N-CSR 1 form.htm Federated Investors, Inc.

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form N-CSR

Certified Shareholder Report of Registered Management Investment Companies

 

 

 

 

811-4539

 

(Investment Company Act File Number)

 

Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund

_______________________________________________________________

 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Federated Investors Funds

4000 Ericsson Drive

Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15086-7561

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

(412) 288-1900

(Registrant's Telephone Number)

 

 

John W. McGonigle, Esquire

Federated Investors Tower

1001 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

(Notices should be sent to the Agent for Service)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Fiscal Year End: 08/31/14

 

 

Date of Reporting Period: 08/31/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

 

Annual Shareholder Report
August 31, 2014
Share Class Ticker
Institutional FEUGX
Service FASSX
  
Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund


Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (unaudited)
The total return of Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund (the “Fund”), based on net asset value, for the 12-month reporting period ended August 31, 2014, was 0.83% for the Institutional Shares and 0.60% for the Service Shares. The 0.83% total return of the Institutional Shares consisted of 0.52% in taxable dividends and appreciation of 0.31% in the net asset value of the shares. The BofA Merrill Lynch 1-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index (BAML1T),1 the Fund's broad-based securities market index, returned 0.29% for the same period. The Fund's total return for the most recently completed fiscal year reflected actual cash flows, transaction costs and other expenses, which were not reflected in the total return of the BAML1T.
During the reporting period, the Fund's investment strategy focused on sector allocation among agency adjustable- and fixed-rate, pass-through securities. This was the most significant factor affecting the Fund's performance relative to the BAML1T.
The following discussion will focus on the performance of the Fund's Institutional Shares.
MARKET OVERVIEw
With the exception of the weather-related growth slowdown in the first quarter of 2014, economic expansion was steady and showed signs of upward momentum during the reporting period. Nonfarm payrolls averaged nearly 200,000 per month while measures of under-employed workers showed significant progress. Additionally, gains in home prices and financial markets produced further gains in personal wealth, which tended to increase consumer spending and confidence. While the pace of growth was just moderate and select sectors, such as housing, remained sluggish, growth was sufficient to allow the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) to reduce quantitative easing (QE) purchases.
At period outset, Fed monthly purchases of mortgage-backed and Treasury securities totaled $85 billion. The sum was gradually reduced to $25 billion per month by August 2014 as the Fed judged that high levels of accommodation were no longer necessary. Despite indications of U.S. economic improvement, yields declined as non-U.S. factors influenced markets.
Overall, European growth remained stalled, and the European Central Bank took the unprecedented steps of instituting negative deposit rates and announcing plans for QE asset purchases. Low growth and concerns for falling European inflation reflected the divergent paths of U.S. and European growth. With European bond yields at historical lows, relatively higher U.S. yields appeared attractive, bringing forth buyers who propelled Treasury prices higher. Further reinforcement came from the developments in Ukraine as investors sought the safety of U.S. government securities.
Annual Shareholder Report
1

Investor demand for mortgage securities remained strong as the search for higher yield products drove spreads tighter and prices higher. Both adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs and monthly adjustable floating-rate collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) participated in the spread tightening trend which resulted in higher security prices. Longer maturity notes and bond yields fell to a significant degree as the 10-year Treasury yield declined 44 basis points to 2.34%.2
SECTOR ALLOCATION
By prospectus, at least 80% of portfolio assets must be invested in adjustable-rate securities, including adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs and monthly adjustable CMOs.3 Strong investor demand for these issues compressed mortgage-to-Treasury yield spreads which resulted in higher security prices. Price appreciation combined with income produced rates of return in excess of similar duration Treasury securities. Therefore, sector allocation positively contributed to Fund performance.
1 Please see the footnotes to the line graphs under “Fund Performance and Growth of a $10,000 Investment” below for the definition of, and more information about, the BAML1T.
2 Bond prices are sensitive to changes in interest rates, and a rise in interest rates can cause a decline in their prices.
3 The value of some mortgage-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and although the securities are generally supported by some form of government or private insurance, there is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations.
Annual Shareholder Report
2

FUND PERFORMANCE AND GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
The graph below illustrates the hypothetical investment of $10,0001 in the Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund (the “Fund”) from August 31, 2004 to August 31, 2014, compared to the BofA Merrill Lynch 1-Year U.S. Treasury Note Index (BAML1T).2 The Average Annual Total Return table below shows returns for each class averaged over the stated periods.
Growth of a $10,000 INVESTMENT
Growth of $10,000 as of August 31, 2014
The Fund offers multiple share classes whose performance may be greater than or less than its other share class(es) due to differences in sales charges and expenses.
Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended 8/31/2014
  1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Institutional Shares 0.83% 1.02% 2.55%
Service Shares 0.60% 0.78% 2.31%
BAML1T 0.29% 0.47% 2.02%
Annual Shareholder Report
3

Performance data quoted represents past performance which is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Mutual fund performance changes over time and current performance may be lower or higher than what is stated. For current to the most recent month-end performance and after-tax returns, visit FederatedInvestors.com or call 1-800-341-7400. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Mutual funds are not obligations of or guaranteed by any bank and are not federally insured.
1 The Fund's performance assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The BAML1T has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of dividends on securities in the index.
2 The BAML1T is an index tracking U.S. government securities and is not adjusted to reflect expenses or other fees that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires to be reflected in the Fund's performance. The index is unmanaged and, unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Annual Shareholder Report
4

Portfolio of Investments Summary Table (unaudited)
At August 31, 2014, the Fund's portfolio composition1 was as follows:
Type of Investment Percentage of
Total Net Assets
U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities 46.9%
U.S. Government Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities 44.4%
U.S. Government Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 3.5%
U.S. Treasury Security 2.1%
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities 1.0%
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 0.9%
Cash Equivalents2 2.8%
Other Assets and Liabilities—Net3 (1.6)%
TOTAL 100.0%
1 See the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for a description of the types of securities in which the Fund invests.
2 Cash Equivalents include any investments in money market mutual funds and/or overnight repurchase agreements.
3 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Annual Shareholder Report
5

Portfolio of Investments
August 31, 2014
Principal
Amount
    Value
    ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES—44.4%  
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ARM—15.6%  
$10,926,209   1.962%, 7/1/2034 $11,432,453
3,668,766   1.974%, 7/1/2038 3,911,656
4,992,105   2.025%, 7/1/2030 - 5/1/2035 5,171,652
1,901,130   2.130%, 2/1/2035 2,004,905
19,263   2.229%, 9/1/2020 19,593
3,762,927   2.231%, 5/1/2035 4,005,870
119,525   2.250%, 4/1/2035 126,721
309,697   2.279%, 4/1/2027 321,837
5,579,310   2.281%, 11/1/2036 5,919,302
7,089,523   2.344%, 7/1/2036 7,601,301
11,305,425   2.372%, 1/1/2038 12,030,352
17,557,894   2.375%, 4/1/2034 - 2/1/2035 18,777,455
1,342,311   2.376%, 4/1/2034 1,427,887
5,810,220   2.386%, 10/1/2033 6,186,914
2,378,200   2.387%, 2/1/2036 2,545,321
1,337,653   2.390%, 4/1/2038 1,434,215
4,655,606   2.422%, 12/1/2034 4,970,437
3,776,275   2.441%, 4/1/2037 4,043,579
3,930,047   2.459%, 8/1/2035 4,200,898
3,596,240   2.463%, 11/1/2034 3,855,845
1,313,732   2.480%, 4/1/2036 1,408,568
2,399,732   2.481%, 12/1/2039 2,572,964
1,891,086   2.525%, 7/1/2036 2,019,360
5,309,188   2.587%, 7/1/2035 5,684,489
    TOTAL 111,673,574
    Federal National Mortgage Association ARM—28.6%  
4,824,152   1.330%, 3/1/2044 4,960,154
2,406,329   1.380%, 7/1/2042 2,463,602
1,835,060   1.780%, 9/1/2033 1,904,998
3,986,003   1.810%, 10/1/2033 - 7/1/2036 4,167,659
683,636   1.860%, 5/1/2038 724,112
6,025,308   1.900%, 8/1/2034 6,292,983
3,622,820   1.910%, 10/1/2034 3,811,269
9,193,353   1.930%, 8/1/2034 - 5/1/2039 9,615,273
3,036,072   1.970%, 6/1/2034 3,178,920
Annual Shareholder Report
6

Principal
Amount
    Value
    ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES—continued  
    Federal National Mortgage Association ARM—continued  
$2,040,880   1.980%, 5/1/2035 $2,148,397
1,049,449   2.000%, 5/1/2035 1,107,861
4,777,896   2.030%, 10/1/2037 5,044,421
670,250   2.060%, 11/1/2035 705,456
2,560,496   2.120%, 4/1/2034 - 12/1/2034 2,702,812
43,060   2.170%, 2/1/2020 44,000
1,683,787   2.180%, 1/1/2035 1,779,999
827,188   2.210%, 12/1/2034 875,113
100,177   2.220%, 10/1/2033 106,829
11,378,195   2.230%, 7/1/2035 - 3/1/2039 12,098,207
97,275   2.250%, 2/1/2019 99,623
216,454   2.260%, 2/1/2036 229,744
20,779,855   2.290%, 1/1/2039 - 8/1/2039 22,176,747
8,210,919   2.300%, 7/1/2035 - 5/1/2036 8,743,717
522,833   2.310%, 2/1/2036 556,512
224,207   2.320%, 5/1/2018 228,760
12,339,285   2.330%, 5/1/2035 - 12/1/2040 13,137,183
16,079,480   2.340%, 2/1/2033 - 1/1/2035 17,157,059
6,156,311   2.350%, 6/1/2035 - 7/1/2035 6,552,178
2,931,959   2.370%, 7/1/2035 3,143,611
3,124,439   2.400%, 10/1/2016 - 10/1/2035 3,348,494
2,378,186   2.420%, 10/1/2037 2,545,384
1,943,789   2.450%, 6/1/2034 2,065,311
4,125,900   2.460%, 7/1/2035 4,423,741
2,618,286   2.500%, 5/1/2035 2,789,815
3,629,133   2.510%, 12/1/2039 3,875,729
1,925,701   2.550%, 5/1/2036 2,064,714
6,505,513   2.560%, 1/1/2036 - 2/1/2042 6,876,816
229,700   2.600%, 7/1/2027 242,740
19,107,848   2.760%, 8/1/2035 20,487,205
1,438,111   2.800%, 12/1/2040 1,541,925
2,236,615   3.040%, 11/1/2040 2,398,071
6,854,520   3.043%, 1/1/2044 7,047,908
4,120,037   3.580%, 1/1/2040 4,322,451
1,603,493   3.800%, 7/1/2039 1,719,246
3,569,620   3.970%, 11/1/2039 3,827,303
    TOTAL 205,334,052
Annual Shareholder Report
7

Principal
Amount
    Value
    ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES—continued  
    Government National Mortgage Association ARM—0.2%  
$1,010,620   1.625%, 1/20/2022 - 10/20/2029 $1,032,436
21,266   2.000%, 1/20/2030 22,319
    TOTAL 1,054,755
    TOTAL ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES
(IDENTIFIED COST $311,665,753)
318,062,381
    COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS—44.6%  
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation—15.1%  
5,499,136   REMIC 4149 F, 0.405%, 1/15/2033 5,479,389
2,476,875   REMIC 3012 EF, 0.455%, 8/15/2035 2,478,539
2,653,256   REMIC 3236 KF, 0.455%, 11/15/2036 2,649,354
11,787,781   REMIC 3284 BF, 0.455%, 3/15/2037 11,834,787
6,291,556   REMIC 4116 MF, 0.455%, 11/15/2039 6,274,683
4,346,076   REMIC 4132 FE, 0.455%, 12/15/2040 4,333,435
2,879,146   REMIC 3284 AF, 0.465%, 3/15/2037 2,878,640
5,387,727   REMIC KF03 A, 0.496%, 1/25/2021 5,387,732
224,524   REMIC 3001 EA, 0.505%, 3/15/2035 225,140
608,583   REMIC 3155 PF, 0.505%, 5/15/2036 610,806
497,603   REMIC 3174 FL, 0.505%, 6/15/2036 499,298
2,457,323   REMIC 3380 FP, 0.505%, 11/15/2036 2,463,422
640,416   REMIC 3179 FP, 0.535%, 7/15/2036 642,260
1,606,400   REMIC 2819 F, 0.555%, 6/15/2034 1,613,160
6,166,566   REMIC 4226 FA, 0.555%, 7/15/2043 6,161,754
490,442   REMIC 3221 FW, 0.575%, 9/15/2036 492,838
652,200   REMIC 3213 GF, 0.585%, 9/15/2036 655,733
720,087   REMIC 3085 UF, 0.605%, 12/15/2035 725,307
5,200,668   REMIC 3981 FC, 0.605%, 1/15/2038 5,205,000
9,730,512   REMIC 4048 FA, 0.605%, 5/15/2042 9,771,968
1,947,324   REMIC 3156 HF, 0.640%, 8/15/2035 1,961,839
10,244,398   REMIC 3740 FB, 0.655%, 10/15/2040 10,280,598
646,856   REMIC 2475 FD, 0.705%, 6/15/2031 654,423
6,069,854   REMIC 3996 YF, 0.705%, 2/15/2042 6,103,314
600,438   REMIC 2380 FL, 0.755%, 11/15/2031 609,198
1,462,935   REMIC 3593 CF, 0.755%, 2/15/2036 1,481,484
7,855,100   REMIC 3609 FA, 0.815%, 12/15/2039 8,003,164
2,298,802   REMIC 3550 GF, 0.905%, 7/15/2039 2,341,879
2,546,414   REMIC 3556 FA, 1.065%, 7/15/2037 2,603,773
242,675   REMIC 2452 FC, 1.155%, 1/15/2032 247,514
229,365   REMIC 2448 FA, 1.155%, 1/15/2032 233,938
Annual Shareholder Report
8

Principal
Amount
    Value
    COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS—continued  
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation—continued  
$603,754   REMIC 2480 NF, 1.155%, 1/15/2032 $616,531
858,502   REMIC 2475 F, 1.155%, 2/15/2032 877,320
197,754   REMIC 2470 EF, 1.155%, 3/15/2032 202,031
194,721   REMIC 2498 AF, 1.155%, 3/15/2032 198,932
629,219   REMIC 2434 FA, 1.155%, 3/15/2032 642,827
798,567   REMIC 2459 FP, 1.155%, 6/15/2032 815,070
    TOTAL 108,257,080
    Federal National Mortgage Association—21.6%  
1,040,495   REMIC 2007-16 PF, 0.345%, 3/25/2037 1,036,526
8,818,428   REMIC 2006-W1 2AF1, 0.375%, 2/25/2046 8,752,338
5,195,843   REMIC 2006-49 PF, 0.405%, 4/25/2036 5,196,976
1,294,693   REMIC 2007-20 F, 0.415%, 3/25/2037 1,290,684
3,022,768   REMIC 2005-67 FJ, 0.455%, 8/25/2035 3,024,441
634,883   REMIC 2006-11 FB, 0.455%, 3/25/2036 634,879
5,873,810   REMIC 2006-72 TE, 0.455%, 8/25/2036 5,883,235
6,840,516   REMIC 2012-135 FA, 0.455%, 11/25/2039 6,826,221
11,971,253   REMIC 2012-141 PF, 0.455%, 10/25/2041 11,966,048
1,003,498   REMIC 2006-20 PF, 0.475%, 11/25/2030 1,005,112
1,125,429   REMIC 2007-67 FB, 0.475%, 7/25/2037 1,126,310
608,328   REMIC 2005-67 FM, 0.505%, 8/25/2035 610,313
3,844,956   REMIC 2008-52 FD, 0.505%, 6/25/2036 3,855,444
2,805,239   REMIC 2006-65 DF, 0.505%, 7/25/2036 2,812,355
450,164   REMIC 2006-81 FA, 0.505%, 9/25/2036 452,125
8,062,213   REMIC 2012-60 EF, 0.505%, 4/25/2042 8,079,182
9,006,271   REMIC 2012-119 FB, 0.505%, 11/25/2042 8,975,563
1,093,113   REMIC 2006-8 NF, 0.525%, 3/25/2036 1,096,411
1,286,654   REMIC 2012-99 FB, 0.535%, 9/25/2042 1,288,570
3,612,368   REMIC 2004-28 PF, 0.555%, 3/25/2034 3,633,954
1,053,553   REMIC 2006-76 QF, 0.555%, 8/25/2036 1,058,201
3,015,490   REMIC 2006-103 FB, 0.555%, 10/25/2036 3,039,712
7,677,250   REMIC 2012-130 DF, 0.555%, 12/25/2042 7,674,798
244,184   REMIC 2001-57 FA, 0.605%, 6/25/2031 244,833
6,970,353   REMIC 2007-71 WF, 0.605%, 7/25/2037 7,013,092
955,617   REMIC 2007-88 FY, 0.615%, 9/25/2037 959,973
6,719,408   REMIC 2007-88 GF, 0.635%, 9/25/2037 6,744,379
409,840   REMIC 2002-52 FG, 0.655%, 9/25/2032 414,229
1,319,653   REMIC 2007-84 FN, 0.655%, 8/25/2037 1,328,444
2,376,608   REMIC 2010-39 EF, 0.675%, 6/25/2037 2,396,760
Annual Shareholder Report
9

Principal
Amount
    Value
    COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS—continued  
    Federal National Mortgage Association—continued  
$765,314   REMIC 2001-32 FA, 0.705%, 7/25/2031 $775,138
189,582   REMIC 2002-77 FG, 0.705%, 12/18/2032 191,773
1,682,334   REMIC 2007-88 FW, 0.705%, 9/25/2037 1,686,587
10,096,879   REMIC 2011-4 PF, 0.705%, 2/25/2041 10,213,458
411,527   REMIC 2007-102 FA, 0.725%, 11/25/2037 414,802
247,484   REMIC 2001-71 FS, 0.755%, 11/25/2031 250,787
7,591,110   REMIC 2012-14 BF, 0.755%, 3/25/2042 7,650,840
196,018   REMIC 2001-62 FC, 0.805%, 11/25/2031 198,939
410,518   REMIC 2002-8 FA, 0.905%, 3/18/2032 417,894
4,245,096   REMIC 2009-87 FX, 0.905%, 11/25/2039 4,314,694
5,880,713   REMIC 2009-106 FN, 0.905%, 1/25/2040 5,989,139
2,051,470   REMIC 2009-78 UF, 0.925%, 10/25/2039 2,090,493
5,474,050   REMIC 2009-87 HF, 1.005%, 11/25/2039 5,583,688
1,022,377   REMIC 2002-7 FG, 1.055%, 1/25/2032 1,040,622
1,532,925   REMIC 2002-58 FG, 1.155%, 8/25/2032 1,566,588
249,100   REMIC 2002-60 FH, 1.155%, 8/25/2032 254,570
495,783   REMIC 2002-77 FA, 1.155%, 12/18/2032 506,694
1,967,237   REMIC 2008-69 FB, 1.155%, 6/25/2037 2,018,987
1,232,077   REMIC 2008-75 DF, 1.405%, 9/25/2038 1,265,574
261,033   REMIC 1995-17 B, 1.814%, 2/25/2025 263,162
    TOTAL 155,115,537
    Government National Mortgage Association—6.9%  
8,318,133   REMIC 2012-H24 FC, 0.556%, 10/20/2062 8,273,706
11,063,159   REMIC 2011-H07 FA, 0.655%, 2/20/2061 11,065,150
10,748,355   REMIC 2013-H15 FA, 0.696%, 6/20/2063 10,800,785
19,512,209   REMIC 2013-H19 FC, 0.756%, 8/20/2063 19,596,053
    TOTAL 49,735,694
    Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities—1.0%  
7,138,616   Sequoia Mortgage Trust 2013-1, Class 1A1, 1.450%, 2/25/2043 6,816,123
    TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
(IDENTIFIED COST $319,193,452)
319,924,434
    COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES—4.4%  
    Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities—3.5%  
8,967,429   FHLMC REMIC KGRP A, 0.535%, 4/25/2020 8,993,512
7,476,870   FHLMC REMIC KS02 A, 0.535%, 8/25/2023 7,476,878
8,811,649   FHLMC KF02 A1, 0.535%, 7/25/2020 8,844,095
    TOTAL 25,314,485
Annual Shareholder Report
10

Principal
Amount
    Value
    COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES—continued  
    Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities—0.9%  
$6,400,000 1,2 Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust 2014-388G, Class A, 0.902%, 6/15/2033 $6,418,968
    TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $31,655,948)
31,733,453
    MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES—3.3%  
    Federal National Mortgage Association—3.3%  
11,301,214   3.000%, 8/1/2023 11,797,406
9,941,810   4.000%, 1/1/2026 - 3/1/2026 10,590,357
585,146   4.500%, 4/1/2024 626,338
668,478   5.000%, 1/1/2024 724,471
    TOTAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $23,207,912)
23,738,572
    U.S. TREASURY—2.1%  
    U.S. Treasury Notes—2.1%  
15,000,000   0.500%, 8/31/2016
(IDENTIFIED COST $14,997,070)
15,001,172
    REPURCHASE AGREEMENT—2.8%  
20,127,000   Interest in $950,000,000 joint repurchase agreement 0.06%, dated 8/29/2014 under which Bank of America, N.A. will repurchase securities provided as collateral for $950,006,333 on 9/2/2014. The securities provided as collateral at the end of the period held with BNY Mellon as tri-party agent, were U.S. Government Agency securities with various maturities to 7/25/2041 and the market value of those underlying securities was $977,709,632.
(AT COST)
20,127,000
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS—101.6%
(IDENTIFIED COST $720,847,135)3
728,587,012
    OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET—(1.6)%4 (11,729,693)
    TOTAL NET ASSETS—100% $716,857,319
1 Denotes a restricted security that either: (a) cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, or being able to take advantage of an exemption from registration, under the Securities Act of 1933; or (b) is subject to a contractual restriction on public sales. At August 31, 2014, this restricted security amounted to $6,418,968, which represented 0.9% of total net assets.
2 Denotes a restricted security that may be resold without restriction to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and that the Fund has determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Fund's Board of Trustees. At August 31, 2014, this liquid restricted security amounted to $6,418,968, which represented 0.9% of total net assets.
3 The cost of investments for federal tax purposes amounts to $720,847,127.
4 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Note: The categories of investments are shown as a percentage of total net assets at August 31, 2014.
Annual Shareholder Report
11

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities, including investment companies with daily net asset values, if applicable.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2014, in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value:
Valuation Inputs
  Level 1—
Quoted
Prices and
Investments in
Investment
Companies
Level 2—
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Level 3—
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Total
Debt Securities:        
Adjustable Rate Mortgages $— $318,062,381 $— $318,062,381
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 319,924,4341 319,924,434
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 31,733,453 31,733,453
Mortgage-Backed Securities 23,738,572 23,738,572
U.S. Treasury 15,001,172   15,001,172
Repurchase Agreement 20,127,000 20,127,000
TOTAL SECURITIES $— $728,587,012 $— $728,587,012
1 Includes $20,000,000 of a collateralized mortgage obligations security transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 because observable market data was obtained for this security. Transfer shown represents the value of the security at the beginning of the period.
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12

Following is a reconciliation of assets in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
  Investments in
Collateralized
Mortgage
Obligations
Balance as of September 1, 2013 $20,000,000
(Transfers out of Level 3) (20,000,000)
Balance as of August 31, 2014 $
The total change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributable to investments still held at August 31, 2014 $
The following acronyms are used throughout this portfolio:
ARM —Adjustable Rate Mortgage
FHLMC —Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
REMIC —Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
13

Financial HighlightsInstitutional Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
Year Ended August 31 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $9.78 $9.90 $9.83 $9.84 $9.74
Income From Investment Operations:          
Net investment income 0.05 0.06 0.09 0.10 0.13
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.03 (0.12) 0.07 (0.01) 0.10
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.08 (0.06) 0.16 0.09 0.23
Less Distributions:          
Distributions from net investment income (0.05) (0.06) (0.09) (0.10) (0.13)
Distributions from net realized gain on investments (0.00)1
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.06) (0.09) (0.10) (0.13)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $9.81 $9.78 $9.90 $9.83 $9.84
Total Return2 0.83% (0.57)% 1.64% 0.89% 2.35%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:          
Net expenses 0.64% 0.64% 0.64% 0.64% 0.63%
Net investment income 0.52% 0.62% 0.91% 0.98% 1.25%
Expense waiver/reimbursement3 0.24% 0.22% 0.21% 0.23% 0.27%
Supplemental Data:          
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $674,103 $806,715 $869,151 $834,688 $878,449
Portfolio turnover 12% 30% 35% 38% 41%
Portfolio turnover (excluding purchases and sales from dollar-roll transactions) 12% 30% 32% 35% 41%
1 Represents less than $0.01.
2 Based on net asset value.
3 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
14

Financial HighlightsService Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
Year Ended August 31 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $9.78 $9.90 $9.83 $9.84 $9.74
Income From Investment Operations:          
Net investment income 0.03 0.04 0.07 0.08 0.10
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.03 (0.12) 0.07 (0.02) 0.10
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.06 (0.08) 0.14 0.06 0.20
Less Distributions:          
Distributions from net investment income (0.03) (0.04) (0.07) (0.07) (0.10)
Distributions from net realized gain on investments (0.00)1
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.03) (0.04) (0.07) (0.07) (0.10)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $9.81 $9.78 $9.90 $9.83 $9.84
Total Return2 0.60% (0.80)% 1.40% 0.65% 2.10%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:          
Net expenses 0.88% 0.88% 0.88% 0.89% 0.88%
Net investment income 0.28% 0.38% 0.68% 0.73% 1.04%
Expense waiver/reimbursement3 0.12% 0.11% 0.10% 0.11% 0.17%
Supplemental Data:          
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $42,755 $72,193 $99,570 $80,917 $116,916
Portfolio turnover 12% 30% 35% 38% 41%
Portfolio turnover (excluding purchases and sales from dollar-roll transactions) 12% 30% 32% 35% 41%
1 Represents less than $0.01.
2 Based on net asset value.
3 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
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15

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
August 31, 2014
Assets:    
Total investment in securities, at value (identified cost $720,847,135)   $728,587,012
Cash   710
Income receivable   2,653,874
Receivable for shares sold   1,131,098
TOTAL ASSETS   732,372,694
Liabilities:    
Payable for investments purchased $14,997,485  
Payable for shares redeemed 312,861  
Income distribution payable 14,486  
Payable to adviser (Note 5) 2,124  
Payable for other service fees (Notes 2 and 5) 84,223  
Accrued expenses (Note 5) 104,196  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   15,515,375
Net assets for 73,108,690 shares outstanding   $716,857,319
Net Assets Consist of:    
Paid-in capital   $710,188,571
Net unrealized appreciation of investments   7,739,877
Accumulated net realized loss on investments   (1,090,596)
Undistributed net investment income   19,467
TOTAL NET ASSETS   $716,857,319
Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds Per Share    
Institutional Shares:    
$674,102,608 ÷ 68,748,468 shares outstanding, no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $9.81
Service Shares:    
$42,754,711 ÷ 4,360,222 shares outstanding, no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $9.81
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
16

Statement of Operations
Year Ended August 31, 2014
Investment Income:      
Interest     $9,120,186
Expenses:      
Investment adviser fee (Note 5)   $4,708,706  
Administrative fee (Note 5)   613,160  
Custodian fees   38,070  
Transfer agent fee   233,331  
Directors'/Trustees' fees (Note 5)   10,603  
Auditing fees   28,000  
Legal fees   15,976  
Portfolio accounting fees   169,482  
Other service fees (Notes 2 and 5)   1,054,600  
Share registration costs   69,638  
Printing and postage   64,275  
Miscellaneous (Note 5)   28,624  
TOTAL EXPENSES   7,034,465  
Waiver and Reimbursement:      
Waiver of investment adviser fee (Note 5) $(918,792)    
Reimbursement of other operating expenses (Notes 2 and 5) (909,867)    
TOTAL WAIVER AND REIMBURSEMENT   (1,828,659)  
Net expenses     5,205,806
Net investment income     3,914,380
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:      
Net realized loss on investments     (73,870)
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments     2,079,708
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments     2,005,838
Change in net assets resulting from operations     $5,920,218
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
17

Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended August 31 2014 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    
Operations:    
Net investment income $3,914,380 $5,574,904
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (73,870) 242,519
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments 2,079,708 (11,027,192)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS 5,920,218 (5,209,769)
Distributions to Shareholders:    
Distributions from net investment income    
Institutional Shares (3,747,307) (5,223,729)
Service Shares (185,903) (353,262)
Distributions from net realized gain on investments    
Institutional Shares (322,344)
Service Shares (31,210)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (3,933,210) (5,930,545)
Share Transactions:    
Proceeds from sale of shares 220,804,169 595,207,744
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 2,668,269 3,939,996
Cost of shares redeemed (387,510,219) (677,820,661)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS (164,037,781) (78,672,921)
Change in net assets (162,050,773) (89,813,235)
Net Assets:    
Beginning of period 878,908,092 968,721,327
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $19,467 and $38,297, respectively) $716,857,319 $878,908,092
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Shareholder Report
18

Notes to Financial Statements
August 31, 2014
1. ORGANIZATION
Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund offers two classes of shares: Institutional Shares and Service Shares. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting, except on class-specific matters. The investment objective of the Fund is to provide current income consistent with minimal volatility of principal.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Investment Valuation
In calculating its net asset value (NAV), the Fund generally values investments as follows:
■  Fixed-income securities acquired with remaining maturities greater than 60 days are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees.
■  Fixed-income securities and repurchase agreements acquired with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost (adjusted for the accretion of any discount or amortization of any premium), unless the issuer's creditworthiness is impaired or other factors indicate that amortized cost is not an accurate estimate of the investment's fair value, in which case it would be valued in the same manner as a longer-term security.
■  Shares of other mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs.
■  For securities that are fair valued in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees, certain factors may be considered such as: the purchase price of the security, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents, fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers.
If the Fund cannot obtain a price or price evaluation from a pricing service for an investment, the Fund may attempt to value the investment based upon the mean of bid and asked quotations or fair value the investment based on price evaluations, from one or more dealers. If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, or if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could purchase or sell an investment at the price used to calculate the Fund's NAV.
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Fair Valuation Procedures
The Trustees have appointed a Valuation Committee comprised of officers of the Fund, Federated Investment Management Company (“Adviser”) and certain of the Adviser's affiliated companies to determine fair value of securities and in overseeing the calculation of the NAV. The Trustees have also authorized the use of pricing services recommended by the Valuation Committee to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for reviewing third-party pricing-service evaluations including periodic reviews of third-party pricing services' policies, procedures and valuation methods (including key inputs and assumptions), transactional back-testing, comparisons of evaluations of different pricing services, and review of price challenges by the Adviser based on recent market activity. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees. The Trustees periodically review and approve the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures.
Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for U.S. Treasury and Agency securities and mortgage-backed securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for other types of fixed-income securities and OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for short-term liquidity purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to require the other party to a repurchase agreement to transfer to the Fund's custodian or sub-custodian eligible securities or cash with a market value (after transaction costs) at least equal to the repurchase price to be paid under the repurchase agreement. The eligible securities are transferred to accounts with the custodian or sub-custodian in which the Fund holds a “securities entitlement” and exercises “control” as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The Fund has established procedures for monitoring the market value of the transferred securities and requiring the transfer of additional eligible securities if necessary to equal at least the repurchase price. These procedures also allow the other party to require securities to be transferred from the account to the extent that their market value exceeds the repurchase price or in exchange for other eligible securities of equivalent market value.
The insolvency of the other party or other failure to repurchase the securities may delay the disposition of the underlying securities or cause the Fund to receive less than the full repurchase price. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, any amounts received by the Fund in excess of the repurchase price and related transaction costs must be remitted to the other party.
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The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in which eligible securities are transferred into joint trading accounts maintained by the custodian or sub-custodian for investment companies and other clients advised by the Fund's Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund will participate on a pro rata basis with the other investment companies and clients in its share of the securities transferred under such repurchase agreements and in its share of proceeds from any repurchase or other disposition of such securities.
Repurchase agreements are subject to Master Netting Agreements which are agreements between the Fund and its counterparties that provide for the net settlement of all transactions and collateral with the Fund, through a single payment, in the event of default or termination. Amounts presented on the Portfolio of Investments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities are not net settlement amounts but gross. As indicated above, the cash or securities to be repurchased, as shown on the Portfolio of Investments, exceeds the repurchase price to be paid under the agreement reducing the net settlement amount to zero.
Investment Income, Gains and Losses, Expenses and Distributions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified-cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions of net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses are allocated to each class based on relative average daily net assets, except that Institutional Shares and Service Shares may bear distribution services fees and other service fees unique to those classes.
Other Service Fees
The Fund may pay other service fees up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Institutional Shares and Service Shares to unaffiliated financial intermediaries or to Federated Shareholder Services Company (FSSC) for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSSC may voluntarily reimburse the Fund for other service fees. For the year ended August 31, 2014, other service fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Other Service
Fees Incurred
Other Service
Fees Reimbursed
Institutional Shares $909,867 $(909,867)
Service Shares 144,733
TOTAL $1,054,600 $(909,867)
Dividends are declared separately for each class. No class has preferential dividend rights; differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses.
Premium and Discount Amortization/Paydown Gains and Losses
All premiums and discounts on fixed-income securities, other than mortgage-backed securities are amortized/accreted using the effective-interest-rate method. Gains and losses realized on principal payment of mortgage-backed securities (paydown gains and losses) are classified as part of investment income.
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21

Federal Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the Subchapter M provision of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is necessary. As of and during the year ended August 31, 2014, the Fund did not have a liability for any uncertain tax positions. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of August 31, 2014, tax years 2011 through 2014 remain subject to examination by the Fund's major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may engage in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions. The Fund records when-issued securities on the trade date and maintains security positions such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily and begin earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may occur on these transactions due to changes in market conditions or the failure of counterparties to perform under the contract.
Dollar-Roll Transactions
The Fund engages in dollar-roll transactions in which the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities with a commitment to buy similar (same type, coupon and maturity), but not identical mortgage-backed securities on a future date. Both securities involved are TBA mortgage-backed securities. The Fund treats dollar-roll transactions as purchases and sales. Dollar-rolls are subject to interest rate risks and credit risks.
Restricted Securities
The Fund may purchase securities which are considered restricted. Restricted securities are securities that either: (a) cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, or being able to take advantage of an exemption from registration, under the Securities Act of 1933; or (b) are subject to contractual restrictions on public sales. In some cases, when a security cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, the issuer of the restricted security has agreed to register such securities for resale, at the issuer's expense, either upon demand by the Fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many such restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Restricted securities may be determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Trustees. The Fund will not incur any registration costs upon such resales. The Fund's restricted securities, like other securities, are priced in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees.
Other
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimated.
Annual Shareholder Report
22

3. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following tables summarize share activity:
Year Ended August 31 2014 2013
Institutional Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 21,835,848 $213,515,828 55,585,515 $547,416,069
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 254,717 2,490,362 362,579 3,570,891
Shares redeemed (35,851,061) (350,462,410) (61,274,963) (603,348,060)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM INSTITUTIONAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (13,760,496) $(134,456,220) (5,326,869) $(52,361,100)
    
Year Ended August 31 2014 2013
Service Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 745,601 $7,288,341 4,849,768 $47,791,675
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 18,197 177,907 37,459 369,105
Shares redeemed (3,786,853) (37,047,809) (7,566,605) (74,472,601)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM SERVICE SHARE TRANSACTIONS (3,023,055) $(29,581,561) (2,679,378) $(26,311,821)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM TOTAL FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS (16,783,551) $(164,037,781) (8,006,247) $(78,672,921)
4. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
The tax character of distributions as reported on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended August 31, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:
  2014 2013
Ordinary income $3,933,210 $5,576,991
Long-term capital gains $$353,554
As of August 31, 2014, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income $19,467
Net unrealized appreciation $7,739,885
Capital loss carryforwards $(1,090,604)
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation/depreciation is attributable to differing treatments for dollar-roll transactions.
At August 31, 2014, the cost of investments for federal tax purposes was $720,847,127. The net unrealized appreciation of investments for federal tax purposes was $7,739,885. This consists of net unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost of $9,269,797 and net unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value of $1,529,912.
Annual Shareholder Report
23

At August 31, 2014, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $1,090,604 which will reduce the Fund's taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Code, thereby reducing the amount of distributions to shareholders which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax. Pursuant to the Code, a net capital loss incurred in taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010, is characterized as short-term and may be carried forward for a maximum of eight tax years (“Carryforward Limit”), whereas a net capital loss incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010, retains its character as either short-term or long-term, does not expire and is required to be utilized prior to the losses which have a Carryforward Limit.
The following schedule summarizes the Fund's capital loss carryforwards and expiration years:
Expiration Year Short-Term Long-Term Total
No Expiration $591,876 $320,272 $912,148
2016 $175,890 NA $175,890
2019 $2,566 NA $2,566
5. INVESTMENT ADVISER FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Adviser Fee
The advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser provides for an annual fee equal to 0.60% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, the Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the year ended August 31, 2014, the Adviser voluntarily waived $918,792 of its fee.
Administrative Fee
Federated Administrative Services (FAS), under the Administrative Services Agreement, provides the Fund with administrative personnel and services. For purposes of determining the appropriate rate breakpoint, “Investment Complex” is defined as all of the Federated Funds subject to a fee under the Administrative Services Agreement. The fee paid to FAS is based on the average daily net assets of the Investment Complex as specified below, plus certain out-of-pocket expenses:
Administrative Fee Average Daily Net Assets
of the Investment Complex
0.150% on the first $5 billion
0.125% on the next $5 billion
0.100% on the next $10 billion
0.075% on assets in excess of $20 billion
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FAS may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the year ended August 31, 2014, the annualized fee paid to FAS was 0.078% of average daily net assets of the Fund.
Annual Shareholder Report
24

Distribution Services Fee
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the terms of the Plan, the Fund will compensate Federated Securities Corp. (FSC), the principal distributor, from the daily net assets of the Fund's Service Shares to finance activities intended to result in the sale of these shares. The Plan provides that the Fund may incur distribution expenses at 0.05% of average daily net assets, annually, to compensate FSC. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSC may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. When FSC receives fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers purchase shares. For the year ended August 31, 2014, the Fund's Service Shares did not incur a distribution services fee; however, it may begin to incur this fee upon approval of the Trustees
Other Service Fees
For the year ended August 31, 2014, FSSC received $1,092 and reimbursed $909,867 of the other service fees disclosed in Note 2.
Expense Limitation
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates (which may include FSC, FAS and FSSC) on their own initiative have agreed to waive their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses so that the total annual fund operating expenses (as shown in the financial highlights, excluding expenses allocated from affiliated partnerships, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund's Institutional Shares and Service Shares (after the voluntary waivers and reimbursements) will not exceed 0.64% and 0.89% (the “Fee Limit”), respectively, up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) November 1, 2015; or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its applicable affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.
General
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Fund are Officers and Directors or Trustees of certain of the above companies. To efficiently facilitate payment, Directors'/Trustees' fees and certain expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses are paid by an affiliate of the Adviser which in due course are reimbursed by the Fund. Such expenses may be included in Accrued and Miscellaneous Expenses on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations, respectively.
6. Investment TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding long-term U.S. government securities and short-term obligations, for the year ended August 31, 2014, were as follows:
Purchases $46,649,778
Sales $47,066,527
Annual Shareholder Report
25

7. LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund participates in a $100,000,000 unsecured, uncommitted revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement with PNC Bank. The LOC was made available for extraordinary or emergency purposes, primarily for financing redemption payments. Borrowings are charged interest at a rate offered to the Fund by PNC Bank at the time of the borrowing. As of August 31, 2014, there were no outstanding loans. During the year ended August 31, 2014, the Fund did not utilize the LOC.
8. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund, along with other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Investors, Inc., may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating affiliated funds. As of August 31, 2014, there were no outstanding loans. During the year ended August 31, 2014, the program was not utilized.
Annual Shareholder Report
26

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF federated Adjustable Rate Securities FUND:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund (the “Fund”), as of August 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits 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 August 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. 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 audits provide 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 Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund as of August 31, 2014, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Boston, Massachusetts
October 24, 2014
Annual Shareholder Report
27

Shareholder Expense Example (unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees and to the extent applicable, distribution (12b-1) fees and/or other service fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you to understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from March 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values 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. Thus, you should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate the actual ending account balance or your expenses for the period. Rather, these figures are required to be provided to enable you to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
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Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
  Beginning
Account Value
3/1/2014
Ending
Account Value
8/31/2014
Expenses Paid
During Period1
Actual:      
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,006.50 $3.24
Service Shares $1,000 $1,005.50 $4.45
Hypothetical (assuming a 5% return
before expenses):
     
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,021.98 $3.26
Service Shares $1,000 $1,020.77 $4.48
1 Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized net expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half-year period). The annualized net expense ratios are as follows:
   
Institutional Shares 0.64%
Service Shares 0.88%
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29

Board of Trustees and Fund Officers
The Board of Trustees is responsible for managing the Fund's business affairs and for exercising all the Fund's powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The following tables give information about each Trustee and the senior officers of the Fund. Where required, the tables separately list Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Fund (i.e., “Interested” Trustees) and those who are not (i.e., “Independent” Trustees). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The address of all Independent Trustees listed is 4000 Ericsson Drive, Warrendale, PA 15086-7561; Attention: Mutual Fund Board. As of December 31, 2013, the Fund comprised one portfolio(s), and the Federated Fund Family consisted of 42 investment companies (comprising 135 portfolios). Unless otherwise noted, each Officer is elected annually. Unless otherwise noted, each Trustee oversees all portfolios in the Federated Fund Family and serves for an indefinite term. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about Fund Trustees and is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400.
Interested TRUSTEES Background
Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Fund
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)
John F. Donahue*
Birth Date: July 28, 1924
Trustee
Began serving: May 1985
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; Chairman and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman of the Federated Fund Family's Executive Committee.
Previous Positions: Chairman of the Federated Fund Family; Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company; Chairman and Director, Federated Investment Counseling.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Birth Date: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
Began serving: July 1999
Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of certain of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; Director or Trustee of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company; Trustee, Federated Investment Counseling; Chairman and Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.; Chairman, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania and Passport Research, Ltd. (investment advisory subsidiary of Federated); Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company.
Previous Positions: President, Federated Investment Counseling; President and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.
* Family relationships and reasons for “interested” status: John F. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue; both are “interested” due to their beneficial ownership of shares of Federated Investors, Inc. and the positions they hold with Federated and its subsidiaries.
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES Background
Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Fund
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications
John T. Collins
Birth Date: January 24, 1947
Trustee
Began serving: October 2013
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; Chairman and CEO, The Collins Group, Inc. (a private equity firm).
Other Directorships Held: Chairman Emeriti, Bentley University; Director, Sterling Suffolk Downs, Inc.; Former Director, National Association of Printers and Lithographers.
Previous Positions: Director and Audit Committee Member, Bank of America Corp.
Qualifications: Business management and director experience.
Maureen Lally-Green
Birth Date: July 5, 1949
Trustee
Began serving: August 2009
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; Associate General Secretary and Director, Office for Church Relations, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Adjunct Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law; Superior Court of Pennsylvania (service began 1998 and ended July 2009).
Other Directorships Held: Director, Consol Energy (service started June 2013); Director, Auberle (service ended December 2013); Member, Pennsylvania State Board of Education; Director, Saint Vincent College; Director, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh (service ended December 2013); Director and Chair, UPMC Mercy Hospital; Regent, St. Vincent Seminary; Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania; Director, Saint Thomas More Society (service ended December 2013); Director, Our Campaign for the Church Alive!, Inc.; Director, Pennsylvania Bar Institute (2013-present); Director, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School (2013-present).
Previous Position: Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh (1983-1998).
Qualifications: Legal and director experience.
Peter E. Madden
Birth Date: March 16, 1942
Trustee
Began serving: August 1991
Principal Occupation: Director or Trustee, and Chairman of the Board of Directors or Trustees, of the Federated Fund Family.
Previous Positions: Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Court; President, Chief Operating Officer and Director, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Corporation (retired); Director, VISA USA and VISA International; Chairman and Director, Massachusetts Bankers Association; Director, Depository Trust Corporation; Director, The Boston Stock Exchange.
Qualifications: Business management, mutual fund services and director experience.
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Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Fund
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications
Charles F. Mansfield, Jr.
Birth Date: April 10, 1945
Trustee
Began serving: July 1999
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; Management Consultant.
Previous Positions: Chief Executive Officer, PBTC International Bank; Partner, Arthur Young & Company (now Ernst & Young LLP); Chief Financial Officer of Retail Banking Sector, Chase Manhattan Bank; Senior Vice President, HSBC Bank USA (formerly Marine Midland Bank); Vice President, Citibank; Assistant Professor of Banking and Finance, Frank G. Zarb School of Business, Hofstra University; Executive Vice President, DVC Group, Inc. (marketing, communications and technology).
Qualifications: Banking, business management, education and director experience.
Thomas M. O'Neill
Birth Date: June 14, 1951
Trustee
Began serving: October 2006
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee, Vice Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Federated Fund Family; Sole Proprietor, Navigator Management Company (investment and strategic consulting).
Other Directorships Held: Board of Overseers, Children's Hospital of Boston; Visiting Committee on Athletics, Harvard College; Board of Directors, Medicines for Humanity; Board of Directors, The Golisano Children's Museum of Naples, Florida.
Previous Positions: Chief Executive Officer and President, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Fleet Investment Advisors; President and Chief Executive Officer, Aeltus Investment Management, Inc.; General Partner, Hellman, Jordan Management Co., Boston, MA; Chief Investment Officer, The Putnam Companies, Boston, MA; Credit Analyst and Lending Officer, Fleet Bank; Director and Consultant, EZE Castle Software (investment order management software); Director, Midway Pacific (lumber).
Qualifications: Business management, mutual fund, director and investment experience.
P. Jerome Richey
Birth Date: February 23, 1949
Trustee
Began serving: October 2013
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Family; General Counsel, University of Pittsburgh.
Other Directorships Held: Board Chairman, Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania; Board Member, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.
Previous Positions: Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, CONSOL Energy Inc.; Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (a law firm).
Qualifications: Business management, legal and director experience.
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Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Fund
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years,
Other Directorships Held, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications
John S. Walsh
Birth Date: November 28, 1957
Trustee

Began serving: July 1999
Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee, Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Federated Fund Family; President and Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. (manufacturer of construction temporary heaters); President and Director, Manufacturers Products, Inc. (distributor of portable construction heaters); President, Portable Heater Parts, a division of Manufacturers Products, Inc.
Previous Position: Vice President, Walsh & Kelly, Inc.
Qualifications: Business management and director experience.
OFFICERS
Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Fund
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years
and Previous Position(s)
John W. McGonigle
Birth Date: October 26, 1938
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY
Officer since: May 1985
Principal Occupations: Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Federated Fund Family; Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.
Previous Positions: Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company and Federated Investment Counseling; Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Services Company and Federated Securities Corp.
Lori A. Hensler
Birth Date: January 6, 1967
TREASURER
Officer since: April 2013
Principal Occupations: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Federated Fund Family; Senior Vice President, Federated Administrative Services; Financial and Operations Principal for Federated Securities Corp. and Edgewood Services, Inc.; and Assistant Treasurer, Federated Investors Trust Company. Ms. Hensler has received the Certified Public Accountant designation.
Previous Positions: Controller of Federated Investors, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, Federated Investors Management Company; Treasurer, Federated Investors Trust Company; Assistant Treasurer, Federated Administrative Services, Federated Administrative Services, Inc., Federated Securities Corp., Edgewood Services, Inc., Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company, Passport Research, Ltd., and Federated MDTA, LLC; Financial and Operations Principal for Federated Securities Corp., Edgewood Services, Inc. and Southpointe Distribution Services, Inc.
Richard B. Fisher
Birth Date: May 17, 1923
VICE PRESIDENT
Officer since: May 1985
Principal Occupations: Vice Chairman or Vice President of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; Vice Chairman, Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman, Federated Securities Corp.
Previous Positions: President and Director or Trustee of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Family; Executive Vice President, Federated Investors, Inc.; Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Securities Corp.
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Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Fund
Date Service Began
Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years
and Previous Position(s)
Peter J. Germain
Birth Date: September 3, 1959
CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER
Officer since: January 2005
Principal Occupations: Mr. Germain is Chief Legal Officer of the Federated Fund Family. He is General Counsel and Vice President, Federated Investors, Inc.; President, Federated Administrative Services and Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; Secretary, Federated Private Asset Management, Inc.; and Secretary, Retirement Plan Service Company of America. Mr. Germain joined Federated in 1984 and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Previous Positions: Deputy General Counsel, Special Counsel, Managing Director of Mutual Fund Services, Federated Investors, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Federated Services Company; and Senior Corporate Counsel, Federated Investors, Inc.
Brian P. Bouda
Birth Date: February 28, 1947
CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Officer since: August 2004
Principal Occupations: Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Federated Fund Family; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Federated Investors, Inc. and Chief Compliance Officer of certain of its subsidiaries. Mr. Bouda joined Federated in 1999 and is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar Association of Wisconsin.
Previous Positions: Served in Senior Management positions with a large regional banking organization.
Robert J. Ostrowski
Birth Date: April 26, 1963
Chief Investment Officer
Officer since: May 2004
Principal Occupations: Robert J. Ostrowski joined Federated in 1987 as an Investment Analyst and became a Portfolio Manager in 1990. He was named Chief Investment Officer of Federated's taxable fixed-income products in 2004 and also serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Ostrowski became an Executive Vice President of the Fund's Adviser in 2009 and served as a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser from 1997 to 2009. Mr. Ostrowski has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He received his M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Todd A. Abraham
Birth Date: February 10, 1966
VICE PRESIDENT
Officer since: November 1998
Portfolio Manager since: August 1995
Principal Occupations: Todd A. Abraham has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since August 1995. He is Vice President of the Trust. Mr. Abraham has been a Portfolio Manager since 1995, a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1997 and a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser beginning 2007. Mr. Abraham joined Federated in 1993 as an Investment Analyst and served as Assistant Vice President of the Fund's Adviser from 1995 to 1997. Mr. Abraham served as a Portfolio Analyst at Ryland Mortgage Co. from 1992-1993. Mr. Abraham has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Loyola College.
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Evaluation and Approval of Advisory ContractMay 2014
Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund (the “Fund”)
Following a review and recommendation of approval by the Fund's independent trustees, the Fund's Board reviewed and approved at its May 2014 meetings the Fund's investment advisory contract for an additional one-year term. The Board's decision regarding the contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to continue the existing arrangements.
In this connection, the Federated Funds' Board had previously appointed a Senior Officer, whose duties include specified responsibilities relating to the process by which advisory fees are to be charged to a Federated fund. The Senior Officer has the authority to retain consultants, experts, or staff as may be reasonably necessary to assist in the performance of his duties, reports directly to the Board, and may be terminated only with the approval of a majority of the independent members of the Board. The Senior Officer prepared and furnished to the Board an independent, written evaluation that covered topics discussed below (the “Evaluation”). The Board considered that Evaluation, along with other information, in deciding to approve the advisory contract.
The Board is also familiar with and considered judicial decisions concerning allegedly excessive investment advisory fees, which have indicated that the following factors may be relevant to an Adviser's fiduciary duty with respect to its receipt of compensation from a fund: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to a fund and its shareholders, including the performance and expenses of the fund and of comparable funds; the Adviser's cost of providing the services, including the profitability to the Adviser of providing advisory services to a fund; the extent to which the Adviser may realize “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger and, if such economies exist, whether they have been shared with a fund and its shareholders or the family of funds; any “fall-out financial benefits” that accrue to the Adviser because of its relationship with a fund (including research services received from brokers that execute fund trades and any fees paid to affiliates of the Adviser for services rendered to a fund); comparative fee structures, including a comparison of fees paid to the Adviser with those paid by similar funds; and the extent of care, conscientiousness and independence with which the Board members perform their duties and their expertise, including whether they are fully informed about all facts the Board deems relevant to its consideration of the Adviser's services and fees. The Board noted that SEC disclosure requirements regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the Fund's advisory contract generally track the factors listed above. Consistent with these judicial decisions and SEC disclosure requirements, the Board also considered management fees charged to
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institutional and other clients of the Adviser for what might be viewed as like services. The Board was aware of these factors and was guided by them in its review of the Fund's advisory contract to the extent it considered them to be appropriate and relevant, as discussed further below.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Fund and working with Federated on matters relating to the Federated funds, and was assisted in its deliberations by independent legal counsel. Throughout the year, and in connection with its May meetings, the Board requested and received substantial and detailed information about the Fund and the Federated organization that was in addition to the extensive materials that comprise and accompany the Senior Officer's Evaluation. Federated provided much of this information at each regular meeting of the Board, and furnished additional substantial information in connection with the May meeting at which the Board's formal review of the advisory contract occurred. At this May meeting, senior management of the Adviser also met with the independent trustees and their counsel to discuss the materials presented and any other matters thought relevant by the Adviser or the trustees. Between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board also received information on particular matters as the need arose. Thus, the Board's consideration of the advisory contract included review of the Senior Officer's Evaluation, accompanying data and additional information covering such matters as: the Adviser's investment philosophy, revenue, profitability, personnel and processes; investment and operating strategies; the Fund's short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms, both on a gross basis and net of expenses, as well as in relationship to its particular investment program and certain competitor or “peer group” funds and/or other benchmarks, as appropriate), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund's investment objectives; the Fund's expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund's portfolio securities (if any); and the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders; the entrepreneurial risk assumed by the Adviser in sponsoring the funds; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry and market practices; the range of comparable fees for similar funds in the mutual fund industry; the Fund's relationship to the Federated family of funds which include a comprehensive array of funds with different investment objectives, policies and strategies which are available for exchange without the incurrence of additional sales charges; compliance and audit reports concerning the Federated funds and the Federated companies that service them (including communications from regulatory agencies), as well as Federated's responses to any issues raised therein; and relevant developments in
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the mutual fund industry and how the Federated funds and/or Federated are responding to them. The Board's evaluation process is evolutionary. The criteria considered and the emphasis placed on relevant criteria change in recognition of changing circumstances in the mutual fund marketplace.
While mindful that courts have cautioned against giving such comparisons too much weight, the Board has found the use of comparisons of the Fund's fees and expenses to other mutual funds with comparable investment programs to be relevant. In this regard, the Board was presented with, and considered, information regarding the contractual advisory fee rates, net advisory fee rates and total expense ratios relative to a fund's peers. The Board focused on comparisons with other similar mutual funds more heavily than non-mutual fund products or services because it is believed that they are more relevant. For example, other mutual funds are the products most like the Fund, they are readily available to Fund shareholders as alternative investment vehicles, and they are the type of investment vehicle in fact chosen and maintained by the Fund's investors. The range of their fees and expenses therefore appears to be a relevant indicator of what consumers have found to be reasonable in the precise marketplace in which the Fund competes.
The Board reviewed the contractual advisory fee rate, net advisory fee rate where partially waived and other expenses of the Fund and noted the position of the Fund's fee rates relative to its peers. In this regard, the Board noted that the contractual advisory fee rate was above the median of the relevant peer group, but the Board noted the applicable waivers and reimbursements and that the overall expense structure of the Fund remained competitive. The Board will continue to monitor advisory fees and other expenses borne by the Fund in the context of the other factors considered relevant by the Board.
By contrast, the Senior Officer has reviewed Federated's fees for providing advisory services to products outside the Federated family of funds (e.g., institutional and separate accounts and sub-adviser services). He concluded that mutual funds and institutional accounts are inherently different products. Those differences include, but are not limited to, different types of targeted investors; being subject to different laws and regulations; different legal structures; different average account sizes and portfolio management techniques made necessary by different cash flows and different associated costs; and the time spent by portfolio managers and their teams, funds financial services, legal, compliance and risk management in reviewing securities pricing, addressing different administrative responsibilities, addressing different degrees of risk associated with management and a variety of different costs. The Senior Officer did not consider these fee schedules to be determinative in judging the appropriateness of mutual fund advisory fees.
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The Fund's ability to deliver competitive performance when compared to its peer group was also deemed to be relevant by the Board as a useful indicator of how the Adviser is executing the Fund's investment program, which in turn was one of the Board's considerations in reaching a conclusion that the nature, extent, and quality of the Adviser's investment management services were such as to warrant continuation of the advisory contract.
The Senior Officer reviewed information compiled by Federated, using data supplied by independent fund ranking organizations, regarding the performance of, and fees charged by, other mutual funds, noting his view that comparisons to fund peer groups may be helpful, though not conclusive, in judging the reasonableness of proposed fees. The Board considered, in evaluating such comparisons, that in some cases individual funds may exhibit significant and unique differences in their objectives and management techniques when compared to other funds within an industry peer group.
For the periods covered by the Evaluation, the Fund's performance for the one-year period was above the median of the relevant peer group, and the Fund's performance fell below the median of the relevant peer group for the three-year and five-year periods. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Adviser and recognized the efforts being undertaken by the Adviser. The Board will continue to monitor these efforts and the performance of the Fund in the context of the other factors considered relevant by the Board.
The Board also received financial information about Federated, including information regarding the compensation and benefits Federated derived from its relationships with the Federated funds. This information covered not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees received by Federated's subsidiaries for providing other services to the Federated funds under separate contracts (e.g., for serving as the Federated funds' administrator). The information also detailed any indirect benefit Federated may derive from its receipt of research services from brokers who execute Federated fund trades. In addition, the Board considered the fact that, in order for a fund to be competitive in the marketplace, Federated and its affiliates frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and have disclosed to fund investors and/or indicated to the Board their intention to do so in the future, where appropriate. Moreover, the Board receives regular reporting as to the institution, adjustment or elimination of these voluntary waivers. In addition, following discussions regarding the Senior Officer's May 2013 recommendations, Federated made meaningful reductions to gross advisory fees for several funds. At the Board meeting in May 2014, the Senior Officer proposed, and the Board approved, reductions in the contractual advisory fees of certain other funds.
Federated furnished information, requested by the Senior Officer, that reported revenues on a fund-by-fund basis and made estimates of the allocation of expenses on a fund-by-fund basis, using allocation methodologies specified by the Senior Officer. The Senior Officer noted that, while these cost allocation reports apply consistent allocation processes, the inherent difficulties in
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38

allocating costs continues to cause the Senior Officer to question the precision of the process and to conclude that such reports may be unreliable, since a single change in an allocation estimate may dramatically alter the resulting estimate of cost and/or profitability of a fund and may produce unintended consequences. The allocation information, including the Senior Officer's view that fund-by-fund estimations may be unreliable, was considered in the analysis by the Board.
The Board and the Senior Officer also reviewed information compiled by Federated comparing profitability information for Federated to other publicly held fund management companies. In this regard, the Senior Officer concluded that Federated's profit margins did not appear to be excessive.
The Senior Officer's Evaluation also discussed the notion of possible realization of “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger. The Board considered in this regard that the Adviser has made significant and long-term investments in areas that support all of the Federated family of funds, such as personnel and processes for the portfolio management, shareholder services, compliance, internal audit, and risk management functions; and systems technology; and that the benefits of these efforts (as well as any economies, should they exist) were likely to be enjoyed by the fund family as a whole. Finally, the Board also noted the absence of any applicable regulatory or industry guidelines on this subject, which (as discussed in the Senior Officer's Evaluation) is compounded by the lack of any common industry practice or general pattern with respect to structuring fund advisory fees with “breakpoints” that serve to reduce the fee as the fund attains a certain size.
The Senior Officer noted that, subject to the comments and recommendations made within his Evaluation, his observations and the information accompanying the Evaluation supported a finding by the Board that the management fees for each of the funds were reasonable. Under these circumstances, no changes were recommended to, and no objection was raised to, the continuation of the Fund's advisory contract.
In its decision to continue an existing investment advisory contract, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund's operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew an advisory contract. In particular, the Board recognized that many shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Adviser's industry standing and reputation and with the expectation that the Adviser will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund. Thus, the Board's approval of the advisory contract reflected the fact that it is the shareholders who have effectively selected the Adviser by virtue of having invested in the Fund. The Board concluded that, in light of the factors discussed above, including the nature, quality and scope of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates, continuation of the advisory contract was appropriate.
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The Board based its decision to approve the advisory contract on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above were necessarily relevant to the Fund, nor did the Board consider any one of them to be determinative. With respect to the factors that were relevant, the Board's decision to approve the contract reflects its determination that Federated's performance and actions provided a satisfactory basis to support the decision to continue the existing arrangements.
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Voting Proxies on Fund Portfolio Securities
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies, if any, relating to securities held in the Fund's portfolio is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400. A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any such proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
The Fund files with the SEC a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings, as of the close of the first and third quarters of its fiscal year, on “Form N-Q.” These filings are 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. (Call 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.) You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation.
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Mutual funds are not bank deposits or obligations, are not guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. Investment in mutual funds involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This Report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by the Fund's Prospectus, which contains facts concerning its objective and policies, management fees, expenses and other information.
    
Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund
Federated Investors Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedInvestors.com
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
CUSIP 314082108
CUSIP 314082207
28996 (10/14)
Federated is a registered trademark of Federated Investors, Inc.
2014 ©Federated Investors, Inc.

 

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 (the "Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers") that applies to the registrant's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer; the registrant's Principal Financial Officer also serves as the Principal Accounting Officer.

(c) Not Applicable

(d) Not Applicable

(e) Not Applicable

(f)(3) The registrant hereby undertakes to provide any person, without charge, upon request, a copy of the code of ethics. To request a copy of the code of ethics, contact the registrant at 1-800-341-7400, and ask for a copy of the Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant's Board has determined that each of the following members of the Board's Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert,” and is "independent," for purposes of this Item:   Charles F. Mansfield, Jr., Thomas M. O'Neill and John S. Walsh. 

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

(a) Audit Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:

Fiscal year ended 2014 - $29,250

Fiscal year ended 2013 - $28,000

 

(b) Audit-Related Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:

Fiscal year ended 2014 - $0

Fiscal year ended 2013 - $0

 

Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and $0 respectively.

(c) Tax Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:

Fiscal year ended 2014 - $0

Fiscal year ended 2013 - $0

Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and $0 respectively.

(d) All Other Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:

Fiscal year ended 2014 - $0

Fiscal year ended 2013 - $0

Amount requiring approval of the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and $0 respectively.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Policies regarding Pre-approval of Services.

The Audit Committee is required to pre-approve audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such services do not impair the auditor’s independence. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent auditor has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

Certain services have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of the general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. The Audit Committee will annually review the services that may be provided by the independent auditor without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee and may grant general pre-approval for such services. The Audit Committee will revise the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations. The Audit Committee will not delegate its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor to management.

The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chairman. The Chairman will report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee will designate another member with such pre-approval authority when the Chairman is unavailable.

 

AUDIT SERVICES

The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees will be subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee must approve any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, registered investment company (RIC) structure or other matters.

In addition to the annual Audit services engagement specifically approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval for other Audit Services, which are those services that only the independent auditor reasonably can provide. The Audit Committee has pre-approved certain Audit services, all other Audit services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

AUDIT-RELATED SERVICES

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor, and has pre-approved certain Audit-related services, all other Audit-related services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

TAX SERVICES

The Audit Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide Tax services to the Company such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence. However, the Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Audit Committee has pre-approved certain Tax services, all Tax services involving large and complex transactions must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

ALL OTHER SERVICES

With respect to the provision of services other than audit, review or attest services the pre-approval requirement is waived if:

(1)The aggregate amount of all such services provided constitutes no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid by the registrant, the registrant’s 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 to its accountant during the fiscal year in which the services are provided;

 

(2)Such services were not recognized by the registrant, the registrant’s 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 at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and

 

(3)Such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee of the issuer and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Audit Committee or by one or more members of the Audit Committee who are members of the board of directors to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Audit Committee.

 

The Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, and would not impair the independence of the auditor.

The SEC’s rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of prohibited non-audit services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the prohibitions.

PRE-APPROVAL FEE LEVELS

Pre-approval fee levels for all services to be provided by the independent auditor will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

PROCEDURES

Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent auditor and the Principal Accounting Officer and/or Internal Auditor, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

(e)(2) Percentage of services identified in items 4(b) through 4(d) that were approved by the registrants audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X:

4(b)

Fiscal year ended 2014 – 0%

Fiscal year ended 2013 - 0%

Percentage of services provided to the registrants 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 approved by the registrants audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and 0% respectively.

4(c)

Fiscal year ended 2014 – 0%

Fiscal year ended 2013 – 0%

Percentage of services provided to the registrants 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 approved by the registrants audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and 0% respectively.

4(d)

Fiscal year ended 2014 – 0%

Fiscal year ended 2013 – 0%

Percentage of services provided to the registrants 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 approved by the registrants audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and 0% respectively.

(f)NA

 

(g)Non-Audit Fees billed to the registrant, the registrant’s investment adviser, and certain entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser:

Fiscal year ended 2014 - $2,672

Fiscal year ended 2013 - $7,863

(h) The registrant’s Audit Committee has considered that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s 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 Registrants

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

 

(a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b) Not Applicable; Fund had no divestments during the reporting period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.

 

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

 

Not Applicable

 

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

 

Not Applicable

 

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

 

Not Applicable

 

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

 

No Changes to Report

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) The registrant’s President and Treasurer have concluded that the

registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Act) are effective in design and operation and are sufficient to form the basis of the certifications required by Rule 30a-(2) under the Act, based on their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing date of this report on Form N-CSR.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report 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- Not Applicable to this Report.

 

(a)(2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

 

(a)(3) Not Applicable.

 

(b) Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund

 

By /S/ Lori A. Hensler

 

Lori A. Hensler, Principal Financial Officer

 

Date October 21, 2014

 

 

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

 

 

By /S/ J. Christopher Donahue

 

J. Christopher Donahue, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date October 21, 2014

 

 

By /S/ Lori A. Hensler

 

Lori A. Hensler, Principal Financial Officer

 

Date October 21, 2014