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 811-21719
INVESTMENT MANAGERS SERIES TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
235 W. Galena Street
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Diane J. Drake
Mutual Fund Administration, LLC
2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226
Glendora, CA 91740
(Name and address of agent for service)
(626) 385-5777
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Date of fiscal year end: June 30
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2021
Item 1. Report to Stockholders.
(a) | The registrant’s semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), is as follows: |
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
(Class A: AFNAX)
(Class C: AFYCX)
(Class I: AFNIX)
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
DECEMBER 31, 2021
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
A series of Investment Managers Series Trust
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 | 7 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 10 |
Expense Example | 18 |
This report and the financial statements contained herein are provided for the general information of the shareholders of the AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
www.aamlive.com/publicsite/mutual-funds
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
As of December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Number | Value | |||||||
COMMON STOCKS — 99.8% | ||||||||
COMMUNICATIONS — 2.0% | ||||||||
523,655 | Comcast Corp., Class A | $ | 26,355,556 | |||||
354,099 | Verizon Communications, Inc. | 18,398,984 | ||||||
44,754, 540 | ||||||||
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 9.2% | ||||||||
279,972 | Best Buy Co., Inc. | 28,445,155 | ||||||
185,206 | Home Depot, Inc. | 76,862,342 | ||||||
187,463 | McDonald's Corp. | 50,253,207 | ||||||
446,589 | Starbucks Corp. | 52,237,515 | ||||||
207,798,219 | ||||||||
CONSUMER STAPLES — 9.4% | ||||||||
1,026,586 | Mondelez International, Inc., Class A | 68,072,918 | ||||||
419,245 | PepsiCo, Inc. | 72,827,049 | ||||||
430,500 | Procter & Gamble Co. | 70,421,190 | ||||||
211,321,157 | ||||||||
ENERGY — 2.5% | ||||||||
364,160 | Chevron Corp. | 42,734,176 | ||||||
179,172 | Phillips 66 | 12,982,803 | ||||||
55,716,979 | ||||||||
FINANCIALS — 15.3% | ||||||||
71,456 | BlackRock, Inc. | 65,422,255 | ||||||
545,442 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 86,370,741 | ||||||
318,699 | Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. | 55,396,260 | ||||||
234,024 | PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. | 46,926,493 | ||||||
1,045,615 | Truist Financial Corp. | 61,220,758 | ||||||
535,812 | U.S. Bancorp | 30,096,560 | ||||||
345,433,067 | ||||||||
HEALTH CARE — 12.3% | ||||||||
341,339 | Abbott Laboratories | 48,040,051 | ||||||
460,589 | AbbVie, Inc. | 62,363,751 | ||||||
204,273 | Eli Lilly & Co. | 56,424,288 | ||||||
478,766 | Medtronic PLC1 | 49,528,343 | ||||||
815,707 | Merck & Co., Inc. | 62,515,784 | ||||||
278,872,217 | ||||||||
INDUSTRIALS — 7.2% | ||||||||
208,212 | Eaton Corp. PLC1 | 35,983,198 | ||||||
74,381 | Honeywell International, Inc. | 15,509,182 | ||||||
139,566 | Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | 34,444,889 | ||||||
93,565 | Lockheed Martin Corp. | 33,253,937 | ||||||
207,130 | United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B | 44,396,244 | ||||||
163,587,450 |
1
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS - Continued
As of December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Number | Value | |||||||
COMMON STOCKS (Continued) | ||||||||
MATERIALS — 3.1% | ||||||||
226,926 | Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | $ | 69,044,505 | |||||
REAL ESTATE — 8.2% | ||||||||
134,212 | American Tower Corp. - REIT | 39,257,010 | ||||||
289,695 | Crown Castle International Corp. - REIT | 60,470,934 | ||||||
302,095 | Prologis, Inc. - REIT | 50,860,714 | ||||||
495,334 | Realty Income Corp. - REIT | 35,460,961 | ||||||
186,049,619 | ||||||||
TECHNOLOGY — 23.3% | ||||||||
239,605 | Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | 59,081,801 | ||||||
138,933 | Broadcom, Inc. | 92,447,408 | ||||||
1,011,949 | Cisco Systems, Inc. | 64,127,208 | ||||||
518,439 | Corning, Inc. | 19,301,484 | ||||||
289,208 | Microsoft Corp. | 97,266,435 | ||||||
367,416 | Paychex, Inc. | 50,152,284 | ||||||
320,473 | QUALCOMM, Inc. | 58,604,897 | ||||||
459,034 | Texas Instruments, Inc. | 86,514,138 | ||||||
527,495,655 | ||||||||
UTILITIES — 7.3% | ||||||||
187,721 | Eversource Energy | 17,078,856 | ||||||
879,891 | NextEra Energy, Inc. | 82,146,624 | ||||||
295,299 | Sempra Energy | 39,062,152 | ||||||
286,149 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. | 27,776,483 | ||||||
166,064,115 | ||||||||
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | ||||||||
(Cost $1,429,038,995) | 2,256,137,523 | |||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.1% | ||||||||
3,267,387 | Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Treasury Portfolio - Institutional Class 0.01%2 | 3,267,387 | ||||||
�� | TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS | |||||||
(Cost $3,267,387) | 3,267,387 | |||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9% | ||||||||
(Cost $1,432,306,382) | 2,259,404,910 | |||||||
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.1% | 1,579,858 | |||||||
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0% | $ | 2,260,984,768 |
PLC – Public Limited Company
REIT – Real Estate Investment Trusts
1 | Foreign security denominated in U.S. Dollars. |
2 | The rate is the annualized seven-day yield at period end. |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
2
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
As of December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Security Type/Sector | Percent of Total Net Assets |
Common Stocks | |
Technology | 23.3% |
Financials | 15.3% |
Health Care | 12.3% |
Consumer Staples | 9.4% |
Consumer Discretionary | 9.2% |
Real Estate | 8.2% |
Utilities | 7.3% |
Industrials | 7.2% |
Materials | 3.1% |
Energy | 2.5% |
Communications | 2.0% |
Total Common Stocks | 99.8% |
Short-Term Investments | 0.1% |
Total Investments | 99.9% |
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities | 0.1% |
Total Net Assets | 100.0% |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
3
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
As of December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Assets: | ||||
Investments, at value (cost $1,432,306,382) | $ | 2,259,404,910 | ||
Receivables: | ||||
Fund shares sold | 1,144,162 | |||
Dividends and interest | 3,510,316 | |||
Prepaid expenses | 19,241 | |||
Total assets | 2,264,078,629 | |||
Liabilities: | ||||
Payables: | ||||
Fund shares redeemed | 950,213 | |||
Advisory fees | 1,245,622 | |||
Shareholder servicing fees (Note 7) | 261,703 | |||
Distribution fees - Class A & C (Note 8) | 216,859 | |||
Fund accounting and administration fees | 202,844 | |||
Transfer agent fees and expenses | 25,472 | |||
Custody fees | 34,279 | |||
Trustees' deferred compensation (Note 3) | 12,515 | |||
Auditing fees | 9,049 | |||
Chief Compliance Officer fees | 6,236 | |||
Trustees' fees and expenses | 5,164 | |||
Accrued other expenses | 123,905 | |||
Total liabilities | 3,093,861 | |||
Net Assets | $ | 2,260,984,768 | ||
Components of Net Assets: | ||||
Paid-in capital (par value of $0.01 per share with an unlimited number of shares authorized) | $ | 1,435,081,977 | ||
Total distributable earnings | 825,902,791 | |||
Net Assets | $ | 2,260,984,768 | ||
Maximum Offering Price Per Share: | ||||
Class A Shares: | ||||
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding | $ | 213,126,250 | ||
Number of shares issued and outstanding | 8,376,262 | |||
Net asset value per share1 | $ | 25.44 | ||
Maximum sales charge (5.50% of offering price)2 | 1.48 | |||
Maximum offering price to public | $ | 26.92 | ||
Class C Shares: | ||||
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding | $ | 208,353,087 | ||
Number of shares issued and outstanding | 8,270,986 | |||
Net asset value per share3 | $ | 25.19 | ||
Class I Shares: | ||||
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding | $ | 1,839,505,431 | ||
Number of shares issued and outstanding | 72,127,380 | |||
Net asset value per share | $ | 25.50 |
1 | A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% will be imposed to the extent a finder's fee was paid on certain redemptions of such shares within 18 months of purchase. |
2 | No initial sales charge is applied to purchases of $1 million or more. On sales of $50,000 or more, the sales charge will be reduced. |
3 | A CDSC of 1.00% may be charged on purchases that are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
4
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Investment income: | ||||
Dividends | $ | 26,408,987 | ||
Interest | 604 | |||
Total investment income | 26,409,591 | |||
Expenses: | ||||
Advisory fees | 6,982,989 | |||
Shareholder servicing fees (Note 7) | 966,370 | |||
Distribution fees - Class A (Note 8) | 247,942 | |||
Distribution fees - Class C (Note 8) | 999,984 | |||
Fund accounting and administration fees | 529,875 | |||
Transfer agent fees and expenses | 61,163 | |||
Custody fees | 58,039 | |||
Shareholder reporting fees | 51,699 | |||
Registration fees | 48,775 | |||
Miscellaneous | 13,448 | |||
Trustees' fees and expenses | 10,705 | |||
Chief Compliance Officer fees | 10,587 | |||
Auditing fees | 9,475 | |||
Legal fees | 7,231 | |||
Insurance fees | 2,025 | |||
Total expenses | 10,000,307 | |||
Advisory fees recovered | 164,356 | |||
Net expenses | 10,164,663 | |||
Net investment income | 16,244,928 | |||
Realized and Unrealized Gain: | ||||
Net realized gain on: | ||||
Investments | 13,297,013 | |||
Net realized gain | 13,297,013 | |||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on: | ||||
Investments | 214,751,804 | |||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | 214,751,804 | |||
Net realized and unrealized gain | 228,048,817 | |||
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations | $ | 244,293,745 |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
5
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the | For the 2021 | |||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from: | ||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 16,244,928 | $ | 30,194,254 | ||||
Net realized gain on investments | 13,297,013 | 37,317,909 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 214,751,804 | 431,879,143 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 244,293,745 | 499,391,306 | ||||||
Distributions to Shareholders: | ||||||||
Distributions: | ||||||||
Class A | (2,375,912 | ) | (2,341,881 | ) | ||||
Class C | (1,523,407 | ) | (1,380,592 | ) | ||||
Class I | (23,269,500 | ) | (26,452,293 | ) | ||||
Total distributions to shareholders | (27,168,819 | ) | (30,174,766 | ) | ||||
Capital Transactions: | ||||||||
Net proceeds from shares sold: | ||||||||
Class A | 27,162,543 | 58,120,101 | ||||||
Class C | 12,609,945 | 29,192,906 | ||||||
Class I | 148,404,453 | 473,311,431 | ||||||
Reinvestment of distributions: | ||||||||
Class A | 1,398,984 | 1,503,176 | ||||||
Class C | 935,912 | 820,477 | ||||||
Class I | 12,430,956 | 13,347,339 | ||||||
Cost of shares redeemed: | ||||||||
Class A1 | (20,723,300 | ) | (47,458,050 | ) | ||||
Class C2 | (20,166,557 | ) | (45,654,162 | ) | ||||
Class I3 | (165,549,238 | ) | (549,821,859 | ) | ||||
Net decrease in net assets from capital transactions | (3,496,302 | ) | (66,638,641 | ) | ||||
Total increase in net assets | 213,628,624 | 402,577,899 | ||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 2,047,356,144 | 1,644,778,245 | ||||||
End of period | $ | 2,260,984,768 | $ | 2,047,356,144 | ||||
Capital Share Transactions: | ||||||||
Shares sold: | ||||||||
Class A | 1,136,011 | 2,798,658 | ||||||
Class C | 530,275 | 1,445,515 | ||||||
Class I | 6,197,426 | 23,134,221 | ||||||
Shares reinvested: | ||||||||
Class A | 57,294 | 75,268 | ||||||
Class C | 38,362 | 41,966 | ||||||
Class I | 508,680 | 665,452 | ||||||
Shares redeemed: | ||||||||
Class A | (863,074 | ) | (2,296,247 | ) | ||||
Class C | (853,750 | ) | (2,263,705 | ) | ||||
Class I | (6,907,146 | ) | (26,725,303 | ) | ||||
Net decrease in capital share transactions | (155,922 | ) | (3,124,175 | ) |
1 | Net of redemption fee proceeds of $14,744 and $27,797, respectively. |
2 | Net of redemption fee proceeds of $1,993 and $10,684, respectively. |
3 | Net of redemption fee proceeds of $19,233 and $56,415, respectively. |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
6
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class A
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout each period.
For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2021 | For the Year Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 23.00 | $ | 17.85 | $ | 18.68 | $ | 16.57 | $ | 15.27 | $ | 14.02 | ||||||||||||
Income from Investment Operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 | 0.17 | 0.30 | 0.32 | 0.30 | 0.28 | 0.25 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 2.55 | 5.15 | (0.78 | ) | 2.12 | 1.27 | 1.25 | |||||||||||||||||
Net increase from payments by affiliates (Note 3) | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 2.72 | 5.45 | (0.46 | ) | 2.42 | 1.55 | 1.50 | |||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income | (0.20 | ) | (0.30 | ) | (0.30 | ) | (0.31 | ) | (0.25 | ) | (0.25 | ) | ||||||||||||
From net realized gain | (0.08 | ) | - | (0.07 | ) | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
Total distributions | (0.28 | ) | (0.30 | ) | (0.37 | ) | (0.31 | ) | (0.25 | ) | (0.25 | ) | ||||||||||||
Redemption fee proceeds1 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | ||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ | 25.44 | $ | 23.00 | $ | 17.85 | $ | 18.68 | $ | 16.57 | $ | 15.27 | ||||||||||||
Total return3 | 11.92 | %4 | 30.83 | % | (2.55 | )% | 14.76 | %5 | 10.23 | % | 10.81 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $ | 213,126 | $ | 185,036 | $ | 133,287 | $ | 107,286 | $ | 78,870 | $ | 63,983 | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Before fees waived/recovered | 1.06 | %6 | 1.08 | % | 1.07 | % | 1.12 | % | 1.19 | % | 1.21 | % | ||||||||||||
After fees waived/recovered | 1.08 | %6 | 1.08 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.15 | %7 | 1.23 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Before fees waived/recovered | 1.39 | %6 | 1.48 | % | 1.75 | % | 1.71 | % | 1.66 | % | 1.76 | % | ||||||||||||
After fees waived/recovered | 1.37 | %6 | 1.48 | % | 1.74 | % | 1.75 | % | 1.70 | % | 1.74 | % | ||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 4 | %4 | 16 | % | 16 | % | 14 | % | 16 | % | 22 | % |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding for the year. |
2 | Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. |
3 | Total returns would have been lower/higher had expenses not been waived/recovered by the Advisor. Returns shown include Rule 12b-1 fees of up to 0.25% and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Returns shown do not include payment of sales load of 5.50% of offering price which is reduced on sales of $50,000 or more. Returns do not include payment of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% on certain redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months of purchase. If the sales charge was included total returns would be lower. |
4 | Not annualized. |
5 | Reimbursement had no impact to the Fund's Performance (see Note 3). |
6 | Annualized. |
7 | Effective January 1, 2018 the Fund's advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with SEC Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) do not exceed 1.08% of average daily net assets of the Fund. Prior to January 1, 2018, the annual operating expense limit was 1.23%. |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
7
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class C
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout each period.
For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2021 | For the Year Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 22.76 | $ | 17.67 | $ | 18.50 | $ | 16.43 | $ | 15.15 | $ | 13.92 | ||||||||||||
Income from Investment Operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 | 0.08 | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.17 | 0.15 | 0.14 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 2.53 | 5.09 | (0.78 | ) | 2.09 | 1.27 | 1.24 | |||||||||||||||||
Net increase from payments by affiliates (Note 3) | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 2.61 | 5.24 | (0.60 | ) | 2.26 | 1.42 | 1.38 | |||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income | (0.10 | ) | (0.15 | ) | (0.16 | ) | (0.19 | ) | (0.14 | ) | (0.15 | ) | ||||||||||||
From net realized gain | (0.08 | ) | - | (0.07 | ) | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
Total distributions | (0.18 | ) | (0.15 | ) | (0.23 | ) | (0.19 | ) | (0.14 | ) | (0.15 | ) | ||||||||||||
Redemption fee proceeds1 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | ||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ | 25.19 | $ | 22.76 | $ | 17.67 | $ | 18.50 | $ | 16.43 | $ | 15.15 | ||||||||||||
Total return3 | 11.51 | %4 | 29.82 | % | (3.28 | )% | 13.86 | %5 | 9.42 | % | 9.96 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $ | 208,353 | $ | 194,729 | $ | 164,872 | $ | 128,656 | $ | 77,347 | $ | 67,076 | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Before fees waived/recovered | 1.81 | %6 | 1.83 | % | 1.82 | % | 1.87 | % | 1.94 | % | 1.96 | % | ||||||||||||
After fees waived/recovered | 1.83 | %6 | 1.83 | % | 1.83 | % | 1.83 | % | 1.90 | %7 | 1.98 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Before fees waived/recovered | 0.64 | %6 | 0.73 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.96 | % | 0.91 | % | 1.01 | % | ||||||||||||
After fees waived/recovered | 0.62 | %6 | 0.73 | % | 0.99 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.95 | % | 0.99 | % | ||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 4 | %4 | 16 | % | 16 | % | 14 | % | 16 | % | 22 | % |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding for the year. |
2 | Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. |
3 | Total returns would have been lower/higher had expenses not been waived/recovered by the Advisor. Returns shown include Rule 12b-1 fees of up to 1.00% and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Returns shown do not include payment of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% on redemptions of Class C shares made within 12 months of purchase. If the sales charge was included total returns would be lower. |
4 | Not annualized. |
5 | Reimbursement had no impact to the Fund's Performance (see Note 3). |
6 | Annualized. |
7 | Effective January 1, 2018 the Fund's advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with SEC Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) do not exceed 1.83% of average daily net assets of the Fund. Prior to January 1, 2018, the annual operating expense limit was 1.98%. |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
8
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Class I
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout each period.
For the 2021 | For the Year Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 23.06 | $ | 17.89 | $ | 18.73 | $ | 16.61 | $ | 15.31 | $ | 14.06 | ||||||||||||
Income from Investment Operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 | 0.20 | 0.36 | 0.37 | 0.35 | 0.32 | 0.29 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 2.56 | 5.16 | (0.80 | ) | 2.12 | 1.27 | 1.25 | |||||||||||||||||
Net increase from payments by affiliates (Note 3) | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 2.76 | 5.52 | (0.43 | ) | 2.47 | 1.59 | 1.54 | |||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income | (0.24 | ) | (0.35 | ) | (0.34 | ) | (0.35 | ) | (0.29 | ) | (0.29 | ) | ||||||||||||
From net realized gain | (0.08 | ) | - | (0.07 | ) | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
Total distributions | (0.32 | ) | (0.35 | ) | (0.41 | ) | (0.35 | ) | (0.29 | ) | (0.29 | ) | ||||||||||||
Redemption fee proceeds1 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | - | 2 | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ | 25.50 | $ | 23.06 | $ | 17.89 | $ | 18.73 | $ | 16.61 | $ | 15.31 | ||||||||||||
Total return3 | 12.05 | %4 | 31.19 | % | (2.36 | )% | 15.07 | %5 | 10.47 | % | 11.05 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $ | 1,839,505 | $ | 1,667,592 | $ | 1,346,619 | $ | 940,588 | $ | 459,756 | $ | 351,783 | ||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Before fees waived/recovered | 0.81 | %6 | 0.83 | % | 0.82 | % | 0.87 | % | 0.94 | % | 0.96 | % | ||||||||||||
After fees waived/recovered | 0.83 | %6 | 0.83 | % | 0.83 | % | 0.83 | % | 0.90 | %7 | 0.98 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Before fees waived/recovered | 1.64 | %6 | 1.73 | % | 2.00 | % | 1.96 | % | 1.91 | % | 2.01 | % | ||||||||||||
After fees waived/recovered | 1.62 | %6 | 1.73 | % | 1.99 | % | 2.00 | % | 1.95 | % | 1.99 | % | ||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 4 | %4 | 16 | % | 16 | % | 14 | % | 16 | % | 22 | % |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding for the year. |
2 | Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. |
3 | Total returns would have been lower/higher had expenses not been waived/absorbed by the Advisor. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. |
4 | Not annualized. |
5 | Reimbursement had no impact to the Fund's Performance (see Note 3). |
6 | Annualized. |
7 | Effective January 1, 2018 the Fund's advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with SEC Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) do not exceed 0.83% of average daily net assets of the Fund. Prior to January 1, 2018, the annual operating expense limit was 0.98%. |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
9
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Note 1 – Organization
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund (the “Fund”) is organized as a diversified series of Investment Managers Series Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”) which is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
The Fund’s primary investment objective is current and growing income, secondarily downside protection and thirdly long-term capital appreciation. The Fund currently offers four classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class T and Class I. The Fund’s Class A and Class I shares commenced operations on July 5, 2012. The Fund’s Class C shares commenced operations on January 31, 2013. Class T shares are not currently available for purchase.
The shares of each class represent an interest in the same portfolio of investments of the Fund and have equal rights as to voting, redemptions, dividends and liquidation, subject to the approval of the Trustees. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class) and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares in proportion to their relative net assets. Shareholders of a class that bears distribution and service expenses under the terms of a distribution plan have exclusive voting rights to that distribution plan.
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services—Investment Companies”.
Note 2 – Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
(a) Valuation of Investments
The Fund values equity securities at the last reported sale price on the principal exchange or in the principal over the counter (“OTC”) market in which such securities are traded, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the day the securities are being valued or, if the last-quoted sales price is not readily available, the securities will be valued at the last bid or the mean between the last available bid and ask price. Securities traded on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at the daily closing net asset value of the respective investment company. Debt securities are valued by utilizing a price supplied by independent pricing service providers. The independent pricing service providers may use various valuation methodologies including matrix pricing and other analytical pricing models as well as market transactions and dealer quotations. These models generally consider such factors as yields or prices of bonds of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity, ratings and general market conditions. If a price is not readily available for a portfolio security, the security will be valued at fair value (the amount which the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale) as determined in good faith by the Fund’s advisor, subject to review and approval by the Valuation Committee, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The actions of the Valuation Committee are subsequently reviewed by the Board at its next regularly scheduled board meeting. The Valuation Committee meets as needed. The Valuation Committee is comprised of all the Trustees, but action may be taken by any one of the Trustees.
10
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
(b) Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses
Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded net of applicable withholding taxes on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, if applicable, 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. Withholding tax reclaims are filed in certain countries to recover a portion of the amounts previously withheld. The Fund records a reclaim receivable based on a number of factors, including a jurisdiction’s legal obligation to pay reclaims as well as payment history and market convention. Income and expenses of the Fund are allocated to each class of shares in proportion to their relative net assets, except for distribution and service fees which are unique to each class of shares. Expenses incurred by the Trust with respect to more than one fund are allocated in proportion to the net assets of each fund except where allocation of direct expenses to each fund or an alternative allocation method can be more appropriately made.
(c) Federal Income Taxes
The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of their net investment income and any net realized gains to their shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income or excise taxes. Due to the timing of dividend distributions and the differences in accounting for income and realized gains and losses for financial statement and federal income tax purposes, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the year in which the income and realized gains and losses are recorded by the Fund.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (the “Income Tax Statement”) requires an evaluation of tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) in the course of preparing a Fund’s tax returns to determine whether these positions meet a “more-likely-than-not” standard that, based on the technical merits, have a more than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained by a taxing authority upon examination. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The Fund recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations.
The Income Tax Statement requires management of the Fund to analyze tax positions taken in the prior three open tax years, if any, and tax positions expected to be taken in the Fund’s current tax year, as defined by the IRS statute of limitations for all major jurisdictions, including federal tax authorities and certain state tax authorities. As of December 31, 2021 and during the prior three open tax years the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund has no examinations in progress and is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
(d) Distributions to Shareholders
The Fund will make distributions of net investment income monthly and net capital gains, if any, at least annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
The character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from the characterization for federal income tax purposes due to differences in the recognition of income, expense and gain (loss) items for financial statement and tax purposes.
11
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
(e) Illiquid Securities
Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program (“LRMP”) that requires, among other things, that the Fund limits its illiquid investments that are assets to no more than 15% of net assets. An illiquid investment is any security which may not reasonably be expected to be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If the Advisor, at any time determines that the value of illiquid securities held by the Fund exceeds 15% of its net asset value, the Advisor will take such steps as it considers appropriate to reduce them as soon as reasonably practicable in accordance with the Fund’s written LRMP.
Note 3 – Investment Advisory and Other Agreements
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Advisors Asset Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”). Under the terms of the Agreement, the Fund pays a monthly investment advisory fee to the Advisor at the annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Advisor has engaged Bahl & Gaynor, Inc. (the “Sub-Advisor”) to manage the Fund and pays the Sub-Advisor from its advisory fees.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses (as determined in accordance with Form N-1A), expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 1.08%, 1.83% and 0.83% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A, Class C and Class I Shares, respectively. This agreement is in effect until October 31, 2031, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Prior to January 1, 2018, the Fund’s annual operating expense limits were 1.23%, 1.98% and 0.98% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A, Class C and Class I Shares, respectively.
For the six months ended December 31, 2021, the Advisor recovered $164,356 of its previously waived advisory fees. The Advisor may recover from the Fund’s fees and/or expenses previously waived and/or absorbed if the Fund’s expense ratio, including the recovered expenses, falls below the expense limit at which it was waived. The Advisor is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Fund, subject to certain limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Fund for a period ending three full fiscal years after the date of the waiver or payment. This reimbursement may be requested from the Fund if the reimbursement will not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (a) the expense limitation amount in effect at the time such fees were waived or payments made, or (b) the expense limitation amount in effect at the time of the reimbursement. At December 31, 2021, the amount of these potentially recoverable expenses was $127,711. The Advisor may recapture all or a portion of this amount no later than June 30, 2022.
UMB Fund Services, Inc. (“UMBFS”) serves as the Fund’s fund accountant, transfer agent and co-administrator; and Mutual Fund Administration, LLC (“MFAC”) serves as the Fund’s other co-administrator. UMB Bank, n.a., an affiliate of UMBFS, serves as the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s allocated fees incurred for fund accounting, fund administration, transfer agency and custody services for the six months ended December 31, 2021 are reported on the Statement of Operations.
IMST Distributors, LLC serves as the Fund’s distributor (the “Distributor”). The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Fund for its distribution services; the Advisor pays the Distributor a fee for its distribution-related services.
12
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are employees of UMBFS or MFAC. The Fund does not compensate trustees and officers affiliated with the Fund’s co-administrators. For the six months ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s allocated fees incurred to Trustees who are not affiliated with the Fund’s co-administrators are reported on the Statement of Operations.
The Fund’s Board of Trustees has adopted a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) for the Independent Trustees that enables Trustees to elect to receive payment in cash or the option to select various Fund(s) in the Trust in which their deferred accounts shall be deemed to be invested. If a trustee elects to defer payment, the Plan provides for the creation of a deferred payment account. The Fund’s liability for these amounts is adjusted for market value changes in the invested Fund(s) and remains a liability to the Fund until distributed in accordance with the Plan. The Trustees Deferred compensation liability under the Plan constitutes a general unsecured obligation of the Fund and is disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Contributions made under the plan and the change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation and income are included in the Trustees’ fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations.
Dziura Compliance Consulting, LLC provides Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) services to the Trust. The Fund’s allocated fees incurred for CCO services for the six months ended December 31, 2021, are reported on the Statement of Operations.
Note 4 – Federal Income Taxes
At December 31, 2021, gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
Cost of investments | $ | 1,434,668,742 | ||
Gross unrealized appreciation | 839,696,044 | |||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (14,959,876 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 824,736,168 |
The difference between cost amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes is due primarily to timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses in security transactions.
As of June 30, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income | $ | 3,501,119 | ||
Undistributed long-term capital gains | - | |||
Tax accumulated earnings | 3,501,119 | |||
Accumulated capital and other losses | (4,696,754 | ) | ||
Unrealized Trustees’ deferred compensation | (10,864 | ) | ||
Unrealized appreciation on investments | 609,984,364 | |||
Total accumulated earnings | $ | 608,777,865 |
13
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
The tax character of the distributions paid during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021, and June 30, 2020 were as follows:
2021 | 2020 | |||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
Ordinary income | $ | 30,174,766 | $ | 25,369,537 | ||||
Net long-term capital gains | - | 5,504,648 | ||||||
Total distributions paid | $ | 30,174,766 | $ | 30,874,185 |
At June 30, 2021, the Fund had an accumulated capital loss carry forward as follows:
Short-term | $ | 4,696,754 | |||
Long-term | - | ||||
Total | $ | 4,696,754 |
To the extent that a fund may realize future net capital gains, those gains will be offset by any of its unused capital loss carryforward. Future capital loss carryover utilization in any given year may be subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations.
Note 5 – Redemption Fee
The Fund may impose a redemption fee of 2.00% of the total redemption amount on all shares redeemed within 90 days of purchase. For the six months ended December 31, 2021 and the year ended June 30, 2021, the Fund received $35,970 and $94,896 respectively, in redemption fees.
Note 6 – Investment Transactions
For the six months ended December 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were $81,799,200 and $78,907,408, respectively.
Note 7 – Shareholder Servicing Plan
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan to pay a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.15% for the Fund’s average daily net assets of shares serviced by shareholder servicing agents who provide administrative and support services to their customers.
For the six months ended December 31, 2021, shareholder servicing fees incurred are disclosed on the Statement of Operations.
Note 8 – Distribution Plan
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted a Rule 12b-1 plan with respect to its Class A and Class C Shares. Under the plan, the Fund pays to the Distributor distribution fees in connection with the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Class A and Class C Shares and/or administrative service fees in connection with the provision of ongoing services to shareholders and the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
For Class A Shares, the maximum annual fee payable to the Distributor for such distribution and/or administrative services is 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such shares. For Class C shares, the maximum annual fees payable to the Distributor for distribution services and administrative services are 0.75% and 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of such shares. Class I Shares are not subject to any distribution or service fees under the Plan.
14
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
For the six months ended December 31, 2021, distribution and service fees incurred are disclosed on the Statement of Operations.
Note 9 – Indemnifications
In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations, which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Note 10 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. It also provides guidance on determining when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or a liability, when a transaction is not orderly, and how that information must be incorporated into a fair value measurement.
Under Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized into three broad Levels as described below:
● | Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access. |
● | Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data. |
● | Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available; representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available. |
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different Levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the Level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest Level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
15
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of December 31, 2021, in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value:
Level 1 | Level 2* | Level 3* | Total | |||||||||||||
Investments | ||||||||||||||||
Common Stocks1 | $ | 2,256,137,523 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 2,256,137,523 | ||||||||
Short-Term Investments | 3,267,387 | - | - | 3,267,387 | ||||||||||||
Total Investments | $ | 2,259,404,910 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 2,259,404,910 |
1 | For a detailed break-out of common stocks by major industry classification, please refer to the Schedules of Investments. |
* | The Fund did not hold any Level 2 or Level 3 securities at period end. |
Note 11 – COVID-19 Risks
In early 2020, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged globally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing international borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general public concern and uncertainty. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial health of individual companies and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. The future impact of COVID-19 is currently unknown, and it may exacerbate other risks that apply to the Fund’s, including political, social and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund’s performance, the performance of the securities in which the Fund’s invests and may lead to losses on your investment in the Fund’s. The ultimate impact of COVID-19 on the financial performance of the Fund’s investments is not reasonably estimable at this time.
Note 12 – New Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2020, the SEC adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a Fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and require funds whose use of derivatives is greater than a limited specified amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager. Funds will be required to comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. It is not currently clear what impact, if any, Rule 18f-4 will have on the availability, liquidity or performance of derivatives. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of Rule 18f-4 on the Fund(s). When fully implemented, Rule 18f-4 may require changes in how a Fund uses derivatives, adversely affect the Fund’s performance and increase costs related to the Fund’s use of derivatives.
In December 2020, the SEC adopted a new rule providing a framework for fund valuation practices (“Rule 2a-5”). Rule 2a-5 establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act. Rule 2a-5 will permit fund boards to designate certain parties to perform fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain other conditions. Rule 2a-5 also defines when market quotations are “readily available” for purposes of the 1940 Act and the threshold for determining whether a fund must fair value a security. In connection with Rule 2a-5, the SEC also adopted related recordkeeping requirements and is rescinding previously issued guidance, including with respect to the role of a board in determining fair value and the accounting and auditing of fund investments. The Fund will be required to comply with the rules by September 8, 2022. Management is currently assessing the potential impact of the new rules on the Fund’s financial statements.
16
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
The SEC adopted new Rule 12d1-4, which will allow registered investment companies (including business development companies (“BDCs”), unit investment trusts (“UITs”), closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and exchange-traded managed funds (“ETMFs”) (an “acquiring” fund), to invest in other investment companies (an “acquired fund”), including private funds under a specific exception, beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1), subject to the conditions of the rule. Rule 12d1-4 became effective January 19, 2021. Funds electing to rely on Rule 12d1-4 will have to comply with the rules by January 19, 2022.
In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The main objective of the new guidance is to provide relief to companies that will be impacted by the expected change in benchmark interest rates at the end of 2021, when participating banks will no longer be required to submit London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) quotes by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. The new guidance allows companies to, provided the only change to existing contracts are a change to an approved benchmark interest rate, account for modifications as a continuance of the existing contract without additional analysis. In addition, derivative contracts that qualified for hedge accounting prior to modification, will be allowed to continue to receive such treatment, even if critical terms change due to a change in the benchmark interest rate. For new and existing contracts, the Fund may elect to apply the amendments as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently assessing the impact of the ASU’s adoption to the Fund’s financial statements and various filings.
Note 13 – Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Period End
The Fund has adopted financial reporting rules regarding subsequent events which require an entity to recognize in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet. Management has evaluated the Fund’s related events and transactions that occurred through the date of issuance of the Fund’s financial statements.
There were no events or transactions that occurred during this period that materially impacted the amounts or disclosures in the Fund’s financial statements.
17
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
EXPENSE EXAMPLE
For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2021 (Unaudited)
Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase of Class A shares; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and 12b-1 fees (Class A and Class C shares only) and other Fund expenses. The examples below are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
Actual Expenses
The information in the row titled “Actual Performance” of the table below provides actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these columns, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the appropriate row for your share class, under the column titled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The information in the row titled “Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)” of the table below provides hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (load) or contingent deferred sales charges. Therefore, the information in the row titled “Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Expenses Paid During Period* | ||
7/1/21 | 12/31/21 | 7/1/21–12/31/21 | ||
Class A | Actual Performance | $1,000.00 | $1,119.20 | $5.77 |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,019.76 | 5.50 | |
Class C | Actual Performance | 1,000.00 | 1,115.10 | 9.76 |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,015.98 | 9.30 | |
Class I | Actual Performance | 1,000.00 | 1,120.50 | 4.44 |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,021.02 | 4.23 |
* | Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.08%, 1.83% and 0.83% for Class A, Class C and Class I shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account values over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the six month period). The expense ratios reflect a recovery of previously waived fees. Assumes all dividends and distributions were reinvested. |
18
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AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
A series of Investment Managers Series Trust
Investment Advisor
Advisors Asset Management, Inc.
18925 Base Camp Road, Suite 203
Monument, Colorado 80132
Sub-Advisor
Bahl & Gaynor, Inc.
255 East Fifth Street, Suite 2700
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Custodian
UMB Bank, n.a.
928 Grand Boulevard, 5th Floor
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Fund Co-Administrator
Mutual Fund Administration, LLC
2220 East Route 66, Suite 226
Glendora, California 91740
Fund Co-Administrator, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
235 West Galena Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Distributor
IMST Distributors, LLC
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
Portland, Maine 04101
www.foreside.com
FUND INFORMATION
TICKER | CUSIP | |
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund - Class A | AFNAX | 461418 188 |
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund - Class C | AFYCX | 461418 170 |
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund - Class I | AFNIX | 461418 162 |
Privacy Principles of the AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund for Shareholders
The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding its non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.
Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its shareholders may become available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).
This report is sent to shareholders of the AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund for their information. It is not a Prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or of any securities mentioned in this report.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures related to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at (888) 966-9661, or on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.
Proxy Voting Record
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies for portfolio securities, if applicable, during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is also available, without charge and upon request by calling (888) 966-9661, or by accessing the Fund’s Form N-PX on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Fund Portfolio Holdings
The Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of such fiscal quarter. Shareholders may obtain the Fund’s Form N-PORT on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Prior to the use of Form N-PORT, the Fund filed its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q, which is available online at www.sec.gov
Householding
The Fund will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses and notice of annual and semi-annual reports availability and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Fund at (888) 966-9661.
AAM/Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth Fund
P.O. Box 2175
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Toll Free: (888) 966-9661
Item 1. Report to Stockholders (Continued).
(b) | Not Applicable |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
(a) | Not applicable to registrants who are not listed issuers (as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). |
(b) | Not applicable. |
Item 6. Investments.
(a) | Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form. |
(b) | Not applicable. |
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 10. 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.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) | The Registrant’s President/Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer have reviewed the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider. |
(b) | There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable for open-end investment companies.
Item 13. Exhibits.
(a) | (1) Any code of ethics or amendment thereto, that is subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit. Not applicable. |
(2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant. There was no change in the registrant’s independent public accountant for the period covered by this report.
(b) | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Furnished herewith. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) | Investment Managers Series Trust | ||
By (Signature and Title) | /s/ Maureen Quill | ||
Maureen Quill, President/Chief Executive Officer | |||
Date | 3/11/2022 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title) | /s/ Maureen Quill | ||
Maureen Quill, President/Chief Executive Officer
| |||
Date | 3/11/2022 | ||
By (Signature and Title) | /s/ Rita Dam | ||
Rita Dam, Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer | |||
Date | 3/11/2022 |