N-CSR 1 centerstone_ncsr.htm N-CSR Blu Giant, LLC

united states
securities and exchange commission
washington, d.c. 20549

form n-csr

certified shareholder report of registered management
investment companies

Investment Company Act file number 811-23128

 

Centerstone Investors Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

135 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Philip Santopadre, Gemini Fund Services, LLC

80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-503-5789

 

Date of fiscal year end: 3/31

 

Date of reporting period: 3/31/17

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

(COVER PAGE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(CENTERSTONE INVESTORS LOGO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in a Fund are not bank deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. You could lose money if you sell when the Fund’s share price is lower than when you invested.

 

Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. The general market views expressed in this report are opinions based on market and other conditions through the end of the reporting period and are subject to change without notice. These views are not intended to predict the future performance of a Fund or the securities markets. References to specific securities and their issuers, if any, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as, recommendations to purchase or sell such securities. Such views are not meant as investment advice and may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Fund.

 

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Centerstone Funds. This and other important information about the Funds are contained in the prospectus, which can be obtained by calling 877.314.9006. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

 

The Centerstone Funds are distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Centerstone Investors, LLC is not affiliated with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC.

 

 
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

3 CENTERSTONE’S DISTINCT INVESTMENT APPROACH
   
4 CENTERSTONE’S OPERATING PRINCIPLES
   
5 CENTERSTONE’S GUIDELINES TO INTELLIGENT INVESTING
   
6 SHAREHOLDER LETTER
   
  CENTERSTONE INVESTORS FUND
   
10 Centerstone Investors Fund Overview
   
12 Portfolio of Investments
   
  CENTERSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND
   
18 Centerstone International Fund Overview
   
20 Portfolio of Investments
   
25 STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
   
27 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
   
28 STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
   
  FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
   
29 Centerstone Investors Fund
   
30 Centerstone International Fund
   
31 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
48 AUDIT OPINION
   
50 FUNDS’ EXPENSES
   
51 SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
   
53 PRIVACY POLICY
   
55 TRUSTEES & OFFICERS

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(CENTERSTONE INVESTORS LOGO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
2 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE’S DISTINCT INVESTMENT APPROACH

(Unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Successful investing requires a strong dose of common sense. As a result, we approach security analysis from a different perspective. We are business analysts, not “equity” analysts. Business analysis is a more holistic approach which includes the entirety of a firm’s capital structure and allows us, in our opinion, to more accurately gauge the prospects for impairment in business value.

 

(GRAPHIC)
 
“Successful investing requires a strong dose of common sense. As a result, we approach security analysis from a different perspective. We are business analysts, not ‘equity’ analysts.”
 
(GRAPHIC)

 

As the name of the firm states, we are investors, which implies a long-term time horizon. Since most peers operate on an annual cycle, they attempt to maximize short-term gains. Being privately owned with an employee ownership culture allows us, in our opinion, to more effectively align our interests with our investors.

 

We define risk simply as the chance for permanent loss of capital. Our distinct investment approach seeks to minimize losses at a portfolio level by trying to have adequate diversification of risks. We will default to cash and high quality bonds in the absence of qualifying investments. It is our belief that our risk management techniques on a security-level and portfolio-level attempt to address the risk most commonly defined by shareholders: volatility.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 3

 

 

CENTERSTONE’S OPERATING PRINCIPLES

(Unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

TIME HORIZON

 

♦Long-term investment horizon

 

♦Emphasis on long-term earnings power, rather than current earnings

 

MARGIN OF SAFETY AND INTRINSIC VALUE

 

♦Invest in a security after we have determined that the market price is lower than its intrinsic value, the difference being our margin of safety

 

♦Margin of safety affords us a cushion to potentially avoid paying more than its intrinsic value

 

SEEK TO MANAGE RISK THROUGH BOTTOM-UP RESEARCH

 

♦In our opinion, it is important to avoid highly leveraged businesses, specifically because they are more exposed to an impairment of value during periods of industry or economic distress

 

♦Focus our efforts on understanding the likelihood of a change in the earnings power of a business due to changing competitive dynamics, technological challenges and regulations, among other factors

 

♦In most cases, we will avoid shareholder-unfriendly businesses as it relates to management’s capital allocation decisions

 

GENERAL MARKET RISK WITHIN A BOTTOM-UP APPROACH

 

♦In environments with an insufficient margin of safety, fully invested portfolio mandates can become too exposed to the risk of loss by owning potentially overvalued securities, while a more flexible policy may help to reduce that risk by holding a reserve in cash and high quality debt instruments

 

   
4 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 5

 

 

(CENTERSTONE LOGO)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

 

(PHOTO)

Abhay Deshpande, CFA
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
  DEAR FELLOW CENTERSTONE SHAREHOLDERS,

We are pleased to present you with the first Annual Report for the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund.  This Annual Report covers less than one year’s worth of operations as the Funds’ inception date was May 3, 2016.

 

Thank you for your investment in the Centerstone Funds. At Centerstone Investors, we have structured the Firm and the Funds to be aligned with you: our shareholders. We are an independent boutique investment firm and are 100% employee owned. We view our employee ownership as “permanent capital,” which we believe is ideal for owners of a long-term-oriented Advisor. In addition, our employees have invested eight figures in the Centerstone Funds. We believe this shows no greater alignment of interest than investing alongside our shareholders.

 

SEEKING PROTECTION RATHER THAN PREDICTION

 

As we try to always do in one medium or another, we would like to remind all of our new and existing shareholders that at Centerstone Investors, we think of ourselves as being more in the business of seeking protection rather than prediction. Seeking to protect or preserve capital is at the core of our investment approach. It has been our experience that long-term success is driven only partly by the acts one commits. What one avoids has been at least equally as important in driving long-term returns. This is why we believe the typical Centerstone investment is well capitalized, well managed and well positioned (if not just a little boring). In contrast, we would find it doubly challenging to manage capital by forecasting the future. Partly because the future is unknowable and partly because the market’s reaction to future events is itself unpredictable. Say what you will about the election results, but it is as likely that many, if not most, people were just as surprised by the outcome as with the market’s reaction to it. For this, and for many other

 

   
6 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

SHAREHOLDER LETTER

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

reasons, we stick to our cautious investment approach. This means that, typically, in difficult market environments we expect our Funds to hold up relatively better, but we also do not expect to keep up with the crowd in more speculative markets, such as the past year.

 

Our first fiscal period has been an interesting one, to say the least. Global markets started with a shock from the Brexit* vote, transitioned to the shock of the US Presidential election outcome and ended with the uncertainty of a variety of European elections. With all these changes, it is interesting to see market opinion divide between those who draw parallels with the early 1980s capitalist renewal and those who see similarities with the early 20th century political environment, which did not turn out so well. I suspect that what one thinks depends on how one voted! Our opinion is that the outcome is likely to look like neither extreme, as a sample size of the two cannot be relied on for anything other than a guess. Here again we have the luxury of admitting that we do not need to know the answer. Our investment approach specifically does not depend on knowing, and even if we did know, we would not be able to predict the market’s reaction.

 

NON-US TILT

 

On the ground, we have been uncovering some companies to invest in, albeit there is certainly not an abundance of opportunities. On that premise, non-US markets seem more attractive than US markets as the bulk of our new ideas are in international markets. In the US, equities seem priced to perfection and high yield bonds have reversed much of last year’s weakness. While we are not implying anything about future returns (see above), it is not clear to us that the US equity market has much margin for error, much less a margin of safety. In accordance with our framework which first focuses on the margin of safety before investing, we are less exposed to the US currently. This explains why the reserves are higher in the Investors Fund when compared with the International Fund. In the case of both Funds, however, reserves play an important role in long-term risk management efforts, even if they may act as a drag on performance at times.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 7

 

 

(CENTERSTONE LOGO)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS FUND

 

Since inception, May 3, 2016, through March 31, 2017, the Centerstone Investors Fund Class I shares (CENTX) returned 7.02%, Class A shares (CETAX) returned 6.77% and Class A shares with a sales charge (CETAX) returned 1.40% compared with 14.35% for the MSCI ACWI Index and 13.78% for the MSCI World Index, respectively. The Fund’s reserves** made up 29.31% of the portfolio as of March 31, 2017.

 

During the period, the Centerstone Investors Fund’s five largest contributors to performance were Loomis (Sweden, Foreign Equity, Industrials), Men’s Wearhouse 7% coupon 7/1/2022 maturity (United States, High Yield Bond, Consumer Discretionary), Monmouth Real Estate Investment (United States, US REIT, Real Estate), Schneider Electric (France, Foreign Equity, Industrials) and Enersys (United States, US Equity, Industrials), collectively adding 2.23% to performance. The five largest detractors were Matas (Denmark, Foreign Equity, Consumer Discretionary), Fossil Group (United States, US Equity, Consumer Discretionary), Target (United States, US Equity, Consumer Discretionary), CVS Health (United States, US Equity, Consumer Staples) and Berendsen (United Kingdom, Foreign Equity, Industrials), collectively subtracting 1.62% from performance.

 

CENTERSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND

 

Since inception, May 3, 2016, through March 31, 2017, the Centerstone International Fund Class I shares (CINTX) returned 8.32%, Class A shares (CSIAX) returned 8.27% and Class A shares with a sales charge (CSIAX) returned 2.82% compared with 12.13% for the MSCI ACWI Ex-US Index and 10.07% for the MSCI EAFE Index, respectively. The Fund’s reserves** made up 21.60% of the portfolio as of March 31, 2017.

 

During the period, the Centerstone International Fund’s five largest contributors to performance were Loomis (Sweden, Foreign Equity, Industrials), Schneider Electric (France, Foreign Equity, Industrials), TransCanada (Canada, Foreign Equity, Energy), Richemont (Switzerland, Foreign Equity, Consumer Discretionary) and LVMH (France, Foreign Equity,

 

   
8 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

SHAREHOLDER LETTER

 MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Consumer Discretionary), collectively adding 3.69% to performance. The five largest detractors were Matas (Denmark, Foreign Equity, Consumer Discretionary), Berendsen (United Kingdom, Foreign Equity, Industrials), ComfortDelGro (Singapore, Foreign Equity, Industrials), SPDR Gold (United States, Gold ETF) and British American Tobacco (United Kingdom, Foreign Equity, Consumer Staples), collectively subtracting 1.39% from performance.

 

Thank you for being a Centerstone shareholder and partner. We will work our hardest to reward your continued trust in us. We look forward to writing you again.

 

Sincerely,

 

(-s-Abhay Deshpande)

 

Abhay Deshpande, CFA

CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

 

*Brexit is an abbreviation of “British exit” which refers to the June 23, 2016 referendum by British voters to exit the European Union.

 

**Cash & cash equivalents, treasury securities and short-term high quality bonds.

 

 The MSCI ACWI Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets.

 

 The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets.

 

 The MSCI ACWI ex-US Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the US.

 

 The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the market performance of developed markets, excluding the US & Canada.

 

 All indices provide total returns in US dollars with net dividends reinvested.

 

 Investors are not able to invest directly in the indices referenced and unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. The referenced indices are shown for general market comparisons.

 

5286-NLD-04/17/2017

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 9

 

 

(CENTERSTONE LOGO)  CENTERSTONE INVESTORS
FUND OVERVIEW (unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

(GRAPHIC) (GRAPHIC) (GRAPHIC)
     
Seeks to generate long-term growth of capital by investing across the globe Global investments across industries, market capitalizations and capital structure Invest in global equities and fixed income, with a bottom-up value approach. Weightings will vary depending on opportunities

 

PERFORMANCE 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month Since Inception*
Class I (CENTX)    1.14%    3.30%    2.12%    7.02%
Class A (CETAX) 1.14 3.21 1.98 6.77
Class A (CETAX) with Sales Charge –3.89   –1.94   –3.11   1.40
Class C (CENNX) 1.05 3.02 1.62 6.50
MSCI ACWI Index 1.22 6.91 8.18 14.35  
MSCI World Index 1.07 6.38 8.35 13.78  

 

*Inception: May 3, 2016

 

The performance data quoted here represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted above. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Fund’s investment advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund, at least until March 31, 2018, to ensure that the net annual Fund operating expenses will not exceed 1.35%, 2.10% and 1.10% of the Investors Fund’s average net assets, for Class A, Class C and Class I shares, respectively, subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years. Without these waivers, the Fund’s total annual operating expenses would be 2.53%, 3.28% and 2.28% respectively. Please review the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s fees and expenses. See financial highlights for additional information. For performance information current to the most recent month-end, please call toll-free 877.314.9006. Investors are not able to invest directly in the indices referenced in the illustration above and unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.

 

TOP 10 HOLDINGS** % of Portfolio     % of Portfolio
Gold & Gold-Related (US)     2.27%   TransCanada (CAN)    1.60%
Schneider Electric (FRA) 1.87   Loomis (SWE) 1.60
Air Liquide (FRA) 1.78   ICA Gruppen (SWE) 1.58
Colgate-Palmolive (US) 1.74   Xilinx 2.125% 3/15/2019 (US) 1.52
3M (US) 1.67   Siam City Cement (THA) 1.50
      TOTAL   17.13%

 

**Holdings in cash, cash equivalents and short term instruments have been excluded.

 

The security holdings are presented to illustrate examples of the securities that the Fund has bought and the diversity of areas in which the Fund may invest, and may not be representative of the Fund’s current or future investments. Portfolio holdings are subject to change and should not be considered investment advice.

 

   
10 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

  CLASS I   CLASS A   CLASS C
  CENTX ♦ CETAX ♦ CENNX
  (unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

Fund commenced operations May 3, 2016.

 

Class A Maximum Sales Load is 5.00%.

 

The MSCI ACWI Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets.

 

The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets.

 

(PIE CHART) (PIE CHART)

 

§Percentage of portfolio including income

 

Portfolio allocations are subject to change and should not be considered investment advice.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 11

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Shares   Security  Fair Value 
COMMON STOCK – 63.97%     
CANADA – 2.52%     
 34,267   TransCanada Corp.  $1,581,356 
 30,908   Metro, Inc.   949,424 
         2,530,780 
CHILE – 0.95%     
 37,665   Cia Cervecerias Unidas SA   951,795 
           
DENMARK – 2.47%     
 42,852   Topdanmark A/S*   1,086,416 
 63,405   Matas A/S   900,123 
 13,078   ISS A/S   494,532 
         2,481,071 
FINLAND – 0.81%     
 40,161   Tikkurila Oyj   814,032 
           
FRANCE – 7.75%     
 25,300   Schneider Electric SE   1,852,328 
 15,461   Air Liquide SA   1,766,487 
 130,147   Havas SA   1,159,322 
 4,320   LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE   948,676 
 5,747   Sodexo SA   675,932 
 8,630   Danone SA   587,006 
 6,966   Eiffage SA   545,609 
 3,558   Valeo SA   236,964 
         7,772,324 
GERMANY – 3.86%     
 14,034   Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide   993,058 
 53,055   Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG   993,032 
 10,253   Bayerische Motoren Werke AG   935,301 
 9,258   Hornbach Holding AG & Co.   686,413 
 8,633   Hornbach Baumarkt AG   269,199 
         3,877,003 
HONG KONG – 3.34%     
 861,226   Kerry Logistics Network Ltd.   1,207,922 
 728,517   Mandarin Oriental International Ltd.   947,072 
 90,000   Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.   692,100 
 110,900   Hysan Development Co. Ltd.   503,021 
         3,350,115 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
12 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Shares   Security  Fair Value 
COMMON STOCK – 63.97% (continued)     
INDONESIA – 0.95%     
 768,562   Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk PT  $957,422 
           
ITALY – 0.29%     
 12,282   Interpump Group SpA   285,633 
           
JAPAN – 4.78%     
 174,090   Ichiyoshi Securities Co. Ltd.   1,311,969 
 50,951   Nagaileben Co. Ltd.   1,052,154 
 35,875   Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.   654,148 
 19,273   Aica Kogyo Co. Ltd.   507,576 
 27,630   Sekisui Jushi Corp.   458,887 
 3,052   Shimano, Inc.   445,477 
 1,796   FANUC Corp.   368,137 
         4,798,348 
MEXICO – 0.96%     
 131,348   Grupo Televisa SAB   680,514 
 14,640   Fresnillo PLC   285,409 
         965,923 
PERU – 0.69%     
 19,163   Southern Copper Corp.   687,760 
           
SINGAPORE – 1.82%     
 646,866   ComfortDelGro Corp. Ltd.   1,183,813 
 91,869   Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.   638,358 
         1,822,171 
SWEDEN – 3.13%     
 49,953   Loomis AB   1,580,987 
 45,791   ICA Gruppen AB   1,562,709 
         3,143,696 
SWITZERLAND – 4.92%     
 3,334   Swatch Group AG   1,193,936 
 14,267   Cie Financiere Richemont SA   1,128,085 
 12,744   Novartis AG   945,956 
 12,102   Nestle SA   928,507 
 2,897   Roche Holding AG   739,832 
         4,936,316 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 13

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Shares   Security  Fair Value 
COMMON STOCK – 63.97% (continued)     
THAILAND – 2.65%     
 171,543   Siam City Cement PCL  $1,482,671 
 104,400   Bangkok Bank PCL   565,104 
 65,350   Bangkok Bank PCL (NVDR)   345,174 
 402,100   Thai Beverage PCL   270,203 
         2,663,152 
UNITED KINGDOM – 1.89%     
 92,884   Berendsen PLC   853,025 
 155,249   Rotork PLC   473,247 
 13,905   Weir Group PLC   333,972 
 7,368   Spectris PLC   230,600 
         1,890,844 
UNITED STATES – 20.19%     
 23,565   Colgate-Palmolive, Co.   1,724,722 
 8,672   3M. Co.   1,659,214 
 35,628   Coach, Inc.   1,472,505 
 83,227   Fossil Group, Inc.*   1,452,311 
 25,655   Target Corp.   1,415,899 
 47,687   Mosaic Co.   1,391,507 
 17,697   CVS Health Corp.   1,389,214 
 15,016   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.   1,082,353 
 12,416   Omnicom Group, Inc.   1,070,383 
 12,213   EnerSys   964,094 
 7,365   McDonald’s Corp.   954,578 
 15,473   Emerson Electric, Co.   926,214 
 16,985   Sonoco Products, Co.   898,846 
 3,035   WW Grainger, Inc.   706,427 
 7,065   Scotts Miracle-Gro, Co.   659,800 
 5,571   United Technologies Corp.   625,122 
 3,682   Snap-on, Inc.   621,043 
 8,569   CarMax, Inc.*   507,456 
 5,353   TJX Cos, Inc.   423,315 
 8,254   Comcast Corp.   310,268 
         20,255,271 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost – $61,663,185)   64,183,656 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
14 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Principal   Security  Coupon  Maturity  Fair Value 
BONDS & NOTES – 11.71%           
LUXEMBOURG – 0.10%           
$100,000   Actavis Funding SCS  2.35%  3/12/2018  $100,436 
NETHERLANDS – 0.21%           
 201,000   LyondellBasell Industries NV  5.00%  4/15/2019   211,697 
UNITED KINGDOM – 0.29%           
 276,000   Vodafone Group PLC  4.63%  7/15/2018   284,987 
UNITED STATES – 11.11%           
 1,500,000   Xilinx, Inc.  2.13%  3/15/2019   1,504,573 
 961,000   Kraft Heinz Foods Co.  2.00%  7/2/2018   963,387 
 812,000   Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC  2.55%  10/5/2018   818,446 
 800,000   Mondelez International, Inc.  1.55%  2/1/2019   804,013 
 750,000   United Technologies Corp.  1.78%  5/4/2018   749,788 
 700,000   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.  2.65%  11/29/2023   725,122 
 700,000   UBS Group Funding Ltd. - 144A  2.80%  4/14/2021   723,757 
 692,000   Men’s Wearhouse, Inc.  7.00%  7/1/2022   614,150 
 550,000   PHI, Inc.  5.25%  3/15/2019   519,750 
 500,000   Talen Energy Supply LLC  6.50%  5/1/2018   516,250 
 500,000   Wells Fargo & Co.  1.72%  1/30/2020   502,112 
 439,000   Bank of America Corp.  5.65%  5/1/2018   456,744 
 420,000   Kindred Healthcare, Inc.  8.00%  1/15/2020   426,825 
 350,000   Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.  7.63%  3/15/2020   352,625 
 300,000   National Oilwell Varco, Inc.  1.35%  12/1/2017   299,168 
 250,000   Synchrony Financial  2.60%  1/15/2019   251,952 
 245,000   Verizon Communications, Inc.  2.87%  9/14/2018   250,187 
 200,000   Anthem, Inc.  7.00%  2/15/2019   217,564 
 146,000   Wells Fargo & Co.  2.44%  3/4/2021   149,715 
 140,000   HRG Group, Inc.  7.88%  7/15/2019   144,900 
 80,000   Spectra Energy Partners LP  2.95%  9/25/2018   81,057 
 75,000   Qwest Corp.  6.50%  6/1/2017   75,376 
               11,147,461 
TOTAL BONDS & NOTES (Cost – $11,769,946)   11,744,581 
                 
Shares   Security         Fair Value 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUND - COMMODITY – 2.24%     
 18,966   SPDR Gold Shares*         2,251,643 
                 
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND - COMMODITY (COST – $2,241,641)   2,251,643 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 15

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Shares   Security        Fair Value 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS – 1.58%     
 3,942   Unibail-Rodamco SE        $921,388 
 46,352   Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp.         661,443 
TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost – $1,506,707)   1,582,831 
                 
Principal   Security  Coupon  Maturity   Fair Value 
US GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – 3.07%     
US TREASURY NOTES – 3.07%     
$2,200,000   United States Treasury Note  0.93%  1/31/2019   2,201,617 
 885,000   United States Treasury Note  0.75%  4/30/2018   881,578 
TOTAL US GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (Cost $3,086,130)   3,083,195 
                 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 16.29%     
US TREASURY BILL – 8.47%     
 6,000,000   United States Treasury Bill  0.00%  5/11/2017   5,996,500 
 2,500,000   United States Treasury Bill  0.00%  5/25/2017   2,498,161 
               8,494,661 
                 
Shares   Security         Fair Value 
MONEY MARKET FUND – 7.82%     
 7,848,074   State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, Trust Class, 0.51%^         7,848,074 
                 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost – $16,342,736)   16,342,735 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 98.86% (Cost – $96,610,345)(a)  $99,188,641 
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES – 1.14%   1,144,632 
NET ASSETS – 100.00%  $100,333,273 

 

NVDR: Non-Voting Depository Receipt

 

144A - Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be sold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of such securities is $723,757 or 0.7% of net assets.

 

*Non-income producing security

 

^Interest rate reflects seven-day effective yield on March 31, 2017

 

(a)Represents cost for financial reporting purposes. Aggregate cost for federal tax purposes is $97,013,190 and differs from fair value by net unrealized appreciation of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation:  $3,571,625 
Gross unrealized depreciation:   (1,396,174)
Net unrealized appreciation:  $2,175,451 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
16 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

As of March 31, 2017 the following Forward Foreign Currency Contracts were open:

 

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS

 

         Local            
         Currency      US $     
         Amount      Value at   Unrealized 
Foreign  Settlement     Purchased/  US $   March 31,   Appreciation/ 
Currency  Date  Counterparty  Sold  Equivalent   2017   (Depreciation)* 
To Buy:                        
British Pound  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  62,400  $78,025   $78,266   $241 
Danish Krone  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  1,500,000   214,118    215,598    1,480 
Euro  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  865,558   919,910    925,005    5,095 
Japanese Yen  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  30,000,000   264,846    269,948    5,102 
Swedish Krona  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  5,100,000   560,363    570,405    10,042 
            $2,037,262   $2,059,222   $21,960 
                         
To Sell:                        
British Pound  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  62,400  $77,963   $78,266   $(303)
Canadian Dollar  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  660,000   494,997    496,616    (1,619)
Chilean Peso  6/20/2017  State Street Bank  240,000,000   360,792    362,305    (1,513)
Danish Krone  8/17/2017  State Street Bank  4,975,000   715,738    715,973    (235)
Euro  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  3,325,000   3,558,492    3,554,712    3,780 
Japanese Yen  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  116,500,000   1,037,778    1,048,297    (10,519)
Singapore Dollar  8/17/2017  State Street Bank  615,000   435,053    440,133    (5,080)
Swedish Krona  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  10,800,000   1,199,955    1,207,915    (7,960)
Swiss Franc  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  790,000   796,040    790,863    5,177 
            $8,676,808   $8,695,080   $(18,272)

 

*The amount represents fair value of derivative instruments subject to foreign currency risk exposure as of March 31, 2017.

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 17

 

 

(CENTERSTONE LOGO)  CENTERSTONE INTERNATIONAL
FUND OVERVIEW (unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

(GRAPHIC) (GRAPHIC) (GRAPHIC)
     
Seeks to generate long-term growth of capital by investing across international markets, including developed and emerging Non-US investments across industries, market capitalizations and capital structure Invest majority of assets in foreign equities with flexibility to invest in fixed income, with a bottom-up value approach

 

PERFORMANCE 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month Since Inception*
Class I (CINTX)    2.19%    5.29%    2.77%    8.32%
Class A (CSIAX) 2.09 5.19 2.73 8.27
Class A (CSIAX) with Sales Charge –2.98   –0.09   –2.37   2.82
Class C (CSINX) 2.09 5.09 2.49 8.02
MSCI ACWI ex-US Index 2.54 7.86 6.51 12.13  
MSCI EAFE Index 2.75 7.25 6.48 10.07  

 

*Inception: May 3, 2016

 

The performance data quoted here represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted above. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Fund’s investment advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund, at least until March 31, 2018, to ensure that the net annual Fund operating expenses will not exceed 1.35%, 2.10% and 1.10% of the International Fund’s average net assets, for Class A, Class C and Class I shares, respectively, subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years. Without these waivers, the Fund’s total annual operating expenses would be 2.58%, 3.33% and 2.33% respectively. Please review the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s fees and expenses. See financial highlights for additional information. For performance information current to the most recent month-end, please call toll-free 877.314.9006. Investors are not able to invest directly in the indices referenced in the illustration above and unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.

 

TOP 10 HOLDINGS** % of Portfolio     % of Portfolio
Air Liquide (FRA)   3.19%   Siam City Cement (THA)   2.36%
Schneider Electric (FRA) 2.94   Nagaileben (JPN) 2.35
ICA Gruppen (SWE) 2.86   TransCanada (CAN) 2.33
Gold & Gold-Related (US) 2.50   Richemont (CHE) 2.16
Loomis (SWE) 2.39   Swatch Group (CHE) 2.14
      TOTAL   25.22%

 

**Holdings in cash, cash equivalents and short term instruments have been excluded.

 

The security holdings are presented to illustrate examples of the securities that the Fund has bought and the diversity of areas in which the Fund may invest, and may not be representative of the Fund’s current or future investments. Portfolio holdings are subject to change and should not be considered investment advice.

 

   
18 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

  CLASS I   CLASS A   CLASS C
  CINTX ♦ CSIAX ♦ CSINX
  (unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

GROWTH OF A $10,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

Fund commenced operations on May 3, 2016.

 

Class A Maximum Sales Load is 5.00%.

 

The MSCI ACWI ex-US Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the US.

 

The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the market performance of developed markets, excluding the US & Canada.

 

(PIE CHART) (PIE CHART)

 

§Percentage of portfolio including income

 

Portfolio allocations are subject to change and should not be considered investment advice.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 19

 

 

CENTERSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Shares   Security  Fair Value 
COMMON STOCK – 74.30%     
CANADA – 4.04%     
 24,246   TransCanada Corp.  $1,118,906 
 26,786   Metro, Inc.   822,806 
         1,941,712 
CHILE – 1.49%     
 28,417   Cia Cervecerias Unidas SA   718,098 
           
DENMARK – 3.57%     
 26,879   Topdanmark A/S*   681,457 
 44,377   Matas A/S   629,994 
 10,792   ISS A/S   408,089 
         1,719,540 
FINLAND – 1.52%     
 36,137   Tikkurila Oyj   732,469 
           
FRANCE – 13.55%     
 13,403   Air Liquide SA   1,531,351 
 19,253   Schneider Electric SE   1,409,600 
 4,195   LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE   921,226 
 90,537   Havas SA   806,484 
 10,541   Danone SA   716,991 
 4,064   Sodexo SA   477,987 
 5,775   Eiffage SA   452,324 
 3,054   Valeo SA   203,398 
         6,519,361 
GERMANY – 5.85%     
 10,472   Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide   741,008 
 38,859   Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG   727,325 
 7,600   Bayerische Motoren Werke AG   693,288 
 5,969   Hornbach Holding AG & Co KGaA   442,558 
 6,709   Hornbach Baumarkt AG   209,204 
         2,813,383 
HONG KONG – 5.02%     
 586,577   Kerry Logistics Network Ltd.   822,710 
 519,083   Mandarin Oriental International Ltd.   674,808 
 63,950   Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.   491,775 
 93,900   Hysan Development Co. Ltd.   425,912 
         2,415,205 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
20 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Shares   Security  Fair Value 
COMMON STOCK – 74.30% (continued)     
INDONESIA – 1.47%     
 567,113   Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk PT  $706,471 
           
ITALY – 0.52%     
 10,709   Interpump Group SpA   249,051 
           
JAPAN – 8.15%     
 54,724   Nagaileben Co. Ltd.   1,130,068 
 131,110   Ichiyoshi Securities Co. Ltd   988,065 
 17,442   Aica Kogyo Co. Ltd.   459,355 
 23,325   Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.   425,310 
 2,138   Shimano, Inc.   312,068 
 1,514   FANUC Corp.   310,334 
 17,820   Sekisui Jushi Corp.   295,960 
         3,921,160 
MEXICO – 1.54%     
 105,058   Grupo Televisa SAB   544,306 
 10,117   Fresnillo PLC   197,232 
         741,538 
PERU – 0.95%     
 12,669   Southern Copper Corp.   454,690 
           
SINGAPORE – 3.08%     
 493,634   ComfortDelGro Corp. Ltd.   903,387 
 83,201   Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.   578,127 
         1,481,514 
SWEDEN – 5.24%     
 40,258   ICA Gruppen AB   1,373,884 
 36,223   Loomis AB   1,146,439 
         2,520,323 
SWITZERLAND – 8.80%     
 13,126   Cie Financiere Richemont SA   1,037,867 
 2,868   Swatch Group AG   1,027,057 
 11,051   Novartis AG   820,288 
 8,995   Nestle SA   690,127 
 2,586   Roche Holding AG   660,409 
         4,235,748 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 21

 

 

CENTERSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Shares   Security        Fair Value 
COMMON STOCK – 74.30% (continued)     
THAILAND – 4.25%     
 131,057   Siam City Cement PCL        $1,132,744 
 89,800   Bangkok Bank PCL         486,076 
 49,450   Bangkok Bank PCL (NVDR)         261,191 
 248,200   Thai Beverage PCL         166,786 
               2,046,797 
UNITED KINGDOM – 3.19%     
 72,963   Berendsen PLC         670,075 
 139,023   Rotork PLC         423,785 
 10,008   Weir Group PLC         240,373 
 6,391   Spectris PLC         200,022 
               1,534,255 
UNITED STATES – 2.07%     
 34,117   Mosaic Co.         995,534 
                 
TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost – $33,610,632)   35,746,849 
                 
Principal   Security  Coupon  Maturity   Fair Value 
BONDS & NOTES – 0.27%           
UNITED KINGDOM – 0.27%           
$124,000   Vodafone Group PLC  4.63%  7/15/2018   128,037 
                 
TOTAL BONDS & NOTES (Cost – $129,020)         128,037 
                 
Shares   Security         Fair Value 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUND - COMMODITY – 2.50%           
 10,117   SPDR Gold Shares*         1,201,090 
                 
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND - COMMODITY (Cost – $1,168,468)   1,201,090 
                 
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS – 1.40%     
 2,886   Unibail-Rodamco SE         674,562 
                 
TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (Cost – $666,238)   674,562 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
22 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Principal   Security  Coupon  Maturity  Fair Value 
US GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS – 7.97%           
US TREASURY NOTES – 7.97%           
$2,500,000   United States Treasury Note  0.97%  1/31/2019  $2,501,838 
 1,340,000   United States Treasury Note  0.75%  4/30/2018   1,334,818 
               3,836,656 
                 
TOTAL US GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (Cost $3,840,691)   3,836,656 
                 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS – 13.34%           
US TREASURY BILL – 6.23%           
 3,000,000   United States Treasury Bill  0.00%  5/11/2017   2,998,250 
                 
Shares   Security         Fair Value 
MONEY MARKET FUND – 7.11%           
 3,421,555   State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, Trust Class, 0.51%^   3,421,555 
                 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost – $6,419,805)         6,419,805 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.78% (Cost – $45,834,854)(a)        $48,006,999 
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES – 0.22%         106,034 
NET ASSETS – 100.00%        $48,113,033 

 

NVDR: Non-Voting Depository Receipt

 

*Non-income producing security

 

^Interest rate reflects seven-day effective yield on March 31, 2017

 

(a)Represents cost for financial reporting purposes. Aggregate cost for federal tax purposes is $45,962,182 and differs from fair value by net unrealized appreciation of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation:  $2,541,020 
Gross unrealized depreciation:   (496,203)
Net unrealized appreciation:  $2,044,817 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 23

 

 

CENTERSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

As of March 31, 2017 the following Forward Foreign Currency Contracts were open:

 

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS

 

         Local            
         Currency      US $     
         Amount      Value at   Unrealized 
Foreign  Settlement     Purchased/  US $   March 31,   Appreciation/ 
Currency  Date  Counterparty  Sold  Equivalent   2017   (Depreciation)* 
To Buy:                        
British Pound  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  105,330  $131,705   $132,112   $407 
Danish Krone  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  1,600,000   228,392    229,971    1,579 
Euro  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  1,091,734   1,159,104    1,166,964    7,860 
Japanese Yen  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  40,000,000   353,128    359,930    6,802 
Swedish Krona  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  5,100,000   563,039    570,405    7,366 
Swiss Franc  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  500,000   502,459    500,546    (1,913)
            $2,937,827   $2,959,928   $22,101 
                         
To Sell:                        
British Pound  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  105,330  $131,154   $132,111   $(957)
Canadian Dollar  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  499,930   372,394    376,171    (3,777)
Chilean Peso  6/20/2017  State Street Bank  210,000,000   315,693    317,017    (1,324)
Danish Krone  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  4,075,000   585,376    585,707    (331)
Euro  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  2,700,000   2,882,734    2,886,533    (3,799)
Japanese Yen  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  100,000,000   889,530    899,826    (10,296)
Singapore Dollar  8/17/2017  State Street Bank  450,000   317,348    322,048    (4,700)
Swedish Krona  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  9,550,000   1,057,045    1,068,110    (11,065)
Swiss Franc  5/16/2017  State Street Bank  1,209,400   1,210,206    1,210,721    (515)
            $7,761,480   $7,798,244   $(36,764)

 

*The amount represents fair value of derivative instruments subject to foreign currency risk exposure as of March 31, 2017.

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
24 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

   Centerstone   Centerstone 
   Investors   International 
   Fund   Fund 
Assets:          
Investments in securities, at cost  $96,610,345   $45,834,854 
Investments in securities, at value  $99,188,641   $48,006,999 
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $59 and $157, respectively)   58    157 
Interest and dividends receivable   207,625    90,525 
Receivable for fund shares sold   2,058,808    163,543 
Unrealized appreciation on open forward foreign currency contracts   52,344    39,176 
Due from Advisor   85,956    45,107 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   20,746    22,983 
Total Assets   101,614,178    48,368,490 
           
Liabilities:          
Due to custodian   51,817    — 
Payable for securities purchased   1,031,832    97,861 
Payable for fund shares redeemed   14,630    1,837 
Unrealized depreciation on open forward foreign currency contracts   48,656    53,839 
Payable for distribution fees   2,117    2,209 
Payable for trustees fees   24,270    20,111 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   107,583    79,600 
Total Liabilities   1,280,905    255,457 
           
Net Assets  $100,333,273   $48,113,033 
           
Net Assets consist of:          
Paid in capital  $97,822,774   $45,878,110 
Accumulated undistributed net investment income   355,935    177,679 
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions   (427,175)   (100,110)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   2,581,739    2,157,354 
           
Net Assets  $100,333,273   $48,113,033 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 25

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

   Centerstone   Centerstone 
   Investors   International 
   Fund   Fund 
Net Asset Value Per Share          
Class I Shares:          
Net Assets  $90,802,652   $40,395,183 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (no par value; unlimited shares authorized)   8,534,467    3,756,834 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share*  $10.64   $10.75 
           
Class A Shares:**          
Net Assets  $8,909,976   $6,509,787 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (no par value; unlimited shares authorized)   839,097    605,416 
Net asset value, and redemption price per share*  $10.62   $10.75 
Offering price per share (NAV per share plus maximum sales charge of 5%)  $11.18   $11.32 
           
Class C Shares:          
Net Assets  $620,645   $1,208,063 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (no par value; unlimited shares authorized)   58,599    112,614 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share*  $10.59   $10.73 
Redemtion proceeds per share (NAV per share less maximum contigent deferred sales charge)^  $10.48   $10.62 

 

*Each fund will deduct a 2.00% redemption fee on the redemption amount if you sell your shares less than 30 days after purchase.

 

**A maximum contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may apply to certain redemptions of Class A shares made within the first 18 months of their purchase when an initial sales charge was not paid on the purchase.

 

^If you redem Class C shares within 12 months after purchase, you will be charged a CDSC of up to 1.00%. The charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the Class C shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption.

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
26 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2017*

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

   Centerstone   Centerstone 
   Investors   International 
   Fund   Fund 
Investment Income:          
Interest income  $206,146   $29,319 
Dividend income   489,797    287,962 
Less: Foreign withholding taxes   (34,910)   (31,873)
Total Investment Income   661,033    285,408 
           
Operating Expenses:          
Investment advisory fees   319,065    171,246 
Distribution fees — Class A Shares   6,843    2,895 
Distribution fees — Class C Shares   1,050    1,893 
Professional fees   119,367    68,439 
Trustees’ fees   114,154    74,088 
Administration fees   94,994    94,434 
Custodian fees   59,894    35,2 12 
Registration & filing fees   50,246    50,699 
Chief Compliance Officer fees   29,595    16,261 
Printing and postage expense   23,071    10,348 
Transfer agent fees   20,896    15,918 
Other expenses   31,736    19,982 
Total Operating Expenses   870,9 1 1    561,415 
Less: Fees waived/reimbursed by the Advisor   (470,022)   (346,342)
Net Operating Expenses   400,889    215,073 
Net Investment Income   260,144    70,335 
          
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency:          
Net realized gain (loss) from:          
Investments   (408,067)   (73,681)
Forward foreign currency contracts   339,008    227,230 
    (69,059)   153,549 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:          
Investments   2,578,296    2,172,145 
Foreign currency translations   (245)   (128)
Forward foreign currency contracts   3,688    (14,663)
    2,581,739    2,157,354 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain   2,512,680    2,310,903 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations  $2,772,824   $2,381,238 

 

*The Funds’ inception date was May 3, 2016.

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 27

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2017*

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

   Centerstone   Centerstone 
   Investors   International 
   Fund   Fund 
Operations:          
Net investment income  $260,144   $70,335 
Net realized gain (loss) from investments and forward foreign currency contracts   (69,059)   153,549 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency translations and forward foreign currency contacts   2,581,739    2,157,354 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations   2,772,824    2,381,238 
           
Distributions to Shareholders From:          
Net Investment Income:          
Class I   (206,415)   (114,179)
Class A   (27,800)   (5,140)
Class C   (244)   (477)
Net Realized Gains:          
Class I   (24,262)   (25,173)
Class A   (3,574)   (1,222)
Class C   (30)   (124)
Total Distributions to Shareholders   (262,325)   (146,315)
           
Fund Share Transactions of Beneficial Interest:          
Net proceeds from shares sold          
Class I   96,451,618    39,681,319 
Class A   8,819,115    6,665,870 
Class C   611,394    1,175,615 
Reinvestment of distributions          
Class I   221,936    139,352 
Class A   29,574    6,362 
Class C   274    601 
Redemption fee proceeds          
Class I   15,178    6,527 
Class A   —    640 
Cost of shares redeemed          
Class I   (8,156,932)   (1,464,945)
Class A   (169,372)   (333,220)
Class C   (11)   (11)
Net Increase in Net Assets From Share Transactions of Beneficial Interest   97,822,774    45,878,110 
Total Increase in Net Assets   100,333,273    48,113,033 
           
Net Assets:          
Beginning of Period   —    — 
End of Period**  $100,333,273   $48,113,033 
          
** Includes accumulated undistributed net investment income at end of period  $355,935   $177,679 

 

*The Funds’ inception date was May 3, 2016.

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
28 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2017*

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

The table sets forth financial data for one share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period:

 

   Class I   Class A   Class C 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.00   $10.00   $10.00 
Income from investment operations:               
Net investment income**   0.07    0.04    0.01 
Net realized and unrealized gain   0.63    0.64    0.64 
Total income from investment operations   0.70    0.68    0.65 
Less distributions:               
From net investment income   (0.05)   (0.05)   (0.05)
From net realized gains   (0.01)   (0.01)   (0.01)
Total distributions   (0.06)   (0.06)   (0.06)
Paid in capital from redemption fees   — (1)   —    — 
                
Net asset value, end of period  $10.64   $10.62   $10.59 
Total return(2)†   7.02%   6.77%   6.50%
                
Ratios/Supplemental Data:               
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $90,803   $8,910   $621 
Ratios of expenses to average net assets               
Before fee waivers^   2.42%   2.55%   3.86%
After fee waivers^   1.10%   1.35%   2.10%
Ratios of net investment income (loss) to average net assets               
Before fee waivers^   (0.57)%   (0.77)%   (1.68)%
After fee waivers^   0.75%   0.44%   0.08%
Portfolio turnover rate(2)   33.34%   33.34%   33.34%

 

*The Fund’s inception date was May 3, 2016.

 

**The net investment income per share data was determined using the average shares outstanding throughout the period.

 

(1)Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

 

(2)Not annualized.

 

†Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect any sales charges, if any, or the deductions of taxes that a shareholder would pay on distributions or on the redemption of shares.

 

^Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 29

 

 

CENTERSTONE INTERNATIONAL FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2017*

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

The table sets forth financial data for one share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period:

 

   Class I   Class A   Class C 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.00   $10.00   $10.00 
Income from investment operations:               
Net investment income**   0.03    0.06    — (1)
Net realized and unrealized gain   0.79    0.75    0.79 
Total income from investment operations   0.82    0.81    0.79 
Less distributions:               
From net investment income   (0.06)   (0.06)   (0.05)
From net realized gains   (0.01)   (0.01)   (0.01)
Total distributions   (0.07)   (0.07)   (0.06)
Paid in capital from redemption fees   — (1)   0.01    — 
                
Net asset value, end of period  $10.75   $10.75   $10.73 
Total return(2)†   8.32%   8.27%   8.02%
                
Ratios/Supplemental Data:               
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)  $40,395   $6,510   $1,208 
Ratios of expenses to average net assets               
Before fee waivers^   2.91%   3.17%   3.90%
After fee waivers^   1.10%   1.35%   2.10%
Ratios of net investment income (loss) to average net assets               
Before fee waivers^   (1.46)%   (1.18)%   (1.78)%
After fee waivers^   0.35%   0.65%   0.02%
Portfolio turnover rate(2)   19.46%   19.46%   19.46%

 

*The Fund’s inception date was May 3, 2016.

 

**The net investment income per share data was determined using the average shares outstanding throughout the period.

 

(1)Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

 

(2)Not annualized.

 

†Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect any sales charges, if any, or the deductions of taxes that a shareholder would pay on distributions or on the redemption of shares.

 

^Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

   
30 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

1.ORGANIZATION

 

The Centerstone Investors Fund and the Centerstone International Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) are each a series of Centerstone Investors Trust, (the “Trust”) a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”). Each Fund is a diversified series of the Trust. The Centerstone Investors Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing in a range of securities and asset classes from markets around the world, including the US market. The Centerstone International Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing in a range of securities and asset classes primarily from foreign (non-US) markets. Centerstone Investors, LLC (the “Advisor”), manages the Funds. The Funds’ inception date was May 3, 2016.

 

All classes of shares for each of the Funds have identical rights to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except for class-specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes.

 

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Funds are investment companies and accordingly follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies” including FASB Accounting Standard Update ASU 2013-08.

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in preparation of their financial statements.

 

Organizational Expenses - Organizational and offering expenses of the Funds were borne by the Advisor and will not be subject to future recoupment. As a result, organizational and offering expenses are not reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities or Statements of Operations.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 31
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

a.Investment Valuation – In determining each Fund’s Net Asset Value (“NAV”) per share, securities traded on one or more securities exchanges for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current fair value using the last reported sales price. NASDAQ traded securities are valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If no sale price is reported, the mean between the current bid and ask is used. If market quotations are not readily available, then securities may be valued at fair value as determined by the Board (or its delegate). Securities not traded or dealt in on any securities exchange and for which over-the-counter market (whether domestic or foreign) quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the current bid price on such over-the-counter market. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by the relevant pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Absent special circumstances, valuations for a specific type of instrument will all be made through the same pricing agent.

 

The value of foreign currencies and of foreign securities whose value is quoted or calculated in a foreign currency shall be converted into US dollars based on foreign exchange rates provided by a major banking institution(s) or currency dealer(s) selected by the pricing agent providing such price at 4:00 pm Eastern Time (“ET”).

 

Short-term debt securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, provided such valuations represent fair value.

 

Forward contacts are valued at the current cost of covering or offsetting such contacts by reference to forward currency rates at the time the NYSE closes (normally 4:00 pm ET).

 

Securities in which the Funds invest may be traded in markets that close before 4:00 pm ET. Normally, developments that occur between the close of the foreign markets and 4:00 pm ET will not be reflected in a Fund’s NAV. However, the Funds may determine that such developments are significant that they will affect the value of a Fund’s securities, and the Fund may adjust the previous local closing prices to reflect fair value for these securities as of 4:00 pm ET. Effective September 13, 2016, the Funds began using fair value prices as provided by an independent pricing vendor for those securities traded on a foreign exchange.

 

   
32 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Valuation of Fund of Funds – The Funds may invest in portfolios of open-end or closed-end investment companies (the “Underlying Funds”). The Underlying Funds value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value using the methods established by the board of trustees of the Underlying Funds.

 

Fair Valuation Process – If market quotations are not readily available, or if, in the opinion of the Advisor, the prices or values available do not represent fair value, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Trust’s Fair Value Committee (the “Committee”) in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and evaluated by the Board as to the reliability of the fair value method used. The Committee is composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) Administrator, and (iii) Advisor. The procedures consider, among others, the following factors to determine a security’s fair value: the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; and possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of the security. The Committee may also enlist third party consultants such as a valuation specialist at a public accounting firm, valuation consultant, or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

As noted, the Committee is composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) Administrator, and (iii) Advisor. The applicable investments are valued collectively via inputs from each of these groups. For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source); (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the Advisor, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the Advisor to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an asked price is available;

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 33
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

the spread between bid and ask prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to the Funds’ calculation of its NAV; (v) restricted securities, such as private investments or non-traded securities. The Committee may determine the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Funds’ holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.

 

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 methods. The three levels of input are:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

 

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

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Funds’ own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

 

   
34 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

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

 

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

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following tables summarize the inputs used as of March 31, 2017 for the Funds’ assets and liabilities measured at fair value:

 

Centerstone Investors Fund                
                 
Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common Stock  $64,183,656   $—   $—   $64,183,656 
Bonds & Notes   —    11,744,581    —    11,744,581 
Exchange Traded Fund - Commodity   2,251,643    —    —    2,251,643 
Real Estate Investment Trusts   1,582,831    —    —    1,582,831 
US Government & Agency Obligations   —    3,083,195    —    3,083,195 
Short-Term Investments   7,848,074    8,494,661    —    16,342,735 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts*   —    52,344    —    52,344 
Total Assets   $75,866,204   $23,374,781   $—   $99,240,985 
                     
Liabilities – Derivatives                    
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts*  $—   $48,656   $—   $48,656 

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 35
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Centerstone International Fund                
                 
Assets  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Common Stock  $35,746,849   $—   $—   $35,746,849 
Bond & Notes   —    128,037    —    128,037 
Exchange Traded Fund - Commodity   1,201,090    —    —    1,201,090 
Real Estate Investment Trusts   674,562    —    —    674,562 
US Government & Agency Obligations   —    3,836,656    —    3,836,656 
Short-Term Investments   3,421,555    2,998,250    —    6,419,805 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts*   —    39,176    —    39,176 
Total Assets   $41,044,056   $7,002,119   $—   $48,046,175 
                     
Liabilities – Derivatives                    
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts*  $—   $53,839   $—   $53,839 

 

*Forward Foreign Currency Contracts are valued at gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the investment.

 

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

 

There were no transfers into or out of Level 1 or Level 2 during the period. It is the Funds’ policy to recognize transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 at the end of the reporting period.

 

b.Foreign Currency Translations – The books and records of the Funds are maintained in US dollars. The market values of securities which are not traded in US currency are recorded in the financial statements after translation to US dollars based on the applicable exchange rates at the end of the period. The costs of such securities are translated at exchange rates prevailing when acquired. Related interest, dividends and withholding taxes are accrued at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

 

The net assets of each of the Funds are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period. The Funds do not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of the securities. Accordingly, such foreign currency gains (losses) are included in the reported net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investment transactions on the Statements of Operations. However, for federal income tax purposes each Fund does isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the changes in market prices for realized gains and losses on debt obligations.

 

   
36 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

c.Forward Currency Contracts – As foreign securities are purchased and sold, the Funds may enter into forward currency exchange contracts in order to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risks. The market value of the contracts fluctuate with changes in currency exchange rates. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Funds as an unrealized gain or loss. As foreign securities are sold, a portion of the contract is generally closed and the Funds record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The Funds may also enter into forward foreign currency contracts as an investment strategy consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. Realized gains and losses from contract transactions are included as a component of net realized gains (losses) from investments and foreign currency in the Statements of Operations.

 

Funds investing in foreign exchange contracts are exposed to risk if the value of the currency changes unfavorably, if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the Fund is unable to enter into a closing position.

 

The notional value of the derivative instruments outstanding as of March 31, 2017, as disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments and the amounts realized and changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments during the period within the Statement of Operations serve as indicators of the average volume of derivative activity for the Funds.

 

d.Impact of Derivatives on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Statements of Operations – The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments of each Fund in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of March 31, 2017:

 

Location on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities
Derivative Investment Type Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives
Currency Contracts Unrealized appreciation on open forward foreign currency contracts Unrealized depreciation on open forward foreign currency contracts

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 37
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

The following table sets forth the fair value of each Fund’s derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of March 31, 2017:

 

Asset Derivatives Investment Value
  Unrealized Appreciation on Open
  Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
Centerstone Investors Fund  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts $  52,344
   
Centerstone International Fund  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts $  39,176
   
Liability Derivatives Investment Value
  Unrealized Depreciation on Open
  Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
Centerstone Investors Fund  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts $  48,656
   
Centerstone International Fund  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts $  53,839
   

The following is a summary of each Fund’s realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivative investments recognized in the Statements of Operations categorized by primary risk exposure for the period ended March 31, 2017:

 

Derivative Investment Type Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Currency Contracts Net Realized gain (loss) from: Forward foreign currency contracts
   
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Forward foreign currency contracts

 

Realized gain/(loss) on derivatives recognized in the Statements of Operations
  Net Realized Gain (Loss) From
Derivative Investment Type Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
   
Centerstone Investors Fund Forward Foreign Currency Contracts $ 339,008
   
Centerstone International Fund Forward Foreign Currency Contracts $ 227,230
     
   
38 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Changes in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)
on derivatives recognized in the Statements of Operations
  Change in Unrealized
Derivative Investment Type Appreciation (Depreciation)
Centerstone Investors Fund  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts $      3,688 
   
Centerstone International Fund  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts $   (14,663)
     
e.Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets – The Funds’ policies are to recognize a net asset or liability equal to the unrealized amount on forward foreign currency contracts. The following table shows additional information regarding the offsetting of assets and liabilities at March 31, 2017.

 

Centerstone Investors Fund

 

Assets:          Net Amounts   Gross Amounts Not     
       Gross   of Assets   Offset in the Statements     
       Amounts   Presented   of Assets & Liabilities     
   Gross   Offset in the   in the             
   Amounts of   Statements   Statements       Cash     
   Recognized   of Assets &   of Assets &   Financial   Collateral     
Description  Assets   Liabilities   Liabilities   Instruments   Pledged   Net Amount 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts  $52,344   $—   $52,344   $(48,656)  $—   $3,688 
Total  $52,344   $—   $52,344   $(48,656)  $—   $3,688 

 

Liabilities:          Net Amounts   Gross Amounts Not     
       Gross   of Liabilities   Offset in the Statements     
       Amounts   Presented   of Assets & Liabilities     
   Gross   Offset in the   in the             
   Amounts of   Statements   Statements       Cash     
   Recognized   of Assets &   of Assets &   Financial   Collateral     
Description  Liabilities   Liabilities   Liabilities   Instruments   Pledged   Net Amount 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts  $(48,656)  $—   $(48,656)  $48,656   $—   $— 
Total  $(48,656)  $—   $(48,656)  $48,656   $—   $— 

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 39
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Centerstone International Fund

 

Assets:          Net Amounts   Gross Amounts Not     
       Gross   of Assets   Offset in the Statements     
       Amounts   Presented   of Assets & Liabilities     
   Gross   Offset in the   in the             
   Amounts of   Statements   Statements       Cash     
   Recognized   of Assets &   of Assets &   Financial   Collateral     
Description  Assets   Liabilities   Liabilities   Instruments   Pledged   Net Amount 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts  $39,176   $—   $39,176   $(39,176)  $—   $— 
Total  $39,176   $—   $39,176   $(39,176)  $—   $— 

 

Liabilities:          Net Amounts   Gross Amounts Not     
       Gross   of Liabilities   Offset in the Statements     
       Amounts   Presented   of Assets & Liabilities     
   Gross   Offset in the   in the             
   Amounts of   Statements   Statements       Cash     
   Recognized   of Assets &   of Assets &   Financial   Collateral     
Description  Liabilities   Liabilities   Liabilities   Instruments   Pledged   Net Amount 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts  $(53,839)  $—   $(53,839)  $39,176   $—   $(14,663)
Total  $(53,839)  $—   $(53,839)  $39,176   $—   $(14,663)

 

f.Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses — Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions and foreign exchange transactions are calculated using the identified cost method. Dividend income and expense is recorded on ex-dividend date (“ex-date”) except in the case of certain dividends from foreign securities, which are recorded soon after the Fund, using reasonable diligence, becomes aware of such dividends. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized as adjustments to interest income and the identified cost of investments. Expenses of the Trust that are directly identifiable to a specific Fund are charged to that Fund. Expenses, which are not readily identifiable to a specific Fund, are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the nature and type of expense and

 

   
40 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

the relative size of the Funds. In general, each Fund’s income, expenses (other than class specific distribution fees) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated proportionally each day between the classes based upon the relative net assets of each class.

 

g.Concentration of Risk – Investing in securities of foreign issuers and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investments in the United States. These risks include revaluation of currencies, adverse fluctuations in foreign currency values and possible adverse political, social and economic developments, including those particular to a specific industry, country or region. These conditions could cause the securities and their markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable US companies and US government securities.

 

The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Funds to meet their obligations may be affected by economic and political developments particular to a specific industry, country, state or region. Investments in lower grade debt securities are subject to special risks, including greater price volatility and a greater risk of loss of principal and interest.

 

h.Federal Income Taxes – It is each Fund’s policy to continue to comply with all sections of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income and gains, if any, to its shareholders and therefore, no provision for federal income tax has been made. Each Fund is treated as a separate taxpayer for federal income tax purposes. 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 has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions expected to be taken in the Funds’ 2017 tax returns. The Funds identify their major tax jurisdiction as US Federal. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the period, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 41
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

i.Distributions to Shareholders – It is each Fund’s policy to distribute its respective net investment income and net capital gains, if any, annually. Distributions of net investment income and net capital gains are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. Differences in dividends from net investment income per share between the classes are due to service and distribution related fees. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on ex-date.

 

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

 

3.INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

 

a.Management Fees – Centerstone Investors, LLC (the “Advisor”) serves as each Fund’s investment advisor. Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, the Advisor, subject to the supervision of the Board and in conformity with the stated policies of the Funds, manages all business activities of the Funds. As compensation for its services, each Fund pays the Advisor an annualized rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s respective average daily net assets, accrued daily and paid monthly. For the period ended March 31, 2017, the Advisor earned advisory fees of $319,065 and $171,246 for the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund, respectively. Certain trustees and/or officers are also officers of the Advisor.

 

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or part of its advisory fees and/or make payments to limit Fund expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads, taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or

 

   
42 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

reorganization, dividend expense on securities sold short, expenses of investing in underlying funds, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) at least until March 31, 2018, so that the total annual operating expenses of the Funds do not exceed 1.35%, 2.10% and 1.10% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class C and Class I shares, respectively. Waivers and expense payments may be recouped by the Advisor from the Funds, to the extent that overall expenses fall below the expense limitation, within three years of when the amounts were waived or reimbursed. During the period ended March 31, 2017, the Advisor waived fees or reimbursed expenses totaling $470,022 and $346,342 for the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund, respectively, amounts which are subject to recapture through March 31, 2020.

 

b.Distributor – The Distributor of the Funds is Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”). The Funds have adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, for Class A and Class C shares. The Plan provides for the monthly payment of a combined shareholder servicing and distribution fee (“Rule 12b-1 Fee”) to the Distributor at an annualized rate of 0.25% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class A and Class C shares, respectively. Class I shares do not pay Rule 12b-1 Fees. For the period ended March 31, 2017, the Funds incurred distribution Fees of $7,893 and $4,788 for the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund, respectively. The Distributor acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares. For the period ended March 31, 2017, the Distributor received $55,136 in underwriting commissions for sales of shares, of which $1,934 was retained by the principal underwriter.

 

c.Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agency Fees – Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS” or the “Administrator”), an affiliate of the Distributor serves as the administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Funds. Under the terms of such agreements, GFS receives customary fees from the Funds. Certain officers of the Funds are also officers or employees of GFS and are not paid any fees directly for servicing in such capacities.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 43
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

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

 

Blu Giant, LLC (“Blu Giant”, formerly “Gemcom”), an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides EDGAR conversion and filing services as well as some print management services for the Funds on an ad-hoc basis. For the provision of these services, Blu Giant receives customary fees from the Funds.

 

d.Trustees’ Fees – The Board has approved the following Trustee compensation schedule: Each Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust will receive a quarterly fee of $15,000. The Funds also reimburse each such Trustee for travel and other expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board. The “interested persons” who serve as officers or trustees of the Trust receive no compensation for their services as trustees or officers.

 

4.INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

 

The cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of investments, other than short-term investments, for the period ended March 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

   Purchases   Sale Proceeds         
   (excluding   (excluding   Purchases of   Proceeds of 
   US Government   US Government   US Government   US Government 
Fund  Securities)   Securities)   Securities   Securities 
Centerstone Investors Fund  $68,461,709   $9,263,736   $23,421,225   $1,885,000 
Centerstone International Fund   28,107,932    1,278,572    14,964,650    2,049,982 

 

5.SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

At March 31, 2017, each Fund had an unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value.

 

Following is a summary of shareholder transactions for each Fund for the period ended March 31, 2017:

 

   
44 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

        Net Increase
    Distributions   (Decrease)
Fund Issued Reinvested Redeemed in Shares
  Class I Shares
Centerstone Investors Fund 9,306,166 21,652 (793,351) 8,534,467
Centerstone International Fund 3,884,272 13,770 (141,208) 3,756,834
         
  Class A Shares
Centerstone Investors Fund 852,332 2,891 (16,126) 839,097
Centerstone International Fund 636,272 629 (31,485) 605,416
         
  Class C Shares
Centerstone Investors Fund 58,573 27 (1) 58,599
Centerstone International Fund 112,556 59 (1) 112,614

 

6.DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL

 

The tax character of Funds distributions paid for the period ended March 31, 2017 as follows:

 

For fiscal period  Ordinary   Long-Term   Return of     
ended 3/31/2017  Income   Capital Gains   Capital   Total 
Centerstone Investors Fund  $287,900   $—   $—   $287,900 
Centerstone International Fund   169,848    —    —    169,848 

 

The difference between ordinary distributions paid from book and ordinary distributions paid from tax relates to allowable foreign tax credits of $25,575 and $23,533 for period ended March 31, 2017 for the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund, respectively, which have been passed through to the Funds’ underlying shareholders and are deemed dividends for tax purposes.

 

As of March 31, 2017, the components of accumulated earnings/ (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Centerstone Investors Fund

 

                        Total 
Undistributed   Undistributed   Post October   Capital       Unrealized   Accumulated 
Ordinary   Long-Term   Loss and Late   Loss Carry   Other Book/   Appreciation/   Earnings/ 
Income   Capital Gains   Year Loss   Forwards   Tax Differences   (Depreciation)   (Deficits) 
$381,061   $—   $—   $(41,934)  $—   $2,171,372   $2,510,499 

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 45
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Centerstone International Fund

 

                        Total 
Undistributed   Undistributed   Post October   Capital       Unrealized   Accumulated 
Ordinary   Long-Term   Loss and Late   Loss Carry   Other Book/   Appreciation/   Earnings/ 
Income   Capital Gains   Year Loss   Forwards   Tax Differences   (Depreciation)   (Deficits) 
$193,686   $—   $—   $—   $—   $2,041,237   $2,234,923 

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis undistributed net investment income/(loss), accumulated net realized gain/(loss), and unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments is primarily attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, mark-to-market on 1256 contracts, open forward foreign currency contracts, and adjustments for real estate investment trusts and grantor trusts.

 

The unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) in the table above includes unrealized foreign currency gain of $3,580 for the Centerstone Investors Fund and $4,080 for the Centerstone International Fund.

 

At March 31, 2017, the Funds had capital loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains as follows:

 

   Non-Expiring   Non-Expiring     
   Short-Term   Long-Term   Total 
Centerstone Investors Fund  $14,540   $27,394   $41,934 
Centerstone International Fund   —    —    — 

 

Permanent book and tax differences, primarily attributable to the book/ tax basis treatment of foreign currency gains/(losses), the reclass of Fund distributions, and adjustments for real estate investment trusts, and grantor trusts, resulted in reclassifications for the Funds for the period ended March 31, 2017 as follows:

 

       Undistributed   Accumulated 
   Paid in   Ordinary   Net Realized 
   Capital   Income (Loss)   Gains (Loss) 
Centerstone Investors Fund  $—   $330,250   $(330,250)
Centerstone International Fund   —    227,140    (227,140)

 

   
46 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2017

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

7.REDEMPTION FEES

 

The Funds may assess a short-term redemption fee of 2.00% of the total redemption amount if a shareholder sells their shares after holding them for less than 30 days. The redemption fee is paid directly to the Fund in which the short-term redemption occurs. For the period ended March 31, 2017, the Centerstone Investors Fund and the Centerstone International Fund assessed $15,178 and $7,167 in redemption fees, respectively.

 

8.CONTROL OWNERSHIP

 

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund creates the presumption of control of the Fund, under Section 2(a)9 of the 1940 Act. As of March 31, 2017, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. held in omnibus accounts for the benefit of others approximately 30% and 49% of the outstanding voting securities of the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund, respectively, and Abhay Deshpande owned 34% of the outstanding voting securities of the Centerstone International Fund.

 

9.NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

On October 13, 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission amended existing rules intended to modernize reporting and disclosure of information. These amendments relate to Regulation S-X which sets forth the form and content of financial statements. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of adopting these amendments and their impact on the financial statements and accompanying notes.

 

10.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements relating to the Funds presented in this report.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 47
 

(COHEN AND COMPANY LOGO)

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF CENTERSTONE INVESTORS TRUST

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Centerstone Investors Trust, comprising Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund (the “Funds”) as of March 31, 2017, and the related statements of operations, and changes in net assets, and financial highlights for the period May 3, 2016 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2017. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2017, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund as of March 31, 2017, the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for the period May 3, 2016 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

Cleveland, Ohio

May 30, 2017

 

C O H E N  &  C O M P A N Y ,  L T D .

800.229.1099 | 866.818.4538 fax | cohencpa.com

 

Registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

 

   
48 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017
 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

FUNDS’ EXPENSES (Unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Example

 

Shareholders of mutual funds will pay (1) transactional costs, such as sales load, and (2) ongoing expenses, such as advisory fees, distribution and service fees (12b-1), and other fund expenses. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in a fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note, the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions which may be assessed by mutual funds. This Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as indicated below.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The columns under the heading entitled “Actual” help you estimate the actual expenses you paid over the period. The “Actual-Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return, and the “Actual-Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this 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 column under the heading entitled “Actual-Expenses Paid During Period.”

 

Hypothetical Examples for Comparison Purposes

 

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

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 49

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

FUNDS’ EXPENSES (Unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs which may be applicable to your account. Therefore, the last column of the table (Hypothetical-Expenses Paid During Period) is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

            Hypothetical
      Actual(1)   (5% return before expenses)
  Fund’s Beginning Ending     Ending  
  Annualized Account Account Expenses   Account Expenses
  Expense Value* Value Paid During   Value Paid During
  Ratio 10/1/16 3/31/17 Period*   3/31/17 Period*
Class I:              
Investors Fund 1.10% $1,000.00 $1,021.20 $   5.54   $1,019.45 $  5.54
International Fund 1.10% $1,000.00 $1,027.70 $   5.56   $1,019.45 $  5.54
               
Class A:              
Investors Fund 1.35% $1,000.00 $1,019.80 $   6.80   $1,018.20 $  6.79
International Fund 1.35% $1,000.00 $1,027.30 $   6.82   $1,018.20 $  6.79
               
Class C:              
Investors Fund 2.10% $1,000.00 $1,016.20 $ 10.56   $1,014.46 $ 10.55
International Fund 2.10% $1,000.00 $1,024.90 $ 10.60   $1,014.46 $ 10.55

 

*Expenses Paid During Period are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182 days and divided by 365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

(1)Past performance does not guarantee future results. Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable sales charge, exchange fees or redemption fees. Had the effect of sales charges been reflected, expenses would have been higher and returns lower. Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total return for the year.

 

   
50 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

How to Obtain Proxy Voting Information

 

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies is available without charge, upon request, by calling 877.314.9006 or by referring to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.

 

How To Obtain 1st And 3rd Fiscal Quarter Portfolio Holdings

 

Each Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC 800.SEC.0330. The information on Form N-Q is available without charge, upon request, by calling 877.314.9006.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 51

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS TRUST

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

FEBRUARY 2016

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

FACTS WHAT DOES CENTERSTONE INVESTORS TRUST
DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.  Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some, but not all sharing.  Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.  Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
  The types of personal information we collect and share depends on the product or service that you have with us. This information can include:
   
  w Social Security number and wire transfer instructions
     
What? w account transactions and transaction history
     
  w investment experience and purchase history
     
  When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.
How? All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business.  In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons CENTERSTONE INVESTORS TRUST chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

  Does Centerstone  
Reasons we can share your Investors Trust share Can you limit
personal information information? this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes — such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus. YES NO
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you. NO We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies. NO We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and records. NO We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your credit worthiness. NO We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you NO We don’t share

 

Questions?     Call 402.493.4603

 

   
52 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS TRUST

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

What we do
   
How does
Centerstone Investors
Trust protect my
personal information?
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
 
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.
How does
Centerstone Investors
Trust collect my
personal information?
We collect your personal information, for example, when you
 
w open an account or deposit money
   
w direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities
   
w seek advice about your investments
 
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
  Federal law gives you the right to limit only:
   


Why can’t I
limit all sharing?
w sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness.
   
w affiliates from using your information to market to you.
   
w sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you.
 
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

Definitions
Affiliates Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
   
  w CENTERSTONE INVESTORS TRUST has no affiliates.
     
Nonaffiliates Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
   
  w CENTERSTONE INVESTORS TRUST does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.
   
Joint marketing A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
   
  w CENTERSTONE INVESTORS TRUST does not jointly market.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 53

 

 

TRUSTEES & OFFICERS

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Year of Birth
Position/
Term of Office*
Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee
Other
Directorships
held by Trustee
During the Past
Five Years
Paul Coghlan
1945
Independent
Trustee since
Mar. 2016.
CFO, Linear Technology Corp. (Dec. 1986–Jun. 2015). 2 None
Felix Rivera
1963
Independent
Trustee since
Mar. 2016.
Managing Partner, Independent Channel Advisors, LLC (investment advisory consultancy) (Jan. 2011–present); COO, Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC (Apr. 2004–Dec. 2010). 2 BlueArc Multi-Strategy Fund (since 2014); Advisors Preferred Trust (since 2012).
Anita K. Krug
1969
Independent
Trustee since
Mar. 2016.
Professor, University of Washington School of Law (since 2016); Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Law (2014–2016); Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Law (2010–2014); Partner, Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin, P.C. (legal services) (2007–2010). 2 Altegris KKR Commitments Master Fund and Altegris KKR Commitments Fund (since 2014); Two Roads Shared Trust (since 2012).

 

Interested Trustees

 

Name,
Year of Birth
Position/
Term of Office*
Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee
Other
Directorships
held by Trustee
During the Past
Five Years
Abhay
Deshpande**
1970
Trustee,
President and
CEO since
Jan. 2016.
Founder & CIO of the Advisor (2015–present); Portfolio Manager, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (2007–2014). 2 None

 

   
54 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

TRUSTEES & OFFICERS

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Officers

 

Name,

Year of Birth

Position/

Term of Office*

Principal Occupation

During the Past Five Years

Number of

Portfolios

in Fund

Complex

Overseen

by Trustee

Other

Directorships

held by Trustee

During the Past

Five Years

Philip
Santopadre
1977
Treasurer,
Secretary and
CFO since
Mar. 2016.
COO, CFO and CCO of the Advisor (Mar. 2016–present); Treasurer, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds (Sept. 2005–Mar. 2016); Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (Jul. 2006–Mar. 2016). N/A N/A
Michael J.
Wagner
1950
CCO since
Jul. 2016.
President, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (provides CCO services to mutual funds) (2006–present). N/A N/A

 

*The term of office for each Trustee and Officer listed above will continue indefinitely.

 

**Abhay Deshpande is an “interested person” of the Trust as that term is defined under the 1940 Act because of his affiliation with Centerstone Investors, LLC, the Funds’ Advisor.

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(CENTERSTONE INVESTORS LOGO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
56 Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017

 

 

CENTERSTONE INVESTORS

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

Investment Advisor
Centerstone Investors, LLC
135 Fifth Avenue
Suite 3
New York, NY 10010
 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
1350 Euclid Avenue
Suite 800
Cleveland, OH 44115
 
Legal Counsel
Alston & Bird, LLP
950 F Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
 
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
 
Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Fund Administrator
Gemini Fund Services, LLC
17605 Wright Street
Suite 2
Omaha, NE 68130
 
Distributor
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
17605 Wright Street
Omaha, NE 68130

 

   
Centerstone Investors   ♦   Annual Report   ♦   March 31, 2017 57

 

 

(BACK COVER)

 

 

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’ 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 Paul Coghlan is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mr. Coghlan is independent for purposes of this Item.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)Audit Fees

2017 – $24,000

2016 – $0

 

(b)Audit-Related Fees

2017 – None

2016 – None

 

(c)Tax Fees

2017 – $5,000

2016 – $0

Preparation of Federal & State income tax returns, assistance with calculation of required income, capital gain and excise distributions and preparation of Federal excise tax returns.

 

(d)All Other Fees

2017 – None

2016 – None

 

(e)(1) Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies

 

The registrant’s Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all audit services and, when appropriate, any non-audit services (including audit-related, tax and all other services) to the registrant. The registrant’s Audit Committee also is required to pre-approve, when appropriate, any non-audit services (including audit-related, tax and all other services) to its adviser, or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant, to the extent that the services may be determined to have an impact on the operations or financial reporting of the registrant. Services are reviewed on an engagement by engagement basis by the Audit Committee.

 

(2)Percentages of Services Approved by the Audit Committee
  2017 2016
Audit-Related Fees: 0.00% 0.00%
Tax Fees: 0.00% 0.00%
All Other Fees: 0.00% 0.00%

 

(f)During the 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:

 

2017 – $5,000

2016 – $0

 

(h)        The registrant's audit committee has 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Funds. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

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

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

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

 

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

 

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) Code of Ethics filed herewith.

 

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

 

(a)(3) Not applicable for open-end investment companies.

 

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

 

SIGNATURES

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

 

(Registrant) Centerstone Investors Trust

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Abhay Deshpande

Abhay Deshpande, Principal Executive Officer/President

 

Date 6/8/17

 

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

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Abhay Deshpande

Abhay Deshpande, Principal Executive Officer/President

 

Date 6/8/17

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Philip Santopadre

Philip Santopadre, Treasurer/Principal Financial Officer

 

Date 6/8/17