N-CSR 1 pf-ncsra.htm PZENA FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 2-28-23
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: February 28, 2023



Date of reporting period:  February 28, 2023



Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

(a)






Pzena Funds
Annual Report
FEBRUARY 28, 2023


PZENA MID CAP VALUE FUND
Investor Class PZVMX
Institutional Class PZIMX
 
PZENA EMERGING MARKETS VALUE FUND
Investor Class PZVEX
Institutional Class PZIEX
 
PZENA SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
Investor Class PZVSX
Institutional Class PZISX
 
PZENA INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
Investor Class PZVIX
Institutional Class PZIIX
 
PZENA INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND
Investor Class PZVNX
Institutional Class PZINX

1-844-PZN-1996 (1-844-796-1996) • www.pzenafunds.com





Table of Contents


Letter to Shareholders
 
1
     
Pzena Funds Commentary
   
Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
 
2
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
 
5
Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
 
8
Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
 
11
Pzena International Value Fund
 
14
     
Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
   
Portfolio Allocation
 
17
Schedule of Investments
 
18
     
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
   
Portfolio Allocation
 
19
Schedule of Investments
 
20
Portfolio Diversification
 
22
     
Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
   
Portfolio Allocation
 
23
Schedule of Investments
 
24
     
Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
   
Portfolio Allocation
 
26
Schedule of Investments
 
27
Portfolio Diversification
 
29
     
Pzena International Value Fund
   
Portfolio Allocation
 
30
Schedule of Investments
 
31
Portfolio Diversification
 
33
     
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
 
34
     
Statements of Operations
 
36
     
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
   
Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
 
38
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
 
39
Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
 
40
Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
 
41
Pzena International Value Fund
 
42
     
Financial Highlights
   
Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
 
43
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
 
45
Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
 
47
Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
 
49
Pzena International Value Fund
 
51
     
Notes to Financial Statements
 
53
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
64
     
Expense Example
 
65
     
Information about Trustees and Officers
 
67
     
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
 
70
     
Notice to Shareholders
 
73
     
Liquidity Risk Management Program
 
74
     
Privacy Notice
 
75





Dear Shareholder:
 
Global markets whipsawed early in the period, vacillating between positive and negative developments on the war in Ukraine, as investors grappled with the economic implications of Western sanctions on Russia. Overall weakness persisted throughout early 2022, driven by continued concerns over Chinese regulation – particularly, the potential delisting of depository receipts – exacerbated by the war in Europe.
 
With both energy and food costs spiking, inflation and macroeconomic weakness heightened fears of a potentially painful global recession. At the same time, central banks – the Fed in particular – started to project a hawkish tone, and interest rates rose accordingly, pressuring equity valuations. Value started to outperform growth around this time, as the eventuality of material policy rate increases and consequentially, higher global yields, impacted longer duration growth stocks the most. Rising input costs also had a more pronounced effect on domestic small caps, which underperformed their large cap peers.
 
After a challenging summer, equity markets reversed course towards the end of the year, with Europe leading the pack. Investors reacted positively to tentative signs of easing inflationary pressures, helped by a warmer start to the winter in Europe. The Bank of Japan’s policy adjustment reversing decades of negative interest rates, and China’s exit from the zero-COVID regime also boosted sentiment. Given investors’ renewed appetite for risk, the cyclical corners of the market performed the best. The dollar’s abrupt shift after months of sustained strength also provided a tailwind for U.S. dollar-based investors. Amidst this backdrop, value stocks across geographies outperformed their growth peers and broad market indices, but still closed negative for the year due to persistent recession fears.
 
Even after a sustained period of outperformance, global value stocks are still exceptionally cheap, particularly relative to their growth counterparts, and underlying metrics suggest value has much more room to run. The valuation gap between global value and growth stocks has narrowed, but the absolute level remains enticing. To put this into context, the MSCI All Country World Value Index is trading at a price-to-forward earnings discount of 47% to the Growth Index, significantly larger than the average monthly discount of 30% over the past ~20 years. On a price-to-book basis, the discount is even larger at 66%. What’s more, the current pro-value cycle (which we define as value outperforming the market by more than 15% for at least one year) that began in October 2020 is less than half the duration of the six previous cycles, which each lasted about 5 years on average. Although there’s no hard and fast rule for how long a value cycle will persist, considering both valuation and duration, the starting point today for our value strategies is certainly compelling.
 
Please take a few minutes to read the Fund commentaries on the following pages, where our portfolio management teams review investment decisions and current positioning, providing insight into recent performance.
 
If you have questions about your Pzena Fund’s portfolio, please get in touch with your advisor or a member of our team of registered representatives.
 
We thank you for investing with us. As always, we are committed to our philosophy of value investing with a long-term outlook.
 
Best regards,
 
Pzena Investment Management, LLC
 

 
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Index performance is not indicative of fund performance. One cannot invest directly in an index.
 
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 



1

Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
Commentary
February 2023

CHANGE IN VALUE OF $1,000,000 INVESTMENT


 
Average Annual Total Returns for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2023.
 
           
Since
 
Three
Six
One
Three
Five
Inception
 
Months(1)
Months(1)
Year(1)
Years
Years
(3/31/2014)
Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund – Investor Class (PZVMX)
 4.29%
13.59%
 1.96%
19.25%
8.05%
8.63%
Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund – Institutional Class (PZIMX)
 4.34%
13.81%
 2.37%
19.72%
8.45%
8.99%
Russell Midcap® Value Index
-0.70%
  4.34%
-3.42%
11.96%
7.27%
7.79%

(1)
Not annualized.

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 844.PZN.1996 (844.796.1996).
 
PZVMX Expense Ratio – Gross: 1.32%
PZVMX Expense Ratio – Net: 1.25%*
 
PZIMX Expense Ratio – Gross: 0.97%
PZIMX Expense Ratio – Net: 0.90%*
 
Expense ratios shown are as of the Fund’s prospectus dated June 28, 2022.
 
*
Pzena Investment Management, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive a portion or all of its management fees and pay Fund expenses through at least June 28, 2023.


Stocks started weakening in the first quarter of 2022, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine combined with rising interest rates drove down sentiment. Equities declined more sharply in the second quarter, battered by high inflation, tightening U.S. monetary policy and ever-rising recession fears. The declines were broad-based, with stocks across market caps and styles registering meaningful drops in valuations, but value outperformed growth in the face of higher interest rates. Markets sharply inflected and then rallied in the fourth quarter due to a number of factors, including the moderation of various inflation indicators, a warmer start to the winter in Europe, and China ending its strict zero-COVID policy. Amidst this backdrop, U.S. value stocks materially outperformed both growth and the broad market, but still closed negative for the period. The Fund rose slightly during the fiscal year and outperformed the Russell Midcap Value Index by a significant margin.
 
Energy and industrials were the two main contributing sectors. Terex, manufacturer of aerial work platforms, reported a string of earnings beats driven by higher volumes and strong pricing.
 


2

Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

The backlog for aerial work platforms continued to grow throughout the year and the company provided 2023 guidance slightly ahead of consensus. Life and health reinsurer Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) reported strong 2Q and 3Q earnings reports. The company benefitted from lower-than-expected COVID and non-COVID mortality rates. RGA is uniquely levered to mortality risk among the major reinsurers and had suffered disproportionately from COVID-19 as a result. There is some optimism that COVID mortality rates may remain low moving forward. Pharmaceutical distributor McKesson was a standout performer as investors preferred defensive names including ones in the health care sector amid growing concerns over slower earnings growth and a potential recession. The company has been able to manage inflationary pressures within the business and pass-through rising fuel costs to customers. Furthermore, the stock moved higher in April on news that it completed the divestiture of its UK business, as the business had been seen as a drag on earnings. In addition, management raised full year guidance in August, driven by the extension of their vaccine distribution contracts with the U.S. government.
 
Only consumer discretionary and information technology holdings detracted as a group from absolute performance. Window and door manufacturer JELD-WEN fell amid the difficult macro environment and a slowdown in new housing starts. The CEO’s departure also dampened sentiment. We continue to believe JELD-WEN can maintain strong pricing and increase profitability in the housing market with their strong position in consolidated markets once they get past manufacturing bottlenecks. Consumer products company Newell Brands fell during the past year. Newell’s customers, which include big-box retailers, continue to manage down their own inventory amid softening demand, effectively reducing orders for Newell’s products. The company also continues to deal with foreign currency and inflation headwinds. Regional bank KeyCorp declined as economic uncertainty weighed on the bank and its peers. The bank reported lower than expected earnings after 1Q and 4Q driven by higher provisioning to account for uncertainty, though this was partially offset by increasing net interest income given rising rates.
 
We initiated a position in Magna International, the largest auto supplier in North America and fourth largest globally. Magna has a well-diversified product portfolio that touches nearly every aspect of the vehicle, with market-leading positions in body & chassis, exteriors, mechatronics, and complete vehicle manufacturing. Magna is well-positioned for both the transition to electric vehicles—80% of its sales are powertrain agnostic— and the transition to autonomous driving with a leading position in advanced driver assistance systems. The stock weakened in 2022, as the semiconductor shortage led to global light vehicle production (LVP) shortfalls that, in turn, lowered Magna’s sales. Operating margins also contracted, as unpredictable production schedules caused labor and other operational inefficiencies. Going forward, we expect global LVP to progressively improve as the semiconductor shortage eases, while pent-up demand could possibly offset any recession-induced decline in auto spend.
 
We also added Axalta Coating Systems, a leading supplier of coating products that operates in three main businesses – Refinish, for auto collision and repair, Mobility, for new vehicles, and Industrial, for a broad range of specialty coatings used across several end markets. The Refinish business dominates in the premium segment, with services and products that drive customer efficiency. There are opportunities to expand in the economy segment as well as in emerging markets. The market is concerned about near-term earnings pain from reduced traffic (and, consequentially, accidents) due to COVID restrictions, lower new car volumes stemming from the chip shortage, and elevated raw material prices. We expect these headwinds to abate over time, and for growth to reaccelerate at this high-return industrial franchise.
 
Another new position is Globe Life, which sells simple, low-face life and supplemental health policies to lower- and middle-income customers. Their captive sales force gives them a differentiated position in the market with more price flexibility than peers, driving higher returns and enabling management to return significant capital to shareholders through buybacks. The company should benefit from higher rates going forward as new money yields finally surpass roll-off yields.
 
Other additions to the portfolio were Fidelity National Financial, Fortune Brands Innovations and MasterBrand.
 
We exited Baker Hughes (oil servicer), McKesson (pharma distributor), Cenovus Energy (oil sands driller), TechnipFMC (oil servicer), Hewlett Packard Enterprise (enterprise hardware and software) and Ryder System (transport company), on strength. We also exited NRG (utility) as the range of outcomes widened following a recent large acquisition outside of its core industry, thereby increasing leverage and execution risk.
 
While the macroeconomic environment has not become any clearer this year, it bears remembering that the seeds of market rallies are planted during recession-driven selloffs. Historically, stocks perform particularly well in the five-year period following the start of a recession, and value tends to materially outperform. We believe today’s backdrop is quite positive for cheap stocks, which remain one of the few options offering positive real earnings yields. Given their shorter duration cash flows, cheap stocks also tend to perform well in both inflationary and rising rate environments, and the valuation spread between their growth counterparts remains exceptionally wide. The portfolio is heavily skewed towards financials, consumer discretionary, and industrials, as absolute valuations remain compelling due to persistent recession fears.
 


3

Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investments in mid-cap companies involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility than larger companies. Investments in foreign securities involve political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility and differences in accounting methods. The Fund may have emphasis on a specific sector which could adversely affect a fund to a greater extent than if its emphasis was less. The Fund emphasizes a “value” style of investing, which targets undervalued companies with characteristics for improved valuations. This style of investing is subject to the risk that valuations never improve or that returns on “value” securities may not move in tandem with the returns on other styles of investing or the stock market in general.
 
The Pzena Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
 
Fund holdings, exposures and characteristics are as of the date shown and are subject to change at any time. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for more information. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the Fund manager, are subject to change, are not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.
 
The Russell Midcap® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell Mid Cap® companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth rates. The index cannot be invested in directly.
 






4

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
Commentary
February 2023

CHANGE IN VALUE OF $1,000,000 INVESTMENT

 
 
Average Annual Total Returns for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2023.
 
           
Since
 
Three
Six
One
Three
Five
Inception
 
Months(1)
Months(1)
Year(1)
Years
Years
(3/31/2014)
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund –
           
  Investor Class (PZVEX)
 2.63%
 5.14%
  -3.39%
9.00%
 1.22%
2.71%
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund –
           
  Institutional Class (PZIEX)
 2.72%
 5.31%
  -3.11%
9.35%
 1.57%
3.03%
MSCI Emerging Markets Index
-0.52%
-2.29%
-15.28%
0.97%
-1.87%
2.07%
MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index
-0.12%
-0.07%
-12.55%
2.37%
-2.02%
0.92%

(1)
Not annualized.

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 844.PZN.1996 (844.796.1996).
 
PZVEX Expense Ratio – Gross: 1.50%
PZVEX Expense Ratio – Net: 1.43%*
 
PZIEX Expense Ratio – Gross: 1.15%
PZIEX Expense Ratio – Net: 1.08%*
 
Expense ratios shown are as of the Fund’s prospectus dated June 28, 2022.
 
*
Pzena Investment Management, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive a portion or all of its management fees and pay Fund expenses through at least June 28, 2023.


Emerging markets weakness, which began in 2021 on COVID uncertainty and supply chain issues, persisted into 2022, driven by continued concerns over Chinese regulation – particularly, the potential delisting of depository receipts – exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February. As a result of the war, the market values of Russian stocks traded overseas were effectively wiped out, while Hungarian and Chinese stocks also came under pressure. With both energy and food costs spiking on continued Russian aggression in Ukraine (and consequential sanctions on Russia – both government-imposed and private sector self-sanctioning by Western companies), runaway inflation and macroeconomic weakness heightened fears of a potentially painful global recession. Additionally, the Chinese market remained volatile, as the government took actions that impacted
 


5

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

multiple industries causing reverberations across global bourses. Emerging markets were weak in the third quarter driven by unremitting concerns over a global macroeconomic slowdown, as well as a strengthening U.S. dollar. Emerging markets rebounded in the fourth quarter after initial concerns over the outcome of the politburo meetings in China were outweighed by subsequent actions taken by the Chinese government to reopen the economy.
 
Overall, the full period can be characterized by a relatively volatile Chinese economy, in combination with Russia’s war in Ukraine – both of which contributed to the material rise in global inflation. The result thus far has been weaker GDP growth, higher global interest rates, and lower EM currencies, which negatively impacted EM stocks. In this environment, Value stocks have managed to outperform their Growth peers.
 
The Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund fell but outperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index significantly this year. On a relative basis, the largest contributing sectors included financials, consumer discretionary, and information technology while energy, health care and consumer staples were the only sectors to detract from relative performance. By country, China, Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan were the largest relative contributors, while Mexico, South Africa and Peru detracted the most.
 
On an absolute basis, holdings in financials, consumer discretionary, and communication services drove portfolio returns. The largest detracting positions were from the information technology, materials, and health care sectors. On a country basis, holdings from Turkey, China, and United Kingdom led the portfolio’s gainers whereas holdings in Taiwan, South Africa and Korea detracted the most.
 
Among individual names, Trip.com (Chinese online travel agency), Akbank (Turkish bank), and Flex Ltd. (Singaporean electronics original design manufacturer) were the strongest Fund performers.
 
Shares of Trip.com began to rise towards the end of 2022 as the Chinese government relaxed COVID-19 restrictions and Chinese reopening optimism surged. Shares of Turkish bank Akbank rose amid high inflation in Turkey. Akbank announced a string of results that bested expectations. The company has benefitted from the upward trend in inflation due to their securities book which is linked to CPI, driving robust net interest income. Flex Ltd., the leading outsourced electronics assembler, has reported strong earnings reports driven by continued strength across most end markets. Flex pushed forward on its plans to IPO its solar business Nextracker which was completed in February 2023.
 
The portfolio’s largest detractors were Sasol (South African energy and chemical company), Cognizant Technology Solutions (global IT service provider), and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
 
Sasol’s shares declined as oil prices moderated in the second half of 2022, and the company manages through coal quality issues in their mining operations. Cognizant Technology Solutions fell amid the challenging macro environment. The company experienced pressure on gross margins and elevated levels of turnover, which should normalize over time. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing declined along with most semiconductor stocks, which are down in general because of their high macro sensitivity and declining handset demand.
 
New names added to the portfolio included Credicorp (Peruvian bank), GF Securities (Chinese financial services company), Neoenergia (Brazilian utility), Ping An Insurance (Chinese insurer), Petroleo Brasileiro (Brazilian gas company), and CIMC Enric (Chinese liquid/gas storage tank manufacturer).
 
Credicorp is a high return on equity bank within the underbanked Peruvian market where concerns over the Castillo administration, COVID’s impact on asset quality, and depressed earnings due to accelerating digital transformation investments provided us with an attractive entry point.
 
GF Securities is the fifth-largest broker in China and generates over RMB 15 billion of operating profit from its brokerage, asset & fund management, lending, trading, and investment banking business lines. The stock has recently traded down in sympathy with the Chinese A-share market; however, we believe opportunities exist for GF to pivot toward a more asset-light business mix, as well as optimize its balance sheet to further enhance its return on tangible equity. At a higher level, GF should benefit from additional tailwinds by way of market reforms intended to promote greater foreign investment flows, direct financing (which is only 37% in China vs. over 80% in the U.S.), and household asset reallocation from property/bank deposits into the equity markets. Further, we appreciate the valuation protection offered by a price-to-TBV currently near a ten-year low for a business that does not face risk of impairment, in our view.
 
Neoenergia is a high-quality utility that is poised to show strong earnings growth as it is approaching the end of a capital expansion and as hydropower conditions normalize in Brazil.
 
Ping An is the largest life insurance company in China. Sales of new policies across the life insurance sector have been pressured due to lockdowns and lack of face-to-face meetings, but the company is taking actions to prune and streamline its workforce to emerge as a stronger player.
 
We added Petroleo Brasileiro (“Petrobras”) to the portfolio. Petrobras is a state-owned oil and gas company with a high-quality asset base and high levels of free cash flow generation that is trading at a very attractive valuation. The main controversy in the stock is concerns that the new Brazilian government will install management that could run it in an uneconomic manner that is unfriendly to minority shareholders. We believe that the company’s robust reforms over the past six years provide better transparency and governance than in the past.
 


6

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

We began to build a position in CIMC Enric, a Chinese manufacturer of containers for the transportation and storage of liquids and gases. The company sells equipment to the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry, beer brewers and is the leading chemical tank container manufacturer globally.
 
Disposals included CEZ A.S. (Czech utility), Tofas Turk Otomobil (Turkish auto OEM), Catcher Technology (Taiwanese original device manufacturer), Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Antofagasta (Chilean mining), Reunert Limited (South African fiber cable manufacturer), Lukoil (Russian oil), Hyundai Motor (Korean auto OEM), and Light SA (Brazilian utility).
 
Emerging markets continue to be volatile as macro concerns and the invasion of Ukraine weigh on sentiment. We remain vigilant for opportunities to take advantage of companies that are being unduly punished for issues that may ultimately be temporary. Our portfolio continues to offer compelling valuations given the underlying fundamentals of our companies.
 
Our largest sector exposures remain in Financials and Information Technology. Asia constitutes the bulk of the portfolio with the largest weights in China and Korea. We have a relative overweight to emerging Europe and a relative underweight to China.
 

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investments in foreign securities involve political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for investments in emerging markets. The Fund may have emphasis on a specific sector which could adversely affect a fund to a greater extent than if its emphasis was less. The Fund may invest in securities which are less liquid and more difficult to sell than more liquid securities. The Fund emphasizes a “value” style of investing, which targets undervalued companies with characteristics for improved valuations. This style of investing is subject to the risk that valuations never improve or that returns on “value” securities may not move in tandem with the returns on other styles of investing or the stock market in general.
 
The Pzena Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
 
Fund holdings, exposures and characteristics are as of the date shown and are subject to change at any time. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for more information.
 
The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the Fund manager, are subject to change, are not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.
 
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets, and provides equity returns including dividends net of withholding tax rates as calculated by MSCI. The index cannot be invested in directly.
 
The MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index is based on a traditional market cap weighted parent index, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The value investment style characteristics for index construction are defined using three variables: book value to price, 12-month forward earnings to price and dividend yield. The index cannot be invested in directly.
 





7

Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
Commentary
February 2023

CHANGE IN VALUE OF $1,000,000 INVESTMENT

 
 
Average Annual Total Returns for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2023.
 
           
Since
 
Three
Six
One
Three
Five
Inception
 
Months(1)
Months(1)
Year(1)
Years
Years
(4/27/2016)
Pzena Small Cap Value Fund – Investor Class (PZVSX)
4.65%
16.43%
 6.34%
17.45%
7.81%
8.45%
Pzena Small Cap Value Fund – Institutional Class (PZISX)
4.74%
16.45%
 6.50%
17.74%
8.09%
8.75%
Russell 2000® Value Index
0.00%
  4.20%
-4.40%
12.87%
6.38%
8.66%

(1)
Not annualized.

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 844.PZN.1996 (844.796.1996).
 
PZVSX Expense Ratio – Gross: 1.52%
PZVSX Expense Ratio – Net: 1.35%*
 
PZISX Expense Ratio – Gross: 1.17%
PZISX Expense Ratio – Net: 1.00%*
 
Expense ratios shown are as of the Fund’s prospectus dated June 28, 2022.
 
*
Pzena Investment Management, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive a portion or all of its management fees and pay Fund expenses through at least June 28, 2023.


Equity markets whipsawed early in the period, vacillating between positive and negative developments on the war in Ukraine, as investors grappled with the economic implications of Western sanctions on Russia – the effects of which reverberated across the world.
 
With consumer prices spiking, consequential Fed rate hikes heightened fears of a potentially painful domestic recession, taking a toll on the valuations of small cap stocks more levered to the economy. Value started to outperform growth around this time, as the eventuality of material policy rate increases and associated higher yields, impacted longer duration growth stocks the most. Rising input costs also had a more pronounced effect on domestic small caps, which underperformed their large cap peers. Equities rebounded strongly in the fourth quarter as supply chain issues began to dissipate, and fears of a deep recession were tempered by moderating inflation indicators. U.S. markets declined slightly during February after a strong start to 2023, as increased interest rate expectations ended the rally that began at the turn of the year. Resilient
 


8

Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

economic data, such as continued low unemployment, strong retail sales data and persistent inflation, indicated continued economic expansion. As a result, the Federal Reserve reiterated its commitment to raising rates as necessary, in order to control inflation, which weighed on equities.
 
Amid this backdrop, the Pzena Small Cap Value Fund rose and outperformed the Russell 2000 Value Index markedly. Information technology and materials holdings contributed to absolute performance and outperformance of the benchmark, while energy holdings were also strong on an absolute basis. Consumer staples holdings were the largest detractor in absolute terms and relative to the benchmark. Health care and industrials holdings also detracted from Fund performance.
 
Individually, the Fund’s largest contributors were Belden, Orion Engineered Carbons, and Terex Corporation. Signal transmission company Belden reported a string of strong results with revenues and earnings above prior guidance and recently raised 2023 guidance. The company’s multi-year strategy of focusing on core growth end markets (industrial automation, broadband & 5G, and smart buildings) continues to drive the stock’s performance. Carbon black producer Orion Engineered Carbons reported a sales and earnings beat for the Fourth Quarter. Results were driven by continued strong demand in the Rubber business, along with price realization and improved mix in the Specialty and Rubber businesses. We continue to believe Orion is a leading carbon black manufacturer with a strong specialty chemical business and a valuation well below replacement value. Terex, manufacturer of aerial work platforms, reported a string of earnings beats driven by higher volumes and strong pricing. The backlog for aerial work platforms continued to grow throughout the year and the company provided 2023 guidance slightly ahead of consensus.
 
The largest detractors from Fund performance were Steelcase, JELD-WEN and Spectrum Brands. Office furniture manufacturer Steelcase traded down throughout the year as recessionary concerns and return-to-office uncertainties have delayed companies’ decisions to invest in office space. The company has done well to increase pricing to offset cost inflation. Therefore, Steelcase has reduced their headcount by 8% and reduced its dividend, but it is still yielding approximately 6%. The company remains attractively priced according to our normal earnings estimate. Steelcase has done well to manage the challenging environment it currently faces, and we expect margins to increase back to their normal range as pricing continues to catch up with recent cost inflation. Window and door manufacturer JELD-WEN fell amid the difficult macro environment and a slowdown in new housing starts. The CEO’s departure also dampened sentiment. We continue to believe JELD-WEN can maintain strong pricing and increase profitability in the housing market with their strong position in consolidated markets once they get past manufacturing bottlenecks. Consumer products company Spectrum Brands fell after the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) challenged the planned sale of its home improvement segment on antitrust concerns. Spectrum and its acquisition partner, Assa Abloy, are contesting the decision, but there is a wide range of outcomes for the stock, as Spectrum will have zero debt and is grossly undervalued if the deal occurs but will be highly levered if the transaction is blocked. Shares of Spectrum rebounded somewhat after Assa Abloy announced the divestment of some of its lock businesses which increases the likelihood that the DOJ will approve Spectrum’s proposed divestment.
 
We initiated positions in Masonite, Adient, and Axalta. Masonite is a leading global manufacturer of interior and exterior doors for residential new and the repair/improvement and non-residential building markets, and a stock we had previously owned. They and their principal competitor JELD-WEN are the only vertically integrated door manufacturers in North America and together they control approximately 80% of the door market. The stock traded down on housing concerns with slowing starts and higher interest rates, which created an attractive entry opportunity. Adient, is a leading supplier of auto seating globally. The company’s shares had fallen as the prior CEO had focused on share gain, but mispriced parts of the business and increased leverage. The company’s current management team has refocused the business on profitability and cash flow, creating an attractive valuation opportunity and a beneficiary as auto manufacturing bottlenecks ease. Axalta is a leading supplier of coating products for automobiles and other industrial applications. The company maintains a heavy market share in the auto market, and switching costs are high in the premium refinish market, where auto repair shops typically build out IT stacks and paint systems that are compatible with one supplier’s offerings. Axalta’s earnings are currently depressed because both new car volumes and miles driven are down, but the company is well positioned to benefit from a recovery in each.
 
We also added GMS Inc., MasterBrand and Koppers Holdings to the Fund during the past twelve months.
 
We exited Super Micro Computer (server manufacturer), NexTier Oilfield Solutions (oil servicer), TechnipFMC (oil servicer), Murphy Oil (oil producer), and Ryder System (transport company), all on strength.
 
We also sold out of Huntington Bancshares (regional bank) on valuation.
 
Despite the economic uncertainty gripping the market, overall positioning remains focused on holdings of strong businesses with healthy balance sheets that are executing on their individual business strategies to deliver value to their shareholders at a time when their valuations give the portfolio exceptionally attractive entry points.
 


9

Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

Inflation worries and the continuing concerns surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are at the top of investors’ minds, as disruption in the energy market significantly increases the probability of a global recession in 2023. These geopolitical and macroeconomic concerns led to equity market declines this year that were, on average, in line with past recessions. While the macroeconomic environment did not become any clearer in 2022, it bears remembering that recessions are typically short and manageable and the seeds of market rallies are planted during recession-driven market selloffs, as the market performs particularly well in the five-year period following the start of a recession, and value tends to outperform. Similar to the prior period of stagflation from 1973-1982, we believe cheap stocks globally appear to stand out in offering solid positive inflation-adjusted earnings yields.
 

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investments in small-cap companies involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility than larger companies. Investments in foreign securities involve political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for investments in emerging markets. The Fund may have emphasis on a specific sector which could adversely affect a fund to a greater extent than if its emphasis was less. The Fund may invest in securities which are less liquid and more difficult to sell than more liquid securities. The Fund emphasizes a “value” style of investing, which targets undervalued companies with characteristics for improved valuations. This style of investing is subject to the risk that the valuations never improve or that the returns on “value” securities may not move in tandem with the returns on other styles of investing or the stock market in general.
 
The Pzena Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
 
Fund holdings, exposures and characteristics are as of the date shown and are subject to change at any time. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for more information. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the Fund manager, are subject to change, are not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.
 
The Russell 2000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000® companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The index cannot be invested in directly.
 






10

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
Commentary
February 2023

CHANGE IN VALUE OF $1,000,000 INVESTMENT



 
Average Annual Total Returns for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2023.
 
         
Since
 
Three
Six
One
Three
Inception
 
Months(1)
Months(1)
Year(1)
Years
(7/2/2018)
Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund – Investor Class (PZVIX)
13.67%
25.07%
10.51%
14.85%
3.61%
Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund – Institutional Class (PZIIX)
13.78%
25.29%
10.73%
15.13%
3.88%
MSCI World ex-USA Small Cap Index
  5.64%
  7.18%
 -9.68%
  6.05%
2.20%
MSCI World ex-USA Small Cap Value Index
  7.30%
  9.60%
 -6.09%
  6.70%
2.42%

(1)
Not annualized.

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 844.PZN.1996 (844.796.1996).
 
PZVIX Expense Ratio – Gross: 3.23%
PZVIX Expense Ratio – Net: 1.52%*
 
PZIIX Expense Ratio – Gross: 2.88%
PZIIX Expense Ratio – Net: 1.17%*
 
Expense ratios shown are as of the Fund’s prospectus dated June 28, 2022.
 
*
Pzena Investment Management, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive a portion or all of its management fees and pay Fund expenses through at least June 28, 2023.


Global bourses came under heavy selling pressure at the beginning of the period with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the prospect of a European recession denting investor sentiment. In the months to follow, equities continued to decline amid a deterioration in macroeconomic sentiment, with recession fears rising. Central banks increased policy rates, in order to combat persistent inflation, which weighed on equity valuations across geographies, market capitalization and style. Markets rallied in the Fourth Quarter of 2022 and into 2023 due to a number of factors, including the moderation of various inflation indicators, a warmer start to the winter in Europe, the Bank of Japan’s policy adjustment reversing decades of negative interest rates, and China ending its strict zero-COVID policy. Value outperformed growth though both fell during the 12-month period. Small cap equities trailed large caps, as the large caps typically benefit during a ‘flight to safety’ instigated by recession concerns.
 


11

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

The Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund rose significantly and outperformed the MSCI World ex USA Small Cap Index by a wide margin, with the industrials and energy sectors driving absolute performance, while materials and information technology both detracted.
 
The top individual performers in the period were oil servicers Subsea 7 and TechnipFMC, along with Bank of Ireland Group. Oil service companies benefited from higher energy prices and expectations that spend would have to ramp up materially soon to make up for the anticipated shortfall in oil & gas supply. Both Subsea 7 and TechnipFMC reported strong earnings through the year and order flow remains robust amid increased spending by oil & gas companies. Bank of Ireland Group benefitted from rising interest rates and raised its FY 2022 net interest income guidance which propelled shares upward.
 
The largest detractors from the Fund’s performance in the period were Sabre Insurance Group, Scor SE, and VTech Holdings.
 
Sabre Insurance Group a private motor-only insurer that focuses on the specialty segment – was the worst individual performer. Shares fell precipitously on the company’s earnings release in July, which revealed a combined ratio up 19 percentage points mostly on higher costs for repairs, parts, used cars, etc. Given that the industry as a whole has been losing money, we expect the standard players to retreat from the non-standard market (where Sabre operates), leaving Sabre well-positioned going forward.
 
Shares of French multi-line reinsurer Scor SE fell after the company preannounced a 1Q loss back in April, as they incurred a material charge related to the war in Ukraine. Shares also dropped on its earnings release in late July, which revealed larger-than-expected catastrophe losses, weighing on its combined ratio.
 
Hong Kong-based Vtech, electronic learning products manufacturer and contract manufacturing services provider, issued a profit warning in February 2023 which caused shares to fall. Weaker sales and higher marketing expenses, similar to peers, were the drivers.
 
We initiated a position in Deutz AG, a German manufacturer of off-highway diesel engines products used in a variety of applications such as excavators, aerial work platforms, tractors, and generators. While off-highway is expected to transition later to green powertrain solutions, Deutz is refocusing its green investments to areas that are both higher probability and core-adjacent, such as hydrogen fuel alternatives for their engines. We expect earnings to rebound via both a cyclical recovery in off-highway volumes, as well as from self-help initiatives intended to improve the cost structure, while the servicing business generates material profits in the interim.
 
We also added Logista, a distributor of tobacco products in Spain, France and Italy, to the portfolio. Logista is a high-quality business with a solid dividend yield trading at an attractive valuation relative to our estimate of normal earnings. Going forward, we expect Logista to prioritize either maintaining or growing its dividend, while building its pharmaceutical distribution business.
 
Other portfolio additions were Teijin Limited (Japanese chemical and healthcare), C&C Group (Irish brewer and beverage distributor), Direct Line Insurance (UK personal lines insurer), Duerr AG (German industrial equipment, and engineering & construction), Wizz Air (European low-cost airline), ams OSRAM (German optics and sensor producer) and Wonik IPS (Korean memory and semiconductor manufacturing equipment supplier).
 
We exited recent outperformer TechnipFMC on strength. We also exited the positions in multinational market research company Ipsos and UK power company Drax on strength.
 
We exited the position in Scor SE, as the company hadn’t experienced material improvement in mortality trends as the COVID-19 pandemic dissipated, and the range of outcomes widened significantly.
 
Other disposals included United Integrated Services and Capita PLC.
 
Despite the economic uncertainty gripping the market, positioning remains focused on holdings of strong businesses with healthy balance sheets that are executing on their individual business strategies to deliver value to their shareholders. Although short-term retracements in a number of holdings have erased some previous gains, we believe the current valuations are compelling for long-term investors, even factoring in a global recession.
 

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility than larger companies. Investments in foreign securities involve political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for investments in emerging markets. The Fund may have emphasis on a specific sector which could adversely affect a fund to a greater extent than if its emphasis was less. The Fund may invest in securities which are less liquid and more difficult to sell than more liquid securities. The Fund emphasizes a “value” style of investing, which targets undervalued companies with characteristics for improved valuations. This style of investing is subject to the risk that valuations never improve or that returns on “value” securities may not move in tandem with the returns on other styles of investing or the stock market in general.
 
The Pzena Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
 


12

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

Fund holdings, exposures and characteristics are as of the date shown and are subject to change at any time. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for more information.
 
The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the Fund manager, are subject to change, are not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.
 
The MSCI World ex-USA Small Cap Index captures small cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets (DM) countries* (excluding the United States). The index covers approximately 14% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. *DM countries in this index include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. The index cannot be invested in directly.
 
The MSCI World ex-USA Small Cap Value Index captures small cap securities exhibiting overall value style characteristics across 22 Developed Markets countries. The value investment style characteristics for index construction are defined using three variables: book value to price, 12-month forward earnings to price and dividend yield. The index cannot be invested in directly.
 








13

Pzena International Value Fund
Commentary
February 2023

CHANGE IN VALUE OF $1,000,000 INVESTMENT


 
 
Average Annual Total Returns for the Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2023.

       
Since
 
Three
Six
One
Inception
 
Months(1)
Months(1)
Year(1)
(6/28/2021)
Pzena International Value Fund – Investor Class (PZVNX)
9.68%
20.95%
 0.33%
-1.87%
Pzena International Value Fund – Institutional Class (PZINX)
9.65%
21.04%
 0.53%
-1.67%
MSCI EAFE Index
5.93%
12.58%
-3.14%
-5.11%
MSCI EAFE Value Index
7.55%
15.68%
 0.61%
-0.46%

(1)
Not annualized.

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 844.PZN.1996 (844.796.1996).
 
PZVNX Expense Ratio - Gross: 2.93%
PZVNX Expense Ratio - Net: 1.09%*
 
PZINX Expense Ratio - Gross: 2.58%
PZINX Expense Ratio - Net: 0.74%*
 
Expense ratios shown are as of the Fund’s prospectus dated June 28, 2022.
 
*
Pzena Investment Management, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive a portion or all of its management fees and pay Fund expenses through at least June 28, 2023.


After a strong run that began in 2020, international equities started to weaken in late 2021 and took a major downturn in 2022. Ongoing COVID related disruption and rising geopolitical tension weighed on markets. The war in Ukraine and resulting energy market turmoil have led to significant macro uncertainty in Europe and inflationary pressure around the world. As a result, along with higher interest rates, investors began to price in the possibility of a global recession – most notably in Europe, the epicenter of the energy crisis. This translated into weakening foreign currencies against the dollar and declining equity market valuations, with value stocks outperforming growth stocks on a relative basis. More recently markets staged a strong partial recovery in the fourth quarter. Investors reacted positively to tentative signs of easing inflationary pressures, an improving energy outlook in Europe and China’s exit from the zero-COVID regime. Markets performed well to start 2023, though investor sentiment vacillates depending on economic data readouts and expectations for the path of interest rates, as central banks across the globe continue to combat heightened inflation.
 


14

Pzena International Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

The Fund rose slightly during the period, in line with the MSCI EAFE Value Index and ahead of the MSCI EAFE Index. Holdings in financials, industrials, and energy stocks added to relative performance against the MSCI EAFE Index, while health care, materials and utilities names detracted.
 
Specific to the Fund, financials (led by Bank of Ireland Group and ING Groep), energy (led by TechnipFMC), and industrials holdings added the most value. TechnipFMC, UK-domiciled oil services provider was the top performer and reported impressive earnings and order flow for 2Q and 3Q 2022. The company gained from rising spending from customers in the oil & gas industries. Bank of Ireland Group benefitted from rising interest rates and raised its FY 2022 net interest income guidance which propelled shares upward. Benelux bank ING Groep also climbed as it continues to benefit from heightened net interest income and investors appreciate the bank’s commitment to returning excess capital to shareholders.
 
Consumer discretionary, consumer staples, and healthcare holdings were the largest detractors. UK builder merchant Travis Perkins fell due to margin erosion, particularly in its Toolstation unit, precipitated by rising costs in conjunction with softening volumes. Labor shortages and inflation pressured the profitability of dialysis products and services provider Fresenius Medical Care’s dialysis centers, prompting management to issue a major cut to their fiscal year 2022 guidance. We view these headwinds as manageable longer term. Swiss bank Credit Suisse declined following its late October strategic update in which the company detailed its restructuring plan, and management warned that a large loss is expected in the 4th quarter due to client outflows. We ultimately exited our position in Credit Suisse in January, as we determined that the range of outcomes had widened significantly to the point that its valuation didn’t adequately compensate us for the inherent risk.
 
The portfolio’s depressed valuation reflects systemic fears over short-term earnings degradation. Today, our opportunity set is shifting to companies where inflation has been negatively impacting earnings, whose share prices are heavily discounted as a result, e.g. those companies whose price increases have lagged cost inflation thus far, resulting in margin contraction – a negative dynamic that we believe will be temporary as fluid management teams adjust operations and cost structures. By focusing on well-positioned companies with resilient operations and good balance sheets, we expect to benefit from long-term earnings improvement despite near-term macro headwinds.
 
Among the positions we initiated during the year were Randstad NV (Dutch staffing company), Subaru Corp. (Japanese auto OEM), Daimler Truck (German commercial truck OEM), and Koninklijke Philips (Dutch healthcare equipment company).
 
Randstad has been capitalizing on structural changes in the staffing industry, taking share in the process. Despite near-term recession concerns, we see the company as well positioned to weather the storm given its strong balance sheet and cash flow generation. As such, we viewed the recent price action as an opportunity to buy a long-term industry winner at a very attractive valuation.
 
Supply chain disruption has severely impacted Subaru’s output volume and profits. Subaru’s limited product lineup meant fewer opportunities to enrich the product mix and pricing to protect margin. As the semiconductor shortage eases, we expect robust recovery in Subaru’s volume and profits.
 
Daimler Truck Holding, a 2021 spinoff from Mercedes-Benz Group, is a global manufacturer of trucks and buses with leadership positions in North America and Europe. Following the spinoff, the stock has been weak due to the drawdown in industrials on recession concerns and fears of cost inflation weighing on margins. Despite these headwinds we view Daimler Truck as attractively valued, and think the company should benefit from a more focused, independent management team that can help turn around its underperforming European business.
 
We believe that Philips’ earnings are temporarily depressed due to supply chain issues, and a product recall for its CPAP machines, which has been an overhang on shares. We anticipate earnings will recover over time as better pricing flows through, supply chain pressures ease, and the recall is addressed.
 
Other names added to the portfolio were Toray Industries (Japanese diversified chemical conglomerate), Bayer AG (German pharma and crop protection company), Samsung Electronics (Korean memory chip and smartphone maker), Bank of Ireland Group, MinebeaMitsumi (Japanese machinery and electronic components) and Magna International (Canadian auto supplier).
 
We exited TechnipFMC (UK-based oil servicer), POSCO (Korean steel), Maersk (Danish shipper), and Schneider Electric (French electrical equipment), all on strength. Other disposals included Panasonic, Wilmar, Honda, Novartis, Royal KPN, Suzuki Motor, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Royal KPN. We also sold out of SCOR SE as the range of outcomes widened.
 


15

Pzena International Value Fund
Commentary (Continued)
February 2023

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investments in foreign securities involve political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for investments in emerging markets. The Fund may have emphasis on a specific sector which could adversely affect a fund to a greater extent than if its emphasis was less. The Fund emphasizes a “value” style of investing, which targets undervalued companies with characteristics for improved valuations. This style of investing is subject to the risk that valuations never improve or that returns on “value” securities may not move in tandem with the returns on other styles of investing or the stock market in general.
 
The Pzena Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
 
Fund holdings, exposures and characteristics are as of the date shown and are subject to change at any time. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for more information. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the Fund manager, are subject to change, are not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.
 
MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada, and provides equity returns including dividends net of withholding tax rates as calculated by MSCI. The index cannot be invested in directly.
 
MSCI EAFE Value Index captures large and mid-cap securities exhibiting overall value style characteristics across Developed Markets countries around the world, excluding the U.S. and Canada, and provides equity returns including dividends net of withholding tax rates as calculated by MSCI. The index targets 50% coverage of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI EAFE Index. The index cannot be invested in directly.
 








16

Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
Portfolio Allocation
February 28, 2023 (Unaudited)

            
 

 
 
The portfolio’s holdings and allocations are subject to change. The percentages are of total investments as of February 28, 2023.
 
Note: For presentation purposes, the Fund has grouped some of the industry categories. For purposes of categorizing securities for compliance with Section 8(b)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Fund uses more specific industry classifications.
 






17

Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
Schedule of Investments
February 28, 2023

   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
COMMON STOCKS – 96.50%
           
             
Basic Materials – 7.02%
           
Dow, Inc.
   
99,810
   
$
5,709,132
 
Olin Corp.
   
65,091
     
3,759,005
 
             
9,468,137
 
                 
Consumer Discretionary – 18.72%
               
Gap, Inc.
   
206,061
     
2,680,854
 
Gildan Activewear, Inc. (b)
   
132,579
     
4,209,383
 
Lear Corp.
   
38,836
     
5,423,447
 
Magna International, Inc. (b)
   
55,093
     
3,070,333
 
Newell Brands, Inc.
   
266,306
     
3,912,035
 
PVH Corp.
   
31,602
     
2,535,744
 
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. – Class A (a)
   
76,854
     
3,420,772
 
             
25,252,568
 
                 
Energy – 3.58%
               
Halliburton Co.
   
67,179
     
2,433,895
 
NOV, Inc.
   
109,676
     
2,399,711
 
             
4,833,606
 
                 
Financials – 31.17%
               
American International Group, Inc.
   
36,542
     
2,233,082
 
Axis Capital Holdings, Ltd. (b)
   
44,448
     
2,698,882
 
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
   
188,121
     
4,819,660
 
Equitable Holdings, Inc.
   
151,107
     
4,747,782
 
Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
   
64,017
     
2,551,717
 
Fifth Third Bancorp
   
114,459
     
4,154,862
 
Globe Life, Inc.
   
22,914
     
2,788,405
 
Invesco, Ltd. (b)
   
128,586
     
2,270,829
 
KeyCorp
   
216,452
     
3,958,907
 
Regions Financial Corp.
   
147,044
     
3,429,066
 
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.
   
27,368
     
3,953,855
 
Voya Financial, Inc.
   
59,534
     
4,434,688
 
             
42,041,735
 
                 
Health Care – 7.86%
               
Cardinal Health, Inc.
   
24,196
     
1,831,879
 
Fresenius Medical Care
               
  AG & Co. KGaA – ADR
   
318,218
     
6,256,166
 
Henry Schein, Inc. (a)
   
32,143
     
2,517,118
 
             
10,605,163
 
                 
Industrials – 16.72%
               
Axalta Coating Systems, Ltd. (a)(b)
   
115,817
     
3,451,347
 
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.
   
39,598
     
2,453,096
 
JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (a)
   
219,746
     
2,889,660
 
MasTec, Inc. (a)
   
25,682
     
2,509,645
 
MasterBrand, Inc. (a)
   
39,598
     
385,684
 
Mohawk Industries, Inc. (a)
   
24,134
     
2,482,182
 
Terex Corp.
   
92,735
     
5,490,839
 
Wabtec Corp.
   
27,678
     
2,887,646
 
             
22,550,099
 
                 
Technology – 8.47%
               
Avnet, Inc.
   
78,704
     
3,518,856
 
Cognizant Technology
               
  Solutions Corp. – Class A
   
62,496
     
3,914,124
 
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.
   
68,168
     
4,001,462
 
             
11,434,442
 
                 
Utilities – 2.96%
               
Edison International
   
60,286
     
3,991,536
 
Total Common Stocks
               
  (Cost $103,418,273)
           
130,177,286
 
                 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT – 3.08%
               
                 
Money Market Fund – 3.08%
               
Fidelity Institutional Government
               
  Portfolio – Class I, 4.46% (c)
   
4,153,300
     
4,153,300
 
Total Short-Term Investment
               
  (Cost $4,153,300)
           
4,153,300
 
Total Investments
               
  (Cost $107,571,573) – 99.58%
           
134,330,586
 
Other Assets in Excess
               
  of Liabilities – 0.42%
           
561,097
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
         
$
134,891,683
 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

ADR
 
American Depositary Receipt
KGaA
 
Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien
(a)
 
Non-income producing security.
(b)
 
Foreign issued security.
(c)
 
The rate listed is the 7-day annualized yield as of February 28, 2023.


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

18

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
Portfolio Allocation
February 28, 2023

            
 

 

The portfolio’s holdings and allocations are subject to change. The percentages are of total investments as of February 28, 2023.
 







19

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
Schedule of Investments
February 28, 2023

   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
COMMON STOCKS – 90.35%
           
             
Brazil – 4.68%
           
Ambev S.A. (a)
   
14,869,000
   
$
38,142,026
 
Neoenergia S.A.
   
4,102,350
     
11,040,524
 
             
49,182,550
 
                 
China – 21.19%
               
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. (a)
   
2,671,200
     
29,436,492
 
Baidu, Inc. – ADR (a)
   
90,638
     
12,479,946
 
Baidu, Inc. – Class A (a)
   
818,650
     
14,058,912
 
Brilliance China
               
  Automotive Holdings, Ltd.
   
9,972,000
     
4,980,029
 
China Construction Bank
               
  Corp. – H shares
   
15,105,000
     
9,236,884
 
China Overseas Land &
               
  Investment, Ltd.
   
11,760,118
     
29,155,336
 
CIMC Enric Holdings, Ltd.
   
9,464,000
     
9,705,863
 
Dongfeng Motor Group
               
  Co., Ltd. – H shares
   
2,392,000
     
1,221,994
 
GF Securities Co.,  Ltd. – H Shares
   
10,568,800
     
14,999,418
 
Grand Baoxin Auto Group, Ltd. (a)
   
9,587,000
     
470,226
 
Lenovo Group, Ltd.
   
30,608,000
     
27,451,821
 
Meituan – Class B (a)
   
24,770
     
429,485
 
Midea Group Co., Ltd. – Class A
   
1,360,000
     
10,281,235
 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co.
               
  of China, Ltd. – A Shares
   
625,800
     
4,346,710
 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co.
               
  of China, Ltd. – H Shares
   
1,604,000
     
10,891,686
 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.
   
247,700
     
10,842,831
 
Trip.com Group, Ltd. – ADR (a)
   
850,424
     
30,232,573
 
Weichai Power Co., Ltd. – H Shares
   
1,631,000
     
2,418,636
 
             
222,640,077
 
                 
Hong Kong – 7.04%
               
Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ltd.
   
4,189,000
     
27,857,645
 
Pacific Basin Shipping, Ltd.
   
73,733,000
     
26,771,352
 
VTech Holdings, Ltd.
   
1,435,800
     
7,883,785
 
Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings), Ltd.
   
7,769,500
     
11,481,922
 
             
73,994,704
 
                 
Hungary – 1.95%
               
OTP Bank PLC
   
675,079
     
20,504,683
 
                 
India – 4.49%
               
Aurobindo Pharma, Ltd.
   
2,650,533
     
14,836,957
 
ICICI Bank, Ltd.
   
270,321
     
2,795,342
 
Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd.
   
1,374,557
     
20,008,748
 
State Bank of India
   
1,102,858
     
6,974,617
 
State Bank of India – GDR
   
40,600
     
2,545,620
 
             
47,161,284
 
                 
Indonesia – 2.01%
               
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk
   
32,232,000
     
21,135,738
 
                 
Peru – 1.26%
               
Credicorp, Ltd.
   
104,027
     
13,255,120
 
                 
Republic of Korea – 14.97%
               
DB Insurance Co., Ltd.
   
483,930
     
28,159,917
 
Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd.
   
1,237,438
     
34,787,601
 
KB Financial Group, Inc.
   
232,010
     
8,994,606
 
POSCO
   
129,070
     
31,017,767
 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
   
822,301
     
37,658,372
 
Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.
   
473,260
     
13,894,692
 
Woink IPS Co., Ltd.
   
121,183
     
2,843,554
 
             
157,356,509
 
                 
Romania – 0.87%
               
Banca Transilvania S.A.
   
2,173,634
     
9,187,426
 
                 
Russian Federation – 0.00%
               
Sberbank of Russia PJSC – ADR (a)(b)
   
408,511
     
4,085
 
                 
Singapore – 2.16%
               
Wilmar International, Ltd.
   
7,769,300
     
22,700,910
 
                 
South Africa – 2.44%
               
Sasol
   
1,739,350
     
25,603,914
 
                 
Taiwan – 14.31%
               
Compal Electronics, Inc.
   
35,824,000
     
28,393,955
 
Elite Material Co., Ltd.
   
2,269,000
     
14,186,137
 
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
   
11,148,132
     
36,953,719
 
Lite-On Technology Corp.
   
9,967,000
     
22,734,423
 
Taiwan Semiconductor
               
  Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
   
1,349,000
     
22,623,902
 
Taiwan Semiconductor
               
  Manufacturing Co., Ltd. – ADR
   
142,670
     
12,422,277
 
United Integrated Services Co., Ltd.
   
1,771,000
     
13,106,894
 
             
150,421,307
 
                 
Thailand – 3.18%
               
Bangkok Bank Public Co., Ltd.
   
2,924,100
     
13,403,720
 
Bangkok Bank Public
               
  Co., Ltd. – NVDR
   
656,900
     
3,039,031
 
Siam Commercial Bank
               
  PLC – NVDR (a)
   
5,796,100
     
16,974,395
 
             
33,417,146
 
                 
Turkey – 0.77%
               
Akbank T.A.S.
   
8,746,357
     
8,104,911
 


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

20

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
February 28, 2023

   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
COMMON STOCKS – 90.35% (Continued)
           
             
United Arab Emirates – 2.07%
           
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC
   
9,519,458
   
$
21,718,183
 
                 
United Kingdom – 2.23%
               
Standard Chartered PLC
   
2,479,170
     
23,385,358
 
                 
United States – 4.73%
               
Cognizant Technology Solutions
               
  Corp. – Class A
   
492,237
     
30,828,803
 
Flex, Ltd. (a)
   
829,317
     
18,875,255
 
             
49,704,058
 
Total Common Stocks
               
  (Cost $923,083,881)
           
949,477,963
 
                 
PREFERRED STOCKS – 5.22%
               
                 
Brazil – 5.22%
               
Cia Energetica de
               
  Minas Gerais, 12.90%
   
12,575,210
     
25,196,297
 
Itau Unibanco Holding S.A., 3.96%
   
4,042,443
     
19,681,569
 
Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., 40.24%
   
2,052,200
     
10,019,050
 
Total Preferred Stocks
               
  (Cost $53,756,110)
           
54,896,916
 
                 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT – 4.40%
               
                 
Money Market Fund – 4.40%
               
Fidelity Institutional Government
               
  Portfolio – Class I, 4.46% (c)
   
46,205,232
     
46,205,232
 
Total Short-Term Investment
               
  (Cost $46,205,232)
           
46,205,232
 
Total Investments
               
  (Cost $1,023,045,223) – 99.97%
           
1,050,580,111
 
Other Assets in Excess
               
  of Liabilities – 0.03%
           
328,617
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
         
$
1,050,908,728
 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

ADR
 
American Depository Receipt
GDR
 
Global Depository Receipt
NVDR
 
Non-voting Depository Receipt
PJSC
 
Private Joint Stock Company
PLC
 
Public Limited Company
S.A.
 
Société Anonyme
T.A.S.
 
Turk Anonim Şirketi
(a)
 
Non-income producing security.
(b)
 
Value determined using significant unobservable inputs.
(c)
 
The rate listed is the 7-day annualized yield as of February 28, 2023.


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

21

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
Portfolio Diversification
February 28, 2023

   
Fair
   
% of
 
   
Value
   
Net Assets
 
COMMON STOCKS
           
Communication Services
 
$
37,381,689
     
3.56
%
Consumer Discretionary
   
151,179,202
     
14.39
%
Consumer Staples
   
60,842,936
     
5.79
%
Financials
   
273,560,890
     
26.03
%
Health Care
   
14,836,957
     
1.41
%
Industrials
   
52,002,745
     
4.95
%
Information Technology
   
262,856,003
     
25.01
%
Materials
   
56,621,681
     
5.39
%
Real Estate
   
29,155,336
     
2.77
%
Utilities
   
11,040,524
     
1.05
%
Total Common Stocks
   
949,477,963
     
90.35
%
                 
PREFERRED STOCKS
               
Energy
   
10,019,050
     
0.95
%
Financials
   
19,681,569
     
1.87
%
Utilities
   
25,196,297
     
2.40
%
Total Preferred Stocks
   
54,896,916
     
5.22
%
Short-Term Investment
   
46,205,232
     
4.40
%
Total Investments
   
1,050,580,111
     
99.97
%
Other Assets in
               
  Excess of Liabilities
   
328,617
     
0.03
%
Total Net Assets
 
$
1,050,908,728
     
100.00
%

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 Pzena Investment Management, LLC.



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

22

Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
Portfolio Allocation
February 28, 2023

       
 

 

The portfolio’s holdings and allocations are subject to change. The percentages are of total investments as of February 28, 2023.
 
Note: For presentation purposes, the Fund has grouped some of the industry categories. For purposes of categorizing securities for compliance with Section 8(b)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Fund uses more specific industry classifications.
 





23

Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
Schedule of Investments
February 28, 2023

   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
COMMON STOCKS – 94.80%
           
             
Basic Materials – 7.41%
           
Koppers Holdings, Inc.
   
23,782
   
$
853,536
 
Olin Corp.
   
49,358
     
2,850,424
 
Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (b)
   
133,501
     
3,404,276
 
             
7,108,236
 
                 
Consumer Discretionary – 13.93%
               
Adient PLC (a)(b)
   
46,432
     
1,983,575
 
Dana, Inc.
   
182,966
     
2,898,181
 
Gap, Inc.
   
172,359
     
2,242,390
 
Hooker Furnishings Corp.
   
49,360
     
1,085,180
 
Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. (a)
   
60,378
     
790,348
 
PVH Corp.
   
18,875
     
1,514,530
 
Steelcase, Inc. – Class A
   
362,270
     
2,851,065
 
             
13,365,269
 
                 
Consumer Staples – 4.56%
               
Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.
   
15,108
     
967,214
 
Universal Corp.
   
33,119
     
1,675,490
 
USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (a)
   
28,567
     
1,736,303
 
             
4,379,007
 
                 
Energy – 4.74%
               
MRC Global, Inc. (a)
   
207,100
     
2,319,520
 
NOV, Inc.
   
102,076
     
2,233,423
 
             
4,552,943
 
                 
Financials – 26.87%
               
American Equity Investment
               
  Life Holding Co.
   
39,525
     
1,646,216
 
Argo Group International
               
  Holdings, Ltd. (b)
   
66,665
     
1,936,618
 
Associated Banc-Corp.
   
113,626
     
2,630,442
 
Axis Capital Holdings, Ltd. (b)
   
43,762
     
2,657,229
 
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
   
154,461
     
3,957,291
 
Hope Bancorp, Inc.
   
131,014
     
1,678,289
 
Old National Bancorp of Indiana
   
140,826
     
2,488,395
 
Umpqua Holdings Corp.
   
122,411
     
2,161,778
 
Univest Financial Corp.
   
66,679
     
1,880,348
 
Webster Financial Corp.
   
54,914
     
2,917,032
 
WSFS Financial Corp.
   
36,601
     
1,826,756
 
             
25,780,394
 
                 
Health Care – 2.30%
               
Phibro Animal Health Corp. – Class A
   
90,272
     
1,418,173
 
Varex Imaging Corp. (a)
   
44,517
     
787,506
 
             
2,205,679
 
                 
Industrials – 27.44%
               
American Woodmark Corp. (a)
   
31,890
     
1,625,752
 
Axalta Coating Systems, Ltd. (a)(b)
   
61,957
     
1,846,319
 
Belden, Inc.
   
32,010
     
2,701,004
 
Enerpac Tool Group Corp.
   
55,239
     
1,487,586
 
GMS, Inc. (a)
   
34,259
     
2,079,864
 
JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (a)
   
166,633
     
2,191,224
 
Masonite International Corp. (a)(b)
   
28,393
     
2,521,298
 
MasTec, Inc. (a)
   
7,441
     
727,135
 
MasterBrand, Inc. (a)
   
111,522
     
1,086,224
 
Moog, Inc. – Class A
   
9,803
     
966,772
 
REV Group, Inc.
   
141,967
     
1,659,594
 
Terex Corp.
   
50,119
     
2,967,546
 
TriMas Corp.
   
91,452
     
2,742,646
 
TrueBlue, Inc. (a)
   
92,132
     
1,722,868
 
             
26,325,832
 
                 
Technology – 7.55%
               
Avnet, Inc.
   
52,102
     
2,329,480
 
Celestica, Inc. (a)(b)
   
228,463
     
2,958,596
 
ScanSource, Inc. (a)
   
62,602
     
1,951,930
 
             
7,240,006
 
Total Common Stocks
               
  (Cost $85,519,186)
           
90,957,366
 
                 
REIT – 1.25%
               
                 
Real Estate – 1.25%
               
DiamondRock Hospitality Co.
   
137,483
     
1,198,852
 
Total REIT
               
  (Cost $1,150,120)
           
1,198,852
 


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

24

Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
February 28, 2023

   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT – 3.54%
           
             
Money Market Fund – 3.54%
           
Fidelity Institutional Government
           
  Portfolio – Class I, 4.46% (c)
   
3,397,439
   
$
3,397,439
 
Total Short-Term Investment
               
  (Cost $3,397,439)
           
3,397,439
 
Total Investments
               
  (Cost $90,066,745) – 99.59%
           
95,553,657
 
Other Assets in Excess
               
  of Liabilities – 0.41%
           
392,098
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
         
$
95,945,755
 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

PLC
 
Public Limited Company
REIT
 
Real Estate Investment Trust
S.A.
 
Société Anonyme
(a)
 
Non-income producing security.
(b)
 
Foreign issued security.
(c)
 
The rate listed is the 7-day annualized yield as of February 28, 2023.

Note: For presentation purposes, the Fund has grouped some of the industry categories. For purposes of categorizing securities for compliance with Section 8(b)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Fund uses more specific industry classifications.



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

25

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
Portfolio Allocation
February 28, 2023

         
 

 

The portfolio’s holdings and allocations are subject to change. The percentages are of total investments as of February 28, 2023.
 
Note: For presentation purposes, the Fund has grouped some of the industry categories. For purposes of categorizing securities for compliance with Section 8(b)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Fund uses more specific industry classifications.
 






26

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
Schedule of Investments
February 28, 2023

   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
COMMON STOCKS – 96.51%
           
             
Austria – 3.05%
           
ams-OSRAM AG (a)
   
17,276
   
$
134,598
 
ANDRITZ AG
   
6,715
     
415,138
 
             
549,736
 
                 
Canada – 5.58%
               
Celestica, Inc. (a)
   
23,385
     
302,145
 
Linamar Corp.
   
7,014
     
381,671
 
Transcontinental, Inc. – Class A
   
28,136
     
321,672
 
             
1,005,488
 
                 
France – 5.92%
               
Rexel S.A.
   
29,700
     
739,790
 
Societe BIC S.A.
   
5,054
     
327,151
 
             
1,066,941
 
                 
Germany – 8.12%
               
Deutz AG
   
100,854
     
620,837
 
Duerr AG
   
9,134
     
344,898
 
SAF-Holland S.A.
   
31,900
     
398,476
 
Salzgitter AG
   
2,327
     
97,909
 
             
1,462,120
 
                 
Hong Kong – 4.75%
               
Pacific Basin Shipping, Ltd.
   
1,046,000
     
379,787
 
VTech Holdings, Ltd.
   
43,200
     
237,205
 
Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings), Ltd.
   
161,000
     
237,929
 
             
854,921
 
                 
Ireland – 6.89%
               
Bank of Ireland Group PLC
   
46,988
     
518,361
 
C&C Group PLC (a)
   
149,078
     
267,005
 
Origin Enterprises PLC
   
101,723
     
455,115
 
             
1,240,481
 
                 
Israel – 1.97%
               
Ituran Location and Control, Ltd.
   
15,839
     
353,843
 
                 
Italy – 9.36%
               
Anima Holding S.p.A.
   
100,361
     
434,160
 
BPER Banca
   
182,770
     
519,439
 
Danieli & C Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
   
30,258
     
614,473
 
Maire Tecnimont S.p.A.
   
29,282
     
118,311
 
             
1,686,383
 
                 
Japan – 20.08%
               
DIC Corp.
   
15,000
     
267,710
 
Foster Electric Co., Ltd.
   
63,534
     
471,296
 
Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.
   
21,800
     
486,739
 
Hokkoku Financial Holdings, Inc.
   
5,600
     
171,716
 
Open House Co., Ltd.
   
3,800
     
136,756
 
Sankyu, Inc.
   
9,600
     
353,245
 
Teijin, Ltd.
   
26,100
     
271,246
 
Toho Holdings Co., Ltd.
   
22,600
     
365,504
 
TS Tech Co., Ltd.
   
27,800
     
352,617
 
Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
   
11,100
     
260,064
 
Ube Industries, Ltd.
   
8,700
     
130,479
 
Zeon Corp.
   
37,000
     
350,013
 
             
3,617,385
 
                 
Netherlands – 3.94%
               
Flow Traders Ltd.
   
3,331
     
80,822
 
Koninklijke BAM Groep N.V. (a)
   
93,092
     
238,478
 
Technip Energies N.V.
   
15,377
     
298,448
 
Technip Energies N.V. – ADR
   
4,760
     
91,963
 
             
709,711
 
                 
Norway – 2.56%
               
Subsea 7 S.A.
   
35,404
     
461,267
 
                 
Republic of Korea – 5.46%
               
DB Insurance Co., Ltd.
   
8,773
     
510,501
 
Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd.
   
15,184
     
426,862
 
Woink IPS Co., Ltd.
   
1,936
     
45,428
 
             
982,791
 
                 
Spain – 4.44%
               
Cia de Distribucion Integral
               
  Logista Holdings S.A.
   
16,352
     
395,029
 
Unicaja Banco S.A.
   
316,539
     
405,111
 
             
800,140
 
                 
Taiwan – 0.97%
               
Elite Material Co., Ltd.
   
28,000
     
175,060
 
                 
United Kingdom – 13.42%
               
Balfour Beatty PLC
   
86,470
     
379,430
 
Direct Line Insurance Group PLC
   
121,607
     
263,807
 
Inchcape PLC
   
14,997
     
164,156
 
John Wood Group PLC (a)
   
82,736
     
194,510
 
Sabre Insurance Group PLC
   
377,765
     
454,394
 
Senior PLC
   
333,385
     
668,887
 
Travis Perkins PLC
   
9,301
     
112,324
 
Wizz Air Holdings PLC (a)
   
5,794
     
179,808
 
             
2,417,316
 
Total Common Stocks
               
  (Cost $16,669,472)
           
17,383,583
 


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

27

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
February 28, 2023

   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT – 4.17%
           
             
Money Market Fund – 4.17%
           
Fidelity Institutional Government
           
  Portfolio – Class I, 4.46% (b)
   
751,701
   
$
751,701
 
Total Short-Term Investment
               
  (Cost $751,701)
           
751,701
 
Total Investments
               
  (Cost $17,421,173) – 100.68%
           
18,135,284
 
Liabilities in Excess
               
  of Other Assets – (0.68)%
           
(122,403
)
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
         
$
18,012,881
 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

ADR
 
American Depositary Receipt
AG
 
Aktiengesellschaft
N.V.
 
Naamloze Vennootschap
PLC
 
Public Limited Company
S.A.
 
Société Anonyme
S.p.A
 
Società per azioni
(a)
 
Non-income producing security.
(b)
 
The rate listed is the 7-day annualized yield as of February 28, 2023.



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

28

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
Portfolio Diversification
February 28, 2023

   
Fair
   
% of
 
   
Value
   
Net Assets
 
COMMON STOCKS
           
Consumer Discretionary
 
$
2,569,763
     
14.27
%
Consumer Staples
   
722,120
     
4.01
%
Energy
   
1,046,188
     
5.81
%
Financials
   
3,845,050
     
21.34
%
Health Care
   
365,504
     
2.03
%
Industrials
   
6,147,650
     
34.13
%
Information Technology
   
1,248,279
     
6.93
%
Materials
   
1,439,029
     
7.99
%
Total Common Stocks
   
17,383,583
     
96.51
%
Short-Term Investment
   
751,701
     
4.17
%
Total Investments
   
18,135,284
     
100.68
%
Liabilities in Excess
               
  of Other Assets
   
(122,403
)
   
(0.68
)%
Total Net Assets
 
$
18,012,881
     
100.00
%

 
Note: For presentation purposes, the Fund has grouped some of the industry categories. For purposes of categorizing securities for compliance with Section 8(b)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Fund uses more specific industry classifications.
 
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 Pzena Investment Management, LLC.
 



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

29

Pzena International Value Fund
Portfolio Allocation
February 28, 2023

      
 

 

The portfolio’s holdings and allocations are subject to change. The percentages are of total investments as of February 28, 2023.
 




30

Pzena International Value Fund
Schedule of Investments
February 28, 2023

   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
COMMON STOCKS – 95.15%
           
             
Brazil – 2.05%
           
Ambev S.A. (a)
   
333,000
   
$
854,213
 
Ambev S.A. – ADR
   
13,543
     
34,535
 
             
888,748
 
                 
Canada – 0.88%
               
Magna International, Inc.
   
3,600
     
200,645
 
Magna International, Inc. – ADR
   
3,230
     
180,008
 
             
380,653
 
                 
China – 3.25%
               
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. (a)
   
65,900
     
726,215
 
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. – ADR (a)
   
563
     
49,426
 
Trip.com Group, Ltd. – ADR (a)
   
17,831
     
633,892
 
             
1,409,533
 
                 
Denmark – 1.37%
               
Danske Bank A/S
   
25,554
     
593,544
 
                 
Finland – 2.17%
               
Nokia Oyj
   
107,014
     
495,709
 
Nokia Oyj – ADR
   
96,837
     
445,450
 
             
941,159
 
                 
France – 16.37%
               
Accor S.A. (a)
   
31,200
     
1,038,845
 
Amundi S.A.
   
18,641
     
1,230,312
 
Bouygues S.A.
   
11,875
     
402,427
 
Cie Generale des Etablissements
               
  Michelin SCA
   
41,773
     
1,313,787
 
Publicis Groupe S.A.
   
6,244
     
496,905
 
Rexel S.A.
   
62,466
     
1,555,952
 
Sanofi
   
11,347
     
1,066,830
 
             
7,105,058
 
                 
Germany – 11.11%
               
BASF SE
   
20,282
     
1,039,896
 
Bayer AG
   
7,506
     
446,891
 
Covestro AG
   
30,793
     
1,356,527
 
Daimler Truck Holding AG (a)
   
32,760
     
1,040,025
 
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
   
18,558
     
724,693
 
Siemens AG
   
1,389
     
212,585
 
             
4,820,617
 
                 
Hong Kong – 1.76%
               
Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ltd.
   
115,000
     
764,772
 
                 
Ireland – 1.60%
               
Bank of Ireland Group PLC
   
62,832
     
693,149
 
                 
Italy – 2.06%
               
Enel S.p.A
   
159,051
     
894,467
 
                 
Japan – 14.68%
               
Bridgestone Corp.
   
5,800
     
222,577
 
Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.
   
13,600
     
303,654
 
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
   
7,000
     
182,101
 
Iida Group Holdings Co., Ltd.
   
10,800
     
179,504
 
Isuzu Motors, Ltd.
   
44,200
     
528,822
 
Komatsu, Ltd.
   
45,100
     
1,079,843
 
Komatsu, Ltd. – ADR (a)
   
4,000
     
95,680
 
Minebea Mitsumi, Inc.
   
16,500
     
286,240
 
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
   
8,300
     
233,111
 
MS&AD Insurance
               
  Group Holdings, Inc. (a)
   
6,100
     
199,458
 
Resona Holdings, Inc.
   
133,100
     
733,074
 
Subaru Corp.
   
51,200
     
822,592
 
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
   
5,000
     
219,309
 
T&D Holdings, Inc.
   
13,400
     
202,838
 
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
   
19,200
     
593,958
 
Toray Industries, Inc.
   
85,000
     
486,446
 
             
6,369,207
 
                 
Luxembourg – 2.02%
               
ArcelorMittal S.A.
   
29,094
     
875,328
 
                 
Netherlands – 6.92%
               
ING Groep N.V.
   
81,869
     
1,148,738
 
Koninklijke Philips N.V.
   
36,602
     
598,129
 
Randstad N.V.
   
20,452
     
1,256,820
 
             
3,003,687
 
                 
Republic of Korea – 1.57%
               
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.
   
8,380
     
383,773
 
Shinhan Financial
               
  Group Co., Ltd. – ADR
   
10,210
     
298,847
 
             
682,620
 
                 
Singapore – 0.67%
               
DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.
   
11,400
     
288,878
 
                 
Spain – 2.05%
               
CaixaBank S.A.
   
207,594
     
889,704
 
                 
Switzerland – 5.94%
               
Julius Baer Group, Ltd.
   
8,025
     
531,336
 
Roche Holding AG
   
3,304
     
953,472
 
UBS Group AG
   
50,327
     
1,092,729
 
             
2,577,537
 


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

31

Pzena International Value Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
February 28, 2023

   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
COMMON STOCKS – 95.15% (Continued)
           
             
Taiwan – 1.90%
           
Hon Hai Precision
           
  Industry Co., Ltd. – GDR
   
127,000
   
$
826,072
 
                 
United Kingdom – 16.78%
               
Aviva PLC
   
73,334
     
393,768
 
Barclays PLC
   
245,713
     
516,158
 
HSBC Holdings PLC
   
112,586
     
860,754
 
J Sainsbury PLC
   
311,903
     
1,006,211
 
John Wood Group PLC (a)
   
150,824
     
354,582
 
NatWest Group PLC
   
116,680
     
410,238
 
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
   
4,454
     
308,699
 
Shell PLC – Class A
   
35,040
     
1,069,045
 
Standard Chartered PLC
   
63,737
     
601,215
 
Tesco PLC
   
240,362
     
737,254
 
Travis Perkins PLC
   
63,234
     
763,652
 
Vodafone Group PLC
   
217,082
     
260,542
 
             
7,282,118
 
Total Common Stocks
               
  (Cost $38,530,962)
           
41,286,851
 
                 
PREFERRED STOCK – 1.60%
               
                 
Germany – 1.60%
               
Volkswagen AG, 20.58%
   
5,091
     
695,493
 
Total Preferred Stock
               
  (Cost $912,354)
           
695,493
 
                 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT – 2.49%
               
                 
Money Market Fund – 2.49%
               
Fidelity Institutional Government
               
  Portfolio – Class I, 4.46% (b)
   
1,081,318
     
1,081,318
 
Total Short-Term Investment
               
  (Cost $1,081,318)
           
1,081,318
 
Total Investments
               
  (Cost $40,524,634) – 99.24%
           
43,063,662
 
Other Assets in Excess
               
  of Liabilities – 0.76%
           
329,435
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
         
$
43,393,097
 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

A/S
 
Aktieselskab
ADR
 
American Depository Receipt
AG
 
Aktiengesellschaft
GDR
 
Global Depository Receipt
KGaA
 
Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien
N.V.
 
Naamloze Vennootschap
Oyj
 
Julkinen osakeyhtiö
PLC
 
Public Limited Company
S.A.
 
Société Anonyme
S.p.A
 
Società per azioni
SCA
 
Société en Commandite par Actions
SE
 
Societas Europea
(a)
 
Non-income producing security.
(b)
 
The rate listed is the 7-day annualized yield as of February 28, 2023.



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

32

Pzena International Value Fund
Portfolio Diversification
February 28, 2023

   
Fair
   
% of
 
   
Value
   
Net Assets
 
COMMON STOCKS
           
Communication Services
 
$
757,447
     
1.75
%
Consumer Discretionary
   
6,843,186
     
15.77
%
Consumer Staples
   
2,940,912
     
6.78
%
Energy
   
1,423,627
     
3.28
%
Financials
   
11,207,703
     
25.83
%
Health Care
   
4,383,973
     
10.10
%
Industrials
   
6,926,335
     
15.96
%
Information Technology
   
2,151,004
     
4.96
%
Materials
   
3,758,197
     
8.66
%
Utilities
   
894,467
     
2.06
%
Total Common Stocks
   
41,286,851
     
95.15
%
PREFERRED STOCK
               
Consumer Discretionary
   
695,493
     
1.60
%
Total Preferred Stock
   
695,493
     
1.60
%
Short-Term Investment
   
1,081,318
     
2.49
%
Total Investments
   
43,063,662
     
99.24
%
Other Assets in
               
  Excess of Liabilities
   
329,435
     
0.76
%
Total Net Assets
 
$
43,393,097
     
100.00
%

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 Pzena Investment Management, LLC.
 



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

33

Pzena Funds
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
February 28, 2023

         
PZENA
       
   
PZENA
   
EMERGING
   
PZENA
 
   
MID CAP
   
MARKETS
   
SMALL CAP
 
   
VALUE FUND
   
VALUE FUND
   
VALUE FUND
 
ASSETS:
                 
Investments in securities, at value
                 
  (cost $107,571,573, $1,023,045,223, and $90,066,745, respectively)
 
$
134,330,586
   
$
1,050,580,111
   
$
95,553,657
 
Cash
   
31
     
     
 
Foreign currency, at value (cost $0, $1,221,739, and $0, respectively)
   
     
1,211,351
     
 
Receivables:
                       
Fund shares sold
   
8,298
     
1,353,748
     
100,478
 
Securities sold
   
345,375
     
77,200
     
421,616
 
Dividends and interest
   
336,221
     
4,991,903
     
89,555
 
Dividend tax reclaim
   
6,917
     
3,868
     
 
Prepaid expenses
   
26,443
     
62,480
     
19,747
 
  Total assets
   
135,053,871
     
1,058,280,661
     
96,185,053
 
LIABILITIES:
                       
Payables:
                       
Securities purchased
   
     
5,710,635
     
100,835
 
Fund shares redeemed
   
27,548
     
623,332
     
23,436
 
Due to Adviser (Note 4)
   
77,226
     
727,110
     
54,567
 
Audit fees
   
22,500
     
22,500
     
22,500
 
Administration fees
   
12,723
     
103,562
     
14,865
 
12b-1 distribution fees – Investor Class
   
8,049
     
34,265
     
7,047
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses
   
7,775
     
13,070
     
9,466
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee
   
2,250
     
2,250
     
2,250
 
Custody fees
   
1,662
     
120,505
     
1,793
 
Shareholder reporting
   
1,173
     
10,813
     
865
 
Shareholder servicing fees – Investor Class
   
529
     
2,919
     
224
 
Fund accounting fees
   
344
     
740
     
400
 
Legal fees
   
232
     
232
     
232
 
Miscellaneous
   
177
     
     
818
 
  Total liabilities
   
162,188
     
7,371,933
     
239,298
 
NET ASSETS
 
$
134,891,683
   
$
1,050,908,728
   
$
95,945,755
 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
                       
Paid-in capital
 
$
105,956,501
   
$
1,039,790,658
   
$
90,935,865
 
Total distributable earnings
   
28,935,182
     
11,118,070
     
5,009,890
 
Net assets
 
$
134,891,683
   
$
1,050,908,728
   
$
95,945,755
 
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
                       
Investor Class:
                       
Net assets
 
$
6,666,752
   
$
36,799,974
   
$
4,132,206
 
Shares outstanding [unlimited number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
467,005
     
3,345,868
     
320,345
 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
 
$
14.28
   
$
11.00
   
$
12.90
 
Institutional Class:
                       
Net assets
 
$
128,224,931
   
$
1,014,108,754
   
$
91,813,549
 
Shares outstanding [unlimited number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
9,113,712
     
91,867,786
     
7,077,689
 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
 
$
14.07
   
$
11.04
   
$
12.97
 


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

34

Pzena Funds
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)
February 28, 2023

   
PZENA
       
   
INTERNATIONAL
   
PZENA
 
   
SMALL CAP
   
INTERNATIONAL
 
   
VALUE FUND
   
VALUE FUND
 
ASSETS:
           
Investments in securities, at value (cost $17,421,173 and $40,524,634, respectively)
 
$
18,135,284
   
$
43,063,662
 
Foreign currency, at value (cost $216 and $4, respectively)
   
189
     
4
 
Receivables:
               
Fund shares sold
   
1,997
     
306,461
 
Securities sold
   
19,820
     
19,900
 
Dividends and interest
   
33,598
     
44,992
 
Dividend tax reclaim
   
12,003
     
63,068
 
Due from Adviser (Note 4)
   
1,348
     
 
Prepaid expenses
   
6,974
     
431
 
  Total assets
   
18,211,213
     
43,498,518
 
LIABILITIES:
               
Payables:
               
Securities purchased
   
86,515
     
36,606
 
Fund shares redeemed
   
54,174
     
2,635
 
Due to Adviser (Note 4)
   
     
4,220
 
Audit fees
   
22,500
     
22,500
 
Administration fees
   
20,314
     
20,365
 
12b-1 distribution fees – Investor Class
   
     
257
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses
   
6,470
     
6,669
 
Chief Compliance Officer fee
   
2,250
     
2,250
 
Custody fees
   
3,440
     
7,232
 
Shareholder reporting
   
223
     
262
 
Shareholder servicing fees – Investor Class
   
48
     
15
 
Fund accounting fees
   
1,886
     
861
 
Legal fees
   
232
     
232
 
Miscellaneous
   
280
     
1,317
 
  Total liabilities
   
198,332
     
105,421
 
NET ASSETS
 
$
18,012,881
   
$
43,393,097
 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
               
Paid-in capital
 
$
17,374,874
   
$
41,609,010
 
Total distributable earnings
   
638,007
     
1,784,087
 
Net assets
 
$
18,012,881
   
$
43,393,097
 
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
               
Investor Class:
               
Net assets
 
$
1,589,318
   
$
968,789
 
Shares outstanding [unlimited number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
149,648
     
102,206
 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
 
$
10.62
   
$
9.48
 
Institutional Class:
               
Net assets
 
$
16,423,563
   
$
42,424,308
 
Shares outstanding [unlimited number of shares (par value $0.01) authorized]
   
1,543,496
     
4,473,226
 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share
 
$
10.64
   
$
9.48
 


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

35

Pzena Funds
Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended February 28, 2023

         
PZENA
       
   
PZENA
   
EMERGING
   
PZENA
 
   
MID CAP
   
MARKETS
   
SMALL CAP
 
   
VALUE FUND
   
VALUE FUND
   
VALUE FUND
 
INVESTMENT INCOME:
                 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld and
                 
  issuance fees of $45,503, $3,163,800, and $2,071, respectively)
 
$
2,958,122
   
$
28,213,363
   
$
1,820,956
 
Interest income
   
66,295
     
822,943
     
35,333
 
Total investment income
   
3,024,417
     
29,036,306
     
1,856,289
 
                         
EXPENSES:
                       
Investment advisory fees (Note 4)
   
1,010,329
     
7,071,092
     
980,352
 
Administration fees (Note 4)
   
72,606
     
288,707
     
74,812
 
Federal and state registration fees
   
33,661
     
61,653
     
37,448
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)
   
30,980
     
56,040
     
38,177
 
12b-1 distribution fees – Investor Class (Note 5)
   
23,298
     
72,857
     
9,053
 
Audit fees
   
22,500
     
22,500
     
22,500
 
Trustee fees and expenses
   
13,230
     
13,231
     
13,230
 
Custody fees (Note 4)
   
10,616
     
544,260
     
10,472
 
Chief Compliance Officer fees (Note 4)
   
9,000
     
9,000
     
9,000
 
Shareholder servicing fees – Investor Class (Note 6)
   
8,757
     
28,594
     
1,998
 
Interest expense (Note 9)
   
7,267
     
     
9,313
 
Legal fees
   
6,711
     
6,711
     
6,913
 
Reports to shareholders
   
6,372
     
19,257
     
7,287
 
Insurance expense
   
3,441
     
7,983
     
3,153
 
Fund accounting fees (Note 4)
   
1,293
     
2,841
     
1,518
 
Other expenses
   
6,943
     
20,430
     
6,909
 
Total expenses before advisory fee waiver
   
1,267,004
     
8,225,156
     
1,232,135
 
Advisory fee waiver (Note 4)
   
(98,328
)
   
(485,364
)
   
(159,587
)
Net expenses
   
1,168,676
     
7,739,792
     
1,072,548
 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
   
1,855,741
     
21,296,514
     
783,741
 
                         
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):
                       
Net realized gain/(loss) on transactions from:
                       
  Investments
   
15,554,123
     
(17,883,049
)
   
14,730,376
 
  Foreign currency
   
(33
)
   
(782,073
)
   
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from:
                       
  Investments
   
(15,205,505
)
   
(240,049
)
   
(12,359,658
)
  Foreign currency
   
(6
)
   
(159,308
)
   
 
Net gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currency
   
348,579
     
(19,064,479
)
   
2,370,718
 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
                       
  RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
 
$
2,204,320
   
$
2,232,035
   
$
3,154,459
 


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

36

Pzena Funds
Statements of Operations (Continued)
For the Year Ended February 28, 2023

   
PZENA
       
   
INTERNATIONAL
   
PZENA
 
   
SMALL CAP
   
INTERNATIONAL
 
   
VALUE FUND
   
VALUE FUND
 
INVESTMENT INCOME:
           
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld and issuance fees of $48,259 and $147,508, respectively)
 
$
472,598
   
$
1,062,078
 
Interest income
   
13,206
     
25,390
 
Total investment income
   
485,804
     
1,087,468
 
                 
EXPENSES:
               
Investment advisory fees (Note 4)
   
146,412
     
206,488
 
Administration fees (Note 4)
   
81,152
     
81,511
 
Federal and state registration fees
   
32,250
     
42,654
 
Transfer agent fees and expenses (Note 4)
   
25,750
     
26,453
 
12b-1 distribution fees – Investor Class (Note 5)
   
3,448
     
2,177
 
Audit fees
   
22,500
     
22,500
 
Trustee fees and expenses
   
15,400
     
14,260
 
Custody fees (Note 4)
   
11,159
     
44,266
 
Chief Compliance Officer fees (Note 4)
   
9,000
     
9,000
 
Shareholder servicing fees – Investor Class (Note 6)
   
417
     
40
 
Legal fees
   
6,520
     
6,460
 
Reports to shareholders
   
3,678
     
4,623
 
Insurance expense
   
2,112
     
1,729
 
Fund accounting fees (Note 4)
   
2,894
     
3,296
 
Other expenses
   
8,042
     
7,197
 
Total expenses before advisory fee waiver and expense reimbursement
   
370,734
     
472,654
 
Advisory fee waiver and expense reimbursement (Note 4)
   
(195,567
)
   
(235,358
)
Net expenses
   
175,167
     
237,296
 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
   
310,637
     
850,172
 
                 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS):
               
Net realized gain/(loss) on transactions from:
               
  Investments
   
69,658
     
(786,308
)
  Foreign currency
   
(13,509
)
   
(15,362
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from:
               
  Investments
   
1,324,717
     
2,896,168
 
  Foreign currency
   
(1,113
)
   
(979
)
Net gain on investments and foreign currency
   
1,379,753
     
2,093,519
 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
 
$
1,690,390
   
$
2,943,691
 


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

37

Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets


   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS:
           
Net investment income
 
$
1,855,741
   
$
1,328,926
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from:
               
  Investments
   
15,554,123
     
15,857,002
 
  Foreign currency
   
(33
)
   
(14
)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:
               
  Investments
   
(15,205,505
)
   
3,433,674
 
  Foreign currency
   
(6
)
   
 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
   
2,204,320
     
20,619,588
 
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS:
               
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Investor Class
   
(1,082,994
)
   
(1,186,537
)
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Institutional Class
   
(15,897,427
)
   
(11,162,005
)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions paid
   
(16,980,421
)
   
(12,348,542
)
                 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
               
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Investor Class
   
436,447
     
10,470,070
 
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Institutional Class
   
25,089,255
     
18,384,935
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Investor Class
   
1,004,419
     
1,127,310
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Institutional Class
   
8,871,842
     
6,191,942
 
Payments for shares redeemed – Investor Class
   
(5,535,811
)
   
(9,433,029
)
Payments for shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(16,058,473
)
   
(17,019,600
)
Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions
   
13,807,679
     
9,721,628
 
                 
TOTAL INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
   
(968,422
)
   
17,992,674
 
                 
NET ASSETS:
               
Beginning of year
   
135,860,105
     
117,867,431
 
End of year
 
$
134,891,683
   
$
135,860,105
 
                 
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING:
               
Shares sold – Investor Class
   
30,554
     
632,535
 
Shares sold – Institutional Class
   
1,772,714
     
1,122,503
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Investor Class
   
75,920
     
73,681
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Institutional Class
   
680,878
     
410,063
 
Shares redeemed – Investor Class
   
(379,887
)
   
(562,064
)
Shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(1,124,758
)
   
(1,068,684
)
Net increase in shares outstanding
   
1,055,421
     
608,034
 


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

38

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets


   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS:
           
Net investment income
 
$
21,296,514
   
$
9,821,670
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from:
               
  Investments
   
(17,883,049
)
   
8,803,139
 
  Foreign currency
   
(782,073
)
   
(351,380
)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:
               
  Investments
   
(240,049
)
   
(20,467,170
)
  Foreign currency
   
(159,308
)
   
102,668
 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
   
2,232,035
     
(2,091,073
)
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS:
               
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Investor Class
   
(585,945
)
   
(510,167
)
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Institutional Class
   
(18,017,824
)
   
(13,454,757
)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions paid
   
(18,603,769
)
   
(13,964,924
)
                 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
               
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Investor Class
   
29,917,010
     
19,609,951
 
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Institutional Class
   
692,225,655
     
206,107,099
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Investor Class
   
571,987
     
505,421
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Institutional Class
   
12,277,850
     
10,598,943
 
Payments for shares redeemed – Investor Class
   
(15,068,732
)
   
(15,224,590
)
Payments for shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(212,449,963
)
   
(67,142,636
)
Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions
   
507,473,807
     
154,454,188
 
                 
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
   
491,102,073
     
138,398,191
 
                 
NET ASSETS:
               
Beginning of year
   
559,806,655
     
421,408,464
 
End of year
 
$
1,050,908,728
   
$
559,806,655
 
                 
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING:
               
Shares sold – Investor Class
   
2,772,130
     
1,583,391
 
Shares sold – Institutional Class
   
64,646,801
     
16,838,998
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Investor Class
   
53,307
     
44,103
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Institutional Class
   
1,140,005
     
922,449
 
Shares redeemed – Investor Class
   
(1,405,801
)
   
(1,221,679
)
Shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(20,145,453
)
   
(5,524,627
)
Net increase in shares outstanding
   
47,060,989
     
12,642,635
 


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

39

Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets


   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS:
           
Net investment income
 
$
783,741
   
$
379,991
 
Net realized gain on investments
   
14,730,376
     
3,644,547
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments
   
(12,359,658
)
   
3,883,847
 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
   
3,154,459
     
7,908,385
 
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS:
               
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Investor Class
   
(553,706
)
   
(45,616
)
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Institutional Class
   
(11,926,073
)
   
(1,671,698
)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions paid
   
(12,479,779
)
   
(1,717,314
)
                 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
               
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Investor Class
   
417,112
     
1,171,661
 
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Institutional Class
   
39,672,273
     
49,844,868
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Investor Class
   
553,706
     
45,616
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Institutional Class
   
10,669,139
     
1,417,975
 
Payments for shares redeemed – Investor Class
   
(199,320
)
   
(167,175
)
Payments for shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(68,502,989
)
   
(8,263,722
)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions
   
(17,390,079
)
   
44,049,223
 
                 
TOTAL INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
   
(26,715,399
)
   
50,240,294
 
                 
NET ASSETS:
               
Beginning of year
   
122,661,154
     
72,420,860
 
End of year
 
$
95,945,755
   
$
122,661,154
 
                 
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING:
               
Shares sold – Investor Class
   
31,976
     
82,264
 
Shares sold – Institutional Class
   
2,995,844
     
3,488,489
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Investor Class
   
46,648
     
3,258
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Institutional Class
   
894,312
     
100,780
 
Shares redeemed – Investor Class
   
(16,201
)
   
(11,897
)
Shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(5,143,345
)
   
(586,283
)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding
   
(1,190,766
)
   
3,076,611
 


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

40

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets


   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS:
           
Net investment income
 
$
310,637
   
$
86,720
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from:
               
  Investments
   
69,658
     
661,766
 
  Foreign currency
   
(13,509
)
   
(258
)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:
               
  Investments
   
1,324,717
     
(1,028,722
)
  Foreign currency
   
(1,113
)
   
(678
)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
   
1,690,390
     
(281,172
)
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS:
               
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Investor Class
   
(63,740
)
   
(12,526
)
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Institutional Class
   
(641,563
)
   
(150,874
)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions paid
   
(705,303
)
   
(163,400
)
                 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
               
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Investor Class
   
554,032
     
577,075
 
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Institutional Class
   
1,150,132
     
12,284,217
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Investor Class
   
63,740
     
12,526
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Institutional Class
   
641,562
     
150,874
 
Payments for shares redeemed – Investor Class
   
(642,646
)
   
(387,967
)
Payments for shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(195,587
)
   
(96,686
)
Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions
   
1,571,233
     
12,540,039
 
                 
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
   
2,556,320
     
12,095,467
 
                 
NET ASSETS:
               
Beginning of year
   
15,456,561
     
3,361,094
 
End of year
 
$
18,012,881
   
$
15,456,561
 
                 
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING:
               
Shares sold – Investor Class
   
64,477
     
55,288
 
Shares sold – Institutional Class
   
113,891
     
1,154,366
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Investor Class
   
6,674
     
1,289
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Institutional Class
   
67,109
     
15,522
 
Shares redeemed – Investor Class
   
(74,401
)
   
(35,969
)
Shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(20,262
)
   
(9,059
)
Net increase in shares outstanding
   
157,488
     
1,181,437
 


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

41

Pzena International Value Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets


         
For the Period
 
   
Year Ended
   
June 28, 2021(1)
 
   
February 28,
   
through
 
   
2023
   
February 28, 2022
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS:
           
Net investment income
 
$
850,172
   
$
59,973
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from:
               
  Investments
   
(786,308
)
   
17,563
 
  Foreign currency
   
(15,362
)
   
(5,471
)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:
               
  Investments
   
2,896,168
     
(357,140
)
  Foreign Currency
   
(979
)
   
332
 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
   
2,943,691
     
(284,743
)
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS:
               
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Investor Class
   
(16,048
)
   
(3,650
)
Net dividends and distributions to shareholders – Institutional Class
   
(763,152
)
   
(92,011
)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions paid
   
(779,200
)
   
(95,661
)
                 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
               
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Investor Class
   
     
1,000,000
 
Proceeds from shares subscribed – Institutional Class
   
17,013,283
     
23,913,072
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Investor Class
   
16,048
     
3,650
 
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders
               
  in payment of distributions declared – Institutional Class
   
441,083
     
92,011
 
Payments for shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(819,741
)
   
(50,396
)
Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions
   
16,650,673
     
24,958,337
 
                 
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
   
18,815,164
     
24,577,933
 
                 
NET ASSETS:
               
Beginning of period
   
24,577,933
     
 
End of period
 
$
43,393,097
   
$
24,577,933
 
                 
CHANGES IN SHARES OUTSTANDING:
               
Shares sold – Investor Class
   
     
100,000
 
Shares sold – Institutional Class
   
2,068,119
     
2,450,103
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Investor Class
   
1,817
     
389
 
Shares issued in reinvestments of dividends and distributions – Institutional Class
   
49,953
     
9,799
 
Shares redeemed – Institutional Class
   
(99,381
)
   
(5,367
)
Net increase in shares outstanding
   
2,020,508
     
2,554,924
 

(1)
Commencement of operations.


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

42

Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund – Investor Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each year

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 29,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
 
PER SHARE DATA:
                             
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
16.12
   
$
15.05
   
$
10.86
   
$
11.59
   
$
12.92
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income(1)
   
0.17
     
0.12
     
0.16
     
0.12
     
0.11
 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
   
(0.01
)
   
2.44
     
4.32
     
(0.74
)
   
(1.18
)
Total from investment operations
   
0.16
     
2.56
     
4.48
     
(0.62
)
   
(1.07
)
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.15
)
   
(0.24
)
   
(0.05
)
   
(0.06
)
   
 
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(1.85
)
   
(1.25
)
   
(0.24
)
   
(0.05
)
   
(0.26
)
Total distributions
   
(2.00
)
   
(1.49
)
   
(0.29
)
   
(0.11
)
   
(0.26
)
                                         
Redemption fees retained
   
     
     
     
0.00
(1)(2) 
   
0.00
(1)(2) 
                                         
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
14.28
   
$
16.12
   
$
15.05
   
$
10.86
   
$
11.59
 
                                         
TOTAL RETURN
   
1.96
%
   
17.52
%
   
41.53
%
   
-5.49
%
   
-8.12
%
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
6,667
   
$
11,934
   
$
8,972
   
$
3,387
   
$
8,920
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers
   
1.32
%
   
1.31
%
   
1.40
%
   
1.56
%
   
1.66
%
After fee waivers
   
1.24
%
   
1.24
%
   
1.24
%
   
1.23
%
   
1.24
%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers
   
1.07
%
   
0.63
%
   
1.33
%
   
0.69
%
   
0.48
%
After fee waivers
   
1.15
%
   
0.70
%
   
1.49
%
   
1.02
%
   
0.90
%
Portfolio turnover rate(3)
   
35
%
   
22
%
   
45
%
   
32
%
   
34
%

(1)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(2)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

43

Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund – Institutional Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each year

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 29,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
 
PER SHARE DATA:
                             
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
15.92
   
$
14.87
   
$
10.72
   
$
11.44
   
$
12.93
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income(1)
   
0.22
     
0.17
     
0.20
     
0.16
     
0.15
 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
   
     
2.42
     
4.27
     
(0.73
)
   
(1.20
)
Total from investment operations
   
0.22
     
2.59
     
4.47
     
(0.57
)
   
(1.05
)
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.22
)
   
(0.29
)
   
(0.08
)
   
(0.10
)
   
(0.18
)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(1.85
)
   
(1.25
)
   
(0.24
)
   
(0.05
)
   
(0.26
)
Total distributions
   
(2.07
)
   
(1.54
)
   
(0.32
)
   
(0.15
)
   
(0.44
)
                                         
Redemption fees retained
   
     
     
     
0.00
(1)(2) 
   
0.00
(1)(2) 
                                         
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
14.07
   
$
15.92
   
$
14.87
   
$
10.72
   
$
11.44
 
                                         
TOTAL RETURN
   
2.37
%
   
17.99
%
   
42.06
%
   
-5.17
%
   
-7.82
%
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
128,225
   
$
123,926
   
$
108,895
   
$
51,867
   
$
33,928
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers
   
0.98
%
   
0.97
%
   
1.06
%
   
1.23
%
   
1.32
%
After fee waivers
   
0.90
%
   
0.90
%
   
0.90
%
   
0.90
%
   
0.90
%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers
   
1.42
%
   
0.97
%
   
1.67
%
   
1.02
%
   
0.82
%
After fee waivers
   
1.50
%
   
1.04
%
   
1.83
%
   
1.35
%
   
1.24
%
Portfolio turnover rate(3)
   
35
%
   
22
%
   
45
%
   
32
%
   
34
%

(1)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(2)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

44

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund – Investor Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each year

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 29,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
 
PER SHARE DATA:
                             
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
11.59
   
$
11.84
   
$
8.96
   
$
10.56
   
$
11.46
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income(1)
   
0.29
     
0.20
     
0.14
     
0.16
     
0.13
 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
   
(0.69
)
   
(0.16
)
   
2.86
     
(1.37
)
   
(0.93
)
Total from investment operations
   
(0.40
)
   
0.04
     
3.00
     
(1.21
)
   
(0.80
)
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.16
)
   
(0.21
)
   
(0.09
)
   
(0.14
)
   
(0.10
)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(0.03
)
   
(0.08
)
   
(0.03
)
   
(0.25
)
   
 
Total distributions
   
(0.19
)
   
(0.29
)
   
(0.12
)
   
(0.39
)
   
(0.10
)
                                         
Redemption fees retained
   
     
     
0.00
(1)(2) 
   
0.00
(1)(2) 
   
0.00
(1)(2) 
                                         
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
11.00
   
$
11.59
   
$
11.84
   
$
8.96
   
$
10.56
 
                                         
TOTAL RETURN
   
-3.39
%
   
0.31
%
   
33.63
%
   
-11.85
%
   
-6.95
%
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
36,800
   
$
22,332
   
$
17,996
   
$
10,563
   
$
12,814
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers
   
1.50
%
   
1.50
%
   
1.56
%
   
1.58
%
   
1.60
%
After fee waivers
   
1.43
%
   
1.43
%
   
1.43
%
   
1.56
%
   
1.59
%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers
   
2.61
%
   
1.57
%
   
1.32
%
   
1.55
%
   
1.25
%
After fee waivers
   
2.68
%
   
1.64
%
   
1.45
%
   
1.57
%
   
1.26
%
Portfolio turnover rate(3)
   
15
%
   
10
%
   
43
%
   
18
%
   
21
%

(1)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(2)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

45

Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund – Institutional Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each year

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 29,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
 
PER SHARE DATA:
                             
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
11.63
   
$
11.87
   
$
8.98
   
$
10.57
   
$
11.46
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income(1)
   
0.33
     
0.24
     
0.17
     
0.20
     
0.17
 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
   
(0.70
)
   
(0.15
)
   
2.86
     
(1.37
)
   
(0.93
)
Total from investment operations
   
(0.37
)
   
0.09
     
3.03
     
(1.17
)
   
(0.76
)
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.19
)
   
(0.25
)
   
(0.11
)
   
(0.17
)
   
(0.13
)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(0.03
)
   
(0.08
)
   
(0.03
)
   
(0.25
)
   
 
Total distributions
   
(0.22
)
   
(0.33
)
   
(0.14
)
   
(0.42
)
   
(0.13
)
                                         
Redemption fees retained
   
     
     
0.00
(1)(2) 
   
0.00
(1)(2) 
   
0.00
(1)(2) 
                                         
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
11.04
   
$
11.63
   
$
11.87
   
$
8.98
   
$
10.57
 
                                         
TOTAL RETURN
   
-3.11
%
   
0.74
%
   
33.96
%
   
-11.51
%
   
-6.57
%
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
1,014,109
   
$
537,475
   
$
403,412
   
$
299,920
   
$
298,532
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers
   
1.15
%
   
1.15
%
   
1.21
%
   
1.23
%
   
1.26
%
After fee waivers
   
1.08
%
   
1.08
%
   
1.08
%
   
1.21
%
   
1.25
%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers
   
2.96
%
   
1.92
%
   
1.67
%
   
1.90
%
   
1.59
%
After fee waivers
   
3.03
%
   
1.99
%
   
1.80
%
   
1.92
%
   
1.60
%
Portfolio turnover rate(3)
   
15
%
   
10
%
   
43
%
   
18
%
   
21
%

(1)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(2)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

46

Pzena Small Cap Value Fund – Investor Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each year

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 29,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
 
PER SHARE DATA:
                             
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
14.20
   
$
13.07
   
$
9.57
   
$
10.90
   
$
11.10
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income(1)
   
0.06
     
0.01
     
0.11
     
0.06
     
0.00
(2) 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
   
0.66
     
1.31
     
3.55
     
(1.39
)
   
0.22
 
Total from investment operations
   
0.72
     
1.32
     
3.66
     
(1.33
)
   
0.22
 
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.08
)
   
(0.09
)
   
     
     
 
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(1.94
)
   
(0.10
)
   
(0.16
)
   
     
(0.42
)
Total distributions
   
(2.02
)
   
(0.19
)
   
(0.16
)
   
     
(0.42
)
                                         
Redemption fees retained
   
     
     
     
0.00
(1)(2) 
   
0.00
(1)(2) 
                                         
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
12.90
   
$
14.20
   
$
13.07
   
$
9.57
   
$
10.90
 
                                         
TOTAL RETURN
   
6.34
%
   
10.04
%
   
38.46
%
   
-12.20
%
   
2.40
%
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
4,132
   
$
3,663
   
$
2,409
   
$
1,310
   
$
6,139
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers and expense reimbursement
   
1.49
%
   
1.48
%
   
1.69
%
   
2.09
%
   
2.36
%
After fee waivers and expense reimbursement
   
1.34
%
   
1.41
%
   
1.38
%
   
1.42
%
   
1.52
%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers and expense reimbursement
   
0.31
%
   
0.00
%
   
0.90
%
   
(0.13
)%
   
(0.81
)%
After fee waivers and expense reimbursement
   
0.46
%
   
0.07
%
   
1.21
%
   
0.54
%
   
0.03
%
Portfolio turnover rate(3)
   
28
%
   
10
%
   
26
%
   
38
%
   
52
%

(1)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(2)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

47

Pzena Small Cap Value Fund – Institutional Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each year

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 29,
   
February 28,
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
2019
 
PER SHARE DATA:
                             
Net asset value, beginning of year
 
$
14.28
   
$
13.14
   
$
9.60
   
$
10.99
   
$
11.17
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income(1)
   
0.10
     
0.05
     
0.14
     
0.09
     
0.04
 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
   
0.65
     
1.31
     
3.57
     
(1.40
)
   
0.23
 
Total from investment operations
   
0.75
     
1.36
     
3.71
     
(1.31
)
   
0.27
 
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.12
)
   
(0.12
)
   
(0.01
)
   
(0.08
)
   
(0.03
)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(1.94
)
   
(0.10
)
   
(0.16
)
   
     
(0.42
)
Total distributions
   
(2.06
)
   
(0.22
)
   
(0.17
)
   
(0.08
)
   
(0.45
)
                                         
Redemption fees retained
   
     
     
0.00
(1)(2) 
   
0.00
(1)(2) 
   
0.00
(1)(2) 
                                         
Net asset value, end of year
 
$
12.97
   
$
14.28
   
$
13.14
   
$
9.60
   
$
10.99
 
                                         
TOTAL RETURN
   
6.50
%
   
10.36
%
   
38.87
%
   
-12.07
%
   
2.83
%
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
                                       
Net assets, end of year (thousands)
 
$
91,814
   
$
118,998
   
$
70,012
   
$
30,593
   
$
20,083
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers and expense reimbursement
   
1.18
%
   
1.17
%
   
1.41
%
   
1.77
%
   
2.03
%
After fee waivers and expense reimbursement
   
1.03
%
   
1.10
%
   
1.10
%
   
1.10
%
   
1.19
%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets:
                                       
Before fee waivers and expense reimbursement
   
0.62
%
   
0.31
%
   
1.18
%
   
0.19
%
   
(0.48
)%
After fee waivers and expense reimbursement
   
0.77
%
   
0.38
%
   
1.49
%
   
0.86
%
   
0.36
%
Portfolio turnover rate(3)
   
28
%
   
10
%
   
26
%
   
38
%
   
52
%

(1)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(2)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

48

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund – Investor Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each period

                           
For the Period
 
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
July 2, 2018(1)
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 29,
   
through
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
February 28, 2019
 
PER SHARE DATA:
                             
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
10.05
   
$
9.48
   
$
7.48
   
$
9.07
   
$
10.00
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income(2)
   
0.18
     
0.05
     
0.09
     
0.18
     
0.03
 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
   
0.83
     
0.61
     
2.01
     
(1.59
)
   
(0.79
)
Total from investment operations
   
1.01
     
0.66
     
2.10
     
(1.41
)
   
(0.76
)
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.16
)
   
(0.07
)
   
(0.09
)
   
(0.18
)
   
(0.04
)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(0.28
)
   
(0.02
)
   
(0.01
)
   
(0.00
)(3)
   
(0.13
)
Total distributions
   
(0.44
)
   
(0.09
)
   
(0.10
)
   
(0.18
)
   
(0.17
)
                                         
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
10.62
   
$
10.05
   
$
9.48
   
$
7.48
   
$
9.07
 
                                         
TOTAL RETURN
   
10.51
%
   
6.93
%
   
28.19
%
   
-15.83
%
   
-7.48
%(4)
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
                                       
Net assets, end of period (thousands)
 
$
1,589
   
$
1,538
   
$
1,254
   
$
819
   
$
925
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before expense reimbursement
   
2.79
%
   
3.16
%
   
8.18
%
   
13.43
%
   
13.92
%(5)
After expense reimbursement
   
1.45
%
   
1.45
%
   
1.42
%
   
1.42
%
   
1.44
%(5)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets:
                                       
Before expense reimbursement
   
0.53
%
   
(1.25
)%
   
(5.56
)%
   
(9.91
)%
   
(12.05
)%(5)
After expense reimbursement
   
1.87
%
   
0.46
%
   
1.20
%
   
2.10
%
   
0.43
%(5)
Portfolio turnover rate(6)
   
26
%
   
22
%
   
32
%
   
18
%
   
32
%(4)

(1)
Commencement of operations.
(2)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(3)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(4)
Not annualized.
(5)
Annualized.
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

49

Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund – Institutional Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each period

                           
For the Period
 
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
July 2, 2018(1)
 
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 28,
   
February 29,
   
through
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
   
February 28, 2019
 
PER SHARE DATA:
                             
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
10.07
   
$
9.49
   
$
7.49
   
$
9.07
   
$
10.00
 
                                         
Income from investment operations:
                                       
Net investment income(2)
   
0.20
     
0.08
     
0.10
     
0.20
     
0.04
 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
   
0.83
     
0.61
     
2.01
     
(1.59
)
   
(0.78
)
Total from investment operations
   
1.03
     
0.69
     
2.11
     
(1.39
)
   
(0.74
)
                                         
Less distributions:
                                       
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.18
)
   
(0.09
)
   
(0.10
)
   
(0.19
)
   
(0.06
)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(0.28
)
   
(0.02
)
   
(0.01
)
   
(0.00
)(3)
   
(0.13
)
Total distributions
   
(0.46
)
   
(0.11
)
   
(0.11
)
   
(0.19
)
   
(0.19
)
                                         
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
10.64
   
$
10.07
   
$
9.49
   
$
7.49
   
$
9.07
 
                                         
TOTAL RETURN
   
10.73
%
   
7.32
%
   
28.40
%
   
-15.55
%
   
-7.32
%(4)
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
                                       
Net assets, end of period (thousands)
 
$
16,424
   
$
13,919
   
$
2,107
   
$
1,424
   
$
1,006
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                       
Before expense reimbursement
   
2.51
%
   
2.88
%
   
7.93
%
   
13.18
%
   
13.65
%(5)
After expense reimbursement
   
1.17
%
   
1.17
%
   
1.17
%
   
1.17
%
   
1.17
%(5)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets:
                                       
Before expense reimbursement
   
0.81
%
   
(0.97
)%
   
(5.31
)%
   
(9.66
)%
   
(11.78
)%(5)
After expense reimbursement
   
2.15
%
   
0.74
%
   
1.45
%
   
2.35
%
   
0.70
%(5)
Portfolio turnover rate(6)
   
26
%
   
22
%
   
32
%
   
18
%
   
32
%(4)

(1)
Commencement of operations.
(2)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(3)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(4)
Not annualized.
(5)
Annualized.
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

50

Pzena International Value Fund – Investor Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each period

         
For the Period
 
   
Year Ended
   
June 28, 2021(1)
 
   
February 28,
   
through
 
   
2023
   
February 28, 2022
 
PER SHARE DATA:
           
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
9.62
   
$
10.00
 
                 
Income from investment operations:
               
Net investment income(2)
   
0.21
     
0.03
 
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments
   
(0.19
)
   
(0.37
)
Total from investment operations
   
0.02
     
(0.34
)
                 
Less distributions:
               
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.16
)
   
(0.04
)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(0.00
)(3)
   
 
Total distributions
   
(0.16
)
   
(0.04
)
                 
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
9.48
   
$
9.62
 
                 
TOTAL RETURN
   
0.33
%
   
-3.43
%(4)
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
               
Net assets, end of period (thousands)
 
$
969
   
$
966
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
               
Before expense reimbursement
   
1.73
%
   
2.83
%(5)
After expense reimbursement
   
0.99
%
   
0.99
%(5)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets:
               
Before expense reimbursement
   
1.69
%
   
(1.34
)%(5)
After expense reimbursement
   
2.43
%
   
0.50
%(5)
Portfolio turnover rate(6)
   
19
%
   
4
%(4)

(1)
Commencement of operations.
(2)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(3)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(4)
Not annualized.
(5)
Annualized
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

51

Pzena International Value Fund – Institutional Class
Financial Highlights


For a share outstanding throughout each period

         
For the Period
 
   
Year Ended
   
June 28, 2021(1)
 
   
February 28,
   
through
 
   
2023
   
February 28, 2022
 
PER SHARE DATA:
           
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
9.62
   
$
10.00
 
                 
Income from investment operations:
               
Net investment income(2)
   
0.23
     
0.05
 
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments
   
(0.19
)
   
(0.38
)
Total from investment operations
   
0.04
     
(0.33
)
                 
Less distributions:
               
Dividends from net investment income
   
(0.18
)
   
(0.05
)
Dividends from net realized gain on investments
   
(0.00
)(3)
   
 
Total distributions
   
(0.18
)
   
(0.05
)
                 
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
9.48
   
$
9.62
 
                 
TOTAL RETURN
   
0.53
%
   
-3.29
%(4)
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS:
               
Net assets, end of period (thousands)
 
$
42,424
   
$
23,612
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
               
Before expense reimbursement
   
1.48
%
   
2.58
%(5)
After expense reimbursement
   
0.74
%
   
0.74
%(5)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets:
               
Before expense reimbursement
   
1.94
%
   
(1.09
)%(5)
After expense reimbursement
   
2.68
%
   
0.75
%(5)
Portfolio turnover rate(6)
   
19
%
   
4
%(4)

(1)
Commencement of operations.
(2)
Based on average shares outstanding.
(3)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(4)
Not annualized.
(5)
Annualized
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole.


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

52

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements
February 28, 2023

 
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
 
The Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund (the “Mid Cap Value Fund”), Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund (the “Emerging Markets Value Fund”), Pzena Small Cap Value Fund (the “Small Cap Value Fund”), Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund (the “International Small Cap Value Fund”), and Pzena International Value Fund (the “International Value Fund”) (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 primary investment objective for each Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.  Currently, each Fund offers Investor Class and Institutional Class shares.  Each class of shares differs principally in its respective distribution and shareholder servicing expenses and sales charges, if any.  Each class of shares has identical rights to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except for class-specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes.
 
The Mid Cap Value Fund and Emerging Markets Value Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2014. The Small Cap Value Fund commenced operations on April 27, 2016, the International Small Cap Value Fund commenced operations on July 2, 2018, and the International Value Fund commenced operations on June 28, 2021.
 
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Security Valuation – All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value, as described in Note 3.
 
Federal Income Taxes – It is the policy of the Funds 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 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. 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.
 
Security Transactions, Income and Distributions – Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.  Dividend income 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.  The Funds will make distributions of dividends and capital gains, if any, at least annually, typically in December.  The amount of dividends and distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized capital gains is determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations which differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
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.
 
Reclassification of Capital Accounts – Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting.  These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended February 28, 2023, the Emerging Markets Value Fund,
 


53

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

International Small Cap Value Fund, and International Value Fund did not require any permanent tax adjustments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. For the year ended February 28, 2023, the Mid Cap Value Fund and Small Cap Fund made the following permanent tax adjustments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities:
 
 
Distributable Earnings
Paid-in Capital
Mid Cap Value Fund
$(1,555,888)
$1,555,888
Small Cap Fund
$(4,564,596)
$4,564,596

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operation during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
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 Funds’ 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.
 
REITs – The Funds can make certain investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which pay dividends to their shareholders based upon funds available from operations.  It is quite common for these dividends to exceed the REITs’ taxable earnings and profits resulting in the excess portion of such dividends being designated as a return of capital.  Each Fund intends to include the gross dividends from such REITs in its annual distributions to its shareholders and, accordingly, a portion of each Fund’s distributions may also be designated as a return of capital.
 
Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Year End – In preparing the financial statements as of February 28, 2023, management considered the impact of subsequent events for the potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. Management has determined there were no subsequent events that would need to be disclosed in the 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 valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair value, a discussion in changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period and expanded disclosure of valuation levels for major security types.  These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
Level 1 –
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.
   
Level 2 –
Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
   
Level 3 –
Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Funds’ own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.


54

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

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 – Equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, foreign-issued common stocks, exchange-traded funds, closed-end mutual funds and REITs, 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.
 
Participatory Notes – Participatory notes are valued with an evaluated price provided by an independent pricing service.  These securities will generally be classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
Investment Companies – Investments in open-end mutual funds, including money market funds, are valued at their net asset value per share provided by the service agent of the funds and will be classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
Short-Term Securities – Short-term securities having a maturity of less than 60 days are valued at the evaluated mean between bid and asked price.  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 are often purchased in private placement transactions, are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, may have contractual restrictions on resale, and may be valued under methods approved by the Board of Trustees (“Board”) as reflecting fair value.  Certain restricted securities eligible for resale to qualified institutional investors, including Rule 144a securities, are not subject to the limitation on the Funds’ investment in illiquid securities if they are determined to be liquid in accordance with the procedures adopted by the Board.
 
Accounting Pronouncements – 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 were required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Rule 18f-4 imposes limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminates the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treats derivatives as senior securities and requires 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. As of the Funds’ most recently filed Statement of Additional Information, the Funds cannot enter into derivative transactions.
 
In December 2020, the SEC adopted a 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 permits 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 rescinded 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 are in compliance with Rule 2a-5, which had a compliance date of September 8, 2022.
 
Prior to the effectiveness of Rule 2a-5, the Board had delegated day-to-day valuation issues to a Valuation Committee of the Trust which was comprised of representatives from the Funds’ administrator, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”). The function of the Valuation Committee was to value securities where current and reliable market quotations were not readily available, or the closing price did not represent fair value by following procedures approved by the Board. These procedures considered many factors, including the type of security, size of holding, trading volume and news events. All actions taken by the Valuation Committee were subsequently reviewed and ratified by the Board. The Valuation Committee served through September 7, 2022. Effective September 8, 2022, the Board approved Pzena Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) as the Funds’ valuation designee under Rule 2a-5.
 
In June 2022, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2022-03, which amends Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions (“ASU 2022-03”). ASU 2022-03 clarifies guidance for fair value
 


55

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

measurement of an equity security subject to a contractual sale restriction and establishes new disclosure requirements for such equity securities. ASU 2022-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on the Funds’ financial statements.
 
Depending on the relative significance of the valuation inputs, fair valued securities may be classified in either Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ securities as of February 28, 2023:
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
                       
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common Stocks
                       
Basic Materials
 
$
9,468,137
   
$
   
$
   
$
9,468,137
 
Consumer Discretionary
   
25,252,568
     
     
     
25,252,568
 
Energy
   
4,833,606
     
     
     
4,833,606
 
Financials
   
42,041,735
     
     
     
42,041,735
 
Health Care
   
10,605,163
     
     
     
10,605,163
 
Industrials
   
22,550,099
     
     
     
22,550,099
 
Technology
   
11,434,442
     
     
     
11,434,442
 
Utilities
   
3,991,536
     
     
     
3,991,536
 
Total Common Stocks
   
130,177,286
     
     
     
130,177,286
 
Short-Term Investment
   
4,153,300
     
     
     
4,153,300
 
Total Investments
 
$
134,330,586
   
$
   
$
   
$
134,330,586
 
                                 
Emerging Markets Value Fund
                               
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common Stocks
                               
Brazil
 
$
49,182,550
   
$
   
$
   
$
49,182,550
 
China
   
222,640,077
     
     
     
222,640,077
 
Hong Kong
   
73,994,704
     
     
     
73,994,704
 
Hungary
   
20,504,683
     
     
     
20,504,683
 
India
   
47,161,284
     
     
     
47,161,284
 
Indonesia
   
21,135,738
     
     
     
21,135,738
 
Peru
   
13,255,120
     
     
     
13,255,120
 
Republic of Korea
   
157,356,509
     
     
     
157,356,509
 
Romania
   
9,187,426
     
     
     
9,187,426
 
Russian Federation
   
     
     
4,085
     
4,085
 
Singapore
   
22,700,910
     
     
     
22,700,910
 
South Africa
   
25,603,914
     
     
     
25,603,914
 
Taiwan
   
150,421,307
     
     
     
150,421,307
 
Thailand
   
20,013,426
     
13,403,720
     
     
33,417,146
 
Turkey
   
8,104,911
     
     
     
8,104,911
 
United Arab Emirates
   
21,718,183
     
     
     
21,718,183
 
United Kingdom
   
23,385,358
     
     
     
23,385,358
 
United States
   
49,704,058
     
     
     
49,704,058
 
Total Common Stocks
   
936,070,158
     
13,403,720
     
4,085
     
949,477,963
 
Preferred Stocks
                               
Brazil
   
54,896,916
     
     
     
54,896,916
 
Total Preferred Stocks
   
54,896,916
     
     
     
54,896,916
 
Short-Term Investment
   
46,205,232
     
     
     
46,205,232
 
Total Investments
 
$
1,037,172,306
   
$
13,403,720
   
$
4,085
   
$
1,050,580,111
 


56

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

Small Cap Value Fund
                       
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common Stocks
                       
Basic Materials
 
$
7,108,236
   
$
   
$
   
$
7,108,236
 
Consumer Discretionary
   
13,365,269
     
     
     
13,365,269
 
Consumer Staples
   
4,379,007
     
     
     
4,379,007
 
Energy
   
4,552,943
     
     
     
4,552,943
 
Financials
   
25,780,394
     
     
     
25,780,394
 
Health Care
   
2,205,679
     
     
     
2,205,679
 
Industrials
   
26,325,832
     
     
     
26,325,832
 
Technology
   
7,240,006
     
     
     
7,240,006
 
Total Common Stocks
   
90,957,366
     
     
     
90,957,366
 
REIT
   
1,198,852
     
     
     
1,198,852
 
Short-Term Investment
   
3,397,439
     
     
     
3,397,439
 
Total Investments
 
$
95,553,657
   
$
   
$
   
$
95,553,657
 
                                 
International Small Cap Value Fund
                               
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common Stocks
                               
Austria
 
$
549,736
   
$
   
$
   
$
549,736
 
Canada
   
1,005,488
     
     
     
1,005,488
 
France
   
1,066,941
     
     
     
1,066,941
 
Germany
   
1,462,120
     
     
     
1,462,120
 
Hong Kong
   
854,921
     
     
     
854,921
 
Ireland
   
1,240,481
     
     
     
1,240,481
 
Israel
   
353,843
     
     
     
353,843
 
Italy
   
1,686,383
     
     
     
1,686,383
 
Japan
   
3,617,385
     
     
     
3,617,385
 
Netherlands
   
709,711
     
     
     
709,711
 
Norway
   
461,267
     
     
     
461,267
 
Republic of Korea
   
982,791
     
     
     
982,791
 
Spain
   
800,140
     
     
     
800,140
 
Taiwan
   
175,060
     
     
     
175,060
 
United Kingdom
   
2,417,316
     
     
     
2,417,316
 
Total Common Stocks
   
17,383,583
     
     
     
17,383,583
 
Short-Term Investment
   
751,701
     
     
     
751,701
 
Total Investments
 
$
18,135,284
   
$
   
$
   
$
18,135,284
 


57

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

International Value Fund
                       
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common Stocks
                       
Brazil
 
$
888,748
   
$
   
$
   
$
888,748
 
Canada
   
380,653
     
     
     
380,653
 
China
   
1,409,533
     
     
     
1,409,533
 
Denmark
   
593,544
     
     
     
593,544
 
Finland
   
941,159
     
     
     
941,159
 
France
   
7,105,058
     
     
     
7,105,058
 
Germany
   
4,820,617
     
     
     
4,820,617
 
Hong Kong
   
764,772
     
     
     
764,772
 
Ireland
   
693,149
     
     
     
693,149
 
Italy
   
894,467
     
     
     
894,467
 
Japan
   
6,369,207
     
     
     
6,369,207
 
Luxembourg
   
875,328
     
     
     
875,328
 
Netherlands
   
3,003,687
     
     
     
3,003,687
 
Republic of Korea
   
682,620
     
     
     
682,620
 
Singapore
   
288,878
     
     
     
288,878
 
Spain
   
889,704
     
     
     
889,704
 
Switzerland
   
2,577,537
     
     
     
2,577,537
 
Taiwan
   
826,072
     
     
     
826,072
 
United Kingdom
   
7,282,118
     
     
     
7,282,118
 
Total Common Stocks
   
41,286,851
     
     
     
41,286,851
 
Preferred Stock
                               
Germany
   
695,493
     
     
     
695,493
 
Total Preferred Stock
   
695,493
     
     
     
695,493
 
Short-Term Investment
   
1,081,318
     
     
     
1,081,318
 
Total Investments
 
$
43,063,662
   
$
   
$
   
$
43,063,662
 

Refer to the Funds’ schedule of investments for a detailed break-out of securities.
 
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
 
Level 3 Reconciliation Disclosure (Unaudited)
 
   
Common Stocks
 
Balance as of February 28, 2022
 
$
5,377
 
  Transfer into Level 3
   
4,085
 
  Transfer out of Level 3
   
(5,377
)
Balance as of February 28, 2023
 
$
4,085
 
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) during
       
  the period for Level 3 investments held at February 28, 2023
 
$
 

The Level 3 investments as of February 28, 2023 represented less than 0.01% of net assets and did not warrant a disclosure of significant unobservable valuation inputs.
 
On February 24, 2022, Russia commenced a military attack on Ukraine. The outbreak of hostilities between the two countries could result in more widespread conflict and could have a severe adverse effect on the region and the markets. In addition, sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and other countries, and any sanctions imposed in the future could have a significant adverse impact on the Russian economy and related markets. The price and liquidity of investments may fluctuate widely as a result of the conflict and related events. How long such conflict and related events will last and whether it will escalate further cannot be predicted, nor its effect on the Funds.
 


58

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

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 the Adviser pursuant to which the Adviser is responsible for providing investment management services to each Fund.  The Adviser furnishes all investment advice, office space and facilities, and provides most of the personnel needed by the Funds.  As compensation for its services, the Adviser is entitled to a monthly management fee, based upon the average daily net assets of the Funds at the annual rates of:
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
0.80%
 
Emerging Markets Value Fund
1.00%
 
Small Cap Value Fund
0.95%
 
International Small Cap Value Fund
1.00%
 
International Value Fund
0.65%
 

For the year ended February 28, 2023, the Funds incurred the following in advisory fees:
 
   
Advisory Fees
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
$
1,010,329
 
Emerging Markets Value Fund
   
7,071,092
 
Small Cap Value Fund
   
980,352
 
International Small Cap Value Fund
   
146,412
 
International Value Fund
   
206,488
 

The Funds are responsible for their own operating expenses.  The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive a portion or all of its management fees and pay expenses of the Funds to ensure that the net annual operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees, interest expense, taxes, dividends on securities sold short, extraordinary expenses, Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder servicing fees, and other class-specific expenses) do not exceed the following amounts of the average daily net assets for each class of shares:
 
   
Emerging
 
International
   
 
Mid Cap
Markets
Small Cap
Small Cap
International
 
 
Value Fund
Value Fund
Value Fund(a)
Value Fund
Value Fund
 
 
0.90%
1.08%
1.00%
1.17%
0.74%
 

(a)
Effective June 1, 2022, the Board approved an amendment to the Operating Expense Limitation Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Pzena Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) and the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser has agreed to reduce the operating expense limit for the Fund from 1.10% to 1.00%.

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 account the reimbursement) will not cause the Funds 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 review and approval. Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Funds’ payment of current ordinary operating expenses.  For the year ended February 28, 2023, the Adviser reduced its fees and reduced other operating expenses in the amount of $98,328 for the Mid Cap Value Fund, $485,364 for the Emerging Markets Value Fund, $159,587 for the Small Cap Value Fund, $195,567 for the International Small Cap Value Fund, and $235,358 for the International Value Fund.  The Adviser may recapture portions of the amounts shown below no later than the corresponding dates:
 


59

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

   
2/29/2024
   
2/28/2025
   
2/28/2026
   
Total
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
$
131,027
   
$
86,609
   
$
98,328
   
$
315,964
 
Emerging Markets Value Fund
   
401,667
     
351,524
     
485,364
     
1,238,555
 
Small Cap Value Fund
   
121,914
     
68,655
     
159,587
     
350,156
 
International Small Cap Value Fund
   
158,624
     
209,293
     
195,567
     
563,484
 
International Value Fund
   
N/A
     
151,402
     
235,358
     
386,760
 

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 and the Chief Compliance Officer are also employees of Fund Services. Fees paid by the Funds for administration and accounting, transfer agency, custody and compliance services for the year ended February 28, 2023 are disclosed in the statements of operations.
 
Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar” or the “Distributor”) acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund’s shares.  Quasar is a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC, doing business as ACA Foreside, a division of ACA Group.
 
NOTE 5 – 12b-1 DISTRIBUTION FEES
 
The Funds have adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Plan”).  The Plan permits the Funds to pay for distribution and related expenses at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Funds’ Investor Class shares.  The expenses covered by the Plan may include the cost in connection with the promotion and distribution of shares and the provision of personal services to shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, advertising, compensation to underwriters, dealers and selling personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Fund shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature.  Payments made pursuant to the Plan will represent compensation for distribution and service activities, not reimbursements for specific expenses incurred.  For the year ended February 28, 2023, the 12b-1 distribution fees incurred under the Plan by each of the Fund’s Investor Class shares are disclosed in the statements of operations.
 
NOTE 6 – SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEES
 
The Funds have entered into a shareholder servicing agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Adviser, under which the Adviser will provide, or arrange for others to provide, certain specified shareholder services.  As compensation for the provision of shareholder services, the Funds may pay servicing fees at an annual rate of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class shares.  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 each Fund.  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 year ended February 28, 2023, the shareholder servicing fees incurred under the Agreement by each of the Fund’s Investor Class shares are disclosed in the statements of operations.
 
NOTE 7 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
 
For the year ended February 28, 2023, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:
 
   
Purchases
   
Sales
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
$
43,709,158
   
$
46,733,636
 
Emerging Markets Value Fund
   
591,593,157
     
100,653,616
 
Small Cap Value Fund
   
28,872,058
     
57,243,621
 
International Small Cap Value Fund
   
4,800,491
     
3,674,151
 
International Value Fund
   
22,060,000
     
5,900,058
 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities.
 


60

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

NOTE 8 – 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.  The following table reflects shareholders that maintain accounts of more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund as of February 28, 2023:
 
Fund
Shareholder
Percent of Shares Held
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
Mac & Co.
46%
 
       
Emerging Markets Value Fund
National Financial Services, LLC
40%
 
       
Small Cap Value Fund
Charles Schwab & Co.
32%
 
 
National Financial Services, LLC
31%
 
 
Pershing, LLC
27%
 
       
International Small Cap Value Fund
J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC
48%
 
 
ValueQuest Partners, LLC
35%
 
       
International Value Fund
J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC
33%
 
 
NOTE 9 – LINE OF CREDIT
 
The Funds have a secured line of credit in the amount of $50,000,000.  This line of credit is intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions, in connection with shareholder redemptions. The credit facility is with the Funds’ custodian, U.S. Bank N.A.  During the year ended February 28, 2023, the Emerging Markets Value Fund, the International Small Cap Value Fund, and the International Value Fund did not draw upon the line of credit. During the year ended February 28, 2023, the Mid Cap Value Fund had an average daily outstanding balance of $95,814, a weighted average interest rate of 7.48%, incurred interest expense of $7,267 and had a maximum amount outstanding of $9,275,000. The Small Cap Value Fund had an average daily outstanding balance of $155,088, a weighted average interest rate of 5.92%, incurred interest expense of $9,313 and had a maximum amount outstanding of $3,478,000. At February 28, 2023, the Funds had no outstanding loan amounts.
 
NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 
As of February 28, 2023, the components of accumulated earnings/(losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
 
         
Emerging
         
International
       
   
Mid Cap
   
Markets
   
Small Cap
   
Small Cap
   
International
 
   
Value Fund
   
Value Fund
   
Value Fund
   
Value Fund
   
Value Fund
 
Cost of investments (a)
 
$
109,087,975
   
$
1,025,500,945
   
$
90,782,133
   
$
17,425,407
   
$
40,668,967
 
Gross unrealized appreciation
   
32,806,114
     
109,735,760
     
14,791,716
     
2,517,268
     
5,579,162
 
Gross unrealized depreciation
   
(7,563,503
)
   
(84,656,594
)
   
(10,020,192
)
   
(1,807,391
)
   
(3,184,467
)
Net unrealized appreciation (a)
   
25,242,611
     
25,079,166
     
4,771,524
     
709,877
     
2,394,695
 
Net unrealized depreciation on foreign currency
   
(6
)
   
(110,764
)
   
     
(1,885
)
   
(647
)
Undistributed ordinary income
   
251,091
     
5,068,062
     
238,366
     
14,509
     
92,956
 
Undistributed long-term capital gains
   
3,441,486
     
     
     
     
 
Total distributable earnings
   
3,692,577
     
5,068,062
     
238,366
     
14,509
     
92,956
 
Other accumulated gain/loss
   
     
(18,918,394
)
   
     
(84,494
)
   
(702,917
)
Total accumulated earnings
 
$
28,935,182
   
$
11,118,070
   
$
5,009,890
   
$
638,007
   
$
1,784,087
 

(a)
The difference between the book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and cost is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales adjustments and passive foreign investment companies.


61

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

At February 28, 2023, the Funds had tax basis capital losses to offset future gains as follows:
 
   
Capital Loss Carryover
          
   
Long-Term
   
Short-Term
   
Total
 
Expiration Date
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
 
$
17,474,043
   
$
1,444,351
   
$
18,918,394
 
No Expiration
Pzena International Value Fund
   
226,759
     
476,158
     
702,917
 
No Expiration

At February 28, 2023, the following Fund deferred, on a tax basis, post-October losses:
 
 
Post-October
Late Year Ordinary
 
Capital Loss
Loss Deferral
International Small Cap Value Fund
$84,494
$    —

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022 was as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
February 28, 2023
   
February 28, 2022
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
           
Ordinary income
 
$
1,738,933
   
$
3,737,482
 
Long-term capital gains
   
15,241,488
     
8,611,060
 
                 
Emerging Markets Value Fund
               
Ordinary income
 
$
16,166,313
   
$
11,333,096
 
Long-term capital gains
   
2,437,456
     
2,631,828
 
                 
Small Cap Value Fund
               
Ordinary income
 
$
1,171,434
   
$
1,628,429
 
Long-term capital gains
   
11,308,345
     
88,885
 
                 
International Small Cap Value Fund
               
Ordinary income
 
$
554,897
   
$
137,637
 
Long-term capital gains
   
150,406
     
25,763
 
                 
International Value Fund
               
Ordinary income
 
$
779,200
   
$
95,661
 
 
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. The following risks apply to all Funds, unless specifically noted.
 
• Currency Risk. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of what the Funds own and the Funds’ share price. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, an investment in that country loses value because that currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Devaluation of a currency by a country’s government or banking authority also will have a significant impact on the value of any investments denominated in that currency. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and the risk may be higher in emerging markets.
 
• Emerging Markets Risk. In addition to the risks of foreign securities in general, investments in emerging markets may be riskier than investments in or exposure to investments in the U.S. and other developed markets for many reasons, including smaller market capitalizations, greater price volatility, less liquidity, a higher degree of political and economic instability (which can freeze, restrict or suspend transactions in those investments, including cash), the impact of economic sanctions, less governmental regulation and supervision of the financial industry and markets, and less stringent financial reporting and accounting standards and controls.
 
• Equity Securities Risk. The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of economic or political changes or changes in a company’s financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, sectors or industries selected for the Funds’ portfolio or the securities market as a whole, such as changes in economic or political conditions.
 


62

Pzena Funds
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
February 28, 2023

• Foreign Securities Risk. Investing in foreign securities typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, and includes risks associated with: (i) internal and external political and economic developments – e.g., the political, economic and social policies and structures of some foreign countries may be less stable and more volatile than those in the U.S. or some foreign countries may be subject to trading restrictions or economic sanctions; (ii) trading practices – e.g., government supervision and regulation of foreign securities and currency markets, trading systems and brokers may be less than in the U.S.; (iii) availability of information – e.g., foreign issuers may not be subject to the same disclosure, accounting and financial reporting standards and practices as U.S. issuers; (iv) limited markets – e.g., the securities of certain foreign issuers may be less liquid (harder to sell) and more volatile; and (v) currency exchange rate fluctuations and policies.
 
• Management Risk. Each Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio and each Fund relies on the Adviser’s ability to pursue the Fund’s goal. The Adviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Funds, but there can be no guarantee that its decisions will produce the desired results.
 
• Market and Regulatory Risk. Events in the financial markets and economy may cause volatility and uncertainty and adversely affect performance. Such adverse effect on performance could include a decline in the value and liquidity of securities held by the Funds, unusually high and unanticipated levels of redemptions, an increase in portfolio turnover, a decrease in NAV, and an increase in Fund expenses. It may also be unusually difficult to identify both investment risks and opportunities, in which case investment goals may not be met. Market events may affect a single issuer, industry, sector, or the market as a whole. In addition, because of interdependencies between markets, events in one market may adversely impact markets or issuers in which the Fund invests in unforeseen ways. Traditionally liquid investments may experience periods of diminished liquidity. During a general downturn in the financial markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value and the Fund may lose value, even if the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests outperform the broader financial markets. It is impossible to predict whether or for how long such market events will continue, particularly if they are unprecedented, unforeseen or widespread events or conditions. Therefore it is important to understand that the value of your investment may fall, sometimes sharply and for extended periods, and you could lose money. Governmental and regulatory actions, including tax law changes, may also impair portfolio management and have unexpected or adverse consequences on particular markets, strategies, or investments. In addition, unexpected events and their aftermaths, such as the spread of deadly diseases; natural, environmental or man-made disasters; financial, political or social disruptions; terrorism and war; and other tragedies or catastrophes, can cause investor fear and panic, which can adversely affect the economies of many companies, sectors, nations, regions, and the market in general, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen.
 
• Mid Cap Company Risk (Mid Cap Value Fund). A mid cap company may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than stocks of larger companies. These stocks present greater risks than securities of larger, more diversified companies.
 
• Small Cap Company Risk (Small Cap Value Fund and International Small Cap Value Fund). Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than larger company stocks. Smaller companies may have no or relatively short operating histories, or be newly public companies.
 
• Value Style Investing Risk. The Funds emphasize a “value” style of investing, which targets undervalued companies with characteristics for improved valuations. This style of investing is subject to the risk that the valuations never improve or that the returns on “value” securities may not move in tandem with the returns on other styles of investing or the stock market in general.
 
NOTE 12 – TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
 
At a meeting held December 7-8, 2022, by vote of the majority of the Board of Trustees (not including Mr. Joe Redwine), Mr. Redwine’s term as Trustee was extended for three additional years. Ms. Michele Rackey was approved as an Independent Trustee effective January 1, 2023. Mr. Kevin Hayden was approved by the Board as Vice President, Treasurer and Ms. Cheryl King was approved as Assistant Treasurer effective January 1, 2023. Ryan Charles resigned as Assistant Secretary effective January 1, 2023.
 



63

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Trustees of Advisors Series Trust and
Shareholders of Pzena Funds
 
Opinion on the Financial Statements
 
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of the Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund, Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund, Pzena Small Cap Value Fund, Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund, and Pzena International Value Fund (the “Funds”), each a series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), including the schedules of investments, as of February 28, 2023, the related statements of operations, the statements of changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in table below, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).  In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of February 28, 2023, the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets and their financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
      Individual Funds
Statement of
Statements of
 
constituting Pzena Funds
operations
changes in net assets
Financial highlights
Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund,
For the year ended
For each of the two years
For each of the five years in the
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
February 28, 2023
in the period ended
period ended February 28, 2023
and Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
 
February 28, 2023
 
       
Pzena International
For the year ended
For each of the two years
For each of the four years in the
  Small Cap Value Fund
February 28, 2023
in the period ended
period ended February 28, 2023
   
February 28, 2023
and for the period July 2, 2018
     
(commencement of operations)
     
through February 28, 2019
       
Pzena International Value Fund
For the year ended
For the year ended
For the year ended
 
February 28, 2023
February 28, 2023 and for
February 28, 2023 and for
   
the period June 28, 2021
the period June 28, 2021
   
(commencement of operations)
(commencement of operations)
   
through February 28, 2022
through February 28, 2022

Basis for Opinion
 
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.  We have served as the auditor of one or more of the funds in the Trust since 2003.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.  The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting.  As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
 
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.  Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.  Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of February 28, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP
 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 28, 2023
 


64

Pzena Funds
Expense Example
February 28, 2023 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs including sales charges (loads), if applicable; redemption fees, if applicable; and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1 fees); and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
 
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period indicated and held for the entire period (September 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023).
 
Actual Expenses
 
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. The example below includes, but is not limited to, management fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. However, the example below does not include portfolio trading commissions and related expenses. In addition, you will be assessed fees for outgoing wire transfers, returned checks, and stop payment orders at prevailing rates changes by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, the Funds’ transfer agent. You may use the information in these columns, 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 row entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The second line of the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratio and assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.  Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds, as they may charge transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the second line of each table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
 






65

Pzena Funds
Expense Example (Continued)
February 28, 2023 (Unaudited)

 
Beginning
Ending
Expenses Paid
Expense Ratio
Six Month
 
Account Value
Account Value
During Period(1)
During Period
Total Return
Investor Class
9/1/22
2/28/23
9/1/22 – 2/28/23
9/1/22 – 2/28/23
9/1/22 – 2/28/23
Actual
         
Mid Cap Value Fund
$1,000.00  
$1,135.90  
$6.57  
1.24%
13.59%
Emerging Markets Value Fund
1,000.00
1,051.40
7.27
1.43%
  5.14%
Small Cap Value Fund
1,000.00
1,164.30
7.14
1.33%
16.43%
International Small Cap Value Fund
1,000.00
1,250.70
8.09
1.45%
25.07%
International Value Fund
1,000.00
1,209.50
5.42
0.99%
20.95%
           
Hypothetical
         
  (5% return before expenses)
         
Mid Cap Value Fund
$1,000.00  
$1,018.65  
$6.21  
1.24%
  2.48%
Emerging Markets Value Fund
1,000.00
1,017.70
7.15
1.43%
  2.48%
Small Cap Value Fund
1,000.00
1,018.20
6.66
1.33%
  2.48%
International Small Cap Value Fund
1,000.00
1,017.60
7.25
1.45%
  2.48%
International Value Fund
1,000.00
1,019.89
4.96
0.99%
  2.48%

(1)
Each Fund’s expenses are equal to the expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 days (to reflect the six-month period of operation of the Funds). The ending account values in the table are based on the actual total returns of the Investor Class shares of each Fund.

 
Beginning
Ending
Expenses Paid
Expense Ratio
Six Month
 
Account Value
Account Value
During Period(2)
During Period
Total Return
Institutional Class
9/1/22
2/28/23
9/1/22 – 2/28/23
9/1/22 – 2/28/23
9/1/22 – 2/28/23
Actual
         
Mid Cap Value Fund
$1,000.00  
$1,138.10  
$4.77  
0.90%
13.81%
Emerging Markets Value Fund
1,000.00
1,051.40
5.50
1.08%
  5.31%
Small Cap Value Fund
1,000.00
1,164.30
5.53
1.03%
16.45%
International Small Cap Value Fund
1,000.00
1,250.70
6.54
1.17%
25.29%
International Value Fund
1,000.00
1,210.40
4.06
0.74%
21.04%
           
Hypothetical
         
  (5% return before expenses)
         
Mid Cap Value Fund
$1,000.00  
$1,020.33  
$4.51  
0.90%
  2.48%
Emerging Markets Value Fund
1,000.00
1,019.44
5.41
1.08%
  2.48%
Small Cap Value Fund
1,000.00
1,019.69
5.16
1.03%
  2.48%
International Small Cap Value Fund
1,000.00
1,018.99
5.86
1.17%
  2.48%
International Value Fund
1,000.00
1,021.12
3.71
0.74%
  2.48%

(2)
Each Fund’s expenses are equal to the expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 days (to reflect the six-month period of operation of the Funds). The ending account values in the table are based on the actual total returns of the Institutional Class shares of each Fund.



66

Pzena Funds
Information about Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)


This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee the Funds. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the Funds and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.
 
   
Term of
 
Number of
 
   
Office
 
Portfolios
Other
   
and
 
in Fund
Directorships
 
Position
Length
 
Complex
Held During
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
Principal Occupation
Overseen by
Past Five
and Age
the Trust
Served*
During Past Five Years
Trustee(2)
Years(3)
Independent Trustees(1)
         
           
David G. Mertens
Trustee
Indefinite
Partner and Head of Business
5
Trustee, Advisors Series
(age 62)
 
term;
Development Ballast Equity
 
Trust (for series not
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
Management, LLC (a privately-
 
affiliated with the
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
March
held investment advisory firm)
 
Funds).
   
2017.
(February 2019 to present);
   
     
Managing Director and Vice
   
     
President, Jensen Investment
   
     
Management, Inc. (a privately-
   
     
held investment advisory firm)
   
     
(2002 to 2017).
   
           
Joe D. Redwine
Trustee
Indefinite
Retired; formerly Manager,
5
Trustee, Advisors Series
(age 75)
 
term;
President, CEO, U.S. Bancorp
 
Trust (for series not
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
Fund Services, LLC and its
 
affiliated with the
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
September
predecessors (May 1991 to
 
Funds).
   
2008.
July 2017).
   
           
Raymond B. Woolson
Chairman
Indefinite
President, Apogee Group, Inc.
5
Trustee, Advisors Series
(age 64)
of the
term;
(financial consulting firm)
 
Trust (for series not
615 E. Michigan Street
Board
since
(1998 to present).
 
affiliated with the
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
January
   
Funds); Independent
   
2020.
   
Trustee, DoubleLine
 
Trustee
Indefinite
   
Funds Trust (an open-end
   
term;
   
investment company
   
since
   
with 19 portfolios),
   
January
   
DoubleLine
   
2016.
   
Opportunistic Credit
         
Fund, DoubleLine
         
Income Solutions Fund,
         
and DoubleLine Yield
         
Opportunities Fund from
         
2010 to present;
         
Independent Trustee,
         
DoubleLine ETF Trust
         
(an open-end investment
         
company with
         
2 portfolios) from
         
March 2022 to present.


67

Pzena Funds
Information about Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (Continued)


   
Term of
 
Number of
 
   
Office
 
Portfolios
Other
   
and
 
in Fund
Directorships
 
Position
Length
 
Complex
Held During
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
Principal Occupation
Overseen by
Past Five
and Age
the Trust
Served*
During Past Five Years
Trustee(2)
Years(3)
Michele Rackey
Trustee
Indefinite
Chief Executive Officer,
5
Trustee, Advisors Series
(age 64)
 
term;
Government Employees Benefit
 
Trust (for series not
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
Association (GEBA) (benefits
 
affiliated with the
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
January
and wealth management
 
Funds).
   
2023.
organization) (2004 to 2020);
   
     
Board Member, Association
   
     
Business Services Inc. (ABSI)
   
     
(for-profit subsidiary of the
   
     
American Society of Association
   
     
Executives) (2019 to present).
   

   
Term of
 
   
Office
 
   
and
 
 
Position
Length
 
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
Principal Occupation
and Age
the Trust
Served
During Past Five Years
Officers
     
       
Jeffrey T. Rauman
President,
Indefinite
Senior Vice President, Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bank Global
(age 54)
Chief
term;
Fund Services (February 1996 to present).
615 E. Michigan Street
Executive
since
 
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Officer and
December
 
 
Principal
2018.
 
 
Executive
   
 
Officer
   
       
Kevin J. Hayden
Vice
Indefinite
Vice President, Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bank Global
(age 51)
President,
term;
Fund Services (June 2005 to present).
615 E. Michigan Street
Treasurer
since
 
Milwaukee, WI 53202
and
January
 
 
Principal
2023.
 
 
Financial
   
 
Officer
   
       
Cheryl L. King
Assistant
Indefinite
Vice President, Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bank Global
(age 61)
Treasurer
term;
Fund Services (October 1998 to present).
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
 
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
January
 
   
2023.
 
       
Richard R. Conner
Assistant
Indefinite
Assistant Vice President, Compliance and Administration, U.S. Bank Global
(age 40)
Treasurer
term;
Fund Services (July 2010 to present).
615 E. Michigan Street
 
since
 
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
December
 
   
2018.
 


68

Pzena Funds
Information about Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (Continued)


   
Term of
 
   
Office
 
   
and
 
 
Position
Length
 
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
Principal Occupation
and Age
the Trust
Served
During Past Five Years
Michael L. Ceccato
Vice
Indefinite
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services and
(age 65)
President,
term;
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank N.A. (February 2008 to present).
615 E. Michigan Street
Chief
since
 
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Compliance
September
 
 
Officer and
2009.
 
 
AML Officer
   
       
Elaine E. Richards
Vice
Indefinite
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
(age 54)
President
term;
(July 2007 to present).
2020 East Financial Way,
and
since
 
Suite 100
Secretary
September
 
Glendora, CA 91741
 
2019.
 

*
The Trustees have designated a mandatory retirement age of 75, such that each Trustee, serving as such on the date he or she reaches the age of 75, shall submit his or her resignation not later than the last day of the calendar year in which his or her 75th birthday occurs (“Retiring Trustee”). Upon request, the Board may, by vote of a majority of Trustees eligible to vote on such matter, determine whether or not to extend such Retiring Trustee’s term and on the length of a one-time extension of up to three additional years. At a meeting held December 7-8, 2022, by vote of the majority of the Board of Trustees (not including Mr. Joe Redwine), Mr. Redwine’s term as Trustee was extended for three additional years to expire December 31, 2025.
(1)
The Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”).
(2)
As of February 28,2023, the Trust was comprised of 35 active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisers.  The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Funds.  The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor do they share the same investment adviser with any other series.
(3)
“Other Directorships Held” includes only directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (that is, “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-844-PZN-1996 (1-844-796-1996).
 






69

Pzena Funds
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)


Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund
Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund
Pzena Small Cap Value Fund
Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund
Pzena International Value Fund
 
At meetings held on October 18, 2022 and December 7-8, 2022, the Board (which is comprised of three 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 Pzena Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) on behalf of the Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund (the “Mid Cap Fund”), Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund (the “Emerging Markets Fund”), Pzena Small Cap Value Fund (the “Small Cap Fund”), Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund (“International Small-Cap Fund”) and Pzena International Value Fund (“International Fund”) (each, a “Fund,” and together, 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 specific responsibilities in all aspects of day-to-day investment management of the Funds. The Board considered the qualifications, experience and responsibilities of the portfolio managers, as well as the responsibilities of other key personnel of the Adviser involved in the day-to-day activities of the Funds, noting that the Adviser currently serves as investment sub-adviser to a number of mutual funds not affiliated with the Trust and previously managed its own family of proprietary mutual 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. The Board further considered its 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 to discuss the Funds’ 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 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 the Funds as of June 30, 2022 on both an absolute basis and a relative basis in comparison to its peer funds utilizing Morningstar classifications, appropriate securities market benchmarks, the Advisor’s similarly managed accounts, and 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”). 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 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 a 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.
     
   
Mid Cap Fund: The Board noted that the Fund outperformed the Morningstar peer group and Cohort average for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022. The Board also reviewed the performance of the Fund against a broad-based securities market benchmark, noting that it had outperformed its primary benchmark index over the one-, three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022.


70

Pzena Funds
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) (Continued)


   
The Board also considered the Fund’s performance compared to the Adviser’s similarly managed accounts, noting that the Fund outperformed the similarly managed composite for the one-year period and underperformed for the three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022.
     
   
Emerging Markets Fund: The Board noted that the Fund outperformed the Morningstar peer group and Cohort average for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022. The Board also reviewed the performance of the Fund against two broad-based securities market benchmarks, noting that it had outperformed both its primary and secondary benchmark over the one-, three- and five-year periods, all ended June 30, 2022.
     
   
The Board also considered the Fund’s performance compared to the Adviser’s similarly managed accounts, noting that the Fund outperformed the similarly managed account composite for the one-year period and underperformed for the three- and five-year periods.
     
   
Small Cap Fund: The Board noted that the Fund outperformed each of the Morningstar peer group and Cohort average for the one-year period and underperformed for the three- and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022. The Board also reviewed the performance of the Fund against a broad-based securities market benchmark, noting that it had outperformed its primary benchmark index over the one- and three-year periods, and underperformed for the five-year period. All periods ended June 30, 2022.
     
   
The Adviser represented that it does not manage any other accounts with a similar strategy to that of the Small Cap Fund.
     
   
International Small-Cap Fund: The Board noted that the Fund outperformed the Morningstar peer group for the one-year period and underperformed for the three-year period ended June 30, 2022. The Board noted that the Fund outperformed the Cohort average for the one- and three-year periods ended June 30, 2022. The Board also reviewed the performance of the Fund against two broad-based securities market benchmarks, noting that it outperformed both its primary and secondary benchmark over the one- and three-year periods ended June 30, 2022.
     
   
The Board also considered the Fund’s performance compared to the Adviser’s similarly managed accounts, noting that the Fund underperformed the similarly managed account composite for the one- and three-year periods.
     
   
International Fund: The Board noted that the Fund underperformed each of the Morningstar peer group and Cohort average for the one-year period ended June 30, 2022. The Board also reviewed the performance of the Fund against two broad-based securities market benchmarks, noting that it outperformed its primary benchmark over the one-year period, but underperformed the secondary benchmark during the same period.
     
   
The Board also considered the Fund’s performance compared to the Adviser’s similarly managed accounts, noting that because it had not yet completed a full calendar year of operations, the Adviser was not able to provide comparative information.
     
 
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 the Funds, the Board reviewed comparisons to the peer funds and the Adviser’s similarly managed accounts for other types of clients, as well as all expense waivers and reimbursements. When reviewing fees charged to other similarly managed accounts, the Board took into account 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.
     
   
Mid Cap Fund: The Board noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the Fund of 0.90%, excluding certain operating expenses and class-level expenses (the “Expense Cap”). The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fee was below the Cohort’s average and slightly above the Cohort’s median. Additionally, the Board considered that the Fund’s net expense ratio was above the Cohort average and median. The Board noted that the net expense ratio was below the Morningstar peer group average. The Board also took into consideration the services the Adviser provides to its similarly managed account clients, comparing the fees charged for those management services to the management fees charged to the Fund. The Board found that the management fees charged to the Fund were lower than, equal to, or higher than the fees charged to the Adviser’s similarly managed account clients depending on the asset level.
     
   
Emerging Markets Fund: The Board noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the Fund of 1.08%, excluding certain operating expenses and class-level expenses (the “Expense Cap”). The Board noted that the contractual advisory fee was above the Cohort median and average. The Board noted that the Fund’s net expense


71

Pzena Funds
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) (Continued)


   
ratio was above the Cohort average and in line with the Cohort median. The Board also noted that the Fund’s net expense ratio was below the Morningstar peer group average. The Board also took into consideration the services the Adviser provides to its similarly managed account clients, comparing the fees charged for those management services to the management fees charged to the Fund. The Board found that the management fees charged to the Fund were equal to or higher than the fees charged to the Adviser’s similarly managed account clients depending on the asset level.
     
   
Small Cap Fund: The Board noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to maintain annual expense ratios for the Fund of 1.00%, excluding certain operating expenses and class-level expenses (the “Expense Cap”). The Board considered that compared to the Cohort contractual advisory fee and net expense ratio were above the median and average. The Board also noted that the Fund’s net expense ratio was below the Morningstar peer group average. The Board also considered that the Adviser does not manage any other accounts with a similar strategy to that of the Small Cap Fund.
     
   
International Small-Cap Fund: The Board noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the Fund of 1.17%, excluding certain operating expenses and class-level expenses (the “Expense Cap”). The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fee and net expense ratio were each above the Cohort average and median. The Board also noted that the Fund’s net expense ratio was above the Morningstar peer group average. The Board took into consideration that after advisory fee waivers and the payment of Fund expenses necessary to maintain the Expense Caps, the Adviser received no advisory fees for the year ended June 30, 2022. The Board found that the management fees charged to the Fund were equal to or higher than the fees charged to the Adviser’s similarly managed account clients depending on the asset level.
     
   
International Fund: The Board noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to maintain an annual expense ratio for the Fund of 0.74%, excluding certain operating expenses and class-level expenses (the “Expense Cap”). The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fee and net expense ratio were each below the Cohort median and average. The Board also noted that the Fund’s net expense ratio was below the Morningstar peer group average The Board took into consideration that after advisory fee waivers and the payment of Fund expenses necessary to maintain the Expense Caps, the Adviser received no advisory fees for the year ended June 30, 2022. The Board found that the management fees charged to the Fund were higher than the fees charged to the Adviser’s similarly managed account clients.
     
   
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. The Board further noted that the Adviser has 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 for the Small Cap Fund, the Adviser had recently lowered the Expense Cap to 1.00% from 1.10%. 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 that should be shared with shareholders and concluded that it would continue to monitor economies of scale in the future as circumstances changed and assuming asset levels 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 both the direct benefits and the indirect benefits to the Adviser from advising the Funds. 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, such as Rule 12b-1 fees received from the Funds’ Investor Class shares. The Board also considered “soft dollar” benefits that may be received by the Adviser in exchange for Fund brokerage. 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 Funds, 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 arrangement with the Adviser, including the advisory fee, was 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 interest of each Fund and its shareholders.
 


72

Pzena Funds
Notice to Shareholders
February 28, 2023 (Unaudited)

 
Federal Tax Distribution Information
 
For the year ended February 28, 2023, the Mid Cap Value Fund, Emerging Markets Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund, International Small Cap Value Fund, and International Value Fund designated $1,738,933, $16,166,313, $1,171,434, $554,897, and $779,200 as ordinary income, respectively, and $15,241,488, $2,437,456, $11,308,345, $150,406, and $0 as long-term capital gains, respectively, for purposes of the dividends paid deduction.
 
Certain dividend paid by the Funds may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 23.8%, as provided for by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, the percentage of dividends declared from ordinary income designated as qualified dividend income was as follows:
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
99.08%
 
Emerging Markets Value Fund
48.81%
 
Small Cap Value Fund
91.39%
 
International Small Cap Value Fund
79.14%
 
International Value Fund
100.00%
 

For corporate shareholders in the Funds, the percent of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, was as follows:
 
Mid Cap Value Fund
98.96%
 
Emerging Markets Value Fund
1.57%
 
Small Cap Value Fund
90.82%
 
International Small Cap Value Fund
0.00%
 
International Value Fund
0.00%
 

For the year ended February 28, 2023, the following Funds designated the following amounts as foreign taxes paid pursuant to section 853 of the Internal Revenue Service Code:
 
   
Creditable
   
Shares
       
   
Foreign Tax
   
Outstanding at
   
Per Share
 
   
Credit Paid
   
2/28/2023
   
Amount
 
Emerging Markets Value Fund
 
$
3,146,240
     
95,213,654
   
$
0.033044
 
International Small Cap Value Fund
   
48,078
     
1,693,144
     
0.028396
 
International Value Fund
   
138,530
     
4,575,432
     
0.030277
 
 

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 1-844-PZN-1996 (1-844-796-1996) 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 a Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-844-PZN-1996 (1-844-796-1996). Furthermore, you can obtain a Fund’s 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 is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. Information included in the Funds’ Form N-PORT is also available by calling 1-844-PZN-1996 (1-844-796-1996).
 
 
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 1-844-PZN-1996 (1-844-796-1996) 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.
 


73

Pzena 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, 2021 through June 30, 2022. No significant liquidity events impacting the Funds 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.
 







74

Pzena 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.
 









75









(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)












Investment Adviser
Pzena Investment Management, LLC
320 Park Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10022


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


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


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


Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Fund Administrator
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202


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













This report is intended for the shareholders of the Funds and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus, To obtain a free prospectus, please call 1-844-PZN-1996 (1-844-796-1996).
 


ZP-ANNUAL



(b) Not Applicable.

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

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

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

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that there is at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.  Mr. Joe D. Redwine and Ms. Michele Rackey are the “audit committee financial experts” and are considered to be “independent” as each term is defined in Item 3 of Form N‑CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The registrant has engaged its principal accountant to perform audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services during the past two fiscal years.  “Audit services” refer to performing an audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.  “Audit-related services” refer to the assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit.  “Tax services” refer to professional services rendered by the principal accountant including the review of federal income tax returns, review of federal excise tax returns, review of state tax returns, if any, and assistance with calculation of required income, capital gain and excise distributions.  There were no “other services” provided by the principal accountant.  The following table details the aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed for each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees and other fees by the principal accountant.

 
FYE 2/28/2023
 FYE 2/28/2022
(a) Audit Fees
$94,500
$88,600
(b) Audit-Related Fees
N/A
N/A
(c) Tax Fees
$18,000
18,000
(d) All Other Fees
N/A
N/A

(e)(1) The audit committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures that require the audit committee to pre‑approve all audit and non‑audit services of the registrant, including services provided to any entity affiliated with the registrant.

(e)(2) The percentage of fees billed by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP applicable to non-audit services pursuant to waiver of pre-approval requirement were as follows:

 
FYE  2/28/2023
FYE  2/28/2022
Audit-Related Fees
0%
0%
Tax Fees
0%
0%
All Other Fees
0%
0%

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

(g) The following table indicates the non-audit fees billed or expected to be billed by the registrant’s accountant for services to the registrant and to the registrant’s investment adviser (and any other controlling entity, etc.—not sub-adviser) for the last two years.

Non-Audit Related Fees
FYE  2/28/2023
FYE  2/28/2022
Registrant
N/A
N/A
Registrant’s Investment Adviser
N/A
N/A

(h) The audit committee of the Board of Trustees has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant's investment adviser is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence and has concluded that the provision of such non-audit services by the accountant has not compromised the accountant’s independence.

The registrant has not been identified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as having filed an annual report issued by a registered public accounting firm branch or office that is located in a foreign jurisdiction where the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is unable to inspect or completely investigate because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction.

The registrant is not a foreign issuer.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

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

(b) Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

(a)
Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
(b)
Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

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

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

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

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

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

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

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a)
The Registrant’s President/Chief Executive Officer/Principal Executive Officer and Vice President/Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d‑15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider.

(b)
There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

Item 13. Exhibits.



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

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




SIGNATURES

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


(Registrant)  Advisors Series Trust 

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

Date   5/3/23


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

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

Date   5/3/23

By (Signature and Title)      /s/Kevin J. Hayden
Kevin J. Hayden, Vice President/Treasurer/Principal Financial
Officer

Date    5/3/23