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 811-22356
Archer Investment Series Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
c/o Archer Investment Corporation
9000 Keystone Crossing, Suite 630, Indianapolis, IN 46240
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
c/o Archer Investment Corporation
9000 Keystone Crossing, Suite 630, Indianapolis, IN 46240
(Name and address of agent for service)
With copies to:
C. Richard Ropka, Esq.
Law Office of C. Richard Ropka
215 Fries Mill Road
Turnersville, NJ 08012
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (800)238-7701
Date of fiscal year end: August 31
Date of reporting period: August 31, 2011
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
ANNUAL REPORT
THE ARCHER FUNDS
BALANCED FUND
INCOME FUND
STOCK FUND
AUGUST 31, 2011
To Our Shareholders,
Archer Balanced Fund (ARCHX)
The Archer Balanced fund had a total return of 7.54% for the Year ended August 31, 2011 and .62% since inception (September 27, 2005) compared to a total return of 13.66% and 4.23% for the Dow Jones U.S. Moderate Relative Risk Index, over the same periods.
Performance Review
The Fund’s annual performance lagged the blended benchmark of the DJ US Moderate Relative Risk Index. Although we are not satisfied with this underperformance, the Archer Balanced Fund continues to maintain its discipline as a Large Cap Value stock investor and a High Quality, short-term duration investor on the fixed income side. The best performing sectors over the period have been Small Cap Growth and Low Quality, long-term fixed income. Neither of which we own. We continue to position the portfolio for what we believe is an inevitable rise in long-term interest rates by overweighting high quality, short- to intermediate-term bonds. Another factor that adversely impacted the relative performance of the fund was that the benchmark also contains a large weighting of long-term U.S. Treasuries which performed well during the period. Even with interest rates remaining near historic lows, price insensitive buyers flocked to the perceived relative safety of U.S. debt obligations driven by growing fear in the markets of other nations. We continue to believe that the United States will be forced to address its own debt problems which will add additional upward pressure on interest rates. We are comfortable avoiding the Treasury bandwagon and believe it is prudent to avoid attempts to capture short-term performance in an effort to create long-term value for our fellow shareholders. We do not believe that fear and hope are credible long-term investment strategies
We do not believe the economy is facing an imminent double dip recession as there are numerous factors that should translate into a stable, albeit uncomfortably slow, growth economy for some time. Corporate earnings and cash flow are still coming in extremely strong and cash on the books is again allowing our companies the ability to initiate stock buybacks, increase dividends, and make value creating acquisitions.
Equity Portfolio
Over the last year, the market has continued to rise per our expectations. Although we are happy to see the near-term fears of a depression subside, we would like to see the Large Cap Value sector become a much stronger catalyst in terms of performance.
·
During the last year we have continued to maintain a healthy position in Healthcare as our top equity sector. We continue to believe companies like Abbott labs, Baxter International and CVS Caremark deserve multiple expansions. We have also increased our stake in companies like Visa and Government Properties Income Trust. These companies albeit much different carry great balance sheets and have solid cash flow.
We will continue to adjust our equity portfolio to changing market conditions and look to reduce risk in the overall portfolio by maintaining a significant weighting in Health Care, Utilities, Consumer Defensives, and Energy.
Fixed-Income Portfolio
We have remained in much the same position as the prior year and have added a few shorter duration fixed income positions as some have matured during the last year. We continue to remain short-term with our holdings. Although it is becoming quite clear that the general level of interest rates may stay low for a couple of years still to come. We to continue to focus on value, sustainability, and patience and we believe it is prudent to avoid strategies that risk the destruction of principal in order to capture short-term income.
Current Strategy
We will continue to monitor the performance of each security on a case by case basis putting valuations on the securities and adjusting the portfolio likewise. There will be times when we discontinue holding a specific security if we feel the valuation is beyond a reasonable valuation of the company. There may be companies that have positive outlooks, but we feel the valuation becomes too high to justify staying in at those levels. If we feel the valuation plays to a “buying” level, then we may re-enter into stocks we have once sold.
While investing in the markets, it is important to focus on buying companies with long-term horizons, using a strict fundamental valuation of an individual company and not buying sectors because they are currently hot. All shareholders are encouraged to invest in the Fund over a long-term horizon.
The fund managers of the Archer Balanced Fund will continue to invest their own dollars in the Fund’s we manage to better align our interests with those we serve. Our investment strategy does not change and it is be long-term in nature. We believe that portfolio is well positioned and we are confident that our disciplined process will reward our shareholders going forward. As always, we welcome any comments or questions from shareholders at any time.
The views expressed are those of the investment advisor as of August 31, 2011 and are not intended as a forecast or investment recommendation.
Archer Stock Fund (ARSKX)
The Archer Stock Fund had a loss of -8.1% from the date of inception on March 11, 2011 compared to a loss of -7.33% for the S&P 400 Midcap Index and -5.06% for the S&P 500 Index.
Performance Review
The Fund opened in March of 2011 and thus did not get the benefit of the upward market trend in the first two months of 2011. However, we feel extremely comfortable with our positions and relative performance to the benchmarks. The Stock Fund is a go anywhere Fund seeking to maximize capital appreciation by investing in the most attractive equity investment opportunities regardless of company size, sector, industry, or country domicile. The Fund was adversely impacted by the position in materials which was overweight compared to the S&P 500 index. However, we are comfortable with the 104 equity positions as of 8/31/2011. We have taken positions in Visa, Cisco, Chicago Bridge & Iron, Kinross Gold, and Gamestop as some of our largest positions. We continue to believe in these companies and thus expect returns exceeding our benchmarks for the portfolio as a whole.
Archer Income Fund (ARINX)
The Archer Income Fund had a gain of 3.85% from the date of inception on March 11, 2011 compared to a gain of 5.24% for the Barclay’s Capital US Aggregate Bond Index and 3.97% for the Barclay’s Intermediate Credit Index.
Performance Review
The Fund opened in March of 2011 and has turned in positive returns during what we would characterize as a volatile market for bond investors. The bond market continues to present investors with many challenges. Numerous U.S. economic indicators weakened against the backdrop of political gridlock in Washington, concern over heavily indebted European peripheral countries, the effects of the Japanese earthquake and the end of the Federal Reserve’s second round of quantitative easing. Fund performance relative to the Aggregate Index suffered due to our relative underweighting of U.S. Treasury securities which experienced exceptional performance against the backdrop of perceived macro-economic risk and the presence of large numbers of price insensitive buyers. We believe the recently strong performance U.S. Treasuries will be short-lived and are positioning the portfolio to take advantage of this reversal.
We continue to seek attractive long-term investment opportunities primarily in higher-yielding, segments of the investment grade corporate markets as well as those markets which will protect against a declining U.S. Dollar and rising interest rates. While we do not envision a sudden spike in interest rates, nor a default which would directly impact our holdings, we are mindful of the “tail risk” and continue to position the fixed income portfolio to protect against interest-rate, default and currency risks
Troy Patton, President
|
Archer Balanced Fund |
Performance Illustration |
August 31, 2011 (Unaudited) |
Cumulative Performance Comparison of $10,000 Investment Since Inception *
August 31, 2011
Archer Balanced Fund $ 10,371
Dow Jones U.S Moderate Relative Risk Index $ 12,785
![[archerncsra201206002.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRA/0001162044-12-000575/archerncsra201206002.gif)
| | |
Average Annual Total Returns | |
For the Periods Ended August 31, 2011 | |
| Archer Balanced Fund | Dow Jones U.S. Moderate Relative Risk Index |
1 Year | 7.54% | 13.66% |
3 Year | -0.94% | 4.74% |
Since Inception | 0.62% | 4.23% |
*This chart assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on September 27, 2005.
Past Performance does not guarantee future results.
Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares.
The Dow Jones Relative Risk Indexes measure the performance of conservative, moderate and aggressive portfolios based on incremental levels of potential risk. The indexes are designed to systematically measure various levels of risk relative to the risk of a U.S. all-stock index. Investors can identify an appropriate benchmark as the index that has the most similar historic risk characteristics.
Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call (800) 238-7701.
|
Archer Income Fund |
Performance Illustration |
August 31, 2011 (Unaudited) |
Cumulative Performance Comparison of $10,000 Investment Since Inception *
August 31, 2011
Archer Income Fund $ 10,385
Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index $ 10,524
Barclays Intermediate Credit Index $ 10,508
![[archerncsra201206004.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRA/0001162044-12-000575/archerncsra201206004.gif)
| | | |
Average Annual Total Returns | | |
For the Periods Ended August 31, 2011 | | |
| Archer Income Fund | Barclay's Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | Barclays Intermediate Credit Index |
Since Inception | 3.85% | 5.24% | 5.08% |
*This chart assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on March 11, 2011.
Past Performance does not guarantee future results.
Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares.
The Barclay's Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, MBS (agency fixed-rate and hybrid ARM pass-throughs), ABS, and CMBS. The U.S. Aggregate Index was created in 1986.
The Barclay's Capital Intermediate Credit Index consists of dollar-denominated, investment-grade, publicly-issued securities with a maturity of between one and ten years and that are issued by both corporate issuers and non-corporate issuers.
Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call (800) 238-7701.
|
Archer Stock Fund |
Performance Illustration |
August 31, 2011 (Unaudited) |
Cumulative Performance Comparison of $10,000 Investment Since Inception *
August 31, 2011
Archer Stock Fund $ 9,190
S&P 500 Index $ 9,494
S&P 400 Midcap Index $ 9,267
![[archerncsra201206006.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRA/0001162044-12-000575/archerncsra201206006.gif)
| | | |
Average Annual Total Returns | | |
For the Periods Ended August 31, 2011 | | |
| Archer Stock Fund | S&P 500 Index | S&P 400 Midcap Index |
Since Inception | -8.10% | -5.06% | -7.33% |
*This chart assumes an initial investment of $10,000 made on March 11, 2011.
Past Performance does not guarantee future results.
Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption of fund shares.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is a market value-weighted index, representing the aggregate market value of the common equity of 500 stocks primarily traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The S&P 500 is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices. The figures for the S&P 500 reflect all dividends reinvested but do no reflect any deductions for fees, expenses or taxes.
The Standard & Poor's 400 Index ("S&P 400") is an unmanaged benchmark that assumes reinvestment of all distributions and excludes the effect of taxes and fees. The Index is composed of 400 medium capitalization domestic common stocks and is representative of a broader market range of securities than is found in the Fund’s portfolio. Individuals cannot invest directly in the Index; however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.
Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call (800) 238-7701.
Archer Balanced Fund
Graphical Illustration
August 31, 2011 (Unaudited)
The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Fund by the industry sectors. The underlying securities represent a percentage of the portfolio of investments.
![[archerncsra201206008.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRA/0001162044-12-000575/archerncsra201206008.gif)
Archer Income Fund
Graphical Illustration
August 31, 2011 (Unaudited)
The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Fund by the industry sectors. The underlying securities represent a percentage of the portfolio of investments.
![[archerncsra201206010.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRA/0001162044-12-000575/archerncsra201206010.gif)
Archer Stock Fund
Graphical Illustration
August 31, 2011 (Unaudited)
The following chart gives a visual breakdown of the Fund by the industry sectors. The underlying securities represent a percentage of the portfolio of investments.
![[archerncsra201206012.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRA/0001162044-12-000575/archerncsra201206012.gif)
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Archer Balanced Fund | | | | |
| | Schedule of Investments | | | | |
| | August 31, 2011 | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Shares/Principal | Fair Value | | | |
| | | | | | |
COMMON STOCK - 62.39% | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Aircraft - 1.92% | | | | |
4,000 | | Boeing Co. | $ 267,440 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Beverages - 3.23% | | | | |
7,000 | | Pepsico, Inc. | 451,010 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Business Services - 3.78% | | | | |
6,000 | | Visa, Inc. Class A | 527,280 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Computer & Office Equipment - 3.13% | | | | |
25,000 | | Cisco Systems, Inc. | 391,750 | | | |
4,248 | | Mediware Information Systems, Inc. * | 44,816 | | | |
| | | 436,566 | | | |
Drilling Oil & Gas Wells - 2.18% | | | | |
9,000 | | Noble Corp. | 303,840 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Electric Services - 5.22% | | | | |
11,500 | | American Electric Power Co., Inc. | 444,245 | | | |
2,000 | | NextEra Energy, Inc. | 113,440 | | | |
5,000 | | Public Service Enterprises Group, Inc. | 170,650 | | | |
| | | 728,335 | | | |
Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus - 2.45% | | | | |
7,500 | | St. Jude Medical, Inc. | 341,550 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts - 2.48% | | | | |
8,000 | | Raytheon Co. | 345,840 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Hospital & Medical Service Plans - 1.81% | | | | |
4,000 | | Wellpoint, Inc. | 253,200 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Investment Advice - 0.87% | | | | |
6,600 | | Invesco, Ltd. | 120,780 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Metal Mining - 2.23% | | | | |
11,000 | | Vale S.A. ADR | 310,640 | | | |
| | | | | | |
National Commercial Banks - 2.56% | | | | |
9,500 | | JP Morgan Chase Co. | 356,820 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Petroleum Refining - 2.13% | | | | |
3,000 | | Chevron Corp. | 296,520 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Pharmaceutical Preparations - 10.53% | | | | |
9,000 | | Abbott Laboratories | 472,590 | | | |
8,000 | | Endo Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc. * | 255,280 | | | |
5,600 | | Johnson & Johnson, Inc. | 368,480 | | | |
9,000 | | Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. ADR | 372,240 | | | |
| | | 1,468,590 | | | |
Plastics, Materials & Synthetic Resins/Rubber - 2.42% | | | | |
7,000 | | EI Dupont de Nemours & Co. | 337,890 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Retail - Drug Stores - 3.60% | | | | |
14,000 | | CVS Caremark Corp. | 502,740 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Retail - Lumber & Other Building Material Dealers - 2.20% | | | | |
15,400 | | Lowe's Companies, Inc. | 306,922 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Prepackaged Software - 3.43% | | | | |
18,000 | | Microsoft Corp. | 478,800 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Surgical & Medical Instruments - 3.65% | | | | |
9,100 | | Baxter International, Inc. | 509,418 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Telephone Communications (No Radio Telephone) - 2.57% | | | | |
9,000 | | Telefonica, S.A. ADR | 187,650 | | | |
5,000 | | P.T. Telekomunik Indonesia TBK ADR | 171,100 | | | |
| | | 358,750 | | | |
| | | | | | |
TOTAL FOR COMMON STOCK (Cost $8,903,420) - 62.39% | 8,702,931 | | | - |
| | | | | | |
CORPORATE BONDS - 19.90% | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Cement, Hydraulic - 0.76% | | | | |
100,000 | | CRH America, Inc., 5.30%, 10/15/13 | 105,960 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Computer & Office Equipment - 1.16% | | | | |
75,000 | | Dell, Inc., 4.70%, 4/15/13 | 79,534 | | | |
75,000 | | Hewlett-Packard Co., 4.75%, 6/2/14 | 82,014 | | | |
| | | 161,548 | | | |
Containers - Paper/Plastic - 0.76% | | | | |
100,000 | | Sealed Air Corp., 7.875%, 6/15/17 | 106,000 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Electric Services - 0.39% | | | | |
50,000 | | Appalachian Power Co., 4.95%, 2/1/15 | 54,925 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Finance Services - 3.75% | | | | |
100,000 | | Block Financial Corp., 5.125%, 10/30/14 | 104,050 | | | |
50,000 | | Block Financial Corp., 7.875%, 1/15/13 | 53,013 | | | |
300,000 | | Citigroup Funding, 10.00%, 5/28/25 | 289,650 | | | |
75,000 | | GE Capital Corp., 4.93%, 3/15/19 ** | 76,388 | | | |
| | | 523,101 | | | |
Heating Equipment - 0.59% | | | | |
75,000 | | Fortune Brands, Inc., 6.375%, 6/15/14 | 82,592 | | | |
| | | | | | |
National Commercial Banks - 3.54% | | | | |
400,000 | | Bank of America Corp., 13.00%, 5/13/30 ** | 390,000 | | | |
50,000 | | JP Morgan Chase & Co., 6.625%, 3/15/12 | 51,205 | | | |
50,000 | | Wells Fargo & Co., 5.25%, 10/23/12 | 52,265 | | | |
| | | 493,470 | | | |
Plastics, Materials & Synthetic Resins - 0.38% | | | | |
50,000 | | Dow Chemical Corp., 6.00%, 10/1/12 | 52,595 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Retail - Variety Stores - 0.46% | | | | |
60,000 | | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 4.25%, 4/15/13 | 63,569 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Retail - Consumer Electronics Stores - 0.54% | | | | |
70,000 | | Best Buy Company, Inc., 6.75%, 7/15/13 | 75,618 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Retail - Lumber & Other Building Material Dealers - 0.58% | | | | |
75,000 | | Home Depot, Inc., 5.25%, 12/16/13 | 81,461 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Security Broker Dealers - 4.33% | | | | |
75,000 | | Morgan Stanley & Co., 10.50% , 3/16/30 ** | 73,781 | | | |
50,000 | | Morgan Stanley & Co., 10.00%, 3/31/30 | 48,563 | | | |
500,000 | | Morgan Stanley & Co., 10.00%, 4/28/30 | 481,250 | | | |
| | | 603,594 | | | |
Sugar & Confectionery Products - 0.75% | | | | |
100,000 | | WM. Wrigley Jr. Co., 4.65%, 7/15/15 | 104,216 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Telephone Communications - 1.55% | | | | |
150,000 | | AT&T, Inc., 6.70%, 11/15/13 | 167,616 | | | |
45,000 | | New York Telephone Co., 7.00%, 6/15/13 | 48,771 | | | |
| | | 216,387 | | | |
Transportation Services - 0.36% | | | | |
50,000 | | GATX Financial Corp., 5.50%, 2/15/12 | 50,892 | | | |
| | | | | | |
TOTAL FOR CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $2,707,492) - 19.90% | 2,775,928 | | | |
| | | | | | |
SENIOR NOTE - 0.36% | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Cellular Telecommunications - 0.36% | | | | |
2,000 | | US Cellular Corp., PFD 6.95%, 5/15/60 | 50,680 | | | |
TOTAL FOR SENIOR NOTE (Cost $49,920) - 0.36% | 50,680 | | | |
| | | | | | |
STRUCTURED NOTES - 7.89% | | | | |
499,000 | | HSBC Bank, NA, CD, 0.00%, 7/17/13 * | 540,916 | | | |
100,000 | | JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA, 0.00%, 11/25/11 | 106,910 | | | |
100,000 | | JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA, 0.00%, 1/31/12 | 108,800 | | | |
200,000 | | Suntrust Bank, Atlanta, GA, 0.00%, 9/22/14 | 227,974 | | | |
100,000 | | Suntrust Bank, Atlanta, GA, 0.00%, 3/27/14 | 116,459 | | | |
TOTAL FOR STRUCTURED NOTES (Cost $994,167) - 7.89% | 1,101,059 | | | |
| | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST - 4.07% | | | | |
22,000 | | Government Properties Income Trust | 515,240 | | | |
2,000 | | Public Storage, PFD 6.50%, Series P | 52,900 | | | |
TOTAL FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (Cost $577,711) - 4.07% | 568,140 | | | |
| | | | | | |
PREFERRED SECURITIES - 0.54% | | | | |
3,000 | | Wells Fargo VII PFD, 5.85%, 5/1/33 | 75,150 | | | |
TOTAL FOR PREFERRED SECURITIES (Cost $56,634) - 0.54% | 75,150 | | | |
| | | | | | |
MUNICIPAL BOND - 0.38% | | | | |
50,000 | | Napa, CA, Solid Waste, 5.06%, 8/1/13 | 53,216 | | | |
TOTAL FOR MUNICIPAL BOND (Cost $50,418) - 0.38% | 53,216 | | | |
| | | | | | |
BONUS CERTIFICATE - 2.86% | | | | |
400,000 | | Commerzbank Bonus Certificate 1/19/16 (Germany) (a) | 399,480 | | | |
TOTAL FOR BONUS CERTIFICATE (Cost $386,455) - 2.86% | 399,480 | | | |
| | | | | | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.99% | | | | |
137,700 | | Fidelity Institutional Money Market Portfolio 0.16 ** (Cost $137,700) | 137,700 | | | |
| | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $13,863,917) - 99.38% | 13,864,284 | | | |
| | | | | | |
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES - 0.62% | 84,525 | | | |
| | | | | | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | $ 13,948,809 | | | |
| | | | | | |
* Non-income producing | | | | |
** Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the yield at August 31, 2011. | | | | |
(a) Level 2 Security | | | | |
ADR - American Depository Receipt | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below: | |
| | | | | | |
Level 1 - 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 active market, price for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, 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 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 inputs used as of August 31, 2011 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value: | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Investments in Securities | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
| | | | | | |
| | Common Stocks | $ 8,702,931 | - | - | $ 8,702,931 |
| | Corporate Bonds | 2,775,928 | - | - | 2,775,928 |
| | Senior Note | 50,680 | - | - | 50,680 |
| | Structured Notes | 1,101,059 | - | - | 1,101,059 |
| | Real Estate Investment Trusts | 568,140 | - | - | 568,140 |
| | Preferred Securities | 75,150 | - | - | 75,150 |
| | Municipal Bonds | 53,216 | - | - | 53,216 |
| | Bonus Certificate | - | 399,480 | - | 399,480 |
| | Short-Term Investments: | | | | |
| | Fidelity Institutional Money Market | 137,700 | - | - | 137,700 |
| | | | | | |
| | | $ 13,464,804 | 399,480 | - | $ 13,864,284 |
| | | | | | |
There were no significant transfers into or out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during the period. It is the Fund’s policy to recognize transfers into and out of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 at the end of the reporting period. |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Archer Income Fund | | | | |
| | Schedule of Investments | | | | |
| | August 31, 2011 | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Shares/Principal | Fair Value | | | |
| | | | | | |
CLOSED-END FUND - DEBT - 3.51% | | | | |
4,700 | | Western Asset Emerging Market | $ 92,026 | | | |
TOTAL FOR CLOSED-END FUND (Cost $88,306) - 3.51% | 92,026 | | | |
| | | | | | |
CORPORATE BONDS - 28.85% | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Commercial Banks - Western US - 1.89% | | | | |
50,000 | | Zions Bancorp, 5.50%, 5/10/16 | 49,425 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Diversified Banking Institution - 12.99% | | | | |
100,000 | | Bank of America Corp., 6.75%, 9/9/13 (Australia) | 105,588 | | | |
75,000 | | Goldman Sachs Group Inc., 4.00%, 5/18/23 | 75,290 | | | |
250,000 | | Morgan Stanley, 10.00%, 4/8/12 (Brazil) (a) | 159,314 | | | |
| | | 340,192 | | | |
Diversified Financial Services - 4.20% | | | | |
100,000 | | GE Capital Australia, 6.75%, 2/18/14 (Australia) | 110,119 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Multimedia - 2.04% | | | | |
50,000 | | Time Warner Inc., 4.75%, 3/29/21 | 53,376 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Oil Company - Exploration & Production - 4.11% | | | | |
100,000 | | Southwest Energy Co., 7.125%, 10/10/17 | 107,750 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Supranational Bank - 3.62% | | | | |
91,819 | | European BK Recon & Dev., 6.75%, 2/19/13 (Indonesia) | 94,795 | | | |
| | | | | | |
TOTAL FOR CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $783,077) - 28.85% | 755,657 | | | |
| | | | | | |
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS - 28.76% | | | | |
800 | | iShares Barclays Intermediate Credit Bond | 86,664 | | | |
200 | | iShares Barclays TIPS Bond | 22,864 | | | |
1,300 | | iShares iBoxx $ Invest Grade Corp. Bond | 146,029 | | | |
8,000 | | PowerShares Build America Bond | 219,248 | | | |
11,000 | | PowerShares Preferred | 155,100 | | | |
1,500 | | Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corp. Bond Idx ETF | 123,480 | | | |
TOTAL FOR EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost $728,097) - 28.76% | 753,385 | | | |
| | | | | | |
MUNICIPAL BONDS - 12.54% | | | | |
50,000 | | Clark Cnty Nev., 6.36%, 11/1/24 | 55,063 | | | |
50,000 | | Illinois State, 5.665%, 3/1/18 | 53,651 | | | |
100,000 | | Tobacco Settlement Auth IA, 6.50%, 6/1/23 | 97,013 | | | |
130,000 | | TSACS Inc., 4.75%, 6/1/22 | 122,667 | | | |
TOTAL FOR MUNICIPAL BONDS (Cost $320,573) - 12.54% | 328,394 | | | |
| | | | | | |
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS - 8.60% | | | | |
| | | | | | |
REITS - Diversified - 8.60% | | | | |
2,000 | | Duke Realty Corp., PFD 6.95%, Series M | 50,600 | | | |
2,500 | | Duke Realty Corp., PFD 6.50%, Series K | 60,425 | | | |
2,500 | | Public Storage, PFD 6.45%, Series F | 63,100 | | | |
2,000 | | Public Storage, PFD 6.25%, Series M | 51,100 | | | |
TOTAL FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (Cost $222,393) - 8.60% | 225,225 | | | |
| | | | | | |
SENIOR NOTE - 3.87% | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Cellular Telecommunications - 3.87% | | | | |
4,000 | | US Cellular Corp., PFD 6.95%, 5/15/60 | 101,360 | | | |
TOTAL FOR SENIOR NOTE (Cost $99,840) - 3.87% | 101,360 | | | |
| | | | | | |
STRUCTURED NOTE - 3.78% | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Diversified Banking Institution - 3.78% | | | | |
100,000 | | Morgan Stanley, 4.50%, 8/30/15 ** | 99,000 | | | |
TOTAL FOR STRUCTURED NOTE (Cost $100,000) - 3.78% | 99,000 | | | |
| | | | | | |
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS - 7.92% | | | | |
207,488 | | Fidelity Institutional Money Market 0.16% ** (Cost $207,488) | 207,488 | | | |
| | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $2,549,774) - 97.83% | 2,562,535 | | | |
| | | | | | |
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES - 2.17% | 56,822 | | | |
| | | | | | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | $ 2,619,357 | | | |
| | | | | | |
* Non-income producing | | | | |
** Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the yield at August 31, 2011. | | | | |
(a) Level 2 Security | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below: |
| | | | | | |
Level 1 - 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 active market, price for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, 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 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 inputs used as of August 31, 2011 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value: | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Investments in Securities | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
| | | | | | |
| | Closed-End Fund - Debt | $ 92,026 | - | - | $ 92,026 |
| | Corporate Bonds | 596,343 | 159,314 | - | 755,657 |
| | Exchange Traded Funds | 753,385 | - | - | 753,385 |
| | Municipal Bonds | 328,394 | - | - | 328,394 |
| | Real Estate Investment Trusts | 225,225 | - | - | 225,225 |
| | Senior Note | 101,360 | - | - | 101,360 |
| | Structured Note | 99,000 | - | - | 99,000 |
| | Short-Term Investments: | | | | |
| | Fidelity Institutional Money Market | 207,488 | - | - | 207,488 |
| | | | | | |
| | | $ 2,403,221 | 159,314 | - | $ 2,562,535 |
| | | | | | |
There were no significant transfers into or out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during the period. It is the Fund’s policy to recognize transfers into and out of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 at the end of the reporting period. |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Archer Stock Fund | | | | |
| | Schedule of Investments | | | | |
| | August 31, 2011 | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Shares/Principal | Fair Value | | | |
| | | | | | |
COMMON STOCK - 96.87% | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Abrasive Asbestos & Misc. Nonmetallic Mineral Products - 0.55% | | | | |
100 | | CARBO Ceramics Inc. | $ 16,015 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Apparel Stores - 1.27% | | | | |
1,300 | | Ascena Retail Group, Inc.* | 36,946 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Application Software - 0.41% | | | | |
450 | | Microsoft Corp. | 11,970 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Arrangement of Transportation of Freight - 0.49% | | | | |
500 | | Forward Air Corp. | 14,205 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Asset Management - 0.39% | | | | |
1,300 | | Prospect Capital Corp. | 11,414 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Beverages - Soft Drinks - 0.49% | | | | |
200 | | The Coca-Cola Co. | 14,090 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) - 2.29% | | | | |
1,200 | | Amgen, Inc.* | 66,486 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Business Services - 2.73% | | | | |
900 | | Visa, Inc. Class A | 79,092 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Cable & Other Pay Television Services - 1.20% | | | | |
1,400 | | Dish Network Corp. Class A* | 34,804 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Calculating & Accounting Machines (No Electronic Computers) - 2.06% | | | | |
1,700 | | Verifone Systems, Inc.* | 59,874 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Commercial Banks - Western U.S. - 0.40% | | | | |
350 | | HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR | 11,676 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Communications Equipment - 0.37% | | | | |
350 | | ESCO Technologies, Inc. | 10,805 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Computer & Office Equipment - 2.92% | | | | |
4,700 | | Cisco Systems, Inc. | 73,649 | | | |
350 | | Lexmark International, Inc. Class A* | 11,186 | | | |
| | | 84,835 | | | |
Computer Peripheral Equipment - 0.37% | | | | |
1,300 | | Xerox Corp. | 10,790 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Computer Storage Devices - 1.04% | | | | |
800 | | NetApp, Inc.* | 30,096 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Construction Machinery & Equipment - 1.25% | | | | |
400 | | Caterpillar, Inc. | 36,400 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Construction Special Trade Contractors - 2.47% | | | | |
2,000 | | Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V | 71,500 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Drug Manufacturers - Other - 1.76% | | | | |
1,600 | �� | Endo Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc.* | 51,056 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Electric & Other Services Combined - 0.45% | | | | |
300 | | Exelon Corp. | 12,936 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Electric Services - 0.84% | | | | |
200 | | Entergy Corp. | 13,042 | | | |
500 | | TransAlta Corp. | 11,275 | | | |
| | | 24,317 | | | |
Electronic Computers - 1.43% | | | | |
2,800 | | Dell, Inc.* | 41,622 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Electronic Stores - 2.39% | | | | |
2,900 | | GameStop Corp. Class A* | 69,397 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Farm Machinery & Equipment - 0.43% | | | | |
200 | | Lindsay Corp. | 12,440 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Farm Products - 2.01% | | | | |
900 | | Bunge Ltd. | 58,239 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Gold & Silver Ores - 2.44% | | | | |
4,100 | | Kinross Gold Corp. | 70,889 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Hazardous Waste Management - 1.49% | | | | |
800 | | Clean Harbors, Inc.* | 43,096 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Health Care Plans - 0.41% | | | | |
300 | | Aetna, Inc. | 12,009 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Hospital & Medical Service Plans - 1.79% | | | | |
400 | | Coventry Health Care, Inc.* | 13,152 | | | |
300 | | Unitedhealth Group, Inc. | 14,256 | | | |
550 | | Molina Healthcare, Inc.* | 10,576 | | | |
300 | | CIGNA Corp. | 14,022 | | | |
| | | 52,006 | | | |
Independent Oil & Gas - 2.04% | | | | |
575 | | Apache Corp. | 59,265 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Industrial Metals & Minerals - 4.35% | | | | |
725 | | Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc. | 60,066 | | | |
3,300 | | Cloud Peak Energy, Inc.* | 66,000 | | | |
| | | 126,066 | | | |
Investment Brokerage - National - 0.46% | | | | |
50 | | CME Group, Inc. | 13,356 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Measuring & Controlling Devices - 2.27% | | | | |
1,000 | | Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.* | 54,930 | | | |
350 | | Measurement Specialties, Inc.* | 10,930 | | | |
| | | 65,860 | | | |
Metalworking Machinery & Equipment - 0.29% | | | | |
150 | | SPX Corp. | 8,533 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution - 0.31% | | | | |
200 | | ORIX Corp. ADR* | 9,096 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Miscellaneous Electrical Machinery, Equipment & Supplies - 0.36% | | | | |
450 | | Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc.* | 10,390 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products - 1.35% | | | | |
1,700 | | Barnes Group, Inc. | 39,134 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts - 0.40% | | | | |
300 | | Harley-Davidson, Inc. | 11,598 | | | |
| | | | | | |
National Commercial Banks - 4.48% | | | | |
1,100 | | Old National Bancorp. | 10,791 | | | |
3,100 | | Valley National Bancorp. | 36,859 | | | |
400 | | Wells Fargo & Co. | 10,440 | | | |
600 | | WesBanco, Inc. | 11,628 | | | |
1,600 | | JP Morgan Chase & Co. | 60,096 | | | |
| | | 129,814 | | | |
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services - 1.38% | | | | |
900 | | Halliburton Co. | 39,933 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Oil & Gas Filed Machinery & Equipment - 2.60% | | | | |
150 | | Baker Hughes, Inc. | 9,166 | | | |
1,000 | | National Oilwell Varco, Inc. | 66,120 | | | |
| | | 75,286 | | | |
Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Products - 0.40% | | | | |
150 | | PPG Industries, Inc. | 11,488 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Personal Computers - 1.33% | | | | |
100 | | Apple, Inc.* | 38,483 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Petroleum Refining - 0.37% | | | | |
150 | | HollyFrontier Corp. | 10,764 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Pharmaceutical Preparations - 5.05% | | | | |
350 | | Forest Laboratories, Inc.* | 11,984 | | | |
1,600 | | Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR | 66,176 | | | |
1,300 | | Abbott Laboratories | 68,263 | | | |
| | | 146,423 | | | |
Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications - 2.07% | | | | |
700 | | Qualcomm, Inc. | 36,022 | | | |
150 | | L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. | 10,173 | | | |
500 | | Comtech Telecommunications Corp. | 13,920 | | | |
| | | 60,115 | | | |
Railroad Equipment - 1.90% | | | | |
2,000 | | Trinity Industries, Inc. | 55,120 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Railroads, Line-Haul Operating - 3.41% | | | | |
150 | | Norfolk Southern Corp. | 10,152 | | | |
800 | | Kansas City Southern, Inc.* | 43,328 | | | |
100 | | Union Pacific Corp. | 9,217 | | | |
700 | | Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. Class A* | 36,358 | | | |
| | | 99,055 | | | |
Real Estate - 0.44% | | | | |
700 | | Annaly Capital Management, Inc. | 12,691 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Regional - Pacific Banks - 0.31% | | | | |
200 | | City National Corp. | 8,978 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Regional-Southeast Banks - 0.35% | | | | |
400 | | Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. | 10,100 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Retail - Auto & Home Supply Stores - 0.53% | | | | |
50 | | AutoZone, Inc.* | 15,350 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Retail - Miscellaneous Retail - 0.40% | | | | |
350 | | EZCORP, Inc. Class A* | 11,742 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Retail - Miscellaneous Shopping Goods - 0.48% | | | | |
300 | | First Cash Financial Services* | 14,016 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Retail - Retail Stores, NEC - 1.51% | | | | |
2,600 | | Sally Beauty Holding, Inc.* | 43,940 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Savings Institution - 0.46% | | | | |
1,100 | | Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. | 13,266 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Savings Institution, Federally Chartered - 1.30% | | | | |
3,200 | | People's United Financial, Inc. | 37,600 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Secondary Smelting & Refining of Non-Ferrous Metals - 2.04% | | | | |
3,700 | | Titanium Metals Corp. | 59,311 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services - 0.81% | | | | |
200 | | IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.* | 23,590 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Security Broker Dealers - 0.38% | | | | |
350 | | Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Class A | 10,927 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Security Broker Dealers & Flotation Companies - 0.51% | | | | |
500 | | MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. | 14,740 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Semi-Conductors & Related Devices - 3.50% | | | | |
550 | | Intel Corp. | 11,072 | | | |
500 | | Semtech Corp.* | 10,665 | | | |
4,500 | | Rubicon Technology, Inc.* | 57,983 | | | |
600 | | Altera Corp. | 21,834 | | | |
| | | 101,554 | | | |
Service Industries for the Printing Trade - 0.44% | | | | |
1,700 | | Innerworkings, Inc.* | 12,886 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Automotive Repair, Services & Parking - 0.48% | | | | |
350 | | Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. | 13,836 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Business Services - 0.45% | | | | |
500 | | Exlservice Holdings, Inc.* | 12,975 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Computer Programming, Data Processing & Etc. - 0.37% | | | | |
20 | | Google, Inc. Class A* | 10,819 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Equipment Rental & Leasing - 0.40% | | | | |
400 | | TAL International Group, Inc. | 11,684 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Health Services - 0.34% | | | | |
500 | | US Physical Therapy, Inc. | 9,930 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Help Supply Services - 0.37% | | | | |
450 | | Robert Half International Inc. | 10,764 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Personal Services - 0.39% | | | | |
250 | | Coinstar, Inc.* | 11,398 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Prepackaged Software - 0.35% | | | | |
600 | | Fundtech Ltd. | 10,242 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Services - Racing, Including Track Operation - 0.38% | | | | |
250 | | Churchhill Downs, Inc. | 10,945 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Sporting Goods Stores - 1.29% | | | | |
1,600 | | Cabela's, Inc. Class A* | 37,520 | | | |
| | | | | | |
State Banks - 0.38% | | | | |
200 | | Signature Bank Corp.* | 11,124 | | | |
| | | | | | |
State Commercial Banks - 1.58% | | | | |
250 | | SVB Financial Group* | 11,520 | | | |
150 | | M&T Bank Corp. | 11,411 | | | |
450 | | Texas Capital BancShares, Inc.* | 11,552 | | | |
500 | | Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. | 11,360 | | | |
| | | 45,843 | | | |
Steel Works, Blast Furnaces Rolling Mills - 0.33% | | | | |
100 | | Posco ADR * | 9,514 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Sugar & Confectionery Products - 0.51% | | | | |
250 | | Hershey Co. | 14,663 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Telephone Communications - 0.46% | | | | |
700 | | Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. | 13,377 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Trucking (No Local) - 1.23% | | | | |
1,100 | | Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.* | 35,332 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Wholesale - Farm Product Raw Materials - 1.40% | | | | |
1,000 | | The Andersons, Inc. | 40,210 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Wholesale - Misc Durable Goods - 1.74% | | | | |
1,100 | | Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Class A | 50,094 | | | |
| | | | |
TOTAL FOR COMMON STOCK (Cost $ 3,037,034) - 96.87% | 2,809,745 | | | |
| | | | | | |
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.89% | | | | |
54,935 | | Fidelity Institutional Money Market Portfolio 0.16%** (Cost $54,935) | 54,935 | | | |
| | | | | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $3,091,969) - 98.76% | 2,864,680 | | | |
| | | | | | |
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES - 1.24% | 35,917 | | | |
| | | | | | |
NET ASSETS - 100.00% | $ 2,900,597 | | | |
| | | | | | |
* Non-income producing | | | | |
** Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the yield at August 31, 2011. | | | | |
ADR - American Depository Receipt | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below: |
| | | | | | |
Level 1 - 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 active market, price for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, 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 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 inputs used as of August 31, 2011 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value: | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Investments in Securities | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
| | | | | | |
| | Common Stocks | $ 2,809,745 | - | - | $ 2,809,745 |
| | Short-Term Investments: | | | | |
| | Fidelity Institutional Money Market Portfolio | 54,935 | - | - | 54,935 |
| | | | | | |
| | | $ 2,864,680 | - | - | $ 2,864,680 |
| | | | | | |
There were no significant transfers into or out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during the period. It is the Fund’s policy to recognize transfers into and out of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 at the end of the reporting period. |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The Archer Funds |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
August 31, 2011 |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Assets: | | Balanced Fund | Income Fund | Stock Fund |
Investments in Securities, at Value (Cost $13,863,917, | $ 13,864,284 | $ 2,562,535 | $ 2,864,680 |
$2,549,774, and $3,091,969, respectfully) | | | |
Cash | | - | 5,686 | 4,688 |
Receivables | | | |
Shareholder Purchases | 37,878 | 30,900 | 35,211 |
Receivable from Advisor | 1,273 | - | - |
Interest | 24,009 | 25,547 | 10 |
Dividend | 30,934 | 390 | 2,913 |
Prepaid Expenses | 17,317 | 2,695 | 2,163 |
Total Assets | 13,975,695 | 2,627,753 | 2,909,665 |
Liabilities: | | | | |
Payables: | | | | |
Due to Custodian | 9,703 | - | - |
Trustee Fees | 549 | 172 | 103 |
Accrued Expenses | 16,634 | 8,224 | 8,965 |
Total Liabilities | 26,886 | 8,224 | 8,965 |
Net Assets | | $ 13,948,809 | $ 2,619,529 | $ 2,900,700 |
| | | | |
Net Assets Consist of: | | | |
Paid In Capital | $ 15,525,693 | $ 2,541,975 | $ 3,258,603 |
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income (Loss) | 149,270 | 65,468 | - |
Accumulated Net Realized (Loss) on Investments | (1,726,521) | (847) | (130,717) |
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) in Value of Investments | 367 | 12,761 | (227,289) |
Net Assets (unlimited shares authorized; 1,606,951, 126,098, and | $ 13,948,809 | $ 2,619,357 | $ 2,900,597 |
105,199 shares outstanding, respectfully) | | | |
Net Asset Value and Offering Price Per Share | $ 8.68 | $ 20.77 | $ 27.57 |
| | | | |
Redemption Price Per Share ($8.68 x 0.995), | $ 8.64 | $ 20.56 | $ 27.29 |
($20.77 x 0.99), & ($27.57 x 0.99), respectfully * | | | |
| | | | |
*The Balanced Fund will deduct a 0.50% redemption fee from redemption proceeds if purchased and redeemed within 30 days. |
The Income and Stock Funds will deduct a 1.00% redemption fee from redemption proceeds if purchased and redeemed within 90 days. |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
The Archer Funds |
Statements of Operations |
|
| | For the | For the period 3/11/2011 |
| | Year Ended | (commencement of investment |
| | 8/31/2011 | operations) through 8/31/2011 |
Investment Income: | Balanced Fund | Income Fund | Stock Fund |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $3,739, $0, and $201, respectfully) | $ 256,863 | $ 25,230 | $ 14,063 |
Interest | | 236,649 | 50,846 | 102 |
Total Investment Income | 493,512 | 76,076 | 14,165 |
| | | | |
Expenses: | | | | |
Advisory Fees (a) | 112,133 | 4,420 | 8,764 |
Transfer Agent | 32,343 | 7,007 | 7,207 |
Administrative (a) | 74,754 | 14,083 | 14,083 |
Registration | 26,275 | - | 380 |
Legal | | 17,966 | 3,087 | 3,640 |
Audit | | 10,880 | 6,536 | 6,296 |
Custody | 9,351 | 902 | 3,992 |
Trustee | | 2,476 | 476 | 546 |
Miscellaneous | 4,441 | - | 999 |
Insurance | 6,906 | 400 | 400 |
Printing and Mailing | 2,051 | 148 | 200 |
Total Expenses | 299,576 | 37,059 | 46,507 |
Fees Waived and Reimbursed by the Advisor (a) | (120,162) | (26,451) | (29,562) |
Net Expenses | 179,414 | 10,608 | 16,945 |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income (Loss) | 314,098 | 65,468 | (2,780) |
| | | | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments: | | | |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments | 525,336 | (847) | (130,717) |
Net Realized Gain on Written Options | 6,033 | - | - |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments | 246,818 | 12,761 | (227,289) |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | 778,187 | 11,914 | (358,006) |
| | | | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | $ 1,092,285 | $ 77,382 | $ (360,786) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(a) See Note 5 in the Notes to the Financial Statements. | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Archer Balanced Fund |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | Years Ended |
| | 8/31/2011 | 8/31/2010 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations: | | |
Net Investment Income | $ 314,098 | $ 243,218 |
Net Realized Gain on Investments and Call Options Written | 531,369 | 577,246 |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments and Call Options Written | 246,818 | (498,190) |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 1,092,285 | 322,274 |
| | | |
Distributions to Shareholders: | | |
Net Investment Income | (312,163) | (289,491) |
Total Distributions | (312,163) | (289,491) |
| | | |
Capital Share Transactions: | | |
Proceeds from Sale of Shares | 1,660,481 | 4,786,707 |
Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends | 288,043 | 273,532 |
Early Redemption Fees * | - | - |
Cost of Shares Redeemed | (2,801,323) | (1,561,728) |
Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions | (852,799) | 3,498,511 |
| | | |
Net Assets: | | | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | (72,677) | 3,531,294 |
Beginning of Year | 14,021,486 | 10,490,192 |
End of Year (Including Accumulated Undistributed Net | | |
Investment Income of $149,270 and $147,335, respectively) | $ 13,948,809 | $ 14,021,486 |
| | | |
Share Transactions: | | |
Shares Sold | 186,297 | 557,197 |
Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends | 33,032 | 31,843 |
Shares Redeemed | (314,873) | (183,642) |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares | (95,544) | 405,398 |
Outstanding at Beginning of Year | 1,702,495 | 1,297,097 |
Outstanding at End of Year | 1,606,951 | 1,702,495 |
| | | |
* The Fund charges a 0.50% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 30 calendar days of purchase. | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Archer Income Fund |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | For the period 3/11/2011 |
| | (commencement of investment operations) |
| | through 8/31/2011 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations: | | | |
Net Investment Income | | $ 65,468 | |
Net Realized Loss on Investments | | (847) | |
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Investments | | 12,761 | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | | 77,382 | |
| | | | |
Distributions to Shareholders: | | | |
Net Investment Income | | - | |
Total Distributions | | - | |
| | | | |
Capital Share Transactions: | | | |
Proceeds from Sale of Shares | | 2,590,524 | |
Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends | | - | |
Early Redemption Fees ** | | - | |
Cost of Shares Redeemed | | (48,549) | |
Net Increase from Capital Share Transactions | | 2,541,975 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets: | | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets | | 2,619,357 | |
Beginning of Year | | 0 | |
End of Year (Including Accumulated Undistributed Net | | | |
Investment Income $65,468) | | $ 2,619,357 | |
| | | | |
Share Transactions: | | | |
Shares Sold | | 128,514 | |
Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends | | 0 | |
Shares Redeemed | | (2,416) | |
Net Increase in Shares | | 126,098 | |
Outstanding at Beginning of Year | | 0 | |
Outstanding at End of Year | | 126,098 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
** The Fund charges a 1.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase. | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Archer Stock Fund |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | For the period 3/11/2011 |
| | (commencement of investment operations) |
| | through 8/31/2011 |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations: | | | |
Net Investment Loss | | $ (2,780) | |
Net Realized Loss on Investments | | (130,717) | |
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Investments | | (227,289) | |
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | | (360,786) | |
| | | | |
Distributions to Shareholders: | | | |
Net Investment Income | | - | |
Total Distributions | | - | |
| | | | |
Capital Share Transactions: | | | |
Proceeds from Sale of Shares | | 3,333,425 | |
Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends | | - | |
Early Redemption Fees ** | | - | |
Cost of Shares Redeemed | | (72,042) | |
Net Increase from Capital Share Transactions | | 3,261,383 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets: | | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets | | 2,900,597 | |
Beginning of Year | | - | |
End of Year (Including Accumulated Undistributed Net | | | |
Investment Income/Loss of $0) | | $ 2,900,597 | |
| | | | |
Share Transactions: | | | |
Shares Sold | | 107,815 | |
Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends | | 0 | |
Shares Redeemed | | (2,616) | |
Net Increase in Shares | | 105,199 | |
Outstanding at Beginning of Year | | 0 | |
Outstanding at End of Year | | 105,199 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
** The Fund charges a 1.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase. | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Archer Balanced Fund |
Financial Highlights |
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the period. |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | For the Years Ended |
| | 8/31/2011 | 8/31/2010 | 8/31/2009 | 8/31/2008 | 8/31/2007 |
| | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, at Beginning of Period | $ 8.24 | $ 8.09 | $ 9.68 | $ 11.31 | $ 10.75 |
| | | | | | |
Income (Loss) From Investment Operations: | | | | | |
Net Investment Income * | 0.19 | 0.16 | 0.17 | 0.33 | 0.29 |
Net Gain (Loss) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) | 0.43 | 0.19 | (1.48) | (1.46) | 0.79 |
Total from Investment Operations | 0.62 | 0.35 | (1.31) | (1.13) | 1.08 |
| | | | | | |
Distributions: | | | | | | |
Net Investment Income | (0.18) | (0.20) | (0.28) | (0.25) | (0.29) |
Realized Gains | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | (0.25) | (0.23) |
Total from Distributions | (0.18) | (0.20) | (0.28) | (0.50) | (0.52) |
| | | | | | |
Proceeds from Redemption Fees ** | - | - | - | - | - |
| | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, at End of Period | $ 8.68 | $ 8.24 | $ 8.09 | $ 9.68 | $ 11.31 |
| | | | | | |
Total Return *** | 7.54% | 4.23% | (13.28)% | (10.46)% | 10.09% |
| | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data: | | | | | |
Net Assets at End of Period (Thousands) | $ 13,949 | $ 14,021 | $ 10,490 | $ 9,909 | $ 10,749 |
Before Waivers and Reimbursements | | | | | |
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets | 2.00% | 2.01% | 2.93% | 2.30% | 2.21% |
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets | 1.30% | 1.06% | 0.57% | 2.10% | 1.85% |
After Waivers and Reimbursements | | | | | |
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets | 1.20% | 1.20% | 1.20% | 1.20% | 1.20% |
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets | 2.10% | 1.87% | 2.29% | 3.20% | 2.86% |
Portfolio Turnover | 69.95% | 77.73% | 79.42% | 115.68% | 66.98% |
| | | | | | |
* Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period. |
** Amount less than $0.005 per share. | | | | | |
*** Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends. |
| | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Archer Income Fund |
Financial Highlights |
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the period. |
| | | | |
| | For the period 3/11/2011 |
| | (commencement of investment operations) |
| | through 8/31/2011 |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value, at Beginning of Period | | $ 20.00 | |
| | | | |
Income (Loss) From Investment Operations: | | | |
Net Investment Income * | | 0.73 | |
Net Gain (Loss) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) | | 0.04 | |
Total from Investment Operations | | 0.77 | |
| | | | |
Distributions: | | | | |
Net Investment Income | | - | |
Realized Gains | | - | |
Total from Distributions | | - | |
| | | | |
Proceeds from Redemption Fees ** | | - | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value, at End of Period | | $ 20.77 | |
| | | | |
Total Return *** | | 3.85% | (a) |
| | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data: | | | |
Net Assets at End of Period (Thousands) | | $ 2,619 | |
Before Waivers and Reimbursements | | | |
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets | | 4.21% | † |
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets | | 4.43% | † |
After Waivers and Reimbursements | | | |
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets | | 1.20% | † |
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets | | 7.44% | † |
Portfolio Turnover | | 11.01% | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(a) Not Annualized | | | |
† Annualized | | | | |
* Per share net investment income has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period. |
** Amount less than $0.005 per share. |
*** Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends. |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Archer Stock Fund |
Financial Highlights |
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the period. |
| | | | |
| | For the period 3/11/2011 |
| | (commencement of investment operations) |
| | through 8/31/2011 |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value, at Beginning of Period | | $ 30.00 | |
| | | | |
Income (Loss) From Investment Operations: | | | |
Net Investment Income (Loss) * | | (0.03) | |
Net Gain (Loss) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) | | (2.40) | |
Total from Investment Operations | | (2.43) | |
| | | | |
Distributions: | | | | |
Net Investment Income | | 0.00 | |
Realized Gains | | 0.00 | |
Total from Distributions | | - | |
| | | | |
Proceeds from Redemption Fees ** | | - | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value, at End of Period | | $ 27.57 | |
| | | | |
Total Return *** | | (8.10)% | (a) |
| | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data: | | | |
Net Assets at End of Period (Thousands) | | $ 2,901 | |
Before Waivers and Reimbursements | | | |
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets | | 3.99% | † |
Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets | | (2.78)% | † |
After Waivers and Reimbursements | | | |
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets | | 1.45% | † |
Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets | | (0.24)% | † |
Portfolio Turnover | | 163.69% | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(a) Not Annualized | | | |
† Annualized | | | | |
* Per share net investment income (loss) has been determined on the basis of average shares outstanding during the period. |
** Amount less than $0.005 per share. |
*** Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends. |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | |
THE ARCHER FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2011
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION
The Archer Investment Series Trust, an Ohio business trust (the “Trust”), is an open-end, diversified, investment management company established under the laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 7, 2009 (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series. The Trust currently consists of three funds: The Archer Balanced Fund (the “Balanced Fund”), the Archer Income Fund (the “Income Fund”), and the Archer Stock Fund (the “Stock Fund”). The investment objective of the Balanced Fund is total return. Total return is comprised of both income and capital appreciation. The Balanced Fund commenced operations on June 11, 2010. Prior to June 11, 2010, the Balanced Fund operated as a series of the Unified Series Trust, an open-end investment company established under the laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 17, 2002. The Balanced Fund originally commenced investment operations on September 27, 2005.
The Income Fund and the Stock Fund each commenced investment operations on March 11, 2011. The investment objective of the Income Fund is income while secondarily striving for capital appreciation. The investment objective of the Stock Fund is capital appreciation. The investment advisor to the Funds is Archer Investment Corporation, Inc. (the “Advisor”). See Note 5 for additional information regarding the Advisor.
NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
Securities Valuation – All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value as described in Note 3.
Federal Income Taxes – The Funds make no provision for federal income or excise tax. The Funds intend to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of their taxable income. The Funds also intend to distribute sufficient net investment income and net capital gains, if any, so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Funds could incur a tax expense.
In addition, GAAP requires management of the Funds to analyze all open tax years, fiscal years 2008-2011 (for the Balanced Fund), as defined by IRS statute of limitations for all major industries, including federal tax authorities and certain state tax authorities. As of and during the year ended August 31, 2011, the Funds did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Funds have no examination in progress and are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total tax amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
Security Transactions and Related Income - The Funds follows industry practice and record security transactions on the trade date. Realized gains and losses are computed using the specific cost of the security. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized or accreted using the effective interest method. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.
Dividends and Distributions – The Funds intend to distribute substantially all of its net investment income as dividends to its shareholders on at least an annual basis. The Funds intend to distribute its net realized long-term capital gains and its net realized short-term capital gains at least once a year. Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the year from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expenses or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified in the components of the net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations or net asset values per share of the Funds.
THE ARCHER FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2011
Redemption Fee - To discourage short-term trades by investors, the Balanced Fund will impose a redemption fee of 0.50% of the total redemption amount (calculated at market value) if shares are redeemed within thirty calendar days of purchase. The Income and Stock Funds will each impose a redemption fee of 1.00% of the total redemption amount (calculated at market value) if shares are redeemed within ninety calendar days of purchase. There were no redemption fees collected for the Funds for the year ended August 31, 2011.
Options - The Balanced and Income Funds may sell covered call options as part of their investment programs to obtain market exposure or to manage risk or hedge against adverse market conditions. When a 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 fair value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the fund on the expiration date as realized gains from investments. 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 or currency 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 writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. See Note 4 for additional information on options transactions.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Subsequent Events - Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in these financial statements.
Reclassifications - As of August 31, 2011, the Stock Fund recorded permanent book/tax differences of $2,780 from net investment loss to paid-in capital. This reclassification has no impact on the net asset value of the Fund and is designed generally to present undistributed income and net realized gains on a tax basis, which is considered to be more informative to shareholders.
NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that a Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.
Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk (the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value such as pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique). Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
Equity securities, including common stocks, American Depositary Receipts, estate investment trusts, exchanged-traded funds, real preferred securities and bonus certificates, are generally valued by using market quotations, but may be valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service when the Advisor believes such prices more accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. Securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued by the pricing service at the last quoted sale price.
Lacking a last sale price, an exchange traded security is generally valued by the pricing service at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued by the pricing service at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When using the market quotations or close prices provided by the pricing service and when the market is considered active, the security will
THE ARCHER FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2011
be classified as a Level 1 security. Sometimes, an equity security owned by the Fund will be valued by the pricing service with factors other than market quotations or when the market is considered inactive. When this happens, the security will be classified as a Level 2 security. When market quotations are not readily available, when the Advisor determines that the market quotation or the price provided by the pricing service does not accurately reflect the current fair value, or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, such securities are valued as determined in good faith by the Advisor, in conformity with guidelines adopted by and subject to review by the Board. These securities will be categorized as Level 3 securities.
Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds, are generally priced at the ending net asset value (NAV) provided by the service agent of the funds. These securities will be categorized as Level 1 securities.
Fixed income securities, such as corporate bonds, municipal bonds and structured notes, when valued using market quotations in an active market, will be categorized as Level 1 securities. However, they may be valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service when the Advisor believes such prices more accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. A pricing service utilizes electronic data processing techniques based on yield spreads relating to securities with similar characteristics to determine prices for normal institutional-size trading units of debt securities without regard to sale or bid prices. These securities will generally be categorized as Level 2 securities. If the Advisor decides that a price provided by the pricing service does not accurately reflect the fair value of the securities, when prices are not readily available from a pricing service, or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Advisor, in conformity with guidelines adopted by and subject to review of the Board of Trustees. These securities will be categorized as Level 3 securities. The Advisor used inputs such as pricing of similar securities and market movements of the underlying common stock to fair value reverse convertible bonds. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Fund to meet their obligations may be affected by economic and political developments in a specific country or region.
In accordance with the Trust’s good faith pricing guidelines, the Advisor is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable as described above. No single standard exists for determining fair value, because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of an issue of securities being valued by the Advisor would appear to be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale. Methods which are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security or a basket of securities traded on other markets, exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods. Good faith pricing is permitted if, in the Advisor’s opinion, the validity of market quotations appears to be questionable based on factors such as evidence of a thin market in the security based on a small number of quotations, a significant event occurs after the close of a market but before a Funds’ NAV calculation that may affect a security’s value, or the Advisor is aware of any other data that calls into question the reliability of market quotations. Good faith pricing may also be used in instances when the bonds the Fund invests in may default or otherwise cease to have market quotations readily available.
NOTE 4. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS
As of August 31, 2011, there were no options outstanding in either the Balanced or Income Funds.
For the year ended August 31, 2011, the Balanced Fund’s transactions in options written were as follows (100 shares of common stock underlie each option contract):
| | | |
| Number of | | Premiums |
| Contracts | | Received |
Options outstanding at August 31, 2010 | - | | $ - |
Options written | 581 | | 27,587 |
Options exercised | (331) | | (21,554) |
Options expired | (250) | | (6,033) |
Options terminated in closing purchase transaction | - | | - |
Options outstanding at August 31, 2011 | - | | $ - |
THE ARCHER FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2011
The location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Balanced and Income Funds’ derivative positions, which are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP, is as follows:
Asset Derivatives
Investment in Securities, at Value
Schedule of Investments - Structured Notes
Balanced Fund
$1,101,059
Income Fund
$ 99,000
Realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives contracts entered into during the year ended August 31, 2011 by the Balanced Fund are recorded in the following locations in the Statement of Operations:
| | | | |
| Location | Realized Gain/(Loss) | Location | Unrealized Gain/(Loss) |
Call Options Written | Net Realized Gain on Written Options | $6,033 | Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Investments | $0 |
The Income Fund had no options transactions for the period March 11, 2011 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2011.
NOTE 5. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Advisor, under the terms of the management agreement (the “Agreement”), manages the Funds’ investments. As compensation for its management services, each Fund is obligated to pay the Advisor a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.75% for the Balanced Fund, 0.50% for the Income Fund, and 0.75% for the Stock Fund of each Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended August 31, 2011, the Advisor earned fees of $112,133 for the Balanced Fund before the waiver and reimbursement described below. For the period March 11, 2011 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2011, the Advisor earned fees of $4,420 and $8,764 for the Income and Stock Funds, respectively, before the waiver and reimbursement described below.
The Advisor also performs administrative duties for the Funds, in which the Advisor receives administrative fees. Administrative fees are paid according to the following schedule for each of the Funds: 0.50% on average net assets under $50 million, 0.07% on assets from $50 million up to $100 million, 0.05% on average net assets over $100 million up to $150 million, and 0.03% on assets over $150 million. The minimum monthly fee is $2,500. During the year ended August 31, 2011, the Advisor earned $74,754, in administrative fees for the Balanced Fund. For the period March 11, 2011 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2011, the Advisor earned administrative fees of $14,083 and $14,083 for the Income and Stock Funds respectively.
Archer Balanced Fund
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2011 so that total annual operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Balanced Fund invests) do not exceed 1.20% of the Balanced Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended August 31, 2011, the Advisor waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses of $120,162. Each waiver or reimbursement by the Advisor is subject to repayment by the Balanced Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the particular waiver or reimbursement occurred, provided that the Balanced Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the 1.20% expense limitation. Advisory fees waived and/or reimbursed expenses that may be subject to potential recoupment by the Advisor through August 31, 2014 totaled $372,095.
The amounts subject to repayment by the Balanced Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions, at August 31, 2011 were as follows:
THE ARCHER FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2011
| |
| Subject to Repayment |
Amount | by August 31, |
$146,486 | 2012 |
$105,447 | 2013 |
$120,162 | 2014 |
The Advisor owed the Balanced Fund $1,273 at August 31, 2011 for reimbursement of expenses.
Archer Income Fund
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2013 so that total annual operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Income Fund invests) do not exceed 1.20% of the Income Fund’s average daily net assets. For the period March 11, 2011 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2011, the Advisor waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses of $26,451. Each waiver or reimbursement by the Advisor is subject to repayment by the Income Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the particular waiver or reimbursement occurred, provided that the Income Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the 1.20% expense limitation. Advisory fees waived and/or reimbursed expenses that may be subject to potential recoupment by the Advisor through August 31, 2014 totaled $26,451.
The amounts subject to repayment by the Income Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions, at August 31, 2011 were as follows:
| |
| Subject to Repayment |
Amount | by August 31, |
$ 26,451 | 2014 |
Archer Stock Fund
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2013 so that total annual operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses, and any indirect expenses (such as expenses incurred by other investment companies in which the Stock Fund invests) do not exceed 1.45% of the Stock Fund’s average daily net assets. For the period March 11, 2011 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2011, the Advisor waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses of $29,562. Each waiver or reimbursement by the Advisor is subject to repayment by the Stock Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the particular waiver or reimbursement occurred, provided that the Stock Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the 1.45% expense limitation. Advisory fees waived and/or reimbursed expenses that may be subject to potential recoupment by the Advisor through August 31, 2014 totaled $29,562.
The amounts subject to repayment by the Stock Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned conditions, at August 31, 2011 were as follows:
| |
| Subject to Repayment |
Amount | by August 31, |
$ 29,562 | 2014 |
Distribution Plan
The Funds have adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Plan provides that each Fund will pay its Advisor and/or any registered securities dealer, financial institution or any other person (a “Recipient”) a shareholder servicing fee aggregating 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each Fund in connection with the promotion and distribution of Fund shares or the provision of personal services to shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, advertising, compensation to underwriters, dealers and selling personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Fund shareholders, the printing and mailing of sales literature and servicing shareholder accounts. The Fund and/or its Advisor may pay all or a portion of
THE ARCHER FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2011
these fees to any Recipient who renders assistance in distributing or promoting the sale of shares, or who provides certain shareholder services, pursuant to a written agreement. The Plan is a compensation plan, which means that compensation is provided regardless of 12b-1 expenses actually incurred. The Plan is not currently activated and the plan will not be activated through December 31, 2011 for the Balanced Fund and December 31, 2013 for the Income and Stock Funds.
NOTE 6. INVESTMENTS
Archer Balanced Fund
For the year ended August 31, 2011, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments and short-term U.S. government obligations were $9,965,668 and $10,802,577, respectively.
Archer Income Fund
For the period March 11, 2011 through August 31, 2011, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments and short-term U.S. government obligations were $2,523,445 and $210,377, respectively.
Archer Stock Fund
For the period March 11, 2011 through August 31, 2011, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments and short-term U.S. government obligations were $7,447,165 and $4,279,414, respectively.
NOTE 7. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, or more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates a presumption of control of the fund, under Section 2 (a) (9) of the 1940 Act. As of August 31, 2011, First Clearing, LLC. held in omnibus accounts for the benefit of others approximately 60.72% of the voting securities of the Balanced Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund. As of August 31, 2011, First Clearing, LLC. held in omnibus accounts for the benefit of others approximately 81.23% of the voting securities of the Income Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund. As of August 31, 2011, First Clearing, LLC. held in omnibus accounts for the benefit of others approximately 78.24% of the voting securities of the Stock Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.
THE ARCHER FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2011
NOTE 8. TAX MATTERS
As of August 31, 2011, the tax basis components of distributable earnings, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and tax cost of investment securities for the Funds were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | Balanced | | Income | | Stock |
| | Fund | | Fund | | Fund |
| | | | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ 149,270 | | $ 65,468 | | $ -0- |
| | | | | | |
Post-October capital loss deferrals | | | | | | |
Realized between 3/11/2011 and 8/31/2011* | | $ -0- | | $ 848 | | $ 121,780 |
| | | | | | |
Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities | | $ 615,878 | | $ 53,967 | | $ 47,547 |
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities | | $ (615,511) | | $ (41,206) | | $ (283,773) |
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities | | $ 367 | | $ 12,761 | | $ 236,226 |
| | | | | | |
Cost of investment securities (including short-term | | | | | | |
Investments)** | | $ 13,863,917 | | $ 2,549,774 | | $ 3,100,906 |
| | | | | | |
Capital Loss Carryforwards *** | | | | | | |
Expiring 08/30/2017 | | $ (679,870) | | $ -0- | | $ -0- |
08/30/2018 | | $ (1,046,652) | | $ -0- | | $ -0- |
| | $ (1,726,522) | | $ -0- | | $ -0- |
* These deferrals are considered incurred in the subsequent year.
** The difference between the book cost and tax cost of investments represents disallowed wash sales for tax purposes.
*** The capital loss carryforward will be used to offset any capital gains realized by the Fund in future years through the expiration date. The Fund will not make distributions from capital gains while a capital loss carryforward remains.
Permanent book and tax differences relating to shareholder distributions may result in reclassifications to paid in capital and may affect the per-share allocation between net investment income and realized and unrealized gain/loss. Undistributed net investment income and accumulated undistributed net realized gain/loss on investment transactions may include temporary book and tax differences which reverse in subsequent periods. Any taxable income or gain remaining at fiscal year end is distributed in the following year.
For the period March 11, 2011 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2011, there were no distributions paid for the Archer Stock Fund or the Archer Income Fund.
On December 28, 2010, the Balanced Fund paid an income distribution of $0.1822 per share to shareholders of record on December 27, 2010.
The tax characterization of distributions for the year ended August 31, 2011 and August 31, 2010 for the Balanced Fund were as follows:
| | |
| 2011 | 2010 |
Ordinary Income | $312,163 | $289,491 |
Short-Term Capital Gains | - | - |
Long-Term Capital Gains | - | - |
Total | $312,163 | $289,491 |
NOTE 8. CHANGE OF SERVICE PROVIDERS
Effective April 17, 2011, the auditor’s, Patke & Associates, Ltd. have resigned as the Fund’s auditor due to staffing limitations. The Fund has retained Sanville & Company to perform the August 31, 2011 audit.
NOTE 9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
In May 2011 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04 “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). ASU 2011-04 includes common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. ASU 2011-04 will require reporting entities to disclose additional information for fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. In addition, ASU 2011-04 will require reporting entities to make disclosures about amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. The new and revised disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Management is currently evaluating the implications of ASU No. 2011-04 and its impact on the financial statements.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees
of the Archer Balanced Fund, Archer Income Fund
and Archer Stock Fund, each a Series of the Archer
Investment Series Trust
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the Archer Balanced Fund, the Archer Income Fund and the Archer Stock Fund, (the "Funds"), all a series of the Archer Investment Series Trust (the “Trust”), including the schedule of investments, as of August 31, 2011 and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended for the Archer Balanced Fund and for the period March 11, 2011 (commencement of investment operations) through August 31, 2011 for the Archer Income Fund and the Archer Stock Fund. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit. For the Archer Balanced Fund, the statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the year ended August 31, 2010 and the financial highlights for the three year period ended August 31, 2009 were audited by other auditors whose reports dated October 29, 2010 and October 30, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities and cash owned as of August 31, 2011, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Archer Balanced Fund, the Archer Income Fund and the Archer Stock Fund, each a series the Archer Investment Series Trust, as of August 31, 2011, the results of their operations, changes in their net assets and the financial highlights for the year and periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
![[archerncsra201206014.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRA/0001162044-12-000575/archerncsra201206014.gif)
Abington, Pennsylvania
October 25, 2011
| | | |
| | | |
The Archer Funds |
Expense Illustrations |
August 31, 2011 (Unaudited) |
| | | |
Expense Example |
| | | |
As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs (such as short-term redemption fees); and (2) |
ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your |
ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund(s) and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. |
| | | |
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, March 11, 2011 |
through August 31, 2011, for the Income and Stock Funds, and the six month period March 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011 for all three funds. |
Actual Expenses |
| | | |
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. |
| | | |
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes |
| | | |
The second line of the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not such 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. |
| | | |
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table 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. |
| | | |
| Balanced Fund |
| Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Expenses Paid During the Period* |
| March 1, 2011 | August 31, 2011 | March 1,2011 to August 31,2011 |
| | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $975.92 | $5.98 |
Hypothetical | | | |
(5% Annual Return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,019.16 | $6.11 |
| | | |
* Expenses are equal to the Balanced Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.20%, multiplied by the average account value over |
the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). | |
| | | |
| Income Fund |
| Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Expenses Paid During the Period* |
| March 11, 2011 | August 31, 2011 | March 11,2011 to August 31,2011 |
| | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $1,038.50 | $5.83 |
Hypothetical | | | |
(5% Annual Return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,018.12 | $5.77 |
| | | |
* Expenses are equal to the Income Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.20%, multiplied by the average account value over |
the period, multiplied by 174/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). | |
| | | |
| Income Fund |
| Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Expenses Paid During the Period* |
| March 1, 2011 | August 31, 2011 | March 1,2011 to August 31,2011 |
| | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $1,038.50 | $6.17 |
Hypothetical | | | |
(5% Annual Return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,019.16 | $6.11 |
| | | |
* Expenses are equal to the Income Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.20%, multiplied by the average account value over |
the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). | |
| | | |
| Stock Fund |
| Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Expenses Paid During the Period* |
| March 11, 2011 | August 31, 2011 | March 11,2011 to August 31,2011 |
| | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $919.00 | $6.63 |
Hypothetical | | | |
(5% Annual Return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,016.92 | $6.97 |
| | | |
* Expenses are equal to the Stock Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.45%, multiplied by the average account value over |
the period, multiplied by 174/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). | |
| | | |
| Stock Fund |
| Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Expenses Paid During the Period* |
| March 1, 2011 | August 31, 2011 | March 1,2011 to August 31,2011 |
| | | |
Actual | $1,000.00 | $919.00 | $7.01 |
Hypothetical | | | |
(5% Annual Return before expenses) | $1,000.00 | $1,017.90 | $7.38 |
| | | |
* Expenses are equal to the Stock Fund's annualized expense ratio of 1.45%, multiplied by the average account value over |
the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). | |
THE ARCHER FUNDS
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
AUGUST 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Trust. Each Trustee serves as a trustee until termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, retires or is removed.
The following tables provide information regarding the Trustees and Officers.
Independent Trustees
| |
Name, Address*, (Age), Position with Trust**, Term of Position with Trust | Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years and Other Directorships |
David Miller (64)
Independent Trustee, January 2010 to present |
General Securities Corp. – President; 1982-Present |
Donald G. Orzeske, J. D. (56)
Independent Trustee, January 2010 to present |
GOODIN, ORZESKE & BLACKWELL, P.C. - Attorney at Law – Shareholder - 2000-Present |
* The address for each trustee is: .9000 Keystone Crossing, Suite 630, Indianapolis, IN 46240
** The Trust currently consists of 3 Funds.
Interested Trustees & Officers
| |
Name, Address*, (Age), Position with Trust,** Term of Position with Trust | Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years and Other Directorships |
Troy Patton (44)
Trustee & President, December 2009 to present |
Frontier CPA Group – Managing Partner. 1996-2004 Archer Investment Corporation, Inc. – President. July 2005 – Present Patton and Associates, LLC – Managing Partner. January 2005 – Present |
Gregory Getts, (54)
Treasurer, December 2009 to present |
Mutual Shareholders Services, LLC – Principal Owner. January 1999 – present. |
C. Richard Ropka, Esq. (48)
Secretary, December 2009 to present |
Attorney - Law Office of C. Richard Ropka, LLC May 1, 2008 – present, Attorney - Rabil, Ropka, Kingett and Stewart, LLC January 1, 2004 – May 1, 2008 |
Sara Mahon (31)
Chief Compliance Officer, December 2009 to present |
Executive Assistant/Compliance, Archer Financial Advisors, Inc., 2006 – present, Executive Assistant/Compliance, Archer Balanced Fund (NASDAQ: ARCHX), 2006 – present; Executive Assistant, Frontier Investment Advisors/Fiducial, 2001 – 2006. |
* The address for each trustee and officer of the Trust is 9000 Keystone Crossing, Suite 630, Indianapolis, IN 46240
** The Trust currently consists of 3 Funds.
THE ARCHER FUNDS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AUGUST 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
Information Regarding Proxy Voting
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, are available without charge upon request by (1) calling the Fund at (800)238-7701 and (2) from Fund documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Information Regarding Portfolio Holdings
The Fund files a complete schedule of investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters end on November 30 and May 31. The Fund’s Form N-Q’s are available on the SEC’s website at http://sec.gov, or they may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (call 1-800-732-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room). You may also obtain copies by calling the Fund at 1-800-238-7701.
Information Regarding Statement of Additional Information
The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge upon request, by calling toll free at 1-800-238-7701.
Management Agreement Renewal
In connection with a Board meeting held on June 23, 2011 (the "Meeting"), the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust nor parties to the investment advisory agreement nor interested persons of any party to the investment advisory agreement (the "Independent Trustees"), discussed the renewal of the investment advisory management agreement (the "Management Services Agreement") between the Trust and the Adviser, on behalf of the Archer Balanced Fund. In considering the renewal of the Management Services Agreement, the Board interviewed the Adviser and received materials specifically relating to the Management Services Agreement. These materials included: (a) performance and expense data for a peer group of funds and appropriate indices with respect to the Fund; (b) arrangements with respect to the distribution of the Fund's shares; and (c) the resources available with respect to compliance with the Fund's investment policies and restrictions and with policies on personal securities transactions. Additional information was furnished by the Adviser including (a) the Adviser’s ADV; (b) information on the overall organization of the Adviser; (c) investment management staffing; and (d) the overall financial condition of the Adviser and, in particular, the Adviser’s financial condition as it relates to the Management of the Fund.
In their consideration of renewing the Management Services Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, did not identify any single factor as controlling. Matters considered by the Board, including the Independent Trustees, in connection with its renewal of the Management Services Agreement include the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. As to the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Board considered the Adviser's investment philosophy and strategy. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the Adviser's Form ADV which described the operations and policies of the Adviser. The Trustees also reviewed a description of the organizational structure of the Adviser, noting that while the Adviser is owned 100% by Troy C. Patton, it has two additional portfolio managers and several additional personnel who participate with its daily operations. Therefore, the Trustees concluded that the Adviser is adequately staffed relative to its responsibilities and obligations to the Fund. They also observed that the
THE ARCHER FUNDS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AUGUST 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
Adviser's operational and compliance processes are well designed and give the Trustees confidence that the Fund will be managed in conformity with its investment objective and restrictions. The Trustees also considered the administrative services that the Adviser and its employees would provide to the Fund, and the services already provided by the Adviser related to organizing the Fund. Additionally, the Trustees noted some of the prominent features of the Adviser's investment process, including ongoing reviews of financial market developments. The Adviser certified to the Board that it had complied with the Trust's Code of Ethics. The Trustees also evaluated the investment management experience of the Adviser and the fact that the Advisor is the current Advisor of the Archer Balanced Fund, the Archer Stock Fund and the Archer Income Fund. In particular, the Adviser described to the Trustees its experience actively managing separate accounts for over six (6) years. The Trustees concluded that the Adviser has provided high quality advisory services to the Fund, and that the nature and extent of services provided by the Adviser were reasonable and consistent with the Board's expectations and those set forth in the current and proposed Management Services Agreement.
Performance. As to the Fund's performance, the Trustees reviewed performance information relative to the Fund's benchmark, and its peer group within its Morningstar category. The Trustees noted that for the annual period ended December 31, 2010, the Fund lagged the Moderate Allocation Morningstar Index by 7.72%. The returns of the Fund during this period were 2.12% from its fixed income securities and 1.99% from its equity securities. The Trustees further noted that the Fund has a one star ranking in Morningstar’s Moderate Allocation Category which the Adviser attributed to the Fund’s last three years lackluster performance compared to its benchmark. While the Trustees noted concern over the Fund's sub-Index performance, they concurred with the Adviser's view that, generally, over time, some portion of any below-Index performance could be attributed to the fees and expenses paid by the Fund when compared to the Index that pays none. Overall, the Trustees concluded that performance was acceptable, although they would continue to monitor performance with the expectation that performance versus the Fund's Index and peer group would improve.
Fees and Expenses. The Trustees then reviewed information in the peer group studies comparing the expense ratio of the Fund to those of a peer group. They noted that the Fund's expense reimbursement is slightly above the peer group average. Further, the Trustees considered that, giving effect to the Expense Limitation Agreement, the Fund’s expense ratio is lower than the expense ratio of some other funds in its category determined to be comparable to the Fund based on the type of fund, the style of investment management, the location of the companies invested in, and/or the nature of the markets invested in, among other factors. The Trustees noted that the total fees and expenses of the Fund were within a range of reasonable expenses when compared to a peer group. The Trustees concluded that the Fund's management fee is fair and reasonable, particularly when considering the size of the Fund.
Economies of Scale. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered whether there have been any economies of scale in respect of the management of the Fund and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. In doing so, the Board considered the potential benefits for the Adviser in managing multiple series under the Trust, including promotion of the Adviser’s name, the ability for the Adviser to place small accounts into the Fund, and the potential for the Adviser to generate soft dollars from Fund trades that may benefit the Adviser’s clients other than the Fund. After comparing the fees under the Management Services Agreement with those paid by comparable funds and considering all of the foregoing, the Board concluded that the fees to be paid to the Adviser by each Fund were fair and reasonable.
Profitability. As to costs incurred by and profits realized by the Adviser, the Board reviewed information regarding the adviser's management fee income for the period ended December 31, 2010, as presented by the Adviser. The Trustees noted that the Adviser is currently earning a modest monthly fee for its provision of management services, administrator services and compliance services.
Conclusion. Having requested and received such information from the Adviser as the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate renewing the Management Services Agreement, and as
THE ARCHER FUNDS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AUGUST 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
assisted by the advice of independent counsel, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the overall arrangement provided under the terms of the Management Services Agreement was a reasonable business arrangement and that renewal of the Management Services Agreement was in the best interests of the Trust and the Fund's shareholders.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Archer Investment Corporation, Inc.
9000 Keystone Crossing, Suite 630
Indianapolis, IN 46240
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Sanville & Company
1514 Old York Road
Abington, PA 19001
LEGAL COUNSEL
Law Office of C. Richard Ropka, LLC
215 Fries Mill Road
Turnersville, NJ 08012
CUSTODIAN
Huntington National Bank
41 South Street
Columbus, OH 43125
TRANSFER AGENT AND FUND ACCOUNTANT
Mutual Shareholder Services
8000 Town Centre Drive, Suite 400
Broadview Heights, OH 44147
This report is intended only for the information of shareholders or those who have received the Funds’ prospectus which contains information about the Funds’ management fee and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
A copy of the Code of Ethics is attached as an exhibit
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that David Miller will act as its Audit Committee Financial Expert. Mr. Miller is independent for purposes of this Item 3. He has become an expert as a result of his experience during his thirty (30) years as a Principal of a FINRA registered broker-dealer.
The registrant's Board of Trustees has determined that the registrant has an Audit Committee Financial Expert. Mr. Miller is independent and is not an interested person as such is defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Both the full Board of Trustees and the Audit Committee members have approved Mr. Miller as the Audit Committee Financial Expert and Mr. Miller has agreed to serve in that capacity.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a)
Audit Fees
FY 2011
$ 24,000
FY 2010
$ 8,000
(b)
Audit-Related Fees
Registrant
FY 2011
$ 0
FY 2010
$ 0
Nature of the fees:
Not applicable.
(c)
Tax Fees
Registrant
FY 2011
$ 5,200
FY 2010
$ 0
Nature of the fees:
Tax preparation and filing.
(d)
All Other Fees
Registrant
FY 2011
$ 0
FY 2010
$ 0
Nature of the fees:
Not applicable.
(e)
(1)
Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies
The audit committee approves all audit and non-audit related services and, therefore, has not adopted pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(2)
Percentages of Services Approved by the Audit Committee
None of the services described in paragraph (b) through (d) of this Item were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f)
During audit of registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year, less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.
(g)
The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant:
Registrant
FY 2011
$ 0
FY 2010
$ 0
(h)
The registrant's audit committee has not considered whether the provision of non-audit services to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant, that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies. Not applicable.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments. Not applicable – schedule filed with Item 1.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Funds. Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Funds. Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Funds. Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not Applicable
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a)
Disclosure Controls & Procedures. Principal executive and financial officers have concluded that Registrant’s disclosure controls & procedures are effective based on their evaluation as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
(b)
Internal Controls. There were no significant changes in Registrant’s internal controls of in other factors that could significantly effect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1)
EX-99.CODE ETH. Filed herewith.
(a)(2)
EX-99.CERT. Filed herewith.
(a)(3)
Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable.
(b)
EX-99.906CERT. Filed 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.
Archer Investment Series Trust
By /s/Troy C. Patton
* Troy C. Patton
President and Trustee
Date June 12, 2012
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.