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 811-23611
James Alpha Funds Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
515 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10022
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Emile R. Molineaux
80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110, Hauppauge, NY 11788
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 623-266-4567
Date of fiscal year end: 2/28
Date of reporting period: 8/31/23
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
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![(EASTERLY FUNDS LOGO)](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001580642-23-006084/ef001_v1.jpg) |
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JAMES ALPHA FUNDS TRUST d/b/a EASTERLY FUNDS TRUST |
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CLASS A, C, I AND R6 SHARES |
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SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT |
August 31, 2023 |
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THIS REPORT IS AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION ONLY TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TO OTHERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED A COPY OF THE PROSPECTUS. |
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August 31, 2023
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
We are pleased to provide you with this semiannual report on the economy, capital markets as well as performance of the Easterly Snow Capital Long/Short and Small Cap Value mutual funds. This report covers the semiannual period from February 28, 2023 through August 31, 2023. During the period, the Easterly Small Cap Value Fund (SNWIX) had a return of 5.8%, compared to a return of -2.0% for the Russell 2000 Value Index. For the same six-month period, the Long/Short Opportunity Fund (SNOIX) had a total return of 1.3%, compared to a return of 4.0% for the Russell 3000 Value Index.
Most major indexes posted positive results for the period. The market advance came amid moderating inflation and signs that the US economy remains resilient in spite of higher interest rates. The drivers of performance diverged significantly as large cap performed meaningfully better than small cap. Across the market cap spectrum, the growth style of investing outpaced value.
With the tailwind of lofty market returns through the last six-months, investors have embraced the idea of a soft economic landing, peak rates and disinflation, thereby pushing the bulls to bears ratio ever wider. Further supporting this argument, employment remains robust, with wage increases now offsetting the impact of higher inflation. Consumer balance sheets also remain healthy, with adequate cash resources and benign credit. While retailers are reporting a shift in spending from discretionary items to essentials, travel and entertainment show no signs of abating. Housing continues to be stronger than feared, driven by strong homebuyer balance sheets, new household formation and the fear of missing out.
Supply chain constraints, such as astronomical shipping costs and widespread scarcity of raw materials, have waned. Continued year-over-year improvement should drive higher margins if revenues can remain flat or better. Bloated inventories across many sectors have improved, especially in retail and semiconductors, two industries that were most affected by supply chain inefficiency. Headwinds in the financial sector persist after confidence was shaken in the spring with several bank failures. While lending standards have tightened, capital for borrowers is still available despite credit losses gradually normalizing.
From an asset class perspective, valuations of small versus large continue to remain near multi-decade lows, which we believe suggests a more favorable setup for small caps relative to large caps in the months ahead. Taken together, our funds have outpaced their indexes over full market cycles due to the consistent application of our investment approach. As such, we continue to hold companies with compelling business fundamentals, durable competitive advantages and recurring revenue streams that are generating strong cash flows to fund future growth. We also favor effective management teams, that have the right balance of strategic vision, financial discipline and capital allocation skills.
Looking ahead we expect more of the same on the economy and markets — a moderating rate of growth, but still in expansion. Corporate earnings may remain stagnant, though dispersion could become quite extreme as some companies will be better at increasing margins and reducing costs. Given the solid gains in capital asset prices during the past six-months, we believe investment results for the broad markets will be more muted in the quarters ahead. Variables including inflation, the
20231027-3198604
specter of a recession and Fed action will keep volatility levels elevated and pressure capital asset prices.
In closing, we remain dedicated to delivering strong long-term performance and transparent communications to our investors. Thank you for your confidence and commitment in Easterly Investment Partners. As always, we welcome your comments and questions.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Easterly Funds carefully. This and other information about the Easterly Funds is contained in your prospectus, which should be read carefully. To obtain an additional copy of the prospectus, please call 888.814.8180. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investments in stocks, bonds and mutual funds are not guaranteed and the principal value and investment return can fluctuate. Consequently, investors may receive back less than invested.
Russell 3000 Value Index measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the US equity universe. It is not possible to invest directly in the S&P 500.
The security holdings discussed may not be representative of the Funds’ current or future investments. Fund holdings are subject to change and should not be considered to be investment advice. Any statements not of a factual nature constitute opinions which are subject to change without notice. Information contained herein was obtained from recognized statistical services and other sources believed to be reliable and we therefore cannot make any representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
Easterly Funds, LLC serves as the Adviser to the Easterly Fund family of mutual funds and related portfolios. Easterly Funds, LLC is registered as investment advisers with the SEC. Effective 10/2/2023, the Easterly mutual funds are distributed by Easterly Securities, LLC. Although Easterly Funds, LLC is a registered investment adviser, registration itself does not imply and should not be interpreted to imply any particular level of skill or training.
20231027-3198604
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund
PORTFOLIO REVIEW (Unaudited)
August 31, 2023
The Fund’s performance figures* for each of the periods ended August 31, 2023 compared to its benchmarks:
| | | Annualized | Annualized | Annualized | Annualized |
| 6 Month | 1 Year Return | 5 Year Return | 10 Year Return | Since Inception* | Since Inception** |
Class I | 5..77% | 17.40% | 7.17% | 6.93% | 9.53% | N/A |
Class A | 5.66% | 17.12% | 6.91% | 6.66% | 9.26% | N/A |
Class A with load | (0.42)% | 10.38% | 5.65% | 6.03% | 8.75% | N/A |
Class C | 5.25% | 16.25% | 6.11% | 5.87% | 8.45% | N/A |
Class R6 | 5.77% | 17.40% | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1.66% |
Russell 2000® Value Total Return Index(a) | (1.94)% | 2.17% | 3.18% | 7.36% | 8.59% | (7.57)% |
Performance data quoted above is historical. Past performance does not guarantee future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so that shares when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. For more performance numbers current to the most recent month-end please call (833) 999-2636. The total operating expense ratio as stated in the fee table to the Portfolio’s prospectus dated July 1, 2023, is 2.20%, 2.45%, 3.20% and 2.20% for the I, A, C and R6 Classes, respectively.
| (a) | The Russell 2000® Value Total Return Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the US equity universe. The Russell 2000 is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 2000 is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased small-cap barometer and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not distort the performance and characteristics of the true small- cap opportunity set. |
| * | Inception date for Class I, A and C is November 30, 2010. |
| ** | Inception date for Class R6 is November 4, 2021. |
Top 10 Holdings by Industry | | % of Net Assets | |
Banking | | | 16.0 | % |
Insurance | | | 11.6 | % |
Commercial Support Services | | | 10.7 | % |
Leisure Facilities & Services | | | 9.6 | % |
Oil & Gas Producers | | | 9.5 | % |
Semiconductors | | | 8.3 | % |
Steel | | | 3.5 | % |
Food | | | 3.4 | % |
Automotive | | | 3.3 | % |
Technology Hardware | | | 2.9 | % |
Other/Cash & Equivalents | | | 21.2 | % |
| | | 100.0 | % |
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for a more detailed breakdown of the Fund’s assets.
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity Fund
PORTFOLIO REVIEW (Unaudited)
August 31, 2023
The Fund’s performance figures* for each of the periods ended August 31, 2023, compared to its benchmarks:
| | | Annualized | Annualized | Annualized | Annualized |
| 6 Month | 1 Year Return | 5 Year Return | 10 Year Return | Since Inception* | Since Inception** |
Class I | 1.28% | 9.28% | 7.09% | 6.31% | 5.89% | N/A |
Class A | 1.16% | 8.99% | 6.82% | 6.04% | 5.63% | N/A |
Class A with load | (4.65)% | 2.72% | 5.57% | 5.42% | 5.27% | N/A |
Class C | 0.76% | 8.20% | 6.04% | 5.26% | 4.87% | N/A |
Class R6 | 1.28% | 9.28% | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1.88% |
Russell 3000® Value Total Return Index(a) | 3.97% | 8.21% | 6.83% | 9.02% | 6.98% | (0.74)% |
70% Russell 3000® Value Total Return/30% ICE BofA Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Blend Index(b) | 3.61% | 7.42% | 5.69% | 6.85% | 5.54% | 0.58% |
Performance data quoted above is historical. Past performance does not guarantee future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so that shares when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. For more performance numbers current to the most recent month-end please call (833) 999-2636. The total operating expense ratio as stated in the fee table to the Portfolio’s prospectus dated July 1, 2023, is 1.36%, 1.61%, 2.35% and 1.36% for the I, A, C and R6 Classes, respectively.
| (a) | The Russell 3000® Value Total Return Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 US companies representing approximately 97% of the investable US equity market. The Russell 3000 Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive, unbiased and stable barometer of the broad market and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure new and growing equities are included. |
| (b) | The 70% Russell 3000® Value Total Return/30% ICE BofA Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Blend Index consists of 70% Russell 3000® Value Total Return Index and 30% ICE BofA Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. The Russell 3000® Value Total Return Index measures the performance of the broad value segment of U.S. equity value universe. It includes those Russell 3000® companies with lower price-to- book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The ICE BofA Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income. |
| * | Inception date for Class I, A and C is April 28, 2006. |
| ** | Inception date for Class R6 is November 4, 2021. |
Top 10 Holdings by Industry | | % of Net Assets | |
Oil & Gas Producers | | | 13.8 | % |
Biotech & Pharma | | | 12.3 | % |
Banking | | | 11.3 | % |
Insurance | | | 6.2 | % |
Semiconductors | | | 5.2 | % |
Technology Hardware | | | 5.0 | % |
Metals & Mining | | | 3.8 | % |
Industrial Support Services | | | 3.1 | % |
Steel | | | 2.8 | % |
Home Construction | | | 2.5 | % |
Other/Cash & Equivalents | | | 34.0 | % |
| | | 100.0 | % |
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for a more detailed breakdown of the Fund’s assets.
EASTERLY SNOW SMALL CAP VALUE FUND |
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) |
August 31, 2023 |
Shares | | | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | COMMON STOCKS — 94.2% | | | | |
| | | | APPAREL & TEXTILE PRODUCTS - 1.0% | | | | |
| 3,165 | | | Carter’s, Inc. | | $ | 226,519 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | AUTOMOTIVE - 3.3% | | | | |
| 15,794 | | | Modine Manufacturing Company(a) | | | 751,636 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | BANKING - 16.0% | | | | |
| 28,976 | | | Columbia Banking System, Inc. | | | 593,428 | |
| 8,261 | | | Comerica, Inc. | | | 397,437 | |
| 32,292 | | | First Commonwealth Financial Corporation | | | 422,056 | |
| 36,644 | | | FNB Corporation | | | 426,170 | |
| 47,954 | | | KeyCorporation | | | 543,319 | |
| 3,813 | | | OFG Bancorp | | | 115,000 | |
| 34,000 | | | Old National Bancorp | | | 518,840 | |
| 16,407 | | | Zions Bancorp NA | | | 582,449 | |
| | | | | | | 3,598,699 | |
| | | | BIOTECH & PHARMA - 1.7% | | | | |
| 16,112 | | | Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a) | | | 377,343 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | COMMERCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES - 10.7% | | | | |
| 18,684 | | | ABM Industries, Inc. | | | 848,627 | |
| 8,558 | | | AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.(a) | | | 756,356 | |
| 31,032 | | | Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.(a) | | | 799,384 | |
| | | | | | | 2,404,367 | |
| | | | CONSUMER SERVICES - 0.7% | | | | |
| 1,796 | | | Medifast, Inc. | | | 151,475 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | FOOD - 3.4% | | | | |
| 30,701 | | | Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation(a) | | | 772,437 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | HOME & OFFICE PRODUCTS - 1.8% | | | | |
| 75,000 | | | ACCO Brands Corporation | | | 399,750 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY SNOW SMALL CAP VALUE FUND |
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) |
August 31, 2023 |
Shares | | | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | COMMON STOCKS — 94.2% (Continued) | | | | |
| | | | INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT SERVICES - 0.8% | | | | |
| 1,095 | | | WESCO International, Inc. | | $ | 177,226 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | INSURANCE - 11.6% | | | | |
| 12,385 | | | American Equity Investment Life Holding Company | | | 664,827 | |
| 38,390 | | �� | CNO Financial Group, Inc. | | | 898,326 | |
| 9,844 | | | Jackson Financial, Inc., Class A | | | 370,134 | |
| 26,070 | | | Lincoln National Corporation | | | 668,956 | |
| | | | | | | 2,602,243 | |
| | | | LEISURE FACILITIES & SERVICES - 9.6% | | | | |
| 27,348 | | | Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. | | | 767,385 | |
| 21,344 | | | Brinker International, Inc.(a) | | | 698,589 | |
| 42,500 | | | Cinemark Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 691,900 | |
| | | | | | | 2,157,874 | |
| | | | MACHINERY - 1.9% | | | | |
| 4,005 | | | Kennametal, Inc. | | | 106,012 | |
| 5,157 | | | Terex Corporation | | | 312,566 | |
| | | | | | | 418,578 | |
| | | | MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & DEVICES - 2.6% | | | | |
| 13,730 | | | Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation(a) | | | 584,074 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | OIL & GAS PRODUCERS - 9.5% | | | | |
| 7,033 | | | CNX Resources Corporation(a) | | | 157,188 | |
| 24,447 | | | Crescent Point Energy Corporation | | | 200,954 | |
| 32,699 | | | Delek US Holdings, Inc. | | | 841,999 | |
| 4,308 | | | HF Sinclair Corporation | | | 237,328 | |
| 103,599 | | | Southwestern Energy Company(a) | | | 702,401 | |
| | | | | | | 2,139,870 | |
| | | | REITS - 1.6% | | | | |
| 14,942 | | | Highwoods Properties, Inc. | | | 356,068 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | RETAIL - DISCRETIONARY - 2.7% | | | | |
| 1,615 | | | Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | | | 111,144 | |
| 15,094 | | | Urban Outfitters, Inc.(a) | | | 501,272 | |
| | | | | | | 612,416 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY SNOW SMALL CAP VALUE FUND |
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) |
August 31, 2023 |
Shares | | | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | COMMON STOCKS — 94.2% (Continued) | | | | |
| | | | SEMICONDUCTORS - 8.3% | | | | |
| 1,609 | | | Diodes, Inc.(a) | | $ | 131,697 | |
| 40,271 | | | Photronics, Inc.(a) | | | 956,839 | |
| 14,296 | | | Silicon Motion Technology Corporation - ADR | | | 776,416 | |
| | | | | | | 1,864,952 | |
| | | | SOFTWARE - 0.6% | | | | |
| 2,100 | | | Ziff Davis, Inc.(a) | | | 139,965 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | STEEL - 3.5% | | | | |
| 14,092 | | | Commercial Metals Company | | | 793,239 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE - 2.9% | | | | |
| 1,956 | | | Clearfield, Inc.(a) | | | 68,753 | |
| 2,155 | | | Super Micro Computer, Inc.(a) | | | 592,798 | |
| | | | | | | 661,551 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $18,175,902) | | | 21,190,282 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 94.2% (Cost $18,175,902) | | $ | 21,190,282 | |
| | | | OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES- 5.8% | | | 1,316,968 | |
| | | | NET ASSETS - 100.0% | | $ | 22,507,250 | |
| ADR | - American Depositary Receipt |
| REIT | - Real Estate Investment Trust |
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY SNOW LONG/SHORT OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) |
August 31, 2023 |
Shares | | | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | COMMON STOCKS — 86.6% | | | | |
| | | | AEROSPACE & DEFENSE - 1.4% | | | | |
| 2,965 | | | Lockheed Martin Corporation | | $ | 1,329,358 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | APPAREL & TEXTILE PRODUCTS - 2.2% | | | | |
| 25,327 | | | PVH Corporation | | | 2,117,337 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | BANKING - 11.3% | | | | |
| 65,520 | | | Bank of America Corporation | | | 1,878,458 | |
| 47,160 | | | Citigroup, Inc. | | | 1,947,236 | |
| 66,578 | | | Columbia Banking System, Inc. | | | 1,363,517 | |
| 81,000 | | | FNB Corporation | | | 942,030 | |
| 19,545 | | | JPMorgan Chase & Company | | | 2,860,020 | |
| 43,583 | | | Wells Fargo & Company | | | 1,799,542 | |
| | | | | | | 10,790,803 | |
| | | | BIOTECH & PHARMA - 12.3% | | | | |
| 16,275 | | | AbbVie, Inc. | | | 2,391,774 | |
| 9,887 | | | Amgen, Inc. | | | 2,534,434 | |
| 4,504 | | | Biogen, Inc.(a) | | | 1,204,189 | |
| 25,700 | | | Pacira BioSciences, Inc.(a) | | | 907,210 | |
| 57,166 | | | Pfizer, Inc. | | | 2,022,533 | |
| 21,500 | | | Sage Therapeutics, Inc.(a) | | | 430,000 | |
| 40,706 | | | Sanofi - ADR | | | 2,164,745 | |
| | | | | | | 11,654,885 | |
| | | | DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIALS - 2.2% | | | | |
| 30,350 | | | Pentair PLC | | | 2,132,391 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | ELECTRIC UTILITIES - 1.1% | | | | |
| 33,760 | | | Vistra Corporation | | | 1,060,739 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | FOOD - 2.0% | | | | |
| 75,283 | | | Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation(a) | | | 1,894,120 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | HEALTH CARE FACILITIES & SERVICES - 2.0% | | | | |
| 31,130 | | | Centene Corporation(a) | | | 1,919,165 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY SNOW LONG/SHORT OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) |
August 31, 2023 |
Shares | | | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | COMMON STOCKS — 86.6% (Continued) | | | | |
| | | | HOME CONSTRUCTION - 2.5% | | | | |
| 23,113 | | | Mohawk Industries, Inc.(a) | | $ | 2,343,427 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT SERVICES - 3.1% | | | | |
| 18,383 | | | WESCO International, Inc. | | | 2,975,289 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | INSURANCE - 6.2% | | | | |
| 59,840 | | | CNO Financial Group, Inc. | | | 1,400,256 | |
| 28,480 | | | Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) | | | 2,045,434 | |
| 38,347 | | | MetLife, Inc. | | | 2,428,899 | |
| | | | | | | 5,874,589 | |
| | | | LEISURE FACILITIES & SERVICES - 1.0% | | | | |
| 34,788 | | | Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. | | | 976,151 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | LEISURE PRODUCTS - 1.2% | | | | |
| 15,155 | | | Hasbro, Inc. | | | 1,091,160 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | MACHINERY - 1.2% | | | | |
| 18,804 | | | Terex Corporation | | | 1,139,710 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & DEVICES - 2.5% | | | | |
| 20,327 | | | Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. | | | 2,421,352 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | METALS & MINING - 3.8% | | | | |
| 86,876 | | | Alamos Gold, Inc., Class A | | | 1,115,488 | |
| 320,772 | | | B2Gold Corporation | | | 991,185 | |
| 37,103 | | | Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | | | 1,480,781 | |
| | | | | | | 3,587,454 | |
| | | | OIL & GAS PRODUCERS - 13.8% | | | | |
| 51,872 | | | Coterra Energy, Inc. | | | 1,462,272 | |
| 31,320 | | | EQT Corporation | | | 1,353,650 | |
| 73,851 | | | Marathon Oil Corporation | | | 1,945,974 | |
| 9,985 | | | Marathon Petroleum Corporation | | | 1,425,558 | |
| 42,610 | | | Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. | | | 1,782,376 | |
| 35,410 | | | Range Resources Corporation | | | 1,146,576 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY SNOW LONG/SHORT OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) |
August 31, 2023 |
Shares | | | | | | | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | COMMON STOCKS — 86.6% (Continued) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | OIL & GAS PRODUCERS - 13.8% (Continued) | | | | | | | | |
| 177,750 | | | Southwestern Energy Company(a) | | | | | | $ | 1,205,145 | |
| 82,579 | | | Suncor Energy, Inc. | | | | | | | 2,797,777 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 13,119,328 | |
| | | | SEMICONDUCTORS - 5.2% | | | | | | | | |
| 15,470 | | | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a) | | | | | | | 1,635,488 | |
| 44,104 | | | Intel Corporation | | | | | | | 1,549,815 | |
| 13,440 | | | Marvell Technology, Inc. | | | | | | | 782,880 | |
| 17,771 | | | Silicon Motion Technology Corporation - ADR | | | | | | | 965,143 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,933,326 | |
| | | | SOFTWARE - 2.1% | | | | | | | | |
| 7,296 | | | Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a) | | | | | | | 981,969 | |
| 26,041 | | | Open Text Corporation | | | | | | | 1,048,411 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2,030,380 | |
| | | | STEEL - 2.8% | | | | | | | | |
| 47,103 | | | Commercial Metals Company | | | | | | | 2,651,428 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE - 5.0% | | | | | | | | |
| 82,420 | | | NCR Corporation(a) | | | | | | | 2,535,240 | |
| 29,019 | | | NetApp, Inc. | | | | | | | 2,225,757 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4,760,997 | |
| | | | TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT - 1.7% | | | | | | | | |
| 19,661 | | | PACCAR, Inc. | | | | | | | 1,617,904 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $70,612,228) | | | | | | | 82,421,293 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal | | | | | Discount Rate | | | | | | |
Amount ($) | | | | | (%) | | Maturity | | Fair Value | |
| | | | SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 5.2% | | | | | | | | |
| | | | U.S. TREASURY BILLS — 5.2% | | | | | | | | |
| 5,000,000 | | | United States Treasury Bill(b) | | 5.1300 | | 10/03/23 | | | 4,976,481 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $4,977,133) | | | | | | | 4,976,481 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY SNOW LONG/SHORT OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued) |
August 31, 2023 |
Contracts(c) | | | | | Broker/Counterparty | | Expiration Date | | Exercise Price | | | Notional Value | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | EQUITY OPTIONS PURCHASED - 0.0% (d) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED - 0.0%(d) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 40 | | | General Electric Company | | JEF | | 12/15/2023 | | $ | 105 | | | $ | 420,000 | | | $ | 9,440 | |
| 24 | | | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | | JEF | | 12/15/2023 | | | 415 | | | | 996,000 | | | | 9,000 | |
| 50 | | | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | | JEF | | 01/19/2024 | | | 400 | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | 19,000 | |
| | | | TOTAL PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED (Cost - $68,949) | | | | | | 37,440 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL EQUITY OPTIONS PURCHASED (Cost - $68,949) | | | | | | | 37,440 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 91.8% (Cost $75,658,310) | | | | | | | $ | 87,435,214 | |
| | | | CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN - (0.3)% (Proceeds - $269,284) | | | | | | (317,785 | ) |
| | | | PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN - 0.0% (Proceeds - $215,698) | | | | | | (10,381 | ) |
| | | | OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES- 8.5% | | | | | | | | | 8,134,504 | |
| | | | NET ASSETS - 100.0% | | | | $ | 95,241,552 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Contracts(c) | | | | | Counterparty | | Expiration Date | | Exercise Price | | | Notional Value | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | WRITTEN EQUITY OPTIONS - (0.3)% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN- (0.3)% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 44 | | | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | | JEF | | 10/20/2023 | | $ | 110 | | | $ | 484,000 | | | $ | 21,340 | |
| 120 | | | Commercial Metals Company | | JEF | | 01/19/2024 | | | 60 | | | | 720,000 | | | | 37,200 | |
| 105 | | | EQT Corporation | | JEF | | 01/19/2024 | | | 50 | | | | 525,000 | | | | 17,115 | |
| 90 | | | Pentair Plc | | JEF | | 11/17/2023 | | | 73 | | | | 652,500 | | | | 22,275 | |
| 22 | | | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | | JEF | | 12/15/2023 | | | 450 | | | | 990,000 | | | | 35,750 | |
| 200 | | | Suncor Energy, Inc. | | JEF | | 01/19/2024 | | | 37 | | | | 740,000 | | | | 25,400 | |
| 97 | | | Terex Corporation | | JEF | | 10/20/2023 | | | 50 | | | | 485,000 | | | | 108,155 | |
| 31 | | | WESCO International, Inc. | | JEF | | 11/17/2023 | | | 155 | | | | 480,500 | | | | 50,375 | |
| 35 | | | Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. | | JEF | | 09/15/2023 | | | 140 | | | | 490,000 | | | | 175 | |
| | | | TOTAL CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Proceeds - $269,284) | | | | | | 317,785 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN - 0.0%(e) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 210 | | | Marathon Oil Corporation | | JEF | | 09/15/2023 | | $ | 23 | | | $ | 483,000 | | | $ | 630 | |
| 138 | | | Marvell Technology, Inc. | | JEF | | 09/15/2023 | | | 35 | | | | 483,000 | | | | 138 | |
| 81 | | | NetApp, Inc. | | JEF | | 09/15/2023 | | | 60 | | | | 486,000 | | | | 405 | |
| 173 | | | Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. | | JEF | | 09/15/2023 | | | 28 | | | | 484,400 | | | | 433 | |
| 210 | | | Range Resources Corporation | | JEF | | 09/15/2023 | | | 23 | | | | 483,000 | | | | 1,575 | |
| 150 | | | Truist Financial Corporation | | JEF | | 09/15/2023 | | | 30 | | | | 450,000 | | | | 7,200 | |
| | | | TOTAL PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN (Proceeds - $215,698) | | | | | 10,381 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL EQUITY OPTIONS WRITTEN (Proceeds - $484,982) | | | | | $ | 328,166 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY SNOW LONG/SHORT OPPORTUNITY FUND |
SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT (Unaudited) |
August 31, 2023 |
Shares | | | | | Fair Value | |
| | | | EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — (9.9)% | | | | |
| | | | EQUITY - (9.9)% | | | | |
| (17,780 | ) | | iShares Russell 1000 ETF | | $ | (4,405,706 | ) |
| (2,800 | ) | | iShares Russell 2000 ETF | | | (528,108 | ) |
| (7,980 | ) | | iShares Russell 3000 ETF | | | (2,061,633 | ) |
| (5,350 | ) | | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | | | (2,409,373 | ) |
| | | | | | | (9,404,820 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT - (Proceeds - $9,545,003) | | $ | (9,404,820 | ) |
ADR | - American Depositary Receipt |
| |
ETF | - Exchange-Traded Fund |
| |
LTD | - Limited Company |
| |
JEF | - Jefferies |
| |
PLC | - Public Limited Company |
| |
SPDR | - Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt |
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
| (c) | Each option contract allows the holder of the option to purchase or sell 100 shares of the underlying security. |
| (d) | Percentage rounds to less than 0.1%. |
| (e) | Percentage rounds to greater than (0.1%). |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited) |
August 31, 2023 |
| | Easterly Snow | | | Easterly Snow | |
| | Small Cap Value | | | Long/Short | |
| | Fund | | | Opportunity Fund | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments, at cost | | $ | 18,175,902 | | | $ | 75,658,310 | |
Total Investments, at value | | $ | 21,190,282 | | | $ | 87,435,214 | |
Cash | | | 1,302,514 | | | | 7,338,539 | |
Deposit at Broker | | | — | | | | 9,174,993 | |
Cash Collateral Held at Custodian | | | — | | | | 795,393 | |
Interest and dividends receivable | | | 54,273 | | | | 347,253 | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 30,170 | | | | 28,635 | |
Total Assets | | | 22,577,239 | | | | 105,120,027 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Options Written (premiums received $0 and $484,982) | | | — | | | | 328,166 | |
Securities sold short (proceeds $0 and $9,545,003) | | | — | | | | 9,404,820 | |
Payable for fund shares redeemed | | | 21,761 | | | | 4,407 | |
Administration fees payable | | | 10,088 | | | | 15,616 | |
Payable to manager | | | 2,661 | | | | 54,887 | |
Trustee fees payable | | | 7,062 | | | | 8,817 | |
Payable for distribution (12b-1) fees | | | 4,797 | | | | 24,284 | |
Compliance officer fees payable | | | 626 | | | | 638 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 22,994 | | | | 36,840 | |
Total Liabilities | | | 69,989 | | | | 9,878,475 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 22,507,250 | | | $ | 95,241,552 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Paid in capital | | $ | 22,250,847 | | | $ | 79,960,938 | |
Accumulated earnings | | | 256,403 | | | | 15,280,614 | |
Net Assets | | $ | 22,507,250 | | | $ | 95,241,552 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value Per Share | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 10,221,131 | | | $ | 48,922,588 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding | | | 204,994 | | | | 1,558,044 | |
Net asset value | | $ | 49.86 | | | $ | 31.40 | |
Offering price per share (maximum sales charge of 5.75%) | | $ | 52.90 | | | $ | 33.32 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 1,245,619 | | | $ | 2,736,343 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding | | | 27,632 | | | | 93,558 | |
Net asset value/offering price per share (b) | | $ | 45.08 | | | $ | 29.25 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 11,040,448 | | | $ | 43,582,584 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding | | | 214,455 | | | | 1,371,902 | |
Net asset value/offering/redemption price per share | | $ | 51.48 | | | $ | 31.77 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Class R6 | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 52 | | | $ | 37 | |
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding | | | 1 | | | | 1 | |
Net asset value/offering/redemption price per share | | $ | 51.58 | (a) | | $ | 31.76 | (a) |
| | | | | | | | |
| (a) | Doesn’t recalculate due to rounding. |
| (b) | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be charged on shares held less than 12 months. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) |
For the Six Months Ended August 31, 2023 |
| | Easterly Snow | | | Easterly Snow | |
| | Small Cap Value | | | Long/Short | |
| | Fund | | | Opportunity Fund | |
Investment Income: | | | | | | | | |
Dividend income | | $ | 272,031 | | | $ | 1,298,536 | |
Interest income | | | 31,553 | | | | 438,865 | |
Less: Foreign withholding taxes | | | (986 | ) | | | (25,169 | ) |
Total Investment Income | | | 302,598 | | | | 1,712,232 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Operating Expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Management fees | | | 113,976 | | | | 385,743 | |
Distribution (12b-1) fees | | | | | | | | |
Class A Shares | | | 11,945 | | | | 60,886 | |
Class C Shares | | | 7,505 | | | | 13,396 | |
Dividend expenses | | | — | | | | 49,078 | |
Legal fees | | | 27,391 | | | | 25,481 | |
Shareholder servicing fees | | | 10,482 | | | | 27,751 | |
Registration fees | | | 29,752 | | | | 26,272 | |
Administration fees | | | 11,525 | | | | 34,567 | |
Transfer Agent fees | | | 14,635 | | | | 14,371 | |
Trustees’ fees | | | 12,114 | | | | 10,796 | |
Custodian fees | | | 11,778 | | | | 12,531 | |
Audit fees | | | 7,562 | | | | 9,577 | |
Printing and postage expenses | | | 3,607 | | | | 7,840 | |
Compliance officer fees | | | 4,033 | | | | 4,033 | |
Insurance expenses | | | 800 | | | | 2,860 | |
Miscellaneous expenses | | | 1,951 | | | | 1,899 | |
Total Operating Expenses | | | 269,056 | | | | 687,081 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Less: Expenses waived | | | (99,828 | ) | | | — | |
Total Waivers | | | (99,828 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Operating Expenses | | | 169,228 | | | | 687,081 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Investment Income | | | 133,370 | | | | 1,025,151 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments: | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain/(loss) from: | | | | | | | | |
Investments and Foreign currency transactions | | | (216,086 | ) | | | 1,695,426 | |
Short Sales | | | — | | | | (236,825 | ) |
Options Purchased | | | — | | | | (117,804 | ) |
Options Written | | | — | | | | 405,220 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) | | | (216,086 | ) | | | 1,746,017 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on: | | | | | | | | |
Investments and Foreign currency translations | | | 965,895 | | | | (755,359 | ) |
Short Sales | | | — | | | | (811,813 | ) |
Options Purchased | | | — | | | | 3,046 | |
Options Written | | | — | | | | (149,519 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | 965,895 | | | | (1,713,645 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments: | | | 749,809 | | | | 32,372 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | | $ | 883,179 | | | $ | 1,057,523 | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS |
| | Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund | | | Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity Fund | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | August 31, 2023 | | | February 28, 2023 | | | August 31, 2023 | | | February 28, 2023 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 133,370 | | | $ | 58,662 | | | $ | 1,025,151 | | | $ | 1,206,588 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments | | | (216,086 | ) | | | (990,070 | ) | | | 1,746,017 | | | | 47,649 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | | | 965,895 | | | | 1,066,937 | | | | (1,713,645 | ) | | | (1,949,209 | ) |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 883,179 | | | | 135,529 | | | | 1,057,523 | | | | (694,972 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions to Shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2,963,119 | ) |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (3,142,717 | ) |
Class C | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (174,207 | ) |
Class R6 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2 | ) |
Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (6,280,045 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share Transactions of Beneficial Interest: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 1,776,990 | | | | 6,971,333 | | | | 712,721 | | | | 1,034,109 | |
Class A | | | 26,917 | | | | 97,796 | | | | 67,474 | | | | 2,584,159 | |
Class C | | | 3,000 | | | | 593,628 | | | | 25 | | | | 1,029 | |
Class R6 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,432,241 | |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 923,263 | |
Class C | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 165,874 | |
Class R6 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | (7,039,547 | ) | | | (1,844,443 | ) | | | (4,476,487 | ) | | | (1,614,637 | ) |
Class A | | | (36,396 | ) | | | (307,902 | ) | | | (2,222,995 | ) | | | (1,523,432 | ) |
Class C | | | (758,445 | ) | | | (235,843 | ) | | | (37,739 | ) | | | (344,251 | ) |
Class R6 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from share transactions of beneficial interest | | | (6,027,481 | ) | | | 5,274,569 | | | | (5,957,001 | ) | | | 3,658,357 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets | | | (5,144,302 | ) | | | 5,410,098 | | | | (4,899,478 | ) | | | (3,316,660 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year/period | | | 27,651,552 | | | | 22,241,454 | | | | 100,141,030 | | | | 103,457,690 | |
End of year/period | | $ | 22,507,250 | | | $ | 27,651,552 | | | $ | 95,241,552 | | | $ | 100,141,030 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share Activity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 38,207 | | | | 148,132 | | | | 23,853 | | | | 32,738 | |
Class A | | | 600 | | | | 2,259 | | | | 2,323 | | | | 86,074 | |
Class C | | | 69 | | | | 14,824 | | | | 1 | | | | 35 | |
Class R6 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Shares Reinvested | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 81,021 | |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 31,065 | |
Class C | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,960 | |
Class R6 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Shares redeemed | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | (152,969 | ) | | | (40,837 | ) | | | (144,017 | ) | | | (51,544 | ) |
Class A | | | (735 | ) | | | (6,647 | ) | | | (73,813 | ) | | | (48,398 | ) |
Class C | | | (17,768 | ) | | | (5,827 | ) | | | (1,335 | ) | | | (11,627 | ) |
Class R6 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Net increase/(decrease) in shares of beneficial interest | | | (132,596 | ) | | | 111,904 | | | | (192,988 | ) | | | 125,324 | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (For a share outstanding throughout each year/period) |
| | Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund | |
| | Class A | |
| | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | August 31, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 29, | | | February 28, | |
| | 2023 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year/Period | | $ | 47.21 | | | $ | 47.22 | | | $ | 44.01 | | | $ | 26.39 | | | $ | 31.57 | | | $ | 32.36 | |
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (1) | | | 0.24 | | | | 0.10 | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | 0.09 | | | | 0.01 | | | | (0.06 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | 2.41 | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | 3.36 | | | | 17.53 | | | | (5.19 | ) | | | (0.73 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.65 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 3.22 | | | | 17.62 | | | | (5.18 | ) | | | (0.79 | ) |
Dividends and Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Redemption Fees | | | — | | | | — | | | | 0.00 | * | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Year/Period | | $ | 49.86 | | | $ | 47.21 | | | $ | 47.22 | | | $ | 44.01 | | | $ | 26.39 | | | $ | 31.57 | |
Total Return** | | | 5.61 | % (6),(7) | | | (0.02 | )% (6) | | | 7.32 | % | | | 66.81 | % | | | (16.41 | )% | | | (2.44 | )% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of year/period (000s) | | $ | 10,221 | | | $ | 9,683 | | | $ | 9,893 | | | $ | 9,223 | | | $ | 10,071 | | | $ | 12,948 | |
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,3) | | | 2.34 | % (8) | | | 2.45 | % | | | 2.39 | % | | | 3.82 | % | | | 2.41 | % | | | 2.14 | % |
Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,3) | | | 1.50 | % (8) | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.51 | % | | | 1.51 | % | | | 1.50 | % |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) before expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 0.21 | % (8) | | | (0.71 | )% | | | (1.18 | )% | | | (2.00 | )% | | | (0.90 | )% | | | (0.83 | )% |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) after expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 1.04 | % (8) | | | 0.22 | % | | | (0.30 | )% | | | 0.30 | % | | | 0.02 | % | | | (0.19 | )% |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 30 | % (7) | | | 38 | % | | | 62 | % | | | 86 | % | | | 44 | % | | | 52 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund | |
| | Class C | |
| | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | August 31, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | |
| | 2023 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year/Period | | $ | 42.84 | | | $ | 43.17 | | | $ | 40.54 | | | $ | 24.48 | | | $ | 29.51 | | | $ | 30.48 | |
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (1) | | | 0.05 | | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.46 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | 2.19 | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | 3.09 | | | | 16.16 | | | | (4.82 | ) | | | (0.68 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.24 | | | | (0.33 | ) | | | 2.63 | | | | 16.06 | | | | (5.03 | ) | | | (0.97 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Redemption Fees | | | — | | | | — | | | | 0.00 | * | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Year/Period | | $ | 45.08 | | | $ | 42.84 | | | $ | 43.17 | | | $ | 40.54 | | | $ | 24.48 | | | $ | 29.51 | |
Total Return** | | | 5.23 | % (6),(7) | | | (0.76 | )% (6) | | | 6.49 | % | | | 65.60 | % | | | (17.05 | )% | | | (3.18 | )% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of year/period (000s) | | $ | 1,246 | | | $ | 1,942 | | | $ | 1,569 | | | $ | 1,746 | | | $ | 2,695 | | | $ | 4,294 | |
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,4) | | | 3.09 | % (8) | | | 3.20 | % | | | 3.08 | % | | | 4.63 | % | | | 3.16 | % | | | 2.89 | % |
Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,4) | | | 2.25 | % (8) | | | 2.25 | % | | | 2.25 | % | | | 2.26 | % | | | 2.26 | % | | | 2.25 | % |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) before expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | (0.60 | )% (8) | | | (1.50 | )% | | | (1.88 | )% | | | (2.80 | )% | | | (1.64 | )% | | | (1.58 | )% |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) after expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 0.23 | % (8) | | | (0.55 | )% | | | (1.05 | )% | | | (0.43 | )% | | | (0.73 | )% | | | 0.94 | % |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 30 | % (7) | | | 38 | % | | | 62 | % | | | 86 | % | | | 44 | % | | | 52 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| * | Less than $0.005 cent per share. |
| ** | Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and does not assume the effects of any sales charges. Aggregate (not annualized) total return is shown for any period shorter than one year. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on distributions or on the redemption of shares. |
| (1) | Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year/period. |
| (2) | The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
| (3) | Ratios to average net assets (excluding interest expense) |
Expenses, before waiver and reimbursement | | | 2.34 | % (8) | | | 2.45 | % | | | 2.39 | % | | | 3.80 | % | | | 2.40 | % | | | 2.14 | % |
Expenses, net waiver and reimbursement | | | 1.50 | % (8) | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (4) | Ratios to average net assets (excluding interest expense) |
Expenses, before waiver and reimbursement | | | 3.09 | % (8) | | | 3.20 | % | | | 3.08 | % | | | 4.62 | % | | | 3.15 | % | | | 2.89 | % |
Expenses, net waiver and reimbursement | | | 2.25 | % (8) | | | 2.25 | % | | | 2.25 | % | | | 2.25 | % | | | 2.25 | % | | | 2.25 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (5) | Recognition of net investment income (loss) is affected by the timing and declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
| (6) | Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions. |
| (8) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (For a share outstanding throughout each year/period) |
| | Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund | |
| | Class I | |
| | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | August 31, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 29, | | | February 28, | |
| | 2023 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year/Period | | $ | 48.68 | | | $ | 48.57 | | | $ | 45.23 | | | $ | 27.05 | | | $ | 32.28 | | | | $33. .00 | |
’ Income (Loss) from Investment Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (1) | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.20 | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | 0.15 | | | | 0.09 | | | | 0. .02 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | 2.50 | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | 3.45 | | | | 18.03 | | | | (5.32 | ) | | | (0. .74) | |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.80 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 3.42 | | | | 18.18 | | | | (5.23 | ) | | | (0. .72) | |
Dividends and Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Redemption Fees * | | | — | | | | — | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0.00 | | | | 0. .00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Year/Period | | $ | 51.48 | | | $ | 48.68 | | | $ | 48.57 | | | $ | 45.23 | | | $ | 27.05 | | | | $32. .28 | |
Total Return** | | | 5.75 | % (6),(8) | | | 0.23 | % (8) | | | 7.57 | % | | | 67.21 | % | | | (16.20 | )% | | | (2. .21 | )% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of year/period (000s) | | $ | 11,040 | | | $ | 16,026 | | | $ | 10,779 | | | $ | 7,926 | | | $ | 7,679 | | | $ | 14,839 | |
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,3) | | | 2.08 | % (7) | | | 2.20 | % | | | 2.14 | % | | | 3.58 | % | | | 2.16 | % | | | 1. .89 | % |
Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,3) | | | 1.25 | % (7) | | | 1.25 | % | | | 1.25 | % | | | 1.26 | % | | | 1.26 | % | | | 1. .25 | % |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) before expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 0.44 | % (7) | | | (0.50 | )% | | | (0.95 | )% | | | (1.78 | )% | | | (0.63 | )% | | | (0. .57 | )% |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) after expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 1.27 | % (7) | | | 0.45 | % | | | (0.07 | )% | | | 0.54 | % | | | 0.27 | % | | | 0. .07 | % |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 30 | % (6) | | | 38 | % | | | 62 | % | | | 86 | % | | | 44 | % | | | 52 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Class R6*** | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Period Ended | | | | | | | | | | |
| | August 31, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2023 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year/Period | | $ | 48.68 | | | $ | 48.57 | | | $ | 50.04 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (1) | | | 0.56 | | | | 0.20 | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized loss | | | 2.34 | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.90 | | | | 0.11 | | | | (1.39 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends and Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Year/Period | | $ | 51.58 | | | $ | 48.68 | | | $ | 48.57 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return** | | | 5.96 | % (6),(8) | | | 0.23 | % (8) | | | (2.77 | )% (6) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of year/period (000s) | | $ | 0 | **** | | $ | 0 | **** | | $ | 0 | **** | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets excluding interest expense (2,4) | | | 2.08 | % (7) | | | 2.20 | % | | | 2.14 | % (7) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,4) | | | 1.00 | % (7) | | | 1.00 | % | | | 1.00 | % (7) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) before expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 2.32 | % (7) | | | 1.65 | % | | | 1.25 | % (7) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) after expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 2.33 | % (7) | | | 0.45 | % | | | (0.02 | )% (7) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 30 | % (6) | | | 38 | % | | | 62 | % (6) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| * | Less than $0.005 cent per share. |
| ** | Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and does not assume the effects of any sales charges. Aggregate (not annualized) total return is shown for any period shorter than one year. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on distributions or on the redemption of shares. |
| *** | Class R6 commenced operations on November 4, 2021. |
| (1) | Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year/period. |
| (2) | The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
| (3) | Ratios to average net assets (excluding interest expense) |
Expenses, before waiver and reimbursement | | | 2.08 | % (7) | | | 2.20 | % | | | 2.14 | % | | | 3.57 | % | | | 2.15 | % | | | 1.88 | % |
Expenses, net waiver and reimbursement | | | 1.25 | % (7) | | | 1.25 | % | | | 1.25 | % | | | 1.25 | % | | | 1.25 | % | | | 1.25 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (4) | Ratios to average net assets (excluding interest expense) |
Expenses, before waiver and reimbursement | | | 2.08 | % (7) | | | 2.20 | % | | | 2.14 | % (7) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net waiver and reimbursement | | | 1.00 | % (7) | | | 1.00 | % | | | 1.00 | % (7) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (5) | Recognition of net investment income (loss) is affected by the timing and declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
| (7) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (8) | Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (For a share outstanding throughout each year/period) |
| | Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity Fund | |
| | Class A | |
| | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | August 31, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 29, | | | February 28, | |
| | 2023 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year/Period | | $ | 31.04 | | | $ | 33.38 | | | $ | 31.48 | | | $ | 25.42 | | | $ | 26.07 | | | $ | 26.95 | |
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (1) | | | 0.31 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.17 | | | | 0.16 | | | | 0.27 | | | | 0.31 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | 0.05 | | | | (0.66 | ) | | | 4.63 | | | | 6.32 | | | | (0.44 | ) | | | (0.77 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.36 | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | 4.80 | | | | 6.48 | | | | (0.17 | ) | | | (0.46 | ) |
Dividends and Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | (0.34 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) | | | (0.48 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) |
Distributions from realized gains | | | — | | | | (1.88 | ) | | | (2.56 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | — | | | | (2.04 | ) | | | (2.90 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) | | | (0.48 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Year/Period | | $ | 31.40 | | | $ | 31.04 | | | $ | 33.38 | | | $ | 31.48 | | | $ | 25.42 | | | $ | 26.07 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return* | | | 1.16 | % (7) | | | (0.62 | )% (6) | | | 15.40 | % | | | 25.71 | % | | | (0.85 | )% | | | (1.55 | )% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of year/period (000s) | | $ | 48,923 | | | $ | 50,585 | | | $ | 52,102 | | | $ | 46,551 | | | $ | 51,478 | | | $ | 64,079 | |
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,3) | | | 1.51 | % (8) | | | 1.61 | % | | | 1.65 | % | | | 2.04 | % | | | 1.70 | % | | | 1.57 | % |
Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,3) | | | 1.51 | % (8) | | | 1.58 | % | | | 1.68 | % | | | 2.00 | % | | | 1.70 | % | | | 1.57 | % |
Ratio of net investment income before expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 2.01 | % (8) | | | 1.11 | % | | | 0.51 | % | | | 0.59 | % | | | 0.98 | % | | | 1.15 | % |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) after expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 2.02 | % (8) | | | 1.14 | % | | | 0.49 | % | | | 0.63 | % | | | 0.98 | % | | | 1.15 | % |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 46 | % (7) | | | 58 | % | | | 51 | % | | | 74 | % | | | 54 | % | | | 38 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity Fund | |
| | Class C | |
| | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | August 31, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 29, | | | February 28, | |
| | 2023 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year/Period | | $ | 29.02 | | | $ | 31.41 | | | $ | 29.75 | | | $ | 23.85 | | | $ | 24.36 | | | $ | 25.11 | |
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) (1) | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.12 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | 0.07 | | | | 0.10 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | 0.05 | | | | (0.63 | ) | | | 4.38 | | | | 5.93 | | | | (0.44 | ) | | | (0.70 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.23 | | | | (0.51 | ) | | | 4.32 | | | | 5.90 | | | | (0.37 | ) | | | (0.60 | ) |
Dividends and Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | — | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) |
Distributions from realized gains | | | — | | | | (1.88 | ) | | | (2.56 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | — | | | | (1.88 | ) | | | (2.66 | ) | | | — | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Year/Period | | $ | 29.25 | | | $ | 29.02 | | | $ | 31.41 | | | $ | 29.75 | | | $ | 23.85 | | | $ | 24.36 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return* | | | 0.79 | % (6),(7) | | | (1.37 | )% | | | 14.64 | % | | | 24.74 | % | | | (1.58 | )% | | | (2.29 | )% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of year/period (000s) | | $ | 2,736 | | | $ | 2,754 | | | $ | 3,158 | | | $ | 3,938 | | | $ | 9,744 | | | $ | 16,735 | |
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,4) | | | 2.25 | % (8) | | | 2.35 | % | | | 2.32 | % | | | 2.79 | % | | | 2.45 | % | | | 2.32 | % |
Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,4) | | | 2.25 | % (8) | | | 2.32 | % | | | 2.35 | % | | | 2.75 | % | | | 2.45 | % | | | 2.32 | % |
Ratio of net investment income before expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 1.27 | % (8) | | | 0.36 | % | | | (0.16 | )% | | | (0.18 | )% | | | 0.25 | % | | | 0.40 | % |
Ratio of net investment income after expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,5) | | | 1.28 | % (8) | | | 0.39 | % | | | (0.18 | )% | | | (0.14 | )% | | | 0.25 | % | | | 0.40 | % |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 46 | % (7) | | | 58 | % | | | 51 | % | | | 74 | % | | | 54 | % | | | 38 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| * | Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and does not assume the effects of any sales charges. Aggregate (not annualized) total return is shown for any period shorter than one year. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on distributions or on the redemption of shares. |
| (1) | Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year/period. |
| (2) | The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
| (3) | Ratios to average net assets (excluding interest expense) |
Expenses, before waiver and reimbursement | | | 1.41 | % (8) | | | 1.48 | % | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.59 | % | | | 1.41 | % | | | 1.41 | % |
Expenses, net waiver and reimbursement | | | 1.41 | % (8) | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.48 | % | | | 1.55 | % | | | 1.41 | % | | | 1.41 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (4) | Ratios to average net assets (excluding interest expense) |
Expenses, before waiver and reimbursement | | | 2.16 | % (8) | | | 2.22 | % | | | 2.10 | % | | | 2.34 | % | | | 2.16 | % | | | 2.16 | % |
Expenses, net waiver and reimbursement | | | 2.16 | % (8) | | | 2.19 | % | | | 2.13 | % | | | 2.30 | % | | | 2.16 | % | | | 2.16 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (5) | Recognition of net investment income (loss) is affected by the timing and declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
| (6) | Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions. |
| (8) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (For a share outstanding throughout each year/period) |
| | Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity Fund | |
| | Class I | |
| | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | For the | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Year Ended | |
| | August 31, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | February 29, | | | February 28, | |
| | 2023 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year/Period | | $ | 31.37 | | | $ | 33.71 | | | $ | 31.76 | | | $ | 25.68 | | | $ | 26.34 | | | $ | 27.24 | |
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (1) | | | 0.35 | | | | 0.44 | | | | 0.25 | | | | 0.22 | | | | 0.34 | | | | 0.37 | |
Net realized and gain (loss) | | | 0.05 | | | | (0.66 | ) | | | 4.69 | | | | 6.39 | | | | (0.44 | ) | | | (0.78 | ) |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.40 | | | | (0.22 | ) | | | 4.94 | | | | 6.61 | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.41 | ) |
Dividends and Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | (0.53 | ) | | | (0.56 | ) | | | (0.49 | ) |
Distributions from realized gains | | | — | | | | (1.88 | ) | | | (2.56 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | — | | | | (2.12 | ) | | | (2.99 | ) | | | (0.53 | ) | | | (0.56 | ) | | | (0.49 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Year/Period | | $ | 31.77 | | | $ | 31.37 | | | $ | 33.71 | | | $ | 31.76 | | | $ | 25.68 | | | $ | 26.34 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return* | | | 1.28 | % (5) | | | (0.36 | )% (8) | | | 15.69 | % | | | 26.00 | % | | | (0.60 | )% | | | (1.30 | )% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of year/period (000s) | | $ | 43,583 | | | $ | 46,802 | | | $ | 48,198 | | | $ | 45,372 | | | $ | 44,559 | | | $ | 70,730 | |
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,3) | | | 1.26 | % (6) | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.41 | % | | | 1.79 | % | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.32 | % |
Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,3) | | | 1.26 | % (6) | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.44 | % | | | 1.75 | % | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.32 | % |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) before expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,7) | | | 2.26 | % (6) | | | 1.36 | % | | | 0.75 | % | | | 0.79 | % | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.40 | % |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) after expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,7) | | | 2.27 | % (6) | | | 1.39 | % | | | 0.72 | % | | | 0.83 | % | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.40 | % |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 46 | % (5) | | | 58 | % | | | 51 | % | | | 74 | % | | | 54 | % | | | 38 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity Fund | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Class R6** | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the | | | For the | | | For the | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | Year Ended | | | Period Ended | | | | | | | | | | |
| | August 31, | | | February 28, | | | February 28, | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2023 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year/Period | | $ | 31.37 | | | $ | 33.71 | | | $ | 35.83 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (Loss) from Investment Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (1) | | | 0.38 | | | | 0.44 | | | | 0.12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized and gain (loss) | | | 0.01 | | | | (0.66 | ) | | | 0.75 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.39 | | | | (0.22 | ) | | | 0.87 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends and Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions from realized gains | | | — | | | | (1.88 | ) | | | (2.56 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | — | | | | (2.12 | ) | | | (2.99 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Year/Period | | $ | 31.76 | | | $ | 31.37 | | | $ | 33.71 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Return* | | | 1.24 | % (5),(8) | | | (0.36 | )% (8) | | | 2.55 | % (5) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of year/period (000s) | | $ | 0 | *** | | $ | 0 | *** | | $ | 0 | *** | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,4) | | | 1.26 | % (6) | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.41 | % (6) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets including interest expense (2,4) | | | 1.10 | % (6) | | | 1.13 | % | | | 1.23 | % (6) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) before expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,7) | | | 2.43 | % (6) | | | 2.25 | % | | | 1.49 | % (6) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of net investment income after expense reimbursement to average net assets (2,7) | | | 2.43 | % (6) | | | 1.77 | % | | | 1.05 | % (6) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 46 | % (5) | | | 58 | % | | | 51 | % (5) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| * | Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and does not assume the effects of any sales charges. Aggregate (not annualized) total return is shown for any period shorter than one year. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on distributions or on the redemption of shares. |
| ** | R6 commenced operations on November 4, 2021. |
| (1) | Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the year/period. |
| (2) | The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
| (3) | Ratios to average net assets (excluding interest expense) |
Expenses, before waiver and reimbursement | | | 1.16 | % (6) | | | 1.23 | % | | | 1.18 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.16 | % | | | 1.16 | % |
Expenses, net waiver and reimbursement | | | 1.16 | % (6) | | | 1.20 | % | | | 1.21 | % | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.16 | % | | | 1.16 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (4) | Ratios to average net assets (excluding interest expense) |
Expenses, before waiver and reimbursement | | | 1.16 | % (6) | | | 1.23 | % | | | 1.18 | % (6) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses, net waiver and reimbursement | | | 1.00 | % (6) | | | 1.00 | % | | | 1.00 | % (6) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (6) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (7) | Recognition of net investment income (loss) by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
| (8) | Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Six Months Ended August 31, 2023 (Unaudited) |
| 1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
James Alpha Fund Trust dba Easterly Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized on September 21, 2020, as a Delaware Statutory Trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The Trust currently consists of five series. These financial statements include the following two diversified series:
Fund Name | Investment Objective |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund | Long Term Capital Appreciation |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity Fund | Long Term Capital Appreciation and protection of investment principal |
Currently, Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund and Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity Fund offers Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R6 shares. Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus a maximum sales load of 5.75%. Class C shares are offered subject to a CDSC of 1.00%. Class I and Class R6 shares are offered at net asset value. Each class represents an interest in the same assets of the applicable Fund, and the classes are identical except for differences in their sales charge structures, ongoing services, and distribution charges. Class R6 shares are only available to certain qualified investors and the minimum initial investment will vary depending on the type of qualified investor. All classes of shares have equal voting privileges except that each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to its service and/or distribution plans.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies”.
(a) Valuation of Investments
Investment securities listed on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sale price on the valuation date. NASDAQ traded securities are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (NOCP). If there are no such reported sales, the securities are valued at the mean between current bid and ask. Short-term debt securities having a remaining maturity of sixty days or less may be valued at amortized cost or amortized value, which approximates market value. Options listed on a securities exchange or board of trade for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued at the last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the last bid and ask price. Options not listed on a securities exchange or board of trade for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available shall be valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices. Any securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). There is no single standard for determining the fair value of such securities. Rather, in determining the fair value of a security, the board-appointed Valuation Designee shall take into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances, a few of which may include: (i) the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; (ii) whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; and (iii) possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of a security.
Valuation of Fund of Funds – The Funds may invest in portfolios of open-end or closed-end investment companies (the “Underlying Funds”). The Underlying Funds value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value based upon the methods established by the board of directors of the Underlying Funds.
Open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by such investment companies. The shares of many closed-end investment companies, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is different than the net asset value per share. The difference represents a market premium or market discount of such shares. There can be no assurances that the market discount or market premium on shares of any closed-end investment company purchased by the Funds will not change.
The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of most of its investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of input are:
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Funds have the ability to access.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Six Months Ended August 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued) |
Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Funds’ own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following tables summarize the inputs used as of August 31, 2023, for the Fund’ assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
Small Cap Value | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets* | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 21,190,282 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 21,190,282 | |
Total | | $ | 21,190,282 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 21,190,282 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long/Short Opportunity | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets* | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 82,421,293 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 82,421,293 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 4,976,481 | | | | | | | | — | | | | 4,976,481 | |
Total | | $ | 87,397,774 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 87,397,774 | |
Asset Derivatives | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Put Options Purchased | | $ | — | | | $ | 37,440 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 37,440 | |
Total Assets | | $ | 87,397,774 | | | $ | 37,440 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 87,435,214 | |
Liability Derivatives | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Call Options Written | | $ | — | | | $ | 317,785 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 317,785 | |
Put Options Written | | | — | | | | 10,381 | | | | — | | | | 10,381 | |
Exchange Traded Funds | | | 9,404,820 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 9,404,820 | |
Total Liabilities | | $ | 9,404,820 | | | $ | 328,166 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 9,732,986 | |
There were no level 3 securities held during the period.
| * | Refer to the Schedules of Investments for industry or category classifications. |
It is each Fund’s policy to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years ended February 28, 2021 through February 28, 2023 or expected to be taken in the Funds’ February 28, 2024 year-end tax returns. The Funds identify its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal, New York and foreign jurisdictions where the Funds make significant investments. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the six months ended August 31, 2023, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Six Months Ended August 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued) |
(c) Security Transactions and Other Income
Security transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis including premium amortized and discount accreted. Realized gains or losses from sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Trust’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.
(d) Dividends and Distributions
The following table summarizes each Fund’s intended dividend and capital gain declaration policy:
| | Income | | Capital |
Fund | | Dividends | | Gains |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value | | Annually | | Annually |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity | | Annually | | Annually |
Each Fund records dividends and distributions to its shareholders on the ex-dividend date. The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These “book-tax” differences are either permanent or temporary in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the net asset accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of paid-in-surplus or tax return of capital. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets, results from operations or net asset value per share of each Fund.
(e) Allocation of Expenses
Expenses of the Trust that are directly identifiable to a specific fund are charged to that fund. Expenses, which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund, are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the nature and type of expense and the relative sizes of the funds in the Trust.
(f) Indemnification
The Trust indemnifies its Officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnities. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities appears to be remote.
(g) Other
The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign currency. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Trust does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the company’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net
EASTERLY FUNDS |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Six Months Ended August 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued) |
unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
| 2. | MANAGEMENT FEE, ADMINISTRATION FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES |
(a) Easterly Investment Partners LLC acts as investment manager for the Funds pursuant to the terms of a Management Agreement with the Trust, on behalf of the Funds (the “Management Agreement”). Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Manager manages the investment operations of the Funds in accordance with each Fund’s respective investment policies and restrictions. Each investment sub-advisor is responsible for the day-to-day management of its Fund’s portfolios. Easterly Investment Partners LLC serves the Funds in a supervision capacity with responsibility to monitor the performance of the Funds’ outside service providers, assist in the review of financial statements and other regulatory filings and board meeting materials related to each Fund. The management fees are payable to Easterly Investment Partners LLC monthly by each Fund and are computed daily as shown in the table below.
(b) Pursuant to an operating expense limitation agreement between Easterly Investment Partners LLC and the Funds, Easterly Investment Partners LLC has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or pay expenses of the Fund so that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding front-end and contingent deferred sales loads, leverage, interest and tax expenses, dividends and interest on short positions, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger, reorganization or liquidation, extraordinary or non-routine expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses) do not exceed the expense limitation shown in the table below, and is based on the Funds’ average daily net assets. This operating expense limitation agreement cannot be terminated during its term. Easterly Investment Partners LLC is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Fund, subject to limitations, for management fees waived and Fund expenses it paid within three (3) years of the end of the fiscal year in which such management fees were waived or expenses paid, as long as the reimbursement does not cause the Fund’s operating expenses to exceed (i) the expense cap in place at the time the fees were waived or the expenses were incurred; or (ii) the current expense cap, whichever is less. The expense limitation agreement will be in effect through June 30, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Management | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Fee Waived/ | | | | |
| | Management | | Expenses Limitation | | | | Expenses Reimbursed | | | Management Fee | |
Fund | | Agreement | | Cl A | | Cl C | | Cl I | | CL R6 | | Expires | | YTD 8/31/2023 | | | Recaptured | |
Small Cap Value | | 0.95% | | 1.50% | | 2.25% | | 1.25% | | 1.00% | | 6/30/2024 | | $ | 99,828 | | | | — | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | 0.80% | | 1.55% | | 2.30% | | 1.30% | | 1.00% | | 6/30/2024 | | | — | | | | — | |
The following table shows the available waived expenses and expiration date for each Fund subject to potential recovery.
Fund | | 2/28/2024 | | | 2/28/2025 | | | 2/28/2026 | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | — | | | $ | 136,896 | | | $ | 199,708 | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Expenses waived prior to July 1, 2022, are not recaptured by Easterly Investment Partners LLC.
(c) Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (“UFD”) is the Trust’s Distributor. The Trust with respect to the Funds have adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”) with respect to the sale and distribution of Class A and C shares of the Funds. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay UFD and other entities, including a broker-dealer affiliate of the Adviser, are paid pursuant to the Plans provided and the expenses borne by the distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares a fee, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of each of the Funds’ Class C shares. During the six months ended August 31, 2023, pursuant to the Plan, Class A and Class C shares paid the amounts of:
Fund | | Class A | | | Class C | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | 11,945 | | | $ | 7,505 | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | 60,886 | | | | 13,396 | |
EASTERLY FUNDS |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Six Months Ended August 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued) |
For the six months ended August 31, 2023, UFD received and retained sales charges on sales of the Funds’ Class A and Class C shares.
| | Received | | | Retained | |
Fund | | Class A | | | Class C | | | Class A | | | Class C | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | — | | | $ | 30 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | 370 | | | | — | | | | 49 | | | | — | |
(d) Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“UFS”), an affiliate of UFD provides administrative, fund accounting and transfer agency services to the Funds pursuant to agreements with the Trust, for which it receives from each Fund: (i) a minimum annual fee or basis points in decreasing amounts as assets reach certain breakpoints; and (ii) any related out-of-pocket expenses.
In addition, certain affiliates of the Distributor provide services to the Trust as follows:
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”) - NLCS, an affiliate of UFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust, as well as related compliance services, pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. Under the terms of such agreement, NLCS receives customary fees from the Funds.
Blu Giant, LLC (“Blu Giant”) – Blu Giant, an affiliate of UFS and the Distributor, provides EDGAR conversion and filing services as well as print management services for the Trust on an ad-hoc basis. For the provision of these services, Blu Giant receives customary fees from the Funds.
Certain employees of UFS and NLCS are also officers of the Trust and are not paid any fees directly by the Trust for serving in such capacity.
| 3. | INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS |
(a) For the six months ended August 31, 2023, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, other than short-term securities, for the Funds were as follows:
Fund | | Purchase | | | Sales | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | 6,824,651 | | | $ | 13,023,087 | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | 39,298,594 | | | | 44,325,826 | |
(b) Other Investment Companies or Exchange Traded Funds – The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including money market mutual funds, other mutual funds or exchange traded funds (“ETFs”). An ETF generally is an open-end investment company, unit investment trust or a portfolio of securities deposited with a depository in exchange for depository receipts. ETFs provide investors the opportunity to buy or sell throughout the day an entire portfolio of securities in a single security. Although index mutual funds are similar to index based ETFs, they are generally sold and redeemed only once per day at market close. The ETFs in which a Fund invests may be subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the sale of the security at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the ETFs in which a Fund invests hold securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations or securities with substantial market risk, they will have a greater exposure to liquidity risk. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds that can be found in “Exchange-Traded Funds” below: (1) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a discount to their net asset value; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. Additionally, ETFs have management fees, which increase their cost. In addition to the advisory and operational fees a Portfolio bears directly in connection with its own operation, the Portfolio also bears its pro rata portion of the advisory and operational expenses incurred indirectly through investments in other investment companies.
(c) Options Contracts – Certain Funds may enter into options contracts. An option contract is a contract in which the writer of the option grants the buyer of the option the right to purchase from (call option), or sell to (put option), the writer a designated instrument at a specified price within a specified period of time. Certain options, including options on indices, will require cash settlement by the Fund if the option is exercised.
Premiums paid when put or call options are purchased by the Fund, represent investments, which are marked-to-market daily. When a purchase option expires, the Fund will realize a loss in the amount of the premium paid. When the Fund enters into a closing sales
EASTERLY FUNDS |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Six Months Ended August 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued) |
transaction, the Fund will realize a gain or loss depending on whether the proceeds from the closing sales transaction are greater or less than the premium paid for the option. When the Fund exercises a put option, it will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds from such sale will be decreased by the premium originally paid. When the Fund exercises a call option, the cost of the security, which the Fund purchases upon exercise, will be increased by the premium originally paid.
Certain Funds may write covered call options. This means that the Fund will own the security subject to the option or an option to purchase the same underlying security, having an exercise price equal to or less than the exercise price of the covered option, or will establish and maintain with its custodian for the term of the option, an account consisting of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities having a value equal to the fluctuating market value of the securities on which the Fund holds a covered call position.
When a Fund writes a call option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability, the value of which is marked-to-market daily. When a written option expires, the Fund realizes a gain equal to the amount of the premium received. When the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, the Fund realizes a gain or loss depending upon whether the cost of the closing transaction is greater or less than the premium originally received, without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liability related to such option is eliminated. When a written call option is exercised the proceeds of the security sold will be increased by the premium originally received.
The liability representing a Fund’s obligation under an exchange traded written option or investment in a purchased option is valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the last available bid price.
The Funds may enter into options for hedging purposes. The risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium originally paid. The risk in writing a covered call option is that the Fund gives up the opportunity to participate in any increase in the price of the underlying security beyond the exercise price.
(c) The Easterly Long/Short Opportunity Fund may sell a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the fair value of that security. When the Fund sells a security short, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale. A gain, limited to the price at which the Fund sold the security short, or a loss, unlimited in size, will be recognized upon the termination of a short sale. For financial statement purposes, an amount equal to the settlement amount is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the short positions. Subsequent fluctuations in the market prices of the securities sold, but not yet purchased, may require purchasing the securities at prices which could differ from the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund is liable for any dividends or interest payable on securities while those securities are in a short position. Such amounts are recorded on the ex-dividend date as dividend or interest expense. As collateral for its short positions, the Fund is required under the 1940 Act to maintain segregated assets consisting of cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities.
The derivatives are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP. The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at August 31, 2023, were as follows:
| | | | | | Location of derivatives on | | Fair value of asset/liability | |
Fund | | Derivative | | Risk Type | | Statements of Assets and Liabilities | | derivatives | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | | | | | | |
| | Put options purchased | | Equity | | Investments in securities, at value | | | 37,440 | |
| | Call options written | | Equity | | Options written | | | (317,785 | ) |
| | Put options written | | Equity | | Options written | | | (10,381 | ) |
| | | | | | Totals | | $ | (290,726 | ) |
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations for the six months ended August 31, 2023, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | Realized and unrealized gain | |
Portfolio | | Derivative | | Location of gain (loss) on derivatives | | Risk Type | | (loss) on derivatives | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | | |
| | Option Contracts | | | | | | |
| | | | Net realized loss on options purchased | | Equity | | $ | (117,804 | ) |
| | | | Net realized gain on options written | | Equity | | | 405,220 | |
| | | | Net change in unrealized appreciation on options purchased | | Equity | | | 3,046 | |
| | | | Net change in unrealized depreciation on options written | | Equity | | | (149,519 | ) |
| | | | | | | | $ | 140,943 | |
EASTERLY FUNDS |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Six Months Ended August 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued) |
The average notional value of the derivative instruments for the Easterly Long/Short Opportunity during the six months ended August 31, 2023, was as follows:
Options Purchased | | | Options Written | |
$ | 3,400,000 | | | $ | 10,104,850 | |
The Fund is not subject to any Master Netting Arrangements, therefore the Fund did not offset any assets or liabilities.
| 4. | AGGREGATE UNREALIZED APPRECIATION AND DEPRECIATION – TAX BASIS |
| | | | | | | | | | | Tax Net | |
| | Cost for | | | Gross | | | Gross | | | Unrealized | |
| | Federal Tax | | | Unrealized | | | Unrealized | | | Appreciation/ | |
Portfolio | | Purposes | | | Appreciation | | | Depreciation | | | (Depreciation) | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | 18,258,637 | | | $ | 3,420,169 | | | $ | (488,524 | ) | | $ | 2,931,645 | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | 65,780,313 | | | | 13,231,258 | | | | (1,309,343 | ) | | | 11,921,915 | |
| 5. | DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL |
The tax character of fund distributions paid for the years ended February 28, 2023, and February 28, 2022, was as follows:
| | For the year ended February 28, 2023: | |
| | Ordinary | | | Long-Term | | | Return | | | | |
Portfolio | | Income | | | Capital Gains | | | Of Capital | | | Total | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | 1,082,299 | | | | 5,197,746 | | | | — | | | | 6,280,045 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the year ended February 28, 2022: | |
| | Ordinary | | | Long-Term | | | Return | | | | |
Portfolio | | Income | | | Capital Gains | | | Of Capital | | | Total | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | 22,068 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 114 | | | $ | 22,182 | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | 3,648,347 | | | | 4,840,158 | | | | — | | | | 8,488,505 | |
As of February 28, 2023, the components of accumulated earnings/ (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | Undistributed | | | Undistributed | | | Post October Loss | | | Capital Loss | | | Other | | | Unrealized | | | Total | |
| | Ordinary | | | Long-Term | | | and | | | Carry | | | Book/Tax | | | Appreciation/ | | | Accumulated | |
Portfolio | | Income | | | Capital Gains | | | Late Year Loss | | | Forwards | | | Differences | | | (Depreciation) | | | Earnings/(Deficits) | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | 33,744 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (19,316 | ) | | $ | (2,606,950 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,965,746 | | | $ | (626,776 | ) |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | 588,045 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 13,635,046 | | | | 14,223,091 | |
The difference between book basis and tax basis undistributed net investment income (loss), accumulated net realized gains (losses), and unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments is primarily attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
Capital losses incurred after October 31 within the fiscal year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the following fiscal year for tax purposes. The Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund incurred and elected to defer such capital losses of $19,316.
At February 28, 2023, the Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund had capital loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | CLCF | |
Portfolio | | Short-Term | | | Long-Term | | | Total | | | Utilized | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | 1,106,985 | | | $ | 1,499,965 | | | $ | 2,606,950 | | | $ | — | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
EASTERLY FUNDS |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Six Months Ended August 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued) |
Permanent book and tax differences, primarily attributable to the use of equalization resulted in reclassifications for the Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, as follows:
| | | | | Accumulated | |
Portfolio | | Paid In Capital | | | Earnings (Losses) | |
Small Cap Value | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Long/Short Opportunity | | | 142,808 | | | | (142,808 | ) |
The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of 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, 2023, the shareholders that own 25% or more of the voting securities are as follows:
| | | | Long/Short |
Owner | | Small Cap Value | | Opportunity |
Merrill Lynch | | 42.3% | | 42.7% |
| 7. | RECENT REGULATORY UPDATES |
On January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will not appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.
Subsequent events after the date of the Statements of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Effective October 2, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the James Alpha Funds Trust d/b/a Easterly Funds Trust (the “Trust”) has approved a change of the distributor for each of the Funds. Easterly Securities LLC is replacing Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC as the distributor for each Fund.
EASTERLY FUNDS |
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) |
Shareholders of funds will pay ongoing expenses, such as advisory fees, distribution and services fees (12b-1 fees), and other fund expenses. The following examples are intended to help the shareholder understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in a fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note, the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), or contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs) on redemptions.
This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from March 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023.
Actual Expenses: The first table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. The shareholder may use the information in this line, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses that would be paid over the period. Simply divide 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 under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid” to estimate the expenses paid on the account during the period.
| | Beginning Account | | Ending Account | | Expense Paid | | Expense Ratio |
| | Value - 03/01/2023 | | Value - 08/31/2023 | | 03/01/2023-08/31/2023* | | [Annualized] |
Actual Expenses | | | | | | | | |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value - Class A | | $1,000.00 | | $1,056.60 | | $7.75 | | 1.50% |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value - Class C | | 1,000.00 | | 1,052.50 | | 11.61 | | 2.25% |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value - Class I | | 1,000.00 | | 1,057.70 | | 6.47 | | 1.25% |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value - Class R6 | | 1,000.00 | | 1,057.70 | | 5.17 | | 1.00% |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity - Class A | | 1,000.00 | | 1,011.60 | | 7.64 | | 1.51% |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity - Class C | | 1,000.00 | | 1,007.60 | | 11.35 | | 2.25% |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity - Class I | | 1,000.00 | | 1,012.80 | | 6.37 | | 1.26% |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity - Class R6 | | 1,000.00 | | 1,012.80 | | 5.57 | | 1.10% |
Hypothetical Examples for Comparison Purposes: The second table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses paid for the period. This information may be used to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund and other mutual funds. To do so, a shareholder would compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other mutual funds.
| | Beginning Account | | Ending Account | | Expense Paid | | Expense Ratio |
Hypothetical | | Value - 03/01/2023 | | Value - 08/31/2023 | | 03/01/2023-08/31/2023* | | [Annualized] |
[5% Return Before Expenses] | | | | | | | | |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value - Class A | | $1,000.00 | | $1,017.60 | | $7.61 | | 1.50% |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value - Class C | | 1,000.00 | | 1,013.83 | | 11.39 | | 2.25% |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value - Class I | | 1,000.00 | | 1,018.85 | | 6.34 | | 1.25% |
Easterly Snow Small Cap Value - Class R6 | | 1,000.00 | | 1,020.11 | | 5.08 | | 1.00% |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity - Class A | | 1,000.00 | | 1,017.55 | | 7.66 | | 1.51% |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity - Class C | | 1,000.00 | | 1,013.83 | | 11.39 | | 2.25% |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity - Class I | | 1,000.00 | | 1,018.80 | | 6.39 | | 1.26% |
Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity - Class R6 | | 1,000.00 | | 1,019.61 | | 5.58 | | 1.10% |
| * | Expenses are equal to the Funds annualized expense ratio multiplies by the number of days in the period (184) divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (366). |
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) |
August 31, 2023 |
LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Funds have adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the Investment Company Act. The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, each respective Fund’s investment strategy and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; its short and long-term cash flow projections; and its cash holdings and access to other funding sources.
During the fiscal period ended August 31, 2023, the Trust’s Liquidity Risk Management Program Committee (the “Committee”) reviewed the Funds’ investments and determined that the Funds held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that (i) the Funds’ liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Funds’ liquidity risk management program has been effectively implemented.
EASTERLY FUNDS
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Board of Trustees (the “Board”) Meeting of July 25, 2023
On July 25, 2023, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of James Alpha Funds Trust dba Easterly Funds Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware business trust, met to consider, among other things, (i) the renewal of the investment management agreements between the Trust, on behalf of the Easterly Snow Long/Short Opportunity Fund (“Long/Short Fund”) and Easterly Snow Small Cap Value Fund (“Small Cap Fund”) (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”), and Easterly Investment Partners, LLC (“EIP”) (the “Snow Management Agreements”).
In the course of consideration of the approval of the Snow Management Agreements, the Independent Trustees received materials discussing the legal standards applicable to their consideration of the Snow Management Agreements. Prior to voting, the Independent Trustees met with and asked questions of representatives of EIP.
In considering the renewal of the Snow Management Agreements and reaching their conclusion with respect to the Snow Management Agreements, the Board took note of relevant judicial precedent that set forth factors to be considered by a board when evaluating investment advisory agreements. These include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided to the Funds; (ii) information comparing the investment performance, advisory fees and operating expense ratio of each Fund to other funds; (iii) information about profits to be realized by EIP and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as each Fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of the Funds’ investors.
As part of the contract renewal process, the Board reviewed and considered information provided in response to a detailed request for information submitted to management by the Independent Trustees and received a presentation from EIP. The Board also took into account information provided to the Board throughout the year in considering whether to approve each Investment Management Agreement. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered a variety of factors, including those described below. The Board also considered other factors and did not treat any single factor as determinative, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to different factors. The Independent Trustees also had an opportunity to discuss the materials presented and any issues raised by EIP’s presentation. After evaluating the factors discussed below, among others, the Board approved the renewal of the Snow Management Agreements and determined that the compensation payable thereunder by each Fund to EIP is fair and reasonable.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. In considering the renewal of the Snow Management Agreements with EIP, the Board considered the nature, extent and quality of services that EIP provided to the Long/Short Fund and Small Cap Fund, including EIP’s personnel and resources. The Board reviewed the services EIP provided in serving as investment adviser and the backgrounds of the personnel providing services to the Long/Short Fund and Small Cap Fund, including portfolio managers. They also reviewed information provided regarding risk management and compliance and regulatory matters. The Board acknowledged EIP’s efforts and resources with respect to various regulatory initiatives, including with respect to derivatives and valuation. The Board also considered EIP’s financial position, noting EIP’s financial commitment to the Small Cap Fund. The Board concluded that the services EIP provided were satisfactory.
EASTERLY FUNDS
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Performance. The Board reviewed performance information that EIP provided for the Long/Short Fund and Small Cap Fund to the performance of: (a) funds in a peer universe (the “Peer Group”) (which is comprised of the funds in a Fund’s Morningstar category); and (b) a benchmark index (the “Benchmark Index”) for the month-to-date, quarter-to-date, year-to-date, and one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods, ended May 31, 2023, as applicable. The Board also received information on the construction of each Fund’s Peer Group.
Long/Short Fund: The Board reviewed the Fund’s total returns compared to the total returns of its Peer Group and its Benchmark Indices (Russell 3000 Value Index and 70% Russell 3000 Value Total Return/30% ICE BofA Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Blend Index). The Board considered the performance of the Fund against its Peer Group and its Benchmark Indices for the month-to-date, quarter-to-date, year-to-date, and one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods. The Board concluded that the performance of the Fund was satisfactory.
Small Cap Fund: The Board reviewed the Fund’s total returns compared to the total returns of its Peer Group and its Benchmark Index (Russell 2000 Value Index). The Board considered the performance of the Fund against its Peer Group and its Benchmark Index for the month-to-date, quarter-to-date, year- to-date, and one-, three-, five-year, and 10-year periods. The Board concluded that the performance of the Fund was satisfactory.
Advisory Fees and Fund Expenses. The Board reviewed each Fund’s contractual advisory fee and expense ratio taking into account each Fund’s net asset size, and reviewed information comparing the advisory fee and expense ratio to those of each Fund’s respective Peer Group. The Board noted that EIP had entered into an operating and expense limitation agreement (“OELA”) to waive fees and/or limit expenses of the Long/Short Fund and Small Cap Fund in an amount necessary to limit total annual operating expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets for each share class of the Funds. The Board also considered the extent to which EIP waives management fees and/or reimburses expenses for a Fund and its share classes, including the basis for EIP’s determination that any such waivers and/or reimbursements do not and will not result in cross-subsidization by one share class of another share class of a Fund. The Board discussed the level of work involved in EIP’s management and oversight of the Funds, and the other services that EIP provided to the Funds. The Board considered the nature and scope of the services provided by EIP, including the supervision of outside service providers. At the Independent Trustees’ request, management discussed factors contributing to the Small Cap Fund’s management fee and total expenses as compared to its Peer Group. The Trustees noted that the Small Cap Fund outperformed its Peer Group and Benchmark Index for all time periods and the Small Cap Fund was not profitable for EIP at the current asset levels. In light of the nature, quality and extent of services EIP provided and the Funds’ performance, the Board concluded that each Fund’s advisory fee was fair and reasonable.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered the extent to which there may be economies of scale in the provision of advisory services to the Long/Short Fund and Small Cap Fund, and the extent to which such economies of scale are shared with the Funds. The Board noted that EIP had indicated its willingness to discuss the matter of breakpoints with the Board as each Fund increased its assets. The Board noted that the Funds may also benefit from economies of scale through initial fee setting and fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The Board agreed that in light of the OELA, which effectively protected shareholders from high expenses despite lower asset levels, and EIP’s willingness to consider breakpoints as each Fund reached higher asset levels, the absence of breakpoints was acceptable.
EASTERLY FUNDS
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Profitability. The Board reviewed the profitability of EIP with respect to Long/Short Fund and Small Cap Fund on an individual fund-by-fund basis and in the aggregate. The Board considered the methodology for calculating profitability. Using such methodology, the Board noted that EIP earned a profit from the Long/Short Fund and experienced a loss from the Small Cap Fund, in each case without considering marketing related costs. The Board concluded that the profitability of EIP in connection with the management of the Long/Short Fund and Small Cap Fund was not excessive given the nature, extent and quality of the services provided.
Fallout Benefits. Because of its relationship with the Long/Short Fund and Small Cap Fund, EIP, and their affiliates may derive ancillary benefits from Fund operations, including those derived from the allocation of Fund brokerage and the use of commission dollars to pay for research and other similar services (as applicable). The Board reviewed information provided by EIP as to any such benefits.
Conclusion. Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the compensation to be paid under the Snow Management Agreements are fair and reasonable, and that the continuance of the Snow Management Agreements be approved.
PRIVACY NOTICE
JAMES ALPHA FUNDS TRUST dba EASTERLY FUNDS TRUST
March 2021
FACTS | WHAT DOES JAMES ALPHA FUNDS TRUST dba EASTERLY FUNDS TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? |
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Why? | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some, but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. |
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What? | The types of personal information we collect and share depends on the product or service that you have with us. This information can include: ● Social Security number and wire transfer instructions ● account transactions and transaction history ● investment experience and purchase history When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. |
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How? | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons James Alpha Funds Trust chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
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Reasons we can share your personal information: | Does James Alpha Funds Trust dba Easterly Funds Trust share information? | Can you limit this sharing? |
For our everyday business purposes - such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus. | YES | NO |
For our marketing purposes - to offer our products and services to you. | YES | YES |
For joint marketing with other financial companies. | NO | We don’t share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your transactions and records. | NO | We don’t share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your credit worthiness. | NO | We don’t share |
For nonaffiliates to market to you | NO | We don’t share |
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QUESTIONS? | Call (888) 814-8180 | | |
What we do: |
How does James Alpha Funds Trust dba Easterly Funds Trust protect my personal information? | To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information. |
How does James Alpha Funds Trust dba Easterly Funds Trust collect my personal information? | We collect your personal information, for example, when you ● open an account or deposit money ● direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities ● seek advice about your investments We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies. |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? | Federal law gives you the right to limit only: ● sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness. ● affiliates from using your information to market to you. ● sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you. State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
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Definitions |
Affiliates | Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. ● James Alpha Funds Trust dba Easterly Funds Trust does not share with our affiliates. |
Nonaffiliates | Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. ● James Alpha Funds Trust dba Easterly Funds Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. |
Joint marketing | A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. ● James Alpha Funds Trust dba Easterly Funds Trust doesn’t jointly market. |
How to Obtain Proxy Voting Information
Information regarding how the Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Portfolios use to determine how to vote proxies is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-814-8180 or by referring to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.
How to Obtain 1st and 3rd Fiscal Quarter Portfolio Holdings
Funds file a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT, within sixty days after the end of the period. Form N-PORT reports are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
EASTERLYSNOW-SAR23
Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments. See Item 1.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Funds. Not applicable to
open-end investment companies.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. None.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Based on an evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of filing date of this Form N-CSR, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Registrant have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Registrant are reasonably designed to ensure that the information required in filings on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported by the filing date, including that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) There were no significant changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 13. Exhibits.
(a)(1) Not applicable.
(a)(2) Certification(s) required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and Item 11(a)(2) of Form N-CSR) are filed herewith.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
(b) Certification(s) required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and Item 11(b) of Form N-CSR) are 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.
(Registrant) The James Alpha Funds Trust
By (Signature and Title)
* /s/ Darrell Crate
Darrell Crate, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date 11/6/23
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title)
* /s/ Darrell Crate
Darrell Crate, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date 11/6/23
By (Signature and Title)
* /s/ Michael Montague
Michael Montague, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
Date 11/6/23
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.