N-CSRS 1 topsmanagedriskncsrs.htm N-CSRS

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)

 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

(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: 6/30/2021

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

 

(TOPS LOGO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

June 30, 2021

 

TOPS® Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio

 

TOPS® Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio

 

TOPS® Managed Risk 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 2021 Market Commentary

 

“It Was Another Very Strong Quarter for The Economy And Financial Markets”

 

First Half 2021 stock market returns were well above average, marking the fifth consecutive positive quarter for most indexes, both here and abroad. In the U.S., the massive fiscal and monetary stimulus, combined with the efficacy of the COVID vaccines and relatively rapid vaccination process, resulted in a rapidly re-opening economy. These positive factors, in turn, have led to an extremely strong earnings recovery and a flood of liquidity into the stock market. However, concerns about rising inflation and a possible Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) shift away from super-easy policies caused bond yields to rise in the first half.

 

As a result, the TOPS portfolios earned a wide range of returns for the first half (+6.1% to +9.9%). The more aggressive TOPS portfolios (higher equity allocations) were aided by the continued resurgence of diversified market leadership for the first half overall, although large cap growth returned to its leadership position in Q2.

 

We continue to note all TOPS portfolio returns for the trailing three-year, five-year and ten-year timeframes remain well into positive territory, with many recording double-digit returns over differing timeframes.

 

After discussing Q2 and year-to-date 2021 financial market results, we will address three questions that are important to TOPS portfolio returns and strategies:

 

1)Can the V-Shaped recoveries of the U.S. economy, earnings per share and stock markets continue?

 

2)Will rising inflation rates force the Fed to change its easy money policies?

 

3)With inflation rising, why aren’t bond yields higher?

 

Second Quarter and Year-To-Date Market Review

 

As noted above, stock market returns have been positive for five consecutive quarters and trailing twelve-month (TTM) returns are remarkable. The TTM return for the large cap S&P 500® is +40.8%. That is a tremendous return, except in comparison to the gains from S&P SmallCap 600® +67.4% and S&P MidCap 400® +53.2%. New all-time highs were reached by all three indexes during Q2 and the S&P 500® closed the quarter with its 34th new closing high of 2021. S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® were less than 3% below their highs, so the half ended on a strong note.

 

For Q2, the top indexes were S&P 500 Growth® +11.9%, S&P North American Natural Resources Index +11.1% and MSCI World Real Estate +10.1%. Of course, we were gratified to see our largest allocation –the S&P 500® – recorded a strong +8.5% return. The other equity indexes represented by ETFs in the TOPS portfolios also reported solid mid-double-digit gains: FTSE Developed All Cap ex US +5.7%, S&P 500 Value® +5.0%, FTSE Emerging +5.7%, S&P SmallCap 600® +4.5% and S&P MidCap 400® +3.6%.

 

Rising inflation rates and worries about how the Fed might respond were shrugged off by investors in Q2, so bond yields declined modestly. The 10-year US Treasury yield dipped from 1.73% to 1.45% during Q2. The Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond returned +1.8% and the Barclays Capital U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities index was even stronger at +3.2%. Most bond market sectors posted positive returns for Q2 and Investment Grade and High Yield bonds were among the stronger sectors. 

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Year-to-date equity returns were led by diversifier indexes: S&P North American Natural Resources Index +32.7%, S&P SmallCap 600® +23.6%, S&P MidCap 400® +17.6% and MSCI World Real Estate +16.8%. These results are well above normal full-year returns and the S&P 500®’s +15.3% return was the second highest recorded since 1998. S&P 500 Value® +16.3% outperformed S&P 500 Growth® +14.3%. International stocks lagged, but FTSE Developed ex-US (developed) +10.0% and FTSE Emerging +9.0% were still well above average.

 

Despite the Q2 improvement, the 10-year US Treasury Bond yield rose from 0.93% at yearend to 1.45% for the first half of 2021. Barclay’s US TIPS recorded a positive return of 1.7% versus the broader Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond at -1.6%. Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid achieved positive returns while developed international and emerging market bonds were negative.

 

Will V-Shaped Recoveries Continue?

 

The short answer to this question is “not forever”. The current +41% 12-month S&P 500® gain, as well as the forecasted +10% Q2 GDP and +64% Q2 earnings (EPS) gains are simply not sustainable in a slow-growth world. This doesn’t mean any of the “Vs” will collapse, but it does indicate investor expectations should moderate as the year goes along.

 

Several long-term macro factors behind slower longer term economic growth remain in place: Demographics trends (an aging population and slowing birth rates) will continue to result in older (often nonworking) persons growing as a share of the population. High amounts of debt have been proven to weigh on economic growth, and government, corporate and consumer debt have all ballooned in recent years. Government budget deficits are another factor, as they must eventually be pared back through tax increases or spending cuts.

 

In the shorter term, the massive stimulus in place has helped create significant wealth and large growth in cash reserves for both companies and consumers. As these funds are spent for business investment and consumption, the US economy should continue to expand, but at a slower pace. EPS comparisons will be harder to beat, so year-over-year EPS growth is likely to slow in the second half of 2021 and beyond. On paper, these factors should be expected to cause a diminution of stock market gains at some point.

 

Will rising inflation cause the Fed to change policies?

 

The May Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to +5.0%, the highest reading in 13 years. The largest contributors were energy (versus very depressed oil prices a year ago); used cars and trucks (shortages); food away from home (restaurants raising menu prices); and car and truck rental (shortages). Many commodities are supply-constrained, so strong demand caused price increases for many building materials, metals and agricultural products.

 

The Fed has been warning us for months that inflation was likely to exceed their 2% target this spring, but they have consistently stated that the higher prices will be “transitory” and would not cause them to go beyond “thinking about thinking about” a shift from their $120 billion monthly bond purchases (Quantitative Easing or QE) or exiting their Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP).

 

However, the Fed’s favorite inflation indicator, the price index for Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) also surprised everyone in May with a 3.9% rise. The Core indexes (which exclude energy and food) were also well above the Fed’s 2% target, with Core CPI +3.8% and Core PCE +3.4%. As a result, the “Dot Plot”, which is a chart showing the FOMC members’ economic expectations, had some interesting shifts in June. They show the Fed members now think Core PCE could remain elevated and that ZIRP may end in 2023 rather than 2024.

 

If the PCE remains stubbornly high in coming months, we would expect the Fed to consider shifting toward somewhat tighter policies. The first step would likely be a well-telegraphed reduction of monthly bond purchases. Many pundits question why the Fed continues the aggressive bond purchase program, amidst such high economic success, especially the purchase of mortgage bonds in a red-hot real estate market.

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With inflation rising, why aren’t bond yields higher? 

 

According to fund flows in Q2, it appears investors bought longer-dated US Treasuries to hedge the risk of the Fed shifting toward anti-inflation policies which would slow the economy. Although that would push interest rates higher in the shorter term, the return to slow growth could lead to lower interest rates over time. Many investors may also agree with the Fed that the current burst of inflation will prove to be transitory.

 

Another possibility is that until the Fed decides to reduce its $120 billion of monthly bond purchases, investors believe it will continue to overwhelm the supply created by budget deficits. This is important because corporate and mortgage-backed bonds are priced at premiums (wider yield spreads) over Treasuries, so if Treasury yields are low, the broader fixed income markets will also have lower yields than might otherwise be the case.

 

We continue to expect bond yields to normalize over time. Real (inflation adjusted) yields are currently in negative territory, whereas historically yields have exceeded inflation rates. Therefore, the TOPS fixed income strategy is to reduce “interest rate risk” by owning shorter maturity ETFs and to offset that by accepting a little more “credit risk” by owning ETFs that hold US corporate and international bonds. We also hedge against inflation by diversifying away from nominal US Treasuries into TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) and utilizing floating rate securities.

 

TOPS Portfolio Strategies

 

The combination of fiscal and monetary stimulus, along with the desire of businesses and consumers to return to normal spending patterns suggests the US economy will grow throughout 2021, albeit at a somewhat slower pace than the red-hot numbers so far. The TOPS portfolio team will continue to monitor and assess the importance of potential Fed policy shifts and President Biden’s infrastructure and tax initiatives, as well as the constant flow of economic and financial market data as we strategically implement our philosophy of maintaining broadly diversified portfolios.

 

Summary of the Milliman Managed Risk Strategy™ (MMRS)

 

After returning more than 17% across the final two months of 2020, the global equity market took a breather to start 2021, declining 0.5%, as measured by the MSCI ACWI Index. Unlike the previous month, when virtually all segments of the equity market were uniformly higher, January provided a mixed bag. In the United States, large-cap stocks were down, while small- and mid-caps were higher. Outside the United States, emerging market equities notched their fourth consecutive positive monthly return, while developed market equities finished the month lower. Amid these disparate returns, global equity market volatility crept higher from its post-COVID correction low at the end of 2020. Coming off such a low level, the increase in volatility didn’t result in any changes in the equity allocations of the TOPS Managed Risk Portfolios until month end. As January ended, the Growth, Moderate, and Balanced portfolios had reduced their equity allocations by 9.5, 1.1., and 0.5 percentage points from their respective levels at the end of December.

 

After an anemic start to the year, global equities resumed their ascent in February, as measured by the MSCI ACWI Index, only to sell off later in the month amid soaring bond yields. U.S. equities also sold off in late February after the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note jumped to a one-year high in response to rising inflation expectations. The decline notwithstanding, U.S. equities ended the month in the black with investors favoring mid-cap, small-cap, and value stocks. While large-cap stocks also notched gains, their increases were more modest. Equity market volatility shot up in late February, and TOPS Managed Risk Portfolios adjusted by trimming their equity exposure. The Growth, Moderate, and Balanced portfolios reduced their equity allocations by 4.7, 2.6, and 2.2 percentage points, respectively, from their levels at the end of January.

 

Global equity markets advanced at a steady clip in March, as measured by the MSCI ACWI Index, but stocks also saw pressure from a COVID-19 resurgence in Europe and Asia as vaccinations hit some snags. In the United States, the S&P 500® Index closed in on an all-time record high of 4000, soaring on the tailwinds of strong fiscal and monetary stimulus, faster-than-expected vaccination rollouts, a robust outlook for the U.S. economy, and pent-up consumer demand. Since 

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hitting a pandemic low during the same month a year ago, the index has climbed 78%. In March, U.S. stocks saw a rotation in leadership, with “Big Tech” taking a breather and value stocks surging by 6% after being in the doldrums for years. Mid-cap names trounced large-cap names, but small-cap stocks settled down after being on a tear since the start of 2021. The Fed vowed to stay dovish on monetary policy through at least 2023, nevertheless concerns about inflation and attendant interest rate hikes buoyed yields on the 10-yr U.S. Treasury to 1.74%—the highest since January 2020. Volatility rose in early March before tapering off, and the TOPS Managed Risk Portfolios adjusted by trimming their equity exposure. Growth, Moderate, and Balanced portfolios lowered their equity allocations by 3.6, 3.1, and 1.5 percentage points, respectively, from their levels at the end of February.

 

International equity markets mirrored the bullish sentiment in the United States during April, as stocks around the globe continued to hit new highs. The MSCI ACWI Index rose by 4.2% in April, the third consecutive month of gains. U.S. equities set record highs as well across the board among the major indices. But from there, the macroeconomic picture diverges for developed countries. The 19-nation Eurozone reported a decline in GDP for first quarter, its second quarterly drop, and technically entered a recession due to renewed COVID-related lockdowns. In contrast, the U.S. economy, spurred by consumer spending, grew by a robust 6.4% during first quarter. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield pulled back from its March high to end April at 1.65%, notwithstanding inflation’s uptick to 2.6% in March, its highest level since mid-2018. Equity market volatility declined through most of April, finishing near 14-month lows. The TOPS Managed Risk portfolios adjusted by raising their net equity exposure: the Growth, Moderate, and Balanced Portfolios upped their equity allocations by 17.7, 6.5, and 3.8 percentage points, respectively, and spent most of the month at their respective maximum equity allocations.

 

International stocks outpaced U.S. equities in May as economic recovery in the European Union and other developed nations offset headwinds from emerging countries still grappling to get COVID-19 under control. The MSCI ACWI Index rose by 1.33% in May while the S&P 500® Index was up a meager 0.55% and the Nasdaq actually declined by 1.26%. U.S. stocks hit an all-time high in early May, but days later sold off after April’s inflation number came in at a higher-than-expected 4.2%—its highest level since 2008. Energy prices jumped 25% from a year earlier and other prices advanced as well. U.S. manufacturing activity picked up, but shortages are being reported in labor and materials. Volatility increased during the selloff but leveled off as the market found firmer footing in the second half of May. The low market volatility at the end of April meant that the equity allocations for TOPS Managed Risk Portfolios were all at their respective maximums heading into May. As volatility increased in the middle of the month, the Growth portfolio reduced its equity allocation by about seven percentage points before reverting to its maximum allocation by month end. The Moderate and Balanced portfolios both maintained their maximum equity allocations for the duration of the month.

 

Heading into the summer doldrums, international and U.S. equities ended the month of June mostly in positive territory, led by a 5.55% total return in the Nasdaq Composite. The MSCI ACWI Index rose 1.35% month-over-month, while a rally in tech stocks drove the S&P 500® Index and Nasdaq to all-time highs. The Fed kept interest rates unchanged and communicated that rising inflation was notable but transitory since much of the overshoot is from categories directly affected by the reopening of the economy. Nevertheless, the FOMC adjusted its expectation for the timing of interest rate increases to one year earlier than the expectation conveyed at the FOMC’s previous meeting. This sparked an equity market pullback, but it proved to be short lived as inflation fears subsided and stocks quickly recovered. After falling to its year-to-date low during the first half of the month, equity market realized volatility edged moderately higher and then leveled off; and the Cboe Volatility Index® finished the month at 15.8, its lowest level since February 2020. Amid such low volatility, TOPS Growth, Moderate, and Balanced Managed Risk Portfolios all maintained their maximum equity exposure for the duration of the month. 

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The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged composite of 500 large capitalization companies. This index is widely used by professional investors as a performance benchmark for large-cap stocks.

 

The S&P MidCap 400® measures the mid-cap segment of the U.S.equity market. The index is designed to be an investable portfolio of companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are liquid and financially viable.

 

The S&P SmallCap 600® measures the small cap segment of the U.S. equity market. The index is designed to be an investable portfolio of companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are liquid and financially viable.

 

The Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index is weighted according to market capitalization, which means the securities represented in the index are weighted according to the market size of the bond category. Treasury securities, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) foreign bonds, government agency bonds and corporate bonds are some of the categories included in the index. The bonds represented are medium term with an average maturity of about 4.57 years. In all, the index represents about 8,200 fixed-income securities with a total value of approximately $15 trillion (about 43% of the total U.S. bond market).

 

The Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index includes publicly issued U.S. dollar denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bonds that have a remaining maturity of at least one year, regardless of optionality, are rated high-yield (Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below) using the middle rating of Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch, respectively (before July 1, 2005, the lower of Moody’s and S&P was used), and have $600 million or more of outstanding face value.

 

The Barclays Capital U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Index includes all publicly issued, U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities that have at least one year remaining to maturity, are rated investment grade, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value.

 

The S&P North American Natural Resources Index provides investors with a benchmark that represents U.S. traded securities that are classified under the GICS® energy and materials sector excluding the chemicals industry; and steel sub-industry.

 

The MSCI World Real Estate Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that consists of large and mid-cap equity across 23 Developed Markets (DM) countries*. All securities in the index are classified in the Real Estate Sector according to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®).

 

The FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index is a market-capitalization weighted index representing the performance of large, mid and small companies in Developed markets, excluding the USA. The index is derived from the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (GEIS), which captures 98% of the world’s investable market capitalization.

 

The S&P 500 Growth® Index measures growth stocks using three factors: sales growth, the ratio of earnings change to price, and momentum. S&P Style Indices divide the complete market capitalization of each parent index into growth and value segments.

 

The S&P 500 Value® Index measures value stocks using three factors: the ratios of book value, earnings, and sales to price. S&P Style Indices divide the complete market capitalization of each parent index into growth and value segments.

 

The FTSE Emerging Index provides investors with a comprehensive means of measuring the performance of the most liquid large- and mid-cap companies in the emerging markets. The index is derived from the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (GEIS), which covers 99% of the world’s investable market capitalization. The series includes large and mid cap securities from advanced and secondary emerging markets, classified in accordance with FTSE Russell’s transparent Country Classification Review Process.

 

The MSCI ACWI Index, MSCI’s flagship global equity index, is designed to represent performance of the full opportunity set of large- and mid-cap stocks across 23 developed and 27 emerging markets. As of June 2021, it covers more than 2,900 constituents across 11 sectors and approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each market. The index is built using MSCI’s Global Investable Market Index (GIMI) methodology, which is designed to take into account variations reflecting conditions across regions, marketcap sizes, sectors, style segments and combinations.

 

The Cboe Volatility Index® is a calculation designed to produce a measure of constant, 30-day expected volatility of the U.S. stock market, derived from real-time, mid-quote prices of S&P 500® Index (SPX℠) call and put options. On a global 

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basis, it is one of the most recognized measures of volatility — widely reported by financial media and closely followed by a variety of market participants as a daily market indicator.

 

You cannot invest directly in an index and unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. Past Performance is no guarantee of future results. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and current performance may be lower or higher than the data quoted.

 

5466-NLD-07212021

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TOPS® Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio
Portfolio Review (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

Average Annual Total Return through June 30, 2021*, as compared to its benchmark:

 

          Performance Since Performance Since Since
  Six One Five Ten Inception Inception Inception
  Months Year Year Year (6/9/11)** (5/1/12)*** (7/22/15)****
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio              
Class 1 6.58% 17.92% 6.91% 5.10% 5.19% N/A N/A
Class 2 6.44% 17.59% 6.65% 4.85% 4.93% N/A N/A
Class 3 6.41% 17.49% 6.54% N/A N/A 4.96% N/A
Class 4 6.28% 17.23% 6.28% N/A N/A 4.57% N/A
Investor Class 6.06% 16.44% 6.28% N/A N/A N/A 4.80%
S&P 500 Total Return Index ***** 15.25% 40.79% 17.65% 14.84% 15.04% 15.28% 14.92%

 

*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. Per the fee table in the most recent prospectuses, the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios including acquired fund fees and expenses, for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, and Investor Class are 0.50%, 0.75%, 0.85%, 1.10%, and 1.00% respectively. For performance information current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-855-572-5945.

 

**Class 1 and Class 2’s inception date was June 9, 2011.

 

***Class 3 and Class 4’s inception date was May 1, 2012.

 

****Investor Class’s inception date was July 22, 2015.

 

*****The S&P 500 Total Return Index is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index of 500 of the largest capitalized U.S. domiciled companies. 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 as of June 30, 2021  % of Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds - Equity   44.9%
Exchange-Traded Funds - Fixed Income   43.2%
Other Assets and Liabilities - net/Short-Term Investments   11.9%
    100.0%

 

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this semi-annual report for a detailed listing of the Portfolio’s holdings.

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TOPS® Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio
Portfolio Review (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

Average Annual Total Return through June 30, 2021*, as compared to its benchmark:

 

          Performance Since Performance Since Since
  Six One Five Ten Inception Inception Inception
  Months Year Year Year (4/26/11)** (5/1/12)*** (7/22/15)****
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio              
Class 1 9.90% 25.75% 8.95% 5.66% 5.41% N/A N/A
Class 2 9.86% 25.56% 8.69% 5.41% 5.16% N/A N/A
Class 3 9.74% 25.34% 8.57% N/A N/A 5.71% N/A
Class 4 9.64% 25.10% 8.32% N/A N/A 5.57% N/A
Investor Class 9.40% 24.20% 8.30% N/A N/A N/A 5.45%
S&P 500 Total Return Index ***** 15.25% 40.79% 17.65% 14.84% 14.38% 15.28% 14.92%

 

*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. Per the fee table in the most recent prospectuses, the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios including acquired fund fees and expenses, for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, and Investor Class are 0.49%, 0.74%, 0.84%, 1.09%, and 0.99% respectively. For performance information current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-855-572-5945.

 

**Class 1 and Class 2’s inception date was April 26, 2011.

 

***Class 3 and Class 4’s inception date was May 1, 2012.

 

****Investor Class’s inception date was July 22, 2015.

 

*****The S&P 500 Total Return Index is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index of 500 of the largest capitalized U.S. domiciled companies. 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 as of June 30, 2021  % of Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds - Equity   76.5%
Exchange-Traded Funds - Fixed Income   11.7%
Other Assets and Liabilities - net/Short-Term Investments   11.8%
    100.0%

 

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this semi-annual report for a detailed listing of the Portfolio’s holdings.

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TOPS® Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio
Portfolio Review (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

Average Annual Total Return through June 30, 2021*, as compared to its benchmark:

 

          Performance Since Performance Since Since
  Six One Five Ten Inception Inception Inception
  Months Year Year Year (6/9/11)** (5/1/12)*** (7/22/15)****
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio              
Class 1 8.46% 22.54% 8.30% 5.73% 5.85% N/A N/A
Class 2 8.33% 22.19% 8.03% 5.49% 5.61% N/A N/A
Class 3 8.27% 22.15% 7.93% N/A N/A 5.66% N/A
Class 4 8.14% 21.83% 7.64% N/A N/A 5.42% N/A
Investor Class 8.05% 20.95% 7.62% N/A N/A N/A 5.31%
S&P 500 Total Return Index ***** 15.25% 40.79% 17.65% 14.84% 15.04% 15.28% 14.92%

 

*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 share as well as other charges and expenses of the insurance contract, or separate account. Per the fee table in the most recent prospectuses, the Portfolio’s total annual operating expense ratios including acquired fund fees and expenses, for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, and Investor Class are 0.49%, 0.74%, 0.84%, 1.09%, and 0.99% respectively. For performance information current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-855-572-5945.

 

**Class 1 and Class 2’s inception date was June 9, 2011.

 

***Class 3 and Class 4’s inception date was May 1, 2012.

 

****Investor Class’s inception date was July 22, 2015.

 

*****The S&P 500 Total Return Index is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index of 500 of the largest capitalized U.S. domiciled companies. 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 as of June 30, 2021  % of Net Assets 
Exchange-Traded Funds - Equity   58.4%
Exchange-Traded Funds - Fixed Income   29.8%
Other Assets and Liabilities - net/Short-Term Investments   11.8%
    100.0%

 

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this semi-annual report for a detailed listing of the Portfolio’s holdings.

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TOPS® Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio
Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

Shares      Fair Value 
     EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 88.1%     
     EQUITY - 44.9%     
 336,021   FlexShares Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund(a)  $12,866,244 
 452,919   SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF   21,382,306 
 136,421   SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF(a)   8,590,431 
 760,006   SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF   30,050,637 
 390,386   SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF   17,153,561 
 661,143   Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF   34,062,087 
 470,349   Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF   25,544,654 
 218,864   Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF   12,772,903 
 125,351   Vanguard Real Estate ETF   12,759,478 
 97,856   Vanguard S&P 500 ETF   38,508,294 
         213,690,595 
     FIXED INCOME - 43.2%     
 255,874   iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF(a)   34,379,231 
 559,173   SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF   17,138,652 
 685,338   SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF   21,451,079 
 407,031   VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF   12,772,633 
 189,936   Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF   12,879,560 
 161,545   Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF   8,621,657 
 983,180   Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF   51,528,463 
 418,767   Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF   25,724,857 
 75,078   Vanguard Total International Bond ETF(a)   4,286,954 
 425,664   Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF(a)   17,158,516 
         205,941,602 
           
     TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS (Cost $334,530,221)   419,632,197 

 

Shares      Fair Value 
     SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 20.3%     
     COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED - 8.8%     
 41,953,087   STIT - Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03% (Cost $41,953,087)(b)   41,953,087 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements. 

10

 

TOPS® Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio
Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

Shares      Fair Value 
     SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 20.3% (Continued)     
     MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 11.5%     
 54,616,809   STIT - Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03% (Cost $54,616,809)(b)  $54,616,809 
           
     TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $96,569,896)   96,569,896 
           
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 108.4% (Cost $431,100,117)  $516,202,093 
     LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS - (8.4)%   (39,975,081)
     NET ASSETS - 100.0%  $476,227,012 

 

OPEN FUTURES CONTRACTS
Number of         Notional    Unrealized Appreciation 
Contracts   Open Long Futures Contracts  Expiration   Amount(c)    (Depreciation) 
 209   CBOT 5 Year US Treasury Note Futures  09/30/2021  $25,796,870   $(78,309)
 17   CME E-Mini Russell 2000 Index Futures  09/17/2021   1,961,630    1,742 
 46   CME E-Mini Standard & Poor’s 500 Index Futures  09/17/2021   9,863,780    137,425 
 12   CME E-Mini Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index Futures  09/17/2021   3,230,880    (39,900)
 42   ICE US Mini MSCI EAFE Index Futures  09/17/2021   4,838,610    (115,500)
 65   ICE US MSCI Emerging Markets EM Index Futures  09/17/2021   4,435,600    (4,225)
     TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS          $(98,767)

 

ETF- Exchange-Traded Fund

 

FTSE- Financial Times Stock Exchange

 

SPDR- Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt

 

(a)All or a portion of this security is on loan. Total loaned securities had a value of $55,042,182 at June 30, 2021. The loaned securities were secured with cash collateral of $41,953,087 and non-cash collateral of $14,277,326. The non-cash collateral consists of short-term investments and long-term bonds and is held for benefit of the Portfolio at the Portfolio’s custodian. The Portfolio cannot pledge or resell the collateral.

 

(b)Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of June 30, 2021.

 

(c)The amounts shown are the underlying reference notional amounts to stock exchange indices and equities upon which the fair value of the futures contracts held by the Portfolio are based. Notional values do not represent the current fair value of, and are not necessarily indicative of the future cash flows of the Portfolio’s futures contracts. Further, the underlying price changes in relation to the variables specified by the notional values affects the fair value of these derivative financial instruments. The notional values as set forth within this schedule do not purport to represent economic value at risk to the Portfolio.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements. 

11

 

TOPS® Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio
Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

Shares      Fair Value 
     EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 88.2%     
     EQUITY - 76.5%     
 769,173   FlexShares Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund  $29,451,634 
 1,713,945   SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF   80,915,343 
 468,431   SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF   29,497,100 
 931,986   SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF   36,850,726 
 1,340,432   SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF   58,898,582 
 2,411,976   Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF   124,265,005 
 1,211,279   Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF   65,784,562 
 375,740   Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF   21,928,186 
 143,473   Vanguard Real Estate ETF   14,604,117 
 391,991   Vanguard S&P 500 ETF   154,256,299 
 174,083   Wisdomtree Emerging Markets EX-State-Owned Enterprises Fund   7,323,672 
         623,775,226 
     FIXED INCOME - 11.7%     
 109,822   iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF(a)   14,755,684 
 465,888   VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF   14,619,565 
 137,604   Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF   7,343,925 
 421,977   Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF   22,115,815 
 239,645   Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF   14,721,392 
 548,499   Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF(a)   22,109,995 
         95,666,376 
           
     TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS (Cost $487,724,750)   719,441,602 

 

Shares      Fair Value 
     SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 16.0%     
     COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED - 4.5%     
 36,468,330   STIT - Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03% (Cost $36,468,330)(b)   36,468,330 
           
     MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 11.5%     
 93,645,280   STIT - Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03% (Cost $93,645,280)(b)   93,645,280 
           
     TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $130,113,610)   130,113,610 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements. 

12

 

TOPS® Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio
Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

Shares        Fair Value 
        TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 104.2% (Cost $617,838,360)  $849,555,212 
        LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS - (4.2)%   (34,309,784)
        NET ASSETS - 100.0%  $815,245,428 

 

OPEN FUTURES CONTRACTS
Number of         Notional   Unrealized Appreciation 
Contracts   Open Long Futures Contracts  Expiration  Amount(c)   (Depreciation) 
 106   CBOT 5 Year US Treasury Note Futures  09/30/2021  $13,083,580   $(39,717)
 58   CME E-Mini Russell 2000 Index Futures  09/17/2021   6,692,620    5,945 
 120   CME E-Mini Standard & Poor’s 500 Index Futures  09/17/2021   25,731,600    358,500 
 37   CME E-Mini Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index Futures  09/17/2021   9,961,880    (123,025)
 133   ICE US Mini MSCI EAFE Index Futures  09/17/2021   15,322,265    (365,750)
 166   ICE US MSCI Emerging Markets EM Index Futures  09/17/2021   11,327,840    (10,790)
     TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS   $(174,837)

 

ETF- Exchange-Traded Fund

 

FTSE- Financial Times Stock Exchange

 

SPDR- Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt

 

(a)All or a portion of this security is on loan. Total loaned securities had a value of $36,387,202 at June 30, 2021. The loaned securities were secured with cash collateral of $36,468,330 and non-cash collateral of $712,149. The non-cash collateral consists of short-term investments and long-term bonds and is held for benefit of the Portfolio at the Portfolio’s custodian. The Portfolio cannot pledge or resell the collateral.

 

(b)Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of June 30, 2021.

 

(c)The amounts shown are the underlying reference notional amounts to stock exchange indices and equities upon which the fair value of the futures contracts held by the Portfolio are based. Notional values do not represent the current fair value of, and are not necessarily indicative of the future cash flows of the Portfolio’s futures contracts. Further, the underlying price changes in relation to the variables specified by the notional values affects the fair value of these derivative financial instruments. The notional values as set forth within this schedule do not purport to represent economic value at risk to the Portfolio.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements. 

13

 

TOPS® Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio
Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

Shares      Fair Value 
     EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 88.2%     
     EQUITY - 58.4%     
 763,970   FlexShares Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund  $29,252,411 
 1,238,089   SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF   58,450,182 
 232,636   SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF   14,649,089 
 555,411   SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Value ETF   21,960,951 
 998,530   SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF   43,875,408 
 1,691,069   Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF   87,123,875 
 935,718   Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF   50,818,844 
 373,202   Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF   21,780,069 
 142,503   Vanguard Real Estate ETF   14,505,380 
 333,723   Vanguard S&P 500 ETF   131,326,675 
         473,742,884 
     FIXED INCOME - 29.8%     
 272,697   iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF(a)   36,639,569 
 2,103,541   SPDR Portfolio Short Term Corporate Bond ETF   65,840,834 
 462,730   VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF   14,520,467 
 107,672   Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF   7,301,238 
 273,088   Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF   14,574,707 
 838,254   Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF   43,932,892 
 237,245   Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF   14,573,960 
 128,681   Vanguard Total International Bond ETF(a)   7,347,685 
 907,298   Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF(a)   36,573,182 
         241,304,534 
           
     TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS (Cost $531,859,631)   715,047,418 

 

Shares      Fair Value 
     SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 15.1%     
     COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED - 3.7%     
 29,875,008   STIT - Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03% (Cost $29,875,008)(b)   29,875,008 
           
     MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 11.4%     
 92,964,020   STIT - Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03% (Cost $92,964,020)(b)   92,964,020 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements. 

14

 

TOPS® Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio
Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

Shares        Fair Value 
        SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 15.1% (Continued)     
        TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $122,839,028)  $122,839,028 
              
        TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 103.3% (Cost $654,698,659)  $837,886,446 
        LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS - (3.3)%   (27,049,637)
        NET ASSETS - 100.0%  $810,836,809 

 

OPEN FUTURES CONTRACTS
Number of         Notional    Unrealized Appreciation 
Contracts   Open Long Futures Contracts  Expiration  Amount(c)    (Depreciation) 
 247   CBOT 5 Year US Treasury Note Futures  09/30/2021  $30,487,210   $(92,548)
 43   CME E-Mini Russell 2000 Index Futures  09/17/2021   4,961,770    4,407 
 96   CME E-Mini Standard & Poor’s 500 Index Futures  09/17/2021   20,585,280    286,801 
 29   CME E-Mini Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index Futures  09/17/2021   7,807,960    (96,425)
 103   ICE US Mini MSCI EAFE Index Futures  09/17/2021   11,866,115    (283,250)
 129   ICE US MSCI Emerging Markets EM Index Futures  09/17/2021   8,802,960    (8,385)
     TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS   $(189,400)

 

ETF- Exchange-Traded Fund

 

FTSE- Financial Times Stock Exchange

 

SPDR- Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt

 

(a)All or a portion of this security is on loan. Total loaned securities had a value of $75,241,686 at June 30, 2021. The loaned securities were secured with cash collateral of $29,875,008 and non-cash collateral of $47,029,635. The non-cash collateral consists of short-term investments and long-term bonds and is held for benefit of the Portfolio at the Portfolio’s custodian. The Portfolio cannot pledge or resell the collateral.

 

(b)Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of June 30, 2021.

 

(c)The amounts shown are the underlying reference notional amounts to stock exchange indices and equities upon which the fair value of the futures contracts held by the Portfolio are based. Notional values do not represent the current fair value of, and are not necessarily indicative of the future cash flows of the Portfolio’s futures contracts. Further, the underlying price changes in relation to the variables specified by the notional values affects the fair value of these derivative financial instruments. The notional values as set forth within this schedule do not purport to represent economic value at risk to the Portfolio.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

15

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

   Managed Risk   Managed Risk   Managed Risk 
   Balanced   Growth   Moderate Growth 
Assets:  ETF Portfolio   ETF Portfolio   ETF Portfolio 
Investments in securities, at cost  $431,100,117   $617,838,360   $654,698,659 
Investments in securities, at value (Securities on loan $55,042,182, $36,387,202 and $75,241,686, respectively)  $516,202,093   $849,555,212   $837,886,446 
Deposits with Broker   1,509,825    4,002,547    3,233,645 
Receivable for securities sold   1,811,984    4,136,433    3,385,991 
Receivable for Portfolio shares sold   894,445    161,510    578,356 
Unrealized appreciation on future contracts   139,167    364,445    291,208 
Interest and dividends receivable   132,734    531,429    452,249 
Total Assets   520,690,248    858,751,576    845,827,895 
Liabilities:               
Collateral on securities loaned   41,953,087    36,468,330    29,875,008 
Payable for Portfolio shares redeemed   163,661    579,681    158,230 
Payable for securities purchased   1,838,448    5,468,281    4,020,499 
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts   237,934    539,282    480,608 
Accrued distribution (12b-1) fees   107,573    175,072    183,068 
Accrued investment advisory fees   118,201    201,522    198,951 
Payable to related parties and administrative service fees   44,332    73,980    74,722 
Total Liabilities   44,463,236    43,506,148    34,991,086 
Net Assets  $476,227,012   $815,245,428   $810,836,809 
                
Components of Net Assets:               
Paid in capital  $388,161,166   $613,332,337   $628,358,131 
Accumulated earnings   88,065,846    201,913,091    182,478,678 
Net Assets  $476,227,012   $815,245,428   $810,836,809 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

16

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

   Managed Risk   Managed Risk   Managed Risk 
   Balanced   Growth   Moderate Growth 
   ETF Portfolio   ETF Portfolio   ETF Portfolio 
Class 1 Shares:               
Net assets  $157,734   $30,550,636   $1,181,994 
Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding at end of period ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)   12,480    2,350,980    88,643 
                
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets ÷ Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding)  $12.64   $12.99   $13.33 
                
Class 2 Shares:               
Net assets  $384,552,393   $629,931,378   $638,840,726 
Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding at end of period ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)   30,617,124    48,770,599    48,137,503 
                
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets ÷ Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding)  $12.56   $12.92   $13.27 
                
Class 3 Shares:               
Net assets  $84,135,884   $150,033,275   $163,706,170 
Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding at end of period ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)   6,669,923    11,676,202    12,386,295 
                
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets ÷ Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding)  $12.61   $12.85   $13.22 
                
Class 4 Shares:               
Net assets  $7,380,985   $4,730,123   $6,594,310 
Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding at end of period ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)   597,534    365,014    501,328 
                
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets ÷ Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding)  $12.35   $12.96   $13.15 
                
Investor Class Shares:               
Net assets  $16   $16   $513,609 
Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding at end of period ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)   1    1    36,461 
                
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets ÷ Total shares of beneficial interest outstanding)  $13.31 (a)  $13.50 (a)  $14.09 

                 

(a)NAV does not recalculate due to rounding of net assets.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

17

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

 

   Managed Risk   Managed Risk   Managed Risk 
   Balanced   Growth   Moderate Growth 
   ETF Portfolio   ETF Portfolio   ETF Portfolio 
Investment Income:               
Dividend income  $3,101,253   $5,913,316   $5,669,831 
Interest income   6,799    7,323    9,473 
Securities lending income - net   106,969    104,520    151,930 
Total Investment Income   3,215,021    6,025,159    5,831,234 
Expenses:               
Investment advisory fees   712,343    1,207,302    1,204,076 
Distribution fees (12b-1)               
Class 2 Shares   479,314    775,532    791,403 
Class 3 Shares   146,343    262,789    282,550 
Class 4 Shares   23,000    14,074    19,980 
Investor Shares           824 
Related parties and administrative service fees   242,865    407,852    406,776 
Total Expenses   1,603,865    2,667,549    2,705,609 
Net Investment Income   1,611,156    3,357,610    3,125,625 
                
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts:               
Net realized gain (loss) on:               
Investments   10,344,011    28,407,705    21,903,767 
Futures contracts   1,361,423    (5,700,198)   1,753,375 
Total net realized gain   11,705,434    22,707,507    23,657,142 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:               
Investments   17,337,207    51,564,203    39,234,468 
Futures contracts   (754,317)   (1,896,977)   (1,573,764)
Total unrealized appreciation   16,582,890    49,667,226    37,660,704 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments and Futures Contracts   28,288,324    72,374,733    61,317,846 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $29,899,480   $75,732,343   $64,443,471 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

18

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio 
   Six Months Ended     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:          
From Operations:          
Net investment income  $1,611,156   $5,015,202 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   11,705,434    (13,035,225)
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and futures contracts   16,582,890    32,326,083 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   29,899,480    24,306,060 
From Distributions to Shareholders:          
Total Distributions Paid          
Class 1       (5,373)
Class 2       (13,352,114)
Class 3       (2,826,328)
Class 4       (288,954)
Investor       (0) (a)
Total distributions to shareholders       (16,472,769)
From Shares of Beneficial Interest:          
Proceeds from shares sold          
Class 2   10,582,258    18,413,961 
Class 3   2,462,312    5,363,937 
Class 4   152,990    82,374 
Reinvestment of distributions          
Class 1       5,373 
Class 2       13,352,114 
Class 3       2,826,327 
Class 4       288,954 
Investor Class       0 (a)
Cost of shares redeemed          
Class 1   (120)   (240)
Class 2   (33,116,216)   (64,403,467)
Class 3   (6,455,003)   (15,413,079)
Class 4   (1,350,076)   (2,444,149)
Net decrease in net assets from share transactions of beneficial interest   (27,723,855)   (41,927,895)
Total Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets   2,175,625    (34,094,604)
           
Net Assets:          
Beginning of period   474,051,387    508,145,991 
End of period  $476,227,012   $474,051,387 

           

(a)Represents less than $1.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

19

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

   Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio 
   Six Months Ended     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020 
SHARE ACTIVITY        
Class 1        
Shares Reinvested       493 
Shares Redeemed   (10)   (21)
Net increase (decrease) in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (10)   472 
           
Class 2          
Shares Sold   865,524    1,644,551 
Shares Reinvested       1,231,745 
Shares Redeemed   (2,703,435)   (5,776,639)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (1,837,911)   (2,900,343)
           
Class 3          
Shares Sold   200,611    477,923 
Shares Reinvested       259,296 
Shares Redeemed   (523,695)   (1,375,384)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (323,084)   (638,165)
           
Class 4          
Shares Sold   12,807    7,314 
Shares Reinvested       27,030 
Shares Redeemed   (112,506)   (219,263)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (99,699)   (184,919)
           
Investor          
Shares Reinvested       0 (b)
Net increase in shares of beneficial interest outstanding       0 (b)

         

(b)Represents less than one share

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

20

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

   Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio 
   Six Months Ended     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:          
From Operations:          
Net investment income  $3,357,610   $8,324,725 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   22,707,507    (50,631,244)
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and futures contracts   49,667,226    78,109,427 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   75,732,343    35,802,908 
From Distributions to Shareholders:          
Total Distributions Paid          
Class 1       (664,474)
Class 2       (12,388,765)
Class 3       (2,920,953)
Class 4       (81,363)
Investor       (0) (a)
Total distributions to shareholders       (16,055,555)
From Shares of Beneficial Interest:          
Proceeds from shares sold          
Class 1   4,937    378,023 
Class 2   10,648,504    21,981,934 
Class 3   1,636,469    3,432,665 
Class 4   33,754    46,660 
Reinvestment of distributions          
Class 1       664,474 
Class 2       12,388,764 
Class 3       2,920,953 
Class 4       81,363 
Investor Class       0 (a)
Cost of shares redeemed          
Class 1   (808,426)   (3,076,272)
Class 2   (52,552,538)   (88,113,133)
Class 3   (15,459,467)   (23,343,893)
Class 4   (328,678)   (725,805)
Net decrease in net assets from share transactions of beneficial interest   (56,825,445)   (73,364,267)
Total Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets   18,906,898    (53,616,914)
           
Net Assets:          
Beginning of period   796,338,530    849,955,444 
End of period  $815,245,428   $796,338,530 

           

(a)Represents less than $1.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

21

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

   Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio 
   Six Months Ended     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020 
SHARE ACTIVITY          
Class 1          
Shares Sold   378    37,060 
Shares Reinvested       63,163 
Shares Redeemed   (64,849)   (281,167)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (64,471)   (180,944)
           
Class 2          
Shares Sold   847,411    2,047,124 
Shares Reinvested       1,182,134 
Shares Redeemed   (4,230,441)   (8,133,456)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (3,383,030)   (4,904,198)
           
Class 3          
Shares Sold   130,837    327,579 
Shares Reinvested       280,053 
Shares Redeemed   (1,247,425)   (2,140,664)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (1,116,588)   (1,533,032)
           
Class 4          
Shares Sold   2,766    4,257 
Shares Reinvested       7,719 
Shares Redeemed   (26,198)   (65,893)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (23,432)   (53,917)
           
Investor          
Shares Reinvested       0 (b)
Net increase in shares of beneficial interest outstanding       0 (b)

         

(b)Represents less than one share

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

22

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

   Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio 
   Six Months Ended     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:          
From Operations:          
Net investment income  $3,125,625   $8,813,642 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   23,657,142    (31,192,772)
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and futures contracts   37,660,704    63,848,584 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   64,443,471    41,469,454 
From Distributions to Shareholders:          
Total Distributions Paid          
Class 1       (35,918)
Class 2       (18,828,342)
Class 3       (4,700,770)
Class 4       (177,441)
Investor       (0) (a)
Total distributions to shareholders       (23,742,471)
From Shares of Beneficial Interest:          
Proceeds from shares sold          
Class 1   188,410     
Class 2   7,312,006    17,006,219 
Class 3   3,520,135    3,716,608 
Class 4   197,000    91,841 
Investor   493,679     
Reinvestment of distributions          
Class 1       35,918 
Class 2       18,828,341 
Class 3       4,700,770 
Class 4       177,441 
Investor Class       0 (a)
Cost of shares redeemed          
Class 1   (216,337)   (61,796)
Class 2   (48,901,461)   (93,665,734)
Class 3   (12,637,933)   (24,035,316)
Class 4   (779,405)   (1,207,469)
Investor   (3,012)    
Net decrease in net assets from share transactions of beneficial interest   (50,826,918)   (74,413,177)
Total Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets   13,616,553    (56,686,194)
           
Net Assets:          
Beginning of period   797,220,256    853,906,450 
End of period  $810,836,809   $797,220,256 

           

(a)Represents less than $1.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

23

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)

 

   Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio 
   Six Months Ended     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020 
SHARE ACTIVITY          
Class 1          
Shares Sold   14,350     
Shares Reinvested       3,239 
Shares Redeemed   (16,436)   (5,499)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (2,086)   (2,260)
           
Class 2          
Shares Sold   565,234    1,488,051 
Shares Reinvested       1,702,382 
Shares Redeemed   (3,807,780)   (8,168,258)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (3,242,546)   (4,977,825)
           
Class 3          
Shares Sold   273,053    326,437 
Shares Reinvested       426,567 
Shares Redeemed   (986,758)   (2,099,978)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (713,705)   (1,346,974)
           
Class 4          
Shares Sold   15,348    7,884 
Shares Reinvested       16,146 
Shares Redeemed   (61,274)   (105,402)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   (45,926)   (81,372)
           
Investor          
Shares Sold   36,678     
Shares Reinvested       0 (b)
Shares Redeemed   (218)    
Net increase in shares of beneficial interest outstanding   36,460    0 (b)

         

(b)Represents less than one share

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

24

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 1 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.86   $11.63   $10.70   $12.25   $11.26   $10.75 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.06    0.16    0.23    0.24    0.20    0.18 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.72    0.52    1.32    (0.92)   1.02    0.50 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   0.78    0.68    1.55    (0.68)   1.22    0.68 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.29)   (0.29)   (0.24)   (0.21)   (0.17)
Net realized gain       (0.16)   (0.33)   (0.63)   (0.02)    
Total distributions       (0.45)   (0.62)   (0.87)   (0.23)   (0.17)
Net asset value, end of period  $12.64   $11.86   $11.63   $10.70   $12.25   $11.26 
Total return (c)   6.58% (e)   6.17%   14.81%   (5.81)%   10.90%   6.39%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $158   $148   $140   $246   $411   $511 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   0.40% (f)   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.96% (f)   1.38%   2.04%   2.03%   1.74%   1.62%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (e)   27%   36%   48%   30%   16%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

25

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 2 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.80   $11.57   $10.64   $12.18   $11.20   $10.68 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.04    0.13    0.22    0.23    0.18    0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.72    0.52    1.30    (0.93)   1.00    0.50 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   0.76    0.65    1.52    (0.70)   1.18    0.66 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.26)   (0.26)   (0.21)   (0.18)   (0.14)
Net realized gain       (0.16)   (0.33)   (0.63)   (0.02)    
Total distributions       (0.42)   (0.59)   (0.84)   (0.20)   (0.14)
Net asset value, end of period  $12.56   $11.80   $11.57   $10.64   $12.18   $11.20 
Total return (c)   6.44% (e)   5.90%   14.55%   (6.04)%   10.58%   6.22%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $384,552   $382,900   $409,218   $415,533   $512,670   $511,731 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   0.65% (f)   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.70% (f)   1.10%   1.97%   1.91%   1.57%   1.50%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (e)   27%   36%   48%   30%   16%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

26

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 3 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.85   $11.63   $10.69   $12.24   $11.25   $10.75 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.04    0.11    0.22    0.22    0.18    0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.72    0.52    1.30    (0.94)   1.01    0.49 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   0.76    0.63    1.52    (0.72)   1.19    0.65 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.25)   (0.25)   (0.20)   (0.18)   (0.15)
Net realized gain       (0.16)   (0.33)   (0.63)   (0.02)    
Total distributions       (0.41)   (0.58)   (0.83)   (0.20)   (0.15)
Net asset value, end of period  $12.61   $11.85   $11.63   $10.69   $12.24   $11.25 
Total return (c)   6.41% (e)   5.66%   14.48%   (6.15)%   10.58%   6.02%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $84,136   $82,899   $88,729   $85,937   $96,698   $86,999 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   0.75% (f)   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.60% (f)   1.00%   1.90%   1.84%   1.49%   1.47%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (e)   27%   36%   48%   30%   16%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

27

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 4 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.62   $11.40   $10.49   $12.02   $11.05   $10.54 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.02    0.08    0.18    0.18    0.14    0.12 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.71    0.51    1.28    (0.92)   0.99    0.49 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   0.73    0.59    1.46    (0.74)   1.13    0.61 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.21)   (0.22)   (0.16)   (0.14)   (0.10)
Net realized gain       (0.16)   (0.33)   (0.63)   (0.02)    
Total distributions       (0.37)   (0.55)   (0.79)   (0.16)   (0.10)
Net asset value, end of period  $12.35   $11.62   $11.40   $10.49   $12.02   $11.05 
Total return (c)   6.28% (e)   5.46%   14.17%   (6.41)%   10.24%   5.82%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $7,381   $8,104   $10,059   $9,733   $11,531   $11,587 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   1.00% (f)   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.32% (f)   0.74%   1.64%   1.58%   1.21%   1.14%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (e)   27%   36%   48%   30%   16%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

28

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Investor Class Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.55   $12.32   $11.39   $12.17   $11.75   $11.09 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.09    0.09    0.31    0.20    0.18    0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.67    0.56    1.21    (0.15)   0.44    0.50 
Total income from investment operations   0.76    0.65    1.52    0.05    0.62    0.66 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.26)   (0.26)   (0.20)   (0.18)    
Net realized gain       (0.16)   (0.33)   (0.63)   (0.02)    
Total distributions       (0.42)   (0.59)   (0.83)   (0.20)    
Net asset value, end of period (c)  $13.31   $12.55   $12.32   $11.39   $12.17   $11.75 
Total return (d)   6.06% (g)   5.52%   13.64%   (5.67)%   9.81%   5.95%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (e)  $16   $15   $14   $12   $12   $12 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (f)   0.90% (h)   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(f)   0.22% (h)   0.64%   1.54%   1.66%   1.32%   1.25%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (g)   27%   36%   48%   30%   16%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)NAV does not recalculate due to rounding of net assets.

 

(d)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

(e)Rounded net assets, not truncated.

 

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

 

(g)Not annualized.

 

(h)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

29

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 1 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.82   $11.49   $10.73   $12.66   $10.93   $10.53 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.07    0.15    0.25    0.24    0.21    0.19 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   1.10    0.44    1.54    (1.27)   1.74    0.42 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   1.17    0.59    1.79    (1.03)   1.95    0.61 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.26)   (0.26)   (0.23)   (0.22)   (0.21)
Net realized gain           (0.77)   (0.67)        
Total distributions       (0.26)   (1.03)   (0.90)   (0.22)   (0.21)
Net asset value, end of period  $12.99   $11.82   $11.49   $10.73   $12.66   $10.93 
Total return (c)   9.90% (e)   5.46%   17.32%   (8.50)%   17.97%   5.87%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $30,551   $28,548   $29,825   $26,999   $31,412   $28,004 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   0.40% (f)   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   1.11% (f)   1.34%   2.19%   1.96%   1.75%   1.74%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (e)   37%   36%   50%   28%   12%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

30

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 2 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.76   $11.43   $10.67   $12.59   $10.87   $10.47 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.06    0.12    0.22    0.21    0.17    0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   1.10    0.44    1.54    (1.27)   1.74    0.42 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   1.16    0.56    1.76    (1.06)   1.91    0.58 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.23)   (0.23)   (0.19)   (0.19)   (0.18)
Net realized gain           (0.77)   (0.67)        
Total distributions       (0.23)   (1.00)   (0.86)   (0.19)   (0.18)
Net asset value, end of period  $12.92   $11.76   $11.43   $10.67   $12.59   $10.87 
Total return (c)   9.86% (e)   5.19%   17.08%   (8.72)%   17.66%   5.57%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $629,931   $613,432   $652,103   $640,432   $770,385   $752,397 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   0.65% (f)   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.85% (f)   1.10%   1.91%   1.69%   1.46%   1.50%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (e)   37%   36%   50%   28%   12%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

31

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 3 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.71   $11.37   $10.62   $12.54   $10.84   $10.44 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.05    0.11    0.20    0.19    0.16    0.15 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   1.09    0.45    1.53    (1.26)   1.72    0.42 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   1.14    0.56    1.73    (1.07)   1.88    0.57 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.22)   (0.21)   (0.18)   (0.18)   (0.17)
Net realized gain           (0.77)   (0.67)        
Total distributions       (0.22)   (0.98)   (0.85)   (0.18)   (0.17)
Net asset value, end of period  $12.85   $11.71   $11.37   $10.62   $12.54   $10.84 
Total return (c)   9.74% (e)   5.18%   16.93%   (8.84)%   17.45%   5.51%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $150,033   $149,766   $162,948   $159,859   $188,141   $168,368 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   0.75% (f)   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.74% (f)   0.99%   1.81%   1.60%   1.39%   1.44%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (e)   37%   36%   50%   28%   12%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

32

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 4 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.82   $11.48   $10.69   $12.57   $10.85   $10.46 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.03    0.08    0.18    0.15    0.13    0.12 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   1.11    0.45    1.54    (1.25)   1.74    0.41 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   1.14    0.53    1.72    (1.10)   1.87    0.53 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.19)   (0.16)   (0.11)   (0.15)   (0.14)
Net realized gain           (0.77)   (0.67)        
Total distributions       (0.19)   (0.93)   (0.78)   (0.15)   (0.14)
Net asset value, end of period  $12.96   $11.82   $11.48   $10.69   $12.57   $10.85 
Total return (c)   9.64% (e)   4.85%   16.64%   (9.09)%   17.33%   5.15%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $4,730   $4,592   $5,079   $4,833   $11,182   $10,228 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   1.00% (f)   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.50% (f)   0.74%   1.58%   1.23%   1.14%   1.17%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (e)   37%   36%   50%   28%   12%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

33

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Investor Class Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.34   $12.01   $11.25   $12.59   $11.26   $10.68 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.08    0.05    0.25    0.17    0.17    0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   1.08    0.51    1.51    (0.65)   1.35    0.42 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   1.16    0.56    1.76    (0.48)   1.52    0.58 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.23)   (0.23)   (0.19)   (0.19)    
Net realized gain           (0.77)   (0.67)        
Total distributions       (0.23)   (1.00)   (0.86)   (0.19)    
Net asset value, end of period (c)  $13.50   $12.34   $12.01   $11.25   $12.59   $11.26 
Total return (d)   9.40% (g)   4.92%   16.12%   (8.32)%   17.00%   5.43%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (e)  $16   $15   $14   $12   $13   $11 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (f)   0.90% (h)   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(f)   0.40% (h)   0.64%   1.48%   1.44%   1.21%   1.25%
Portfolio turnover rate   4% (g)   37%   36%   50%   28%   12%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)NAV does not recalculate due to rounding of net assets.

 

(d)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

(e)Rounded net assets, not truncated.

 

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

 

(g)Not annualized.

 

(h)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

34

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 1 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.29   $11.99   $11.02   $12.71   $11.34   $10.84 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.07    0.16    0.27    0.25    0.24    0.18 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.97    0.54    1.51    (1.10)   1.36    0.52 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   1.04    0.70    1.78    (0.85)   1.60    0.70 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.30)   (0.30)   (0.24)   (0.23)   (0.20)
Net realized gain       (0.10)   (0.51)   (0.60)        
Total distributions       (0.40)   (0.81)   (0.84)   (0.23)   (0.20)
Net asset value, end of period  $13.33   $12.29   $11.99   $11.02   $12.71   $11.34 
Total return (c)   8.46% (e)   6.20%   16.59%   (7.00)%   14.18%   6.50%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $1,182   $1,116   $1,115   $1,015   $2,389   $1,618 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   0.40% (f)   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   1.06% (f)   1.43%   2.31%   1.98%   1.97%   1.68%
Portfolio turnover rate   3% (e)   32%   35%   38%   30%   13%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

35

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 2 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.25   $11.95   $10.98   $12.66   $11.30   $10.79 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.05    0.13    0.24    0.24    0.19    0.17 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.97    0.54    1.50    (1.11)   1.37    0.51 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   1.02    0.67    1.74    (0.87)   1.56    0.68 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.27)   (0.26)   (0.21)   (0.20)   (0.17)
Net realized gain       (0.10)   (0.51)   (0.60)        
Total distributions       (0.37)   (0.77)   (0.81)   (0.20)   (0.17)
Net asset value, end of period  $13.27   $12.25   $11.95   $10.98   $12.66   $11.30 
Total return (c)   8.33% (e)   5.91%   16.30%   (7.22)%   13.85%   6.31%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $638,841   $629,522   $673,353   $678,295   $826,964   $815,029 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   0.65% (f)   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.80% (f)   1.16%   2.02%   1.86%   1.56%   1.59%
Portfolio turnover rate   3% (e)   32%   35%   38%   30%   13%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

36

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 3 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.21   $11.90   $10.94   $12.63   $11.27   $10.78 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.05    0.12    0.22    0.22    0.18    0.17 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.96    0.54    1.50    (1.11)   1.37    0.49 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   1.01    0.66    1.72    (0.89)   1.55    0.66 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.25)   (0.25)   (0.20)   (0.19)   (0.17)
Net realized gain       (0.10)   (0.51)   (0.60)        
Total distributions       (0.35)   (0.76)   (0.80)   (0.19)   (0.17)
Net asset value, end of period  $13.22   $12.21   $11.90   $10.94   $12.63   $11.27 
Total return (c)   8.27% (e)   5.90%   16.16%   (7.38)%   13.83%   6.14%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $163,706   $159,926   $171,983   $170,062   $191,249   $169,824 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   0.75% (f)   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.70% (f)   1.06%   1.92%   1.79%   1.48%   1.56%
Portfolio turnover rate   3% (e)   32%   35%   38%   30%   13%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

37

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Class 4 Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.16   $11.86   $10.90   $12.57   $11.21   $10.71 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.03    0.09    0.20    0.19    0.15    0.14 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.96    0.53    1.49    (1.10)   1.36    0.48 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   0.99    0.62    1.69    (0.91)   1.51    0.62 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.22)   (0.22)   (0.16)   (0.15)   (0.12)
Net realized gain       (0.10)   (0.51)   (0.60)        
Total distributions       (0.32)   (0.73)   (0.76)   (0.15)   (0.12)
Net asset value, end of period  $13.15   $12.16   $11.86   $10.90   $12.57   $11.21 
Total return (c)   8.14% (e)   5.53%   15.88%   (7.61)%   13.53%   5.84%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $6,594   $6,657   $7,455   $6,905   $8,532   $8,285 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (d)   1.00% (f)   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(d)   0.45% (f)   0.80%   1.70%   1.51%   1.22%   1.24%
Portfolio turnover rate   3% (e)   32%   35%   38%   30%   13%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

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

 

(e)Not annualized.

 

(f)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

38

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
Financial Highlights
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio
 
Selected data based on a share outstanding throughout each period indicated.

 

   Investor Class Shares 
   Six Months Ended                     
   June 30, 2021   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $13.04   $12.74   $11.77   $12.67   $11.89   $11.21 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income (a)(b)   0.07    0.09    0.32    0.20    0.19    0.17 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures contracts   0.98    0.58    1.42    (0.29)   0.79    0.51 
Total income (loss) from investment operations   1.05    0.67    1.74    (0.09)   0.98    0.68 
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income       (0.27)   (0.26)   (0.21)   (0.20)    
Net realized gain       (0.10)   (0.51)   (0.60)        
Total distributions       (0.37)   (0.77)   (0.81)   (0.20)    
Net asset value, end of period  $14.09   $13.04 (f)  $12.74 (f)  $11.77 (f)  $12.67 (f)  $11.89 (f)
Total return (c)   8.05% (g)   5.52%   15.21%   (6.77)%   12.99%   6.07%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (d)  $513,609   $15   $14   $13   $13   $12 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (e)   0.90% (h)   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (b)(e)   1.01% (h)   0.70%   1.60%   1.61%   1.31%   1.34%
Portfolio turnover rate   3% (g)   32%   35%   38%   30%   13%
                               
(a)Net investment income has been calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(b)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.

 

(c)Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.

 

(d)Rounded net assets, not truncated.

 

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

 

(f)NAV does not recalculate due to rounding of net assets.

 

(g)Not annualized.

 

(h)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

39

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

1.ORGANIZATION

 

The TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios (each a “Portfolio”, collectively the “Portfolios”) are comprised of three 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 on November 2, 2005 under the laws of the State of Delaware and 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
   
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio Income and capital appreciation with less volatility than the fixed income and equity markets as a whole.
   
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio Capital appreciation with less volatility than the equity markets as a whole.
   
Managed Risk Moderate Growth Portfolio Capital appreciation with less volatility than the equity markets as a whole.

 

The Portfolios currently offer five classes of shares: Class 1 Shares, Class 2 Shares, Class 3 Shares, Class 4 Shares, and Investor Class Shares. Each class of shares of the Portfolios has identical rights and privileges except 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 preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Portfolios are investment companies and accordingly follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services Investment Companies”, including Accounting Standards Update 2013-08.

 

Securities Valuation – Securities listed on an exchange are valued at the last reported sale price at the close of the regular trading session of the primary 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 mean between the current bid and ask prices on the primary exchange on the day of valuation . The independent pricing service does not distinguish between smaller-sized bond positions known as “odd lots” and larger institutional-sized bond positions known as “round lots”. The Portfolios may fair value a particular bond if the advisor does not believe that the round lot value provided by the independent pricing service reflects fair value of the Portfolios’ holding. Short-term debt obligations having 60 days or less remaining until maturity, at time of purchase, may be valued at amortized cost. Futures and future options are valued at the final settled price or, in the absence of a settled price, at the last sale price on the day of valuation.

40

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

Valuation of Funds of Funds – The Portfolios may invest in portfolios of open-end investment companies. Open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by such investment companies. Open-end investment companies 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 boards of directors of the open-end investment companies.

 

A Portfolio may hold securities, such as private investments, 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 using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value committee composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) advisor and/or sub-advisor. The committee may also enlist third party consultants such as a valuation specialist at a public accounting firm, valuation consultant 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.

 

Fair Valuation Process – As noted above, the fair value committee is composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) advisor and/or sub-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 or sub-advisor, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the advisor or sub-advisor to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an ask price is available; the spread between bid and ask 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 investments or non-traded securities are valued via inputs from the advisor or sub-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 or sub-advisor is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the fair value committee 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.

 

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 Portfolios have the ability to access.

 

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument in an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

41

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Portfolios’ 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.

 

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, 2021 for each Portfolio’s investments measured at fair value:

 

Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio 
                 
Assets*  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $419,632,197   $   $   $419,632,197 
Short-Term Investments   96,569,896            96,569,896 
Derivatives                    
Futures Contracts **   139,167            139,167 
Total  $516,341,260   $   $   $516,341,260 
                     
Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Futures Contracts **  $237,934   $   $   $237,934 
                     
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio 
                 
Assets*  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $719,441,602   $   $   $719,441,602 
Short-Term Investments   130,113,610            130,113,610 
Derivatives                    
Futures Contracts **   364,445            364,445 
Total  $849,919,657   $   $   $849,919,657 
                     
Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Futures Contracts **  $539,282   $   $   $539,282 

42

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio 
                 
Assets*  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Exchange-Traded Funds  $715,047,418   $   $   $715,047,418 
Short-Term Investments   122,839,028            122,839,028 
Derivatives                    
Futures Contracts **   291,208            291,208 
Total  $838,177,654   $   $   $838,177,654 
                     
Liabilities  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Futures Contracts **  $480,608   $   $   $480,608 

 

The Portfolios did not hold any Level 3 securities during the period ended June 30, 2021.

 

*Refer to the Schedule of Investments for security classifications.

 

**Cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts is reported in the above table.

 

Security Transactions and Related Income – Security transactions are accounted for on the 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 the 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 continue 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 its 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 the Portfolios’ tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years ended or expected to be taken in the Portfolios’ December 31, 2021 year-end tax return. Each Portfolio identified its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. federal, Ohio and foreign jurisdictions where the Portfolio makes significant investments. 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.

43

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

Futures Contracts – The Portfolios are subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives. The Portfolios may purchase or sell futures contracts to hedge against market risk and to reduce return volatility. Initial margin deposits required upon entering into futures contracts are satisfied by the segregation of specific securities or cash as collateral for the account of the broker (each Portfolio’s agent in acquiring the futures position). During the period the futures contracts are open, changes in the value of the contracts are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by “marking to market” on a daily basis to reflect the market value of the contracts at the end of each day’s trading. Variation margin payments are received or made depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contracts are closed, a Portfolio recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from, or cost of, the closing transaction and the Portfolio’s basis in the contract. If a Portfolio were unable to liquidate a futures contract and/or enter into an offsetting closing transaction, the Portfolio would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the value of the contracts and continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contracts. Each Portfolio segregates liquid securities having a value at least equal to the amount of the current obligation under any open futures contract. Risks may exceed amounts recognized in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. With futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to a Portfolio since futures are exchange - traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.

 

The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Portfolios’ Statements of Asset and Liabilities as of June 30, 2021:

 

  Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio 
    
       Statement of Assets and Liabilities    Unrealized Appreciation 
  Contract Type/Primary Risk Exposure    Location    (Depreciation) 
  Equity Risk    Unrealized depreciation on future contracts    $(20,458)
  Interest Risk    Unrealized depreciation on future contracts     (78,309)
  Total         $(98,767)
               
  Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio 
    
       Statement of Assets and Liabilities    Unrealized Appreciation 
  Contract Type/Primary Risk Exposure    Location    (Depreciation) 
  Equity Risk    Unrealized depreciation on future contracts    $(135,120)
  Interest Risk    Unrealized depreciation on future contracts     (39,717)
  Total         $(174,837)
               
  Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio 
    
       Statement of Assets and Liabilities    Unrealized Appreciation 
  Contract Type/Primary Risk Exposure    Location    (Depreciation) 
  Equity Risk    Unrealized depreciation on future contracts    $(96,852)
  Interest Risk    Unrealized depreciation on future contracts     (92,548)
  Total         $(189,400)

44

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Portfolios’ Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021:

 

  Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio 
    
                 Realized and Unrealized Gain 
            Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives    (Loss) on Derivatives 
  Derivative Investment Type    Primary Risk Exposure    recognized in income    recognized in income 
  Futures Contracts    Equity Risk    Net realized gain on futures transactions    $1,598,815 
  Futures Contracts    Interest Risk    Net realized loss on futures transactions     (237,392)
  Total              $1,361,423 
                    
  Futures Contracts    Equity Risk    Net change in unrealized depreciation on futures contracts    $(616,762)
  Futures Contracts    Interest Risk    Net change in unrealized depreciation on futures contracts     (137,555)
  Total              $(754,317)
                    
  Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio 
    
                 Realized and Unrealized Gain 
            Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives    (Loss) on Derivatives 
  Derivative Investment Type    Primary Risk Exposure    recognized in income    recognized in income 
  Futures Contracts    Equity Risk    Net realized loss on futures transactions    $(5,537,338)
  Futures Contracts    Interest Risk    Net realized loss on futures transactions     (162,860)
  Total              $(5,700,198)
                    
  Futures Contracts    Equity Risk    Net change in unrealized depreciation on futures contracts    $(1,828,540)
  Futures Contracts    Interest Risk    Net change in unrealized depreciation on futures contracts     (68,437)
  Total              $(1,896,977)
                    
  Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio 
    
                 Realized and Unrealized Gain 
            Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives    (Loss) on Derivatives 
  Derivative Investment Type    Primary Risk Exposure    recognized in income    recognized in income 
  Futures Contracts    Equity Risk    Net realized gain on futures transactions    $2,054,243 
  Futures Contracts    Interest Risk    Net realized loss on futures transactions     (300,868)
  Total              $1,753,375 
                    
  Futures Contracts    Equity Risk    Net change in unrealized depreciation on futures contracts    $(1,414,512)
  Futures Contracts    Interest Risk    Net change in unrealized depreciation on futures contracts     (159,252)
  Total              $(1,573,764)

 

The notional value of the derivative instruments outstanding as of June 30, 2021 as disclosed in the Schedule of Investments and the amounts of realized and changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments during the period as disclosed above and within the Statements of Operations serve as indicators of the volume of derivative activity for each Portfolio.

45

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

Exchange Traded Funds – The Portfolio may invest in exchange traded funds (“ETFs”). An ETF is a type of open-end fund, however, unlike a mutual fund, its shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange at market price and only certain financial institutions called authorized participants may buy and redeem shares of the ETF at net asset value. ETF shares can trade at either a premium or discount to net asset value. Each ETF like a mutual fund is subject to specific risks depending on the type of strategy (actively managed or passively tracking an index) and the composition of its underlying holdings. Investing in an ETF involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the ETF’s underlying holdings. ETFs pay fees and incur operating expenses, which reduce the total return earned by the ETFs from their underlying holdings. An ETF may not achieve its investment objective or execute its investment strategy effectively, which may adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.

 

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.

 

Security Loans – The Portfolios have entered into a securities lending arrangement with The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Borrower”). Under the terms of the agreement, the Portfolios are authorized to loan securities to the Borrower. In exchange, the Portfolios receive cash and securities as collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of the securities loaned. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments as noted in the Schedules of Investments. Securities received as collateral are U.S. government securities; securities received as collateral, if any, are not recognized as portfolio assets. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Portfolios could experience a delay in recovering their securities and possible loss of income or value if the Borrower fails to return them.

 

Gain or loss in the fair value of securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be for the account of each Portfolio. Each Portfolio has the right under the securities lending agreement to recover the securities from the Borrower on demand. If the fair value of the collateral falls below 102% plus accrued interest of the loaned securities, the lender’s agent shall request additional collateral from the Borrower to bring the collateralization back to 102%. Under the terms of the securities lending agreement, each Portfolio is indemnified for such losses by the security lending agreement. Should the Borrower fail financially, the Portfolios have the right to repurchase the securities using the collateral in the open market.

46

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

The following table is a summary of the Portfolios’ securities loaned and related collateral which are subject to a netting agreement as of June 30, 2021:

 

               Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets & 
               Liabilities * 
       Gross   Net Amounts             
       Amounts   of Assets             
   Gross   Offset in the   Presented in             
   Amounts of   Statements of   the Statements   Financial   Pledged     
   Recognized   Assets &   of Assets &   Instruments   Collateral   Net Amount of 
Assets:  Assets   Liabilities   Liabilities   Pledged   Received   Assets 
                               
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio                 
Description:                              
Securities Loaned  $55,042,182   $   $55,042,182   $14,277,326   $40,764,856   $ 
Total  $55,042,182   $   $55,042,182   $14,277,326   $40,764,856   $ 
                               
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio                 
Description:                              
Securities Loaned  $36,387,202   $   $36,387,202   $712,149   $35,675,053   $ 
Total  $36,387,202   $   $36,387,202   $712,149   $35,675,053   $ 
                               
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio                 
Description:                              
Securities Loaned  $75,241,686   $   $75,241,686   $47,029,635   $28,212,051   $ 
Total  $75,241,686   $   $75,241,686   $47,029,635   $28,212,051   $ 

 

*The amount is limited to the derivative asset balance and accordingly, does not include excess collateral pledged.

 

The following table breaks out the holdings received as collateral as of June 30, 2021:

 

Securities Lending Transactions     
Overnight and Continuous     
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio     
STIT - Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class  $41,953,087 
      
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio     
STIT - Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class  $36,468,330 
      
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio     
STIT - Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class  $29,875,008 

 

The fair value of the securities loaned for the Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio, Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio and Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio totaled $55,042,182, $36,387,202 and $75,241,686 at June 30, 2021, respectively. The securities loaned are noted in the Schedules of Investments. The fair value of the “Investments purchased for securities lending collateral” on the Schedule of Investments includes only cash collateral received and reinvested that totaled $41,953,087, $36,468,330 and $29,875,008 for the Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio, Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio and Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio at June 30, 2021, respectively. This amount is offset by a liability recorded as “Collateral on securities loaned.” At June 30, 2021, the Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio, Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio and Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio received non-cash collateral of $14,277,326, $712,149 and $47,029,635, respectively. The non-cash collateral consists of short-term investments and long-term bonds and is held for benefit of a Portfolio at the Portfolio’s custodian. A Portfolio cannot pledge or resell the collateral.

47

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

3.INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, other than short-term investments and government securities, were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Purchases   Sales 
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  $15,726,789   $42,090,456 
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio   28,461,265    92,236,071 
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio   24,703,424    75,020,594 

 

4.INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

 

ValMark Advisers, Inc. serves as the Portfolios’ investment advisor (the “Advisor”). The Advisor has engaged Milliman Financial Risk Management, LLC as the Portfolios’ Sub-Advisor (the “Sub-Advisor”). Pursuant to an advisory agreement with the Trust, the Advisor, under the oversight of the Board, directs the daily 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 0.30% of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between the Advisor and Sub-Advisor, on behalf of the Portfolios, the Advisor, not the Portfolios, pays the Sub-Advisor a fee, which is computed and accrued daily and paid monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Portfolios paid the following in advisory fees.

 

Portfolio  Advisory Fees 
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  $712,343 
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio   1,207,302 
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio   1,204,076 

 

The Trust, with respect to the Portfolios, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan (“12b-1 Plan” or “Plan”) for each of Class 2 shares, Class 3 shares, Class 4 shares, and Investor Class shares. The fee is calculated at an annual rate of 0.25%, 0.35%, 0.60%, and 0.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to each Portfolio’s Class 2 shares, Class 3 shares, Class 4 shares, and Investor Class shares, respectively, 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. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Portfolios paid the following in distribution fees under the Plan.

 

Portfolio  Distribution Fees 
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  $648,657 
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio   1,052,395 
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio   1,094,757 

 

In addition, certain affiliates of the Distributor provide services to the Portfolios as follows:

 

Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”), an affiliate of the Distributor, provides administration, fund accounting, and transfer agent services to the Trust. 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 Expense, Trustees fees and Custody Fees. All operating expenses are paid by GFS from the administrative service fees.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Trustees received fees in the amount $6,768 on behalf of each Portfolio.

48

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

The approved entities may be affiliates of GFS and the Distributor. Certain Officers of the Trust are also Officers of GFS, and are not paid any fees directly by the Portfolios for serving in such capacities.

 

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, 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.

 

Blu Giant, LLC (“Blu Giant”), an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, 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, Blu Giant 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 1940 Act. As of June 30, 2021, ownership percentages of the holders of the voting securities of each Portfolio that may be deemed to control the Portfolio was as follows:

 

Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio   
    
Ohio National Life Insurance Company  83%
    
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio   
    
Ohio National Life Insurance Company  68%
    
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio   
    
Ohio National Life Insurance Company  81%

 

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

 

6.DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL

 

Represents aggregate cost for federal tax purposes for the TOPS Portfolios as of June 30, 2021 and differs from market value by net unrealized appreciation/depreciation which consisted of:

 

       Gross Unrealized   Gross Unrealized   Total Unrealized 
Fund  Aggregate Cost   Appreciation   Depreciation   Appreciation 
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  $436,833,971   $86,675,431   $(7,307,309)  $79,368,122 
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio   631,006,493    233,122,580    (14,573,861)   218,548,719 
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio   665,333,133    184,709,265    (12,155,952)   172,553,313 

49

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

The tax character of the Portfolios distributions paid for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows:

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020:
   Ordinary   Long-Term     
   Income   Capital Gains   Total 
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  $10,728,002   $5,744,767   $16,472,769 
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio   16,055,555        16,055,555 
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio   17,197,505    6,544,966    23,742,471 
                
For the year ended December 31, 2019:
   Ordinary   Long-Term     
   Income   Capital Gains   Total 
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  $13,828,110   $11,611,046   $25,439,156 
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio   27,926,021    42,070,456    69,996,477 
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio   27,820,537    26,176,649    53,997,186 

 

As of December 31, 2020, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   Undistributed   Undistributed   Post October Loss   Capital Loss   Other   Unrealized   Total 
   Ordinary   Long-Term   and   Carry   Book/Tax   Appreciation/   Accumulated 
   Income   Capital Gains   Late Year Loss   Forwards   Differences   (Depreciation)   Earnings/(Deficits) 
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  $5,012,447   $   $   $(8,876,996)  $   $62,030,915   $58,166,366 
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio   8,324,689            (49,128,457)       166,984,516    126,180,748 
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio   8,814,834            (24,098,472)       133,318,845    118,035,207 

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis accumulated net realized gains/ losses, and unrealized appreciation/ depreciation from investments is primarily attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the mark-to-market treatment of Section 1256 futures contracts.

 

At December 31, 2020, the Portfolios had capital loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains as follows:

 

   Non-Expiring         
Portfolio  Short-Term   Long-Term   Total   CLCF Utilized 
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  $2,087,331   $6,789,665   $8,876,996   $ 
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio   13,036,865    36,091,592    49,128,457     
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio   1,698,836    22,399,636    24,098,472     

 

7.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that no events or transactions occurred requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

50

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
EXPENSE EXAMPLES (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

As a shareholder of one or more 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 a 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, 2021 through June 30, 2021.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The “Actual” columns in the tables below provide 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” columns in the tables below provide 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, 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.

 

               Hypothetical
               (5% return before
         Actual  expenses)
   Portfolio’s  Beginning  Ending  Expenses  Ending  Expenses
   Annualized  Account  Account  Paid  Account  Paid
   Expense  Value  Value  During  Value  During
Class 1  Ratio  1-1-21  6-30-21  Period *  6-30-21  Period*
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  0.40%  $1,000.00  $1,065.80  $2.05  $1022.81  $2.01
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio  0.40%  $1,000.00  $1,099.00  $2.08  $1,022.81  $2.01
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio  0.40%  $1,000.00  $1,084.60  $2.07  $1,022.81  $2.01

51

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
EXPENSE EXAMPLES (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

               Hypothetical
               (5% return before
         Actual  expenses)
   Portfolio’s  Beginning  Ending  Expenses  Ending  Expenses
   Annualized  Account  Account  Paid  Account  Paid
   Expense  Value  Value  During  Value  During
Class 2  Ratio  1-1-21  6-30-21  Period *  6-30-21  Period*
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  0.65%  $1,000.00  $1,064.40  $3.33  $1,021.57  $3.26
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio  0.65%  $1,000.00  $1,098.60  $3.38  $1,021.57  $3.26
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio  0.65%  $1,000.00  $1,083.30  $3.36  $1,021.57  $3.26
                   
               Hypothetical
               (5% return before
         Actual  expenses)
   Portfolio’s  Beginning  Ending  Expenses  Ending  Expenses
   Annualized  Account  Account  Paid  Account  Paid
   Expense  Value  Value  During  Value  During
Class 3  Ratio  1-1-21  6-30-21  Period *  6-30-21  Period*
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  0.75%  $1,000.00  $1,064.10  $3.84  $1,021.08  $3.76
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio  0.75%  $1,000.00  $1,097.40  $3.90  $1,021.08  $3.76
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio  0.75%  $1,000.00  $1,082.70  $3.87  $1,021.08  $3.76
                   
               Hypothetical
               (5% return before
         Actual  expenses)
   Portfolio’s  Beginning  Ending  Expenses  Ending  Expenses
   Annualized  Account  Account  Paid  Account  Paid
   Expense  Value  Value  During  Value  During
Class 4  Ratio  1-1-21  6-30-21  Period *  6-30-21  Period*
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  1.00%  $1,000.00  $1,062.80  $5.11  $1,019.84  $5.01
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio  1.00%  $1,000.00  $1,096.40  $5.20  $1,019.84  $5.01
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio  1.00%  $1,000.00  $1,081.40  $5.16  $1,019.84  $5.01

52

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
EXPENSE EXAMPLES (Unaudited) (Continued)
June 30, 2021

 

               Hypothetical
               (5% return before
         Actual  expenses)
   Portfolio’s  Beginning  Ending  Expenses  Ending  Expenses
   Annualized  Account  Account  Paid  Account  Paid
   Expense  Value  Value  During  Value  During
Investor Class  Ratio  1-1-21  6-30-21  Period *  6-30-21  Period*
Managed Risk Balanced ETF Portfolio  0.90%  $1,000.00  $1,060.60  $4.60  $1,020.33  $4.51
Managed Risk Growth ETF Portfolio  0.90%  $1,000.00  $1,094.00  $4.67  $1,020.33  $4.51
Managed Risk Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio  0.90%  $1,000.00  $1,080.50  $4.64  $1,020.33  $4.51

 

*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).

53

 

TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

 

The Portfolios have adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the Investment Company Act. The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Portfolios’ liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, each respective Portfolio’s investment strategy and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; its short and long-term cash flow projections; and its cash holdings and access to other funding sources.

 

During the fiscal six months ended June 30, 2021, the Trust’s Liquidity Risk Management Program Committee (the “Committee”) reviewed the Portfolios’ investments and determined that the Portfolios held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that (i) the Portfolios’ liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Portfolios’ liquidity risk management program has been effectively implemented.

54

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

Northern Lights Variable Trust

Rev. February 2014

 

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 1-631-490-4300

55

 

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 does not share with our 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 doesn’t jointly market.

56

 

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 a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N- PORT, within sixty days after the end of the period. Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The information on Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-572-5945.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISOR
ValMark Advisers, Inc.
130 Springside Drive
Akron, OH 44333
 
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISOR
Milliman Financial Risk Management, LLC
71 S. Wacker Drive, 31st Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
 
ADMINISTRATOR
Gemini Fund Services, LLC
4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100
Elkhorn, NE 68022
 
 
 
TMR-SAR21

 

 

(b)        Not applicable

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

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. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 13. 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/ Kevin E. Wolf

Kevin E. Wolf, Principal Executive Officer/President

 

Date 8/24/2021

 

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/ Kevin E. Wolf

Kevin E. Wolf, Principal Executive Officer/President

 

Date 8/24/2021

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Jim Colantino

Jim Colantino, Principal Financial Officer/Treasurer

 

Date 8/24/2021