or exchanges of fund shares that are made within 60 days of purchase. The Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, and Scharf Global Opportunity Fund charge a 2.00% redemption fee on redemptions or exchanges of fund shares that are made within 15 days of purchase. Had a redemption fee been included, returns would be lower.
 
For the fiscal six months ended March 31, 2022, the Scharf Funds mutual funds performed as follows:
 
Scharf Fund Institutional Class and Retail Class returned 8.13% and 7.98%, respectively, compared to the 5.92% return for the S&P 500® Index (“S&P 500”) and 6.98% for the Russell 1000® Value Total Return Index. The key contributors to relative performance for the period were McKesson, Berkshire Hathaway, and Centene. The key detractors from relative performance were Liberty Broadband, Comcast, and MillerKnoll.
 
Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund Institutional Class and Retail Class returned 5.30% and 5.13%, respectively, compared to the -0.70% return for the Lipper Balanced Funds Index, -5.92% return for the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
9

SCHARF FUNDS

and 5.92% return for the S&P 500. The key contributors to relative performance for the period were McKesson, Berkshire Hathaway, and Centene. The key detractors from relative performance were Liberty Broadband, Comcast, and Samsung Electronics.
 
Scharf Global Opportunity Fund returned 6.46% compared to the 0.96% return for the MSCI All Country World Index (Net). The key contributors to relative performance for the period were McKesson, Centene, and Barrick Gold. The key detractors from relative performance were Liberty Broadband, Samsung Electronics, and Baidu.
10

SCHARF FUNDS

EXPENSE EXAMPLES at March 31, 2022 (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. The Scharf Fund, Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, and the Scharf Global Opportunity Fund are no-load mutual funds. These Examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in each Fund at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (10/1/21-3/31/22).
 
Actual Expenses
 
The first line of each table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses, with actual net expenses being limited. Although the Funds charge no sales load or transaction fees, you will be assessed fees for outgoing wire transfers, returned checks, and stop payment orders at prevailing rates charged by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Funds’ transfer agent. The Examples below include, but are not limited to, management fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. You may use the information in the first line of the tables, 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 each table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds, as they may charge transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees.
11

SCHARF FUNDS

EXPENSE EXAMPLES at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
 
Beginning
Ending
Expenses Paid
Annualized
 
Account Value
Account Value
During Period*
Expense
Scharf Fund
10/1/21
3/31/22
10/1/21-3/31/22
Ratio*
Institutional Class
       
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,081.30
$4.46
0.86%
Hypothetical (5% return
       
  before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,020.64
$4.33
0.86%
Retail Class
       
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,079.80
$5.91
1.14%
Hypothetical (5% return
       
  before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,019.25
$5.74
1.14%
         
 
Beginning
Ending
Expenses Paid
Annualized
Scharf Multi-Asset
Account Value
Account Value
During Period*
Expense
  Opportunity Fund
10/1/21
3/31/22
10/1/21-3/31/22
Ratio*
Institutional Class
       
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,053.00
$4.96
0.97%
Hypothetical (5% return
       
  before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,020.09
$4.89
0.97%
Retail Class
       
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,051.30
$6.29
1.23%
Hypothetical (5% return
       
  before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,018.80
$6.19
1.23%
         
 
Beginning
Ending
Expenses Paid
Annualized
Scharf Global
Account Value
Account Value
During Period*
Expense
  Opportunity Fund
10/1/21
3/31/22
10/1/21-3/31/22
Ratio*
Retail Class
       
Actual
$1,000.00
$1,064.60
$3.29
0.64%
Hypothetical (5% return
       
  before expenses)
$1,000.00
$1,021.74
$3.23
0.64%

*
Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of each class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182 (days in most recent fiscal half-year)/365 days to reflect the one-half year expense.

12

SCHARF FUND

SECTOR ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
 
The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”).  GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.
13

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

SECTOR ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
 
 


The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”).  GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.
14

SCHARF GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

SECTOR ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO ASSETS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
 
 

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”).  GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.
15

SCHARF FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS – 93.21%
 
Value
 
           
   
Aerospace and Defense – 4.25%
     
 
39,935
 
Lockheed Martin Corp.
 
$
17,627,309
 
               
     
Beverages – 4.26%
       
 
40,600
 
Constellation Brands, Inc. – Class A
   
9,350,992
 
 
86,695
 
Heineken N.V. (b)
   
8,303,615
 
           
17,654,607
 
               
     
Building Products – 3.25%
       
 
263,947
 
Masco Corp.
   
13,461,297
 
               
     
Chemicals – 3.91%
       
 
514,060
 
Valvoline, Inc.
   
16,223,734
 
               
     
Commercial Services & Supplies – 3.51%
       
 
420,766
 
Herman Miller, Inc.
   
14,541,673
 
               
     
Diversified Financial Services – 7.26%
       
 
85,252
 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. – Class B (a)
   
30,086,283
 
               
     
Health Care Providers & Services – 16.98%
       
 
227,075
 
Centene Corp. (a)
   
19,117,444
 
 
217,995
 
CVS Health Corp.
   
22,063,274
 
 
95,450
 
McKesson Corp.
   
29,220,109
 
           
70,400,827
 
               
     
Insurance – 5.05%
       
 
14,204
 
Markel Corp. (a)
   
20,954,309
 
               
     
Interactive Media & Services – 1.47%
       
 
46,150
 
Baidu, Inc. – ADR (a)
   
6,105,645
 
               
     
IT Services – 6.75%
       
 
160,960
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. – Class A
   
14,433,283
 
 
133,883
 
Fiserv, Inc. (a)
   
13,575,736
 
           
28,009,019
 
               
     
Media – 7.13%
       
 
358,845
 
Comcast Corp. – Class A
   
16,801,123
 
 
94,430
 
Liberty Broadband Corp. – Class C (a)(e)
   
12,778,267
 
           
29,579,390
 
               
     
Personal Products – 2.07%
       
 
188,140
 
Unilever plc – ADR
   
8,573,540
 

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

SCHARF FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS – 93.21%, Continued
 
Value
 
           
   
Pharmaceuticals – 8.66%
     
 
118,610
 
AstraZeneca plc – ADR
 
$
7,868,587
 
 
82,489
 
Johnson & Johnson
   
14,619,526
 
 
153,080
 
Novartis AG – ADR
   
13,432,770
 
           
35,920,883
 
     
Road & Rail – 2.29%
       
 
115,285
 
Canadian Pacific Railway, Ltd. (b)
   
9,515,624
 
     
Software – 11.68%
       
 
99,944
 
Microsoft Corp.
   
30,813,735
 
 
212,925
 
Oracle Corp.
   
17,615,285
 
           
48,429,020
 
     
Specialty Retail – 4.69%
       
 
93,881
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
   
19,429,612
 
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
     
  (Cost $263,040,102)
   
386,512,772
 
               
     
PREFERRED STOCK – 2.87%
       
               
     
Technology Hardware,
       
     
  Storage & Peripherals – 2.87%
       
 
228,560
 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 1.72% (b)
   
11,880,104
 
     
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK
       
     
  (Cost $3,697,316)
   
11,880,104
 
               
     
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 3.79%
       
               
     
Money Market Fund – 2.19%
       
 
9,100,602
 
First American Treasury Obligations
       
     
  Fund, Class Z, 0.18% (c)
   
9,100,602
 
     
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUND
       
     
  (Cost $9,100,602)
   
9,100,602
 

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

SCHARF FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Principal
         
Amount
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 3.79%, Continued
 
Value
 
           
   
Cash Management Bill – 0.48%
     
$
2,000,000
 
0.40%, 6/14/2022 (d)
 
$
1,998,376
 
     
TOTAL CASH MANAGEMENT BILL
       
     
  (Cost $1,998,068)
   
1,998,376
 
               
     
U.S. Treasury Bills – 1.12%
       
 
3,000,000
 
0.34%, 5/31/2022 (d)
   
2,998,301
 
 
900,000
 
0.91%, 9/1/2022 (d)
   
896,522
 
 
750,000
 
1.02%, 10/6/2022 (d)
   
745,989
 
     
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY BILLS
       
     
  (Cost $4,642,295)
   
4,640,812
 
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
       
     
  (Cost $15,740,965)
   
15,739,790
 
     
Total Investments in Securities
       
     
  (Cost $282,478,383) – 99.87%
   
414,132,666
 
     
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.13%
   
557,577
 
     
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
 
$
414,690,243
 

ADR
American Depository Receipt
(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
Foreign issuer.
(c)
Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield as of March 31, 2022.
(d)
Rate shown is the discount rate at March 31, 2022.
(e)
Non-voting shares.

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”).  GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
18

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS – 67.04%
 
Value
 
           
   
Aerospace and Defense – 3.03%
     
 
3,850
 
Lockheed Martin Corp.
 
$
1,699,390
 
               
     
Beverages – 3.10%
       
 
4,165
 
Constellation Brands, Inc. – Class A
   
959,283
 
 
8,136
 
Heineken N.V. (b)
   
779,263
 
           
1,738,546
 
               
     
Building Products – 2.31%
       
 
25,339
 
Masco Corp.
   
1,292,289
 
               
     
Chemicals – 2.79%
       
 
49,567
 
Valvoline, Inc.
   
1,564,335
 
               
     
Commercial Services & Supplies – 2.52%
       
 
40,896
 
Herman Miller, Inc.
   
1,413,366
 
               
     
Diversified Financial Services – 5.17%
       
 
8,216
 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. – Class B (a)
   
2,899,509
 
               
     
Health Care Providers & Services – 12.07%
       
 
21,794
 
Centene Corp. (a)
   
1,834,837
 
 
21,215
 
CVS Health Corp.
   
2,147,170
 
 
9,085
 
McKesson Corp.
   
2,781,191
 
           
6,763,198
 
               
     
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 0.57%
       
 
64,350
 
Domino’s Pizza Group plc (b)
   
320,042
 
               
     
Insurance – 3.72%
       
 
1,412
 
Markel Corp. (a)
   
2,083,039
 
               
     
Interactive Media & Services – 1.01%
       
 
4,275
 
Baidu, Inc. – ADR (a)
   
565,582
 
               
     
IT Services – 4.93%
       
 
15,775
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. – Class A
   
1,414,544
 
 
13,298
 
Fiserv, Inc. (a)
   
1,348,417
 
           
2,762,961
 
               
     
Media – 5.06%
       
 
34,460
 
Comcast Corp. – Class A
   
1,613,417
 
 
9,054
 
Liberty Broadband Corp. – Class C (a)(f)
   
1,225,187
 
           
2,838,604
 

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

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS – 67.04%, Continued
 
Value
 
           
   
Personal Products – 1.42%
     
 
17,512
 
Unilever plc – ADR
 
$
798,022
 
               
     
Pharmaceuticals – 6.26%
       
 
11,561
 
AstraZeneca plc – ADR
   
766,957
 
 
8,142
 
Johnson & Johnson
   
1,443,007
 
 
14,778
 
Novartis AG – ADR
   
1,296,769
 
           
3,506,733
 
               
     
Road & Rail – 1.73%
       
 
11,746
 
Canadian Pacific Railway, Ltd. (b)
   
969,515
 
               
     
Software – 8.07%
       
 
9,370
 
Microsoft Corp.
   
2,888,864
 
 
19,727
 
Oracle Corp.
   
1,632,015
 
           
4,520,879
 
               
     
Specialty Retail – 3.28%
       
 
8,885
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
   
1,838,840
 
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
     
  (Cost $25,145,557)
   
37,574,850
 
               
     
PREFERRED STOCKS – 6.74%
       
               
     
Capital Markets – 1.29%
       
 
700,000
 
Charles Schwab Corp. – Series G, 5.375%
   
724,500
 
               
     
Closed-End Funds – 2.69%
       
 
15,000
 
Gabelli Dividend &
       
     
  Income Trust – Series K, 4.25%
   
313,200
 
 
38,400
 
Gabelli Equity Trust, Inc. – Series K, 5.00%
   
962,688
 
 
4,500
 
GDL Fund – Series C, 4.00%
   
232,155
 
           
1,508,043
 
               
     
Technology Hardware,
       
     
  Storage & Peripherals – 2.76%
       
 
29,780
 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 1.72% (b)
   
1,547,906
 
     
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
       
     
  (Cost $2,965,568)
   
3,780,449
 

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

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Shares
 
REITs – 1.99%
 
Value
 
           
   
Equity Real Estate
     
   
  Investment Trusts (REITs) – 1.99%
     
 
1
 
Orion Office REIT, Inc. (a)
 
$
14
 
 
16,115
 
Realty Income Corp.
   
1,116,770
 
     
TOTAL REITs
       
     
  (Cost $1,076,528)
   
1,116,784
 
               
     
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS – 5.13%
       
 
59,729
 
iShares Silver Trust (a)
   
1,366,599
 
 
8,358
 
SPDR Gold Shares (a)
   
1,509,873
 
               
     
TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
       
     
  (Cost $2,224,216)
   
2,876,472
 
               
Principal
           
Amount
 
CORPORATE BONDS – 5.82%
       
               
     
Beverages – 0.41%
       
     
Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.
       
$
150,000
 
  3.80%, 11/25/2025 – Class B
   
154,280
 
     
Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc.
       
 
76,000
 
  4.057%, 5/25/2023
   
77,362
 
           
231,642
 
     
Biotechnology – 0.27%
       
     
AbbVie, Inc.
       
 
150,000
 
  2.30%, 11/21/2022 (d)
   
150,530
 
               
     
Chemicals – 0.09%
       
     
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
       
 
50,000
 
  4.205%, 11/15/2023
   
51,219
 
               
     
Computer and Electronic
       
     
  Product Manufacturing – 0.17%
       
     
Digital Equipment Corp.
       
 
89,000
 
  7.75%, 4/1/2023
   
94,295
 
               
     
Entertainment – 0.29%
       
     
Walt Disney Co.
       
 
150,000
 
  8.875%, 4/26/2023
   
160,416
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
21

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Principal
         
Amount
 
CORPORATE BONDS – 5.82%, Continued
 
Value
 
           
   
Food Products – 0.32%
     
   
Bestfoods, Inc.
     
$
150,000
 
  7.25%, 12/15/2026
 
$
177,899
 
               
     
Health Care Providers & Services – 0.27%
       
     
McKesson Corp.
       
 
150,000
 
  2.70%, 12/15/2022
   
150,756
 
               
     
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail – 0.56%
       
     
Amazon.com, Inc.
       
 
150,000
 
  5.20%, 12/3/2025
   
162,168
 
     
eBay, Inc.
       
 
150,000
 
  2.60%, 7/15/2022
   
150,029
 
           
312,197
 
     
IT Services – 0.30%
       
     
International Business Machines Corp.
       
 
150,000
 
  7.00%, 10/30/2025
   
169,831
 
               
     
Petroleum and Coal
       
     
  Products Manufacturing – 1.01%
       
     
Murphy Oil USA, Inc.
       
 
557,000
 
  5.625%, 5/1/2027
   
566,962
 
               
     
Pharmaceutical and
       
     
  Medicine Manufacturing – 0.29%
       
     
Wyeth LLC
       
 
150,000
 
  6.45%, 2/1/2024
   
160,451
 
               
     
Road & Rail – 0.13%
       
     
Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC
       
 
75,000
 
  3.05%, 9/1/2022
   
75,199
 
               
     
Securities and Commodity Contracts
       
     
  Intermediation and Brokerage – 1.44%
       
     
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
       
 
1,001,000
 
  4.00%, (3 Month LIBOR + 0.7675%), 6/1/2043 (c)
   
805,805
 
               
     
Specialty Retail – 0.27%
       
     
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
       
 
150,000
 
  4.50%, 12/1/2023
   
153,716
 
     
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
       
     
  (Cost $3,223,229)
   
3,260,918
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
22

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Principal
         
Amount
 
MUNICIPAL BONDS – 3.38%
 
Value
 
   
California Health Facilities Financing Authority,
     
   
  Revenue Bonds, Chinese Hospital Association
     
$
10,000
 
  3.00%, 6/1/2024, Series 2012
 
$
10,032
 
     
California Health Facilities Financing Authority,
       
     
  Revenue Bonds, Persons with
       
     
  Developmental Disabilities
       
 
120,000
 
  7.875%, 2/1/2026, Series 2011B
   
120,554
 
     
City of New York, General Obligation,
       
     
  Build America Bonds
       
 
75,000
 
  5.887%, 12/1/2024
   
80,835
 
 
35,000
 
  5.424%, 3/1/2025
   
37,500
 
     
Dana Point California Community
       
     
  Facilities Taxable – Series B
       
 
120,000
 
  1.017%, 9/1/2022
   
119,739
 
     
Lake Elsinore California Improvement Bond
       
     
  Act 1915, Limited Obligation, Refunding Taxable
       
     
  Reassessment District No. 2021-1
       
 
150,000
 
  1.153%, 9/2/2025
   
141,323
 
     
Pasadena California Pension Obligation
       
     
  Refunding Taxable – Series B
       
 
100,000
 
  4.625%, 5/1/2038
   
105,906
 
     
San Francisco Bay Area Toll Authority,
       
     
  Revenue Bonds
       
 
100,000
 
  2.128%, 4/1/2022
   
100,000
 
 
100,000
 
  2.234%, 4/1/2023
   
100,193
 
 
75,000
 
  6.793%, 4/1/2030
   
85,844
 
     
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority,
       
     
  Sales Tax Revenue, Build America Bonds
       
 
75,000
 
  4.899%, 4/1/2022
   
75,000
 
     
State of California, Build America Bonds
       
 
15,000
 
  4.988%, 4/1/2039
   
15,563
 
     
State of California, General
       
     
  Obligation Unlimited Bond
       
 
125,000
 
  2.25%, 10/1/2023
   
125,106
 
     
State of Connecticut, Build America Bonds
       
 
240,000
 
  5.20%, 12/1/2022
   
245,698
 
 
25,000
 
  5.30%, 12/1/2023
   
26,166
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
23

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Principal
         
Amount
 
MUNICIPAL BONDS – 3.38%, Continued
 
Value
 
   
State of Georgia, School Construction Bonds
     
$
15,000
 
  4.35%, 2/1/2029
 
$
15,299
 
     
State of Hawaii, Build America Bonds, Taxable
       
 
25,000
 
  5.10%, 2/1/2024
   
26,190
 
     
State of Mississippi, General Obligation Bond
       
 
100,000
 
  5.00%, 11/1/2024
   
104,786
 
     
State of Oregon, General Obligation,
       
     
  Board of Higher Educations – Taxable
       
 
5,000
 
  5.742%, 8/1/2024
   
5,220
 
     
Toledo City School District,
       
     
  General Obligation Bond, Taxable
       
 
225,000
 
  5.00%, 12/1/2024
   
237,666
 
     
University of California, Build America Bonds
       
 
100,000
 
  6.296%, 5/15/2050
   
116,853
 
     
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS
       
     
  (Cost $1,931,016)
   
1,895,473
 
               
     
OTHER SECURITIES – 1.95%
       
     
Independent Power and Renewable
       
     
  Electricity Producers – 1.95%
       
 
24,500
 
Tennessee Valley Authority, Series D,
       
     
  PAARS, Power Bond
   
580,650
 
     
  2.134%, (reset annually @ CMT 30 year index average
       
     
  + 94 bps if lower than current rate), 6/1/2028 (c)
       
 
21,300
 
Tennessee Valley Authority, Series A
   
512,265
 
     
  2.216%, (reset annually @ CMT 30 year index average
       
     
  + 84 bps if lower than current rate), 5/1/2029 (c)
       
     
TOTAL OTHER SECURITIES
       
     
  (Cost $1,148,325)
   
1,092,915
 
               
Shares
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 7.85%
       
     
Money Market Fund – 2.34%
       
 
1,312,824
 
First American Treasury Obligations
       
     
  Fund, Class Z, 0.18% (e)
   
1,312,824
 
     
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUNDS
       
     
  (Cost $1,312,824)
   
1,312,824
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
24

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Principal
         
Amount
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 7.85%, Continued
 
Value
 
   
Cash Management Bill – 0.89%
     
$
500,000
 
0.40%, 6/14/2022 (e)
 
$
499,594
 
     
TOTAL CASH MANAGEMENT BILL
       
     
  (Cost $499,517)
   
499,594
 
     
U.S. Treasury Bills – 4.62%
       
 
600,000
 
0.61%, 7/14/2022 (e)
   
598,950
 
 
500,000
 
0.91%, 9/1/2022 (e)
   
498,068
 
 
1,000,000
 
1.02%, 10/6/2022 (e)
   
994,652
 
 
500,000
 
1.11%, 12/1/2022 (e)
   
496,238
 
     
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY BILLS
       
     
  (Cost $2,592,652)
   
2,587,908
 
     
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
       
     
  (Cost $4,404,993)
   
4,400,326
 
     
Total Investments in Securities
       
     
  (Cost $42,119,432) – 99.90%
   
55,998,187
 
     
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.10%
   
53,062
 
     
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
 
$
56,051,249
 

ADR
American Depository Receipt
CMT
Constant Maturity
LIBOR
London Interbank Offered Rate
(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
Foreign issuer.
(c)
Variable rate security.  Rate shown reflects the rate in effect as of March 31, 2022.
(d)
Security purchased within the terms of a private placement memorandum, exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may be sold only to dealers in the program or other “qualified institutional buyers.”  As of March 31, 2022, the value of these investments was $150,530 or 0.27% of total net assets.
(e)
Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield as of March 31, 2022.
(f)
Non-voting shares.

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”).  GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
25

SCHARF GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS – 93.81%
 
Value
 
           
   
Aerospace and Defense – 3.94%
     
 
2,425
 
Lockheed Martin Corp.
 
$
1,070,395
 
               
     
Automobiles – 3.49%
       
 
99,030
 
Porsche Automobil Holding SE – ADR
   
948,707
 
               
     
Beverages – 1.30%
       
 
3,703
 
Heineken N.V. (b)
   
354,672
 
               
     
Building Products – 1.75%
       
 
9,303
 
Masco Corp.
   
474,453
 
               
     
Chemicals – 2.79%
       
 
24,020
 
Valvoline, Inc.
   
758,071
 
               
     
Commercial Services & Supplies – 3.37%
       
 
26,485
 
Herman Miller, Inc.
   
915,322
 
               
     
Diversified Financial Services – 4.30%
       
 
3,315
 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. – Class B (a)
   
1,169,897
 
               
     
Health Care Providers & Services – 14.16%
       
 
12,693
 
Centene Corp. (a)
   
1,068,624
 
 
15,934
 
CVS Health Corp.
   
1,612,680
 
 
3,818
 
McKesson Corp.
   
1,168,804
 
           
3,850,108
 
               
     
Household Durables – 3.02%
       
 
7,982
 
Sony Corp. – ADR (a)
   
819,831
 
               
     
Insurance – 8.07%
       
 
90,190
 
AIA Group, Ltd. (b)
   
949,302
 
 
843
 
Markel Corp. (a)
   
1,243,627
 
           
2,192,929
 
               
     
Interactive Media & Services – 6.12%
       
 
7,243
 
Baidu, Inc. – ADR (a)
   
958,249
 
 
14,755
 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd. (b)
   
704,852
 
           
1,663,101
 
               
     
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail – 0.07%
       
 
638
 
JD.com, Inc. – Class A (a) (b)
   
19,059
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
26

SCHARF GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Shares
 
COMMON STOCKS – 93.81%, Continued
 
Value
 
           
   
IT Services – 4.53%
     
 
6,045
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. – Class A
 
$
542,055
 
 
6,800
 
Fiserv, Inc. (a)
   
689,520
 
           
1,231,575
 
               
     
Media – 11.33%
       
 
15,637
 
Comcast Corp. – Class A
   
732,124
 
 
142,214
 
Grupo Televisa S.A.B. – ADR
   
1,663,904
 
 
5,058
 
Liberty Broadband Corp. – Class C (a)(d)
   
684,449
 
           
3,080,477
 
               
     
Metals & Mining – 4.40%
       
 
48,780
 
Barrick Gold Corp. (b)
   
1,196,573
 
               
     
Personal Products – 2.04%
       
 
12,170
 
Unilever plc – ADR
   
554,587
 
               
     
Pharmaceuticals – 7.59%
       
 
7,148
 
AstraZeneca plc – ADR
   
474,199
 
 
2,849
 
Johnson & Johnson
   
504,928
 
 
12,340
 
Novartis AG – ADR
   
1,082,835
 
           
2,061,962
 
               
     
Road & Rail – 2.32%
       
 
7,630
 
Canadian Pacific Railway, Ltd. (b)
   
629,780
 
               
     
Software – 5.24%
       
 
1,593
 
Microsoft Corp.
   
491,138
 
 
11,279
 
Oracle Corp.
   
933,112
 
           
1,424,250
 
               
     
Specialty Retail – 3.98%
       
 
5,225
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
   
1,081,366
 
     
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
     
  (Cost $20,261,487)
   
25,497,115
 
               
     
PREFERRED STOCK – 5.04%
       
               
     
Technology Hardware,
       
     
  Storage & Peripherals – 5.04%
       
 
26,375
 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 1.72% (b)
   
1,370,921
 
     
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK
       
     
  (Cost $491,783)
   
1,370,921
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
27

SCHARF GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Shares
 
MONEY MARKET FUND – 1.08%
 
Value
 
 
293,471
 
First American Treasury Obligations
     
     
  Fund, Class Z, 0.18% (c)
 
$
293,471
 
     
TOTAL MONEY MARKET FUND
       
     
  (Cost $293,471)
   
293,471
 
     
Total Investments in Securities
       
     
  (Cost $21,046,741) – 99.93%
   
27,161,507
 
     
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.07%
   
19,232
 
     
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
 
$
27,180,739
 

ADR
American Depository Receipt
(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
Foreign issuer.
(c)
Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield as of March 31, 2022.
(d)
Non-voting shares.

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”).  GICS is a service mark of MSCI and S&P and has been licensed for use by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
28

SCHARF GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
COUNTRY ALLOCATION
     
Country
 
% of Net Assets
United States
   
56.4
%
Canada
   
6.8
%
China
   
6.3
%
Mexico
   
6.2
%
Republic of Korea
   
5.1
%
Switzerland
   
4.0
%
United Kingdom
   
3.8
%
Hong Kong
   
3.5
%
Germany
   
3.5
%
Japan
   
3.1
%
Netherlands
   
1.3
%
     
100.0
%

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
29

SCHARF FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
         
Scharf Multi-Asset
 
   
Scharf Fund
   
Opportunity Fund
 
ASSETS
           
Investments in securities, at value (identified cost
           
  $282,478,383 and $42,119,432, respectively)
 
$
414,132,666
   
$
55,998,187
 
Receivables:
               
Fund shares issued
   
504,369
     
 
Dividends and interest
   
384,792
     
121,501
 
Dividend tax reclaim
   
452,520
     
48,233
 
Prepaid expenses
   
35,211
     
22,539
 
Total assets
 
$
415,509,558
   
$
56,190,460
 
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Payables:
               
Investments purchased
   
     
60,788
 
Fund shares redeemed
   
338,716
     
 
Advisory fees
   
237,008
     
23,687
 
Administration and fund accounting fees
   
34,518
     
12,376
 
Audit fees
   
11,219
     
11,220
 
12b-1 distribution fees
   
133,029
     
10,472
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee
   
1,516
     
2,455
 
Custody fees
   
8,175
     
3,526
 
Legal fees
   
1,345
     
2,190
 
Shareholder reporting
   
2,638
     
1,957
 
Shareholder servicing fees
   
43,724
     
7,403
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses
   
7,427
     
3,137
 
Total liabilities
   
819,315
     
139,211
 
NET ASSETS
 
$
414,690,243
   
$
56,051,249
 
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
               
Institutional Shares
               
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
 
$
342,956,403
   
$
43,470,130
 
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited number of shares
               
  (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
6,379,280
     
1,186,093
 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
 
$
53.76
   
$
36.65
 
                 
Retail Shares
               
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
 
$
71,733,840
   
$
12,581,119
 
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited number of shares
               
  (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
1,341,608
     
344,042
 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
 
$
53.47
   
$
36.57
 
                 
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
               
Paid-in capital
 
$
268,183,843
   
$
40,721,344
 
Total distributable earnings
   
146,506,400
     
15,329,905
 
Net assets
 
$
414,690,243
   
$
56,051,249
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
30

SCHARF FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
   
Scharf Global
 
   
Opportunity Fund
 
ASSETS
     
Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $21,046,741)
 
$
27,161,507
 
Receivables:
       
Dividends and interest
   
36,245
 
Dividend tax reclaim
   
20,483
 
Due from Adviser (Note 4)
   
216
 
Prepaid expenses
   
12,034
 
Total assets
   
27,230,485
 
LIABILITIES
       
Payables:
       
Audit fees
   
10,471
 
Shareholder servicing fees
   
5,848
 
12b-1 distribution fees
   
17,195
 
Administration and fund accounting fees
   
7,170
 
Legal fees
   
1,892
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee
   
1,516
 
Custody fees
   
3,192
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses
   
1,468
 
Shareholder reporting
   
994
 
Total liabilities
   
49,746
 
NET ASSETS
 
$
27,180,739
 
         
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
       
Retail Shares
       
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding
 
$
27,180,739
 
Shares issued and outstanding [unlimited number of shares
       
  (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
778,258
 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
 
$
34.93
 
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
       
Paid-in capital
 
$
20,149,262
 
Total distributable earnings
   
7,031,477
 
Net assets
 
$
27,180,739
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
31

SCHARF FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
         
Scharf Multi-Asset
 
   
Scharf Fund
   
Opportunity Fund
 
INVESTMENT INCOME
           
Income
           
Dividends (net of foreign tax withheld and issuance
           
  fees of $115,975 and $12,330, respectively)
 
$
3,024,912
   
$
376,095
 
Interest
   
4,407
     
93,701
 
Total income
   
3,029,319
     
469,796
 
Expenses
               
Advisory fees (Note 4)
   
1,606,672
     
268,648
 
Shareholder servicing fees – Institutional Class (Note 6)
   
113,006
     
17,961
 
12b-1 distribution fees – Retail Class (Note 5)
   
91,046
     
12,851
 
Administration and fund accounting fees (Note 4)
   
88,261
     
32,524
 
Shareholder servicing fees – Retail Class (Note 6)
   
36,093
     
4,956
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)
   
20,426
     
7,693
 
Custody fees (Note 4)
   
20,212
     
6,256
 
Registration fees
   
17,715
     
15,305
 
Audit fees
   
11,219
     
11,219
 
Trustee fees and expenses
   
6,670
     
5,928
 
Reports to shareholders
   
6,480
     
3,066
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee (Note 4)
   
5,267
     
5,267
 
Miscellaneous expenses
   
5,235
     
4,554
 
Legal fees
   
3,821
     
3,275
 
Insurance expense
   
3,821
     
1,526
 
Interest expense
   
594
     
 
Total expenses
   
2,036,538
     
401,029
 
Less: advisory fee waiver (Note 4)
   
(169,123
)
   
(125,292
)
Net expenses
   
1,867,415
     
275,737
 
Net investment income
   
1,161,904
     
194,059
 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON
               
  INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY
               
Net realized gain/(loss) on:
               
Investments
   
18,458,218
     
1,696,667
 
Foreign currency
   
(837
)
   
7
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:
               
Investments
   
12,549,081
     
746,639
 
Foreign currency
   
(4,337
)
   
(441
)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
               
  investments and foreign currency
   
31,002,125
     
2,442,872
 
Net Increase in Net Assets
               
  Resulting from Operations
 
$
32,164,029
   
$
2,636,931
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
32

SCHARF FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
   
Scharf Global
 
   
Opportunity Fund
 
INVESTMENT INCOME
     
Income
     
Dividends (net of foreign tax withheld and issuance fees of $14,744)
 
$
203,789
 
Interest
   
30
 
Total income
   
203,819
 
Expenses
       
Advisory fees (Note 4)
   
131,918
 
Administration and fund accounting fees (Note 4)
   
20,897
 
Audit fees
   
10,470
 
Registration fees
   
9,275
 
12b-1 distribution fees – Retail Class (Note 5)
   
8,430
 
Trustee fees and expenses
   
5,969
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee (Note 4)
   
5,267
 
Custody fees (Note 4)
   
5,204
 
Shareholder servicing fees – Retail Class (Note 6)
   
5,147
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)
   
4,059
 
Miscellaneous expenses
   
3,587
 
Reports to shareholders
   
3,329
 
Legal fees
   
3,233
 
Insurance expense
   
1,356
 
Interest expense
   
15
 
Total expenses
   
218,156
 
Less: advisory fee waiver and expense reimbursement (Note 4)
   
(132,623
)
Net expenses
   
85,533
 
Net investment income
   
118,286
 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS)
       
  ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY
       
Net realized gain/(loss) on:
       
Investments
   
780,785
 
Foreign currency
   
(1,165
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:
       
Investments
   
756,839
 
Foreign currency
   
(546
)
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency
   
1,535,913
 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
 
$
1,654,199
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
33

SCHARF FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
   
Six Months Ended
       
   
March 31, 2022
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
September 30, 2021
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS
           
Net investment income
 
$
1,161,904
   
$
2,682,554
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from:
               
Investments
   
18,458,218
     
38,414,239
 
Foreign currency
   
(837
)
   
(8,212
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:
               
Investments
   
12,549,081
     
37,547,732
 
Foreign currency
   
(4,337
)
   
(4,092
)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
   
32,164,029
     
78,632,221
 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
               
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders –
               
  Institutional Class shares
   
(31,966,632
)
   
(10,685,640
)
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders –
               
  Retail Class shares
   
(6,885,587
)
   
(2,293,886
)
Total distributions to shareholders
   
(38,852,219
)
   
(12,979,526
)
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
               
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets derived
               
  from net change in outstanding shares (a)
   
20,762,261
     
(14,313,106
)
Total increase in net assets
   
14,074,071
     
51,339,589
 
NET ASSETS
               
Beginning of period
   
400,616,172
     
349,276,583
 
End of period
 
$
414,690,243
   
$
400,616,172
 

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

34

SCHARF FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS, Continued
(a)
A summary of share transactions is as follows:

Institutional Class

   
Six Months Ended
             
   
March 31, 2022
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
September 30, 2021
 
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
Shares sold
   
477,356
   
$
25,845,300
     
802,759
   
$
42,343,492
 
Shares issued on
                               
  reinvestments of distributions
   
596,014
     
31,648,329
     
222,392
     
10,645,906
 
Shares redeemed*
   
(697,303
)
   
(37,942,041
)
   
(1,166,051
)
   
(60,339,692
)
Net increase/(decrease)
   
376,067
   
$
19,551,588
     
(140,900
)
 
$
(7,350,294
)
* Net of redemption fees of
         
$
176
           
$
3,643
 
                                 
Retail Class
                               
   
Six Months Ended
                 
   
March 31, 2022
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
September 30, 2021
 
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
Shares sold
   
26,592
   
$
1,419,195
     
28,398
   
$
1,492,831
 
Shares issued on
                               
  reinvestments of distributions
   
130,261
     
6,885,588
     
48,096
     
2,293,220
 
Shares redeemed*
   
(132,783
)
   
(7,094,110
)
   
(213,599
)
   
(10,748,863
)
Net increase/(decrease)
   
24,070
   
$
1,210,673
     
(137,105
)
 
$
(6,962,812
)
* Net of redemption fees of
         
$
39
           
$
824
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
35

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
   
Six Months Ended
       
   
March 31, 2022
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
September 30, 2021
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS
           
Net investment income
 
$
194,059
   
$
370,678
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from:
               
Investments
   
1,696,667
     
4,426,537
 
Foreign currency
   
7
     
(957
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:
               
Investments
   
746,639
     
2,755,260
 
Foreign currency
   
(441
)
   
(386
)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
   
2,636,931
     
7,551,132
 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
               
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders –
               
  Institutional Class
   
(3,934,277
)
   
(1,548,665
)
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders –
               
  Retail Class
   
(614,362
)
   
(258,219
)
Total distributions to shareholders
   
(4,548,639
)
   
(1,806,884
)
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
               
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets derived
               
  from net change in outstanding shares (a)
   
7,420,376
     
(3,010,853
)
Total increase in net assets
   
5,508,668
     
2,733,395
 
NET ASSETS
               
Beginning of period
   
50,542,581
     
47,809,186
 
End of period
 
$
56,051,249
   
$
50,542,581
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
36

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS, Continued
(a)
A summary of share transactions is as follows:

Institutional Class

   
Six Months Ended
             
   
March 31, 2022
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
September 30, 2021
 
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
Shares sold
   
28,664
   
$
1,110,274
     
60,444
   
$
2,297,678
 
Shares issued on
                               
  reinvestments of distributions
   
106,834
     
3,890,881
     
44,293
     
1,532,089
 
Shares redeemed*
   
(96,235
)
   
(3,607,211
)
   
(147,401
)
   
(5,430,203
)
Net increase/(decrease)
   
39,263
   
$
1,393,944
     
(42,664
)
 
$
(1,600,436
)
* Net of redemption fees of
         
$
1,551
           
$
 
                                 
Retail Class
                               
   
Six Months Ended
                 
   
March 31, 2022
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
September 30, 2021
 
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
Shares issued in connection
                               
  with reorganization (Note 12)
   
177,701
   
$
6,499,254
     
   
$
 
Shares sold
   
14,952
     
552,045
     
13,527
     
490,410
 
Shares issued on
                               
  reinvestments of distributions
   
16,888
     
614,362
     
7,472
     
258,218
 
Shares redeemed*
   
(44,481
)
   
(1,639,229
)
   
(59,037
)
   
(2,159,045
)
Net increase/(decrease)
   
165,060
   
$
6,026,432
     
(38,038
)
 
$
(1,410,417
)
* Net of redemption fees of
         
$
440
           
$
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
37

SCHARF GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
   
Six Months Ended
       
   
March 31, 2022
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
September 30, 2021
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS
           
Net investment income
 
$
118,286
   
$
219,459
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from:
               
Investments
   
780,785
     
2,401,682
 
Foreign currency
   
(1,165
)
   
(1,195
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:
               
Investments
   
756,839
     
2,363,420
 
Foreign currency
   
(546
)
   
(242
)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
   
1,654,199
     
4,983,124
 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
               
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders
   
(2,526,187
)
   
(448,307
)
Total distributions to shareholders
   
(2,526,187
)
   
(448,307
)
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
               
Net increase in net assets derived
               
  from net change in outstanding shares (a)
   
2,410,065
     
2,401,597
 
Total increase in net assets
   
1,538,077
     
6,936,414
 
NET ASSETS
               
Beginning of period
   
25,642,662
     
18,706,248
 
End of period
 
$
27,180,739
   
$
25,642,662
 

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

   
Six Months Ended
             
   
March 31, 2022
   
Year Ended
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
September 30, 2021
 
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
   
Shares
   
Paid-in Capital
 
Shares sold
   
23,896
   
$
862,602
     
127,274
   
$
4,352,999
 
Shares issued on
                               
  reinvestments of distributions
   
74,917
     
2,526,187
     
14,227
     
448,307
 
Shares redeemed*
   
(27,991
)
   
(978,724
)
   
(72,125
)
   
(2,399,709
)
Net increase
   
70,822
   
$
2,410,065
     
69,376
   
$
2,401,597
 
* Net of redemption fees of
         
$
1,219
           
$
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
38

SCHARF FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each period
Institutional Class

   
Six Months
                               
   
Ended,
                               
   
March 31,
                               
   
2022
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Net asset value,
                                   
  beginning of period
 
$
54.78
   
$
46.02
   
$
46.21
   
$
46.72
   
$
44.08
   
$
40.47
 
                                                 
Income from
                                               
  investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income^
   
0.17
     
0.39
     
0.34
     
0.23
     
0.26
     
0.09
 
Net realized and unrealized
                                               
  gain on investments
                                               
  and foreign currency
   
4.22
     
10.14
     
3.35
     
2.99
     
3.61
     
3.59
 
Total from
                                               
  investment operations
   
4.39
     
10.53
     
3.69
     
3.22
     
3.87
     
3.68
 
                                                 
Less distributions:
                                               
From net
                                               
  investment income
   
(0.38
)
   
(0.37
)
   
(0.24
)
   
(0.39
)
   
(0.08
)
   
(0.07
)
From net realized
                                               
  gain on investments
   
(5.03
)
   
(1.40
)
   
(3.64
)
   
(3.34
)
   
(1.15
)
   
 
Total distributions
   
(5.41
)
   
(1.77
)
   
(3.88
)
   
(3.73
)
   
(1.23
)
   
(0.07
)
Paid-in capital from
                                               
  redemption fees^#
   
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
 
Net asset value,
                                               
  end of period
 
$
53.76
   
$
54.78
   
$
46.02
   
$
46.21
   
$
46.72
   
$
44.08
 
                                                 
Total return
   
8.13
%‡
   
23.43
%
   
8.12
%
   
7.61
%
   
8.93
%
   
9.10
%
                                                 
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                               
Net assets, end
                                               
  of period (thousands)
 
$
342,956
   
$
328,886
   
$
282,746
   
$
298,028
   
$
350,205
   
$
488,084
 
Ratio of expenses
                                               
  to average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
0.94
%†
   
0.94
%
   
1.00
%
   
1.06
%
   
1.08
%
   
1.20
%
After fee waivers
   
0.86
%†
   
0.86
%
   
0.90
%
   
0.96
%
   
0.96
%
   
1.07
%
Ratio of net investment
                                               
  income to average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
0.53
%†
   
0.66
%
   
0.68
%
   
0.44
%
   
0.47
%
   
0.09
%
After fee waivers
   
0.61
%†
   
0.74
%
   
0.78
%
   
0.54
%
   
0.59
%
   
0.22
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
7.94
%‡
   
29.21
%
   
52.15
%
   
47.87
%
   
39.71
%
   
21.63
%

^
Based on average shares outstanding.
Annualized.
Not annualized.
#
Amount is less than $0.01.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
39

SCHARF FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each period
Retail Class

   
Six Months
                               
   
Ended,
                               
   
March 31,
                               
   
2022
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Net asset value,
                                   
  beginning of period
 
$
54.44
   
$
45.74
   
$
45.95
   
$
46.43
   
$
43.87
   
$
40.32
 
                                                 
Income from
                                               
  investment operations:
                                               
Net investment
                                               
  income/(loss)^
   
0.09
     
0.24
     
0.22
     
0.11
     
0.12
     
(0.02
)
Net realized and unrealized
                                               
  gain on investments
                                               
  and foreign currency
   
4.19
     
10.09
     
3.33
     
2.98
     
3.59
     
3.57
 
Total from
                                               
  investment operations
   
4.28
     
10.33
     
3.55
     
3.09
     
3.71
     
3.55
 
                                                 
Less distributions:
                                               
From net
                                               
  investment income
   
(0.22
)
   
(0.23
)
   
(0.12
)
   
(0.23
)
   
     
 
From net realized
                                               
  gain on investments
   
(5.03
)
   
(1.40
)
   
(3.64
)
   
(3.34
)
   
(1.15
)
   
 
Total distributions
   
(5.25
)
   
(1.63
)
   
(3.76
)
   
(3.57
)
   
(1.15
)
   
 
Paid-in capital from
                                               
  redemption fees^#
   
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
     
0.00
 
Net asset value,
                                               
  end of period
 
$
53.47
   
$
54.44
   
$
45.74
   
$
45.95
   
$
46.43
   
$
43.87
 
                                                 
Total return
   
7.98
%‡
   
23.08
%
   
7.83
%
   
7.32
%
   
8.58
%
   
8.80
%
                                                 
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                               
Net assets, end
                                               
  of period (thousands)
 
$
71,734
   
$
71,730
   
$
66,531
   
$
72,710
   
$
70,365
   
$
88,843
 
Ratio of expenses
                                               
  to average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
1.22
%†
   
1.22
%
   
1.29
%
   
1.34
%
   
1.39
%
   
1.47
%
After fee waivers
   
1.14
%†
   
1.14
%
   
1.19
%
   
1.24
%
   
1.27
%
   
1.34
%
Ratio of net investment
                                               
  income/(loss) to
                                               
  average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
0.25
%†
   
0.38
%
   
0.39
%
   
0.16
%
   
0.16
%
   
(0.17
)%
After fee waivers
   
0.33
%†
   
0.46
%
   
0.49
%
   
0.26
%
   
0.28
%
   
(0.04
)%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
7.94
%‡
   
29.21
%
   
52.15
%
   
47.87
%
   
39.71
%
   
21.63
%

^
Based on average shares outstanding.
Annualized.
Not annualized.
#
Amount is less than $0.01.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
40

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each period
Institutional Class

   
Six Months
                               
   
Ended,
                               
   
March 31,
                               
   
2022
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Net asset value,
                                   
  beginning of period
 
$
38.14
   
$
34.01
   
$
33.55
   
$
33.58
   
$
32.27
   
$
30.60
 
                                                 
Income from
                                               
  investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income^
   
0.14
     
0.28
     
0.33
     
0.38
     
0.34
     
0.15
 
Net realized and unrealized
                                               
  gain on investments
                                               
  and foreign currency
   
1.86
     
5.18
     
2.60
     
1.70
     
1.67
     
1.94
 
Total from
                                               
  investment operations
   
2.00
     
5.46
     
2.93
     
2.08
     
2.01
     
2.09
 
                                                 
Less distributions:
                                               
From net
                                               
  investment income
   
(0.30
)
   
(0.31
)
   
(0.43
)
   
(0.49
)
   
(0.07
)
   
(0.20
)
From net realized
                                               
  gain on investments
   
(3.19
)
   
(1.02
)
   
(2.04
)
   
(1.62
)
   
(0.63
)
   
(0.22
)
Total distributions
   
(3.49
)
   
(1.33
)
   
(2.47
)
   
(2.11
)
   
(0.70
)
   
(0.42
)
Paid-in capital
                                               
  from redemption fees
 
0.00
^#    
     
     
     
   
0.00
^#
Net asset value,
                                               
  end of period
 
$
36.65
   
$
38.14
   
$
34.01
   
$
33.55
   
$
33.58
   
$
32.27
 
                                                 
Total return
   
5.30
%‡
   
16.46
%
   
8.99
%
   
6.89
%
   
6.32
%
   
6.94
%
                                                 
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                               
Net assets, end
                                               
  of period (thousands)
 
$
43,470
   
$
43,738
   
$
40,450
   
$
43,865
   
$
46,366
   
$
60,061
 
Ratio of expenses
                                               
  to average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
1.43
%†
   
1.46
%
   
1.47
%
   
1.45
%
   
1.44
%
   
1.47
%
After fee waivers
   
0.97
%†
   
0.97
%
   
0.96
%
   
0.98
%
   
0.97
%
   
1.02
%
Ratio of net investment
                                               
  income to average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
0.31
%†
   
0.28
%
   
0.50
%
   
0.71
%
   
0.59
%
   
0.04
%
After fee waivers
   
0.77
%†
   
0.77
%
   
1.01
%
   
1.18
%
   
1.06
%
   
0.49
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
10.73
%‡
   
28.67
%
   
48.02
%
   
45.52
%
   
36.29
%
   
30.04
%

^
Based on average shares outstanding.
Annualized.
Not annualized.
#
Amount is less than $0.01.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
41

SCHARF MULTI-ASSET OPPORTUNITY FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each period
Retail Class

   
Six Months
                               
   
Ended,
                               
   
March 31,
                               
   
2022
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Net asset value,
                                   
  beginning of period
 
$
38.02
   
$
33.91
   
$
33.47
   
$
33.44
   
$
32.16
   
$
30.54
 
                                                 
Income from
                                               
  investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income^
   
0.08
     
0.19
     
0.24
     
0.29
     
0.26
     
0.07
 
Net realized and unrealized
                                               
  gain on investments
                                               
  and foreign currency
   
1.85
     
5.17
     
2.59
     
1.72
     
1.65
     
1.94
 
Total from
                                               
  investment operations
   
1.93
     
5.36
     
2.83
     
2.01
     
1.91
     
2.01
 
                                                 
Less distributions:
                                               
From net
                                               
  investment income
   
(0.20
)
   
(0.23
)
   
(0.35
)
   
(0.36
)
   
(0.00
)
   
(0.17
)
From net realized
                                               
  gain on investments
   
(3.18
)
   
(1.02
)
   
(2.04
)
   
(1.62
)
   
(0.63
)
   
(0.22
)
Total distributions
   
(3.38
)
   
(1.25
)
   
(2.39
)
   
(1.98
)
   
(0.63
)
   
(0.39
)
Paid-in capital from
                                               
  redemption fees
 
0.00
^#    
   
0.00
^#
   
     
     
 
Net asset value,
                                               
  end of period
 
$
36.57
   
$
38.02
   
$
33.91
   
$
33.47
   
$
33.44
   
$
32.16
 
                                                 
Total return
   
5.13
%‡
   
16.18
%
   
8.68
%
   
6.66
%
   
6.00
%
   
6.68
%
                                                 
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                               
Net assets, end
                                               
  of period (thousands)
 
$
12,581
   
$
6,805
   
$
7,359
   
$
5,874
   
$
7,361
   
$
8,998
 
Ratio of expenses
                                               
  to average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
1.69
%†
   
1.72
%
   
1.74
%
   
1.70
%
   
1.70
%
   
1.73
%
After fee waivers
   
1.23
%†
   
1.23
%
   
1.23
%
   
1.23
%
   
1.23
%
   
1.28
%
Ratio of net investment
                                               
  income/(loss) to
                                               
  average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers
   
0.02
%†
   
0.03
%
   
0.23
%
   
0.45
%
   
0.33
%
   
(0.21
)%
After fee waivers
   
0.48
%†
   
0.52
%
   
0.74
%
   
0.92
%
   
0.80
%
   
0.24
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
10.73
%‡
   
28.67
%
   
48.02
%
   
45.52
%
   
36.29
%
   
30.04
%

^
Based on average shares outstanding.
Annualized.
Not annualized.
#
Amount is less than $0.01.

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

42

SCHARF GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a share outstanding throughout each period
Retail Class

   
Six Months
                               
   
Ended,
                               
   
March 31,
                               
   
2022
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Net asset value,
                                   
  beginning of period
 
$
36.25
   
$
29.32
   
$
29.98
   
$
31.30
   
$
29.76
   
$
26.89
 
                                                 
Income from
                                               
  investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income
 
0.16
^    
0.31
     
0.28
     
0.37
     
0.31
   
0.18
^
Net realized and unrealized
                                               
  gain on investments
                                               
  and foreign currency
   
2.05
     
7.31
     
2.22
     
0.90
     
3.05
     
3.03
 
Total from
                                               
  investment operations
   
2.21
     
7.62
     
2.50
     
1.27
     
3.36
     
3.21
 
                                                 
Less distributions:
                                               
From net
                                               
  investment income
   
(0.30
)
   
(0.23
)
   
(0.41
)
   
(0.28
)
   
(0.21
)
   
(0.14
)
From net realized
                                               
  gain on investments
   
(3.23
)
   
(0.46
)
   
(2.75
)
   
(2.31
)
   
(1.61
)
   
(0.20
)
Total distributions
   
(3.53
)
   
(0.69
)
   
(3.16
)
   
(2.59
)
   
(1.82
)
   
(0.34
)
Paid-in capital from
                                               
  redemption fees
 
0.00
^#    
     
     
   
0.00
^#  
0.00
^#
Net asset value,
                                               
  end of period
 
$
34.93
   
$
36.25
   
$
29.32
   
$
29.98
   
$
31.30
   
$
29.76
 
                                                 
Total return
   
6.46
%‡
   
26.33
%
   
8.09
%
   
4.92
%
   
11.72
%
   
12.10
%
                                                 
Ratios/supplemental data:
                                               
Net assets, end
                                               
  of period (thousands)
 
$
27,181
   
$
25,643
   
$
18,706
   
$
17,763
   
$
28,353
   
$
30,307
 
Ratio of expenses
                                               
  to average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers and
                                               
  expense reimbursement
   
1.64
%†
   
1.84
%
   
1.99
%
   
1.96
%
   
1.72
%
   
1.90
%
After fee waivers and
                                               
  expense reimbursement
   
0.64
%†
   
0.76
%
   
0.70
%
   
0.59
%
   
0.52
%
   
0.65
%
Ratio of net investment
                                               
  income/(loss) to
                                               
  average net assets:
                                               
Before fee waivers and
                                               
  expense reimbursement
   
(0.11
)%†
   
(0.16
)%
   
(0.42
)%
   
(0.31
)%
   
(0.26
)%
   
(0.60
)%
After fee waivers and
                                               
  expense reimbursement
   
0.89
%†
   
0.92
%
   
0.87
%
   
1.06
%
   
0.94
%
   
0.65
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
11.98
%‡
   
37.42
%
   
60.69
%
   
73.90
%
   
65.99
%
   
75.78
%

^
Based on average shares outstanding.
Annualized.
Not annualized.
#
Amount is less than $0.01.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
43

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
 
The Scharf Fund, the Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, and the Scharf Global Opportunity Fund, (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are each a diversified series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. The Funds follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies”.
 
The investment objective of the Scharf Fund and the Scharf Global Opportunity Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The investment objective of the Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation and income. The Scharf Fund Institutional Class and Retail Class commenced operations on December 30, 2011, and January 28, 2015, respectively. The Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund Institutional Class and Retail Class commenced operations on December 31, 2012, and January 21, 2016, respectively.  The Scharf Global Opportunity Fund commenced operations on October 14, 2014.
 
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
A.
Security Valuation: All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value, as described in note 3.
   
B.
Federal Income Taxes: It is the Funds’ policy to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income or excise tax provision is required.
   
 
The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. The tax returns of the Funds 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 Funds’ 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 Funds identify their major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal and the state of Wisconsin; however, the Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.
44

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
C.
Securities Transactions, Income and Distributions: Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on securities sold are calculated on the basis of specified cost.  Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted/amortized over the life of the respective security using the effective interest method, except for premiums on certain callable debt securities that are amortized to the earliest call date. Dividend income, income and capital gain distributions from underlying funds and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with each Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.
   
 
Investment income, expenses (other than those specific to the class of shares), and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated to the separate classes of each Fund based upon their relative net assets on the date income is earned or expensed and realized and unrealized gains and losses are incurred.
   
 
Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to the Fund, such as investment advisory, custody and transfer agent fees. Expenses that are not attributable to a Fund are typically allocated among the Funds in proportion to their respective net assets.  Common expenses of the Trust are typically allocated among the funds in the Trust based on a fund’s respective net assets, or by other equitable means.
   
 
The Funds distribute substantially all net investment income, if any, and net realized capital 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 amounts of dividends and distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, which differs from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. To the extent these book/tax differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their Federal tax treatment.
   
D.
Reclassification of Capital Accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.
   
E.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
45

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
 
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
   
F.
Redemption Fees: The Scharf Fund charges a 2.00% redemption fee to shareholders who redeem shares held for 60 days or less. The Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund and the Scharf Global Opportunity Fund each charge a 2.00% redemption fee to shareholders who redeem shares held for 15 days or less. Such fees are retained by the Funds and accounted for as an addition to paid-in capital.  The redemption fees retained by each Fund are disclosed in the statement of changes.
   
G.
Foreign Currency:  Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions.
   
 
The Funds do not isolate those portions of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
   
 
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period-end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
   
H.
Accounting Pronouncements: In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The main objective of the new guidance is to provide relief to companies that will be impacted by the expected change in benchmark interest rates at the end of 2021, when participating banks will no longer be required to submit London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) quotes by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. The new guidance allows companies to, provided the only change to existing contracts are a change to an approved benchmark interest rate, account for modifications as a continuance of the existing contract without additional analysis. In addition, derivative contracts that qualified for hedge accounting prior to modification, will be allowed to continue to receive such
46

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
 
treatment, even if critical terms change due to a change in the benchmark interest rate. For new and existing contracts, the Funds may elect to apply the amendments as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently assessing the impact of the ASU’s adoption to the Funds’ financial statements and various filings.
   
 
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.  The Funds do not currently enter into derivatives transactions. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of Rule 18f-4 on the Funds.
   
 
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 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 Funds 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 Funds’ financial statements.
   
I.
Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Period End:  In preparing the financial statements as of March 31, 2022, management considered the impact of subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.  Management has determined there were no subsequent events that would need to be disclosed in the Funds’ financial statements.
 
NOTE 3 – SECURITIES VALUATION
 
The Funds have adopted authoritative fair value accounting standards which establish an authoritative definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value.  These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and
47

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair value, a discussion in changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period and expanded disclosure of valuation levels for major security types.  These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
Level 1 –
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Funds have the ability to access.
   
Level 2 –
Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
   
Level 3 –
Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Funds’ own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

Following is a description of the valuation techniques applied to the Funds’ major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
Each Fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (4:00 pm EST).
 
Equity Securities: The Funds’ investments are carried at fair value. Equity securities, including common stocks, preferred 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.  The values for foreign securities are reported in local currency and converted to U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates.  Exchange rates are provided daily by a recognized independent pricing agent.  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.
48

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
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.
 
Fixed Income Securities: Debt securities, such as corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, municipal bonds, and U.S. government agency issues are valued at market on the basis of valuations furnished by an independent pricing service which utilizes both dealer-supplied valuations and formula-based techniques.  The pricing service may consider recently executed transactions in securities of the issuer or comparable issuers, market price quotations (where observable), bond spreads, and fundamental data relating to the issuer.  In addition, the model may incorporate market observable data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data.  Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.  These securities will generally be classified in level 2 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.
 
Restricted Securities: The Funds’ may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale (“restricted securities”).  Restricted securities may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration under the Federal securities law.  Private placement securities are generally considered to be restricted except for those securities traded between qualified institutional investors under the provisions of Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.  The sale or other disposition of these securities may involve additional expenses and the prompt sale of these securities at an acceptable price may be difficult.  At March 31, 2022, the Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund held securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.  There were no other restricted investments held by the Funds’ at March 31, 2022.
 
The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has delegated day-to-day valuation issues to a Valuation Committee of the Trust which is comprised of representatives from Funds’ administrator, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”). The function of the Valuation Committee is to value securities where current and reliable market quotations are not readily available, or the closing price does not represent fair value by following procedures approved by the Board. These procedures consider many factors, including the type of security, size of holding, trading volume and news events. All actions taken by the Valuation Committee are 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.
49

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.  The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ securities as of March 31, 2022:
 
Scharf Fund
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common Stocks
                       
  Communication Services
 
$
35,685,035
   
$
   
$
   
$
35,685,035
 
  Consumer Discretionary
   
19,429,612
     
     
     
19,429,612
 
  Consumer Staples
   
26,228,147
     
     
     
26,228,147
 
  Financials
   
51,040,592
     
     
     
51,040,592
 
  Health Care
   
106,321,710
     
     
     
106,321,710
 
  Industrials
   
55,145,903
     
     
     
55,145,903
 
  Information Technology
   
76,438,039
     
     
     
76,438,039
 
  Materials
   
16,223,734
     
     
     
16,223,734
 
Total Common Stocks
   
386,512,772
     
     
     
386,512,772
 
Preferred Stock
                               
  Information Technology
   
11,880,104
     
     
     
11,880,104
 
Total Preferred Stock
   
11,880,104
     
     
     
11,880,104
 
U.S. Treasury Bills
   
     
6,639,188
     
     
6,639,188
 
Money Market Fund
   
9,100,602
     
     
     
9,100,602
 
Total Investments
                               
  in Securities
 
$
407,493,478
   
$
6,639,188
   
$
   
$
414,132,666
 
50

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common Stocks
                       
  Communication Services
 
$
3,404,187
   
$
   
$
   
$
3,404,187
 
  Consumer Discretionary
   
2,158,882
     
     
     
2,158,882
 
  Consumer Staples
   
2,536,568
     
     
     
2,536,568
 
  Financials
   
4,982,547
     
     
     
4,982,547
 
  Health Care
   
10,269,931
     
     
     
10,269,931
 
  Industrials
   
5,374,560
     
     
     
5,374,560
 
  Information Technology
   
7,283,841
     
     
     
7,283,841
 
  Materials
   
1,564,334
     
     
     
1,564,334
 
Total Common Stocks
   
37,574,850
     
     
     
37,574,850
 
Preferred Stocks
                               
  Capital Markets
   
     
724,500
     
     
724,500
 
  Closed-End Fund
   
1,508,043
     
     
     
1,508,043
 
  Information Technology
   
1,547,906
     
     
     
1,547,906
 
Total Preferred Stocks
   
3,055,949
     
724,500
     
     
3,780,449
 
REITs
   
1,116,784
     
     
     
1,116,784
 
Exchange-Traded Funds
   
2,876,472
     
     
     
2,876,472
 
Fixed Income
                               
  Corporate Bonds
   
     
3,260,918
     
     
3,260,918
 
  Municipal Bonds
   
     
1,895,473
     
     
1,895,473
 
Total Fixed Income
   
     
5,156,391
     
     
5,156,391
 
U.S. Treasury Bills
   
     
3,087,502
     
     
3,087,502
 
Other Securities
   
1,092,915
     
     
     
1,092,915
 
Money Market Fund
   
1,312,824
     
     
     
1,312,824
 
Total Investments
                               
  in Securities
 
$
47,029,794
   
$
8,968,393
   
$
   
$
55,998,187
 

51

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
Scharf Global Opportunity Fund
                       
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common Stocks
                       
  Communication Services
 
$
5,692,286
   
$
   
$
   
$
5,692,286
 
  Consumer Discretionary
   
1,920,256
     
     
     
1,920,256
 
  Consumer Staples
   
909,259
     
     
     
909,259
 
  Financials
   
3,362,826
     
     
     
3,362,826
 
  Health Care
   
5,912,070
     
     
     
5,912,070
 
  Industrials
   
3,089,950
     
     
     
3,089,950
 
  Information Technology
   
2,655,824
     
     
     
2,655,824
 
  Materials
   
1,954,644
     
     
     
1,954,644
 
Total Common Stocks
   
25,497,115
     
     
     
25,497,115
 
Preferred Stocks
                               
  Information Technology
   
1,370,921
     
     
     
1,370,921
 
Total Preferred Stocks
   
1,370,921
     
     
     
1,370,921
 
Money Market Fund
   
293,471
     
     
     
293,471
 
Total Investments
                               
  in Securities
 
$
27,161,507
   
$
   
$
   
$
27,161,507
 

Refer to the Funds’ schedule of investments for a detailed break-out of securities by industry classification.
 
The global outbreak of COVID-19 (commonly referred to as “coronavirus”) has disrupted economic markets and the prolonged economic impact is uncertain.  Although vaccines for COVID-19 are becoming more widely available, the ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, amid the spread of COVID-19 variants, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual companies are not known.  The operational and financial performance of individual companies and the market in general depends on future developments, including the duration and spread of any future outbreaks and the pace of recovery which may vary from market to market, and such uncertainty may in turn adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Funds’ investments, impair the Funds’ ability to satisfy redemption requests, and negatively impact the Funds’ performance.
 
NOTE 4 – INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
The Funds have an investment advisory agreement with Scharf Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”) pursuant to which the Adviser is responsible for providing investment management services to the Funds.  The Adviser furnishes all investment
52

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
advice, office space and facilities, and provides most of the personnel needed by each Fund.  As compensation for its services, the Adviser is entitled to a fee, computed daily and payable monthly.  The Scharf Fund pays fees calculated at an annual rate of 0.78% based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund and the Scharf Global Opportunity Fund pay fees calculated at an annual rate of 0.99% based upon the average daily net assets of each Fund.  For the six months ended March 31, 2022, the advisory fees incurred by the Funds are disclosed in the statements of operations.
 
The Funds are responsible for their own operating expenses. The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce fees payable to it by the Funds and to pay Fund operating expenses (excluding class specific expenses such as the 0.25% 12b-1 fees applied to the Retail Class and 0.10% shareholder servicing fees applied to both the Institutional Class and Retail Class, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, dividends on securities sold short, taxes and extraordinary expenses) to the extent necessary to limit the Fund’s aggregate annual operating expenses as follows:
 
 
Expense Caps
 
Scharf Fund
0.79%
 
Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund
0.88%
 
Scharf Global Opportunity Fund
0.54%
 

Percent of average daily net assets of each Fund.
 
Any such reduction made by the Adviser in its fees or payment of expenses which are the Funds’ obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Funds to the Adviser, if so requested by the Adviser, in any subsequent month in the 36-month period from the date of the management fee reduction and expense payment if the aggregate amount actually paid by the Funds toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into the account the reimbursement) will not cause the Fund to exceed the lesser of: (1) the expense limitation in place at the time of the management fee reduction and expense payment: or (2) the expense limitation in place at the time of the reimbursement.  Any such reimbursement is also contingent upon Board of Trustees review and approval. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Funds’ payment of current ordinary operating expenses.  For the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Adviser reduced its fees in the amount of $169,123, $125,292, and $132,623, for the Scharf Fund, the Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, and the Scharf Global Opportunity Fund, respectively.
 
No amounts were recouped by the Adviser.  The expense limitation for the Funds will remain in effect through at least January 27, 2023.  The Expense Caps may be
53

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
terminated only by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust.  The Adviser may recapture portions of the amounts shown below no later than the corresponding dates:
 
     
Scharf Multi-Asset
  Scharf Global  
 

 
Opportunity
  Opportunity
 
 
Scharf Fund
 
Fund
 
Fund
 
 
Year
 
Amount
 
Year
 
Amount
 
Year
 
Amount
 
 
9/30/22
 
$
150,208
 
9/30/22
 
$
111,023
 
9/30/22
 
$
125,070
 
 
9/30/23
   
332,172
 
9/30/23
   
232,919
 
9/30/23
   
233,218
 
 
9/30/24
   
331,385
 
9/30/24
   
246,375
 
9/30/24
   
257,887
 
 
3/31/25
   
169,123
 
3/31/25
   
125,292
 
3/31/25
   
132,623
 
     
$
982,888
      $ 715,609  

  $ 748,798  

Fund Services serves as the Funds’ administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent. U.S. Bank N.A. serves as custodian (the “Custodian”) to the Funds.  The Custodian is an affiliate of Fund Services. Fund Services maintains the Funds’ books and records, calculates the Funds’ 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, including the Chief Compliance Officer, are employees of Fund Services.  Fees paid by the Funds for these services for the six months ended March 31, 2022, are disclosed in the statements of operations.
 
Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar”) acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares. Quasar is a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC.
 
NOTE 5 – 12B-1 DISTRIBUTION FEES
 
The Retail Class of each Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Plan”). The Plan permits each class to pay for distribution and related expenses up to an annual rate of 0.25% of its average daily net assets.  The expenses covered by the Plan may include the cost in connection with the promotion and distribution of shares and the provision of personal services to shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, advertising, compensation to underwriters, dealers and selling personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Fund shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature.  Payments made pursuant to the Plan will represent compensation for distribution and service activities, not reimbursements for specific expenses incurred.  For the six months ended March 31, 2022, the 12b-1 fees accrued by each Fund’s Retail Class are disclosed in the statements of operations.
54

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
NOTE 6 – SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEE
 
The Funds have entered into a Shareholder Servicing Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Adviser, under which the Funds may pay servicing fees up to an annual rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of each Fund.  Payments to the Adviser under the Agreement may reimburse the Adviser for payments it makes to selected brokers, dealers and administrators which have entered into service agreements with the Adviser for services provided to shareholders of the Funds. The services provided by such intermediaries are primarily designed to assist shareholders of the Funds and include the furnishing of office space and equipment, telephone facilities, personnel and assistance to the Funds in servicing such shareholders. Services provided by such intermediaries also include the provision of support services to the Funds and include establishing and maintaining shareholders’ accounts and record processing, purchase and redemption transactions, answering routine client inquiries regarding the Funds, and providing such other personal services to shareholders as the Funds may reasonably request. For the six months ended March 31, 2022, the shareholder servicing fees accrued by the Funds are disclosed in the statements of operations.
 
NOTE 7 – LINES OF CREDIT
 
The Scharf Fund, Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, and Scharf Global Opportunity Fund have secured lines of credit in the amount of $20,000,000, $5,000,000, and $2,200,000, respectively. These lines of credit are intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions, in connection with shareholder redemptions. The credit facility is with the Funds’ custodian, U.S. Bank N.A. During the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund did not draw upon its line of credit. During the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Scharf Fund and Scharf Global Opportunity Fund drew on their line of credit.
 
The Scharf Fund had an outstanding average balance of $36,159, paid a weighted average interest rate of 3.25%, and incurred interest expense of $594.  During the six months ended March 31, 2022, the maximum borrowing by the Fund was $3,364,000.
 
The Scharf Global Opportunity Fund had an outstanding average balance of $896, paid a weighted average interest rate of 3.25%, and incurred interest expense of $15.  During the six months ended March 31, 2022, the maximum borrowing by the Fund was $163,000.
 
At March 31, 2022, the Funds had no outstanding loan amounts.
55

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
NOTE 8 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
 
For the six months ended March 31, 2022, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. Government securities, were as follows:
 
   
Purchases
   
Sales
 
Scharf Fund
 
$
25,098,401
   
$
36,523,239
 
Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund
   
5,381,063
     
6,790,014
 
Scharf Global Opportunity Fund
   
3,304,766
     
3,156,188
 

During the six months ended March 31, 2022, there were $6,637,043 in purchases and $0 in sales of U.S. Government securities in the Scharf Fund.  The Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund had $10,578,022 in purchases and $0 in sales of U.S. Government securities, while the Scharf Global Opportunity Fund did not have any purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities.
 
NOTE 9 – INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
As of September 30, 2021, the most recently completed fiscal year end, the components of accumulated earnings/(losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
 
         
Scharf
 
         
Multi-Asset
 
   
Scharf
   
Opportunity
 
   
Fund
   
Fund
 
Cost of investments (a)
 
$
283,666,238
   
$
38,574,762
 
Gross unrealized appreciation
   
124,433,934
     
12,581,848
 
Gross unrealized depreciation
   
(8,008,398
)
   
(671,104
)
Net unrealized appreciation (a)
   
116,425,536
     
11,910,744
 
Net unrealized appreciation on foreign currency
   
1,637
     
162
 
Undistributed ordinary income
   
3,930,518
     
631,478
 
Undistributed long-term capital gains
   
32,836,899
     
3,678,367
 
Total distributable earnings
   
36,767,417
     
4,309,845
 
Other accumulated gains/(losses)
   
     
(25,481
)
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)
 
$
153,194,590
   
$
16,195,270
 
56

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
   
Scharf Global
 
   
Opportunity
 
   
Fund
 
Cost of investments (a)
 
$
20,890,192
 
Gross unrealized appreciation
   
6,395,257
 
Gross unrealized depreciation
   
(1,283,738
)
Net unrealized appreciation (a)
   
5,111,519
 
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on foreign currency
   
(102
)
Undistributed ordinary income
   
438,967
 
Undistributed long-term capital gains
   
2,066,490
 
Total distributable earnings
   
2,505,457
 
Other accumulated gains/(losses)
   
286,591
 
Total accumulated earnings/(losses)
 
$
7,903,465
 

(a)
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and unrealized appreciation is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, tax adjustments related to partnerships, tax equalization and transfer in-kind.

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020, was as follows:
 
   
March 31, 2022
   
September 30, 2021
 
   
Ordinary
   
Long-Term
   
Ordinary
   
Long-Term
 
   
Income
   
Capital Gains
   
Income
   
Capital Gains
 
Scharf Fund
 
$
4,142,207
   
$
34,710,012
   
$
2,929,952
   
$
10,049,574
 
Scharf Multi-Asset
                               
  Opportunity Fund
   
692,216
     
3,856,423
     
470,643
     
1,336,241
 
Scharf Global
                               
  Opportunity Fund
   
459,693
     
2,066,494
     
148,519
     
299,788
 

The Funds designated as long-term capital gain dividend, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(3), the amount necessary to reduce the earnings and profits of the Funds related to net capital gain to zero for the tax year ended September 30, 2021.
57

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
NOTE 10 – CONTROL OWNERSHIP
 
The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates a presumption of control of the fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act.  As of March 31, 2022, each Fund’s percentage of control ownership positions greater than 25% are as follows:
 
Scharf Fund
Retail Class
Institutional Class
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
46.69%
National Financial Services LLC
89.63%
     
Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund
Retail Class
Institutional Class
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
81.22%
88.83%
     
Scharf Global Opportunity Fund
Retail Class
Institutional Class
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
51.25%
Brian Alan Krawez and Karen Krawez Trust
30.30%
 
NOTE 11 – PRINCIPAL RISKS
 
Below is a summary of some, but not all, of the principal risks of investing in the Funds, each of which may adversely affect a Fund’s net asset value and total return. The Funds’ most recent prospectus provides further descriptions of each Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks.
 
 
Foreign and Emerging Market Securities Risk.  Investments in foreign currencies and foreign issuers are subject to additional risks, including political and economic risks, greater volatility, civil conflicts and war, sanctions or other measures by the United States or other governments, liquidity risks, currency fluctuations, higher transaction costs, delayed settlement, possible foreign controls on investment, expropriation and nationalization risks, and less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of foreign markets.  Events and evolving conditions in certain economies or markets may alter the risks associated with investments tied to countries or regions that historically were perceived as comparatively stable becoming riskier and more volatile.  These risks are magnified in countries in “emerging markets.”  Emerging market countries typically have less-established market economies than developed countries and may face greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties.  In addition, emerging markets typically present greater illiquidity and price volatility concerns due to smaller or limited local capital markets and greater difficulty in determining market valuations of securities due to limited public information on issuers.
58

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
 
Investment Style Risk.  The Adviser follows an investing style that favors relatively low valuations.  At times when this style is out of favor, the Funds may underperform funds that use different investing styles.
     
 
Small-and Medium-Sized Company Risk.  Small- and medium-sized companies often have less predictable earnings, more limited product lines, markets, distribution channels or financial resources and the management of such companies may be dependent upon one or few key people.  The market movements of equity securities of small- and medium-sized companies may be more abrupt and volatile than the market movements of equity securities of larger, more established companies or the stock market in general and small-sized companies in particular, are generally less liquid than the equity securities of larger companies.
     
 
Special Situations Risk.  There is a risk that the special situation (i.e., spin-off, liquidation, merger, etc.) might not occur, which could have a negative impact on the price of the issuer’s securities and fail to produce gains or produce a loss for the Multi-Asset Fund.  In addition, investments in special situation companies may be illiquid and difficult to value, which will require the Fund to employ fair value procedures to value its holdings in such investments.
     
 
General Market Risk.  Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease, has negatively affected economies, markets and individual companies throughout the world, including those in which the Fund invests. The effects of this pandemic to public health and business and market conditions, including exchange trading suspensions and closures, may continue to have a significant negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, increase the Fund’s volatility, negatively impact the Fund’s arbitrage and pricing mechanisms, exacerbate
59

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited), Continued
   
re-existing political, social and economic risks to the Fund, and negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations. The Fund’s operations may be interrupted as a result, which may contribute to the negative impact on investment performance. In addition, governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions in response to the pandemic that affect the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s investment performance. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other future epidemics or pandemics, is currently unknown.
 
NOTE 12 – FUND REORGANIZATION
 
On September 23, 2021, the Board of Trustees of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”) approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization whereby the Scharf Alpha Opportunity Fund (the “Acquired Fund”) reorganized and merged into the Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), also a series of the Trust (the “Reorganization).  The Reorganization was structured as a tax-free reorganization for federal tax purposes and was effective as of the close of business on December 17, 2021.
 
The Reorganization was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 254,271 shares of the Alpha Opportunity Fund Retail Class for 177,701 shares of the Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund Retail Class. At the close of business on December 17, 2021, the net assets of the Alpha Opportunity Fund Retail Class were $6,499,254 and the net assets of the Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund Retail Class were $7,193,020. After the reorganization, the net assets of the Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund Retail Class were $13,692,274.
 
The total net assets of the Alpha Opportunity Fund Retail Class of $6,499,254 included $39,704 of accumulated realized gains and $1,337,923 of unrealized net appreciation.  Assuming the reorganization had been completed on October 1, 2021, the beginning of the reporting period for the Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, the pro forma results of operations for the six-month period ended March 31, 2022, would have been as follows:
 
Net investment income
 
$
88,832
 
Net realized gain on investments
   
1,653,191
 
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments
   
966,973
 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
 
$
2,708,996
 

Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the reorganization, it is not practical to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings for the Alpha Opportunity Fund that have been included in the Multi-Asset Opportunity’s statement of operations since December 17, 2021.



60

SCHARF FUNDS

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS at March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
How to Obtain a Copy of the Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge upon request by calling 1-866-572-4273 (1-866-5SCHARF) or on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
How to Obtain a Copy of the Funds’ Proxy Voting Records for the 12-Month Period Ended June 30
 
Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-572-4273 (1-866-5SCHARF). Furthermore, you can obtain the Funds’ proxy voting records on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
Quarterly Filings on Form N-PORT
 
The Funds file their complete 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 Funds’ Form N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Information included in the Funds’ Form N-PORT is also available by calling 1-866-572-4273 (1-866-5SCHARF).
61

SCHARF FUNDS

STATEMENT REGARDING LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
(Unaudited)
Each Fund has adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “program”). The Board has designated a committee at the Adviser to serve as the administrator of the program. The Adviser’s committee conducts the day-to-day operation of the programs pursuant to policies and procedures administered by the committee.
 
Under the program, the Adviser’s committee manages each 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 each Fund’s investments, limiting the amount of each Fund’s illiquid investments, and utilizing various risk management tools and facilities available to each Fund for meeting shareholder redemptions, among other means. The committee’s process of determining the degree of liquidity of each 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 July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021. 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 each Fund’s liquidity risk.
 

HOUSEHOLDING
In an effort to decrease costs, the Funds 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 Funds’ transfer agent toll free at 1-866-572-4273 (1-866-5SCHARF) to request individual copies of these documents. The Funds will begin sending individual copies 30 days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.
62

SCHARF FUNDS

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited)
Scharf Fund
Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund
Scharf Global Opportunity Fund
 
At meetings held on October 18 and December 7-8, 2021, the Board (which is comprised of four persons, all of whom are Independent Trustees as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), considered and approved, for another annual term, the continuance of the investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”) and Scharf Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”) on behalf of each of the Scharf Fund, Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund (the “Multi-Asset Fund”), and Scharf Global Opportunity Fund (the “Global Opportunity Fund”) (collectively, the “Funds”).  At both meetings, the Board received and reviewed substantial information regarding the Funds, the Adviser and the services provided by the Adviser to the Funds under the Advisory Agreement.  This information, together with the information provided to the Board throughout the course of the year, formed the primary (but not exclusive) basis for the Board’s determinations.  Below is a summary of the factors considered by the Board and the conclusions that formed the basis for the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement:
 
 
1.
THE NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED AND TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ADVISER UNDER THE ADVISORY AGREEMENT.  The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the Adviser’s overall services provided to the Funds, as well as its responsibilities in all aspects of day-to-day investment management of the Funds. The Board considered the qualifications, experience and responsibilities of the portfolio manager, as well as the responsibilities of other key personnel of the Adviser involved in the day-to-day activities of the Funds.  The Board also considered the resources and compliance structure of the Adviser, including information regarding its compliance program, its chief compliance officer and the Adviser’s compliance record, as well as the Adviser’s cybersecurity program, liquidity risk management program, business continuity plan, and risk management process.  Additionally, the Board considered how the Advisor’s business continuity plan has operated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Board also considered the prior relationship between the Adviser and the Trust, as well as the Board’s knowledge of the Adviser’s operations, and noted that during the course of the prior year they had met with certain personnel of the Adviser via videoconference to discuss each Fund’s performance and investment outlook as well as various marketing and compliance topics.  The Board concluded that the Adviser had the quality and depth of personnel, resources, investment processes, and compliance policies and procedures essential to performing its
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APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), Continued
   
duties under the Advisory Agreement and that they were satisfied with the nature, overall quality and extent of such management services.
     
 
2.
THE FUNDS’ HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE AND THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE ADVISER.  In assessing the quality of the portfolio management delivered by the Adviser, the Board reviewed the short-term and long-term performance of each Fund as of June 30, 2021 on both an absolute basis and a relative basis in comparison to its peer funds utilizing Morningstar classifications, appropriate securities market benchmarks, a cohort that is comprised of similarly managed funds selected by an independent third-party consulting firm engaged by the Board to assist it in its 15(c) review (the “Cohort”),  and the Advisor’s similarly managed accounts.  While the Board considered both short-term and long-term performance, it placed greater emphasis on longer term performance. When reviewing performance against the comparative Morningstar peer group universe, the Board took into account that the investment objectives and strategies of each Fund, as well as its level of risk tolerance, may differ significantly from funds in the peer universe.  When reviewing the Fund’s performance against broad market benchmarks, the Board took into account the differences in portfolio construction between the Fund and such benchmarks as well as other differences between actively managed funds and passive benchmarks, such as objectives and risks. In assessing periods of relative underperformance or outperformance, the Board took into account that relative performance can be significantly impacted by performance measurement periods and that some periods of underperformance may be transitory in nature while others may reflect more significant underlying issues.
     
   
Scharf Fund: The Board noted that the Fund underperformed the Morningstar peer group average for the one-year period and outperformed for the three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2021. The Board also reviewed the performance of the Fund against a broad-based securities market benchmark, noting that it had underperformed its primary benchmark index for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2021. The Board also considered that the Fund performed below the average of its Cohort for the one- and five-year period, but above the average for the three-year period ended June 30, 2021.
     
   
The Board also considered any differences in performance between the Adviser’s similarly managed accounts and the performance of the Fund, noting that the Fund outperformed its similar account composite for the one-year period and slightly outperformed for the three-year periods ended June 30, 2021.
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APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), Continued
   
Multi-Asset Fund: The Board noted that the Fund performed below the average of its Morningstar peer group for the one-year period, above the average for the three-year period and slightly above the average for the five-year period ended June 30, 2021. The Board also reviewed the performance of the Fund against a broad-based securities market benchmark, noting that it had underperformed its primary benchmark index for the one-, three- and five-year periods and outperformed its secondary benchmark index for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2021. The Board also considered that the Fund performed below the average of its Cohort for the one- and five-year periods and above the average for the three-year period ended June 30, 2021.
     
   
The Board also considered any differences in performance between the Adviser’s similarly managed accounts and the performance of the Fund, noting that the Fund outperformed the similarly managed account composite for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2021.
     
   
Global Opportunity Fund: The Board noted that the Fund outperformed each of the Morningstar peer group average, a broad-based securities market benchmark that served as its primary benchmark, and its Cohort average over the one-, three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2021.
     
   
The Board noted that the Adviser stated it does not manage any other accounts similarly to the Fund.
     
 
3.
THE COSTS OF THE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ADVISER AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE ADVISER’S FEE UNDER THE ADVISORY AGREEMENT.  In considering the advisory fee and total fees and expenses of each Fund, the Board reviewed comparisons to the Morningstar peer funds, the Cohort and to the Adviser’s similarly managed separate accounts for other types of clients, if applicable, as well as all expense waivers and reimbursements.  When reviewing fees charged to other similarly managed accounts, the Board considered the type of account and the differences in the management of that account that might be germane to the difference, if any, in the fees charged to such accounts.
     
   
Scharf Fund: The Board noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the Fund of 0.79% (excluding certain operating expenses and class-level expenses, the “Expense Cap”).  The Board noted that the Fund’s total net expense ratio was below the Morningstar peer group average, but above the median. The Board also considered that the Fund’s contractual management fee was above the average and the median of the Morningstar peer group. The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fee and net expense ratio were each
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SCHARF FUNDS

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), Continued
   
above the Cohort median and average.  The Board considered that the management fee charged to the Fund was generally lower than the fees charged by the Adviser to its separately managed account clients at lower asset levels and higher at higher asset levels.
     
   
Multi-Asset Fund: The Board noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the Fund of 0.88% (excluding certain operating expenses and class-level expenses, the “Expense Cap”).  The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fee and total net expense ratio were each above the Morningstar peer group median and average. The Board also considered that the contractual management fee was above the Cohort median and average and the total net expense ratio was below the Cohort median and average.  The Board considered that the management fee charged to the Fund was generally lower than the fees charged by the Adviser to its separately managed account clients.
     
   
Global Opportunity Fund: The Board noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the Fund of 0.54% (excluding certain operating expenses and class-level expenses, the “Expense Cap”).  The Board noted that the Fund’s total net expense ratio was below each of the Morningstar peer group and the Cohort median and average.  The Board also considered that the contractual management fee of the Fund was above each of the Cohort and the Morningstar peer group median and average.  The Board noted that the Adviser does not manage any other accounts similarly to that of the Fund.
     
   
The Board determined that it would continue to monitor the appropriateness of the advisory fees for the Funds and concluded that, at this time, the fees to be paid to the Adviser were fair and reasonable.
     
 
4.
ECONOMIES OF SCALE.  The Board also considered whether economies of scale were being realized by the Adviser that should be shared with shareholders.  In this regard, the Board noted that the Adviser contractually agreed to reduce its advisory fees or reimburse Fund expenses so that the Funds do not exceed the specified Expense Caps.  The Board noted that at current asset levels, it did not appear that there were additional significant economies of scale being realized by the Adviser and concluded that it would continue to monitor economies of scale in the future as circumstances changed and assuming asset levels continued to increase.
     
 
5.
THE PROFITS TO BE REALIZED BY THE ADVISER AND ITS AFFILIATES FROM THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FUNDS.  The Board reviewed the Adviser’s financial information and took into account
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APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited), Continued
   
both the direct benefits and the indirect benefits to the Adviser from advising the Funds, such as benefits received in the form of Rule 12b-1 fees received from the Funds.  The Board also considered that the Funds utilize “soft dollar” benefits that may be received by the Adviser in exchange for Fund brokerage.  The Board considered the profitability to the Adviser from its relationship with the Funds and considered any additional material benefits derived by the Adviser from its relationship with the Funds.  After such review, the Board determined that the profitability to the Adviser with respect to the Advisory Agreement was not excessive, and that the Adviser had maintained adequate profit levels to support the services it provides to the Funds.

No single factor was determinative of the Board’s decision to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Scharf Fund, Multi-Asset Fund, and Global Opportunity Fund, but rather the Trustees based their determination on the total mix of information available to them.  Based on a consideration of all the factors in their totality, the Trustees determined that the advisory arrangements with the Adviser, including the advisory fees, were fair and reasonable to the Funds.  The Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, therefore determined that the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Funds would be in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders.
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SCHARF FUNDS

PRIVACY NOTICE
The Funds collect non-public information about you from the following sources:
 
Information we receive about you on applications or other forms;
   
Information you give us orally; and/or
   
Information about your transactions with us or others.

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers without the customer’s authorization, except as permitted by law or in response to inquiries from governmental authorities. We may share information with affiliated and unaffiliated third parties with whom we have contracts for servicing the Funds.  We will provide unaffiliated third parties with only the information necessary to carry out their assigned responsibilities.  We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your non-public personal information and require third parties to treat your personal information with the same high degree of confidentiality.
 
In the event that you hold shares of the Funds through a financial intermediary, including, but not limited to, a broker-dealer, bank, or trust company, the privacy policy of your financial intermediary would govern how your non-public personal information would be shared by those entities with unaffiliated third parties.
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Investment Adviser
Scharf Investments, LLC
16450 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 207
Los Gatos, CA 95032

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

Custodian
U.S. Bank National Association
Custody Operations
1555 North RiverCenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212

Transfer Agent
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(866) 572-4273

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 shareholders of the Funds and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.  For a current prospectus please call (866)-5SCHARF. 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   6/6/2022



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   6/6/2022

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

Date   6/6/2022

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