N-CSR 1 f3279d1.htm ADVISORS INNER CIRCLE FUND II Advisors Inner Circle Fund II

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act File Number 811-07102

 

 

The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

SEI Investments

One Freedom Valley Drive

Oaks, PA 19456

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

SEI Investments

One Freedom Valley Drive

Oaks, PA 19456

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-877-446-3863

Date of fiscal year end: January 31, 2020

Date of reporting period: January 31, 2020

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

A copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act or 1940, as amended (the “Act”) (17 CFR § 270.30e-1), is attached hereto.


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ANNUAL REPORT

 

HANCOCK HORIZON FAMILY OF FUNDS

JANUARY 31, 2020

 

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

Diversified Income Fund

Diversified International Fund

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

International Small Cap Fund

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

Microcap Fund

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

Quantitative Long/Short Fund

 

 

The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds electronically by contacting your financial intermediary, or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-990-2434.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can follow the instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, or you can contact your financial intermediary to inform it that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with the Funds, you can inform the Funds that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-990-2434. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with your financial intermediary if you invest through a financial intermediary or all Hancock Horizon Funds if you invest directly with the Funds.

 

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Hancock Horizon Family of Funds  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Shareholder Letter

    2  

Economic Overview and Investment Outlook

    4  

The Hancock Horizon Funds Investment Philosophy

    23  

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

    24  

Disclosure of Fund Expenses

    52  

Financial Statements

 

Schedules of Investments

    54  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

    80  

Statements of Operations

    83  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    86  

Financial Highlights

    90  

Notes to Financial Statements

    108  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    130  

Trustees and Officers of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II

    134  

Notice to Shareholders

    140  

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q or as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT within sixty days after the end of the period. The Funds’ Forms N-Q and Form N-PORT reports are available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

A description of the policies and procedures that The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, as well as information relating to how a Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-990-2434; and (ii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

1


Shareholder Letter  
     

 

Dear Shareholder,

What a year! After a disappointing 2018 where nearly all asset classes finished the year in negative territory, 2019 saw markets come roaring back. The over 30% return achieved in U.S. large cap stocks in 2019 was significantly boosted by the deep hole the stock market began the year in and rebounded from. Taken together the roughly 12% compound annual return over 2018-2019 is still well above average and in our view qualifies as strong 2-year performance. Large Cap Growth was the winner of the horse race again in 2019, outpacing Large Cap Core and Large Cap Value by substantial margins, extending the lead gained in recent years. Also continuing recent trends, Large Cap Core returns significantly exceeded those of Mid Cap and Small Cap stocks, constituting one of the more anomalous characteristics of the last decade, in which small company risk was not rewarded with superior performance. We hope strong equity returns continue in 2020.

Fee Reductions and Class C closures

On June 1, 2019 we announced expense reductions on several funds and the closure of all of our C share classes. A summary of the management fee reductions are below.

 

Management Fee Changes   New
Management
Fee %
    Previous
Management
Fee %
    Basis Point
Change
    % Change  

Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

    0.79       0.93       -0.14       -15%  

Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund

    0.80       0.94       -0.14       -15%  

Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund

    0.80       1.10       -0.30       -27%  

Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund

    0.80       1.00       -0.20       -20%  

Four Star Fund

As of January 31, 2020 the Hancock Horizon Quantitative Long/Short Fund received an overall 4-star rating from

Morningstar. The Fund’s rating was achieved relative to 193 long-short equity funds in this category.

Fund Manager Updates

In the May 31, 2019 prospectus update we announced that Nathan Grant, CFA would be added as a fund manager to the Hancock Horizon Diversified Income Fund, and Bryan McCaulley, CFA would be added as a fund manager to the Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund. Nathan Grant joined Horizon Advisers in 2009 and has over 20 years of experience in analyzing, trading, and investing across a wide variety of fixed income asset classes. He is also the co-manager of the Hancock Horizon Louisiana and Mississippi Tax-Free Funds. Bryan joined Horizon Advisers in 2010 and is the sector analyst for Communication Services. He also develops and implements strategies for individual and institutional portfolios using quantitative statistical analysis and has experience in performance analytics, database management, and proxy voting. As of January 2020, Anthony Slovick is no longer employed by Horizon Advisers and was removed as a fund manager from the Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your investment in the Hancock Horizon Funds. We appreciate your support and confidence in our management team, and we look forward to serving your future investment needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

David Lundgren, CFA

Chief Investment Officer

 

 

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January 31, 2020

 

Disclosures

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost, and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com

Mutual fund investing involves risk including loss of principal.

Smaller companies typically exhibit higher volatility. Products of companies in which Funds invest may be subject to severe competition and rapid obsolescence.

Hancock Horizon Funds are advised by Horizon Advisers, a registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hancock Whitney Bank. Hancock Horizon Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co., Oaks, PA, 19456, which is not affiliated with Hancock Whitney Bank or any of its affiliates.

This information must be preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Hancock Horizon Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. To determine if this Fund is an appropriate investment for you, carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and performance before investing.

About Morningstar

© 2020 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is not guarantee of future results.

For each fund with at least a three-year history, Morningstar calculates a Morningstar Rating™ metric each month by subtracting the return on a 90-day U.S. Treasury Bill from the fund’s load adjusted return for the same period, and then adjusting this excess return for risk. The top 10 percent of funds in each category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5 percent receive 4 stars, the next 35 percent receive 3 stars, the next 22.5 percent receive 2 stars and the bottom 10 percent receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a fund is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three, five and ten-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. As of 1/31/2020, the Hancock Horizon Quantitative Long/Short Fund received an overall Morningstar Rating of 4 stars for the Institutional and Investor Classes and was rated against 193 Long-Short Equity Funds over a three year period, 144 over a five-year period, and 40 over a 10 year period and received 3, 3 and 5 stars for the Institutional Class and 3, 3 and 4 stars for the Investor Class.

 

3


Economic Overview and Investment Outlook

 
     

 

2019 — The Year in Review

 

KEY

THEMES — 2019

 

 

Trade negotiations were likely the biggest issue confronting markets and global growth in 2019. Progress has been made but questions still loom.

 

 

Modest economic growth in the U.S. continued. 2019 marks the end of a recession free decade. Although 2019 growth was subdued, the end of 2019 marked the end of a recession free decade.

 

Current expansion is the longest on record

having

   10   Consecutive years,
grown for   since 2009

 

 

It was an excellent year for U.S. stocks as many market indices reached all-time highs. In fact, many asset classes produced double digit returns marking one of the best overall years in decades following one of the worst, 2018.

 

 

Weak global growth prompted the Fed to ease three times during the year. After the last cut in October, the Fed indicated it was likely on hold for the foreseeable future.

 

 

The 10 year U.S. Treasury yield dropped below 1.5% in late August for the first time in three years. Rates climbed during the 4th quarter and the 10 year finished the year near 1.9%.

Concerns over trade negotiations

have led to a significant surge in imports

from other countries.

Year over Year Change in Imports to the U.S. (November, 2019)

 

China    -13.70%    India    +6.20%
Japan    +1.70%    Taiwan    +18.80%
South Korea    +4.70%    Vietnam    +31.70%

Source: Strategas

 

After a difficult 2018 for most all asset classes,
better clarity on many fronts provided a much
welcomed rally.

 

NAME

     2018        2019  

S&P 500 TR USD

     -4.38        31.49  

MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) NR USD

     -9.41        26.60  

S&P MidCap 400 TR

     -11.08        26.20  

MSCI US REIT GR USD

     -4.57        25.84  

DJ Industrial Average TR USD

     -3.48        25.34  

S&P SmallCap 600 TR USD

     -8.48        22.78  

MSCI Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) NR USD

     -13.79        22.01  

MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) NR USD

     -14.57        18.42  

MSCI Frontier Markets NR USD

     -16.41        17.99  

JPM EMBI Global Diversified TR USD

     -4.26        15.04  

BBgBarc US Corporate High Yield TR USD

     -2.08        14.32  

Alerian MLP Infrastructure TR USD

     -11.94        6.68  

BBgBarc US Agg Interm TR USD

     0.92        6.67  

BBgBarc Municipal 1-10Y Blend 1-12Y TR

     1.64        5.63  

World Government Bond Index (WGBI)

     -1.82        5.32  
 

 

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January 31, 2020

 

LOGO

2020 Outlook at a glance

2020 OUTLOOK — KEY TAKEAWAYS

 

Trade is the most binary theme for 2020. Simply, if the U.S.-China Phase One trade deal holds and delivers stronger global growth, interest rates and stocks prices will likely rise, if not, they will likely fall.

 

 

The most significant event for 2020 is the U.S. Presidential election cycle in November, which also includes the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate. As the picture becomes clearer on who the Democratic nominee will be, the candidate’s policies on taxes and business regulation will likely shape markets as perceptions develop on the potential election outcome.

 

 

A December, 2019 victory by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Tory Party should allow for anorderly British exit (BREXIT) from the European Union(EU) later in 2020. If negotiations go well with the EU, limited disruptions should occur, but it is a situation we continue to monitor.

 

 

Conflict in the Middle East is a normal condition in recent decades and markets have generally incorporated associated risk premiums in asset prices. The U.S. has become practically energy independent in recent years and is less impacted from turbulence in the oil markets. However, our allies in Europe and Asia remain dependent on oil from the region as a foundation of their energy

   

grids and further escalation of conflict in the region could lead to market and / or economic issues.

 

 

In equity markets, investors hoping for a repeat of 2019 in 2020 will likely be disappointed. The potential for a solid year for equity results however is quite possible as domestically, analysts expect a rebound in 2020 earnings compared to the lackluster earnings growth experienced in 2019. Bid up valuations particularly for U.S. large cap stocks combined with potential rising volatility from geopolitical events and the upcoming U.S. elections will likely temper potential returns for the full year.

 

 

Our base case outlook for 2020 is that U.S. growth slows from 2.0-2.5% trends in Real GDP in 2019 to 1.5-2.0% trends this year with growth likely to slow further in the first half of 2020, toward the middle/bottom of the projected range, and firm up some in the second half toward the top of the range around 2.0%.

 

 

After a very active 2019 the Fed appears ready to keep interest rate policy stable through the presidential election. Moderate Fed balance sheet expansion (QE light) will likely continue mitigating deficit driven Treasury debt growth.

 

 

The U.S. Treasury 10-year yield will likely be range bound 1.75% to 2.25% through year end. $1 trillion+ federal budget deficits will require more U.S. Treasury debt issuance leading to an upward bias in longer term interest rates. The yield curve will continue to steepen modestly.

 

 

Inflation as well as inflation expectations continue to remain well below the Fed’s 2% target. In 2020 inflation will likely remain low with a possible occasional blip above the 2% target.

 

 

5


Economic Overview and Investment Outlook (continued)

 
     

 

LOGO

 

Slow Growth in the U.S. is expected to continue

1.5 - 2.0%

Expected 2020 Real GDP

 

The Fed is likely to keep Fed Funds Rate Unchanged

LOGO 1.50 - 1.75%

(Reflects Fed target range)

Expected to keep rates stable for 2020

 

U.S. Core Inflation

<2.0%

Should remain below Fed target of 2%

 

2019 — The Year in Review

BACKDROP ENTERING 2020

Central to a cogent 2020 outlook is an understanding of the evolution of the macroeconomic environment that has undergone financial deregulation, technological innovation, globalization and secular disinflation in recent decades. Some features of the current economic landscape are unprecedented in

our history and others are continuing aspects of the disinflationary era that has persisted since the 1980s. Whether any of these patterns point to rising recession risks in 2020 is a primary standard of assessment, and whether any point to a bias in market direction is equally important.

 

AFTER

A ROUGH 2018, STOCKS SOAR IN 2019

The 31% plus return achieved in U.S. large cap stocks in 2019 was significantly boosted by the deep hole the stock market began the year in and rebounded from. Taken together the roughly 12% compound annual return over 2018-2019 is still well above average and

qualifies as strong 2-year performance. Large Cap Growth was the winner of the horse race again in 2019, outpacing Large Cap Core and Large Cap Value by substantial margins, extending the lead gained in recent years. Also continuing recent trends, Large Cap Core returns significantly exceeded those of Mid Cap and Small Cap stocks, constituting one of the more anomalous characteristics of the last decade, in which small company risk was not rewarded with superior performance.

The nasty equity market correction in 4Q18, -19% peak to trough for the S&P 500, reflected the convergence of a laundry list of worries and uncertainties, including government shutdowns, rising short-term interest rates, quantitative tightening, signs that an increasingly serious trade war with China was beginning to suppress global growth, and the frustratingly chaotic movement toward a disorderly BREXIT in the U.K. Realization that strong earnings growth driven by corporate tax reform was likely peaking and that comparisons in 2019 would be difficult contributed to a sense of uneasiness. As fortune would have it, most of those

 

 

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January 31, 2020

 

concerns were ameliorated in 2019. The Fed signaled pause early in the year and eased by July, lawmakers did their jobs in brief windows of fiscal clarity; and after many rounds of difficult negotiations, tariff escalations and threats of more to come, the U.S and China agreed to a hard won tariff truce. Stunningly, Britain has broken through the BREXIT impasse and appears set for a relatively orderly divorce from the European Union later this year. Importantly, while earnings growth contracted modestly in 2019, as feared, the markets took it in stride and projections for 2020 are more constructive for modest growth.

 

POST-INFLATIONMACROECONOMIC CYCLES INCLUDE LONG CYCLES, SLOW GROWTH, LOW INFLATION AND VIOLENT MARKET CORRECTIONS

Ten and a half years have passed since the Great Recession of 2008 bottomed in June 2009. Prior to the onset of secular disinflation in the 1980s recessions generally occurred in 4-5 year intervals, typically the result of a Fed-induced credit crunch designed to create excess capacity and reduce inflationary pressures. Low inflation was the dominant feature in the roughly 9-year economic cycles of 1981-89 and 1991-2000. It’s arguable that the severe recession and 20% interest rates engineered by the Volcker Fed in 1980-81 broke OPEC by 1984, which busted the oil patch in Texas /Louisiana by 1985, and all the banks which serviced it, and ultimately led to the collapse of the S&L industry by 1989. The faltering economy was derailed by a spike in oil prices and interest rates in the Fall of 1990 associated with the short-lived Gulf War in early 1991, resulting in a mild recession. The amazing internet-crazed cycle followed, with strong growth, accelerating productivity and decelerating

inflation for nearly a decade. Fed policy was aggressively accommodative late in the cycle in response to the Asian Financial Crisis, the collapse of the Long-Term Capital hedge fund and fear of technological paralysis in the financial system related to Y2K. Ultimately, irrational valuations were disturbed by a series of high-profile scams from Enron, WorldCom and others that spawned skepticism toward valuation metrics of companies with high valuations and microscopic and/or mythical earnings, leading to a market crash, massive wealth destruction and a significant recession in 2001. Ironically, it was the housing sector that provided stability in the early 2000s and helped lift the economy into recovery. Interest rates reached post-war lows and conventional wisdom is that the Fed stayed too low for too long with easy money policy and helped inflate the housing bubble that burst so catastrophically in 2008. Regulatory complacency toward unscrupulous mortgage origination and excessive leverage at the heart of the financial system were the backdrop to a 25-year descent in interest rates and a yield-starved market that welcomed securitized sub-prime mortgages into portfolios. Most agree that without TARP and aggressive QE early in the collapse the U.S. most likely would have slid into a devastating depression by 2009. Bank capital was decimated by the collapse of collateral value and the current cycle has been characterized by its slow rebuild and deleveraging in the household sector.

The common threads of economic downturns in the disinflationary era include cyclical peaks fueled by aggressively accommodative Fed policy and excessively valued financial assets encumbered by

 

 

7


Economic Overview and Investment Outlook (continued)

 
     

 

debt and impaired by price shocks. Insufficiently capitalized financial intermediaries have been prevalent throughout the post-inflation era and were directly implicated in economic corrections in the late 1980s and the collapse in 2008. As globalization accelerated in the 1990s and beyond, massive excess capacity was introduced to global manufacturing production and restrained goods price inflation, which had the effect of channeling excess liquidity into financial assets instead of goods prices.

It’s especially notable that the two most recent recessions were precipitated by severe equity market corrections, in low inflation environments, -48% in 2000-02 and -57% in 2007-09; in terms of the S&P 500 Index. The former economic cycle went into contraction after roughly ten years of expansion and the latter after seven years as the otherwise healthy economy collapsed under the weight of the housing market bust.

Most of the common thread elements of past macroeconomic cycle peaks are present today to varying degrees, none currently flashing high recession risk signals; and the banking system is distinctly improved, well capitalized and relatively stable. The Fed has been commendably determined to normalize monetary policy and return short-term interest rates to neutral, thereby restoring some dynamism to the U.S. economy. Persistently low inflation has provided the Fed flexibility to manage short-term interest rates in a manner that keeps the Dollar in sync with global conditions and slowing growth resulting from trade frictions in the last two years. Excess capacity in the labor and goods markets have kept the macroeconomic temperature closer to

medium rare than well done, if the grilling analogy can be tolerated, pointing to a low probability the Fed will be motivated to tighten monetary policy in the coming year.

 

 

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LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

LOGO

 

WEAKGLOBAL GROWTH FORCED THE FED’S HAND IN 2019

In 4Q18 markets began to fret about the simultaneous steady rise in short-term interest rates, engineered by the Fed, and the reversal of quantitative easing by portfolio run-off. From October 2017 through June 2019 the Fed

shrunk its balance sheet by roughly $750 billion, by not reinvesting maturities of bonds in its asset portfolio. The asset shrinkage became known as quantitative tightening and the financial press referred to the combination with rising interest rates as “double-barreled tightening”. The case that the Fed had actually engineered tight money

 

 

9


Economic Overview and Investment Outlook (continued)

 
     

 

was thin but the turbulence in global equity markets persuaded the Fed to signal pause and move monetary policy to the sidelines and out of the maelstrom that was driving global market volatility.

Global growth concerns led the Fed to cut interest rates

3 TIMES IN 2019

All indications point to the Fed

holding rates steady in the near term.

Source: Bloomberg

By Spring, evidence began to accumulate that global growth was slowing and long-term interest rates began to fall. U.S. Treasury 10-yr yields followed European interest rates lower as expectations spread that the European Central Bank would likely resume quantitative easing and push long rates there more negative. Falling 10-yr yields in the U.S., while short-term interest rates remained elevated, generated a flurry of press coverage about inverted yield curves, which historically had been fairly reliable recession predictors at more pronounced inversions. U.S. economic growth began to decelerate in the Spring, along with generally slowing global growth, mostly a function of weak capital investment driven by uncertainty related to the nascent trade war. By July the Fed cut the Fed Funds rate 25 basis points, the first of three successive cuts through September, and the first cuts since September 2007. U.S. growth had slowed from the strong 3.2% peak pace achieved at the end of the 3rd quarter 2018 to 2.0% trends in 2019, roughly the average growth rate over the last decade, with weakness evident in the manufacturing sector from the strong Dollar and stagnant capital spending associated with the trade war; but otherwise a healthy, fairly well balanced and fully employed economy. The Fed conceded that the easing move was

primarily a response to weak conditions in Europe, a departure from past practice that insisted policy focus was entirely domestic. Thus the Fed has introduced a new important marker, that monetary policy can be influenced by global conditions. This may well have been an unspoken policy criteria in the past but it is explicit now.

 

PROGRESS

ON TRADE BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN

Chinese reluctance to engage on U.S. demands for reformed trading policies relating to intellectual property protections, forced technology transfers and other structural impediments to competition in Chinese markets came into sharp focus when talks on a comprehensive trade agreement broke down in May 2019. President Trump expressed his displeasure by increasing tariffs to 25% on $250 billion of Chinese imports, mostly industrial goods that had 10% tariffs imposed in 2018.

It became increasingly clear over the Summer that China had no interest in yielding on the core complaints of unfair trading practices, which resulted in President Trump establishing additional tariffs of 15% on $110 billion of mostly consumer goods, initiated September 1; and additional 15% tariffs on another $160 billion of mostly consumer electronics (including iPhones) planned to start on December 15.

The Phase One agreement publicly endorsed on December 13 by Presidents Trump and Xi, but not yet formally signed nor details released, indefinitely postponed the planned December 15 tariff escalation and rolled back the September 1 tariffs from 15% to 7.5%. Prominent additional features reportedly include substantial Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products (largely soybeans and pork),

 

 

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January 31, 2020

 

commitments to strengthen intellectual property protections in China, expanded U.S. financial industry presence in China and vague pledges to limit currency manipulation. In praising the agreement, President Trump asserted that negotiations would begin on a Phase Two deal “immediately”, however no Chinese spokesman has made reference to Phase Two talks.

Concerns over trade negotiations have led to a

significant surge in imports from other countries.

Year over Year Change in imports to the U.S. (November, 2019)

 

China    -13.70%    India    +6.20%
Japan    +1.70%    Taiwan    +18.80%
South Korea    +4.70%    Vietnam    +31.70%

Source: Strategas

Credible analysis in the financial press (Bloomberg Economics) assessed the impact of the Phase One agreement as relatively modest in terms of tangible impact on global growth, estimated at a 0.3% boost to sluggish trends around 3% for global Real GDP, and no discernable impact on the U.S. economy. Intangible benefits from the tariff postponement and roll-back, relatively minor compared to the continuing 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese industrial imports and 7.5% tariffs on $110 billion of consumer goods, are that the deal signals a truce and abatement of trade frictions that may persist throughout 2020. There is a lot of hope expressed in the financial press that the trade truce will have a positive impact on capital investment planning and stimulate economic activity beyond the modest reduction in tariffs. We are monitoring capital spending in countries most exposed to trade uncertainty (e.g. U.S. and Germany) and open to the potentially positive impact suggested. However, we

remain wary of the supposed good faith underlying the Phase One agreement and the durability of the truce.

 

DEFLATIONARYCONDITIONS PERSIST IN JAPAN AND EUROPE

Europe and Japan have struggled with deflationary conditions, dependence on quantitative easing and negative interest rates in the last decade. Deflationary conditions do not necessarily include falling price indexes, although Japan has endured extended periods of that. More insidious is the growth suppressing effect of low interest rates which subverts incentives for savings and investment. 10-yr Japanese government bond yields fell below 2% in March 1999, have not crossed above that threshold since and recently yielded -0.001%. Japan is a textbook case of loss of economic dynamism, with an aging and insular population, zombie banks and a continuing struggle with negligible growth and inflation for three decades. Its stock market, buoyed by massive quantitative easing, serves as a safe harbor during periods of market volatility and risk aversion in Asia, with intermittent episodes of performance, such as 2019 while Chinese markets fretted over the trade war, only to fade to mediocrity as global conditions improve.

Europe was very slow to respond to the trauma in its banking system in 2008, the aftermath of which spawned a contagion of sovereign default risk, triggered by massive debt restructuring in Greece. Not until 2011 did the European Central Bank inaugurate quantitative easing to support government bond markets. German 10-yr government bond yields typically traded similarly to U.S. Treasuries prior to the crash, but fell below 2% in September 2011 as QE

 

 

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Economic Overview and Investment Outlook  (continued)  
     

 

ramped up and slid steadily for the rest of the decade, trading recently at -0.25%. Eurozone economic growth had a brief run toward 2% Real GDP growth in 2018, but has retreated to 1% trends in 2019 and core inflation rates have remained anchored at 1% as well.

 

EXCESSIVEDEBT LIMITS FISCAL OPTIONS IN DEVELOPED ECONOMIES

Global growth struggled in 2019 and has been mostly lackluster since the financial crisis of 2009. Central banks across the globe have been aggressive regarding policy to try to stimulate their respective economies. Central Bank leaders from Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke, Janet Yellen, and Jay Powell in the U.S., and Mario Draghi and Christine Lagarde in Europe have consistently discussed that monetary policy has likely reached the limits of effectiveness in supporting economic growth. Our

assessment is that quantitative easing (QE) has demonstrated effectiveness as an emergency response to a shock to the financial system, as executed in the U.S. during and immediately after the crash in 2008. But QE has not proven effective as a long-term method to promote growth, which has been amply demonstrated in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

LOGO

Source: Ned Davis Research

However, developed economies’ practical ability to pursue growth through fiscal remedies, such as deficit spending, may be limited because most of the developed economy governments are already heavily indebted and maintain large budget deficits. Reinhart and Rogoff, in their landmark 2010 study, “Growth in a Time of Debt,” pointed to a 90% threshold of federal debt to GDP, above which growth suffers under the weight of heavy debt servicing. The alarming reality is that in 2019 the average of Developed Market (G22) government debt as a % of GDP was 109%. In descending order, the most indebted in this collection were Japan, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Singapore, U.S., and Spain.

The 105% calculation for the U.S. includes non-marketable debt held by the Social Security and Medicare administrations. Apart from the safety net IOUs, publicly-held federal debt to GDP was 88% in 2019. Including state and local debt, the U.S. total government debt ratio was 102% in 2019, far exceeding the prior peak of 71% in 1994. The U.S. federal deficit in the recently ended FY19 was 4.8% of GDP, enormous by any standard but the years immediately after 2008. The FY20 budget approved in December assures another trillion dollar+ deficit this year and will push the publicly-held federal debt to GDP ratio well over 90%. The most remarkable aspect of the U.S. federal deficit is that, in contrast to every other economic cycle in the last 50 years, during which the federal deficit declined as a % of GDP late in the cycle, the U.S. deficit has been expanding rapidly over the last four years, to levels equivalent to the post-recession maximums since 1970. The U.S. has benefitted greatly from being the world’s reserve currency and safe harbor during tumult. Failure of

 

 

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the United States to reign in its debt problem has and likely will continue to serve as an impediment to growth.

2020 Outlook

 

KEY

INVESTMENT THEMES

Trade is the most binary theme for 2020. If the Phase One trade deal holds and delivers stronger global growth, interest rates and stocks prices will likely rise, if not, they will likely fall. Phase One does not address the long-term effects of continuing theft of intellectual property, cyber espionage and other objectionable trading practices by the Chinese, however those are not in the scope of this review and will hopefully be addressed in subsequent rounds of negotiations. Other developments hold the potential to impact the economy and markets, including central bank monetary policies, the high level of debt in the U.S. and elsewhere, elections in the U.S. and unpredictable exogenous geopolitical risks. But trade is the main event that will be most impactful to the global economy this year.

 

PHASEONE IS A START AND A LOT RIDES ON CONTINUED PROGRESS

The trade war with China is the primary reason global growth slowed precariously close to stall speed last year, 3.0% by the latest estimate from the International Monetary Fund; and from strong 3.2% peak in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2018 to 2.1% in 2019. So the Phase One agreement announced in December was a pleasant surprise to the markets, which with good reason had maintained a significant degree of skepticism toward the talks, subject to discord, intransigence and escalating tariffs for much of the last year. Details of the agreement are scarce at

this writing, with both sides heralding different aspects, President Trump states that Phase Two negotiations will begin immediately, President Xi that China will buy a substantial volume of U.S. exports. Most of the Chinese purchases are expected to be agricultural and energy related. There does not appear to be much in way of specific benefits for U.S. manufacturers and the Chinese commitments to stronger protections for intellectual property are presumed to be window dressing until proven otherwise. The partial roll-back of the September tariffs amounts to a relatively minor $8 billion, compared to the $63 billion in tariffs that remain in place. The postponement of the planned December tariffs is more significant, deferring $24 billion in expected tariffs, still modest and largely symbolic relative to the $370 billion annual U.S. trade deficit in goods with China (improved from the nadir of $425 billion in early 2019).

The market hope is the deal signals a tariff truce that will last through 2020, until the Trump Administration reboots in January 2021 or a new administration assumes office. If the truce does in fact hold through 2020, there could well be a salutary effect on business confidence and capital spending, recharging growth in the U.S. and Europe. In that case, U.S. interest rates would likely trend higher and clear 2.50% in terms of 10-yr Treasury bond yields (1.93% at this writing). 10-yr Treasuries yielded 3.25% at the 2018 peak, with the tail winds of a strong economy before the trade war ignited, and our bias would be that U.S. interest rates will trend higher to the extent the truce holds and further progress towards a final agreement ensues.

 

 

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Economic Overview and Investment Outlook  (continued)  
     

 

However, the history of these negotiations have been problematic and if the fulfillment of the Phase One and Phase Two negotiations does not progress as anticipated by the administration, tariff escalation may be renewed. A return to the tariff truncheon would darken the global growth outlook, reinforce accommodative monetary policies and drive interest rates lower, in the U.S. toward 1.50% for 10-yr Treasuries in our assessment. The risk in that scenario is that U.S. growth slows below 1.5% toward 1.0% with stall speed alarms sounding. As discussed in the deflationary backdrop section above, chronic quantitative easing and long-term interest rates under 2.0% are the conditions under which economies lose dynamism and struggle to achieve growth that is the antidote to deflation.

 

ELECTIONSTO SHAPE POLICY IN BOTH BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES

Parliamentary elections in Britain in December were momentous, produced a solid working majority for Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Tory Party and points to an orderly British exit from the European Union later this year. Three and a half years since the BREXIT vote, and a great deal of angst over the possible outcome, including two failed prime ministerships, British voters provided the Tories a solid Parliament majority in the December general election that allowed Boris Johnson to move forward with his BREXIT Plan. There are still parliamentary steps that must be completed by both the EU and the United Kingdom, but assuming BREXIT occurs as planned on January 31st, more difficult trade negotiations will need to occur between the EU and Britain. As these discussions progress, market participants will be interested as trade between the

two countries is critical to Eurozone economic growth. Disruption in trade and an escalation of tariffs between the two could be disruptive.

The most significant political event for 2020 is the U.S. Presidential election cycle in November, which includes the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate. As the picture becomes clearer on the Democratic nominee will be, the candidate’s policies on taxes and business regulation will likely shape markets as perceptions develop on the potential election outcome.

 

IRANCOULD BE THE BIG GEOPOLITICAL BREAKTHROUGH OF THE NEW DECADE, OR NOT

Conflict in the Middle East is a normal condition in recent decades and markets have generally incorporated associated risk premiums in asset prices. The standard for risk aversion from heightened tensions in the region is conflict that disrupts the flow of petroleum to international markets. The U.S. has become practically energy independent in recent years and is less impacted from turbulence in the oil markets. However, our allies in Europe and Asia remain dependent on oil from the region as a foundation of their energy grids and an escalation of conflict could lead to significant fuel price increases and supply issues which in turn could hinder economic growth and potentially shock markets. Iran has been a source of disruption and violence in the region since its revolution in 1979. More recently in September, Iran launched drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities that briefly took roughly half of Saudi oil production off line. Iran has in the last year attacked several oil tankers in the Persian Gulf to underscore its threat to choke shipping through the Straits of Hormuz. The U.S. withdrew from the international

 

 

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agreement with Iran designed to curtail its development of nuclear weapons early in the Trump Administration, imposed severe sanctions and embargoed trade with Iran. Iran’s economy is now in an advanced state of distress and struggles with a long list of shortages in essential goods, its currency sharply devalued and populus unrest has risen to an unprecedented level. Tensions are high in the region with a multitude of potential outcomes that could impact both markets and economic growth as we move further in 2020.

 

MACROECONOMICOUTLOOK — SLUGGISH TREND LIKELY TO CONTINUE

Our base case outlook for 2020 is that U.S. growth slows from 2.0 -2.5% trends in Real GDP in 2019 to 1.5 -2.0% trends this year. Growth decelerated fairly steadily through 2019, from peak trends at 3.2% in 2018 to finish the year at 2.1% Y/Y growth through the 4th quarter. Our assessment at this point is that growth is likely to slow further in the first half of 2020, toward the middle/bottom of the projected range, and firm up some in the second half toward the top of the range around 2.0%. The second half firming is predicated upon an expectation of a beneficial impact on business confidence and capital spending flowing from the Phase One trade deal with China, which is subject to change as clarity emerges on the contours of the deal that could bear on perceptions of the likelihood of the expected benefits.

Growth trends could vary on either side of our base case forecast, depending on whether the trade truce actually results in resurgent global growth. As stated elsewhere in this review, we are wary of an overly optimistic expectation on the trade deal’s benefits, but alert to the possibility of a favorable outcome.

Underlying the U.S. economy is a fairly well balanced mix of consumption and investment, more the former than the latter of late, a relatively fully employed economy that is driving healthy growth in real disposable personal income, the necessary pre-condition of growth in household consumption. Household balance sheets are in good shape and largely restored from the devastation of 2008. Corporate debt has risen from the rational employment of low interest debt, but balance sheets have been buttressed by the repatriation of stranded profits facilitated by corporate tax reform in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. And as stated earlier, the U.S. banking system is well capitalized and stable. Incidence of speculative and inadvisable use of credit are mostly limited to sub-prime auto loans. Recession risks are low to moderate, up from a low 15% probability in 2018 to a still-low 25% in 2019, by credible industry estimates.

The IMF’s semi-annual survey of global growth pointed to 3.0% growth in 2019, down from 3.3% in 2018. Those levels of global growth are seen as essentially stagnant and insufficient to provide opportunity for employment and income for a wide swath of workers across the developed and developing economies. Bloomberg Economics quantifies the expected benefits of the Phase One trade agreement to be a 0.3% boost to global growth, up to 3.3% or so in 2020. Most of the benefit is expected to come from increased capital spending resulting from improved business confidence

Our wariness of the global growth outlook is based on the fact that 3.3% still qualifies as very sluggish global growth. Additionally, the reliance on ethereal projections of improved business confidence in the

 

 

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Economic Overview and Investment Outlook  (continued)  
     

 

current environment merits caution, given that none of the core trade frictions were addressed in Phase One and we have a President running for re-election who is prone to express displeasure through tariff escalation.

We sincerely hope the optimistic scenario prevails. The U.S. economy is at a critical juncture and would greatly benefit from improved global growth. However, we all know hope is not a strategy and we are monitoring the realities of trade and its impact on global growth closely.

 

DELEVERAGINGIS OVER, U.S. DEBT IS HIGH AND CREDIT RISK PREMIUMS ARE LOW

The U.S. government is the primary driver of credit demand in the domestic financial market, as discussed above in the developed country debt backdrop. In contrast, U.S. households have continued to deleverage and their debt relative to disposable personal income continues to gradually shrink, lately to levels that prevailed in 2001. Growth in bank lending has been modest throughout this cycle as large corporate borrowers availed themselves of cheap credit in the public bond markets. Total corporate borrowing has grown at modest but significant rates this cycle, and our analysis indicates that credit financed stock buy-backs have been a significant propellant of the elevated equity markets in recent years. Corporate credit risk premiums (yield spread to same duration Treasuries) are near historical lows. Signals are mixed as to the direction of credit spreads this year, however our bias is toward wider (higher) spreads, which is typical of late-cycle dynamics that discount rising recession risk. We see recession risk in the U.S. as relatively low and stable, which should persist throughout the year, barring an unexpected intensification of the trade war or other

external shocks. But we are mindful that rising recession risks, when they come, will very likely drive credit spreads wider and diminish buy-back demand for equities, very possibly coincident with peaking earnings growth. One thing that is clear, though, is that total non-financial credit growth in the U.S. has fully recovered the heights achieved prior to the 2008 financial crisis and is likely limiting potential economic growth due to high debt servicing requirements. That is an inescapable reality of the macroeconomic environment in 2020.

THE DOLLAR SHOULD REMAIN FIRM IN 2020, AS LONG AS THE U.S. AVOIDS QUANTITATIVE EASING

The Dollar continues to be the leading global store of value. The global markets are keenly aware of fundamental forces driving currency values, witness the 30% appreciation in the Dollar in 2014 as the Federal Reserve wound down its quantitative easing program. U.S. economic growth was the strongest among developed country competitors at the start of the trade war in 2018 and has decelerated the least as growth waned under trade uncertainty and reduced capital spending. The Dollar has remained firm even though the Fed engineered a 0.75% reduction in short-term interest rates last year. With the global economy struggling through a phase of weakness and accentuated deflationary pressures, the European Central Bank resuming quantitative easing, negative bond yields are again prevalent in Europe and Japan, and global capital will migrate to the most dynamic economy with the best growth prospects. That country is the U.S., which has largely been the case since 1945 at least, and is likely to continue to be for the foreseeable future.

 

 

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As discussed above in the Backdrop section on the Fed, low inflation in the U.S. gives the Fed flexibility to manage interest rates in a manner that keeps the Dollar from getting too rich, which puts U.S. manufacturers at a disadvantage. Until the growth outlook improves, we expect the Fed to continue to aim to keep the Dollar in check. If the trade truce holds and the global economy improves later this year, pressure could come off on the Dollar and other equity markets could temporarily outperform U.S. equities on a currency translation basis. Given the more attractive growth fundamentals in the U.S. economy, now and especially if the trade frictions with China are resolved favorably to the U.S., we are inclined to continue our bias to the attractiveness of U.S. growth prospects and expect the Dollar to hold its value well.

 

QUANTITATIVEEASING IS A SYMPTOM OF DEFLATIONARY CONDITIONS, NOT THE CURE

In the Backdrop section above on Persistent Deflationary Pressures we reviewed how struggles with stagnant growth and deflationary conditions in Europe and Japan resulted in the collapse of interest rates to very low levels which drained dynamism and reinforced sluggish growth. In the cases of Europe and Japan the descent of long-term government bond yields below 2% was the point of no return and both central banks have been unsuccessful in reviving their capital markets to healthy conditions which include interest rates that attract savers.

With U.S. growth expected to slow further this year to a 1.5-2.0% range, possibly slower if the trade truce falters and tariff escalation resumes, our concern for the U.S. downside risk includes the scenario wherein the Federal Reserve pushes short-term interest rates

significantly lower and possibly even reinstitutes quantitative easing. U.S. 10-year yields experienced a brief episode under 2.0% in 2016, as growth languished and BREXIT shocked markets that Summer. Growth rallied in 2017-18, the Fed raised short-term interest rates from zero to 2.50%, and 10-year Treasuries topped out at 3.25% in the Fall of 2018. Long rates have fallen precipitously since then. We estimate that the equivalent threshold in the U.S. to the 2.0% doom barrier in other markets is closer to 2.50%, given strong underlying growth fundamentals, essentially meaning that stall warnings go off at higher levels of growth and interest rates in the U.S. than Europe or Japan. 10-year Treasury yields crossed below 2.50% in May of 2019, shortly after trade negotiations on a comprehensive agreement with China collapsed and President Trump increased tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese imports from 10% to 25%. Signals that the sides were engaged in truce talks and the Phase One announcement have pushed 10-yr yields back up to 1.93% at this writing. The best hope for 10-year yields rising back above 2.50% and acceleration in global growth is associated with continued bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and China to solidify gains in the Phase One agreement and further work toward a comprehensive resolution of the trade frictions between them. A failure of the truce and return to confrontation and tariffs raises serious risk of a resumption of quantitative easing in the U.S. and the negative implications for long-term growth associated with it.

 

WILLU.S. EQUITY MARKETS EVER ‘NORMALIZE’?

The discussion immediately above is about normalization of the bond market, which as described, is contingent on a positive resolution of

 

 

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Economic Overview and Investment Outlook  (continued)  
     

 

trade frictions with China and a resumption of global growth. U.S. equity markets have marched higher since the deep correction in late 2018, with blue chip stocks up roughly 31% in 2019 while the tariff battle raged, seemingly impervious to trade war risk but not entirely unscathed. Episodes of tariff escalation clearly drove volatility in the markets, but since September equities have increasingly reflected the likelihood of an imminent trade truce.

The most not-normal aspect of the equity markets relates to the under-performance of small company stocks (both small-cap and mid-cap) over most of the last decade. Historically, in the dynamic U.S. economy, the more volatile and thus risky small company stocks outperformed large cap stocks, in a validation of capital asset pricing models on risk and return. Our hypothesis is that the underperformance of small company stocks in recent years appears related to the stultifying impact of chronic quantitative easing on global markets. International capital flows largely represent hot money seeking shelter and return, indiscriminant buyers valuing comfort in large multinational companies they recognize, eschewing smaller companies that require work and discipline to buy right. 2020 does not appear at this point to be the year in which normalization in the equity markets could be appraised as likely. Resolution of trade frictions and resumption of stronger global growth are likely pre-conditions to that normalization, so we may be in an early stage of moving toward more normal equity markets. However, we remain wary that the markets’ optimism toward de-escalation of the trade war is warranted, and will for the immediate future continue to emphasize a tilt to large cap stocks on that basis.

EQUITIES

In equity markets, 2020 looks to be a year of increasing volatility, with some of the major themes and trends from 2019 carrying over, but with perhaps the beginnings of a return to normalcy bearing out as the year goes on. Of course investors will be continually focused on underlying corporate fundamentals, and currently aggregate investor expectations center around a return to growth. Domestically, analysts currently expect S&P 500 earnings growth to approach 10% for the full year and top line sales growth to exceed 5%. Both of these would be substantial rebounds from 2019’s lackluster performance. Certainly large cap stock valuations have been bid up in hopes of this rebound happening. Meanwhile, expected growth rates for mid and small cap segments in the U.S. are expected to be a bit higher this year.

Internationally, as noted above, resolution of major trade war disruptions is showing limited signs of progress. The U.S. and China are expected to sign the Phase One agreement in mid-January, and move on to Phase Two discussions. The progress to Phase One was incremental and many barriers are still in place, so it is a bit early to bet too much on more substantial progress. Nevertheless, progress from the high level of contentiousness that dominated headlines last summer is a good thing for markets

A key part of an expected pick up in volatility will be fall elections in the U.S. As predictions and expectations about a likely outcome ebb and flow, equity markets will probably ebb and flow synchronously. Another potential source of volatility will be geopolitical tensions as evidenced by the

 

 

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market reaction to the early January killing of an Iranian leader of the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. Equity investors can be expected to be keeping a close eye on reaction to that event and other subsequent developments.

With equity valuations now approaching the upper part of long-term experience, a lot will be riding on good news on all these fronts: fundamental growth, trade talks, Mideast unrest. In equity portfolios a position of favoring large U.S. stocks over smaller U.S. companies as well as non-U.S. equities could shift as developments warrant but it is too early to make major adjustments. Any movement towards a trade truce may give Europe a chance to catch-up in relative market performance, but structural problems limit the potential for secular improvement. And domestically, while small caps have trailed large caps for many years, there are factors that may cause a shift in their favor: 1) the reduced trade policy uncertainty may unleash investment spending (capex) and also improve investor sentiment, allowing small caps to improve relative returns vs large caps, and 2) a longer-term trend that may take time to develop is that large caps may lose vs small caps as globalization wanes. Large caps have benefited much more than small caps from global trade and globalization of labor. Trade disputes have probably caused the globalization to reach its peak and to trend in a negative direction for years to come.

 

INTERESTRATES LIKELY TO REMAIN RANGE BOUND WITH FED EXPECTED TO KEEP INTEREST POLICY STABLE

The fixed income markets will likely see a return to more traditional behavior in 2020. The disruptive

factors that influenced the bond markets most in 2019, U.S. trade uncertainty, Brexit, and the course of Federal Reserve policy, have each found resolution to some degree. The primary focus of bond investors in 2020 will likely return to the more fundamental economic factors of global growth and benign inflation. This of course is barring some unexpected flare up in U.S. trade disputes.

Short Term interest rates will likely be low for longer. After a very active 2019 the Federal Reserve appears ready to keep short term interest rate policy stable at least through the U.S. presidential election. Following their October 2019 rate cut meeting the Fed has repeated that they are satisfied with current interest rate policy and believe the U.S. economy to “be in a good place”. The short term fixed income markets seem to concur given the Fed funds futures markets imply no Fed rate cuts until 2020 yearend or later. In addition, the Fed has also telegraphed to investors that should inflation accelerate above their stated 2% target they will be very slow to react. Also in 2020 the Fed intends to devote much attention to ensuring the “repo” markets function properly. Toward this end moderate Fed balance sheet expansion via T Bill purchases will continue for several months while the Fed studies the repo market choke points. The Fed balance sheet expansion has a side benefit of helping absorb some of the U.S. Treasury debt growth driven by the $1+ trillion budget deficits.

Longer term interest rates (as evidenced by the U.S. Treasury 10 year note) will likely trade in a range from 1.75% to 2.25% during 2020. The stabilization in the global economy combined with the record U.S. Treasury debt issuance will eventually lead to a subtle upward bias in rates. As an offset however the U.S.

 

 

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Economic Overview and Investment Outlook  (continued)  
     

 

Treasury still offers (by a wide margin) the highest yielding and safest quality bonds among developed countries thus attracting capital from around the world and retarding a significant rise in long term rates. Stable short term rates and higher long term rates will result in a modestly steeper yield curve in 2020. This forecast assumes our base case economic scenario of 1.5% to 2% Real GDP in the U.S. in 2020. Should economic growth weaken unexpectedly then it is highly likely long term and short term rates will move significantly lower in a “risk off” flight to quality.

In 2019 declining long term interest rates combined with three Federal Reserve interest rate cuts ushered in a low for longer interest rate environment that left most bond investors hungry for yield. In response the demand for higher yielding securities like investment grade

corporate bonds mushroomed driving prices higher while spreads collapsed to near historic lows. Looking ahead to 2020 the stabilization in the global economy will dampen recession worries and keep credit spreads near cyclical lows for at least the first half of 2020. Credit spreads in the latter half of 2020 may widen should the China Phase Two trade negotiations stumble and resurrect recessionary fears.

 

  A

DISCIPLINED APPROACH IS KEY

Markets clearly have many hurdles to overcome and political risks remain elevated. While this environment can be volatile and stressful for many in the short term, successful investors are able to remove emotion from the process and stay disciplined in their approach.

We hope 2020 proves to be prosperous year for all!

 

 

Editor’s note: At the time this outlook piece was written in December 2019, COVID-19 and the market and economic impacts that followed were not known. For more up to date commentary regarding the current economic and market environment please reach out to the adviser directly at info@hancockhorizon.com.

About Our Authors

 

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   David Lundgren, CFA is the Chief Investment Officer at Hancock Whitney Bank and portfolio manager for high net worth and large institutional clients. At Hancock Whitney, David is responsible for directing the bank’s investment approach, models and portfolio management; manages a platform of client- focused internal and external money managers; ensures bank meets regulatory requirements. Additionally, he is a fund manager for Hancock Horizon Family of Funds. Prior to joining the Hancock Whitney team in 1998, he was a portfolio manager at First Commerce Corporation.

 

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   Paul Teten, CFA is a Chief Investment Strategist at Hancock Whitney Bank, where he supervises the formulation and implementation of proprietary equity and fixed income strategies. Paul has over 40 years of experience in the finance industry, joining the Hancock Whitney team as part of the acquisition of the trust and asset management business of Capital One, National Association. At Capital One, he served in various capacities over 14 years as Director of Fixed Income Portfolio Management, Chair of the Asset Allocation Committee and Chief Investment Officer. His prior experience includes 5 years of portfolio management for the Bank of America Private Bank and 17 years of fixed income trading and portfolio management at Criterion Investment Management in Houston, culminating in his role as Senior Investment Strategist.

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   Richard Chauvin, CFA is an investment director at Hancock Whitney Bank, where he chairs the asset allocation committee; is responsible for investment research and strategy; and serves as portfolio manager for high net worth and institutional clients. Richard has been in the banking industry for over 30 years, with 4 years as a member of the Hancock Whitney team. Prior to joining Hancock Whitney, he spent 10 years as the Chief Investment Officer at Capital One and three years as a Senior Portfolio Manager at Hibernia Bank.

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   Martin Sirera, CFA is the investment director at Hancock Whitney Bank, where he is responsible for management of Equity Strategies and client relationships; for participation in firm Asset Allocation decisions. Martin has been in the banking industry for 28 years, joining the Hancock Whitney team as part of the acquisition of the trust and asset management business of Capital One, National Association. Prior to joining Hancock Whitney, he worked for Capital One and Hibernia Bank.

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   Eric C. Reynolds Director of Fixed Income and senior portfolio manager. Mr. Reynolds is the co-head of fixed income for Hancock Whitney, he serves institutional, family and individual investors and is a member of the firms Asset Allocation Committee. Prior to joining Hancock Whitney, Mr. Reynolds ran Fixed Income Investing for Capital One Asset Management, Fiduciary Trust International of California (a Franklin Templeton Company) and Kayne Anderson Rudnick. Mr. Reynolds earned a BA from The University of California, San Diego and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles.

 

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Economic Overview and Investment Outlook (concluded)

     

 

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   Jeffrey Tanguis is an investment director at Hancock Whitney Bank, where he is responsible for developing and implementing fixed income strategy and serves as a portfolio manager for high net worth clients. Additionally, he is manages the Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund and the Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund for the Hancock Horizon Family of Funds. Jeff has been in the banking industry for 35 years, with 13 years as a member of the Hancock Whitney team. Prior to joining Hancock Whitney, he spent 20 years working with Hibernia Bank as the senior fixed income portfolio manager.

 

The information, views, opinions, and positions expressed by the author(s), presenter(s) and/or presented in the article are those of the author or individual who made the statement and do not necessarily reflect the policies, views, opinions, and positions of Hancock Whitney Bank. Hancock Whitney makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability, or validity of any information presented.

This information is general in nature and is provided for educational purposes only. Information provided and statements made should not be relied on or interpreted as accounting, financial planning, investment, legal, or tax advice. Hancock Whitney Bank encourages you to consult a professional for advice applicable to your specific situation.

Investment products and services, such as brokerage, advisory accounts, annuities, and insurance are offered through Hancock Whitney Investment Services, Inc., a registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC and an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor.

Hancock Whitney Bank offers other investment products, which may include asset management accounts as part of its Wealth Management Services. Hancock Whitney Bank and Hancock Whitney Investment Services Inc. are both wholly owned subsidiaries of Hancock Whitney Corporation.

Investment and Insurance Products:

 

NO BANK GUARANTEE   NOT A DEPOSIT   MAY LOSE VALUE   NOT FDIC INSURED   NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AGENCY

 

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The Hancock Horizon Funds Investment Philosophy (unaudited)

 

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High quality standards are an integral part of our investment approach. We do not believe that it is necessary to speculate in low quality securities to be able to produce good returns. To us, the most desirable investment program is one that utilizes high quality securities within a disciplined management process. Our quality standards are evident in the security holdings of all the Hancock Horizon Funds.

Discipline is an important key to long-term investment success. It means sticking to your investment approach for the long haul, provided that your approach recognizes real fundamental values that could ultimately be reflected in satisfactory investment returns. Value to us means determining the relative attractiveness of individual securities and asset classes using analytical methods that are unemotional and fundamentally driven. We continually analyze results to confirm or challenge the value added by our process. Occasionally, enhancements have been warranted, but over time the core decision-making process has remained intact. No significant changes are anticipated. We believe our approach will remain valuable and effective for the coming year.

With a high-quality, value-conscious and disciplined investment approach, it naturally follows that risk management is an integral part of our process as well. Some investors and fund managers focus on returns while neglecting risk. We believe that risk and return are equally important considerations. As a shareholder in the Hancock Horizon Funds, you can expect us to maintain our quality controls and investment disciplines. We will not reach for yield or attempt to enhance return by using securities or

methods that are not compatible with the stated objectives of each fund. Our primary goal is to provide a way for investors to participate in the financial markets according to their particular needs. We do so by offering a diversified family of mutual funds that is truly representative of the expected risk and return characteristics of each asset class or investment category.

 

 

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Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance (unaudited)

 
     

 

The Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in small capitalization stocks and other equity securities of companies located or doing business in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

Horizon Advisers intends to utilize Tulane University’s Burkenroad Reports as a source of investment research, but also employs its own fundamental research and analysis in its investment decision-making. In selecting securities, Horizon Advisers primarily considers sales and expense trends, market position, historic and expected earnings and dividends.

At January 31, 2020, common stocks represented 98.6% of the Fund’s assets. The Burkenroad Fund’s largest holdings were in Industrial and Financial stocks, while Consumer Staples and Utilities stocks accounted for minimal exposure.

The Burkenroad Fund’s return for the past year for the period ended January 31, 2020 was 1.23%, 1.02%, and 0.69% for Institutional Class, Investor Class and Class D, respectively. These results lagged the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2000 Index, which returned 9.21% for that same period. Long term performance remains outstanding. According to Lipper, there are 223 small cap core funds that have performance history back to December 31, 2001, the Fund’s inception date. Of those Funds, Burkenroad Small Cap Investor Class ranks in top 4 percentile and Class D ranks in the top 7 percentile that time period.

For the most recent 12 months, the small cap energy markets continued to struggle. Small cap energy stocks were down over 35% for that time

period, by far the largest sector decline in the Russell 2000, and the Fund’s overweight to the Energy sector was a major drag on the return relative to its benchmark. A small underweight in Information Technology also had a slight detriment to relative performance. Despite the overweight to the sector, stock selection in energy stocks was a positive relative contributor. Stock selection in Discretionary and Communication Services also was beneficial to relative performance. Selection within Financials and Materials proved difficult.

Our unique regional approach to investing produced recent relative performance below our expectations and less appealing than our longer-term results. However, we remain confident that our approach is sound and that the demographics and economics of the Gulf South remain attractive for investment. We continue to enhance and refine our investment approach with the aim to deliver strong returns for our investors.

We have seen tremendous growth in assets over the years and have also achieved great success in investment performance. We appreciate our shareholders’ confidence in us to manage their assets and look forward to many more years of shared success.

 

 

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Comparison of Change in the Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Institutional Class Shares, Investor Class Shares or Class D Shares, versus the Russell 2000 Index and the Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Classification

 

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Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index comprised of 2,000 stocks of U.S. companies with small market capitalization.

Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Classification Funds that, by portfolio practice, invest at least 75% of their equity assets in companies with market capitalizations (on a three-year weighted basis) below Lipper’s USDE small-cap ceiling. Small-Cap Core funds have more latitude in the companies in which they invest. These funds typically have an average price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value, compared to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-990-2434 or visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com.

Sector Weightings

 

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% of Total Portfolio Investments

 

     One-Year
Return
    Annualized
3-Year
Return
    Annualized
5-Year
Return
    Annualized
10-Year
Return
    Annualized
Inception
to Date
 

Institutional Class Shares*

    1.23%       1.96%       n/a       n/a       5.63%  

Investor Class Shares

    1.02%       1.79%       5.23%       10.71%       9.93%  

Class D Shares

    0.69%       1.73%       5.09%       10.50%       9.72%  

Russell 2000 Index

    9.21%       7.28%       8.23%       11.88%       8.26%  

For periods ended January 31, 2020. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2001.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The returns reflect fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect; absent fee waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

* Institutional Class Shares commenced operations on May 31, 2016. Returns shown on the graph, prior to inception date, are based on Investor Class Shares.

 

 

25


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

Top Ten Equity Holdings

 

       
          Percentage of
Total Investments
       
   
   

Cardlytics

    2.2%      
   
   

Pool

    2.2%      
   
   

Amedisys

    2.1%      
   
   

TopBuild

    2.0%      
   
   

Encompass Health

    2.0%      
   
   

Integer Holdings

    2.0%      
   
   

Lamar Advertising

    2.0%      
   
   

Lumentum Holdings

    2.0%      
   
   

Taylor Morrison Home

    2.0%      
   
   

Cirrus Logic

    1.9%          
 

 

26


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

The Hancock Horizon Diversified Income Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to maximize current income, and secondarily long-term capital appreciation using a multi-asset class portfolio structure. As of January 31, 2020, stocks and income producing securities represented 99% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund was invested in six asset categories chosen for their historical ability to produce consistent levels of income.

In descending order, the asset class weights at year-end was High Yield Bonds 33%, Dividend Stocks 28%, Preferred Stocks 19%, REITs 13%, MLPs 4%, Cash 2%, and lastly Variable Rate Loans less than 1%.

The Hancock Horizon Diversified Income Fund’s performance for the past year ending January 31, 2020 was 8.78% for the Institutional Class Shares, and 8.54% for the Investor Class Shares. The Fund continues to focus on income generation investing in a mix of equity and fixed income asset that can produce income.

The fund did invest a small amount of dollars back into MLPs (Master Limited Partnerships) because of the compelling high yields being generated.

Reallocations and cash inflows continued to be invested into Dividend Stocks asset class in an effort to capture more of the stock market appreciation.

Both stock and bond markets continued to be haunted primarily by geopolitical fears and worries of a potential global economic slowdown, the 2020 election, and ongoing trade negotiations, however, the fund held up well because of strong stock market gains.

All asset classes held at year-end were positive except for the small exposure to MLPs as oil

continued to struggle. The fund continued to produce a dividend yield superior to the stated benchmark.

The best performing asset segments in descending order were: preferred stocks, high yield bonds, dividend paying stocks, real estate investment trusts, and floating rate debt.

 

 

27


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

Comparison of Change in the Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Hancock Horizon Diversified Income Fund, Institutional Class Shares or Investor Class Shares, versus a 50/50 Hybrid of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index & Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Intermediate Aggregate Bond Index, the Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Intermediate Aggregate Bond Index, and the Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds Classification

 

LOGO

The Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index represents U.S. dividend paying companies that have non-negative historical dividend per share growth rate, a five year dividend to earnings-per-share ratio of less than or equal to 60%, paid dividends in each of the previous five years, and a three month average daily trading volume of 200,000 shares.

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Intermediate Aggregate Bond Index represents securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The index covers the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities.

The Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds Classification is an equal dollar weighted index of the largest mutual funds within the Flexible Portfolio fund classification, as defined by Lipper.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-990-2434 or visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com.

Sector Weightings

 

LOGO

% of Total Portfolio Investments

 

     One-Year
Return
    Annualized
3-Year
Return
    Annualized
5-Year
Return
    Annualized
Inception to Date
 

Institutional Class Shares

    8.78%       3.86%       2.41%       3.11%  

Investor Class Shares

    8.54%       3.61%       2.16%       2.87%  

50/50 Hybrid of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index and Bloomberg Barclays Intermediate U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

    10.36%       6.43%       6.18%       7.39%  

For periods ended January 31, 2020. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Fund commenced operations on September 26, 2012.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The returns reflect fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect; absent fee waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

 

 

28


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Top Ten Equity Holdings

 

       
         

Percentage of
Total Investments

       
   
   

  1 Alerian MLP ETF

    4.0%      
   
   

  2 GLP Capital

    1.5%      
   
   

  3 United States Cellular

    1.5%      
   
   

  4 International Game Technology

    1.5%      
   
   

  5 PulteGroup

    1.5%      
   
   

  6 XPO Logistics

    1.4%      
   
   

  7 NRG Energy

    1.4%      
   
   

  8 VeriSign

    1.4%      
   
   

  9 Sunoco

    1.4%      
   
   

10 Sirius XM Radio

    1.4%          
 

 

29


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

At January 31, 2020, the Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund’s (the “Fund”) largest geographic concentrations were in Europe (ex-UK), which represents roughly 40% of the fund’s allocation, and Asia (ex-Japan), which represents just under a quarter of the fund’s overall common stock investments. The Fund’s largest sector exposures were in Financials, Health Care, and Consumer Discretionary. The Fund’s returns for the year ended January 31, 2020 were 6.58% for the Institutional Class and 6.39% for the Investor Class. The Fund’s results underperformed its benchmark, the MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. Index, which returned 9.94% during this time period.

International trade policy continued to be a major focus of equity markets as investors anticipated action in the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China. Following extensive negotiations, a preliminary “phase one” trade deal was agreed to between the United States and China. As part of the agreement, the United States cancelled planned tariffs on over $150 billion of Chinese goods. In return, China committed to purchasing U.S. agricultural products. Previously, the U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on approximately $50 billion of Chinese imports, and currently more than two thirds of consumer goods imported from China are subject to tariffs. In 2018, the U.S. imported about $540 billion of goods from China while China imported about $120 billion of goods from the U.S., highlighting concerns that the trade deficit with China will grow larger. Within the European Union, GDP growth increased by 1.4% but future GDP forecasts declined. The European Central Bank (ECB) maintained the interest rate on deposits at -0.5% and restarted its monthly bond repurchases

of EU20 Billion, after stopping quantitative easing measures at the end of 2018. Uncertainty surrounding the U.K.’s exit from the European Union continued, and gains by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s conservative party in the December elections makes a no-deal scenario look increasingly likely. The U.K. was originally supposed to exit the EU on March 29th, 2019, which was first extended to May 22nd, and then October 31st, and now to January 31st.

The greatest impact on the Fund’s performance for the year was the Fund’s relative overweight to Emerging Market countries. Developed countries like Japan, the U.K. and parts of Europe performed better in the trailing 12 months as of January 31, 2020 despite slower economic growth and valuation levels that exceed those of less developed countries like Brazil, China and India. Over the long term, the subadvisor’s view is to position the portfolio in companies that have faster earnings potential with valuation levels that are a discount to intrinsic value.

Contributing to performance, headquartered in Taiwan, Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) is the world’s largest provider of semiconductor packaging and testing services, offering a broad and comprehensive variety of semiconductor chip packaging solutions found principally in mobile applications. In the most recent period, the company reported better than expected revenue and earnings results, as both metrics showed double digit growth compared to the same period last year. Driving growth were product wins for more advanced packaging, which tends to be more profitable for the company. Shares gained nearly 50% for the period. As technology becomes more advanced and widely adopted, companies are increasingly outsourcing

 

 

30


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

chip packaging capabilities. Given the company’s established position as the world’s leading provider of packaging solutions, the firm should be a net beneficiary of this trend over our investment horizon. Additionally, trading at a forward P/E ratio of 14x represents a discount to industry peers. Detracting from performance for the period, BYD Company, headquartered in Shenzhen, is a Chinese manufacturer of automobiles and one of the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries. During the period, BYD reported revenue growth of 23% over the previous year, on the back of strong sales of its Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). AFVs continue to be a strong source of growth for the company as more emphasis has been put on environmental considerations by the Chinese government. Despite the generally upbeat report, earnings missed consensus expectations causing investors to sell the stock. As a result, BYD ended the period down 10%. Both secular and regulatory trends favor BYD as the company continues to capture global market share, expand overall capacity for electric batteries, and benefit from environmentally friendly policy shifts imposed by the Chinese government.

 

31


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

Comparison of Change in the Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund, Institutional Class Shares or Investor Class Shares, versus the MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. Index, and the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Classification

 

LOGO

The MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. Index is designed to provide a broad measure of stock performance throughout the world, with the exception of U.S. based companies. It includes both developed and emerging markets.

Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Classification invests in a variety of market-capitalization ranges without concentrating 75% of their equity assets in any one market-capitalization range over an extended period of time. International multi-cap growth funds typically have an above-average price-to-cash flow ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value compared to MSCI EAFE Index.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is designed to measure equity market performance in global emerging markets. It is a float-adjusted market capitalization index that consists of indices in 23 emerging economies: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

The MSCI EAFE Index is a stock market index serves as a benchmark of the performance in major international equity markets as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-990-2434 or visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com.

Sector Weightings

 

LOGO

% of Total Portfolio Investments

 

     One-Year
Return
    Annualized
3-Year
Return
    Annualized
5-Year
Return
    Annualized
10-Year
Return
    Annualized
Inception
to Date
 

Institutional Class Shares

    6.58%       6.05%       3.70%       4.42%       5.18%  

Investor Class Shares

    6.39%       5.89%       3.49%       4.18%       4.94%  

MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index

    9.94%       7.62%       4.96%       5.21%       4.98%  

For periods ended January 31, 2020. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Fund commenced operations on September 30, 2008.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The returns reflect fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect; absent fee waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

 

 

 

32


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Country Weightings(1)

 

United States

     11.3%  

United Kingdom

     10.9%  

France

     8.8%  

Japan

     6.5%  

Switzerland

     6.3%  

Taiwan

     5.7%  

Germany

     5.6%  

Hong Kong

     5.1%  

Netherlands

     5.0%  

Norway

     4.7%  

India

     4.0%  

China

     3.7%  

Austria

     3.0%  

Spain

     2.9%  

Canada

     2.4%  

Singapore

     2.2%  

South Korea

     2.0%  

Italy

     1.6%  

Colombia

     1.5%  

Mexico

     1.5%  

Panama

     1.5%  

Brazil

     1.4%  

Australia

     1.0%  

Chile

     0.7%  

Czech Republic

     0.7%  

Turkey

     0.0%  
     100.0%  

(1) % of Total Portfolio Investments (excluding the Dreyfus Government Cash Management holding and the Federated Government Obligations Fund).

Top Ten Equity Holdings

 

       
          Percentage of
Total Investments
       
   
   

ICON

    3.9%      
   
   

Amadeus IT Group

    2.9%      
   
   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

    2.9%      
   
   

Safran

    2.8%      
   
   

Diageo

    2.6%      
   
   

Novartis

    2.6%      
   
   

Roche Holding

    2.5%      
   
   

ICICI Bank

    2.3%      
   
   

Everest Re Group

    2.2%      
   
   

Secom

    2.1%          
 

 

33


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

The Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation. The Fund aims to manage volatility and enhance total portfolio returns by identifying and investing in trends of at least 20 asset classes. The strategy follows a systematic approach that rebalances periodically by purchasing exchange traded securities displaying positive trends and selling assets that exhibit negative trends.

As of January 31, 2020, the Fund had an above average risk relative allocation with roughly 43% in equities, 24% in alternative investments, 30% in fixed income, and the remaining in money markets. The largest holdings included the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (12.7%) and the iShares Long-Term Treasuries ETF (10.1%), based on Net Assets as of January 31, 2020.

The Fund’s return for the past year ended January 31, 2020 was 7.85% for the Institutional Class Shares and 7.70% for the Investor Class Shares. The fund underperformed a balanced index of 50% MSCI ACWI Index and 50% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which returned 13.04% over the same time period. The Fund’s allocation moved considerably from a conservative allocation to a moderately aggressive allocation as markets rebounded from the fourth quarter of 2018.

The conservative allocation at the start of the year was the major cause of the year’s underperformance relative to the benchmark. The largest detractors to performance occurred in May as an overweight to stocks, both domestic and international, weighed on performance. Additionally commodities, infrastructure, and emerging markets caused the portfolio to underperform in January. For

the year, exposure to large cap US stocks and long term treasuries were the major contributors to positive performance.

Compared to the benchmark, the rapid rebound in risk assets and strong returns by US large cap stocks weighed on performance for the year ended January 31, 2020 as the Fund had a moderate allocation and was diversified across a broad spectrum of asset classes. The strategy will continue to invest across the asset class spectrum in an effort to meet its long-term investment objectives.

 

 

34


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Comparison of Change in the Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, Institutional Class Shares or Investor Class Shares versus a 50/50 Hybrid of the MSCI ACWI Index and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, MSCI ACWI Index, Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds Classification

 

LOGO

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

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is made up of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Corporate Bond Index, Mortgage-Backed Securities Index, and Asset-Backed Securities Index, including securities that are of investment grade quality or better, have at least one year to maturity, and have an outstanding par value of at least $100 million.

The Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds Classification is an equal dollar weighted index of the largest mutual funds within the Flexible Portfolio fund classification, as defined by Lipper.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-990-2434 or visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com.

Sector Weightings

 

LOGO

% of Total Portfolio Investments

 

     One-Year
Return
    Annualized
3-Year  Return
    Annualized
Inception to Date
 

Institutional Class Shares

    7.85%       4.32%       2.43%  

Investor Class Shares

    7.70%       4.09%       2.18%  

50/50 Hybrid of MSCI ACWI Index and Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

    13.04%       7.98%       3.56%  

For periods ended January 31, 2020. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Fund commenced operations on May 29, 2015.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The returns reflect fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect; absent fee waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

 

 

35


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

Top Ten Equity Holdings

 

       
          Percentage of
Total Investments
       
   
   

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

    11.8%      
   
   

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

    9.5%      
   
   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    9.2%      
   
   

Vanguard Real Estate ETF

    8.3%      
   
   

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    7.3%      
   
   

iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund

    6.9%      
   
   

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

    5.8%      
   
   

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF

    4.7%      
   
   

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund

    4.0%      
   
   

VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF

    3.9%          
 

 

36


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

At January 31, 2020, the Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund’s (the “Fund”) largest geographic concentrations were in Europe (ex-U.K.), Japan, and the United Kingdom, which combined represented 84% of the Fund’s common stock investments. The Fund’s largest sector exposures were in Industrials, Health Care, and Information Technology. The Fund’s Institutional Class return for the year ending January 31, 2020, was 9.11%; while the Investor Class returned 8.71%. The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the MSCI World ex USA Small Cap Index (the “Index”), which returned 12.74% during this period.

International markets experienced a very positive 2019, bookended by particular strength in the first and fourth quarters. Our approach was generally able to keep pace with the market through the bulk of the year as a result of good stock selection.

The challenge for our approach and the Fund came early in the year when global equity markets generated significant positive returns. The first quarter rally was driven by global investors capitalizing on value opportunities created by the slowdown to end 2018, and the majority of countries and sectors in the benchmark rebounded with positive performance. The Fund did well in the first quarter, but it underperformed the benchmark by about -290 basis points.

The torrid start to the year abated in the second and third quarters as markets mulled the impact of on-again, off-again trade negotiations, along with shifting interest rates. While our approach gave up relatively little during this time period, the challenging environment for fundamental, long-only managers persisted. Specifically, our process and the

Fund lagged the benchmark by about -90 basis points in the second quarter and lagged the benchmark by about -70 basis points during the third quarter.

However, near the end of the third quarter, we observed that market leadership reached an inflection point, allowing our time-tested approach to generate excellent absolute and relative fourth-quarter returns. Greater fundamental discernment gradually unfolded across global markets. The Fund outpaced the benchmark by about 250 basis points in the fourth quarter.

Markets began the new decade with a down January as the first signs of the coronavirus outbreak began to cast its shadow on international markets. Tellingly, Hong Kong was the worst performing country over the month. Despite the market’s abrupt reversal, we were able to add value in January. In the unsettled months to come, we believe our focus on fundamentals will help us ride out the storm of volatility that 2020 is sure to bring between COVID-19 fears and the upcoming U.S. election.

For the twelve months ending January 31, 2020, the Fund underperformed the benchmark by -1.7%. At the sector level, our process struggled in Materials, Energy, and Financials, but gained some traction in Health Care, Industrials, and Consumer Discretionary. From a country perspective, the primary detractors were South Korea, Canada, and the Netherlands, while we did well in Italy, Israel, and Germany.

We will continue to stick with our disciplined, bottom-up stock selection process, confident that it will add value over longer time periods. In the midst of a wildly unpredictable start to the new decade, that conviction will not waver.

 

 

37


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

Comparison of Change in the Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund, Institutional Class Shares or Investor Class Shares Shares versus the MSCI World ex-U.S. Small Cap Index, S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index and the Lipper International Small/Mid Cap Growth Funds Classification

LOGO

The S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index comprises the stocks representing the lowest 15% of float-adjusted market cap in each developed country. It is a subset of the S&P Global BMI, a comprehensive, rules-based index measuring global stock market performance.

The MSCI World ex-U.S. Small Cap Index captures small cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets (“DM”) countries (excluding the United States). With 2,540 constituents, the index covers approximately 14% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

Lipper International Small/Mid Cap Growth Funds Classification: Funds that, by portfolio practice, invest at least 75% of their equity assets in companies strictly outside of the U.S. with market capitalizations (on a three-year weighted basis) below Lipper’s international large-cap floor. International small/mid-cap growth funds typically have above-average characteristics compared to their small/mid-cap-specific subset of the MSCI EAFE Index

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-990-2434 or visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com.

Sector Weights

LOGO

% of Total Portfolio Investments

 

Annualize   One-Year*
Return
    3-Year*
Return
    Inception
To Date*
 

Institutional Class Shares

    9.11%       5.63%       2.67%  

Investor Class Shares

    8.71%       5.33%       2.39%  

MSCI World ex-U.S. Small Cap Index

    12.74%       8.50%       6.30%  

S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index

    11.66%       8.02%       5.65%  

For periods ended January 31, 2020. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Fund commenced operations on May 29, 2015.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The returns reflect fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect; absent fee waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

 

 

38


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Country Weightings

 

Japan

     27.7%  

United Kingdom

     11.3%  

Italy

     8.8%  

Germany

     7.4%  

United States

     4.9%  

Sweden

     4.2%  

France

     4.2%  

Finland

     4.1%  

Switzerland

     4.0%  

Canada

     3.4%  

Hong Kong

     3.0%  

South Korea

     3.0%  

Spain

     2.9%  

Israel

     2.6%  

Singapore

     2.3%  

Norway

     2.1%  

Netherlands

     1.5%  

Australia

     1.4%  

Belgium

     0.8%  

Denmark

     0.4%  

Total

     100.0%  

Top Ten Equity Holdings

 

       
          Percentage of
Total Investments
       
   
   

Azimut Holding Spa

    1.7%      
   
   

Medcap AB

    1.5%      
   
   

Fukui Computer Holdings, Inc.

    1.4%      
   
   

Faes Farma, S.A.

    1.4%      
   
   

Mapletree Industrial Trust

    1.4%      
   
   

DiaSorin S.p.A.

    1.3%      
   
   

Envea SA

    1.3%      
   
   

Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechhnik AG

    1.3%      
   
   

Games Workshop Group PLC

    1.2%      
   
   

JEOL Ltd.

    1.1%          
 

 

39


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

The Hancock Horizon Louisiana Tax Free Income Fund (the “Fund”) seeks current income exempt from both federal income tax and Louisiana personal income tax by investing primarily in municipal bonds of Louisiana issuers.

For the period ending January 31, 2020, the Fund generated a total return of +7.00% for the Institutional Class Shares and +6.84% for the Investor Class Shares. This compares to +8.65% for the Barclays Municipal Bond Index and +7.26% for the Lipper Other States Municipal Debt Index. Fund performance was generally in line with its Lipper peer group.

During this fiscal period, the Fund’s sector allocation continued to emphasize higher yielding revenue bonds over general obligation securities, both state and local. At the fiscal year end total Revenue bonds represented 55.1% of the portfolio while General Obligation bonds comprised 32.0% of the Fund. The period ended with the Fund’s average effective maturity at 12.0 years and a weighted average effective duration of 4.4 years. The average quality of the fund remained steady at AA.

The fiscal year ended January 31, 2020 was a period of extremely volatile municipal interest rates due to a combination of several economic, market and regulatory factors impacting supply and demand. Despite the volatility municipal interest rates ended the 12 month period dramatically lower. The dominant factors generally influencing the Louisiana municipal market over the past twelve months were volatile energy prices, the U.S. / China trade dispute which impacted exports, recent federal tax reform which choked new issue supply and recession concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Louisiana experienced choppy growth over the past year due to the economic crosscurrents of sluggish export growth due to the U.S. China trade dispute, volatile energy prices and modest improvement in the important petrochemical industry. Growth statewide in 2019 came primarily from healthcare and commercial construction. The lull continues in industrial construction megaprojects despite the massive multibillion dollar backlog. Offshore oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico which is important to the south Louisiana economy remains sluggish. The resolution of the China trade dispute in 2019 was expected to benefit Louisiana’s agricultural and petrochemical exports but the coronavirus shutdown will likely slow that turnaround. Personal Income in Louisiana grew at 3.6% in 2019 versus the national rate at 4.4%. The unemployment rate in the state was 5.3% as of January 2020 but will surely rise given the global coronavirus shutdown.

Looking ahead we believe the Louisiana economy will likely face significant challenges from the combination of plummeting energy prices and a global coronavirus induced economic slowdown. These factors will likely lead to slower employment growth and strained state and local budgets. Economic growth will continue to lag the overall U.S. economy. The state of Louisiana will need to remain vigilant on general fund expenditures. The Louisiana constitution requires a balanced budget so the solution will rely on higher sales tax and income tax rates, limited funding support from the federal government and constrained budget growth. We continue to closely monitor our credit exposure in order to maintain our overall portfolio quality.

 

 

40


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Comparison of Change in the Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Hancock Horizon Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund, Institutional Class Shares or Investor Class Shares versus the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, and the Lipper Other States Municipal Funds Classification

 

LOGO

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of municipal bonds with maturities of at least one year.

Lipper Other States Municipal Funds Classification: Funds that invest in municipal debt issues with dollar weighted average maturities of five to ten years and are exempt from taxation on a specified city or state basis.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment may fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-990-2434 or visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com.

 

     One-Year
Return
    Annualized
3-Year
Return
    Annualized
5-Year
Return
    Annualized
Inception
to Date
 

Institutional Class Shares

    7.00%       4.02%       2.90%       4.83%  

Investor Class Shares

    6.84%       3.82%       2.67%       4.59%  

Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index

    8.65%       5.12%       3.53%       4.86  

For periods ended January 31, 2020. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Fund commenced operations on February 1, 2011.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The returns reflect fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect; absent fee waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

Sector Weightings

 

LOGO

% of Total Portfolio Investments

Top Ten Equity Holdings

 

       
          Percentage of
Total Investments
       
   
   

Central, Community School System

    5.0%      
   
   

Iberia, Parishwide School District

    4.5%      
   
   

Louisiana, Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority

    4.4%      
   
   

Plaquemine City

    4.4%      
   
   

Lafayette, Parish School Board

    4.3%      
   
   

Desoto, Parish School Board

    4.3%      
   
   

Louisiana, Transportation Authority

    4.2%      
   
   

St. Tammany Parish, Hospital Service District No. 2

    4.1%      
   
   

Lafourche, Parish School Board

    4.1%      
   
   

Shreveport, Louisiana Water & Sewer Revenue

    3.8%          
 

 

41


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

Credit Quality Ratings

Moody’s

 

LOGO

S&P

 

LOGO

Moody’s gradations of creditworthiness are indicated by rating symbols, with each symbol representing a group in which the credit characteristics are broadly the same. There are nine symbols as follows, from that used to designate least credit risk to that denoting greatest credit risk: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Moody’s Money Market Fund Ratings are opinions of the investment quality of shares in mutual funds and similar investment vehicles which principally invest in short-term fixed income obligations. As such, these ratings incorporate Moody’s assessment of a fund’s published investment objectives and policies, the creditworthiness of the assets held by the fund, the liquidity profile of the fund’s assets relative to the fund’s investor base, the assets’ susceptibility to market risk, as well as the management characteristics of the fund. There are six symbols as follows, from

that used to designate least credit risk to that denoting greatest credit risk: Aaa-mf, Aa-mf, A-mf, Baa-mf and B-mf. For more information on Moody’s Ratings, please visit their website at www.moodys.com.

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) ratings are grades given to bonds that indicate their credit quality. S&P gives ratings after evaluating a bond issuer’s financial strength or the ability to pay a bond’s principal and interest in a timely fashion. Ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). S&P provides principal stability fund ratings on a money market fund’s capacity to maintain stable principal. S&P gives ratings after evaluating the credit worthiness of the Fund’s investments, counterparties and managements ability and policies to maintain the fund’s stable net asset value. Rating are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAAm (highest) to Dm (lowest). For more information on S&P Ratings, please visit their website at www.standardandpoors.com.

 

 

42


   

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January 31, 2020

 

The Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks which the Advisor believes to have above average growth potential based on analysis. The Fund will attempt to achieve this objective by investing primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies with market capitalizations under $750 million.

As of January 31, 2020, common stocks represented 94.5% of the Fund’s Net Assets. The Fund’s largest holdings were in Financials, Industrials, and Consumer Discretionary, while Utilities, Staples, and Communication Services had the least exposure.

The Fund’s return for the past year ended January 31, 2020, was -1.44% for the Institutional Class Shares and -1.71% for the Investor Class Shares. The Fund’s benchmark, the Russell Microcap Index, returned 5.64% for the same period. For the 12 months ended January 31, 2020 microcap stocks significantly underperformed the S&P 500.

The Fund’s performance was negatively impacted by both overall stock selection and sector positioning. The largest detractors for the 12 month period were in Consumer Discretionary and Financial sectors. Stock selection in Energy and Consumer Discretion were both negative drags on performance. Additionally, the Fund held an overweight position in Energy relative to the Benchmark and it was the worst performing sector during this time period. The Fund’s stock selection in Information Technology and Materials were the largest positive contributors to performance.

Looking ahead the coronavirus pandemic and the price war in oil will dominate headlines in the near term and cause global economies to slowdown. Both of these factors are causing elevated volatility and a flight away from risk assets.

However, we believe the US economy will continue to fare better than most. The US entered this turbulent period with one of the strongest economies. Our expectation is that the US Government will provide the needed support to combat any slowdown caused by the pandemic through fiscal stimulus. Additionally, the Federal Reserve has already cut short term rates and will continue to provide support through additional rate cuts and potentially quantitative easing.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Index returns are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent actual Fund performance. Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction cost or expenses. Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice. Holdings are subject to change. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

In addition to the normal risks associated with equity investing, smaller companies typically exhibit higher vola- tility. Products of companies in which the Fund invests may be subject to severe competition and rapid obsolescence.

Mutual fund investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, REIT investments are subject to changes in economic conditions, credit risk and interest rate fluctuations. There are specific risks inherent in inves- ting in small-cap and micro-cap companies. Small-cap and micro-cap companies have a higher risk of failure and typically experience a greater degree of volatility. Investing in micro-cap companies may not be appropriate for all investors. Please read the prospectus carefully to obtain a complete understanding of the risks. Diversification may not protect against market risk.

There is no guarantee the Fund will achieve its stated objective.

 

 

43


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

Comparison of Change in the Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund, Institutional Class Shares or Investor Class Shares, versus the Russell Microcap Index and the Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Classification

 

LOGO

The Russell Microcap Index is a capitalization weighted index of 2,000 small cap and micro cap stocks that captures the smallest 1,000 companies in the Russell 2000, plus 1,000 smaller U.S.-based listed stocks.

The Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds Classification: Funds that, by portfolio practice, invest at least 75% of their equity assets in companies with market capitalizations (on a three-year weighted basis) below Lipper’s USDE small-cap ceiling. Small-Cap Core funds have more latitude in the companies in which they invest. These funds typically have an average price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value, comparable to the S&P Small Cap 600 Index.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-990-2434 or visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com.

Sector Weightings

 

LOGO

% of Total Portfolio Investments

 

     One-Year
Return
    Annualized
3-Year
Return
    Annualized
Inception to Date
 

Institutional Class Shares

    -1.44%       -1.41%       2.17%  

Investor Class Shares

    -1.71%       -1.67%       1.90%  

Russell Microcap Index

    5.64%       5.24%       5.12%  

For periods ended January 31, 2020. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Fund commenced operations on May 29, 2015.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The returns reflect fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect; absent fee waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

 

 

 

44


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Top Ten Equity Holdings

 

       
          Percentage of
Total Investments
       
   
   

Elevate Credit

    1.7%      
   
   

Enova International

    1.7%      
   
   

Advanced Emissions Solutions

    1.6%      
   
   

Protective Insurance

    1.5%      
   
   

Dynex Capital

    1.5%      
   
   

Citizens

    1.5%      
   
   

EZCORP

    1.4%      
   
   

Zumiez

    1.4%      
   
   

On Deck Capital

    1.4%      
   
   

Freshpet

    1.4%          
 

 

45


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

The Hancock Horizon Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund (the Fund) seeks current income exempt from both federal income tax and Mississippi personal income tax by investing primarily in municipal bonds of Mississippi issuers.

For the period ending January 31, 2020, the Fund generated a total return of +7.98% for the Institutional Class Shares and +7.85% for the Investor Class Shares. This compares to +8.65% for the Barclays Municipal Bond Index and +7.26% for the Lipper Other States Municipal Debt Index. Fund performance was generally in line with its Lipper peer group.

During this fiscal period, the Fund’s sector allocation continued to emphasize higher yielding revenue bonds over general obligation securities, both state and local. Total revenue bonds represented 48.3% of the portfolio while general obligation bonds comprised 45.0% of the Fund. The period ended with the Fund’s average effective maturity at 10.7 years and a weighted average effective duration of 5.3 years. The average quality of the fund remained steady at AA.

The fiscal year ended January 31, 2020 was a period of extremely volatile municipal interest rates due to a combination of several economic, market and regulatory factors impacting supply and demand. Despite the volatility municipal interest rates ended the 12 month period dramatically lower. The dominant factors generally influencing the Mississippi municipal market over the past twelve months were the U.S. / China trade dispute which impacted agricultural exports, recent federal tax reform which choked new issue supply and recession concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.

The past year was a challenging year for the Mississippi economy due to continued sluggish growth and widespread flooding primarily in the southern part of the state. GDP growth for the Mississippi economy was projected to hold steady at 1.3% in the calendar year 2019, well short of U.S. economic growth of 2.9% for the same period. Extensive flooding in the lower part of the state in late 2019 could however lead to lower growth revisions for 2019. Most Mississippi leading and coincident economic indicators remain positive. Economic growth for Mississippi in calendar year 2020 was projected to improve slightly to 1.5% but the coronavirus shutdown will likely cause that to be revised lower. The resolution of the China trade dispute was expected to greatly benefit Mississippi’s agricultural exports but the coronavirus shutdown will likely slow that turnaround as well. Personal Income in Mississippi grew at 3.7% in 2019 and is projected to grow at 3.0% in 2020 and 3.8% in 2021. The unemployment rate in the state was 5.3% as of January 2020 but will surely rise given the global coronavirus shutdown. Mississippi’s conservative spending policies and an ample rainy day fund combine to ensure Mississippi bonds remain fiscally sound.

Looking ahead we believe the Mississippi economy should continue to experience sluggish growth into 2020. Mississippi state and local governments will likely experience strained but manageable finances over the coming year as federal support augments lost revenue. In all the Mississippi tax exempt municipal market still offers fair value relative to other investment grade taxable alternatives.

 

 

46


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Comparison of Change in the Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Hancock Horizon Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund, Institutional Class Shares or Investor Class Shares versus the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, and the Lipper Other States Municipal Funds Classification

 

LOGO

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is a widely-recognized index of municipal bonds with maturities of at least one year.

Lipper Other States Municipal Funds Classification: Funds that invest in municipal debt issues with dollar weighted average maturities of five to ten years and are exempt from taxation on a specified city or state basis.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment may fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-990-2434 or visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com.

 

     One-Year
Return
    Annualized
3-Year
Return
    Annualized
5-Year
Return
    Annualized
Inception to Date
 

Institutional Class Shares

    7.98%       4.19%       2.70%       4.53%  

Investor Class Shares

    7.85%       4.04%       2.50%       4.31%  

Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index

    8.65%       5.12%       3.53%       4.86%  

For periods ended January 31, 2020. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Fund commenced operations on February 1, 2011.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The returns reflect fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect; absent fee waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

Sector Weightings

 

LOGO

% of Total Portfolio Investments

Top Ten Equity Holdings

 

       
          Percentage of
Total Investments
       
   
   

Mississippi State, Development Bank

    6.3%      
   
   

Oxford

    5.0%      
   
   

Mississippi State

    5.0%      
   
   

Mississippi State, Development Bank

    4.8%      
   
   

Mississippi State, University Educational Building

    4.6%      
   
   

Mississippi State, Development Bank

    4.5%      
   
   

Mississippi State

    4.4%      
   
   

Mississippi State

    4.3%      
   
   

Starkville

    3.9%      
   
   

University of Southern Mississippi

    3.7%          
 

 

47


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

Credit Quality Ratings

Moody’s

 

LOGO

S&P

 

LOGO

Moody’s gradations of creditworthiness are indicated by rating symbols, with each symbol representing a group in which the credit characteristics are broadly the same. There are nine symbols as follows, from that used to designate least credit risk to that denoting greatest credit risk: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C. Moody’s Money Market Fund Ratings are opinions of the investment quality of shares in mutual funds and similar investment vehicles which principally invest in short-term fixed income obligations. As such, these ratings incorporate Moody’s assessment of a fund’s published investment objectives and policies, the creditworthiness of the assets held by the fund, the liquidity profile of the fund’s assets relative to the fund’s investor base, the assets’ susceptibility to market risk, as well as the management characteristics of the fund. There are six symbols as follows, from

that used to designate least credit risk to that denoting greatest credit risk: Aaa-mf, Aa-mf ,A-mf, Baa-mf and B-mf. For more information on Moody’s Ratings, please visit their website at www.moodys.com.

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) ratings are grades given to bonds that indicate their credit quality. S&P gives ratings after evaluating a bond issuer’s financial strength or the ability to pay a bond’s principal and interest in a timely fashion. Ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). S&P provides principal stability fund ratings on a money market fund’s capacity to maintain stable principal. S&P gives ratings after evaluating the credit worthiness of the Fund’s investments, counterparties and managements ability and policies to maintain the fund’s stable net asset value. Rating are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAAm (highest) to Dm (lowest). For more information on S&P Ratings, please visit their website at www.standardandpoors.com.

 

 

48


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

The Quantitative Long/Short Fund (“the Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation by taking long and short positions in equity securities of publicly-traded companies in the U.S.

Horizon Advisers establishes long positions in common stocks we believe to be “undervalued” and establishes short positions in common stocks we believe to be “overvalued” based on quantitative, fundamental and technical analyses. There are two aspects to our investment process. One involves a top down approach to the Fund’s net equity positioning by reviewing various forms of valuation and momentum indicators of the general US equity markets. The second relates to the bottom up approach to stock selection derived primarily using quantitative techniques. Our quantitative model ranks stocks according to their relative attractiveness based on valuation, earnings, and momentum factors.

On January 31, 2020, the Fund had a net long position of 65.3%, with 4.2% of the Fund’s value in short positions. The Fund’s largest holdings were in Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Industrial sectors while having the least exposure to Utilities and Real Estate.

The Fund’s return for the year ended January 31, 2020 was +5.83% for Institutional Class, +5.69% for Investor Class compared to +6.18% for the HFRX Equity Hedge Index for the same period.

The Fund benefited from stock selection in Consumer Staples and Industrials. Stock selection in Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology sectors and overweight allocations to

small cap and mid cap stocks were the biggest detractors during the year.

Although leading economic indicators are still suggesting a deceleration in US economic growth, monetary policy continues to be more accommodative in the US, and around the world allowing for stocks to continue that positive momentum in the near term, barring any exogenous shocks. We remain cautious given the real possibility that we are in the latter innings of the current US market cycle and remain patient to see more evidence of improving economic and earnings growth before significantly increasing equity exposure. As we close out a decade and look back, it is interesting to see that, since the March 9th market low of 2008, the S&P 500 has experienced the longest bull market in history spanning 130 months. It is no coincidence the US economy has been in the longest economic expansion on record spanning 127 months without a recession. What also cannot be ignored is the unprecedented amount of monetary intervention by central banks in the US and around the world that have most likely provided tremendous support to asset prices during this time. We continue to monitor general market conditions for opportunities and remain flexible to adapt to changing market dynamics.

 

 

49


Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance  (unaudited) (continued)  
     

 

Comparison of Change in the Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Hancock Horizon Quantitative Long/Short Fund, Institutional Class Shares or Investor Class Shares, versus the HFRX Equity Hedge Index, the S&P Composite 1500 Index, and the Lipper Long/Short Equity Classification

 

LOGO

HFRX Equity Hedge Index Equity Hedge strategies maintain positions both long and short in primarily equity and equity derivative securities. A wide variety of investment processes can be employed to arrive at an investment decision, including both quantitative and fundamental techniques; strategies can be broadly diversified or narrowly focused on specific sectors and can range broadly in terms of levels of net exposure, leverage employed, holding period, concentrations of market capitalizations and valuation ranges of typical portfolios. Equity Hedge managers would typically maintain at least 50%, and may in some cases be substantially entirely invested in equities, both long and short. Hedge Fund Research, Inc. (HFR) utilizes a UCITSIII compliant methodology to construct the HFRX Hedge Fund Indices. The methodology is based on defined and predetermined rules and objective criteria to select and rebalance components to maximize representation of the Hedge Fund Universe. HFRX Indices utilize state-of-the-art quantitative techniques and analysis; multi-level screening, cluster analysis, Monte-Carlo simulations and optimization techniques ensure that each Index is a pure representation of its corresponding investment focus.

The S&P Composite 1500 Index is a broad market portfolio representing the large cap, mid cap, and small cap segments of the U.S. Equity market.

Lipper Long/Short Equity Classification is comprised of funds that employ portfolio strategies combining long holdings of equities with short sales of equity, equity options, or equity index options. The funds may be either net long or net short, depending on the portfolio manager’s view of the market.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-990-2434 or visit www.hancockhorizonfunds.com.

Sector Weightings — Long

 

LOGO

% of Total Portfolio Investments, which excludes Securities Sold Short

Sector Weightings — Short

 

LOGO

Securities Sold Short, as a % of Total Portfolio Investments

 

 

50


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

     One-Year
Return
    Annualized
3-Year
Return
    Annualized
5-Year
Return
    Annualized
10-Year
Return
    Annualized
Inception to
Date
 

Institutional Class Shares

    5.83%       3.66%       3.10%       8.00%       5.08%  

Investor Class Shares

    5.69%       3.58%       2.95%       7.80%       4.86%  

S&P Composite 1500 Index

    20.56%       13.85%       12.05%       13.90%       11.68%  

For periods ended January 31, 2020. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Fund commenced operations on September 30, 2008.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The returns reflect fee waivers and/or reimbursements in effect; absent fee waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

Top Ten Equity Holdings—Long

 

       
          Percentage of
Total Investments
       
   
   

Ross Stores

    1.0%      
   
   

Norfolk Southern

    1.0%      
   
   

Generac Holdings

    0.9%      
   
   

Watts Water Technologies

    0.9%      
   
   

SPX

    0.9%      
   
   

PNC Financial Services Group

    0.9%      
   
   

Kforce

    0.9%      
   
   

Apple

    0.9%      
   
   

Alphabet

    0.9%      
   
   

American Express

    0.9%          

Top Ten Equity Holdings—Short

 

       
          Percentage of
Total Investments
       
   
   

Santander Holdings USA

    0.1%      
   
   

Twilio

    0.1%      
   
   

Intersect ENT

    0.1%      
   
   

ATN International

    0.1%      
   
   

Sunrun

    0.1%      
   
   

CryoLife

    0.1%      
   
   

Triple-S Management

    0.1%      
   
   

Columbia Sportswear

    0.1%      
   
   

Fox Factory Holding

    0.1%      
   
   

Providence Service

    0.1%          
 

 

51


Disclosure of Fund Expenses  (unaudited)  
     

 

All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a mutual fund, your investment is affected by these ongoing costs, which include (among others) costs for portfolio management, administrative services, 12b-1 fees, and shareholder reports like this one. It is important for you to understand the impact of these costs on your investment returns.

Operating expenses such as these are deducted from a mutual fund’s gross income and directly reduce its final investment return. These expenses are expressed as a percentage of a mutual fund’s average net assets; this percentage is known as a mutual fund’s expense ratio.

The following examples use the expense ratio and are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from August 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020.

The table on the next page illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:

Actual Fund return — This section helps you to estimate the actual expenses that your Fund incurred over the period. The “Expenses Paid During Period” column shows the actual dollar expense cost incurred by a $1,000 investment in the Fund, and the “Ending Account Value” number is derived from deducting that expense cost from the Fund’s gross investment return.

You can use this information, together with the actual amount you invested in the Fund, to estimate the expenses your Fund incurred over that period. Simply divide your actual account value by $1,000 to arrive at a ratio (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply that ratio by the number shown for your Fund under the “Expenses Paid During Period” column.

Hypothetical 5% return — This section helps you compare your Fund’s costs with those of other mutual funds. It assumes that the Fund had an annual 5% return before expenses during the year, but that the expense ratio (Column 3) is unchanged. This example is useful in making comparisons because the Securities and Exchange Commission requires all mutual funds to make this 5% calculation. You can assess your Fund’s comparative cost by comparing the hypothetical result for your Fund in the “Expenses Paid During Period” column with those that appear in the same charts in the shareholder reports for other mutual funds.

Note: Because the hypothetical return is set at 5% for comparison purposes — NOT your Fund’s actual return — the account values shown do not apply to your specific investment. Expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. If these transactional costs were included, your cost would have been higher.

 

 

52


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

         
     Beginning
Account
Value
8/1/2019
     Ending
Account
Value
1/31/2020
     Annualized
Expense
Ratios
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
 

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

 

Actual Fund Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 999.00        1.00   $ 5.04  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        997.90        1.20     6.04  

Class D

    1,000.00        996.30        1.50     7.55  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.16        1.00   $ 5.09  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,019.16        1.20     6.11  

Class D

    1,000.00        1,017.64        1.50     7.63  
         

Diversified Income Fund

 

Actual Fund Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,035.30        0.90   $ 4.62  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,034.10        1.15     5.90  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.67        0.90   $ 4.58  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,019.41        1.15     5.85  
         

Diversified International Fund

 

Actual Fund Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,033.20        1.24   $ 6.35  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,032.50        1.39     7.12  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.95        1.24   $ 6.31  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,018.20        1.39     7.07  
         

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

 

Actual Fund Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,042.30        1.40   $ 7.21  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,041.50        1.65     8.49  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.15        1.40   $ 7.12  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,016.89        1.65     8.39  
         

International Small Cap

 

Actual Fund Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,109.40        1.25   $ 6.65  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,106.10        1.49     7.91  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.90        1.25   $ 6.36  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,017.69        1.49     7.58  
                                   
         
     Beginning
Account
Value
8/1/2019
     Ending
Account
Value
1/31/2020
     Annualized
Expense
Ratios
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
 

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Actual Fund Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.10        0.75   $ 3.83  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,023.30        0.90     4.59  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.42        0.75   $ 3.82  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,020.67        0.90     4.58  
         

Microcap Fund

 

Actual Fund Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 967.40        1.30   $ 6.45  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        965.90        1.55     7.68  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.65        1.30   $ 6.61  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,017.39        1.55     7.88  
         

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Actual Fund Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,026.40        0.75   $ 3.83  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,026.40        0.85     4.34  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.42        0.75   $ 3.82  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,020.92        0.85     4.33  
         

Quantitative Long/Short Fund

 

Actual Fund Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,025.40        1.12   $ 5.72  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,023.90        1.37     6.99  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

Institutional Class

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.56        1.12   $ 5.70  

Investor Class

    1,000.00        1,018.30        1.37     6.97  
                                   
*

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

 

 

53


Schedules of Investments  
     

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Common Stock — 99.0%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 1.6%

       

HEICO

       27,000      $ 3,306  

Total Aerospace & Defense

 

     3,306  
Apparel & Textiles — 1.5%                

Oxford Industries

       45,000        3,123  

Total Apparel & Textiles

 

     3,123  
Banks — 10.3%                

International Bancshares

       97,000        3,822  

Prosperity Bancshares

       57,000        4,001  

Synovus Financial

       103,000        3,607  

Texas Capital Bancshares*

       56,000        3,078  

Trustmark

       107,000        3,422  

United Community Banks

       136,000        3,797  

Total Banks

 

     21,727  
Building & Construction — 4.0%                

Taylor Morrison Home, Cl A*

       160,000        4,141  

TopBuild*

       37,000        4,237  

Total Building & Construction

 

     8,378  
Chemicals — 1.8%                

Huntsman

       122,000        2,508  

Kraton*

       82,000        1,349  

Total Chemicals

 

     3,857  
Commercial Services — 4.3%                

ADT

       410,000        2,542  

Insperity

       34,000        2,970  

Kforce

       96,000        3,557  

Total Commercial Services

 

     9,069  
Computer Software — 8.9%                

ACI Worldwide*

       102,000        3,514  

Digital Turbine*

       405,000        2,527  

Ebix

       87,000        2,996  

j2 Global

       40,000        3,834  

RealPage*

       68,000        3,968  

Upland Software*

       48,000        1,874  

Total Computer Software

 

         18,713  
Computers & Services — 2.0%                

Lumentum Holdings*

       55,000        4,167  

Total Computers & Services

 

     4,167  

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Engineering Services — 1.8%                

MasTec*

       65,000      $ 3,754  

Total Engineering Services

 

     3,754  
Financial Services — 1.2%                

Blucora*

       110,000        2,481  

Total Financial Services

 

     2,481  
Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 1.5%                

Fresh Del Monte Produce

       98,000        3,075  

Total Food, Beverage & Tobacco

 

     3,075  
Gas & Natural Gas — 1.9%                

Atmos Energy

       17,000        1,989  

TerraForm Power, Cl A

       109,000        1,972  

Total Gas & Natural Gas

 

     3,961  
Insurance — 5.7%                

American National Insurance

       24,000        2,644  

Amerisafe

       56,000        3,831  

Kemper

       31,000        2,307  

Primerica

       27,000        3,201  

Total Insurance

 

     11,983  
Leasing & Renting — 1.8%                

Aaron’s

       65,000        3,858  

Total Leasing & Renting

 

     3,858  
Machinery — 4.9%                

Alamo Group

       31,000        3,861  

Chart Industries*

       48,000        3,071  

Mueller Water Products, Cl A

       290,000        3,379  

Total Machinery

 

     10,311  
Manufacturing — 1.4%                

Acuity Brands

       25,000        2,947  

Total Manufacturing

 

     2,947  
Materials — 1.0%                

US Concrete*

       59,000        2,100  

Total Materials

 

     2,100  
Media — 5.5%                

Cardlytics*

       55,000        4,616  

Gray Television*

       196,000        3,975  

Match Group*

       37,000        2,894  

Total Media

 

         11,485  
 

 

54


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund (concluded)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Medical Products & Services — 12.3%                

Amedisys*

       25,000      $ 4,412  

Arena Pharmaceuticals*

       25,000        1,142  

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals*

       24,000        1,006  

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals*

       59,000        1,165  

Encompass Health

       55,000        4,237  

HMS Holdings*

       80,000        2,186  

Integer Holdings*

       49,000        4,185  

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals*

       200,000        618  

Molecular Templates*

       58,000        866  

REGENXBIO*

       18,000        783  

Repligen*

       13,000        1,305  

US Physical Therapy

       28,000        3,280  

Voyager Therapeutics*

       56,000        618  

Total Medical Products & Services

 

     25,803  
Paper & Paper Products — 1.3%                

Neenah

       40,000        2,666  

Total Paper & Paper Products

 

     2,666  
Petroleum & Fuel Products — 6.4%                

Archrock

       265,000        2,213  

Berry Petroleum

       210,000        1,438  

Cactus, Cl A

       93,000        2,680  

Diamondback Energy

       39,000        2,902  

Magnolia Oil & Gas*

       252,000        2,651  

Select Energy Services, Cl A*

       230,000        1,601  

Total Petroleum & Fuel Products

 

     13,485  
Petroleum Refining — 1.6%                

HollyFrontier

       74,000        3,324  

Total Petroleum Refining

 

     3,324  
Real Estate Investment Trust — 5.7%                

Lamar Advertising, Cl A

       45,000        4,176  

Medical Properties Trust

       136,000        3,012  

Preferred Apartment Communities, Cl A

       175,000        2,062  

Xenia Hotels & Resorts

       143,000        2,673  

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     11,923  
Retail — 6.9%                

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment

       51,000        2,252  

GMS*

       67,000        1,790  

Pool

       21,000        4,605  

Ruth’s Hospitality Group

       165,000        3,383  

Sally Beauty Holdings*

       158,000        2,425  

Total Retail

 

         14,455  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Semi-Conductors & Instruments — 3.8%                

Cirrus Logic*

       53,000      $ 4,071  

Diodes*

       74,000        3,821  

Total Semi-Conductors & Instruments

 

     7,892  

Total Common Stock (Cost $151,461 (000))

 

         207,843  

Cash Equivalent (A) — 1.5%

       

Federated Government Obligations Fund, Cl I, 1.490%

       3,051,853        3,052  

Total Cash Equivalent (Cost $3,052 (000))

 

     3,052  

Total Investments — 100.4% (Cost $154,513 (000))

 

   $ 210,895  

Percentages are based on net assets of $209,961 (000).

*

Non-income producing security.

(A)

The rate reported is the 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020.

Cl — Class

As of January 31, 2020, all of the Fund’s investments are Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, in accordance with the authoritative guidance under U.S. G.A.A.P.

During the year ended January 31, 2020, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3.

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

 

 

55


Schedules of Investments  
     

Diversified Income Fund

 

 

 

Description      Face Amount
(000)
     Value
(000)
 

Corporate Bonds — 42.9%

 

Automotive — 2.0%                

General Motors Financial (A)
6.500%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+3.436%, 03/30/68

     $ 250      $ 267  

Tesla (B)

       

5.300%, 08/15/25

           500        505  

Total Automotive

 

     772  
Banks — 3.6%                

Bank of America (A)
6.100%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+3.898%, 09/17/68

       250        280  

Citigroup (A)
5.950%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+4.068%, 07/30/68

       250        267  

Citizens Financial Group (A)
6.375%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+3.157%, 01/06/69

       250        267  

JPMorgan Chase (A)
4.600%, VAR United States Secured Overnight Financing Rate+3.125%, 08/01/68

       300        306  

Wells Fargo (A)
5.900%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+3.110%, 12/15/68

       250        272  

Total Banks

 

     1,392  
Building & Construction — 1.4%                

PulteGroup

       

5.500%, 03/01/26

       500        559  

Total Building & Construction

 

     559  
Computers & Services — 1.3%                

CommScope (B)

       

5.500%, 03/01/24

       500        514  

Total Computers & Services

 

     514  
Consumer Finance — 1.3%                

MMC Energy Escrow

       

9.250%, 10/15/20

       500         

Quicken Loans (B)

       

5.250%, 01/15/28

       500        517  

Total Consumer Finance

 

     517  
Description      Face Amount
(000)
     Value
(000)
 
Electrical Utilities — 3.5%                

Calpine (B)

       

4.500%, 02/15/28

     $ 500      $ 498  

Dominion Energy
5.750%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+3.057%, 10/01/54

       275        299  

NRG Energy (B)

       

5.250%, 06/15/29

       500        539  

Total Electrical Utilities

 

         1,336  
Entertainment — 3.5%                

International Game Technology (B)

       

6.500%, 02/15/25

       500        564  

Netflix (B)

       

4.875%, 06/15/30

       500        521  

ViacomCBS
6.250%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+3.899%, 02/28/57

       250        281  

Total Entertainment

 

     1,366  
Financial Services — 1.3%                

Charles Schwab (A)
5.000%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+2.575%, 06/01/68

       250        263  

Morgan Stanley (A)
5.441%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+3.610%, 07/15/68

           250        251  

Total Financial Services

 

     514  
Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 1.3%                

Vector Group (B)

       

6.125%, 02/01/25

       500        498  

Total Food, Beverage & Tobacco

 

     498  
Hotels & Lodging — 1.3%                

Wyndham Destinations (B)

       

4.625%, 03/01/30

       500        513  

Total Hotels & Lodging

 

     513  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.4%  

Hilton Domestic Operating

       

5.125%, 05/01/26

       500        524  

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

     524  
 

 

56


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Diversified Income Fund (continued)

 

 

 

Description      Face Amount
(000)
     Value
(000)
 
Industrials — 0.6%                

General Electric (A)
5.000%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+3.330%, 06/15/68

     $ 250      $ 249  

Total Industrials

 

     249  
IT Services — 1.4%                

VeriSign

       

4.750%, 07/15/27

       500        528  

Total IT Services

 

     528  
Media — 2.7%                

AMC Networks

       

5.000%, 04/01/24

       500        510  

Sirius XM Radio (B)

       

5.000%, 08/01/27

           500        525  

Total Media

 

         1,035  
Metals & Mining — 0.8%                

BHP Billiton Finance USA (B)
6.750%, VAR USD Swap Semi 30/360
5 Yr Curr+5.093%, 10/19/75

       250        294  

Total Metals & Mining

 

     294  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.7%  

Enbridge
5.500%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+3.418%, 07/15/77

       250        259  

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

     259  
Petroleum & Fuel Products — 0.9%                

Antero Resources

       

5.000%, 03/01/25

       500        330  

Total Petroleum & Fuel Products

 

     330  
Petroleum Refining — 1.4%                

Sunoco

       

6.000%, 04/15/27

       500        527  

Total Petroleum Refining

 

     527  
Real Estate Investment Trust — 1.5%  

GLP Capital

       

5.375%, 04/15/26

       500        567  

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     567  
Description      Face Amount
(000)/Shares
     Value
(000)
 
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.4%         

Brookfield Property Partners (B)

       

5.750%, 05/15/26

     $ 500      $ 522  

Total Real Estate Management & Development

 

     522  
Retail — 4.7%                

AerCap Global Aviation Trust (B)
6.500%, VAR ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month+4.300%, 06/15/45

       250        278  

Aramark Services (B)

       

5.000%, 02/01/28

       500        524  

Diamond Sports Group (B)

       

5.375%, 08/15/26

       500        498  

United Rentals North America

       

4.875%, 01/15/28

       500        521  

Total Retail

 

     1,821  
Telephones & Telecommunication — 1.3%  

Cincinnati Bell Telephone

       

6.300%, 12/01/28

       500        516  

Total Telephones & Telecommunication

 

     516  
Transportation Services — 1.4%                

XPO Logistics (B)

       

6.750%, 08/15/24

       500        539  

Total Transportation Services

 

     539  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.2%         

United States Cellular

       

6.700%, 12/15/33

       500        567  

Vodafone Group
7.000%, VAR USD Swap Semi 30/360 5 Yr Curr+4.873%, 04/04/79

       250        295  

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

 

     862  

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $16,021 (000))

 

         16,554  

Common Stock — 41.3%

       

Automotive — 0.8%

       

Ford Motor

           23,079        204  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber

       8,251        108  

Total Automotive

 

     312  
Banks — 2.9%                

New York Community Bancorp

       21,193        234  

Northwest Bancshares

       16,139        254  

PacWest Bancorp

       6,407        225  
 

 

57


Schedules of Investments  
     

Diversified Income Fund (continued)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Banks (continued)                

People’s United Financial

       12,903      $ 199  

Valley National Bancorp

           19,135        201  

Total Banks

 

         1,113  
Chemicals — 0.5%                

LyondellBasell Industries, Cl A

       2,628        205  

Total Chemicals

 

     205  
Computers & Services — 1.4%                

Seagate Technology

       4,730        269  

Xerox Holdings

       7,074        252  

Total Computers & Services

 

     521  
Containers & Packaging — 0.3%                

Greif, Cl A

       2,660        108  

Total Containers & Packaging

 

     108  
E-Commerce — 0.3%                

PetMed Express

       4,661        118  

Total E-Commerce

 

     118  
Electrical Utilities — 3.1%                

Consolidated Edison

       2,891        272  

Duke Energy

       1,805        176  

Entergy

       1,676        220  

FirstEnergy

       6,725        342  

PPL

       5,093        184  

Total Electrical Utilities

 

     1,194  
Financial Services — 0.3%                

Legg Mason

       2,820        110  

Total Financial Services

 

     110  
Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 1.3%                

Altria Group

       4,208        200  

Philip Morris International

       1,850        153  

Universal

       2,858        152  

Total Food, Beverage & Tobacco

 

     505  
Household Products — 0.3%                

Newell Brands

       6,141        120  

Total Household Products

 

     120  
Information Technology — 0.7%                

International Business Machines

       1,810        260  

Total Information Technology

 

     260  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Insurance — 2.0%                

Metlife

       1,717      $ 85  

Old Republic International

       6,842        154  

Principal Financial Group

       2,209        117  

Prudential Financial

       1,301        119  

Safety Insurance Group

       1,861        171  

Unum Group

       4,292        115  

Total Insurance

 

         761  
Media — 0.8%                

Interpublic Group

       4,324        98  

Omnicom Group

       2,520        190  

Total Media

 

     288  
Medical Products & Services — 1.0%                

AbbVie

       3,241        262  

Five Star Senior Living*

       356        2  

Gilead Sciences

       1,945        123  

Total Medical Products & Services

 

     387  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust — 0.3%  

Starwood Property Trust

       4,628        119  

Total Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     119  
Paper & Paper Products — 1.7%                

Domtar

       3,783        132  

International Paper

       2,339        95  

Schweitzer-Mauduit International

       5,152        180  

WestRock

       6,021        235  

Total Paper & Paper Products

 

     642  
Petroleum & Fuel Products — 0.9%                

Archrock

           23,382        195  

Helmerich & Payne

       4,180        170  

Total Petroleum & Fuel Products

 

     365  
Petroleum Refining — 0.9%                

Chevron

       1,223        131  

Marathon Petroleum

       2,133        117  

Valero Energy

       1,224        103  

Total Petroleum Refining

 

     351  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.3%                

Pfizer

       3,047        113  

Total Pharmaceuticals

 

     113  
 

 

58


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Diversified Income Fund (continued)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Real Estate Investment Trust — 14.7%                

Alexandria Real Estate Equities

       687      $ 112  

American Campus Communities

       2,604        119  

Apartment Investment & Management, Cl A

       2,045        108  

Armada Hoffler Properties

           10,252            188  

AvalonBay Communities

       610        132  

Boston Properties

       651        93  

Brandywine Realty Trust

       4,879        76  

Cousins Properties

       2,732        112  

CubeSmart

       2,790        88  

CyrusOne

       1,815        110  

DiamondRock Hospitality

       9,035        87  

Digital Realty Trust

       769        95  

Diversified Healthcare Trust

       5,259        41  

Duke Realty

       3,747        136  

EastGroup Properties

       902        123  

EPR Properties

       2,649        189  

Equity Residential

       1,417        118  

Essex Property Trust

       419        130  

Extra Space Storage

       894        99  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

       718        90  

First Industrial Realty Trust

       3,217        137  

GEO Group

       4,279        68  

Healthpeak Properties

       3,459        124  

Highwoods Properties

       1,867        94  

Host Hotels & Resorts

       4,456        73  

Iron Mountain

       2,368        75  

Kimco Realty

       6,485        124  

Lamar Advertising, Cl A

       1,413        131  

Liberty Property Trust

       2,081        130  

Medical Properties Trust

       5,821        129  

Mid-America Apartment Communities

       944        130  

Monmouth Real Estate Investment, Cl A

       5,654        83  

National Retail Properties

       2,117        119  

Omega Healthcare Investors

       2,945        124  

Park Hotels & Resorts

       2,827        62  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Cl A

       4,603        107  

Public Storage

       429        96  

Realty Income

       1,596        125  

Ryman Hospitality Properties

       1,287        109  

Sabra Health Care

       4,847        104  

Simon Property Group

       1,373        183  

SL Green Realty

       860        79  

STORE Capital

       2,993        117  

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

       13,087        191  

Terreno Realty

       2,388        137  

Uniti Group

       7,235        46  

Ventas

       1,473        85  

Vornado Realty Trust

       1,232        81  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Real Estate Investment Trust (continued)  

Washington

       2,899      $ 88  

Weingarten Realty Investors

       2,932        85  

Welltower

       1,400        119  

Weyerhaeuser

       2,559        74  

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     5,675  
Retail — 2.7%                

American Eagle Outfitters

       8,521        123  

Brinker International

       4,293        183  

Buckle

           11,741        287  

Foot Locker

       3,144        119  

Hanesbrands

       8,673        119  

Kohl’s

       4,560        195  

Total Retail

 

     1,026  
Semi-Conductors & Instruments — 0.3%  

Broadcom

       405        124  

Total Semi-Conductors & Instruments

 

     124  
Specialized Consumer Services — 0.3%  

H&R Block

       4,949        115  

Total Specialized Consumer Services

 

     115  
Telecommunication Services — 1.1%  

Cogent Communications Holdings

       6,188        439  

Total Telecommunication Services

 

     439  
Telephones & Telecommunication — 1.3%  

AT&T

       7,946        299  

Verizon Communications

       3,470        206  

Total Telephones & Telecommunication

 

     505  
Wholesale — 1.1%                

Cardinal Health

       3,626        185  

Patterson

       11,711        257  

Total Wholesale

 

     442  

Total Common Stock (Cost $14,652 (000))

 

         15,918  

Preferred Stock — 8.3%

       

Automotive — 0.7%

       

Ford Motor
6.200%, 06/01/2059

       10,000        266  

Total Automotive

 

     266  
 

 

59


Schedules of Investments  
     

Diversified Income Fund (continued)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Preferred Stock (continued)

       

Banks — 1.3%

       

BancorpSouth Bank
5.500% (A)

       10,000      $ 261  

CIT Group
5.625% (A)

       10,000        262  

Total Banks

 

     523  
Electrical Utilities — 1.4%                

Duke Energy
5.625%, 09/15/2078

       10,000        276  

Southern
4.950%, 01/30/2080

       10,000        255  

Total Electrical Utilities

 

     531  
Financial Services — 0.7%                

Northern Trust
4.700% (A)

       10,000        262  

Total Financial Services

 

     262  
Insurance — 2.1%                

Allstate
5.100% (A)

       10,000        264  

American International Group
5.850% (A)

       10,000        274  

WR Berkley
5.700%, 03/30/2058

       10,000        274  

Total Insurance

 

     812  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.7%         

Brookfield Property Partners
6.500% (A)

       10,000        266  

Total Real Estate Management & Development

 

     266  
Telecommunication Services — 0.7%                

Qwest
6.750%, 06/15/2057

       10,000        262  

Total Telecommunication Services

 

     262  
Telephones & Telecommunication — 0.7%  

AT&T
5.000% (A)

           10,000        260  

Total Telephones & Telecommunication

 

     260  

Total Preferred Stock (Cost $3,000 (000))

 

         3,182  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Registered Investment Companies — 4.3%

 

Commodity and Currency Exchange Traded Fund — 4.0%         

Alerian MLP ETF

       191,189      $ 1,534  

Total Commodity and Currency Exchange Traded Fund

 

     1,534  
Open-End Funds — 0.3%                

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio

       13,811        138  

BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio

       119        1  

Total Open-End Funds

                139  
Exchange Traded Fund — 0.0%                

VanEck Vectors Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF

       95        2  

Total Exchange Traded Fund

                2  

Total Registered Investment Companies (Cost $1,815 (000))

 

     1,675  

Cash Equivalent (C) — 2.7%

       

Federated Government Obligations Fund, Cl I, 1.490%

           1,045,093        1,045  

Total Cash Equivalent (Cost $1,045 (000))

 

     1,045  

Total Investments — 99.4% (Cost $36,533 (000))

 

   $     38,374  

Percentages are based on net assets of $38,593 (000).

*

Non-income producing security.

(A)

Perpetual Maturity

(B)

144A — Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutions. On January 31, 2020, the value of these securities amounted to $7,489 (000), representing 19.4% of the net assets.

(C)

The rate reported is the 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020.

Cl — Class

ICE — Intercontinental Exchange

ETF — Exchange Traded Fund

LIBOR — London Inter-bank Offered Rate

MLP — Master Limited Partnership

USD — United States Dollar

VAR — Variable Rate

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

Amounts designated as “—” are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

 

60


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Diversified Income Fund (concluded)

 

 

 

The following is a list of the level of inputs used as of January 31, 2020, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value (000):

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities

           

Corporate Bonds

   $      $ 16,554      $      $ 16,554  

Common Stock

     15,918                      15,918  

Preferred Stock

     3,182                      3,182  

Registered Investment Companies

     1,675                      1,675  

Cash Equivalent

     1,045                      1,045  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $   21,820      $   16,554      $   —      $   38,374  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts designated as “—” are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.

During the year ended January 31, 2020, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3.

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

    

 

 

61


Schedules of Investments  
     

Diversified International Fund

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Common Stock — 96.9%

       
Australia — 1.1%                

BHP Group ADR

       47,773      $ 2,442  

Total Australia

                2,442  
Austria — 3.0%                

Erste Group Bank

       76,909        2,818  

Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment

       32,436        1,496  

Voestalpine

       102,381        2,483  

Total Austria

                6,797  
Brazil — 1.4%                

Banco Bradesco ADR

       403,194        3,076  

Total Brazil

                3,076  
Canada — 2.4%                

Magna International

       66,852        3,391  

Rogers Communications, Cl B

       42,355        2,121  

Total Canada

                5,512  
Chile — 0.7%                

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile ADR

       60,253        1,693  

Total Chile

                1,693  
China — 3.7%                

Anhui Conch Cement, Cl H

       613,500        3,896  

Baidu ADR*

       18,518        2,288  

BYD, Cl H

       421,500        2,191  

Total China

                8,375  
Colombia — 1.5%                

Bancolombia ADR

       64,513        3,385  

Total Colombia

                3,385  
Czech Republic — 0.7%                

Komercni Banka

       44,325        1,527  

Total Czech Republic

                1,527  
France — 8.8%                

Capgemini

       27,541        3,414  

Eurofins Scientific

       7,097        3,803  

Safran

       39,248        6,323  

Societe Generale

       93,595        3,021  

Sodexo

       31,708        3,317  

Total France

                    19,878  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Germany — 5.6%                

Continental

       23,094      $ 2,622  

Merck KGaA

       33,618        4,300  

MTU Aero Engines

       9,245        2,810  

Vonovia

       51,550        2,941  

Total Germany

                12,673  
Hong Kong — 5.0%                

ANTA Sports Products

       429,000        3,737  

China Life Insurance, Cl H

       1,271,000        3,023  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group, Cl H

       748,500        1,997  

Sinopharm Group, Cl H

       815,600        2,641  

Total Hong Kong

                11,398  
India — 4.0%                

HDFC Bank ADR

       69,265        3,967  

ICICI Bank ADR

       348,167        5,077  

Total India

                9,044  
Italy — 1.6%                

Prysmian

       161,481        3,578  

Total Italy

                3,578  
Japan — 6.5%                

Denso

       92,600        3,808  

Hitachi

       86,700        3,304  

Secom

       54,200        4,803  

Toray Industries

       426,600        2,799  

Total Japan

                14,714  
Mexico — 1.5%                

Grupo Financiero Banorte, Cl O

       543,800        3,347  

Total Mexico

                3,347  
Netherlands — 4.9%                

Heineken

       41,917        4,562  

RELX

       154,768        4,093  

Royal Dutch Shell, Cl A

       96,501        2,530  

Total Netherlands

                    11,185  
Norway — 4.7%                

DNB

       259,312        4,541  

Equinor ADR

       189,588        3,447  

Norsk Hydro

       820,429        2,573  

Total Norway

                10,561  
 

 

62


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Diversified International Fund (continued)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Panama — 1.5%                

Carnival

       76,801      $ 3,343  

Total Panama

                3,343  
Singapore — 2.2%                

DBS Group Holdings

       206,900        3,810  

United Industrial

       535,300        1,103  

Total Singapore

                4,913  
South Korea — 2.0%                

Samsung Electronics

       96,284        4,501  

Total South Korea

                4,501  
Spain — 2.9%                

Amadeus IT Group, Cl A

       83,743        6,546  

Total Spain

                6,546  
Switzerland — 6.3%                

Credit Suisse Group ADR

       225,427        2,843  

Novartis ADR

       61,450        5,807  

Roche Holding

       16,819        5,638  

Total Switzerland

                    14,288  
Taiwan — 5.6%                

ASE Technology Holding

       1,339,376        3,244  

Hon Hai Precision Industry

       1,124,880        3,063  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

       626,000        6,467  

Total Taiwan

 

     12,774  
Turkey — 0.0%         

Akbank T.A.S.

       1         

Total Turkey

 

      
United Kingdom — 10.8%         

BAE Systems

       411,204        3,415  

Barclays

       1,540,270        3,406  

Diageo

       148,806        5,872  

GVC Holdings

       292,104        3,375  

HSBC Holdings

       439,472        3,193  

ITV

       1,190,290        2,120  

Rio Tinto ADR

       58,938        3,149  

Total United Kingdom

 

     24,530  
United States — 8.5%         

Check Point Software Technologies*

       31,161        3,562  

Core Laboratories

       57,421        2,017  

Everest Re Group

       17,804        4,924  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
United States (continued)         

ICON*

       52,142      $ 8,792  

Total United States

 

     19,295  

Total Common Stock (Cost $162,160 (000))

 

     219,375  

Cash Equivalents (A) — 2.7%

 

Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Cl I,
1.500%
     2,214,378      2,214  

Federated Government Obligations Fund, Cl I,
1.490%

       3,970,922        3,971  

Total Cash Equivalents (Cost $6,185 (000))

 

     6,185  

Total Investments — 99.6% (Cost $168,345 (000))

 

   $     225,560  

Percentages are based on net assets of $226,467 (000).

*

Non-income producing security.

(A)

The rate reported is the 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

Cl — Class

The following is a list of the level of inputs used as of January 31, 2020, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value (000):

 

     Level 1
(000)
     Level 2
(000)
     Level 3
(000)
     Total
(000)
 

Investments in Securities

           

Common Stock

           

Australia

   $   2,442      $      $   —      $ 2,442  

Austria

            6,797               6,797  

Brazil

     3,076                      3,076  

Canada

     5,512                      5,512  

Chile

     1,693                      1,693  

China

     2,288        6,087               8,375  

Colombia

     3,385                      3,385  

Czech Republic

            1,527               1,527  

France

            19,878               19,878  

Germany

            12,673               12,673  

Hong Kong

            11,398               11,398  

India

     9,044                      9,044  

Italy

            3,578               3,578  

Japan

              14,714          —          14,714  

Mexico

     3,347                      3,347  

Netherlands

            11,185               11,185  

Norway

     3,447        7,114               10,561  

Panama

     3,343                      3,343  
 

 

63


Schedules of Investments

 
     

Diversified International Fund (concluded)

 

 

 

     Level 1
(000)
     Level 2
(000)
     Level 3
(000)
     Total
(000)
 

Singapore

   $      $ 4,913      $      $ 4,913  

South Korea

            4,501               4,501  

Spain

            6,546               6,546  

Switzerland

     8,650        5,638               14,288  

Taiwan

            12,774               12,774  

Turkey

                           

United Kingdom

     3,150        21,380               24,530  

United States

     19,295                      19,295  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Common Stock

     68,672        150,703               219,375  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash Equivalents

     6,185                      6,185  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $   74,857      $   150,703      $   —      $   225,560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts designated as “—” are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.

Changes in the classification between Level 1 and Level 2 occur primarily when foreign equity securities are fair valued using other observable market-based inputs in place of closing exchange prices due to events occurring after foreign market closures or foreign market holidays.

During the year ended January 31, 2020, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3.

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

 

64


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Registered Investment Companies — 99.2%

 

Equity Exchange Traded Funds — 43.0%

       

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

       5,770      $ 1,865  

iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund

       16,059        1,084  

iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Capital ETF

       6,057        363  

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

       27,442        1,156  

iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF

       12,352        378  

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

       5,677        911  

iShares US Preferred Stock ETF

       15,104        576  

SPDR S&P Emerging Markets SmallCap ETF

       8,356        365  

Total Equity Exchange Traded Funds

 

     6,698  
Fixed Income Exchange Traded Funds — 30.5%         

Invesco Senior Loan ETF

       24,072        544  

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF

       10,282        1,501  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

       12,650        1,450  

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

       4,268        374  

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF

       4,381        574  

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF

       10,758        311  

Total Fixed Income Exchange Traded Funds

 

     4,754  
Real Estate Exchange Traded Funds — 13.2%         

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF

       12,804        736  

Vanguard Real Estate ETF

       13,997        1,315  

Total Real Estate Exchange Traded Funds

 

     2,051  
Commodity and Currency Exchange Traded Funds — 12.5%         

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund

       24,751        635  

iShares Commodities Select Strategy ETF

       10,323        311  

iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF

       15,967        380  

VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF

       18,549        623  

Total Commodity and Currency Exchange Traded Funds

 

     1,949  

Total Registered Investment Companies (Cost $14,354 (000))

 

         15,452  

Cash Equivalent (A) — 2.3%

 

Federated Government Obligations Fund, Cl I,
1.490%

       354,755        355  

Total Cash Equivalent (Cost $355 (000))

 

     355  

Total Investments — 101.5% (Cost $14,709 (000))

 

   $ 15,807  

Percentages are based on net assets of $15,577 (000).

(A)

The rate reported is the 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020.

Cl — Class

EAFE — Europe, Australasia and the Far East

EM — Emerging Markets

ETF — Exchange Traded Fund

MSCI — Morgan Stanley Capital International

S&P — Standard & Poor’s

SPDR — Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipts

As of January 31, 2020, all of the Fund’s investments are Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, in accordance with the authoritative guidance under U.S. GAAP.

During the year ended January 31, 2020, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3.

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

 

 

65


Schedules of Investments

 
     

International Small Cap Fund

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Common Stock — 93.6%

       
Australia — 1.4%                

JB Hi-Fi

       4,931      $ 129  

Sandfire Resources

       15,431        57  

Total Australia

                186  
Belgium — 0.8%                

KBC Ancora

       2,197        109  

Total Belgium

                109  
Canada — 3.4%                

Fiera Capital, Cl A

       11,966        113  

Mullen Group

       5,478        37  

Northland Power

       3,752        84  

Parex Resources*

       3,849        61  

Pivot Technology Solutions

       72,902        98  

Superior Plus

       7,782        68  

Total Canada

                461  
Denmark — 0.3%                

H+H International, Cl B*

       2,276        43  

Total Denmark

                43  
Finland — 4.1%                

Altia

       7,706        75  

Caverion

       7,362        60  

Exel Composites

       10,563        74  

Oriola, Cl B

       29,932        71  

Scanfil

       7,338        42  

Siili Solutions

       6,901        71  

Terveystalo

       6,944        93  

Tokmanni Group

       4,943        72  

Total Finland

                    558  
France — 4.2%                

Eiffage

       1,085        125  

Envea

       1,528        174  

Faurecia

       839        40  

Fountaine Pajot

       322        38  

Nexity

       2,113        102  

Virbac*

       370        91  

Total France

                570  
Germany — 6.1%                

Cewe Stiftung & KGAA

       1,051        120  

Corestate Capital Holding

       1,946        86  

Dialog Semiconductor*

       1,497        66  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Germany (continued)                

DIC Asset

       7,012      $ 131  

DMG Mori

       1,992        94  

Draegerwerk & KGaA

       1,493        68  

Eckert & Ziegler

       893        170  

Freenet

       3,011        67  

Rheinmetall

       258        28  

Total Germany

                830  
Hong Kong — 3.0%                

CITIC Telecom International Holdings

       244,766        85  

Dynam Japan Holdings

       74,000        93  

K Wah International Holdings

       178,751        87  

Melco International Development

       38,533        83  

Tianneng Power International

       90,000        60  

Total Hong Kong

                408  
Israel — 2.5%                

AudioCodes

       6,566        145  

Elco

       2,062        81  

Kamada*

       18,076        118  

Total Israel

                344  
Italy — 8.7%                

A2A

       67,711        135  

ACEA

       5,977        140  

Azimut Holding

       9,179        225  

Cerved Group

       5,719        56  

DiaSorin

       1,433        176  

Hera

       26,635        121  

Iren

       11,116        37  

Italgas

       20,419        136  

Saipem*

       11,364        47  

Unieuro

       7,941        111  

Total Italy

                    1,184  
Japan — 27.5%                

Adastria

       2,200        43  

Broadleaf

       13,400        74  

Capcom

       4,700        133  

Cybernet Systems

       8,300        67  

Daiwabo Holdings

       1,600        89  

Ebara Jitsugyo

       5,000        102  

Financial Products Group

       9,500        89  

Foster Electric

       2,900        43  

Fukui Computer Holdings

       6,100        187  

Glory

       3,400        97  

Happinet

       2,700        33  
 

 

66


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

International Small Cap Fund (continued)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Japan (continued)                

Itochu Enex

       11,300      $ 96  

Jeol

       4,500        146  

Kintetsu World Express

       7,000        112  

Kito

       5,700        86  

K’s Holdings

       6,800        83  

KYORIN Holdings

       5,300        96  

Meitec

       2,200        126  

NichiiGakkan

       9,000        124  

Nichi-iko Pharmaceutical

       7,500        88  

Nihon Dengi

       2,200        71  

Nisso

       9,400        87  

Nojima

       5,300        105  

Odelic

       900        40  

Optorun

       1,100        29  

Organo

       2,200        139  

PAL GROUP Holdings

       2,000        59  

Relia

       6,000        80  

Riso Kagaku

       5,200        89  

SBS Holdings

       3,800        63  

Shibaura Mechatronics

       3,400        116  

SRA Holdings

       1,400        33  

St. Marc Holdings

       4,100        86  

Sumitomo Densetsu

       3,500        85  

Systena

       6,500        109  

Techno Ryowa

       8,100        67  

T-Gaia

       4,300        106  

Tokuyama

       3,600        91  

Topcon

       5,300        73  

Tosei

       6,700        87  

Will Group

       3,400        33  

Yuasa Trading

       3,300        105  

ZERIA Pharmaceutical

       4,200        74  

Total Japan

                    3,741  
Netherlands — 1.5%                

Pharming Group*

       39,464        58  

Signify

       4,245        141  

Total Netherlands

                199  
Norway — 2.1%                

AF Gruppen

       7,029        131  

PGS*

       31,740        61  

Selvaag Bolig

       15,705        90  

Total Norway

                282  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Singapore — 2.3%                

Best World International

       70,700      $ 70  

Cache Logistics Trust

       119,200        61  

Mapletree Industrial Trust

       90,076        184  

Total Singapore

                315  
South Korea — 3.0%                

Dongwon Development

       32,979        108  

Huons

       2,270        90  

JW Pharmaceutical

       3,866        94  

Maeil Dairies*

       1,479        112  

Total South Korea

                404  
Spain — 2.8%                

CIE Automotive

       4,254        93  

Faes Farma

       34,289        185  

Grupo Empresarial San Jose*

       7,349        53  

Talgo*

       7,972        53  

Total Spain

                384  
Sweden — 4.2%                

Doro*

       8,525        42  

Instalco

       7,727        110  

Lindab International

       10,535        119  

Medcap*

       11,963        196  

Scandi Standard

       5,244        40  

Semcon

       9,556        66  

Total Sweden

                573  
Switzerland — 4.0%                

Adecco Group

       1,681        98  

Conzzeta

       109        124  

Galenica

       1,835        125  

Intershop Holding

       173        112  

Rieter Holding

       655        86  

Total Switzerland

                545  
United Kingdom — 11.2%                

Avast

       20,183        113  

C&C Group

       10,704        51  

Drax Group

       23,049        83  

EMIS Group

       7,573        115  

Firstgroup*

       20,928        34  

Games Workshop Group

       1,788        157  

Go-Ahead Group

       3,354        91  

Man Group

       33,723        68  

Polypipe Group

       15,661        111  

Redrow

       13,218            140  
 

 

67


Schedules of Investments

 
     

International Small Cap Fund (concluded)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
United Kingdom (continued)                

Safestore Holdings

       12,372      $ 132  

Spirent Communications

       33,285        98  

Springfield Properties

       23,601        45  

SThree

       24,947        120  

Tate & Lyle

       12,621        132  

Vectura Group

       29,124        36  

Total United Kingdom

                1,526  
United States — 0.5%                

Hudson, Cl A*

       5,870        64  

Total United States

                64  

Total Common Stock (Cost $11,243 (000))

                12,726  

Preferred Stock — 1.2%

       
Germany — 1.2%                

STO & KGaA 0.247%

       918        108  

Schaeffler 3.391%

       6,152        61  

Total Germany

                169  

Total Preferred Stock (Cost $180 (000))

                169  

Cash Equivalents (A) — 4.4%

       

Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Cl I,
1.500%

       330,208        330  

Federated Government Obligations Fund, Cl I,
1.490%

       271,023        271  

Total Cash Equivalents (Cost $601 (000))

                601  

Total Investments — 99.2% (Cost $12,024 (000))

 

   $     13,496  

Percentages are based on net assets of $13,601 (000).

*

Non-income producing security.

(A)

The rate reported is the 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020.

Cl — Class

The following is a list of the level of inputs used as of January 31, 2020, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value (000):

 

      Level 1
(000)
     Level 2
(000)
     Level 3
(000)
     Total
(000)
 

Investments in Securities

           

Common Stock

           

Australia

   $      $ 186      $      $ 186  

Belgium

            109               109  

Canada

       461                      461  

Denmark

            43               43  

Finland

            558          —        558  

France

            570               570  

Germany

            830               830  

Hong Kong

            408               408  

Israel

            344               344  

Italy

              1,184              
  1,184
 

Japan

            3,741              
3,741
 

Netherlands

            199               199  

Norway

            282               282  

Singapore

            315               315  

South Korea

            404               404  

Spain

            384               384  

Sweden

            573               573  

Switzerland

            545               545  

United Kingdom

           
1,526
 
            1,526  

United States

     64                      64  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Common Stock

     525        12,201               12,726  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

            169               169  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash Equivalents

     601                      601  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $   1,126      $   12,370      $   —      $   13,496  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts designated as “—” are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.

Changes in the classification between Level 1 and Level 2 occur primarily when foreign equity securities are fair valued using other observable market-based inputs in place of closing exchange prices due to events occurring after foreign market closures or foreign market holidays.

During the year ended January 31, 2020, there have been no transfers in or out of Level 3.

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

 

 

68


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 

 

Description      Face Amount
(000)
     Value
(000)
 

Municipal Bonds — 90.4%

       

Louisiana — 90.4%

       

Ascension Parish, RB, AGM

       

Callable 03/02/20 @ 100

       

3.250%, 04/01/35

     $ 85      $ 85  

Bienville, Parish School District No. 1 Arcadia, GO, BAM

       

Callable 03/01/28 @ 100

       

3.000%, 03/01/30

       150        163  

Central, Community School System, GO

       

Callable 03/01/24 @ 100

       

4.000%, 03/01/30

       150        163  

Central, Community School System, RB

       

4.000%, 01/01/30

       275        327  

Desoto, Parish School Board, RB

       

Callable 05/01/22 @ 100

       

3.500%, 05/01/32

       270        279  

Iberia, Parishwide School District, GO

       

Callable 03/01/24 @ 100

       

3.750%, 03/01/33

       275        293  

Lafayette, Parish Law Enforcement District, Limited Tax, GO

       

Callable 03/01/22 @ 100

       

3.250%, 03/01/32

       180        185  

Lafayette, Parish School Board, RB

       

Callable 04/01/27 @ 100

       

4.000%, 04/01/40

       250        282  

Lafayette, Utilities Revenue, RB, AGM

       

Callable 11/01/27 @ 100

       

4.000%, 11/01/35

       150        172  

Lafayette, Utilities Revenue, RB, AGM

       

Callable 05/01/29 @ 100

       

5.000%, 11/01/44

       100        124  

Lafourche, Parish School Board, GO, BAM

       

Callable 03/01/27 @ 100

       

3.125%, 03/01/37

           250            265  

Louisiana, Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority, Bossier City Project, RB

       

Callable 11/01/25 @ 100

       

5.000%, 11/01/32

       150        180  

Louisiana, Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority, BRCC Facilities Corp. Project, RB

       

Callable 12/01/21 @ 100

       

4.125%, 12/01/32

       100        104  
Description      Face Amount
(000)
     Value
(000)
 

Louisiana (continued)

       

Louisiana, Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority, Livingston Parish Courthouse Project, RB, AGM,

       

Pre-Refunded @ 100

       

4.625%, 09/01/21 (A)

     $     200      $     212  

Louisiana, Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority, Plaquemines Project, RB, AGM

       

Callable 09/01/22 @ 100

       

4.000%, 09/01/37

       200        210  

Louisiana, Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority, RB, BAM

       

Callable 02/01/28 @ 100

       

5.000%, 02/01/30

       150        191  

Louisiana, Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority, RB

       

Callable 10/01/24 @ 100

       

5.000%, 10/01/34

       250        288  

Louisiana, Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority, Youngsville Project, RB, AGM

       

Callable 07/01/21 @ 100

       

4.900%, 07/01/41

       175        184  

Louisiana, Transportation Authority, Ser A, RB

       

Callable 08/15/23 @ 100

       

4.500%, 08/15/43

       250        271  

Plaquemine City, Sales & Use Tax Project, RB, AGM

       

Callable 12/01/27 @ 100

       

3.500%, 12/01/29

       250        284  

Plaquemines Parish, Ser A, RB

       

Callable 03/02/20 @ 101

       

4.550%, 03/01/28

       115        116  

Shreveport, Louisiana Water & Sewer Revenue, Ser C, RB, BAM

       

Callable 12/01/28 @ 100

       

4.000%, 12/01/33

       210        245  

St. Charles Parish, School District No. 1, GO

       

Callable 03/01/22 @ 100

       

3.000%, 03/01/30

       200        205  

St. John the Baptist Parish, GO

       

Callable 03/01/25 @ 100

       

3.500%, 03/01/30

       110        120  
 

 

69


Schedules of Investments

 
     

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund (concluded)

 

 

 

Description      Face Amount
(000)/Shares
     Value
(000)
 

Louisiana (continued)

       

St. Tammany Parish, Hospital Service District No. 2, GO

       

Callable 03/01/22 @ 100

       

3.125%, 03/01/32

     $ 260      $ 266  

St. Tammany Parish, Recreation District
No. 14, GO

       

Callable 04/01/24 @ 100

       

3.750%, 04/01/34

       175        188  

Terrebonne Parish, Sales & Use Tax Project,
Ser ST, RB, AGM,
Pre-Refunded @ 100
5.250%, 04/01/21 (A)

       100        105  

West Ouachita, Parish School District, RB

       

Callable 09/01/25 @ 100

       

3.750%, 09/01/34

       190        207  

Zachary, Community School District No. 1, GO

       

Callable 03/01/22 @ 100

       

3.500%, 03/01/32

       200        207  

Total Louisiana

                5,921  

Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $5,568 (000))

 

         5,921  

Cash Equivalent (B) — 8.7%

 

Federated Government Obligations Fund, Cl I, 1.490%

           573,557        574  

Total Cash Equivalent (Cost $574 (000))

                574  

Total Investments — 99.1% (Cost $6,142 (000))

              $ 6,495  

Percentages are based on net assets of $6,551 (000).

(A)

Pre-Refunded Security — The maturity date shown is the pre-refunded date.

(B)

The rate reported is the 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020.

AGM — Assured Guaranty Municipal

BAM — Build America Mutual

Cl — Class

GO — General Obligation

RB — Revenue Bond

Ser — Series

The following is a list of the level of inputs used as of January 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value (000):

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities

           

Municipal Bonds

   $      $ 5,921      $      $ 5,921  

Cash Equivalent

     574                      574  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $   574      $   5,921      $   —      $   6,495  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts designated as “—” are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.

During the year ended January 31, 2020, there have been no transfers in or out of Level 3.

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

 

 

70


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Microcap Fund

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Common Stock — 94.6%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 2.1%                

Ducommun*

       3,145      $ 129  

Vectrus*

       2,545        142  

Total Aerospace & Defense

 

     271  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.9%                

Radiant Logistics*

       24,500        118  

Total Air Freight & Logistics

 

     118  
Banks — 13.2%                

Camden National

       2,615        124  

Capital City Bank Group

       4,937        141  

CBTX

       4,500        133  

Dime Community Bancshares

       5,399        105  

Federal Agricultural Mortgage, Cl C

       1,750        134  

Financial Institutions

       4,924        153  

Horizon Bancorp

       7,826        132  

Midland States Bancorp

       4,687        124  

Parke Bancorp

       6,292        135  

Peapack Gladstone Financial

       5,100        149  

Southern National Bancorp of Virginia

       7,873        122  

TriState Capital Holdings*

       5,974        137  

Univest Financial

       5,600        139  

Total Banks

 

         1,728  
Building & Construction — 0.9%                

Beazer Homes USA*

       9,000        124  

Total Building & Construction

 

     124  
Capital Markets — 4.4%                

Cowen, Cl A*

       9,502        153  

Pzena Investment Management, Cl A

       16,424        135  

Silvercrest Asset Management Group, Cl A

       11,000        131  

Virtus Investment Partners

       1,294        158  

Total Capital Markets

 

     577  
Chemicals — 2.6%                

Advanced Emissions Solutions

       18,129        207  

Hawkins

       3,260        136  

Total Chemicals

 

     343  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.2%                

Acme United

       7,130        171  

Heritage-Crystal Clean*

       4,022        114  

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

 

     285  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Computers & Services — 1.7%                

Digi International*

       6,909      $ 109  

PC-Telephone

       14,800        119  

Total Computers & Services

 

     228  
Construction & Engineering — 1.9%                

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock*

       10,824        113  

Northwest Pipe*

       4,184        137  

Total Construction & Engineering

 

     250  
Construction Materials — 0.8%                

United States Lime & Minerals

       1,209            109  

Total Construction Materials

 

     109  
Consumer Electronics — 1.0%                

Universal Electronics*

       2,700        134  

Total Consumer Electronics

 

     134  
Consumer Finance — 4.5%                

Elevate Credit*

       38,744        225  

EZCORP, Cl A*

       29,845        186  

Regional Management*

       6,420        177  

Total Consumer Finance

 

     588  
Containers & Packaging — 1.0%                

UFP Technologies*

       2,776        129  

Total Containers & Packaging

 

     129  
Data Processing & Outsourced Services — 1.0%                

CRA International

       2,430        129  

Total Data Processing & Outsourced Services

 

     129  
Distributors — 0.8%                

Funko, Cl A*

       7,210        108  

Total Distributors

 

     108  
Diversified Financial Services — 1.2%                

Marlin Business Services

       8,190        161  

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

     161  
E-Commerce — 1.9%                

PetMed Express

       5,135        129  

Rubicon Project*

       13,000        122  

Total E-Commerce

 

     251  
 

 

71


Schedules of Investments

 
     

Microcap Fund (continued)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Electric Utilities — 1.1%                

Spark Energy, Cl A

       14,657      $ 139  

Total Electric Utilities

 

     139  
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.0%                

Matrix Service*

       6,711        135  

Total Energy Equipment & Services

 

     135  
Engineering Services — 1.8%                

IES Holdings*

       5,197        130  

Sterling Construction*

       8,000        105  

Total Engineering Services

 

     235  
Entertainment — 0.9%                

RCI Hospitality Holdings

       7,000        124  

Total Entertainment

 

     124  
Financial Services — 3.1%                

Enova International*

       8,908        223  

On Deck Capital*

       44,253        181  

Total Financial Services

 

     404  
Food Products — 1.4%                

Freshpet*

       2,848        179  

Total Food Products

 

     179  
Gas & Natural Gas — 1.0%                

Overseas Shipholding Group, Cl A*

       76,459        136  

Total Gas & Natural Gas

 

     136  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.1%                

FONAR*

       6,769        143  

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

 

     143  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.9%                

Joint*

       7,052        118  

Total Health Care Providers & Services

 

     118  
Health Care Technology — 1.2%                

MTBC*

       31,561        153  

Total Health Care Technology

 

     153  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.1%                

El Pollo Loco Holdings*

       8,732        120  

Inspired Entertainment*

       20,451        120  

Monarch Casino & Resort*

       3,148        169  

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

         409  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Insurance — 7.8%                

Citizens, Cl A*

       31,487      $ 191  

FedNat Holding

       8,783        136  

Heritage Insurance Holdings

       10,116        122  

Kingstone

       17,360        137  

Protective Insurance

       12,998        203  

Tiptree

       17,566        120  

Watford Holdings*

       5,035        110  

Total Insurance

 

     1,019  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.2%                

Waitr Holdings*

       82,204        28  

Total Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

 

     28  
Media — 0.8%                

DHI Group*

       37,000        104  

Total Media

 

     104  
Medical Products & Services — 1.8%                

Lantheus Holdings*

       5,884        103  

Zynex*

       14,000        134  

Total Medical Products & Services

 

     237  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust — 1.1%                

Exantas Capital

       11,588        140  

Total Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     140  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.7%         

Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment

       10,300        158  

Dynex Capital

       11,356        203  

Total Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

 

     361  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.3%                

Bonanza Creek Energy*

       6,147        112  

Hallador Energy

       53,160        88  

W&T Offshore*

       25,078        104  

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

     304  
Personal Products — 1.0%                

Lifevantage*

       8,383        137  

Total Personal Products

 

     137  
Petroleum & Fuel Products — 2.3%                

DMC Global

       3,501        146  

Panhandle Oil and Gas, Cl A

       20,928        152  

Total Petroleum & Fuel Products

 

     298  
 

 

72


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Microcap Fund (concluded)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 
Professional Services — 1.0%                

Barrett Business Services

       1,617      $ 134  

Total Professional Services

 

     134  
Real Estate Investment Trust — 4.0%                

BRT Apartments

       7,980        137  

City Office

       9,000        122  

CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust

       3,120        142  

Sotherly Hotels

       20,643        129  

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     530  
Retail — 1.1%                

MasterCraft Boat Holdings*

       8,000        141  

Total Retail

 

     141  
Semi-Conductors & Instruments — 2.9%                

Ichor Holdings*

       4,274        143  

Photronics*

       8,484        108  

Ultra Clean Holdings*

       5,914        136  

Total Semi-Conductors & Instruments

 

     387  
Software — 1.1%                

GlobalSCAPE

       12,040        139  

Total Software

 

     139  
Specialty Retail — 1.4%                

Zumiez*

       5,812        181  

Total Specialty Retail

 

     181  
Telecommunication Services — 1.3%                

Meet Group*

       32,610        173  

Total Telecommunication Services

 

     173  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 1.0%                

Sachem Capital

       30,500        129  

Total Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

 

     129  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 2.1%                

Foundation Building Materials*

       7,590        135  

Lawson Products*

       3,038        144  

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

 

     279  

Total Common Stock (Cost $12,296 (000))

 

     12,429  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Cash Equivalent (A) — 5.5%

       

Federated Government Obligations Fund, Cl I,
1.490%

       718,678      $ 719  

Total Cash Equivalent (Cost $719 (000))

 

     719  

Total Investments — 100.1% (Cost $13,015 (000))

 

   $     13,148  

Percentages are based on net assets of $13,134 (000).

*

Non-income producing security.

(A)

The rate reported is the 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020.

Cl — Class

As of January 31, 2020, all of the Fund’s investments are Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, in accordance with the authoritative guidance under U.S. GAAP.

During the year ended January 31, 2020, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3.

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

 

 

73


Schedules of Investments

 
     

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 

 

Description      Face Amount
(000)
     Value
(000)
 

Municipal Bonds — 92.0%

 

Mississippi — 92.0%

 

City of Ocean Springs Mississippi, GO

       

4.000%, 12/01/29

     $ 250      $ 305  

Clinton, Public School District, GO

       

Callable 10/01/21 @ 100

       

2.750%, 10/01/28

       150        154  

Copiah County, GO

       

Callable 04/01/25 @ 100

       

3.500%, 04/01/32

       390        411  

Forrest County, GO

       

Callable 03/01/24 @ 100

       

4.000%, 03/01/27

       385        429  

Lauderdale County, GO

       

3.000%, 04/01/26

       150        165  

Lauderdale County, GO

       

Callable 11/01/25 @ 100

       

3.250%, 11/01/31

       250        267  

Callable 11/01/25 @ 100

       

3.000%, 11/01/30

       100        106  

Long Beach School District, GO, BAM

       

4.000%, 03/01/27

       275            325  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Brandon Public Improvement Project, RB

       

Callable 03/01/25 @ 100

       

3.000%, 03/01/30

       155        164  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Clinton Public School District, RB

       

Callable 04/01/29 @ 100

       

4.000%, 04/01/37

       100        115  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Flowood Refunding Project, RB, Pre-Refunded @ 100

       

4.125%, 11/01/21 (A)

           200        211  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Gulf Coast Community College District, RB

       

Callable 12/01/26 @ 100

       

3.375%, 12/01/39

       250        266  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Harrison County Coliseum Project, Ser A, RB

       

5.250%, 01/01/34

       400        545  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Hinds County Project, RB

       

5.000%, 11/01/26

       75        93  
Description      Face Amount
(000)
     Value
(000)
 

Mississippi (continued)

 

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Jackson Public School District Project, RB

       

Callable 04/01/23 @ 100

       

5.000%, 04/01/28

     $ 530      $ 588  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Jones County Junior College Project, RB, BAM

       

Callable 05/01/26 @ 100

       

3.500%, 05/01/35

       200        213  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Marshall Country Industrial Development Authority, RB

       

Callable 01/01/25 @ 100

       

3.750%, 01/01/35

       200        215  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Meridian Apartment Center Project, RB

       

5.000%, 03/01/25

       360            425  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Pearl Capital Improvement Project, RB, AGM

       

Callable 12/01/21 @ 100

       

4.000%, 12/01/31

       205        213  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Pearl River Community College Project, RB, AGM

       

Callable 09/01/22 @ 100

       

3.375%, 09/01/36

       750        774  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Tax Increment Financing Project, RB

       

Callable 03/02/20 @ 100

       

4.500%, 05/01/24

       120        120  

Mississippi State, Development Bank,
Water & Sewer Project, RB, AGM

       

Callable 03/01/22 @ 100

       

3.500%, 03/01/32

       400        412  

Mississippi State, Gaming Tax Revenue, Ser E, RB

       

5.000%, 10/15/25

       500        606  

Mississippi State, Ser D, GO

       

Callable 12/01/27 @ 100

       

3.000%, 12/01/37

       500        533  

Mississippi State, State Capital
Improvement Project, Ser A, GO

       

Callable 10/01/21 @ 100

       

4.000%, 10/01/36

           400        416  
 

 

74


Schedules of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund (concluded)

 

 

 

Description      Face Amount
(000)/Shares
     Value
(000)
 

Mississippi (continued)

 

Callable 10/01/21 @ 100

       

3.750%, 10/01/31

     $ 510      $ 528  

Mississippi State, University Educational
Building, RB

       

Callable 08/01/27 @ 100

       

4.000%, 08/01/43

       500        558  

Oktibbeha County, Ser A, GO, AGM

       

Callable 11/01/28 @ 100

       

4.000%, 11/01/29

       270        323  

Oxford, School District, GO

       

Callable 04/01/27 @ 100

       

3.000%, 04/01/31

       300        322  

Oxford, Ser B, GO

       

Callable 08/01/25 @ 100

       

3.125%, 08/01/33

       575        608  

Starkville, GO

       

4.000%, 06/01/27

       400        476  

University of Southern Mississippi, Facilities
Refinancing Project, Ser A, RB

       

Callable 03/01/25 @ 100

       

3.250%, 03/01/33

       425        451  

Total Mississippi

                    11,337  

Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $10,603 (000))

 

     11,337  

Cash Equivalent (B) — 7.1%

       

Federated Government Obligations Fund, Cl I, 1.490%

           878,363        878  

Total Cash Equivalent (Cost $878 (000))

 

     878  

Total Investments — 99.1% (Cost $11,481 (000))

 

   $ 12,215  

Percentages are based on net assets of $12,322 (000).

(A)

Pre-Refunded Security — The maturity date shown is the pre-refunded date.

(B)

The rate reported is the 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020.

AGM — Assured Guaranty Municipal

BAM — Build America Mutual

Cl — Class

GO — General Obligation

RB — Revenue Bond

Ser — Series

The following is a list of the level of inputs used as of January 31, 2020, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value (000):

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments in Securities

           

Municipal Bonds

   $      $ 11,337      $      $ 11,337  

Cash Equivalent

     878                      878  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $   878      $   11,337      $   —      $   12,215  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts designated as “—” are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.

For the year ended January 31, 2020, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3.

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

 

 

75


Schedule of Investments

 
     

Quantitative Long/Short Fund

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Common Stock — 69.5%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 1.3%

 

  

L3Harris Technologies (A)

       3,800      $ 841  

Lockheed Martin (A)

       2,100        899  

Total Aerospace & Defense

 

     1,740  

Automotive — 2.2%

 

  

AutoZone* (A)

       800        846  

Dana (A)

       51,500        794  

Gentherm*

       16,400        756  

Stoneridge*

       21,600        602  

Total Automotive

 

     2,998  

Banks — 2.7%

 

  

Essent Group

       10,200        506  

JPMorgan Chase (A)

       8,300        1,099  

PNC Financial Services Group (A)

       8,100        1,203  

Voya Financial (A)

       13,100        782  

Total Banks

 

     3,590  

Building & Construction — 2.3%

 

  

Allegion (A)

       7,400        957  

Meritage Homes* (A)

       15,200        1,079  

Toll Brothers (A)

       13,300        590  

William Lyon Homes, Cl A*

       20,700        480  

Total Building & Construction

 

     3,106  

Chemicals — 1.5%

 

  

Celanese, Cl A (A)

       10,500        1,087  

Innospec

       8,400        846  

Total Chemicals

 

     1,933  

Commercial Services — 2.4%

 

  

Kforce

       32,000        1,186  

Tetra Tech

       10,400        890  

Waste Management (A)

       9,100        1,107  

Total Commercial Services

 

         3,183  

Computer Software — 0.6%

 

  

Intuit

       3,000        841  

Total Computer Software

 

     841  

Computers & Services — 5.8%

 

  

Apple (A)

       3,800        1,176  

Automatic Data Processing

       4,600        788  

Cadence Design Systems*

       9,300        671  

Comtech Telecommunications

       18,600        538  

EVERTEC

       23,700        796  

Fidelity National Information Services (A)

       5,100        733  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Computers & Services (continued)

 

  

Microsoft (A)

       6,500      $ 1,106  

Visa, Cl A (A)

       4,900        975  

Zebra Technologies, Cl A* (A)

       3,900        932  

Total Computers & Services

 

     7,715  

Consumer Products — 0.7%

 

  

Deckers Outdoor*

       4,600        878  

Total Consumer Products

 

     878  

Containers & Packaging — 0.6%

 

  

Crown Holdings*

       10,300        763  

Total Containers & Packaging

 

     763  

Drugs — 1.6%

 

  

Horizon Therapeutics*

       22,900        790  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals*

       3,500        502  

Zoetis, Cl A (A)

       6,500        872  

Total Drugs

 

     2,164  

E-Commerce — 1.2%

 

  

Amazon.com* (A)

       450        904  

Booking Holdings*

       375        686  

Total E-Commerce

 

     1,590  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.7%

 

  

Akamai Technologies*

       9,700        906  

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

 

     906  

Engineering Services — 1.2%

 

  

EMCOR Group (A)

       9,300        764  

MasTec* (A)

       14,100        814  

Total Engineering Services

 

     1,578  

Entertainment — 0.8%

 

  

SeaWorld Entertainment*

       29,900        1,030  

Total Entertainment

 

     1,030  

Entertainment & Gaming — 0.6%

 

  

Electronic Arts*

       7,000        755  

Total Entertainment & Gaming

 

     755  

Financial Services — 2.5%

 

  

American Express (A)

       8,800        1,143  

LPL Financial Holdings (A)

       8,700        802  

OneMain Holdings, Cl A

       22,700        962  

Synchrony Financial

       14,700        476  

Total Financial Services

 

         3,383  
 

 

76


Schedule of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Quantitative Long/Short Fund (continued)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco — 0.8%

 

  

Ingles Markets, Cl A

       24,900      $     1,038  

Total Food, Beverage & Tobacco

 

     1,038  

Hotels & Lodging — 0.4%

 

  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings

       4,500        485  

Total Hotels & Lodging

 

     485  

Household Products — 0.7%

 

  

Whirlpool (A)

       6,600        965  

Total Household Products

 

     965  

Hypermarkets & Super Centers — 0.8%

 

  

Costco Wholesale (A)

       3,600        1,100  

Total Hypermarkets & Super Centers

 

     1,100  

Industrials — 2.1%

 

  

Air Products & Chemicals (A)

       4,500        1,074  

Carlisle (A)

       6,400        1,000  

Cummins

       4,200        672  

Total Industrials

 

         2,746  

Information Technology — 2.2%

 

  

Fortinet*

       6,600        761  

Oracle

       13,400        703  

Perficient*

       14,300        711  

Science Applications International

       9,000        790  

Total Information Technology

 

     2,965  

Insurance — 3.7%

 

  

Everest Re Group

       2,400        664  

Metlife (A)

       15,100        751  

Primerica (A)

       8,600        1,020  

Progressive (A)

       9,000        726  

Reinsurance Group of America, Cl A (A)

       5,800        835  

Travelers (A)

       6,900        908  

Total Insurance

 

     4,904  

Interactive Media & Servcies — 0.9%

 

  

Alphabet, Cl A* (A)

       800        1,146  

Total Interactive Media & Servcies

 

     1,146  

Leasing & Renting — 0.5%

 

  

Aaron’s

       11,900        707  

Total Leasing & Renting

 

     707  

Machinery — 3.0%

 

  

IDEX

       4,700        770  

Illinois Tool Works

       4,300        752  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Machinery (continued)

 

  

SPX* (A)

       24,900      $     1,222  

Watts Water Technologies, Cl A (A)

       12,300        1,227  

Total Machinery

 

     3,971  

Manufacturing — 0.9%

 

  

Generac Holdings* (A)

       12,200        1,264  

Total Manufacturing

 

     1,264  

Media — 0.5%

 

  

Omnicom Group

       9,400        708  

Total Media

 

     708  

Medical Products & Services — 4.9%

 

  

AbbVie

       8,500        689  

Amgen (A)

       3,700        799  

AMN Healthcare Services*

       8,300        559  

Eagle Pharmaceuticals*

       6,400        344  

Haemonetics*

       5,800        623  

HCA Healthcare (A)

       6,300        874  

Hill-Rom Holdings (A)

       7,145        761  

Hologic*

       8,200        439  

Medpace Holdings*

       9,400        804  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals*

       1,700        575  

Total Medical Products & Services

 

         6,467  

Metals & Mining — 0.7%

 

  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum (A)

       8,400        964  

Total Metals & Mining

 

     964  

Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust — 0.4%

 

  

Exantas Capital

       43,900        530  

Total Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     530  

Office Furniture & Fixtures — 0.5%

 

  

CDW

       5,400        704  

Total Office Furniture & Fixtures

 

     704  

Paper & Paper Products — 0.7%

 

  

Packaging Corp of America (A)

       9,200        881  

Total Paper & Paper Products

 

     881  

Petroleum Refining — 2.8%

 

  

CVR Energy (A)

       21,100        730  

Delek US Holdings

       22,800        626  

HollyFrontier

       17,600        791  

Marathon Petroleum

       12,600        687  

Phillips 66 (A)

       9,900        904  

Total Petroleum Refining

 

         3,738  
 

 

77


Schedule of Investments

 
     

Quantitative Long/Short Fund (continued)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Pharmaceuticals — 1.3%

 

  

Eli Lilly (A)

       7,000      $ 978  

Merck

       8,100        692  

Total Pharmaceuticals

 

     1,670  

Printing & Publishing — 0.3%

 

  

Brady, Cl A

       7,000        388  

Total Printing & Publishing

 

     388  

Real Estate Investment Trust — 0.7%

 

  

Lamar Advertising, Cl A

       5,000        464  

Simon Property Group

       3,750        499  

Total Real Estate Investment Trust

 

     963  

Retail — 5.0%

 

  

Cato, Cl A

       22,500        361  

Dine Brands Global

       7,600        648  

Hibbett Sports* (A)

       45,800        1,135  

Home Depot (A)

       3,600        821  

Polaris

       7,500        689  

Ross Stores (A)

       12,200        1,369  

Starbucks

       9,200        780  

Wendy’s

       40,700        882  

Total Retail

 

     6,685  

Semi-Conductors & Instruments — 3.5%

 

  

Benchmark Electronics

       20,200        622  

Broadcom (A)

       2,400        732  

Cirrus Logic* (A)

       5,700        438  

KLA (A)

       4,700        779  

Lam Research (A)

       2,700        805  

Semtech*

       13,700        660  

Texas Instruments (A)

       5,700        688  

Total Semi-Conductors & Instruments

 

         4,724  
Telecommunication Services — 0.5%         

CenturyLink

       52,300        714  

Total Telecommunication Services

 

     714  

Telephones & Telecommunication — 0.8%

 

  

AT&T (A)

       29,200        1,099  

Total Telephones & Telecommunication

 

     1,099  

Transportation Services — 1.6%

 

  

Federal Signal (A)

       28,300        910  

Norfolk Southern (A)

       6,100        1,270  

Total Transportation Services

 

     2,180  
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Utilities — 0.6%

 

  

Ametek (A)

       8,500      $ 826  

Total Utilities

 

     826  

Total Common Stock (Cost $77,159 (000))

 

     92,685  

Cash Equivalent (B) — 30.6%

 

Federated Government Obligations Fund, Cl I, 1.490%

       40,820,069        40,820  

Total Cash Equivalent (Cost $40,820 (000))

 

     40,820  

Total Investments — 100.1% (Cost $117,979 (000))

 

   $     133,505  

Percentages are based on net assets of $133,317 (000).

 

Securities Sold Short — (4.2)%

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Common Stock — (4.2)%

 

Agriculture — (0.2)%

 

Andersons

       (6,790    $     (154

Mosaic

       (7,790      (155

Total Agriculture

 

     (309

Airlines — (0.1)%

 

American Airlines Group

       (6,070      (163

Total Airlines

 

     (163

Automotive — (0.1)%

 

Fox Factory Holding*

       (2,550      (168

Total Automotive

 

     (168

Chemicals — (0.1)%

 

GCP Applied Technologies*

       (7,220      (160

Total Chemicals

 

     (160

Computer & Services — (0.2)%

 

Twilio, Cl A*

       (1,430      (178

Total Computer & Services

 

     (178

Computer Software — (0.1)%

 

Altair Engineering, Cl A*

       (4,370      (161

Total Computer Software

 

     (161

Computers & Services — (0.1)%

 

ViaSat*

       (2,330          (148

Total Computers & Services

 

     (148
 

 

78


Schedule of Investments  

LOGO

January 31, 2020

     

Quantitative Long/Short Fund (concluded)

 

 

 

Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Data Processing & Outsourced Services — (0.1)%

 

Willdan Group*

       (4,870    $     (162

Total Data Processing & Outsourced Services

 

     (162

Drugs — (0.3)%

 

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals*

       (8,530      (161

Intersect ENT*

       (6,870      (178

Total Drugs

 

     (339

E-Commerce — (0.1)%

 

Grubhub*

       (3,050      (165

Total E-Commerce

 

     (165

Electrical Components & Equipment — (0.1)%

 

Rogers*

       (1,280      (151

Total Electrical Components & Equipment

 

     (151

Entertainment — (0.2)%

 

Madison Square Garden*

       (560      (166

World Wrestling Entertainment, Cl A

       (2,690      (132

Total Entertainment

 

     (298

Financial Services — (0.3)%

 

Nelnet, Cl A

       (2,830      (162

Santander Consumer USA Holdings

       (7,420      (198

Total Financial Services

 

     (360

Gas & Natural Gas — (0.1)%

 

New Jersey Resources

       (3,870      (160

Total Gas & Natural Gas

 

     (160

Information Technology — (0.1)%

 

LiveRamp Holdings*

       (3,800      (153

Total Information Technology

 

     (153

Manufacturing — (0.3)%

 

Sunrun*

       (10,340      (176

TreeHouse Foods*

       (3,620      (161

Total Manufacturing

 

     (337

Medical Products & Services — (0.6)%

 

Avanos Medical*

       (5,110      (141

Axogen*

       (11,390      (141

CryoLife*

       (5,770      (171

Providence Service*

       (2,570      (167

Triple-S Management, Cl B*

       (9,570      (168

Total Medical Products & Services

 

     (788
Description      Shares      Value
(000)
 

Petroleum & Fuel Products — (0.2)%

 

Cimarex Energy

       (3,350    $ (147

Concho Resources

       (1,910      (145

Total Petroleum & Fuel Products

 

     (292

Retail — (0.4)%

 

Columbia Sportswear

       (1,790      (168

Core-Mark Holding

       (6,660      (156

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings*

       (3,135      (166

Total Retail

 

     (490

Semi-Conductors & Instruments — (0.2)%

 

Cree*

       (3,280      (152

First Solar*

       (3,180      (158

Total Semi-Conductors & Instruments

 

     (310

Telephones & Telecommunication — (0.2)%

 

ATN International

       (3,045      (176

Total Telephones & Telecommunication

 

     (176

Transportation Services — (0.1)%

 

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings*

       (6,140      (137

Total Transportation Services

 

     (137

Total Common Stock (Proceeds $(5,724))

                (5,605

Total Securities Sold Short — (4.2)% (Proceeds $(5,724))

 

   $     (5,605

Percentages are based on net assets of $133,317 (000).

*

Non-income producing security.

(A)

All or a portion of this security has been held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.

(B)

The rate reported is the 7-day effective yield as of January 31, 2020.

Cl — Class

As of January 31, 2020, all of the Fund’s investments are Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, in accordance with the authoritative guidance under U.S. G.A.A.P.

During the year ended January 31, 2020, there have been no transfers in or out of Level 3.

For more information on valuation inputs, see Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

 

 

79


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (000)(1)  
     

 

    Burkenroad
Small Cap
Fund
     Diversified
Income Fund
     Diversified
International
Fund
 

Assets:

       

Investments in securities at value (Cost $154,513, $36,533, and $168,345, respectively)

  $ 210,895      $ 38,374      $ 225,560  

Foreign currency (Cost $0, $0 and $7, respectively)

                  7  

Receivable for investment securities sold

           130        12  

Receivable for capital shares sold

    117        1        17  

Tax Reclaim receivable

                  1,177  

Accrued income

    13        277        116  

Prepaid expenses

    28        12        20  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

    211,053        38,794        226,909  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

       

Payable for capital shares redeemed

    568               17  

Payable due to Adviser

    147        17        161  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    70        14        10  

Payable due to Administrator

    17        3        18  

Payable due to Custodian

    15        130        58  

Payable due to Transfer Agent

    13        5        11  

Payable for distribution fees

    102                

Payable due to Trustees

    10        2        10  

Chief Compliance Officer fees payable

    4        1        4  

Other accrued expenses

    146        29        153  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

    1,092        201        442  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 209,961      $ 38,593      $ 226,467  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets:

       

Paid-in-Capital

  $ 137,947      $ 46,280      $ 171,033  

Total Distributable Earnings/(Loss)

    72,014        (7,687      55,434  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 209,961      $ 38,593      $ 226,467  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Institutional Class Shares:

       

Net Assets

  $ 100,412      $ 35,854      $ 221,662  

Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest (unlimited authorization — no par value)

    2,871,618        2,708,794        9,426,417  

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

    $34.97        $13.24        $23.51  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares:

       

Net Assets

  $ 94,590      $ 2,739      $ 4,805  

Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest (unlimited authorization — no par value)

    2,723,524        207,371        203,757  

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

    $34.73        $13.21      $23.58  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class D Shares:

       

Net Assets

  $ 14,959        n/a        n/a  

Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest (unlimited authorization — no par value)

    461,937        n/a        n/a  

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

    $32.38        n/a        n/a  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

“n/a” designates that the Fund does not offer this class.

  (1) 

Amounts shown in (000)s with the exception of Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest and Net Asset Value Per Share.

  *

Net Assets divided by Shares do not calculate to the stated Net Asset Value because Net Assets amounts are shown rounded.

  Amounts

designated as “—” are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

80


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (000)(1) (continued)  

LOGO

As of January 31, 2020

     

 

    Dynamic
Asset Allocation
Fund
    International
Small Cap
Fund
    Louisiana
Tax-Free Income
Fund
 

Assets:

     

Investments in securities at value (Cost $14,709, $12,024 and $6,142, respectively)

  $ 15,807     $ 13,496     $ 6,495  

Foreign currency (Cost $-, $31 and $-, respectively)

          32        

Receivable for investment securities sold

    596              

Accrued income

    1       22       72  

Receivable for capital shares sold

    3       9        

Tax reclaim receivable

          65        

Prepaid expenses

    3       3       3  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

    16,410       13,627       6,570  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Payable for investment securities purchased

    801              

Payable due to Adviser

    13       8       1  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    1       1       6  

Payable due to Administrator

    1       1       1  

Payable due to Custodian

          1        

Payable due to Transfer Agent

    4       5       4  

Payable due to Trustees

    1       1        

Other accrued expenses

    12       9       7  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

    833       26       19  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 15,577     $ 13,601     $ 6,551  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets:

     

Paid-in-Capital

  $ 15,372     $ 14,379     $ 6,408  

Total Distributable Earnings/(Loss)

    205       (778     143  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 15,577     $ 13,601     $ 6,551  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Institutional Class Shares:

     

Net Assets

  $ 15,219     $ 13,560     $ 4,972  

Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest (unlimited authorization — no par value)

    958,850       884,053       285,379  

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

    $15.87       $15.33     $17.42
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares:

     

Net Assets

  $ 358     $ 41     $ 1,579  

Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest (unlimited authorization — no par value)

    22,572       2,687       90,632  

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

    $15.88     $15.34     $17.42
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (1)  

Amounts shown in (000)s with the exception of Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest and Net Asset Value Per Share.

  *

Net Assets divided by Shares do not calculate to the stated Net Asset Value because Net Assets amounts are shown rounded.

Amounts designated as “—” are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

81


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (000)(1)  (concluded)  
     

 

    Microcap
Fund
     Mississippi
Tax-Free Income
Fund
     Quantitative
Long/Short
Fund
 

Assets:

       

Investments in securities at value (Cost $13,015, $11,481, and $117,979, respectively)

  $ 13,148      $ 12,215      $ 133,505  

Deposits held at Prime Broker

                  5,467  

Receivable for capital shares sold

    1               46  

Accrued income

    7        132        109  

Prepaid expenses

    4        3        19  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

    13,160        12,350        139,146  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

       

Payable for Securities sold short (Proceeds $5,724)

                  5,605  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

    1               5  

Payable due to Adviser

    9               92  

Payable due to Transfer Agent

    4        4        8  

Payable due to Administrator

    1        1        10  

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    1        11        10  

Payable due to Trustees

    1        1        6  

Chief Compliance Officer fees payable

           3        2  

Other accrued expenses

    9        8        91  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

    26        28        5,829  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 13,134      $ 12,322      $ 133,317  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets:

       

Paid-in-Capital

  $ 14,283      $ 12,079      $ 116,866  

Total Distributable Earnings/(Loss)

    (1,149      243        16,451  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 13,134      $ 12,322      $ 133,317  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Institutional Class Shares:

       

Net Assets

  $ 12,710      $ 10,297      $ 120,650  

Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest (unlimited authorization — no par value)

    813,650        606,983        6,571,284  

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

    $15.62        $16.96        $18.36  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares:

       

Net Assets

  $ 424      $ 2,025      $ 12,667  

Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest (unlimited authorization — no par value)

    27,322        119,227        706,154  

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share

    $15.52        $16.98      $17.94  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  *

Net Assets divided by Shares do not calculate to the stated Net Asset Value because Net Asset amounts are shown rounded.

  (1) 

Amounts shown in (000)s with the exception of Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest and Net Asset Value Per Share.

Amounts designated as “—” are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

82


Statements of Operations  (000)  

LOGO

For the year ended January 31, 2020

     

 

    Burkenroad
Small Cap
Fund
     Diversified
Income
Fund
     Diversified
International
Fund
     Dynamic Asset
Allocation
Fund
 

Investment Income:

          

Interest income

  $      $ 1,035      $      $  

Dividend income

    4,239        945        6,671        419  

Less: Foreign taxes withheld

           (1      (597       
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

    4,239        1,979        6,074        419  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses:

          

Investment advisory fees

    2,578        290        1,951        99  

Administration fees

    264        37        203        12  

Shareholder servicing fees — Investor Class

    298        9        8        2  

Shareholder servicing fees — Class C

    n/a                       

Shareholder servicing fees — Class D

    47        n/a        n/a        n/a  

Distribution fees — Investor Class

    n/a                      1  

Distribution fees — Class D

    47        n/a        n/a        n/a  

Transfer agent fees

    89        35        68        30  

Custodian fees

    90        13        364        4  

Trustees’ fees

    46        6        36        3  

Chief Compliance Officer fees

    10        2        9        1  

Registration fees

    67        32        47        6  

Professional fees

    158        24        147        9  

Printing fees

    56               37         

Insurance and other expenses

    52        27        51        10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Expenses

    3,802        475        2,921        177  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less: Investment advisory fees waived

    (230      (93              

Net recovery of investment advisory fees previously waived

                         23  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Net Expenses

    3,572        382        2,921        200  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

    667        1,597        3,153        219  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) from security transactions

    50,842        (340      8,132        13  

Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions

                  (119       

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    (46,973      2,155        3,943        836  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency transactions and translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

                  (20       
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments

    3,869        1,815        11,936        849  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting
from Operations

  $ 4,536      $ 3,412      $ 15,089      $ 1,068  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

“n/a” designates that the Fund does not offer this class.

Amounts shown as “—” are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

83


Statements of Operations (000) (continued)  
     

 

    International
Small Cap
Fund
    Louisiana
Tax-Free Income
Fund
    Microcap
Fund
    Mississippi
Tax-Free Income
Fund
 

Investment Income:

       

Interest income

  $     $ 193     $     $ 385  

Dividend income

    562             267        

Less: Foreign Taxes withheld

    (63                  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

    499       193       267       385  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

       

Investment advisory fees

    131       39       126       75  

Administration fees

    13       6       13       11  

Shareholder servicing fees — Investor Class

    1       4       1       3  

Custodian fees

    4       2       4       4  

Transfer agent fees

    31       29       31       30  

Trustees’ fees

    2       1       2       2  

Chief Compliance Officer fees

    1       1       1       1  

Professional fees

    9       4       9       7  

Printing fees

    3       2             2  

Registration fees

    5       7       7       8  

Insurance and other expenses

    12       8       10       10  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Expenses

    212       103       204       153  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Investment advisory fees waived

    (16`     (39     (4     (57

Less: Reimbursement from Adviser

          (11            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Expenses

    196       53       200       96  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

    303       140       67       289  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) from security transactions

    (538     29       (835     86  

Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions

    (34                  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    1,474       265       448       585  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency transactions and translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

    (2                  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments

    900       294       (387     671  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

  $ 1,203     $ 434     $ (320   $ 960  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts shown as “—” are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

84


Statements of Operations (000) (concluded)  

LOGO

For the year ended January 31, 2020

     

 

    Quantitative
Long/Short
Fund
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividend income

  $ 2,644  
 

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

    2,644  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

    1,114  

Administration fees

    123  

Shareholder servicing fees — Investor Class

    33  

Transfer agent fees

    52  

Custodian fees

    13  

Trustees’ fees

    22  

Chief Compliance Officer fees

    6  

Interest expense on securities sold short

    137  

Dividend expense on securities sold short

    94  

Registration fees

    46  

Professional fees

    77  

Printing fees

    25  

Insurance and other expenses

    32  
 

 

 

 

Total Expenses

    1,774  
 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

    870  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) from security transactions

    1,741  

Net realized gain (loss) on securities sold short

    (1,305

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments

    5,991  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on securities sold short

    250  
 

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments

    6,677  
 

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting
from Operations

  $ 7,547  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

85


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (000)  
     

 

    Burkenroad
Small Cap Fund
    Diversified
Income Fund
    Diversified
International Fund
 
     2020     2019     2020     2019     2020     2019  

Investment Activities:

           

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 667     $ 4,158     $ 1,597     $ 2,151     $ 3,153     $ 3,048  

Net realized gain (loss) from security transactions and foreign currency transactions

    50,842       87,102       (340     (530     8,013       2,495  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions

    (46,973     (136,258     2,155       (2,147     3,923       (42,317
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

    4,536       (44,998     3,412       (526     15,089       (36,774
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions:

           

Net investment income:

           

Institutional Class Shares

    (29,822     (42,716     (1,546     (1,134     (5,180     (2,564

Investor Class Shares

    (30,168     (54,296     (129     (103     (107     (50

Class C Shares(1)

    n/a       n/a       (2     (7            

Class D Shares

    (4,746     (5,779     n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Return of capital:

           

Institutional Class Shares

                      (368            

Investor Class Shares

                      (36            

Class C Shares

    n/a       n/a             (3            

Class D Shares

                n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Distributions

    (64,736     (102,791     (1,677     (1,651     (5,287     (2,614
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions(2):

           

Institutional Class Shares:

           

Shares issued

    36,910       90,579       7,112       7,687       24,541       14,267  

Shares reinvested

    28,900       38,690       1,383       378       3,477       1,519  

Shares redeemed

    (98,322     (132,360     (12,810     (14,175     (36,409     (27,417
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Institutional Class Shares Transactions

    (32,512     (3,091     (4,315     (6,110     (8,391     (11,631
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares:

           

Shares issued

    13,330       38,743       567       1,060       806       376  

Shares reinvested

    27,456       48,495       84       98       96       45  

Shares redeemed

    (116,761     (250,610     (1,701     (2,484     (1,859     (1,760
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investor Class Shares Transactions

    (75,975     (163,372     (1,050     (1,326     (957     (1,339
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C Shares(1):

           

Shares issued

    n/a       n/a                   28       3  

Shares reinvested

    n/a       n/a       1       8              

Shares redeemed

    n/a       n/a       (468     (180     (84     (23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Class C Shares Transactions

    n/a       n/a       (467     (172     (56     (20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class D Shares:

           

Shares issued

    926       2,696       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Shares reinvested

    4,577       5,536       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Shares redeemed

    (7,602     (9,296     n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Class D Shares Transactions

    (2,099     (1,064     n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions

    (110,586     (167,527     (5,832     (7,608     (9,404     (12,990
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

    (170,786     (315,316     (4,097     (9,785     398       (52,378
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of year

    380,747       696,063       42,690       52,475       226,069       278,447  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 209,961     $ 380,747     $ 38,593     $ 42,690     $ 226,467     $ 226,069  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

“n/a” designates that the Fund does not offer this class.

  (1) 

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019. The performance and financial history shown of the class is solely that of the fund’s Investor Class Shares.

  (2) 

For shares issued, reinvested and redeemed, see Note 4 in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Amounts designated as “—” are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

86


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (000) (continued)  

LOGO

For the years ended January 31

     

 

    Dynamic Asset
Allocation Fund
    International
Small Cap Fund
    Louisiana Tax-Free
Income Fund
    Microcap
Fund
 
     2020     2019     2020     2019     2020     2019     2020     2019  

Investment Activities:

               

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 219     $ 183     $ 303     $ 333     $ 140     $ 169     $ 67     $ (93

Net realized gain (loss) from security transactions, realized gain distributions from investment company shares and foreign currency transactions

    13       (594     (572     (971     29       29       (835     (150

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency

    836       (309     1,472       (3,590     265       (58     448       (2,570
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

    1,068       (720     1,203       (4,228     434       140       (320     (2,813
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions:

               

Institutional Class Shares

    (254     (182     (466     (477     (107     (106     (70     (409

Investor Class Shares

    (9     (11     (6     (11     (55     (63     (2     (17

Class C Shares(1)

          (3                                   (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Distributions

    (263     (196     (472     (488     (162     (169     (72     (427
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

               

Institutional Class Shares:

               

Shares issued

    6,165       7,867       4,593       7,314       1,271       693       6,574       5,950  

Shares reinvested

    254       52       466       271       93       16       70       396  

Shares redeemed

    (1,886     (2,622     (6,916     (6,153     (531     (505     (6,710     (4,251
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Institutional Class Shares Transactions

    4,533       5,297       (1,857     1,432       833       204       (66     2,095  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares:

               

Shares issued

    317       270       32       80       149       107       338       66  

Shares reinvested

    9       10       6       11       43       51       2       17  

Shares redeemed

    (708     (79     (404     (109     (1,062     (676     (478     (110
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investor Class Shares Transactions

    (382     201       (366     (18     (870     (518     (138     (27
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C Shares(1):

               

Shares issued

    7       26                                     3  

Shares reinvested

          1                                     1  

Shares redeemed

    (333     (9                 (18           (43     (6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Class C Shares Transactions

    (326     18                   (18           (43     (2
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions

    3,825       5,516       (2,223     1,414       (55     (314     (247     2,066  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

    4,630       4,600       (1,492     (3,302     217       (343     (639     (1,174
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets:

               

Beginning of year

    10,947       6,347       15,093       18,395       6,334       6,677       13,773       14,947  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 15,577     $ 10,947     $ 13,601     $ 15,093     $ 6,551     $ 6,334     $ 13,134     $ 13,773  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (1)  

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019. The performance and financial history shown of the class is solely that of the fund’s Investor Class Shares.

  (2) 

For shares issued, reinvested and redeemed, see Note 4 in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Amounts designated as “—” are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

87


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (000) (concluded)  
     

 

    Mississippi Tax-Free
Income Fund
    Quantitative
Long/Short Fund
 
     2020     2019     2020     2019  

Investment Activities:

       

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 289     $ 348     $ 870     $ 893  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments (including securities sold short)

    86       54       436       6,895  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (including securities sold short)

    585       (163     6,241       (16,026
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

    960       239       7,547       (8,238
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions:

       

Institutional Class Shares

    (213     (234     (915     (8,595

Investor Class Shares

    (76     (111     (67     (1,118

Class C Shares(1)

          (1           (182
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Distributions

    (289     (346     (982     (9,895
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions(2):

       

Institutional Class Shares:

       

Shares issued

    1,857       714       29,887       29,913  

Shares reinvested

    178       4       783       7,306  

Shares redeemed

    (1,076     (637     (30,343     (48,774
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Institutional Class Shares Transactions

    959       81       327       (11,555
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares:

       

Shares issued

    216       226       4,273       7,677  

Shares reinvested

    62       92       64       1,067  

Shares redeemed

    (2,207     (2,245     (7,155     (11,863
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investor Class Shares Transactions

    (1,929     (1,927     (2,818     (3,119
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C Shares(1):

       

Shares issued

    1                   174  

Shares reinvested

          1             173  

Shares redeemed

    (33           (2,500     (1,051
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Class C Shares Transactions

    (32     1       (2,500     (704
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions

    (1,002     (1,845     (4,991     (15,378
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

    (331     (1,952     1,574       (33,511
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets:

       

Beginning of year

    12,653       14,605       131,743       165,254  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 12,322     $ 12,653     $ 133,317     $ 131,743  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (1)  

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019. The performance and financial history shown of the class is solely that of the fund’s Investor Class Shares.

  (2) 

For shares issued, reinvested and redeemed, see Note 4 in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Amounts designated as “—” are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

88


 

 

 

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

 

 

 


Financial Highlights  
     

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year or Period

For the year or period ended January 31,

 

     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
    Net
Investment
Income (Loss)†
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
    Total
from
Investment
Operations
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions
from
Net Realized
Gains
    Total
Dividends
and
Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
 

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

 

                                       

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

 

       

2020

  $ 47.24     $ 0.17     $ 0.95     $ 1.12     $     $ (13.39   $ (13.39   $ 34.97  

2019

    69.46       0.59       (8.01     (7.42     (0.65     (14.15     (14.80     47.24  

2018

    65.95       0.08       8.94       9.02             (5.51     (5.51     69.46  

2017*

    57.19       0.09       8.67       8.76                         65.95  

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES^

 

       

2020

  $ 47.10     $ 0.06     $ 0.96     $ 1.02     $     $ (13.39   $ (13.39   $ 34.73  

2019

    69.21       0.40 (2)       (7.87     (7.47     (0.49     (14.15     (14.64     47.10  

2018

    65.83       (0.03 )(2)      8.92       8.89             (5.51     (5.51     69.21  

2017

    51.65       (0.02     14.20       14.18                         65.83  

2016

    54.22       0.00       (2.15     (2.15           (0.42     (0.42     51.65  

CLASS D SHARES

 

       

2020

  $ 44.91     $ (0.05   $ 0.91     $ 0.86     $     $ (13.39   $ (13.39   $ 32.38  

2019

    66.64       0.66       (7.72     (7.06     (0.52     (14.15     (14.67     44.91  

2018

    63.69       (0.16     8.62       8.46             (5.51     (5.51     66.64  

2017

    50.10       (0.16     13.75       13.59                         63.69  

2016

    52.74       (0.14     (2.08     (2.22           (0.42     (0.42     50.10  

 

(1)  

Portfolio turnover is for the Fund for the fiscal year.

(2) 

For the years ended January 31, the amounts includes a reimbursement for payments of prior years’ shareholder servicing fees as follows:

     Net Investment
Income Per Share
     Net Investment
Income Ratio
    Total
Return
 

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES

       

2019

   $ 0.04        0.06     0.06

2018

   $ 0.03        0.04     0.05

CLASS D SHARES

       

2019

   $ 0.31        0.43     0.46
^

Class name changed from Class A Shares to Investor Class Shares, effective May 31, 2016.

*

Commenced operations on May 31, 2016. Ratios for the period have been annualized.

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

††

Total return excludes applicable sales charges. Sales charges were eliminated effective May 31, 2016. Total return is for the period indicated and has not been annualized.

Amounts designated as “—” represent less than $0.01 per share, are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

90


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Total
Return††
     Net Assets
End of
Period (000)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(Excluding
Waivers and/or
Recaptured)
     Ratio of
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
to Average
Net Assets
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
              
              
  1.23    $ 100,412        1.06      1.14      0.37      29
  (7.97      161,260        1.15        1.17        0.88        31  
  13.79        228,272        1.15        1.17        0.12        50  
  15.32        150,676        1.14        1.14        0.22        38 (1)  
              
  1.02    $ 94,590        1.26      1.34      0.14      29
  (8.10 )(2)       197,852        1.35        1.37        0.61 (2)        31  
  13.61 (2)        437,070        1.35        1.37        (0.04 )(2)       50  
  27.45        582,849        1.39        1.39        (0.03      38  
  (4.01      629,950        1.37        1.37        0.01        39  
              
  0.69    $ 14,959        1.56      1.64      (0.11 )%       29
  (7.79 )(2)       21,635        1.40        1.42        1.04 (2)        31  
  13.40        30,721        1.52        1.53        (0.25      50  
  27.13        46,867        1.64        1.64        (0.28      38  
  (4.25      55,168        1.62        1.62        (0.26      39  

 

91


Financial Highlights (continued)  
     

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year

For the year ended January 31,

 

     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Year
    Net
Investment
Income†
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
    Total
from
Investment
Operations
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Return
of
Capital
    Distributions
from
Net Realized
Gains
    Total
Dividends
    Net Asset
Value,
End of
Year
 

Diversified Income Fund

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

 

             

2020

  $ 12.68     $ 0.51     $ 0.59     $ 1.10     $ (0.54   $     $     $ (0.54   $ 13.24  

2019

    13.21       0.57       (0.66     (0.09     (0.33     (0.11           (0.44     12.68  

2018

    13.37       0.49       (0.01     0.48       (0.51     (0.13           (0.64     13.21  

2017

    12.56       0.51       0.92       1.43       (0.47     (0.15           (0.62     13.37  

2016

    14.79       0.64       (2.05     (1.41     (0.73     (0.09           (0.82     12.56  

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES^#

 

             

2020

  $ 12.65     $ 0.42     $ 0.65     $ 1.07     $ (0.51   $     $     $ (0.51   $ 13.21  

2019

    13.19       0.53       (0.65     (0.12     (0.31     (0.11           (0.42     12.65  

2018

    13.35       0.45       (0.01     0.44       (0.47     (0.13           (0.60     13.19  

2017

    12.54       0.46       0.93       1.39       (0.42     (0.16           (0.58     13.35  

2016

    14.78       0.60       (2.04     (1.44     (0.72     (0.08           (0.80     12.54  

 

^

Class name changed from Class A Shares to Investor Class Shares, effective May 31, 2016.

#

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

††

Total return excludes applicable sales charges. Sales charges were eliminated effective May 31, 2016.

Amounts designated as “—” represents less than $0.01 per share, are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

92


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Total
Return††
     Net Assets
End of
Year (000)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(Excluding
Waivers and/or
Reimbursements)
     Ratio of
Net Investment
Income
to Average
Net Assets
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
              
              
  8.78    $ 35,854        0.90      1.12      3.87      66
  (0.62      38,593        0.90        1.08        4.43        69  
  3.64        46,668        0.90        1.07        3.64        59  
  11.56        48,405        0.90        1.04        3.84        83  
  (9.90      40,448        0.90        1.00        4.56        77  
              
  8.54    $ 2,739        1.15      1.37      3.19      66
  (0.89      3,846        1.15        1.33        4.13        69  
  3.38        5,367        1.15        1.32        3.38        59  
  11.29        6,514        1.15        1.28        3.50        83  
  (10.11      8,557        1.15        1.25        4.28        77  

 

93


Financial Highlights (continued)  
     

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year

For the year ended January 31,

 

     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Year
    Net
Investment
Income†
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
    Total
from
Investment
Operations
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions
from
Net Realized
Gains
    Total
Dividends
and
Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
End of
Year
 

Diversified International Fund

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

 

2020

  $ 22.56     $ 0.32     $ 1.19     $ 1.51     $ (0.37   $ (0.19   $ (0.56   $ 23.51  

2019

    26.41       0.30       (3.88     (3.58     (0.27           (0.27     22.56  

2018

    20.61       0.23       5.81       6.04       (0.24           (0.24     26.41  

2017

    17.57       0.22       3.05       3.27       (0.23           (0.23     20.61  

2016

    21.02       0.23       (3.42     (3.19     (0.26           (0.26     17.57  

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES^#

 

2020

  $ 22.63     $ 0.28     $ 1.19     $ 1.47     $ (0.33   $ (0.19   $ (0.52   $ 23.58  

2019

    26.42       0.26 (1)       (3.84     (3.58     (0.21           (0.21     22.63  

2018

    20.62       0.18       5.79       5.97       (0.17           (0.17     26.42  

2017

    17.56       0.21       3.00       3.21       (0.15           (0.15     20.62  

2016

    20.94       0.22       (3.45     (3.23     (0.15           (0.15     17.56  

 

(1)  

For the year ended January 31, 2019, the amount includes a reimbursement for payments of prior years’ shareholder servicing fees as follows:

     Net Investment
Income Per Share
     Net Investment
Income Ratio
    Total
Return
 

INVESTOR CLASS SHARE

   $ 0.03        0.13     0.12
^

Class name changed from Class A Shares to Investor Class Shares, effective May 31, 2016.

#

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

††

Total return excludes applicable sales charge. Sales charges were eliminated effective May 31, 2016.

Amounts designated as “—” represent less than $0.01 per share, are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

94


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Total
Return††
     Net Assets
End of
Year (000)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(Excluding
Waivers and/or
Recaptured)
     Ratio of
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
to Average
Net Assets
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
     
              
  6.58    $ 221,662        1.27      1.27      1.38      15
  (13.48      220,490        1.27        1.27        1.26        10  
  29.35        270,452        1.28        1.28        0.99        16  
  18.67        244,532        1.26        1.26        1.17        29  
  (15.27      290,492        1.24        1.24        1.09        15  
              
  6.39    $ 4,805        1.42      1.42      1.21      15
  (13.50 )(1)       5,496        1.47        1.47        1.08 (1)        10  
  29.00        7,875        1.53        1.53        0.77        16  
  18.32        7,782        1.51        1.51        1.08        29  
  (15.50      14,295        1.49        1.49        1.05        15  

 

95


Financial Highlights (continued)  
     

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year or Period

For the year or period ended January 31,

 

     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
    Net
Investment
Income†
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
    Total
from
Investment
Operations
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions
from
Net Realized
Gains
    Total
Dividends
and
Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
 

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

 

                                       

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

 

         

2020

  $ 14.96     $ 0.25     $ 0.93     $ 1.18     $ (0.27   $     $ (0.27   $ 15.87  

2019

    16.54       0.31       (1.61     (1.30     (0.28           (0.28     14.96  

2018

    14.65       0.25       1.82       2.07       (0.18           (0.18     16.54  

2017

    12.83       0.06       1.86       1.92       (0.10           (0.10     14.65  

2016*

    15.00       0.06       (2.21     (2.15     (0.02           (0.02     12.83  

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES^#

 

           

2020

  $ 14.95     $ 0.19     $ 0.96     $ 1.15     $ (0.22   $     $ (0.22   $ 15.88  

2019

    16.53       0.23       (1.57     (1.34     (0.24           (0.24     14.95  

2018

    14.64       0.14       1.88       2.02       (0.13           (0.13     16.53  

2017

    12.81       0.03       1.86       1.89       (0.06           (0.06     14.64  

2016*

    15.00             (2.18     (2.18     (0.01           (0.01     12.81  

 

*

Commenced operations May 29, 2015. Ratios for the period have been annualized.

^

Class name changed from Class A Shares to Investor Class Shares, effective May 31, 2016.

#

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

††

Total return excludes applicable sales charges. Sales charges were eliminated effective May 31, 2016. Total return and portfolio turnover rates are for the period and have not been annualized.

(1) 

Ratio includes previously waived advisory fees recaptured. The net expense ratio would have been lower absent the impact of the recaptured fees.

Amounts designated as “—” represents less than $0.01 per share, are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

96


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Total
Return††
     Net Assets
End of
Period (000)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(Excluding
Waivers  and/or
Recaptured Waivers)
     Ratio of
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
to Average
Net Assets
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate††
 
              
              
  7.85    $ 15,219        1.40      1.23      1.58      172
  (7.78      9,935        1.40 (1)        1.37        1.96        310  
  14.15        5,449        1.40        2.04        1.60        140  
  14.98        1,764        1.40        2.77        0.44        239  
  (14.31      750        1.40        3.00        0.62        379  
              
  7.70    $ 358        1.65      1.49      1.20      172
  (8.04      682        1.65 (1)        1.63        1.47        310  
  13.86        552        1.65        2.39        0.92        140  
  14.74        649        1.65        3.11        0.22        239  
  (14.54      604        1.65        2.99        (0.04      379  

 

97


Financial Highlights (continued)  
     

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year or Period

For the year or period ended January 31,

 

     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
    Net
Investment
Income (Loss)†
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
    Total
from
Investment
Operations
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions
from
Net Realized
Gains
    Total
Dividends
and
Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
 

International Small Cap Fund

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

 

2020

  $ 14.53     $ 0.31     $ 1.03     $ 1.34     $ (0.54   $ 0.00     $ (0.54   $ 15.33  

2019

    18.54       0.30       (3.85     (3.55     (0.23     (0.23     (0.46     14.53  

2018

    14.16       0.14       4.56       4.70       (0.32           (0.32     18.54  

2017

    13.47       0.16       0.74       0.90       (0.21           (0.21     14.16  

2016*

    15.00       (0.03     (1.49     (1.52     (0.01           (0.01     13.47  

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES^#

 

2020

  $ 14.54     $ 0.29     $ 0.99     $ 1.29     $ (0.48   $ 0.00     $ (0.48   $ 15.34  

2019

    18.53       0.25       (3.83     (3.58     (0.18     (0.23     (0.41     14.54  

2018

    14.16       0.12       4.53       4.65       (0.28           (0.28     18.53  

2017

    13.46       0.15       0.72       0.87       (0.17           (0.17     14.16  

2016*

    15.00       (0.05     (1.49     (1.54                       13.46  

 

*

Commenced operations May 29, 2015. Ratios for the period have been annualized.

^

Class name changed from Class A Shares to Investor Class Shares, effective May 31, 2016.

#

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

††

Total return excludes applicable sales charges. Sales charges were eliminated effective May 31, 2016. Total return and portfolio turnover rates are for the period indicated and have not been annualized.

Amounts designated as “—” represents less than $0.01 per share, are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

98


   

LOGO

January 31, 2020

 

Total
Return††
     Net Assets
End of
Period (000)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(Excluding
Waivers)
     Ratio of
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
to Average
Net  Assets
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
              
              
  9.11    $ 13,560        1.36      1.47      2.10      73
  (18.93      14,699        1.55        1.57        1.81        86  
  33.27        17,866        1.55        1.71        0.85        64  
  6.77        8,259        1.55        1.87        1.19        88  
  (10.12      7,102        1.55        2.27        (0.30      29  
              
  8.71    $ 41        1.63      1.73      1.97      73
  (19.10      394        1.80        1.81        1.55        86  
  32.87        529        1.80        1.96        0.73        64  
  6.50        423        1.80        2.10        1.09        88  
  (10.27      582        1.80        2.55        (0.55      29  

 

99


Financial Highlights (continued)  
     

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year

For the year ended January 31,

 

     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Year
    Net
Investment
Income (Loss)†
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
    Total
from
Investment
Operations
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions
from
Net Realized
Gains
    Total
Dividends
and
Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
End of
Year
 

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

 

                                       

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

 

         

2020

  $ 16.70     $ 0.38     $ 0.78     $ 1.16     $ (0.44   $     $ (0.44   $ 17.42  

2019

    16.77       0.45       (0.07     0.38       (0.45           (0.45     16.70  

2018

    16.79       0.47             0.47       (0.49           (0.49     16.77  

2017

    17.29       0.49       (0.49           (0.50           (0.50     16.79  

2016

    17.37       0.51       (0.08     0.43       (0.51           (0.51     17.29  

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES^#

 

         

2020

  $ 16.70     $ 0.35     $ 0.78     $ 1.13     $ (0.41   $     $ (0.41   $ 17.42  

2019

    16.77       0.41       (0.07     0.34       (0.41           (0.41     16.70  

2018

    16.78       0.42       0.01       0.43       (0.44           (0.44     16.77  

2017

    17.28       0.44       (0.49     (0.05     (0.45           (0.45     16.78  

2016

    17.37       0.47       (0.09     0.38       (0.47           (0.47     17.28  

 

^

Class name changed from Class A Shares to Investor Class Shares, effective May 31, 2016.

#

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

††

Total return excludes applicable sales charges. Sales charges were eliminated effective May 31, 2016.

Amounts designated as “—” represents less than $0.01 per share, are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

100


   

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January 31, 2020

 

Total
Return††
     Net Assets
End of
Year (000)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(Excluding
Waivers and/or
Recaptured)
     Ratio of
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
to Average
Net Assets
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
              
              
  7.00    $ 4,972        0.75      1.51      2.21      10
  2.31        3,969        0.75        1.62        2.70        24  
  2.80        3,781        0.75        1.53        2.74        27  
  (0.06      3,939        0.75        1.38        2.84        5  
  2.56        4,902        0.75        1.32        2.99        16  
              
  6.84    $ 1,579        0.90      1.67      2.06      10
  2.10        2,348        0.96        1.82        2.49        24  
  2.60        2,879        1.00        1.78        2.49        27  
  (0.31      3,290        1.00        1.63        2.58        5  
  2.25        4,740        1.00        1.57        2.74        16  

 

101


Financial Highlights (continued)  
     

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year or Period

For the year or period ended January 31,

 

     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
    Net
Investment
Income (Loss)†
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
    Total
from
Investment
Operations
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions
from
Net Realized
Gains
   

Total
Dividends

and
Distributions

    Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
 

Microcap Fund

 

                                               

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

 

           

2020

  $ 15.94     $ 0.08     $ (0.31   $ (0.23   $ (0.09   $     $ (0.09   $ 15.62  

2019

    19.28       (0.10     (2.76     (2.86     (0.01     (0.47     (0.48     15.94  

2018

    17.26       (0.01     2.39       2.38             (0.36     (0.36     19.28  

2017

    13.72       0.04       3.54       3.58       (0.04           (0.04     17.26  

2016*

    15.00       (0.04     (1.24     (1.28                       13.72  

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES^#

 

           

2020

  $ 15.84     $ (0.01   $ (0.26   $ (0.27   $ (0.05   $     $ (0.05   $ 15.52  

2019

    19.19       (0.15     (2.73     (2.88           (0.47     (0.47     15.84  

2018

    17.23       (0.05     2.37       2.32             (0.36     (0.36     19.19  

2017

    13.70             3.53       3.53                         17.23  

2016*

    15.00       (0.06     (1.24     (1.30                       13.70  

 

*

Commenced operations May 29, 2015. Ratios for the period have been annualized.

^

Class name changed from Class A Shares to Investor Class Shares, effective May 31, 2016.

#

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

††

Total return excludes applicable sales charges. Sales charges were eliminated effective May 31, 2016. Total return and portfolio turnover rates are for the period indicated and have not been annualized.

(1) 

Ratio includes previously waived advisory fees recaptured. The net expense ratio would have been lower absent the impact of the recaptured fees.

Amounts designated as “—” represents less than $0.01 per share, are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

102


   

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January 31, 2020

 

Total
Return††
     Net Assets
End of
Period (000)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(Excluding
Waivers  and/or
Recaptured)
     Ratio of
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
to Average
Net Assets
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
              
              
  (1.44    $ 12,710        1.37      1.39      0.47      112
  (14.55      13,158        1.50 (1)        1.47        (0.55      143  
  13.77        14,167        1.50        1.59        (0.05      116  
  26.11        7,476        1.50        1.85        0.28        153  
  (8.53      4,491        1.50        2.48        (0.39      153  
              
  (1.71    $ 424        1.61      1.64      (0.06 )%       112
  (14.73      574        1.75 (1)        1.72        (0.80      143  
  13.44        729        1.75        1.84        (0.26      116  
  25.77        780        1.75        2.11        (0.02      153  
  (8.67      969        1.75        2.70        (0.62      153  

 

103


Financial Highlights (continued)  
     

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year

For the year ended January 31,

 

     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Year
    Net
Investment
Income†
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
    Total
from
Investment
Operations
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions
from
Net Realized
Gains
    Total
Dividends
and
Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
End of
Year
 

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

 

                                       

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

 

           

2020

  $ 16.08     $ 0.39     $ 0.88     $ 1.27     $ (0.39   $     $ (0.39   $ 16.96  

2019

    16.18       0.42       (0.10     0.32       (0.42           (0.42     16.08  

2018

    16.21       0.46       (0.03     0.43       (0.46           (0.46     16.18  

2017

    16.86       0.46       (0.63     (0.17     (0.48           (0.48     16.21  

2016

    17.01       0.49       (0.15     0.34       (0.49           (0.49     16.86  

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES^#

 

         

2020

  $ 16.10     $ 0.37     $ 0.88     $ 1.25     $ (0.37   $     $ (0.37   $ 16.98  

2019

    16.18       0.39 (1)       (0.08     0.31       (0.39           (0.39     16.10  

2018

    16.21       0.42       (0.03     0.39       (0.42           (0.42     16.18  

2017

    16.87       0.42       (0.65     (0.23     (0.43           (0.43     16.21  

2016

    17.01       0.45       (0.14     0.31       (0.45           (0.45     16.87  

 

^

Class name changed from Class A Shares to Investor Class Shares, effective May 31, 2016.

#

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

††

Total return excludes applicable sales charges. Sales charges were eliminated effective May 31, 2016.

(1) 

For the year ended January 31, 2019, the amount includes a reimbursement for payments of prior years’ shareholder servicing fees as follows:

     Net Investment
Income Per Share
     Net Investment
Income Ratio
    Total
Return
 

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES

   $ 0.00        0.02     0.02

Amounts designated as “—” represents less than $0.01 per share, are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

104


   

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January 31, 2020

 

Total
Return††
     Net Assets
End of
Year (000)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(Excluding
Waivers  and/or
Reimbursements)
     Ratio of
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
to Average
Net Assets
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
              
              
  7.98    $ 10,297        0.75      1.20      2.35      6
  2.03        8,856        0.75        1.20        2.61        40  
  2.68        8,829        0.75        1.17        2.82        17  
  (1.09      7,877        0.75        1.11        2.73        1  
  2.11        7,931        0.75        1.10        2.97        6  
              
  7.85    $ 2,025        0.85      1.31      2.25      6
  1.96 (1)        3,765        0.94        1.38        2.42 (1)        40  
  2.42        5,744        1.00        1.42        2.57        17  
  (1.40      6,563        1.00        1.36        2.48        1  
  1.91        8,409        1.00        1.35        2.72        6  

 

105


Financial Highlights (concluded)  
     

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year

For the year ended January 31,

 

     Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Year
    Net
Investment
Income (Loss)†
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Investments
    Total
from
Investment
Operations
    Dividends
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions
from
Net Realized
Gains
    Total
Dividends
and
Distributions
    Net Asset
Value,
End of
Year
 

Quantitative Long/Short Fund

 

                                       

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

 

           

2020

  $ 17.48     $ 0.11     $ 0.91     $ 1.02     $ (0.14   $     $ (0.14   $ 18.36  

2019

    19.97       0.12       (1.24     (1.12     (0.10     (1.27     (1.37     17.48  

2018

    18.23       0.03       1.97       2.00             (0.26     (0.26     19.97  

2017

    17.15       0.03       1.05       1.08                         18.23  

2016

    17.87       (0.09     (0.18     (0.27           (0.45     (0.45     17.15  

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES^#

 

           

2020

  $ 17.06     $ (0.05   $ 1.02     $ 0.97     $ (0.09   $     $ (0.09   $ 17.94  

2019

    19.54       0.10 (3)       (1.24     (1.14     (0.07     (1.27     (1.34     17.06  

2018

    17.82       0.03 (3)       1.95       1.98             (0.26     (0.26     19.54  

2017

    16.81       (0.01     1.02       1.01                         17.82  

2016

    17.57       (0.13     (0.18     (0.31           (0.45     (0.45     16.81  

 

(1)  

Expense ratio includes the advisory fee at the annual rate of 1.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets and a performance fee adjustment, if applicable, that increases/decreases the total fee +0.40%/-0.40%. The effective advisory fee rate for the years ended January 31, 2017 and 2016 was 0.92% and 1.15%, respectively. Expense limitations are applied before giving effect to performance incentive adjustments. Effective June 1, 2017, the performance fee adjustment was discontinued. The effective advisory fee rate from February 1, 2017 through June 1, 2017 was 0.77%.

(2) 

Expense ratio includes interest and dividend expense related to short sales. Excluding such interest and dividend expense, the ratio of expenses to average net assets for the years or periods presented would be:

     Institutional Class
Shares
    Investor Class
Shares
 

2020

     1.08     1.34

2019

     1.07     1.22

2018

     1.04     1.24

2017

     1.13     1.40

2016

     1.35     1.63

 

(3) 

For the years ended January 31, the amounts include a reimbursement for payments of prior years’ shareholder servicing fees as follows:

     Net Investment
Income Per  Share
     Net Investment
Income Ratio
    Total
Return
 

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES

 

2019

   $ 0.00        0.02     0.02

2018

   $ 0.05        0.18     0.26

 

^

Class name changed from Class A Shares to Investor Class Shares, effective May 31, 2016.

#

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Per share data calculated using average shares method.

††

Total return excludes applicable sales charge. Sales charges were eliminated effective May 31, 2016.

Amounts designated as “—” represent less than $0.01 per share, are $0 or have been rounded to $0.

 

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

 

106


   

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January 31, 2020

 

Total
Return††
     Net Assets
End of
Year (000)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average
Net Assets(1)(2)
     Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(Excluding
Waivers and/or
Recaptured)
     Ratio of
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
to Average
Net Assets
     Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
              
              
  5.83    $ 120,650        1.25      1.25      0.63      83
  (5.21      114,494        1.20        1.20        0.64        84  
  11.04        141,821        1.14        1.14        0.18        104  
  6.30        100,557        1.26        1.26        0.18        126  
  (1.59      78,415        1.64        1.64        (0.47      159  
              
  5.69    $ 12,667        1.50      1.50      (0.28 )%       83
  (5.42 )(3)       14,875        1.35        1.35        0.51 (3)        84  
  11.18 (3)        19,994        1.34        1.34        0.15 (3)        104  
  6.01        59,079        1.53        1.53        (0.06      126  
  (1.85      75,436        1.92        1.92        (0.74      159  

 

107


Notes to Financial Statements  
     

 

1.

Organization:

The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II (the “Trust”) was organized as a Massachusetts business trust under a Declaration of Trust dated July 24, 1992. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended, as an open-end management investment company with 28 funds. The financial statements included herein relate to the Trust’s Hancock Horizon Family of Funds. The Hancock Horizon Family of Funds includes the Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund (the “Burkenroad Small Cap Fund”), the Hancock Horizon Diversified Income Fund (the “Diversified Income Fund”), the Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund (the “Diversified International Fund”), the Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund (the “Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund”), the Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund (the “International Small Cap Fund”), the Hancock Horizon Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund (the “Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund”), the Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund (the “Microcap Fund”), the Hancock Horizon Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund (the “Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund”), and the Hancock Horizon Quantitative Long/Short Fund (the “Quantitative Long/Short Fund”) (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). Each Fund, except for the Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund and the Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund, is diversified. The Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund and the Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund are non-diversified. The financial statements of the remaining funds in the Trust are presented separately. The assets of each Fund of the Trust are segregated, and a shareholder’s interest is limited to the Fund in which shares are held.

Effective May 31, 2016, Class A Shares were redesignated as Investor Class Shares. The share class name had no impact on the Funds’ operations or investment policy.

Effective May 24, 2019, Class C Shares merged into Investor Class Shares. The merger had no impact on the Fund’s operations or investment policy.

The Hancock Horizon U.S. Small Cap Fund Liquidated on or about November 25, 2019.

2.

Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The Funds are investment companies in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Therefore, the Funds follow the accounting and reporting guidelines for investment companies in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 — Investment Companies.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material.

Security Valuation – Securities listed on a securities exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available (except for securities traded on NASDAQ), including securities traded over the counter, are valued at the last quoted sale price on an exchange or market (foreign or domestic) on which they are traded on the valuation date (or at approximately 4:00 pm ET if a security’s primary exchange is normally open at that time), or, if there is no such reported sale on the valuation date, at the most recent quoted bid price. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price will be used. If available, debt securities are priced based upon valuations provided by independent, third-party pricing agents. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities at an evaluated bid price by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities. Such methodologies generally consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. On the first day a new debt security purchase is recorded, if a price is not available on the

 

 

108


   

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January 31, 2020

 

automated pricing feeds from our primary and secondary pricing vendors nor is it available from an independent broker, the security may be valued at its purchase price. Each day thereafter, the debt security will be valued according to the Trust’s fair value procedures until an independent source can be secured. Debt obligations with remaining maturities of sixty days or less may be valued at their amortized cost, provided that it is determined the amortized cost continues to approximate fair value. Should existing credit, liquidity or interest rate conditions in the relevant markets and issuer specific circumstances suggest that amortized cost does not approximate fair value, then the amortized cost method may not be used. The prices for foreign securities are reported in local currency and converted to U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates.

Investments in open-end and closed-end registered investment companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day net asset value per share. Investments in open-end and closed-end registered investment companies that trade on an exchange are valued at the last sales price or official closing price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded.

Securities for which market prices are not “readily available” are valued in accordance with Fair Value Procedures established by the Funds’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Funds’ Fair Value Procedures are implemented through a Fair Value Committee (the “Committee”) designated by the Board. Some of the more common reasons that may necessitate that a security be valued using Fair Value Procedures include: a security’s trading has been halted or suspended; a security has been de-listed from a national exchange; a security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when under normal conditions it would be open; or a security’s primary pricing source is not able or willing to provide a price. When a security is valued in accordance with the Fair Value Procedures, the Committee will determine the value after taking into consideration relevant information reasonably available to the Committee. Fair valued securities, if applicable, are identified in the Schedules of Investments.

For securities that principally trade on a foreign market or exchange, a significant gap in time can exist between the time of a particular security’s last trade and the time at which a Fund calculates its net asset value. The closing prices of such securities may no longer reflect their market value at the time a Fund calculates net asset value if an event that could materially affect the value of those securities (a “Significant Event”) has occurred between the time of the security’s last close and the time that a Fund calculates net asset value. A Significant Event may relate to a single issuer or to an entire market sector. If Horizon Advisers (the “Adviser”) or a sub-adviser of the Funds becomes aware of a Significant Event that has occurred with respect to a security or group of securities after the closing of the exchange or market on which the security or securities principally trade, but before the time at which a Fund calculates net asset value, it may request that a Committee meeting be called. In addition, the Funds’ Administrator monitors price movements among certain selected indices, securities and/or baskets of securities that may be an indicator that the closing prices received earlier from foreign exchanges or markets may not reflect market value at the time a Fund calculates net asset value. If price movements in a monitored index or security exceed levels established by the Administrator, the Administrator notifies the Adviser if a Fund is holding a relevant security that such limits have been exceeded. In such event, the Adviser makes the determination whether a Committee meeting should be called based on the information provided.

The Diversified International Fund and International Small Cap Fund use MarkIt Fair Value. (“MarkIt”) as a third party fair valuation vendor. MarkIt provides a fair value for foreign securities held by the Funds based on certain factors and methodologies (involving, generally, tracking valuation correlations between the U.S. market and each non-U.S. security) applied by MarkIt in the event that there is a movement in the U.S. market that exceeds a specific threshold established by the Committee. The Committee establishes a “confidence interval” which is used to determine the level of correlation between the value of a foreign security and movements in the U.S. market before a particular security is fair valued when the threshold is exceeded. In the event that the threshold established by the Committee is exceeded on a

 

 

109


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)  
     

 

specific day, the Fund values the non-U.S. securities in its portfolio that exceed the applicable “confidence interval” based upon the fair values provided by MarkIt. In such event, it is not necessary to hold a Committee meeting. In the event that the Adviser believes that the fair values provided by MarkIt are not reliable, the Adviser contacts the Administrator and may request that a meeting of the Committee be held.

If a local market in which the Diversified International Fund or International Small Cap Fund owns securities is closed for one or more days, the Funds shall value all securities held in that corresponding currency based on the fair value prices provided by MarkIt using the predetermined confidence interval discussed above. As of January 31, 2020, the Diversified International Fund and International Small Cap Fund valued certain securities in accordance with the procedures described above.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosure under U.S. GAAP, the Funds disclose the fair value of their investments in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Accordingly, the fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

   

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Funds have the ability to access at the measurement date;

 

   

Level 2 — Quoted prices which are not active, or inputs that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

 

   

Level 3 — Prices, inputs or modeling techniques which are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

Investments are classified within the level of the lowest significant input considered in determining fair value. Investments classified within Level 3 whose fair value measurement considers several inputs may include Level 1 or Level 2 inputs as components of the overall fair value measurement.

Federal Income Taxes – It is each Fund’s intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company for Federal income tax purposes by complying with the appropriate provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Accordingly, no provisions for Federal income taxes have been made in the financial statements.

The Funds evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Funds’ tax returns to determine whether it is “more-likely-than-not” (i.e., greater than 50-percent) that each tax position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority based on the technical merits of the position. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. The Funds did not record any tax provision in the current period. However, management’s conclusions regarding tax positions taken may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, examination by tax authorities (i.e., the last 3 tax year ends, as applicable), on-going analysis of and changes to tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof.

As of and during the year ended January 31, 2020, the Funds did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the year ended January 31, 2020, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

Security Transactions and Related Income – Security transactions are accounted for on trade date for financial reporting purposes. Costs used in determining realized gains and losses on the sales of investment securities are based on specific identification. Dividend income and expense is

 

 

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January 31, 2020

 

recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income and expense is recognized on an accrual basis. Purchase discounts and premiums on debt securities are accreted and amortized to maturity and are included in interest income. Realized gains (losses) on paydowns of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are recorded as an adjustment to interest income.

The Diversified International Fund and the International Small Cap Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which they invest. Such taxes are generally based on either income or gains earned or repatriated. The Funds accrue and apply such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains as income and/or capital gains are earned.

Investments in REITs – Dividend income from REITs is recorded based on the income included in distributions received from the REIT investments using published REIT reclassifications, including some management estimates when actual amounts are not available. Distributions received in excess of this estimated amount are recorded as a reduction of the cost of investments or reclassified to capital gains. The actual amounts of income, return of capital, and capital gains are only determined by each REIT after its fiscal year-end, and may differ from the estimated amounts.

Foreign Currency Translation – The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the closing rate on the date of valuation. The Funds do not isolate that portion of realized or unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rate from fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of the securities. These gains and losses are included in net realized gains and losses on investments and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments on the Statements of Operations. Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains or losses from forward foreign currency exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the amount of the investment income and foreign

withholding taxes recorded on the Funds’ books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid.

Short Sales – The Quantitative Long/Short Fund engages in short sales (selling securities it does not own) as a part of its normal investment activities. When the Fund sells a security short, it borrows the security from a third party and sells it at the then current market price. The Fund is then obligated to buy the security on a later date so that it can return the security to the lender. Short positions may be used either to hedge long positions or may be used speculatively to seek positive returns in instances where the Adviser believes a security’s price will decline. The Fund will either realize a profit or incur a loss from a short position, depending on whether the value of the underlying stock decreases or increases, respectively, between the time it is sold and when the Fund replaces the borrowed security. Because the market price of the security sold short could increase without limit, the Fund could be subject to a theoretically unlimited loss.

In accordance with the terms of its prime brokerage agreement, the Fund may receive rebate income or be charged a fee on borrowed securities. Such income or fee is calculated on a daily basis based upon the market value of each borrowed security and a variable rate that is dependent upon the availability of such security. The Fund records these prime broker charges on a net basis as interest income or prime broker interest expense. In addition, the Fund is required to pay the lender any dividends declared on short positions. Such amounts are recorded on the ex-dividend date as dividends expense on securities sold short.

Short sales are collateralized by cash deposits with the counterparty broker, Goldman, Sachs & Co., and pledged securities held at the custodian, U.S. Bank, N.A. The collateral required is determined daily by reference to the market value of the short positions. Please refer to the Quantitative Long/Short Fund’s Statement of Asset and Liabilities regarding deposits held/due to prime broker.

The Fund is required to maintain margin cash balances at the prime broker sufficient to satisfy its short sales positions on a daily basis. The Fund is charged interest expense at the Fed

 

 

111


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)  
     

 

Open Rate plus 150 basis points on the amount of any shortfall in the required cash margin.

The Fund had prime brokerage borrowings throughout the year ended January 31, 2020 as follows:

 

Maximum
Amount
Borrowed

   

Average
Outstanding
Balance

   

Effective
Interest
Rate Paid

   

Interest
Paid

 
  $807,595       $307,795       2.18%       $6,700  

Expenses – Most expenses of the Trust can be directly attributed to a particular fund. Expenses that cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds of the Trust based on the number of funds and/or relative net assets.

Classes of Shares – Class-specific expenses are borne by that class of shares. Income, realized and unrealized gains and losses and non-class-specific expenses are allocated to the respective class on the basis of relative daily net assets.

Dividends and Distributions – Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid monthly for the Diversified Income Fund, the Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund and the Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund, and declared and paid annually for the Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, the Diversified International Fund, the Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, the International Small Cap Fund, the Microcap Fund, and the Quantitative Long/Short Fund. Net realized gains on sales of securities, if any, are distributed to shareholders at least annually.

 

3.

Agreements and other Transactions with Affiliates:

Advisory Agreement

Horizon Advisers (the “Adviser”) is an unincorporated division of Whitney Bank and serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. Whitney Bank, which uses the trade name Hancock Bank, is part of Hancock Holding Company’s family of companies. Hancock Holding Company and its family of companies, including Whitney Bank, are collectively known as “Hancock”. For its services, the Adviser is entitled to a fee that is

calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

Assets

  Burkenroad
Small Cap
Fund(1)
  Diversified
Income
Fund
  Diversified
International
Fund(1)
  Dynamic
Asset
Allocation
Fund
  International
Small Cap
Fund(1)

$0-$100 million

  n/a    n/a    0.86%   n/a    n/a 

Over $100 million

  n/a    n/a    0.76%   n/a    n/a 

$0-$500 million

  0.80%   0.70%   n/a   0.70%   0.80%

$501 million - $1 billion

  0.75%   0.65%   n/a   0.65%   0.75%

over $1 billion

  0.70%   0.60%   n/a   0.60%   0.70%

 

Assets

   Louisiana
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
   Microcap
Fund(1)
   Mississippi
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
   Quantitative
Long/Short
Fund(2)

$0-$500 million

   0.60%    0.80%    0.60%    0.80%

$501 million - $1 billion

   0.55%    0.75%    0.55%    0.75%

over $1 billion

   0.50%    0.70%    0.50%    0.70%

“n/a” designates asset tier not applicable.

(1) 

Prior to May 31, 2019, the advisory fee was 0.95% on the first $500 million in assets, 0.90% for assets between $500 million and $1 billion, and 0.85% on assets over $1 billion for the Burkenroad Small Cap Fund; 1.00% on the first $100 million in assets and 0.90% on assets over $100 million for the Diversified International Fund; 1.10% on the first $500 million in assets, 1.05% for assets between $500 million and $1 billion, and 1.00% on assets over $1 billion for the International Small Cap Fund; and 1.00% on the first $500 million in assets, 0.95% for assets between $500 million and $1 billion, and 0.90% on assets over $1 billion for the Microcap Fund.

(2) 

The advisory fee paid to the Adviser for providing services to the Quantitative Long/Short Fund consists of a basic annual fee rate of 1.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the first $500 million in assets, 1.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the next $500 million in assets, and 1.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for assets over $1 billion (the “Basic Fee”), and a potential performance adjustment (“Performance Adjustment”) of 0.40% of the Fund’s average daily net assets during the 12 month period ending on each monthly Performance Adjustment calculation date (a “Performance Period”).

The Adviser has agreed to waive all or a portion of its fee so that the total annual expenses (excluding interest, dividend expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of each Fund will not exceed the following as a percentage of average net assets:

 

    Burkenroad
Small Cap
Fund*(1)
  Diversified
Income
Fund*
  Diversified
International
Fund*(2)
  Dynamic
Asset
Allocation
Fund*
  International
Small Cap
Fund*(3)

Institutional Class Shares

  1.00%   0.90%   1.13%   1.40%   1.25%

Investor Class Shares

  1.25%   1.15%   1.38%   1.65%   1.50%

Class D Shares

  1.50%   n/a   n/a   n/a   n/a

 

     Louisiana
Tax-Free
Income
Fund*
    Microcap
Fund*(4)
    Mississippi
Tax-Free
Income
Fund*
    Quantitative
Long/Short
Fund*
 

Institutional Class Shares

     0.75     1.30     0.75     1.70 %(1) 

Investor Class Shares

     1.00     1.55     1.00     1.95 %(1) 

“n/a” designates that the Fund does not offer this class.

 

 

112


   

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*

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses through May 31, 2020.

(1) 

Prior to May 31, 2019, the Contractual Expense Limit for the Burkenroad Small Cap Fund was 1.15% for Institutional Class Shares, 1.40% for Investor Class Shares and 1.65% for Class D Shares.

(2) 

Prior to May 31, 2019, the Contractual Expense Limit for the Diversified International Fund was 1.50% for Institutional Class Shares and 1.75% for Investor Class Shares.

(3) 

Prior to May 31, 2019, the Contractual Expense Limit for the International Small Cap Fund was 1.55% for Institutional Class Shares and 1.80% for Investor Class Shares.

(4) 

Prior to May 31, 2019, the Contractual Expense Limit for the Microcap Fund was 1.50% for Institutional Class Shares and 1.75% for Investor Class Shares.

The Adviser may seek reimbursement for Advisory Fees waived or limited and other expenses paid by the Adviser during the preceding three-year period, pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement. Reimbursement by a Fund of the Advisory Fees waived or limited and other expenses paid by the Adviser pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement may be made when a Fund has reached a sufficient asset size to permit reimbursement to be made without causing the total annual operating expense ratio of each Fund to exceed the total operating expense limitation. During the year ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser recaptured previously waived/reimbursed fees of $23,189 for the Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund.

As of January 31, 2020, fees previously waived and reimbursed by the Adviser which may be subject to possible future reimbursement are as follows:

 

Fiscal
Year
   Subject to
Repayment until
July 31:
    Diversified
Income
Fund
    International
Small Cap
Fund
    Burkenroad
Small Cap
Fund
 

2018

     2021     $ 97,526     $ 21,258     $ 129,813  

2019

     2022       88,018       3,281       113,253  

2020

     2023       93,131       15,795       229,808  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Total     $ 278,675     $ 40,334     $ 472,874  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Fiscal
Year
   Subject to
Repayment until
July 31:
     Louisiana
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
     Microcap
Fund
     Mississippi
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
 

2018

     2021      $ 56,425      $ 11,002      $ 62,871  

2019

     2022        55,900               61,032  

2020

     2023        49,816        3,558        56,619  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Total      $ 162,141      $ 14,560      $ 180,522  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Adviser oversees EARNEST Partners, LLC (“EARNEST” or the “Sub-Adviser”), the sub-adviser to the Diversified International Fund, and GlobeFlex Capital, L.P. (“GlobeFlex” or the “Sub-Adviser” and, together with EARNEST, the “Sub-Advisers”), the sub-adviser to the

International Small Cap Fund, to ensure compliance with the investment policies and guidelines of each Fund, and monitors each Sub-Adviser’s adherence to its investment style. The Adviser pays EARNEST out of the advisory fee it receives from the Diversified International Fund and pays GlobeFlex out of the advisory fee it receives from the International Small Cap Fund. The Board supervises the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers and establishes policies that the Adviser and Sub-Advisers must follow in their management activities.

Administration Agreement

SEI Investments Global Funds Services (the “Administrator”) is the Administrator of the Trust. SEI Investments Management Corporation (“SEI Investments”), a wholly owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company, is the owner of all beneficial interest in the Administrator.

The Funds and the Administrator are parties to an Administration Agreement under which the Administrator provides administrative services to the Funds. For these services, the Administrator is paid an asset-based fee, which will vary depending on the number of share classes and the average daily net assets of the Funds. For the year ended January 31, 2020, the Funds were charged as follows for these services:

 

Fund Name

   Administration
Fee Charged
 

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

   $ 264,160  

Diversified Income Fund

     36,617  

Diversified International Fund

     202,695  

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

     12,461  

International Small Cap Fund

     12,734  

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

     5,754  

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

     10,986  

Microcap Fund

     12,801  

Quantitative Long/Short Fund

     122,957  

Transfer Agent and Custodian Agreement

Hancock serves as the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds. For providing these services, Hancock is paid an annual fee of $12,000 for each class of each Fund and 0.0175% of the average daily net assets of the Funds.

Hancock Bank serves as custodian to the Funds (except for the Quantitative Long/Short Fund), and for such services is paid an annual fee from the Funds’ assets of 0.03% of each Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to a minimum of $250 per month per Fund.

 

 

113


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)  
     

 

U.S. Bank serves as custodian to the Quantitative Long/Short Fund and for such services is paid an annual fee based on the Fund’s average daily net assets. BNY Mellon serves as sub-custodian to the Diversified International Fund, and for such services is paid an annual fee based on the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Distribution Agreement

The Trust and SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the “Distributor”), a wholly owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company, have entered into a distribution agreement. As provided in the distribution agreement and the distribution plan, the Trust will be charged a fee based upon the average daily net assets of the Funds.

The following table summarizes the distribution fees charged:

 

    Burkenroad
Small Cap
Fund
  Diversified
Income
Fund
  Diversified
International
Fund
  Dynamic
Asset
Allocation
Fund
  International
Small Cap
Fund

Institutional Class Shares

         

Investor Class Shares

         

Class D Shares

  0.25%   n/a   n/a   n/a   n/a

 

     Louisiana
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
     Microcap
Fund
     Mississippi
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
     Quantitative
Long/Short
Fund
 

Institutional Class Shares

                           

Investor Class Shares

                           

“—” designates that no fees are charged to this class.

“n/a” designates that the Fund does not offer this class.

To the extent that the applicable shares are held through Hancock or any of its affiliates providing custodian, brokerage or investment-related services, including Hancock Investment Securities, Inc., those entities may receive the distribution and servicing fees, payable from the Funds’ assets, applicable to that class of shares. During the year ended January 31, 2020, Hancock Investment Securities, Inc. received distribution fees in the amount of $812 for the Burkenroad Small Cap Fund.

The Trust has adopted a shareholder servicing plan pursuant to which a shareholder servicing fee will be charged based upon the average daily net assets of the Funds.

The following table summarizes the shareholder servicing fees charged:

 

    Burkenroad
Small Cap
Fund
  Diversified
Income
Fund
  Diversified
International
Fund
  Dynamic
Asset
Allocation
Fund
  International
Small Cap
Fund

Institutional Class Shares

         

Investor Class Shares

  0.25%   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%   0.25%

Class D Shares

  0.25%   n/a   n/a   n/a   n/a

 

     Louisiana
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
    Microcap
Fund
    Mississippi
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
    Quantitative
Long/Short
Fund
 

Institutional Class Shares

                        

Investor Class Shares

     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25

“—” designates that no fees are charged to this class.

“n/a” designates that the Fund does not offer this class.

To the extent that the applicable shares are held through Hancock or any of its affiliates providing custodial, brokerage or investment-related services, including Hancock Investment Services, Inc., those entities may receive shareholder servicing fees, payable from the Funds’ assets, applicable to that class of shares. During the year ended January 31, 2020, Hancock Investment Securities, Inc. received shareholder servicing fees in the amount of $5,161 for the Burkenroad Small Cap Fund.

Other

Certain officers and a trustee of the Trust are also officers of the Administrator and/or the Distributor. Such officers and trustee are paid no fees by the Trust, other than the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as described below, for serving as officers of the Trust.

The services provided by the CCO and his staff, whom are employees of the Administrator, are paid for by the Trust as incurred. The services include regulatory oversight of the Trust’s advisers and service providers as required by SEC regulations. The CCO’s services have been approved by and are reviewed by the Board.

 

 

114


   

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January 31, 2020

 

4.

Share Transactions:

Shares issued, reinvested and redeemed for the Funds were as follows (000):

For the year ended January 31, 2020 and the year ended January 31, 2019.

 

    Burkenroad
Small Cap Fund
    Diversified
Income Fund
    Diversified
International
Fund
    Dynamic
Asset
Allocation
Fund
 
    2020     2019     2020     2019     2020     2019     2020     2019  

Institutional Class Shares:

               

Shares issued

    796       1,426       543       598       1,070       622       400       501  

Shares reinvested

    793       910       106       29       140       73       16       3  

Shares redeemed

    (2,130     (2,210     (983     (1,116     (1,555     (1,165     (121     (170
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Institutional Class Shares Transactions

    (541     126       (334     (489     (345     (470     295       334  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares:

               

Shares issued

    295       590       28       82       36       16       21       17  

Shares reinvested

    759       1,148       6       8       4       2       1       1  

Shares redeemed

    (2,531     (3,853     (131     (193     (79     (73     (46     (5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investor Class Shares Transactions

    (1,477     (2,115     (97     (103     (39     (55     (24     13  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C Shares(1):

               

Shares issued

    n/a       n/a                                     2  

Shares reinvested

    n/a       n/a             1                          

Shares redeemed

    n/a       n/a       (20     (14     (4     (1     (22     (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class C Shares Transactions

    n/a       n/a       (20     (13     (4     (1     (22     1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class D Shares:

               

Shares issued

    20       41       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Shares reinvested

    136       137       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Shares redeemed

    (175     (157     n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class D Shares Transactions

    (19     21       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Capital Shares

    (2,037     (1,968     (451     (605     (388     (526     249       348  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

“n/a” designates that the Fund does not offer this class.

(1) 

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Amounts designated as “—” are 0 shares or have been rounded to 0 shares.

 

115


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)  
     

 

     International
Small Cap Fund
    Louisiana
Tax-Free
Income Fund
    Microcap
Fund
    Mississippi
Tax-Free
Income Fund
 
     2020     2019     2020     2019     2020     2019     2020     2019  

Institutional Class Shares:

                

Shares issued

     314       443       73       42       411       319       110       45  

Shares reinvested

     29       20       5       1       4       28       11        

Shares redeemed

     (471     (415     (31     (30     (426     (257     (65     (40
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Institutional Class Shares Transactions

     (128     48       47       13       (11     90       56       5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares

                

Shares issued

     2       5       9       6       21       3       13       14  

Shares reinvested

           1       3       3             1       4       6  

Shares redeemed

     (26     (8     (62     (40     (30     (6     (132     (141
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investor Class Shares Transactions

     (24     (2     (50     (31     (9     (2     (115     (121
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C Shares(1):

                

Shares issued

                                                

Shares reinvested

                                                

Shares redeemed

                 (1           (3           (2      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class C Shares Transactions

                 (1           (3           (2      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Capital Shares

     (152     46       (4     (18     (23     88       (61     (116
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Amounts designated as “—” are 0 shares or have been rounded to 0 shares.

 

     Quantitative
Long/Short
Fund
 
     2020     2019  

Institutional Class Shares:

    

Shares issued

     1,676       1,537  

Shares reinvested

     42       439  

Shares redeemed

     (1,698     (2,526
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Institutional Class Shares Transactions

     20       (550
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares:

    

Shares issued

     240       405  

Shares reinvested

     4       66  

Shares redeemed

     (410     (622
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investor Class Shares Transactions

     (166     (151
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C Shares(1):

    

Shares issued

           10  

Shares reinvested

           12  

Shares redeemed

     (153     (61
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class C Shares Transactions

     (153     (39
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Capital Shares

     (299     (740
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  

On April 18, 2019, the Trust’s Board of Trustees approved the merger of Class C Shares into Investor Class Shares effective May 24, 2019.

Amounts designated as “—” are 0 shares or have been rounded to 0 shares.

 

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5.

Investment Transactions:

The cost of security purchases and the proceeds from the sales and maturities of securities, other than short-term investments, for the year ended January 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Burkenroad
Small Cap
Fund
(000)
    Diversified
Income
Fund
(000)
     Diversified
International
Fund
(000)
    Dynamic
Asset
Allocation
Fund
(000)
     International
Small Cap
Fund
(000)
 

Cost of Security Purchases

           

U.S. Government Securities

  $     $      $     $      $  

Other

    84,282       25,889        34,416       27,429        10,105  

Proceeds from Sales and Maturities

           

U.S. Government Securities

  $     $      $     $      $  

Other

    254,906       29,221        45,667       23,543        12,326  
    Louisiana
Tax-Free
Income  Fund
(000)
    Microcap
Fund
(000)
     Mississippi
Tax-Free
Income  Fund
(000)
    Quantitative
Long/Short
Fund
(000)
        

Cost of Security Purchases

           

U.S. Government Securities

  $     $      $     $     

Other

    609       15,692        720       83,046     

Proceeds from Sales and Maturities

           

U.S. Government Securities

  $     $      $     $     

Other

    707       15,807        2,308       78,356     

 

6.

Federal Tax Information:

The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gains distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. These book/tax differences may be temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent, they are charged or credited to paid-in capital or distributable earnings (accumulated losses), as appropriate, in the periods that the differences arise.

Each of the Funds has a tax year that ends on April 30. The following tax disclosure is representative as of April 30, 2019, except for the tax character of distributions and Federal tax cost and aggregate tax gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments, which are representative as of January 31, 2020 with tax basis adjustments as of April 30, 2019.

Permanent book and tax differences resulted in the following reclassifications. These differences are due to foreign currency transactions, partnerships, passive foreign investment company, real estate investment trusts reclass character of income, net operating loss, dividend expense and reclass of distribution. These reclassifications had no impact on the net assets or net asset value of the Funds. Accordingly, the following reclassifications have been made to/from the following accounts (000):

 

     Distributable
(Earnings/Loss)
     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 

Microcap Fund

   $ 54      $ (54

 

117


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)  
     

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions declared during the years ended January 31, 2020 and January 31, 2019 was as follows (000):

 

    Ordinary
Income
     Long Term
Capital Gain
     Tax exempt      Return of
Capital
    Totals  
    2020     2019      2020     2019      2020     2019      2020     2019     2020     2019  

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

  $     $ 4,743      $ 64,736     $ 98,048      $     $      $     $     $ 64,736     $ 102,791  

Diversified Income Fund

    1,677       1,244                                        407       1,677       1,651  

Diversified International Fund

    4,041       2,614        1,246                                       5,287       2,614  

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

    263       196                                              263       196  

International Small Cap Fund

    472       240              248                                 472       488  

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

    5       4                     157       165                    162       169  

Microcap Fund

    72       10              417                                 72       427  

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

    4       7                     284       339                    288       346  

Quantitative Long/Short Fund

    982       809              9,086                                 982       9,895  

Amounts are as of fiscal year end, tax character will be determined upon the Funds’ tax year end April 30th.

Amounts designated as “—” are either $0 or have been rounded to $0.

As of April 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows (000):

 

     Burkenroad
Small Cap
Fund
    Diversified
Income
Fund
    Diversified
International
Fund
    Dynamic
Asset
Allocation
Fund
    International
Small Cap
Fund
 

Undistributed ordinary income

   $     $ 470     $ 1,273     $ 3     $ 234  

Undistributed long-term capital gain

     36,147                          

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     114,996       1,153       59,459       461       52  

Capital Loss Carryforward

           (9,131     (1,592     (474     (1,698

Post-October Losses

           (394           (282      

Late-Year Loss Deferral

     (710                        

Other temporary differences

           (6                  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributable earnings (accumulated losses)

   $ 150,433     $ (7,908   $ 59,140     $ (292   $ (1,412
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Louisiana
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
    Microcap
Fund
    Mississippi
Tax-Free
Income
Fund
    Quantitative
Long/Short
Fund
       

Undistributed ordinary income

   $     $     $ 1     $ 590    

Undistributed long-term capital gain

                          

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     189       437       377       14,769    

Capital Loss Carryforward

     (191     (178     (539        

Post-October Losses

     (30     (472     (21     (1,245  

Late-Year Loss Deferral

                          

Other temporary differences

                          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total distributable earnings (accumulated losses)

   $ (32   $ (213   $ (182   $ 14,115    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Deferred Late-Year Losses represent ordinary losses realized on investment transactions from January 1, 2019 through April 30, 2019 and specified losses realized on investment transactions from November 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019, that, in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, the Fund defers and treats as having arisen in the following fiscal year.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Diversified International Fund and Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards to offset realized capital gains in the amount of (000) $1,634 and $9.

 

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Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law. As of April 30, 2019, the following Funds have capital loss carryforwards to offset capital gains for an unlimited period (000):

 

     Short Term      Long Term      Total Capital
Loss Carryforwards
 

Diversified Income Fund

   $ 6,892      $ 2,239      $ 9,131  

Diversified International Fund

            1,592        1,592  

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

     474               474  

International Small Cap Fund

     1,698               1,698  

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

     171        20        191  

Microcap Fund

     178               178  

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

     161        378        539  

The Federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments (excluding securities sold short and foreign currency) held by the Funds at January 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

     Federal Tax Cost
(000)
     Aggregate Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
(000)
     Aggregate Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
 

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

   $ 154,547      $ 69,943      $ (13,597   $ 56,346  

Diversified Income Fund

     36,568        3,078        (1,272     1,806  

Diversified International Fund

     173,200        67,740        (15,382     52,358  

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

     14,747        1,156        (96     1,060  

International Small Cap Fund

     12,265        2,078        (848     1,230  

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

     6,142        353              353  

Microcap Fund

     13,020        1,362        (1,234     128  

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

     11,481        734              734  

Quantitative Long/Short Fund

     118,035        17,343        (1,873     15,470  

The Federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation on securities sold short held by the Quantitative Long/Short Fund at January 31, 2020 was as follows:

 

     Federal Tax Cost
(000)
    Aggregate Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
(000)
     Aggregate Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
(000)
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
(000)
 

Quantitative Long/Short Fund

   $ (5,722   $ 171      $ (54   $ 117  

 

119


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)  
     

 

7.

Other:

On January 31, 2020, the number of shareholders below held the following percentage of the outstanding shares of the Funds.

 

    Number of
Shareholders
     % of
Outstanding
Shares
 

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Institutional Class

    3        80  

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Investor Class

    3        37  

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Class D

    3        37  

Diversified Income Fund, Institutional Class

    1        99  

Diversified Income Fund, Investor Class

    2        31  

Diversified International Fund, Institutional Class

    4        93  

Diversified International Fund, Investor Class

    4        37  

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, Institutional Class

    1        100  

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, Investor Class

    5        73  

International Small Cap Fund, Institutional Class

    1        100  

International Small Cap Fund, Investor Class

    3        93  

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund, Institutional Class

    2        100  

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund, Investor Class

    4        63  

Microcap Fund, Institutional Class

    1        93  

Microcap Fund, Investor Class

    3        77  

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund, Institutional Class

    1        99  

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund, Investor Class

    7        65  

Quantitative Long/Short Fund, Institutional Class

    4        88  

Quantitative Long/Short Fund, Investor Class

    2        53  

These shareholders are comprised of omnibus accounts, which are held on behalf of various individual shareholders.

 

8.

Indemnifications:

In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Funds and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on the Trust’s experience, the risk of loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

9.

Concentration of Risks:

As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC, or any government

agency. The principal risks affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below:

Municipal Securities Risk (Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund and Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund) – Because the Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund and Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund primarily purchase municipal bonds, the Funds are more susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory changes that may impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments on municipal securities. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s securities. Constitutional or legislative limits on borrowing by municipal issuers may result in reduced supplies of municipal securities. Moreover, certain municipal securities are backed only by a municipal issuer’s ability to levy and collect taxes.

The Fund’s concentration of investments in securities of issuers located in Louisiana or Mississippi subjects the Fund to economic conditions and government policies within that state. As a result, the Fund will be more susceptible to factors that adversely affect issuers of Louisiana or Mississippi obligations than a mutual fund that does not have as great a concentration in Louisiana or Mississippi. As with Louisiana or Mississippi municipal securities, events in any of the U.S. territories where the Fund is invested may affect the Fund’s investments and its performance.

The Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in municipal securities that finance similar types of projects, such as hospitals, higher education, housing industrial development, transportation or pollution control. A change that affects one project, such as proposed legislation on the financing of the project, a shortage of the materials needed for the project or a declining need for the project, would likely affect all similar projects, thereby increasing market risk.

Income from municipal obligations could be declared taxable because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service or state tax authorities or non-compliant conduct of bond issuers. A

 

 

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portion of the Fund’s income may be taxable to shareholders subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

Fixed Income Securities Risk (Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund, Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund and Diversified Income Fund) – The prices of the Fund’s fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, the Fund’s fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and vice versa. Risks associated with rising interest rates are heightened given that interest rates in the U.S. are at, or near, historic lows. The volatility of lower-rated securities is even greater than that of higher-rated securities. Interest rate risk is generally greater for fixed income securities with longer maturities or duration.

The credit rating or financial condition of an issuer may affect the value of a debt security. Generally, the lower the quality rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will fail to pay interest fully and return principal in a timely manner. If an issuer defaults or becomes unable to honor its financial obligations, the security may lose some or all of its value. The issuer of an investment grade security is more likely to pay interest and repay principal than an issuer of a lower-rated bond. Adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances, however, may weaken the capacity of the issuer to pay interest and repay principal.

High Yield Securities Risk (Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund, Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund and Diversified Income Fund) – High yield, or “junk,” bonds are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less credit worthy and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies. Compared with investment grade bonds, high yield bonds are considered to carry a greater degree of risk and are considered to be less likely to make payments of interest and principal. Market developments and the financial condition of the issuer of these securities generally influence their price and liquidity more than changes in interest rates, when compared to investment grade debt securities. Insufficient liquidity in the non-investment grade bond market may make it more difficult

to dispose of non-investment grade bonds and may cause the Fund to experience sudden and substantial price declines. A lack of reliable, objective data or market quotations may make it more difficult to value non-investment grade bonds accurately.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk (Diversified Income Fund, Diversified International Fund, Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund and Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund) – To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies, such as ETFs, closed-end funds and other mutual funds, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities held by such other investment companies. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund relies on that investment company to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its objective, the value of the Fund’s investment could decline, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. By investing in another investment company, Fund shareholders indirectly bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses that Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. The Fund does not intend to invest in other investment companies unless the Adviser believes that the potential benefits of the investment justify the payment of any additional fees or expenses. Federal securities laws impose limitations on the Fund’s ability to invest in other investment companies.

Because closed-end funds and ETFs are listed on national stock exchanges and are traded like stocks listed on an exchange, their shares may trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. Investments in closed-end funds and ETFs are also subject to brokerage and other trading costs, which could result in greater expenses to the Fund. In addition, because the value of closed-end funds and ETF shares depends on the demand in the market, the Adviser may not be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings at the most optimal time, which could adversely affect Fund performance.

 

 

121


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)  
     

 

Non-Diversification Risk (Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund and Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund) – Because the Fund is nondiversified, it may be more susceptible to a single adverse economic or political occurrence affecting one or more of the issuers, and may experience increased volatility due to its investments in those securities.

Equity Risk (Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Diversified Income Fund, Diversified International Fund, International Small Cap Fund, Microcap Fund and Quantitative Long/Short Fund) – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s securities may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.

In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.

Small- and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk (Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Diversified Income Fund, International Small Cap Fund and Quantitative Long/Short Fund) – The mid- and small-capitalization companies the Fund may invest in may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, these medium and small-sized companies may have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, mid- and small-capitalization stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies.

These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.

Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk (Diversified Income Fund) – The mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities may be paid off early, which makes it difficult to determine their actual maturity and therefore difficult to calculate how they will respond to changes in interest rates. The Fund may have to re-invest prepaid amounts at lower interest rates. This risk of prepayment is an additional risk of mortgage-backed securities.

Asset-Backed Securities Risk (Diversified Income Fund) – Asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-backed securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Some asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage backed securities. This is because certain asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable in quality to mortgage assets. Moreover, the value of the collateral may be insufficient to cover the principal amount of the obligation. Other asset-backed securities do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral at all.

U.S. Government Securities Risk (Diversified Income Fund) – U.S. government securities are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. Obligations issued by some U.S. government agencies are backed by the U.S. Treasury, while others are backed solely by the ability of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or by the agency’s own resources. As a result, investments in securities issued by the government sponsored agencies that are not backed by the U.S. Treasury are subject to higher credit risk than those that are.

Foreign Company Risk (Diversified Income Fund, Diversified International Fund and International Small Cap Fund) – Investing in foreign companies poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. In addition, investments in foreign companies are generally

 

 

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denominated in a foreign currency, the value of which may be influenced by currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations. Changes in the value of a currency compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of the Fund’s investments. These currency movements may occur separately from, and in response to, events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer’s home country. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. While ADRs provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.

Emerging Markets Securities Risk (Diversified Income Fund and Diversified International Fund) – The Fund may invest in companies located or doing business in emerging market countries. An “emerging market” country is any country determined by the Adviser to have an emerging market economy, considering factors such as the country’s credit rating, its political and economic stability and the development of its financial and capital markets. Typically, emerging markets are in countries that are in the process of industrialization, with lower gross national products than more developed countries. Investments in emerging markets securities are considered speculative and subject to heightened risks in addition to the general risks of investing in non-U.S. securities. Unlike more established markets, emerging markets may have governments that are less stable, markets that are less liquid and economies that are less developed. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries may consist of companies with smaller market capitalizations and may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price

volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital. Furthermore, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or creation of government monopolies. Moreover, the currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

MLPs Risk (Diversified Income Fund) – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry. Additional risks of investing in a MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation, such as limited control of management, limited voting rights and tax risks. MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions, which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors.

REITs Risk (Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Diversified Income Fund, Microcap Fund and Quantitative Long/Short) – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: (i) declines in property values; (ii) increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; (iii) overbuilding; (iv) zoning changes; and (v) losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)  
     

 

Bank Loans Risk (Diversified Income Fund) – The Fund may invest in bank loans through participations or assignments. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which they have purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation.

When the Fund purchases assignments from lenders, the Fund will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. Investments in unsecured bank loans are subject to a greater risk of loss than investments in bank loans secured by collateral.

Bank loans may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.

Short Sales Risk (Quantitative Long/Short Fund) – The Fund is also subject to short sales risk. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a security it does not own. The Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be higher or lower than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. If the underlying security goes down in price between the time the Fund sells the security and buys it back, the Fund will realize a gain on the transaction. Conversely, if the underlying security goes up in price during the period, the Fund will realize a loss on the transaction. Because the market price of the security sold short could increase without limit, the Fund could be subject to a theoretically unlimited loss. The risk of such price increases is the principal risk of engaging in short sales.

In addition, the Fund’s investment performance may suffer if the Fund is required to close out a short position earlier than it had intended. This would occur if the securities lender required the Fund to deliver the securities the Fund borrowed at the

commencement of the short sale and the Fund was unable to borrow the securities from another securities lender or otherwise obtain the security by other means. Moreover, the Fund may be subject to expenses related to short sales that are not typically associated with investing in securities directly, such as costs of borrowing and margin account maintenance costs associated with the Fund’s open short positions. These expenses negatively impact the performance of the Fund. For example, when the Fund short sells an equity security that pays a dividend, it is obligated to pay the dividend on the security it has sold. However, a dividend paid on a security sold short generally reduces the market value of the shorted security and thus, increases the Fund’s unrealized gain or reduces the Fund’s unrealized loss on its short sale transaction. To the extent that the dividend that the Fund is obligated to pay is greater than the return earned by the Fund on investments, the performance of the Fund will be negatively impacted. Furthermore, the Fund may be required to pay a premium or interest to the lender of the security. The foregoing types of short sale expenses are sometimes referred to as the “negative cost of carry,” and will tend to cause the Fund to lose money on a short sale even in instances where the price of the underlying security sold short does not change over the duration of the short sale. The Fund is also required to segregate other assets on its books to cover its obligation to return the security to the lender which means that those other assets may not be available to meet the Fund’s needs for immediate cash or other liquidity.

Derivatives Risk (Quantitative Long/Short Fund) – Derivatives are often more volatile than other investments and may magnify the Fund’s gains or losses. There are various factors that affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective with derivatives. Successful use of a derivative depends upon the degree to which prices of the underlying assets correlate with price movements in the derivatives the Fund buys or sells. The Fund could be negatively affected if the change in market value of its securities fails to correlate perfectly with the values of the derivatives it purchased or sold.

The lack of a liquid secondary market for a derivative may prevent the Fund from closing its derivative positions and

 

 

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could adversely impact its ability to achieve its investment objective or to realize profits or limit losses.

Because derivative instruments may be purchased by the Fund for a fraction of the market value of the investments underlying such instruments, a relatively small price movement in the underlying investment may result in an immediate and substantial gain or loss to the Fund. Derivatives are often more volatile than other investments and the Fund may lose more in a derivative than it originally invested in it.

Portfolio Turnover Risk (Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund and Quantitative Long/Short Fund) – The Fund is subject to portfolio turnover risk since it may buy and sell investments frequently. Such a strategy often involves higher expenses, including brokerage commissions, and may increase the amount of capital gains (in particular, short term gains) realized by the Fund. Shareholders may pay tax on such capital gains.

Regional Focus Risk (Burkenroad Small Cap Fund) – The Fund’s concentration of investments in securities of companies located or doing business in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia and Texas subjects the Fund to economic conditions and government policies within those states. As a result, the Fund will be more susceptible to factors that adversely affect companies located or doing business in those states than a mutual fund that does not have as great a concentration in those states.

Asset Allocation Risk (Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund) – The Fund is subject to asset allocation risk, which is the risk that the Adviser’s allocation of the Fund’s assets among the various asset classes and selection of the Underlying ETFs will cause the Fund to underperform other funds with a similar investment objective and/or underperform the markets in which the Fund invests.

Underlying ETFs Investment Risk (Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund) – The Fund’s investments in Underlying ETFs will subject it to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities held by such Underlying ETFs. As a shareholder of an Underlying ETF, the Fund relies on the Underlying ETF to achieve its investment objective. If the

Underlying ETF fails to achieve its objective, the value of the Fund’s investment could decline, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. By investing in an Underlying ETF, Fund shareholders indirectly bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF, in addition to the fees and expenses that Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations.

Because the value of the Underlying ETFs depends on the demand in the market, they may trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value and the Adviser may not be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings at the most optimal time, which could adversely affect Fund performance. Investments in Underlying ETFs are also subject to brokerage and other trading costs, which could result in greater expenses to the Fund.

Before investing in the Fund, investors should assess the risks associated with the Underlying ETFs and the types of investments made, or tracked, by the Underlying ETFs. These risks include any combination of the risks described below, although the Fund’s exposure to a particular risk will depend on its allocations to the Underlying ETFs.

Equity Risk – Investments in common stocks are subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of equity securities may fluctuate from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response.

Foreign Company Risk – Investing in foreign companies poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign companies are generally denominated in a foreign currency, the value of which may be influenced by currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations. Changes in the value of a currency compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)  
     

 

negatively) the value of foreign investments. These currency movements may occur separately from, and in response to, events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer’s home country. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers.

Emerging Markets Securities Risk – Investments in emerging markets securities are considered speculative and subject to heightened risks in addition to the general risks of investing in non-U.S. securities. Unlike more established markets, emerging markets may have governments that are less stable, markets that are less liquid and economies that are less developed. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries may consist of companies with smaller market capitalizations and may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital. Furthermore, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or creation of government monopolies. Moreover, the currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

Preferred Stocks Risk – Preferred stocks are sensitive to interest rate changes, and are also subject to equity risk, which is the risk that stock prices will fall over short or

extended periods of time. The rights of preferred stocks on the distribution of a company’s assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a company’s debt securities.

Convertible Securities Risk – The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates (with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline) and the credit standing of the issuer. The price of a convertible security will also normally vary in some proportion to changes in the price of the underlying common stock because of the conversion or exercise feature.

Fixed Income Securities Risk – The prices of fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the creditworthiness of individual issuers, including governments. Generally, fixed income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise, and vice versa. Risks associated with rising interest rates are heightened given that interest rates in the U.S. are at, or near, historic lows. Interest rate risk is generally greater for lower-rated securities and securities with longer maturities or durations.

The credit rating or financial condition of an issuer may affect the value of a debt security. Generally, the lower the quality rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will fail to pay interest fully and return principal in a timely manner. If an issuer defaults or becomes unable to honor its financial obligations, the security may lose some or all of its value. The issuer of an investment grade security is more likely to pay interest and repay principal than an issuer of a lower-rated bond. Adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances, however, may weaken the capacity of the issuer to pay interest and repay principal.

In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any

 

 

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such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.

High Yield Securities Risk – High yield, or “junk,” bonds are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less credit worthy and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies. Compared with investment grade bonds, high yield bonds are considered to carry a greater degree of risk and are considered to be less likely to make payments of interest and principal. Market developments and the financial condition of the issuer of these securities generally influence their price and liquidity more than changes in interest rates, when compared to investment grade debt securities. Insufficient liquidity in the non-investment grade bond market may make it more difficult to dispose of non-investment grade bonds, and a lack of reliable, objective data or market quotations may make it more difficult to value non-investment grade bonds accurately.

U.S. Government Securities Risk – Investment in U.S. government obligations may include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, or its agencies or instrumentalities. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so. In addition, U.S. government securities are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates.

Foreign Sovereign Debt Securities Risk – The risks that: (i) the governmental entity that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be willing or able to repay the principal and/or interest when it becomes due, due to

factors such as debt service burden, political constraints, cash flow problems and other national economic factors; (ii) governments may default on their debt securities, which may require holders of such securities to participate in debt rescheduling or additional lending to defaulting governments; and (iii) there is no bankruptcy proceeding by which defaulted sovereign debt may be collected in whole or in part.

Municipal Securities Risk – Municipal securities are susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory changes that may impact the ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of municipal issuers also may adversely affect the value of municipal securities. Constitutional or legislative limits on borrowing by municipal issuers may result in reduced supplies of municipal securities. Moreover, certain municipal securities are backed only by a municipal issuer’s ability to levy and collect taxes. Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk – The mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities may be paid off early, which makes it difficult to determine their actual maturity and therefore difficult to calculate how they will respond to changes in interest rates. Prepaid amounts may have to be reinvested at lower interest rates.

Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk – The mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities may be paid off early, which makes it difficult to determine their actual maturity and therefore difficult to calculate how they will respond to changes in interest rates. Prepaid amounts may have to be reinvested at lower interest rates.

Asset-Backed Securities Risk – Asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage backed securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Some asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. This is because certain asset-backed securities do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable in quality to mortgage assets. Moreover, the value of the collateral

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)  
     

 

may be insufficient to cover the principal amount of the obligation. Other asset-backed securities do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral at all.

Commodities Risk – The prices of physical commodities (such as energy, minerals, or agricultural products) may be affected by factors such as natural disasters, weather, and U.S. and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of commodities can also fluctuate due to supply and demand disruptions in major producing or consuming regions, as well as temporary distortions in the commodities markets due to, among other factors, lack of liquidity, the participation of speculators, and government regulation and other actions.

REITs Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: (i) declines in property values; (ii) increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; (iii) overbuilding; (iv) zoning changes; and (v) losses from casualty or condemnation.

MLPs Risk – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry. Additional risks of investing in a MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed 36 to a corporation, such as limited control of management, limited voting rights and tax risks. MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions, which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors.

Derivatives Risk – Derivatives are often more volatile than other investments and may magnify gains or losses. Successful use of a derivative depends upon the degree to which prices of the underlying assets correlate with price

movements in the derivatives purchased or sold. The lack of a liquid secondary market for a derivative may prevent the closing of derivative positions and could adversely impact the ability to realize profits or limit losses. Because derivative instruments may be purchased for a fraction of the market value of the investments underlying such instruments, a relatively small price movement in the underlying investment may result in an immediate and substantial gain or loss. Derivatives are often more volatile than other investments and more can be lost from a derivative than the amount originally invested in it.

Micro-Capitalization Company Risk (Microcap Fund) – The micro-capitalization companies that the Fund invests in may be newly formed or in the early stages of development with limited product lines, markets or financial resources. Therefore, micro-capitalization companies may be less financially secure than large-, mid- or small-capitalization companies and may be more vulnerable to key personnel losses due to reliance on a smaller number of management personnel. In addition, there may be less public information available about these companies. Micro-capitalization stock prices may be more volatile than large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies and such stocks may be more thinly traded and thus difficult for the Fund to buy and sell in the market. Investing in micro-capitalization companies requires a longer term investment view and may not be appropriate for all investors. The Fund is also subject to the risk that the Fund’s particular investment style, which focuses on micro-capitalization stocks, may underperform other segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole.

Call Risk – During periods of falling interest rates, certain debt obligations with high interest rates may be prepaid (or “called”) by the issuer prior to maturity. This may cause a Fund’s average weighted maturity to fluctuate, and may require the Fund to invest the resulting proceeds at lower interest rates.

Credit Risk – The possibility that an issuer will be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of either principal or interest. Generally, the lower the credit quality of a security, the greater the perceived risk that the issuer will fail to pay interest

 

 

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fully and return principal in a timely manner. If an issuer defaults or becomes unable to honor its financial obligations, the security may lose some or all of its value.

 

10.

Regulatory Matters:

On August 17, 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to Regulation S-X. These changes are effective for periods after November 5, 2018. The updates to Registered Investment Companies were mainly focused on simplifying the presentation of distributable earnings by eliminating the need to present the components of distributable earnings on a book basis in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The update also impacted the presentation of undistributed net investment income and distribution to shareholders on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The amounts presented in the current Statements of Changes in Net Assets represent the aggregated total distributions of net investment income and realized capital gains, except for distributions classified as return of capital which are still presented separately.

 

11.

New Accounting Pronouncements:

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The new guidance includes additions and modifications to disclosures requirements for fair value measurements. For public entities, the amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management elected to early adopt the removal of certain disclosure and delay the adoption of additional disclosure until the effective date.

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2017-08, Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Call-able Debt Securities (the “ASU”) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. The ASU does not require any accounting change for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim

periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The implications of the ASU have been determined to be immaterial to the Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund. For the Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund, the amounts were reflected on the Statement of Operations as follows:

 

    Income     Net realized gain (loss)
from security transactions
 

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

  $ (19,906   $ 19,906  

 

12.

Subsequent Events:

Subsequent to year-end, COVID-19 has impacted the US and global markets, and as a result the continuing economic impact is currently unknown. Please refer to the “Concentration of Risk” in Note 9 for additional information.

The Funds have evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, no additional disclosures and/or adjustments were required to the financial statements as of January 31, 2020.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  
     

 

To the Board of Trustees of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II and Shareholders of Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Hancock Horizon Diversified Income Fund, Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund, Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund, Hancock Horizon Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund, Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund, Hancock Horizon Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund and Hancock Horizon Quantitative Long/Short Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Hancock Horizon Diversified Income Fund, Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund, Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund, Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund, Hancock Horizon Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund, Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund, Hancock Horizon Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund and Hancock Horizon Quantitative Long/Short Fund (collectively referred to as the “Funds”) (nine of the series constituting The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II (the “Trust”)), including the schedules of investments, as of January 31, 2020, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds (nine of the series constituting The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II) at January 31, 2020, the results of their operations, changes in net assets and financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

       

Individual fund constituting

The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II

  Statement of
operations
  Statements of changes in
net assets
  Financial highlights
       

Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

  For the year ended January 31, 2020   For each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2020   For each of the five years in the period ended January 31, 2020
       

Hancock Horizon Diversified Income Fund

  For the year ended January 31, 2020   For each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2020   For each of the five years in the period ended January 31, 2020
       

Hancock Horizon Diversified International Fund

  For the year ended January 31, 2020   For each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2020   For each of the five years in the period ended January 31, 2020
       

Hancock Horizon Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

  For the year ended January 31, 2020   For each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2020   For each of the five years in the period ended January 31, 2020

 

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January 31, 2020

     

 

       

Individual fund constituting

The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II

  Statement of
operations
  Statements of changes in
net assets
  Financial highlights
       

Hancock Horizon Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

  For the year ended January 31, 2020   For each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2020   For each of the five years in the period ended January 31, 2020
       

Hancock Horizon Quantitative Long/Short Fund

  For the year ended January 31, 2020   For each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2020   For each of the five years in the period ended January 31, 2020
       

Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

  For the year ended January 31, 2020   For each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2020   For each of the four years in the period ended January 31, 2020 and the period from May 29, 2015 (commencement of operations) through January 31, 2016
       

Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund

  For the year ended January 31, 2020   For each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2020   For each of the four years in the period ended January 31, 2020 and the period from May 29, 2015 (commencement of operations) through January 31, 2016
       

Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund

  For the year ended January 31, 2020   For each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 2020   For each of the four years in the period ended January 31, 2020 and the period from May 29, 2015 (commencement of operations) through January 31, 2016

Basis for Opinion

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

 

131


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (concluded)

 
     

 

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

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of January 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

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We have served as the auditor of one or more Hancock Horizon investment companies since 2005.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 31, 2020

 

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Trustees and Officers of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II (unaudited)

 
     

 

Set forth below are the names, years of birth, positions with the Trust, length of term of office, and the principal occupations for the last five years of each of the persons currently serving as Trustees and Officers of the Trust. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each Trustee is SEI Investments Company, One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. Trustees who are deemed not to be “interested persons” of the Trust are referred to as “Independent Trustees.” Messrs. Nesher and Klauder are Trustees who may be deemed to be “interested” persons of the Trust as that term is defined in the 1940 Act by virtue

 

Name and
Year of Birth
   Position
with the
Trust and Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
INTERESTED TRUSTEES      

ROBERT NESHER

(Born: 1946)

   Chairman of the Board of Trustees(1) (Since 1991)    SEI employee 1974 to present; currently performs various services on behalf of SEI Investments for which Mr. Nesher is compensated. Vice Chairman of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund III, Gallery Trust, Schroder Series Trust and Schroder Global Series Trust. President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Insurance Products Trust and SEI Catholic Values Trust. President and Director of SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP. President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP, 2007 to 2013. President and Director of SEI Opportunity Fund, L.P. to 2010. Vice Chairman of O’Connor EQUUS (closed-end investment company) to 2016. President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust to 2016. Vice Chairman of Winton Series Trust to 2017. Vice Chairman of Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company) to 2018.

N. JEFFERY KLAUDER

(Born: 1952)

   Trustee(1) (Since 2018)    Executive Vice President and General Counsel of SEI Investments since 2004.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES      

JOSEPH T. GRAUSE, JR.

(Born: 1952)

   Trustee (Since 2011) Lead Independent Trustee (Since 2018)    Self-employed consultant since January 2012. Director of Endowments and Foundations, Morningstar Investment Management, Morningstar, Inc., February 2010 to 2011; Director of International Consulting and Chief Executive Officer of Morningstar Associates Europe Limited, Morningstar, Inc., 2007 to 2010. Country Manager-Morningstar UK Limited, Morningstar, Inc., 2005 to 2007.

 

(1)

Trustees who are deemed to be “interested persons” (as the term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as “Interested Trustees”. Messrs. Nesher and Klauder are deemed Interested Trustees by virtue of their affiliation with the Distributor and/or its affiliates.

 

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of their affiliation with the Trust’s Distributor. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Trustees and Officers. The SAI may be obtained without charge by calling 1-866-990-2434. The following chart lists Trustees and Officers as of January 31, 2020.

 

    
    
Other Directorships
Held by Board Member
    

Current Directorships: Trustee of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, Bishop Street Funds, The KP Funds, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds and SEI Insurance Products Trust and The KP Funds. President and Director of SEI Structured Credit Fund, L.P. Director of SEI Global Master Fund PLC, SEI Global Assets Fund PLC, SEI Global Investments Fund PLC, SEI Investments—Global Funds Services, Limited, SEI Investments Global, Limited, SEI Investments (Europe) Ltd., SEI Investments—Unit Trust Management (UK) Limited, SEI Multi-Strategy Funds PLC and SEI Global Nominee Ltd.

 

Former Directorships: Director of SEI Opportunity Fund, L.P. to 2010. Director of SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP to 2013. Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust to 2016.

Current Directorships: Trustee of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, Bishop Street Funds and The KP Funds. Director of SEI Private Trust Company; SEI Investments Management Corporation; SEI Trust Company; SEI Investments (South Africa), Limited; SEI Investments (Canada) Company; SEI Global Fund Services Ltd.; SEI Investments Global Limited; SEI Global Master Fund; SEI Global Investments Fund; and SEI Global Assets Fund.
    
Current Directorships: Trustee of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, Bishop Street Funds and The KP Funds. Director, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, Meals on Wheels, Lewes/Rehoboth Beach and West Rehoboth Land Trust.

Current Directorships: Trustee of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, Bishop Street Funds and The KP Funds. Director of The Korea Fund, Inc.

 

 

135


Trustees and Officers of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II (unaudited) (continued)

     

 

Name and
Year of Birth
   Position
with the
Trust and Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES (continued)      
MITCHELL A. JOHNSON
(Born: 1942)
   Trustee (Since 2005)   

Retired. Private investor since 1994.

 

BETTY L. KRIKORIAN
(Born: 1943)
   Trustee
(Since 2005)
   Vice President, Compliance, AARP Financial Inc. from 2008-2010. Self-Employed Legal and Financial Services Consultant since 2003. Counsel (in-house) for State Street Bank from 1995 to 2003.
BRUCE R. SPECA
(Born: 1956)
   Trustee
(Since 2011)
   Global Head of Asset Allocation, Manulife Asset Management (subsidiary of Manulife Financial), June 2010 to May 2011; Executive Vice President—Investment Management Services, John Hancock Financial Services (subsidiary of Manulife Financial), June 2013 to June 2010.
GEORGE J. SULLIVAN, JR.
(Born: 1942)
   Trustee (Since 1999)   

Retired since January 2012. Self-employed Consultant, Newfound Consultants Inc. April 1997 to December 2011.

 

TRACIE E. AHERN

(Born: 1968)

  

Trustee

(Since 2018)

   Principal, Danesmead Partners since 2016; Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer, Brightwood Capital Advisors LLC, 2015 to 2016; Advisor, Brightwood Capital Advisors LLC, 2016; Chief Financial Officer, Soros Fund Management LLC, 2007 to 2015.
OFFICERS      
MICHAEL BEATTIE
(Born: 1965)
   President (Since 2011)    Director of Client Service, SEI Investments, since 2004.

JAMES BERNSTEIN

(Born: 1962)

  

Vice President and Assistant Secretary

(Since 2017)

   Attorney, SEI Investments, since 2017. Prior Positions: Self-employed consultant, 2017. Associate General Counsel & Vice President, Nationwide Funds Group and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, from 2002 to 2016. Assistant General Counsel & Vice President, Market Street Funds and Provident Mutual Insurance Company, from 1999 to 2002.
JOHN BOURGEOIS
(Born: 1973)
   Assistant Treasurer (Since 2017)    Fund Accounting Manager, SEI Investments, since 2000.

 

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January 31, 2020

 

    
    
Other Directorships
Held by Board Members
    

Current Directorships: Trustee of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, Bishop Street Funds, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Insurance Products Trust and The KP Funds. Director, Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac) since 1997.

 

Former Directorships: Director of the SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolio LP to 2013. Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust to 2016.

Current Directorships: Trustee of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, Bishop Street Funds and The KP Funds.

Current Directorships: Trustee of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, Bishop Street Funds and The KP Funds. Director of Stone Harbor Investments Funds, Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund.

Current Directorships: The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, Bishop Street Funds, SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Insurance Products Trust, SEI Catholic Values Trust.

 

Former Directorships: Director of SEI Opportunity Fund, L.P. to 2010. Director of the SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolio, LP to 2013. Trustee of SEI Liquid Asset Trust to 2016. Trustee/Director of State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust to 2017. Member of the independent review committee for SEI’s Canadian-registered mutual funds to 2017.

Current Directorships: Trustee of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund, Bishop Street Funds and The KP Funds.
 

None.

None.

None.

 

137


Trustees and Officers of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II (unaudited) (concluded)

     

 

Name and
Year of Birth
   Position
with the
Trust and Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
OFFICERS (continued)      
STEPHEN CONNORS
(Born: 1984)
   Treasurer, Controller and Chief Financial Officer (Since 2015)    Director, SEI Investments, Fund Accounting since 2014. Audit Manager, Deloitte & Touche LLP, from 2011 to 2014.
RUSSELL EMERY
(Born: 1962)
   Chief Compliance Officer
(Since 2006)
   Chief Compliance Officer of SEI Structured Credit Fund, LP since 2007. Chief Compliance Officer of SEI Alpha Strategy Portfolios, LP from 2007 to 2013. Chief Compliance Officer of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II, Bishop Street Funds, The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund III, Winton Series Trust, Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company), Gallery Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, Adviser Managed Trust, New Covenant Funds, SEI Insurance Products Trust and SEI Catholic Values Trust. Chief Compliance Officer of SEI Opportunity Fund, L.P. to 2010. Chief Compliance Officer of O’Connor EQUUS (closed-end investment company) to 2016. Chief Compliance Officer of SEI Liquid Asset Trust to 2016. Chief Compliance Officer of Winton Series Trust to 2017. Chief Compliance Officer of Winton Diversified Opportunities Fund (closed-end investment company) to 2018.
DIANNE M. DESCOTEAUX
(Born: 1977)
   Vice President and Secretary (Since 2011)    Counsel at SEI Investments since 2010. Associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP from 2006 to 2010.
ROBERT MORROW
(Born: 1968)
  

Vice President

(Since 2017)

   Account Manager, SEI Investments, since 2007.
BRIDGET E. SUDALL
(Born: 1980)
   Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer (Since 2015)    Senior Associate and AML Officer, Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners, 2011 to 2015. Investor Services Team Lead, Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners, from 2007 to 2011.

MATTHEW M. MAHER

(Born: 1975)

  

Vice President and Assistant Secretary

(Since 2018)

   Counsel at SEI Investments since 2018. Attorney, Blank Rome LLP, from 2015 to 2018. Assistant Counsel & Vice President, Bank of New York Mellon, from 2013 to 2014. Attorney, Dilworth Paxson LLP, from 2006 to 2013.
ERIC C. GRIFFITH
(Born: 1969)
  

Vice President and Assistant Secretary

(Since 2019)

   Counsel at SEI Investments since 2019. Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JPMorgan Chase & Co., from 2012 to 2018.

 

138


   

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January 31, 2020

 

    
    
    
Other Directorships
Held by Officer

None.

None.
None.
None.

None.

None.

None.

 

139


Notice to Shareholders  (unaudited)  
     

 

For shareholders that do not have an April 30, 2019 tax year end, this notice is for informational use only.

For the tax year ended April 30, 2019, each Fund is designating long-term capital gains, tax-exempt interest, ordinary income and return of capital with regard to distributions paid during the year as follows:

 

Fund

  Long-Term
Capital Gains
Distributions
    Ordinary
Income
Distributions
    Tax-Exempt
Interest
    Total
Distributions
    Dividends
Received
Deduction (1)
    Qualified
Dividend
Income (2)
    U.S.
Government
Interest (3)
    Interest
Related
Dividends (4)
    Short-Term
Capital Gain
Dividend (5)
    Foreign
Tax
Credit (6)
    Qualified
Business
Income (7)
 

Burkenroad Small Cap Fund

    95.52%       4.48%       0.00%       100.00%       100.00%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%  

Diversified Income Fund

    0.00%       100.00%       0.00%       100.00%       28.29%       29.57%       0.00%       44.78%       0.00%       0.00%       6.32%  

Diversified International Fund

    0.00%       100.00%       0.00%       100.00%       2.41%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       15.64%       0.00%  

Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

    0.00%       100.00%       0.00%       100.00%       70.83%       71.43%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%  

International Small Cap Fund

    44.70%       55.30%       0.00%       100.00%       0.00%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       12.00%       0.00%  

Louisiana Tax-Free Income Fund

    0.00%       3.12%       96.88%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%  

Microcap Fund

    93.30%       6.70%       0.00%       100.00%       100.00%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%  

Mississippi Tax-Free Income Fund

    0.00%       1.59%       98.41%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%  

Quantitative Long/Short Fund

    91.82%       8.18%       0.00%       100.00%       100.00%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%  

U.S. Small Cap Fund*

    99.09%       0.91%       0.00%       100.00%       100.00%       100.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%       0.00%  

 

*

U.S. Small Cap Fund liquidated on November 25, 2019.

 

(1)

Qualifying dividends represent dividends which qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction and is reflected as a percentage of ordinary income distributions (the total of short-term capital gain and net investment income distributions).

 

(2)

The percentage in this column represents the amount of “Qualifying Dividend Income” as created by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 and is reflected as a percentage of ordinary income distributions (the total of short-term capital gain and net investment income distributions). It is the intention of each of the aforementioned Funds to designate the maximum amount permitted by law.

 

(3)

“U.S. Government Interest” represents the amount of interest that was derived from direct U.S. Government obligations and distributed during the fiscal year. This amount is reflected as a percentage of total ordinary income distributions (the total of short-term capital gain and net investment income distributions). Generally, interest from direct U.S. Government obligations is exempt from state income tax. However, for shareholders of the Funds who are residents of California, Connecticut and New York, the statutory threshold requirements were not satisfied to permit exemption of these amounts from state income.

 

(4)

The percentage in this column represents the amount of “Interest Related Dividends” as created by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and is reflected as a percentage of net investment distributions that is exempt from U.S. withholding tax when paid to foreign investors.

 

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January 31, 2020

 

(5)

The percentage in this column represents the amount of “Short-Term Capital Gain Dividend” as created by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and is reflected as a percentage of short-term capital gain distributions that is exempt from U.S. withholding tax when paid to foreign investors.

 

(6)

The percentage in this column represents the amount of “Qualifying Foreign Taxes” as a percentage of ordinary distributions during the tax year ended April 30, 2019. The Funds intend to pass through a Foreign Tax Credit to shareholders for the tax year ended April 30, 2019. The total amount of foreign source income is $3,097,990 and $410,869 for Diversified International Fund and International Small Cap Fund, respectively. The total amount of foreign tax paid is $484,693 and $66,593 for Diversified International Fund and International Small Cap Fund, respectively. Your allocable share of the foreign tax credit is reported on form 1099-DIV.

 

(7)

The percentage of this column represents that amount of ordinary dividend income that qualified for 20% Business Income Deduction.

 

141


 

 

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LOGO

HHF-AR-001-1200


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, controller or principal accounting officer, and any person who performs a similar function. There have been no amendments to or waivers granted to this code of ethics during the period covered by this report.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

(a)(1) The Registrant’s board of trustees has determined that the Registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on the audit committee.

(a)(2) The audit committee financial experts are George Sullivan and Robert Mulhall, and each of whom is considered to be “independent,” as that term is defined in Form N-CSR Item 3(a)(2).

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) related to the Hancock Horizon Family of Funds (2020 and 2019) (the “Funds”).

E&Y billed the Funds aggregate fees for services rendered to the Funds for the last two fiscal years as follows:

 

     2020      2019  
          All fees and
services to
the Trust that
were pre-
approved
     All fees and
services to
service
affiliates that
were pre-
approved
     All other fees
and services
to service
affiliates that
did not
require pre-
approval
     All fees and
services to
the Trust that
were pre-
approved
     All fees and
services to
service
affiliates that
were pre-
approved
     All other fees
and services
to service
affiliates that
did not
require pre-
approval
 

(a)

   Audit Fees (1)    $ 274,235        N/A        N/A      $ 299,605        N/A        N/A  

(b)

   Audit-Related Fees      N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A  

(c)

   Tax Fees      N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A  

(d)

   All Other Fees      N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A  

Notes:

 

  (1)

Audit fees include amounts related to the audit of the Funds’ annual financial statements and services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.


(e)(1) The Trust’s Audit Committee has adopted and the Board of Trustees has ratified an Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (the “Policy”), which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent auditor of the Funds may be pre-approved.

The Policy provides that all requests or applications for proposed services to be provided by the independent auditor must be submitted to the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and must include a detailed description of the services proposed to be rendered. The CFO will determine whether such services:

(1) require specific pre-approval; (2) are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee pursuant to the Policy; or (3) have been previously pre-approved in connection with the independent auditor’s annual engagement letter for the applicable year or otherwise. In any instance where services require pre-approval, the Audit Committee will consider whether such services are consistent with SEC’s rules and whether the provision of such services would impair the auditor’s independence.

Requests or applications to provide services that require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by the CFO. The Audit Committee will be informed by the CFO on a quarterly basis of all services rendered by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee has delegated specific pre-approval authority to either the Audit Committee Chair or financial expert, provided that the estimated fee for any such proposed pre-approved service does not exceed $100,000 and any pre-approval decisions are reported to the Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee are identified and described in the Policy. In addition, the Policy sets forth a maximum fee per engagement with respect to each identified service that has received general pre-approval.

All services to be provided by the independent auditor shall be provided pursuant to a signed written engagement letter with the Registrant, the investment advisor or applicable control affiliate (except that matters as to which an engagement letter would be impractical because of timing issues or because the matter is small may not be the subject of an engagement letter) that sets forth both the services to be provided by the independent auditor and the total fees to be paid to the independent auditor for those services.

In addition, the Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the independent auditor and to assure the auditor’s independence from the Registrant, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the independent auditor delineating all relationships between the independent auditor and the Registrant, and discussing with the independent auditor its methods and procedures for ensuring independence.

(e)(2) Percentage of fees billed applicable to non-audit services approved pursuant to the “de minimis” exception of Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(c) were as follows:

 

     2020      2019  

Audit-Related Fees

     N/A        N/A  

Tax Fees

     N/A        N/A  

All Other Fees

     N/A        N/A  

(f) Not applicable.

(g) (1) The aggregate non-audit fees and services billed by E&Y for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant for the last two fiscal years were $0 and $0 for 2020 and 2019, respectively.


(h) During the past fiscal year, all non-audit services provided by Registrant’s principal accountant to either Registrant’s investment adviser or to any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with Registrant’s investment adviser that provides ongoing services to Registrant were pre-approved by the audit committee of Registrant’s Board of Trustees. Included in the audit committee’s pre-approval was the review and consideration as to whether the provision of these non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable to open-end management investment companies.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

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

Not applicable to open-end management investment companies.

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

Not applicable. Effective for closed-end management investment companies for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2005.

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

Not applicable to open-end management investment companies.

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

There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees during the period covered by this report.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The Registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Act (17 CFR § 270.30a-3(c)), as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report, are effective based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act (17 CFR § 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended (17 CFR § 270.30a-15(b) or § 240.15d-15(b)).

(b) There has been no change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR § 270.3a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Items 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to open-end management investment companies.


Items 13. Exhibits.

(a)(1) A copy of the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, as required by Item 2 of this Form, accompanies this filing as an exhibit. 

(a)(2) A separate certification for the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the Registrant, as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR § 270.30a-2(a)), is filed herewith. 

(b) Officer certifications, as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (17 CFR § 270.30a-2(b)), also accompany this filing as an exhibit. 


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)                The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II
By (Signature and Title)           

/s/ Michael Beattie

      Michael Beattie
      President
Date: April 9, 2020      

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

 

By (Signature and Title)      

/s/ Michael Beattie

      Michael Beattie
                    President
Date: April 9, 2020      
By (Signature and Title)      

/s/ Stephen Connors

      Stephen Connors
      Treasurer, Controller, & CFO
Date: April 9, 2020