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: 811-22747

 

ALPS SERIES TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Camilla Nwokonko, Secretary

ALPS Series Trust

1290 Broadway, Suite 1000

Denver, CO 80203

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

(303) 623-2577

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Date of fiscal year end:   September 30

 

Date of reporting period:   October 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

(a)  

 

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Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund 

CLASS I - BPRLX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report | March 31, 2025

Image

Fund Overview

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund - I Class for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.beacontrust.com/services/investment-management/beacon-funds. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1-844-894-9222.

What were the Fund's Cost for the last six months? 

 

 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund - I
$62
1.23%

How did the Fund perform last year?

The Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund - I returned 0.70% for the 6 months ended March 31, 2025. This is in contrast to the CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index, which had a 9.80% return for the same time period.

 

 

The returns sought to be generated by the Fund are derived from three distinct return elements, i.e., returns from Directional/Enhanced market movements, returns from Income (or option premium) and returns from the Hedge that creates constant “downside protection”. Each return driver plays a crucial and sometimes complementary role in the overall performance of the strategy.

 

 

During the period, the Directional / Enhanced component added value due to the increase in the S&P 500, the Income component detracted from value since selling the out of the money call options lost more than the gains received from selling put options, and the Hedge component detracted from value due to the rise in the S&P 500.

How did the Fund perform since inception?

Total Return Based on $1,000,000 Investment

Growth of 10K Chart
Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund - I - $1,699,634
S&P 500 Total Return Index - $2,518,934
CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index - $1,529,225
10/2/2017
$1,000,000.00
$1,000,000.00
$1,000,000.00
3/31/2018
$1,013,244.09
$1,054,264.18
$1,010,887.60
9/30/2018
$1,076,446.45
$1,174,549.41
$1,096,538.69
3/31/2019
$1,091,691.78
$1,154,381.98
$1,044,148.20
9/30/2019
$1,138,587.63
$1,224,513.54
$1,084,395.69
3/31/2020
$1,026,380.15
$1,073,830.43
$879,937.53
9/30/2020
$1,220,717.43
$1,410,016.88
$1,023,023.12
3/31/2021
$1,327,212.06
$1,678,951.36
$1,163,269.12
9/30/2021
$1,361,462.70
$1,833,090.82
$1,238,906.91
3/31/2022
$1,411,347.42
$1,941,637.53
$1,336,334.83
9/30/2022
$1,219,717.49
$1,549,472.99
$1,100,035.87
3/31/2023
$1,391,764.80
$1,791,578.02
$1,244,705.65
9/30/2023
$1,471,494.04
$1,884,428.52
$1,260,913.75
3/31/2024
$1,607,838.09
$2,326,924.02
$1,392,723.17
9/30/2024
$1,687,785.84
$2,569,446.82
$1,491,727.82
3/31/2025
$1,699,633.77
$2,518,934.49
$1,529,225.39

Average Annual Total Retuns

Class I
6 Month
1 Year
5 Year
Since Inception
Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund - Class I
0.70%
5.71%
10.61%
7.34%
S&P 500 Total Return Index
-1.97%
8.25%
18.59%
13.12%
CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index
2.51%
9.80%
11.69%
5.83%

Fund Statistics

  • Total Net Assets$328,267,412
  • # of Portfolio Holdings82
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate (Class I)-%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance.  The "Average Annual Total Returns" table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. 

Call 1-844-894-9222 for current month-end performance. 

What did the Fund invest in?

Top Ten Holdings

(as a % of Net Assets)

Top 10
%
Call XSP AUGUST 72.00 08/14/2025
9.68%
Call XSP September 73.42 09/12/2025
9.50%
Call XSP July 73.55 07/14/2025
9.43%
Call XSP October 76.10 10/14/2025
9.08%
Call XSP June 70.80 06/13/2025
8.51%
Call XSP April 67.30 04/14/2025
8.28%
Call XSP May 69.00 05/14/2025
8.17%
Call XSP November 78.25 11/14/2025
7.35%
Call XSP Febuary 73.53 02/13/2026
6.67%
Call XSP Jan 79.78 01/14/2026
4.84%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
81.51%

Asset Class Weightings

(as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Asset Type Chart
Value
Value
Short Term Security
1.04%
Purchased Options
106.91%
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
(7.95)%

Country Weightings

(as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Country Chart
Value
Value
United States
107.95%

Material Fund Changes

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

Availability of Additional Information

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visitinghttps://www.beacontrust.com/services/investment-management/beacon-funds.

Householding

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 1-973-206-7100.

An image of a QR code that, when scanned, navigates the user to the following URL: https://www.beacontrust.com/services/investment-management/beacon-funds

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Phone: 1-844-894-9222

Email: mutualfunds@beacontrust.com

02110A597–SA–03312025

Image

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund - Class I

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report | March 31, 2025

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Brigade High Income Fund 

FOUNDERS CLASS: BHIMX

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT | March 31, 2025

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FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Brigade High Income Fund - Founders Class for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.brigadefunds.com/resources. You can also request this information by contacting us at 212.745.9700.

WHAT WERE THE FUND'S COST FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 

 

 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Brigade High Income Fund - Founders
$26
0.52%

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM SINCE INCEPTION?

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $25,000,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Brigade High Income Fund Founders Class - $30,953,037
Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index - $26,762,468
60% ICE BofA US HY Contrained / 40% Credit Suisse Leverage Loan - $29,696,586
ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index - $29,627,218
5/1/2023
$25,000,000.00
$25,000,000.00
$25,000,000.00
$25,000,000.00
5/31/2023
$25,025,000.00
$24,968,478.50
$24,862,297.85
$24,795,707.80
6/30/2023
$25,425,000.00
$24,879,385.65
$25,327,520.91
$25,199,133.31
7/31/2023
$25,938,277.11
$24,862,138.04
$25,676,577.38
$25,559,327.28
8/31/2023
$26,276,808.41
$24,703,341.04
$25,841,060.72
$25,635,369.38
9/30/2023
$26,186,194.33
$24,075,527.90
$25,749,515.66
$25,334,141.56
10/31/2023
$25,856,247.43
$23,695,604.59
$25,559,847.04
$25,017,849.77
11/30/2023
$26,709,360.03
$24,768,644.08
$26,381,814.54
$26,159,874.12
12/31/2023
$27,582,074.10
$25,716,787.04
$27,135,713.10
$27,125,257.94
1/31/2024
$27,753,013.54
$25,646,131.30
$27,223,791.22
$27,130,468.43
2/29/2024
$27,943,569.24
$25,283,812.46
$27,369,072.37
$27,210,792.41
3/31/2024
$28,352,938.47
$25,517,309.47
$27,655,682.98
$27,534,925.71
4/30/2024
$27,936,730.47
$24,872,724.50
$27,564,759.50
$27,259,595.54
5/31/2024
$28,371,525.14
$25,294,398.93
$27,852,641.30
$27,568,922.82
6/30/2024
$28,551,648.10
$25,533,962.34
$28,044,331.21
$27,835,018.57
7/31/2024
$29,166,244.88
$26,130,372.93
$28,456,863.65
$28,381,242.26
8/31/2024
$29,666,298.44
$26,505,776.17
$28,796,121.80
$28,832,697.07
9/30/2024
$30,202,895.13
$26,860,720.16
$29,163,056.07
$29,303,858.85
10/31/2024
$30,344,423.05
$26,194,605.42
$29,165,495.99
$29,142,591.83
11/30/2024
$30,611,298.89
$26,471,518.84
$29,463,611.49
$29,476,320.68
12/31/2024
$30,576,449.32
$26,038,306.35
$29,456,796.47
$29,349,979.36
1/31/2025
$30,968,469.04
$26,176,406.21
$29,785,802.20
$29,755,262.07
2/28/2025
$31,124,104.67
$26,752,357.57
$29,920,379.28
$29,948,669.01
3/31/2025
$30,953,036.92
$26,762,468.24
$29,696,586.26
$29,627,218.32

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Founders
1 Year
Since Inception
Brigade High Income Fund - Founders (Incep. May 1, 2023)
9.17%
11.78%
Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index
4.88%
3.62%
60% ICE BofA US HY Contrained / 40% Credit Suisse Leverage Loan
7.38%
9.39%
ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index
7.60%
9.26%

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$663,737,261
  • # of Portfolio Holdings301
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate18%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance. The "Average Annual Total Return" table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Call 212.745.9700 for current month-end performance. 

WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN?

ASSET CLASS WEIGHTINGS

(as a % of Net Assets) 

Group By Asset Type Chart
Value
Value
Corporate Bond
58.2%
Bank Loans
36.9%
Common Stocks
1.3%
Convertible Corporate Bond
0.0%
Rights and Warrants
0.0%
Cash and Equivalents
3.6%

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS

(as a % of Net Assets) 

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash and Equivalents
3.6%
Utilities
0.9%
Industrial
4.7%
Technology
6.6%
Basic Materials
7.4%
Energy
9.4%
Financial
13.2%
Communications
14.1%
Consumer, Cyclical
17.0%
Consumer, Non-cyclical
23.2%

TOP TEN HOLDINGS

(as a % of Net Assets) 

Top 10
Top 10
Tenet Healthcare Corp. 06/15/2028 4.625%
1.1%
Team Health Holdings, Inc. 02/02/2027 3M SOFR + 5.25%
1.0%
TransDigm, Inc. 12/01/2031 7.125%
1.0%
Radiology Partners, Inc. 01/31/2029 7.775%
1.0%
Akumin, Inc. 08/01/2027 9.00%
0.9%
Pluto Acquisition I, Inc. 09/20/2028 3M SOFR + 4.00%
0.9%
LifeScan Global Corp. 12/31/2026 3M SOFR + 6.50%
0.9%
Avaya Inc. 08/01/2028 1M SOFR + 7.50%
0.9%
Domtar Corp. 10/01/2028 6.75%
0.9%
Diversified Healthcare Trust 03/01/2031 4.375%
0.8%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
9.2%

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

(as a % of Net Assets) 

Credit Rating Chart
Value
Value
BBB
2.0%
BB
28.6%
B
46.0%
CCC
12.1%
CC
0.5%
C
0.3%
NR
5.7%
Cash and Equivalents
3.6%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

Ratings shown are a calculated average of bond ratings provided by third party, ratings agencies S&P, Moody’s and Fitch and range from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). Bonds with no third-party rating are designated Not Rated and do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. For such securities Brigade evaluates the credit quality. Credit ratings are subjective opinions of rating agencies and may be subject to change. 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

Image

BRIGADE HIGH INCOME FUND - FOUNDERS CLASS

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT | March 31, 2025

Phone: 212.745.9700

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

02110A456–SA–03312025

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://www.brigadefunds.com.

HOUSEHOLDING

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 212.745.9700.

Brigade High Income Fund 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS: BHIIX

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT | March 31, 2025

Image

FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Brigade High Income Fund - Institutional Class for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.brigadefunds.com/resources. You can also request this information by contacting us at 212.745.9700.

WHAT WERE THE FUND'S COST FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 

 

 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Brigade High Income Fund - Institutional
$31
0.61%

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM SINCE INCEPTION?

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $1,000,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Brigade High Income Fund Institutional Class - $1,235,959
Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index - $1,057,462
60% ICE BofA US HY Contrained / 40% Credit Suisse Leverage Loan - $1,193,141
ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index - $1,192,466
5/4/2023
$1,000,000.00
$1,000,000.00
$1,000,000.00
$1,000,000.00
5/31/2023
$1,002,004.01
$986,576.74
$998,910.30
$998,002.50
6/30/2023
$1,019,038.08
$983,056.42
$1,017,601.90
$1,014,239.97
7/31/2023
$1,038,319.32
$982,374.92
$1,031,626.19
$1,028,737.42
8/31/2023
$1,051,662.92
$976,100.39
$1,038,234.75
$1,031,798.04
9/30/2023
$1,048,863.25
$951,293.68
$1,034,556.68
$1,019,673.92
10/31/2023
$1,034,553.64
$936,281.81
$1,026,936.23
$1,006,943.49
11/30/2023
$1,069,559.43
$978,680.70
$1,059,961.00
$1,052,908.83
12/31/2023
$1,104,225.17
$1,016,144.57
$1,090,250.93
$1,091,764.57
1/31/2024
$1,109,826.46
$1,013,352.76
$1,093,789.70
$1,091,974.29
2/29/2024
$1,117,273.39
$999,036.50
$1,099,626.77
$1,095,207.25
3/31/2024
$1,134,566.82
$1,008,262.64
$1,111,142.13
$1,108,253.29
4/30/2024
$1,117,741.07
$982,793.22
$1,107,489.03
$1,097,171.52
5/31/2024
$1,133,894.03
$999,454.80
$1,119,055.46
$1,109,621.64
6/30/2024
$1,142,094.67
$1,008,920.64
$1,126,757.12
$1,120,331.73
7/31/2024
$1,166,541.17
$1,032,486.55
$1,143,331.73
$1,142,316.68
8/31/2024
$1,185,253.48
$1,047,319.81
$1,156,962.35
$1,160,487.29
9/30/2024
$1,206,547.78
$1,061,344.68
$1,171,704.93
$1,179,451.08
10/31/2024
$1,212,056.50
$1,035,024.56
$1,171,802.96
$1,172,960.25
11/30/2024
$1,223,755.64
$1,045,966.21
$1,183,780.56
$1,186,392.50
12/31/2024
$1,221,042.91
$1,028,848.73
$1,183,506.75
$1,181,307.39
1/31/2025
$1,237,797.46
$1,034,305.45
$1,196,725.45
$1,197,619.61
2/28/2025
$1,242,795.34
$1,057,062.96
$1,202,132.45
$1,205,404.05
3/31/2025
$1,235,958.98
$1,057,462.46
$1,193,140.96
$1,192,465.98

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Institutional
1 Year
Since Inception
Brigade High Income Fund - Institutional (Incep. May 4, 2023)
8.94%
11.73%
Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index
4.88%
2.97%
60% ICE BofA US HY Contrained / 40% Credit Suisse Leverage Loan
7.38%
9.69%
ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index
7.60%
9.66%

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$663,737,261
  • # of Portfolio Holdings301
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate18%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance. The "Average Annual Total Return" table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Call 212.745.9700 for current month-end performance. 

WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN?

ASSET CLASS WEIGHTINGS

(as a % of Net Assets) 

Group By Asset Type Chart
Value
Value
Corporate Bond
58.2%
Bank Loans
36.9%
Common Stocks
1.3%
Convertible Corporate Bond
0.0%
Rights and Warrants
0.0%
Cash and Equivalents
3.6%

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS

(as a % of Net Assets) 

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash and Equivalents
3.6%
Utilities
0.9%
Industrial
4.7%
Technology
6.6%
Basic Materials
7.4%
Energy
9.4%
Financial
13.2%
Communications
14.1%
Consumer, Cyclical
17.0%
Consumer, Non-cyclical
23.2%

TOP TEN HOLDINGS

(as a % of Net Assets) 

Top 10
Top 10
Tenet Healthcare Corp. 06/15/2028 4.625%
1.1%
Team Health Holdings, Inc. 02/02/2027 3M SOFR + 5.25%
1.0%
TransDigm, Inc. 12/01/2031 7.125%
1.0%
Radiology Partners, Inc. 01/31/2029 7.775%
1.0%
Akumin, Inc. 08/01/2027 9.00%
0.9%
Pluto Acquisition I, Inc. 09/20/2028 3M SOFR + 4.00%
0.9%
LifeScan Global Corp. 12/31/2026 3M SOFR + 6.50%
0.9%
Avaya Inc. 08/01/2028 1M SOFR + 7.50%
0.9%
Domtar Corp. 10/01/2028 6.75%
0.9%
Diversified Healthcare Trust 03/01/2031 4.375%
0.8%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
9.2%

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

(as a % of Net Assets) 

Credit Rating Chart
Value
Value
BBB
2.0%
BB
28.6%
B
46.0%
CCC
12.1%
CC
0.5%
C
0.3%
NR
5.7%
Cash and Equivalents
3.6%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

Ratings shown are a calculated average of bond ratings provided by third party, ratings agencies S&P, Moody’s and Fitch and range from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). Bonds with no third-party rating are designated Not Rated and do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. For such securities Brigade evaluates the credit quality. Credit ratings are subjective opinions of rating agencies and may be subject to change. 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

Image

BRIGADE HIGH INCOME FUND - INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT | March 31, 2025

Phone: 212.745.9700

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

02110A449–SA–03312025

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://www.brigadefunds.com.

HOUSEHOLDING

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 212.745.9700.

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Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 

CLASS A : IKSTX

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT | March 31, 2025

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FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - A for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.carret.com/carret-kansas-tax-exempt-bond-fund. You can also request this information by contacting us at 888.266.8787.

WHAT WERE THE FUND'S COST FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 

 

 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - A
$18
0.36%

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM LAST YEAR?

For the 6 months ended March 31, 2025, the Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund returned -0.85% compared to a return of -0.54% for the Bloomberg US Municipal Bond  7 Year Index and a return of -1.43% for the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index. The performance of the Fund was driven by the rise in municipal bond interest rates during the period between 9/30/24 and 3/31/25.  The broad uncertainty of the macro and micro economies added a notable degree of volatility to the municipal bond marketplace.  The Fund’s high-quality focus, premium coupon bias, and intermediate-duration structure provided a cushion against market volatility.

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM LAST 10 YEARS?

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $10,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - A - NAV - $11,114
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - Class A - Load - $10,640
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index - $12,341
Bloomberg US Municipal Bond: 7 Year (6-8) Index - $12,153
3/31/2015
$10,000.00
$9,573.01
$10,000.00
$10,000.01
4/30/2015
$9,969.29
$9,543.62
$9,947.50
$9,977.17
10/31/2015
$10,069.81
$9,639.84
$10,114.91
$10,142.60
4/30/2016
$10,287.11
$9,847.86
$10,474.09
$10,437.17
10/31/2016
$10,312.11
$9,871.80
$10,525.38
$10,470.35
4/30/2017
$10,267.03
$9,828.64
$10,489.18
$10,458.57
10/31/2017
$10,379.21
$9,936.03
$10,756.13
$10,651.18
3/31/2018
$10,324.14
$9,883.32
$10,690.48
$10,492.47
9/30/2018
$10,326.72
$9,885.79
$10,767.34
$10,582.16
3/31/2019
$10,688.76
$10,232.36
$11,266.15
$11,086.41
9/30/2019
$10,998.28
$10,528.67
$11,688.01
$11,414.88
3/31/2020
$11,121.34
$10,646.48
$11,699.77
$11,409.11
9/30/2020
$11,428.26
$10,940.29
$12,166.26
$11,960.24
3/31/2021
$11,488.73
$10,998.18
$12,344.23
$12,047.29
9/30/2021
$11,547.92
$11,054.84
$12,485.99
$12,130.49
3/31/2022
$10,919.58
$10,453.33
$11,792.55
$11,462.97
9/30/2022
$10,195.02
$9,759.71
$11,050.03
$11,025.81
3/31/2023
$10,890.53
$10,425.52
$11,823.01
$11,693.09
9/30/2023
$10,329.20
$9,888.16
$11,344.39
$11,271.56
3/31/2024
$10,984.94
$10,515.90
$12,192.65
$11,943.65
9/30/2024
$11,202.56
$10,724.23
$12,521.00
$12,221.14
3/31/2025
$11,114.49
$10,639.92
$12,341.36
$12,152.61

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Class A
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - Class A - NAV
1.18%
-0.01%
1.06%
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - Class A - Load
-3.13%
-0.88%
0.62%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
1.22%
1.07%
2.13%
Bloomberg US Municipal Bond: 7 Year (6-8) Index
1.74%
1.27%
1.97%

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$119,768,392
  • # of Portfolio Holdings167
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate5%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance.  The "Average Annual Total Returns" table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. 

Call 888.266.8787 for current month-end performance. 

WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN?

MATURITY WEIGHTINGS

(as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Maturity Chart
Value
Value
5-10 Yr
49.8%
> 10 Yr
28.3%
3-5 Yr
13.8%
1-3 Yr
4.6%
< 1 Yr
3.0%

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS

(as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
1.12%
Certificate Participation
3.41%
Revenue Bonds
35.69%
General Obligation Unltd
59.78%

TOP TEN HOLDINGS

(as a % of Net Assets)

Top 10
%
State of Kansas Department of Transportation 09/01/2031 5.00%
1.74%
State of Kansas Department of Transportation 09/01/2034 5.00%
1.73%
Allen County Unified School District No 257 09/01/2043 3.00%
1.61%
Kansas Development Finance Authority 05/01/2042 5.00%
1.35%
State of Kansas Department of Transportation 09/01/2028 5.00%
1.31%
County of Johnson KS 09/01/2035 4.00%
1.28%
Johnson County Public Building Commission 09/01/2031 4.00%
1.26%
Douglas County Unified School District No 497 Lawrence 09/01/2031 4.00%
1.26%
Johnson County Unified School District No 229 Blue Valley 10/01/2040 4.00%
1.24%
City of Lenexa KS 09/01/2033 3.00%
1.24%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
14.02%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://www.carret.com/carret-kansas-tax-exempt-bond-fund.

An image of a QR code that, when scanned, navigates the user to the following URL: https://www.carret.com/carret-kansas-tax-exempt-bond-fund

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Phone: 888.266.8787

Email: info@carret.com

HOUSEHOLDING

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 888.266.8787.

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CARRET KANSAS TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND - CLASS A

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT | March 31, 2025

02110A530–SA–03312025

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund 

INSTITUTIONAL : SEKSX

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT | March 31, 2025

Image

FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - I for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.carret.com/carret-kansas-tax-exempt-bond-fund. You can also request this information by contacting us at 888.266.8787.

WHAT WERE THE FUND'S COST FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 

 

 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - I
$24
0.48%

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM LAST YEAR?

For the 6 months ended March 31, 2025, the Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund returned -0.85% compared to a return of -0.54% for the Bloomberg US Municipal Bond  7 Year Index and a return of -1.43% for the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index. The performance of the Fund was driven by the rise in municipal bond interest rates during the period between 9/30/24 and 3/31/25.  The broad uncertainty of the macro and micro economies added a notable degree of volatility to the municipal bond marketplace.  The Fund’s high-quality focus, premium coupon bias, and intermediate-duration structure provided a cushion against market volatility.

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM LAST 10 YEARS?

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $3,000,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - Institutional - $3,427,669
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index - $3,702,408
Bloomberg US Municipal Bond: 7 Year (6-8) Index - $3,645,779
3/31/2015
$3,000,000.00
$3,000,000.00
$3,000,000.09
4/30/2015
$2,991,750.38
$2,984,249.56
$2,993,146.99
10/31/2015
$3,026,768.46
$3,034,473.18
$3,042,777.89
4/30/2016
$3,098,003.75
$3,142,226.17
$3,131,146.85
10/31/2016
$3,111,615.44
$3,157,615.49
$3,141,101.89
4/30/2017
$3,103,998.15
$3,146,754.08
$3,137,567.13
10/31/2017
$3,144,075.25
$3,226,839.63
$3,195,349.61
3/31/2018
$3,132,443.86
$3,207,144.64
$3,147,738.58
9/30/2018
$3,139,253.53
$3,230,200.84
$3,174,646.02
3/31/2019
$3,250,350.98
$3,379,843.88
$3,325,919.26
9/30/2019
$3,351,868.49
$3,506,402.96
$3,424,459.68
3/31/2020
$3,393,593.89
$3,509,930.83
$3,422,728.36
9/30/2020
$3,491,602.92
$3,649,879.16
$3,588,068.50
3/31/2021
$3,514,458.58
$3,703,269.53
$3,614,182.43
9/30/2021
$3,536,989.63
$3,745,798.49
$3,639,142.15
3/31/2022
$3,348,726.79
$3,537,764.94
$3,438,887.26
9/30/2022
$3,130,459.30
$3,315,008.75
$3,307,740.50
3/31/2023
$3,348,181.04
$3,546,904.08
$3,507,923.26
9/30/2023
$3,179,613.27
$3,403,316.76
$3,381,465.47
3/31/2024
$3,385,579.42
$3,657,796.05
$3,583,090.98
9/30/2024
$3,456,970.03
$3,756,298.79
$3,666,338.15
3/31/2025
$3,427,668.72
$3,702,408.40
$3,645,778.84

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Institutional
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund - Institutional
1.24%
0.20%
1.34%
Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index
1.22%
1.07%
2.13%
Bloomberg US Municipal Bond: 7 Year (6-8) Index
1.74%
1.27%
1.97%

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$119,768,392
  • # of Portfolio Holdings167
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate5%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance.  The "Average Annual Total Returns" table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. 

Call 888.266.8787 for current month-end performance. 

WHAT DID THE FUND INVEST IN?

MATURITY WEIGHTINGS

(as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Maturity Chart
Value
Value
5-10 Yr
49.8%
> 10 Yr
28.3%
3-5 Yr
13.8%
1-3 Yr
4.6%
< 1 Yr
3.0%

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS

(as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
1.12%
Certificate Participation
3.41%
Revenue Bonds
35.69%
General Obligation Unltd
59.78%

TOP TEN HOLDINGS

(as a % of Net Assets)

Top 10
%
State of Kansas Department of Transportation 09/01/2031 5.00%
1.74%
State of Kansas Department of Transportation 09/01/2034 5.00%
1.73%
Allen County Unified School District No 257 09/01/2043 3.00%
1.61%
Kansas Development Finance Authority 05/01/2042 5.00%
1.35%
State of Kansas Department of Transportation 09/01/2028 5.00%
1.31%
County of Johnson KS 09/01/2035 4.00%
1.28%
Johnson County Public Building Commission 09/01/2031 4.00%
1.26%
Douglas County Unified School District No 497 Lawrence 09/01/2031 4.00%
1.26%
Johnson County Unified School District No 229 Blue Valley 10/01/2040 4.00%
1.24%
City of Lenexa KS 09/01/2033 3.00%
1.24%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
14.02%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://www.carret.com/carret-kansas-tax-exempt-bond-fund.

An image of a QR code that, when scanned, navigates the user to the following URL: https://www.carret.com/carret-kansas-tax-exempt-bond-fund

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Phone: 888.266.8787

Email: info@carret.com

HOUSEHOLDING

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 888.266.8787.

Image

CARRET KANSAS TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND - INSTITUTIONAL

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT | March 31, 2025

02110A522–SA–03312025

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CLARKSTON FOUNDERS FUND 

Founders Class: CFMDX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

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FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Clarkston Founders Fund - Founders Class for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-founders-fund. You can also request this information by contacting us at 844.680.6562.

WHAT WERE THE FUND'S COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Clarkston Founders Fund - Founders Class
$40
0.80%

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS?

During the six-month period ended March 31, 2025, the Fund’s Founders Class had a return of -1.27% compared to -2.81% for the Russell Midcap® Index and -2.21% for the Russell® 3000 Index.  

 

Three largest contributors to the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA), a provider of an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at institutions in the United States 

  • GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL), a provider of non-hazardous solid waste management and environmental services in Canada and the United States 

  • Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD), a media and entertainment company that operates worldwide 

Three largest detractors from the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • Clarivate Plc (CLVT), an information services provider in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Asia Pacific that operates through three segments: Academia & Government, Life Sciences & Healthcare, and Intellectual Property 

  • Avantor, Inc. (AVTR), a provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education and government, advanced technologies, and applied materials industries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa 

  • Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW), a company that engages in the production, distribution, and marketing of frozen potato products in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally that offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM SINCE INCEPTION? 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $10,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Clarkston Founders Fund - Founders - $11,151
Russell 3000® Index - $14,205
Russell Midcap® Index - $12,242
2/16/2021
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.01
3/31/2021
$10,366.20
$10,014.44
$9,999.73
9/30/2021
$9,709.86
$10,828.58
$10,650.09
3/31/2022
$10,287.35
$11,208.59
$10,691.83
9/30/2022
$8,871.31
$8,919.79
$8,584.62
3/31/2023
$9,916.10
$10,246.88
$9,752.87
9/30/2023
$9,723.29
$10,744.89
$9,738.90
3/31/2024
$11,119.15
$13,248.53
$11,932.23
9/30/2024
$11,294.20
$14,526.40
$12,595.16
3/31/2025
$11,150.97
$14,204.94
$12,241.84

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Founders
1 Year
Since Inception
Clarkston Founders Fund - Founders Class (Incept. February 16, 2021)
0.29%
2.68%
Russell 3000® Index
7.22%
8.90%
Russell Midcap® Index
2.59%
5.03%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance. The table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Call 844.680.6562 for current month-end performance.

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$778,822,536
  • # of Portfolio Holdings (excluding cash)25
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate12%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-founders-fund.

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
11.02%
Technology
7.39%
Health Care
9.57%
Consumer Discretionary
10.02%
Industrials
16.60%
Financials
18.14%
Consumer Staples
27.26%

HOUSEHOLDING

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 844.680.6562.

DISCLOSURES

FTSE Russell (“Russell”) is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company. Neither Russell nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings or underlying data and no party may rely on any Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings and/or underlying data contained in this communication. No further distribution of Russell Data is permitted without Russell’s express written consent. Russell does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

TOP TEN HOLDINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Top 10
%
Post Holdings, Inc.
7.92%
Clarivate PLC
6.34%
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
5.20%
GFL Environmental Inc.
5.18%
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV - ADR
4.78%
US Foods Holding Corp.
4.66%
Molson Coors Beverage Co.
4.61%
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
4.20%
FedEx Corp.
3.82%
Willis Towers Watson PLC
3.69%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
50.40%
Image

Clarkston Founders Fund - Founders Class : CFMDX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Phone: 844.680.6562

02110A498–SA–03312025

CLARKSTON FOUNDERS FUND 

Institutional Class: CIMDX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

Image

FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Clarkston Founders Fund - Institutional Class for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-founders-fund. You can also request this information by contacting us at 844.680.6562.

WHAT WERE THE FUND'S COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Clarkston Founders Fund - Institutional Class
$45
0.90%

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS?

During the six-month period ended March 31, 2025, the Fund’s Institutional Class had a return of -1.31% compared to -2.81% for the Russell Midcap® Index and -2.21% for the Russell® 3000 Index. 

 

Three largest contributors to the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA), a provider of an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at institutions in the United States 

  • GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL), a provider of non-hazardous solid waste management and environmental services in Canada and the United States 

  • Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD), a media and entertainment company that operates worldwide 

Three largest detractors from the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • Clarivate Plc (CLVT), an information services provider in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Asia Pacific that operates through three segments: Academia & Government, Life Sciences & Healthcare, and Intellectual Property 

  • Avantor, Inc. (AVTR), a provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education and government, advanced technologies, and applied materials industries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa 

  • Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (LW), a company that engages in the production, distribution, and marketing of frozen potato products in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally that offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM SINCE INCEPTION? 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $10,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Clarkston Founders Fund - Institutional - $18,493
Russell 3000® Index - $26,917
Russell Midcap® Index - $21,298
1/31/2017
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
3/31/2017
$10,270.00
$10,378.98
$10,266.89
9/30/2017
$10,640.00
$11,180.72
$10,910.60
3/31/2018
$11,084.57
$11,812.65
$11,519.28
9/30/2018
$11,385.78
$13,146.27
$12,435.94
3/31/2019
$11,364.13
$12,848.21
$12,264.58
9/30/2019
$11,990.90
$13,529.83
$12,832.06
3/31/2020
$10,244.09
$11,675.76
$10,019.36
9/30/2020
$13,110.31
$15,559.49
$13,416.23
3/31/2021
$17,258.65
$18,976.41
$17,397.37
9/30/2021
$16,165.93
$20,519.14
$18,528.86
3/31/2022
$17,110.29
$21,239.23
$18,601.47
9/30/2022
$14,753.59
$16,902.16
$14,935.38
3/31/2023
$16,475.41
$19,416.87
$16,967.88
9/30/2023
$16,154.61
$20,360.55
$16,943.58
3/31/2024
$18,459.07
$25,104.70
$20,759.50
9/30/2024
$18,738.58
$27,526.15
$21,912.85
3/31/2025
$18,493.42
$26,917.01
$21,298.16

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Institutional
1 Year
5 Year
Since Inception
Clarkston Founders Fund - Institutional Class (Incept. January 31, 2017)
0.19%
12.54%
7.82%
Russell 3000® Index
7.22%
18.18%
12.90%
Russell Midcap® Index
2.59%
16.28%
9.71%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance. The table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Call 844.680.6562 for current month-end performance.

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$778,822,536
  • # of Portfolio Holdings (excluding cash)25
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate12%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-founders-fund.

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
11.02%
Technology
7.39%
Health Care
9.57%
Consumer Discretionary
10.02%
Industrials
16.60%
Financials
18.14%
Consumer Staples
27.26%

HOUSEHOLDING

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 844.680.6562.

DISCLOSURES

FTSE Russell (“Russell”) is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company. Neither Russell nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings or underlying data and no party may rely on any Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings and/or underlying data contained in this communication. No further distribution of Russell Data is permitted without Russell’s express written consent. Russell does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

TOP TEN HOLDINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Top 10
%
Post Holdings, Inc.
7.92%
Clarivate PLC
6.34%
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
5.20%
GFL Environmental Inc.
5.18%
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV - ADR
4.78%
US Foods Holding Corp.
4.66%
Molson Coors Beverage Co.
4.61%
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
4.20%
FedEx Corp.
3.82%
Willis Towers Watson PLC
3.69%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
50.40%
Image

Clarkston Founders Fund - Institutional Class : CIMDX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Phone: 844.680.6562

02110A647–SA–03312025

CLARKSTON FUND 

Institutional Class: CILGX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

Image

FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Clarkston Fund Institutional Class for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-fund. You can also request this information by contacting us at 844.680.6562.

WHAT WERE THE FUND'S COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Clarkston Fund - Institutional Class
$32
0.65%

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS?

During the six-month period ended March 31, 2025, the Fund had a return of -2.42% compared to -1.87% for the Russell 1000® Index and -2.21% for the Russell® 3000 Index. 

 

Three largest contributors to the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA), a provider of an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at institutions in the United States 

  • Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD), a media and entertainment company that operates worldwide 

  • Capital One Financial Corporation (COF), a financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom 

Three largest detractors from the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • Clarivate Plc (CLVT), an information services provider in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Asia Pacific that operates through three segments: Academia & Government, Life Sciences & Healthcare, and Intellectual Property 

  • Avantor, Inc. (AVTR), a provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education and government, advanced technologies, and applied materials industries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa 

  • IQVIA Holdings Inc. (IQV), a provider of clinical research services, commercial insights, and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM SINCE INCEPTION? 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $10,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Clarkston Fund - $20,786
Russell 3000® Index - $30,440
Russell 1000® Index - $31,203
4/1/2016
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
9/30/2016
$10,520.00
$10,651.67
$10,602.18
3/31/2017
$11,271.84
$11,737.55
$11,671.67
9/30/2017
$11,585.22
$12,644.23
$12,567.65
3/31/2018
$11,726.63
$13,358.88
$13,303.22
9/30/2018
$12,279.68
$14,867.07
$14,800.28
3/31/2019
$12,661.47
$14,530.00
$14,540.54
9/30/2019
$13,620.34
$15,300.84
$15,373.48
3/31/2020
$10,996.41
$13,204.07
$13,373.48
9/30/2020
$13,731.26
$17,596.17
$17,835.26
3/31/2021
$18,393.09
$21,460.36
$21,476.10
9/30/2021
$17,862.05
$23,205.03
$23,357.70
3/31/2022
$18,728.70
$24,019.37
$24,325.99
9/30/2022
$15,301.96
$19,114.60
$19,336.61
3/31/2023
$18,053.88
$21,958.47
$22,284.19
9/30/2023
$17,909.66
$23,025.67
$23,434.76
3/31/2024
$21,233.99
$28,390.82
$28,940.02
9/30/2024
$21,301.83
$31,129.23
$31,796.23
3/31/2025
$20,785.56
$30,440.35
$31,203.36

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Institutional
1 Year
5 Year
Since Inception
Clarkston Fund - Institutional Class (Incept. April 1, 2016)
-2.11%
13.58%
8.47%
Russell 3000® Index
7.22%
18.18%
13.17%
Russell 1000® Index
7.82%
18.47%
13.48%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance. The table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Call 844.680.6562 for current month-end performance.

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$179,447,666
  • # of Portfolio Holdings (excluding cash)27
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate8%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-fund.

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
13.57%
Telecommunications
3.50%
Technology
6.01%
Consumer Discretionary
9.32%
Health Care
9.64%
Financials
15.36%
Industrials
15.81%
Consumer Staples
26.79%

HOUSEHOLDING

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 844.680.6562.

DISCLOSURES

FTSE Russell (“Russell”) is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company. Neither Russell nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings or underlying data and no party may rely on any Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings and/or underlying data contained in this communication. No further distribution of Russell Data is permitted without Russell’s express written consent. Russell does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

TOP TEN HOLDINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Top 10
%
Post Holdings, Inc.
6.61%
Clarivate PLC
6.01%
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV - ADR
6.00%
US Foods Holding Corp.
4.74%
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
4.40%
FedEx Corp.
4.01%
Molson Coors Beverage Co.
3.90%
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
3.80%
Avantor, Inc.
3.61%
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
3.56%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
46.64%
Image

Clarkston Fund - Institutional Class : CILGX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Phone: 844.680.6562

02110A662–SA–03312025

CLARKSTON PARTNERS FUND 

Founders Class: CFSMX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

Image

FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Clarkston Partners Fund - Founders Class for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-partners-fund. You can also request this information by contacting us at 844.680.6562

WHAT WERE THE FUND'S COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Clarkston Partners Fund - Founders Class
$41
0.85%

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS?

During the six-month period ended March 31, 2025, the Fund’s Founders Class had a return of -6.11% compared to -6.93% for the Russell 2500TM Index and -2.21% for the Russell® 3000 Index. 

 

Three largest contributors to the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA), a provider of an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at institutions in the United States 

  • GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL), a provider of non-hazardous solid waste management and environmental services in Canada and the United States 

  • Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO), a company that markets and sells insurance products and services in the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and internationally that operates through four segments: Retail, Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services 

Three largest detractors from the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • Clarivate Plc (CLVT), an information services provider in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Asia Pacific that operates through three segments: Academia & Government, Life Sciences & Healthcare, and Intellectual Property 

  • Leslie's, Inc. (LESL), a company that operates as a direct-to-consumer pool and spa care brand in the United States that markets and sells pool and spa supplies and related products and services 

  • Avantor, Inc. (AVTR), a provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education and government, advanced technologies, and applied materials industries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM SINCE INCEPTION? 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $10,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Clarkston Partners Fund - Founders - $20,091
Russell 3000® Index - $31,756
Russell 2500™ Index - $21,817
9/15/2015
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
9/30/2015
$9,700.00
$9,665.53
$9,498.31
3/31/2016
$10,417.33
$10,370.99
$9,848.18
9/30/2016
$11,128.51
$11,111.89
$10,869.43
3/31/2017
$11,940.92
$12,244.68
$11,968.39
9/30/2017
$12,559.25
$13,190.54
$12,803.44
3/31/2018
$13,200.13
$13,936.07
$13,441.98
9/30/2018
$13,652.11
$15,509.42
$14,876.68
3/31/2019
$13,488.32
$15,157.78
$14,044.62
9/30/2019
$14,127.99
$15,961.93
$14,275.04
3/31/2020
$11,825.29
$13,774.57
$10,888.60
9/30/2020
$14,435.32
$18,356.44
$14,591.80
3/31/2021
$20,127.60
$22,387.58
$20,623.06
9/30/2021
$18,689.92
$24,207.63
$21,162.24
3/31/2022
$19,810.73
$25,057.15
$20,693.43
9/30/2022
$17,509.66
$19,940.47
$16,695.43
3/31/2023
$19,196.19
$22,907.21
$18,543.58
9/30/2023
$18,775.22
$24,020.53
$18,579.37
3/31/2024
$21,311.28
$29,617.48
$22,517.74
9/30/2024
$21,398.74
$32,474.21
$23,440.98
3/31/2025
$20,091.13
$31,755.57
$21,817.36

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Founders
1 Year
5 Year
Since Inception
Clarkston Partners Fund - Founders Class (Incept. September 15, 2015)
-5.73%
11.18%
7.59%
Russell 3000® Index
7.22%
18.18%
12.87%
Russell 2500™ Index
-3.11%
14.91%
8.52%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance. The table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Call 844.680.6562 for current month-end performance.

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$1,049,289,614
  • # of Portfolio Holdings (excluding cash)24
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate12%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-partners-fund.

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
7.83%
Telecommunications
3.04%
Consumer Discretionary
7.43%
Technology
7.68%
Health Care
10.79%
Industrials
13.94%
Financials
17.66%
Consumer Staples
31.63%

HOUSEHOLDING

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 844.680.6562.

DISCLOSURES

FTSE Russell (“Russell”) is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company. Neither Russell nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings or underlying data and no party may rely on any Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings and/or underlying data contained in this communication. No further distribution of Russell Data is permitted without Russell’s express written consent. Russell does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

TOP TEN HOLDINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Top 10
%
Post Holdings, Inc.
9.34%
Clarivate PLC
6.60%
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
6.33%
Molson Coors Beverage Co.
5.66%
LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
5.46%
US Foods Holding Corp.
5.02%
GFL Environmental Inc.
5.00%
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
4.25%
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
4.06%
Energizer Holdings, Inc.
3.92%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
55.64%
Image

Clarkston Partners Fund - Founders Class : CFSMX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Phone: 844.680.6562

02110A670–SA–03312025

CLARKSTON PARTNERS FUND 

Institutional Class: CISMX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

Image

FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Clarkston Partners Fund - Institutional Class for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-partners-fund. You can also request this information by contacting us at 844.680.6562

WHAT WERE THE FUND'S COSTS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Clarkston Partners Fund - Institutional Class
$45
0.94%

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS?

During the six-month period ended March 31, 2025, the Fund’s Institutional Class had a return of -6.13% compared to -6.93% for the Russell 2500TM Index and -2.21% for the Russell® 3000 Index. 

 

Three largest contributors to the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA), a provider of an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at institutions in the United States 

  • GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL), a provider of non-hazardous solid waste management and environmental services in Canada and the United States 

  • Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO), a company that markets and sells insurance products and services in the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and internationally that operates through four segments: Retail, Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services 

Three largest detractors from the Fund’s performance for the period: 

  • Clarivate Plc (CLVT), an information services provider in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Asia Pacific that operates through three segments: Academia & Government, Life Sciences & Healthcare, and Intellectual Property 

  • Leslie's, Inc. (LESL), a company that operates as a direct-to-consumer pool and spa care brand in the United States that markets and sells pool and spa supplies and related products and services 

  • Avantor, Inc. (AVTR), a provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education and government, advanced technologies, and applied materials industries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa

 

HOW DID THE FUND PERFORM SINCE INCEPTION? 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $25,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Clarkston Partners Fund - Institutional Class - $49,732
Russell 3000® Index - $79,389
Russell 2500™ Index - $54,543
9/15/2015
$25,000.00
$25,000.00
$25,000.00
3/31/2016
$26,005.94
$25,927.48
$24,620.46
3/31/2017
$29,776.87
$30,611.70
$29,920.97
3/31/2018
$32,884.06
$34,840.16
$33,604.94
3/31/2019
$33,562.83
$37,894.46
$35,111.56
3/31/2020
$29,400.48
$34,436.43
$27,221.49
3/31/2021
$49,960.98
$55,968.95
$51,557.64
3/31/2022
$49,151.48
$62,642.88
$51,733.58
3/31/2023
$47,570.70
$57,268.02
$46,358.95
3/31/2024
$52,759.84
$74,043.70
$56,294.35
3/31/2025
$49,732.04
$79,388.91
$54,543.39

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Institutional
1 Year
5 Year
Since Inception
Clarkston Partners Fund - Institutional Class (Incept. September 15, 2015)
-5.74%
11.09%
7.47%
Russell 3000® Index
7.22%
18.18%
12.87%
Russell 2500™ Index
-3.11%
14.91%
8.52%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance. The table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Call 844.680.6562 for current month-end performance.

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$1,049,289,614
  • # of Portfolio Holdings (excluding cash)24
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate12%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://www.clarkstonfunds.com/literature/clarkston-partners-fund.

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
7.83%
Telecommunications
3.04%
Consumer Discretionary
7.43%
Technology
7.68%
Health Care
10.79%
Industrials
13.94%
Financials
17.66%
Consumer Staples
31.63%

HOUSEHOLDING

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent 844.680.6562.

DISCLOSURES

FTSE Russell (“Russell”) is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company. Neither Russell nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings or underlying data and no party may rely on any Russell Indexes and/or Russell ratings and/or underlying data contained in this communication. No further distribution of Russell Data is permitted without Russell’s express written consent. Russell does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

TOP TEN HOLDINGS (as a % of Net Assets)

Top 10
%
Post Holdings, Inc.
9.34%
Clarivate PLC
6.60%
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.
6.33%
Molson Coors Beverage Co.
5.66%
LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
5.46%
US Foods Holding Corp.
5.02%
GFL Environmental Inc.
5.00%
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
4.25%
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.
4.06%
Energizer Holdings, Inc.
3.92%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
55.64%
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Clarkston Partners Fund - Institutional Class : CISMX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Phone: 844.680.6562

02110A688–SA–03312025

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Hillman Value Fund 

HCMAX

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT - March 31, 2025

Fund Overview

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Hillman Value Fund for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://hcmfunds.com/resources. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1-855-400-5944.

 

What were the Fund’s cost for the last six months? 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

FUND NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Hillman Value Fund
$47
0.95%

How did the Fund perform in the last six months? 

For the six months ending March 31, 2025, the Hillman Value Fund returned -2.98% versus a return of 0.11% for the Russell 1000 Value Total Return Index. While the fund experienced near-term underperformance, it is our view that investment in enterprises which we believe possess sustainable competitive advantages, coupled with strict adherence to a fundamentally sound valuation discipline, will help to support performance over the long-term. The Fund enjoyed strong performance in the Communication Services and Industrials Sectors. The Consumer Staples, Materials, Information Technology, and Health Care Sectors negatively impacted results. The premiums generated from option writing nominally benefited performance.

How has the Fund performed last 10 years?

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON $10,000 INVESTMENT

Growth of 10K Chart
Hillman Value Fund - $25,947
FT Wilshire 5000 Index - TR - $31,053
Russell 1000® Value Index TR - $23,230
3/31/2015
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
9/30/2015
$9,115.68
$9,317.58
$9,170.43
3/31/2016
$9,953.09
$10,026.37
$9,845.91
9/30/2016
$10,545.80
$10,747.25
$10,655.58
3/31/2017
$11,823.10
$11,867.03
$11,738.60
9/30/2017
$12,486.81
$12,781.32
$12,267.00
3/31/2018
$12,761.30
$13,494.51
$12,554.18
9/30/2018
$14,197.44
$15,030.77
$13,426.23
3/31/2019
$14,756.95
$14,693.41
$13,266.56
9/30/2019
$15,799.62
$15,467.03
$13,963.37
3/31/2020
$12,825.63
$13,380.22
$10,988.91
9/30/2020
$15,157.02
$17,808.79
$13,261.73
3/31/2021
$20,564.78
$21,707.69
$17,152.30
9/30/2021
$21,680.20
$23,570.33
$17,904.92
3/31/2022
$22,704.48
$24,550.55
$19,153.77
9/30/2022
$17,874.77
$19,523.08
$15,870.38
3/31/2023
$21,634.83
$22,427.47
$18,021.11
9/30/2023
$21,681.39
$23,520.88
$18,161.78
3/31/2024
$26,462.48
$28,990.11
$21,673.64
9/30/2024
$26,742.47
$31,794.51
$23,203.76
3/31/2025
$25,946.51
$31,052.75
$23,229.91

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Fund
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Hillman Value Fund
-1.95%
15.13%
10.00%
FT Wilshire 5000 Index - TR
7.11%
18.34%
12.00%
Russell 1000® Value Index TR
7.18%
16.15%
8.79%

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$141,870,338
  • # of Portfolio Holdings39
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate25%

The Fund’s past performance is not a good predictor of the Fund’s future performance. The "Average Annual Total Return" table and graph presented above do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. 

Call 1-855-400-5994 for current month-end performance.

What did the Fund invest in?

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS

(% of Net Assets)

Group By Sector Chart
Value
Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
3.69%
Industrials
2.50%
Consumer Discretionary
5.18%
Materials
7.47%
Financials
7.52%
Information Technology
14.45%
Communication Services
15.55%
Health Care
20.35%
Consumer Staples
23.29%

ASSET CLASS WEIGHTINGS

(% of Net Assets)

Group By Asset Type Chart
Value
Value
Common Stock
96.31%
Cash, Cash Equivalents, & Other Net Assets
3.69%

TOP TEN HOLDINGS

(% of Net Assets)

Top 10
%
The Campbell's Company
2.70%
AT&T, Inc.
2.67%
Verizon Communications, Inc.
2.67%
CarMax, Inc.
2.66%
Hershey Co.
2.63%
Kraft Heinz Co.
2.62%
Conagra Brands, Inc.
2.61%
Constellation Brands, Inc.
2.61%
Baxter International, Inc.
2.61%
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
2.60%
Total % of Top 10 Holdings
26.38%

Material Fund Changes 

 

There have been no material Fund changes during the reporting period.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

Availability of Additional Information

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://hcmfunds.com/resources.

Householding

If you have consented to receive a single annual or semi-annual shareholder report at a shared address you may revoke this consent by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-855-400-5944.

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Hillman Value Fund — HCMAX

SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT - March 31, 2025

An image of a QR code that, when scanned, navigates the user to the following URL: https://hcmfunds.com/resources

Phone: 1-855-400-5944

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

02110A514–SA–03312025

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SEVEN CANYONS STRATEGIC GLOBAL FUND 

Investor: WASIX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

 

Image

FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund - Investor for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://sevencanyonsadvisors.com/investor-reports. You can also request this information by contacting us at

833-722-6966.

 

This report describes changes to the Fund that occurred during the reporting period.

 

 

WHAT WERE THE FUND’S COST FOR LAST SIX MONTHS? 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund - Investor
$68
1.40%

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$11,684,341
  • # of Portfolio Holdings26
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate119%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

On November 21, 2024, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), based upon the recommendation of Seven Canyons Advisors, LLC, the investment adviser to the Funds, approved the proposed reorganization of the Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund and the Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund, severally and not jointly (each a “Target Fund” and together the “Target Funds”) into the Hood River International Opportunity Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a series of Manager Directed Portfolios, (each, a “Reorganization” and together, the “Reorganizations”). Each Reorganization is subject to approval by shareholders of the applicable Target Fund. The effective date of the reorganization was April 4, 2025. 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://sevencanyonsadvisors.com/investor-reports.

Image

SEVEN CANYONS STRATEGIC GLOBAL FUND - Investor : WASIX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

 

Phone: 833-722-6966

02110A589–SA–03312025

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

SEVEN CANYONS WORLD INNOVATORS FUND 

Institutional: WIGTX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

 

Image

FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund - Institutional for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://sevencanyonsadvisors.com/investor-reports. You can also request this information by contacting us at

833-722-6966.

 

This report describes changes to the Fund that occurred during the reporting period.

 

 

WHAT WERE THE FUND’S COST FOR LAST SIX MONTHS? 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund - Institutional
$77
1.60%

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$36,129,346
  • # of Portfolio Holdings42
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate91%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

On November 21, 2024, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), based upon the recommendation of Seven Canyons Advisors, LLC, the investment adviser to the Funds, approved the proposed reorganization of the Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund and the Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund, severally and not jointly (each a “Target Fund” and together the “Target Funds”) into the Hood River International Opportunity Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a series of Manager Directed Portfolios, (each, a “Reorganization” and together, the “Reorganizations”). Each Reorganization is subject to approval by shareholders of the applicable Target Fund. 

 

The effective date of the reorganization was April 4, 2025. 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://sevencanyonsadvisors.com/investor-reports.

Image

SEVEN CANYONS WORLD INNOVATORS FUND - Institutional : WIGTX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

 

Phone: 833-722-6966

02110A563–SA–03312025

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

SEVEN CANYONS WORLD INNOVATORS FUND 

Investor: WAGTX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

 

Image

FUND OVERVIEW

This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund - Investor for the period of October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

 

You can find additional information about the Fund at https://sevencanyonsadvisors.com/investor-reports. You can also request this information by contacting us at

833-722-6966.

 

This report describes changes to the Fund that occurred during the reporting period.

 

 

WHAT WERE THE FUND’S COST FOR LAST SIX MONTHS? 

(based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) 

CLASS NAME
COST OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
COST PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund - Investor
$82
1.70%

FUND STATISTICS

  • Total Net Assets$36,129,346
  • # of Portfolio Holdings42
  • Portfolio Turnover Rate91%

MATERIAL FUND CHANGES

 

On November 21, 2024, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), based upon the recommendation of Seven Canyons Advisors, LLC, the investment adviser to the Funds, approved the proposed reorganization of the Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund and the Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund, severally and not jointly (each a “Target Fund” and together the “Target Funds”) into the Hood River International Opportunity Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a series of Manager Directed Portfolios, (each, a “Reorganization” and together, the “Reorganizations”). Each Reorganization is subject to approval by shareholders of the applicable Target Fund. 

 

The effective date of the reorganization was April 4, 2025. 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

There have been no changes in or disagreements with the Fund's independent accounting firm during the reporting period.

AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, can be found by visiting https://sevencanyonsadvisors.com/investor-reports.

Image

SEVEN CANYONS WORLD INNOVATORS FUND - Investor : WAGTX

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report - March 31, 2025

 

Phone: 833-722-6966

02110A571–SA–03312025

Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.

  (b) Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual report.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual report.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual report.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable to the registrant. 

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

  (a) Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Reports to Stockholders filed under Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.

 

  (b) Not applicable.

 

 

 

Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies.

 

   

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Portfolio of Investments 1
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 5
Statements of Operations 6
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 7
Financial Highlights 8
Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights 10
Additional Information 21
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants 22
Proxy Disclosures 23
Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers and Others 24
Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement 25

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Portfolio of Investments
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Counterparty   Expiration
Date
  Strike
Price
    Contracts     Notional
Value
    Value
(Note 2)
 
PURCHASED OPTION CONTRACTS - (106.91%)                        
Call Option Contracts (102.24%)(a)(b)                                
S&P 500® Mini Index:                                    
Goldman Sachs   04/14/2025   $ 67.30       550     $ 30,865,450     $ 27,162,410  
Goldman Sachs   04/14/2025     69.00       120       6,734,280       5,906,159  
Goldman Sachs   04/14/2025     512.74       550       30,865,450       2,745,437  
Goldman Sachs   04/14/2025     530.09       120       6,734,280       404,817  
Goldman Sachs   05/14/2025     69.00       545       30,584,855       26,821,600  
Goldman Sachs   05/14/2025     70.80       100       5,611,900       4,903,491  
Goldman Sachs   05/14/2025     530.09       545       30,584,855       2,123,985  
Goldman Sachs   05/14/2025     544.28       100       5,611,900       276,309  
Goldman Sachs   06/13/2025     70.80       570       31,987,830       27,938,505  
Goldman Sachs   06/13/2025     72.00       55       3,086,545       2,689,306  
Goldman Sachs   06/13/2025     544.28       570       31,987,830       1,847,358  
Goldman Sachs   06/13/2025     552.90       55       3,086,545       142,045  
Goldman Sachs   07/14/2025     73.55       635       35,635,565       30,952,466  
Goldman Sachs   07/14/2025     563.10       635       35,635,565       1,477,322  
Goldman Sachs   08/14/2025     72.00       650       36,477,350       31,778,557  
Goldman Sachs   08/14/2025     552.90       650       36,477,350       2,199,139  
Goldman Sachs   09/12/2025     73.42       640       35,916,160       31,186,291  
Goldman Sachs   09/12/2025     561.07       640       35,916,160       2,023,080  
Goldman Sachs   10/14/2025     76.10       615       34,513,185       29,805,341  
Goldman Sachs   10/14/2025     584.16       615       34,513,185       1,321,381  
Goldman Sachs   11/14/2025     78.25       500       28,059,500       24,119,177  
Goldman Sachs   11/14/2025     600.94       500       28,059,500       811,145  
Goldman Sachs   12/12/2025     78.25       285       15,993,915       13,740,279  
Goldman Sachs   12/12/2025     79.78       240       13,468,560       11,535,080  
Goldman Sachs   12/12/2025     600.94       285       15,993,915       522,070  
Goldman Sachs   12/12/2025     611.12       240       13,468,560       335,843  
Goldman Sachs   01/14/2026     73.53       200       11,223,800       9,741,268  
Goldman Sachs   01/14/2026     79.78       330       18,519,270       15,873,343  
Goldman Sachs   01/14/2026     565.09       200       11,223,800       816,928  
Goldman Sachs   01/14/2026     611.12       330       18,519,270       541,583  
Goldman Sachs   02/13/2026     73.53       450       25,253,550       21,909,241  
Goldman Sachs   02/13/2026     565.09       450       25,253,550       1,947,644  
                          727,863,430       335,598,600  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.  
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 1

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Portfolio of Investments
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Counterparty   Expiration Date   Strike
Price
    Contracts     Notional
Value
    Value
(Note 2)
 
PURCHASED OPTION CONTRACTS - (106.91%) (continued)                
Put Option Contracts (4.68%)                        
S&P 500® Mini Index:                                    
Goldman Sachs   04/14/2025   $ 512.74       550     $ 30,865,450     $ 41,061  
Goldman Sachs   04/14/2025     530.09       120       6,734,280       21,778  
Goldman Sachs   05/14/2025     530.09       545       30,584,855       296,721  
Goldman Sachs   05/14/2025     544.28       100       5,611,900       82,168  
Goldman Sachs   06/13/2025     544.28       570       31,987,830       651,196  
Goldman Sachs   06/13/2025     552.90       55       3,086,545       74,498  
Goldman Sachs   07/14/2025     563.10       635       35,635,565       1,228,146  
Goldman Sachs   08/14/2025     552.90       650       36,477,350       1,185,899  
Goldman Sachs   09/12/2025     561.07       640       35,916,160       1,456,244  
Goldman Sachs   10/14/2025     584.16       615       34,513,185       2,065,217  
Goldman Sachs   11/14/2025     600.94       500       28,059,500       2,160,808  
Goldman Sachs   12/12/2025     600.94       285       15,993,915       1,257,320  
Goldman Sachs   12/12/2025     611.12       240       13,468,560       1,192,414  
Goldman Sachs   01/14/2026     565.09       200       11,223,800       597,071  
Goldman Sachs   01/14/2026     611.12       330       18,519,270       1,649,943  
Goldman Sachs   02/13/2026     565.09       450       25,253,550       1,397,432  
                          363,931,715       15,357,916  
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTION CONTRACTS                          
(Cost $359,342,877)                       $ 1,091,795,145     $ 350,956,516  

 

    7 Day Yield     Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (1.04%)                        
Money Market Funds                        
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds - Treasury Instruments Fund(c)     3.935 %     768,376     $ 768,376  
Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust Government & Agency Portfolio - Institutional Class     4.272 %     2,655,409       2,655,409  
                      3,423,785  
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS                        
(Cost $3,423,785)                     3,423,785  
                         
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (107.95%)                        
(Cost $362,766,662)                   $ 354,380,301  
                         
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-7.95%)                     (26,112,889 )
                         
NET ASSETS (100.00%)                   $ 328,267,412  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
2 www.beacontrust.com

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Portfolio of Investments
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

(a) Held in connection with written option contracts.
(b) Non-income producing
(c) $768,376 is held as collateral at broker for written options.

 

WRITTEN OPTION CONTRACTS (7.74%)

Counterparty   Expiration
Date
  Strike
Price
    Contracts     Premiums Received     Notional
Value
    Value
(Note 2)
 
Put Option Contracts - (2.07%)                              
S&P 500® Mini Index:                                            
Goldman Sachs   04/14/25   $ 461.47       (550 )   $ 686,924     $ (30,865,450 )   $ (11,968 )
Goldman Sachs   04/14/25     477.08       (120 )     110,634       (6,734,280 )     (3,980 )
Goldman Sachs   05/14/25     477.08       (545 )     547,699       (30,584,855 )     (73,752 )
Goldman Sachs   05/14/25     489.85       (100 )     100,095       (5,611,900 )     (17,910 )
Goldman Sachs   06/13/25     489.85       (570 )     618,423       (31,987,830 )     (195,160 )
Goldman Sachs   06/13/25     497.61       (55 )     61,817       (3,086,545 )     (21,265 )
Goldman Sachs   07/14/25     506.79       (635 )     742,920       (35,635,565 )     (421,846 )
Goldman Sachs   08/14/25     497.61       (650 )     856,020       (36,477,350 )     (466,673 )
Goldman Sachs   09/12/25     504.96       (640 )     986,210       (35,916,160 )     (616,866 )
Goldman Sachs   10/14/25     525.74       (615 )     961,216       (34,513,185 )     (919,591 )
Goldman Sachs   11/14/25     540.85       (500 )     656,978       (28,059,500 )     (1,007,274 )
Goldman Sachs   12/12/25     540.85       (285 )     402,977       (15,993,915 )     (610,881 )
Goldman Sachs   12/12/25     550.01       (240 )     307,908       (13,468,560 )     (576,536 )
Goldman Sachs   01/14/26     508.58       (200 )     288,389       (11,223,800 )     (303,394 )
Goldman Sachs   01/14/26     550.01       (330 )     460,003       (18,519,270 )     (825,988 )
Goldman Sachs   02/13/26     508.58       (450 )     694,326       (25,253,550 )     (731,562 )
                          8,482,539       (363,931,715 )     (6,804,646 )
Call Option Contracts - (5.67%)                                            
S&P 500® Mini Index:                                            
Goldman Sachs   04/14/25     542.38       (1,100 )     2,870,948       (61,730,900 )     (2,507,397 )
Goldman Sachs   04/14/25     555.69       (240 )     547,429       (13,468,560 )     (317,439 )
Goldman Sachs   05/14/25     557.81       (1,090 )     2,608,319       (61,169,710 )     (1,972,668 )
Goldman Sachs   05/14/25     570.13       (200 )     461,791       (11,223,800 )     (216,113 )
Goldman Sachs   06/13/25     572.47       (1,140 )     2,769,007       (63,975,660 )     (1,608,373 )
Goldman Sachs   06/13/25     576.95       (110 )     246,615       (6,173,090 )     (125,775 )
Goldman Sachs   07/14/25     591.87       (1,270 )     3,238,441       (71,271,130 )     (1,075,111 )
Goldman Sachs   08/14/25     580.93       (1,300 )     3,216,139       (72,954,700 )     (2,190,691 )
Goldman Sachs   09/12/25     588.67       (1,280 )     3,261,378       (71,832,320 )     (2,043,672 )
Goldman Sachs   10/14/25     613.19       (1,230 )     3,328,321       (69,026,370 )     (1,103,285 )
Goldman Sachs   11/14/25     626.66       (1,000 )     2,560,955       (56,119,000 )     (708,198 )
Goldman Sachs   12/12/25     628.46       (570 )     1,533,844       (31,987,830 )     (464,080 )
Goldman Sachs   12/12/25     635.93       (480 )     1,212,455       (26,937,120 )     (300,618 )
Goldman Sachs   01/14/26     590.58       (400 )     1,090,379       (22,447,600 )     (1,044,654 )
Goldman Sachs   01/14/26     638.62       (660 )     1,747,646       (37,038,540 )     (480,071 )

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.  
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 3

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Portfolio of Investments
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Counterparty   Expiration
Date
  Strike
Price
    Contracts     Premiums
Received
    Notional
Value
    Value
(Note 2)
 
Goldman Sachs   02/13/26   $ 592.84       (900 )   $ 2,565,852     $ (50,507,100 )   $ (2,457,791 )
                          33,259,519       (727,863,430 )     (18,615,936 )
                                             
TOTAL WRITTEN OPTION CONTRACTS               $ 41,742,058     $ (1,091,795,145 )   $ (25,420,582 )

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
4 www.beacontrust.com

   

 

Beacon Planned  
Return Strategy Fund Statements of Assets and Liabilities
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    BEACON
PLANNED RETURN
STRATEGY FUND
 
ASSETS:        
Investments, at value (Cost $362,766,662)   $ 354,380,301  
Receivable for shares sold     25,025  
Dividends and interest receivable     395  
Other assets     21,374  
Total Assets     354,427,095  
         
LIABILITIES:        
Written options, at value (premiums received $41,742,058)     25,420,582  
Payable for administration and transfer agent fees     136,586  
Payable for shares redeemed     258,842  
Payable to adviser     281,377  
Payable for distribution and service fees     25,915  
Payable for printing fees     795  
Payable for professional fees     21,826  
Payable for trustees' fees and expenses     1,520  
Payable to Chief Compliance Officer fees     3,592  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     8,648  
Total Liabilities     26,159,683  
NET ASSETS   $ 328,267,412  
         
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:        
Paid-in capital (Note 6)   $ 327,812,956  
Total distributable earnings     454,456  
NET ASSETS   $ 328,267,412  
         
PRICING OF SHARES(a)        
Institutional Class :        
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 9.85  
Net Assets   $ 328,267,412  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     33,316,029  

 

(a) A 2% redemption fee is applied to any shares sold or exchanged within 60 days of purchase.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.  
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 5

   

 


Beacon Planned
 
Return Strategy Fund Statements of Operations
For the Period Ended March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    BEACON
PLANNED RETURN
STRATEGY FUND
 
INVESTMENT INCOME:        
Dividends   $ 168,982  
Total Investment Income     168,982  
         
EXPENSES:        
Investment advisory fees (Note 7)     1,733,020  
Administration fees     207,081  
Shareholder service fees        
Institutional Class     73,652  
Custody fees     2,730  
Legal fees     10,327  
Audit and tax fees     10,368  
Transfer agent fees     34,331  
Trustees' fees and expenses     18,302  
Registration and filing fees     7,298  
Printing fees     3,718  
Chief Compliance Officer fees     15,531  
Insurance fees     5,218  
Other expenses     5,231  
Total Expenses     2,126,807  
NET INVESTMENT LOSS     (1,957,825 )
         
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND WRITTEN OPTIONS:        
Net realized gain/(loss) on:        
Investments     (71,377,397 )
Written options contracts     92,187,430  
Net realized gain     20,810,033  
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:        
Investments     (91,501,360 )
Written options contracts     75,168,233  
Net change     (16,333,127 )
         
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS AND WRITTEN OPTIONS     4,476,906  
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ 2,519,081  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
6 www.beacontrust.com

   

 

Beacon Planned  
Return Strategy Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2024
 
OPERATIONS:                
Net investment loss   $ (1,957,825 )   $ (4,124,557 )
Net realized gain on investments and written options     20,810,033       48,900,565  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and written options     (16,333,127 )     5,419,652  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     2,519,081       50,195,660  
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                
Institutional Class     (49,344,186 )     (20,445,278 )
Total distributions     (49,344,186 )     (20,445,278 )
                 
BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 6):                
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     36,917,766       15,846,387  
Dividends reinvested     43,042,161       18,074,605  
Shares redeemed     (89,108,912 )     (31,613,818 )
Net increase/(decrease) from beneficial share transactions     (9,148,985 )     2,307,174  
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets     (55,974,090 )     32,057,556  
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     384,241,502       352,183,946  
End of period   $ 328,267,412     $ 384,241,502  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.  
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 7

   

 

Beacon Planned  
Return Strategy Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment loss(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net realized gains on investments
Return of capital
Total Distributions
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
 
TOTAL RETURN(b)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses
Net investment loss
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
8 www.beacontrust.com

   

 

Beacon Planned  
Return Strategy Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period Presented

 

For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2024
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2023
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2022
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2021
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2020
 
$ 11.40     $ 10.52     $ 8.72     $ 11.13     $ 10.49     $ 10.44  
                                             
  (0.06 )     (0.12 )     (0.11 )     (0.12 )     (0.13 )     (0.12 )
  0.15       1.61       1.91       (0.85 )     1.31       0.85  
  0.09       1.49       1.80       (0.97 )     1.18       0.73  
                                             
  (1.64 )     (0.61 )           (1.41 )     (0.54 )     (0.68 )
                    (0.03 )            
  (1.64 )     (0.61 )           (1.44 )     (0.54 )     (0.68 )
  (1.55 )     0.88       1.80       (2.41 )     0.64       0.05  
$ 9.85     $ 11.40     $ 10.52     $ 8.72     $ 11.13     $ 10.49  
                                             
  0.70 %     14.70 %     20.64 %     (10.41 %)     11.53 %     7.21 %
                                             
$ 328,267     $ 384,242     $ 352,184     $ 306,278     $ 362,773     $ 315,389  
                                             
  1.23 %(c)      1.20 %     1.21 %     1.19 %     1.19 %     1.20 %
  (1.13 %)(c)      (1.12 %)     (1.14 %)     (1.18 %)     (1.19 %)     (1.19 %)
                                             
  0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %

 

(a) Calculated using the average shares method.
(b) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(c) Annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.  
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 9

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust consists of multiple separate portfolios or series. This annual report describes the Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund. The Fund is non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified Fund. The primary investment objectives of the Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund is to deliver capital preservation and capital appreciation. The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or "Trustees") may establish additional funds and classes of shares at any time in the future without shareholder approval.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies (“U.S. GAAP”). The Funds are considered investment companies under U.S. GAAP and follow the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in preparation of their financial statements.

 

Investment Valuation: The Fund generally values securities based on market prices determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

 

Flexible Exchange ("FLEX") Options are customized option contracts available through the Chicago Board Options Exchange ("CBOE"). Flexible Exchange Options are valued based on prices supplied by an independent third-party pricing service, which utilizes pricing models that incorporate various inputs such as interest rates, credit spreads, currency exchange rates and volatility measurements for in-the-money, at-the-money, and out-of-money contracts on a given strike price.

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end registered investment companies are valued at the investment company’s applicable net asset value (“NAV”). Money market funds, representing short-term investments, are valued at their NAV.

 

When such prices or quotations are not available, or when the valuation designee appointed by the Board believes that they are unreliable, securities may be priced using fair value procedures approved by the Board.

 

 

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Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Fair Value Measurements: The Fund disclose the classification of fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments. These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
   
Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly); and
   
Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value investments as of March 31, 2025:

 

BEACON PLANNED RETURN STRATEGY FUND

 

Investments in Securities at Value   Level 1 -
Unadjusted
Quoted Prices
    Level 2 - Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3 -
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
    Total  
Purchased Option Contracts   $     $ 350,956,516     $     $ 350,956,516  
Short Term Investments     3,423,785                   3,423,785  
Total   $ 3,423,785     $ 350,956,516     $     $ 354,380,301  

 

    Valuation Inputs        
Other Financial Instruments   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Liabilities                                
Written Option Contracts   $     $ (25,420,582 )   $     $ (25,420,582 )
Total   $     $ (25,420,582 )   $     $ (25,420,582 )

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 11

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

There were no Level 3 securities held during the six months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Cash & Cash Equivalents: The Fund considers investment in a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured interest bearing account to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus any accrued interest. The Fund maintains cash balances, which, at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Fund maintains these balances with a high quality financial institution.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk: The Fund places cash with a banking institution, which is insured by FDIC. The FDIC limit is $250,000. At various times throughout the year, the amount on deposit may exceed the FDIC limit and subject the Fund to a credit risk. The Fund does not believe that such deposits are subject to any unusual risk associated with investment activities.

 

Trust Expenses: Some expenses of the Trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses that cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among all funds in the Trust based on average net assets of each fund, including Trustees' fees and expenses.

 

Federal Income Taxes: The Fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and intend to distribute substantially all of their net taxable income and net capital gains, if any, each year so that they will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. The Fund is not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made.

 

As of and during the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. The Fund files U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns as required. The Fund's tax returns is subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return for federal purposes and four years for most state returns. The Fund's administrator has analyzed the Fund's tax positions and has concluded that as of March 31, 2025, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund's financial statements related to these tax positions.

 

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the investments are purchased or sold (trade date basis for financial reporting purposes). Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Interest income, which includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, is accrued and recorded as earned. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

 

Distributions to Shareholders: The Fund normally pays dividends, if any, and distributes capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. Income dividend distributions are derived from interest, dividends and other income the Fund receives from investments, including short-term capital gains. Long-term capital gain distributions are derived from gains realized when the Fund sells a security it has owned for more than one year. The Fund may make additional distributions and dividends at other times if its portfolio manager or managers believe doing so may be necessary for the Fund to avoid or reduce taxes. Net investment income/(loss) and net realized gain/(loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes.

 

 

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Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

3. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

 

The Fund's principal investment strategy permits it to enter into various types of derivatives contracts, including, but not limited to, futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, currency swaps and purchased and written options. In doing so, the Fund may employ strategies in differing combinations to permit it to increase, decrease, or change the level or types of exposure to market factors. Central to those strategies are features inherent in derivatives that make them more attractive for this purpose than equity or debt securities; they require little or no initial cash investment, they can focus exposure on only certain selected risk factors, and they may not require the ultimate receipt or delivery of the underlying security (or securities) to the contract. This may allow the Fund to pursue their objectives more quickly and efficiently than if they were to make direct purchases or sales of securities capable of affecting a similar response to market factors.

 

Risk of Investing in Derivatives: The Fund's use of derivatives can result in losses due to unanticipated changes in the market risk factors and the overall market. In instances where the Fund is using derivatives to decrease, or hedge, exposures to market risk factors for securities held, there are also risks that those derivatives may not perform as expected resulting in losses for the combined or hedged positions.

 

Derivatives may have little or no initial cash investment relative to their market value exposure and therefore can produce significant gains or losses in excess of their cost. This use of embedded leverage allows the Fund to increase market value exposure relative to net assets and can substantially increase the volatility of performance.

 

Additional associated risks from investing in derivatives also exist and potentially could have significant effects on the valuation of the derivative and the Fund. Typically, the associated risks are not the risks that the Fund is attempting to increase or decrease exposure to, per its investment objectives, but are the additional risks from investing in derivatives.

 

Examples of these associated risks are liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell or close out the derivative in a timely manner, and counterparty credit risk, which is the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. In addition, use of derivatives may increase or decrease exposure to the following risk factors:

 

Equity Risk: Equity risk relates to the change in value of equity securities as they relate to increases or decreases in the general market. Associated risks can be different for each type of derivative.

 

Option Contracts: The Fund may enter into options transactions for hedging purposes and for nonhedging purposes such as seeking to enhance return. The Fund may write covered put and call options on any stocks or stock indices, currencies traded on domestic and foreign securities exchanges, or futures contracts on stock indices, interest rates and currencies traded on domestic and, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, foreign exchanges. A call option on an asset written by a Fund obligates the Fund to sell the specified asset to the holder (purchaser) at a stated price (the exercise price) if the option is exercised before a specified date (the expiration date). A put option on an asset written by the Fund obligates the Fund to buy the specified asset from the purchaser at the exercise price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. Premiums received when writing options are recorded as liabilities and are subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options, which are either exercised or closed, are offset against the proceeds received or amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 13

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The Fund uses FLEX Options, which are customized equity or index option contracts that trade on an exchange, but that provide investors with the ability to customize key contract terms like exercise prices, styles and expiration dates. Like standardized exchange-traded options, FLEX Options are guaranteed for settlement by The Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”), a market clearinghouse. The OCC guarantees performance by each of the counterparties to the FLEX Options, becoming the “buyer for every seller and the seller for every buyer,” protecting clearing members and options traders from counterparty risk. FLEX Options provide investors with the ability to customize key terms, while achieving price discovery in competitive, transparent auctions markets and avoiding the counterparty exposure of Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) options positions. The Fund bears the risk that the OCC will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the FLEX Options contracts. Additionally, FLEX Options may be less liquid than certain other securities such as standardized options. In a less liquid market for the FLEX Options, the Funds may have difficulty closing out certain FLEX Options positions at desired times and prices.

 

Purchased Options: When the Fund purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid by the Fund is recorded as an investment and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the option purchased. If an option expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, a gain or loss is realized. If a call option is exercised, the cost of the security acquired is increased by the premium paid for the call. If a put option is exercised, a gain or loss is realized from the sale of the underlying security, and the proceeds from such sale are decreased by the premium originally paid. Purchased options are non-income producing securities.

 

Written Options: When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gain from written options. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the Fund. The Fund, as the writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.

 

 

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Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The average option contract notional amount during the six months ended March 31, 2025, is noted below. These are equity options which have an element of equity security risk.

 

Derivative Type   Unit of Measurement   Monthly Average  
Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund            
Purchased Option Contracts   Notional value of contracts outstanding   $ 1,044,869,642  
Written Option Contracts   Notional value of contracts outstanding   $ 1,044,869,642  

 

Derivative Instruments: The following tables disclose the amounts related to the Fund's use of derivative instruments.

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of March 31, 2025:

 

Risk Exposure   Statements of Assets
and Liabilities Location
  Fair Value of
Asset
Derivatives
    Statements of
Assets
and Liabilities
Location
  Fair Value of
Liability
Derivatives
 
Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund                    
Equity Contracts (Purchased Options/Written Options)   Investments, at value   $ 350,956,516     Written Options, at value   $ 25,420,582  
        $ 350,956,516         $ 25,420,582  

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 15

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the six months ended March 31, 2025:

 

Risk Exposure   Statements of Operations Location   Realized Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives
Recognized
in Income
    Change in Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Derivatives
Recognized in
Income
 
Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund                
Equity Contracts (Purchased Options)   Net realized gain/(loss) on investments/Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments   $ (71,377,397 )   $ (91,501,360 )
Equity Contracts (Written Options)   Net realized gain/(loss) on written option contracts/Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on written option contracts     92,187,430       75,168,233  
Total       $ 20,810,033     $ (16,333,127 )

 

4. TAX BASIS INFORMATION

 

 

Tax Basis of Distributions to Shareholders: The character of distributions made during the period from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to the timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the fiscal year in which the income or realized gain were recorded by the Funds. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end.

 

No distributions were paid by the Funds during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.

 

Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation on Investments and Derivative Instruments: As of March 31, 2025, the aggregate costs of investments, gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) and net unrealized appreciation of instruments and derivative instruments for federal tax purposes were as follows:

 

    Beacon Planned
Return Strategy Fund
 
Gross unrealized appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)(a)   $ 28,818,301  
Gross unrealized depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)(a)     (20,883,187 )
Net unrealized appreciation   $ 7,935,114  
Cost of investments for income tax purposes   $ 362,766,662  

 

 

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Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

5. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, during the six months ended March 31, 2025, were as follows:

 

      Purchases of Securities       Proceeds from Sales of
Securities
 
Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund   $     $  

 

6. BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

The capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value per share. Holders of the shares of the Fund have one vote for each share held and a proportionate fraction of a vote for each fractional share. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and are transferable and redeemable at the option of the shareholder. Shares have no pre-emptive rights. Neither the Fund nor any creditor have the right to require shareholders to pay any additional amounts solely because the shareholder owns the shares.

 

Shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase may incur a 2.00% short-term redemption fee deducted from the redemption amount. For the six months ended March 31, 2025, the redemption fees charged by the Fund, if any, is presented in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

Transactions in common shares were as follows:

 

    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
    For the Year Ended
September 30, 2024
 
Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund                
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     3,686,276       1,488,974  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     4,347,693       1,724,676  
Shares redeemed     (8,434,199 )     (2,967,716 )
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding     (400,230 )     245,934  

 

Control is defined by the 1940 Act as the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. Approximately 86% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are owned by one omnibus account. Share transaction activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 17

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

7. MANAGEMENT AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Investment Advisory: Beacon Investment Advisory Services, Inc. (the “Adviser”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio. The Adviser manages the investments of the Fund in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives, policies and limitations and investment guidelines established jointly by the Adviser and the Board.

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee that is based on average daily net assets. The management fee is paid on a monthly basis. The contractual management fee rate is 1.00% based on average daily net assets. The current term of the Advisory Agreement is one year. The Board may extend the Advisory Agreement for additional one-year terms. The Board and shareholders of the Fund may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 30 days’ written notice. The Adviser may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ notice.

 

Pursuant to a fee waiver letter agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), the Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the amount of the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, brokerage expenses, interest expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) to an annual rate of 1.40%. The Fee Waiver Agreement shall continue at least through January 31, 2026, and will automatically continue upon annual approval of the Board for successive twelve-month periods unless (i) it is terminated earlier by the Board, or (ii) the Adviser provides at least 30 days written notice of its non-continuance prior to the end of the then effective term. Except due to the Adviser’s notice of non-renewal, the Fee Waiver Agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the Board. The Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class-by-class basis, expenses it has borne through the Fee Waiver Agreement (whether through a reduction of its management fee or otherwise) only to the extent that each Fund’s expenses in later periods do not exceed the lesser of: (1) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser waives or limits the expenses; or (2) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser seeks to recover the expenses; provided, however, that the Fund will not be obligated to pay any such deferred fees or expenses more than three years after the date on which the fee or expense was reduced, as calculated on a monthly basis. There were no fees waived or reimbursed for the six months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Administrator: ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) (an affiliate of ALPS Distributors, Inc.) serves as administrator to the Fund. The Fund has agreed to pay expenses incurred in connection with its administrative activities. Pursuant to the Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement with the Trust, ALPS will provide operational services to the Fund including, but not limited to, fund accounting and fund administration and generally assist in the Fund’s operations. The Fund’s administration fee is accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly. The officers of the Trust are employees of ALPS. Administration fees paid by the Fund for the six months ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statements of Operations. ALPS is reimbursed by the Fund for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Transfer Agent: ALPS serves as transfer agent for the Fund under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Fund plus fees for open accounts and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

 

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Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Compliance Services: ALPS provides Chief Compliance Officer services to the Fund to monitor and test the policies and procedures of the Fund in conjunction with requirements under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act pursuant to a Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Fund and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Distribution: ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) (an affiliate of ALPS) acts as the principal underwriter of the Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust. Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis through the Distributor, as agent of the Fund. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any particular amount of shares and is not entitled to any compensation for its services as the Fund’s principal underwriter pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.

 

The Fund has adopted a shareholder services plan (“Shareholder Services Plan”) for its Institutional Class. Under the Shareholder Services Plan the Fund is authorized to pay banks and their affiliates and other institutions, including broker-dealers and Fund affiliates (“Participating Organizations”), an aggregate fee in an amount not to exceed on an annual basis 0.15% of the average daily net assets of Institutional Class shares, to Participating Organizations as compensation for providing shareholder service activities, which do not include distribution services, pursuant to an agreement with a Participating Organization. Shareholder Services Plan fees paid by the Fund are disclosed in the Statements of Operations.

 

8. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

 

As of March 31, 2025, there were four Trustees, each of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The Independent Trustees of the Trust and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers will receive a quarterly retainer of $16,250, plus $5,000 for each regular Board or Committee meeting attended and $2,000 for each special telephonic or in-person Board or Committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Audit Committee Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $1,875 and the Independent Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $4,250. These fees are allocated proportionately among the multiple portfolios/series of the Trust. The Independent Trustees and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers are also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings.

 

Officers of the Trust receive no salary or fees from the Trust. As discussed in Note 7, the Fund pay ALPS an annual fee for compliance services.

 

9. INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that may contain general indemnification clauses which may permit indemnification to the extent permissible under applicable law. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 19

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

 

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Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Additional Information

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

TAX DESIGNATIONS

 

 

Pursuant to Section 852(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code the Fund designates the amount listed below as long-term capital gain dividends:

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund   $ 34,425,875  

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 21

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants during the period covered by this report.

 

 

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Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund Proxy Disclosures

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Not applicable to the period covered by this report.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 23

   

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund   Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers and Others

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the period ended March 31, 2025:

 

Beacon Planned Return Strategy Fund

 

Trustee   Amount Paid  
Ward Armstrong   $ 4,726.22  
J.W. Hutchens     4,269.14  
Merrilyn Kosier     4,269.14  
Patrick Seese     4,471.00  
Total   $ 17,735.30  

 

 

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Beacon Planned Statement Regarding Basis for Approval
Return Strategy Fund of Investment Advisory Agreement
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Not applicable to the period covered by this Report.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 25

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Schedule of Investments 1
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 12
Statement of Operations 13
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 14
Financial Highlights 15
Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights 17
Additional Information 24
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies 25
Proxy Disclosures 26
Remuneration Paid to Trustees, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies 27
Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract 28

 

 

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares    

Value

(Note 2)

 
COMMON STOCKS (1.31%)                
Communications (0.12%)                
Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.(a)(b)(c)     2,640     $ 12,454  
XPLORE INC/STONEPEAK FALCON(a)(b)     71,771       805,463  
Total Communications             817,917  
                 
Consumer, Cyclical (0.04%)                
Libbey Glass Inc.(b)(d)     166,360       277,322  
                 
Consumer, Non-cyclical (0.73%)                
Aquity Holdings Inc.(a)(b)(c)(d)     122,254       18,662  
Envision Healthcare Corp.(b)(d)     427,081       4,804,662  
Total Consumer, Non-cyclical             4,823,324  
                 
Technology (0.42%)                
Applogic(a)(b)(c)     212,291       743,019  
Avaya Holdings Corp.(a)(b)(c)(d)     48,689       924,117  
Matrix Parent, Inc.(b)(d)     83,868       1,132,218  
Total Technology             2,799,354  
                 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS                
(Cost $9,059,412)             8,717,917  

 

    Rate   Maturity Date   Principal Amount     Value
(Note 2)
 
BANK LOANS (36.87%)                        
Basic Materials (1.22%)                        
Spectrum Group Buyer, Inc.(e)   3M SOFR + 6.50%, 0.75% Floor   5/19/2028   $ 4,569,962     $ 3,404,622  
TPC Group(e)   6M SOFR + 6.00%   11/22/2031     2,557,700       2,502,275  
Vibrantz Technologies, Inc.(e)   0.50% Floor   4/23/2029     2,493,606       2,178,788  
Total Basic Materials                     8,085,685  
                         
Communications (2.94%)                        
Cox Media Group TL(e)   3M SOFR + 3.50%   6/18/2029     3,531,921       3,304,395  
Hubbard Radio LLC(e)   1M SOFR + 4.25%, 1.00% Floor   4/30/2025     2,830,152       1,933,928  
Plusgrade, Inc.(e)   3M SOFR + 3.50%   3/3/2031     2,214,286       2,208,750  
StubHub Holdco Sub LLC(e)   1M SOFR + 4.75%   3/12/2030     1,871,531       1,868,031  
Syniverse Holdings LLC(e)   3M SOFR + 7.00%, 0.50% Floor   5/13/2027     5,478,781       5,366,246  
Xplore TL(e)   1M SOFR + 5.00%   10/24/2029     376,785       364,069  
Xplore TL(e)   1M SOFR + 1.50%   10/24/2031     1,273,096       994,606  
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.(e)   1M SOFR + 3.00%   3/9/2027     3,711,222       3,446,798  
Total Communications                     19,486,823  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 1

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Rate   Maturity Date   Principal Amount    

Value

(Note 2)

 
Consumer, Cyclical (8.72%)                        
Alterra Mountain(e)   1M SOFR + 2.75%   5/2/2028   $ 2,069,912     $ 2,064,737  
Century Casinos, Inc.(e)   1M SOFR + 6.00%, 0.75% Floor   4/2/2029     3,035,127       2,714,556  
Delivery Hero(e)   3M SOFR + 5.00%   12/12/2029     1,980,623       1,978,563  
DS Parents, INC.(e)   3M SOFR + 5.50%   12/13/2030     2,883,213       2,666,972  
ECL Entertainment LLC(e)   1M SOFR + 3.50%, 0.75% Floor   8/16/2030     3,031,740       3,023,221  
Hanesbrands, Inc.(e)   1M SOFR + 2.75%   3/8/2032     1,925,000       1,919,379  
Harrah's Oklahoma TL(e)   1M SOFR + 9.00%   10/10/2030     2,403,094       2,385,071  
J&J Ventures Gaming LLC(e)   1M SOFR + 3.50%, 0.75% Floor   4/26/2030     1,712,063       1,684,241  
Jack Entertainment(e)   1M SOFR + 4.00%   1/27/2032     2,605,000       2,595,883  
Libbey Glass LLC(e)   3M SOFR + 6.50%, 0.75% Floor   11/22/2027     1,779,484       1,721,650  
Mad Engine Global LLC(e)   3M SOFR + 7.00%, 1.00% Floor   7/15/2027     2,253,576       1,954,977  
Mountaineer Merger Corp.(e)   6M SOFR + 7.00%, 0.75% Floor   10/26/2028     2,726,907       2,181,526  
Petco Health & Wellness(e)   3M SOFR + 3.25%   3/6/2028     2,102,497       1,910,644  
PetSmart(e)   1M SOFR + 3.75%   2/14/2028     2,128,259       2,090,121  
Regal Cineworld TL(e)   1M SOFR + 5.25%   10/31/2031     2,488,763       2,472,760  
Restoration Hardware Inc.(e)   1M SOFR + 2.50%, 0.50% Floor   10/20/2028     3,007,354       2,860,745  
S&S Holdings LLC(e)   1M SOFR + 5.00%, 0.50% Floor   3/11/2028     2,244,156       2,223,128  
Sabre GLBL, Inc.(e)   1M SOFR + 3.50%, 0.50% Floor   12/17/2027     955,837       916,409  
Sabre GLBL, Inc.(e)   1M SOFR + 6.00%, 0.50% Floor   11/15/2029     1,525,236       1,487,105  
Sabre GLBL, Inc.(e)   1M SOFR + 4.50%, 0.50% Floor   6/30/2028     87,501       84,366  
Socotec TL(e)   1M SOFR + 4.00%   6/2/2028     3,000,000       2,996,250  
Springs Window Fashions(a)(e)(f)   1M SOFR + 4.50%   12/18/2028     178,488       2,042  
Springs Window Fashions Tranche A-2(e)   1M SOFR + 4.00%   10/6/2028     211,984       173,356  
Swissport(e)   3M SOFR + 3.75%   5/2/2028     1,540,489       1,543,385  
Travelport Finance Luxembourg Sarl(e)   3M SOFR + 7.00%, 1.00% Floor   9/29/2028     2,728,094       2,452,365  
US LBM TL(e)   1M SOFR + 3.75%   6/6/2031     2,310,218       2,126,556  
Veritiv TL(e)   3M SOFR + 4.50%   12/2/2030     2,230,090       2,215,215  
Warhorse Gaming, LLC(e)   1M SOFR + 9.25%   6/15/2028     5,071,034       5,223,165  
Total Consumer, Cyclical                     57,668,388  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

2 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Rate   Maturity Date   Principal Amount     Value
(Note 2)
 
Consumer, Non-cyclical (10.97%)                        
Alphia(e)   1M SOFR + 5.00%   5/2/2028   $ 2,482,681     $ 2,432,109  
Bausch Health(e)   1M SOFR + 6.25%   9/25/2030     4,445,000       4,267,200  
Bausch Health Americas, Inc.(e)   1M SOFR + 5.25%, 0.50% Floor   2/1/2027     2,021,212       2,017,816  
Carestream Health, Inc.(e)   3M SOFR + 7.50%, 1.00% Floor   9/30/2027     8,148,944       5,522,947  
Celsius(e)   3M SOFR + 3.00%   3/21/2032     2,355,000       2,357,944  
Colosseum Dental Finance BV(e)   3M SOFR + 3.75%   2/25/2032     1,960,565       2,112,016  
Envision Healthcare Operating, INC. TL 1L(e)   1M SOFR + 8.25%   12/30/2027     5,280,359       5,284,319  
Global Medical Response PIK(e)(g)   1M SOFR + 5.50%   10/2/2028     4,634,659       4,628,217  
Jazz Pharmaceuticals(e)   1M SOFR + 2.25%   5/2/2028     1,915,978       1,914,541  
LGC Group(e)   1M SOFR + 4.00%   1/31/2030     2,294,612       2,285,296  
LifeScan Global Corp.(e)   3M SOFR + 6.50%   12/31/2026     8,989,593       5,663,443  
Medline Borrower LP(e)(g)   1M SOFR + 2.25%, 0.50% Floor   10/23/2028     590,908       589,585  
MODIVCARE(e)   3M SOFR + 4.75%   6/20/2031     2,824,929       2,071,605  
ModivCare Add-On(e)   3M SOFR + 7.50%   12/31/2049     1,516,177       1,266,008  
Naked Juice LLC(e)   3M SOFR + 3.00%, 0.50% Floor   1/24/2029     4,879,889       2,708,338  
Nutrisystem TL(e)   1M SOFR + 5.25%   10/19/2030     5,307,367       3,662,084  
Nutrisystem TL(e)   1M SOFR + 5.00%   4/19/2030     2,429,475       2,349,010  
Pluto Acquisition I, Inc.(e)   3M SOFR + 4.00%   9/20/2028     6,455,747       5,616,500  
Radiology Partners(e)(g)   3M SOFR + 5.00%   1/31/2029     735,176       707,262  
RXB Holdings, Inc.(e)   1M SOFR + 4.50%, 0.75% Floor   12/20/2027     2,742,876       2,694,875  
Team Health Holdings, Inc.(e)   3M SOFR + 5.25%, 1.00% Floor   2/2/2027     6,952,795       6,759,229  
Two Kings Casino TL(e)   1M SOFR + 5.00%   12/12/2031     2,425,000       2,429,050  
US Fertility Enterprises(e)(f)   3M SOFR + 4.50%   10/7/2031     76,666       0  
US Fertility Enterprises TL(e)   3M SOFR + 4.50%   10/7/2031     1,682,445       1,682,445  
Vaco Holdings TL B(e)   3M SOFR + 5.00%   1/22/2029     1,864,275       1,718,470  
Total Consumer, Non-cyclical                     72,740,309  
                         
Energy (2.85%)                        
EPIC Y-Grade Services(e)   3M SOFR + 5.75%   6/29/2029     2,617,447       2,614,594  
Goodnight(e)   1M SOFR + 4.50%   5/23/2029     2,199,229       2,193,731  
Hilcorp Energy I TL B(e)   1M SOFR + 2.25%   2/5/2030     3,190,000       3,182,025  
IMTT(e)   1M SOFR + 2.75%   5/2/2028     1,980,000       1,979,386  
Long Ridge Energy TL B(e)   1M SOFR + 4.50%   2/6/2032     2,605,000       2,500,800  
New Fortress Energy(e)   3M SOFR + 5.00%   10/27/2028     2,622,721       2,248,983  
Spencer Spirit(e)   1M SOFR + 4.75%   6/25/2031     4,174,051       4,199,388  
Total Energy                     18,918,907  
                         
Financials (2.25%)                        
Acrisure LLC(e)   1M SOFR + 3.00%   11/6/2030     4,678,868       4,641,250  
Asurion(e)   1M SOFR + 4.25%   9/12/2030     2,924,369       2,883,252  
HUB International, Ltd.(e)   3M SOFR + 2.50%, 0.75% Floor   6/20/2030     3,190,292       3,175,203  
Russell Investments PIK(e)   1M SOFR + 5.00%   6/1/2027     1,643,967       1,585,737  
WHP TL B(e)   3M SOFR + 4.75%   2/12/2032     2,700,000       2,681,451  
Total Financials                     14,966,893  
                         
Industrials (2.22%)                        
Apple Bidco LLC(e)   1M SOFR + 2.50%   9/22/2031     1,979,693       1,962,985  
Arconic(e)   1M SOFR + 3.75%   8/19/2030     2,317,248       2,296,972  
Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc.(e)   0.50% Floor   4/12/2028     2,061,021       1,724,683  
Flynn Canada Ltd., TL(e)   1M SOFR + 4.50%   7/31/2028     3,384,868       3,359,482  
Leaf Home Solutions(e)   1M SOFR + 4.75%   2/20/2029     2,055,637       1,735,554  
LRS Holdings LLC(e)   1M SOFR + 4.25%, 0.75% Floor   8/31/2028     2,948,290       2,798,428  
Pixelle Receivables Bridge(d)(e)   1M SOFR + 7.00%   6/11/2025     171,137       171,137  
Trinseo(e)   3M SOFR + 2.50%   12/12/2029     1,490,373       688,374  
Total Industrials                     14,737,615  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 3

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Rate   Maturity Date   Principal Amount     Value
(Note 2)
 
Technology (5.70%)                    
Applogic DDTL(e)   6M SOFR + 9.00%   10/1/2025   $ 650,310     $ 0  
Applogic PIK EXIT(e)   6M SOFR + 1.00%   3/4/2030     2,832,816       2,769,077  
Avaya Inc.(e)(g)   1M SOFR + 7.50%   8/1/2028     7,189,655       5,669,043  
BCP V Everise Acquisition LLC(e)   3M SOFR + 6.00%   12/20/2029     2,491,125       2,167,279  
Castle US Holding Corp.(e)   1M SOFR + 3.75%   1/29/2027     1,463,884       895,487  
Castle US Holding Corp.(e)   3M SOFR + 4.00%, 0.75% Floor   1/29/2027     1,716,943       1,038,750  
Magenta Security Holdings, LLC First Out(e)   3M SOFR + 6.75%   7/27/2028     2,813,405       2,536,087  
Magenta Security Holdings, LLC Second Out(e)   3M SOFR + 1.50%   7/27/2028     4,908,782       2,483,843  
Magenta Security Holdings, LLC Third Out(e)   3M SOFR + 1.50%   7/27/2028     8,733       2,380  
Mavenir(a)(e)   3M SOFR + 10.00%   6/30/2025     769,267       1,269,291  
Mavenir Bridge Facility(a)(e)   3M SOFR + 10.00%   6/30/2025     621,588       1,025,621  
Mavenir Bridge Facility DD(a)(e)   3M SOFR + 10.00%   6/30/2025     200,082       330,135  
Mavenir Systems, Inc.(a)(e)   3M SOFR + 4.75%, 0.50% Floor   6/30/2025     5,129,884       1,795,460  
Mavenir TL(a)(e)   3M SOFR + 10.00%   6/30/2025     859,758       1,418,601  
Mobileum PIK EXIT(e)(g)   3M SOFR + 1.00%   9/12/2029     3,444,247       3,160,097  
Pitney Bowes TL B(e)   1M SOFR + 3.50%   1/23/2032     3,500,000       3,459,155  
Quest Software, Inc.(e)   3M SOFR +4.25%, 0.50% Floor   2/1/2029     2,890,412       1,676,439  
Sandisk TL(e)   1M SOFR + 3.00%   12/15/2031     3,120,000       3,071,266  
SS&C Technologies(e)   1M SOFR + 2.00%   5/9/2031     2,442,141       2,439,284  
Total Technology                     37,207,295  
                         
TOTAL BANK LOANS                        
(Cost 252,274,838)                     243,811,915  
                         
CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BOND (0.04%)                    
Consumer, Cyclical (0.04%)                        
Liberty Interactive LLC   4.000%   11/15/2029     270,000       68,850  
Liberty Interactive LLC   3.750%   2/15/2030     840,000       205,800  
Total Consumer, Cyclical                     274,650  
                         
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BOND                    
(Cost 339,578)                     274,650  
                         
CORPORATE BOND (58.19%)                        
Basic Materials (6.15%)                        
ASP Unifrax Holdings, Inc.(g)(h)   7.100%   9/30/2029     1,229,187       656,386  
Axalta Coating Systems LLC(h)   3.375%   2/15/2029     2,955,000       2,695,935  
Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. / Baffinland Iron Mines LP(h)   8.750%   7/15/2026     4,385,000       4,110,061  
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.(h)   7.000%   3/15/2032     2,560,000       2,454,426  
Domtar Corp.(h)   6.750%   10/1/2028     6,245,000       5,659,484  
First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.(h)   8.625%   6/1/2031     3,115,000       3,194,878  
First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.(h)   9.375%   3/1/2029     270,000       284,716  
INEOS Finance PLC(h)   7.500%   4/15/2029     2,240,000       2,228,800  
Innophos Holdings, Inc.(h)   11.500%   6/15/2029     4,908,750       5,021,315  
Methanex US Operations, Inc.(h)   6.250%   3/15/2032     2,415,000       2,347,742  
Mineral Resources, Ltd.(h)   8.500%   5/1/2030     2,990,000       2,898,724  
Rain Carbon, Inc.(h)   12.250%   9/1/2029     4,670,000       4,960,054  
Rain CII Carbon LLC / CII Carbon Corp.(h)   7.250%   4/1/2025     73,000       73,000  
Tronox, Inc.(h)   4.625%   3/15/2029     4,940,000       4,222,465  
Total Basic Materials                     40,807,986  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

4 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Rate   Maturity Date   Principal Amount    

Value

(Note 2)

 
Communications (11.05%)                    
Altice Financing SA(h)   5.750%   8/15/2029   $ 2,380,000     $ 1,731,450  
Altice France SA(h)   5.500%   10/15/2029     1,435,000       1,130,688  
Beasley Mezzanine Holdings LLC(h)   9.200%   8/1/2028     3,026,000       1,362,456  
Cable One, Inc.(h)   4.000%   11/15/2030     1,850,000       1,461,500  
CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp.(h)   4.500%   8/15/2030     3,215,000       2,924,535  
CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp.(h)   4.250%   1/15/2034     3,960,000       3,257,100  
CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp.(h)   5.375%   6/1/2029     3,945,000       3,818,298  
Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital   6.550%   6/1/2034     1,560,000       1,603,068  
Ciena Corp.(h)   4.000%   1/31/2030     1,850,000       1,690,437  
CMG Media Corp.(h)   8.875%   6/18/2029     4,130,000       3,562,125  
CommScope LLC(h)   7.125%   7/1/2028     595,000       526,575  
CommScope LLC(h)   8.250%   3/1/2027     1,490,000       1,410,728  
CSC Holdings LLC(h)   7.500%   4/1/2028     1,005,000       710,887  
CSC Holdings LLC(h)   6.500%   2/1/2029     2,585,000       2,144,350  
Dish DBS Corp., Series WI   5.125%   6/1/2029     1,000,000       654,412  
Dish DBS Corp.   7.750%   7/1/2026     1,515,000       1,310,475  
Dish DBS Corp.(h)   5.250%   12/1/2026     2,425,000       2,235,547  
Gray Media, Inc.(h)   4.750%   10/15/2030     2,440,000       1,543,300  
Gray Media, Inc.(h)   5.375%   11/15/2031     2,560,000       1,565,056  
Gray Media, Inc.(h)   10.500%   7/15/2029     3,325,000       3,462,489  
GrubHub Holdings, Inc.(h)   5.500%   7/1/2027     4,660,000       4,274,629  
LCPR Senior Secured Financing DAC(h)   6.750%   10/15/2027     1,065,000       889,850  
LCPR Senior Secured Financing DAC(h)   5.125%   7/15/2029     1,195,000       877,348  
Level 3 Financing, Inc.(h)   3.875%   10/15/2030     1,280,000       966,144  
Level 3 Financing, Inc.(h)   3.625%   1/15/2029     800,000       594,100  
Level 3 Financing, Inc.(h)   3.750%   7/15/2029     735,000       538,424  
Level 3 Financing, Inc.(h)   10.500%   5/15/2030     985,000       1,059,669  
Level 3 Financing, Inc.(h)   11.000%   11/15/2029     549,309       612,246  
Level 3 Financing, Inc.(h)   4.875%   6/15/2029     675,000       572,015  
Level 3 Financing, Inc.(h)   4.500%   4/1/2030     590,000       473,534  
Lumen Technologies, Inc.(h)   4.125%   4/15/2030     423,226       397,663  
Lumen Technologies, Inc.(h)   4.125%   4/15/2029     423,184       398,851  
Lumen Technologies, Inc., Series P   7.600%   9/15/2039     1,365,000       1,082,445  
Lumen Technologies, Inc., Series U   7.650%   3/15/2042     1,266,000       1,008,625  
McGraw-Hill Education, Inc.(h)   5.750%   8/1/2028     2,800,000       2,725,940  
McGraw-Hill Education, Inc.(h)   7.375%   9/1/2031     800,000       805,444  
Paramount Global   5.500%   5/15/2033     2,100,000       2,011,261  
Sirius XM Radio LLC(h)   3.875%   9/1/2031     3,842,000       3,297,166  
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.(h)   9.750%   3/1/2026     4,390,000       2,855,068  
Urban One, Inc.(h)   7.375%   2/1/2028     6,130,000       3,156,950  
Vmed O2 UK Financing I PLC(h)   4.250%   1/31/2031     3,475,000       2,993,017  
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.(h)   4.000%   3/1/2027     1,455,000       1,324,487  
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.(h)   6.125%   3/1/2028     2,775,000       2,310,188  
Total Communications                     73,330,540  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 5

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Rate   Maturity Date   Principal Amount    

Value

(Note 2)

 
Consumer, Cyclical (8.24%)                        
1011778 BC ULC / New Red Finance, Inc.(h)   4.375%   1/15/2028   $ 1,500,000     $ 1,442,458  
1011778 BC ULC / New Red Finance, Inc.(h)   3.875%   1/15/2028     2,500,000       2,390,048  
Academy, Ltd.(h)   6.000%   11/15/2027     1,750,000       1,739,063  
Bath & Body Works, Inc.(h)   6.625%   10/1/2030     2,890,000       2,930,258  
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.(h)   7.000%   2/15/2030     2,620,000       2,646,200  
Carnival Corp.(h)   4.000%   8/1/2028     1,870,000       1,789,310  
Empire Resorts, Inc.(h)   7.750%   11/1/2026     2,665,000       2,559,489  
Genting New York LLC / GENNY Capital, Inc.(h)   7.250%   10/1/2029     2,250,000       2,289,586  
Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.(h)   4.000%   5/1/2031     4,505,000       4,082,439  
International Game Technology PLC(h)   6.250%   1/15/2027     1,550,000       1,557,314  
International Game Technology PLC(h)   5.250%   1/15/2029     940,000       918,850  
Jacobs Entertainment, Inc.(h)   6.750%   2/15/2029     3,970,000       3,811,701  
Landsea Homes Corp.(h)   8.875%   4/1/2029     1,675,000       1,595,572  
Liberty Interactive LLC   8.500%   7/15/2029     4,125,000       1,711,875  
Liberty Interactive LLC   8.250%   2/1/2030     665,000       264,377  
Melco Resorts Finance, Ltd.(h)   5.375%   12/4/2029     2,240,000       2,051,347  
QVC, Inc.(h)   6.875%   4/15/2029     2,725,000       1,910,566  
Rivers Enterprise Borrower LLC / Rivers Enterprise Finance Corp.(h)   6.625%   2/1/2033     2,285,000       2,245,013  
Studio City Finance, Ltd.(h)   5.000%   1/15/2029     2,530,000       2,277,506  
SWF Holdings I Corp.(h)   6.500%   10/1/2029     930,000       438,379  
United Airlines, Inc.(h)   4.375%   4/15/2026     2,520,000       2,479,201  
Victoria's Secret & Co.(h)   4.625%   7/15/2029     3,045,000       2,670,688  
Wynn Macau, Ltd.(h)   5.125%   12/15/2029     705,000       650,363  
Wynn Macau, Ltd.(h)   5.625%   8/26/2028     1,805,000       1,739,816  
Wynn Resorts Finance LLC / Wynn Resorts Capital Corp.(h)   7.125%   2/15/2031     2,045,000       2,115,978  
Wynn Resorts Finance LLC / Wynn Resorts Capital Corp.(h)   6.250%   3/15/2033     860,000       838,328  
Yum! Brands, Inc.   6.875%   11/15/2037     2,335,000       2,502,947  
Yum! Brands, Inc.   3.625%   3/15/2031     1,135,000       1,017,536  
Total Consumer, Cyclical                     54,666,208  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

6 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Rate   Maturity Date   Principal Amount    

Value

(Note 2)

 
Consumer, Non-cyclical (11.50%)                        
Akumin, Inc.(h)   8.000%   8/1/2028   $ 305,000     $ 254,929  
Akumin, Inc.(g)(h)   9.000%   8/1/2027     6,895,000       6,043,467  
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.(h)   4.875%   6/1/2028     1,510,000       1,215,550  
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.(h)   5.000%   1/30/2028     880,000       640,200  
Bellis Acquisition Co. PLC(h)   8.125%   5/14/2030     1,645,000       1,964,119  
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.(h)   3.750%   3/15/2029     2,450,000       2,256,188  
CPI CG, Inc.(h)   10.000%   7/15/2029     2,105,000       2,239,598  
DaVita, Inc.(h)   3.750%   2/15/2031     2,310,000       2,011,198  
DaVita, Inc.(h)   6.875%   9/1/2032     130,000       130,790  
Deluxe Corp.(h)   8.125%   9/15/2029     3,170,000       3,187,031  
Embecta Corp.(h)   5.000%   2/15/2030     310,000       277,450  
Embecta Corp.(h)   6.750%   2/15/2030     2,590,000       2,463,737  
Global Medical Response, Inc.(g)(h)   10.000%   10/31/2028     4,960,232       4,962,018  
Medline Borrower LP(h)   3.875%   4/1/2029     2,825,000       2,641,488  
Molina Healthcare, Inc.(h)   3.875%   11/15/2030     3,735,000       3,350,528  
New Albertsons LP   8.000%   5/1/2031     2,500,000       2,650,375  
New Albertsons LP   7.450%   8/1/2029     4,000,000       4,172,000  
Nidda Healthcare Holding GmbH(e)(h)   3M EUR L + 3.75%   10/23/2030     1,410,000       1,531,864  
Organon & Co. / Organon Foreign Debt Co-Issuer BV(h)   5.125%   4/30/2031     750,000       653,438  
Perrigo Finance Unlimited Co., Series USD   6.125%   9/30/2032     1,900,000       1,867,757  
Radiology Partners, Inc.(g)(h)   7.775%   1/31/2029     6,487,135       6,422,264  
Radiology Partners, Inc.(g)(h)   9.781%   2/15/2030     4,550,453       4,190,967  
Raven Acquisition Holdings LLC(h)   6.875%   11/15/2031     1,980,000       1,926,560  
StoneMor, Inc.(h)   8.500%   5/15/2029     3,430,000       3,121,300  
Team Health Holdings, Inc.(d)(g)(h)   13.500%   6/30/2028     3,988,082       4,307,428  
Tenet Healthcare Corp.   4.625%   6/15/2028     7,270,000       7,019,627  
United Rentals North America, Inc.   4.000%   7/15/2030     5,200,000       4,808,050  
Total Consumer, Non-cyclical                     76,309,921  
                         
Energy (6.55%)                        
Antero Midstream Partners LP / Antero Midstream Finance Corp.(h)   5.375%   6/15/2029     2,560,000       2,505,417  
Baytex Energy Corp.(h)   7.375%   3/15/2032     3,215,000       3,100,523  
Blue Racer Midstream LLC / Blue Racer Finance Corp.(h)   7.000%   7/15/2029     960,000       980,335  
Blue Racer Midstream LLC / Blue Racer Finance Corp.(h)   7.250%   7/15/2032     960,000       992,906  
Civitas Resources, Inc.(h)   8.625%   11/1/2030     2,390,000       2,461,700  
Genesis Energy LP / Genesis Energy Finance Corp.   8.000%   5/15/2033     3,840,000       3,878,880  
Genesis Energy LP / Genesis Energy Finance Corp.   8.875%   4/15/2030     1,030,000       1,070,971  
Greenfire Resources, Ltd.(h)   12.000%   10/1/2028     2,955,000       3,130,400  
Hilcorp Energy I LP / Hilcorp Finance Co.(h)   7.250%   2/15/2035     2,655,000       2,532,472  
New Fortress Energy, Inc.(h)   6.500%   9/30/2026     315,000       266,175  
New Fortress Energy, Inc.(h)   8.750%   3/15/2029     1,875,000       1,286,250  
NFE Financing LLC(h)   12.000%   11/15/2029     1,265,000       1,065,762  
Occidental Petroleum Corp.   6.125%   1/1/2031     1,900,000       1,955,763  
ONEOK, Inc.(h)   6.500%   9/1/2030     2,010,000       2,132,955  
ONEOK, Inc.   5.375%   6/1/2029     970,000       983,901  
ONEOK, Inc.   5.600%   4/1/2044     1,015,000       943,214  
Shelf Drilling Holdings, Ltd.(h)   9.625%   4/15/2029     1,885,000       1,635,776  
Transocean, Inc.   7.500%   4/15/2031     1,795,000       1,585,209  
Transocean, Inc.(h)   8.000%   2/1/2027     829,000       825,891  
Transocean, Inc.(h)   8.750%   2/15/2030     1,980,000       2,053,112  
Valaris, Ltd.(h)   8.375%   4/30/2030     3,100,000       3,106,864  
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC(h)   4.125%   8/15/2031     3,635,000       3,298,799  
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC(h)   3.875%   11/1/2033     1,990,000       1,713,490  
Total Energy                     43,506,765  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 7

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Rate   Maturity Date   Principal Amount    

Value

(Note 2)

 
Financials (10.94%)                    
Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.(h)   4.625%   6/15/2029   $ 4,170,000     $ 3,782,815  
Barclays PLC(i)   9.625%   12/31/2049     2,880,000       3,159,485  
Diversified Healthcare Trust   4.750%   2/15/2028     655,000       563,156  
Diversified Healthcare Trust   4.375%   3/1/2031     7,300,000       5,554,132  
Finance of America Funding LLC(h)   7.875%   11/30/2026     1,937,142       1,744,396  
Finance of America Funding LLC(h)   10.000%   11/30/2029     1,452,000       1,625,369  
Freedom Mortgage Corp.(h)   7.625%   5/1/2026     500,000       498,275  
Freedom Mortgage Corp.(h)   6.625%   1/15/2027     2,310,000       2,296,833  
Freedom Mortgage Corp.(h)   12.000%   10/1/2028     1,620,000       1,737,959  
Icahn Enterprises LP / Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.   9.000%   6/15/2030     3,735,000       3,537,871  
Icahn Enterprises LP / Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.(h)   10.000%   11/15/2029     715,000       708,779  
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA(e)(h)   1Y US TI + 2.75%   6/1/2042     3,250,000       2,617,709  
Jefferies Finance LLC / JFIN Co.-Issuer Corp.(h)   6.625%   10/15/2031     1,855,000       1,835,553  
Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP / Ladder Capital Finance Corp.(h)   4.750%   6/15/2029     1,380,000       1,312,725  
Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP / Ladder Capital Finance Corp.(h)   4.250%   2/1/2027     3,390,000       3,301,555  
LD Holdings Group LLC(h)   8.750%   11/1/2027     1,336,000       1,215,760  
LD Holdings Group LLC(h)   6.125%   4/1/2028     2,880,000       2,282,688  
Lloyds Banking Group PLC(i)   7.500%   12/31/2049     3,170,000       3,185,361  
Midcap Financial Issuer Trust(h)   6.500%   5/1/2028     2,350,000       2,257,762  
Midcap Financial Issuer Trust(h)   5.625%   1/15/2030     2,235,000       2,028,262  
Navient Corp.   5.625%   8/1/2033     2,110,000       1,826,557  
Navient Corp.   5.500%   3/15/2029     1,105,000       1,046,402  
OneMain Finance Corp.   7.500%   5/15/2031     1,310,000       1,335,545  
OneMain Finance Corp.   7.125%   11/15/2031     735,000       741,484  
OneMain Finance Corp.   5.375%   11/15/2029     2,615,000       2,488,871  
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.(h)   5.375%   10/15/2025     1,325,000       1,321,687  
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.(h)   4.250%   2/15/2029     2,890,000       2,701,440  
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.(h)   7.875%   12/15/2029     760,000       791,366  
Service Properties Trust   4.950%   10/1/2029     485,000       399,755  
Service Properties Trust   4.375%   2/15/2030     2,845,000       2,188,858  
Service Properties Trust   5.500%   12/15/2027     1,080,000       1,040,377  
Service Properties Trust(h)   8.625%   11/15/2031     1,490,000       1,572,740  
Starwood Property Trust, Inc.(h)   3.625%   7/15/2026     4,835,000       4,683,078  
Uniti Group LP / Uniti Fiber Holdings, Inc. / CSL Capital LLC(h)   6.000%   1/15/2030     935,000       809,242  
Uniti Group LP / Uniti Group Finance 2019, Inc. / CSL Capital LLC(h)   10.500%   2/15/2028     1,521,000       1,616,063  
Uniti Group LP / Uniti Group Finance 2019, Inc. / CSL Capital LLC(h)   6.500%   2/15/2029     880,000       791,798  
Walker & Dunlop, Inc.(h)   6.625%   4/1/2033     2,035,000       2,029,913  
Total Financials                     72,631,621  
                         
Industrials (2.46%)                        
Ball Corp.   3.125%   9/15/2031     4,100,000       3,557,529  
Builders FirstSource, Inc.(h)   6.375%   3/1/2034     1,900,000       1,885,631  
Coherent Corp.(h)   5.000%   12/15/2029     2,645,000       2,519,363  
Miter Brands Acquisition Holdco, Inc. / MIWD Borrower LLC(h)   6.750%   4/1/2032     1,670,000       1,651,213  
TransDigm, Inc.(h)   7.125%   12/1/2031     6,550,000       6,745,954  
Total Industrials                     16,359,690  
                         
Technology (0.43%)                        
Pitney Bowes, Inc.(h)   6.875%   3/15/2027     1,190,000       1,188,513  
Pitney Bowes, Inc.(h)   7.250%   3/15/2029     1,660,000       1,646,847  
Total Technology                     2,835,360  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

8 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Rate   Maturity Date   Principal Amount    

Value

(Note 2)

 
Utilities (0.87%)                        
Edison International, Series A(e)(i)   5Y US TI + 4.698%   12/31/2049   $ 1,380,000     $ 1,321,350  
Vistra Corp.(e)(h)(i)   5Y US TI + 5.74%   12/31/2049     3,400,000       3,446,364  
Vistra Operations Co. LLC(h)   5.625%   2/15/2027     1,000,000       996,200  
Total Utilities                     5,763,914  
                         
TOTAL CORPORATE BOND                        
(Cost 382,485,170)                     386,212,005  
                         
RIGHTS AND WARRANTS (0.00%)                        
Technology (0.00%)                        
Mavenir Warrants, Strike Price: $3.00       06/30/2025   $ 1,430,590     $  
XPLORE CVR, Strike Price: $–(a)       12/31/2049     5,390     $ 1  
                         
TOTAL RIGHTS AND WARRANTS                        
(Cost $343)                     1  

 

    7-Day Yield   Shares    

Value

(Note 2)

 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (4.92%)                      
State Street Institutional US Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class     4.290 %   32,618,462     $ 32,618,462  
                       
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS                      
(Cost $32,618,462)                   32,618,462  
                       
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (101.19%)                 $ 671,634,950  
(Cost $676,777,803)                      
                       
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-1.19%)                   (7,897,689 )
                       
NET ASSETS (100.00%)                 $ 663,737,261  

 

(a) As a result of the use of significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value, these investments have been classified as Level 3 assets. Additional information on Level 3 assets can be found in Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Financial Statements section.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) Security deemed to be restricted as of March 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2025, the fair value of restricted securities in the aggregate was $1,698,252 representing 0.26% of the Fund’s net assets. Additional information on restricted securities can be found in Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Financial Statements section.
(d) Security deemed to be illiquid under the procedures utilized by the valuation designee. As of March 31, 2025, the fair value of illiquid securities in the aggregate was $11,635,546, representing 1.80% of the Fund's net assets.
(e) Floating or variable rate security. The reference rate is described below. The rate in effect as of March 31, 2025 is based on the reference rate plus the displayed spread as of the securities last reset date.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 9

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

(f) The Fund may enter into certain credit agreements, all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these loan commitments at the borrowers’ discretion. Unfunded loan commitments and funded portions of credit agreements are marked-to-market. At March 31, 2025, the Fund had unfunded commitments shown below:

 

Investment   As of March 31, 2025  
Springs Window Fashions   $ 379,331  
US Fertility Enterprises     76,666  
Total   $ 455,997  

 

(g) Payment in-kind.
(h) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. As of March 31, 2025 the fair value of securities restricted under Rule 144A in the aggregate was $310,162,504, representing 46.73% of net assets.
(i) Security is a perpetual bond.

 

Investment Abbreviations:

SOFR - Standard Overnight Financing Rate

 

Rates:

3M EUR L - 3 Month EURIOBOR as of March 31, 2025 was 2.34%

1M SOFR - 1 Month SOFR as of March 31, 2025 was 4.33%

3M SOFR - 3 Month SOFR as of March 31, 2025 was 4.35%

6M SOFR - 6 Month SOFR as of March 31, 2025 was 4.55%

1Y US TI - 1 Year US Treasury Index as of March 31, 2025 was 4.03%

5Y US TI - 5 Year US Treasury Index as of March 31, 2025 was 3.96%

 

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund's industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indices or ratings group indices and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may use a different classification system or may combine industry sub-classifications for reporting ease. Industries are shown as a percent of the Fund's net assets. (Unaudited)

 

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP CONTRACTS - BUY PROTECTION (OVER THE COUNTER)

 

Reference Obligations   Counterparty  

Fixed Deal

Receive

Rate

    Currency   Maturity Date  

Implied

Credit Spread at

March 31, 2025(a)

   

Notional

Amount(b)

    Value    

Upfront

Premiums

Received/(Paid)

   

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 
Markit NA High Yield Index, Series 44   ICE     5.00 %   USD   6/20/30     3.78 %   $ 30,900,000     $ (1,581,499 )   $ 1,692,325     $ 110,826  
                                        $ (1,581,499 )   $ 1,692,325     $ 110,826  

 

Credit default swaps pay quarterly.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

10 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

(a) Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements as of year end serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads 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.
(b) 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.

 

OUTSTANDING FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS

 

Counterparty  

Settlement

Date

 

Receiving

Currency

 

Receiving

Value

   

Delivering

Currency

 

Delivering

Value

   

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 
State Street   06/12/25   USD     2,134,157     EUR     2,113,779     $ 20,378  
                                $ 20,378  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 11

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Statement of Assets and Liabilities

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:      
Investments, at value (Cost $676,777,803)   $ 671,634,950  
Cash and cash equivalents     2,119,965  
Unrealized gain on forward contracts     20,378  
Deposits held with broker for derivatives     2,094,726  
Receivable for investments sold     18,930,114  
Dividends and interest receivable     9,010,222  
Other assets     7,157  
Total Assets     703,817,512  
         
LIABILITIES:        
Credit default swaps     1,581,499  
Payable for administration and transfer agent fees     70,524  
Payable for swap contract payments     57,167  
Payable for investments purchased     38,136,112  
Payable to adviser     204,111  
Payable for printing fees     5,356  
Payable for professional fees     14,689  
Payable to Chief Compliance Officer fees     2,470  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     8,323  
Total Liabilities     40,080,251  
NET ASSETS   $ 663,737,261  
         
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:        
Paid-in capital (Note 5)   $ 674,599,621  
Total distributable earnings/(deficit)     (10,862,360 )
NET ASSETS   $ 663,737,261  
         
PRICING OF SHARES        
Founders Class:(a)        
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 9.99  
Net Assets   $ 663,724,907  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     66,447,850  
Institutional Class:        
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 9.98  
Net Assets   $ 12,354  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     1,238  

 

(a) A 1% redemption fee is applied to any shares sold or exchanged within 60 days of purchase.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

12 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Statement of Operations  

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:        
Interest   $ 33,313,576  
Total Investment Income     33,313,576  
EXPENSES:        
Investment advisory fees (Note 6)     1,559,705  
Interest expense     2,798  
Fund Accounting and Administration fees     191,007  
Co-administration fees     155,970  
Custody fees     11,642  
Legal fees     12,786  
Audit and tax fees     12,634  
Transfer agent fees     14,134  
Trustees' fees and expenses     28,471  
Registration and filing fees     24,648  
Printing fees     8,231  
Chief Compliance Officer fees     15,105  
Insurance fees     4,795  
Other expenses     6,256  
Total Expenses     2,048,182  
Less fees waived/reimbursed by investment adviser (Note 6)        
Founders Class     (420,573 )
Institutional Class     (3 )
Net Expenses     1,627,606  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME     31,685,970  
         
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY:        
Net realized gain/(loss) on:        
Investments     (6,102,808 )
Swap contracts     (127,097 )
Foreign currency transactions     58,753  
Net realized loss     (6,171,152 )
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:        
Investments     (10,831,078 )
Swap contracts     110,826  
Translation of asset and liabilities denominated in foreign currency     (24,404 )
Net change     (10,744,656 )
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY     (16,915,808 )
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ 14,770,162  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 13

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

 
OPERATIONS:            
Net investment income   $ 31,685,970     $ 54,871,316  
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currency     (6,171,152 )     12,643,456  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency     (10,744,656 )     5,562,383  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     14,770,162       73,077,155  
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                
Founders Class     (43,834,323 )     (58,815,049 )
Institutional Class     (853 )     (1,268 )
Total distributions     (43,835,176 )     (58,816,317 )
                 
BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 5):                
Founders Class                
Shares sold     84,111,727       118,771,360  
Dividends reinvested     43,577,914       58,310,737  
Shares redeemed     (15,365,000 )     (87,419,089 )
Net increase from beneficial share transactions     112,324,641       89,663,008  
                 
Institutional Class                
Shares sold            
Dividends reinvested     853       1,267  
Shares redeemed            
Net increase from beneficial share transactions     853       1,267  
                 
Net increase in net assets     83,260,480       103,925,113  
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     580,476,781       476,551,668  
End of period   $ 663,737,261     $ 580,476,781  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

14 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Financial Highlights

Founders Class For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   

For the Six Months

Ended March 31,

2025 (Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

   

For the Period

Ended

September 30, 2023 (a)

 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD   $ 10.46     $ 10.18     $ 10.00  
                         
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:                        
Net investment income(b)     0.52       1.10       0.43  
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments     (0.26 )     0.36       0.04  
Total from investment operations     0.26       1.46       0.47  
                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:                        
From net investment income     (0.52 )     (1.17 )     (0.29 )
From net realized gains on investments     (0.21 )     (0.01 )      
Total Distributions     (0.73 )     (1.18 )     (0.29 )
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE     (0.47 )     0.28       0.18  
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD   $ 9.99     $ 10.46     $ 10.18  
                         
TOTAL RETURN(c)     2.48 %     15.34 %     4.74 %
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                        
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)   $ 663,725     $ 580,465     $ 476,541  
                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS                        
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver     0.66 %(d)     0.69 %     0.74 %(d)
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver     0.52 %(d)     0.52 %     0.52 %(d)
Net investment income including reimbursement/waiver     10.14 %(d)     10.75 %     10.27 %(d)
                         
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE     18 %(e)     49 %     8 %(e)

 

(a) For the period May 2, 2023 (Commencement of Operations) to September 30, 2023.
(b) Calculated using the average shares method.
(c) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 15

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Financial Highlights

Institutional Class For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

   

For the Six Months

Ended March 31,

2025 (Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

   

For the Period

Ended

September 30, 2023 (a)

 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD   $ 10.46     $ 10.18     $ 9.98  
                         
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:                        
Net investment income(b)     0.52       1.08       0.42  
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments     (0.28 )     0.37       0.06  
Total from investment operations     0.24       1.45       0.48  
                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:                        
From net investment income     (0.51 )     (1.16 )     (0.28 )
From net realized gains on investments     (0.21 )     (0.01 )      
Total Distributions     (0.72 )     (1.17 )     (0.28 )
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE     (0.48 )     0.28       0.20  
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD   $ 9.98     $ 10.46     $ 10.18  
                         
TOTAL RETURN(c)     2.34 %     15.14 %     4.89 %
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                        
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)   $ 12     $ 12     $ 10  
                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS                        
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver     0.66 %(d)(e)     0.69 %     0.75 %(d)
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver     0.61 %(d)     0.69 %     0.75 %(d)
Net investment income including reimbursement/waiver     10.06 %(d)     10.57 %     9.94 %(d)
                         
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE     18 %(f)     49 %     8 %(f)

 

(a) For the period May 5, 2023 (Commencement of Operations) to September 30, 2023.
(b) Calculated using the average shares method.
(c) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(d) Annualized.
(e) The expense cap for the Institutional Class was reduced from 0.75% to 0.52% effective February 1, 2025.
(f) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

16 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust consists of multiple separate portfolios or series. This annual report describes the Brigade High Income Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is diversified, and its investment objective is current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective. The Fund currently offers Founders Class shares that commenced operations on May 2, 2023 and Institutional Class shares that commenced operations on May 5, 2023. Each share class has identical rights to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”) may establish additional funds and classes of shares at any time in the future without shareholder approval.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies (“U.S. GAAP”). The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of its financial statements.

 

Investment Valuation: The Fund generally values its securities based on market prices determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

 

The market price for debt obligations is generally the price supplied by an independent third-party pricing service approved by the Board, which may use a matrix, formula or other objective method that takes into consideration quotations from dealers, market transactions in comparable investments, market indices and yield curves. If vendors are unable to supply a price, or if the price supplied is deemed to be unreliable or otherwise not representative of market conditions at the time of the valuation determination, the market price may be determined using quotations received from one or more brokers–dealers that make a market in the security. High yield bonds and notes are valued using market models that consider trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, creditworthiness, trade data or market information on comparable securities, and other relevant security specific information.

 

Loans are primarily valued by using a composite loan price from a nationally recognized loan pricing service. The methodology used by the Fund’s nationally recognized loan pricing provider for composite loan prices is to value loans at the mean of the bid and ask prices from one or more third party pricing services or dealers.

 

For equity securities and mutual funds that are traded on an exchange, the market price is usually the closing sale or official closing price on that exchange. In the case of equity securities not traded on an exchange, or if such closing prices are not otherwise available, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day.

 

Money market funds, representing short-term investments, are valued at their Net Asset Value (“NAV”).

 

When such prices or quotations are not available, or when the valuation designee appointed by the Board believes that they are unreliable, securities may be priced using fair value procedures approved by the Board.

 

Fair Value Measurements: The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 17

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments. These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

  Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
     
  Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly); and
     
  Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2025:

 

BRIGADE HIGH INCOME FUND

 

Investments in Securities at Value  

Level 1 - Unadjusted

Quoted Prices

   

Level 2 - Other

Significant

Observable Inputs

   

Level 3 - Significant

Unobservable Inputs

    Total  
Common Stocks                                
Communications   $     $     $ 817,917     $ 817,917  
Consumer, Cyclical           277,322             277,322  
Consumer, Non-cyclical           4,804,662       18,662       4,823,324  
Technology           1,132,218       1,667,136       2,799,354  
Bank Loans                                
Basic Materials           8,085,684             8,085,684  
Communications           19,486,823             19,486,823  
Consumer, Cyclical           57,666,346       2,042       57,668,388  
Consumer, Non-cyclical           72,740,309             72,740,309  
Energy           18,918,907             18,918,907  
Financial           14,966,893             14,966,893  
Industrial           14,737,615             14,737,615  
Technology           31,368,187       5,839,108       37,207,295  
Convertible Corporate Bond                                
Consumer, Cyclical           274,650             274,650  
Corporate Bond                                
Basic Materials           40,807,986             40,807,986  
Communications           73,330,540             73,330,540  
Consumer, Cyclical           54,666,208             54,666,208  
Consumer, Non-cyclical           76,309,921             76,309,921  
Energy           43,506,765             43,506,765  
Financial           72,631,621             72,631,621  
Industrial           16,359,690             16,359,690  
Technology           2,835,360             2,835,360  
Utilities           5,763,914             5,763,914  
Short Term Investments     32,618,462                   32,618,462  
Total   $ 32,618,462     $ 630,671,622     $ 8,344,865     $ 671,634,950  

 

    Valuation Inputs        
Other Financial Instruments   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Credit Default Swap           110,826             110,826  
Forward Contract           20,378             20,378  
Total   $     $ 131,204     $     $ 131,204  

 

18 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs were used in determining value:

 

Asset Type   Common Stocks     Bank Loan     Total  
Balance as of September 30, 2024   $ 944,242     $ 2,128,841     $ 3,073,083  
Accrued discount/ premium           156,415       156,415  
Return of Capital                  
Realized Gain/(Loss)           (2,369,954 )     (2,369,954 )
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation     (431,751 )     3,770,134       3,338,383  
Purchases     1,991,225       2,561,416       4,552,641  
Sales Proceeds           (2,201,163 )     (2,201,163 )
Transfer into Level 3(a)           1,795,460       1,795,460  
Transfer Out of Level 3                  
Balance as of March 31, 2025   $ 2,503,716     $ 5,841,149     $ 8,344,865  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) included in the Statement of Operations attributable to Level 3 investments held at March 31, 2025   $ (262,747 )   $ (366,700 )   $ (629,447 )

 

(a) Transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 because of a lack of observable market data, resulting from a decrease in market activity for the securities.

 

The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs the Fund used to value its investments categorized within Level 3 as of March 31, 2025. In addition to the techniques and inputs noted in the table below, according to the Fund’s valuation policy, other valuation techniques and methodologies when determining the Fund’s fair value measurements may be used. The below table is not intended to be all inclusive, but rather provide information on the significant unobservable inputs as they relate to the Fund’s determination of fair values.

 

    Fair Value at     Valuation   Unobservable    
Assets (at fair value)   March 31, 2025     Technique(s)   Inputs(1)   Value/Range
Common Stocks   $ 924,117     Weighted valuation techniques   EBITDA   398m
                EBDITA multiple   3.25x -4.75x
Common Stocks     18,662     Estimated recovery model   Estimated Escrow   $2.50
                Discount Rate   0.35
Total Common Stocks   $ 942,779              

 

(1) A change to the unobservable input may result in a significant change to the value of the investment as follows:

 

Unobservable Input Impact to Value if Input Increases Impact to Value if Input Decreases
EBITDA Increase Decrease
EBITDA Multiple Increase Decrease
Estimated Escrow Increase Decrease
Discount Rate Decrease Increase

 

Cash & Cash Equivalents: The Fund considers its investment in a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured interest bearing account to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus any accrued interest. The Fund maintains cash balances, which, at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Fund maintains these balances with a high quality financial institution.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk: The Fund places its cash with a banking institution, which is insured by FDIC. The FDIC limit is $250,000. At various times throughout the year, the amount on deposit may exceed the FDIC limit and subject the Fund to a credit risk. The Fund does not believe that such deposits are subject to any unusual risk associated with investment activities.

 

Trust Expenses: Some expenses of the Trust can be directly attributed to a fund in the Trust. Expenses that cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among all funds in the Trust based on average net assets of each fund, including Trustees’ fees and expenses.

 

Fund Expenses: Some expenses can be directly attributed to the Fund and are apportioned among the classes based on average net assets of each class.

 

Class Expenses: Expenses that are specific to a class of shares are charged directly to that share class.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 19

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Federal Income Taxes: The Fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and intends to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income and net capital gains, if any, each year so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. The Fund is not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made.

 

As of and during the period ended March 31, 2025, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax return is subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return for federal purposes and four years for most state returns. The Fund’s administrator has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions and has concluded that as of September 30, 2024, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements related to these tax positions.

 

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the investments are purchased or sold (trade date basis for financial reporting purposes). Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Interest income, which includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, is accrued and recorded as earned using the effective yield method. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. All of the realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income are allocated daily to each class in proportion to its average daily net assets. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, if any, are recorded as components of interest income in the Statement of Operations.

 

Distributions to Shareholders: The Fund normally pays dividends, if any, monthly, and distributes capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. Income dividend distributions are derived from interest and other income the Fund receives from its investments, including short term capital gains. Long term capital gain distributions are derived from gains realized when the Fund sells a security it has owned for more than one year. The Fund may make additional distributions and dividends at other times if its investment advisor has determined that doing so may be necessary for the Fund to avoid or reduce taxes. Net investment income/(loss) and net realized gain/(loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes.

 

Loan Assignments: The Fund acquires loans via loan assignments. The Fund considers loans acquired via assignment to be investments in debt instruments. When the Fund purchases loans from lenders via assignment, the Fund will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan except that under certain circumstances such rights may be more limited than those held by the assigning lender.

 

Loans and debt instruments are subject to credit risk. Credit risk relates to the ability of the borrower under such fixed income instruments to make interest and principal payments as they become due.

 

Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to sell. The Fund may not be able to sell these investments at the best prices or at the value the Fund places on them. In such a market, the value of such investments, and as a result the Fund’s share price, may fall dramatically, even during periods of declining interest rates. Investments that are illiquid or that trade in lower volumes may be more difficult to value. The market for high yield securities in particular may be less liquid than higher quality fixed income securities, and therefore these securities may be harder to value or sell at an acceptable price, especially during times of market volatility or decline.

 

Restricted Securities: Restricted securities are securities that may only be resold upon registration under federal securities laws or in transactions exempt from such registration. In some cases, the issuer of restricted securities has agreed to register such securities for resale, at the issuer’s expense, either upon demand by a fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Such restricted securities may be determined to be liquid. The Fund will not incur any registration costs upon such resale. The Fund’s restricted securities are valued at the price provided by pricing services or dealers in the secondary market or, if no market prices are available, at the fair value price as determined by the Fund’s adviser or pursuant to the Fund’s fair value policy, subject to oversight by the Board. The Fund has acquired certain securities, the sale of which is restricted under applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933. It is possible that the fair value price may differ significantly from the amount that may ultimately be realized in the near term, and the difference could be material.

 

Description   Security Type   Acquisition Date   Acquisition Cost     Fair Value     % of Net Assets  
Aquity Holdings, Inc.   Common Stock   10/27/23   $     $ 18,662       0.00 %
Avaya Holdings Corp.   Common Stock   5/10/2023-5/12/2023     775,525       924,117       0.16 %
                    $ 942,779          

 

Restricted securities under Rule 144A, including the aggregate value and percentage of net assets of the Fund, have been identified in the Schedule of Investments.

 

20 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

3. TAX BASIS INFORMATION

 

Tax Basis of Distributions to Shareholders: The character of distributions made during the period from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to the timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the fiscal year in which the income or realized gain were recorded by the Fund. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end.

 

Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation on Investments: As of March 31, 2025, the aggregate costs of investments, gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) and net unrealized appreciation of instruments for federal tax purposes were as follows:

 

    Brigade High Income  
    Fund  
Gross unrealized appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)   $ 21,719,149  
Gross unrealized depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)     (26,987,462 )
Net unrealized depreciation   $ (5,268,313 )
Cost of investments for income tax purposes   $ 676,903,263  

 

As of September 30, 2024, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income   $ 9,787,607  
Accumulated Capital Gains/(Losses)     2,562,628  
Net unrealized appreciation on investments     5,852,419  
Total   $ 18,202,654  

 

As of September 30, 2024, there were no permanent differences in book and tax accounting.

 

4. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, during the six months ended March 31, 2025, were as follows:

 

    Purchases of Securities     Proceeds from Sales of
Securities
 
Brigade High Income Fund   $ 214,191,770     $ 103,372,871  

 

5. BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

The capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value per share. Holders of the shares of the Fund have one vote for each share held and a proportionate fraction of a vote for each fractional share. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid for and are transferable and redeemable at the option of the shareholder. Shares have no pre-emptive rights. Neither the Fund nor any of its creditors have the right to require shareholders to pay any additional amounts solely because the shareholder owns the shares.

 

Shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase may incur a 1.00% short-term redemption fee deducted from the redemption amount. For the six months ended March 31, 2025, the redemption fees charged by the Fund, if any, are presented in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 21

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Transactions in common shares were as follows:

 

   

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year Ended

September 30, 2024

 
Brigade High Income Fund                
Founders Class                
Shares sold     8,193,691       11,535,094  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     4,279,270       5,711,353  
Shares redeemed     (1,507,275 )     (8,561,977 )
Net increase in shares outstanding     10,965,686       8,684,470  
Institutional Class                
Shares sold            
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     84       124  
Shares redeemed            
Net increase in shares outstanding     84       124  

 

Control is defined by the 1940 Act as the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. Approximately 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are held by one omnibus account that owns shares on behalf of their underlying beneficial owners. Share transaction activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Funds.

 

6. MANAGEMENT AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Investment Advisory: Brigade Capital Management, LP (the “Adviser”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser manages the investments of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations and investment guidelines established jointly by the Adviser and the Board.

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with the Adviser, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee of 0.50% based on the Fund’s average daily net assets. The management fee is paid on a monthly basis. The current term of the Advisory Agreement is one year. The Board may extend the Advisory Agreement for additional one-year terms. The Board and the shareholders of the Fund may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 30 days’ written notice. The Adviser may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice.

 

The Adviser has appointed Brigade Capital UK, LLP as the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement, it is determined that the Adviser and Fund will not pay any fees to the Sub-Adviser for providing services in accordance with such Agreement.

 

Pursuant to a fee waiver letter agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), the Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the amount of the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage expenses, interest expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) to an annual rate of 0.52% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Fee Waiver Agreement is in effect through at least January 31, 2026, and will automatically continue upon approval by the Board for successive twelve-month periods unless (i) it is terminated earlier by the Board, or (ii) the Adviser provides at least 30 days written notice of its non-continuance prior to the end of the then effective term. The Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class-by-class basis, expenses it has borne through the Fee Waiver Agreement (whether through reduction of its co-administration or management fee or otherwise) only to the extent that the Fund's expenses in later periods do not exceed the lesser of: (1) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser waives or limits the expenses; or (2) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser seeks to recover the expenses; provided, however, that the Fund will not be obligated to pay any such deferred fees or expenses more than three years after the date on which the fee and expense was reduced, as calculated on a monthly basis. The Adviser may not discontinue this waiver without the approval by the Trust's Board. Fees waived or reimbursed for the six months ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

As of March 31, 2025, the balances of recoupable expenses for the Fund were as follows:

 

Brigade High Income Fund   Expiring in 2026     Expiring in 2027     Expiring in 2028  
Founders Class   $ 271,778     $ 863,781     $ 420,573  
Institutional Class                    

 

22 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Administrator: ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) (an affiliate of ALPS Distributors, Inc.) serves as administrator to the Fund. The Fund has agreed to pay expenses incurred in connection with its administrative activities. Pursuant to the Services Agreement with the Trust, ALPS will provide operational services to the Fund including, but not limited to, fund accounting and fund administration and generally assist in the Fund’s operations. The Fund’s administration fee is accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly. The officers of the Trust are employees of ALPS. Administration fees paid by the Fund for the six months ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statement of Operations. ALPS is reimbursed by the Fund for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Brigade Capital Management, LP serves as co-administrator to the Fund. Pursuant to the Co-Administration Agreement, the Fund pays the co- administrator an annual fee of 0.05% based on the Fund's average daily net assets. Co-administration fees paid by the Fund for the six months ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

Transfer Agent: ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) serves as transfer agent for the Fund under a Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Fund plus fees for open accounts and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Compliance Services: ALPS provides Chief Compliance Officer services to the Fund to monitor and test the policies and procedures of the Fund in conjunction with requirements under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act pursuant to Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Fund and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Distribution: ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) (an affiliate of ALPS) acts as the principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust. Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis through the Distributor, as agent of the Fund. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any particular amount of shares and is not entitled to any compensation for its services as the Fund’s principal underwriter pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.

 

7. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

As of March 31, 2025, there were four Trustees, each of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The Independent Trustees of the Trust and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers will receive a quarterly retainer of $16,250, plus $5,000 for each regular Board or Committee meeting attended and $2,000 for each special telephonic or in-person Board or Committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Audit Committee Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $1,875 and the Independent Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $4,250. These fees are allocated proportionately among the multiple portfolios/series of the Trust. The Independent Trustees and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers are also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings.

 

Officers of the Trust receive no salary or fees from the Trust. As discussed in Note 6, the Fund pays ALPS an annual fee for compliance services.

 

8. INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that may contain general indemnification clauses which may permit indemnification to the extent permissible under applicable law. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 23

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Additional Information

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

1. TAX DESIGNATIONS

 

Qualified Dividend Income

 

The percentage of ordinary income dividends distributed during the calendar year ended December 31, 2024 are designated as qualified dividend income (QDI) as defined in Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code in the following percentages:

 

  Amount
Brigade High Income Fund 0%

 

Dividends Received Deduction

For corporate shareholders, the following ordinary dividends paid during the calendar year ended December 31, 2024 qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction:

 

  Amount
Brigade High Income Fund 0%

 

24 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for
Brigade High Income Fund Open-End Management Investment Companies

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants during the period covered by this report.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 25

 

 

Brigade High Income Fund Proxy Disclosures

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Not applicable to the period covered by this Report.

 

26 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

  Remuneration Paid to Trustees, Officers, and Others
Brigade High Income Fund of Open-End Management Investment Companies

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Fund for the period ended March 31, 2025:

 

Brigade High Income Fund

 

Trustee   Amount Paid  
Ward Armstrong   $ 7,827  
J.W. Hutchens     7,131  
Merrilyn Kosier     7,131  
Patrick Seese     7,438  
Total   $ 29,526.00  

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 27

 

 

  Statement Regarding Basis for Approval
Brigade High Income Fund of Investment Advisory Contract

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

On February 4, 2025, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”) met in person to discuss, among other things, the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Brigade Capital Management, LP. (“Brigade”) and the renewal of the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Brigade and Brigade Capital UK (“Brigade UK”) in accordance with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Brigade Agreements”). The Independent Trustees met with independent legal counsel during executive session and discussed the Brigade Agreements and other related materials.

 

In anticipation of and as part of the process to consider the renewal of the Brigade Agreements, legal counsel to the Trust requested certain information from Brigade. In response to these requests, the Trustees received reports from Brigade that addressed specific factors to be considered by the Board. The Board also received from independent legal counsel memoranda regarding the Board’s responsibilities pertaining to the approval of advisory contracts. Further, the Board met with representatives of Brigade and discussed the services of the firm provided pursuant to the Brigade Agreements, as well as the information provided by Brigade, for itself and with respect to Brigade UK.

 

In evaluating Brigade and the fees charged under the Brigade Agreements, the Trustees concluded that no single factor reviewed by the Trustees was identified by the Trustees to be determinative as the principal factor in whether to renew the Brigade Agreements. Further, the Independent Trustees were advised by independent legal counsel throughout the process. The following summary does not identify all the matters considered by the Board, but provides a summary of the principal matters the Board considered.

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services: The Trustees received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided, pursuant to the Brigade Agreements. The Trustees reviewed certain background materials supplied by Brigade in its presentation, including its Form ADV, organizational structure, and ownership structure. The Trustees considered the background and significant experience of Brigade’s management team, led by its CIO and managing partner. They considered the combined experience of the senior investment team with an average experience of 22 years. They discussed Brigade’s fundamental research process, which emphasized free cash flow, asset coverage, and relative value. They also considered the global investment platform focused on below investment grade strategies, and the various credit strategies in which Brigade invested, and Brigade’s disciplined investment process.

 

The Trustees also reviewed the firm’s compliance record with the Trust. The Trustees then reviewed and discussed Brigade’s financial statements and the representations by the Brigade management team that it was able to continue to provide quality services to the Fund. The Trustees concluded that they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services rendered or to be rendered by Brigade and Brigade UK under the relevant Brigade Agreement.

 

Performance: The Trustees reviewed and considered the performance of the Brigade Fund over the 3-month, 1-year and since inception periods ended November 30, 2024. The review included a comparison of the Fund’s performance to the performance of a peer group of comparable funds, as identified by an independent provider of investment company data the (“Data Provider”).

 

The Trustees considered that each class of the Brigade Fund had outperformed the peer group median over each such period. The Trustees noted that performance of the Fund had produced favorable returns in Q4 2024. They considered the portfolio managers’ oversight of the performance of the Fund’s portfolio. The Trustees concluded that the Fund’s performance was acceptable.

 

Investment Advisory Fee Rate and Expense Ratio: The Trustees reviewed and considered the contractual annual advisory fee to be paid by the Fund to Brigade and the contractual annual sub-advisory fee to be paid by Brigade to Brigade UK in light of the nature, extent and quality of the advisory and sub-advisory services provided to the Fund. The Trustees considered the information they received comparing the Fund’s contractual annual advisory fee and overall expenses with those of funds in the peer group and universe of funds provided by the Data Provider, noting that the Data Provider peer group consisted of the Fund and other funds identified by the Data Provider as comparable to the Fund.

 

The Trustees noted that the contractual advisory fee of 0.50% was equal to that of one other fund in the peer group, being the lowest (least expensive) in the Fund’s peer group, the total net expense of 0.52% for each class of the Fund was the second lowest in the Fund’s peer group.

 

Comparable Accounts: The Trustees acknowledged that Brigade managed other funds that were charged lower fees but with different levels of service, and Brigade managed other funds using investment strategies with some common features as the strategies of the Fund that were charged similar fees. Bearing in mind the limitations of comparing different types of accounts and the different levels of service typically associated with such accounts, the Trustees determined that the fee structures applicable to Brigade’s other clients employing a comparable strategy to the Brigade Fund, were not indicative of any unreasonableness with respect to the advisory fee to be paid by the Fund or the sub-advisory fee to be paid to Brigade UK. The Trustees concluded that the fee payable by the Fund to Brigade and by Brigade to Brigade UK were not unreasonable.

 

Profitability: The Trustees received and considered a retrospective profitability analysis for 2024 and a projected profitability analysis for 2025 prepared by Brigade on a consolidated basis with Brigade UK based on the fees paid under the Brigade Agreements. The Trustees noted that the Fund was profitable to Brigade in 2024 and was projected to be profitable to Brigade in 2025. The Trustees concluded that the profits were not excessive.

 

Economies of Scale: The Trustees considered whether economies of scale in the provision of services to the Fund would be passed along to the shareholders under the Brigade Agreements. They considered statements by the Adviser representatives that as the Fund grows, the Adviser would incur additional costs to successfully implement the strategy. They noted that the size of the Fund and the profits realized indicated that Brigade had not yet benefited from material economies of scale, and that the Trustees would reevaluate this annually.

 

28 www.brigadefunds.com

 

 

  Statement Regarding Basis for Approval
Brigade High Income Fund of Investment Advisory Contract

  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Other Benefits to the Adviser and Sub-Adviser: The Trustees reviewed and considered any other incidental benefits derived or to be derived by Brigade or Brigade UK from their relationships with the Brigade Fund, including soft dollar benefits to Brigade. The Trustees concluded that the direct and indirect benefits to Brigade and Brigade UK were not excessive.

 

Having requested, reviewed, and deliberated such information from Brigade as the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Brigade Agreements, the Trustees concluded that renewal of each Brigade Agreement was in the best interests of the Brigade Fund and its shareholders.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Schedule of Investments 1
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 7
Statement of Operations 8
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 9
Financial Highlights 10
Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights 12
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants 18
Proxy Disclosures 19
Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others 20
Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement 21

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Principal Amount     Value
(Note 2)
 
MUNICIPAL BONDS (98.89%)                
Education (40.21%)(a)                
Allen County Unified School District No. 257, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2043   $ 2,415,000     $ 1,922,204  
Barton Community College, Certificate Participation Bonds                
4.000%, 12/01/2032     555,000       557,165  
4.000%, 12/01/2034     250,000       250,521  
Bourbon County Unified School District No. 234-Fort Scott, Certificate Participation Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2037     400,000       400,196  
Butler County Unified School District No. 206 Remington, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2034     1,000,000       911,863  
3.000%, 09/01/2035     510,000       459,284  
Butler County Unified School District No. 375 Circle, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2035     750,000       678,592  
Butler County Unified School District No. 385 Andover, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2030     690,000       700,576  
4.000%, 09/01/2031     500,000       505,976  
Butler County Unified School District No. 394 Rose Hill, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2036     500,000       541,849  
Butler County Unified School District No. 490 El Dorado, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2034     1,000,000       1,001,421  
4.000%, 09/01/2036     500,000       491,560  
Dekalb County Central School Building Corp., Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 07/15/2033     500,000       545,218  
Denton Independent School District, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 08/15/2034     750,000       777,664  
Douglas County Unified School District No. 497 Lawrence, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2031     1,500,000       1,512,383  
4.000%, 09/01/2033     500,000       500,069  
Ellis County Unified School District No. 489 Hays, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2042     535,000       558,826  
Finney County Unified School District No. 457 Garden City, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2031     1,500,000       1,514,044  
5.000%, 09/01/2027     800,000       826,433  
Ford County Unified School District No. 443 Dodge City, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 03/01/2030     1,150,000       1,175,785  
Franklin County Unified School District No. 289 Wellsville, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2030     645,000       671,490  
Franklin County Unified School District No. 290 Ottawa, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2032     150,000       151,324  
Geary County Unified School District No. 475, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2033     1,000,000       927,458  
Hernando County School District, Certificate Participation Bonds                
5.000%, 07/01/2031     685,000       699,189  
Jefferson County School District R-1, Certificate Participation Bonds                
5.000%, 12/15/2027     500,000       507,750  
Johnson & Miami Counties Unified School District No. 230 Spring Hills, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2031     400,000       405,338  
4.000%, 09/01/2033     1,000,000       1,000,375  
4.000%, 09/01/2035     1,000,000       984,929  
5.000%, 09/01/2030     1,000,000       1,030,618  
Johnson County Unified School District No. 229 Blue Valley, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 10/01/2040     1,500,000       1,485,801  
Johnson County Unified School District No. 232 De Soto, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2031     1,165,000       1,190,780  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.  
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 1

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Principal Amount     Value
(Note 2)
 
Education (continued)                
Johnson County Unified School District No. 233 Olathe, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
2.000%, 09/01/2030   $ 750,000     $ 667,779  
4.000%, 09/01/2031     1,000,000       1,007,634  
Johnson County Unified School District No. 512 Shawnee Mission, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 10/01/2035     425,000       430,481  
5.000%, 10/01/2041     500,000       539,953  
Kansas City Kansas Community College Auxiliary Enterprise System, Revenue Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2032     140,000       141,849  
4.000%, 09/01/2033     100,000       100,548  
Kansas Development Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds                
2.000%, 05/01/2031     630,000       545,614  
2.000%, 06/01/2032     1,000,000       831,769  
3.000%, 05/01/2030     450,000       441,461  
3.500%, 05/01/2033     500,000       483,929  
Larimer County School District No. R-1 Poudre, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 12/15/2032     750,000       769,242  
Leavenworth County Unified School District No. 453, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2036     1,000,000       1,016,128  
Leavenworth County Unified School District No. 464, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2034     675,000       679,316  
4.000%, 09/01/2036     465,000       463,594  
Lyon County Unified School District No. 253 Emporia, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2030     325,000       330,763  
Miami County Unified School District No. 416 Louisburg, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2035     500,000       453,951  
Oklahoma County Elementary School District No. 29 Oakdale, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 05/01/2026     500,000       506,176  
Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 08/15/2046     750,000       760,278  
Riley County Unified School District No. 378 Riley, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2039     925,000       790,133  
Riley County Unified School District No. 383 Manhattan-Ogden, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2028     1,220,000       1,258,931  
Sedgwick County Unified School District No. 260 Derby, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.500%, 10/01/2036     845,000       810,781  
Sedgwick County Unified School District No. 264 Clearwater, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2029     530,000       537,334  
Sedgwick County Unified School District No. 266 Maize, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2032     750,000       756,210  
Sedgwick County Unified School District No. 267 Renwick, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 11/01/2033     350,000       353,111  
4.000%, 11/01/2034     425,000       427,953  
4.000%, 11/01/2035     635,000       639,277  
Seward County Unified School District No. 480 Liberal, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2028     1,000,000       1,024,827  
4.000%, 09/01/2032     500,000       509,946  
Spring Independent School District, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 08/15/2025     750,000       755,997  
University of Kansas Hospital Authority, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2028     250,000       251,633  
5.000%, 09/01/2030     350,000       351,939  
5.000%, 09/01/2031     500,000       502,555  
Washburn University/Topeka, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 07/01/2035     500,000       501,993  
West Clermont Local School District, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 12/01/2032     400,000       405,221  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
2

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Principal Amount     Value
(Note 2)
 
Education (continued)                
Wyandotte County Unified School District No. 202 Turner, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2038   $ 1,225,000     $ 1,260,438  
4.000%, 09/01/2039     400,000       411,571  
Wyandotte County Unified School District No. 203 Piper, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2038     1,000,000       1,041,163  
Wyandotte County Unified School District No. 500 Kansas City, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2030     500,000       515,662  
Total Education             48,163,821  
                 
General Obligation (37.27%)(a)                
Abilene Public Building Commission, Revenue Bonds                
4.000%, 12/01/2029     325,000       330,776  
4.000%, 12/01/2031     445,000       450,570  
Ashland Public Building Commission, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2035     720,000       720,306  
City of Arkansas City, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
2.000%, 08/01/2035     1,000,000       765,752  
City of Brooklyn Center MN, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 02/01/2026     500,000       509,017  
City of Garden City, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 11/01/2028     950,000       932,989  
City of Goddard, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 12/01/2027     500,000       509,963  
City of Lawrence, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2031     445,000       449,011  
City of Leawood, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2029     300,000       314,089  
City of Lenexa, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2033     1,560,000       1,483,498  
City of Maize, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 10/01/2038     375,000       369,938  
City of Manhattan, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.500%, 06/15/2027     885,000       884,979  
4.000%, 11/01/2031     400,000       410,357  
5.000%, 11/01/2025     570,000       577,116  
City of Olathe, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 10/01/2033     1,000,000       931,830  
4.000%, 10/01/2028     1,315,000       1,336,532  
City of Overland Park, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2037     475,000       485,829  
4.000%, 09/01/2038     475,000       482,805  
4.000%, 09/01/2039     350,000       355,015  
City of Paola, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2030     535,000       577,875  
City of Park City, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.375%, 12/01/2025     5,000       5,009  
City of Salina, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 10/01/2033     620,000       571,756  
3.000%, 10/01/2036     680,000       604,377  
City of Sedona AZ Excise Tax, Revenue Bonds                
4.000%, 07/01/2041     805,000       784,001  
City of Shawnee, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 12/01/2027     425,000       425,465  
City of Spring Hill, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2029     810,000       827,920  
City of Wamego, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 03/01/2027     500,000       507,738  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.  
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 3

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Principal Amount     Value
(Note 2)
 
General Obligation (continued)                
City of Wichita, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
2.000%, 06/01/2035   $ 400,000     $ 312,439  
3.000%, 10/01/2030     720,000       695,638  
4.000%, 06/01/2030     820,000       833,407  
4.000%, 06/01/2035     750,000       764,428  
City of Wichita, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2030     1,000,000       1,044,114  
County of Anderson, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
3.000%, 08/01/2033     750,000       703,829  
County of Anoka MN, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 02/01/2041     750,000       744,669  
County of Geary, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2030     415,000       418,337  
County of Johnson, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2028     1,125,000       1,129,563  
4.000%, 09/01/2035     1,525,000       1,532,304  
County of Linn, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 07/01/2032     505,000       512,232  
County of Saline, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 09/01/2029     765,000       793,838  
Johnson County Public Building Commission, Revenue Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2030     790,000       772,016  
4.000%, 09/01/2029     650,000       658,038  
4.000%, 09/01/2030     500,000       505,323  
4.000%, 09/01/2031     1,500,000       1,514,230  
Kansas Development Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds                
2.000%, 11/01/2033     950,000       773,875  
2.000%, 11/01/2034     975,000       773,347  
4.000%, 11/01/2030     800,000       811,454  
4.000%, 11/01/2031     1,100,000       1,112,773  
5.000%, 05/01/2042     1,500,000       1,614,510  
Loudoun County Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 12/01/2025     520,000       527,514  
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 11/01/2026     410,000       423,848  
Saline County Public Building Commission, Revenue Bonds                
2.000%, 09/01/2033     200,000       163,654  
2.000%, 09/01/2034     225,000       179,308  
2.000%, 09/01/2035     220,000       170,654  
State of Ohio, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
4.000%, 03/01/2026     500,000       506,244  
State of Wisconsin, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
5.000%, 05/01/2026     500,000       512,605  
Wyandotte County-Kansas City Unified Government, General Obligation Unlimited Bonds                
2.000%, 08/01/2033     1,000,000       817,290  
4.000%, 08/01/2029     685,000       696,205  
4.000%, 08/01/2030     2,105,000       2,147,268  
4.000%, 08/01/2031     930,000       930,293  
4.000%, 08/01/2032     1,000,000       1,017,115  
5.000%, 08/01/2025     815,000       820,674  
5.000%, 08/01/2031     1,000,000       1,102,952  
Total General Obligation             44,640,501  
                 
Health Care (1.13%)                
Lyon County Public Building Commission, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 12/01/2035     1,335,000       1,356,909  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
4

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Principal Amount     Value
(Note 2)
 
Public Services (1.40%)                
Johnson County Park & Recreation District, Certificate Participation Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2028   $ 1,165,000     $ 1,151,264  
3.000%, 09/01/2029     535,000       523,981  
Total Public Services             1,675,245  
                 
Transportation (10.53%)                
Kansas Turnpike Authority, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2031     630,000       677,517  
5.000%, 09/01/2032     500,000       536,455  
5.000%, 09/01/2036     1,000,000       1,059,476  
5.000%, 09/01/2037     1,000,000       1,055,651  
5.000%, 09/01/2038     1,150,000       1,209,436  
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 11/15/2030     750,000       768,122  
State of Kansas Department of Transportation, Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 09/01/2028     1,500,000       1,569,425  
5.000%, 09/01/2031     3,020,000       3,140,629  
5.000%, 09/01/2032     500,000       519,158  
5.000%, 09/01/2034     2,000,000       2,070,227  
Total Transportation             12,606,096  
                 
Utilities (8.35%)                
Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority, Inc., Revenue Bonds                
5.000%, 08/01/2027     500,000       511,581  
City of Lawrence Water & Sewage System, Revenue Bonds                
4.000%, 11/01/2032     1,180,000       1,217,529  
City of Lebanon Authority, Revenue Bonds                
4.000%, 12/15/2028     550,000       561,232  
City of McPherson Water System, Revenue Bonds                
2.000%, 10/01/2038     440,000       313,184  
City of Olathe Water & Sewer System, Revenue Bonds                
2.000%, 07/01/2034     540,000       436,606  
2.000%, 07/01/2035     550,000       432,636  
3.000%, 07/01/2030     675,000       651,784  
3.000%, 07/01/2031     555,000       530,417  
3.000%, 07/01/2032     745,000       700,445  
3.000%, 07/01/2033     755,000       700,276  
City of Wichita Water & Sewer Utility, Revenue Bonds                
3.000%, 10/01/2029     1,180,000       1,148,253  
3.375%, 10/01/2039     1,000,000       899,394  
Wyandotte County-Kansas City Unified Government Utility System, Revenue Bonds                
3.000%, 09/01/2035     250,000       221,501  
3.000%, 09/01/2040     250,000       201,991  
5.000%, 09/01/2031     1,350,000       1,369,242  
5.000%, 09/01/2033     100,000       100,664  
Total Utilities             9,996,735  
                 
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS                
(Cost $125,074,693)             118,439,307  

 

    Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (0.56%)                
Money Market Fund (0.56%)                
First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X (4.254%, 7-Day Yield)     671,859     $ 671,859  
Total Money Market Fund             671,859  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.  
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 5

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS      
(Cost $671,859)     671,859  
         
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (99.45%)        
(Cost $125,746,552)   $ 119,111,166  
         
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (0.55%)     657,226  
         
NET ASSETS (100.00%)   $ 119,768,392  

 

(a) To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. When sector categorization is broken down by industry, no industry exceeds the 25% maximum specified in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
6

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Statement of Assets and Liabilities

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:      
Investments, at value (Cost $125,746,552)   $ 119,111,166  
Cash and cash equivalents     6,019  
Receivable for shares sold     92,946  
Dividends and interest receivable     911,388  
Total Assets     120,121,519  
         
LIABILITIES:        
Distributions payable     211,398  
Payable for administration and transfer agent fees     52,834  
Payable for shares redeemed     28,802  
Payable to adviser     12,605  
Payable for distribution fees     107  
Payable for printing fees     5,261  
Payable for professional fees     12,202  
Payable for trustees' fees and expenses     3,258  
Payable to Chief Compliance Officer fees     7,641  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     18,960  
Total Liabilities     353,127  
NET ASSETS   $ 119,768,392  
         
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:        
Paid-in capital (Note 5)   $ 129,003,924  
Total distributable earnings/(deficit)     (9,235,532 )
NET ASSETS   $ 119,768,392  
         
PRICING OF SHARES        
Institutional Class:        
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 10.04  
Net Assets   $ 119,011,126  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     11,854,329  
Class A :        
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 10.04  
Net Assets   $ 757,266  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     75,427  
Maximum offering price per share(a)   $ 10.46  

 

(a) Net Asset Value/100% minus maximum sales charge of net asset value, 4.25% for the Fund, adjusted to the nearest cent.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 7

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:      
Interest   $ 1,517,692  
Total Investment Income     1,517,692  
         
EXPENSES:        
Investment advisory fees (Note 6)     179,703  
Fund Accounting and Administration fees     105,967  
Distribution fees        
Class A     2,470  
Custody fees     5,282  
Legal fees     1,111  
Audit and tax fees     9,860  
Transfer agent fees     29,067  
Trustees' fees and expenses     6,611  
Registration and filing fees     31,419  
Chief Compliance Officer fees     22,374  
Insurance fees     3,983  
Other expenses     3,553  
Total Expenses     401,400  
Less fees waived/reimbursed by investment adviser (Note 6)        
Institutional Class     (111,813 )
Class A     (2,547 )
Total fees waived by investment adviser     (114,360 )
Net Expenses     287,040  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME     1,230,652  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:        
Net realized gain/(loss) on:        
Investments     (143,528 )
Net realized loss     (143,528 )
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:        
Investments     (2,082,954 )
Net change     (2,082,954 )
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS     (2,226,482 )
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (995,830 )

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
8

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    For the Six Months
Ended March 31,
2025 (Unaudited)
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2024
 
OPERATIONS:                
Net investment income   $ 1,230,652     $ 2,454,563  
Net realized loss on investments     (143,528 )     (1,281,013 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments     (2,082,954 )     9,046,275  
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (995,830 )     10,219,825  
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                
Institutional Class     (1,222,209 )     (2,444,968 )
Class A     (8,437 )     (16,126 )
Total distributions     (1,230,646 )     (2,461,094 )
                 
BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 5):                
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     8,884,900       14,670,691  
Dividends reinvested     30,870       60,082  
Shares redeemed     (9,875,598 )     (18,703,592 )
Net decrease from beneficial share transactions     (959,828 )     (3,972,819 )
Class A                
Shares sold     8,000       24,000  
Dividends reinvested     8,377       14,781  
Shares redeemed     (49,212 )     (267,403 )(a)
Net decrease from beneficial share transactions     (32,835 )     (228,622 )
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets     (3,219,139 )     3,557,290  
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     122,987,531       119,430,241  
End of period   $ 119,768,392     $ 122,987,531  

 

(a) Shares redeemed amount also includes a $10 redemption fee.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 9

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Financial Highlights
Institutional Class For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2024
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2023
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2022
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2021
 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD   $ 10.23     $ 9.60     $ 9.64     $ 11.10     $ 11.16  
                                         
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:                                        
Net investment income(a)     0.10       0.20       0.20       0.19       0.20  
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments     (0.19 )     0.63       (0.04 )     (1.45 )     (0.06 )
Total from investment operations     (0.09 )     0.83       0.16       (1.26 )     0.14  
                                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:                                        
From net investment income     (0.10 )     (0.20 )     (0.20 )     (0.19 )     (0.20 )
From net realized gains on investments                 (0.00 )(b)      (0.01 )     (0.00 )(b) 
Total Distributions     (0.10 )     (0.20 )     (0.20 )     (0.20 )     (0.20 )
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE     (0.19 )     0.63       (0.04 )     (1.46 )     (0.06 )
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD   $ 10.04     $ 10.23     $ 9.60     $ 9.64     $ 11.10  
                                         
TOTAL RETURN(c)     (0.85 %)     8.72 %     1.57 %     (11.49 %)     1.30 %
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                                        
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)   $ 119,011     $ 122,183     $ 118,458     $ 138,130     $ 180,253  
                                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS                                        
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver     0.67 %(d)      0.66 %     0.60 %     0.58 %     0.56 %
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver     0.48 %(d)      0.48 %     0.48 %     0.48 %     0.48 %
Net investment income including reimbursement/waiver     2.05 %(d)      2.01 %     1.96 %     1.80 %     1.83 %
                                         
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(e)     5 %     10 %     8 %     6 %     8 %

 

(a) Per share amounts are based upon average shares outstanding, unless otherwise noted.
(b) Less than $0.005 per share.
(c) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
10

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Financial Highlights
Class A For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2024
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2023
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2022
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2021
 
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD   $ 10.23     $ 9.60     $ 9.64     $ 11.10     $ 11.16  
                                         
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:                                        
Net investment income(a)     0.11       0.18       0.17       0.16       0.18  
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments     (0.19 )     0.63       (0.04 )     (1.45 )     (0.06 )
Total from investment operations     (0.08 )     0.81       0.13       (1.29 )     0.12  
                                         
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:                                        
From net investment income     (0.11 )     (0.18 )     (0.17 )     (0.16 )     (0.18 )
From net realized gains on investments                 (0.00 )(b)      (0.01 )     (0.00 )(b) 
Total Distributions     (0.11 )     (0.18 )     (0.17 )     (0.17 )     (0.18 )
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE     (0.19 )     0.63       (0.04 )     (1.46 )     (0.06 )
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD   $ 10.04     $ 10.23     $ 9.60     $ 9.64     $ 11.10  
                                         
TOTAL RETURN(c)     (0.79 %)     8.46 %     1.32 %     (11.72 %)     1.05 %
                                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                                        
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)   $ 757     $ 804     $ 972     $ 1,120     $ 3,813  
                                         
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS                                        
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver     1.02 %(d)      0.81 %     0.91 %     0.90 %     0.87 %
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver     0.36 %(d)      0.73 %     0.73 %     0.73 %     0.73 %
Net investment income including reimbursement/waiver     2.18 %(d)      1.75 %     1.71 %     1.54 %     1.58 %
                                         
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(e)     5 %     10 %     8 %     6 %     8 %

 

(a) Per share amounts are based upon average shares outstanding, unless otherwise noted.
(b) Less than $0.005 per share.
(c) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Total Returns does not include the sales load. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 11

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Trust consists of multiple separate portfolios or series. This annual report describes the Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (the “Fund” or “Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund”) formally known as the American Independence Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund. On September 13, 2019, Carret Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser” or “Carret") became the adviser to the Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, changing the Fund’s name from American Independence to Carret. The Fund’s investment objective is to preserve capital while producing current income for the investor that is exempt from both federal and Kansas state income taxes. The Fund is considered diversified, and its primary investment objective is to preserve capital while producing current income for the investor that is exempt from both federal and Kansas state income taxes. The Fund currently offers Institutional Class Shares and Class A Shares. Each share class has identical rights to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. The Board of Trustees (the "Board" or "Trustees") may establish additional funds and classes of shares at any time in the future without shareholder approval.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies (“U.S. GAAP”). The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of its financial statements.

 

Investment Valuation: The Fund generally values its securities based on market prices determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

 

The market price for debt obligations is generally the price supplied by an independent third-party pricing service approved by the Board, which may use a matrix, formula or other objective method that takes into consideration quotations from dealers, market transactions in comparable investments, market indices and yield curves. If vendors are unable to supply a price, or if the price supplied is deemed to be unreliable, the market price may be determined using quotations received from one or more broker-dealers that make a market in the security.

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end registered investment companies are valued at the investment company’s applicable net asset value (“NAV”). Money market funds, representing short-term investments, are valued at their NAV.

 

When such prices or quotations are not available, or when the valuation designee appointed by the Board believes that they are unreliable, securities may be priced using fair value procedures approved by the Board.

 

Fair Value Measurements: The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments. These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

  Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;

 

 

12

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

  Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly); and
     
  Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2025:

 

Investments in Securities at Value*   Level 1 - Quoted and
Unadjusted Prices
    Level 2 - Other
Significant
Observable Inputs
    Level 3 - Significant
Unobservable Inputs
    Total  
Municipal Bonds   $     $ 118,439,307     $     $ 118,439,307  
Short Term Investments     671,859                   671,859  
Total   $ 671,859     $ 118,439,307     $     $ 119,111,166  

 

* For a detailed Sector breakdown, see the accompanying Schedule of Investments.

 

There were no Level 3 securities held in the Fund during the six months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Securities Purchased on a When-Issued Basis: The Fund may purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price and/or yield, thereby involving the risk that the price and/or yield obtained may be more or less than those available in the market when delivery takes place. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, the Fund records the transaction and reflects the value of the security in determining net asset value. Normally, the settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase. No payment is made by the Fund and no interest accrues to the Fund during the period between purchase and settlement.

 

Cash & Cash Equivalents: The Fund considers its investment in a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured interest bearing account to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus any accrued interest. The Fund maintains cash balances, which, at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Fund maintains these balances with a high-quality financial institution.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk: The Fund places its cash with a banking institution, which is insured by FDIC. The FDIC limit is $250,000. At various times throughout the year, the amount on deposit may exceed the FDIC limit and subject the Fund to a credit risk. The Fund does not believe that such deposits are subject to any unusual risk associated with investment activities.

 

The Fund invests primarily in debt obligations issued by the State of Kansas and its respective political subdivisions, agencies and public authorities. The Fund is more susceptible to economic and political factors adversely affecting issuers of Kansas specific municipal securities than are municipal bond funds that are not concentrated in these issuers to the same extent.

 

Fixed-Income Securities Risk: Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). Generally, fixed-income securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise and will increase in value if interest rates decline. Securities with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Lower rated fixed-income securities have greater volatility because there is less certainty that principal and interest payments will be made as scheduled.

 

Credit Risk: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a debt security, including ETNs, will fail to repay principal and interest on the security when due. Credit risk is affected by the issuer’s credit status, and is generally higher for non-investment grade securities.

 

Duration Risk: Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. Similarly, a fund with longer average fund duration will be more sensitive to changes in interest rates and will experience more price volatility than a fund with shorter average fund duration. By way of example, the price of a bond fund with duration of five years would be expected to fall approximately 5% if interest rates rose by one percentage point.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 13

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Extension Risk: Extension risk is the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund later than expected. This may happen during a period of rising interest rates. Under these circumstances, the value of the obligation will decrease and the Fund will suffer from the inability to invest in higher yielding securities.

 

Interest Rate Risk: Interest rate risk is the risk that a debt security’s value will decline due to changes in market interest rates. Even though some interest-bearing securities offer a stable stream of income, their prices will still fluctuate with changes in interest rates. The Fund may be subject to greater risk of rising interest rates than would normally be the case due to the current period of historically low rates and the effect of potential government fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives. When interest rates change, the values of longer-duration debt securities usually change more than the values of shorter-duration debt securities.

 

Prepayment Risk: Prepayment occurs when the issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features on the price of a debt security can be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility. This risk could affect the total return of the Fund.

 

Municipal Securities Risk: Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic conditions or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on an issuer’s ability to make payments of principal and/or interest. Municipal bonds can be significantly affected by political changes as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes or the rights of municipal security holders. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance similar projects, especially those relating to education, health care, transportation and utilities, conditions in those sectors can affect the overall municipal market. In addition, changes in the financial condition of an individual municipal insurer can affect the overall municipal market. Municipal bonds may include revenue bonds, which are generally backed by revenue from a specific project or tax. The issuer of a revenue bond makes interest and principal payments from revenues generated from a particular source or facility, such as a tax on particular property or revenues generated from municipal water or sewer utility or an airport. Revenue bonds generally are not backed by the full faith and credit and general taxing power of the issuer. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds. There may be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of municipal securities than for public corporations.

 

General Obligation Bonds: Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues, and ability to maintain an adequate tax base.
Revenue Bonds: Payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source.

 

State Specific Risk: State specific risk is the chance that the Fund, because it invests primarily in securities issued by Kansas and its municipalities, is more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in Kansas than funds that invest in municipal bonds of many different states. Kansas is home to 2.9 million residents, and its economy is reasonably diversified but still relies significantly on transportation equipment production, agriculture and food processing, as well as oil & gas production/processing. Adverse conditions affecting these industries could have a disproportionate effect on Kansas municipal securities.

 

Trust Expenses: Some expenses of the Trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses that cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among all funds in the Trust based on average net assets of each fund, including Trustees’ fees and expenses.

 

Fund Expenses: Some expenses can be directly attributed to the Fund and are apportioned among the classes based on average net assets of each class.

 

Class Expenses: Expenses that are specific to a class of shares are charged directly to that share class. Fees provided under the distribution (Rule 12b-1) and/or shareholder service plans for a particular class of each Fund are charged to the operations of such class.

 

Federal Income Taxes: The Fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and intends to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income and net capital gains, if any, each year so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. The Fund is not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made.

 

As of and during the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return for federal purposes and four years for most state returns. The Fund’s administrator has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of March 31, 2025, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements related to these tax positions.

 

 

14

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the investments are purchased or sold (trade date basis for financial reporting purposes). Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Interest income, which includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, is accrued and recorded as earned based on the effective yield method. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. All of the realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income are allocated daily to each class in proportion to its average daily net assets.

 

Distributions to Shareholders: Distributions from net investment income for the Fund are declared daily and paid monthly. Distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually. Income dividend distributions are derived from interest and other income the Fund receives from its investments, including short-term capital gains. Long-term capital gain distributions are derived from gains realized when the Fund sells a security it has owned for more than one year. A Fund may make additional distributions and dividends at other times if its investment adviser has determined that doing so may be necessary for the Fund to avoid or reduce taxes. Net investment income/(loss) and net realized gain/(loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes.

 

3. TAX BASIS INFORMATION

 

 

Tax Basis of Distributions to Shareholders: The character of distributions made during the period from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to the timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the fiscal year in which the income or realized gain were recorded by the Fund. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions are estimated at the time of distribution and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end.

 

The tax character of distributions paid by the Fund for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 was as follows:

 

    Ordinary Income     Tax-Exempt Income     Long-Term Capital Gains  
Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund   $ 50,772     $ 2,410,322     $  

 

Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation on Investments: As of March 31, 2025, the aggregate cost of investments, gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and net unrealized depreciation for Federal tax purposes were as follows:

 

    Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund  
Gross unrealized appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)   $ 41,156  
Gross unrealized depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)     (6,676,542 )
Net unrealized depreciation   $ (6,635,386 )
Cost of investments for income tax purposes   $ 125,746,552  

 

4. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, during the six months ended March 31, 2025, were as follows:

 

    Purchases of Securities     Proceeds from Sales of
Securities
 
Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund   $ 5,853,956     $ 5,445,696  

 

5. BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

The capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value per share. Holders of the shares of the Fund have one vote for each share held and a proportionate fraction of a vote for each fractional share. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and are transferable and redeemable at the option of the shareholder. Shares have no pre-emptive rights. Neither the Fund nor any of their creditors have the right to require shareholders to pay any additional amounts solely because the shareholder owns the shares.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 15

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Transactions in common shares were as follows:

 

    For the Period
Ended March 31,
2025
    For the Year
Ended September 30,
2024
 
Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund                
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     877,826       1,463,621  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     3,054       5,993  
Shares redeemed     (975,635 )     (1,859,916 )
Net decrease in shares outstanding     (94,755 )     (390,302 )
Class A                
Shares sold     792       2,392  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     829       1,473  
Shares redeemed     (4,858 )     (26,451 )
Net decrease in shares outstanding     (3,237 )     (22,586 )

 

Control is defined by the 1940 Act as the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. Approximately 97% of the shares outstanding of the Fund are owned by one omnibus account.

 

6. MANAGEMENT AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Investment Advisory: Carret Asset Management, LLC, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser, subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Fund’s business affairs. The Adviser manages the investments of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations, and investment guidelines established jointly by the Adviser and the Board.

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee of 0.30% based on the Fund’s average daily net assets. The management fee is paid on a monthly basis. The current term of the Advisory Agreement is one year. The Board may extend the Advisory Agreement for additional one-year terms by approval at an in-person meeting called for the purpose of considering such matters. The Board and shareholders of the Fund may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ prior written notice. The Adviser may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 120 days’ prior written notice.

 

Pursuant to a fee waiver letter agreement (“Fee Waiver Agreement”), the Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the amount of the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses, (excluding Rule 12b-1 Fees, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, brokerage expenses, interest expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) to an annual rate of 0.48% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Fee Waiver Agreement is in effect through January 31, 2026, and will automatically continue upon annual approval by the Board for successive twelve-month periods unless (i) it is terminated earlier by the Board of Trustees, or (ii) the Adviser provides at least 30 days written notice of its non-continuance prior to the end of the then effective term. Except due to the Adviser’s notice of non-renewal, this Agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the Board. The Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class-by-class basis, expenses it has borne through the Fee Waiver Agreement (whether through reduction of its management fee or otherwise) only to the extent that the Fund's expenses in later periods do not exceed the lesser of: (1) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser waives or limits the expenses; or (2) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser seeks to recover the expenses; provided, however, that the Fund will not be obligated to pay any such deferred fees or expenses more than three years after the date on which the fee or expense was reduced, as calculated on a monthly basis.

 

As of March 31, 2025, the balances of recoupable expenses for the Fund were as follows:

 

Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund   Expiring in 2025     Expiring in 2026     Expiring in 2027     Expiring in 2028     Total  
Institutional Class   $ 171,583     $ 158,799     $ 220,331     $ 111,813     $ 6,62,526  
Class A     3,027       1,936       3,316       2,547       10,826  

 

Administrator: ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) (an affiliate of ALPS Distributors, Inc.) serves as administrator to the Fund. The Fund has agreed to pay expenses incurred in connection with its administrative activities. Pursuant to the Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement with the Trust, ALPS will provide operational services to the Fund including, but not limited to, fund accounting and fund administration, and will generally assist in the Fund’s operations. The Fund’s administration fee is accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly. The officers of the Trust are employees of ALPS. Administration fees paid by the Fund for the six months ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statement of Operations. ALPS is reimbursed by the Fund for certain out of pocket expenses.

 

 

16

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Transfer Agent: ALPS serves as transfer agent for the Fund under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Fund plus fees for open accounts and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Compliance Services: ALPS provides Chief Compliance Officer services to the Fund to monitor and test the policies and procedures of the Fund in conjunction with requirements under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act pursuant to a Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Fund and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Distribution: ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) (an affiliate of ALPS) acts as the principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust. Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis through the Distributor, as agent of the Fund. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any particular amount of shares of the Fund and is not entitled to any compensation for its services as the Fund’s principal underwriter pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.

 

The Fund has adopted a shareholder services plan effective February 1, 2025 (“Shareholder Services Plan”) for its Class A Shares. Under the Shareholder Services Plan the Fund is authorized to pay banks and their affiliates and other institutions, including broker-dealers and Fund affiliates (“Participating Organizations”), an aggregate fee in an amount not to exceed on an annual basis 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class A Shares to Participating Organizations as compensation for providing shareholder service activities, which do not include distribution services, pursuant to an agreement with a Participating Organization. The Board authorized 0.00% to be paid of shareholder servicing fees.

 

The Fund has adopted a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”) that allows its Class A shares to pay a distribution and service fee, as defined by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), from its assets for selling and distributing its shares. The Fund was permitted to pay distribution and service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of its Class A share assets. Distribution fees paid by the Fund for the six months ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

7. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

 

As of March 31, 2025, there were four Trustees, each of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The Independent Trustees of the Trust and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers receive a quarterly retainer of $16,250, plus $5,000 for each regular Board or Committee meeting attended and $2,000 for each special telephonic or in-person Board or Committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Audit Committee Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $1,875 and the Independent Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $4,250. These fees are allocated proportionately among the multiple portfolios/series of the Trust. The Independent Trustees and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers are also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings.

 

Officers of the Trust receive no salary or fees from the Trust. As discussed in Note 6, the Fund pays ALPS an annual fee for compliance services.

 

8. INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that may contain general indemnification clauses which may permit indemnification to the extent permissible under applicable law. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as such exposure would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 17

   

 

  Changes in and
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Disagreements with Accountants

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants during the period covered by this report.

 

 

18

   

 

Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Proxy Disclosures

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Not applicable to the period covered by this report.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 19

   

 

  Remuneration Paid to
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund Directors, Officers, and Others

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the period ended March 31, 2025:

 

Carret Kansas Tax Exempt Bond Fund

 

Trustee   Amount Paid  
Ward Armstrong   $ 1,585.73  
J.W. Hutchens     1,440.77  
Merrilyn Kosier     1,440.77  
Patrick Seese     1,504.72  
Total   $ 5,971.99  

 

 

20

   

 

  Statement Regarding Basis for Approval
Carret Kansas Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of Investment Advisory Agreement

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Not applicable to the period covered by this report.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 21
   

 

   

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Schedule of Investments
Clarkston Partners Fund 1
Clarkston Fund 3
Clarkston Founders Fund 5
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 7
Statements of Operations 8
Statements of Changes in Net Assets  
Clarkston Partners Fund 9
Clarkston Fund 10
Clarkston Founders Fund 11
Financial Highlights 12
Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights 27
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants 37
Proxy Disclosures 38
Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others 39
Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement 40

 

 

Clarkston Partners Fund Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
COMMON STOCK (92.17%)                
Consumer Discretionary (7.43%)                
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A     1,000,000     $ 44,560,000  
Leslie's, Inc.(a)     8,415,000       6,189,232  
LKQ Corp.     640,000       27,225,600  
Total Consumer Discretionary             77,974,832  
                 
Consumer Staples (31.63%)(b)                
Energizer Holdings, Inc.     1,375,000       41,140,000  
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.     800,000       42,640,000  
Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B     975,000       59,348,250  
Post Holdings, Inc.(a)     842,000       97,975,120  
Sysco Corp.     507,000       38,045,280  
US Foods Holding Corp.(a)     805,000       52,695,300  
Total Consumer Staples             331,843,950  
                 
Financials (17.66%)                
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.     395,000       66,371,850  
Brown & Brown, Inc.     245,000       30,478,000  
LPL Financial Holdings Inc.     175,000       57,249,500  
Willis Towers Watson PLC     92,000       31,091,400  
Total Financials             185,190,750  
                 
Health Care (10.79%)                
Avantor, Inc.(a)     2,250,000       36,472,500  
Envista Holdings Corp.(a)     1,602,538       27,659,806  
Henry Schein, Inc.(a)     445,000       30,478,050  
Neogen Corp.(a)     2,150,000       18,640,500  
Total Health Care             113,250,856  
                 
Industrials (13.94%)                
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.     360,000       36,864,000  
GFL Environmental Inc.     1,085,000       52,416,350  
Hillenbrand, Inc.     1,265,000       30,537,100  
Middleby Corp.(a)     175,000       26,596,500  
Total Industrials             146,413,950  
                 
Technology (7.68%)                
CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings, Inc.(a)     1,256,612       11,347,206  
Clarivate PLC(a)     17,609,291       69,204,514  
Total Technology             80,551,720  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 1

 

 

Clarkston Partners Fund Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares    

Value

(Note 2)

 
Telecommunications (3.04%)                
Cable One, Inc.     120,000     $ 31,892,400  
                 
TOTAL COMMON STOCK                
(Cost $860,190,762)             967,118,458  
                 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (92.17%)                
(Cost $860,190,762)           $ 967,118,458  
                 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (7.83%)             82,171,156  
                 
NET ASSETS (100.00%)           $ 1,049,289,614  

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) For additional information on portfolio concentration, see Note 2.

 

The sector categorization above is based on the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB®) industry classifications. Where ICB® has not assigned a classification for a company, the Fund's investment adviser will assign a classification that it believes most accurately represents the company's business. Sectors are shown as a percent of the Fund's net assets. Industry categorizations used for Fund compliance purposes are based on classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indices or ratings group indices and/or as defined by Fund management.(Unaudited)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
2 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Fund Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares    

Value

(Note 2)

 
COMMON STOCK (86.43%)                
Consumer Discretionary (9.32%)                
Airbnb, Inc., Class A(a)     21,500     $ 2,568,390  
Dollar General Corp.     70,000       6,155,100  
The Walt Disney Co.     12,000       1,184,400  
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.(a)     635,000       6,813,550  
Total Consumer Discretionary             16,721,440  
                 
Consumer Staples (26.79%)(b)                
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Sponsored ADR     175,000       10,773,000  
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.     120,000       6,396,000  
Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B     115,000       7,000,050  
Post Holdings, Inc.(a)     102,000       11,868,720  
Sysco Corp.     47,000       3,526,880  
US Foods Holding Corp.(a)     130,000       8,509,800  
Total Consumer Staples             48,074,450  
                 
Financials (15.36%)                
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.     47,000       7,897,410  
Brown & Brown, Inc.     33,000       4,105,200  
LPL Financial Holdings Inc.     15,000       4,907,100  
The Charles Schwab Corp.     67,000       5,244,760  
Willis Towers Watson PLC     16,000       5,407,200  
Total Financials             27,561,670  
                 
Health Care (9.64%)                
Avantor, Inc.(a)     400,000       6,484,000  
Becton Dickinson & Co.     15,000       3,435,900  
ICON PLC(a)     18,000       3,149,820  
IQVIA Holdings, Inc.(a)     24,000       4,231,200  
Total Health Care             17,300,920  
                 
Industrials (15.81%)                
American Express Co.     9,000       2,421,450  
Capital One Financial Corp.     22,500       4,034,250  
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.     60,000       6,144,000  
FedEx Corp.     29,500       7,191,510  
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.     63,000       4,704,840  
Fortive Corp.     53,000       3,878,540  
Total Industrials             28,374,590  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 3

 

 

Clarkston Fund Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares    

Value

(Note 2)

 
Technology (6.01%)                
Clarivate PLC(a)     2,745,000     $ 10,787,850  
                 
Telecommunications (3.50%)                
Comcast Corp., Class A     170,000       6,273,000  
                 
TOTAL COMMON STOCK                
(Cost $135,175,819)             155,093,920  
                 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (86.43%)                
(Cost $135,175,819)           $ 155,093,920  
                 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (13.57%)             24,353,746  
                 
NET ASSETS (100.00%)           $ 179,447,666  

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) For additional information on portfolio concentration, see Note 2.

 

The sector categorization above is based on the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB®) industry classifications. Where ICB® has not assigned a classification for a company, the Fund's investment adviser will assign a classification that it believes most accurately represents the company's business. Sectors are shown as a percent of the Fund's net assets. Industry categorizations used for Fund compliance purposes are based on classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indices or ratings group indices and/or as defined by Fund management.(Unaudited)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
4 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Founders Fund Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares    

Value

(Note 2)

 
COMMON STOCK (88.98%)                
Consumer Discretionary (10.02%)                
Dollar General Corp.     310,000     $ 27,258,300  
LKQ Corp.     425,000       18,079,500  
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.(a)     3,050,000       32,726,500  
Total Consumer Discretionary             78,064,300  
                 
Consumer Staples (27.26%)(b)                
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Sponsored ADR     605,000       37,243,800  
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.     525,000       27,982,500  
Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B     590,000       35,913,300  
Post Holdings, Inc.(a)     530,000       61,670,800  
Sysco Corp.     175,000       13,132,000  
US Foods Holding Corp.(a)     555,000       36,330,300  
Total Consumer Staples             212,272,700  
                 
Financials (18.14%)                
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.     240,879       40,474,898  
Brown & Brown, Inc.     150,000       18,660,000  
LPL Financial Holdings Inc.     83,000       27,152,620  
The Charles Schwab Corp.     335,000       26,223,800  
Willis Towers Watson PLC     85,000       28,725,750  
Total Financials             141,237,068  
                 
Health Care (9.57%)                
Align Technology, Inc.(a)     72,000       11,437,920  
Avantor, Inc.(a)     1,690,000       27,394,900  
Henry Schein, Inc.(a)     300,000       20,547,000  
ICON PLC(a)     86,750       15,180,383  
Total Health Care             74,560,203  
                 
Industrials (16.60%)                
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.     250,000       25,600,000  
FedEx Corp.     122,000       29,741,160  
Fortive Corp.     210,000       15,367,800  
GFL Environmental Inc.     835,000       40,338,850  
Middleby Corp.(a)     120,000       18,237,600  
Total Industrials             129,285,410  
                 
Technology (7.39%)                
CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings, Inc.(a)     908,525       8,203,981  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 5

 

 

Clarkston Founders Fund Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares    

Value

(Note 2)

 
Technology (continued)                
Clarivate PLC(a)     12,555,000     $ 49,341,150  
Total Technology             57,545,131  
                 
TOTAL COMMON STOCK                
(Cost $610,629,937)             692,964,812  
                 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (88.98%)                
(Cost $610,629,937)           $ 692,964,812  
                 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (11.02%)             85,857,724  
                 
NET ASSETS (100.00%)           $ 778,822,536  

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) For additional information on portfolio concentration, see Note 2.

 

The sector categorization above is based on the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB®) industry classifications. Where ICB® has not assigned a classification for a company, the Fund's investment adviser will assign a classification that it believes most accurately represents the company's business. Sectors are shown as a percent of the Fund's net assets. Industry categorizations used for Fund compliance purposes are based on classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indices or ratings group indices and/or as defined by Fund management.(Unaudited)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
6 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Statements of Assets and Liabilities
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

   

Clarkston

Partners Fund

    Clarkston Fund     Clarkston Founders Fund  
ASSETS:                        
Investments, at value (Cost $860,190,762, $135,175,819 and $610,629,936)   $ 967,118,458     $ 155,093,920     $ 692,964,812  
Cash and cash equivalents     82,689,890       24,238,415       85,786,490  
Receivable for shares sold     869,310       22,012       257,367  
Dividends and interest receivable     693,495       191,241       789,559  
Other assets     58,519       22,153       42,621  
Total Assets     1,051,429,672       179,567,741       779,840,849  
                         
LIABILITIES:                        
Payable for administration and transfer agent fees     47,271       11,998       35,365  
Payable for investments purchased     965,936             430,261  
Payable for shares redeemed     287,474             3,128  
Payable to adviser     685,454       64,885       474,437  
Payable for shareholder service fees     57,366       21,243       17,230  
Payable for printing fees     49,167       8,534       28,019  
Payable for professional fees     39,000       12,097       28,550  
Payable to Chief Compliance Officer fees     2,621       241       1,323  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     5,769       1,077       0  
Total Liabilities     2,140,058       120,075       1,018,313  
NET ASSETS   $ 1,049,289,614     $ 179,447,666     $ 778,822,536  
                         
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:                        
Paid-in capital (Note 5)   $ 850,057,834     $ 157,529,528     $ 713,485,029  
Total distributable earnings     199,231,780       21,918,138       65,337,507  
NET ASSETS   $ 1,049,289,614     $ 179,447,666     $ 778,822,536  
                         
PRICING OF SHARES                        
Founders Class:                        
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 13.64       N/A     $ 15.85  
Net Assets   $ 447,725,381       N/A     $ 563,419,896  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     32,816,788       N/A       35,555,278  
Institutional Class:                        
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 13.53     $ 15.19     $ 15.81  
Net Assets   $ 601,564,233     $ 179,447,666     $ 215,402,640  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     44,474,680       11,815,153       13,625,962  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 7

 

 

Clarkston Funds Statements of Operations
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

   

Clarkston

Partners Fund

    Clarkston Fund    

Clarkston

Founders Fund

 
INVESTMENT INCOME:                        
Dividends   $ 8,281,814     $ 1,279,810     $ 4,951,118  
Foreign taxes withheld     (6,195 )           (4,032 )
Total Investment Income     8,275,619       1,279,810       4,947,086  
                         
EXPENSES:                        
Investment advisory fees (Note 6)     4,582,189       440,036       2,911,679  
Administration fees     236,954       42,562       162,833  
Shareholder service fees Institutional Class     282,240       88,253       103,053  
Custody fees     16,829       2,202       9,275  
Legal fees     30,239       3,782       17,767  
Audit and tax fees     8,964       8,661       8,780  
Transfer agent fees     31,869       16,661       16,568  
Trustees fees and expenses     64,524       8,433       39,434  
Registration and filing fees     28,687       11,820       19,983  
Printing fees     17,211       7,428       11,008  
Chief Compliance Officer fees     13,934       1,967       8,949  
Insurance fees     12,135       1,666       7,753  
Other expenses     8,197       4,030       6,534  
Total Expenses     5,333,972       637,501       3,323,616  
Less fees waived by investment adviser (Note 6)                        
Founders Class     (79,670 )           (82,953 )
Institutional Class     (106,830 )     (64,984 )     (31,748 )
Total fees waived by investment adviser (Note 6)     (186,500 )     (64,984 )     (114,701 )
Net Expenses     5,147,472       572,517       3,208,915  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME     3,128,147       707,293       1,738,171  
                         
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:                        
Net realized gain/(loss) on:                        
Investments     90,615,804       5,333,845       27,518,354  
Net realized gain     90,615,804       5,333,845       27,518,354  
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:                        
Investments     (163,467,485 )     (10,478,025 )     (39,302,183 )
Net change     (163,467,485 )     (10,478,025 )     (39,302,183 )
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS     (72,851,681 )     (5,144,180 )     (11,783,829 )
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (69,723,534 )   $ (4,436,887 )   $ (10,045,658 )

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
8 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Partners Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

 
OPERATIONS:                
Net investment income   $ 3,128,147     $ 6,234,226  
Net realized gain on investments     90,615,804       22,223,997  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments     (163,467,485 )     130,663,553  
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (69,723,534 )     159,121,776  
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                
Founders Class     (5,318,225 )     (19,684,887 )
Institutional Class     (6,898,574 )     (29,910,558 )
Total distributions     (12,216,799 )     (49,595,445 )
                 
BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 5):                
Founders Class                
Shares sold     28,261       436,755  
Dividends reinvested     139,714       595,440  
Shares redeemed     (25,731,687 )     (51,239,665 )
Net decrease from beneficial share transactions     (25,563,712 )     (50,207,469 )
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     38,143,925       123,827,673  
Dividends reinvested     6,546,912       28,886,182  
Shares redeemed     (69,110,151 )     (335,962,564 )
Net decrease from beneficial share transactions     (24,419,314 )     (183,248,709 )
Net decrease in net assets     (131,923,359 )     (123,929,848 )
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     1,181,212,973       1,305,142,821  
End of period   $ 1,049,289,614     $ 1,181,212,973  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 9

 

 

Clarkston Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

 
OPERATIONS:                
Net investment income   $ 707,293     $ 1,423,695  
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments     5,333,845       (1,221,892 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments     (10,478,025 )     24,797,559  
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (4,436,887 )     24,999,362  
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                
Institutional Class     (1,514,080 )     (4,699,381 )
Total distributions     (1,514,080 )     (4,699,381 )
                 
BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 5):                
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     20,899,374       38,023,892  
Dividends reinvested     1,511,599       4,689,845  
Shares redeemed     (4,899,150 )     (20,586,455 )
Net increase from beneficial share transactions     17,511,823       22,127,282  
Net increase in net assets     11,560,856       42,427,263  
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     167,886,810       125,459,547  
End of period   $ 179,447,666     $ 167,886,810  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
10 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Founders Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

 
OPERATIONS:                
Net investment income   $ 1,738,171     $ 3,455,899  
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments     27,518,354       (45,264,132 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments     (39,302,183 )     146,326,178  
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (10,045,658 )     104,517,945  
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                
Founders Class     (2,727,873 )     (8,340,342 )
Institutional Class     (961,756 )     (3,035,281 )
Total distributions     (3,689,629 )     (11,375,623 )
                 
BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 5):                
Founders Class                
Shares sold     47,408,528       97,041,015  
Dividends reinvested     34,979       111,165  
Shares redeemed     (34,575,847 )     (76,390,737 )
Net increase from beneficial share transactions     12,867,660       20,761,443  
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     14,219,494       41,989,764  
Dividends reinvested     956,502       3,013,276  
Shares redeemed     (10,381,300 )     (32,256,421 )
Net increase from beneficial share transactions     4,794,696       12,746,620  
Net increase in net assets     3,927,069       126,650,384  
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     774,895,467       648,245,083  
End of period   $ 778,822,536     $ 774,895,467  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 11

 

 

Clarkston Partners Fund – Founders Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net investment income
From net realized gains on investments
Total Distributions
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
 
TOTAL RETURN(b)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver
Net investment income including reimbursement/waiver
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(d)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
12 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Partners Fund – Founders Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2024

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2023

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2022

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2021

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2020

 
$ 14.68     $ 13.38     $ 14.61     $ 15.73     $ 12.61     $ 12.81  
                                             
                                             
  0.04       0.08       0.21       0.03       0.06       0.10  
  (0.93 )     1.75       0.87       (1.01 )     3.62       0.21  
  (0.89 )     1.83       1.08       (0.98 )     3.68       0.31  
                                             
                                             
  (0.07 )     (0.05 )     (0.17 )     (0.06 )     (0.06 )     (0.13 )
  (0.08 )     (0.48 )     (2.14 )     (0.08 )     (0.50 )     (0.38 )
  (0.15 )     (0.53 )     (2.31 )     (0.14 )     (0.56 )     (0.51 )
  (1.04 )     1.30       (1.23 )     (1.12 )     3.12       (0.20 )
$ 13.64     $ 14.68     $ 13.38     $ 14.61     $ 15.73     $ 12.61  
                                             
  (6.11 %)     13.97 %     7.23 %     (6.31 %)     29.47 %     2.18 %
                                             
                                             
$ 447,725     $ 507,785     $ 511,462     $ 600,879     $ 669,345     $ 553,691  
                                             
                                             
  0.88 %(c)     0.88 %     0.88 %     0.88 %     0.88 %     0.91 %
  0.85 %(c)     0.85 %     0.85 %     0.85 %     0.85 %     0.85 %
  0.60 %(c)     0.55 %     1.47 %     0.21 %     0.40 %     0.77 %
                                             
  12 %     22 %     16 %     21 %     9 %     25 %

 

(a) Calculated using the average shares method.
(b) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 13

 

 

Clarkston Partners Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net investment income
From net realized gains on investments
Total Distributions
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
 
TOTAL RETURN(b)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver
Net investment income including reimbursement/waiver
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(e)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
14 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Partners Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2024

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2023

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2022

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2021

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2020

 
$ 14.56     $ 13.28     $ 14.52     $ 15.64     $ 12.55     $ 12.76  
                                             
                                             
  0.04       0.06       0.18       0.02       0.05       0.08  
  (0.92 )     1.74       0.88       (1.01 )     3.59       0.21  
  (0.88 )     1.80       1.06       (0.99 )     3.64       0.29  
                                             
                                             
  (0.07 )     (0.04 )     (0.16 )     (0.05 )     (0.05 )     (0.12 )
  (0.08 )     (0.48 )     (2.14 )     (0.08 )     (0.50 )     (0.38 )
  (0.15 )     (0.52 )     (2.30 )     (0.13 )     (0.55 )     (0.50 )
  (1.03 )     1.28       (1.24 )     (1.12 )     3.09       (0.21 )
$ 13.53     $ 14.56     $ 13.28     $ 14.52     $ 15.64     $ 12.55  
                                             
  (6.13 %)     13.88 %     7.16 %     (6.39 %)     29.33 %     2.07 %
                                             
                                             
$ 601,564     $ 673,428     $ 793,680     $ 820,374     $ 845,824     $ 574,777  
                                             
                                             
  0.97 %(c)     0.96 %     0.96 %     0.96 %     0.98 %     1.01 %
  0.94 %(c)(d)     0.93 %(d)     0.94 %(d)     0.94 %(d)     0.95 %(d)     0.95 %(d)
  0.51 %(c)     0.47 %     1.29 %     0.12 %     0.30 %     0.68 %
                                             
  12 %     22 %     16 %     21 %     9 %     25 %

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 15

 

 

Clarkston Partners Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

(a) Calculated using the average shares method.
(b) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(c) Annualized.
(d) According to the Fund's shareholder services plan with respect to the Fund's Institutional shares, any amount of fees accrued according to the plan but not paid during the Fund's fiscal year for such service activities shall be reimbursed to the Fund as soon as practicable. Fees were reimbursed to the Fund for the period ended March 31, 2025, September 30, 2024, September 30, 2023, September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020, respectively, in the amount of 0.06%, 0.07%, 0.06%, 0.06%, 0.05%, and 0.05% of average net assets of Institutional shares.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
16 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Page Intentionally Left Blank

 

 

Clarkston Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net investment income
From net realized gains on investments
Total Distributions
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
 
TOTAL RETURN(b)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver
Net investment income including reimbursement/waiver
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(e)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
18 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2024

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2023

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2022

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2021

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2020

 
$ 15.70     $ 13.66     $ 12.28     $ 14.80     $ 12.05     $ 12.50  
                                             
                                             
  0.06       0.14       0.12       0.06       0.07       0.17  
  (0.43 )     2.40       1.92       (2.11 )     3.49       (0.05 )
  (0.37 )     2.54       2.04       (2.05 )     3.56       0.12  
                                             
                                             
  (0.14 )     (0.12 )     (0.07 )     (0.05 )     (0.16 )     (0.14 )
        (0.38 )     (0.59 )     (0.42 )     (0.65 )     (0.43 )
  (0.14 )     (0.50 )     (0.66 )     (0.47 )     (0.81 )     (0.57 )
  (0.51 )     2.04       1.38       (2.52 )     2.75       (0.45 )
$ 15.19     $ 15.70     $ 13.66     $ 12.28     $ 14.80     $ 12.05  
                                             
  (2.42 %)     18.94 %     17.04 %     (14.33 %)     30.08 %     0.81 %
                                             
                                             
$ 179,448     $ 167,887     $ 125,460     $ 100,610     $ 97,936     $ 48,479  
                                             
                                             
  0.72 %(c)     0.73 %     0.73 %     0.76 %     0.80 %     0.86 %
  0.65 %(c)(d)     0.64 %(d)     0.65 %(d)     0.65 %(d)     0.66 %(d)     0.64 %(d)
  0.80 %(c)     0.98 %     0.84 %     0.41 %     0.46 %     1.47 %
                                             
  8 %     23 %     12 %     18 %     18 %     31 %

 

(a) Calculated using the average shares method.
(b) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(c) Annualized.
(d) According to the Fund's shareholder services plan with respect to the Fund's Institutional shares, any amount of fees accrued according to the plan but not paid during the Fund's fiscal year for such service activities shall be reimbursed to the Fund as soon as practicable. Fees were reimbursed to the Fund for the period ended March 31, 2025, September 30, 2024, September 30, 2023, September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020, respectively, in the amount of 0.05%, 0.06%, 0.05%, 0.05%, 0.04%, and 0.06% of average net assets of Institutional shares.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 19

 

 

Clarkston Founders Fund – Founders Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income(b)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net investment income
From net realized gains on investments
Total Distributions
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
 
TOTAL RETURN(d)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver
Net investment income including reimbursement/waiver
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(g)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
20 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Founders Fund – Founders Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

For the Six Months     For the Year     For the Year     For the Year     For the Period  
Ended March 31,     Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended September  
2025 (Unaudited)     September 30, 2024     September 30, 2023     September 30, 2022     30, 2021(a)  
$ 16.13     $ 14.12     $ 13.72     $ 15.09     $ 15.54  
                                     
                                     
  0.04       0.08       0.19       0.01       0.02  
  (0.24 )     2.18       1.11       (1.31 )     (0.47 )(c)
  (0.20 )     2.26       1.30       (1.30 )     (0.45 )
                                     
                                     
  (0.08 )     (0.10 )     (0.12 )     (0.01 )      
        (0.15 )     (0.78 )     (0.06 )      
  (0.08 )     (0.25 )     (0.90 )     (0.07 )      
  (0.28 )     2.01       0.40       (1.37 )     (0.45 )
$ 15.85     $ 16.13     $ 14.12     $ 13.72     $ 15.09  
                                     
  (1.27 %)     16.16 %     9.60 %     (8.64 %)     (2.90 %)
                                     
                                     
$ 563,420     $ 560,408     $ 472,102     $ 404,512     $ 278,749  
                                     
                                     
  0.83 %(e)     0.84 %     0.82 %     0.84 %     0.86 %(e)
  0.80 %(e)     0.80 %     0.80 %     0.80 %(f)     0.80 %(e)
  0.47 %(e)     0.52 %     1.28 %     0.09 %     0.20 %(e)
                                     
  12 %     17 %     13 %     17 %     5 %

 

(a) Commenced operations on February 17, 2021.
(b) Calculated using the average shares method.
(c) The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
(d) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(e) Annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 21

 

 

Clarkston Founders Fund – Founders Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

(f) Ratio includes previously waived advisory fees recaptured. The net expense ratio would have been lower absent the impact of recaptured fees.
(g) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
22 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Page Intentionally Left Blank

 

 

Clarkston Founders Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income/(loss)(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net investment income
From net realized gains on investments
Total Distributions
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
 
TOTAL RETURN(c)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver
Net investment income/(loss) including reimbursement/waiver
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(h)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
24 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Founders Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2024

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2023

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2022

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2021

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30,

2020

 
$ 16.09     $ 14.10     $ 13.71     $ 15.09     $ 12.35     $ 11.67  
                                             
                                             
  0.03       0.06       0.17       (0.00 )(b)     (0.00 )(b)     0.08  
  (0.24 )     2.17       1.11       (1.32 )     2.87       1.00  
  (0.21 )     2.23       1.28       (1.32 )     2.87       1.08  
                                             
                                             
  (0.07 )     (0.09 )     (0.11 )     0.00 (b)     (0.02 )     (0.10 )
        (0.15 )     (0.78 )     (0.06 )     (0.11 )     (0.30 )
  (0.07 )     (0.24 )     (0.89 )     (0.06 )     (0.13 )     (0.40 )
  (0.28 )     1.99       0.39       (1.38 )     2.74       0.68  
$ 15.81     $ 16.09     $ 14.10     $ 13.71     $ 15.09     $ 12.35  
                                             
  (1.31 %)     16.00 %     9.50 %     (8.74 %)     23.31 %     9.34 %
                                             
$ 215,403     $ 214,488     $ 176,143     $ 150,563     $ 139,088     $ 76,111  
                                             
  0.93 %(d)     0.93 %     0.93 %     0.94 %     0.92 %     1.11 %
  0.90 %(d)     0.89 %(e)     0.91 %(e)     0.90 %(e)(f)     0.86 %(e)     0.91 %(e)
  0.38 %(d)     0.42 %     1.16 %     (0.02 %)     (0.00 %)(g)     0.73 %
                                             
  12 %     17 %     13 %     17 %     5 %     22 %

 

(a) Calculated using the average shares method.
(b) Less than $0.005 per share.
(c) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(d) Annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 25

 

 

Clarkston Founders Fund – Institutional Class Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

(e) According to the Fund's shareholder services plan with respect to the Fund's Institutional shares, any amount of fees accrued according to the plan but not paid during the Fund's fiscal year for such service activities shall be reimbursed to the Fund as soon as practicable. Fees were reimbursed to the Fund for the period ended March 31, 2025, September 30, 2024, September 30, 2023, September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020, respectively, in the amount of 0.05%, 0.06%, 0.04%, 0.05%, 0.09% and 0.04% of average net assets of Institutional shares.
(f) Ratio includes previously waived advisory fees recaptured. The net expense ratio would have
(g) been lower absent the impact of recaptured fees. Less than 0.005%.
(h) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
26 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust consists of multiple separate portfolios or series. This annual report describes the Clarkston Partners Fund, the Clarkston Fund and the Clarkston Founders Fund (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The Funds are non-diversified and may invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in share price than would occur in a diversified fund. Each Fund's investment objective is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. The Clarkston Partners Fund and Clarkston Founders Fund currently offer Founders Class shares and Institutional Class shares, and the Clarkston Fund currently offers Institutional Class shares. Each share class of the Clarkston Partners Fund and Clarkston Founders Fund have identical rights to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except for class-specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. The Board of Trustees (the “Board or Trustees”) may establish additional funds and classes of shares at any time in the future without shareholder approval.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies (“U.S. GAAP”). The Funds are considered investment companies under U.S. GAAP and follow the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services - Investment Companies. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in preparation of their financial statements.

 

Investment Valuation: The Funds generally value their securities based on market prices determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

 

Securities traded on a registered U.S. securities exchange (including exchange-traded derivatives other than futures and futures options) are valued based on the last sale price of the security reported on the principal exchange on which it is traded, prior to the time when the Funds’ assets are valued. In the case of equity securities not traded on an exchange, or if such closing prices are not otherwise available, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day.

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end registered investment companies are valued at the investment company’s applicable net asset value (“NAV”), with the exception of exchange-traded open-end investment companies, which are priced as equity securities. Money market funds, representing short-term investments, are valued at their NAV.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 27

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

When prices or quotations for securities held by the Funds are not available, or when the valuation designee appointed by the Board believes that they are unreliable, securities may be priced using fair value procedures approved by the Board.

 

Fair Value Measurements: The Funds disclose the classification of their fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments. These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
   
Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly); and
   
Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including a Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

28 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of March 31, 2025:

 

CLARKSTON PARTNERS FUND

 

Investments in Securities at Value  

Level 1 -

Unadjusted

Quoted Prices

   

Level 2 - Other

Significant

Observable

Inputs

   

Level 3 -

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

    Total  
Common Stock                                
Consumer Discretionary   $ 77,974,832     $     $     $ 77,974,832  
Consumer Staples     331,843,950                   331,843,950  
Financials     185,190,750                   185,190,750  
Health Care     113,250,856                   113,250,856  
Industrials     146,413,950                   146,413,950  
Technology     80,551,720                   80,551,720  
Telecommunications     31,892,400                   31,892,400  
Total   $ 967,118,458     $     $     $ 967,118,458  

 

CLARKSTON FUND

 

Investments in Securities at Value  

Level 1 -

Unadjusted

Quoted Prices

   

Level 2 - Other

Significant

Observable

Inputs

   

Level 3 -

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

    Total  
Common Stock                                
Consumer Discretionary   $ 16,721,440     $     $     $ 16,721,440  
Consumer Staples     48,074,450                   48,074,450  
Financials     27,561,670                   27,561,670  
Health Care     17,300,920                   17,300,920  
Industrials     28,374,590                   28,374,590  
Technology     10,787,850                   10,787,850  
Telecommunications     6,273,000                   6,273,000  
Total   $ 155,093,920     $     $     $ 155,093,920  

 

CLARKSTON FOUNDERS FUND

 

Investments in Securities at Value  

Level 1 -

Unadjusted

Quoted Prices

   

Level 2 - Other

Significant

Observable Inputs

   

Level 3 -

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

    Total  
Common Stock                                
Consumer Discretionary   $ 78,064,300     $     $     $ 78,064,300  
Consumer Staples     212,272,700                   212,272,700  
Financials     141,237,068                   141,237,068  
Health Care     74,560,203                   74,560,203  
Industrials     129,285,410                   129,285,410  
Technology     57,545,131                   57,545,131  
Total   $ 692,964,812     $     $     $ 692,964,812  

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 29

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

There were no Level 3 securities held during the six months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Cash & Cash Equivalents: The Funds consider their investment in a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured interest bearing account to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus any accrued interest. The Funds maintain cash balances, which, at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Funds maintain these balances with a high quality financial institution.

 

Concentration Risk: The Funds operate as “non-diversified” investment companies, as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result of being “non-diversified” with respect to 50% of the Funds' portfolios, the Funds must limit the portion of their assets invested in the securities of a single issuer to 5%, measured at the time of purchase. In addition, no single investment can exceed 25% of the Funds' total assets at the time of purchase. A more concentrated portfolio may cause the Funds' net asset value to be more volatile and thus may subject stockholders to more risk. Thus, the volatility of the Funds' net asset value and their performance in general, depends disproportionately more on the performance of a smaller number of holdings than that of a more diversified fund. As a result, the Funds are subject to a greater risk of loss than a fund that diversifies its investments more broadly.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk: Each Fund places its cash with a banking institution, which is insured by FDIC. The FDIC limit is $250,000. At various times throughout the period, the amount on deposit may exceed the FDIC limit and subject a Fund to a credit risk. The Funds do not believe that such deposits are subject to any unusual risk associated with investment activities.

 

Trust Expenses: Some expenses of the Trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses that cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among all funds in the Trust based on average net assets of each fund, including Trustees' fees and expenses.

 

Fund Expenses: Some expenses can be directly attributed to a Fund and are apportioned among the classes based on average net assets of each class.

 

Class Expenses: Expenses that are specific to a class of shares are charged directly to that share class. Fees provided under the shareholder service plan for a particular class of a Fund are charged to the operations of such class.

 

Federal Income Taxes: The Funds comply with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and intend to distribute substantially all of their net taxable income and net capital gains, if any, each year so that they will not be subject to federal income or excise tax on undistributed income and gains. The Funds are not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made.

 

As of and during the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Funds did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. The Funds file U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns as required. The Funds’ tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return for federal purposes and four years for most state returns. The Funds’ administrator has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of March 31, 2025, no provision for income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements related to these tax positions.

 

30 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the investments are purchased or sold (trade date basis for financial reporting purposes). Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Interest income, which includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, is accrued and recorded as earned using the effective yield method. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, or for certain foreign securities, as soon as information is available to a Fund. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends are paid (a portion of which may be reclaimable) or provided for in accordance with the applicable country’s tax rules and rates and are disclosed in the Statements of Operations. All of the realized and unrealized gains and losses of a Fund and net investment income of a Fund are allocated daily to each class of the Fund in proportion to its average daily net assets.

 

Distributions to Shareholders: The Funds normally pay dividends, if any, and distribute capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. Income dividend distributions are derived from interest, dividends and other income the Funds receive from their investments, including short-term capital gains. Long-term capital gain distributions are derived from gains realized when a Fund sells a security it has owned for more than one year. A Fund may make additional distributions and dividends at other times if its portfolio manager or managers believe doing so may be necessary for the Fund to avoid or reduce taxes. Net investment income/(loss) and net realized gain/(loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes.

 

3. TAX BASIS INFORMATION

 

 

Tax Basis of Distributions to Shareholders: The character of distributions made during the period from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to the timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the fiscal year in which the income or realized gain were recorded by the Funds. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, were as follows:

 

    Ordinary Income    

Long-Term Capital

Gains

 
Clarkston Partners Fund   $ 10,421,131     $ 39,174,314  
Clarkston Fund     1,128,769       3,570,612  
Clarkston Founders Fund     7,042,936       4,332,687  

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 31

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation on Investments: As of March 31, 2025, the aggregate costs of investments, gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for Federal tax purposes were as follows:

 

   

Clarkston Partners

Fund

   

Clarkston

Fund

   

Clarkston Founders

Fund

 
Gross unrealized appreciation
(excess of value over tax cost)
  $ 330,160,037     $ 36,910,403     $ 168,419,005  
Gross unrealized depreciation
(excess of tax cost over value)
    (223,232,341 )     (16,992,302 )     (86,084,129 )
Net unrealized appreciation   $ 106,927,696     $ 19,918,101     $ 82,334,876  
Cost of investments for income tax purposes   $ 860,190,762     $ 135,175,819     $ 610,629,936  

 

4. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, during the six months ended March 31, 2025, were as follows:

 

    Purchases of Securities    

Proceeds from Sales of

Securities

 
Clarkston Partners Fund   $ 128,061,107     $ 187,651,381  
Clarkston Fund     33,900,211       12,207,535  
Clarkston Founders Fund     115,958,873       80,071,328  

 

5. BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

The capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value per share. Holders of the shares of the Funds have one vote for each share held and a proportionate fraction of a vote for each fractional share. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and are transferable and redeemable at the option of the shareholder. Shares have no pre-emptive rights. Neither the Funds nor any of their creditors have the right to require shareholders to pay any additional amounts solely because the shareholder owns the shares.

 

32 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Transactions in common shares were as follows:

 

   

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year Ended

September 30,

2024

 
Clarkston Partners Fund                
Founders Class                
Shares sold     1,915       28,504  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     9,358       43,782  
Shares redeemed     (1,774,558 )     (3,707,220 )
Net decrease in shares outstanding     (1,763,285 )     (3,634,934 )
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     2,617,271       8,936,530  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     442,359       2,139,717  
Shares redeemed     (4,836,379 )     (24,587,289 )
Net decrease in shares outstanding     (1,776,749 )     (13,511,041 )
                 
Clarkston Fund                
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     1,337,606       2,575,609  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     95,129       325,458  
Shares redeemed     (312,997 )     (1,392,939 )
Net increase in shares outstanding     1,119,738       1,508,128  
                 
Clarkston Founders Fund                
Founders Class                
Shares sold     2,948,565       6,415,334  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     2,128       7,446  
Shares redeemed     (2,145,618 )     (5,100,651 )
Net increase in shares outstanding     805,075       1,322,129  
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     885,074       2,775,699  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     58,323       202,233  
Shares redeemed     (648,107 )     (2,143,260 )
Net increase in shares outstanding     295,290       834,672  

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 33

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Control is defined by the 1940 Act as the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. Approximately 74% of the outstanding shares of the Clarkston Partners Fund are held by two omnibus accounts that own shares on behalf of their underlying beneficial owners. Approximately 77% of the outstanding shares of the Clarkston Fund are owned by one omnibus account that owns shares on behalf of its underlying beneficial owners. Approximately 90% of the outstanding shares of the Clarkston Founders Fund are held by two omnibus accounts that own shares on behalf of their underlying beneficial owners. Share transaction activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Funds.

 

6. MANAGEMENT AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Investment Advisory: Clarkston Capital Partners, LLC (“Clarkston” or the “Adviser”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the management of the Funds’ portfolios. The Adviser manages the investments of the Funds in accordance with the Funds’ investment objectives, policies and limitations and investment guidelines established jointly by the Adviser and the Board.

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee that is based on each Fund’s average daily net assets. The management fee is paid on a monthly basis. The contractual management fee rates are 0.80%, 0.50% and 0.75% for the Clarkston Partners Fund, the Clarkston Fund and the Clarkston Founders Fund, respectively. The Board may extend the Advisory Agreement for additional one-year terms. The Board and shareholders of a Fund may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 30 days’ written notice. The Adviser may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ notice.

 

Pursuant to a fee waiver letter agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), the Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the amount of each Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses, (excluding shareholder servicing fees, brokerage expenses, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) to an annual rate of 0.85% of the Clarkston Partners Fund’s average daily net assets for each of the Founders Class shares and the Institutional Class shares, 0.55% of the Clarkston Fund’s average daily net assets for the Institutional Class shares and 0.80% of the Clarkston Founders Fund’s average daily net assets for each of the Founders Class shares and the Institutional Class shares. The Fee Waiver Agreement is in effect through January 31, 2026 and will automatically continue upon annual approval by the Board for successive twelve-month periods unless (i) it is terminated earlier by the Board, or (ii) the Adviser provides at least 30 days written notice of its non-continuance prior to the end of the then effective term. The Adviser may not terminate the Fee Waiver Agreement without the approval of the Trust’s Board. The Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class-by-class basis, expenses it has borne through the Fee Waiver Agreement (whether through a reduction of its management fee or otherwise) only to the extent that a Fund’s expenses in later periods do not exceed the lesser of: (1) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser waives or limits the expenses; or (2) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser seeks to recover the expenses; provided, however, that the Funds will not be obligated to pay any such deferred fees or expenses more than three years after the date on which the fee or expense was reduced, as calculated on a monthly basis.

 

For the six months ended March 31, 2025, the fee waivers and/or reimbursements were $79,670, $106,830, $64,984, $82,953, and $31,748 for the Clarkston Partners Fund Founders Class, Clarkston

 

34 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Partners Fund Institutional Class, Clarkston Fund Institutional Class, Clarkston Founders Fund Founders Class and Clarkston Founders Fund Institutional Class, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2025, the balances of recoupable expenses for each Fund and class were as follows:

 

   

Expiring in

2025

   

Expiring in

2026

   

Expiring in

2027

   

Expiring in

2028

 
Clarkston Partners Fund      
Founders   $ 167,096     $ 145,168     $ 137,409     $ 79,670  
Institutional     223,604       222,408       217,941       106,830  
                                 
Clarkston Fund     118,133       102,951       137,800       64,984  
                                 
Clarkston Founders Fund                                
Founders     164,493       97,656       186,726       82,953  
Institutional     62,763       37,878       70,717       31,748  

 

Administrator: ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) (an affiliate of ALPS Distributors, Inc.) serves as administrator to each Fund. The Funds have agreed to pay expenses incurred in connection with their administrative activities. Pursuant to the Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement with the Trust, ALPS provides operational services to the Funds including, but not limited to, fund accounting and fund administration and generally assists in each Fund’s operations. Each Fund’s administration fee is accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly. The officers of the Trust are employees of ALPS. Administration fees paid by the Funds for the six months ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statements of Operations. ALPS is reimbursed by the Funds for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Transfer Agent: ALPS serves as transfer agent for each Fund under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Funds plus fees for open accounts and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Compliance Services: ALPS provides Chief Compliance Officer services to each Fund to monitor and test the policies and procedures of each Fund in conjunction with requirements under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act pursuant to a Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Funds and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Distribution: ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) (an affiliate of ALPS) acts as the principal underwriter of each Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust. Shares of each Fund are offered on a continuous basis through the Distributor, as agent of the Funds. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any particular amount of shares and is not entitled to any compensation for its services as the Funds’ principal underwriter pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.

 

Each Fund has adopted a shareholder services plan (“Shareholder Services Plan”) for its Institutional Class. Under the Shareholder Services Plan each Fund is authorized to pay banks and their affiliates and other institutions, including broker-dealers and Fund affiliates (“Participating Organizations”), an aggregate fee in an amount not to exceed on an annual basis 0.15% of the average daily net asset value of each Fund’s Institutional Class shares to Participating Organizations as compensation for providing shareholder service activities, which do not include distribution services, pursuant to an agreement with a Participating Organization.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 35

 

 

Clarkston Funds Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

7. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

 

As of March 31, 2025, there were four Trustees, each of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The Independent Trustees of the Trust and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers will receive a quarterly retainer of $16,250, plus $5,000 for each regular Board or Committee meeting attended and $2,000 for each special telephonic or in-person Board or Committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Audit Committee Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $1,875 and the Independent Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $4,250. These fees are allocated proportionately among the multiple portfolios/series of the Trust. The Independent Trustees and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers are also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings.

 

Officers of the Trust receive no salary or fees from the Trust. As discussed in Note 6, the Funds pay ALPS an annual fee for compliance services.

 

8. INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that may contain general indemnification clauses which may permit indemnification to the extent permissible under applicable law. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

36 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants during the period covered by this report.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 37

 

 

Clarkston Funds Proxy Disclosures

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Not applicable to the period covered by this report.

 

38 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the period ended March 31, 2025:

 

Trustee  

Clarkston

Founders Fund

    Clarkston Fund    

Clarkston

Partners Fund

 
Ward Armstrong   $ 10,193.40     $ 2,267.42     $ 15,433.41  
J.W. Hutchens   $ 9,277.70     $ 2,066.28     $ 14,039.20  
Merrilyn Kosier   $ 9,277.70     $ 2,066.28     $ 14,039.20  
Patrick Seese   $ 9,681.69     $ 2,155.02     $ 14,654.30  
Total   $ 38,430.48     $ 8,555.00     $ 58,166.11  

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 39

 

 

Clarkston Funds

Statement Regarding Basis for

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

On November 21, 2024, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”) met in person to discuss, among other things, the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement (“Clarkston Agreement”) between the Trust and Clarkston Capital Partners, LLC (“Clarkston”) in accordance with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act. The Independent Trustees met with independent legal counsel during executive session and discussed the Investment Advisory Agreement and other related materials.

 

The Trustees discussed Clarkston’s Materials and presentation. During the review process, the Board noted certain instances where clarification or follow-up was appropriate and others where the Board determined that further clarification or follow-up was not necessary. In those instances where clarification or follow-up was requested, the Board determined that in each case either information responsive to its requests had been provided, or where any request was outstanding in whole or in part, given the totality of the information provided with respect to the agreements, the Board had received sufficient information to renew and approve the Clarkston Agreement.

 

In anticipation of and as part of the process to consider renewal of the Clarkston Agreement, legal counsel to the Trust requested certain information from Clarkston. In response to these requests, the Trustees received reports from Clarkston and an independent provider of investment company data (the “Provider Report”) that addressed specific factors to be considered by the Board. The Board also received from independent legal counsel memoranda regarding the Board’s responsibilities pertaining to the approval of advisory contracts. Further, the Board met with representatives of Clarkston and discussed the services of the firm provided pursuant to the Clarkston Agreement, as well as the information provided by Clarkston. In evaluating Clarkston and the fees charged under the Clarkston Agreement, the Trustees concluded that no single factor reviewed by the Trustees was identified by the Trustees to be determinative as the principal factor in whether to renew the Clarkston Agreement. Further, the Trustees were advised by independent legal counsel throughout the process. The following summary does not identify all the matters considered by the Board but provides a summary of the principal matters the Board considered.

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services: The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Clarkston Funds. The Board acknowledged Clarkston’s investment advisory personnel, its history as an asset manager and its investment approach focused on financial, business and management quality.

 

The Board discussed Clarkston’s investment philosophy of investing in companies, not stocks, seeking long term shareholder value, and mitigating risk by investing in quality companies. The Board considered Clarkston’s investment process, which included the initial research process, periodic contact with the portfolio company’s management, and ongoing diligence by monitoring results and developments. They considered the third-party service providers used by Clarkston to support its business activities. The Board noted the resources at Clarkston devoted to research and analysis of current and potential investments. The Board acknowledged Clarkston’s affirmation that its compliance policies and procedures were reasonably designed to prevent violations of applicable securities laws. The Board reviewed and discussed the financial statements of Clarkston, noting no concerns regarding the firm’s continued viability. The Board also noted that Clarkston had agreed to limit the Clarkston Funds’ expenses pursuant to an expense limitation agreement. They discussed Clarkston’s policies related to mitigating the conflicts of interest when managing multiple accounts.

 

40 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Statement Regarding Basis for
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The Board acknowledged that Clarkson was providing resources to assess and maintain its technology and cybersecurity resiliency and its network and information systems, and devoted significant investments in technology to ensure any business disruption could be quickly mitigated through remote access. The Board also acknowledged recent changes to the various software platforms utilized by Clarkston and the change in their proxy voting service provider. The Board agreed that they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services rendered by Clarkston under the Clarkston Agreement.

 

Investment Advisory Fee Rate and Expense Ratio: The Board discussed the comparison of each Clarkston Fund’s contractual annual advisory fee and overall expenses with those of funds in the peer group and universe of funds, as provided in the Provider Report. The Board observed that each Provider Report peer group consisted of the applicable Clarkston Fund and several other funds identified by the Provider Report as using similar strategies with comparable fee structures.

 

Clarkston Partners Fund (“CP Fund”). The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee of 0.80% was marginally higher than the Provider Report peer group median (the “Median”) of 0.75%. The Board also noted that the CP Fund’s total net expenses (after fee waiver and expense reimbursement) for the Institutional Class was equal to the Median while the total net expenses for the Founders class was in line with and slightly more favorable to investors as compared to the Median. After further discussion, the Board concluded that the advisory fee and total net expenses were not unreasonable.

 

Clarkston Founders Fund (“CF Fund”). The Board noted that CF Fund’s contractual advisory fee of 0.75% was slightly higher than its Median. The Board also noted that the CF Fund’s total net expenses (after fee waiver and expense reimbursement) for the Institutional Class were higher than the Median, but within the ranges of its peers, while the total net expenses for the Founders class were equal to the Median. After further discussion, the Board concluded that the advisory fee and total net expenses were not unreasonable.

 

Clarkston Fund (“CS Fund”). The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee of 0.50% was below the Median. The Board also noted that the CS Fund’s total net expense (after fee waiver and expense reimbursement) was below the Median. After further discussion, the Board concluded that the advisory fee and total net expenses were not unreasonable.

 

Comparable Accounts: The Board acknowledged that Clarkston managed other institutional and strategic accounts, and model delivery service clients, using investment strategies similar to the strategies of the Clarkston Funds, noting that while certain clients of Clarkston were charged lower fees for similar strategies, the fees charged to the Funds were generally aligned with the firm’s standard fee rates charged by Clarkston for institutional clients, and the variations in fees were based on reasonable factors. They considered Clarkston’s assertion that the services provided to the Funds were often more labor intensive and broader in scope than the work required for the other accounts, and some clients could pay a performance fee. After consideration, the Board agreed that the management fees for each Fund relative to comparable accounts with similar strategies were not unreasonable in light of the services provided.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 41

 

 

Clarkston Funds Statement Regarding Basis for
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Performance: The Board reviewed and considered each Clarkston Fund’s performance as of August 31, 2024, compared to a relevant benchmark index, and a peer group selected by an independent provider of investment company data.

 

CP Fund: The Board observed that the CP Fund had achieved a 2-star rating in the Morningstar mid-cap value category. The Board noted that the Fund had delivered consistent positive returns over the one, three, five-year and since inception periods. The Board further noted that, while the Fund had delivered positive returns for those periods, each class of the Clarkston Partners Fund had outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2500 TR USD Index, for the three-year period, but underperformed its benchmark over each other period, and had underperformed the Median over each period.

 

CF Fund: The Board observed that the CF Fund had achieved a 3-star rating in the Morningstar mid-cap value category. The Board noted that the CF Fund also had delivered consistent positive returns over the one, three, five-year and since inception periods (as applicable). The Board further noted that each class of the Clarkston Founders Fund had underperformed its benchmark, the Russell Mid Cap TR USD Index, and the Median, for each applicable period.

 

CS Fund: The Board observed that the Fund had achieved a 2-star rating in the Morningstar large-cap value category. The Board noted that the Fund had delivered consistent positive returns over the one, three, five-year and since inception periods. The Board further noted that the CS Fund had underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 TR USD Index, and the Median for each period.

 

After reviewing the investment performance of the Clarkston Funds, including the factors contributing to and detracting from performance, Clarkston’s historical investment performance, the Board concluded that the investment performance of each Clarkston Fund was satisfactory.

 

Profitability: The Board received and considered a profitability analysis prepared by Clarkston based on the fees paid under the Clarkston Agreement. They considered the business, regulatory and other risks assumed by Clarkston in managing the Clarkston Funds. The Board noted that, based on the information provided by Clarkston, with the exception of the Clarkston Fund, its relationship with each Fund before distribution costs was profitable, but that the amount of profit was not unreasonable in absolute terms or as a percentage of income. The Trustees noted that while the Adviser’s relationship with the Clarkston Fund before accounting for distribution costs was profitable in 2023, the profitability analysis projected that the Adviser’s relationship with the Clarkston Fund before distribution costs would not be profitable in 2024. The Board concluded that profits were not excessive.

 

Economies of Scale: The Trustees considered Clarkston’s statements that it had made a significant financial commitment to the ongoing viability of the Clarkston Funds, and that material investments had been made by Clarkston in personnel, software, and other areas to build the infrastructure required for advising registered investment companies. In addition, Clarkston had contractually agreed to limit Fund expenses until at least January 31, 2025, which effectively provided lower total fees to shareholders. The Trustees recognized that the resulting waivers and reimbursements reduce the net advisory fees that Clarkston realized for providing advisory services to the Funds and represented a component of the significant financial commitment Clarkston had made to support the Funds. The Trustees discussed other efforts of the Adviser to reduce overall Fund expenses to the benefit of shareholders. The Board determined to continue to monitor and revisit the issue over time.

 

42 www.clarkstonfunds.com

 

 

Clarkston Funds Statement Regarding Basis for
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Other Benefits to the Adviser: The Board reviewed and considered any other incidental benefits derived or to be derived by Clarkston from its relationship with each Clarkston Fund, including research and other support services. They acknowledged the benefit to Clarkston of soft dollar arrangements noting that the limited trading completed by the Funds limited the impact of such arrangements.

 

Having requested and reviewed such information from Clarkston as the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Clarkston Agreement, and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Board determined that continuance of the Clarkston Agreement was in the best interests of each Clarkston Fund and its respective shareholders.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 43

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information

 

As of March 31, 2025

 

Hillman Value Fund

 

No Load Shares

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Schedule of Investments 1
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 4
Statement of Operations 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 6
Financial Highlights 8
Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights 11
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants 21
Proxy Disclosures 22
Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others 23
Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement 24

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Schedule of Investments
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
COMMON STOCK (96.31%)                
Communication Services (15.55%)                
Alphabet, Inc., Class A     22,300     $ 3,448,472  
AT&T, Inc.     134,100       3,792,348  
Comcast Corp., Class A     99,900       3,686,310  
Verizon Communications, Inc.     83,400       3,783,024  
Walt Disney Co.     37,300       3,681,510  
Warner Bros Discovery, Inc.(a)     342,400       3,673,952  
Total Communication Services             22,065,616  
                 
Consumer Discretionary (5.18%)                
CarMax, Inc.(a)     48,400       3,771,328  
NIKE, Inc., Class B     56,400       3,580,272  
Total Consumer Discretionary             7,351,600  
                 
Consumer Staples (23.29%)                
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, Sponsored ADR(b)     57,800       3,558,168  
Brown-Forman Corp., Class B(b)     104,100       3,533,154  
Conagra Brands, Inc.     139,100       3,709,797  
Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A     20,200       3,707,104  
Diageo PLC, ADR     34,500       3,615,255  
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A(b)     54,900       3,623,400  
Hershey Co.     21,800       3,728,454  
Kraft Heinz Co.(b)     122,200       3,718,546  
The Campbell's Company     96,000       3,832,320  
Total Consumer Staples             33,026,198  
                 
Financials (7.52%)                
T Rowe Price Group, Inc.     37,800       3,472,686  
US Bancorp     85,500       3,609,810  
Western Union Co.     339,600       3,592,968  
Total Financials             10,675,464  
                 
Health Care (20.35%)                
Baxter International, Inc.     108,200       3,703,686  
Becton Dickinson & Co.     15,700       3,596,242  
Biogen, Inc.(a)     25,800       3,530,472  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 1

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Schedule of Investments
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
Health Care (continued)                
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.     59,700     $ 3,641,103  
CVS Health Corp.     53,100       3,597,525  
GSK PLC, Sponsored ADR     92,500       3,583,450  
Pfizer, Inc.     139,200       3,527,328  
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.     32,600       3,689,668  
Total Health Care             28,869,474  
                 
Industrials (2.50%)                
Boeing Co.(a)     20,800       3,547,440  
                 
Information Technology (14.45%)                
Adobe, Inc.(a)     9,200       3,528,476  
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)     29,200       3,000,008  
ASML Holding NV     5,200       3,445,676  
Microchip Technology, Inc.     70,700       3,422,587  
Microsoft Corp.     9,400       3,528,666  
Salesforce, Inc.     13,300       3,569,188  
Total Information Technology             20,494,601  
                 
Materials (7.47%)                
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.     48,700       3,636,916  
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.     46,000       3,570,060  
Nucor Corp.     28,200       3,393,588  
Total Materials             10,600,564  
                 
TOTAL COMMON STOCK                
(Cost $144,515,677)             136,630,957  
                 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (96.31%)                
(Cost $144,515,677)           $ 136,630,957  
                 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (3.69%)             5,239,381  
                 
NET ASSETS (100.00%)           $ 141,870,338  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
2 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) All or a portion is held as collateral at custodian for written options. The aggregate value of the collateral pledged was $14,433,268.

 

WRITTEN OPTION CONTRACTS (0.26%)

 

Counterparty   Expiration
Date
  Strike
Price
    Contracts     Premiums Received     Notional Value     Value
(Note 2)
 
Option Contracts - (0.26%)                                            
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. StoneX   04/17/25   $ 180.00       (230 )   $ 163,065     $ (3,818,000 )   $ (367,770 )
                                             
TOTAL WRITTEN OPTION CONTRACTS                   $ 163,065     $ (3,818,000 )   $ (367,770 )

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 3

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Statement of Assets and Liabilities
  March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS:        
Investments, at value (Cost $144,515,677)   $ 136,630,957  
Cash and cash equivalents     6,097,810  
Deposit with broker for written options     161,599  
Receivable for shares sold     5,674  
Dividends and interest receivable     253,531  
Other assets     21,676  
Total Assets     143,171,247  
         
LIABILITIES:        
Written options, at value (premiums received $163,065)     367,770  
Payable to custodian     13,204  
Payable for administration and transfer agent fees     96,126  
Payable for shares redeemed     718,594  
Payable to adviser     62,918  
Payable for printing fees     11,415  
Payable for professional fees     26,262  
Payable to Chief Compliance Officer fees     1,620  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     3,000  
Total Liabilities     1,300,909  
NET ASSETS   $ 141,870,338  
         
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:        
Paid-in capital (Note 6)   $ 144,588,447  
Total distributable earnings     (2,718,109 )
NET ASSETS   $ 141,870,338  
         
PRICING OF SHARES        
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 27.99  
Net Assets   $ 141,870,338  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     5,068,496  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
4 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:        
Dividends   $ 2,395,224  
Foreign taxes withheld     (3,642 )
Total Investment Income     2,391,582  
         
EXPENSES:        
Investment advisory fees (Note 7)     701,272  
Administration fees     79,143  
Custody fees     12,645  
Legal fees     19,918  
Audit and tax fees     9,402  
Transfer agent fees     166,017  
Trustees fees and expenses     12,774  
Registration and filing fees     10,420  
Printing fees     8,498  
Chief Compliance Officer fees     10,417  
Insurance fees     1,389  
Other expenses     4,577  
Total Expenses     1,036,472  
Less fees waived by investment adviser (Note 7)     (87,000 )
Net Expenses     949,472  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME     1,442,110  
         
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND WRITTEN OPTIONS:        
Net realized gain/(loss) on:     (8,402,942 )
Investments     7,775,401  
Written options     627,541  
Net realized gain     8,402,942  
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:     (15,678,532 )
Investments     (15,678,532 )
Written options     (201,311 )
Net change     (15,879,843 )
         
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS AND WRITTEN OPTIONS     (7,476,901 )
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (6,034,791 )

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 5

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2024
 
OPERATIONS:                
Net investment income   $ 1,442,110     $ 3,536,954  
Net realized gain on investments and written options     8,402,942       23,080,111  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and written options     (15,879,843 )     20,459,458  
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (6,034,791 )     47,076,523  
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                
From distributable earnings     (29,260,458 )     (7,019,817 )
Total distributions     (29,260,458 )     (7,019,817 )
                 
BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 6):                
Shares sold     10,057,475       38,184,444  
Dividends reinvested     27,655,739       6,522,532  
Shares redeemed     (89,689,272 )     (66,482,584 )
Net decrease from beneficial share transactions     (51,976,059 )     (21,775,608 )
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets     (87,271,308 )     18,281,098  
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     229,141,646       210,860,548  
End of period   $ 141,870,338     $ 229,141,646  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
6 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Page Intentionally Left Blank

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income(b)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net investment income
From net realized gains on investments
Total Distributions
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
 
TOTAL RETURN(d)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver
Net investment income including reimbursement/waiver
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(f)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
8 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Financial Highlights

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2024
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2023
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2022
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2021
(a)
    For the Year
Ended
September 30,
2020
 
$ 33.43     $ 27.94     $ 25.87     $ 33.82     $ 25.68     $ 27.74  
                                             
                                             
  0.22       0.48       0.42       0.55       0.62       0.29  
  (1.23 )     5.97       4.82       (5.98 )     9.97       (1.32 )
  (1.01 )     6.45       5.24       (5.43 )     10.59       (1.03 )
                                             
  (0.54 )     (0.15 )     (0.26 )     (0.41 )     (0.27 )     (0.12 )
  (3.89 )     (0.81 )     (2.91 )     (2.11 )     (2.18 )     (0.91 )
  (4.43 )     (0.96 )     (3.17 )     (2.52 )     (2.45 )     (1.03 )
  (5.44 )     5.49       2.07       (7.95 )     8.14       (2.06 )
$ 27.99     $ 33.43     $ 27.94     $ 25.87     $ 33.82     $ 25.68 (c) 
                                             
  (2.98 %)     23.34 %     21.30 %     (17.55 %)     43.04 %     (4.10 %)
                                             
                                             
$ 141,870     $ 229,142     $ 210,861     $ 179,779     $ 216,130     $ 104,395  
                                             
                                             
  1.04 %(e)     1.03 %     1.14 %     1.12 %     1.15 %     1.31 %
  0.95 %(e)     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.99 %
  1.44 %(e)     1.55 %     1.49 %     1.75 %     1.94 %     1.54 %
                                             
  25 %     35 %     23 %     31 %     27 %     30 %

 

(a) Effective March 15, 2021, the Hillman Value Fund merged into the ALPS Series Trust. The Fund was previously advised by Hillman Capital Management, and was recognized as the Hillman Value Fund, a series of Hillman Capital Management Investment Trust.
(b) Calculated using the average shares method.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and, consequently, the net asset values for financial reporting purposes and the total returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and totals returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 9

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

(d) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(e) Annualized.
(f) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.
10 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

 

ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust consists of multiple separate portfolios or series. This annual report describes the Hillman Value Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is diversified, and its primary investment objective is to provide long-term total return from a combination of income and capital gains. The Fund currently offers one share class. The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”) may establish additional funds and classes of shares at any time in the future without shareholder approval.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies (“U.S. GAAP”). The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services - Investment Companies. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of its financial statements.

 

Investment Valuation: The Fund generally values its securities based on market prices determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

 

For equity securities, real estate investment trusts, limited partnerships and mutual funds that are traded on an exchange, the market price is usually the closing sale or official closing price on that exchange. In the case of equity securities and real estate investment trusts not traded on an exchange, or if such closing prices are not otherwise available, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day.

 

Options are valued at the National Best Bid and Offer (“NBBO”) last trade as of the valuation time. Options will be valued on the basis of prices provided by pricing services when such prices are reasonably believed to reflect the market value of such options and may include the use of composite or NBBO pricing information provided by the pricing services.

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end registered investment companies are valued at the investment company’s applicable net asset value (“NAV”). Money market funds, representing short-term investments, are valued at their NAV.

 

When such prices or quotations are not available, or when the valuation designee appointed by the Board believes that they are unreliable, securities may be priced using fair value procedures approved by the Board.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 11

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Fair Value Measurements: The Fund discloses the classification of its fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments. These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
   
Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly); and
   
Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

12 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2025:

 

HILLMAN VALUE FUND

 

Investments in Securities at Value   Level 1 -
Unadjusted
Quoted Prices
    Level 2 - Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3 -
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
    Total  
Common Stock                                
Communication Services   $ 22,065,616     $     $     $ 22,065,616  
Consumer Discretionary     7,351,600                   7,351,600  
Consumer Staples     33,026,198                   33,026,198  
Financials     10,675,464                   10,675,464  
Health Care     28,869,474                   28,869,474  
Industrials     3,547,440                   3,547,440  
Information Technology     20,494,601                   20,494,601  
Materials     10,600,564                   10,600,564  
Total   $ 136,630,957     $     $     $ 136,630,957  

 

    Valuation Inputs        
Other Financial Instruments   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Liabilities                                
Written Option Contracts   $ (367,770 )   $     $     $ (367,770 )
Total   $ (367,770 )   $     $     $ (367,770 )

 

The Fund did not hold any level 3 securities during the six months ended March 31, 2025.

 

Cash & Cash Equivalents: The Fund considers its investment in a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured interest bearing account to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus any accrued interest. The Fund maintains cash balances, which, at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Fund maintains these balances with a high-quality financial institution.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk: The Fund places its cash with a banking institution, which is insured by FDIC. The FDIC limit is $250,000. At various times throughout the year, the amount on deposit may exceed the FDIC limit and subject the Fund to a credit risk. The Fund does not believe that such deposits are subject to any unusual risk associated with investment activities.

 

Trust Expenses: Some expenses of the Trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses that cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among all funds in the Trust based on average net assets of each fund, including Trustees’ fees and expenses.

 

Federal Income Taxes: The Fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and intends to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income and net capital gains, if any, each year so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. The Fund is not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 13

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

As of and during the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns as required. The Fund’s tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return for federal purposes and four years for most state returns. The Fund’s administrator has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of March 31, 2025, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements related to these tax positions.

 

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the investments are purchased or sold (trade date basis for financial reporting purposes). Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on a first in first out basis. Interest income, which includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, is accrued and recorded as earned using the effective yield method. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, or for certain foreign securities, as soon as information is available to the Fund. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends are paid (a portion of which may be reclaimable) or provided for in accordance with the applicable country’s tax rules and rates and are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

Distributions to Shareholders: The Fund normally pays dividends, if any, and distributes capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. Income dividend distributions are derived from interest, dividends and other income the Fund receives from their investments, including short-term capital gains. Long-term capital gain distributions are derived from gains realized when the Fund sells a security it has owned for more than one year. The Fund may make additional distributions and dividends at other times if its portfolio manager or managers believe doing so may be necessary for the Fund to avoid or reduce taxes. Net investment income/(loss) and net realized gain/(loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes.

 

3. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

 

The Fund may invest in derivative financial instruments (derivatives) in order to manage risk or gain exposure to various other investments or markets. Derivatives may contain various risks including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill their obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market, and the potential for market movements which may expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amounts shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Risk of Investing in Derivatives: The Fund's use of derivatives can result in losses due to unanticipated changes in the market risk factors and the overall market. In instances where the Fund is using derivatives to decrease, or hedge, exposures to market risk factors for securities held by the Fund, there are also risks that those derivatives may not perform as expected resulting in losses for the combined or hedged positions.

 

14 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Derivatives may have little or no initial cash investment relative to their market value exposure and therefore can produce significant gains or losses in excess of their cost. This use of embedded leverage allows the Fund to increase its market value exposure relative to its net assets and can substantially increase the volatility of the Fund's performance.

 

Additional associated risks from investing in derivatives also exist and potentially could have significant effects on the valuation of the derivative and the Fund. Typically, the associated risks are not the risks that the Fund are attempting to increase or decrease exposure to, per its investment objectives, but are the additional risks from investing in derivatives.

 

Examples of these associated risks are liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell or close out the derivative in a timely manner, and counterparty credit risk, which is the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. In addition, use of derivatives may increase or decrease exposure to the following risk factors:

 

Equity Risk: Equity risk relates to the change in value of equity securities as they relate to increases or decreases in the general market. Associated risks can be different for each type of derivative.

 

Option Contracts: The Fund may enter into options transactions for hedging purposes and for non-hedging purposes such as seeking to enhance return. The Fund may write covered put and call options on any stocks or stock indices, currencies traded on domestic and foreign securities exchanges, or futures contracts on stock indices, interest rates and currencies traded on domestic and, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, foreign exchanges. A call option on an asset written by a Fund obligates the Fund to sell the specified asset to the holder (purchaser) at a stated price (the exercise price) if the option is exercised before a specified date (the expiration date). A put option on an asset written by a Fund obligates the Fund to buy the specified asset from the purchaser at the exercise price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. Premiums received when writing options are recorded as liabilities and are subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options, which are either exercised or closed, are offset against the proceeds received or amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses.

 

Purchased Options: When the Fund purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid by the Fund is recorded as an investment and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the option purchased. If an option expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, a gain or loss is realized. If a call option is exercised, the cost of the security acquired is increased by the premium paid for the call. If a put option is exercised, a gain or loss is realized from the sale of the underlying security, and the proceeds from such sale are decreased by the premium originally paid. Purchased options are non-income producing securities.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 15

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Written Options: When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gain from written options. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the Fund. The Fund, as a writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.

 

The average notional amount of the written options held for the six months ended March 31, 2025, was $3,787,565. These are written equity options which have an element of equity security risk.

 

Derivative Instruments: The following tables disclose the amounts related to the Fund's use of derivative instruments.

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the six months ended March 31, 2025:

 

Risk Exposure   Statement of
Assets
and Liabilities
Location
  Fair Value of
Asset
Derivatives
    Statement of
Assets
and Liabilities
Location
  Fair Value of
Liability
Derivatives
 
Hillman Value Fund                    
Equity Contracts (Written Options)   Investments, at value   $     Options written, at value   $ 367,770  
        $         $ 367,770  

 

16 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended March 31, 2025:

 

Risk Exposure   Statement of Operations Location   Realized
Gain/(Loss)
on Derivatives
Recognized
in Income
    Change in
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
on Derivatives
Recognized
in Income
 
Equity Contracts (Written Options)   Net realized gain/(loss) on written option contracts/Net change in unrealized depreciation on written option contracts   $ 627,541     $ (201,311 )
Total       $ 627,541     $ (201,311 )

 

4. TAX BASIS INFORMATION

 

 

Tax Basis of Distributions to Shareholders: The character of distributions made during the period from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to the timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the fiscal year in which the income or realized gain were recorded by the Fund. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions are estimated at the time of distribution and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end.

 

The tax character of distributions paid by the Fund for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, was as follows:

 

    Ordinary Income     Long-Term Capital
Gains
 
Hillman Value Fund   $ 4,818,177     $ 2,201,640  

 

Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation on Investments: As of March 31, 2025, the aggregate costs of investments, gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and net unrealized depreciation for Federal tax purposes were as follows:

 

    Hillman Value Fund  
Gross unrealized appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)   $ 8,693,753  
Gross unrealized depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)     (17,645,931 )
Net unrealized depreciation   $ (8,952,178 )
Cost of investments for income tax purposes   $ 145,378,430  

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 17

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

These temporary differences are primarily attributed to wash sales.

 

5. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, during the six months ended

 

March 31, 2025, were as follows:

 

    Purchases of Securities     Proceeds from Sales of
Securities
 
Hillman Value Fund   $ 46,793,387     $ 122,613,272  

 

6. BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

The capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value per share. Holders of the shares of the Fund have one vote for each share held and a proportionate fraction of a vote for each fractional share. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and are transferable and redeemable at the option of the shareholder. Shares have no pre-emptive rights. Neither the Fund nor any of its creditors has the right to require shareholders to pay any additional amounts solely because the shareholder owns the shares.

 

Transactions in common shares were as follows:

 

    For the Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
    For the Year Ended
September 30,
2024
 
Hillman Value Fund                
Shares sold     328,041       1,235,253  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders     991,601       210,880  
Shares redeemed     (3,106,490 )     (2,138,944 )
Net decrease in shares outstanding     (1,786,848 )     (692,811 )

 

Control is defined by the 1940 Act as the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. As of March 31, 2025, approximately 84% of the outstanding shares of the Fund were owned by two omnibus accounts.

 

18 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

7. MANAGEMENT AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Investment Advisory: Hillman Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Fund's business affairs. The Adviser manages the investments of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations, and investment guidelines established jointly by the Adviser and the Board.

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee based on the Fund’s average daily net assets. Effective February 1, 2024, the Fund's management fee was reduced to 0.70%. Prior to February 1, 2024, the management fee was 0.85%. The management fees are paid on a monthly basis. The Board may extend the Advisory Agreements for successive one year terms. The Board and shareholders of the Fund may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice. The Adviser may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 120 days’ written notice.

 

Pursuant to a fee waiver letter agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), the Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of the Fund (exclusive of (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iv) fees and expenses associated with investments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example option and swap fees and expenses); (v) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (vi) taxes; and (vii) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees and contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser))), to 0.95% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Fund’s No Load Class. The Fee Waiver Agreement is in effect through January 31, 2026, and will automatically continue upon annual approval by the Board for successive twelve-month periods unless (i) it is terminated earlier by the Board, or (ii) the Adviser provides at least 30 days written notice of its non-continuance prior to the end of the then effective term. Except due to the Adviser’s notice of non-renewal, this Agreement may only be amended or terminated with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Fees waived or reimbursed for the six months ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statement of Operations. Previously waived fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.

 

Administrator: ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) (an affiliate of ALPS Distributors, Inc.) serves as administrator to the Fund. The Fund has agreed to pay expenses incurred in connection with its administrative activities. Pursuant to the Services Agreement with the Trust, ALPS will provide operational services to the Fund including, but not limited to, fund accounting and fund administration, and will generally assist in the Fund’s operations. The Fund’s administration fee is accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly. The officers of the Trust are employees of ALPS. Administration fees paid by the Fund for the six months ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statement of Operations. ALPS is reimbursed by the Fund for certain out of pocket expenses.

 

Transfer Agent: ALPS serves as transfer agent for the Fund under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Fund plus fees for open accounts and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 19

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Compliance Services: ALPS provides Chief Compliance Officer services to the Fund to monitor and test the policies and procedures of the Fund in conjunction with requirements under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act pursuant to a Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Fund and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Distribution: ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) (an affiliate of ALPS) acts as the principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust. Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis through the Distributor, as agent of the Fund. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any particular amount of shares of the Fund and is not entitled to any compensation for its services as the Fund’s principal underwriter pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.

 

8. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

 

As of March 31, 2025, there were four Trustees, each of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The Independent Trustees of the Trust and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers will receive a quarterly retainer of $16,250, plus $5,000 for each regular Board or Committee meeting attended and $2,000 for each special telephonic or in-person Board or Committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Audit Committee Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $1,875 and the Independent Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $4,250. These fees are allocated proportionately among the multiple portfolios/series of the Trust. The Independent Trustees and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers are also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings.

 

Officers of the Trust receive no salary or fees from the Trust. As discussed in Note 7 the Fund pays ALPS an annual fee for compliance services.

 

9. INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that may contain general indemnification clauses which may permit indemnification to the extent permissible under applicable law. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown; as such exposure would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that there were no subsequent events to report through the issuance of these financial statements.

 

20 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants during the period covered by this report.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 21

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Proxy Disclosures

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Not applicable to the period covered by this report.

 

22 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the period ended March 31, 2025:

 

Trustee   Amount Paid  
Ward Armstrong   $ 2,908.10  
J.W. Hutchens     2,641.34  
Merrilyn Kosier     2,641.34  
Patrick Seese     2,759.03  
Total   $ 10,949.81  

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 23

 

 

  Statement Regarding Basis for Approval
Hillman Value Fund of Investment Advisory Agreement

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

On November 21, 2024, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”) met in person to discuss, among other things, the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement (“Hillman Agreement”) between the Trust and Hillman Capital Management, Inc. (“Hillman”) in accordance with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act. The Independent Trustees met with independent legal counsel during executive session and discussed the Investment Advisory Agreement and other related materials.

 

The Trustees discussed Hillman’s Materials and presentation. During the review process, the Board noted certain instances where clarification or follow-up was appropriate and others where the Board determined that further clarification or follow-up was not necessary. In those instances where clarification or follow-up was requested, the Board determined that in each case either information responsive to its requests had been provided, or where any request was outstanding in whole or in part, given the totality of the information provided with respect to the agreements, the Board had received sufficient information to renew and approve the Advisory Agreement.

 

In anticipation of and as part of the process to consider renewal of the Hillman Agreement, legal counsel to the Trust requested certain information from Hillman. In response to these requests, the Trustees received reports from Hillman and an independent provider of investment company data (the “Provider Report”) that addressed specific factors to be considered by the Board. The Board also received from independent legal counsel memoranda regarding the Board’s responsibilities pertaining to the approval of advisory contracts. Further, the Board met with representatives of Hillman and discussed the services of the firm provided pursuant to the Hillman Agreement, as well as the information provided by Hillman. In evaluating Hillman and the fees charged under the Hillman Agreement, the Trustees concluded that no single factor reviewed by the Trustees was identified by the Trustees to be determinative as the principal factor in whether to renew the Hillman Agreement. Further, the Independent Trustees were advised by independent legal counsel throughout the process. The following summary does not identify all the matters considered by the Board, but provides a summary of the principal matters the Board considered.

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services: The Board reviewed certain background materials supplied by Hillman in its presentation, including its Form ADV. The Board reviewed HCM’s financial information to analyze the financial condition, stability, and profitability of HCM, noting that HCM had agreed to limit the Fund’s expenses pursuant to an expense limitation agreement.

 

The Board reviewed and considered HCM’s investment philosophy focused on identifying great companies trading at a discount to intrinsic value and its long history as an asset manager. The Trustees also discussed the research and decision-making processes utilized by HCM, including the methods adopted to achieve compliance with the policies and restrictions of the Hillman Fund, with a focus on risk mitigation. The Board discussed Hillman’s risk mitigation strategies, including diversification and position limits.

 

The Board acknowledged the experience of HCM’s management team, including reviewing the qualifications, background, and responsibilities of the investment team primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Hillman Fund.

 

24 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

  Statement Regarding Basis for Approval
Hillman Value Fund of Investment Advisory Agreement

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

HCM had indicated that its portfolio management team consistently executed its proprietary value investment philosophy, focusing on businesses with a sustainable competitive advantage. The Board discussed the distinctive investment process among large cap value managers, utilizing option writing intended to diversify and enhance returns. It was the consensus of the Board that Hillman had provided high quality services to the Fund.

 

Investment Advisory Fee Rate and Expense Ratio: The Board considered comparison of the Hillman Fund’s contractual annual advisory fee and overall expenses with those of funds in the peer group in the Provider Report. The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee of 0.70% was higher than the peer group median (the “Median”) of 0.65%. The Board noted that the services rendered to the Fund by Hillman included an option strategy, which was not necessarily something utilized by the investment advisers to the funds in the Fund’s peer group. They considered the Fund’s net expense ratio of 0.95% compared favorably to the peer group median of 1.03%. After further consideration, the Board determined that the advisory fee and total net expenses were not unreasonable.

 

Comparable Accounts: The Board discussed the comparable accounts managed by HCM and the fee structure and servicing requirements for these products, noting that the advisory fee was lower than the fees charged by HCM to certain other clients. The Board also discussed the fees charged by Hillman for model delivery and wrap programs, recognizing that these options presented very different levels of service to the client. The Board concluded that, bearing in mind the limitations of comparing different types of managed accounts, model delivery and wrap accounts, and the different levels of service typically associated with such relationships, the fee structures applicable to HCM’s other clients employing a comparable strategy to the Hillman Fund was not indicative of any unreasonableness with respect to the advisory fees payable by the Hillman Fund.

 

Performance: The Board reviewed and considered the Hillman Fund’s performance. The Board noted that the Hillman Fund had outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value TR Index, and the Median for the five-, ten-year, and since inception periods, but had underperformed for the one-and three-year periods. They discussed the Adviser’s belief that long term outperformance, and adherence to its focus on valuation of companies in its quality universe, typically entails variability around the target benchmark, suggesting that the Adviser should adhere to its investment discipline even through the occasional underperformance period to achieve their long-term objectives. The Board considered the option premium income generated by the option strategy and the benefit to performance. After reviewing the investment performance of the Hillman Fund, the Board concluded that the overall investment performance of the Hillman Fund was satisfactory.

 

Profitability: The Board received and considered the Adviser’s 2023 profits from its relationship with the Hillman Fund, and estimated profits for 2024, based on an analysis prepared by HCM. The Board observed that the reported and estimated profits before distribution expenses were reasonable on an absolute basis and as a percentage of revenue.

 

Economies of Scale: The Board considered whether Hillman was benefitting from economies of scale in the provision of services to the Fund and whether such economies were being shared with the Fund’s shareholders under the Hillman Agreement. They considered the prospects for growth of the Hillman Fund and concluded that the expense limitation agreement was adequate at current asset levels, provided meaningful economies to shareholders, and economies of scale would be revisited as Hillman Fund asset levels increase.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 25

 

 

  Statement Regarding Basis for Approval
Hillman Value Fund of Investment Advisory Agreement

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Other Benefits to the Adviser: The Board reviewed and considered any other incidental benefits derived or to be derived by HCM from its relationship with the Hillman Fund, including research and other support services, noting the Adviser did not receive soft dollars.

 

Having requested and reviewed such information from HCM as the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Hillman Agreement and as assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Board determined that approval of the Hillman Agreement was in the best interests of the Hillman Fund and its shareholders.

 

26 www.hcmfunds.com

 

 

Hillman Value Fund

is a series of the

ALPS Series Trust

 

For Shareholder Service Inquiries:

 

Hillman Value Fund

c/o ALPS Funds

P.O. Box 1920

Denver, CO 80201

 

Telephone

 

1-855-400-5944

 

 

Hillman Value Fund distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.

Must be accompanied or preceded by a prospectus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Portfolios of Investments  
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund 1
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund 4
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 8
Statements of Operations 10
Statements of Changes in Net Assets  
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund 12
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund 13
Financial Highlights  
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund – Investor Class 14
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund – Investor Class 16
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund – Institutional Class 18
Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights 20
Additional Information 32
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants 33
Proxy Disclosures 34
Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others 35
Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract 36

 

 

Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund Portfolio of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
COMMON STOCKS (81.08%)                
Aerospace & Defense (10.40%)                
Theon International PLC     47,300     $ 1,214,709  
                 
Agricultural Products & Services (1.98%)                
Winfarm SAS(a)     53,800       231,533  
                 
Application Software (0.16%)                
Sidetrade     15       3,909  
SmartCraft ASA(a)     5,659       14,254  
Total Application Software             18,163  
                 
Coal & Consumable Fuels (9.23%)                
Cameco Corp.     15,600       642,096  
Denison Mines Corp.(a)     336,000       436,800  
Total Coal & Consumable Fuels             1,078,896  
                 
Construction & Engineering (3.18%)                
Eiffage SA     3,200       371,103  
                 
Electrical Components & Equipment (0.67%)                
Arcure SA(a)     15,355       78,368  
                 
Electronic Manufacturing Services (4.38%)                
Celestica, Inc.(a)     6,500       512,265  
                 
Environmental & Facilities Services (0.84%)                
Water Intelligence PLC(a)     22,393       97,626  
                 
Food Distributors (0.91%)                
Kitwave Group PLC     33,208       105,740  
                 
Health Care Supplies (4.61%)                
Establishment Labs Holdings, Inc.(a)     13,200       538,626  
                 
Health Care Technology (–%)(b)                
Reliq Health Technologies, Inc.(a)     915,996       1  
                 
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders (4.10%)                
Capital Power Corp.     14,400       478,616  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 1

 

 

Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund Portfolio of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
Industrial Machinery (5.94%)                
Kornit Digital, Ltd.(a)     36,400     $ 694,512  
                 
Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components (5.39%)                
Meidensha Corp.     21,900       630,032  
                 
Interactive Home Entertainment (6.74%)                
CD Projekt SA     14,400       787,503  
                 
Investment Banking & Brokerage (9.03%)                
JDC Group AG(a)     16,915       371,292  
Plus500, Ltd.     19,300       684,104  
Total Investment Banking & Brokerage             1,055,396  
                 
IT Consulting & Other Services (1.39%)                
Spyrosoft SA(a)     1,450       162,862  
                 
Research & Consulting Services (0.53%)                
Elixirr International PLC     7,183       62,167  
                 
Systems Software (0.58%)                
TECSYS, Inc.     2,373       67,609  
                 
Textiles (6.39%)                
Kurabo Industries, Ltd.     18,800       747,037  
                 
Tobacco (4.63%)                
Imperial Brands PLC     14,600       540,329  
                 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS                
(Cost $10,290,030)             9,473,093  
                 
WARRANTS (0.00%)(b)                
Transaction & Payment Processing Services (0.00%)                
Reliq Health Technologies Warrants, Strike Price $0.52, Expires 04/05/2026     937,500        
TOTAL WARRANTS                
(Cost $0)              

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

2 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund Portfolio of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    7 Day Yield     Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT (12.63%)                        
                         
State Street Institutional US Government Money Market Fund, Investor Class     4.210 %     1,476,205     $ 1,476,205  
                      1,476,205  
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT                        
(Cost $1,476,205)                     1,476,205  
                         
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (93.71%)                        
(Cost $11,766,235)                   $ 10,949,298  
                         
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (6.29%)                     735,043  
                         
NET ASSETS (100.00%)                   $ 11,684,341  

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Less than 0.005%.

 

At March 31, 2025, Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund's investments, excluding short-term investments, were in the following countries:

 

Country   % of Total Fair
Value
 
Canada     22.6  
Costa Rica     5.7  
Cyprus     12.8  
France     7.2  
Germany     3.9  
Great Britain     7.5  
Israel     14.6  
Japan     14.5  
Norway     0.2  
Poland     10.0  
United States     1.0  
      100.0  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 3

 

 

Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund Portfolio of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
COMMON STOCKS (95.84%)                
Agricultural Products & Services (1.28%)                
Winfarm SAS(a)     107,247     $ 461,547  
                 
Application Software (2.20%)                
CYND Co., Ltd.(a)     96,600       638,891  
Sidetrade     184       47,949  
SmartCraft ASA(a)     43,072       108,492  
Total Application Software             795,332  
                 
Asset Management & Custody Banks (2.32%)                
Pensionbee Group PLC(a)     445,120       839,480  
                 
Automotive Parts & Equipment (0.25%)                
hGears AG(a)     49,876       91,683  
                 
Building Products (1.37%)                
Cie de Saint-Gobain SA     5,000       495,777  
                 
Casinos & Gaming (4.44%)                
Genius Sports, Ltd.(a)     160,400       1,605,604  
                 
Construction & Engineering (16.79%)                
Dai-Dan Co., Ltd.     59,700       1,476,678  
Kandenko Co., Ltd.     92,100       1,645,016  
Sanki Engineering Co., Ltd.     48,900       1,100,323  
Sumitomo Densetsu Co., Ltd.     46,100       1,490,666  
Vinci SA     2,800       352,116  
Total Construction & Engineering             6,064,799  
                 
Construction Materials (2.98%)                
Buzzi SpA     6,800       325,144  
Heidelberg Materials AG     4,400       749,581  
Total Construction Materials             1,074,725  
                 
Consumer Finance (1.70%)                
Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR(a)     6,600       612,810  
                 
Drug Retail (1.17%)                
Redcare Pharmacy NV(a)(b)(c)     3,300       423,914  
                 
Electric Utilities (2.39%)                
Tenaga Nasional Bhd     286,400       863,556  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

4 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund Portfolio of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
Electrical Components & Equipment (0.77%)                
Arcure SA(a)     54,391     $ 277,598  
                 
Electronic Equipment & Instruments (0.49%)                
Blackline Safety Corp.(a)     39,288       176,094  
                 
Electronic Manufacturing Services (5.19%)                
Fabrinet     9,500       1,876,345  
                 
Environmental & Facilities Services (5.66%)                
GFL Environmental, Inc.     42,300       2,043,513  
                 
Food Distributors (1.14%)                
Kitwave Group PLC     129,035       410,870  
                 
Health Care Technology (0.00%)(d)                
Reliq Health Technologies, Inc.(a)     4,073,306       3  
                 
Heavy Electrical Equipment (3.80%)                
Siemens Energy AG(a)     23,600       1,373,930  
                 
Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (2.02%)                
Viking Holdings, Ltd.(a)     18,400       731,400  
                 
Industrial Machinery (2.74%)                
IHI Corp.     14,400       990,786  
                 
Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components (2.80%)                
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.     60,000       1,010,467  
                 
Interactive Media & Services (1.37%)                
Trustpilot Group PLC(a)(b)(c)     172,900       493,592  
                 
Internet Services & Infrastructure (7.30%)                
Applied Digital Corp.(a)     469,500       2,638,590  
                 
Investment Banking & Brokerage (5.93%)                
JDC Group AG(a)     97,639       2,143,220  
                 
IT Consulting & Other Services (1.41%)                
Spyrosoft SA(a)     4,550       511,051  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 5

 

 

Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund Portfolio of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value
(Note 2)
 
Leisure Products (2.75%)                
Games Workshop Group PLC     5,500     $ 993,942  
                 
Life & Health Insurance (2.34%)                
Just Group PLC     446,000       846,901  
                 
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing (3.87%)                
Secure Waste Infrastructure Corp.     128,300       1,397,967  
                 
Personal Care Products (2.32%)                
Oddity Tech, Ltd.(a)     19,400       839,244  
                 
Research & Consulting Services (0.56%)                
Elixirr International PLC     23,157       200,418  
                 
Semiconductors (5.98%)                
Infineon Technologies AG     30,500       1,002,420  
Renesas Electronics Corp.     87,300       1,156,802  
Total Semiconductors             2,159,222  
                 
Systems Software (0.51%)                
TECSYS, Inc.     6,427       183,112  
                 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS                
(Cost $38,811,522)             34,627,492  
                 
WARRANTS (0.00%)(d)                
Transaction & Payment Processing                
Services (0.00%)                
Reliq Health Technologies Warrants, Strike Price $0.52, Expires 04/05/2026     2,812,500        
TOTAL WARRANTS                
(Cost $0)              

 

    7 Day Yield     Shares    

Value

(Note 2)

 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT (2.97%)                        
                         
State Street Institutional US Government Money Market Fund, Investor Class     4.210 %     1,070,636     $ 1,070,636  
                      1,070,636  
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT                        
(Cost $1,070,636)                     1,070,636  
                         

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (98.81%)      
(Cost $39,882,158)   $ 35,698,128  
         
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (1.19%)     431,218  
         
NET ASSETS (100.00%)   $ 36,129,346  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

6 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund Portfolio of Investments

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. As of March 31, 2025 the fair value of securities restricted under Rule 144A in the aggregate was $917,506, representing 2.54% of net assets.
(c) Securities were purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts securities offered and sold outside of the United States from registration. Such securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. As of March 31, 2025, the fair value of those securities was $917,506 representing 2.54% of net assets.
(d) Less than 0.005%.

 

At March 31, 2025, Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund's investments, excluding short-term investments, were in the following countries:

 

Country   % of Total Fair
Value
 
Bermuda     2.0  
Canada     11.0  
France     4.7  
Germany     15.5  
Great Britain     15.6  
Israel     2.4  
Italy     0.9  
Japan     27.4  
Kazakhstan     1.8  
Malaysia     2.7  
Netherlands     1.2  
Norway     0.3  
Poland     1.5  
Thailand     5.4  
United States     7.6  
      100.0  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 7

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors Statements of Assets and Liabilities

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

   

SEVEN CANYONS

STRATEGIC

GLOBAL FUND

   

SEVEN CANYONS

WORLD

INNOVATORS FUND

 
ASSETS:            
Unaffiliated Investments, at value (Cost $11,766,235 and $39,882,158)   $ 10,949,298     $ 35,698,128  
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $142,544 and $168,995, respectively)     142,638       168,408  
Receivable for investments sold     803,046       84,142  
Receivable for shares sold           316  
Dividends and interest receivable     49,002       231,751  
Other assets     18,680       6,826  
Total Assets     11,962,664       36,189,571  
                 
LIABILITIES:                
Payable for administration and transfer agent fees     2,186       9,459  
Payable for investments purchased     251,957       33,094  
Payable for shares redeemed     21,761       9,039  
Payable to adviser           2,901  
Payable for printing fees     389       2,329  
Payable for professional fees     962       899  
Payable for trustees' fees and expenses     18       24  
Payable to Chief Compliance Officer fees     1,050       2,480  
Total Liabilities     278,323       60,225  
NET ASSETS   $ 11,684,341     $ 36,129,346  
                 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:                
Paid-in capital (Note 5)   $ 12,629,320     $ 103,888,791  
Total accumulated deficit     (944,979 )     (67,759,445 )
NET ASSETS   $ 11,684,341     $ 36,129,346  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

8 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors Statements of Assets and Liabilities

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

   

SEVEN CANYONS

STRATEGIC

GLOBAL FUND

   

SEVEN CANYONS

WORLD

INNOVATORS FUND

 
PRICING OF SHARES(a)                
Investor Class:                
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 11.21     $ 13.16  
Net Assets   $ 11,684,341     $ 33,549,564  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     1,041,851       2,549,420  
Institutional Class:                
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share     N/A     $ 13.52  
Net Assets     N/A     $ 2,579,782  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding     N/A       190,746  

 

(a) A 2% redemption fee is applied to any shares sold or exchanged within 60 days of purchase.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 9

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors Statements of Operations

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

   

SEVEN CANYONS

STRATEGIC

GLOBAL FUND

   

SEVEN CANYONS

WORLD

INNOVATORS FUND

 
INVESTMENT INCOME:                
Dividends   $ 98,107     $ 333,766  
Foreign taxes withheld     (16,781 )     (19,133 )
Total Investment Income     81,326       314,633  
                 
EXPENSES:                
Investment advisory fees (Note 6)     46,145       324,277  
Administration fees     40,343       120,168  
Custody fees     4,360       12,017  
Legal fees     9,897       8,917  
Audit and tax fees     12,696       12,697  
Transfer agent fees     34,678       52,455  
Trustees' fees and expenses     695       1,084  
Registration and filing fees     20,506       11,825  
Printing fees     292        
Chief Compliance Officer fees     4,591       16,886  
Insurance fees     475       2,133  
Other expenses     11,966       7,123  
Total Expenses     186,644       569,582  
Less fees waived/reimbursed by investment adviser (Note 6)                
Investor Class     (94,450 )     (188,332 )
Institutional Class           (15,962 )
Total fees waived/reimbursed by investment adviser (Note 6)     (94,450 )     (204,294 )
Net Expenses     92,194       365,288  
NET INVESTMENT LOSS     (10,868 )     (50,655 )

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

10 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors Statements of Operations

For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

   

SEVEN CANYONS

STRATEGIC

GLOBAL FUND

   

SEVEN CANYONS

WORLD

INNOVATORS FUND

 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY:                
Net realized gain/(loss) on:                
Investments     2,095,939       6,660,726  
Foreign capital gains tax     (53,173 )     (259,163 )
Foreign currency transactions     (35,075 )     (125,285 )
Net realized gain     2,007,691       6,276,278  
Change in unrealized appreciation on:                
Unaffiliated Investments (net of change in foreign capital gains tax of $70,675 and $291,112)     (2,667,911 )     (11,423,722 )
Affiliated Investments           2,210,414  
Translation of asset and liabilities denominated in foreign currency     (1,407 )     (3,529 )
Net change     (2,669,318 )     (9,216,837 )
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY     (661,627 )     (2,940,559 )
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (672,495 )   $ (2,991,214 )

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 11

 

 

Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

 
OPERATIONS:                
Net investment loss   $ (10,868 )   $ (10,525 )
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency     2,007,691       2,316,736  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translation     (2,669,318 )     883,649  
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (672,495 )     3,189,860  
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS                
Investor Class           (445,119 )
Total distributions           (445,119 )
                 
BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 5):                
Investor Class                
Shares sold     465,409       442,790  
Dividends reinvested           434,662  
Shares redeemed     (2,338,627 )     (10,589,173 )
Redemption fees     2       85  
Net decrease from beneficial share transactions     (1,873,216 )     (9,711,636 )
Net decrease in net assets     (2,545,711 )     (6,966,895 )
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     14,230,052       21,196,947  
End of period   $ 11,684,341     $ 14,230,052  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

12 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

For the

Six Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the

Year Ended

September 30, 2024

 
OPERATIONS:                
Net investment loss   $ (50,655 )   $ (467,181 )
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency     6,276,278       355,705  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translation     (9,216,837 )     11,360,027  
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (2,991,214 )     11,248,551  
                 
BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 5):                
Investor Class                
Shares sold     509,230       745,012  
Shares redeemed     (8,670,197 )     (20,925,197 )
Redemption fees           750  
Net decrease from beneficial share transactions     (8,160,967 )     (20,179,435 )
                 
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     118,770       1,775,454  
Shares redeemed     (1,322,534 )     (31,822,315 )
Redemption fees     9       171  
Net decrease from beneficial share transactions     (1,203,755 )     (30,046,690 )
Net decrease in net assets     (12,355,936 )     (38,977,574 )
                 
NET ASSETS:                
Beginning of period     48,485,282       87,462,856  
End of period   $ 36,129,346     $ 48,485,282  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 13

 

 

Seven Canyons

Strategic Global Fund – Investor Class

Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income/(loss)(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net investment income
From net realized gains on investments
From tax return of capital
Total Distributions
REDEMPTION FEES
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
TOTAL RETURN(c)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver
Net investment income/(loss) including reimbursement/waiver
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(f)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

14 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons

Strategic Global Fund – Investor Class

Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2023

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2022

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2021

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2020

 
$ 11.83     $ 10.10     $ 9.52     $ 17.15     $ 11.45     $ 12.05  
                                             
  (0.01 )     (0.01 )     0.06       0.04       0.17       0.23  
  (0.61 )     1.96       1.18       (5.06 )     5.73       (0.41 )
  (0.62 )     1.95       1.24       (5.02 )     5.90       (0.18 )
                                             
        (0.22 )     (0.66 )           (0.20 )     (0.17 )
                    (2.61 )           (0.23 )
                                (0.02 )
        (0.22 )     (0.66 )     (2.61 )     (0.20 )     (0.42 )
  0.00 (b)      0.00 (b)      0.00 (b)      0.00 (b)      0.00 (b)      0.00 (b) 
  (0.62 )     1.73       0.58       (7.63 )     5.70       (0.60 )
$ 11.21     $ 11.83     $ 10.10     $ 9.52     $ 17.15     $ 11.45  
  (5.24 %)     19.45 %     12.90 %     (34.67 %)     51.66 %     (1.60 %)
                                             
$ 11,684     $ 14,230     $ 21,197     $ 21,668     $ 50,946     $ 27,217  
                                             
  2.83 %(d)     2.07 %     1.59 %     1.47 %     1.29 %     1.46 %
  1.40 %(d)     1.40 %     1.25 %(e)     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %
  (0.17 %)(d)     (0.05 %)     0.57 %     0.34 %     1.11 %     2.09 %
  119 %     88 %     102 %     77 %     90 %     128 %

 

(a) Calculated using the average shares method.
(b) Less than $0.005 per share.
(c) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Prior to February 1, 2023, the Adviser had contractually agreed to limit the amount of the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to an annual rate of 0.95% of the fund’s average daily net assets. See Note 6 in the Notes to Financial Statements.
(f) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 15

 

 

Seven Canyons

World Innovators Fund – Investor Class

Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment loss(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net realized gains on investments
From tax return of capital
Total Distributions
REDEMPTION FEES
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
TOTAL RETURN(c)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver
Net investment (loss) including reimbursement/waiver
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(f)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

16 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons

World Innovators Fund – Investor Class

Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2023

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2022

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2021

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2020

 
$ 14.18     $ 11.93     $ 10.37     $ 25.50     $ 24.32     $ 15.97  
                                             
  (0.02 )     (0.09 )     (0.06 )     (0.22 )     (0.38 )     (0.20 )
  (1.00 )     2.34       1.62       (11.28 )     3.88       8.65  
  (1.02 )     2.25       1.56       (11.50 )     3.50       8.45  
                                             
                    (3.62 )     (2.33 )     (0.10 )
                    (0.01 )            
                    (3.63 )     (2.33 )     (0.10 )
        0.00 (b)      0.00 (b)      0.00 (b)      0.01       0.00 (b) 
  (1.02 )     2.25       1.56       (15.13 )     1.18       8.35  
$ 13.16     $ 14.18     $ 11.93     $ 10.37     $ 25.50     $ 24.32  
  (7.19 %)     18.86 %     15.04 %     (51.87 %)     13.92 %     53.12 %
                                             
$ 33,550     $ 44,476     $ 56,289     $ 64,684     $ 204,662     $ 149,179  
                                             
  2.65 %(d)     2.49 %     1.85 %     1.94 %     1.88 %     2.02 %
  1.70 %(d)     1.72 %(e)     1.75 %     1.75 %     1.75 %     1.75 %
  (0.24 %)(d)     (0.74 %)     (0.51 %)     (1.30 %)     (1.39 %)     (1.12 %)
  91 %     70 %     114 %     62 %     101 %     176 %

 

(a) Calculated using the average shares method.
(b) Less than $0.005 per share.
(c) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Prior to February 1, 2024, the Adviser had contractually agreed to limit the amount of the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to an annual rate of 1.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets for the Investor class. See Note 6 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
(f) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 17

 

 

Seven Canyons

World Innovators Fund – Institutional Class

Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment loss(a)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
Total from investment operations
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
From net realized gains on investments
From tax return of capital
Total Distributions
REDEMPTION FEES
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD
TOTAL RETURN(c)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Operating expenses excluding reimbursement/waiver
Operating expenses including reimbursement/waiver
Net investment (loss) including reimbursement/waiver
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE(f)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

18 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons

World Innovators Fund – Institutional Class

Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented

 

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2023

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2022

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2021

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2020

 
$ 14.56     $ 12.24     $ 10.62     $ 25.98     $ 24.69     $ 16.18  
                                             
  (0.02 )     (0.08 )     (0.04 )     (0.19 )     (0.32 )     (0.20 )
  (1.02 )     2.40       1.66       (11.54 )     3.93       8.81  
  (1.04 )     2.32       1.62       (11.73 )     3.61       8.61  
                                             
                    (3.62 )     (2.33 )     (0.10 )
                    (0.01 )            
                    (3.63 )     (2.33 )     (0.10 )
  0.00 (b)      0.00 (b)      0.00 (b)      0.00 (b)      0.01       0.00 (b) 
  (1.04 )     2.32       1.62       (15.36 )     1.29       8.51  
$ 13.52     $ 14.56     $ 12.24     $ 10.62     $ 25.98     $ 24.69  
  (7.14 %)     18.95 %     15.25 %     (51.79 %)     14.17 %     53.42 %
                                             
$ 2,580     $ 4,009     $ 31,174     $ 29,931     $ 93,312     $ 37,373  
                                             
  2.55 %(d)     2.26 %     1.91 %     1.94 %     1.88 %     1.97 %
  1.60 %(d)     1.56 %(e)     1.55 %     1.55 %     1.55 %     1.55 %
  (0.23 %)(d)     (0.64 %)     (0.30 %)     (1.09 %)     (1.17 %)     (1.01 %)
  91 %     70 %     114 %     62 %     101 %     176 %

 

(a) Calculated using the average shares method.
(b) Less than $0.005 per share.
(c) Assumes an initial investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are for the period indicated and have not been annualized. Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived during the period. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Prior to February 1, 2024, the Adviser had contractually agreed to limit the amount of the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to an annual rate of 1.55% of the Fund's average daily net assets for the Institutional class. See Note 6 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
(f) Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one full year have not been annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights.

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 19

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

 

ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust consists of multiple separate portfolios or series. This annual report describes the Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund (the “Strategic Global Fund”) and Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund (the “World Innovators Fund”) (each individually a “Fund” or collectively “Funds”). Prior to January 28, 2022, the Strategic Global Fund was known as the Seven Canyons Strategic Income Fund. The Strategic Global and World Innovators Funds' primary investment objectives are long-term growth of capital. The Funds are each classified as diversified under the 1940 Act. The Strategic Global Fund currently offers Investor Class shares and the World Innovators Fund currently offers Investor Class and Institutional Class shares. Each share class has identical rights to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. The Board of Trustees (the “Board” or "Trustees") may establish additional funds and classes of shares at any time in the future without shareholder approval.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies (“U.S. GAAP”). Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by each Fund in preparation of its financial statements.

 

Investment Valuation: Each Fund generally values its securities based on market prices determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading.

 

For equity securities and mutual funds that are traded on an exchange, the market price is usually the closing sale or official closing price on that exchange. In the case of equity securities not traded on an exchange, or if such closing prices are not otherwise available, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day.

 

Equity securities that are primarily traded on foreign securities exchanges are valued at the last sale price or closing values of such securities on their respective foreign exchanges, except when an event occurs subsequent to the close of the foreign exchange and the close of the NYSE that was likely to have changed such value. In such an event, the fair value of those securities are determined in good faith through consideration of other factors in accordance with procedures utilized by the valuation designee. The Funds will use a fair valuation model provided by an independent pricing service, which is intended to reflect fair value when a security’s value or a meaningful portion of a Fund’s portfolio is believed to have been materially affected by a valuation event that has occurred between the close of the exchange or market on which the security is traded and the close of the regular trading day on the NYSE. The Funds’ valuation procedures set forth certain triggers which instruct when to use the fair valuation model. Foreign securities, currencies, and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate of said currencies against the U.S. Dollar, as of valuation time, as provided by an independent pricing service approved by the Board.

 

20 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end registered investment companies are valued at the investment company’s applicable net asset value (“NAV”), with the exception of exchange-traded open-end investment companies, which are priced as equity securities.

 

When such prices or quotations are not available, or when the valuation designee appointed by the Board believes that they are unreliable, securities may be priced using fair value procedures approved by the Board.

 

Fair Value Measurements: The Funds disclose the classification of their fair value measurements following a three-tier hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability that are developed based on the best information available.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ investments as of the end of the reporting period. When inputs used fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with these investments. These inputs are categorized in the following hierarchy under applicable financial accounting standards:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
   
Level 2 – Quoted prices which are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable (either directly or indirectly); and
   
Level 3 – Significant unobservable prices or inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 21

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of March 31, 2025:

 

SEVEN CANYONS STRATEGIC GLOBAL FUND

 

Investments in Securities at Value*  

Level 1 -

Unadjusted

Quoted Prices

   

Level 2 - Other

Significant

Observable

Inputs

   

Level 3 -

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

    Total  
Common Stocks   $ 9,473,093     $          –     $             –     $ 9,473,093  
Short-Term Investment     1,476,205                   1,476,205  
Warrants                        
Total   $ 10,949,298     $     $     $ 10,949,298  

 

SEVEN CANYONS WORLD INNOVATORS FUND

 

Investments in Securities at Value*  

Level 1 -

Unadjusted

Quoted Prices

   

Level 2 - Other

Significant

Observable Inputs

   

Level 3 -

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

    Total  
Common Stocks   $ 34,627,492     $           –     $            –     $ 34,627,492  
Short-Term Investment     1,070,636                   1,070,636  
Warrants                        
Total   $ 35,698,128     $     $     $ 35,698,128  

 

* For a detailed Industry breakdown, see the accompanying Portfolio of Investments.
** Includes Level 3 security valued at zero.

 

Affiliated Companies: As defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, an affiliated person, including an affiliated company, is one in which a Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund.

 

For the period ended March 31, 2025, the Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund held shares in the following affiliate, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940:

 

Security Name  

Fair Value as

of September 30, 2023

    Purchases     Sales    

Change in

Unrealized

Gain/(Loss)

   

Realized

Gain/(Loss)

   

Fair Value as

of March 31, 2025

   

Share

Balance as

of March 31, 2025

 
Winfarm SAS   $ 543,189     $     $     $ (81,642 )   $     $ 461,547     $ 107,247  
    $ 543,189     $     $     $     $     $     $  

 

Cash & Cash Equivalents: The Funds consider their investment in a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured interest bearing account to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus any accrued interest. The Funds maintain cash balances, which, at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Funds maintain these balances with a high quality financial institution.

 

22 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Concentration of Credit Risk: Each Fund places its cash with a banking institution, which is insured by the FDIC. The FDIC limit is $250,000. At various times throughout the year, the amount on deposit may exceed the FDIC limit and subject the Fund to a credit risk. The Funds do not believe that such deposits are subject to any unusual risk associated with investment activities.

 

Trust Expenses: Some expenses of the Trust can be directly attributed to a fund. Expenses that cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among all funds in the Trust based on average net assets of each fund, including Trustees’ fees and expenses.

 

Fund Expenses: Some expenses can be directly attributed to a Fund and are apportioned among the classes based on average net assets of each class.

 

Class Expenses: Expenses that are specific to a class of shares are charged directly to that share class.

 

Federal Income Taxes: The Funds comply with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and intend to distribute substantially all of their net taxable income and net capital gains, if any, each year so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. The Funds are not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made.

 

As of and during the year ended March 31, 2025, the Funds did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. The Funds file U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns as required. The Funds’ tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return for federal purposes and four years for most state returns. The Funds’ administrator has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of March 31, 2025, no provision for income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements related to these tax positions.

 

In addition to the requirements of the Code, the Funds may also be subject to capital gains tax in India and potentially other foreign jurisdictions, on gains realized upon the sale of securities, payable upon repatriation of sales proceeds. Any realized losses in excess of gains in India may be carried forward to offset future gains. Funds with exposure to Indian securities and potentially other foreign jurisdictions accrue a deferred liability for unrealized gains in excess of available loss carryforwards based on existing tax rates and holding periods of the securities. As of March 31, 2025, Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund and Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund recorded a deferred liability for potential future India capital gains taxes of $0 and $0, respectively.

 

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: Investment transactions are accounted for on the date the investments are purchased or sold (trade date basis for financial reporting purposes). Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Interest income, which includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, is accrued and recorded as earned using the effective interest method. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, or for certain foreign securities, as soon as information is available to the Funds.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 23

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Withholding taxes on foreign dividends are paid (a portion of which may be reclaimable) or provided for in accordance with the applicable country’s tax rules and rates and are disclosed in the Statements of Operations. All of the realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income are allocated daily to each class in proportion to its average daily net assets.

 

Foreign Securities: The Funds may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves special risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. The risks include possible re-evaluation of currencies, the inability to repatriate foreign currency, less complete financial information about companies and possible future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of securities of comparable U.S. issuers.

 

Foreign Currency Translation: Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates each business day (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds' books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period-end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

 

Foreign Exchange Transactions: The Funds may enter into foreign currency spot contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign securities or to convert foreign currency receipts into U.S. dollars. A foreign currency spot contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell currencies at the current market rate, for settlement generally within two business days. The U.S. dollar value of the contracts is determined using current currency exchange rates supplied by a pricing service. The contract is marked-to-market daily for settlements beyond one day and any change in market value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, a Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value on the open and close date. Losses may arise from changes in the value of the foreign currency, or if the counterparties do not perform under the contract’s terms. The maximum potential loss from such contracts is the aggregate face value in U.S. dollars at the time the contract was opened.

 

Distributions to Shareholders: The Funds normally pay dividends, if any, quarterly, and distribute capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. Income dividend distributions are derived from interest and other income a Fund receives from its investments, including short term capital gains. Long term capital gain distributions are derived from gains realized when a Fund sells a security it has owned for more than one year. The Funds may make additional distributions and dividends at other times if its investment advisor has determined that doing so may be necessary for the Fund to avoid or reduce taxes. Net investment income/(loss) and net realized gain/(loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes.

 

24 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

3. TAX BASIS INFORMATION

 

Tax Basis of Distributions to Shareholders: The character of distributions made during the period from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from its ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to the timing of dividend distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the fiscal year in which the income or realized gain were recorded by the Funds. The amounts and characteristics of tax basis distributions are estimated at the time of distribution and composition of distributable earnings/(accumulated losses) are finalized at fiscal year-end.

 

The tax character of distributions paid by the Funds for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, were as follows:

 

    Ordinary Income     Long-Term
Capital Gains
 
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund   $ 445,119     $  

 

Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation on Investments: As of March 31, 2025, the aggregate costs of investments, gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and net unrealized appreciation for Federal tax purposes were as follows:

 

 

Seven Canyons

Strategic Global Fund

 

Seven Canyons

World Innovators Fund

Gross unrealized appreciation (excess of value over tax cost)   $ 210,144     $ 2,505,623  
Gross unrealized depreciation (excess of tax cost over value)     (1,027,081 )     (6,689,653 )
Net appreciation (depreciation) of foreign currency        
Net unrealized depreciation   $ (816,937 )   $ (4,184,030 )
Cost of investments for income tax purposes   $ 11,766,235     $ 39,882,158  

 

These temporary differences are primarily attributed to wash sales.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 25

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

4. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

Purchases and sales of securities, excluding short-term securities, during the year ended March 31, 2025, were as follows:

 

    Purchases of Securities     Proceeds from Sales of Securities  
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund   $ 13,554,948     $ 15,914,122  
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund     36,580,747       43,008,371  

 

5. BENEFICIAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

The capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value per share. Holders of the shares of the Funds have one vote for each share held and a proportionate fraction of a vote for each fractional share. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and are transferable and redeemable at the option of the shareholder. Shares have no pre-emptive rights. Neither the Funds nor any of their creditors have the right to require shareholders to pay any additional amounts solely because the shareholder owns the shares.

 

Shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase may incur a 2.00% redemption fee deducted from the redemption amount. For the year ended March 31, 2025, the redemption fees charged by a Fund, if any, are presented in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

26 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Transactions in common shares were as follows:

 

   

For the Six

Months Ended

March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

   

For the Year

Ended

September 30, 2024

 
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund                
Investor Class                
Shares sold     40,095       40,381  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders           39,804  
Shares redeemed     (201,326 )     (975,716 )
Net decrease in shares outstanding     (161,231 )     (895,531 )
                 
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund                
Investor Class                
Shares sold     36,351       58,722  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders            
Shares redeemed     (624,025 )     (1,640,895 )
Net decrease in shares outstanding     (587,674 )     (1,582,173 )
Institutional Class                
Shares sold     8,345       136,167  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to shareholders            
Shares redeemed     (92,889 )     (2,407,381 )
Net decrease in shares outstanding     (84,544 )     (2,271,214 )

 

Control is defined by the 1940 Act as the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. As of March 31, 2025, the Strategic Global Fund did not have any shareholder or accounts that exceeded the 25% ownership threshold for disclosure. As of March 31, 2025, the World Innovators Fund did not have any shareholder or accounts that exceeded the 25% ownership threshold for disclosure.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 27

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

6. MANAGEMENT AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Investment Advisory: Seven Canyons Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Funds’ business affairs. The Adviser manages the investments of the Funds in accordance with each Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations, and investment guidelines established jointly by the Adviser and the Board.

 

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser, the Strategic Global Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee of 0.70% based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, and the World Innovators Fund pays the Adviser an annual management fee of 1.50% based on the Fund’s average daily net assets. The management fees are paid on a monthly basis. The Board may extend the Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year term. The Board and shareholders of the Funds may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 30 days’ written notice. The Adviser may terminate the Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice.

 

Pursuant to a fee waiver letter agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), the Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the amount of the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of interest, dividend expense on short sales/interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions, other investment related costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business) to an annual rate of 1.40% of the Strategic Global Fund’s average daily net assets, and 1.70% and 1.60% of the World Innovators Fund’s average daily net assets for the Investor Class and the Institutional Class, respectively. Prior to February 1, 2024, the Adviser had contractually agreed to limit the amount of the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of interest, dividend expense on short sales/interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions, other investment related costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business) to an annual rate of 1.75% and 1.55% of the World Innovators Fund’s average daily net assets for the Investor Class and the Institutional Class, respectively. The Fee Waiver Agreement is in effect through at least January 31, 2026, and will automatically continue upon annual approval by the Board for successive twelve-month periods unless (i) it is terminated earlier by the Board, or (ii) the Adviser provides at least 30 days written notice of non-continuance prior to the end of the then effective term. The Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class-by-class basis, expenses it has borne through the Fee Waiver Agreement (whether through reduction of its management fee or otherwise) only to the extent that each Fund's expenses in later periods do not exceed the lesser of: (1) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser waives or limits the expenses; or (2) the contractual expense limit in effect at the time the Adviser seeks to recover the expenses; provided, however, that each Fund will not be obligated to pay any such deferred fees or expenses more than three years after the date on which the fee and expense was reduced, as calculated on a monthly basis. The Adviser may not discontinue this waiver without the approval by the Trust's Board. Fees waived or reimbursed for the period ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statements of Operations.

 

28 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

As of March 31, 2025, the balance of recoupable expenses was as follows:

 

    Expiring in
2025
    Expiring in
2026
    Expiring in
2027
 
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund                        
Investor   $     $     $  
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund                        
Institutional                  
Investor                  

 

Administrator: ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) (an affiliate of ALPS Distributors, Inc.) serves as administrator to each Fund. The Funds have agreed to pay expenses incurred in connection with its administrative activities. Pursuant to the Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement with the Trust, ALPS will provide operational services to each Fund including, but not limited to, fund accounting and fund administration, and will generally assist in the Funds’ operations. The Funds’ administration fee is accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly. The officers of the Trust are employees of ALPS. Administration fees paid by each Fund for the year ended March 31, 2025, are disclosed in the Statements of Operations. ALPS is reimbursed by the Funds for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Transfer Agent: ALPS serves as transfer agent for each Fund under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of the Funds plus fees for open accounts and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Compliance Services: ALPS provides Chief Compliance Officer services to each Fund to monitor and test the policies and procedures of each Fund in conjunction with requirements under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act pursuant to a Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement with the Trust. Under this agreement, ALPS is paid an annual fee for services performed on behalf of each Fund and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Distribution: ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) (an affiliate of ALPS) acts as the principal underwriter of the Funds’ shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust. Shares of the Funds are offered on a continuous basis through the Distributor, as agent of the Funds. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any particular amount of shares and is not entitled to any compensation for its services as the Funds’ principal underwriter pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.

 

7. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

As of March 31, 2025, there were four Trustees, each of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The Independent Trustees of the Trust and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers will receive a quarterly retainer of $16,250, plus $5,000 for each regular Board or Committee meeting attended and $2,000 for each special telephonic or in-person Board or Committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Audit Committee Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $1,875 and the Independent Chair receives a quarterly retainer of $4,250. These fees are allocated proportionately among the multiple portfolios/series of the Trust. The Independent Trustees and, if any, Interested Trustees who are not currently employed by the Adviser, ALPS or other service providers are also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 29

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Officers of the Trust receive no salary or fees from the Trust. As discussed in Note 6 the Funds pay ALPS an annual fee for compliance services.

 

8. RESTRICTED SECURITIES

 

Restricted securities are securities that may only be resold upon registration under federal securities laws or in transactions exempt from such registration. In some cases, the issuer of restricted securities has agreed to register such securities for resale, at the issuer’s expense, either upon demand by a fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Such restricted securities may be determined to be liquid. The Funds will not incur any registration costs upon such resale. The Funds’ restricted securities are valued at the price provided by pricing services or dealers in the secondary market or, if no market prices are available, at the fair value price as determined by the Fund Adviser or pursuant to the Fund’s fair value policy, subject to oversight by the Board. The Funds have acquired certain securities, the sale of which is restricted under applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933. It is possible that the fair value price may differ significantly from the amount that may ultimately be realized in the near term, and the difference could be material. At March 31, 2025, the Funds held the following restricted securities:

 

Fund  

Security

Type

 

Acquisition

Date

 

Amortized

Cost

   

Fair

Value

   

% of Net

Assets

 
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund                                
Redcare Pharmacy NV   Common Stock   03/21/25     434,617       423,914       1.17 %
Trustpilot Group PLC   Common Stock   12/14/22 - 03/01/23     215,820       493,592       1.37 %
Total                   $ 917,866          

 

Restricted securities under Rule 144a, including the aggregate value and percentage of net assets of each Fund, have been identified in the Portfolios of Investments.

 

9. INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that may contain general indemnification clauses which may permit indemnification to the extent permissible under applicable law. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown; as such exposure would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

30 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Notes to Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On November 21, 2024, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”), based upon the recommendation of Seven Canyons Advisors, LLC, the investment adviser to the Funds, approved the proposed reorganization of the Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund and the Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund, severally and not jointly (each a “Target Fund” and together the “Target Funds”) into the Hood River International Opportunity Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a series of Manager Directed Portfolios, (each, a “Reorganization” and together, the “Reorganizations”). Each Reorganization was subject to approval by shareholders of the applicable Target Fund.

 

The Board also approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) that provides that the reorganization of each Target Fund, would separately consist of (a) the transfer of the Target Fund’s Assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Acquiring Fund; (b) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Target Fund’s liabilities; and (c) the distribution to the shareholders of each class of the Target Fund full and fractional shares of the corresponding class of the Acquiring Fund in redemption of all outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, of the Target Fund and in complete liquidation of the Target Fund, all upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan.

 

Each Target Fund’s shareholders approved its respective Reorganization at a special shareholder meeting on March 20, 2025. Each Reorganization occurred on April 7, 2025.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 31

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors Additional Information

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

1. TAX DESIGNATION

 

Qualified Dividend Income

The percentage of ordinary income dividends distributed during the calendar year ended December 31, 2024 are designated as qualified dividend income (QDI) as defined in Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code in the following percentages:

 

  Amount
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund 0.00% *
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund 0.00% *

 

Dividends Received Deduction

For corporate shareholders, the following ordinary dividends paid during the calendar year ended December 31, 2024 qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction:

 

  Amount
Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund 0.00% *
Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund 0.00% *

 

Pursuant to Section 852(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund and Seven Canyons Strategic Global Income Fund designated $0 and $0 respectively as long-term capital gain dividends.

 

* Fund did not pay ordinary distribution in 2024.

 

32 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants during the period covered by this report.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 33

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors Proxy Disclosures

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

At a special shareholder meeting at which a quorum was present, held on March 20, 2025, shareholders of record of each Target Fund as of the close of business on December 20, 2024 voted to approve the following:

 

Proposal 1 – Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

 

Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund

 

    Shares Voted  
For     495,400  
Against     8,726  
Abstain     146,505  
Total     605,631  

 

Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund

 

    Shares Voted  
For     1,219,679  
Against     93,988  
Abstain     360,836  
Total     1,674,504  

 

34 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the period ended March 31, 2025:

 

Trustee  

Seven Canyons Strategic

Income Fund

   

Seven Canyons World

Innovators Fund

 
Ward Armstrong   $ 179     $ 595  
J.W. Hutchens     163       540  
Merrilyn Kosier     163       540  
Patrick Seese     170       564  
Total   $ 675     $ 2,239  

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 35

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval

of Investment Advisory Contract

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

On February 4, 2025, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ALPS Series Trust (the “Trust”) met in person to discuss, among other things, the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement (“Seven Canyons Agreement”) between the Trust and Seven Canyons Global Asset Management, LLC (“Seven Canyons”) in accordance with Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act. The Independent Trustees met with independent legal counsel during executive session and discussed the Investment Advisory Agreement and other related materials.

 

In anticipation of and as part of the process to consider renewal of the Seven Canyons Agreement, legal counsel to the Trust requested certain information from Seven Canyons. In response to these requests, the Trustees received reports from Seven Canyons that addressed specific factors to be considered by the Board. The Board also received from independent legal counsel memoranda regarding the Board’s responsibilities pertaining to the approval of advisory contracts. Further, the Board met with representatives of Seven Canyons and discussed the services the firm provided pursuant to the Seven Canyons Agreement, as well as the information provided by Seven Canyons. During the review process, the Trustees noted certain instances where clarification or follow-up was appropriate and others where the Trustees determined that further clarification or follow-up was not necessary. In those instances where clarification or follow-up was requested, the Board determined that in each case either information responsive to its requests had been provided, or where any request was outstanding in whole or in part, given the totality of the information provided, the Board had received sufficient information to approve the Seven Canyons Agreement.

 

In evaluating Seven Canyons and the fees charged under the Seven Canyons Agreement, the Trustees concluded that no single factor reviewed by the Trustees was identified by the Trustees to be determinative as the principal factor in whether to renew the Seven Canyons Agreement. Further, the Independent Trustees were advised by independent legal counsel throughout the process. The following summary does not identify all the matters considered by the Board but provides a summary of the principal matters the Board considered.

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services: The Trustees received and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Seven Canyons Strategic Global Fund (“7CSG Fund”) and the Seven Canyons World Innovators Fund (“7CWI Fund”) (collectively, the “Seven Canyons Funds”) under the Seven Canyons Agreement. The Trustees discussed the research and decision-making processes utilized by Seven Canyons including initial screening using financial data bases, thorough and collaborative deep due diligence, use of proprietary earnings models to analyze key growth drivers, and the use of valuations metrics. They considered the Adviser’s core investment criteria, described by the Adviser as earnings growth, quality management, return on assets, long term growth opportunities, and maintaining a long-term investment horizon. They also discussed the Adviser’s focus on buying undiscovered companies in their early growth cycle. The Trustees considered the background and significant experience of Seven Canyons’ management team in international small cap investing, including the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Seven Canyons Funds, and discussed recent changes in personnel. The Trustees also reviewed the firm’s compliance record with the Trust. The Trustees then reviewed and discussed Seven Canyons’ unaudited financial statements and the representations by the Seven Canyons’ management team that it was able to continue to provide quality services to the Seven Canyons Funds. The Trustees concluded that they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services rendered and to be rendered by Seven Canyons under the Seven Canyons Agreement.

 

36 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval

of Investment Advisory Contract

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Advisory Fee Rate and Total Net Expense Ratios: The Trustees reviewed and considered the contractual annual advisory fee paid by each Seven Canyons Fund to Seven Canyons in light of the nature, extent and quality of the advisory services provided to each Seven Canyons Fund. The Trustees considered the information they received comparing each Seven Canyons Fund’s contractual annual advisory fee and overall expenses with those of funds in the peer group and universe of funds provided by an independent provider of investment company data (the “Data Provider”), noting that each peer group consisted of the applicable Seven Canyons Fund and other funds identified by the Data Provider as comparable to that Fund.

 

The Trustees noted the contractual advisory fee of 0.70% and total net expense ratio of 1.40% for the 7CSG Fund. They further noted that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee was lower than the peer group median and the Fund’s total net expense ratio was in line with the peer group median.

 

With respect to the 7CWI Fund, the Trustees noted that for each class of the Fund, the Fund’s contractual advisory fee of 1.50% was higher than the peer group median, and that the total net expense ratio of 1.56% for the Institutional Class and 1.72% for the Investor Class were each higher than its respective peer group median.

 

The Trustees further noted that Seven Canyons had agreed to continue its contractual fee waiver, whereby it agreed to waive its fees or reimburse each of the Funds, as applicable, to the extent necessary to limit the expenses of such Fund.

 

The Trustees considered the fees in light of the fundamental research performed by Seven Canyons. After further consideration, the Trustees determined that the contractual annual advisory fees payable by each Seven Canyons Fund were not unreasonable.

 

Performance: The Trustees reviewed and considered the performance of the 7CWI and 7CSG Funds over the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year, and since inception periods ended November 30, 2024 (as applicable). The review included a comparison of the Seven Canyons Funds’ performance to the performance of a peer group of comparable funds, as identified by the Data Provider.

 

The Trustees considered that the Institutional Class of the 7CWI Fund outperformed the peer group median for the 1-year period and underperformed the peer group median for the 3-year, 5-year, and since inception periods. With respect to the Investor Class of the 7CWI Fund, the Trustees noted that the Fund outperformed over the 1-year, 10-year, and since inception periods but underperformed the peer group median over the 3-year and 5-year periods.

 

Turning to the 7CSG Fund, the Trustees acknowledged that the Fund had underperformed the peer group median for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods, and had performance equal to the peer group median for the since inception period.

 

Semi-Annual Report | March 31, 2025 37

 

 

Seven Canyons Advisors

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval

of Investment Advisory Contract

March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The Trustees noted that performance of the 7CWI and 7CSG Funds had produced positive returns for the one-year period ended December 31, 2024. The Trustees concluded that the 7CWI and 7CSG Funds performance was acceptable.

 

The Adviser’s Profitability: The Trustees received and considered a retrospective profitability analysis for 2024 and a projected profitability analysis for 2025 prepared by Seven Canyons based on the fees paid under the Seven Canyons Agreement. The Trustees noted that neither Fund was profitable to Seven Canyons in 2024 or projected to be profitable to the Adviser in 2025. The Trustees reviewed and discussed the financial statements of Seven Canyons and that the firm remained committed to continuing to provide services to the Funds.

 

Economies of Scale: The Trustees considered whether Seven Canyons was benefiting from economies of scale in the provision of services to each Seven Canyons Fund and whether such economies should be shared with the Funds’ shareholders under the Seven Canyons Agreement. They noted that the expense limitation agreement provided shareholders with some benefits of economies of scale despite the Funds not yet achieving scale.

 

Other Benefits to the Adviser: The Trustees reviewed and considered any other incidental benefits derived or to be derived by Seven Canyons from its relationship with each Seven Canyons Fund, including research and other support services, exposure to new customer bases, and its receipt of soft dollars. The Trustees concluded that the direct and indirect benefits were not unreasonable.

 

Based on the Trustees’ deliberations and their evaluation of the information provided, the Trustees concluded that approval of the Seven Canyons Agreement was in the best interests of the Seven Canyons Funds and their shareholders.

 

38 www.sevencanyonsadvisors.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 8.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies. 

 

Any changes in and disagreements with accountants are included as part of the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights filed under Item 7 of this report.

 

Item 9.

Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Any proxy disclosures are included as part of the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights filed under Item 7 of this report.

 

Item 10.

Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies.

 

The remuneration paid to directors, officers, and others is included as part of the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights filed under Item 7 of this report.

 

 

Item 11. 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract.

 

Statement Regarding Basis for approval of Investment Advisory Contract is included as part of the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights filed under Item 7 of this report.

  

Item 12. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 13. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 15. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which 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, or this Item.

 

Item 16. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) within 90 days of this report and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date.

 

  (b) There was no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) 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 17. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-end Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to the registrant.

  

Item 18. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.

 

(a) Not applicable.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

 

Item 19. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1) Not applicable to this report.

 

  (a)(2) Not applicable.

 

  (a)(3) The certifications required by Rule 30a-2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.Cert.

  

  (a)(4) Not applicable to this report.
     
  (a)(5) Not applicable to this report.

 

  (b) Officer certifications as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) attached are filed herewith as Ex99.906Cert.

 

 

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.

 

ALPS SERIES TRUST

 

By: /s/ Lucas Foss  
  Lucas Foss  
  President (Principal Executive Officer)  
     
Date:   June 9, 2025  

 

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

 

By: /s/ Lucas Foss  
  Lucas Foss  
  President (Principal Executive Officer)  
     
Date:   June 9, 2025  
     
By: /s/ Jill McFate  
  Jill McFate  
  Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)  
     
Date: June 9, 2025  

 

 


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