N-CSRS 1 ncsrtopsetf.htm N-CSRS GemCom, LLC

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

811-21853


Northern Lights Variable Fund Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)


James Ash, Gemini Fund Services, LLC.

 

17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130

              (Name and address of agent for service)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

631-470-2619


Date of fiscal year end:

12/31


Date of reporting period: 06/30/13


Item 1.  Reports to Stockholders.

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Semi-Annual Report


June 30, 2013



TOPS® Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio


TOPS® Balanced ETF Portfolio


TOPS® Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio


TOPS® Growth ETF Portfolio


TOPS® Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio




Each a series of the Northern Lights Variable Trust









Distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

Member FINRA


A Message from the TOPS® Portfolio Management Team

Mid-Year 2013 Shareholder Letter




The classic novel by Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities was written in 1859 and has since provided a theme for many writers, including the TOPS® portfolio management team. The opening paragraph reads: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”


The overwhelmingly good news is that major U.S. stock indexes recorded double-digit returns for the first half of 2013. The S&P 500, which consists of large companies, was up almost 14%, while midsize and smaller stocks surged over 14%. The S&P 500 racked up its strongest first half in 15 years as the bull market that began in the depths of the Great Recession is now over four years old. While it was among the “best of times” for US stocks, it was “not so good times” for developed international stocks, as the EAFE return was over 4%. Likewise, after over 30 years of positive return trends (falling yields), virtually every fixed income index tracked by the TOPS® team had “not so good times” returns that were slightly negative.   In the “worst of times” category, emerging markets lost over 9% and trailed US stocks by a margin of over 20 percentage points.  To complete the “worst” picture, after decade-long bull markets for commodities and precious metals, both suffered sharp reversals so far this year.

The gains in US equities seem to be anticipating accelerating economic (GDP) and earnings (EPS) growth, but first half of 2013 GDP muddled along at a sub-2% pace, and earnings were basically flat year-over-year for that period. Dividend growth has been a positive fundamental for stocks, but the dividend yield remains low. One psychological boost for stocks was increased clarity from Washington DC. It wasn’t all good news, but a few important issues such as agreement on tax rates for ordinary income, capital gains and dividends was helpful to investors. On the negative side, Sequestration and the 2% payroll tax increase took effect.

Of course, many observers attribute this year’s stock market gains to the Federal Reserve’s (the “Fed”) ZIRP and QE programs. These two programs have been very successful at suppressing interest rates and bond yields across the yield curve. ZIRP (Zero Interest Rate Policy) a policy showing that the Fed Funds rate anchors the short end of the curve at 0%. QE is shorthand for Quantitative Easing which is the Fed’s bond buying program. The current round is the Fed’s 3rd QE program since 2009 and it is also the largest at $85 billion per month of US Treasury and mortgage-backed-security (MBS) purchases. Unlike the first QE programs, the current version was undertaken without a set end date, thus it had been labeled by some as QE-Infinity.

A significant event occurred in late May, when Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke brought up the notion of “tapering”. Not coincidentally, that was the high-water mark for global equities and prices were quite volatile through the end of the quarter. His comments have also been credited with a massive selloff in the fixed income markets. Tapering refers to reducing the amount of QE bond purchases if the economy continues to improve.  If the Fed reduces its MBS purchases, mortgage rates will increase which might impact the housing market and housing has been one of the strongest sectors of the economy.  Ergo, higher rates could cause the economy to slow further. This scenario has caused many short term speculators to trim their financial asset exposure. The sudden reversal of cash inflows into outflows, for both equity and bond funds, has been an example of the trimming.

While TOPS® applauds the Fed’s attempts at transparency through open communications, many economists have questioned whether Dr. Bernanke was a bit premature in his discussion of tapering and the eventual end of ZIRP. It appears that the Fed is watching for signs of economic acceleration (lower unemployment and higher inflation) to end their programs and neither is apparent at this time. His message understandably made market participants nervous that the slow-growth economy would become no-growth.

With speculators exiting/re-entering/re-exiting the markets and questions arising about the Fed and the strength of the economy, the TOPS® Portfolio Management Team has been hard at work.  Returning to Mr. Dickens’ opening paragraph, different strategists might label this time as either the “spring of hope” or the “winter of despair”. However, TOPS® does not attempt to forecast the short term direction of stocks or bonds based on opinions about future Fed actions. In the strategic process employed by TOPS®, an attempt is made to understand the relative attractiveness of different asset classes based on valuations and growth potentials.  Further, the TOPS® team works to understand the correlation of price movements so that TOPS® can pursue lower volatility (risk) in the portfolios. The process seeks to deliver strategic allocations and well diversified portfolios designed to potentially perform in all of Dickens’ scenarios.

Much of the focus in the TOPS® Portfolios this year has been on the fact that bond yields are at historic lows. They are very close to zero and real rates (adjusted for inflation) have been negative and at historic lows for the longer maturities for much of that time frame. The TOPS® portfolios were adjusted in the 2nd quarter to eliminate exposure to TIP (Treasury Inflation Managed Risk bonds), which has a duration of 8 and the proceeds were reinvested into ticker symbols TDTT and STPZ.  TDTT and STPZ hold Treasury Inflation Managed Risk Securities as well, however, they have a much lower average maturity (duration of 3).  As a reminder, a shorter duration typically reduces the losses in a period of rising interest rates.  The trade in TIPS follows similar trades over the last 18 months, which benefited TOPS® investors as rates spiked in June.

Significant changes have not been made to the target allocations of equity ETFs in the TOPS® Portfolios this year, as our expectations for relative growth rates and volatility have not shifted. What has changed is our valuation of international equities, particularly emerging markets which we believe have become more attractive than in the past. Watching emerging markets decline, while US stocks rise, does create the temptation to shift allocations from “the worst” to “the best” opportunistically. However, the disciplined process of TOPS® already includes periodic rebalancing to the well-thought-out strategic targets of each TOPS® Portfolio.

The TOPS® strategy is based on years of experience, historic correlations and the fundamental drivers of disciplined institutional quality portfolio management.  As US stocks have had a nearly unprecedented start to the year, TOPS® and many other top managers are in a short term “worst of times” situation in equities. It is mathematically impossible for a diversified portfolio to outperform its best performing component.  On the other hand, the increasingly defensive fixed income strategy employed by TOPS® may be entering the “best of times” if compared to the  Barclays 20+ Year US Treasury Bonds which returned -8.5% year to date. Likewise, the natural resources strategy TOPS® employs of focusing on GNR (global natural resources) and CUT (timber) did not look strong relative to US stocks, but outperformed the broad commodities index, not to mention gold.

The job of successfully navigating the TOPS® portfolios through a daily web of variables requires constant attention, and the TOPS® team continues to focus on its goal of maximizing risk adjusted returns. The team regularly reviews the process, but rarely finds sufficient cause to tweak the core principles. The TOPS® program distinctly leverages our position as one of the country’s top ETF portfolio management programs to provide a solution potentially appropriate for the “season of hope” and “the winter of despair.”







1842-NLD-8/1/2013




TOPS® Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

Portfolio Review

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Portfolio's performance figures* for the period ended June 30, 2013, as compared to its benchmark:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six

Performance

 

 

 

 

Months

Since Inception**

Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

 

 

6.77%

3.29%

Class 2

 

 

 

6.54%

3.43%

S&P 500 Total Return Index

 

 

 

13.82%

10.86%

 

 

 

 

 

 

* The performance data quoted is historical. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.  The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares, as well as other charges and expenses of the insurance contract or separate account.

** Inception date is April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

 

The S&P 500 Total Return Index is an unmanaged index. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends.  Investors may not invest in the index directly; unlike the Portfolio's returns, the Index does not reflect any fees or expenses.


Holdings by Asset Class

 

 

 

 

% of Net Assets

Equity Funds

 

 

 

 

97.9%

Other/Cash & Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

 

2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

100.0%





TOPS® Balanced ETF Portfolio

Portfolio Review

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Portfolio's performance figures* for the period ended June 30, 2013, as compared to its benchmark:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six

Performance

 

 

 

 

Months

Since Inception**

Balanced ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

 

 

1.39%

4.10%

Class 2

 

 

 

1.50%

3.84%

S&P 500 Total Return Index

 

 

 

13.82%

10.86%

 

 

 

 

 

 

* The performance data quoted is historical. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.  The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares, as well as other charges and expenses of the insurance contract or separate account.

** Inception date is April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

 

The S&P 500 Total Return Index is an unmanaged index. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends.  Investors may not invest in the index directly; unlike the Portfolio's returns, the Index does not reflect any fees or expenses.


Holdings by Asset Class

 

 

 

 

% of Net Assets

Equity Funds

 

 

 

 

49.8%

Debt Funds

 

 

 

 

48.1%

Other/Cash & Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

 

2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

100.0%





TOPS® Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

Portfolio Review

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Portfolio's performance figures* for the period ended June 30, 2013, as compared to its benchmark:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six

Performance

 

 

 

 

Months

Since Inception**

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

 

 

0.27%

4.32%

Class 2

 

 

 

0.18%

4.15%

S&P 500 Total Return Index

 

 

 

13.82%

10.86%

 

 

 

 

 

 

* The performance data quoted is historical. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.  The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares, as well as other charges and expenses of the insurance contract or separate account.

** Inception date is April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

 

The S&P 500 Total Return Index is an unmanaged index. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends.  Investors may not invest in the index directly; unlike the Portfolio's returns, the Index does not reflect any fees or expenses.


Holdings by Asset Class

 

 

 

 

% of Net Assets

Debt Funds

 

 

 

 

67.8%

Equity Funds

 

 

 

 

29.7%

Other/Cash & Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

 

2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

100.0%





TOPS® Growth ETF Portfolio

Portfolio Review

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Portfolio's performance figures* for the period ended June 30, 2013, as compared to its benchmark:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six

Performance

 

 

 

 

Months

Since Inception**

Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

 

 

5.28%

7.91%

Class 2

 

 

 

5.15%

7.41%

S&P 500 Total Return Index

 

 

 

13.82%

10.86%

 

 

 

 

 

 

* The performance data quoted is historical. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.  The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares, as well as other charges and expenses of the insurance contract or separate account.

** Inception date is April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

 

The S&P 500 Total Return Index is an unmanaged index. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends.  Investors may not invest in the index directly; unlike the Portfolio's returns, the Index does not reflect any fees or expenses.


Holdings by Asset Class

 

 

 

 

% of Net Assets

Equity Funds

 

 

 

 

84.9%

Debt Funds

 

 

 

 

13.0%

Other/Cash & Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

 

2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

100.0%





TOPS® Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

Portfolio Review

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Portfolio's performance figures* for the period ended June 30, 2013, as compared to its benchmark:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six

Performance

 

 

 

 

Months

Since Inception**

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

 

 

2.95%

3.87%

Class 2

 

 

 

2.58%

3.52%

S&P 500 Total Return Index

 

 

 

13.82%

10.86%

 

 

 

 

 

 

* The performance data quoted is historical. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.  The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares, as well as other charges and expenses of the insurance contract or separate account.

** Inception date is April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

 

The S&P 500 Total Return Index is an unmanaged index. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends.  Investors may not invest in the index directly; unlike the Portfolio's returns, the Index does not reflect any fees or expenses.


Holdings by Asset Class

 

 

 

 

% of Net Assets

Equity Funds

 

 

 

 

64.7%

Debt Funds

 

 

 

 

33.1%

Other/Cash & Cash Equivalents

 

 

 

 

2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

100.0%






TOPS® Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

Shares

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS - 97.9%

 

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS - 97.9%

 

1,132

 

Guggenheim Timber ETF

 

 $                               24,564

1,693

 

iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

 

195,541

2,305

 

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

 

208,118

364

 

iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF

 

15,965

2,183

 

iShares S&P 500 Growth Index ETF

 

183,394

1,936

 

iShares S&P 500 Value ETF

 

146,691

616

 

SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF

 

24,578

322

 

SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF

 

24,456

267

 

SPDR S&P China ETF

 

17,115

548

 

SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF

 

24,655

414

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF

 

36,941

4,989

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF

 

220,614

1,587

 

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

 

61,544

981

 

WisdomTree India Earnings Fund

 

15,853

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost - $1,131,913)

                             1,200,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 3.4%

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 3.4%

 

41,438

 

Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust - Liquid Assets Portfolio,

 

 

 

to yield 0.09% (a) (Cost - $41,438)

                                  41,438

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 101.3% (Cost - $1,173,351) (b)

 $                          1,241,467

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES - NET - (1.3)%

                                (16,123)

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0%

 $                         1,225,344

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Variable rate security, the money market rate shown represents the rate at June 30, 2013.

(b) Represents cost for financial reporting purposes. Aggregate cost for federal tax purposes is $1,176,158 and differs from market value by

net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation:

 $                               78,786

 

 

 

Unrealized depreciation:

                                (13,477)

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation:

 $                              65,309



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® Balanced ETF Portfolio

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

Shares

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS - 97.9%

 

 

 

DEBT FUNDS - 48.1%

 

14,767

 

FlexShares iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

 

 $                         366,665

2,358

 

iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF

 

                                284,705

2,231

 

iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

 

                                202,709

2,507

 

iShares iBoxx Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF

 

                                284,920

6,178

 

PIMCO 1-5 Year U.S. TIPS Index Exchange-Traded Fund

 

                                325,580

3,292

 

PowerShares Senior Loan Portfolio

 

                                  81,477

5,315

 

SPDR Barclays Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF

 

                                162,639

2,827

 

SPDR DB International Government Inflation-Protected Bond ETF

                                162,750

1,692

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund

 

                                  81,284

 

 

 

                             1,952,729

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS - 49.8%

 

1,871

 

Guggenheim Timber ETF

 

                                  40,601

2,097

 

iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

 

                                242,204

1,790

 

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

 

                                161,619

647

 

iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF

 

                                  28,377

3,364

 

iShares S&P 500 Growth Index ETF

 

                                282,610

4,793

 

iShares S&P 500 Value Index ETF

 

                                363,166

3,050

 

SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF

 

                                121,695

1,596

 

SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF

 

                                121,216

442

 

SPDR S&P China ETF

 

                                  28,332

906

 

SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF

 

                                  40,761

360

 

Vanguard Energy ETF

 

                                  40,471

910

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF

 

                                  81,199

7,318

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF

 

                                323,602

2,095

 

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

 

                                  81,244

466

 

Vanguard Materials ETF

 

                                  40,323

1,498

 

WisdomTree India Earnings Fund

 

                                  24,208

 

 

 

                             2,021,628

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost - $3,905,918)

                             3,974,357

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 2.0%

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 2.0%

 

80,803

 

Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust - Liquid Assets Portfolio,

 

 

 

to yield 0.09% (a) (Cost - $80,803)

                                  80,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.9% (Cost - $3,986,721) (b)

 $                          4,055,160

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES - NET - 0.1%

                                    3,319

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0%

 $                         4,058,479

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

TOPS® Balanced ETF Portfolio

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Variable rate security, the money market rate shown represents the rate at June 30, 2013.

(b) Represents cost for financial reporting purposes.  Aggregate cost for federal tax purposes is $3,993,183 and differs from market value by

 net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation:

 $                             137,063

 

 

Unrealized depreciation:

                                (75,086)

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation:

 $                              61,977



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

Shares

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS - 97.5%

 

 

 

DEBT FUNDS - 67.8%

 

3,479

 

FlexShares iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

 

 $                               86,384

614

 

iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF

 

                                  51,748

357

 

iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF

 

                                  43,104

456

 

iShares iBoxx Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF

 

                                  51,824

335

 

PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index Exchange-Traded Fund

                                  34,394

1,638

 

PIMCO 1-5 Year U.S. TIPS Index Exchange-Traded Fund

 

                                  86,323

340

 

PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Exchange-Traded Fund

 

                                  34,432

2,094

 

PowerShares Senior Loan Portfolio

 

                                  51,827

1,690

 

SPDR Barclays Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF

 

                                  51,714

899

 

SPDR DB International Government Inflation-Protected Bond ETF

                                  51,755

898

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund

 

                                  43,140

 

 

 

                                586,645

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS - 29.7%

 

296

 

iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

 

                                  34,188

190

 

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

 

                                  17,155

510

 

iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF

 

                                  42,845

791

 

iShares S&P 500 Value ETF

 

                                  59,934

431

 

SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF

 

                                  17,197

225

 

SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF

 

                                  17,089

384

 

SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF

 

                                  17,276

96

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF

 

                                    8,566

970

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF

 

                                  42,893

 

 

 

                                257,143

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost - $844,642)

                                843,788

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 1.9%

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 1.9%

 

16,767

 

Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust - Liquid Assets Portfolio,

 

 

 

to yield 0.09% (a) (Cost - $16,767)

                                  16,767

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.4% (Cost - $861,409) (b)

 $                             860,555

 

 

OTHER LIABILITIES LESS ASSETS - NET - 0.6%

                                    4,707

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0%

 $                            865,262

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Variable rate security, the money market rate shown represents the rate at June 30, 2013.

(b) Represents cost for financial reporting purposes.  Aggregate cost for federal tax purposes is $862,214 and differs from market value by

net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation:

 $                               16,851

 

 

 

Unrealized depreciation:

                                (18,510)

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation:

 $                              (1,659)



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® Growth ETF Portfolio

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

Shares

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS - 97.9%

 

 

 

DEBT FUNDS - 13.0%

 

4,490

 

FlexShares iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

 

 $                             111,487

1,639

 

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

 

                                148,920

2,130

 

PIMCO 1-5 Year U.S. TIPS Index Exchange-Traded Fund

 

                                112,251

2,331

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund

 

                                111,981

 

 

 

                                484,639

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS - 84.9%

 

3,437

 

Guggenheim Timber ETF

 

                                  74,583

3,851

 

iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

 

                                444,791

5,345

 

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

 

                                482,600

849

 

iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF

 

                                  37,237

5,739

 

iShares S&P 500 Growth Index ETF

 

                                482,133

4,892

 

iShares S&P 500 Value Index ETF

 

                                370,667

2,802

 

SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF

 

                                111,800

977

 

SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF

 

                                  74,203

578

 

SPDR S&P China ETF

 

                                  37,050

2,494

 

SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF

 

                                112,205

330

 

Vanguard Energy ETF

 

                                  37,099

837

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF

 

                                  74,686

14,283

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF

 

                                631,594

2,885

 

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

 

                                111,880

428

 

Vanguard Materials ETF

 

                                  37,035

2,288

 

WisdomTree India Earnings Fund

 

                                  36,974

 

 

 

                             3,156,537

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost - $3,480,853)

                             3,641,176

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 2.5%

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 2.5%

 

94,966

 

Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust - Liquid Assets Portfolio,

 

 

 

to yield 0.09% (a) (Cost - $94,966)

                                  94,966

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.4% (Cost - $3,575,819) (b)

 $                          3,736,142

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES - NET - (0.4)%

                                (15,044)

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0%

 $                         3,721,098

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Variable rate security, the money market rate shown represents the rate at June 30, 2013.

(b) Represents cost for financial reporting purposes. Aggregate cost for federal tax purposes is $3,581,393 and differs from market value by net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation:

 $                             199,790

 

 

 

Unrealized depreciation:

(45,041)

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation:

 $                            154,749



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

Shares

 

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS - 97.8%

 

 

 

DEBT FUNDS - 33.1%

 

3,948

 

FlexShares iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund

 

 $                               98,029

895

 

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

 

                                  81,320

1,005

 

iShares iBoxx Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF

 

                                114,218

1,551

 

PIMCO 1-5 Year U.S. TIPS Index Exchange-Traded Fund

 

                                  81,738

1,320

 

PowerShares Senior Loan Portfolio

 

                                  32,670

1,599

 

SPDR Barclays Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF

 

                                  48,929

850

 

SPDR DB International Government Inflation-Protected Bond ETF

                                  48,934

679

 

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund

 

                                  32,619

 

 

 

                                538,457

 

 

EQUITY FUNDS - 64.7%

 

1,501

 

Guggenheim Timber ETF

 

                                  32,572

1,402

 

iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

 

                                161,931

1,436

 

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

 

                                129,656

260

 

iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF

 

                                  11,403

1,929

 

iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF

 

                                162,055

1,710

 

iShares S&P 500 Value ETF

 

                                129,567

1,224

 

SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF

 

                                  48,838

427

 

SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF

 

                                  32,431

177

 

SPDR S&P China ETF

 

                                  11,346

727

 

SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF

 

                                  32,708

144

 

Vanguard Energy ETF

 

                                  16,188

365

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF

 

                                  32,569

4,403

 

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF

 

                                194,701

840

 

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

 

                                  32,575

187

 

Vanguard Materials ETF

 

                                  16,181

601

 

WisdomTree India Earnings Fund

 

                                    9,712

 

 

 

                             1,054,433

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost - $1,563,427)

                             1,592,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 2.2%

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 2.2%

 

36,038

 

Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust - Liquid Assets Portfolio,

 

 

 

to yield 0.09% (a) (Cost - $36,038)

                                  36,038

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.0% (Cost - $1,599,465) (b)

 $                          1,628,928

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES - NET - 0.0%

                                     (195)

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0%

 $                         1,628,733

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

TOPS® Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Variable rate security, the money market rate shown represents the rate at June 30, 2013.

(b) Represents cost for financial reporting purposes.  Aggregate cost for federal tax purposes is $1,602,081 and differs from market value by

net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation:

 $                               61,997

 

 

 

Unrealized depreciation:

(35,150)

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation:

 $                              26,847


See accompanying notes to financial statements.





TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities     

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Aggressive

 

 Balanced

 

 Capital

 

 Growth

 

 ETF

 

 Preservation

Assets:

 ETF Portfolio

 

 Portfolio

 

 ETF Portfolio

Investments in securities, at cost

 $             1,173,351

 

 $             3,986,721

 

 $                861,409

Investments in securities, at value

 $             1,241,467

 

 $             4,055,160

 

 $                860,555

Receivable for securities sold

                       2,905

 

                     28,376

 

                       5,963

Interest and dividends receivable

                       4,415

 

                       8,958

 

                       1,481

Receivable for Portfolio shares sold

                         154

 

                         578

 

                       3,771

Total Assets

                1,248,941

 

                4,093,072

 

                   871,770

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payable for securities purchased

                     22,273

 

                     33,446

 

                       6,196

Payable for Portfolio shares redeemed

                         902

 

                           67

 

                           20

Accrued investment advisory fees

                           94

 

                         319

 

                           67

Administrative service fees payable

                           94

 

                         319

 

                           67

Accrued distribution (12b-1) fees

                         234

 

                         442

 

                         158

Total Liabilities

                     23,597

 

                     34,593

 

                       6,508

Net Assets

 $             1,225,344

 

 $             4,058,479

 

 $                865,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Paid in capital

 $             1,129,650

 

 $             3,906,626

 

 $                843,728

Undistributed net investment income

                     20,238

 

                     80,871

 

                     13,206

Accumulated net realized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 on investments

                       7,340

 

                       2,543

 

                       9,182

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

 

 

 

 

 on investments

68,116

 

68,439

 

(854)

Net Assets

 $             1,225,344

 

 $             4,058,479

 

 $                865,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1 Shares:

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 $                        11

 

 $             1,832,033

 

 $                  48,357

Total shares outstanding at end of year

 

 

 

 

 

($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)

                             1

 

                   167,886

 

                       4,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption

 

 

 

 

 

 price per share

 

 

 

 

 

 (Net assets ÷ Total shares of beneficial

 

 

 

 

 

 interest outstanding)

 $                    10.73

(a)

 $                    10.91

 

 $                    10.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2 Shares:

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 $             1,225,333

 

 $             2,226,446

 

 $                816,905

Total shares outstanding at end of year

 

 

 

 

 

($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)

                   113,994

 

                   205,265

 

                     74,972

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption

 

 

 

 

 

 price per share

 

 

 

 

 

 (Net assets ÷ Total shares of beneficial

 

 

 

 

 

 interest outstanding)

 $                    10.75

 

 $                    10.85

 

 $                    10.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) NAV may not recalculate due to rounding of shares.

 

 

 

 

 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



 

TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Continued)    

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Growth

 

 Moderate

 

 

 ETF

 

 Growth  

 

Assets:

 Portfolio

 

 ETF Portfolio

 

Investments in securities, at cost

 $             3,575,819

 

 $             1,599,465

 

Investments in securities, at value

 $             3,736,142

 

 $             1,628,928

 

Receivable for securities sold

                     14,091

 

                     13,024

 

Interest and dividends receivable

                     12,036

 

                       4,565

 

Receivable for Portfolio shares sold

                       1,632

 

                       1,717

 

Total Assets

                3,763,901

 

                1,648,234

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Payable for securities purchased

                     41,633

 

                     18,812

 

Payable for Portfolio shares redeemed

                           95

 

                           18

 

Accrued investment advisory fees

                         267

 

                         154

 

Administrative service fees payable

                         266

 

                         154

 

Accrued distribution (12b-1) fees

                         542

 

                         363

 

Total Liabilities

                     42,803

 

                     19,501

 

Net Assets

 $             3,721,098

 

 $             1,628,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

Paid in capital

 $             3,452,356

 

 $             1,422,178

 

Undistributed net investment income

                     65,165

 

                     56,276

 

Accumulated net realized gain

 

 

 

 

 on investments

                     43,254

 

                   120,816

 

Net unrealized appreciation

 

 

 

 

 on investments

160,323

 

29,463

 

Net Assets

 $             3,721,098

 

 $             1,628,733

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1 Shares:

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 $                641,741

 

 $                        11

 

Total shares outstanding at end of year

 

 

 

 

($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)

                     54,588

 

                             1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption

 

 

 

 

 price per share

 

 

 

 

 (Net assets ÷ Total shares of beneficial

 

 

 

 

 interest outstanding)

 $                    11.76

 

 $                    10.83

(a)

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2 Shares:

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 $             3,079,357

 

 $             1,628,722

 

Total shares outstanding at end of year

 

 

 

 

($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)

                   264,595

 

                   151,551

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption

 

 

 

 

 price per share

 

 

 

 

 (Net assets ÷ Total shares of beneficial

 

 

 

 

 interest outstanding)

 $                    11.64

 

 $                    10.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) NAV may not recalculate due to rounding of shares.



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Aggressive

 

 Balanced

 

 Capital

 

 Growth

 

 ETF

 

 Preservation

 

 ETF Portfolio

 

 Portfolio

 

 ETF Portfolio

Investment Income:

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend income

 $                 11,537

 

 $                 38,445

 

 $                   7,640

Interest income

                            6

 

                          50

 

                            4

Total Investment Income

                    11,543

 

                    38,495

 

                      7,644

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment advisory fees

519

 

1,905

 

399

Administrative service fees

519

 

1,905

 

399

Distribution fees (12b-1) - Class 2 Shares

                      1,299

 

                      2,478

 

                        938

Total Expenses

2,337

 

6,288

 

1,736

Net Investment Income

9,206

 

32,207

 

5,908

Net Realized and Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (Loss) on Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gain on investments

                      8,006

 

                    22,267

 

                      5,130

Net change in unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

appreciation (depreciation) on investments

36,333

 

(19,476)

 

(12,948)

Net Realized and Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

  Gain (Loss) on Investments

44,339

 

2,791

 

(7,818)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Resulting from Operations

 $                 53,545

 

 $                 34,998

 

 $                 (1,910)



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Operations (Continued)

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Growth

 

 Moderate

 

 ETF

 

 Growth  

 

 Portfolio

 

 ETF Portfolio

Investment Income:

 

 

 

Dividend income

 $                 34,511

 

 $                 22,322

Interest income

                          19

 

                          14

Total Investment Income

                    34,530

 

                    22,336

Expenses:

 

 

 

Investment advisory fees

1,507

 

1,137

Administrative service fees

1,507

 

1,137

Distribution fees (12b-1) - Class 2 Shares

                      2,983

 

                      2,207

Total Expenses

5,997

 

4,481

Net Investment Income

28,533

 

17,855

Net Realized and Unrealized

 

 

 

Gain on Investments:

 

 

 

Net realized gain on investments

                    48,607

 

                  110,923

Net change in unrealized

 

 

 

appreciation (depreciation) on investments

55,782

 

(65,095)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

 

 

 

  on Investments

104,389

 

45,828

Net Increase in Net Assets

 

 

 

Resulting from Operations

 $               132,922

 

 $                 63,683



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 Balanced ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 $                   9,206

 

 $                 11,033

 

 $                 32,207

 

 $                 48,678

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

8,006

 

(410)

 

22,267

 

(19,728)

Distributions of realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   by underlying investment companies

                             -

 

                             -

 

                             -

 

                        160

Net change in unrealized appreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(depreciation) on investments

36,333

 

37,434

 

(19,476)

 

89,901

Net increase in net assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

resulting from operations

53,545

 

48,057

 

34,998

 

119,011

From Distributions to Shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 From Net Investment Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

                             -

 

                             -

 

                             -

 

                       (705)

Class 2

                             -

 

                       (770)

 

                             -

 

                       (582)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

                             -

 

                       (770)

 

                             -

 

                    (1,287)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Shares of Beneficial Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

                             -

 

                             -

 

                            1

 

                2,016,863

Class 2

                  453,270

 

                  826,861

 

              16,605,949

 

                2,502,820

Reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

                             -

 

                             -

 

                             -

 

                        705

Class 2

                             -

 

                        770

 

                             -

 

                        582

Cost of shares redeemed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

                             -

 

                   (38,141)

 

                       (240)

 

                 (329,906)

Class 2

                   (89,743)

 

                   (79,077)

 

            (15,838,718)

 

              (1,136,654)

Net increase in net assets from share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   transactions of beneficial interest

                  363,527

 

                  710,413

 

                  766,992

 

                3,054,410

Total increase in net assets

417,072

 

757,700

 

801,990

 

3,172,134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

                  808,272

 

                    50,572

 

                3,256,489

 

                    84,355

End of period

 $             1,225,344

 

 $               808,272

 

 $             4,058,479

 

 $             3,256,489

Undistributed net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   at end of period

 $                 20,238

 

 $                 11,032

 

 $                 80,871

 

 $                 48,664

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 Balanced ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

SHARE ACTIVITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Sold

                           -   

 

                           -   

 

                           -   

 

                  195,871

Shares Reinvested

                           -   

 

                           -   

 

                           -   

 

                          67

Shares Redeemed

                           -   

 

                    (3,998)

 

                         (21)

 

                   (32,030)

Net increase (decrease) in shares of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

beneficial interest outstanding

                           -   

 

                    (3,998)

 

                         (21)

 

                  163,908

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Sold

                    42,321

 

                    86,518

 

                1,529,211

 

                  244,278

Shares Reinvested

                           -   

 

                          78

 

                           -   

 

                          55

Shares Redeemed

                    (8,424)

 

                    (8,337)

 

              (1,459,633)

 

                 (113,466)

Net increase in shares of beneficial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interest outstanding

                    33,897

 

                    78,259

 

                    69,578

 

                  130,867



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

 

 Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 $                   5,908

 

 $                   7,301

 

 $                 28,533

 

 $                 36,645

Net realized gain on investments

5,130

 

4,736

 

48,607

 

7,339

Distributions of realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   by underlying investment companies

                             -

 

                          65

 

                             -

 

                          75

Net change in unrealized appreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(depreciation) on investments

(12,948)

 

13,120

 

55,782

 

100,157

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

resulting from operations

(1,910)

 

25,222

 

132,922

 

144,216

From Distributions to Shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 From Net Investment Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

                             -

 

                       (113)

 

                             -

 

                       (447)

Class 2

                             -

 

                       (984)

 

                             -

 

                    (2,124)

 From Net Realized Gains:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

                             -

 

                             -

 

                             -

 

                       (918)

Class 2

                             -

 

                             -

 

                             -

 

                    (4,359)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

                             -

 

                    (1,097)

 

                             -

 

                    (7,848)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Shares of Beneficial Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

                             -

 

                    46,762

 

                  499,943

 

                  229,900

Class 2

                  260,186

 

                  744,104

 

                1,438,370

 

                1,967,660

Reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

                             -

 

                        113

 

                             -

 

                      1,365

Class 2

                             -

 

                        984

 

                             -

 

                      6,483

Cost of shares redeemed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

                       (121)

 

                   (42,519)

 

                 (257,291)

 

                   (42,603)

Class 2

                   (92,813)

 

                 (127,894)

 

                 (490,429)

 

                   (89,620)

Net increase in net assets from share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   transactions of beneficial interest

                  167,252

 

                  621,550

 

                1,190,593

 

                2,073,185

Total increase in net assets

165,342

 

645,675

 

1,323,515

 

2,209,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

                  699,920

 

                    54,245

 

                2,397,583

 

                  188,030

End of period

 $               865,262

 

 $               699,920

 

 $             3,721,098

 

 $             2,397,583

Undistributed net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   at end of period

 $                 13,206

 

 $                   7,298

 

 $                 65,165

 

 $                 36,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

 

 Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

SHARE ACTIVITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Sold

                           -   

 

                      4,428

 

                    43,702

 

                    22,193

Shares Reinvested

                           -   

 

                          10

 

                           -   

 

                        125

Shares Redeemed

                         (10)

 

                    (4,007)

 

                   (22,372)

 

                    (4,023)

Net increase (decrease) in shares of beneficial

 

 

 

 

 

 

interest outstanding

                         (10)

 

                        431

 

                    21,330

 

                    18,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Sold

                    23,397

 

                    70,624

 

                  123,795

 

                  186,397

Shares Reinvested

                           -   

 

                          92

 

                           -   

 

                        601

Shares Redeemed

                    (8,320)

 

                   (12,296)

 

                   (42,242)

 

                    (8,528)

Net increase in shares of beneficial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interest outstanding

                    15,077

 

                    58,420

 

                    81,553

 

                  178,470



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (Continued)                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

From Operations:

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 $                 17,855

 

 $                      38,422

Net realized gain on investments

 

110,923

 

10,045

Distributions of realized gains

 

 

 

 

   by underlying investment companies

 

                             -

 

                              111

Net change in unrealized appreciation

 

 

 

 

(depreciation) on investments

 

(65,095)

 

107,551

Net increase in net assets

 

 

 

 

   resulting from operations

 

63,683

 

156,129

From Distributions to Shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 From Net Investment Income:

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

                             -

 

                          (1,580)

Class 2

 

                             -

 

                          (3,724)

 

 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

 

                             -

 

                          (5,304)

 

 

 

 

 

From Shares of Beneficial Interest:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares sold

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

                             -

 

                        399,950

Class 2

 

                  423,070

 

                     1,664,887

Reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

                             -

 

                           1,580

Class 2

 

                             -

 

                           3,724

Cost of shares redeemed

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

                 (966,632)

 

                        (40,360)

Class 2

 

                 (472,629)

 

                      (112,400)

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from share

 

 

   transactions of beneficial interest

 

              (1,016,191)

 

                     1,917,381

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

 

(952,508)

 

2,068,206

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

                2,581,241

 

                        513,035

End of period

 

 $             1,628,733

 

 $                  2,581,241

Undistributed net investment income

 

 

 

 

   at end of period

 

 $                 56,276

 

 $                      38,421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (Continued)                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

SHARE ACTIVITY

 

 

 

 

Class 1

 

 

 

 

Shares Sold

 

                           -   

 

                         38,420

Shares Reinvested

 

                           -   

 

                              154

Shares Redeemed

 

                   (89,027)

 

                          (4,024)

Net increase (decrease) in shares of

 

 

 

 

beneficial interest outstanding

 

                   (89,027)

 

                         34,550

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2

 

 

 

 

Shares Sold

 

                    38,608

 

                        166,120

Shares Reinvested

 

                           -   

 

                              363

Shares Redeemed

 

                   (43,999)

 

                        (11,093)

Net increase (decrease) in shares of beneficial

 

 

 

interest outstanding

 

                    (5,391)

 

                        155,390



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.05

 

 $                         8.67

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                            0.06

 

                            0.14

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                            0.68

 

                            1.32

 

                           (1.47)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.68

 

                            1.38

 

                           (1.33)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.73

 

 $                       10.05

 

 $                         8.67

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

6.77%

 

15.92%

 

(13.30)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period

 

 

 

 $                            11

 

 $                            10

 

 $                      34,656

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.20%

(f)

0.20%

 

0.20%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

0.00%

(f)

0.69%

 

2.34%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

6%

(g)

32%

 

7%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately  presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.




TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.09

 

 $                         8.66

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                            0.09

 

                            0.36

 

                            0.35

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                            0.57

 

                            1.08

 

                           (1.69)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.66

 

                            1.44

 

                           (1.34)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.01)

 

                               -   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.75

 

 $                       10.09

 

 $                         8.66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

6.54%

 

16.64%

 

(13.40)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in 000's)

 

 

 

 $                       1,225

 

 $                          808

 

 $                            16

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.45%

(f)

0.45%

 

0.45%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

1.77%

(f)

3.66%

 

5.93%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

6%

(g)

32%

 

7%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balanced ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.76

 

 $                         9.57

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                            0.10

 

                            0.38

 

                            0.24

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                            0.05

 

                            0.81

 

                           (0.67)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.15

 

                            1.19

 

                           (0.43)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

                               -   

 

 (0.00)

 (h)

                               -   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.91

 

 $                       10.76

 

 $                         9.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

1.39%

 

12.48%

 

(4.30)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in 000's)

 

 

 

 $                       1,832

 

 $                       1,806

 

 $                            38

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.20%

(f)

0.20%

 

0.20%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

1.77%

(f)

3.62%

 

3.66%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

423%

(g)

117%

 

16%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The Balanced ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(h) Amount represents less than $0.01 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balanced ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.69

 

 $                         9.56

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                            0.09

 

                            0.30

 

                            0.67

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                            0.07

 

                            0.83

 

                           (1.11)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.16

 

                            1.13

 

                           (0.44)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

                               -   

 

 (0.00)

 (h)

                               -   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.85

 

 $                       10.69

 

 $                         9.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

1.50%

 

11.86%

 

(4.40)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in 000's)

 

 

 

 $                       2,226

 

 $                       1,450

 

 $                            46

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.45%

(f)

0.45%

 

0.45%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

1.62%

(f)

2.82%

 

10.25%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

423%

(g)

117%

 

16%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The Balanced ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(h) Amount represents less than $0.01 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.91

 

 $                         9.91

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                            0.09

 

                            0.23

 

                            0.24

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                           (0.06)

 

                            0.80

 

                           (0.33)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.03

 

                            1.03

 

                           (0.09)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.03)

 

                               -   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.94

 

 $                       10.91

 

 $                         9.91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

0.27%

 

10.35%

 

(0.90)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in 000's)

 

 

 

 $                            48

 

 $                            48

 

 $                            40

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.20%

(f)

0.20%

 

0.20%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

1.67%

(f)

2.15%

 

3.54%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

24%

(g)

107%

 

52%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.88

 

 $                         9.90

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                            0.08

 

                            0.30

 

                            0.26

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                           (0.06)

 

                            0.71

 

                          (0.36)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.02

 

                            1.01

 

                          (0.10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.03)

 

                               -   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.90

 

 $                       10.88

 

 $                         9.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

0.18%

 

10.16%

 

(1.00)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in 000's)

 

 

 

 $                          817

 

 $                          652

 

 $                           15

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.45%

(f)

0.45%

 

0.45%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

1.47%

(f)

2.76%

 

3.73%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

24%

(g)

107%

 

52%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       11.17

 

 $                         9.64

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                            0.11

 

                            0.26

 

                            0.24

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                            0.48

 

                            1.31

 

                          (1.34)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.59

 

                            1.57

 

                          (1.10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.01)

 

                               -   

 

 

Net realized gain

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.03)

 

                               -   

 

   Total distributions from net investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     income and net realized gains

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.04)

 

                               -   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments by affiliates

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                               -   

 

                            0.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       11.76

 

 $                       11.17

 

 $                         9.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

5.28%

 

16.31%

 

(3.60)%

(h)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in 000's)

 

 

 

 $                          642

 

 $                          371

 

 $                         144

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.20%

(f)

0.20%

 

0.20%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

1.89%

(f)

2.50%

 

3.86%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

17%

(g)

13%

 

180%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The  Growth ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(h) For the period ended December 31, 2011, 4.19% of the total return of Class 1 consisted of a voluntary

 

 

 

      reimbursement by the Advisor for a net realized loss on a trading error. Excluding this item, total return would

 

      have been (7.79)% for Class 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       11.07

 

 $                         9.58

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                            0.11

 

                            0.42

 

                            0.46

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                            0.46

 

                            1.11

 

                          (1.09)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.57

 

                            1.53

 

                          (0.63)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.01)

 

                               -   

 

 

Net realized gain

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.03)

 

                               -   

 

   Total distributions from net investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     income and net realized gains

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.04)

 

                               -   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments by affiliates

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                               -   

 

                            0.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       11.64

 

 $                       11.07

 

 $                         9.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

5.15%

 

15.99%

 

(4.20)%

(h)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in 000's)

 

 

 

 $                       3,079

 

 $                       2,026

 

 $                           44

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.45%

(f)

0.45%

 

0.45%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

1.89%

(f)

3.86%

 

7.02%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

17%

(g)

13%

 

180%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The  Growth ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(h) For the period ended December 31, 2011, 0.50% of the total return of Class 2 consisted of a voluntary reimbursement

 

      by the Advisor for a net realized loss on a trading error. Excluding this item, total return would have been (4.70)%

 

      for Class 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.52

 

 $                         9.16

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                            0.06

 

                            0.29

 

                            0.56

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                            0.25

 

                            1.10

 

                          (1.40)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.31

 

                            1.39

 

                          (0.84)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.03)

 

                               -   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.83

 

 $                       10.52

 

 $                         9.16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

2.95%

 

15.20%

 

(8.40)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period

 

 

 

 $                            11

 

 $                    936,189

 

 $                   498,831

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.20%

(f)

0.20%

 

0.20%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

1.05%

(f)

2.93%

 

8.56%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

27%

(g)

21%

 

9%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.




TOPS® ETF Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class 2 Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2013

 

Year Ended

 

Period Ending

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.48

 

 $                         9.15

 

 $                       10.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b) (c)

 

 

 

                            0.09

 

                            0.36

 

                            0.60

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (loss) on investments

 

 

 

                            0.18

 

                            1.00

 

                          (1.45)

 

   Total income (loss) from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      investment operations

 

 

 

                            0.27

 

                            1.36

 

                          (0.85)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

                               -   

 

                           (0.03)

 

                               -   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

 

 $                       10.75

 

 $                       10.48

 

 $                         9.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return (d)

 

 

 

2.58%

 

14.89%

 

(8.50)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in 000's)

 

 

 

 $                       1,629

 

 $                       1,645

 

 $                           14

 

Ratio of expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (e)

 

 

 

0.45%

(f)

0.45%

 

0.45%

(f)

Ratio of net investment income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   average net assets (c) (e)

 

 

 

1.72%

(f)

3.55%

 

9.63%

(f)

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

 

27%

(g)

21%

 

9%

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2011.

 

 

 

(b)

Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(c)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

(d)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

(e) Does not include the expenses of the investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

 

 

 

(f) Annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g) Not annualized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



See accompanying notes to financial statements.






TOPS® ETF Portfolios

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)



1.

ORGANIZATION


The TOPS® ETF Portfolios (each a “Portfolio”, collectively the “Portfolios”) is comprised of five different actively managed portfolios. Each Portfolio is a diversified series of shares of beneficial interest of Northern Lights Variable Trust (the “Trust”), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Portfolios are intended to be funding vehicles for variable annuity contracts and flexible premium variable life insurance policies offered by the separate accounts of various insurance companies. The assets of each Portfolio are segregated and a shareholder's interest is limited to the Portfolio in which shares are held. Each Portfolio pays its own expenses. The investment objective of each Portfolio is as follows:


Portfolio

Primary Objective

Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

Capital appreciation.

Balanced ETF Portfolio

Income and capital appreciation.

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

To preserve capital and provide moderate income and moderate capital appreciation.

Growth ETF Portfolio

Capital appreciation.

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

Capital appreciation.


The Portfolios currently offer two classes of shares: Class 1 Shares and Class 2 Shares.  Each class of shares of the Portfolios has identical rights and privileges with respect to arrangements pertaining to shareholder servicing or distribution, class-related expenses, voting rights on matters affecting a single class of shares, and the exchange privilege of each class of shares. The Portfolios’ share classes differ in the fees and expenses charged to shareholders. The Portfolios’ income, expenses (other than class specific distribution fees) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated proportionately each day based upon the relative net assets of each class.


2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolios in the preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).


Securities valuation – Securities, including exchange traded funds, listed on an exchange are valued at the last reported sale price at the close of the regular trading session of the exchange on the business day the value is being determined, or in the case of securities listed on NASDAQ at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”).  In the absence of a sale such securities shall be valued at the last bid price on the day of valuation.   Short-term debt obligations having 60 days or less remaining until maturity, at time of purchase, are valued at amortized cost.  Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value.  


In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securities in the usual manner, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Trust’s Fair Value Committee and in accordance with the Trust’s Portfolio Securities Valuation Procedures (the “Procedures”). The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) will review the fair value method in use for securities requiring a fair market value determination at least quarterly. The Procedures consider, among others, the following factors to determine a security’s fair value: the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; and possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of the security.  


A Portfolio may hold securities, such as private placements, interests in commodity pools, other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable.  These securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board.  The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value team composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Advisor.  The team may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value.  The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

TOPS® ETF Portfolios

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Fair Value Team and Valuation Process - This team is composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Advisor.  The applicable investments are valued collectively via inputs from each of these groups.  For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities:  (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source), (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the Advisor, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument.  Factors which may cause the Advisor to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an asked price is available; the spread between bid and asked prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a “significant event”) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to a Portfolio’s calculation of its net asset value.  Specifically, interests in commodity pools or managed futures pools are valued on a daily basis by reference to the closing market prices of each futures contract or other asset held by a pool, as adjusted for pool expenses.  Restricted or illiquid securities, such as private placements or non-traded securities are valued via inputs from the Advisor based upon the current bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances).  If the Advisor is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the fair value team shall determine the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Portfolio’s holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.


Valuation of Fund of Funds - The Portfolios may invest in portfolios of open-end investment companies (the “underlying funds”).  Open-end funds are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by such investment companies. Open-end funds value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value based on the methods established by the board of directors of the open-end funds.  


Each Portfolio utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of all of its investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of input are:


Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Portfolio 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 in 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 Portfolio’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.


The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.  Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.


The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.




TOPS® ETF Portfolios

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)




The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.  The following tables summarize the inputs used as of June 30, 2013 for each Portfolio’s investments measured at fair value:


Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

Assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Equity Funds

 $          1,200,029

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $          1,200,029

Short-Term Investment

 $                41,438

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $                41,438

Total

 $          1,241,467

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $          1,241,467

 

 

 

 

 

Balanced ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

Assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Debt Funds

 $          1,952,729

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $          1,952,729

Equity Funds

 $          2,021,628

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $          2,021,628

Short-Term Investment

 $                80,803

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $                80,803

Total

 $          4,055,160

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $          4,055,160

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

Assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Debt Funds

 $              586,645

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $              586,645

Equity Funds

 $              257,143

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $              257,143

Short-Term Investment

 $                16,767

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $                16,767

Total

 $              860,555

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $              860,555

 

 

 

 

 

Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

Assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Debt Funds

 $              484,639

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $              484,639

Equity Funds

 $          3,156,537

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $          3,156,537

Short-Term Investment

 $                94,966

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $                94,966

Total

 $          3,736,142

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $          3,736,142

 

 

 

 

 

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

Assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Debt Funds

 $              538,457

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $              538,457

Equity Funds

 $          1,054,433

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $          1,054,433

Short-Term Investment

 $                36,038

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $                36,038

Total

 $          1,628,928

 $                       -

 $                       -

 $          1,628,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Portfolios did not hold any Level 3 securities during the period.


There were no transfers into or out of Level 1 or Level 2 during the current period presented. It is the Portfolios’ policy to record transfers into or out of Level 1 or Level 2 at the end of the reporting period.




TOPS® ETF Portfolios

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)



Security transactions and related income Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis.  Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized on securities purchased over the lives of the respective securities. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains or losses from sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.


Dividends and distributions to shareholders – Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains if any, are declared and paid annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on ex-date and are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are considered either temporary (e.g., deferred losses, capital loss carryforwards) or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their Federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets, results from operations or net asset values per share of the Portfolios.


Federal income tax – It is each Portfolio’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of their taxable income and net realized gains to shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.


Each Portfolio will recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities.  Management has analyzed each Portfolio’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken in each Portfolio’s 2011 or expected to be taken in each Portfolio’s 2012 tax returns. Each Portfolio identified its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal, Nebraska and foreign jurisdictions where the Portfolios make significant investments; however, the Portfolios 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.


Exchange Traded Funds – The Portfolios may invest in exchange traded funds (“ETFs”).  ETFs are a type of index fund bought and sold on a securities exchange.  An ETF trades like common stock and represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. A Portfolio may purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market.  The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although the lack of liquidity on an ETF could result in it being more volatile.  Additionally, ETFs have fees and expenses that reduce their value.  


Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, 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 operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


Expenses – Expenses of the Trust that are directly identifiable to a specific Portfolio are charged to that Portfolio.  Expenses, which are not readily identifiable to a specific Portfolio, are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the nature and type of expense and the relative sizes of the Portfolios in the Trust.


Indemnification – The Trust indemnifies its officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from the performance of their duties to the Trust.  Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolios enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnities.  Each Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Portfolios that have not yet occurred.  However, based on experience, the Portfolios expect the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities to be remote.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)



3.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS


For the six months ended June 30, 2013, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, other than short-term investments, were as follows:


Portfolio

Purchases

Sales

Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

$          423,250

$               59,240

Balanced ETF Portfolio

               16,138,127

                15,353,983

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

               359,636

                   191,468

Growth ETF Portfolio

          1,684,607

                505,179

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

           594,230

                   1,600,707


4.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT / TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES


The business activities of the Portfolios are overseen by the Board, which is responsible for the overall management of the Portfolios. ValMark Advisors, Inc. serves as the Portfolios’ Investment Advisor (the “Advisor”). The Portfolios have employed Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”) to provide administration, fund accounting and transfer agent services. A Trustee and certain officers of the Trust are also officers of GFS.


Pursuant to an Advisory Agreement with the Trust, on behalf of the Portfolios, the Advisor, under the oversight of the Board, directs the daily investment operations of the Portfolios and supervises the performance of administrative and professional services provided by others.  As compensation for its services and the related expenses borne by the Advisor, the Portfolios pay the Advisor a management fee, computed on average daily net assets and accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.10% of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets.


The Trust, on behalf of the Portfolios, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan (“12b-1 Plan” or “Plan”) for Class 2 shares. The fee is calculated at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to each Portfolio’s Class 2 shares and is paid to Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) to provide compensation for ongoing shareholder servicing and distribution related activities and/or maintenance of each Portfolio’s shareholder accounts, not otherwise required to be provided by the Advisor. The Distributor is an affiliate of GFS.


Pursuant to the terms of an administrative servicing agreement with GFS, each Portfolio pays to GFS a monthly fee for all operating expenses of the Portfolio, which is calculated by each Portfolio on its average daily net assets. Operating expenses include but are not limited to Fund Accounting, Fund Administration, Transfer Agency, Legal Fees, Audit Fees, Compliance Services, Shareholder Reporting Expenses and Custody Fees. The approved entities may be affiliates of GFS. GFS provides a Principal Executive Officer and a Principal Financial Officer to the Portfolios.


Effective April 1, 2013, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment advisor to any series of the Trust will receive a quarterly fee of $4,875 for his attendance at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees, to be paid in advance of each calendar quarter, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred.  Prior to April 1, 2013 each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an advisor received a quarterly fee of $3,500.  Effective July 1, 2013, in addition to the quarterly fees and reimbursements, the Chairman of the Board receives a $30,000 annual fee, and the Audit Committee chairman receives a $15,000 annual fee allocated between the Northern Lights Fund Trust and Northern Lights Variable Trust, each to be paid quarterly.


Additionally, in the event a meeting of the Board of Trustees other than its regularly scheduled meetings (a “Special Meeting”) is required, each Independent Trustee will receive a fee of $2,500 per Special Meeting, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred, to be paid by the relevant series of the Trust or its investment advisor depending on the circumstances necessitating the Special Meeting.


The “interested persons” who serve as Trustees of the Trust receive no compensation for their services as Trustees.  None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)



Certain affiliates of GFS provide ancillary services to the Portfolios as follows:


Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), an affiliate of GFS, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust, as well as related compliance services, pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. Under the terms of such agreement, NLCS receives customary fees from GFS under the administrative servicing agreement.


Gemcom, LLC (“Gemcom”), an affiliate of GFS, provides EDGAR conversion and filing services as well as print management services for the Portfolios on an ad-hoc basis.   For the provision of these services, Gemcom receives customary fees from GFS under the administrative servicing agreement.


5. CONTROL OWNERSHIP


The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a Portfolio creates presumption of the control of the Portfolio, under section 2(a) 9 of the Act. As of June 30, 2013, ownership percentages of the voting securities of each Portfolio that may be deemed to control each Portfolio was as follows:



Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

Ohio National Life Insurance Company

 

70%

Pruco

 

30%

 

 

 

Balanced ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

Jefferson National

 

45%

Ohio National Life Insurance Company

 

47%

 

 

 

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

Jefferson National Life Insurance Company

 

83%

 

 

 

Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

Ohio National Life Insurance Company

 

68%

 

 

 

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

Ohio National Life Insurance Company

 

64%

Pruco

 

34%


The Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record are also owned beneficially.




TOPS® ETF Portfolios

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)



6. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL


The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows:


 

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012

 

Ordinary Income

 

Long-Term Capital Gain

 

Total

Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

 $             770

 

 $                  -

 

 $                 770

Balanced ETF Portfolio

              1,287

 

                     -

 

                 1,287

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

              1,097

 

                     -

 

                 1,097

Growth ETF Portfolio

              7,843

 

                    5

 

                 7,848

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

              5,304

 

                     -

 

                 5,304



The Portfolios did not have distributions for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2011.


As of December 31, 2012, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:


 

Undistributed Ordinary Income

 

Undistributed Long-Term Gains

 

Capital Loss Carry Forwards

 

Post October Losses

 

Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)

 

Total Accumulated Earnings/ (Deficits)

Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

 $         13,173

 

 $                  -

 

 $                  -

 

 $                  -

 

 $         28,976

 

 $             42,149

Balanced ETF Portfolio

            48,664

 

                     -

 

           (13,262)

 

                     -

 

            81,453

 

              116,855

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

            12,090

 

                  65

 

                     -

 

                     -

 

            11,289

 

                23,444

Growth ETF Portfolio

            36,632

 

                222

 

                     -

 

                     -

 

            98,966

 

              135,820

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

            50,357

 

                573

 

                     -

 

                     -

 

            91,942

 

              142,872



The difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation), undistributed ordinary income and undistributed long-term capital gains are primarily attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the tax treatment of short-term capital gains.


At December 31, 2012, the following Portfolios had capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains as follows:


 

Short-Term

 

Long-Term

 

Total

 

Expiration

Balanced ETF Portfolio

 $         13,262

 

 $                  -

 

 $         13,262

 

 Non-Expiring



7. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS


In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11 related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities.  In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01 which gives additional clarification to ASU 2011-11.  The amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position.  The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance requires retrospective application for all comparative periods presented.  Management is currently evaluating the impact this amendment may have on the Fund’s financial statements.



8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS


Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.   Management has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.



TOPS® ETF Portfolios

EXPENSE EXAMPLES

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)


As a shareholder of the Portfolios, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees; and other Portfolio expenses.  This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in each Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.


The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013.

Actual Expenses


The “Actual Expenses” line in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses.  You may use the information below 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes


The “Hypothetical” line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return.  The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balances or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.


Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or redemption fees or other expenses charged by your insurance contract or separate account.  Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.  In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


 

 

 

Actual

 Hypothetical

(5% return before expenses)

Class 1

Portfolio’s Annualized

Expense Ratio

Beginning

Account Value 1-1-13

Ending

Account    Value

6-30-13


Expenses

Paid   During Period*


Ending

Account

Value

6-30-13

Expenses

Paid During Period*

Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

0.20%

$1,000.00

$1,067.70

$1.03

$1,023.80

$1.00

Balanced ETF Portfolio

0.20%

$1,000.00

$1,013.90

$1.00

$1,023.80

$1.00

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

0.20%

$1,000.00

$1,002.70

$0.99

$1,023.80

$1.00

Growth ETF Portfolio

0.20%

$1,000.00

$1,052.80

$1.02

$1,023.80

$1.00

Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio

0.20%

$1,000.00

$1,029.50

$1.01

$1,023.80

$1.00




TOPS® ETF Portfolios

EXPENSE EXAMPLES (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)




 

 

 

Actual

 Hypothetical

(5% return before expenses)

Class 2

Portfolio’s Annualized

Expense Ratio

Beginning

Account Value 1-1-13

Ending

Account    Value

6-30-13


Expenses

Paid   During Period*


Ending

Account

Value

6-30-13

Expenses

Paid During Period*

Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio

0.45%

$1,000.00

$1,065.40

$2.30

$1,022.56

$2.26

Balanced ETF Portfolio

0.45%

$1,000.00

$1,015.00

$2.25

$1,022.56

$2.26

Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio

0.45%

$1,000.00

$1,001.80

$2.23

$1,022.56

$2.26

Growth ETF Portfolio

0.45%

$1,000.00

$1,051.50

$2.29

$1,022.56

$2.26

Moderate Growth ETF
Portfolio

0.45%

$1,000.00

$1,025.80

$2.26

$1,022.56

$2.26


* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by each Portfolio’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the number of days in the period (181) divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (365).




TOPS® ETF Portfolios

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)



Approval of Advisory Agreement – TOPS Portfolios*


In connection with the regular meeting held on December 11 and 12, 2012 the Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of the Northern Lights Variable Trust (the “Trust”), including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the “Independent Trustees”), discussed the approval of an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between ValMark Advisors, Inc. (the “Advisor”) and the Trust, on behalf of the TOPS Portfolios (each a “Portfolio” and collectively, the “Portfolios”). In considering the proposed agreements, the Board received materials specifically relating to the Advisory Agreement.


The Trustees were assisted by independent legal counsel throughout the Advisory Agreement review process.  The Board relied upon the advice of independent legal counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the Advisory Agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor.  The conclusions reached by the Trustees were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all of the information provided and were not the result of any one factor.  Moreover, each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching his conclusions with respect to the Advisory Agreement.


Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Trustees discussed the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the shareholders of each Portfolio by the Advisor since the inception of each Portfolio and noted no reduction in the level of service provided to each Portfolio. They also noted the consistency of Advisor personnel and the addition of two more analysts to the management team.  The Board noted that the Advisor had reported no compliance issues, but that a recent SEC audit was completed. The Trustees discussed the SEC’s findings and the Advisor’s response. The Board indicated that they were satisfied with the nature, extent, and quality of services provided by the Advisor.


TOPS Capital Preservation ETF Performance. The Trustees then evaluated the performance of the TOPS Capital Preservation ETF Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio outperformed its peer group in 1-year period and since inception, underperformed the S&P 500 in both periods, and performed on par with its Morningstar category in the 1-year period while outperforming the Category since inception. The Trustees concluded that they were satisfied with the Portfolio’s performance overall.


TOPS Balanced ETF Performance. The Trustees then evaluated the performance of the TOPS Balanced ETF Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio outperformed its peer group in 1-year period and since inception, underperformed the S&P 500 in both periods, and slightly underperformed the Morningstar Category Average in the 1-year period and since inception. The Trustees agreed that underperforming the S&P 500 was expected for a balanced fund when equities are outperforming and concluded that they were satisfied with the Portfolio’s performance overall.


TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Performance. The Trustees then evaluated the performance of the TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio outperformed its peer group in 1-year period and since inception, but underperformed the S&P 500 and the Morningstar Category Average in both periods. The Trustees discussed the Advisor’s explanation of both the overperformance compared to the peer group and the underperformance compared to the other benchmarks.  The Trustees concluded that they were satisfied with the Portfolio’s performance overall.


TOPS Growth ETF Performance. The Trustees then evaluated the performance of the Growth ETF Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio outperformed its peer group in 1-year period and since inception, underperformed the S&P 500 in both periods, and underperformed the Morningstar Category Average in the 1-year period while outperforming the Category Average since inception. They discussed the Portfolio’s allocation to fixed income and international, noting that this diversification, while consistent with the strategy, was a drag on performance compared to the S&P 500.  The Trustees concluded that they were satisfied with the Portfolio’s performance overall.


TOPS Aggressive Growth ETF Performance. The Trustees then evaluated the performance of the Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio outperformed its peer group in 1-year period and since inception, but underperformed the S&P 500 and the Morningstar Category Average in both the 1-year period and since inception.  They noted that the Portfolio is diversified across many asset classes, while the Morningstar category is limited to large value, making the comparison less helpful than the peer group comparison.  The Trustees concluded that they were satisfied with the Portfolio’s performance overall.





TOPS® ETF Portfolios

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Continued)

June 30, 2013 (Unaudited)



TOPS Capital Preservation ETF Fees and Expenses. The Trustees evaluated the management fee and expense ratios of the Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio has the lowest expenses in the peer group and the same fee as the lowest advisory fee in the peer group, and both fees and expenses are significantly below the average for the Morningstar category.  The Trustees also considered fees charged by the Advisor for managing separate accounts and wrap programs.  The Board concluded that the Portfolio is competitively priced, and that it is pleased with the fee and expense levels.


TOPS Balanced ETF Fees and Expenses. The Trustees evaluated the management fee and expense ratios of the Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio has the lowest expenses in the peer group and the same fee as the lowest advisory fee in the peer group, and both fees and expenses are significantly below the average for the Morningstar category. The Trustees also considered fees charged by the Advisor for managing separate accounts and wrap programs.  The Board concluded that the Portfolio is competitively priced, and that it is pleased with the fee and expense levels.


TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Fees and Expenses. The Trustees evaluated the management fee and expense ratios of the Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio’s management fees are equal to the average for its peer group and its expenses are lower than any in the peer group, and both fees and expenses are significantly below the average for the Morningstar category. The Trustees also considered fees charged by the Advisor for managing separate accounts and wrap programs.  The Board concluded that the Portfolio is competitively priced, and that it is pleased with the fee and expense levels.


TOPS Growth ETF Fees and Expenses. The Trustees evaluated the management fee and expense ratios of the Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio has the lowest expenses in the peer group and the same advisory fee as the lowest fee in the peer group, and both fees and expenses are significantly below the average for the Morningstar category. The Trustees also considered fees charged by the Advisor for managing separate accounts and wrap programs.  The Board concluded that the Portfolio is competitively priced, and that it is pleased with the fee and expense levels.


TOPS Aggressive Growth ETF Fees and Expenses. The Trustees evaluated the management fee and expense ratios of the Portfolio, noting that the Portfolio has nearly the lowest fee in the peer group and the lowest expenses in the peer group, and both fees and expenses are significantly below the average for the peer group and Morningstar category. The Trustees also considered fees charged by the Advisor for managing separate accounts and wrap programs.  The Board concluded that the Portfolio is competitively priced, and that it is pleased with the fee and expense levels.


Economies of Scale. The Trustees noted that the Advisor has indicated that it has priced their advisory services to be competitive even at large asset levels. A representative of the Advisor, participating by telephone, indicated that the Advisor would be willing to consider breakpoints once total asset levels reach $25 billion. A representative of the Advisor indicated that the Advisor projected reaching $10 billion in total asset levels by 2017. The Trustees reminded the Advisor that economies of scale are assessed by the Board on a fund-by-fund basis, and each Portfolio would be evaluated separately.  After discussion, it was the consensus of the Trustees that based on the very competitive fee level of each Portfolio, economies had not yet been reached, but the matter of economies of scale would be revisited as each Portfolio’s size increases significantly.


Profitability.  The Board considered the profits realized by the Advisor in connection with the operation of each Portfolio and whether the amount of profit is a fair entrepreneurial profit with respect to the advisory services provided to the Portfolio.  The Board also considered the benefits realized by the Advisor from other activities related to each Portfolio, and noted that a 5 basis point revenue sharing agreement exists for all Class 1 shares of the Portfolios.  The Board concluded that, based on the profitability information provided by the Advisor, the Advisor realized a small loss over the past 12 months with respect to each Portfolio, but given the recent growth of the Portfolios, the Advisor is likely to realize reasonable profits over the next year.


Conclusion. Having requested and received such information from the Advisor as the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Advisory Agreement, and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Board concluded that they were satisfied with the services provided by the Advisor, and that the advisory fee for each Portfolio is reasonable and that renewal of the Advisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Trust and the shareholders of each Portfolio.



* Due to the timing of the contract renewal schedule, these deliberations may or may not relate to the current performance results of the Portfolios.





PRIVACY NOTICE


NORTHERN LIGHTS VARIABLE TRUST

Rev. August 2011


FACTS

WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS VARIABLE TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?


Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.  Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some, but not all sharing.  Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.  Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.


What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depends on the product or service that you have with us. This information can include:

·

Social Security number and wire transfer instructions

·

account transactions and transaction history

·

investment experience and purchase history
When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.


How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business.  In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Northern Lights Variable Trust chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.


Reasons we can share your personal information:

Does Northern Lights Variable Trust share information?

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes - such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus.

YES

NO

For our marketing purposes - to offer our products and services to you.

NO

We don’t share

For joint marketing with other financial companies.

NO

We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your transactions and records.

NO

We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your credit worthiness.

NO

We don’t share

For nonaffiliates to market to you

NO

We don’t share


QUESTIONS?  

Call 1-402-493-4603







PRIVACY NOTICE


NORTHERN LIGHTS VARIABLE TRUST


Page 2

 


What we do:


How does Northern Lights Variable Trust protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law.  These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.


Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.


How does Northern Lights Variable Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

·

open an account or deposit money

·

direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities

·

seek advice about your investments

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.


Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only:

·

sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness.

·

affiliates from using your information to market to you.

·

sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you.

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.


Definitions

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control.  They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

·

Northern Lights Variable Trust has no affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control.  They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

·

Northern Lights Variable Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies

that together market financial products or services to you.

·

Northern Lights Variable Trust does not jointly market.






 



PROXY VOTING POLICY


Information regarding how the Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Portfolios use to determine how to vote proxies is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-572-5945 or by referring to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.


PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS


Each Portfolio files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (1-800-SEC-0330). The information on Form N-Q is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-572-5945.



















INVESTMENT ADVISOR

ValMark Advisers, Inc.

130 Springside Drive

Akron, OH  44333


ADMINISTRATOR

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

80 Arkay Drive Suite 110

Hauppauge, NY 11788





Item 2. Code of Ethics.  Not Applicable.


Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not Applicable.


Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies.  Not applicable to open-end investment companies.


Item 6.  Schedule of Investments.  Schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included under Item 1.


Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Funds.  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 Funds.  Not applicable to open-end investment companies.


Item 10.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.  None



Item 11.  Controls and Procedures.  


(a)

Based on an evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of filing date of this Form N-CSR, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Registrant have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Registrant are reasonably designed to ensure that the information required in filings on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported by the filing date, including that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


(b)

There were no significant changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s last fiscal half-year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Item 12.  Exhibits.  


(a)(1)

Not applicable.


(a)(2)

Certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and Item 11(a)(2) of Form N-CSR) are filed herewith.


(a)(3)

Not applicable for open-end investment companies.


(b)

Certifications required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and Item 11(b) of Form N-CSR) are filed herewith.




SIGNATURES

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


(Registrant) Northern Lights Variable Fund Trust


By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Andrew B. Rogers

 

       Andrew B. Rogers, President

       

Date  

08/26/13


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


By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Andrew B. Rogers

        Andrew B. Rogers, President

       

Date

08/26/13



By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Kevin E. Wolf

       Kevin E. Wolf, Treasurer

        

Date

08/26/13