N-CSR 1 archerncsr.htm FORM N-CSR


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 811-22356


Archer Investment Series Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


c/o Archer Investment Corporation
11711 N. College Ave., #200, Carmel, IN 46032

 (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code)


c/o Archer Investment Corporation
11711 N. College Ave., #200, Carmel, IN 46032

 (Name and address of agent for service)


With copies to:

C. Richard Ropka, Esq.

Law Office of C. Richard Ropka

215 Fries Mill Road

Turnersville, NJ  08012


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (800)238-7701


Date of fiscal year end: August 31


Date of reporting period: August 31, 2023


Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1).  The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection and policymaking roles.


A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public.  A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number.  Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609.  The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.


Item 1.  Reports to Stockholders.





THE ARCHER FUNDS


BALANCED FUND (ARCHX)

INCOME FUND (ARINX)

STOCK FUND (ARSKX)

DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND (ARDGX)

FOCUS FUND (AFOCX)

MULTICAP FUND (ALSMX)






ANNUAL REPORT






AUGUST 31, 2023








 



ARCHER FUNDS

MANAGERS COMMENTARY

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



To Our Shareholders,


Archer Balanced Fund (ARCHX)


The Archer Balanced fund had a total return of 8.72% for the Year ended August 31, 2023 and 5.12% since inception (September 27, 2005) compared to a total return of 5.64% and 6.94% for the Dow Jones Moderate U.S. Portfolio Index, and 6.48% and 6.00% for the Morningstar Moderate Target Risk Index over the same periods.


Performance Review

The Fund maintained a balance of approximately 70% equities and 30% fixed income throughout the year.  The Fund's investment style has remained consistent within both equities and fixed income by maintaining a tilt towards large-cap value in equities and short- to intermediate-term investment grade companies in fixed income. We are pleased with the performance during what has been a challenging macroeconomic environment and continue to believe the conservative positioning of the Fund is prudent for the style and will reward shareholders over the long term.


Equity Portfolio

We continue to focus our efforts on holding companies with sound balance sheets, steady revenue sources, strong cash flow, and reasonable valuations.  We have also leaned towards companies with shareholder friendly stock buyback and dividend policies, as those returns to shareholders are a positive contributor to long-term performance.  Our focus on companies which can weather economic uncertainty by generating their own liquidity and maintain reasonable balance sheets has been rewarded as monetary policy has abruptly changed.  Artificially low interest rates and dramatically increasing money supply since the start of the pandemic fed investor optimism and pushed valuations on many relatively young, growth stocks to extreme highs.  As the Federal Reserve was forced to address growing inflation, prices of high multiple growth stocks have continued to struggle.  Sectors historically favored by income investors such as Utilities, Financials, and Consumer Staples have been pressured as yields have risen dramatically in the bond markets.  We believe that the market will begin to recognize the value present in several of these beaten down sectors and companies.  We continue to adjust our equity portfolio to changing market conditions and look to reduce risk in the overall portfolio by managing sector and position weightings as market conditions and valuations warrant.  The fund maintains significant weighting in certain segments of the Financial, Industrial, Healthcare, and Technology sectors.


Fixed-Income Portfolio

The fund has maintained a relatively short-term, high-quality position. Our positioning has been rewarded by the market as interest rates have risen sharply throughout the year.  Although there may come a time when it is prudent to do so, the managers believe that the risk added to the portfolio by lengthening duration and/or reducing credit quality does not offer material compensation at present.  We continue to focus on value, sustainability, and patience and we believe it is prudent to avoid strategies that risk the destruction of principal in order to capture short-term income.  A more active Federal Reserve has



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AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



added to volatility in the fixed income markets.  Many companies have weakened their balance sheets by issuing debt over the past several years to fund more stockholder friendly actions.  We feel it is prudent to maintain a more defensive posture by overweighting short- to intermediate-term maturities and keeping a close eye on the credit quality of issuers.  This position may cause periods of short-term relative underperformance but reduces volatility and allows the managers to take advantage of opportunities when the market presents them.


Current Strategy

We will continue to monitor the performance of each security on a case-by-case basis relative to our estimate of fair value.  When we feel the market value of a specific security is beyond a reasonable valuation for the company, we will discontinue holding that security or significantly reduce the size of the position.  There may be companies that have positive outlooks, but we feel the valuation becomes too high to justify staying in at those levels.  If we feel the valuation returns to a “buying” level, we may re-enter into stocks we have once sold.


While investing in the markets, it is important to focus on buying companies with long-term horizons, using a strict fundamental valuation of an individual company and not buying sectors or stocks because they are currently “hot”.  All shareholders are encouraged to invest in the Fund over a long-term horizon.


The fund managers of the Archer Balanced Fund will continue to invest their own dollars in the Fund’s we manage to better align our interests with those we serve.  Our investment strategy does not change and remains focused on uncovering value over the long term.  We believe this portfolio is well positioned and we are confident that our disciplined process will reward our shareholders going forward.  As always, we welcome any comments or questions from shareholders at any time.


The views expressed are those of the investment advisor as of August 31, 2023 and are not intended as a forecast or investment recommendation.


Archer Income Fund (ARINX)


The Archer Income Fund returned 0.99% for the year ended August 31, 2023 and 2.12% from the date of inception on March 11, 2011 compared to -1.19% and 1.86% for the Barclay’s Capital US Aggregate Bond Index and 1.81% and 2.57% for the Barclay’s Intermediate Credit Index over the same time periods.


Performance Review

The Fund opened in March of 2011 and has turned in positive returns during what we would characterize as a volatile market for bond investors since the date of inception.  The bond market continues to present investors with many challenges.  While historically a difficult task under the best circumstances, guessing the direction and magnitude of short-term changes in interest rates has been a fools errand the last few years.  As inflation concerns built in 2019, the Federal Reserve leaned towards more restrictive



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MANAGERS COMMENTARY (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



monetary policy, only to have to pivot to a more accommodative stance as trade related fears crept into the market.  This accommodative trend accelerated dramatically as the pandemic took hold and policy makers were forced to provide fiscal stimulus while the Federal Reserve expanded its balance sheet significantly and promised to keep rates at, or near, zero percent for the foreseeable future.  As it became clear that inflation created by the overwhelming accommodation of the pandemic era was not “transitory”, the Fed was forced to do another about face and begin their most aggressive tightening campaign in decades.  The result has been a sharp repricing of bonds across the curve with yields rising sharply and longer-term bond prices dropping significantly.


We believe one advantage we have over many of our counterpart funds is we plan to hold our positions until they mature.  Our flexibility also enabled us to take advantage of opportunities at steep discounts during the eye of the pandemic-created storm in the financial markets.  The managers believe it is prudent to continue to position the portfolio to protect against interest-rate, default and currency risks.  Our “barbell” approach has allowed us to take advantage of several opportunities presented when others have been forced to sell at attractive discounts, while maintaining liquidity and an effective duration much lower than that of our benchmark indices, resulting in significant outperformance over the past several years.


Archer Stock Fund (ARSKX)


The Archer Stock Fund posted a return of 16.17% for the year ended August 31, 2023 and 8.73% since inception of March 11, 2011.  This compared to a return of 15.94% and 12.62% for the S&P 500 Index for the same periods.


Performance Review

The Archer Stock Fund seeks to maximize capital appreciation by investing in the most attractive equity investment opportunities regardless of company size, sector, industry, or country domicile.  Although managers closely monitor macro-economic conditions, positions in the fund are normally selected on their own merits using company fundamentals and valuation as a guide.  There will be times when this method of selecting securities may lead to the relative over- or underweighting of sectors.  The fund currently maintains relatively large weightings in healthcare, and technology companies.  As of August 31, 2023, the Fund held 39 equity positions and a roughly 1% cash position.  Although there may be times when the Fund holds greater or fewer positions, the managers will strive to limit the holdings of the Fund to 50 holdings.  This results in a concentrated portfolio which can lead to periods of relative underperformance but will reduce turnover of the portfolio in an attempt to create long-term shareholder value.   We continue to seek out companies with strong balance sheets and the opportunity to improve sales and earnings over the long term.








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ARCHER FUNDS

MANAGERS COMMENTARY (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



Archer Dividend Growth Fund (ARDGX)


The Archer Dividend Growth Fund returned -0.59% for the year ended August 31, 2023 and 5.07% from the date of inception on September 1, 2016 compared to a return of 7.56% and 8.61% for the Dow Jones US Large-Cap Value Total Stock Market Index and 2.22% and 3.22% for the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index over the same periods.


Performance Review

The Archer Dividend Growth Fund invests primarily in large and medium sized companies which we believe will provide long-term dividend payment growth for shareholders.  Holdings are weighted towards companies with strong balance sheets and consistently increasing payouts to shareholders selling at an attractive discount to our estimate of fair value.  This relatively deep value strategy has underperformed the broader market in recent years as the performance of many popular indices has been driven by an increasingly small number of high growth companies.  The performance differential widened significantly during post-COVID rally as high growth technology and biotechnology companies attracted investor dollars away from the more stable, dividend paying, value segments of the market.  Recently, the spread has begun to narrow as investors have begun to recognize the value of stable cash flows and predictable business models. Concerns surrounding the banking system early in the year and the recent sharp rise in bond market yields led to relative underperformance, particularly when compared to funds focusing on factors other than dividend payments.


Ultimately, we are confident in our portfolio of companies and believe value will be recognized in our holdings and offer attractive appreciation in addition to the growing dividend income stream.  We believe the Archer Dividend Growth Fund offers an attractive alternative to investors seeking monthly income who are concerned about inflation and the erosion of real income.


Archer Focus Fund (AFOCX) and Archer Multi Cap Fund (ALSMX)


The Archer Focus Fund and the Archer Multi Cap Fund were both launched on December 31, 2019.     The Archer Focus Fund returned 8.25% for the year ended August 31, 2023 and 7.34% from the date of inception on December 31, 2019 compared to a return of 12.58% and 7.82% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index over the same time periods.  The Archer Multi Cap Fund returned 11.75% for the year ended August 31, 2023 and 6.33% from the date of inception on December 31, 2019.  This compares to returns 15.94% & 11.40% for the S&P 500 Index, 5.44% & 6.75% for the S&P 600 Small Cap Index, and 10.66% & 8.67% for the S&P 400 Mid Cap Index over the same periods.


The Archer Focus Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing in financially sound, large and medium-sized companies with dominant franchises. Under normal conditions, the Fund holds a relatively concentrated portfolio of 50 or fewer US common stocks. Potential investments are carefully screened for balance sheet strength,



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ARCHER FUNDS

MANAGERS COMMENTARY (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



sustainable earnings and free cash flow, and durable market position.  The Focus Fund maintained a relatively concentrated portfolio during the year and had 40 equity holdings as of August 31, 2023 with Communication Services, Healthcare, Utilities, and Consumer Defensives making up the largest sector weightings, while Industrials, Basic Materials, and Financials were the smallest portfolio weightings.  We remain confident in our holdings’ ability to weather shifting macroeconomic challenges as we focus on owning relatively large, financially stable companies with long-term earnings power.


The Archer Multi Cap Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing in up to 75 equity positions split evenly between the top 25 small, medium, and large publicly traded US companies at the beginning of each calendar year based on market capitalization. Position sizes are adjusted throughout the year driven by our proprietary quantitative and technical models and rebalanced annually.  As of August 31, 2023 the Multi Cap fund maintained a slight overweighting to larger companies as the fund was allocated roughly 39% large-cap, 30% mid-cap, and 31% small-cap.  Growth continues to be the overwhelming “style factor” of the fund as approximately 45% of holdings are categorized as such.  In terms of sector weightings Technology, Industrials, and Healthcare companies were the largest holdings, while the fund maintained relatively little exposure to Consumer Staples, Real Estate, and Utilities.  The relative overweighting of large companies aided relative performance during the year, but the rapid changes to sector leadership and style factor performance has led to underperformance relative to the blended benchmark since inception. We continue to believe that the relatively balanced market cap exposure provided by the Fund will reward patient shareholders over time.


Troy C. Patton, CPA/ABV

John W. Rosebrough, CFA

Portfolio Managers – The Archer Funds



Annual Report | 5


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

PERFORMANCE ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



  Cumulative Performance Comparison of $10,000 Investment Since Inception *


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Average Annual Total Returns

 

 

For the Periods Ended August 31, 2023

 

 

 

Archer Balanced Fund

Dow Jones Moderate U.S. Portfolio Index

Morningstar Moderate Target Risk Index

1 Year

8.72%

5.64%

6.48%

3 Year

6.34%

4.66%

2.88%

5 Year

5.84%

5.46%

4.67%

10 Year

7.45%

7.31%

5.91%

Since Inception

5.12%

6.94%

6.00%

Value

 $24,467

 $33,340

 $28,443


*This chart assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on September 27, 2005.


Past Performance does not guarantee future results.


Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares.


The Dow Jones Moderate Portfolio is a member of the Dow Jones Relative Risk Indexes that measures the performance of conservative, moderate and aggressive portfolios based on incremental levels of potential risk. The indexes are designed to systematically measure various levels of risk relative to the risk of a U.S. all-stock index. Investors can identify an appropriate benchmark as the index that has the most similar historic risk characteristics.


The Morningstar Moderate Target Risk Index is a member of the Morningstar Target Risk Series that spans the risk spectrum from conservative to aggressive. The indexes can serve as benchmarks to help with target-risk mutual fund selection and evaluation by offering an objective yardstick for performance comparison. Morningstar indexes cover a global set of stocks, bonds, and commodities and are specifically designed to be seamless, investable building blocks that deliver pure asset-class exposure.


Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.  To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call (800) 238-7701.   




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ARCHER INCOME FUND

PERFORMANCE ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



 Cumulative Performance Comparison of $10,000 Investment Since Inception *


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Average Annual Total Returns

 

 

For the Periods Ended August 31, 2023

 

 

 

Archer Income Fund

Bloomberg Barclay's Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Bloomberg Barclay's Intermediate Credit Index

1 Year

0.99%

-1.19%

1.81%

3 Year

-0.67%

-4.41%

-2.18%

5 Year

1.35%

0.49%

1.70%

10 Year

1.92%

1.48%

2.20%

Since Inception *

2.12%

1.86%

2.57%

Value

 $12,993

 $12,581

 $13,732


*This chart assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on March 11, 2011.


Past Performance does not guarantee future results.  


Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares.


The Bloomberg Barclay's Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS, and CMBS.  The U.S. Aggregate Index was created in 1986.


The Bloomberg Barclay's Capital Intermediate Credit Index consists of dollar-denominated, investment-grade, publicly-issued securities with a maturity of between one and ten years and that are issued by both corporate issuers and non-corporate issuers.


Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.  To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call (800) 238-7701.




Annual Report | 7


ARCHER STOCK FUND

PERFORMANCE ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



 Cumulative Performance Comparison of $10,000 Investment Since Inception *


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Average Annual Total Returns

 

 

For the Periods Ended August 31, 2023

 

 

 

Archer Stock Fund

S&P 500 Index

S&P 400 Midcap Index

1 Year

16.17%

15.94%

10.66%

3 Year

8.05%

10.52%

12.79%

5 Year

7.92%

11.12%

6.94%

10 Year

9.51%

12.80%

10.06%

Since Inception *

8.73%

12.62%

10.20%

Value

 $28,424

 $44,089

 $33,592


*This chart assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on March 11, 2011.


Past Performance does not guarantee future results.  


Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares.


The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is a market value-weighted index, representing the aggregate market value of the common equity of 500 stocks primarily traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  The S&P 500 is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. The figures for the S&P 500 reflect all dividends reinvested but do no reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes.


The Standard & Poor's 400 Index ("S&P 400") is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees.  The Index is composed of 400 medium capitalization domestic common stocks and is representative of a broader market range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio.  Individuals cannot invest directly in the Index; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.


Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.  To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call (800) 238-7701.



Annual Report | 8


ARCHER DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

PERFORMANCE ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



 Cumulative Performance Comparison of $10,000 Investment Since Inception *


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Average Annual Total Returns

 

 

For the Period Ended August 31, 2023

 

 

 

Archer Dividend

Growth Fund

Dow Jones US Large-Cap Value Total Stock  

Market Index

Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index

1 Year

-0.59%

7.56%

2.22%

3 Year

9.71%

10.60%

6.55%

Since Inception *

5.07%

8.61%

3.22%

Value

 $14,131

 $17,816

 $12,488



*This chart assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on September 1, 2016.


Past Performance does not guarantee future results.  


Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares.


The Dow Jones US Large-Cap Value Total Stock Market Index measures large cap stocks that exhibit value characteristics. This is a market cap weighted index including a selection of securities from the Wilshire Large Cap 750 Index that meet Wilshire’s criteria for value.  


Morningstar® Dividend Yield Focus IndexSM offers exposure to high quality U.S. domiciled companies with strong financial health and an ability to sustain above average dividend payouts. The index consists of 75 stocks that are weighted in proportion to the total pool of dividends available to investors.


Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.  To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call (800) 238-7701.  




Annual Report | 9


ARCHER FOCUS FUND

PERFORMANCE ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



   Cumulative Performance Comparison of $10,000 Investment Since Inception *


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Average Annual Total Returns

 

 

For the Period Ended August 31, 2023

 

 

 

Archer

Focus Fund

Dow Jones Industrial
Average Index

S&P 500 Index

1 Year

8.25%

12.58%

15.94%

3 Year

7.65%

9.08%

10.52%

Since Inception *

7.34%

7.82%

11.39%

Value

 $12,967

 $13,182

 $14,860


*This chart assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on December 30, 2019.


Past Performance does not guarantee future results.  


Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares.


The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index is a price-weighted average of 30 actively traded blue chip stocks, primarily industrials. The 30 stocks are chosen by the editors of the Wall Street Journal (which is published by Dow Jones & Company), a practice that dates back to the beginning of the nineteenth century. The Dow is computed using a price-weighted indexing system, rather than the more common market cap-weighted indexing system.


The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is a market value-weighted index, representing the aggregate market value of the common equity of 500 stocks primarily traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  The S&P 500 is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. The figures for the S&P 500 reflect all dividends reinvested but do no reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes.


Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.  To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call (800) 238-7701.



Annual Report | 10


ARCHER MULTI CAP FUND

PERFORMANCE ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



   Cumulative Performance Comparison of $10,000 Investment Since Inception *


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Average Annual Total Returns

 

 

 

 

For the Period Ended August 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

Archer Multi Cap Fund

S&P 500 Index

S&P 600 Small Cap Index

S&P 400 Mid Cap Index

Synthetic Blend 33-33-33

1 Year

11.75%

15.94%

5.44%

10.66%

10.85%

3 Year

6.55%

10.53%

12.53%

12.79%

12.30%

Since Inception *

6.33%

11.40%

6.75%

8.67%

9.26%

Value

 $12,525

 $14,860

 $12,711

 $13,571

 $13,838


*This chart assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on December 30, 2019.


Past Performance does not guarantee future results.  


Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares.


The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is a market value-weighted index, representing the aggregate market value of the common equity of 500 stocks primarily traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  The S&P 500 is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. The figures for the S&P 500 reflect all dividends reinvested but do no reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes.


The Standard & Poor’s 600 Index (“S&P 600”) seeks to measure the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. The index is designed to track companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are liquid and financially viable.


The Standard & Poor's 400 Index ("S&P 400") is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees.  The Index is composed of 400 medium capitalization domestic common stocks and is representative of a broader market range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio.  Individuals cannot invest directly in the Index; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.


The Synthetic Blend Index consists of 33% S&P 500, 33% S&P 600, and 33% S&P 400.


Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.  To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call (800) 238-7701.




Annual Report | 11


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

PORTFOLIO ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Fund by the investment type.  The underlying securities represent a percentage of the portfolio of investments.

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The Schedule of Investments is categorized by industry and uses SEC SIK codes as classifications.




 



Annual Report | 12


ARCHER INCOME FUND

PORTFOLIO ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Fund by investment type.  The underlying securities represent a percentage of the portfolio of investments.


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The Schedule of Investments is categorized by industry and uses SEC SIK codes as classifications.







Annual Report | 13


ARCHER STOCK FUND

PORTFOLIO ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Fund by the industry sectors.  The underlying securities represent a percentage of the portfolio of investments.


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Sectors are categorized using Morningstar® classifications.


The Schedule of Investments is categorized by industry and uses SEC SIK codes as classifications.







Annual Report | 14


ARCHER DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Fund by the industry sectors.  The underlying securities represent a percentage of the portfolio of investments.


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Sectors are categorized using Morningstar® classifications.


The Schedule of Investments is categorized by industry and uses SEC SIK codes as classifications.







Annual Report | 15


ARCHER FOCUS FUND

PORTFOLIO ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Fund by the industry sectors.  The underlying securities represent a percentage of the portfolio of investments.


[archerannual022.gif]



Sectors are categorized using Morningstar® classifications.


The Schedule of Investments is categorized by industry and uses SEC SIK codes as classifications.







Annual Report | 16


ARCHER MULTI CAP FUND

PORTFOLIO ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Fund by the industry sectors.  The underlying securities represent a percentage of the portfolio of investments.


[archerannual024.gif]



Sectors are categorized using Morningstar® classifications.


The Schedule of Investments is categorized by industry and uses SEC SIK codes as classifications.







Annual Report | 17


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS - 69.91%

 

 

 

 

 

Air Courier Services - 2.53%

 

4,400

 

FedEx Corp.

$  1,148,488

 

 

 

 

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts - 2.07%

 

5,000

 

Honeywell International, Inc.

       939,700

 

 

 

 

Beverages - 1.57%

 

4,000

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

       711,680

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks - 1.48%

 

11,000

 

Toronto Dominion Bank (Canada)

       671,110

 

 

 

 

Electric Services - 2.23%

 

15,200

 

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    1,015,360

 

 

 

 

Electrical Work - 5.08%

 

11,000

 

Quanta Services, Inc.

    2,308,570

 

 

 

 

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus - 1.17%

 

6,500

 

Medtronic PLC. (Ireland)

       529,750

 

 

 

 

Electronic Computers - 2.77%

 

6,700

 

Apple, Inc.

    1,258,729

 

 

 

 

Food & Kindred Products - 1.29%

 

4,900

 

Nestle S.A. ADR

       588,637

 

 

 

 

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts - 2.51%

 

2,550

 

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    1,143,292

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 3.79%

 

13,000

 

Citigroup, Inc.

       536,770

8,100

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    1,185,273

 

 

 

    1,722,043

Petroleum Refining - 2.23%

 

6,300

 

Chevron Corp.

1,014,930

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical Preparations - 9.73%

 

8,550

 

Bristol Myers Squibb Co.

       527,107

1,800

 

Eli Lilly & Co.

997,560

5,000

 

Johnson & Johnson

808,400

11,950

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

1,302,311

22,300

 

Pfizer, Inc.

788,974

 

 

 

    4,424,352

Railroads, Line-Haul Operating - 2.23%

 

4,600

 

Union Pacific Corp. Class B

    1,014,622

 

 

 

 

Retail - Drug Stores and Proprietary Stores - 1.95%

 

13,594

 

CVS Health Corp.

       885,921


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




Annual Report | 18


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

Retail - Lumber & Other Building Material Dealers - 1.60%

 

2,200

 

Home Depot, Inc.

$      726,660

 

 

 

 

Retail - Variety Stores - 2.86%

 

8,000

 

WalMart, Inc.

    1,300,880

 

 

 

 

Rubber & Plastics Footwear - 1.12%

 

5,000

 

Nike, Inc. Class B

       508,550

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Related Devices - 5.34%

 

1,600

 

Broadcom, Inc.

    1,476,624

13,200

 

Intel Corp.

       463,848

2,900

 

Texas Instruments, Inc.

       487,374

 

 

 

2,427,846

Services - Business Services - 5.00%

 

3,000

 

Accenture PLC. Class A (Ireland)

       971,310

3,150

 

MasterCard, Inc. Class A

    1,299,816

 

 

 

    2,271,126

Services - Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. - 5.99%

 

10,700

 

Alphabet, Inc. Class A *

    1,457,019

4,275

 

Meta Platforms, Inc. Class A *

    1,264,930

 

 

 

    2,721,949

Services - Medical Laboratories - 0.98%

 

2,150

 

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

       447,415

 

 

 

 

Services - Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation - 0.74%

 

4,000

 

Walt Disney Co. *

       334,720

 

 

 

 

Services - Prepackaged Software - 3.65%

 

3,700

 

Microsoft Corp.

    1,212,712

2,643

 

VMWare, Inc. Class A *

       446,086

 

 

 

    1,658,798

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR COMMON STOCKS (Cost $16,620,454) - 69.91%

  31,775,128

 

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 15.59% (c)

 

 

 

 

 

Air Transportation, Scheduled - 0.55%

 

250,000

 

Southwest Airlines Co., 5.250%, due 5/04/25

       248,331

 

 

 

 

Aircraft - 0.52%

 

250,000

 

Boeing Co., 2.600%, due 10/30/25

       234,270

 

 

 

 

Beverages - 0.33%

 

150,000

 

Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc., 3.130%, due 12/15/23

       148,838

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks - 0.20%

 

100,000

 

Royal Bank of Canada, 1.200%, due 4/27/26 (Canada)

         89,605

 

 

 

 

Electric Services - 0.21%

 

100,000

 

Southern California Edison Co. Series E, 3.700%, due 8/01/25

         96,633


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



Annual Report | 19


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equipment) - 0.66%

 

300,000

 

General Electric Co. Series A, 7.832%, to 9/15/23 (3-month US Libor + 2.28%) (b) **

$      300,000

 

 

 

 

Financial Services - 0.26%

 

150,000

 

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.100%, due 1/12/32

       120,238

 

 

 

 

Hotels & Motels - 0.55%

 

250,000

 

Marriott International, Inc. Series Z, 4.150%, due 12/01/23

       248,881

 

 

 

 

Investment Advice - 0.96%

 

200,000

 

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., 3.500%, due 8/01/25

       191,010

250,000

 

Janus Capital Group, Inc., 4.875%, due 8/01/25

       245,156

 

 

 

       436,166

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution - 0.11%

 

50,000

 

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC., 3.810%, due 1/09/24

         49,520

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 3.68%

 

300,000

 

Banc of California, Inc., 5.250%, due 4/15/25

       283,885

100,000

 

Bank of America Corp. Series L, 3.950%, due 4/21/25

         96,781

150,000

 

Huntington Bancshares, Inc. Series E, 8.44957%, to 1/15/24 (3-Month SOFR + 3.14161%) (b) **

       136,041

150,000

 

Huntington Bancshares, Inc. Series G, 4.450%, to 10/15/27 (a) (b)

       125,613

150,000

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Series B, 6.13352%, due 2/01/27 (3-Month SOFR + 0.76161%) FRN

       141,937

200,000

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Series Q, 8.88352%, to 11/01/23 (3-Month SOFR + 3.51161%) (b) **

       200,379

100,000

 

Old National Bancorp, 4.125%, due 8/15/24

         97,691

150,000

 

Truist Financial Corp. Series M, 5.125%, to 12/15/27 (a) (b)

       119,250

300,000

 

US Bancorp, 3.700%, to 1/15/27  (a) (b)

       225,981

250,000

 

Wells Fargo & Co. Series MTN, 6.000%, due 10/28/25

       247,094

 

 

 

    1,674,652

Operative Builders - 0.76%

 

150,000

 

Lennar Corp., 4.750%, due 11/29/27

       145,412

200,000

 

Lennar Corp., 4.875%, due 12/15/23

       199,815

 

 

 

       345,227

Other Real Estate Investment Trust - 0.31%

 

6,000

 

Ready Capital Corp., 5.750%, due 2/15/26

       140,280

 

 

 

 

Personal Credit Institutions - 0.53%

 

250,000

 

Discover Financial Services Series D, 6.125%, to 6/23/25 (a) (b)

       240,155

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical Preparations - 0.32%

 

100,000

 

AbbVie, Inc., 3.200%, due 5/14/26

         95,051

50,000

 

Mylan, Inc., 4.200%, due 11/29/23

         49,800

 

 

 

       144,851

Property & Casualty Insurance - 0.44%

 

200,000

 

Finial Holdings, Inc., 7.125%, due 10/15/23 (Switzerland)

       200,136

 

 

 

 

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies - 1.65%

 

400,000

 

Capital Southwest Corp., 3.375%, due 10/01/26

       355,000

400,000

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series MTN, 1.000%, due 11/15/23

       393,685

 

 

 

       748,685



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



Annual Report | 20


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

Services - Advertising Agencies - 0.42%

 

200,000

 

Omnicom Group, Inc., 3.600%, due 4/15/26

$      191,384

 

 

 

 

Services - Equipment Rental & Leasing - 0.91%

 

200,000

 

Air Lease Corp., 3.625%, due 12/01/27

       183,741

250,000

 

United Rentals, Inc., 3.875%, due 11/15/27

       231,538

 

 

 

       415,279

Services - Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation -0.57%

 

250,000

 

Walt Disney Co., 7.700%, due 10/30/25

       261,286

 

 

 

 

Services - Prepackaged Software - 0.51%

 

100,000

 

Oracle Corp., 1.650%, due 3/25/26

         91,120

150,000

 

VMWare, Inc., 3.900%, due 8/21/27

       141,291

 

 

 

       232,411

State Commercial Banks - 1.14%

 

100,000

 

Citizens Financial Group, Inc., 4.350%, due 8/01/25

         94,820

250,000

 

Eagle Bancorp, Inc., 5.750%, due 9/01/24

       230,271

200,000

 

Fifth Third Bancorp Series L, 4.500%, to 9/30/25 (a) (b)

181,959

200,000

 

SVB Financial Group, 4.100%, to 2/15/31 (a) (b)

         10,000

 

 

 

       517,050

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $7,808,932) - 15.59%

    7,083,878

 

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 5.14% (c)

 

 

 

 

 

California - 0.09%

 

20,000

 

Porterville Unified School District, 7.250%, due 7/01/27

20,028

20,000

 

San Bernardino County Redevelopment Agency, 3.625%, due 9/01/24

19,512

 

 

 

39,540

Georgia - 0.22%

 

99,000

 

Georgia Loc. Govt., 4.750%, due 6/01/28

100,804

 

 

 

 

Indiana - 0.69%

 

135,000

 

Evansville-Vanderburgh, IN School Bldg. Corp. Series B, 6.150% due 7/15/27

137,811

190,000

 

Fishers, IN Econ Development Revenue Taxable-P3 Project, 2.650%, due 8/01/28

172,370

5,000

 

Richland Bean Blossom, IN Sch. Bldg. Corp., 5.750%, due 1/15/24

4,998

 

 

 

315,179

Maryland - 0.44%

 

200,000

 

Baltimore Board of School Commissioners City Schools Revenue, 5.692%, due 12/15/25

201,682

 

 

 

 

Michigan - 0.58%

 

25,000

 

City of Coldwater, MI Water Supply & Wastewater System Revenue, 5.000%, due 8/01/26

26,242

250,000

 

Michigan State Taxable School Loan Series A, 3.200%, due 5/15/27

235,777

 

 

 

262,019

New York - 1.05%

 

250,000

 

New York City, NY Transitional Financice Authority Revenue, 2.760%, due 2/01/26

236,687

250,000

 

New York St Dorm Auth Revenues, 1.085%, due 7/01/24

240,958

 

 

 

477,645

Ohio - 0.58%

 

250,000

 

New Albany, Floyd County Industry School First Mortgage, 5.000%, due 1/15/27

263,310


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



Annual Report | 21


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

Pennsylvania - 0.88%

 

250,000

 

East-Norriton-Plymouth-Whipain Joint Sewer Authority, 1.832%, due 8/01/28

$      217,682

200,000

 

Pennsylvania ST Txble-Ref-First-Refunding Series, 1.200%, due 8/01/26

179,880

 

 

 

397,562

Washington - 0.15%

 

70,000

 

Douglas County, WA School District No. 206 Eastmont Qualified School

    Construction, 4.700%, due 12/01/25

69,292

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin - 0.46%

 

110,000

 

Greendale, WI Taxable Community Development, Series A, 4.750%, due 12/01/26

109,098

100,000

 

Wisconsin Health Edl Facs Auth Senior Living Revenue Taxable-Covenant

      Cmntys, Inc. Proj Ser A-2, 4.100%, due 1/01/24

99,264

 

 

 

208,362

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR MUNICIPAL BONDS (Cost $2,491,951) - 5.14%

2,335,395

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS - 4.03%

 

5,100

 

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

       656,268

9,452

 

Prologis, Inc.

    1,173,939

TOTAL FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost $893,026) - 4.03%

    1,830,207

 

 

 

 

PREFERRED SECURITIES - 1.14%

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Management - 0.19%

 

4,000

 

B Riley Financial, Inc., 6.50%, due 09/30/26

         87,400

 

 

 

 

Motor Vehicles & Passenger Car Bodies - 0.31%

 

6,000

 

Ford Motor Co., 6.000%, due 12/01/59

       139,980

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 0.56%

 

150,000

 

BAC Capital Trust XIII Series F, 5.952% (3-Month Libor + 0.40%) (b) **

114,316

150,000

 

PNC Capital Trust C, 6.066%, due 6/01/28 (3-Month SOFR + 0.83161%) FRN

       139,753

 

 

 

       254,069

Telephone Communications (No Radio Telephone) - 0.08%

 

3,000

 

QWest Corp., 6.500%, due 9/01/56

         37,500

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR PREFERRED SECURITIES (Cost $610,121) - 1.14%

       518,949

 

 

 

 

STRUCTURED NOTES - 0.35% (c)

 

 

 

 

 

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies - 0.35%

 

125,000

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 0.000%, Capped at 10% ** (maturity date: 11/13/28)

91,250

95,000

 

Morgan Stanley Series MTN, 0.000%, due 8/30/28, Capped at 12% **

         69,970

 

 

 

       161,220

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR STRUCTURED NOTES (Cost $211,164) - 0.35%

       161,220






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



Annual Report | 22


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 3.48%

 

1,582,806

 

Federated Treasury Obligation Fund - Institutional Shares 5.20% **

    (Cost $1,582,806) - 3.48%

$   1,582,806

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $30,218,454) - 99.64%

  45,287,583

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES, NET - 0.36%

       163,009

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

$45,450,592















(a) Security converts to floating rate after the indicated fixed-rate coupon period.


(b) Perpetual security. Perpetual securities have no stated maturity date, but they may be called/redeemed by the issuer.


(c) All Corporate Bonds, Municipal Bonds and Structured Notes are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note 3 of the accompanying notes to the financial statements for additional information.


* Non-income producing security during period.


** Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the yield at August 31, 2023.


ADR - American Depository Receipt


LIBOR- London Inter-Bank Offer Rate, which is an international interest rate benchmark that almost all banks use as reference to set their funding costs. The use of LIBOR as a benchmark is in transition and ceased on June 30, 2023.


SOFR- Secured Overnight Financial Rate, a benchmark interest rate for dollar-denominated derivatives and loans that replaced the LIBOR.


FRN - Floating Rate Note is a debt instrument whose coupon rate is variable and it tied to a benchmark rate such as LIBOR or the US Treasury Bill rate. 3-month is the period where it is a fixed period of 3 months a lender will lend at that cost.


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




Annual Report | 23


ARCHER INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 44.67% (c)

 

 

 

 

 

Air Transportation, Scheduled - 0.87%

 

150,000

 

Southwest Airlines Co., 5.250%, due 5/04/25

$     148,999

 

 

 

 

Aircraft - 0.82%

 

150,000

 

Boeing Co., 2.600%, due 10/30/25

       140,562

 

 

 

 

Beverages - 0.58%

 

100,000

 

Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc., 3.130%, due 12/15/23

         99,226

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks - 2.05%

 

100,000

 

Bank of Montreal, 6.100%, due 8/29/28 (Canada)

99,911

250,000

 

Toronto Dominion Bank, 6.100%, due 8/16/28 (Canada)

250,118

 

 

 

       350,029

Electric Services - 0.29%

 

50,000

 

Southern California Edison Co. Series E, 9.83252%, to 10/19/23

     (3-month US Libor + 4.199%) (b) **

49,875

 

 

 

 

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equipment) - 0.59%

 

100,000

 

General Electric Co. Series A, 7.832%, to 9/15/23 (3-month US Libor + 2.28%) (b) **

100,000

 

 

 

 

Financial Services - 1.62%

 

150,000

 

CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, 5.000%, due 12/08/25

148,609

150,000

 

General Motors Financial Company, Inc. Series C, 5.70%, to 9/30/30 (a) (b)

128,253

 

 

 

       276,862

General Building Contractors - Residential Buildings - 0.86%

 

50,000

 

Lennar Corp., 4.875%, due 12/15/23

49,954

100,000

 

Lennar Corp., 4.750%, due 11/29/27

96,941

 

 

 

146,895

Hotels & Motels - 0.58%

 

100,000

 

Marriott International, Inc. Series Z, 4.150%, 12/01/23

         99,553

 

 

 

 

Investment Advice - 1.12%

 

200,000

 

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., 3.500%, due 8/01/25

       191,010

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution - 0.59%

 

100,000

 

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC., 6.800%, due 8/20/25

         99,947

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Publishing - 0.57%

 

100,000

 

Thomson Reuters Corp., 3.85%, due 9/29/24

         97,552

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 9.47%

 

200,000

 

Banc of California, Inc., 5.250%, due 4/15/25

       189,256

10,000

 

SouthState Bank Corp., 5.750%, to 6/01/25 (a)

           9,359

150,000

 

Huntington Bancshares, Inc. Series E, 8.44957%, to 1/15/24

    (3-Month SOFR + 3.14161%) (b) **

       136,041

150,000

 

Huntington Bancshares, Inc. Series G, 4.450%, to 10/15/27 (a) (b)

       125,613

150,000

 

JPMorgan & Chase Co. Series B, 6.13352%, due 2/01/27

    (3-Month SOFR + 0.76161%) FRN

       141,937


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




Annual Report | 24


ARCHER INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 9.47% (Continued)

 

150,000

 

JPMorgan & Chase Co. Series CC, 8.21352%, to 11/01/23

    (3-Month SOFR + 2.84161) (b) **

 $    149,480

150,000

 

JPMorgan & Chase Co. Series Q, 8.88652%, to 11/01/23

     (3-Month SOFR + 3.51161%) (b) **

       150,284

200,000

 

Keycorp, 2.250%, due 4/06/27

       172,023

100,000

 

Old National Bancorp, 4.125%, due 8/15/24

         97,691

100,000

 

Truist Financial Corp. Series M, 5.125%, to 12/15/27 (a) (b)

         79,500

75,000

 

Truist Financial Corp. Series Q, 5.100%, to 3/01/30 (a) (b)

         65,618

150,000

 

TTCU Federal Credit Union, 5.000%, due 7/26/27

       149,011

200,000

 

US Bancorp, 3.700%, to 1/15/27 (a) (b)

       150,654

 

 

 

    1,616,467

Natural Gas Distribution - 0.29%

 

50,000

 

National Fuel Gas Co., 5.200%, due 7/15/25

         49,142

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trust - 0.55%

 

4,000

 

Ready Capital Corp., 5.750%, due 2/15/26

         93,520

 

 

 

 

Personal Credit Institutions - 1.33%

 

100,000

 

Discover Financial Services Series D, 6.125%, to 6/23/25 (a) (b)

         96,062

150,000

 

OneMain Finance Corp., 3.500%, due 1/15/27

       130,537

 

 

 

       226,599

Property & Casualty Insurance - 0.88%

 

150,000

 

Finial Holdings, Inc., 7.125%, due 10/15/23 (Switzerland)

       150,102

 

 

 

 

Retail - Department Stores - 0.21%

 

35,000

 

Dillards, Inc., 7.750%, due 7/15/26

         35,905

 

 

 

 

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies - 2.26%

 

100,000

 

Capital Southwest Corp., 3.375%, due 10/01/26

         88,750

100,000

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Series MTN, 6.100%, due 8/31/28

       100,281

200,000

 

Schwab Charles Corp., 3.750%, due 4/01/24

       197,322

 

 

 

       386,353

Semiconductors & Related Devices - 0.88%

 

150,000

 

Microchip Technology, Inc., 2.670%, due 9/01/23

       150,000

 

 

 

 

Services - Equipment Rental & Leasing - 1.35%

 

100,000

 

Air Lease Corp., 3.625%, due 12/01/27

         91,870

150,000

 

United Rentals, Inc., 3.875%, due 11/15/27

       138,923

 

 

 

       230,793

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation - 2.45%

 

400,000

 

Walt Disney Co., 7.700%, due 10/30/25

418,058

 

 

 

 

Services - General Medical & Surgical Hospitals - 1.52%

 

250,000

 

HCA Healthcare, Inc., 7.050%, due 12/01/27

       259,726

 

 

 

 

Services - Prepackaged Software - 0.83%

 

150,000

 

VMWare, Inc. 3.900%, due 8/21/27

       141,291




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




Annual Report | 25


ARCHER INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

State Commercial Banks - 9.70%

 

150,000

 

Ally Financial, Inc. Series B, 4.700%, to 5/15/26 (a) (b)

$     105,368

150,000

 

Eagle Bancorp, Inc., 5.750%, due 9/01/24

       138,163

300,000

 

Fifth Third Bancorp, 4.300%, due 1/16/24

       297,576

150,000

 

Fifth Third Bancorp Series L, 4.500%, to 9/30/25 (a) (b)

       136,469

350,000

 

First Citizens Bank, 6.125%, due 3/09/28

       351,511

100,000

 

Hilltop Holdings, Inc., 5.000%, due 4/15/25

         95,949

500,000

 

State Street Corp., 7.350%, due 6/15/26

       523,296

150,000

 

SVB Financial Group, 4.100%, to 2/15/31 (a) (b)

           7,500

 

 

 

    1,655,832

Steel Works, Blast Furnaces & Rolling Mills (Coke Ovens) - 0.86%

 

150,000

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc., 5.000%, due 12/15/26

       147,172

 

 

 

 

Telephone Communications (No Radio Telephone) - 0.30%

 

50,000

 

Indiana Bell Tel Co., Inc., 7.300%, due 8/15/26

         51,801

 

 

 

 

Television Broadcasting Stations - 0.32%

 

54,000

 

CBS Broadcasting, Inc., 7.125%, due 11/01/23

         53,990

 

 

 

 

Wholesale - Groceries & Related Products - 0.93%

 

152,000

 

Sysco Corp., 6.500%, due 8/01/28

       158,972

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $8,180,322) - 44.67%

    7,626,233

 

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND - 0.18%

 

1,000

 

iShares US Preferred Stock ETF

30,750

TOTAL FOR EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (Cost $37,982) - 0.18%

30,750

 

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS - 19.29% (c)

 

 

 

 

 

Arizona - 0.03%

 

5,000

 

Maricopa County School District No. 66 Roosevelt Elementary 6.243%, due 7/01/26

5,105

 

 

 

 

California - 0.56%

 

95,000

 

Sacramento Cnty., CA Pension Oblg., 6.625%, due 8/01/24

95,612

 

 

 

 

Florida -0.79%

 

150,000

 

North Miami Beach, FL, Water Revenue Series B, 2.311%, due 8/01/27

135,739

 

 

 

 

Georgia - 0.30%

 

50,000

 

Georgia Local Government, 4.750%, due 6/01/28

50,911

 

 

 

 

Illinois - 0.09%

 

15,000

 

Rosemont, IL Ref Bds Series A, 5.375%, due 12/1/25

14,869

 

 

 

 

Indiana - 5.70%

 

140,000

 

Beech Grove, IN Sch Bldg. Corp., 2.850%, due 7/5/25

134,889

250,000

 

Elkhart Community Schools, 3.100%, due 7/20/24

244,815

165,000

 

Evansville-Vanderburgh, IN School Bldg. Corp. Series B, 5.900%, due 7/15/26

168,383

100,000

 

Evansville-Vanderburgh, IN School Bldg. Corp. Series B, 6.150%, due 7/15/27

102,082

50,000

 

Gary Community School, 3.200%, due 7/15/29

46,615


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



Annual Report | 26


ARCHER INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

Indiana - 5.70% (Continued)

 

300,000

 

Plainfield Redevelopment Commission, 2.000%, due 2/01/29

$     251,847

25,000

 

Warsaw Industry Redevelopment District Tax Taxable Special Taxing District

     Series A, 4.750%, due 2/01/26

24,276

 

 

 

972,907

Maryland - 0.59%

 

100,000

 

Baltimore MD, Brd of Sch Commissioners City Schs Revenue, 5.692%, due 12/15/25

100,841

 

 

 

 

Michigan - 1.10%

 

200,000

 

Michigan State Taxable School Loan Series A, 3.200%, due 5/15/27

188,622

 

 

 

 

Nebraska - 1.18%

 

200,000

 

Omaha NE Special Obligation Taxable Ref Riverfront, 6.400%, due 2/01/26

201,894

 

 

 

 

New York - 1.71%

 

200,000

 

New York St Dorm Auth Revenues, 1.085%, due 7/01/24

192,766

100,000

 

New York St Dorm Auth Revenues, 5.289%, due 3/15/33

99,514

 

 

 

292,280

Ohio - 2.22%

 

100,000

 

Avon, OH, General Obligations Various Purpose Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2020, 0.955%, due 12/01/25

91,173

60,000

 

Bloom & Carroll Ohio Loc Sch Dist, 5.800%, due 12/01/25

60,707

15,000

 

Cleveland, OH Income Tax Revenue Build America Bonds, 6.060%, due 10/01/26

15,186

100,000

 

Cleveland, OH Public Power Sys Revenue, 5.500%, due 11/15/38

100,075

125,000

 

JobsOhio Beverage Sys Stwd Lien Liquor Profits Revenue Refunding Bonds,

     Series 2020A, 2.268%, due 1/01/28

111,885

 

 

 

379,026

Oklahoma - 0.09%

 

15,000

 

Garfield County, OK, 6.000%, due 9/01/24

15,022

 

 

 

 

Oregon - 1.04%

 

25,000

 

Oregon State Sch Brds Assn Pension, Series B, 5.450%, due 6/30/24

24,953

150,000

 

Philomath, Oregon Sch District, 5.472%, due 6/15/27

153,232

 

 

 

178,185

Pennsylvania - 1.58%

 

200,000

 

East-Norriton-Plymouth-Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority, 1.832%, due 8/01/28

174,146

100,000

 

Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facs Authority Revenue, 3.000%, due 6/15/25

95,880

 

 

 

270,026

Texas - 0.64%

 

20,000

 

Austin, TX Electric Utility System Revenue Taxable Series A, 2.524%, due 11/15/23

19,883

49,000

 

North Texas Tollway Authority, 8.410%, due 2/01/30

53,732

35,000

 

Texas St. Taxable Refunding Public Finance Authority Series C, 2.531%, due 10/01/23

34,926

 

 

 

108,541

Virginia - 0.87%

 

150,000

 

Virginia St Resources Auth Infrastructure Revenue, 1.972%, due 11/01/23

149,159

 

 

 

 

Washington - 0.80%

 

150,000

 

City of Bellevue, WA, 0.751%, due 12/01/25

135,855

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR MUNICIPAL BONDS (Cost $3,423,758) - 19.29%

3,294,594


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



Annual Report | 27


ARCHER INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

PREFERRED SECURITIES - 4.27%

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Management - 0.38%

 

3,000

 

B Riley Financial, Inc., 6.50%, due 09/30/26

$       65,550

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 2.73%

 

100,000

 

BAC Capital Trust XIII Series F, 5.952% (3-month Libor + 0.40%) (b) **

76,211

100,000

 

Key Corp. Capital I, 6.27343%, due 7/01/28 (3-month US Libor + 0.74%) FRN

         87,067

200,000

 

Mellon Capital IV Series 1, 6.075%, to 10/19/23 (3-Month US Libor + 0.565%) (b) **

       162,971

150,000

 

PNC Capital Trust C, 6.066%, due 6/01/28 (3-Month SOFR + 0.83161) FRN

       139,753

 

 

 

466,002

State Commercial Banks - 1.16%

 

4,000

 

Medallion Bank Utah Series F, 8.000%, to 4/01/25 (a) (b)

         96,000

4,000

 

Merchants Bancorp, Inc., 8.250%, to 10/01/27 (a) (b)

       101,200

 

 

 

       197,200

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR PREFERRED SECURITIES (Cost $809,582) - 4.27%

728,752

 

 

 

 

STRUCTURED NOTES - 1.56% (c)

 

 

 

 

 

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies - 1.56%

 

100,000

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Series MTN, 0.000%, Capped at 10%

    (Maturity Date 12/13/28) **

74,003

120,000

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 0.000%, Capped at 10%,

    (Maturity Date 11/13/28) **

87,600

114,000

 

Morgan Stanley, Series MTN, 0.000%, due 8/19/28 Capped at 10%**

         86,127

25,000

 

Morgan Stanley, Series MTN, 0.000%, due 8/30/28, Capped at 12% **

         18,413

 

 

 

       266,143

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR STRUCTURED NOTES (Cost $350,020) - 1.56%

266,143

 

 

 

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES & OBLIGATIONS- 23.99%(c)

 

800,000

 

U.S. Government Treasury Bill, 0.000%, due 9/21/23

797,654

250,000

 

U.S. Government Treasury Bill, 0.000%, due 10/12/23

248,492

750,000

 

U.S. Government Treasury Bill, 0.000%, due 10/19/23

744,715

250,000

 

U.S. Government Treasury Bill, 0.000%, due 11/16/23

247,211

250,000

 

U.S. Government Treasury Bill, 0.000%, due 3/21/24

       242,790

800,000

 

U.S. Government Treasury Note/Bond, 0.250%, due 3/15/24

778,281

550,000

 

U.S. Government Treasury Note/Bond, 4.625%, due 2/28/25

546,111

500,000

 

U.S. Government Treasury Note/Bond, 3.875%, due 3/31/25

       490,879

TOTAL FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES & OBLIGATIONS (Cost $4,106,601) - 23.99%

4,096,133

 

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 5.25%

 

895,844

 

Federated Treasury Obligation Fund - Institutional Shares 5.20%  **

    (Cost $895,844) - 5.25%

       895,844

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $17,804,109) - 99.21%

  16,938,449

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES, NET - 0.79%

       135,773

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

$17,074,222


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




Annual Report | 28


ARCHER INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023



(a) Security converts to floating rate after the indicated fixed-rate coupon period.


(b) Perpetual security. Perpetual securities have no stated maturity date, but they may be called/redeemed by the issuer.


(c) All Corporate Bonds, Municipal Bonds, Structured Notes, and U.S. Government Agencies & Obligations are

categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note 3 of the accompanying notes to the financial statements for additional information.


** Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the yield at August 31, 2023.


FRN- Floating Rate Note is a debt instrument whose coupon rate is variable and is tied to a benchmark rate such as LIBOR or the US Treasury Bill rate.


LIBOR- London Inter-Bank Offer Rate, which is an international interest rate benchmark that almost all banks use as reference to set their funding costs. The use of LIBOR as a benchmark is in transition and ceased on June 30, 2023.


SOFR- Secured Overnight Financial Rate, a benchmark interest rate for dollar-denominated derivatives and loans that replaced the LIBOR. 3-month is the period where it is a fixed period of 3 months a lender will lend at that cost.


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






Annual Report | 29


ARCHER STOCK FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS - 97.36%

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft - 1.29%

 

1,200

 

Boeing Co. *

$     268,836

 

 

 

 

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts - 0.82%

 

2,000

 

RTX Corp.

172,080

 

 

 

 

Beverages - 2.00%

 

7,000

 

The Coca-Cola Company

418,810

 

 

 

 

Electric Services - 3.28%

 

10,260

 

NextEra Energy, Inc.

685,368

 

 

 

 

Electronic Computers - 4.21%

 

4,680

 

Apple, Inc.

879,232

 

 

 

 

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance - 2.39%

 

1,385

 

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B *

498,877

 

 

 

 

Hospital & Medical Service Plans - 4.45%

 

8,200

 

Centene Corp. *

505,530

890

 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

424,156

 

 

 

929,686

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals - 2.62%

 

1,413

 

Linde PLC. (United Kingdom)

546,888

 

 

 

 

Industrial Instruments for Measurement, Display & Control - 1.49%

 

3,110

 

MKS Instruments, Inc.

311,715

 

 

 

 

Measuring & Controlling Devices - 3.23%

 

1,212

 

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

675,205

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 3.96%

 

12,000

 

Bank of America Corp.

344,040

3,300

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

482,889

 

 

 

826,929

Petroleum Refining - 2.95%

 

5,540

 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

615,993

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical Preparations - 8.83%

 

1,480

 

Eli Lilly & Co.

820,216

3,065

 

Johnson & Johnson

495,549

4,860

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

529,643

 

 

 

1,845,408

Railroads, Line-Haul Operating - 2.22%

 

2,100

 

Union Pacific Corp. Class B

463,197

 

 

 

 

Retail - Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply - 1.40%

 

1,340

 

Tractor Supply Co.

292,790

 

 

 

 


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




Annual Report | 30


ARCHER STOCK FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

Retail - Catalog & Mail-Order Houses - 2.27%

 

3,440

 

Amazon.com, Inc. *

$     474,754

 

 

 

 

Retail - Drug Stores and Proprietary Stores - 2.54%

 

8,140

 

CVS Health Corp.

530,484

 

 

 

 

Retail - Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers - 2.32%

 

1,470

 

Home Depot, Inc.

485,541

 

 

 

 

Retail - Retail Stores - 1.95%

 

980

 

Ulta Beauty, Inc. *

406,729

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Related Devices - 9.43%

 

3,963

 

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. *

418,968

2,391

 

NVIDIA Corp.

1,180,078

3,410

 

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

370,803

 

 

 

1,969,849

Services - Business Services - 2.47%

 

2,100

 

Visa, Inc. Class A

515,928

 

 

 

 

Services - Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. - 8.98%

 

7,180

 

Alphabet, Inc. Class A *

977,701

3,035

 

Meta Platforms, Inc. Class A *

898,026

 

 

 

1,875,727

Services - Equipment Rental & Leasing - 3.75%

 

1,646

 

United Rentals, Inc.

784,385

 

 

 

 

Services - Medical Laboratories - 1.77%

 

1,780

 

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

370,418

 

 

 

 

Services - Miscellaneous Health & Allied Services - 2.74%

 

2,200

 

ICON PLC. (Ireland) *

571,868

 

 

 

 

Services - Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation - 1.45%

 

3,615

 

Walt Disney Co. *

302,503

 

 

 

 

Services - Prepackaged Software - 8.69%

 

1,140

 

Adobe, Inc. *

637,648

5,870

 

Cloudflare, Inc. Class A *

381,726

2,430

 

Microsoft Corp.

796,457

 

 

 

1,815,831

Soap, Detergent, Cleaning Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics - 1.53%

 

2,068

 

Procter & Gamble Co.

319,175

 

 

 

 

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus - 2.33%

 

1,720

 

Stryker Corp.

487,706

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR COMMON STOCKS (Cost $10,400,863) - 97.36%

20,341,912

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST - 1.60%

 

1,840

 

American Tower Corp.

333,629

TOTAL FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (Cost $300,523) - 1.60%

333,629


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



Annual Report | 31


ARCHER STOCK FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 0.93%

 

193,805

 

Federated Treasury Obligation Fund - Institutional Shares 5.20% ** (Cost $193,805) - 0.93%

$     193,805

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $10,895,191) - 99.89%

20,869,346

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES, NET - 0.11%

23,528

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

$20,892,874





















* Non-income producing security during period.

** Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the yield at August 31, 2023.

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




Annual Report | 32


ARCHER DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS - 89.93%

 

 

 

 

 

Beverages - 2.67%

 

2,900

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

$     515,968

 

 

 

 

Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters - 3.44%

 

7,850

 

Coca-Cola FEMSA S.A.B. de C.V. ADR Series L

665,209

 

 

 

 

Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Vegetable & Food Specialties - 2.17%

 

12,700

 

Kraft Heinz Co.

420,243

 

 

 

 

Computer & Office Equipment - 5.03%

 

9,300

 

Cisco Systems, Inc.

533,355

3,000

 

International Business Machines Corp.

440,490

 

 

 

973,845

Construction Machinery & Equipment - 3.52%

 

2,425

 

Caterpillar, Inc.

681,740

 

 

 

 

Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas - 1.79%

 

6,800

 

Devon Energy Corp.

347,412

 

 

 

 

Electric & Other Services Combined - 7.22%

 

4,905

 

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

436,349

5,082

 

Duke Energy Corp.

451,282

12,700

 

Exelon Corp.

509,524

 

 

 

1,397,155

Electric Services - 7.15%

 

5,900

 

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

462,560

4,800

 

Entergy Corp.

457,200

6,850

 

Southern Co.

463,951

 

 

 

1,383,711

Finance Services - 2.72%

 

32,000

 

Hercules Capital, Inc.

526,400

 

 

 

 

Gas & Other Services Combined - 1.56%

 

12,000

 

UGI Corp.

302,160

 

 

 

 

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts - 2.95%

 

1,275

 

Lockheed Martin Corp.

571,646

 

 

 

 

Life Insurance - 2.45%

 

25,700

 

Manulife Financial Corp. (Canada)

474,936

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 5.75%

 

3,650

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

534,104

31,600

 

Regions Financial Corp.

579,544

 

 

 

1,113,648

Natural Gas Transmission - 2.26%

 

25,400

 

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

437,388

 

 

 

 



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




Annual Report | 33


ARCHER DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

Petroleum Refining - 4.96%

 

11,665

 

BP PLC. ADR

$     433,705

3,270

 

Chevron Corp.

526,797

 

 

 

960,502

Pharmaceutical Preparations - 13.67%

 

       4,590

 

AbbVie, Inc.

674,546

6,970

 

Bristol Myers Squibb Co.

429,700

2,500

 

Johnson & Johnson

404,200

6,415

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

699,107

12,400

 

Pfizer, Inc.

438,712

 

 

 

2,646,265

Plastic Materials, Synthetic Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers - 2.27%

 

8,050

 

Dow, Inc.

439,208

 

 

 

 

Retail - Drug Stores and Proprietary Stores - 4.06%

 

6,400

 

CVS Health Corp.

417,088

14,600

 

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

369,526

 

 

 

786,614

Semiconductors & Related Devices - 4.48%

 

630

 

Broadcom, Inc.

581,421

1,700

 

Texas Instruments, Inc.

285,702

 

 

 

867,123

Soap, Detergent, Cleaning Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics - 2.89%

 

3,620

 

Procter & Gamble Co.

558,711

 

 

 

 

State Commercial Banks - 1.74%

 

12,000

 

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

337,560

 

 

 

 

Telephone Communications (No Radio Telephone) - 2.51%

 

13,900

 

Verizon Communications, Inc.

486,222

 

 

 

 

Trucking & Courier Services - 2.67%

 

3,050

 

United Parcel Service, Inc. Class B

516,670

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR COMMON STOCKS (Cost $14,209,884) - 89.93%

17,410,336

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS - 6.97%

 

3,200

 

Crown Castle International Corp.

321,600

10,000

 

Iron Mountain, Inc.

635,400

6,035

 

W.P. Carey, Inc.

392,577

TOTAL FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost $1,013,625) - 6.97%

1,349,577

 

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 2.68%

 

519,097

 

Federated Treasury Obligation Fund - Institutional Shares 5.20% **

    (Cost $519,097) - 2.68%

519,097

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $15,742,606) - 99.58%

19,279,010

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES, NET - 0.42%

81,696

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

$19,360,706


** Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the yield at August 31, 2023.

ADR - American Depository Receipt

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




Annual Report | 34


ARCHER FOCUS FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS - 88.83%

 

 

 

 

 

Accident & Health Insurance - 2.96%

 

3,435

 

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

$   266,934

 

 

 

 

Agricultural Chemicals - 4.63%

 

2,575

 

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     198,455

5,650

 

Mosaic Co.

     219,503

 

 

 

     417,958

Beverages - 1.87%

 

2,814

 

The Coca Cola Company

     168,362

 

 

 

 

Computer Communications Equipment - 2.17%

 

3,417

 

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     195,965

 

 

 

 

Computer Storage Devices - 1.94%

 

2,280

 

NetApp, Inc.

     174,876

 

 

 

 

Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas - 4.57%

 

7,200

 

Coterra Energy, Inc. Class A

     202,968

4,110

 

Devon Energy Corp.

     209,980

 

 

 

412,948

Electric Services - 5.32%

 

3,770

 

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     251,836

6,095

 

NRG Energy, Inc.

     228,867

 

 

 

480,703

Fats & Oils - 2.07%

 

2,358

 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     186,989

 

 

 

 

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance - 1.95%

 

1,520

 

American Financial Group, Inc.

     176,198

 

 

 

 

Gas & Other Services - 2.02%

 

7,240

 

UGI Corp.

     182,303

 

 

 

 

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs - 1.94%

 

1,470

 

Lennar Corp.

175,062

 

 

 

 

Hospital & Medical Service Plans - 2.33%

 

441

 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

210,172

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas Distribution - 2.98%

 

2,320

 

Atmos Energy Corp.

269,004

 

 

 

 

Operative Builders - 2.15%

 

2,362

 

PulteGroup, Inc.

193,826

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical Preparations - 8.44%

 

1,310

 

Johnson & Johnson

     211,801

2,685

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

     292,611

7,288

 

Pfizer, Inc.

257,849

 

 

 

762,261


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




Annual Report | 35


ARCHER FOCUS FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

Pipe Lines (No Natural Gas) - 2.71%

 

4,440

 

HF Sinclair Corp.

$     244,600

 

 

 

 

Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment - 2.16%

 

1,700

 

Qualcomm, Inc.

194,701

 

 

 

 

Retail - Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply - 2.20%

 

910

 

Tractor Supply Co.

198,835

 

 

 

 

Retail - Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores - 1.93%

 

1,495

 

Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.

     173,928

 

 

 

 

Retail - Variety Stores - 3.83%

 

630

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

     346,046

 

 

 

 

Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services - 2.16%

 

847

 

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

     195,310

 

 

 

 

Services - Advertising Agencies - 3.46%

 

4,450

 

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.

     145,115

2,070

 

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     167,691

 

 

 

     312,806

Services - Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. - 7.91%

 

2,900

 

Alphabet, Inc. Class A *

     394,893

1,080

 

Meta Platforms, Inc. Class A *

     319,561

 

 

 

     714,454

Services - Help Supply Services - 1.45%

 

1,765

 

Robert Half, Inc.

     130,539

 

 

 

 

Services - Prepackaged Software - 4.63%

 

2,469

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     227,123

9,403

 

Gen Digital, Inc.

     190,411

 

 

 

     417,534

Steel Works, Blast Furnaces & Rolling Mills (Coke Ovens) - 1.95%

 

1,655

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

     176,406

 

 

 

 

Sugar & Confectionery Products - 2.39%

 

1,003

 

Hershey Co.

     215,505

 

 

 

 

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus - 2.29%

 

1,940

 

3M Co.

     206,940

 

 

 

 

Wholesale - Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies - 2.42%

 

1,351

 

Ferguson PLC. (United Kingdom)

     218,268

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR COMMON STOCKS (Cost $7,511,815) - 88.83%

8,019,433

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS - 7.55%

 

1,680

 

Avalonbay Communities, Inc.

308,818

660

 

Public Storage

182,411

5,820

 

Weyerhaeuser Co.

     190,605

TOTAL FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost $661,164) - 7.55%

681,834

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




Annual Report | 36


ARCHER FOCUS FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 3.41%

 

308,134

 

Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Treasury Portfolio –

       Institutional Class - 5.22% ** (Cost $308,134) - 3.41%

$    308,134

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $8,481,113) - 99.79%

9,009,401

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES, NET - 0.21%

19,044

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

$ 9,028,445

 














* Non-income producing security during period.

** Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the yield at August 31, 2023.

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




Annual Report | 37


ARCHER MULTI CAP FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS - 95.57%

 

 

 

 

 

Adhesives & Sealants - 1.12%

 

890

 

Fuller H B Co.

$     64,552

 

 

 

 

Beverages - 2.14%

 

1,000

 

The Coca Cola Company

59,830

353

 

Pepsico, Inc.

62,806

 

 

 

122,636

Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) - 1.00%

 

530

 

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. *

57,712

 

 

 

 

Chemicals & Allied Products - 2.18%

 

401

 

Balchem Corp.

56,340

3,200

 

Livent Corp. *

68,704

 

 

 

125,044

Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas - 1.35%

 

1,830

 

SM Energy Co.

77,427

 

 

 

 

Drilling Oil & Gas Wells - 1.81%

 

1,285

 

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

51,387

3,700

 

Patterson UTI Energy, Inc.

52,318

 

 

 

103,705

Electrical Work - 1.77%

 

550

 

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

101,513

 

 

 

 

Electronic Components & Accessories - 1.53%

 

270

 

Hubbell, Inc.

88,033

 

 

 

 

Electronic Computers - 1.51%

 

461

 

Apple, Inc.

86,608

 

 

 

 

Fabricated Rubber Products - 1.37%

 

300

 

Carlisle Cos., Inc.

78,906

 

 

 

 

Fats & Oils - 1.29%

 

1,200

 

Darling Ingredients, Inc. *

74,112

 

 

 

 

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance - 2.66%

 

465

 

American Financial Group, Inc.

53,903

274

 

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B *

98,695

 

 

 

152,598

Hospital & Medical Service Plans - 1.12%

 

135

 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

64,338

 

 

 

 

Lawn & Garden Tractors & Home Lawn & Gardens Equip - 1.00%

 

560

 

Toro Co.

57,299

 

 

 

 

Life Insurance - 1.27%

 

525

 

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

72,775



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




Annual Report | 38


ARCHER MULTI CAP FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

Motor Vehicles & Passenger Car Bodies - 2.09%

 

465

 

Tesla, Inc. *

$      120,007

 

 

 

 

National Commercial Banks - 4.05%

 

3,013

 

Bank of America Corp.

86,383

2,600

 

First Horizon Corp.

32,630

777

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

113,698

 

 

 

232,711

Ordnance & Accessories (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) - 1.42%

 

384

 

Axon Enterprise, Inc. *

81,757

 

 

 

 

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels, & Allied Products - 1.26%

 

725

 

RPM International, Inc.

72,311

 

 

 

 

Petroleum Refining - 2.11%

 

355

 

Chevron Corp.

57,190

578

 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

64,268

 

 

 

121,458

Pharmaceutical Preparations - 8.82%

 

395

 

AbbVie, Inc.

58,049

1,390

 

Cytokinetics, Inc. *

48,567

174

 

Eli Lilly & Co.

96,431

500

 

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC. (Ireland) *

71,680

489

 

Johnson & Johnson

79,062

575

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

62,663

1,100

 

Pfizer, Inc.

38,918

229

 

United Therapeutics Corp. *

51,378

 

 

 

506,748

Printed Circuit Boards - 1.86%

 

935

 

Jabil, Inc.

106,983

 

 

 

 

Pumps & Pumping Equipment - 1.17%

 

848

 

Graco, Inc.

66,941

 

 

 

 

Retail - Auto Dealers & Gasoline Stations - 1.42%

 

355

 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. *

81,650

 

 

 

 

Retail - Catalog & Mail-Order Houses - 2.10%

 

875

 

Amazon.com, Inc. *

120,759

 

 

 

 

Retail - Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers - 2.89%

 

700

 

Builders FirstSource, Inc. *

101,528

195

 

Home Depot, Inc.

64,409

 

 

 

165,937

Retail - Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores - 1.33%

 

1,400

 

Academy Sports & Outdoors, Inc.

76,398

 

 

 

 

Retail - Variety Stores - 1.20%

 

400

 

Five Below, Inc. *

68,784



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



Annual Report | 39


ARCHER MULTI CAP FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

Rubber & Plastics Footwear - 1.47%

 

160

 

Deckers Outdoor Corp. *

$        84,654

 

 

 

 

Sawmills & Planting Mills, General - 1.73%

 

950

 

UFP Industries, Inc.

99,133

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Related Devices - 4.93%

 

370

 

NVIDIA Corp.

182,614

1,780

 

Rambus, Inc. *

100,517

 

 

 

283,131

Services - Business Services - 4.66%

 

141

 

Fair Isaac Corp. *

127,547

165

 

MasterCard, Inc. Class A

       68,086

292

 

Visa, Inc. Class A

71,739

 

 

 

267,372

Services - Computer Programming, Data Processing - 7.06%

 

800

 

Alphabet, Inc. Class A *

108,936

840

 

Alphabet, Inc. Class C *

115,374

612

 

Meta Platforms, Inc. Class A *

181,085

 

 

 

405,395

Services - Engineering Services - 1.15%

 

750

 

Aecom

65,813

 

 

 

 

Services - Help Supply Services - 0.92%

 

600

 

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. *

53,028

 

 

 

 

Services - Management Consulting Services - 0.92%

 

588

 

Exponent, Inc.

52,838

 

 

 

 

Services - Personal Services - 0.99%

 

900

 

Services Corp. International

56,799

 

 

 

 

Services - Prepackaged Software - 3.26%

 

370

 

Microsoft Corp.

121,271

353

 

SPS Commerce, Inc. *

65,704

 

 

 

186,975

Services - Skilled Nursing Care Facilities - 1.08%

 

621

 

Ensign Group, Inc.

62,237

 

 

 

 

Soap, Detergent, Cleaning Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics - 0.98%

 

366

 

Procter & Gamble Co.

56,488

 

 

 

 

State Commercial Banks - 1.64%

 

965

 

East West Bancorp, Inc.

53,403

755

 

Independent Bank Corp.

40,785

 

 

 

94,188

Steel Pipe & Tubes - 1.92%

 

2,430

 

Ati, Inc. *

110,152




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



Annual Report | 40


ARCHER MULTI CAP FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






 Shares/Principal

Value

 

 

 

 

Surety Insurance - 1.05%

 

1,020

 

Assured Guaranty Ltd. (Bermuda)

$        60,017

 

 

 

 

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus - 1.02%

 

900

 

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. *

58,752

 

 

 

 

Telephone & Telegraph Apparatus - 1.54%

 

550

 

Fabrinet (Thailand) *

88,424

 

 

 

 

Water Supply - 1.26%

 

1,959

 

Essential Utilities, Inc.

72,287

 

 

 

 

Wholesale - Machinery, Equipment & Supplies - 1.34%

 

500

 

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

77,185

 

 

 

 

Wholesale - Metals Service Centers & Offices - 1.81%

 

365

 

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

104,010

 

 

 

 

TOTAL FOR COMMON STOCKS (Cost $4,591,157) - 95.57%

5,488,580

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS - 2.77%

 

900

 

Agree Realty Corp.

55,638

3,000

 

Annaly Capital Management, Inc.

60,810

800

 

Rexford Industrials Realty, Inc.

42,776

TOTAL FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost $191,967) - 2.77%

159,224

 

 

 

 

MONEY MARKET FUND - 1.60%

 

91,729

 

Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Treasury Portfolio –

     Institutional Class - 5.22% ** (Cost $91,729) - 1.60%

91,729

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $4,874,853) - 99.94%

5,739,533

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES, NET - 0.06%

3,224

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

$5,742,757









* Non-income producing security during period.

** Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the yield at August 31, 2023.

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




Annual Report | 41


ARCHER FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2023



[archerannual026.gif]











*The Funds will deduct a 1.00% redemption fee from redemption proceeds if purchased and redeemed within 90 days.


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




Annual Report | 42


ARCHER  FUNDS

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2023



[archerannual028.gif]










(a) See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

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




Annual Report | 43


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS



[archerannual030.gif]










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




Annual Report | 44


ARCHER INCOME FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS



[archerannual032.gif]










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




Annual Report | 45


ARCHER STOCK FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS



[archerannual034.gif]









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



Annual Report | 46


ARCHER DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS



[archerannual036.gif]












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




Annual Report | 47


ARCHER FOCUS FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS



[archerannual038.gif]








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




Annual Report | 48


ARCHER MULTI CAP FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS



[archerannual040.gif]










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



Annual Report | 49


ARCHER BALANCED FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.



[archerannual042.gif]









* Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period.


** Amount less than $0.005 per share.


*** Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends.


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




Annual Report | 50


ARCHER INCOME FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.



[archerannual044.gif]










* Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period.


** Amount less than $0.005 per share.


*** Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends.


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



Annual Report | 51


ARCHER STOCK FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.



[archerannual046.gif]











* Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period.


** Amount less than $0.005 per share.


*** Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends.


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




Annual Report | 52


ARCHER DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.



[archerannual048.gif]










* Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period.


** Amount less than $0.005 per share.


*** Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends.


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




Annual Report | 53


ARCHER FOCUS FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD.



[archerannual050.gif]









* Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period.


** Amount less than $0.005 per share.


*** Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends.


+ For the period December 30, 2019 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2020.


(a) Annualized


(b) Not annualized


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




Annual Report | 54


ARCHER MULTI CAP FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD.



[archerannual052.gif]









* Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period.


** Amount less than $0.005 per share.


*** Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends.


+ For the period December 30, 2019 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2020.


(a) Annualized


(b) Not annualized

 

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




Annual Report | 55


ARCHER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2023



NOTE 1.  ORGANIZATION


The Archer Investment Series Trust, an Ohio business trust (the “Trust”), is an open-end investment management company established under the laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 7, 2009 (the “Trust Agreement”).  The Trust Agreement permits the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series.  The Trust currently consists of six funds: The Archer Balanced Fund (the “Balanced Fund”), the Archer Income Fund (the “Income Fund”), the Archer Stock Fund (the “Stock Fund”), the Archer Dividend Growth Fund (the “Dividend Growth Fund”), each a diversified fund, and the Archer Focus Fund (the “Focus Fund), and the Archer Multi Cap Fund (the “Multi Cap Fund), each a non-diversified fund, (collectively referred to as the “Funds”).


The Balanced Fund commenced operations on September 27, 2005. The investment objective of the Balanced Fund is total return.  Total return is comprised of both income and capital appreciation. The Income Fund and the Stock Fund each commenced investment operations on March 11, 2011. The investment objective of the Income Fund is income while secondarily striving for capital appreciation. The investment objective of the Stock Fund is capital appreciation. The Archer Dividend Growth Fund commenced operations on September 1, 2016. The investment objective of the Dividend Growth Fund is to provide income and, as a secondary focus, long-term capital appreciation. The Focus Fund and Multi Cap Fund each commenced operations on December 30, 2019. The investment objective of the Focus Fund is long-term growth of capital. The investment objective of the Multi Cap Fund is long-term growth of capital. The investment advisor to the Funds is Archer Investment Corporation, Inc. (the “Advisor”). See Note 5 for additional information regarding the Advisor.


NOTE 2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements.  The Funds are investment companies that follow the accounting and reporting guidance of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 applicable to investment companies.


Securities Valuation – All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value as described in Note 3.


Federal Income Taxes- The Funds make no provision for federal income or excise tax.  The Funds intend to qualify each year as “regulated investment companies” (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of their taxable income. The Funds also intend to distribute sufficient net investment income and net capital gains, if any, so that they will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Funds could incur a tax expense. Therefore, no federal income tax or excise provision is required.


The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained, assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions and concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years



Annual Report | 56


ARCHER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023



(2020-2022) or expected to be taken in the Funds’ 2023 tax returns. The Funds identify their major tax jurisdiction as U.S. Federal, however the Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months.


The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the year ended August 31, 2023, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.


Security Transactions and Related Income - The Funds follow industry practice and record security transactions on the trade date.  Realized gains and losses are computed using the specific cost of the security.  Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.  Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted or amortized using the straight line method. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Distributions received from certain investments held by the Funds may be comprised of dividends, realized gains and returns of capital. The amounts may subsequently be reclassified upon receipt of information from the issuer.


Dividends and Distributions – The Funds typically will distribute substantially all of their net investment income in the form of dividends and capital gains to its shareholders. The Balanced Fund will distribute dividends quarterly and capital gains annually, and expects that distributions will consist primarily of ordinary income. The Income and Dividend Growth Fund will distribute dividends monthly and capital gains annually, and expect that distributions will consist primarily of ordinary income. The Stock Fund, Focus Fund, and Multi Cap Fund may distribute dividends quarterly and capital gains annually, and expect that distributions will consist primarily of ordinary income. Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the year from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expenses or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified in the components of the net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.  Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations or net asset values per share of the Funds.  


Redemption Fee - To discourage short-term trades by investors, the Funds will impose a redemption fee. The Funds will each impose a redemption fee of 1.00% of the total redemption amount (calculated at market value) if shares are redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Balanced Fund, Income Fund, Stock Fund, Dividend Growth Fund, Focus Fund, and Multi Cap Fund collected $743, $2,990, $427, $499, $1,056, and $14 in redemption fees, respectively.


Options - The Balanced and Income Funds may sell covered call options as part of their investment programs to obtain market exposure or to manage risk or hedge against adverse market conditions. When a fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current fair value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by



Annual Report | 57


ARCHER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023



the fund on the expiration date as realized gains from investments. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss.


If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the fund has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the fund. The fund, as writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. Neither the Balanced or Income Funds engaged in options activity during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023.


Structured Notes – The Balanced Fund and Income Fund invest in structured notes which are subject to a number of fixed income risks including general market risk, interest rate risk, as well as the risk that the issuer on the note may fail to make interest and/ or principal payments when due, or may default on its obligations entirely. In addition, as a result of imbedded derivative features in these securities, structured notes generally are subject to more risk than investing in a simple note or bond issued by the same issuer. See Note 4 for additional information related to Structured Notes.


Expenses – Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not relate to a specific Fund of the Trust are allocated to the individual Funds based on each Fund’s relative net assets or other appropriate basis as determined by the Board.


Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 these estimates.


NOTE 3.  SECURITIES VALUATION


Processes and Structure


The Funds’ Board of Trustees has adopted guidelines for valuing securities including in circumstances in which market quotes are not readily available and has delegated to the Adviser the responsibility for determining fair value prices, subject to review by the Board of Trustees.


In accordance with the Trust’s good faith pricing guidelines, the Advisor is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable. No single standard exists for determining fair value, because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of an issue of securities being valued by the Advisor would appear to be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale. Methods which are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security or a basket of securities traded on other markets,



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exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods. Good faith pricing is permitted if, in the Advisor’s opinion, the validity of market quotations appears to be questionable based on factors such as evidence of a thin market in the security based on a small number of quotations, a significant event occurs after the close of a market but before a Funds’ NAV calculation that may affect a security’s value, or the Advisor is aware of any other data that calls into question the reliability of market quotations.  Good faith pricing may also be used in instances when the bonds the Funds invest in may default or otherwise cease to have market quotations readily available.


Hierarchy of Fair Value Inputs


The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of most of their investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs are as follows:


·

Level 1. Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the company has the ability to access.


·

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


·

Level 3. Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability to the extent that relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the company's own assumptions about the assumptions that a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and that 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.


Fair Value Measurements


A description of the valuation techniques applied to each Fund’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis follows:




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Equity securities (common and preferred stock, exchange traded fund/notes, real estate investment trusts). Securities traded on a national securities exchange (or reported on the NASDAQ national market) are stated at the last reported sales price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded, and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Certain foreign securities may be fair valued using a pricing service that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to the intraday trading in the U.S. markets for investments such as American Depositary Receipts, financial futures, Exchange Traded Funds, and the movement of the certain indexes of securities based on a statistical analysis of the historical relationship and that are categorized in level 2. Preferred stock and other equities traded on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments are also categorized in level 2.


Fixed income securities (corporate bonds, municipal bonds, preferred bonds and structured notes). The fair value of fixed income securities is estimated using various techniques, which may consider recently executed transactions in securities of the issuer or comparable issuers, market price quotations (when observable), bond spreads, fundamental data relating to the issuer, and credit default swap spreads adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative instruments. Although most fixed income securities are categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, in instances when lower relative weight is placed on transaction prices, quotations, or similar observable inputs, they are categorized in level 3.


U.S. government agencies & obligations. U.S. government agencies & obligations are normally valued using a model that incorporates market observable data, such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. U.S. government obligations are categorized in level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used and market activity levels for specific securities.


Investments in open-end mutual funds including money market funds are valued at their closing net asset value each business day and are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.


The following table summarizes the inputs used to value Balanced Fund’s assets measured at fair value as of August 31, 2023:


<

BALANCED FUND

Financial Instruments—Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Categories

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair Value

    Common Stocks *

$ 31,775,128

$                -

$             -

$ 31,775,128

    Corporate Bonds *

-

7,083,878

-

7,083,878

    Municipal Bonds

-

2,335,395

    -

2,335,395

    Real Estate Investment Trust

1,830,207

   -

   -

1,830,207

    Preferred Securities *

264,880

254,069

       -

518,949

    Structured Notes *

-

161,220

     -

161,220

    Money Market Fund

1,582,806

   -

        -

1,582,806

 

$ 35,453,021

$9,834,562

$            -

$ 45,287,583





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The following table summarizes the inputs used to value Income Fund’s assets measured at fair value as of August 31, 2023:


INCOME FUND

Financial Instruments—Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Categories

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair Value

    Corporate Bonds *

$               -

$   7,626,233

$             -

$ 7,626,233

    Exchange Traded Fund

30,750

-

-

30,750

    Municipal Bonds

-

3,294,594

               -

3,294,594

    Preferred Securities *

262,750

466,002

               -

728,752

    Structured Notes *

-

266,143

               -

266,143

    U.S. Government Agencies

         & Obligations

-

4,096,133

-

4,096,133

    Money Market Fund

895,844

       -

               -

895,844

 

$  1,189,344

$ 15,749,105

$             -

$16,938,449


The following table summarizes the inputs used to value Stock Fund’s assets measured at fair value as of August 31, 2023:


STOCK FUND

Financial Instruments—Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Categories

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair Value

    Common Stocks *

$ 20,341,912

$          -

$         -

$ 20,341,912

    Real Estate Investment Trust

333,629

 

 

333,629

    Money Market Fund

193,805

     -

        -

193,805

 

$ 20,869,346

$          -

$          -

$ 20,869,346


The following table summarizes the inputs used to value Dividend Growth Fund’s assets measured at fair value as of August 31, 2023:


DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

Financial Instruments—Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Categories

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair Value

    Common Stocks *

$ 17,410,336

$           -

$           -

$ 17,410,336

    Real Estate Investment Trusts

1,349,577

-

-

1,349,577

    Money Market Fund

519,097

     -

               -

519,097

 

$ 19,279,010

$           -

$           -

$ 19,279,010


The following table summarizes the inputs used to value Focus Fund’s assets measured at fair value as of August 31, 2023:


FOCUS FUND

Financial Instruments—Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Categories

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair Value

    Common Stocks *

$ 8,019,433

$              -

$             -

$ 8,019,433

    Real Estate Investment Trusts

681,834

-

-

681,834

    Money Market Fund

308,134

     -

               -

308,134

 

$ 9,009,401

$              -

$             -

$ 9,009,401



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The following table summarizes the inputs used to value Multi Cap Fund’s assets measured at fair value as of August 31, 2023:


MULTI CAP FUND

Financial Instruments—Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Categories

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Fair Value

    Common Stocks *

$ 5,488,580

$              -

$             -

$ 5,488,580

    Real Estate Investment Trusts

159,224

-

-

159,224

    Money Market Fund

91,729

     -

               -

91,729

 

$ 5,739,533

$              -

$             -

$ 5,739,533


*Industry classifications of these categories are detailed on each Fund’s Schedule of Investments.


The Funds did not hold any Level 3 assets during the year ended August 31, 2023; therefore a reconciliation of assets in which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value is not applicable. There were no significant transfers into or out of Level 1 or Level 2 during the period. It is each Fund’s policy to recognize transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 at the end of the reporting period.


NOTE 4. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS


The Funds may use certain options (both traded on an exchange and over-the-counter), futures contracts and options on futures contracts (collectively, “Derivative Instruments”) as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying security, to attempt to hedge or limit the exposure of the Fund’s position, to create a synthetic money market position, for certain tax-related purposes and to effect closing transactions.


As of August 31, 2023, there were no options outstanding in any Fund. The Funds did not have any options transactions during the year ended August 31, 2023.


The location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Balanced and Income Funds’ derivative positions, which are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP, is as follows:


Asset Derivatives

Investment in Securities, at Value

Structured Notes

Balanced Fund

    $    161,220

Income Fund

    $    266,143


Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives during the year ended August 31, 2023, for the Balanced and Income Funds, are included in the Statement of Operations, in the location, “Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives” as follows:


Balanced Fund

 $ (13,617)

Income Fund

 $ (18,009)




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There were no realized gains or losses on sales of Structured Notes, included in the Statement of Operations, in the location, “Net Realized Gain on Investments” for the year ended August 31, 2023 for the Balanced and Income Funds, respectively.


NOTE 5.  FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES


The Advisor, under the terms of the management agreement (the “Agreement”), manages the Funds’ investments.  As compensation for its management services, each Fund is obligated to pay the Advisor a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.50% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Advisor accrued the following fees before the waivers and reimbursements described below:


 

Balanced Fund

Income

Fund

Stock

Fund

Dividend Growth Fund

Focus

Fund

Multi Cap Fund

Advisor Fees Accrued

$ 218,581

$   63,794

$  104,422

$   111,946

$   30,249

$   25,966


At August 31, 2023, the following fees were due to the Advisor or due from the Advisor after Advisor waived all fees and owed the fund for reimbursement of expenses:


 

Balanced Fund

Income

Fund

Stock

Fund

Dividend Growth Fund

Focus

Fund

Multi Cap Fund

Due to Advisor

$   16,022

$           -

$   3,084

$   2,402

$           -

$           -

Due from Advisor

$             -

$   3,314

$           -

$          -

$   3,580

$   2,458


The Advisor also performs administrative duties for the Funds including all regulatory reporting and necessary office equipment, personnel and facilities, in which the Advisor receives administrative fees. Administrative fees are paid according to the following schedule for each of the Funds: 0.50% on average net assets under $50 million, 0.07% on assets from $50 million up to $100 million, 0.05% on average net assets over $100 million up to $150 million, and 0.03% on assets over $150 million. The minimum monthly fee is $2,500. As of and for the year ended August 31, 2023, Administrative fees earned and payable to the Advisor were as follows:


 

Balanced Fund

Income

Fund

Stock

Fund

Dividend Growth Fund

Focus

Fund

Multi Cap Fund

Administrative Fees Accrued

$ 218,581

$   63794

$104,422

$   111,946

$ 36,391

$ 30,416

Administrative Fees Due

$   19,265

$    7,186

$    8,825

$     8,297

$   3,877

$   2,583


Archer Balanced Fund


The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2023 so that total annual operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Balanced Fund invests) do not exceed 1.20% of the Balanced Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Advisor waived fees of $48,353.  Pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement, if



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the Adviser so requests, any Fund Operating Expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Agreement that had the effect of reducing Fund Operating Expenses to 1.20% within the most recent three years prior to recoupment shall be repaid to the Adviser by the Fund; provided, however, that such recoupment will not cause the Fund’s expense ratio, after recoupment has been taken into account, to exceed the lesser of the expense cap in effect at the time of the waiver or the expense cap in effect at the time of recoupment. Advisory fees waived and/or reimbursed expenses that may be subject to potential recoupment by the Advisor through August 31, 2026 totaled $127,544.


The amounts subject to repayment by the Balanced Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions, at August 31, 2023 were as follows:


 

Subject to Repayment

Amount

by August 31,

$  31,685

2024

$  47,506

2025

$ 48,353

2026


Archer Income Fund


The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2023 so that total annual operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Income Fund invests) do not exceed 0.96% of the Income Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Advisor waived fees of $63,794 and reimbursed the Income Fund $26,502 in expenses.  Pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement, if the Adviser so requests, any Fund Operating Expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Agreement that had the effect of reducing Fund Operating Expenses to 0.96% within the most recent three years prior to recoupment shall be repaid to the Adviser by the Fund; provided, however, that such recoupment will not cause the Fund’s expense ratio, after recoupment has been taken into account, to exceed the lesser of the expense cap in effect at the time of the waiver or the expense cap in effect at the time of recoupment. Advisory fees waived and/or reimbursed expenses that may be subject to potential recoupment by the Advisor through August 31, 2026 totaled $267,443.


The amounts subject to repayment by the Income Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions, at August 31, 2023 were as follows:


 

Subject to Repayment

Amount

by August 31,

$ 88,888

2024

$ 88,259

2025

$ 90,296

2026





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Archer Stock Fund


The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2023 so that total annual operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Balanced Fund invests)  do not exceed 1.23% of the Stock Fund’s average daily net assets.  For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Advisor waived fees of $43,793.  Pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement, if the Adviser so requests, any Fund Operating Expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Agreement that had the effect of reducing Fund Operating Expenses to 1.23% within the most recent three years prior to recoupment shall be repaid to the Adviser by the Fund; provided, however, that such recoupment will not cause the Fund’s expense ratio, after recoupment has been taken into account, to exceed the lesser of the expense cap in effect at the time of the waiver or the expense cap in effect at the time of recoupment. Advisory fees waived and/or reimbursed expenses that may be subject to potential recoupment by the Advisor through August 31, 2026 totaled $118,492.


The amounts subject to repayment by the Stock Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions, at August 31, 2023 were as follows:


 

Subject to Repayment

Amount

by August 31,

$ 37,418

2024

$ 37,281

2025

$ 43,793

2026


Archer Dividend Growth Fund


The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2023 so that total annual operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Dividend Growth Fund invests) do not exceed 0.98% of the Dividend Growth Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Advisor waived fees of $99,666.  Pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement, if the Adviser so requests, any Fund Operating Expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Agreement that had the effect of reducing Fund Operating Expenses to 0.98% within the most recent three years prior to recoupment shall be repaid to the Adviser by the Fund; provided, however, that such recoupment will not cause the Fund’s expense ratio, after recoupment has been taken into account, to exceed the lesser of the expense cap in effect at the time of the waiver or the expense cap in effect at the time of recoupment. Advisory fees waived and/or reimbursed expenses that may be subject to potential recoupment by the Advisor through August 31, 2026 totaled $290,229.






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The amounts subject to repayment by the Dividend Growth Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions, at August 31, 2023 were as follows:


 

Subject to Repayment

Amount

by August 31,

$  92,131

2024

$  98,432

2025

$ 99,666

2026


Archer Focus Fund


The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2023 so that total annual operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Focus Fund invests) do not exceed 0.98% of the Focus Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Advisor waived fees of $30,249 and reimbursed the Focus Fund $17,868 in expenses.  Pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement, if the Adviser so requests, any Fund Operating Expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Agreement that had the effect of reducing Fund Operating Expenses to 0.98% within the most recent three years prior to recoupment shall be repaid to the Adviser by the Fund; provided, however, that such recoupment will not cause the Fund’s expense ratio, after recoupment has been taken into account, to exceed the lesser of the expense cap in effect at the time of the waiver or the expense cap in effect at the time of recoupment. Advisory fees waived and/or reimbursed expenses that may be subject to potential recoupment by the Advisor through August 31, 2026 totaled $167,367.


The amounts subject to repayment by the Focus Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions, at August 31, 2023 were as follows:


 

Subject to Repayment

Amount

by August 31,

$ 59,180

2024

$ 60,070

2025

$ 48,117

2026


Archer Multi Cap Fund


The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2023 so that total annual operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Multi Cap invests) do not exceed 0.95% of the Multi Cap Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Advisor waived fees of $25,966 and reimbursed the Multi Cap Fund $22,199 in expenses.  Pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement, if the Adviser so requests, any Fund



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Operating Expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Agreement that had the effect of reducing Fund Operating Expenses to 0.95% within the most recent three years prior to recoupment shall be repaid to the Adviser by the Fund; provided, however, that such recoupment will not cause the Fund’s expense ratio, after recoupment has been taken into account, to exceed the lesser of the expense cap in effect at the time of the waiver or the expense cap in effect at the time of recoupment.  Advisory fees waived and/or reimbursed expenses that may be subject to potential recoupment by the Advisor through August 31, 2026 totaled $146,119.


The amounts subject to repayment by the Multi Cap Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions, at August 31, 2023 were as follows:


 

Subject to Repayment

Amount

by August 31,

$ 50,964

2024

$ 46,990

2025

$ 48,165

2026


Related Party


Umberto Anastasi is an officer of the Trust, and therefore an interested person.  Mr. Anastasi is an employee of Mutual Shareholder Services, LLC (“MSS”). MSS is the transfer agent and fund accountant of the Funds. For the year ended August 31, 2023, MSS earned fees of $169,097 from the Trust. The Focus Fund and Multi Cap Fund will receive a discount of between 10% - 50% on fund accounting fees until assets reach $10 million.


Brandon Pokersnik is the chief compliance officer of the Trust as of November 2017, and therefore an interested person. Mr. Pokersnik is an employee of MSS. For the year ended August 31, 2023, Mr. Pokersnik earned fees of $10,882 from the Trust.


Troy Patton is an officer of the Trust and President of the Adviser, and therefore an interested person. There are certain shareholders of the Funds that also have a direct, regular discretionary investment accounts with the Adviser. As compensation for its management services for these particular shareholder accounts, the Adviser’s annual fee shall be 1% of the market value of the assets under management. These fees are in addition to the Management Fees earned by the Adviser as reported on the Statement of Operations of each Fund and are included in shareholder redemptions in each Fund’s Statement of Changes in Net Assets. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the Advisor earned fees from these shareholder accounts as follows:


 

Balanced Fund

Income

Fund

Stock

Fund

Dividend Growth Fund

Focus

Fund

Multi Cap Fund

 

$    5,449

$ 170

$ 3,990

$ 432

$ 29

$ -







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NOTE 6.  INVESTMENTS


For the year ended August 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments and short-term U.S. government obligations were as follows:


 

Balanced Fund

Income

Fund

Stock

Fund

Dividend Growth Fund

Focus

Fund

Multi Cap Fund

Purchases

$    770,077

$ 4,688,145

$ 1,349,946

$ 2,233,013

$ 8,901,614

$ 3,472,936

Sales

$ 4,100,102

$ 1,689,476

$ 4,553,371

$ 5,518,247

$ 3,923,924

$ 2,582,990


For the year ended August 31, 2023, purchases and sales of U.S. government obligations were $5,342,505 and $1,287,867, respectively, for the Income Fund.


NOTE 7.  BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP


The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates a presumption of control of the fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended. As of August 31, 2023, the shareholders listed in the table below held, for the benefit of their customers, the following percentages of the outstanding shares of each Fund and may be deemed to control each of the respective Funds:


 

Balanced Fund

Income

Fund

Stock

Fund

Dividend Growth Fund

Focus

Fund

Multi Cap Fund

First Clearing, LLC.

29%

29%

31%

28%

0%

0%

Wells Fargo Clearing

     Services, LLC.

28%

32%

30%

41%

68%

96%

NFS, LLC.

0%

31%

0%

28%

29%

0%


NOTE 8.  TAX MATTERS


Each Fund’s distributable earnings on a tax basis are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. As of August 31, 2023, the Trust’s most recent fiscal year-end, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:


 

Balanced Fund

Income Fund

Stock

Fund

Dividend Growth Fund

Focus

Fund

Multi Cap Fund

Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)

$15,062,634

$ (865,660)

$ 9,974,155

$   3,536,404

$528,288

$852,440

Undistributed Ordinary Income

101,175

5,944

12,537

145,616

24,257

3,567

Deferral of Post-October Losses

-

(20,080)

-

-

(251,814)

(480,420)

Undistributed long-term capital gains

-

-

806,100

-

-

-

        Capital loss carryforward: +

 

 

 

 

 

 

                Short term (no expiration)

-

 (198,097)

-

(1,282,964)

-

-

                Long term (no expiration)

(276,151)

  (219,532)

-

-

-

-

                Total Distributable
                     Earnings/(Deficit)

$14,887,658

$(1,297,425)

$10,792,792

$  2,399,056

$300,731

$375,587






Annual Report | 68


ARCHER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023



Under current tax law, net capital losses realized after October 31st and net ordinary losses incurred after December 31st may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year.  Each Fund’s carryforward losses, post-October losses and post December ordinary losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year.


+ The capital loss carryforward will be used to offset any capital gains realized by the Funds in future years.  The Funds will not make distributions from capital gains while a capital loss remains.


As of August 31, 2023 for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, the cost of securities owned, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for the Funds was as follows:


 

 Balanced  

Fund

 Income

Fund

Stock

Fund

Dividend

Growth Fund

Focus

Fund

Multi

Cap Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    on investment securities

$16,870,720

$         39,781

$10,068,781

$  4,582,574

$   921,119

$  1,136,599

Gross unrealized depreciation

    on investment securities

 (1,808,086)

      (905,441)

  (94,626)

  (1,046,170)

  (392,831)

    (284,159)

Net unrealized appreciation     

    /(depreciation)

$15,062,634

$    (865,660)

$  9,974,155

$  3,536,404

$  528,288

$    852,440

Tax cost of investments

   (including short-term

       investments) *

$30,224,949

$  17,804,109

$10,895,191

$15,742,606

$8,481,113

$  4,887,093


* The difference between book and tax cost represents disallowed wash sales for tax purposes for the Balanced Fund and Multi Cap Fund.


The Funds paid the following distributions for the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022, as applicable:


 

Year Ended

 $ Amount

 Tax Character

 

 

 

 

Balanced Fund

8/31/2023

 $         570,289

 Ordinary Income

Balanced Fund

8/31/2023

 $         857,664

 Long Term Capital Gain

 

 

 

 

Income Fund

8/31/2023

 $         443,852  

Ordinary Income

 

 

 

 

Stock Fund

8/31/2023

 $           15,291

Ordinary Income

Stock Fund

8/31/2023

 $         593,404

 Long Term Capital Gain

 

 

 

 

Dividend Growth Fund

8/31/2023

 $         653,470        

Ordinary Income

 

 

 

 

Focus Fund

8/31/2023

 $         215,267        

Ordinary Income

Focus Fund

8/31/2023

 $           65,152                 

 Long Term Capital Gain

 

 

 

 

Multi Cap Fund

8/31/2023

 $           20,869        

Ordinary Income

Multi Cap Fund

8/31/2023

 $         311,064        

 Long Term Capital Gain

 

 

 







Annual Report | 69


ARCHER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023






 

Year Ended

 $ Amount

 Tax Character

 

 

 

 

Balanced Fund

8/31/2022

 $         469,788

 Ordinary Income

Balanced Fund

8/31/2022

 $         471,298

 Long Term Capital Gain

 

 

 

 

Income Fund

8/31/2022

 $         249,892

Ordinary Income

 

 

 

 

Stock Fund

8/31/2022

 $      1,063,473

 Long Term Capital Gain

 

 

 

 

Dividend Growth Fund

8/31/2022

 $         507,765

Ordinary Income

 

 

 

 

Focus Fund

8/31/2022

 $         236,391

Ordinary Income

Focus Fund

8/31/2022

 $         125,592

 Long Term Capital Gain

 

 

 

 

Multi Cap Fund

8/31/2022

 $                283

Ordinary Income

Multi Cap Fund

8/31/2022

 $           79,555

 Long Term Capital Gain


NOTE 9.  INDEMNIFICATIONS


In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain general indemnification to other parties. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these contracts is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. The Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.


NOTE 10.  MARKET RISK


Overall market risks may also affect the value of the Funds. Factors such as domestic economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels and political events affect the securities markets. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issue, recessions and depressions, or other events could have a significant impact on each Fund and its investments and could result in increased premiums or discounts to each Fund’s net asset value, and may impair market liquidity, thereby increasing liquidity risk. The Funds could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments.


NOTE 11.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS


On September 28, 2023, the following Funds declared distributions form ordinary income to shareholders of record as of September 28, 2023:


Ordinary Income

    Per Share Amount

Balanced Fund            

      $146,120        

                 $0.05

Income Fund

      $  60,968

$0.06

Dividend Growth Fund

      $  35,433

$0.04

Focus Fund

      $  36,878

$0.09

Multi Cap Fund

      $    2,828

$0.01




Annual Report | 70


ARCHER FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023



Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no additional subsequent events requiring disclosure in the financial statements for the Funds.





Annual Report | 71




 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


 To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of  

Archer Balanced Fund, Archer Income Fund, Archer Stock Fund, Archer Dividend Growth Fund,

Archer Focus Fund and Archer Multi Cap Fund, each a Series of the Archer Investment Series Trust


Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of the Archer Balanced Fund, Archer Income Fund, Archer Stock Fund, Archer Dividend Growth Fund, Archer Focus Fund, and Archer Multi Cap Fund, collectively the Funds, each a series of the Archer Investment Series Trust (the “Trust”), including the schedules of investments, as of August 31, 2023, the related statements of operations, the statements of changes in net assets, the related notes and the financial highlights for the periods indicated below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).  In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial positions of the Funds as of August 31, 2023, the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.



Fund Name


Statements of Operations


Statements of Changes in Net Assets


Financial Highlights

Archer Balanced Fund

For the year ended

August 31, 2023

For the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022

For the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Archer Income Fund

For the year ended

August 31, 2023

For the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022

For the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Archer Stock Fund

For the year ended

August 31, 2023

For the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022

For the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Archer Dividend Growth Fund

For the year ended

August 31, 2023

For the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022

For the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Archer Focus Fund

For the year ended

August 31, 2023

For the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022

For the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 and period from December 30, 2019 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2020

Archer Multi Cap Fund

For the year ended

August 31, 2023

For the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022

For the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 and period from December 30, 2019 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2020


Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.





Annual Report | 72




We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.  The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting.  As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  


Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

[sanville2.jpg]

We have served as the auditor of the

Archer Investment Series Trust since 2011


Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2023


 



Annual Report | 73


ARCHER FUNDS

EXPENSE ILLUSTRATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



 Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs (such as short-term redemption fees); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund(s) 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 – March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023.


Actual Expenses

The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.


Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not such Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.


Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Archer Balanced Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Account Value

Ending

Account Value

Expenses Paid

During the Period*

 

March 1, 2023

August 31, 2023

March 1, 2023
to August 31, 2023

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,081.93

$6.30

Hypothetical

 

 

 

 (5% Annual Return before expenses)

$1,000.00

$1,019.16

$6.11

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.20%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

Archer Income Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Account Value

Ending

Account Value

Expenses Paid

During the Period*

 

March 1, 2023

August 31, 2023

March 1, 2023
to August 31, 2023

Actual

$1,000.00

$   998.78

$4.84

Hypothetical

 

 

 

 (5% Annual Return before expenses)

$1,000.00

$1,020.37

$4.89

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 0.96%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).




Annual Report | 74


ARCHER FUNDS

EXPENSE ILLUSTRATION (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)







 

Archer Stock Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Account Value

Ending

Account Value

Expenses Paid

During the Period*

 

March 1, 2023

August 31, 2023

March 1, 2023
to August 31, 2023

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,136.39

$6.62

Hypothetical

 

 

 

 (5% Annual Return before expenses)

$1,000.00

$1,019.00

$6.26

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.23%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

 

 

Archer Dividend Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Account Value

Ending

Account Value

Expenses Paid

During the Period*

 

March 1, 2023

August 31, 2023

March 1, 2023
to August 31, 2023

Actual

$1,000.00

$   978.63

$4.89

Hypothetical

 

 

 

 (5% Annual Return before expenses)

$1,000.00

$1,020.27

$4.99

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 0.98%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

 

 

Archer Focus Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Account Value

Ending

Account Value

Expenses Paid

During the Period*

 

March 1, 2023

August 31, 2023

March 1, 2023
to August 31, 2023

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,023.45

$5.00

Hypothetical

 

 

 

 (5% Annual Return before expenses)

$1,000.00

$1,020.27

$4.99

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 0.98%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

 

 

Archer Multi Cap Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Account Value

Ending

Account Value

Expenses Paid

During the Period*

 

March 1, 2023

August 31, 2023

March 1, 2023
to August 31, 2023

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,112.56

$5.06

Hypothetical

 

 

 

 (5% Annual Return before expenses)

$1,000.00

$1,020.42

$4.84

 

 

 

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 0.95%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).




Annual Report | 75


ARCHER FUNDS

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Trust. Each Trustee serves as a trustee until termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, retires or is removed.

 

The following tables provide information regarding the Trustees and Officers.

 

Independent Trustees


Name, Address*, (Age), Position

with Trust**, Term of Position with Trust

  Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

  and Other Directorships

 

 David Miller (76)


Independent Trustee, January 2010 to present


General Securities Corp. – President; 1982-Present

  

 Donald G. Orzeske, J. D. (68)


Independent Trustee, January 2010 to present


Goodin, Orzeske & Blackwell, P.C. - Attorney at Law – Shareholder - 2000-Present

 


*    The address for each trustee is: 11711 N. College Ave., Suite200, Carmel, IN 46032

** The Trust currently consists of 6 Funds.


Interested Trustees & Officers


Name, Address*, (Age), Position with Trust,** Term of Position with Trust

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

and Other Directorships

Troy C. Patton (55)


Trustee & President & Chief Executive Officer, December 2009 to present

Archer Investment Corporation, Inc. – President.  July 2005 – Present

Patton and Associates, LLC – Managing Partner. January 2005 – Present

Umberto Anastasi (49)


Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer,       September 2015 to present

Mutual Shareholders Services, LLC –Vice President. 1999 – present.

C. Richard Ropka, Esq. (59)


Secretary, December 2009 to present

Attorney – Ropka Law, LLC   May 1, 2008 – present

Brandon Pokersnik (45)

8000 Town Centre Drive, Suite 400

Broadview Heights, OH 44147


Chief Compliance Officer, November 2017 to present

Accountant, Mutual Shareholder Services, LLC, since 2008, Attorney, Mutual Shareholder Services, LLC, since June 2016, Owner/President, Empirical Administration, LLC, since September 2012

Mason Heyde (34)


Assistant Compliance Officer, November 2017 to present

Archer Investment Corporation (2012 – present)


*    The address for each trustee and officer of the Trust is: 11711 N. College Ave., Suite200, Carmel, IN 46032

** The Trust currently consists of 6 Funds.




Annual Report | 76


ARCHER FUNDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



Information Regarding Proxy Voting


A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, are available without charge upon request by (1) calling the Fund at (800)238-7701 and (2) from Fund documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.


Information Regarding Portfolio Holdings

Each Fund files a complete schedule of investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT.  The Funds first and third fiscal quarters end on November 30 and May 31. Each Fund’s Form N-PORT’s are available on the SEC’s website at http://sec.gov, or they may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (call 1-800-732-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room).  You may also obtain copies by calling the Funds at 1-800-238-7701.


Information Regarding Statement of Additional Information


The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge upon request, by calling toll free at 1-800-238-7701.


Liquidity Risk Management Program


The Funds 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 Funds’ liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, the Funds’ 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 year ended August 31, 2023, the Trust’s Liquidity Risk Management Program Committee (the “Committee”) reviewed the Funds’ investments and determined that the Funds 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 Funds’ liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Funds’ liquidity risk management program has been effectively implemented.


Annual Renewal of the Management Services Agreement with Archer Investment Corporation with respect to the Archer Balanced Fund, the Archer Income Fund, the Archer Stock Fund, the Archer Dividend Growth Fund, the Archer Focus Fund, and the Archer Multi Cap Fund


The Board of Trustees of the Archer Investment Series Trust, including the Independent Trustees voting separately, reviewed and approved the continuance of the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) with Archer Investment Corporation(the “Advisor”) at a meeting held on August 17, 2023 (the “Meeting”).  All the Trustees, including all of the Independent Trustees, were present electronically for the Board’s consideration and approval of these matters.1

____________________________

1 All of the participants in the Meeting, including the Executive Session, participated telephonically and/or by video conference.  Because of the Covid 19 pandemic, the SEC by no-action letter has waived in-person voting requirements for the approvals and renewals of advisory contracts, as well as other matters for which in person voting is required. For the time period approved by the no-action letter, such matters may now be approved and telephone or electronic meetings, provided all of the Trustees can hear and be heard.  The Fund relied on this no-action authority to conduct the August 17, 2023 Meeting electronically even though the agenda items to the Meeting included the renewal of advisory and distribution contracts for the Fund as well as the reappointment of the Fund's auditor.




Annual Report | 77


ARCHER FUNDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



At the meeting, Counsel advised the Trustees and the Independent Trustees of their statutory and fiduciary obligations in determining whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. In connection with their consideration of these matters, the Independent Trustees requested such information from the Adviser as they deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Advisory Agreement and whether the Agreement continues to be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, and the Adviser provided both written and oral information responsive to the Board’s request. In particular, the Trustees requested and reviewed information provided by the Adviser related to the following: (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, (ii) the investment performance of each Fund; (iii) the costs of the services provided and the profits realized by the Adviser from its relationship with each Fund; (iv) the financial condition of the Advisor; (v) the extent to which economies of scale are realized as the Funds advisor and as the Funds grow.


With respect to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Trustees reviewed the background, qualifications, education and experience of the Adviser’s investment, operational and compliance personnel. The Trustees considered the roles of each person as well as their relevant experience in the financial services industry, noting in particular that Troy Patton had managed the Funds assets since the inception of the predecessor Archer Funds in 2005 and that John Rosebrough, who has been a co-manager of the Fund since November 2010. The Trustees also discussed and considered the responsibilities of the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement, noting that the Adviser is responsible for providing each Archer Fund with investment research and advice, and determining the securities to be purchased and sold in accordance with the investment objective and policies of each Fund. The Trustees also considered the quality of administrative and other services provided to each Fund, the Adviser’s compliance program, and the Adviser’s role in coordinating such services and programs.


With respect to each Fund’s performance, the Trustees reviewed each Funds’ performance over various periods and compared such performance to the returns of relevant securities and averages of comparably managed mutual funds. The Trustees considered the consistency of the Adviser’s management of the Funds with their respective investment objectives and policies along with the overall performance of each Fund as presented to the Trustees in the materials at this meeting and those which the Trustees had reviewed at each prior quarterly Board meeting throughout the past fiscal year.  


As to the Archer Balanced Fund, the Trustees recognized that the Fund is the flagship fund of the Archer fund complex and had achieved an overall four-star rating from Morningstar, and that over a ten-year period, the Fund had outpaced its Morningstar category average return. The Fund has generally performed above average of funds in its category since inception with respect to total return, while year-to-date the Fund is ranked in the top 41% of Funds in its category and in the top 25% of funds in its category for the years 2021 and 2022. In particular, the Trustees further noted that a $10,000.00 investment in the Fund would have yielded a return of $22,161.00 compared to its category, which would have yielded a $19,583.00 return. Finally, the Trustees noted that the Fund had generally achieved positive annualized returns across its longer-term standard annualized performance measurement time frames three-, five- and ten-year periods of 8.44%, 6.39% and 7.30%, respectively, compared to its category which were reported as 6.39%, 6.23%, and 6.77%, respectively.


They also noted that the Fund’s calendar year-to-date performance through July 21, 2023, was negative, which was consistent with the market during that period. With respect to its performance relative to its primary benchmark, the Dow Jones Moderate Portfolio Index, the Trustees noted the Fund had outperformed the benchmark for a calendar year-to-date (-3.2% vs. -4.1%).




Annual Report | 78


ARCHER FUNDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



The Trustees noted that the Archer Balanced Fund’s 2021, 2022 and year-to-date Total Return % compared to its category and index were: as for 2021 - 17.56%, 13.89% and 12.37%; as for 2022 - -11.57%, -13.64% and -15.32%; and as for year-to-date 9.77%, 9.25% and 11.42%, respectively.  In general, the Fund outperformed the category and index during these periods and was in the top 25% of its category in year 2021 and 2022 and top 50% of its category year-to-date.

  

As to the Archer Stock Fund, the Trustees noted that the Fund had underperformed funds in its Large-Cap No-Load category since inception, although in 2020 it outperformed its comparative category and the index. The Trustees further noted that a $10,000.00 investment in the Fund would have yielded a return of $28,175.00 compared to its category, which would have yielded a $31,777.00 return. The Trustees noted that with respect to the year-to-date Total Return % the Fund outperformed its category, however it underperformed the index.  Finally, the Trustees noted that the Fund had generally achieved positive annualized returns across its longer-term standard annualized performance measurement time frames, year to date, three-, five-year periods of 16.98%, 10.3%, and 8.4, respectively, compared to its category, which were reported as 12.4%, 15.3%, and 7.9%, respectively. The Trustees noted that the Fund underperformed in the three-year and outperformed the year-to-date and five-year comparative periods in its standard annualized performance measurement time frames compared to its category and its benchmark.


The Trustees noted that the Archer Stock Fund’s 2021, 2022 and year-to-date Total Return % compared to its category and index were: as for 2021 – 23.67, 26.07 and 26.44; as for 2022 - -20.32, -16.96 and -19.50; and as for year-to-date 16.98, 15.75 and 19.42, respectively. The Trustees noted that the Fund generally underperformed the category and index during these periods and was in the lower 25% of its category in year 2021 and 2022 and lower 50% of its category year-to-date.

 

As to the Archer Income Fund, the Trustees found that the Fund was rated as a four-star fund by Morningstar and it had underperformed its benchmark, the Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index during the year-to-date period.  The Fund’s total return year-to-date was 0.98% compared to the Fund’s benchmark, which was 2.51%. The Trustees noted that the Fund’s three-year tax cost ratio at 1.11% was comparatively lower than its category, which was 1.27%. The Trustees further noted that a $10,000.00 investment in the Fund would have yielded a return of $11,576.00 compared to its category which would have yielded a $11,669.00 return.


The Trustees noted that the Archer Income Fund’s 2021, 2022 and year-to-date Total Return % compared to its category and index were: as for 2021 – 1.52, -0.67 and -1.21; as for 2022 - -6.84, -13.27 and -12.89; and as for year-to-date 0.98, 2.75 and 2.51, respectively.  The Trustees noted that the Fund generally outperformed the category and the index during the periods 2021 and 2022 and underperformed its category and the index during the year-to-date period. The Trustees noted that the Fund was in the upper 25% of its category in year 2021 and 2022 and lower 25% of its category year-to-date.


They also noted that the Fund’s calendar year-to-date risk (standard deviation) performance through July 21, 2023 was positive, With respect to its performance relative to its category and benchmark, the Trustees noted the Fund had underperformed its benchmark for a calendar year-to-date 3.3% and 5.6% respectively.


As to the Archer Dividend Growth Fund, the Trustees found that the Fund was rated as a one-star fund by Morningstar which was reduced from a two-star fund from last year.  In response, the Advisor noted that the Fund’s portfolio investments focus on dividends which those stocks were out of favor the near yet in favor in 2022 thus resulting in a positive return in a down market.  The Trustees noted that the Fund had underperformed the benchmark for the most recent three-month period by 12.0% and 12.5%, respectively, and year-to-date period by 11.90% and 13.9%,



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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



respectively, and for the three-year period by 15.3% and 17.5%, respectively. The Trustees noted that the Fund underperformed the benchmark during these periods. The Fund’s total return year-to-date was -0.83% compared to the Fund’s category which was 7.35%, and the index which was 9.25%. The Trustees noted that the Fund’s three-year tax cost ratio at 1.02% was comparatively lower than its category, which was 1.64%. The Trustees further noted that a $10,000.00 investment in the Fund would have yielded a return of $14,482.00 compared to its category, which would have yielded a $18,352.00 return. The Trustees noted that the Fund, over its lifetime, was consistently inconsistent with its Morningstar ranking.


As to the Archer Multi Cap Fund, the Trustees noted that the Fund’s inception date was December 31, 2019, and therefore has a limited performance history. The Trustees noted that the Multi Cap Fund outperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500 Mid-Cap Index, during the three-month period, the year-to-date period and underperformed its benchmark during the three-year period (10.7% / 8.8%, 15.4% / 12.4%, and 8.4% / 15.3%, respectively). The Trustees noted that the Fund’s total return year-to-date (July 21, 2023) was 15.38% compared to the Fund’s category, which was 26.55%.  The Trustees noted that the Fund underperformed its category and the index in 2021 and outperformed its category and index in 2022.  The Trustees further noted that a $10,000.00 investment in the Fund would have yielded a return of $12,446.00 compared to its category, which would have yielded a $14,331.00 return.


As to the Archer Focus Fund, the Trustees noted that the Focus Fund, similar to the Multi Cap Fund, has an inception date was December 31, 2019, and therefore also has a limited performance history. The Trustees noted that the Focus total assets under management were approximately $9.5M while the average fund size was approximately $35M.  The Trustees noted that relative to the risk (standard deviation), the Focus Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, during the three-month period, the one-year period and three-year period (9.9%, 13.0%, and 17.8% v. 11.3%, 13.1%, and 18.1%, respectively). The Trustees further noted that a $10,000.00 investment in the Fund would have yielded a return of $13,130.00 compared to its category, which would have yielded a $13,865.00 return. The Trustees noted that the Fund had mixed annualized total returns performance measurement time frames for calendar years 2021 and 2022, and year-to-date of 19.99%, -9.37% and 9.66%, respectively, compared to its category, which were reported as 26.07%, -16.96% and 15.75%, respectively, with similar comparable figures to its benchmark.


After considering and discussing the performance of each of the Funds further, the Board found that the Fund's performance reflected the Adviser’s ability to effectively manage the Funds’ assets on a long-term basis in different market environments. The Trustees also concluded that the Adviser’s experience and the historical performance data provided, and other relevant support, the fact that the investment performance of each of the Funds and the Adviser was satisfactory.


With respect to the fees and expenses paid by the Fund, the Board compared each Fund’s management fees and net expense ratios against its respective category.  As to the Archer Balanced Fund, the Trustees noted that the Fund’s Net Expense Ratio is 1.20% while the average net expense ratio of its, the Moderate Allocation category, was 0.828% in 2022, which is lower than the Fund.  The Trustees noted that the Adviser’s Management Fee is 0.50%, while the average n the Fund’s comparative category is 0.50%.  The Trustees also noted that the average Net Expense Ratio of Funds in the Balanced Fund’s category having assets under management between $25M and $75M was 1.10% which is lower than the Balanced Fund net expense ratio and the average Management Fee in this range and category was .64% which is higher than the Balanced Fund’s management fee.  


As to the Archer Dividend Growth Fund, the Trustees noted that the Fund’s Net Expense Ratio is 0.98% while the average in its Large Cap No-Load category was 0.960% in 2022 which was lower than the Fund. The Trustees noted that the average Net Expense Ratio of Funds in the Dividend



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ARCHER FUNDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



Growth Fund’s Morningstar category having assets under management between $15M and $30M was 1.12% which is higher than the Dividend Growth Fund’s  and an average Management Fee of .61% compared to the Fund’s of .50%.


As to the Archer Income Fund the Trustees noted that the Fund’s Net Expense Ratio is 0.960% while the average in its Intermediate Term No-Load category was 0.750% in 2022. The Trustees also noted that the average Net Expense Ratio of Funds in the Income Fund’s category having assets under management between $10M and $25M was 0.90% which is lower than the Income Fund’s net expense ratio and the average Management Fee in this range and category was  0.42% which is lower than the Income Fund’s management fee of 0.50%.


As to the Archer Stock Fund the Trustees noted that the Fund’s Net Expense Ratio is 1.20% while the average in its mid-cap category was 0.856%, in 2022. The Trustees also noted that the average Net Expense Ratio of Funds in the Stock Fund’s category having assets under management between $20M and $50M was 0.98% which is lower than the Income Fund’s net expense ratio and the average Management Fee in this range and category was 0.57% which is higher than the Stock Fund’s management fee of 0.50%.


As to the Archer Focus Fund the Trustees noted that the Fund’s Net Expense Ratio is 0.98% while the average in its Intermediate Term No-Load category was 8.56%.  The Trustees also noted that the average Net Expense Ratio of Funds in the Stock Fund’s category having assets under management between $5M and $100M was 1.11% which is lower than the Focus Fund’s net expense ratio and the average Management Fee in this range and category was 0.51% which is higher than the Focus Fund’s Management Fee of 0.50%.


As to the Archer Multi-cap Fund the Trustees noted that the Fund’s Net Expense Ratio is 0.95% while the average in its Intermediate Term No-Load category was 0.997%. The Trustees noted that the Adviser’s Management Fee is 0.50% while the average in the Fund’s comparative category is also 0.50%.


The Adviser also provided the Board with information on its profitability in serving as the Funds’ Adviser. The Board discussed with the Adviser the methodology utilized in assembling the information regarding profitability and considered its reasonableness, noting that the Adviser is profitable regarding its relationship with the Funds and the Adviser’s desire to remain competitive as reflected by its desire to continue to reduce both its adviser fees and administration fees accessed to the shareholders. The Trustees also considered potential benefits for the Adviser in managing the Funds, noting also that the Adviser has been engaged by the Trust to perform certain administrative services under a separate Administration agreement where the Advisor receives a fee of 0.50%. The Trustees noted that the Advisor had reduced its Management fee at various times throughout the life of the Archer Investment Serie Trust so that the Management Fees across all the Archer Funds was 0.50%. The Trustees also noted that the Advisor has agreed to maintain its expense limitation agreement with each of the Archer Funds for an additional three-year period.  Finally, the Trustees considered the terms and conditions of the Adviser’s D&O/E&O policy and how that policy would affect the Adviser’s ability to meet unexpected financial contingencies.


After discussion, the Independent Trustees concluded that, based on the foregoing, that the fees to be paid to the Adviser by each Archer Fund and the profits to be realized by the Adviser, considering all the facts and circumstances, were fair and reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and that the Adviser is financially capable of satisfying its obligations under the Management Services Agreement.




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ARCHER FUNDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED)



With respect to economies of scale, the Trustees noted that the Management Services Agreement did not have breakpoints that would reduce the advisory fee rate on assets above specified levels. However, the Trustees did note that the Adviser has historically voluntarily reduced certain of the Archer Funds’ Management Fees and expense limitations which benefited the shareholders, and that the Adviser continues to seek opportunities to reduce fund expenses of its service providers, including voluntarily reducing its administrator’s fee.  The Trustees also considered the potential benefits for the Adviser in managing multiple series under the Trust, including promotion of the Adviser’s name and the ability for the Adviser to place small accounts into one of the Funds. Finally, the Trustees also considered the Funds’ brokerage practices, the fact that the Adviser did not currently engage in any soft dollar relationships and that the average commission rates paid by each Fund were concluded to be fair and reasonable.


Prior to voting, the Independent Trustees reviewed the proposed renewal of the Management Services Agreement with management and had the opportunity to meet in a private session with their legal counsel at which no representatives of the Adviser were present.


After having received the Adviser’s proposal for continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement and reviewing the information provided to them, the Independent Trustees concluded that: (i) based on both short-term and long-term performance of each Archer Fund and the other services provided under the Management Services Agreement, such as the selection of broker-dealers for executing portfolio transactions, monitoring adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions, and overseeing the activities of the Fund’s other service providers, the Adviser has provided quality services to the Fund; (ii) each Funds’ advisory fee is reasonable in comparison to comparable managed funds, and the Adviser is providing quality portfolio management services to the Fund; (iii) shareholders are being provided quality investment management services at a total expense ratio that reasonably compares to other funds managed in the same investment style; (iv) at the present time and at current asset levels of each Archer Fund, it would not be relevant to consider the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as each Fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale; the Independent Trustees did note that, if a Fund begins to experience significant growth in its assets, it may become necessary for the Adviser to consider adding fee breakpoints to the Management Services Agreement; and (v.) while there are certain “fallout benefits” to the Adviser flowing from its relationship to the Fund,  including the administrative services fee that the Fund pays to the Adviser under a separate agreement, given the amounts involved, these payments did not change the Trustees’ views as to the reasonableness of the advisory fee paid by the Fund.


No single factor was considered in isolation to be determinative to the decision of the Trustees to approve continuance of the Management Services Agreement. Rather, the Trustees concluded, in light of a weighing and balancing of all factors considered, that it would be in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to renew the Management Services Agreement for an additional annual period.


As a result of their considerations, the Board of Trustees, including all the Independent Trustees, determined that the continuation of the current advisory agreement between each Fund and the Adviser is in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders, and adopted resolutions to that effect.





Annual Report | 82







INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Archer Investment Corporation, Inc.

11711 N. College Ave., Suite200

Carmel, IN 46032



INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Sanville & Company

2617 Huntingdon Pike

Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006



LEGAL COUNSEL

Ropka Law, LLC

215 Fries Mill Road

Turnersville, NJ 08012



CUSTODIAN

Huntington National Bank

41 South Street

Columbus, OH 43125



TRANSFER AGENT AND FUND ACCOUNTANT

Mutual Shareholder Services, LLC   

8000 Town Centre Drive, Suite 400

Broadview Heights, OH 44147






This report is intended only for the information of shareholders or those who have received the Funds’ prospectus which contains information about the Funds’ management fee and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.








Item 2. Code of Ethics.


(a) As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.


(b) For purposes of this item, “code of ethics” means written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:


(1) Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

(2) Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;

(3) Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;

(4) The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and

(5) Accountability for adherence to the code.


(c) Amendments:  During the period covered by the report, there have not been any amendments to the provisions of the code of ethics.


(d) Waivers:  During the period covered by the report, the registrant has not granted any express or implicit waivers from the provisions of the code of ethics.


(e) The Code of Ethics is not posted on registrant’s website.


(f) A copy of the Code of Ethics is attached as an exhibit.


Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.


(a) The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that it does not have an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.  At this time, the registrant believes that the experience provided by each member of the audit committee together offer the registrant adequate oversight for the registrant’s level of financial complexity.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.


(a)

Audit Fees


FY 2023

$ 54,000

FY 2022

$ 52,500


(b)

Audit-Related Fees


Registrant


FY 2023

$ 0

FY 2022

$ 0


Nature of the fees:

Not applicable.


(c)

Tax Fees


Registrant


FY 2023

$ 11,100

FY 2022

$ 10,500



Nature of the fees:

Tax preparation and filing.


(d)

All Other Fees


Registrant


FY 2023

$ 0

FY 2022

$ 0


Nature of the fees:

Not applicable.


(e)

(1)

Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies


The audit committee approves all audit and non-audit related services and, therefore, has not adopted pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.


(2)

Percentages of Services Approved by the Audit Committee


None of the services described in paragraph (b) through (d) of this Item were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.


(f)

During audit of registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year, less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.


(g)

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant:


Registrant


FY 2023

$ 11,100

FY 2022

$ 10,500




(h)

The registrant's audit committee has not considered whether the provision of non-audit services to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant, that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.


(i)

Not applicable.


(j)

 Not applicable.


Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies.  Not applicable.


Item 6.  Schedule of Investments.  Not applicable – schedule filed with Item 1.


Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Funds.  Not applicable.


Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Funds.  Not applicable.


Item 9.  Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Funds.  Not applicable.


Item 10.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.  Not Applicable


Item 11.  Controls and Procedures.  


(a)

Disclosure Controls & Procedures.  Principal executive and financial officers have concluded that Registrant’s disclosure controls & procedures are effective based on their evaluation as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.


(b)

Internal Controls.  There were no significant changes in Registrant’s internal controls of in other factors that could significantly effect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.


Item 12.  Disclosures of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.  Not applicable.


Item 13.  Exhibits.  


(a)(1)

EX-99.CODE ETH.  Filed herewith.


(a)(2)

EX-99.CERT.  Filed herewith.


(a)(3)

Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons.  Not applicable.


(b)

EX-99.906CERT.  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.



Archer Investment Series Trust


By /s/Troy C. Patton

   * Troy C. Patton

     President and Chief Executive Officer


Date: November 8, 2023



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 /s/Umberto Anastasi

   * Umberto Anastasi

     Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer


Date: November 8, 2023



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