N-CSR 1 tm247037d1_ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number          811-08416          

 

                    Touchstone Variable Series Trust                    

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

303 Broadway, Suite 1100
                    Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4203                    
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

E. Blake Moore, Jr.

303 Broadway, Suite 1100
                    Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-4203                    
(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 800-638-8194

 

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

 

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2023

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

(a)The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 

 

 

December 31, 2023
Annual Report
Touchstone Variable Series Trust
Touchstone Balanced Fund
Touchstone Bond Fund
Touchstone Common Stock Fund
Touchstone Small Company Fund

 

Table of Contents
This report identifies the Funds' investments on December 31, 2023. These holdings are subject to change. Not all investments in each Fund performed the same, nor is there any guarantee that these investments will perform as well in the future. Market forecasts provided in this report may not occur.
2

 

Letter from the President
Dear Shareholder:
We are pleased to provide you with the Touchstone Variable Series Trust Annual Report. Inside you will find key financial information, as well as manager commentaries for the Funds, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
In 2023, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) increased interest rates to tackle ongoing inflation. For the first three quarters of the year, rates rose a full percentage point, following a four point increase in 2022. In the fourth quarter, the Fed paused rate hikes as inflation eased. While the possibility of a smooth economic transition emerged, the Fed noted that rates would stay "higher for longer" due to inflation still being above its two percent target. The pause in rate hikes led to a fourth-quarter rally in all asset classes, resulting in positive returns for U.S. stocks and fixed income for the year. Globally, developed markets didn't perform as well as the U.S., while emerging markets saw a late-year rally. China, India, and many other Asian emerging market countries finally experienced positive GDP growth in the third quarter after facing challenges in 2022 and the first half of 2023.
In 2023, the U.S. stock market, measured by the S&P 500® Index, saw a 26.29 percent increase. Unlike 2022, growth stocks outperformed value stocks across all market sizes. The Fed's decision to pause rate hikes particularly favored growth stocks, given their higher expected growth rates and longer term earnings growth. The difference between growth and value was most pronounced in large-cap stocks but narrowed in mid and small caps. Among domestic equities, large-cap growth stocks performed the best, especially the "Magnificent 7," largely benefiting from speculation about growth opportunities in artificial intelligence.
In the bond markets, the decision by the Fed to pause rate hikes, driven by easing inflation in the latter part of the year, led to a rally in both high-quality and lower-quality credit. Before the pause, most high-quality bonds were flat to negative in the first three quarters. On the other hand, lower-quality bonds performed well throughout 2023, thanks to the unexpectedly strong economy keeping defaults low. Throughout the year, credit spreads tightened, causing lower-quality bonds to outperform their higher-quality counterparts due to their higher yields. In 2023, the ICE BofA U.S. Cash Pay Index, representing lower-quality bonds, increased by 13.4 percent, while the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, a broad measure of higher-quality bonds, rose by 5.53 percent.
In times like these, we're reminded of the crucial role played by financial professionals, the significance of trusting your investment strategy, and the risks associated with trying to time the market. Additionally, we hold the belief that more challenging environments present greater opportunities for active managers to enhance value, particularly those who are Distinctively Active with a high Active Share. Your ongoing support is very much appreciated. Thank you for choosing Touchstone as a part of your investment plan.
Sincerely,
E. Blake Moore Jr.
President
Touchstone Variable Series Trust
3

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited)
Touchstone Balanced Fund
Sub-Advised by Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.
Investment Philosophy
The Touchstone Balanced Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to achieve its investment goal of providing investors with capital appreciation and current income by generally investing in a diversified portfolio comprising approximately 60 percent equity securities and 40 percent fixed-income securities.
With respect to equities, the Fund invests primarily in issuers having a market capitalization, at the time of purchase, above $5 billion. Equity securities include common stock and preferred stock. With respect to fixed-income, the Fund invests primarily in bonds, including mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities, government securities (both U.S. government securities and foreign sovereign debt), and corporate debt securities.
Fund Performance
The Fund (Class I Shares) outperformed its blended benchmark, the 60 percent S&P 500® Index & 40 percent Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2023.  The Fund’s total return was 18.61 percent while the total return of the blended benchmark was 17.67 percent.
Market Environment
The 12 months ended December 31, 2023 were volatile and marked by high inflation, aggressive central bank tightening, banking panic, and geopolitical conflict. While the first three quarters of 2023 were focused on the number of rate hikes, the sentiment and outlook changed significantly in the fourth quarter as the market looked toward rate cuts. The end to the hiking cycle was ratified as core inflation came down gradually over the year, which, along with strong growth data, supported a ‘soft landing’ becoming the consensus opinion.
Entering 2023, many economists were anticipating a recession due to a slowdown in economic growth brought about by a restrictive Federal Reserve (“Fed”) that raised rates by 525 basis points (bps) since 2022. As a result, the 10-year Treasury rose over 100bps to about 5% and caused tighter financial conditions. In addition to higher rates, bank-lending standards tightened over the previous 12 months, which was exacerbated by the banking crisis in March. Risk assets briefly sold off and there were expectations for a pause in rate hikes until the government showed that it would backstop the financial system, if needed. In contrast to all these negative factors, and market expectations, the labor market was resilient over the year. Job gains continued and the unemployment rate remained range bound. This strong labor market, in addition to excess savings, facilitated consumer strength, which supported economic growth.
Consumer spending surprised many market participants to the upside. While a robust labor market and wage gains certainly helped drive consumption, many Americans built up excess savings following dovish fiscal policy during the pandemic. However, savings have been reduced by inflated prices and higher rates, which continue to affect larger purchases, such as homes and home furnishings.
Nevertheless, by the end of the period market consensus was to avert a recession and for multiple rate cuts next year as inflation declines further. As a result, the longer part of the curve rallied and the 10 year ended below 4%, at 3.9%. Investment grade spreads (BBB Industrials) were range bound for most of the period until a late rally in the fourth quarter ended the year at the 26 percentile. High yield (single B corporates) tightened significantly and ended at their 10 percentile while equities followed suit and the S&P 500 ended within 1% of all-time highs.
Portfolio Review
The allocation effect was positive as the Fund had a higher allocation to equities, which outperformed fixed income. The Fund entered the period with a 6% overweight to equities and ended with a 3% overweight.  The fixed income segment of the Fund outperformed the blended benchmark, resulting in a positive impact to relative performance. Fixed income was a positive contributor due to the overweight to credit through investment grade corporates and emerging market debt.
Security selection within equities was slightly positive compared with the blended benchmark during the year.  Equity outperformance was primarily due to positive security selection within communication services and consumer discretionary sectors. Overweight positions in Meta Platforms Inc., Salesforce, Inc.  and Microsoft Corporation were the largest contributors to positive security selection during the year while an underweight to NVIDIA Corporation detracted, offsetting some of the positive selection.
4

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited) (Continued)
The Fund entered the year with a 66% weight in equities and ended the year with 63%, largely concentrated in U.S. large cap securities.  The Fund reduced its equity exposure throughout the year as it maintained a modest overweight to risk but acknowledged valuations becoming stretched, in light of strong performance.
Within fixed income, the Fund maintained most sector allocations including its overweight to investment grade credit as the team continues to find attractive bottom-up opportunities with favorable risk/reward characteristics. The Fund did reduce exposure to emerging market debt following strong performance and to moderate overall risk within the asset class. Spreads within emerging markets tightened over the course of the year skewing the risk/reward ratio to downside and not compensating investors for ongoing risks.
Activity within equities was below average for the year. The Fund initiated a few new positions during the year, including International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., The Charles Schwab Corporation, and Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.  We view these names as compelling idiosyncratic opportunities that should perform well even in a weakening economic environment.
Despite increased risks from tightening financial conditions and tight lending standards, the team continues to have a favorable long-term outlook for the U.S. economy and financial markets, but acknowledges valuations are priced for a soft landing.  Combining our economic outlook with expensive valuations, the strategy remains modestly overweight risk compared to the blended benchmark.
Outlook and Conclusion
We believe lower rates, if the Fed begins cutting in 2024, along with a robust labor market should provide a stable to growing environment. While the Fund is at the lower end of its risk budget, we would anticipate security selection to provide a significant opportunity to add value over the year. Broadly speaking, the team believes high quality sectors present the greatest opportunity given current valuations and considering risks are still elevated relative to market expectations. Additionally, if the economy slows more than expected, risk assets are likely to experience weakness and present an opportunity to add risk.
We believe the biggest concern for markets and the Fund are related to inflation and monetary policy. The Fed has tightened aggressively to combat inflation, which despite slowing over the year, has not reached the Fed’s target. If core inflation stays elevated while the labor market remains stable, this would pressure the Fed to keep rates high and cause the market to adjust its current expectations for the path of rates. The longer rates remain overly restrictive the greater the impact to businesses and consumers, which increases the odds of a larger economic slowdown. For the Fund, a steeper economic decline would likely lead to wider credit spreads and lower equity markets, negatively affecting the Fund’s performance. However, with a neutral portfolio risk budget, the Fund will be in a position to increase risk allocation in the event markets experience weakness.
Given our outlook for the economy, markets, and resulting risk positioning, we believe the Fund is appropriately positioned to generate compelling investment returns.  Our base case scenario assumes the economy avoids a deep recession, and markets will likely perform well over the medium-term. The Fund’s slight overweight to equities and credit sectors should perform well in a stable to improving economic environment. We believe the high conviction nature of the strategy should provide excess return through positive security selection in various economic environments.
The Fund is targeting a neutral risk position compared to the blended benchmark. Although near term recession risk has dropped, valuations have become stretched as the market anticipates rate cuts next year while inflation falls further.
Looking ahead, risks to strategy positioning are focused on the lagged effects of Fed tightening, tight credit conditions in bank lending, and the time horizon of how long rates will remain overly restrictive. Although recent data has been in line with expectations, overall growth is likely to continue at below-trend pace over coming quarters, with downside risk from the above factors. Inflation has declined from peak levels and is nearing the Fed’s target range. However, the Fed does not appear to believe the battle with inflation is over and they will likely lean hawkish until they are more confident on the lower trajectory. At current levels, we believe the biggest risk to markets is a sharper slowing in economic growth that would challenge the expectation of a soft landing. As our view of the economy and monetary policy changes, we will adjust positioning accordingly.
Sector positioning reflects generally expensive valuations, relative value, and opportunities within each sector.  During the period, the Fund reduced its exposure to equities slightly following strong performance within the sector.  The Fund ended the year with 63% invested in equities, a 3% overweight compared to the blended benchmark.
Within equities, the Fund remains overweight Communication Services, Health Care, and Financials.  The largest underweights are Utilities and Consumer Staples.  Although improving, our cautious economic outlook coupled with full valuations results in low risk levels within investment portfolios.  We believe valuations generally reflect a high probability of a soft landing with limited margin of safety at current levels, though there are still risks to the downside for the economy as policy remains restrictive and economic growth is set to slow. We are prioritizing high barrier to entry companies with high returns on capital and maintaining a defensive posture within the Fund.
5

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited) (Continued)
Within fixed income, the Fund remains underweight U.S. Government and Securitized while overweight Investment Grade Credit and Emerging Markets Debt. We are positioning slightly short duration compared to the blended benchmark as longer rates are now more fairly priced following the significant rally over the  fourth quarter of 2023. However, the market’s current expectations for rate cuts will likely shift with new economic data in 2024, which we expect will lead to volatility and present opportunities for tactical adjustments.
Comparison of the Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Touchstone Balanced Fund Class I and the 60% S&P 500® Index & 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Average Annual Total Returns
Touchstone Balanced Fund 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class I 18.61% 11.29% 7.80%
Class SC* 18.57% 11.29% 7.80%
60% S&P 500® Index & 40% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 17.67% 9.98% 8.09%
* The chart above represents performance of Class I shares only, which will vary from the performance of Class SC shares based on the differences in fees paid by shareholders in the different classes. The inception date of Class SC shares was April 13, 2021. Class SC shares performance was calculated using the historical performance of Class I shares for the periods prior to April 13, 2021. The returns have been restated for fees applicable to Class SC shares.
Performance information does not reflect fees that are paid by the separate accounts through which shares of the Fund are sold. Inclusion of those fees would reduce figures for all periods.
Notes to Chart
S&P 500® Index is a group of 500 widely held stocks and is commonly regarded to be representative of the large capitalization stock universe.
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index comprised of U.S. investment grade, fixed rate bond market securities, including government, government agency, corporate and mortgage-backed securities between one and ten years.
6

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited)
Touchstone Bond Fund
Sub-Advised by Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.
Investment Philosophy
The Touchstone Bond Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to provide as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. Capital appreciation is a secondary goal. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80 percent of its assets in bonds. Bonds include mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities, government securities (both U.S. Government and foreign sovereign debt) and corporate debt securities. The Fund primarily invests in investment-grade debt securities but may invest up to 30 percent of total assets in non-investment-grade debt securities rated as low as B by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO).
Fund Performance
The Fund (Class I Shares) outperformed its benchmark, the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023. The Fund’s total return was 6.07 percent, while the total return of the benchmark was 5.53 percent.
Market Environment
The 12 months ending December 31, 2023 were volatile and marked by high inflation, aggressive central bank tightening, banking panic, and geopolitical conflict. While the first three quarters of 2023 were focused on the number of rate hikes, the sentiment and outlook changed significantly in the fourth quarter as the market looked toward rate cuts. The end to the hiking cycle was ratified as core inflation came down gradually over the year, which, along with strong growth data, supported a ‘soft landing’ becoming the consensus opinion.
Entering 2023, many economists were anticipating a recession due to a slowdown in economic growth brought about by a restrictive Federal Reserve (“Fed”) that raised rates by 525 basis points (“bps”) since 2022. As a result, the 10-year Treasury rose over 100bps to about 5% and caused tighter financial conditions. In addition to higher rates, bank-lending standards tightened over the previous 12 months, which was exacerbated by the banking crisis in March. Risk assets briefly sold off and there were expectations for a pause in rate hikes until the government showed that it would backstop the financial system, if needed. In contrast to all these negative factors, and market expectations, the labor market was resilient over the year. Job gains continued and the unemployment rate remained range bound. This strong labor market, in addition to excess savings, facilitated consumer strength, which supported economic growth.
Consumer spending surprised many market participants to the upside. While a robust labor market and wage gains certainly helped drive consumption, many Americans built up excess savings following dovish fiscal policy during the pandemic. However, as savings are reduced by inflated prices and higher rates continue to affect larger purchases, such as homes and home furnishings, consumer spending habits are uncertain going forward. Additionally, even if consumers are willing to endure higher interest costs, they may be unable to borrow until banks ease lending standards.
Nevertheless, by the end of December market consensus was to avert a recession and for multiple rate cuts next year as inflation declines further. As a result, the longer part of the curve rallied and the 10-year ended below 4%, at 3.9%. Investment grade spreads (BBB Industrials) were range bound for most of the year until the late rally in the fourth quarter ending the year at the 26 percentile. High yield (single B corporates) tightened significantly and ended at its 10 percentile while equities followed suit and the S&P 500 ended within 1% of all-time highs.
Portfolio Review
Security selection was the largest contributor to performance during the period, driven by investment grade corporate and securitized allocations. The Fund’s holdings outperformed the benchmark as credit spreads tightened over the year and volatility performed well in the fourth quarter.
The Fund’s risk overweight positioning was a contributor to returns over the past year. The Fund’s risk budget target hovered at 40% for the majority of the period. 2023 was a volatile period but spreads were generally range bound around historical averages until a rally in the fourth quarter. The Fund’s overweight to investment grade credit and emerging markets debt were the primary contributors from an allocation perspective; however, the high yield credit default swap index position did detract from outperformance.
Duration and curve positioning were a slight detractor from performance. Rates were extremely volatile in 2023 as the economy was impacted by high inflation and restrictive monetary policy. The Fund was positioned long duration relative to the benchmark,
7

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited) (Continued)
which hurt performance as rates rose, until the fourth quarter when rates declined meaningfully. However, duration positioning was tactically shifted short during the fourth quarter, which offset the positive contribution as rates continued to move lower.
During the past 12 months, the risk budget was initially 60% before quickly decreasing to 40% at the end of the reporting period. This reduction in risk appetite was due to changing macroeconomic factors and the Fed’s continued path of rate hikes. In general, credit spreads are in the 26-10 percentile relative to history, which shifts the risk/reward ratio to the downside.
The Fund maintained risk overweight positions in investment grade credit, securitized assets, and emerging markets debt. From an interest rate perspective, the Fund was biased long duration relative to the benchmark throughout most of the period. This shifted during the fourth quarter after rates declined and we believe long rates ended the period more fairly valued. The Fund ended fourth quarter positioned slightly short duration compared to the benchmark with an overweight to the intermediate part of the yield curve.
Overall, interest rate positioning of the Fund was a slight detractor over 2023. The Fund was biased long duration relative to the benchmark throughout most of the year, which detracted from performance as rates rose during the first nine months of 2023. However, rates came down meaningfully during the fourth quarter, which generated positive performance until duration positioning was shifted tactically short compared to the benchmark. This offset the positive contribution as rates continued to decline, resulting in a neutral impact for the fourth quarter.
The yield curve positioning of the Fund was a positive contributor to performance over the period. The Fund shifted its exposure to various parts of the curve over the course of the year, first benefitting from the curve flattening and, more recently, the curve steepening, which helped offset the total rate detraction. The curve flattened becoming more inverted as the Fed raised their Funds rate and then steepened over third quarter 2023 as the market priced in rates being higher for longer.
Outlook and Conclusion
From an absolute return perspective, we believe the return prospects for fixed income are attractive going forward. With the rise in interest rates across the yield curve, the yield offered by fixed income can now offer a buffer against price changes and, in the long-term, generate returns more consistent with historical averages for fixed income. The Fund’s positioning reflects our views and conviction of opportunities for overall risk appetite, sector relative value, and security selection.
The Fund is targeting a modest overweight to spread risk representing 40% of the risk budget. Credit spreads rallied in the fourth quarter from around historical averages and ended the year at the 26 and 10 percentiles, for investment grade and high yield, respectively. While recent economic data provides support for these levels, further upside is limited which is the basis for our modest risk overweight.
Sector positioning reflects generally expensive valuations, relative value, and opportunities within each sector. Allocations were generally unchanged over the year and primary risk exposures include:
The Fund remains overweight to investment grade credit. Within the allocation, the Fund is maintaining a risk overweight in sectors where compelling bottom-up opportunities exist such as utilities,  Real Estate Investment Trust ("REITs"), banks, health care, and media. Incremental changes will continue to consist of adding high quality, defensive positions as lower rated cyclicals are sold into strength.
Securitized products remain an overweight exposure relative to the benchmark. We continue to favor non-agency exposure and are positioned appropriately with overweight exposure to non-agency residential mortgage backed securities(“RMBS"), asset backed securities, and commercial mortgage backed securities (“CMBS”). We believe deep discount AAA-rated non-agency RMBS offers compelling value as does high-quality CMBS that has widened in concert with broader CMBS disruptions from distressed office properties across the sector.
The overweight allocation to emerging markets debt (“EMD”) was maintained. Throughout most of 2023, the high yield portion of the market offered better relative value while the investment grade portion remained expensive. EMD high yield spreads tightened over the fourth quarter but ended above median levels relative to history driven by continued cheapness in the lowest rated segments.
We believe bottom-up fundamental analysis within each sector will continue to present security selection opportunities for the Fund, which can add excess returns through different potential paths for the economy and markets.
As of the end of the reporting period, we are positioning the Fund slightly short duration relative to the benchmark with an overweight to the intermediate part of the yield curve. Positioning is also generally underweight long maturities relative to the index to benefit as the yield curve steepens. Following the significant rally in rates over the fourth quarter, we believe longer yields are now more fairly priced. However, the market’s current expectations for rate cuts will likely shift with new economic data in 2024, which we expect will lead to volatility and present opportunities for tactical adjustments.
8

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited) (Continued)
Looking ahead, risks to strategy positioning are focused on the lagged effects of Fed tightening, tight credit conditions in bank lending, and the time horizon of how long rates will remain restrictive. These factors could result in a significantly weaker economy and be a catalyst for wider credit spreads.
Although recent data has been in line with expectations, we believe overall growth is likely to continue at below-trend pace over coming quarters, with downside risk from the above factors. Inflation has declined from peak levels and is nearing the Fed’s target range. However, the Fed does not appear to believe the battle with inflation is over and they will likely lean hawkish until they are more confident on the lower trajectory. At current levels, the biggest risk to markets is a sharper slowing in economic growth that would challenge the expectation of a soft landing. As our view of the economy and monetary policy changes, we will adjust positioning accordingly.
We believe the Fund is positioned to perform well in a stable/improving environment for risk assets. As of the end of the reporting period, we are targeting using 40% of the risk budget. We believe valuations are generally a bit expensive given historical medians with risk/reward skewed to the downside. If conditions are stable to improving, the Fund is positioned well to benefit from the additional yield relative to the benchmark and small potential price appreciation if spreads grind tighter. If economic growth slows more than expected, the Fund is also in a position to add exposure opportunistically if risk assets experience weakness. Additionally, we believe positive security selection can benefit the Fund in many different market environments.
Comparison of the Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Touchstone Bond Fund Class I and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Average Annual Total Returns
Touchstone Bond Fund 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class I 6.07% 1.82% 1.43%
Class SC* 5.77% 1.64% 1.19%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index 5.53% 1.10% 1.81%
* The chart above represents performance of Class I shares only, which will vary from the performance of Class SC shares based on the differences in fees paid by shareholders in the different classes. The inception date of Class SC shares was July 10, 2019. Class SC shares performance was calculated using the historical performance of Class I shares for the periods prior to July 10, 2019. The returns have been restated for fees applicable to Class SC shares.
Performance information does not reflect fees that are paid by the separate accounts through which shares of the Fund are sold. Inclusion of those fees would reduce figures for all periods.
Note to Chart
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index comprised of U.S. investment grade, fixed rate bond market securities, including government, government agency, corporate and mortgage-backed securities between one and ten years.
9

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited)
Touchstone Common Stock Fund
Sub-Advised by Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.
Investment Philosophy
The Touchstone Common Stock Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to provide investors with capital appreciation. The Fund invests at least 80 percent of its assets in large capitalization equity securities. The Fund’s sub-adviser, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., seeks to invest in companies that are trading below what is believed to be the estimate of the companies’ intrinsic value and have a sustainable competitive advantage or a high barrier to entry in place.
Fund Performance
The Fund (Class I Shares) outperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023. The Fund’s total return was 26.66 percent while the benchmark’s total return was 26.29 percent.
Market Environment
U.S. equities recorded positive returns in the first half of 2023 as rates pulled back, inflation readings came in lower than expected, and the labor market and consumer spending remained healthy. This was despite fears of a hard landing amid tightening financial conditions and a backdrop that included several large bank failures. U.S. equities were modestly lower in the third quarter. While earnings releases and corporate guidance generally exceeded expectations during the period, the significant rate move during the period provided a challenging backdrop for equities. The fourth quarter, however, brought a significant rebound as U.S. equities rallied to close out the period. The perceived Federal Reserve (“Fed”) pivot during the fourth quarter fueled a soft landing narrative for investors. The benchmark sectors that led the market higher during the period were Information Technology, Communication Services, and Consumer Discretionary. The Utilities sector was the worst performer for the index, followed by Energy, Consumer Staples, and Health Care.
Portfolio Review
Sectors in which the Fund outperformed the benchmark include Communication Services, Real Estate, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, and Materials. Sectors where the Fund underperformed were Information Technology, Energy, Financials, Industrials, and Health Care. Sector allocation contributed to performance for the period primarily due to the overweight to Communication Services and the underweight to Utilities.
The three stocks that contributed most to performance were Meta Platforms Inc. (“Meta”) (Communication Services sector), Salesforce Inc. (“Salesforce”) (Information Technology sector), and Microsoft Corp. (“Microsoft”) (Information Technology sector).
Meta’s stock did well due to continued strong performance of the business. Revenue growth is driven by strong consumer engagement with Meta’s services. Reels continues to grow at high rates driving incremental engagement and monetization opportunities across Instagram and Facebook. Management’s 2024 outlook suggests continued discipline in operating expenses, leading to higher expectations for operating margins. Salesforce’s shares outperformed due to stronger than expected growth in new bookings coupled with continued improvement in operating margins. Management indicated continued improvement in margins going forward, including contributions from a material increase in sales productivity. Microsoft’s stock benefited from stronger than expected growth in cloud revenues, including contributions from new artificial intelligence (“AI”) services. We continue to view the company is well positioned to deliver strong revenue growth over time as a result of its competitive positions in cloud infrastructure and AI services.
The three stocks that detracted the most from performance were Johnson & Johnson, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (“Biomarin”), and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“Bristol-Meyers Squibb”)  (all Health Care sector).
Healthcare as a whole underperformed in the period, with defensive names like Johnson & Johnson lagging amidst excitement about the new category of weight loss drugs. In addition, headlines around the company’s court proceedings with talc litigation continued to serve as an overhang for the shares during the period. Biomarin shares underperformed during the period. The company is in the process of launching two potential blockbuster drugs -- Voxzogo for Achondroplasia and Roctavian for Hemophilia A gene therapy. Shares experienced weakness throughout the year based on a few items. Early in the year, a potential Voxzogo competitor published phase 2 data that looked very good, though the numbers were small, and the product is a few years away from approval even if things go smoothly. Also in the first quarter, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) pushed back the action date on Roctavian’s application by 90 days. Biomarin had said many times this was a likely outcome after the company provided additional phase 3 data but of course, an early approval would have been better. Additionally, Roctavian’s launch in Europe was slower than hoped, due to reimbursement negotiations. Also, there was disappointment regarding certain aspects of
10

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited) (Continued)
the detailed prescribing information when the FDA approved Roctavian, on June 29. We continue to see good risk-reward for the shares, taking into account these recent developments. Bristol-Myers Squibb shares underperformed along with other pharmaceutical stocks in a market that favored growth stocks over value. The company has launched several high-potential products over the last few years, and they are especially important given the company’s need to refresh its commercial portfolio as it faces significant patent expirations over the next several years. While we do not think these products will fully “fill the hole” from patent expirations, we do not see that as a strategic imperative, and believe the business as it stands is undervalued.
As the period came to a close, the strategy had an overweight in the Communication Services, Health Care, and Financials sectors and an underweight in the Consumer Staples, Consumer Discretionary, Information Technology, Real Estate, Energy, and Industrials sectors. The weight in the Materials sector was roughly in line with that of the index. The Fund held no positions in the Utilities sector.
During the period, the Fund added Stanley Black & Decker Inc. (Industrials sector), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (Materials sector), and The Charles Schwab Corp. (Financials sector) to the portfolio and removed Deere & Co. (Industrials sector), Fox Corp. (Communication Services sector), and AT&T Inc. (Communication Services sector) from the portfolio.
Outlook and Conclusion
Looking ahead, we continue to question whether a hard landing is still to come. Soft landings are typically preceded by the easing of lending standards while the tightening of lending standards precedes hard landings. We continue to believe bank-lending standards will stay tight in the coming quarters. As a result, we expect to see additional downside risk to growth and believe the path for a soft landing remains narrow mainly due to the lag effects of higher interest rates. Consistent with our approach over the past couple of years, we have maintained a high-quality portfolio with a focus on higher return on capital and higher barrier-to-entry businesses with pricing power. We continue to be alert for signals that would warrant a risk-on shift, but we believe, at this point, our high-quality posture will benefit the portfolio going forward.
Comparison of the Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Touchstone Common Stock Fund Class I and the S&P 500® Index
Average Annual Total Returns
Touchstone Common Stock Fund 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class I 26.66% 16.22% 11.29%
Class SC* 26.35% 15.98% 10.99%
S&P 500® Index 26.29% 15.69% 12.03%
* The chart above represents performance of Class I shares only, which will vary from the performance of Class SC shares based on the differences in fees paid by shareholders in the different classes. The inception date of Class SC shares was July 10, 2019. Class SC shares performance was calculated using the historical performance of Class I shares for the periods prior to July 10, 2019. The returns have been restated for fees applicable to Class SC shares.
Performance information does not reflect fees that are paid by the separate accounts through which shares of the Fund are sold. Inclusion of those fees would reduce figures for all periods.
Note to Chart
S&P 500® Index is a group of 500 widely held stocks and is commonly regarded to be representative of the large capitalization stock universe.
11

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited)
Touchstone Small Company Fund
Sub-Advised by Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.
Investment Philosophy
The Touchstone Small Company Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to provide investors with growth of capital by investing primarily in common stocks of small companies that the sub-adviser believes are high quality, have superior business models, solid management teams, sustainable growth potential and are attractively valued.
Fund Performance
The Fund (Class I Shares) underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Index, for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2023. The Fund’s total return was 16.60 percent while the return of the benchmark was 16.93 percent.
Market Environment
Economic growth in 2023 was resilient with Real gross domestic product ("GDP") accelerating from 1.7% in the first quarter to 2.9% in the third quarter and Nominal GDP growing 6%. Despite resilient economic growth, small cap earnings expectations have been under pressure for 18 months. In fact, small caps experienced an earnings recession in 2023 with earnings down 15% from inflated 2022 levels. Earnings were inflated due to excessive fiscal and monetary stimulus driving demand and spending well above long-term trend.
Portfolio Review
The Fund’s performance was driven by negative stock selection within Health Care and Materials sectors.  This was partially offset by positive stock selection within Industrials and Communications Services.
The Fund’s top five positive contributors were Onto Innovation Inc., TopBuild Corp., CarGurus, Inc., ITT Inc., and Crane Company. The portfolio’s five largest detractors were Leslie’s Inc., Premier, Inc., Veradigm Inc., Digi International Inc., and WNS Holdings Ltd.
At the end of the period, the Fund was overweight in the following sectors relative to the benchmark: Industrials, Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, Real Estate, and Communications Services. At the end of the period, the Fund was underweight Financials and Energy, and approximately in-line with the benchmark’s weight in Health Care.  The Fund held no positions within the Consumer Staples and Utilities sectors.
Outlook and Conclusion
We expect economic growth to decelerate but remain positive over the intermediate term. We believe 2024 small cap earnings expectations for 9% growth is optimistic, but we are closer to earnings expectations normalizing than 18 months ago. Inflationary pressures and interest rates moderated, but the absolute level of prices and rates appear restrictive to growth and corporate earnings.
Small cap valuations have expanded from a trough of 11 times to 14 times, but these levels are still a discount to the 16 times average over the last 25 years. Small cap valuations relative to large cap at 0.7 times remain near 25-year lows and small caps as a total of U.S. market capitalization are near a record low of 4% compared to the 7% long-term average. We believe the low relative valuation and percentage of market capitalization creates a favorable risk/return dynamic for small caps for investors with a long-term investment horizon.
As we look forward, we believe modest economic growth, stabilizing earnings expectations, and undemanding relative valuations are constructive to support positive small cap returns in 2024.
12

 

Management's Discussion of Fund Performance (Unaudited) (Continued)
Comparison of the Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment in the Touchstone Small Company Fund Class I and the Russell 2000® Index
Average Annual Total Returns
Touchstone Small Company Fund 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
Class I 16.60% 12.29% 9.49%
Russell 2000® Index 16.93% 9.97% 7.16%
The inception date of the Fund was November 30, 2000.
Performance information does not reflect fees that are paid by the separate accounts through which shares of the Fund are sold. Inclusion of those fees would reduce figures for all periods.
Notes to Chart
Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe.
The Frank Russell Company (FRC) is the source and owner of the Russell 2000® Index data contained or reflected in this material and all trademarks and copyrights related thereto. The material may contain confidential information and unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, dissemination or redistribution is strictly prohibited. This is a Touchstone Investments presentation of the data, and FRC is not responsible for the formatting or configuration of this material or for any inaccuracy in the presentation thereof.
13

 

Tabular Presentation of Portfolios of Investments (Unaudited)
December 31, 2023
The tables below provide each Fund’s sector allocation and/or credit quality. We hope it will be useful to shareholders as it summarizes key information about each Fund’s investments.
Touchstone Balanced Fund

Credit Quality*(% of Fixed Income Securities)
AAA/Aaa 46.7%
AA/Aa 4.9
A/A 15.4
BBB/Baa 33.0
Total 100.0%
Sector Allocation**(% of Net Assets)
Common Stocks  
Information Technology 17.5%
Health Care 9.7
Financials 9.7
Communication Services 8.9
Consumer Discretionary 5.7
Industrials 5.3
Consumer Staples 2.4
Energy 2.0
Materials 1.6
Real Estate 0.7
Corporate Bonds 18.3
U.S. Treasury Obligations 8.2
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 4.1
U.S. Government Mortgage-Backed Obligations 3.9
Exchange-Traded Fund 1.0
Sovereign Government Obligations 0.2
Short-Term Investment Fund 0.9
Other Assets/Liabilities (Net) (0.1)
Total 100.0%
Touchstone Bond Fund

Credit Quality*(% of Fixed Income Securities)
AAA/Aaa 38.0%
AA/Aa 9.3
A/A 13.9
BBB/Baa 31.6
BB/Ba 0.3
B/B 0.6
CC 0.2
Not Rated 3.2
Cash Equivalents 2.9
Total 100.0%
Touchstone Common Stock Fund

Sector Allocation**(% of Net Assets)
Information Technology 27.4%
Health Care 15.5
Financials 15.3
Communication Services 13.3
Consumer Discretionary 9.0
Industrials 8.3
Consumer Staples 4.0
Energy 3.2
Materials 2.6
Real Estate 1.2
Short-Term Investment Fund 0.3
Other Assets/Liabilities (Net) (0.1)
Total 100.0%
 
* Credit quality ratings are from S&P Global Ratings ("S&P") and Moody's Investors Service (“Moody's”). If agency ratings differ, the higher rating will be used. Where no rating has been assigned, it may be for reasons unrelated to the creditworthiness of the issuer.
** Sector classifications are based upon the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®).
14

 

Tabular Presentation of Portfolios of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)
Touchstone Small Company Fund

Sector Allocation*(% of Net Assets)
Industrials 22.6%
Information Technology 18.2
Health Care 15.8
Consumer Discretionary 14.0
Financials 9.7
Real Estate 8.1
Materials 3.7
Communication Services 3.2
Energy 3.0
Short-Term Investment Fund 1.9
Other Assets/Liabilities (Net) (0.2)
Total 100.0%
* Sector classifications are based upon the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®).
15

 

Portfolio of Investments
Touchstone Balanced Fund – December 31, 2023
Shares       Market
Value
  Common Stocks — 63.5%  
  Information Technology — 17.5%  
   13,185 Apple, Inc. $ 2,538,508
    3,115 International Business Machines Corp.    509,458
    8,512 Microsoft Corp.  3,200,853
    6,666 Oracle Corp.    702,796
    2,949 Salesforce, Inc.*    776,000
    3,574 Texas Instruments, Inc.    609,224
    1,952 Workday, Inc. - Class A*    538,869
         8,875,708
  Health Care — 9.7%  
    5,781 BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*    557,404
    8,935 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.    458,455
    2,980 Cencora, Inc.    612,032
    2,722 HCA Healthcare, Inc.    736,791
    5,818 Johnson & Johnson    911,913
    7,902 Medtronic PLC    650,967
    1,942 UnitedHealth Group, Inc.  1,022,405
         4,949,967
  Financials — 9.7%  
   21,793 Bank of America Corp.    733,770
    4,048 Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. - Class B*  1,443,760
    4,353 Charles Schwab Corp. (The)    299,486
    2,140 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)    825,548
      384 Markel Group, Inc.*    545,242
    4,138 PayPal Holdings, Inc.*    254,114
    3,219 Visa, Inc. - Class A    838,067
         4,939,987
  Communication Services — 8.9%  
   13,038 Alphabet, Inc. - Class C*  1,837,445
   11,777 Comcast Corp. - Class A    516,422
    4,324 Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A*  1,530,523
      767 Netflix, Inc.*    373,437
    2,667 Walt Disney Co. (The)    240,803
         4,498,630
  Consumer Discretionary — 5.7%  
    2,567 Airbnb, Inc. - Class A*    349,471
    2,136 Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (China) ADR    165,561
   10,639 Amazon.com, Inc.*  1,616,490
    2,381 Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.    433,556
    3,659 Starbucks Corp.    351,301
         2,916,379
  Industrials — 5.3%  
    2,270 Boeing Co. (The)*    591,698
      856 FedEx Corp.    216,542
    1,161 Hubbell, Inc.    381,888
    6,347 RTX Corp.    534,037
    9,216 Southwest Airlines Co.    266,158
    6,422 SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.    392,448
    3,335 Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.    327,164
         2,709,935
  Consumer Staples — 2.4%  
   10,705 Monster Beverage Corp.*    616,715
    6,538 Philip Morris International, Inc.    615,095
         1,231,810
  Energy — 2.0%  
    7,488 Exxon Mobil Corp.    748,650
    4,923 Schlumberger NV    256,193
         1,004,843
Shares       Market
Value
     
  Materials — 1.6%  
    6,663 DuPont de Nemours, Inc. $   512,585
    3,906 International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.    316,269
           828,854
  Real Estate — 0.7%  
    1,833 Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.*    346,199
  Total Common Stocks $32,302,312
Principal
Amount
       
  Corporate Bonds — 18.3%  
  Financials — 5.0%  
$  150,000 AerCap Ireland Capital DAC / AerCap Global Aviation Trust (Ireland), 2.450%, 10/29/26    138,903
   114,000 American Express Co., 5.282%, 7/27/29    116,482
   107,000 American Tower Corp. REIT, 5.900%, 11/15/33    113,507
   112,000 Ares Capital Corp., 3.250%, 7/15/25    107,162
    81,000 Bank of America Corp., 2.687%, 4/22/32     68,514
    82,000 Bank of America Corp., 3.705%, 4/24/28     78,366
    94,000 Bank of Montreal (Canada), 3.803%, 12/15/32     86,534
    80,000 Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The), 5.834%, 10/25/33     84,942
    70,000 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp., 4.250%, 1/15/49     65,475
    54,000 Capital One Financial Corp., 7.149%, 10/29/27     56,084
    77,000 Citigroup, Inc., 3.200%, 10/21/26     73,480
    60,000 Citigroup, Inc., 6.174%, 5/25/34     62,198
   112,000 Corestates Capital III, 144a, (TSFR3M + 0.832%), 6.211%, 2/15/27(A)    106,682
   122,000 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.615%, 4/22/32    102,585
    55,000 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 3.691%, 6/5/28     52,587
    41,000 Huntington Bancshares, Inc., 2.550%, 2/4/30     35,129
   128,000 JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.956%, 5/13/31    112,661
   100,000 JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.509%, 1/23/29     94,851
   112,000 Mastercard, Inc., 2.000%, 11/18/31     94,631
   109,000 Morgan Stanley, 3.950%, 4/23/27    105,867
    66,000 Morgan Stanley, 5.297%, 4/20/37     64,345
    74,000 New York Life Global Funding, 144a, 4.550%, 1/28/33     73,085
    76,000 Northern Trust Corp., 6.125%, 11/2/32     81,756
   113,000 Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. (The), 144a, 3.850%, 9/30/47     90,798
   117,000 PNC Capital Trust, (TSFR3M + 0.832%), 6.209%, 6/1/28(A)    108,837
    98,000 Royal Bank of Canada (Canada), MTN, 5.200%, 8/1/28    100,055
   185,000 Truist Bank, Ser A, (TSFR3M + 0.932%), 6.311%, 5/15/27(A)    173,820
   68,000 US Bancorp, 4.967%, 7/22/33     64,570
         2,513,906
  Consumer Discretionary — 2.0%  
   101,000 7-Eleven, Inc., 144a, 1.800%, 2/10/31     82,208
    88,000 BAT Capital Corp. (United Kingdom), 3.557%, 8/15/27     84,033
    89,000 Brunswick Corp., 4.400%, 9/15/32     81,258
    55,000 Delta Air Lines, Inc. / SkyMiles IP Ltd., 144a, 4.750%, 10/20/28     54,108
   105,000 General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.100%, 1/12/32     89,549
    56,000 General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 5.650%, 1/17/29     57,412
    59,000 Home Depot, Inc. (The), 5.950%, 4/1/41     66,154
   113,000 Lowe's Cos., Inc., 4.500%, 4/15/30    112,503
    52,000 Mattel, Inc., 5.450%, 11/1/41     46,586
   110,000 Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 3.800%, 11/1/29    103,176
   118,000 Toyota Motor Corp. (Japan), 5.118%, 7/13/28    122,178
  104,000 Warnermedia Holdings, Inc., 5.141%, 3/15/52     89,737
           988,902
  Industrials — 1.7%  
  100,000 Amcor Flexibles North America, Inc., 2.630%, 6/19/30      86,652
 
16

 

Touchstone Balanced Fund (Continued)
Principal
Amount
      MarketValue
  Corporate Bonds — 18.3% (Continued)  
  Industrials — 1.7% (Continued)  
$   53,000 Boeing Co. (The), 5.805%, 5/1/50 $    55,105
    83,000 Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, 5.750%, 5/1/40     90,570
    54,000 Carrier Global Corp., 3.577%, 4/5/50     42,278
    94,000 FedEx Corp., 5.100%, 1/15/44     91,357
    99,000 John Deere Capital Corp., MTN, 2.450%, 1/9/30     88,840
    81,000 Norfolk Southern Corp., 4.837%, 10/1/41     78,274
    71,000 Roper Technologies, Inc., 2.950%, 9/15/29     65,129
   114,000 Waste Management, Inc., 4.875%, 2/15/34    116,494
    52,000 WestRock MWV LLC, 8.200%, 1/15/30     59,957
  117,000 Xylem, Inc., 1.950%, 1/30/28    105,826
           880,482
  Health Care — 1.7%  
    84,000 AbbVie, Inc., 4.450%, 5/14/46     77,389
    90,000 Amgen, Inc., 5.150%, 3/2/28     92,076
    67,000 Becton Dickinson & Co., 4.685%, 12/15/44     62,824
    86,000 CommonSpirit Health, 4.187%, 10/1/49     72,766
    73,000 CVS Health Corp., 5.125%, 7/20/45     69,284
   104,000 DH Europe Finance II Sarl, 3.250%, 11/15/39     86,548
    72,000 Elevance Health, Inc., 4.750%, 2/15/33     72,119
    88,000 HCA, Inc., 5.375%, 9/1/26     88,451
    72,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 5.404%, 8/10/43     76,370
   107,000 UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 3.500%, 8/15/39     91,214
  100,000 Viatris, Inc., 2.700%, 6/22/30     84,613
           873,654
  Utilities — 1.7%  
   127,000 CMS Energy Corp., 4.750%, 6/1/50    114,672
    74,000 Duke Energy Progress LLC, 4.150%, 12/1/44     63,189
    72,000 Edison International, 4.125%, 3/15/28     69,574
    98,000 FirstEnergy Transmission LLC, 144a, 5.450%, 7/15/44     94,979
   107,000 NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc., (TSFR3M + 2.329%), 7.659%, 10/1/66(A)     96,804
   104,000 Ohio Power Co., Ser R, 2.900%, 10/1/51     70,756
   126,000 Pacific Gas and Electric Co., 3.500%, 8/1/50     87,296
    89,000 PacifiCorp., 5.750%, 4/1/37     91,149
  183,000 WEC Energy Group, Inc., (TSFR3M + 2.374%), 7.754%, 5/15/67(A)    163,694
           852,113
  Information Technology — 1.6%  
   107,000 Apple, Inc., 4.650%, 2/23/46    105,879
   116,000 Broadcom, Inc., 4.150%, 11/15/30    110,961
   105,000 Marvell Technology, Inc., 2.950%, 4/15/31     91,905
   112,000 Microchip Technology, Inc., 0.983%, 9/1/24    108,512
    54,000 Micron Technology, Inc., 2.703%, 4/15/32     45,425
    20,000 Micron Technology, Inc., 6.750%, 11/1/29     21,637
   138,000 Microsoft Corp., 2.525%, 6/1/50     94,692
    46,000 Oracle Corp., 2.650%, 7/15/26     43,637
    32,000 Oracle Corp., 3.600%, 4/1/40     25,616
    24,000 Oracle Corp., 4.300%, 7/8/34     22,471
    65,000 Visa, Inc., 4.150%, 12/14/35     63,788
   71,000 VMware LLC, 1.400%, 8/15/26     64,975
           799,498
  Energy — 1.2%  
    28,000 Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada), 5.250%, 6/15/37     26,493
   112,000 Cheniere Energy, Inc., 4.625%, 10/15/28    109,196
    60,000 Continental Resources, Inc., 144a, 5.750%, 1/15/31     59,651
   106,000 DCP Midstream Operating LP, 144a, 6.750%, 9/15/37    116,551
    95,000 Midwest Connector Capital Co. LLC, 144a, 4.625%, 4/1/29     91,556
    67,000 MPLX LP, 4.950%, 3/14/52     59,836
   81,000 NGPL PipeCo LLC, 144a, 7.768%, 12/15/37      90,091
Principal
Amount
      MarketValue
     
  Energy — 1.2% (Continued)  
$   47,000 Occidental Petroleum Corp., 7.950%, 6/15/39 $    54,755
   20,000 Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.000%, 3/15/27     20,094
           628,223
  Consumer Staples — 1.2%  
    63,000 Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC / Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc. (Belgium), 4.900%, 2/1/46     61,790
    50,000 J M Smucker Co. (The), 6.500%, 11/15/53     57,933
    86,000 JBS USA LUX SA / JBS USA Food Co. / JBS USA Finance, Inc., 2.500%, 1/15/27     79,195
    33,000 JBS USA LUX SA / JBS USA Food Co. / JBS USA Finance, Inc., 4.375%, 2/2/52     24,574
    64,000 Kroger Co. (The), 5.000%, 4/15/42     60,181
    96,000 Mars, Inc., 144a, 3.875%, 4/1/39     84,368
    55,000 PepsiCo, Inc., 1.625%, 5/1/30     46,916
   125,000 Philip Morris International, Inc., 5.375%, 2/15/33    128,353
   65,000 Starbucks Corp., 3.350%, 3/12/50     48,719
           592,029
  Real Estate — 1.1%  
   100,000 Crown Castle International Corp. REIT, 3.650%, 9/1/27     95,124
   122,000 Host Hotels & Resorts LP REIT, Ser F, 4.500%, 2/1/26    119,671
    94,000 Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP REIT, 4.150%, 4/15/32     86,552
    47,000 Kilroy Realty LP REIT, 3.050%, 2/15/30     39,989
    74,000 Sabra Health Care LP REIT, 5.125%, 8/15/26     72,701
    58,000 SBA Tower Trust REIT, 144a, 6.599%, 1/15/28     59,652
    46,000 STORE Capital Corp. REIT, 2.700%, 12/1/31     34,903
     8,000 STORE Capital Corp. REIT, 2.750%, 11/18/30      6,290
   63,000 STORE Capital Corp. REIT, 4.625%, 3/15/29     58,257
           573,139
  Communication Services — 0.8%  
    54,000 AT&T, Inc., 4.500%, 5/15/35     51,256
    60,000 Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital, 6.484%, 10/23/45     59,158
    74,000 Comcast Corp., 4.000%, 3/1/48     62,364
    28,000 Paramount Global, 4.200%, 5/19/32     25,054
   118,000 T-Mobile USA, Inc., 3.875%, 4/15/30    111,994
    42,000 T-Mobile USA, Inc., 5.750%, 1/15/54     44,632
   98,000 Verizon Communications, Inc., 2.987%, 10/30/56     65,087
           419,545
  Materials — 0.3%  
    90,000 Celanese US Holdings LLC, 6.165%, 7/15/27     92,279
   83,000 Sherwin-Williams Co. (The), 4.500%, 6/1/47     76,255
           168,534
  Total Corporate Bonds  $9,290,025
  U.S. Treasury Obligations — 8.2%
    50,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.625%, 5/15/53         46,453
   505,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 4.000%, 11/15/42        492,572
   109,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 4.000%, 11/15/52        108,051
   272,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 3.625%, 5/31/28        269,354
1,180,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 4.000%, 2/29/28      1,184,840
1,035,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 4.375%, 11/30/28      1,060,147
1,000,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 4.875%, 11/30/25      1,010,586
  Total U.S. Treasury Obligations  $4,172,003
  Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 4.1%
    60,000 BANK, Ser 2020-BN26, Class A4, 2.403%, 3/15/63         51,126
   145,000 BANK, Ser 2021-BN36, Class A5, 2.470%, 9/15/64        121,742
   280,000 BANK, Ser 2021-BN37, Class A5, 2.618%, 11/15/64(A)(B)        235,609
   75,000 BANK, Ser 2022-BNK39, Class A4, 2.928%, 2/15/55(A)(B)          64,723
 
17

 

Touchstone Balanced Fund (Continued)
Principal
Amount
      MarketValue
  Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 4.1% (Continued)
$   55,000 BBCMS Mortgage Trust, Ser 2021-C11, Class A5, 2.322%, 9/15/54     $    45,760
   165,000 BBCMS Mortgage Trust, Ser 2021-C12, Class A5, 2.689%, 11/15/54        140,448
    45,000 BBCMS Mortgage Trust, Ser 2022-C14, Class A5, 2.946%, 2/15/55(A)(B)         38,827
   140,000 BBCMS Mortgage Trust, Ser 2022-C16, Class A5, 4.600%, 6/15/55(A)(B)        136,314
   160,000 Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Ser 2018-B8, Class A5, 4.232%, 1/15/52        151,091
   255,000 Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Ser 2020-GC46, Class A5, 2.717%, 2/15/53        220,140
    80,000 COMM Mortgage Trust, Ser 2015-DC1, Class A5, 3.350%, 2/10/48         77,540
    80,000 GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Ser 2020-GC47, Class A5, 2.377%, 5/12/53         67,465
   235,000 JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Ser 2016-JP2, Class A4, 2.822%, 8/15/49        218,779
   170,000 JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Ser 2017-JP7, Class A5, 3.454%, 9/15/50        156,500
    75,000 Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Ser 2018-H3, Class A5, 4.177%, 7/15/51         71,076
   170,000 Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Ser 2019-C51, Class A4, 3.311%, 6/15/52        152,083
  145,000 Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Ser 2019-C53, Class A4, 3.040%, 10/15/52        129,912
  Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities  $2,079,135
  U.S. Government Mortgage-Backed Obligations — 3.9%
    95,258 FHLMC, Pool #G05624, 4.500%, 9/1/39         95,347
    62,470 FHLMC, Pool #Q29260, 4.000%, 10/1/44         60,432
   289,576 FHLMC REMIC, Pool #QE9228, 4.500%, 9/1/52        281,095
   294,916 FHLMC REMIC, Pool #SD1436, 4.500%, 8/1/52        286,278
   285,454 FHLMC REMIC, Pool #SD1515, 4.500%, 8/1/52        277,093
   281,659 FHLMC REMIC, Pool #SD1620, 5.000%, 9/1/52        279,079
   295,982 FHLMC REMIC, Pool #SD1638, 5.000%, 9/1/52        293,831
    38,248 FNMA, Pool #725423, 5.500%, 5/1/34         39,419
    34,393 FNMA, Pool #725610, 5.500%, 7/1/34         35,446
     7,788 FNMA, Pool #890310, 4.500%, 12/1/40          7,787
    26,734 FNMA, Pool #AD9193, 5.000%, 9/1/40         27,196
  283,992 FNMA, Pool #FS2906, 5.000%, 9/1/52        281,982
  Total U.S. Government Mortgage-Backed Obligations  $1,964,985
Shares        
  Exchange-Traded Fund — 1.0%  
    5,777 iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF    514,500
Principal
Amount
       
  Sovereign Government Obligations — 0.2%
$  146,000 Peruvian Government International Bond, 2.780%, 12/1/60     90,885
Shares       MarketValue
  Short-Term Investment Fund — 0.9%  
  467,587 Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.25%∞Ω $   467,587
  Total Investment Securities—100.1%
(Cost $42,063,888)
$50,881,432
  Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1%)    (26,996)
  Net Assets — 100.0% $50,854,436
(A) Variable rate security - Rate reflected is the rate in effect as of December 31, 2023.
(B) Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description.
* Non-income producing security.
Open-End Fund.
Ω Represents the 7-Day SEC yield as of December 31, 2023.
Portfolio Abbreviations:
ADR – American Depositary Receipt
DAC – Designated Activity Company
ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund
FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA – Federal National Mortgage Association
LLC – Limited Liability Company
LP – Limited Partnership
MTN – Medium Term Note
PLC – Public Limited Company
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
REMIC – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
TSFR3M – Three Month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate
USD – United States Dollar
144a - This is a restricted security that was sold in a transaction qualifying for the exemption under Rule 144a of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be sold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 2023, these securities were valued at $1,003,729 or 2.0% of net assets. These securities were deemed liquid pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.
Other Information:
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table below, please refer to the security valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Valuation Inputs at Reporting Date:
Description Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks $32,302,312 $$— $32,302,312
Corporate Bonds 9,290,025 9,290,025
U.S. Treasury Obligations 4,172,003 4,172,003
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 2,079,135 2,079,135
U.S. Government Mortgage-Backed Obligations 1,964,985 1,964,985
Exchange-Traded Fund 514,500 514,500
Sovereign Government Obligations 90,885 90,885
Short-Term Investment Fund 467,587 467,587
Total $33,284,399 $17,597,033 $— $50,881,432
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
18

 

Portfolio of Investments
Touchstone Bond Fund – December 31, 2023
Principal
Amount
      Market
Value
  Corporate Bonds — 43.0%  
  Financials — 11.7%  
$  269,000 AerCap Ireland Capital DAC / AerCap Global Aviation Trust (Ireland), 2.450%, 10/29/26 $   249,099
   239,000 American Express Co., 5.282%, 7/27/29    244,203
   285,000 American Tower Corp. REIT, 5.900%, 11/15/33    302,332
   191,000 Ares Capital Corp., 3.250%, 7/15/25    182,750
   135,000 Bank of America Corp., 2.687%, 4/22/32    114,191
   169,000 Bank of America Corp., 3.705%, 4/24/28    161,510
   226,000 Bank of Montreal (Canada), 3.803%, 12/15/32    208,050
   206,000 Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The), 5.834%, 10/25/33    218,726
   333,000 Bank of Nova Scotia (The) (Canada), 3.625%, 10/27/81    255,711
   254,000 Barclays PLC (United Kingdom), 2.894%, 11/24/32    208,544
   119,000 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp., 4.250%, 1/15/49    111,307
   110,000 Capital One Financial Corp., 7.149%, 10/29/27    114,246
   152,000 Citigroup, Inc., 3.200%, 10/21/26    145,052
   122,000 Citigroup, Inc., 6.174%, 5/25/34    126,468
   212,000 Citizens Bank NA, 4.575%, 8/9/28    201,419
   214,000 Cooperatieve Rabobank UA (Netherlands), 144a, 1.106%, 2/24/27    196,021
   236,000 Corestates Capital III, 144a, (TSFR3M + 0.832%), 6.211%, 2/15/27(A)    224,795
   237,000 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.615%, 4/22/32    199,283
   123,000 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 3.691%, 6/5/28    117,603
    86,000 Huntington Bancshares, Inc., 2.550%, 2/4/30     73,686
   173,000 JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.956%, 5/13/31    152,268
   226,000 JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.509%, 1/23/29    214,363
   252,000 Mastercard, Inc., 2.000%, 11/18/31    212,921
   210,000 Morgan Stanley, 3.950%, 4/23/27    203,963
   170,000 Morgan Stanley, 5.297%, 4/20/37    165,736
   185,000 New York Life Global Funding, 144a, 4.550%, 1/28/33    182,711
   200,000 Northern Trust Corp., 6.125%, 11/2/32    215,148
   266,000 Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. (The), 144a, 3.850%, 9/30/47    213,738
   293,000 PNC Capital Trust, (TSFR3M + 0.832%), 6.209%, 6/1/28(A)    272,559
   204,000 Royal Bank of Canada (Canada), MTN, 5.200%, 8/1/28    208,277
   349,000 Truist Bank, Ser A, (TSFR3M + 0.932%), 6.311%, 5/15/27(A)    327,908
  159,000 US Bancorp, 4.967%, 7/22/33    150,981
         6,175,569
  Consumer Discretionary — 4.5%  
   251,000 7-Eleven, Inc., 144a, 1.800%, 2/10/31    204,298
   185,000 BAT Capital Corp. (United Kingdom), 3.557%, 8/15/27    176,660
   186,000 Brunswick Corp., 4.400%, 9/15/32    169,821
   117,000 Delta Air Lines, Inc. / SkyMiles IP Ltd., 144a, 4.750%, 10/20/28    115,102
   340,000 General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.100%, 1/12/32    289,970
   114,000 General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 5.650%, 1/17/29    116,874
   153,000 Home Depot, Inc. (The), 5.950%, 4/1/41    171,551
   153,000 Imperial Brands Finance PLC (United Kingdom), 144a, 6.125%, 7/27/27    157,212
   208,000 Lowe's Cos., Inc., 4.500%, 4/15/30    207,085
   114,000 Mattel, Inc., 5.450%, 11/1/41    102,131
   241,000 Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 3.800%, 11/1/29    226,049
   247,000 Toyota Motor Corp. (Japan), 5.118%, 7/13/28    255,747
  226,000 Warnermedia Holdings, Inc., 5.141%, 3/15/52    195,006
         2,387,506
  Health Care — 3.9%  
   191,000 AbbVie, Inc., 4.450%, 5/14/46    175,967
   156,000 Alcon Finance Corp. (Switzerland), 144a, 3.800%, 9/23/49    126,346
   204,000 Amgen, Inc., 5.150%, 3/2/28    208,705
   179,000 Becton Dickinson & Co., 4.685%, 12/15/44    167,844
  177,000 CommonSpirit Health, 4.187%, 10/1/49     149,763
Principal
Amount
      Market
Value
     
  Health Care — 3.9% (Continued)  
$  162,000 CVS Health Corp., 5.125%, 7/20/45 $   153,754
   197,000 DH Europe Finance II Sarl, 3.250%, 11/15/39    163,941
   183,000 Elevance Health, Inc., 4.750%, 2/15/33    183,303
   217,000 HCA, Inc., 5.375%, 9/1/26    218,112
   152,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 5.404%, 8/10/43    161,225
   210,000 UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 3.500%, 8/15/39    179,019
  204,000 Viatris, Inc., 2.700%, 6/22/30    172,611
         2,060,590
  Industrials — 3.8%  
   183,000 Amcor Flexibles North America, Inc., 2.630%, 6/19/30    158,574
   103,000 Boeing Co. (The), 5.805%, 5/1/50    107,090
   190,000 Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, 5.750%, 5/1/40    207,329
   135,000 Carrier Global Corp., 3.577%, 4/5/50    105,694
   229,000 FedEx Corp., 5.100%, 1/15/44    222,560
   201,000 John Deere Capital Corp., MTN, 2.450%, 1/9/30    180,372
   164,000 Norfolk Southern Corp., 4.837%, 10/1/41    158,480
   133,000 Roper Technologies, Inc., 2.950%, 9/15/29    122,003
   239,000 Waste Management, Inc., 4.875%, 2/15/34    244,228
   347,000 Weir Group PLC (The) (United Kingdom), 144a, 2.200%, 5/13/26    322,721
  136,000 WestRock MWV LLC, 8.200%, 1/15/30    156,812
         1,985,863
  Energy — 3.7%  
   144,000 Aker BP ASA (Norway), 144a, 6.000%, 6/13/33    149,849
    53,000 Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada), 5.250%, 6/15/37     50,148
   265,000 Cheniere Energy, Inc., 4.625%, 10/15/28    258,365
   135,000 Continental Resources, Inc., 144a, 5.750%, 1/15/31    134,214
   307,000 DCP Midstream Operating LP, 144a, 6.750%, 9/15/37    337,559
   184,885 MC Brazil Downstream Trading SARL (Brazil), 144a, 7.250%, 6/30/31    144,903
   266,000 Midwest Connector Capital Co. LLC, 144a, 4.625%, 4/1/29    256,357
   169,000 MPLX LP, 4.950%, 3/14/52    150,931
   199,000 NGPL PipeCo LLC, 144a, 7.768%, 12/15/37    221,333
   101,000 Occidental Petroleum Corp., 7.950%, 6/15/39    117,665
  206,000 Petroleos Mexicanos (Mexico), 6.625%, 6/15/35    158,033
         1,979,357
  Utilities — 3.6%  
   295,000 CMS Energy Corp., 4.750%, 6/1/50    266,365
   126,000 Duke Energy Progress LLC, 4.150%, 12/1/44    107,591
   140,000 Edison International, 4.125%, 3/15/28    135,282
   227,000 Electricite de France SA (France), 144a, 4.875%, 9/21/38    210,328
   247,000 FirstEnergy Transmission LLC, 144a, 5.450%, 7/15/44    239,387
   236,000 NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc., (TSFR3M + 2.329%), 7.659%, 10/1/66(A)    213,512
   228,000 Ohio Power Co., Ser R, 2.900%, 10/1/51    155,119
   251,000 Pacific Gas and Electric Co., 3.500%, 8/1/50    173,898
    86,000 PacifiCorp., 5.750%, 4/1/37     88,077
  348,000 WEC Energy Group, Inc., (TSFR3M + 2.374%), 7.754%, 5/15/67(A)    311,287
         1,900,846
  Information Technology — 3.2%  
   228,000 Apple, Inc., 4.650%, 2/23/46    225,611
   291,000 Broadcom, Inc., 4.150%, 11/15/30    278,360
   245,000 Marvell Technology, Inc., 2.950%, 4/15/31    214,446
   249,000 Microchip Technology, Inc., 0.983%, 9/1/24    241,246
   136,000 Micron Technology, Inc., 2.703%, 4/15/32    114,404
    56,000 Micron Technology, Inc., 6.750%, 11/1/29     60,583
   282,000 Microsoft Corp., 2.525%, 6/1/50    193,500
   117,000 Oracle Corp., 2.650%, 7/15/26    110,989
   81,000 Oracle Corp., 3.600%, 4/1/40      64,840
 
19

 

Touchstone Bond Fund (Continued)
Principal
Amount
      Market
Value
  Corporate Bonds — 43.0% (Continued)  
  Information Technology — 3.2% (Continued)  
$   64,000 Oracle Corp., 4.300%, 7/8/34 $    59,924
  148,000 Visa, Inc., 4.150%, 12/14/35    145,240
         1,709,143
  Consumer Staples — 2.7%  
   133,000 Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC / Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc. (Belgium), 4.900%, 2/1/46    130,445
   206,000 Ashtead Capital, Inc. (United Kingdom), 144a, 4.000%, 5/1/28    194,003
   106,000 J M Smucker Co. (The), 6.500%, 11/15/53    122,817
   252,000 JBS USA LUX SA / JBS USA Food Co. / JBS USA Finance, Inc., 2.500%, 1/15/27    232,061
    81,000 JBS USA LUX SA / JBS USA Food Co. / JBS USA Finance, Inc., 4.375%, 2/2/52     60,318
   144,000 Kroger Co. (The), 5.000%, 4/15/42    135,408
   226,000 Mars, Inc., 144a, 3.875%, 4/1/39    198,616
   253,000 Philip Morris International, Inc., 5.375%, 2/15/33    259,786
  111,000 Starbucks Corp., 3.350%, 3/12/50     83,197
         1,416,651
  Real Estate — 2.6%  
   243,000 Crown Castle International Corp. REIT, 3.650%, 9/1/27    231,151
   228,000 Host Hotels & Resorts LP REIT, Ser F, 4.500%, 2/1/26    223,647
   244,000 Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP REIT, 4.150%, 4/15/32    224,667
   102,000 Kilroy Realty LP REIT, 3.050%, 2/15/30     86,784
   195,000 Sabra Health Care LP REIT, 5.125%, 8/15/26    191,576
   205,000 SBA Tower Trust REIT, 144a, 6.599%, 1/15/28    210,839
    80,000 STORE Capital Corp. REIT, 2.700%, 12/1/31     60,702
    45,000 STORE Capital Corp. REIT, 2.750%, 11/18/30     35,381
  127,000 STORE Capital Corp. REIT, 4.625%, 3/15/29    117,440
         1,382,187
  Communication Services — 2.2%  
   161,000 AT&T, Inc., 4.500%, 5/15/35    152,818
   239,000 British Telecommunications PLC (United Kingdom), 144a, 3.250%, 11/8/29    218,488
   138,000 Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital, 6.484%, 10/23/45    136,063
   164,000 Comcast Corp., 4.000%, 3/1/48    138,213
    62,000 Paramount Global, 4.200%, 5/19/32     55,476
   226,000 T-Mobile USA, Inc., 3.875%, 4/15/30    214,497
    99,000 T-Mobile USA, Inc., 5.750%, 1/15/54    105,205
  228,000 Verizon Communications, Inc., 2.987%, 10/30/56    151,426
         1,172,186
  Materials — 1.1%  
   139,000 Braskem Netherlands Finance BV (Brazil), 144a, 4.500%, 1/31/30    107,906
   119,000 Braskem Netherlands Finance BV (Brazil), 144a, 5.875%, 1/31/50     82,452
   221,000 Celanese US Holdings LLC, 6.165%, 7/15/27    226,596
  203,000 Sherwin-Williams Co. (The), 4.500%, 6/1/47    186,503
           603,457
  Total Corporate Bonds $22,773,355
  U.S. Treasury Obligations — 18.8%
1,380,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 2.375%, 2/15/42      1,063,031
    85,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.625%, 5/15/53         78,970
   795,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 4.000%, 11/15/42        775,436
   963,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 4.000%, 11/15/52        954,612
2,051,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 3.375%, 5/15/33      1,972,485
    70,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 3.625%, 5/31/28         69,319
1,537,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 3.875%, 8/15/33      1,538,201
Principal
Amount
      Market
Value
  U.S. Treasury Obligations — 18.8% (Continued)
$2,755,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 4.375%, 11/30/28     $ 2,821,938
  695,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 4.875%, 11/30/25        702,357
  Total U.S. Treasury Obligations  $9,976,349
  Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 10.0%
   675,000 BANK, Ser 2018-BN14, Class A3, 3.966%, 9/15/60        646,724
   285,000 BANK, Ser 2020-BN26, Class A4, 2.403%, 3/15/63        242,850
   365,000 BANK, Ser 2022-BNK39, Class A4, 2.928%, 2/15/55(A)(B)        314,985
   275,000 BBCMS Mortgage Trust, Ser 2021-C11, Class A5, 2.322%, 9/15/54        228,800
   500,000 BPR Trust, Ser 2021-KEN, Class B, 144a, (TSFR1M + 2.064%), 7.426%, 2/15/29(A)        498,419
   250,000 Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Ser 2020-GC46, Class A5, 2.717%, 2/15/53        215,823
   360,000 DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Ser 2017-BRBK, Class B, 144a, 3.530%, 10/10/34(A)(B)        317,205
   367,585 GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Ser 2017-SLP, Class B, 144a, 3.772%, 10/10/32        354,559
   250,000 GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Ser 2017-FARM, Class B, 144a, 3.541%, 1/10/43(A)(B)        209,074
   390,000 GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Ser 2020-GC47, Class A5, 2.377%, 5/12/53        328,893
   210,000 HONO Mortgage Trust, Ser 2021-LULU, Class B, 144a, (TSFR1M + 1.564%), 6.926%, 10/15/36(A)        198,962
   805,000 JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Ser 2017-JP7, Class A5, 3.454%, 9/15/50        741,075
   350,000 JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Ser 2018-MINN, Class A, 144a, (TSFR1M + 1.317%), 6.679%, 11/15/35(A)        332,596
   355,000 Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Ser 2018-H3, Class A5, 4.177%, 7/15/51        336,429
  320,000 New York City Housing Development Corp., Ser 2014-8SPR, Class B, 3.864%, 2/15/48        312,575
  Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities  $5,278,969
  U.S. Government Mortgage-Backed Obligations — 6.1%
    38,806 FHLMC, Pool #A95946, 4.000%, 1/1/41         37,929
    26,169 FHLMC, Pool #A96485, 4.500%, 1/1/41         26,202
     8,821 FHLMC, Pool #G03217, 5.500%, 9/1/37          9,105
     3,933 FHLMC, Pool #G03781, 6.000%, 1/1/38          4,111
   529,085 FHLMC REMIC, Pool #QD2143, 2.000%, 12/1/51        433,236
     2,395 FNMA, Pool #561741, 7.500%, 1/1/31          2,447
   143,934 FNMA, Pool #725423, 5.500%, 5/1/34        148,340
   127,381 FNMA, Pool #725610, 5.500%, 7/1/34        131,283
     3,247 FNMA, Pool #889734, 5.500%, 6/1/37          3,347
    21,512 FNMA, Pool #AB1149, 5.000%, 6/1/40         21,884
    20,708 FNMA, Pool #AB1800, 4.000%, 11/1/40         20,220
    35,526 FNMA, Pool #AD3795, 4.500%, 4/1/40         35,519
    45,200 FNMA, Pool #AD9150, 5.000%, 8/1/40         45,950
    89,114 FNMA, Pool #AD9193, 5.000%, 9/1/40         90,652
    58,817 FNMA, Pool #AE0548, 4.500%, 11/1/40         58,807
    47,379 FNMA, Pool #AE4429, 4.000%, 10/1/40         46,263
       995 FNMA, Pool #AH2666, 4.000%, 1/1/26            976
     2,040 FNMA, Pool #AH3493, 4.000%, 2/1/26          2,001
    75,296 FNMA, Pool #AL0054, 4.500%, 2/1/41         75,283
   218,154 FNMA, Pool #AR9195, 3.000%, 3/1/43        200,818
   182,194 FNMA, Pool #AT2016, 3.000%, 4/1/43        167,714
   142,584 FNMA, Pool #BC1158, 3.500%, 2/1/46        133,236
   300,744 FNMA, Pool #FM4996, 2.000%, 12/1/50        250,332
   178,755 FNMA, Pool #FM5468, 2.500%, 1/1/36        165,688
   260,946 FNMA, Pool #FM5682, 2.500%, 1/1/51        223,580
    83,460 FNMA, Pool #MA1175, 3.000%, 9/1/42         77,001
    49,137 FNMA, Pool #MA2177, 4.000%, 2/1/35         48,057
  301,484 FNMA, Pool #MA4166, 3.000%, 10/1/40         276,685
 
20

 

Touchstone Bond Fund (Continued)
Principal
Amount
      Market
Value
  U.S. Government Mortgage-Backed Obligations — 6.1%
(Continued)
$   65,657 GNMA, Pool #4853, 4.000%, 11/20/40     $    64,395
    50,647 GNMA, Pool #4883, 4.500%, 12/20/40         50,684
   200,491 GNMA, Pool #5175, 4.500%, 9/20/41        200,639
    16,687 GNMA, Pool #736696, 4.500%, 5/15/40         16,611
   121,099 GNMA, Pool #AD1745, 3.000%, 2/20/43        110,220
   74,553 GNMA, Pool #MA1157, 3.500%, 7/20/43         70,878
  Total U.S. Government Mortgage-Backed Obligations  $3,250,093
  Non-Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 5.2%
    44,979 Agate Bay Mortgage Trust, Ser 2013-1, Class B3, 144a, 3.542%, 7/25/43(A)(B)         42,605
   220,511 Agate Bay Mortgage Trust, Ser 2015-4, Class B2, 144a, 3.499%, 6/25/45(A)(B)        210,866
   253,997 Agate Bay Mortgage Trust, Ser 2015-7, Class B1, 144a, 3.644%, 10/25/45(A)(B)        236,713
   129,992 CSMC Trust, Ser 2013-IVR3, Class B2, 144a, 3.407%, 5/25/43(A)(B)        125,614
   180,130 CSMC Trust, Ser 2015-1, Class B3, 144a, 3.900%, 1/25/45(A)(B)        170,173
   112,240 CSMC Trust, Ser 2015-WIN1, Class B3, 144a, 3.771%, 12/25/44(A)(B)        105,891
   324,547 Deephaven Residential Mortgage Trust, Ser 2022-2, Class A1, 144a, 4.300%, 3/25/67(A)(B)        308,551
       115 Deutsche ALT-A Securities, Inc. ALT, Ser 2003-2XS, Class A6, 5.470%, 9/25/33(A)(B)            112
    16,836 EverBank Mortgage Loan Trust, Ser 2013-1, Class B1, 144a, 3.506%, 3/25/43(A)(B)         16,615
   395,148 EverBank Mortgage Loan Trust, Ser 2018-1, Class B2, 144a, 3.576%, 2/25/48(A)(B)        343,315
   289,383 Mill City Mortgage Loan Trust, Ser 2018-3, Class M3, 144a, 3.250%, 8/25/58(A)(B)        245,233
    76,269 Residential Asset Securitization Trust, Ser 2006-A1, Class 1A3, 6.000%, 4/25/36         32,826
    43,137 Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Ser 2013-10, Class B2, 144a, 3.532%, 8/25/43(A)(B)         41,023
    62,980 Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Ser 2013-5, Class B1, 144a, 3.494%, 5/25/43(A)(B)         59,734
   435,332 Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Ser 2018-CH3, Class B1B, 144a, 4.763%, 8/25/48(A)(B)        410,256
   394,520 Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Ser 2018-CH3, Class B2B, 144a, 4.763%, 8/25/48(A)(B)        371,795
   20,509 Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Ser 2005-9, Class 2A4, 5.500%, 11/25/35         17,788
  Total Non-Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  $2,739,110
  Asset-Backed Securities — 4.9%
   343,000 Driven Brands Funding LLC, Ser 2021-1A, Class A2, 144a, 2.791%, 10/20/51        293,483
   192,648 Elara HGV Timeshare Issuer LLC, Ser 2019-A, Class B, 144a, 2.910%, 1/25/34        183,334
   289,500 Jack in the Box Funding LLC, Ser 2022-1A, Class A2I, 144a, 3.445%, 2/26/52        266,408
   265,990 Jersey Mike's Funding, Ser 2019-1A, Class A2, 144a, 4.433%, 2/15/50        251,929
   149,375 Jimmy Johns Funding LLC, Ser 2017-1A, Class A2II, 144a, 4.846%, 7/30/47        141,970
   295,500 Jimmy Johns Funding LLC, Ser 2022-1A, Class A2I, 144a, 4.077%, 4/30/52        275,575
  375,000 Madison Park Funding XLIX Ltd. (Cayman Islands), Ser 2021-49A, Class B1, 144a, (TSFR3M + 1.962%), 7.358%, 10/19/34(A)         373,694
Principal
Amount
      Market
Value
  Asset-Backed Securities — 4.9% (Continued)
$  350,000 New Mountain CLO 1 Ltd. (Cayman Islands), Ser CLO-1A, Class AR, 144a, (TSFR3M + 1.462%), 6.855%, 10/15/34(A)     $   349,493
   294,750 Planet Fitness Master Issuer LLC, Ser 2022-1A, Class A2I, 144a, 3.251%, 12/5/51        273,176
  217,388 TAL Advantage VII LLC, Ser 2020-1A, Class A, 144a, 2.050%, 9/20/45        197,364
  Total Asset-Backed Securities  $2,606,426
Shares        
  Exchange-Traded Fund — 3.6%  
   21,289 iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF  1,895,998
Principal
Amount
       
  Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 3.3%
$  230,000 FHLMC REMIC, Ser 4991, Class HB, 2.000%, 7/25/50        161,815
   725,000 FHLMC REMIC, Ser 5178, Class CV, 2.000%, 11/25/40        537,709
     9,153 FNMA REMIC, Ser 2015-51, Class KC, 3.000%, 6/25/45          8,605
   196,633 FNMA REMIC, Ser 2017-90, Class KA, 3.000%, 11/25/47        182,530
   450,000 FNMA REMIC, Ser 2019-35, Class KB, 3.000%, 7/25/49        357,489
  675,000 FNMA REMIC, Ser 2022-16, Class KB, 2.500%, 11/25/49        510,557
  Total Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  $1,758,705
  Sovereign Government Obligations — 1.3%
   210,000 Bahamas Government International Bond, 144a, 6.000%, 11/21/28        184,800
   206,000 Chile Government International Bond, 3.100%, 1/22/61        138,063
   206,000 Colombia Government International Bond, 3.250%, 4/22/32        163,498
   226,000 Ecuador Government International Bond, 144a, 6.000%, 7/31/30(A)(B)        104,482
  210,000 Ghana Government International Bond, 144a, 7.625%, 5/16/29         90,763
  Total Sovereign Government Obligations    $681,606
Shares        
  Short-Term Investment Fund — 2.7%  
1,410,379 Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.25%∞Ω  1,410,379
  Total Investment Securities—98.9%
(Cost $55,728,053)
$52,370,990
  Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 1.1%    579,071
  Net Assets — 100.0% $52,950,061
(A) Variable rate security - Rate reflected is the rate in effect as of December 31, 2023.
(B) Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description.
Open-End Fund.
Ω Represents the 7-Day SEC yield as of December 31, 2023.
 
21

 

Touchstone Bond Fund (Continued)
Portfolio Abbreviations:
CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligation
DAC – Designated Activity Company
ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund
FHLMC – Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA – Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association
ICE – Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
LLC – Limited Liability Company
LP – Limited Partnership
MTN – Medium Term Note
PLC – Public Limited Company
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
REMIC – Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
TSFR1M – One Month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TSFR3M – Three Month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate
USD – United States Dollar
144a - This is a restricted security that was sold in a transaction qualifying for the exemption under Rule 144a of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be sold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 2023, these securities were valued at $12,034,848 or 22.7% of net assets. These securities were deemed liquid pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.
Other Information:
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table below, please refer to the security valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Valuation Inputs at Reporting Date:
Description Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:        
Corporate Bonds $$22,773,355 $— $22,773,355
U.S. Treasury Obligations 9,976,349 9,976,349
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 5,278,969 5,278,969
U.S. Government Mortgage-Backed Obligations 3,250,093 3,250,093
Non-Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 2,739,110 2,739,110
Asset-Backed Securities 2,606,426 2,606,426
Exchange-Traded Fund 1,895,998 1,895,998
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 1,758,705 1,758,705
Sovereign Government Obligations 681,606 681,606
Short-Term Investment Fund 1,410,379 1,410,379
Other Financial Instruments        
Futures        
Interest rate contracts 36,429 36,429
Total Assets $3,342,806 $49,064,613 $— $52,407,419
Liabilities:        
Other Financial Instruments        
Swap Agreements        
Credit contracts $$(138,125) $— $(138,125)
Futures        
Interest rate contracts (233,134) (233,134)
Total Liabilities $(233,134) $(138,125) $— $(371,259)
Total $3,109,672 $48,926,488 $— $52,036,160
22

 

Touchstone Bond Fund (Continued)
Futures Contracts
At December 31, 2023, $128,726 was segregated with the broker as collateral for futures contracts. The Fund had the following futures contracts, brokered by Wells Fargo, open at December 31, 2023: 
Description Expiration Date Number of
Contracts
Notional Value Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
Short Futures:        
30-Year U.S. Ultra Treasury Bond 3/19/2024 24 $3,206,250 $(233,134)
Long Futures:        
5 Year U.S. Treasury Note 3/28/2024 33 3,589,524 15,381
2-Year U.S. Treasury Note 3/28/2024 55 11,325,273 21,048
        $(196,705)
 Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps on Credit Indices(1)
Counterparty Termination
Date
Notional
Amount(2)
Pay Fixed
Rate
Clearinghouse Underlying
Bond
Value(3) Premiums
Paid/
(Received)
Unrealized
Depreciation
Buy Protection:                
Wells Fargo 12/20/28 $2,321,550 5.000% ICE Markit CDX North America High Yield
Series 41 5Y Index
$(135,423) $2,702 $(138,125)
(1) If the Fund is a buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced obligation or underlying investments comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or investments equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying investments comprising the referenced index.
(2) The maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement.
(3) The quoted market prices and resulting values for credit default swap agreements on the underlying bond serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood of an expected liability (or profit) for the credit derivative had the notional amount of the swap agreement been closed/sold as of the period end. Decreasing market values (sell protection) or increasing market values (buy protection) when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity's credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
23

 

Portfolio of Investments
Touchstone Common Stock Fund – December 31, 2023
Shares       Market
Value
  Common Stocks — 99.8%  
  Information Technology — 27.4%  
 82,816 Apple, Inc. $ 15,944,565
 19,351 International Business Machines Corp.   3,164,856
 52,798 Microsoft Corp.  19,854,160
 42,886 Oracle Corp.   4,521,471
 22,279 Salesforce, Inc.*   5,862,496
 24,739 Texas Instruments, Inc.   4,217,010
 13,424 Workday, Inc. - Class A*   3,705,830
         57,270,388
  Health Care — 15.5%  
 36,606 BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*   3,529,551
 55,551 Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   2,850,322
 19,454 Cencora, Inc.   3,995,462
 19,074 HCA Healthcare, Inc.   5,162,950
 40,115 Johnson & Johnson   6,287,625
 50,844 Medtronic PLC   4,188,529
 12,221 UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   6,433,990
         32,448,429
  Financials — 15.3%  
150,470 Bank of America Corp.   5,066,325
 24,442 Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. - Class B*   8,717,484
 28,140 Charles Schwab Corp. (The)   1,936,032
 14,825 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)   5,719,040
  2,590 Markel Group, Inc.*   3,677,541
 25,722 PayPal Holdings, Inc.*   1,579,588
 20,750 Visa, Inc. - Class A   5,402,262
         32,098,272
  Communication Services — 13.3%  
 81,467 Alphabet, Inc. - Class C*  11,481,144
 73,836 Comcast Corp. - Class A   3,237,709
 27,348 Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A*   9,680,098
  4,013 Netflix, Inc.*   1,953,850
 16,977 Walt Disney Co. (The)   1,532,853
         27,885,654
  Consumer Discretionary — 9.0%  
 16,963 Airbnb, Inc. - Class A*   2,309,343
 15,202 Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (China) ADR   1,178,307
 67,059 Amazon.com, Inc.*  10,188,944
 14,674 Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.   2,671,989
 25,379 Starbucks Corp.   2,436,638
         18,785,221
  Industrials — 8.3%  
 15,193 Boeing Co. (The)*   3,960,207
  7,486 FedEx Corp.   1,893,734
  6,605 Hubbell, Inc.   2,172,583
 37,773 RTX Corp.   3,178,220
 63,607 Southwest Airlines Co.   1,836,970
 41,743 SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.   2,550,915
 18,592 Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.   1,823,875
         17,416,504
Shares       Market
Value
     
  Consumer Staples — 4.0%  
 67,238 Monster Beverage Corp.* $  3,873,581
 46,964 Philip Morris International, Inc.   4,418,373
          8,291,954
  Energy — 3.2%  
 50,133 Exxon Mobil Corp.   5,012,297
 32,594 Schlumberger NV   1,696,192
          6,708,489
  Materials — 2.6%  
 43,334 DuPont de Nemours, Inc.   3,333,685
 25,448 International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.   2,060,524
          5,394,209
  Real Estate — 1.2%  
 13,114 Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.*   2,476,841
  Total Common Stocks $208,775,961
  Short-Term Investment Fund — 0.3%  
584,143 Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.25%∞Ω     584,143
  Total Investment Securities—100.1%
(Cost $104,392,571)
$209,360,104
  Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1%)    (171,423)
  Net Assets — 100.0% $209,188,681
* Non-income producing security.
Open-End Fund.
Ω Represents the 7-Day SEC yield as of December 31, 2023.
Portfolio Abbreviations:
ADR – American Depositary Receipt
PLC – Public Limited Company
Other Information:
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table below, please refer to the security valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Valuation Inputs at Reporting Date:
Description Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks $208,775,961 $— $— $208,775,961
Short-Term Investment Fund 584,143 584,143
Total $209,360,104 $— $— $209,360,104
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
24

 

Portfolio of Investments
Touchstone Small Company Fund – December 31, 2023
Shares       Market
Value
  Common Stocks — 98.3%  
  Industrials — 22.6%  
    6,770 Albany International Corp. - Class A $   664,949
    7,157 ASGN, Inc.*    688,289
    2,810 CACI International, Inc. - Class A*    910,047
    5,579 Clean Harbors, Inc. *    973,591
    8,418 Crane Co.    994,503
    4,060 Curtiss-Wright Corp.    904,527
    4,010 EMCOR Group, Inc.    863,874
    8,249 ESCO Technologies, Inc.    965,381
   31,185 ExlService Holdings, Inc.*    962,057
   12,710 Federal Signal Corp.    975,365
   11,458 ITT, Inc.  1,367,169
   17,598 KBR, Inc.    975,105
   16,022 MAXIMUS, Inc.  1,343,605
   19,480 WNS Holdings Ltd. (India) ADR*  1,231,136
   22,280 Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corp.    655,255
        14,474,853
  Information Technology — 18.2%  
    6,132 Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.    667,897
   36,690 Box, Inc. - Class A*    939,631
  116,299 CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings, Inc.*  1,324,646
   21,280 Ciena Corp.*    957,813
   12,283 CommVault Systems, Inc.*    980,797
   12,328 Crane NXT Co.    701,093
   23,795 Digi International, Inc.*    618,670
    8,352 Onto Innovation, Inc.*  1,277,021
   40,450 PowerSchool Holdings, Inc. - Class A*    953,002
    4,920 Qualys, Inc.*    965,698
    3,274 SPS Commerce, Inc.*    634,632
   21,210 Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (Israel)*    647,329
   35,225 Verint Systems, Inc.*    952,132
        11,620,361
  Health Care — 15.8%  
    9,300 Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc.*    356,190
   12,634 Bio-Techne Corp.    974,839
    1,530 Chemed Corp.    894,668
   12,250 Doximity, Inc. - Class A*    343,490
   14,413 Encompass Health Corp.    961,635
   11,307 Ensign Group, Inc. (The)  1,268,758
   26,443 Globus Medical, Inc. - Class A*  1,409,148
    8,673 Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*    658,801
   42,038 Premier, Inc. - Class A    939,970
   36,041 Progyny, Inc.*  1,340,004
   13,287 QuidelOrtho Corp.*    979,252
        10,126,755
  Consumer Discretionary — 14.0%  
   17,246 Frontdoor, Inc.*    607,404
   30,000 Gentex Corp.    979,800
    4,350 Grand Canyon Education, Inc.*    574,374
   18,624 Malibu Boats, Inc. - Class A*  1,020,968
   10,038 Oxford Industries, Inc.  1,003,800
    5,790 PVH Corp.    707,075
    8,780 Skyline Champion Corp.*    652,003
   35,262 Steven Madden Ltd.  1,481,004
    7,818 Texas Roadhouse, Inc.    955,594
    2,529 TopBuild Corp.*    946,503
         8,928,525
  Financials — 9.7%  
   26,925 Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp.     983,839
Shares       Market
Value
     
  Financials — 9.7% (Continued)  
    4,076 Evercore, Inc. - Class A $   697,200
   98,438 FNB Corp.  1,355,491
   38,640 Home BancShares, Inc.    978,751
   11,470 SouthState Corp.    968,642
   24,317 Webster Financial Corp.  1,234,331
         6,218,254
  Real Estate — 8.1%  
   14,860 Agree Realty Corp. REIT    935,437
   37,280 Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.    619,221
    5,573 Colliers International Group, Inc. (Canada)    705,096
   52,205 COPT Defense Properties REIT  1,338,014
   28,900 Kite Realty Group Trust REIT    660,654
   23,960 STAG Industrial, Inc. REIT    940,670
         5,199,092
  Materials — 3.7%  
    7,949 Ashland, Inc.    670,180
    4,951 Eagle Materials, Inc.  1,004,261
   14,721 Silgan Holdings, Inc.    666,125
         2,340,566
  Communication Services — 3.2%  
   43,346 Cargurus, Inc.*  1,047,240
   14,949 Ziff Davis, Inc.*  1,004,423
         2,051,663
  Energy — 3.0%  
   21,430 Cactus, Inc. - Class A    972,922
   31,884 ChampionX Corp.    931,332
         1,904,254
  Total Common Stocks $62,864,323
  Short-Term Investment Fund — 1.9%  
1,255,326 Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.25%∞Ω  1,255,326
  Total Investment Securities—100.2%
(Cost $44,925,326)
$64,119,649
  Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.2%)   (146,081)
  Net Assets — 100.0% $63,973,568
* Non-income producing security.
Open-End Fund.
Ω Represents the 7-Day SEC yield as of December 31, 2023.
Portfolio Abbreviations:
ADR – American Depositary Receipt
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
Other Information:
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table below, please refer to the security valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Valuation Inputs at Reporting Date:
Description Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Common Stocks $62,864,323 $— $— $62,864,323
Short-Term Investment Fund 1,255,326 1,255,326
Total $64,119,649 $— $— $64,119,649
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
25

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2023
  Touchstone
Balanced
Fund
Touchstone
Bond
Fund
Touchstone
Common Stock
Fund
Touchstone
Small Company
Fund
Assets        
Investments, at cost $42,063,888 $55,728,053 $104,392,571 $44,925,326
Investments, at market value $50,881,432 $52,370,990 $209,360,104 $64,119,649
Cash 3,771
Cash deposits held at prime broker (A) 383,568
Foreign currency 1,115 101
Dividends and interest receivable 180,352 423,146 166,074 42,660
Receivable for capital shares sold 1,584 2,824 2,653 437
Receivable for investments sold 1,602
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts 22,461
Receivable for securities lending income 5 16
Total Assets 51,063,373 53,208,378 209,529,946 64,162,847
 
Liabilities        
Due to custodian 7,349
Payable for capital shares redeemed 107,669 17,259 63,798 6,301
Payable for investments purchased 97,058
Payable to Investment Adviser 32,233 6,021 75,497 18,712
Payable to other affiliates 7,522 24,324 84,873 8,930
Payable to Trustees 12,850 12,850 12,850 12,850
Payable for professional services 24,083 26,905 23,052 21,966
Payable for reports to shareholders 4,855 6,794 11,518 4,157
Payable for transfer agent services 10,496 13,522 47,922 7,749
Payable for variation margin on swap agreements 135,423
Other accrued expenses and liabilities 9,229 15,219 21,755 4,207
Total Liabilities 208,937 258,317 341,265 189,279
Net Assets $50,854,436 $52,950,061 $209,188,681 $63,973,568
Net assets consist of:        
Paid-in capital 42,160,394 65,756,047 88,897,871 43,426,783
Distributable earnings (deficit) 8,694,042 (12,805,986) 120,290,810 20,546,785
Net Assets $50,854,436 $52,950,061 $209,188,681 $63,973,568
 
Pricing of Class SC Shares        
Net assets applicable to Class SC Shares $34,400,291 $20,072,000 $74,476,219 $
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) 2,955,415 2,303,129 6,640,895
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share $11.64 $8.72 $11.21 $
 
Pricing of Class I Shares        
Net assets applicable to Class I Shares $16,454,145 $32,878,061 $134,712,462 $63,973,568
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) 1,413,720 3,750,246 11,910,685 4,733,146
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share $11.64 $8.77 $11.31 $13.52
Cost of foreign currency: $ $ $1,124 $105
(A) Represents segregated cash for futures contracts and swap agreements.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
26

 

Statements of Operations For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
  Touchstone
Balanced
Fund
Touchstone
Bond
Fund
Touchstone
Common Stock
Fund
Touchstone
Small Company
Fund
Investment Income        
Dividends* $536,040 $226,895 $2,751,381 $713,585
Interest 751,668 3,024,778
Income from securities loaned 2,775 2,307
Total Investment Income 1,290,483 3,253,980 2,751,381 713,585
Expenses        
Investment advisory fees 289,523 285,747 1,003,973 299,818
Administration fees 72,699 103,855 277,688 82,793
Compliance fees and expenses 3,865 3,864 3,864 3,865
Custody fees 38,851 38,115 11,627 5,910
Professional fees 29,177 37,921 42,738 27,867
Transfer Agent fees, Class SC 17,087 8,645 38,892
Transfer Agent fees, Class I 4,542 45,618 124,252 38,463
Reports to Shareholders, Class SC 6,708 7,494 8,211
Reports to Shareholders, Class I 5,429 7,110 10,838 6,948
Shareholder servicing fees, Class SC 92,445 29,970 136,530
Trustee fees 25,968 25,968 25,968 25,968
Other expenses 30,004 36,087 21,204 18,701
Total Expenses 616,298 630,394 1,705,785 510,333
Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Adviser and/or Affiliates(A) (199,661) (83,506) (82,999) (54,619)
Net Expenses 416,637 546,888 1,622,786 455,714
Net Investment Income (Loss) 873,846 2,707,092 1,128,595 257,871
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments        
Net realized gains (losses) on investments (275,582) (6,290,135) 14,240,097 2,362,758
Net realized gains on futures contracts 182,862
Net realized losses on swap agreements (91,047)
Net realized losses on foreign currency transactions (553)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 8,533,394 7,052,057 31,747,963 6,669,025
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts (196,705)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements (138,125)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency transactions 22 (4)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments 8,257,812 518,907 45,988,082 9,031,226
Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $9,131,658 $3,225,999 $47,116,677 $9,289,097
*Net of foreign tax withholding of: $ $ $ $298
(A) See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
27

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
  Touchstone
Balanced
Fund
Touchstone
Bond
Fund
Touchstone
Common Stock
Fund
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
From Operations            
Net investment income $873,846 $630,719 $2,707,092 $2,397,421 $1,128,595 $985,656
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, futures contracts, swap agreements and foreign currency transactions (275,582) (692,873) (6,198,320) (4,402,905) 14,240,097 12,734,514
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, swap agreements and foreign currency transactions 8,533,394 (11,321,169) 6,717,227 (12,824,531) 31,747,985 (57,658,440)
Change in Net Assets from Operations 9,131,658 (11,383,323) 3,225,999 (14,830,015) 47,116,677 (43,938,270)
 
Distributions to Shareholders:            
Distributed earnings, Class SC (428,727) (10,101,111) (974,802) (1,511,719) (4,985,836) (10,047,501)
Distributed earnings, Class I (209,486) (3,802,026) (1,491,350) (983,538) (8,734,103) (17,925,930)
Total Distributions (638,213) (13,903,137) (2,466,152) (2,495,257) (13,719,939) (27,973,431)
 
Share Transactions Class SC            
Proceeds from Shares issued 470,654 1,276,232 920,396 1,412,860 611,837 534,139
Reinvestment of distributions 428,727 10,101,111 974,802 1,511,719 4,985,836 10,047,501
Cost of Shares redeemed (12,486,028) (5,517,199) (37,115,082) (2,855,299) (11,169,815) (9,423,608)
Change in Net Assets from Class SC Share Transactions (11,586,647) 5,860,144 (35,219,884) 69,280 (5,572,142) 1,158,032
 
Share Transactions Class I            
Proceeds from Shares issued 1,254,775 338,780 2,149,234 1,389,718 2,187,886 1,624,241
Reinvestment of distributions 209,486 3,802,026 1,491,350 983,538 8,734,103 17,925,930
Cost of Shares redeemed (2,507,281) (1,965,684) (3,830,168) (4,267,957) (18,163,390) (17,507,020)
Change in Net Assets from Class I Share Transactions (1,043,020) 2,175,122 (189,584) (1,894,701) (7,241,401) 2,043,151
Change in Net Assets from Share Transactions (12,629,667) 8,035,266 (35,409,468) (1,825,421) (12,813,543) 3,201,183
 
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets (4,136,222) (17,251,194) (34,649,621) (19,150,693) 20,583,195 (68,710,518)
 
Net Assets            
Beginning of period 54,990,658 72,241,852 87,599,682 106,750,375 188,605,486 257,316,004
End of period $50,854,436 $54,990,658 $52,950,061 $87,599,682 $209,188,681 $188,605,486
 
Share Transactions Class SC            
Shares issued 41,947 89,533 104,067 142,797 55,458 45,711
Shares reinvested 36,769 995,864 111,661 173,101 446,843 1,036,469
Shares redeemed (1,142,797) (408,674) (4,255,888) (307,855) (1,029,947) (805,703)
Change in Class SC Shares Outstanding (1,064,081) 676,723 (4,040,160) 8,043 (527,646) 276,477
 
Share Transactions Class I            
Shares issued 113,818 24,107 243,476 144,705 196,578 141,639
Shares reinvested 17,966 374,471 169,857 112,654 777,970 1,838,824
Shares redeemed (232,153) (143,864) (434,749) (463,827) (1,668,407) (1,488,038)
Change in Class I Shares Outstanding (100,369) 254,714 (21,416) (206,468) (693,859) 492,425
Change in Shares Outstanding (1,164,450) 931,437 (4,061,576) (198,425) (1,221,505) 768,902
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
28

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Continued)
Touchstone
Small Company
Fund
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   
$257,871 $144,785
2,362,205 37,109
6,669,021 (10,926,087)
9,289,097 (10,744,193)
 
   
(405,087) (17,332,749)
(405,087) (17,332,749)
 
   
 
   
2,197,427 1,062,667
405,087 17,332,749
(6,733,569) (6,339,137)
(4,131,055) 12,056,279
(4,131,055) 12,056,279
 
4,752,955 (16,020,663)
 
   
59,220,613 75,241,276
$63,973,568 $59,220,613
 
   
 
   
178,382 64,243
30,414 1,465,206
(549,513) (389,661)
(340,717) 1,139,788
(340,717) 1,139,788
29

 

Financial Highlights
Touchstone Balanced Fund
Period ended   Net
asset
value at
beginning
of period
  Net
investment
income(1)
  Net
realized
and
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
investment
operations
  Distributions
from net
investment
income
  Distributions
from realized
capital
gains
  Total
distributions
  Net
asset
value
at end
of period
  Total
return(2)
  Net
assets
at end
of period
(000's)
  Ratio of net
expenses
to average
net assets
  Ratio of gross
expenses
to average
net assets
  Ratio
of net
investment
income (loss)
to average
net assets
  Portfolio
turnover
rate
Class SC
12/31/21(3)   $14.67(4)   $0.05   $1.18   $1.23   $(0.03)   $ (0.17)   $(0.20)   $15.70   8.45%(5)   $52,471   0.79%(6)   1.13%(6)   0.46%(6)   132%(7)
12/31/22   15.70   0.14   (2.60)   (2.46)   (0.05)   (3.25)   (3.30)   9.94   (15.95)   39,940   0.79   1.23   1.03   61
12/31/23   9.94   0.18   1.67   1.85   (0.15)     (0.15)   11.64   18.57   34,400   0.79   1.24   1.66   49
Class I
12/31/19   $9.86   $0.14   $2.11   $2.25   $(0.16)   $ (—) (8)   $(0.16)   $11.95   22.80%   $17,628   0.85%   1.48%   1.22%   129%
12/31/20   11.95   0.12   2.16   2.28   (0.16)   (0.48)   (0.64)   13.59   19.16   18,609   0.85   1.38   0.85   71
12/31/21   13.59   0.07   2.24   2.31   (0.03)   (0.17)   (0.20)   15.70   17.07   19,771   0.81   1.05   0.48   132(7)
12/31/22   15.70   0.14   (2.60)   (2.46)   (0.05)   (3.25)   (3.30)   9.94   (15.97)   15,050   0.79   0.96   1.03   61
12/31/23   9.94   0.18   1.67   1.85   (0.15)     (0.15)   11.64   18.61   16,454   0.79   0.99   1.66   49
(1) The net investment income per share was based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(2) Total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(3) Represents the period from commencement of operations (April 13, 2021) through December 31, 2021.
(4) Net asset value at the beginning of period is based on the net asset value of Class I shares on April 13, 2021.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized.
(7) Portfolio turnover excludes the purchases and sales of securities of the Aggressive ETF Fund, the Conservative ETF Fund and the Moderate ETF Fund acquired on April 16, 2021. If these transactions were included, portfolio turnover would have been higher.
(8) Less than $0.005 per share.
Touchstone Bond Fund
Period ended   Net
asset
value at
beginning
of period
  Net
investment
income
  Net
realized
and
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
investment
operations
  Distributions
from net
investment
income
  Distributions
from realized
capital
gains
  Total
distributions
  Net
asset
value
at end
of period
  Total
return(1)
  Net
assets
at end
of period
(000's)
  Ratio of net
expenses
to average
net assets
  Ratio of gross
expenses
to average
net assets
  Ratio
of net
investment
income (loss)
to average
net assets
  Portfolio
turnover
rate
Class SC
12/31/19(2)   $9.90   $0.11   $0.13   $0.24   $(0.13)   $  $(0.13)   $10.01   2.43%(3)   $59,462   0.78%(4)   0.84%(4)   2.29%(4)   335%(5)
12/31/20   10.01   0.24   0.72   0.96   (0.18)     (0.18)   10.79   9.62   66,042   0.77   0.77   2.39   168
12/31/21   10.79   0.16   (0.30)   (0.14)   (0.25)   (0.06)   (0.31)   10.34   (1.30)   65,530   0.79   0.79   1.47   142
12/31/22   10.34   0.23   (1.67)   (1.44)   (0.17)   (0.07)   (0.24)   8.66   (13.90)   54,930   0.78   0.78   2.49   163
12/31/23   8.66   0.31(6)   0.19   0.50   (0.44)     (0.44)   8.72   5.77   20,072   0.81   0.81   3.51   138
Class I
12/31/19   $9.19   $0.33   $0.63   $0.96   $(0.13)   $  $(0.13)   $10.02   10.46%   $37,819   0.67%   0.94%   2.58%   335%(5)
12/31/20   10.02   0.28   0.69   0.97   (0.18)     (0.18)   10.81   9.71   39,316   0.67   0.82   2.49   168
12/31/21   10.81   0.12   (0.25)   (0.13)   (0.26)   (0.06)   (0.32)   10.36   (1.21)   41,221   0.67   0.77   1.60   142
12/31/22   10.36   0.28   (1.72)   (1.44)   (0.19)   (0.07)   (0.26)   8.66   (13.85)   32,670   0.67   0.76   2.60   163
12/31/23   8.66   0.33(6)   0.20   0.53   (0.42)     (0.42)   8.77   6.07   32,878   0.61   0.87   3.72   138
(1) Total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(2) Represents the period from commencement of operations (July 12, 2019) through December 31, 2019.
(3) Not annualized.
(4) Annualized.
(5) Portfolio turnover excludes the purchases and sales of securities of the Touchstone Active Bond Fund acquired on July 12, 2019. If these transactions were included, portfolio turnover would have been higher.
(6) The net investment income per share was based on average shares outstanding for the period.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
30

 

Financial Highlights (Continued)
Touchstone Common Stock Fund
Period ended   Net
asset
value at
beginning
of period
  Net
investment
income
  Net
realized
and
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
investment
operations
  Distributions
from net
investment
income
  Distributions
from realized
capital
gains
  Total
distributions
  Net
asset
value
at end
of period
  Total
return(1)
  Net
assets
at end
of period
(000's)
  Ratio of net
expenses
to average
net assets
  Ratio of gross
expenses
to average
net assets
  Ratio
of net
investment
income (loss)
to average
net assets
  Portfolio
turnover
rate
Class SC
12/31/19(2)   $8.61   $0.02   $0.72   $0.74   $(0.05)   $ (0.10)   $(0.15)   $9.20   8.60%(3)   $82,546   0.94%(4)   0.94%(4)   0.46%(4)   18%(5)
12/31/20   9.20   0.04   2.11   2.15   (0.06)   (0.31)   (0.37)   10.98   23.48   85,232   0.90   0.90   0.47   15
12/31/21   10.98   0.01   3.01   3.02   (0.05)   (0.44)   (0.49)   13.51   27.57   93,121   0.91   0.91   0.16   6
12/31/22   13.51   0.04   (2.42)   (2.38)   (0.02)   (1.60)   (1.62)   9.51   (17.79)   68,199   0.91   0.91   0.35   7
12/31/23   9.51   0.04   2.46   2.50   (0.07)   (0.73)   (0.80)   11.21   26.35   74,476   0.95   0.95   0.42   4
Class I
12/31/19   $7.28   $0.08   $2.00   $2.08   $(0.05)   $ (0.10)   $(0.15)   $9.21   28.58%   $139,536   0.73%   0.82%   0.82%   18%(5)
12/31/20   9.21   0.07   2.10   2.17   (0.06)   (0.31)   (0.37)   11.01   23.68   149,336   0.73   0.80   0.64   15
12/31/21   11.01   0.06   3.00   3.06   (0.07)   (0.44)   (0.51)   13.56   27.85   164,195   0.73   0.76   0.34   6
12/31/22   13.56   0.05   (2.42)   (2.37)   (0.04)   (1.60)   (1.64)   9.55   (17.66)   120,406   0.73   0.77   0.53   7
12/31/23   9.55   0.08   2.46   2.54   (0.05)   (0.73)   (0.78)   11.31   26.66   134,712   0.73   0.79   0.64   4
(1) Total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(2) Represents the period from commencement of operations (July 12, 2019) through December 31, 2019.
(3) Not annualized.
(4) Annualized.
(5) Portfolio turnover excludes the purchases and sales of securities of the Touchstone Focused Fund and the Touchstone Large Cap Core Equity Fund acquired on July 12, 2019. If these transactions were included, portfolio turnover would have been higher.
Touchstone Small Company Fund
Period ended   Net
asset
value at
beginning
of period
  Net
investment
income
  Net
realized
and
unrealized
gains (losses)
on investments
  Total from
investment
operations
  Distributions
from net
investment
income
  Distributions
from realized
capital
gains
  Total
distributions
  Net
asset
value
at end
of period
  Total
return(1)
  Net
assets
at end
of period
(000's)
  Ratio of net
expenses
to average
net assets
  Ratio of gross
expenses
to average
net assets
  Ratio
of net
investment
income (loss)
to average
net assets
  Portfolio
turnover
rate
Class I
12/31/19   $12.69   $0.02   $2.64   $2.66   $(—)(2)   $ (1.66)   $(1.66)   $13.69   21.40%   $64,630   0.76%   0.85%   0.13%   85%
12/31/20   13.69   0.01   2.53   2.54   (0.02)   (0.50)   (0.52)   15.71   18.70   71,632   0.76   0.87   0.06   95
12/31/21   15.71   (2)(3)   3.79   3.79   (0.01)   (0.36)   (0.37)   19.13   24.18   75,241   0.76   0.79   0.01   67
12/31/22   19.13   0.03   (2.73)   (2.70)   (—)(2)   (4.76)   (4.76)   11.67   (14.44)   59,221   0.76   0.80   0.23   75
12/31/23   11.67   0.06   1.88   1.94   (0.03)   (0.06)   (0.09)   13.52   16.60   63,974   0.76   0.85   0.43   65
(1) Total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.
(2) Less than $0.005 per share.
(3) The net investment income (loss) per share was based on average shares outstanding for the period.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
31

 

Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2023
1. Organization
The Touchstone Variable Series Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust was established as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 7, 1994. The Trust consists of the following four funds (individually, a “Fund”, and collectively, the “Funds”):
Touchstone Balanced Fund ("Balanced Fund”)
Touchstone Bond Fund ("Bond Fund”)
Touchstone Common Stock Fund ("Common Stock Fund”)
Touchstone Small Company Fund ("Small Company Fund”)
Each Fund is diversified with the exception of the Common Stock Fund which is non-diversified.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of each Fund. Shares of beneficial interest of each Fund are available as a funding vehicle for the separate accounts of life insurance companies issuing variable annuity and variable life insurance policies. As of December 31, 2023, the following affiliates of Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") were invested in the Funds: separate accounts of Western-Southern Life Assurance Company, The Western & Southern Life Insurance Company, Integrity Life Insurance Company, National Integrity Life Insurance Company, and Columbus Life Insurance Company, which are all part of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc. (“Western & Southern”), and certain supplemental executive retirement plans sponsored by Western & Southern and its affiliates.
The Balanced Fund, Bond Fund and Common Stock Fund offer Class SC shares and Class I shares. The Small Company Fund offers Class I shares. The assets of each Fund are segregated, and a shareholder’s interest is limited to the Fund in which shares are held. The Funds’ prospectus provides a description of each Fund’s investment goal, policies, and strategies along with information on the classes of shares currently being offered.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of the Funds’ significant accounting policies:
Each Fund is an investment company that follows the accounting and reporting guidance of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 applicable to investment companies.
Security valuation and fair value measurements — U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) defines fair value as the price the Funds would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  All investments in securities are recorded at their fair value. The Funds define the term “market value”, as used throughout this report, as the estimated fair value. The Funds use various methods to measure fair value of their portfolio securities on a recurring basis. U.S. GAAP fair value measurement standards require disclosure of a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
•  Level 1 − quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
•  Level 2 − other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
•  Level 3 − significant unobservable inputs (including a Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The aggregate value by input level, as of December 31, 2023, for each Fund’s investments, is included in each Fund’s Portfolio of Investments, which also includes a breakdown of the Fund’s investments by portfolio or sector allocation. The Funds did not hold or transfer any Level 3 categorized securities during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an investment’s assigned level within the hierarchy.
The Funds' portfolio securities are valued as of the close of the regular session of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time or at the time as of which the NYSE establishes official closing prices). Portfolio securities traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last reported sale price, official close price, or last bid price if no sales are reported. Portfolio securities quoted by NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”) or from the primary exchange on which the security trades. To the extent these securities are actively traded, they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Options and futures are valued at the last quoted sales price. If there is no such reported sale on the valuation date, long option positions are valued at the most recent bid price, and short option positions are valued at the most
32

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
recent ask price on the valuation date and are categorized in Level 1. Shares of mutual funds in which the Funds invest are valued at their respective net asset value (“NAV”) as reported by the underlying funds and are categorized in Level 1.
Debt securities held by the Funds are valued at their evaluated bid by an independent pricing service or at their last broker-quoted bid prices as obtained from one or more of the major market makers for such securities. Independent pricing services use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values through accepted market modeling conventions. Observable inputs to the models may include prepayment speeds, pricing spread, yield, trade information, dealer quotes, market color, cash flow models, the securities’ terms and conditions, among others, and are generally categorized in Level 2. Investments in asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are valued by independent pricing services using models that consider estimated cash flows of each tranche of the security, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche, and are generally categorized in Level 2. Debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, provided such amount approximates market value and are categorized in Level 2. While this method provides consistency in valuation (and may only be used if it approximates market value), it may result in periods during which fair value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price that would be received if the Fund sold the investment.
Securities mainly traded on a non-U.S. exchange or denominated in foreign currencies are generally valued according to the preceding closing values on that exchange, translated to U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, and are generally categorized in Level 1. However, if an event that may change the value of a security occurs after the time that the closing value on the non-U.S. exchange was determined, but before the close of regular trading on the NYSE, the security may be priced based on fair value and is generally categorized in Level 2. This may cause the value of the security, if held on the books of a Fund, to be different from the closing value on the non-U.S. exchange and may affect the calculation of that Fund’s NAV. The Funds may use fair value pricing under the following circumstances, among others:
•  If the value of a security has been materially affected by events occurring before the Funds' pricing time but after the close of the primary markets on which the security is traded.
•  If the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded closes early or if trading in a particular portfolio security was halted during the day and did not resume prior to the Funds' NAV calculation.
•  If a security is so thinly traded that reliable market quotations are unavailable due to infrequent trading.
•  If the validity of market quotations is not reliable.
Securities held by the Funds that do not have readily available market quotations, significant observable inputs, or securities for which the available market quotations are not reliable, are priced at their estimated fair value using procedures established by the Adviser and adopted by the Funds' Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and are generally categorized in Level 3.
Investment companies — The Funds may invest in securities of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), open-end funds and closed-end funds. Open-end funds are investment companies that issue new shares continuously and redeem shares daily. Closed-end funds are investment companies that typically issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a securities exchange or over-the-counter (“OTC”). An ETF is an investment company that typically seeks to track the performance of an index by holding in its portfolio shares of all the companies, or a representative sample of the companies, that are components of a particular index. ETF shares are traded on a securities exchange based on their market value. The risks of investment in other investment companies typically reflect the risks of the types of securities in which the other investment companies invest. Investments in ETFs and closed-end funds are subject to the additional risk that their shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV. When a Fund invests in another investment company, shareholders of the Fund indirectly bear their proportionate share of the other investment company’s fees and expenses, including operating, registration, trustee, licensing, and marketing, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses.
Collateralized Loan Obligations — The Bond Fund may invest in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CLO is an entity that is backed by syndicated bank loans. The cash flows of the CLO can be split into multiple segments, called “tranches,” which will vary in risk profile and yield. The riskiest segment is the subordinated or “equity” tranche. This tranche bears the greatest risk of defaults from the underlying assets in the CLO and serves to protect the other, more senior, tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is shielded from defaults by the more junior tranches, a “senior” tranche will typically have higher credit ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and often receive higher ratings from one or more of the nationally recognized rating agencies. Despite the protection from the more junior tranches, senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to future defaults and the disappearance of one or more protecting tranches as a result of changes in the credit profile of the underlying pool of assets.
Futures Contracts — The Balanced Fund and the Bond Fund may buy and sell futures contracts and related options to manage their exposure to changing interest rates and securities prices. Some strategies reduce a Fund’s exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure. Futures and options on futures can be volatile instruments and involve certain risks that
33

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
could negatively impact a Fund’s return. When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, or sells an option thereon, a Fund must deposit initial margin and, in some instances, daily variation margin, to meet its obligations under a contract with a futures commission merchant.
When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transactions and the Fund’s basis in the contract. Risks of entering into futures contracts include the possibility that a change in the value of the contract may not correlate with the changes in the value of the underlying instruments. Second, it is possible that a lack of liquidity for futures contracts could exist in the secondary market resulting in an inability to close a futures position prior to its maturity date. Third, the purchase of a futures contract involves the risk that the Funds could lose more than the original margin deposit required to initiate the futures transaction. Finally, the risk exists that losses could exceed amounts disclosed on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. There is minimal counterparty credit risk involved in entering into futures contracts since they are exchange-traded instruments and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.
As of December 31, 2023, the Balanced Fund did not, whereas the Bond Fund did, hold futures contracts as shown on the Portfolio
of Investments.
Swap Contracts — The Balanced Fund and Bond Fund may enter into swap transactions to help enhance the value of their portfolio or manage their exposure to different types of investments. Swaps are financial instruments that typically involve the exchange of cash flows between two parties on specified dates (settlement dates), where the cash flows are based on agreed-upon prices, rates, indexes, etc. The nominal amount on which the cash flows are calculated is called the notional amount. Swaps are individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors, such as interest rates, foreign currency rates, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, security prices, indexes or inflation rates.
Swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the investments of a Fund and its share price. The performance of swap agreements may be affected by a change in the specific interest rate, currency, or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from a Fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by a Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.
Generally, bilateral swap agreements and OTC swaps have a fixed maturity date that will be agreed upon by the parties. The agreement can be terminated before the maturity date only under limited circumstances, such as default by one of the parties or insolvency, among others, and can be transferred by a party only with the prior written consent of the other party. The Fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or by other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party. If the counterparty is unable to meet its obligations under the contract, declares bankruptcy, defaults or becomes insolvent, a Fund may not be able to recover the money it expected to receive under the contract.
Cleared swaps are transacted through futures commission merchants that are members of central clearinghouses with the clearinghouses serving as a central counterparty. Pursuant to rules promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, central clearing of swap agreements is currently required for certain market participants trading certain instruments, and central clearing for additional instruments is expected to be implemented by regulators until the majority of the swaps market is ultimately subject to central clearing.
Swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon values received from third party vendors or quotations from market makers. For OTC swaps, any upfront premiums paid or received are recorded as assets or liabilities, respectively, and are shown as premium paid on swap agreements or premium received on swap agreements in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. For swaps that are centrally cleared, initial margins, determined by each relevant clearing agency or clearing member, are posted at a clearing broker in accordance with CFTC or the applicable regulator's regulations. The change in value of swaps, including accruals of periodic amounts of interest to be paid or received on swaps, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Daily changes in the value of centrally cleared swaps are recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as receivable or payable for variation margin on swap agreements and settled daily. Upfront premiums and liquidation payments received or paid are recorded as realized gains or losses at the termination or maturity of the swap. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are recorded as realized gain or loss.
A swap agreement can be a form of leverage, which can magnify a Fund’s gains or losses. In order to reduce the risk associated with leveraging, the Fund will only enter into a swap agreement subject to the regulatory limitations set forth in Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act (the "Derivatives Rule").
As of December 31, 2023, the Bond Fund held swap agreements as shown on the Portfolio of Investments.
34

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Foreign currency translation — The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars and translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
(1) market value of investment securities, assets and liabilities at the current rate of exchange on the valuation date; and
(2) purchases and sales of investment securities, income, and expenses at the relevant rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.
The Funds do not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments in equity securities that is due to changes in the foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of equity securities.
Real Estate Investment Trusts — The Funds may invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) that involve risks not associated with investing in stocks. Risks associated with investments in REITs include declines in the value of real estate, general and economic conditions, changes in the value of the underlying property and defaults by borrowers. The value of assets in the real estate industry may go through cycles of relative underperformance and outperformance in comparison to equity securities markets in general. Dividend income is recorded using management’s estimate of the income included in distributions received from REIT investments. 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 amount. Estimates of income are adjusted in the Funds to the actual amounts when the amounts are determined.
Derivative instruments and hedging activities — The Balanced Fund and Bond Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement” or “MNA”) or similar agreement with certain counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Fund and a counterparty that governs OTC derivatives and foreign exchange contracts, and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and master netting provisions in the event of a default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, a party may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables or receivables with collateral held or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default (close-out netting). These default events include bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Note, however, that bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset.
When entering into a derivative transaction, a Fund may be required to post and maintain collateral or margin (including both initial and variation margin). Collateral and margin requirements differ by type of derivative. Margin requirements are established by the broker or clearing house for exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivatives (financial futures contracts, options, and centrally cleared swaps). Brokers can ask for margining in excess of the clearing house’s minimum in certain circumstances. Collateral terms are contract specific for OTC derivatives (forward foreign currency contracts, options, and swaps). For derivatives traded under an ISDA  Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the marked-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Fund and the counterparty. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, are reported separately on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash deposits held at prime broker and due to prime broker, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Portfolio of Investments. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. 
Certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties to OTC derivatives transactions to terminate derivative contracts prior to maturity in the event a Fund’s net assets decline by a stated percentage or the Fund fails to meet the terms of its ISDA Master Agreement, which would cause the Fund (counterparty) to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty (Fund).
For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
As of December 31, 2023, the Funds did not hold any assets and liabilities that were subject to a MNA.
35

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
The following table sets forth the fair value of the Funds’ derivative financial instruments by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2023:
Fund Derivatives not accounted for as hedging
instruments under ASC 815
Asset
Derivatives
Liability
Derivatives
Bond Fund
Swap Agreements - Credit Contracts*
$$138,125
 
Futures Contracts - Interest Rate Contracts**
36,429 233,134
* Statements of Assets and Liabilities Location: Payable for variation margin on swap agreements. Variation margin reported in the Portfolio of Investments and other tables in the Notes to the Financial Statements is the cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation).
** Statements of Assets and Liabilities Location: Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the payable/receivable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Includes cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) on futures contracts as reported on the Portfolio of Investments and within the components of net assets section of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The following table sets forth the effect of the Bond Fund's derivative financial instruments by primary risk exposure on the Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Fund Derivatives not accounted for as hedging
instruments under ASC 815
Realized Gains
(Losses)
on Derivatives
Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
on Derivatives
Bond Fund
Futures - Interest Rate Contracts*
$182,862 $(196,705)
 
Swap Agreements - Credit Contracts**
(91,047) (138,125)
* Statements of Operations Location: Net realized gains on futures contracts and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, respectively.
** Statements of Operations Location: Net realized losses on swap agreements and Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements, respectively.  
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the average quarterly notional value of outstanding derivative financial instruments for the Bond Fund was as follows:
  Bond Fund
Credit Contracts:  
Credit Default Swaps (buy protection) - Notional value $2,371,310
Interest Rate Contracts:  
Futures Contracts (long) - Notional Value 12,399,175
Futures Contracts (short) - Notional Value 2,421,225
Portfolio securities loaned — The Funds may lend their portfolio securities. Lending portfolio securities exposes the Funds to the risk that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities or may not be able to provide additional collateral or that the Funds may experience delays in recovery of the loaned securities or loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower fails financially. To minimize these risks, the borrower must agree to maintain cash collateral with the Funds' custodian. The loaned securities are secured by collateral valued at least equal, at all times, to the market value of the loaned securities plus accrued interest, if any. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The cash collateral is reinvested by the Funds' custodian into an approved short-term investment vehicle. The approved short-term investment vehicle is subject to market risk.
As of December 31, 2023, the Funds did not have any securities on loan.
All cash collateral is received, held, and administered by the Funds' custodian for the benefit of the lending Fund in its custody account or other account established for the purpose of holding collateral in cash equivalents.
Funds participating in securities lending receive compensation in the form of fees. Securities lending income is derived from lending long securities from the Funds to creditworthy approved borrowers at rates that are determined based on daily trading volumes, float, short-term interest rates and market liquidity and is shown net of fees on the Statements of Operations. When a Fund lends securities, it retains the interest or dividends on the investment of any cash received as collateral, and the Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the loaned securities.
Unrealized gain or loss on the market value of the loaned securities that may occur during the term of the loan is recognized by the Fund. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover any loaned securities from the borrower on demand.
36

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
When-issued or delayed delivery transactions — Each Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. These transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase or sell securities for a predetermined price or yield, with payment and delivery taking place beyond the customary settlement period. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, the Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account when determining NAV. The Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a delayed delivery transaction after it is entered into, and may sell when-issued securities before they are delivered, which may result in a capital gain or loss. When the Fund has sold a security on a delayed delivery basis, the Fund does not participate in future gains and losses with respect to the security. When-issued or delayed delivery transactions physically settling within 35-days are deemed not to involve a senior security. When-issued or delayed delivery transactions that do not physically settle within 35-days are required to be treated as derivatives transactions in compliance with the Derivatives Rule.
Share valuation — The NAV per share of each class of shares of each Fund is calculated daily by dividing the total value of a Fund’s assets attributable to that class, less liabilities attributable to that class, by the number of outstanding shares of that class.
Investment income — Dividend income from securities is recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of foreign withholding taxes, if any, which are reduced by any amounts reclaimable by the Funds, where applicable. Interest income from securities is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted. Realized gains and losses resulting from principal pay downs on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are included in interest income. Market discounts, original issue discounts and market premiums on debt securities are accreted/amortized to interest income over the life of the security, or to the appropriate call date, as applicable, with a corresponding adjustment in the cost basis of that security. In addition, it is the Funds' policy to accrue for foreign capital gains taxes, if applicable, on certain foreign securities held by the Funds. An estimated foreign capital gains tax is recorded daily on net unrealized gains on these securities and is payable upon the sale of such securities when a gain is realized.
Distributions to shareholders — Each Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of its income and capital gains. Each Fund declares and distributes net investment income, if any, annually, as a dividend to shareholders. Each Fund makes distributions of capital gains, if any, at least annually, net of applicable capital loss carryforwards. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations. Recognition of the Funds' net investment income from investments in underlying funds is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds.
Allocations — Investment income earned, realized capital gains and losses, and unrealized appreciation and depreciation for a Fund are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon its proportionate share of total net assets of the Fund. Class-specific expenses are charged directly to the class incurring the expense. Common expenses, which are not attributable to a specific class, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon their proportionate share of total net assets of the Fund. Expenses not directly billed to a Fund are allocated proportionally among all Funds in the Trust, and, if applicable, Touchstone ETF Trust, Touchstone Strategic Trust and Touchstone Funds Group Trust (collectively with the Trust, “Touchstone Fund Complex”), daily in relation to net assets of each Fund or another reasonable measure.
Security transactions — Security transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis.
Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
3. Investment Transactions
Investment transactions (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Government securities) were as follows for the year ended December 31, 2023:
  Balanced
Fund
Bond
Fund
Common Stock
Fund
Small
Company
Fund
Purchases of investment securities $3,868,776 $8,294,606 $7,482,617 $38,615,686
Proceeds from sales and maturities $16,604,532 $28,850,485 $33,235,912 $43,516,899
For the year ended December 31, 2023, purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities in U.S. Government Securities were $21,716,226 and $20,938,658, respectively, for the Balanced Fund, and $92,053,485 and $107,663,032, respectively, for the Bond Fund.
37

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
4. Transactions with Affiliates and Other Related Parties
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of the Adviser, Touchstone Securities, Inc. (the “Distributor”), or The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”), the sub-administrator to the Funds. Such officers receive no compensation from the Trust. The Adviser and the Distributor are each wholly-owned subsidiaries of Western & Southern.
On behalf of the Funds, the Adviser pays each Independent Trustee a quarterly retainer plus additional retainers to the Lead Independent Trustee and the chairs of each standing committee. Interested Trustees do not receive compensation from the Funds. Each Independent Trustee also receives compensation for each Board meeting and committee meeting attended. Each standing committee chair receives additional compensation for each committee meeting that he or she oversees. The Adviser is reimbursed by the Funds for the Independent Trustees’ compensation and out-of-pocket expenses relating to their services. The Funds accrued Trustee-related expenses of $103,872 for the Funds’ Board for the year ended December 31, 2023.
MANAGEMENT & EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENTS
The Adviser provides general investment supervisory services for the Funds, under the terms of an advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser a fee, which is computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate based on average daily net assets of each Fund as shown in the table below.
Balanced Fund 0.55% on all assets
Bond Fund 0.38% on the first $200 million
0.30% on such assets over $200 million
Common Stock Fund
Small Company Fund
0.50% on the first $200 million
0.45% on the next $300 million
0.40% on such assets over $500 million
The Adviser has entered into investment sub-advisory agreements with Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of the Adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of Western & Southern. The Adviser pays sub-advisory fees to the Sub-Adviser from its advisory fee.
The Adviser entered into an expense limitation agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) to contractually limit the annual operating expenses of the Funds, excluding: dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales; interest; taxes; brokerage commissions and other transaction costs; portfolio transaction and investment related expenses, including expenses associated with the Funds’ liquidity providers; other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP; the cost of “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”, if any; and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business. The maximum annual operating expense limit in any year with respect to the Funds is based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Funds. The Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of its fees, and to reimburse certain fund expenses in order to maintain the following expense limitations for the Funds:
  Class SC Class I Termination Date
Balanced Fund 0.79% 0.79% April 29, 2024
Bond Fund 0.91% 0.61% April 29, 2024
Common Stock Fund 1.06% 0.73% April 29, 2024
Small Company Fund 0.76% April 29, 2024
The Expense Limitation Agreement can be terminated, with respect to each Fund, by a vote of the Funds’ Board if it deems the termination to be beneficial to the Funds' shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Adviser or its affiliates waived investment advisory fees, administration fees or shareholder servicing fees and other operating expenses of the Funds as follows: 
Fund Investment
Advisory
Fees Waived
Administration
Fees Waived
Shareholder Servicing
Fees and Operating
Expenses
Reimbursed/
Waived
Total
Balanced Fund $— $72,699 $126,962 $199,661
Bond Fund 30,779 52,727 83,506
Common Stock Fund 82,999 82,999
Small Company Fund 9,207 45,412 54,619
38

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Under the terms of the Expense Limitation Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to recover, subject to approval by the Funds’ Board, such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three years from the date on which the Adviser reduced its compensation or assumed expenses for the Funds. A Fund will make repayments to the Adviser only if such repayment does not cause the Fund's operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed the Fund's expense limit in place when such amounts were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser and the Fund's current expense limitation.
As of December 31, 2023, the Adviser may seek recoupment of previously waived fees and reimbursed expenses as follows:
Fund Expires on
or before
December 31, 2024
Expires on
or before
December 31, 2025
Expires on
or before
December 31, 2026
Total
Balanced Fund $175,490 $224,509 $199,661 $599,660
Bond Fund 38,593 30,703 83,506 152,802
Common Stock Fund 44,492 58,693 82,999 186,184
Small Company Fund 21,468 25,756 54,619 101,843
The Adviser did not recoup any amounts it previously waived or reimbursed during the year ended December 31, 2023.
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
The Adviser entered into an Administration Agreement with the Trust, whereby the Adviser is responsible for: supplying executive and regulatory compliance services; supervising the preparation of tax returns; coordinating the preparation of reports to shareholders and reports to and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and state securities authorities, as well as materials for meetings of the Board; calculating the daily NAV per share; and maintaining the financial books and records of each Fund.
For its services, the Adviser’s annual administrative fee is:
0.145% on the first $20 billion of the aggregate average daily net assets;
0.11% on the next $10 billion of aggregate average daily net assets;
0.09% on the next $10 billion of aggregate average daily net assets; and
0.07% on the aggregate average daily net assets over $40 billion.
The fee is computed and allocated among the Touchstone Fund Complex on the basis of relative daily net assets.
The Adviser has engaged BNY Mellon as the sub-administrator to the Trust. BNY Mellon provides administrative and accounting services to the Trust and is compensated directly by the Adviser, not the Trust.
TRANSFER AGENT AGREEMENT
Under the terms of the Transfer Agent Agreement between the Trust and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. ("Transfer Agent"), the Transfer Agent to the Funds maintains the records of each shareholder’s account, answers shareholders’ inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of each Fund’s shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent, and performs other shareholder service functions. For these services, the Transfer Agent receives a monthly fee from each Fund. In addition, each Fund pays out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent, including, but not limited to, postage and supplies.
The Funds may reimburse the Adviser for fees paid to intermediaries such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisers or other financial institutions for sub-transfer agency, sub-administration and other services provided to investors whose shares of record are held in omnibus, other group accounts, retirement plans or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents. These fees, which are included in Transfer Agent fees in the Statements of Operations, may vary based on, for example, the nature of services provided, but generally range up to 0.15% of the assets of the class serviced or maintained by the intermediary or up to $22 per sub-account maintained by the intermediary.
PLANS OF DISTRIBUTION
The Trust has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan under which Class SC shares of each Fund may directly or indirectly bear expenses for shareholder services provided. Each Fund offering Class SC shares will incur or reimburse expenses for shareholder services at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets.
39

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
The Distributor acts as exclusive agent for the distribution of the Funds’ shares. The Distributor receives no compensation under this agreement.
INTERFUND TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Funds may engage in purchase and sale transactions with funds that have a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common Trustees and/or common Officers. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions.
5. Liquidity
Interfund Lending — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC on March 28, 2017, the Funds, along with certain other funds in the Touchstone Fund Complex, may participate in an interfund lending program. The interfund lending program provides an alternate credit facility that allows the Funds to lend to or borrow from other participating funds in the Touchstone Fund Complex, subject to the conditions of the Exemptive Order. The Funds may not borrow under the facility for leverage purposes and the loans’ duration may be no more than 7 days.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the following Funds participated as borrowers in the interfund lending program. The daily average amount borrowed, weighted average interest rate and interest expense were as follows:
Fund Daily Average
Amount Borrowed
Weighted Average
Interest Rate
Interest
Expense*
Balanced Fund $ 13,657 5.65% $ 782
Bond Fund $ 23,409 5.88% $ 1,394
* Included in Other expenses in the Statements of Operations.
6. Federal Tax Information
Federal Income Tax — It is each Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. As provided therein, in any fiscal year in which a Fund so qualifies and distributes at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, the Fund (but not the shareholders) will be relieved of federal income tax on the income distributed. It is each Fund’s policy to distribute all of its taxable income and accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been made.
In order to avoid imposition of the excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies, it is also each Fund’s intention to declare and pay as dividends in each calendar year at least 98% of its investment company taxable income (earned during the calendar year) and 98.2% of its net realized capital gains (earned during the twelve months ending October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years.
The tax character of distributions paid for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows: 
  Balanced Fund Bond Fund
  Year Ended
December 31,
2023
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
From ordinary income $638,213 $2,671,177 $2,466,152 $2,080,174
From long-term capital gains 11,231,960 415,083
Total distributions $638,213 $13,903,137 $2,466,152 $2,495,257
  Common Stock Fund Small Company Fund
  Year Ended
December 31,
2023
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
Year Ended
December 31,
2022
From ordinary income $1,010,060 $1,076,692 $132,693 $5,945,899
From long-term capital gains 12,709,879 26,896,739 272,394 11,386,850
Total distributions $13,719,939 $27,973,431 $405,087 $17,332,749
40

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
The following information is computed on a tax basis for each item as of December 31, 2023:
  Balanced
Fund
Bond
Fund
Common Stock
Fund
Small
Company Fund
Tax cost of portfolio investments $42,081,198 $55,843,669 $104,425,007 $45,979,064
Gross unrealized appreciation on investments 10,833,956 619,010 109,439,156 19,423,760
Gross unrealized depreciation on investments (2,033,722) (4,091,689) (4,504,059) (1,283,175)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 8,800,234 (3,472,679) 104,935,097 18,140,585
Gross unrealized depreciation on foreign currency transactions (9) (4)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency transactions (9) (4)
Capital loss carryforwards (983,291) (11,543,615)
Undistributed ordinary income 877,099 2,464,228 1,131,075 268,966
Undistributed capital gains 14,224,647 2,137,238
Other temporary differences (253,920)
Accumulated earnings (deficit) $8,694,042 $(12,805,986) $120,290,810 $20,546,785
The difference between the tax cost of portfolio investments and the financial statement cost is primarily due to wash sale loss deferrals, investments in passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) adjustments, regulated investment company adjustments, taxable interest on defaulted securities, amortization adjustments on bonds and certain timing differences in the recognition of capital losses under income tax regulations and U.S. GAAP.
As of December 31, 2023, the Funds had the following capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes:
Fund No Expiration
Short Term
No Expiration
Long Term
Total
Balanced Fund $ 544,864 $ 438,427 $ 983,291
Bond Fund 2,666,197 8,877,418 11,543,615
The capital loss carryforwards may be utilized in future years to offset net realized capital gains, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.
Under current laws, certain capital losses realized after October 31 and ordinary losses realized after December 31 may be deferred (and certain ordinary losses after October and/or December 31 may be deferred) and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not elect to defer any losses.
The Funds recognize tax benefits or expenses of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management of the Funds has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the previous three tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for unrecognized tax benefits or expenses is required in these financial statements and does not expect this to change over the next twelve months. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in the Statements of Operations. During the period, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.
Certain reclassifications, the result of permanent differences between financial statement and income tax reporting requirements, have been made to the components of capital as presented on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or NAV per share of the Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no reclassifications between paid in capital and distributable earnings for the Funds.
7. Commitments and Contingencies
The Funds indemnify the Trust’s officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from their performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Funds' maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds.
41

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
8. Principal Risks
Risks Associated with Foreign Investments – Certain Funds may invest in the securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the U.S. may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. For example, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies, particularly those not subject to the disclosure and reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Investments in foreign securities also involve the risk of possible adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets of a Fund, political or financial instability or diplomatic and other developments which could affect such investments. Political and military events, may cause market disruptions. Foreign stock markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the U.S., and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets, broker-dealers, and issuers than in the U.S.  
Risks Associated with Sector Concentration – Certain Funds may invest a high percentage of their assets in specific sectors of the market in order to achieve a potentially greater investment return. As a result, these Funds may be more susceptible to economic, political, and regulatory developments, positive or negative, in a particular sector of the market and may experience increased volatility in the Funds' NAVs and magnified effect on the total return.
Risks Associated with Credit – An issuer may be unable to make timely payments of either principal or interest. This may cause the issuer’s securities to decline in value. Credit risk is particularly relevant to those Funds that invest a significant amount of their assets in junk bonds or lower-rated securities.
Risks Associated with Cybersecurity – With the increased use of technologies, such as mobile devices and "cloud"-based service offerings and the dependence on the Internet and computer systems to perform necessary business functions, the Funds' service providers are susceptible to Cybersecurity risks that could result in losses to a Fund and its shareholders. Cybersecurity breaches are either intentional or unintentional events that allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause a Fund or Fund service provider to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. A Cybersecurity breach could result in the loss or theft of customer data or funds, loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, physical damage to a computer or network system, or costs associated with system repairs, any of which could have a substantial impact on a Fund. Cybersecurity incidents could cause a Fund, the Adviser, a Sub-Adviser, or other service provider to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, compliance costs associated with corrective measures, litigation costs, or financial loss. They may also result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws. In addition, such incidents could affect issuers in which a Fund invests, thereby causing the Fund’s investments to lose value.
Risks Associated with Interest Rate Changes – The price of debt securities is generally linked to the prevailing  market interest rates. In general, when interest rates rise, the price of debt securities falls, and when interest rates fall, the price of debt securities rises. The price volatility of a debt security also depends on its maturity. Longer-term securities are generally more volatile, so the longer the average maturity or duration of these securities, the greater their price risk. Duration is a measure of the expected life, taking into account any prepayment or call features of the security, that is used to determine the price sensitivity of the security for a given change in interest rates. Specifically, duration is the change in the value of a fixed-income security that will result from a 1% change in interest rates, and generally is stated in years. For example, as a general rule a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration. Maturity, on the other hand, is the date on which a fixed-income security becomes due for payment of principal. An increase in interest rates could negatively impact a Fund’s NAV. Recent and potential future changes in government monetary policy may affect  interest rates. Over the past several years, the U.S. Federal Reserve has maintained the level of interest rates at or near historic lows. However, more recently, interest rates have begun to increase as a result of action that has been taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which has raised, and may continue to raise, interest rates. Such increases could expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and could cause the value of a Fund's investments, and the Fund's NAV, to decline, potentially suddenly and significantly, which may negatively impact the Fund's performance.
Risks Associated with Health Crises – A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, which may lead to less liquidity in certain instruments, industries, sectors or the markets generally, and may ultimately affect Fund performance. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted and may continue to result in significant disruptions to global business activity and market volatility due to disruptions in market access, resource availability, facilities, operations, imposition of tariffs, export controls and supply chain disruption, among others. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect a Fund's performance, resulting in losses to your investment.
Please see the Funds’ prospectus and statement of additional information for a complete discussion of these and other risks.
42

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
9. Subsequent Events
Subsequent events occurring after the date of this report have been evaluated for potential impact to this report through the date the financial statements were issued. There were no subsequent events that necessitated recognition or disclosure in the Funds’ financial statements.
43

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Touchstone Variable Series Trust
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Touchstone Variable Series Trust (the “Trust”) (comprising the Touchstone Balanced Fund, Touchstone Bond Fund, Touchstone Common Stock Fund and Touchstone Small Company Fund (collectively referred to as the “Funds”)), including the portfolios of investments, as of December 31, 2023, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended 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 comprising Touchstone Variable Series Trust at December 31, 2023, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and their financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.   
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.
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 December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and others; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. 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.
We have served as the auditor of one or more Touchstone Investments’ investment companies since 1999.  
Cincinnati, Ohio
February 16, 2024 
44

 

Other Items (Unaudited)
Dividend Received Deduction
For corporate shareholders, the following ordinary distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction. The Funds intend to pass through the maximum allowable percentage.
Balanced Fund 65.30 %
Common Stock Fund 100.00 %
Small Company Fund 100.00 %
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds designated long-term capital gains as follows:
Common Stock Fund $ 14,224,709
Small Company Fund $ 2,137,269
Proxy Voting Guidelines and Proxy Voting Records
The Sub-Advisers are responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and held by the Funds. A description of the policies and procedures that the Sub-Advisers use in fulfilling this responsibility is available as an appendix to the most recent Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained without charge by calling toll free 1.800.543.0407 or by visiting the Touchstone website at TouchstoneInvestments.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “Commission”) website sec.gov. Information regarding how those proxies were voted during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, which will be filed by August 31 of that year, is also available without charge by calling toll free 1.800.543.0407 or on the Commission’s website at sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
Each Fund’s holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter will be disclosed on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The complete listing of each Fund’s portfolio holdings is available on the Commission’s website and will be made available to shareholders upon request by calling 1.800.543.0407.
Schedule of Shareholder Expenses
As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees; shareholder servicing fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023).
Actual Expenses
The first line for each share class of a Fund in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Six Months Ended December 31, 2023” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line for each share class of a Fund in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class of a Fund in the table below is useful
45

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)
in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
    Net Expense
Ratio
Annualized
December 31,
2023
Beginning
Account
Value
July 1,
2023
Ending
Account
Value
December 31,
2023
Expenses
Paid During
the Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2023*
Balanced Fund          
Class SC Actual 0.79% $1,000.00 $1,054.20 $4.09
Class SC Hypothetical 0.79% $1,000.00 $1,021.22 $4.02
Class I Actual 0.79% $1,000.00 $1,054.60 $4.09
Class I Hypothetical 0.79% $1,000.00 $1,021.22 $4.02
Bond Fund          
Class SC Actual 0.90% $1,000.00 $1,036.70 $4.62
Class SC Hypothetical 0.90% $1,000.00 $1,020.67 $4.58
Class I Actual 0.61% $1,000.00 $1,039.20 $3.14
Class I Hypothetical 0.61% $1,000.00 $1,022.13 $3.11
Common Stock Fund          
Class SC Actual 0.97% $1,000.00 $1,061.50 $5.04
Class SC Hypothetical 0.97% $1,000.00 $1,020.32 $4.94
Class I Actual 0.73% $1,000.00 $1,062.90 $3.80
Class I Hypothetical 0.73% $1,000.00 $1,021.53 $3.72
Small Company Fund          
Class I Actual 0.76% $1,000.00 $1,088.60 $4.00
Class I Hypothetical 0.76% $1,000.00 $1,021.37 $3.87
* 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 one-half year period).
Liquidity Risk Management
The Funds have adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program (the “LRM Program”) as required by Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Rule 22e-4 requires that each Fund adopt a program that is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Funds’ liquidity risk, which is the risk that a Fund could not meet redemption requests without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in a Fund.
Assessment and management of a Fund’s liquidity risk under the LRM Program takes into consideration certain factors, such as a Fund’s investment strategy and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, its short- and long-term cash-flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, and its cash and cash-equivalent holdings and access to other funding sources. As required by the rule, the LRM Program includes policies and procedures for classification of Fund portfolio holdings in four liquidity categories, maintaining certain levels of highly liquid investments, and limiting holdings of illiquid investments.
The Board of Trustees of the Trust approved the appointment of a LRM Program administrator responsible for administering the LRM Program and for carrying out the specific responsibilities set forth in the LRM Program, including reporting to the Board on at least an annual basis regarding the LRM Program’s operation, its adequacy, and the effectiveness of its implementation for the past year (the “Program Administrator Report”). The Board has reviewed the Program Administrator Report covering the period from May 12, 2022 through May 12, 2023 (the “Review Period”). The Program Administrator Report stated that during the Review Period the LRM Program operated adequately and effectively in promoting effective liquidity risk management for the Funds.
Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreement Approval Disclosure
At a meeting held on November 16, 2023, the Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”) of the Touchstone Variable Series Trust (the “Trust”), and by a separate vote, the Independent Trustees of the Trust, approved the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser with respect to each Fund of the Trust, and the continuance of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser.
In determining whether to approve the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Adviser furnished information necessary for a majority of the Independent Trustees to make the determination that the continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement and each Sub-Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the respective Funds and their shareholders. The information provided to the Board included: (1) industry data comparing advisory fees and total
46

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)
expense ratios of comparable funds; (2) comparative performance information; (3) the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ revenues and costs of providing services to the Funds; and (4) information about the Adviser’s and Sub-Adviser’s personnel. Prior to voting, the Independent Trustees reviewed the proposed continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements with management and experienced independent legal counsel and received materials from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement and each Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Independent Trustees also reviewed the proposed continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement and each Sub-Advisory Agreement with independent legal counsel in private sessions at which no representatives of management were present.
In approving the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered various factors, among them: (1) the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds, including the personnel providing such services; (2) the Adviser’s compensation and profitability; (3) a comparison of fees and performance with comparable funds; (4) economies of scale; and (5) the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Board’s analysis of these factors is set forth below. The Independent Trustees were advised by independent legal counsel throughout the process.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Adviser Services. The Board considered the level and depth of knowledge of the Adviser, including the professional experience and qualifications of senior personnel. In evaluating the quality of services provided by the Adviser, the Board took into account its familiarity with the Adviser’s senior management through Board meetings, discussions and reports during the preceding year. The Board also took into account the Adviser’s compliance policies and procedures. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Adviser’s role in coordinating the activities of the Funds’ other service providers, was also considered. The Board also considered the Adviser’s relationship with its affiliates and the resources available to them, as well as any potential conflicts of interest.  
The Board discussed the Adviser’s effectiveness in monitoring the performance of the Sub-Adviser, an affiliate of the Adviser, and the Adviser’s timeliness in responding to performance issues. The Board considered the Adviser’s process for monitoring the Sub-Adviser, which includes an examination of both qualitative and quantitative elements of the Sub-Adviser’s organization, personnel, procedures, investment discipline, infrastructure and performance. The Board considered that the Adviser conducts periodic due diligence of the Sub-Adviser, during which the Adviser examines a wide variety of factors, such as the financial condition of the Sub-Adviser, the quality of the Sub-Adviser’s systems, the effectiveness of the Sub-Adviser’s disaster recovery programs, trade allocation and execution procedures, compliance with the Sub-Adviser’s policies and procedures, results of regulatory examinations and any other factors that might affect the quality of services that the Sub-Adviser provides to the Funds. The Board noted that the Adviser’s monitoring processes also include quarterly reviews of compliance certifications, and that any issues arising from such reviews and the Adviser’s due diligence reviews of the Sub-Adviser are reported to the Board.
The Trustees concluded that they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided to each Fund by the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Adviser’s Compensation and Profitability. The Board took into consideration the financial condition and profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates (including the Sub-Adviser) and the direct and indirect benefits derived by the Adviser and its affiliates from the Adviser’s relationship with the Funds. The information considered by the Board included operating profit margin information for the Adviser’s business as a whole. The Board noted that the Adviser had waived a portion of advisory fees and administrative fees and/or reimbursed expenses in order to limit each Fund’s net operating expenses. The Board also noted that the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser’s sub-advisory fees out of the advisory fees the Adviser receives from the Funds. The Board reviewed the profitability of the Adviser’s relationship with the Funds both before and after tax expenses, and also considered whether the Adviser has the financial wherewithal to continue to provide services to the Funds, noting the ongoing commitment of the Adviser’s parent company with respect to providing support and resources as needed. The Board also noted that the Adviser derives benefits to its reputation and other benefits from its association with the Funds. The Board also considered that affiliates of the Adviser may benefit from certain indirect tax benefits, including those relating to dividend received deductions.
The Board recognized that the Adviser should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits in exchange for the level of services it provides to each Fund and the entrepreneurial risk that it assumes as Adviser. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ level of profitability, if any, from their relationship with each Fund was reasonable and not excessive.
Expenses and Performance. The Board compared the respective advisory fees and total expense ratios for each of the Funds with various comparative data, including the median and average advisory fees and total expense ratios of each Fund’s respective peer group. The Board also considered, among other data, the Funds’ respective performance results during the six-month, twelve-month and thirty-six-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and noted that the Board reviews on a quarterly basis detailed information about each Fund’s performance results, portfolio composition and investment strategies. The Board also took into account current market conditions and their effect on the Funds’ performance.
47

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)
The Board also considered the effect of each Fund’s growth and size on its performance and expenses. The Board noted that the Adviser had waived a portion of the fees and/or reimbursed expenses of the Funds in order to reduce those Funds’ respective operating expenses to targeted levels. The Board noted that the sub-advisory fees under the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund were paid by the Adviser out of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund and considered the impact of such sub-advisory fees on the profitability of the Adviser. In reviewing the respective total expense ratios and performance of each of the Funds, the Board also took into account the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and its affiliates.
The Board considered, among other data, the specific factors and related conclusions set forth below with respect to each Fund:
Touchstone Balanced Fund. The Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio (net of applicable expense waivers and reimbursements) were each below the median of its peer group. The Board noted that the Adviser was currently waiving and/or reimbursing a portion of the Fund’s fees and/or expenses. The Fund’s performance for each of the six-, twelve- and thirty-six-month periods ended September 30, 2023 was in the 1st quintile of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the Fund’s overall performance was satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices, and that the advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Adviser and the other factors considered.
Touchstone Bond Fund. The Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio (net of applicable expense waivers and reimbursements) were below the median and above the median, respectively, of its peer group. The Board noted that the Adviser was currently waiving and/or reimbursing a portion of the Fund’s fees and/or expenses. The Fund’s performance for the six-month period ended September 30, 2023 was in the 4th quintile of its peer group, the Fund’s performance for the  twelve-month period ended September 30, 2023 was in the 2nd quintile of its peer group, and the Fund’s performance for the thirty-six-month period ended September 30, 2023 was in the 3rd quintile of its peer group. The Board noted management’s discussion of the Fund’s recent performance. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the Fund’s overall performance was satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices, and that the advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Adviser and the other factors considered.
Touchstone Common Stock Fund. The Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio (net of applicable expense waivers and reimbursements) were below the median and above the median, respectively, of its peer group. The Board noted that the Adviser was currently waiving and/or reimbursing a portion of the Fund’s fees and/or expenses. The Fund’s performance for each of the twelve- and thirty-six-month periods ended September 30, 2023 was in the 1st quintile of its peer group, while the Fund’s performance for the six-month period ended September 30, 2023 was in the 2nd quintile of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the Fund’s overall performance was satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices, and that the advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Adviser and the other factors considered.
Touchstone Small Company Fund. The Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio (net of applicable expense waivers and reimbursements) were each below the median of its peer group. The Board noted that the Adviser was currently waiving and/or reimbursing a portion of the Fund’s fees and/or expenses. The Fund’s performance for each of the six- and twelve-month periods ended September 30, 2023 was in the 2nd quintile, while the Fund’s performance for the thirty-six-month period ended September 30, 2023 was in the 1st quintile of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the Fund’s overall performance was satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices, and that the advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Adviser and the other factors considered.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered the effect of each Fund’s current size and potential growth on its performance and expenses. The Board took into account management’s discussion of the Funds’ advisory fee structure. The Board considered the effective advisory fees under the Investment Advisory Agreement as a percentage of assets at different asset levels and possible economies of scale that might be realized if the assets of each Fund increase. The Board noted that the advisory fee schedules for all but one of the Funds contain breakpoints that would reduce the advisory fee rate on assets above specified levels as the respective Fund’s assets increased and considered the appropriateness of adding breakpoints with respect to the one Fund that currently did not have such breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule. The Board determined that adding breakpoints at specified levels to the advisory fee schedule of the one Fund that currently did not have such breakpoints was not appropriate at that time. The Board also noted that if a Fund’s assets increase over time, the Fund might realize other economies of scale if assets increase proportionally more than certain other expenses. The Board also considered the fact that, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the advisory fee payable to the Adviser by a Fund was reduced by the total sub-advisory fee paid by the Adviser to the Fund’s Sub-Adviser.
Conclusion. In considering the renewal of the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, did not identify any single factor as controlling, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Trustees evaluated all information available to them on a Fund-by-Fund basis, and their determinations were made separately with respect to each Fund. The Board reached the following conclusions regarding the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser, among others: (a) the Adviser demonstrated that it possesses the capability and resources to perform
48

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)
the duties required of it under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (b) the Adviser maintains an appropriate compliance program; (c) the overall performance of each Fund is satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices; and (d) each Fund’s advisory fee is reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Adviser and the other factors considered. Based on their conclusions, the Trustees determined with respect to each Fund that continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
In approving the applicable Funds’ respective Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board considered various factors with respect to each Fund and the applicable Sub-Advisory Agreement, among them: (1) the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund, including the personnel providing such services; (2) the Sub-Adviser’s compensation; (3) a comparison of the sub-advisory fee and performance with comparable funds; and (4) the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Board’s analysis of these factors is set forth below. The Independent Trustees were advised by independent legal counsel throughout the process.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided; Investment Personnel. The Board considered information provided by the Adviser regarding the services provided by the Sub-Adviser, including information presented periodically throughout the previous year. The Board noted the affiliation of the Sub-Adviser with the Adviser, noting any potential conflicts of interest. The Board also noted that, on a periodic basis, the Board meets with portfolio managers of the Sub-Adviser to discuss its respective performance and investment processes and strategies. The Board considered the Sub-Adviser’s level of knowledge and investment style.  The Board reviewed the experience and credentials of the applicable investment personnel who are responsible for managing the investment of portfolio securities with respect to the Funds. The Board also noted the Sub-Adviser’s brokerage practices.
Sub-Adviser’s Compensation, Profitability and Economies of Scale. The Board also took into consideration the financial condition of the Sub-Adviser and any indirect benefits derived by the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates from the Sub-Adviser’s relationship with the Funds. In considering the profitability to the Sub-Adviser of its relationship with the Funds, the Board noted the undertaking of the Adviser to maintain expense limitations for the Funds and also noted that the sub-advisory fees under the Sub-Advisory Agreements were paid by the Adviser out of the advisory fees that it receives under the Investment Advisory Agreement. As a consequence, the profitability to the Sub-Adviser of its relationship with a Fund was not a substantial factor in the Board’s deliberations. For similar reasons, the Board did not consider the potential economies of scale in the Sub-Adviser’s management of the applicable Fund to be a substantial factor in its consideration, although the Board noted that the sub-advisory fee schedule for all but one of the Funds contained breakpoints that would reduce the sub-advisory fee rate on assets above specified levels as the applicable Fund’s assets increased.
Sub-Advisory Fees and Fund Performance. The Board considered that each Fund pays an advisory fee to the Adviser and that the Adviser pays the sub-advisory fee to the Sub-Adviser out of the advisory fee it receives from the respective Fund. The Board also compared the sub-advisory fees paid by the Adviser to fees charged by the Sub-Adviser to manage comparable institutional separate accounts, as applicable. The Board considered the amount retained by the Adviser and the sub-advisory fee paid to the Sub-Adviser with respect to the various services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. The Board reviewed the sub-advisory fee for each Fund in relation to various comparative data, including the median and average sub-advisory fees of each Fund’s peer group, and considered the following information:
Touchstone Balanced Fund. The Fund’s sub-advisory fee was below the median of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Sub-Adviser and the other factors considered.
Touchstone Bond Fund. The Fund’s sub-advisory fee was above the median of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Sub-Adviser and the other factors considered.
Touchstone Common Stock Fund. The Fund’s sub-advisory fee was above the median of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Sub-Adviser and the other factors considered.
Touchstone Small Company Fund. The Fund’s sub-advisory fee was below the median of its peer group. Based upon their review, the Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fee was reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Sub-Adviser and the other factors considered.
As noted above, the Board considered each Fund’s performance during the six-month, twelve-month and thirty-six-month periods ended September 30, 2023 as compared to each Fund’s peer group and noted that the Board reviews on a quarterly basis detailed information about each Fund’s performance results, portfolio composition and investment strategies. The Board noted the Adviser’s expertise and resources in monitoring the performance, investment style and risk-adjusted performance of the Sub-Adviser. The Board was mindful of the Adviser’s ongoing monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s performance and the measures undertaken by the Adviser to address any underperformance.
49

 

Other Items (Unaudited) (Continued)
Conclusion. In considering the renewal of the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to each applicable Fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, did not identify any single factor as controlling, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Board reached the following conclusions regarding each Sub-Advisory Agreement, among others: (a) the Sub-Adviser is qualified to manage each Fund’s assets in accordance with the Fund’s investment goals and policies; (b) the Sub-Adviser maintains an appropriate compliance program; (c) the overall performance of each Fund is satisfactory relative to the performance of funds with similar investment objectives and relevant indices; (d) each Fund’s sub-advisory fee is reasonable in light of the services received by the Fund from the Sub-Adviser and the other factors considered; and (e) the Sub-Adviser’s investment strategies are appropriate for pursuing the investment goals of each Fund. Based on its conclusions, the Board determined that approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to each applicable Fund was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
50

 

Management of the Trust (Unaudited)
Listed below is required information regarding the Trustees and principal officers of the Trust. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1.800.543.0407 or by visiting the Touchstone website at TouchstoneInvestments.com.
Interested Trustees1:
Name
Address
Year of Birth
Position
Held with
Trust
Term of
Office And
Length of
Time Served
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number
of Funds
Overseen
in the
Touchstone
Fund
Complex2
Other
Directorships
Held During Past 5 Years3
Jill T. McGruder
Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1955
Trustee Until retirement at age 75 or until she resigns or is removed
Trustee since 1999
President of Touchstone Funds from 1999 to 2020; Director and CEO of IFS Financial Services, Inc. (a holding company) since 1999; and Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc. (a financial services company) since 2016. 39 Director, Integrity Life Insurance Co. and National Integrity Life Insurance Co. since 2005; Director, Touchstone Securities (the Distributor) since 1999; Director, Touchstone Advisors (the Adviser) since 1999; Director, W&S Brokerage Services, Inc. since 1999; Director, W&S Financial Group Distributors, Inc. since 1999; Director, Insurance Profillment Solutions LLC since 2014; Director, Columbus Life Insurance Co. since 2016; Director, The Lafayette Life Insurance Co. since 2016; Director, Gerber Life Insurance Company since 2019; Director, Western & Southern Agency, Inc. since 2018; and Director, LL Global, Inc. (not-for-profit trade organization with operating divisions LIMRA and LOMA) since 2016.
E. Blake Moore, Jr.
Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1958
President and Trustee Until retirement at age 75 or until he resigns or is removed
Trustee since 2021
President, Touchstone Funds since 2021; Chief Executive Officer of Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Touchstone Securities, Inc. since 2020; President, Foresters Investment Management Company, Inc. from 2018 to 2020; President, North American Asset Management at Foresters Financial from 2018 to 2020; Managing Director, Head of Americas at UBS Asset Management from 2015 to 2017; and Executive Vice President, Head of Distribution at Mackenzie Investments from 2011 to 2014. 39 Trustee, College of Wooster since 2008; and Director, UBS Funds from 2015 to 2017.
Independent Trustees:
Karen Carnahan
c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1954
Trustee Until retirement at age 75 or until she resigns or is removed
Trustee since 2019
Retired; formerly Chief Operating Officer of Shred-it (a business services company) from 2014 to 2015; formerly President & Chief Operating Officer of the document management division of Cintas Corporation (a business services company) from 2008 to 2014. 39 Director, Cintas Corporation since 2019; Director, Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty from 2016 to 2022; and Board of Advisors, Best Upon Request from 2020 to 2021.
William C. Gale
c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1952
Trustee Until retirement at age 75 or until he resigns or is removed
Trustee since 2013
Retired; formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cintas Corporation (a business services company) from 1995 to 2015. 39 None.
51

 

Management of the Trust (Unaudited) (Continued)
Independent Trustees (Continued):
Name
Address
Year of Birth
Position
Held with
Trust
Term of
Office And
Length of
Time Served
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number
of Funds
Overseen
in the
Touchstone
Fund
Complex2
Other
Directorships
Held During Past 5 Years3
Susan M. King
c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1963
Trustee Until retirement at age 75 or until she resigns or is removed
Trustee since 2021
Formerly, Partner of ID Fund LLC (2020 to 2021); formerly, Senior Vice President, Head of Product and Marketing Strategy of Foresters Financial (2018 to 2020); formerly, Managing Director, Head of Sales Strategy and Marketing, Americas of UBS Asset Management (2015 to 2017); formerly, Director, Allianz Funds, Allianz Funds Multi-Strategy Trust and AllianzGI Institutional Multi-Series Trust (2014 to 2015); and formerly, Director, Alliance Capital Cash Management Offshore Funds (2003 to 2005). 39 Trustee, Claremont McKenna College since 2017; Trustee, Israel Cancer Research Fund since 2019; and Board Member of WHAM! (Women's Health Access Matters) since 2021.
Kevin A. Robie
c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1956
Trustee Until retirement at age 75 or until he resigns or is removed
Trustee since 2013
Retired; formerly Vice President of Portfolio Management at Soin LLC (private multinational holding company and family office) from 2004 to 2020. 39 Director, SaverSystems, Inc. since 2015; Director, Buckeye EcoCare, Inc. from 2013 to 2018; Director, Turner Property Services Group, Inc. since 2017; Trustee, Dayton Region New Market Fund, LLC (private fund) since 2010; and Trustee, Entrepreneurs Center, Inc. (business incubator) since 2006.
Sally J. Staley4
c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1956
Trustee Until retirement at age 75 or until she resigns or is removed
Trustee since 2023
Independent Consultant to Institutional Asset Owners since 2017; formerly Chief Investment Officer and Corporate Officer for Case Western Reserve University from 2006 to 2017; formerly Adviser to Fairport Asset Management LLC/Luma Wealth Advisors from 2011 to 2019. 39 Trustee, College of Wooster since 2006 (Chair since 2021); Trustee, Great Lakes Theater Festival since 2005; and Member of Advisory Committee, Certified Investment Fund Director Institute from 2015 to 2020.
William H. Zimmer III
c/o Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1953
Trustee Until retirement at age 75 or until he resigns or is removed
Trustee since 2019
Independent Treasury Consultant since 2014. 39 Director, Deaconess Associations, Inc. (healthcare) since 2001; Trustee, Huntington Funds (mutual funds) from 2006 to 2015; and Director, National Association of Corporate Treasurers from 2011 to 2015.
1 Ms. McGruder, as a director of the Adviser and the Distributor, and an officer of affiliates of the Adviser and the Distributor, is an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Mr. Moore, as an officer of the Adviser and the Distributor, is an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
2 As of December 31, 2023, the Touchstone Fund Complex consisted of 4 series of the Trust, 16 series of the Touchstone Strategic Trust, 12 series of the Touchstone Funds Group Trust and 7 series of the Touchstone ETF Trust.
3 Each Trustee is also a Trustee of Touchstone ETF Trust, Touchstone Strategic Trust and Touchstone Funds Group Trust.
4Ms. Staley was elected as a Trustee, effective as of January 1, 2023.        
  
52

 

Management of the Trust (Unaudited) (Continued)
                    
Principal Officers:
Name
Address
Year of Birth
Position(s)
Held with
Trust1
Term of
Office And
Length of
Time Served
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
E. Blake Moore, Jr.
Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1958
President and Trustee Until resignation, removal or disqualification
President since January 2021
See biography above.
Timothy D. Paulin
Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1963
Vice President Until resignation, removal or disqualification
Vice President since 2010
Senior Vice President of Investment Research and Product Management of Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
Timothy S. Stearns
Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1963
Chief Compliance Officer Until resignation, removal or disqualification
Chief Compliance Officer since 2013
Chief Compliance Officer of Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Touchstone Securities, Inc.
Terrie A. Wiedenheft
Touchstone Advisors, Inc.
303 Broadway
Suite 1100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1962
Controller and Treasurer Until resignation, removal or disqualification
Controller and Treasurer since 2006
Senior Vice President and Chief Administration Officer within the Office of the Chief Marketing Officer of Western & Southern Financial Group (since 2021); and Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operations Officer of IFS Financial Services, Inc. (a holding company).
Benjamin Mollozzi
Western & Southern
Financial Group
400 Broadway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Year of Birth: 1984
Secretary Until resignation, removal or disqualification
Secretary since 2023
Counsel - Securities/Registered Funds of Western & Southern Financial Group (2022 to present); Attorney at U.S. Bank (2021 to 2022); Attorney at Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2016 to 2021).
1 Each officer also holds the same office with Touchstone ETF Trust, Touchstone Strategic Trust and Touchstone Funds Group Trust.
53

 

This page intentionally left blank.

 

PRIVACY PROTECTION POLICY
We Respect Your Privacy
Thank you for your decision to invest with us. Touchstone and its affiliates have always placed a high value on the trust and confidence our clients place in us. We believe that confidence must be earned and validated through time. In today’s world, when technology allows the sharing of information at light speeds, trust must be reinforced by our sincere pledge to take the steps necessary to ensure that the information you share with us is treated with respect and confidentiality.
Our Pledge to Our Clients
•  We collect only the information we need to service your account and administer our business.
•  We are committed to keeping your information confidential and we place strict limits and controls on the use and sharing of your information.
•  We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of your information.
We Collect the Following Nonpublic Personal Information About You:
•  Information we receive from you on or in applications or other forms, correspondence, or conversations, including, but not limited to, your name, address, phone number, social security number, assets, income and date of birth; and
•  Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others, including, but not limited to, your account number and balance, payment history, parties to transactions, cost basis information, and other financial information.
Categories of Information We Disclose and Parties to Whom We Disclose
We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our current or former clients to nonaffiliated third parties, except as required or permitted by law.
We Place Strict Limits and Controls on the Use and Sharing of Your Information
•  We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to authorized employees who need the information to administer your business.
•  We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to protect this information.
•  We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our current or former clients to anyone, except as required or permitted by law or as described in this document.
•  We will not sell your personal information to anyone.
We May Provide Information to Service Your Account
Sometimes it is necessary to provide information about you to various companies such as transfer agents, custodians and broker-dealers to facilitate the servicing of your account. These organizations have a legitimate business need to see some of your personal information in order for us to provide service to you. We may disclose to these various companies the information that we collect as described above. We require that these companies, including our own subsidiaries and affiliates, strictly maintain the confidentiality of this information and abide by all applicable laws. We do not permit these companies to sell the information for their own purposes, and we never sell our customer information.
This policy is applicable to the following affiliated companies: Touchstone Funds Group Trust, Touchstone Strategic Trust, Touchstone Variable Series Trust and Touchstone ETF Trust.
The Privacy Protection Policy is not part of the Annual Report.
55

 


TSF-1006-TVST-AR-2312

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

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

 

(c)There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description.

 

(d)The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

 

(e)Not applicable.

 

(f)A copy of the code of ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 13(a)(1).

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. Ms. Karen Carnahan is the registrant’s audit committee financial expert and is an independent trustee within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Audit Fees

 

(a)Audit fees for Touchstone Variable Series Trust totaled $78,900 and $78,900 for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, including fees associated with the annual audits and filings of Form N-1A and Form N-CEN.

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

(b)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $1,400 and $4,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The fees are associated with out of scope services and merger related audit procedures.

 

Tax Fees

 

(c)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were $14,520 and $14,520 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The fees relate to the preparation of federal income and excise tax returns and review of capital gains distribution calculations.

 

All Other Fees

 

(d)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $243 and $1,226 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The fees relate to the PFIC analyzer and Global Withholding Tax Reporter subscriptions.

 

 

(e)(1)Disclose the audit committee's pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies describe the types of audit, audit-related, tax and other services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The pre-approval policies provide that annual audit service fees, tax services not specifically granted pre-approval, services exceeding pre-approved cost levels and other services that have not received general pre-approval will be subject to specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The pre-approval policies further provide that the Committee may grant general pre-approval to other audit services (statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings), audit-related services (accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as “audit services,” assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities, agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Form N-CSR), tax services that have historically been provided by the auditor that the Committee believes would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence and permissible non-audit services classified as “all other services” that are routine and recurring services.

 

(e)(2)All of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of Item 4 were approved by the Audit Committee.

 

 

 

 

(f)The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement to audit the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees was less than fifty percent.

 

(g)The aggregate non-audit fees for Touchstone Variable Series Trust and certain entities*, totaled approximately $914,362 and $699,959 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

 

* These include the advisers (excluding non-affiliated sub-advisers) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the advisers that provides ongoing services to the registrant (Funds).

 

(h)The registrant's audit committee of the board of trustees has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were 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 investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.

 

(i)Not applicable.

 

(j)Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1(a) of this form.

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

 

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

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

 

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 Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

(b)There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-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.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)Code of ethics, and any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.

 

(a)(2)Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

(a)(2)(1)Not applicable.

 

(a)(2)(2)Not applicable.

 

(b)Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

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)  Touchstone Variable Series Trust  

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ E. Blake Moore, Jr.  
  E. Blake Moore, Jr., President  
  (principal executive officer)

 

Date  02/29/2024    

 

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/ E. Blake Moore, Jr.  
  E. Blake Moore, Jr., President  
  (principal executive officer)

 

Date  02/29/2024    

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Terrie A. Wiedenheft  
  Terrie A. Wiedenheft, Controller and Treasurer  
  (principal financial officer)

 

Date  02/29/2024    

 

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