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 811-09541
AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
431 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Timothy Ashburn, Unified Fund Services, 431 North Pennsylvania Street,
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 317-917-7000
Date of fiscal year end: 11/03
Date of reporting period: 5/31/03
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports
with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to
stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders
under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1).
The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory,
disclosure review, inspection and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form
N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not
required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR
unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget
("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the
information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the
burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information
under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss 3507.
<page>
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments
May 31, 2003 (Unaudited)
<table>
<s> <c> <c>
Common Stocks - 86.70% Shares Value
Abrasive Asbestos & Misc Nonmetallic Mineral Products - 1.55%
Cabot Microelectronics Corp. (a) 450 $ 20,812
-----------
Agriculture Chemicals - 1.11%
Scotts Co. (The) (a) 300 14,850
-----------
Arrangement of Transportation of Freight & Cargo - 0.78%
Expeditors International Of Washington, Inc. 300 10,482
------------
Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) - 1.59%
Medimmune, Inc. (a) 600 21,270
------------
Bituminous Coal & Lignite Surface Mining - 3.18%
Peabody Energy Corp. 1,300 42,705
------------
Cable & Other Pay Television Services - 1.87%
Liberty Media Corp. (a) 2,144 25,085
------------
Chemical & Allied Products - 2.39%
Monsanto Co. 1,600 32,080
------------
Computer Storage Devices - 2.48%
Seagate Technology 2,200 33,330
------------
Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas - 0.81%
Talisman Energy, Inc. 250 10,885
------------
Fats & Oils - 0.65%
Bunge Ltd. 300 8,670
------------
Gold and Silver Ores - 3.76%
Newmont Mining Corp. 1,700 50,422
------------
Gold Mining - 1.82%
Novagold Resources, Inc. (a) 10,000 24,400
------------
Hazardous Waste Management - 1.69%
Clean Harbors, Inc. (a) 2,200 22,616
------------
Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers - 2.59%
Nacco Industries, Inc. 600 34,710
------------
Measuring & Controlling Devices - 3.42%
Cubic Corp. 2,350 45,825
------------
</table>
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments - continued
May 31, 2003 (Unaudited)
<table>
<s> <c> <c>
Common Stocks - 86.70% - continued Shares Value
Meat Packing Plants - 0.72%
Conagra Foods, Inc. 400 $ 9,708
------------
Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment - 1.34%
Polaris Industries, Inc. 300 18,033
------------
Office Furniture - 0.87%
Miller, Herman Inc. 600 11,634
------------
Operative Builders - 2.60%
Centex Corp. 450 34,933
------------
Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations - 1.82%
Avon Products, Inc. 400 24,376
------------
Pharmaceutical Preparations - 7.33%
Allergan, Inc. 400 28,844
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a) 1,000 29,710
IVAX Corp. (a) 2,300 39,813
------------
98,367
------------
Photographic Equipment & Supplies - 3.42%
IMAX Corp. (a) 6,000 45,840
------------
Radiotelephone Communications - 3.36%
NEXTEL Communications, Inc. - Class A (a) 1,250 18,738
Vodafone Group Plc. (c) 1,200 26,292
------------
45,030
------------
Railroads, Line-Haul Operating - 3.44%
Canadian National Railway Co. 300 15,138
Kansas City Southern (a) 2,600 31,018
------------
46,156
------------
Retail - Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores - 1.95%
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (a) 1,100 26,180
------------
Retail - Radio TV & Consumer Electronics Stores - 2.02%
Best Buy Co., Inc. (a) 700 27,090
------------
Retail - Retail Stores - 2.32%
PETsMART, Inc. (a) 1,800 31,122
------------
Retail - Women's Clothing Stores - 1.75%
Chico's Fashions, Inc. (a) 1,100 23,540
------------
</table>
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments - continued
May 31, 2003 (Unaudited)
<table>
<s> <c> <c>
Common Stocks - 86.70% - continued Shares Value
Rolling Drawing & Extruding of Nonferrous Metals - 1.32%
Olin Corp. 1,000 $ 17,660
------------
Semiconductors & Related Devices - 1.06%
Microchip Technology, Inc. 600 14,286
------------
Services - Advertising - 1.49%
Doubleclick, Inc. (a) 1,900 19,950
------------
Services - Advertising Agencies - 1.04%
Monster Worldwide, Inc. (a) 700 13,902
------------
Services - Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management - 2.27%
PayChex, Inc. 1,000 30,520
------------
Services - Medical Laboratories - 0.94%
Quest Diagnostics Inc. (a) 200 12,672
------------
Services - Racing, Including Track Operation - 1.94%
Magna Entertainment Corp. (a) 6,000 26,040
------------
Services - Skilled Nursing Care Facilities - 2.47%
Manor Care, Inc. (a) 1,400 33,166
------------
Silver Ores - 2.98%
Natural Resource Partners LP. 1,400 40,040
------------
Soap, Detergent, Cleaning Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics - 0.40%
Ecolab, Inc. 100 5,375
------------
State Commercial Bank - 1.48%
North Fork Bancorporation, Inc. 600 19,842
------------
Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus - 1.17%
Boston Scientific Corp. (a) 300 15,630
------------
Telephone & Telegraph Apparatus - 1.63%
Corning, Inc. (a) 3,000 21,930
------------
Television Broadcasting Stations - 1.86%
USA Interactive, Inc. (a) 650 24,993
------------
Tobacco Products - 1.97%
UST, Inc. 750 26,483
------------
</table>
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments - continued
May 31, 2003 (Unaudited)
<table>
<s> <c> <c>
Common Stocks - 86.70% - continued Shares Value
Wholesale - Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies - 0.05%
Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (a) 44 $ 662
------------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $1,024,635)
$ 1,163,302
-------------
</table>
<table>
<s> <c> <c>
Principal
Amount
Convertible Corporate Bonds - 3.71%
Corning Inc., 0.00%, 11/8/2015 30,000 22,200
Lennar Corp., 0.00%, 7/29/2018 30,000 27,600
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $44,289) $ 49,800
--------------
U.S. Treasury & Agency Obligations - 1.26%
U.S. Treasury Bond (Stripped), 0.00%, 11/15/2027 55,000 16,877
--------------
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS (Cost $14,219) 16,877
--------------
Money Market Securities - 5.49%
Huntington Money Market Fund - Class A, 0.25%, (Cost $73,657) (b) 73,657 73,657
--------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $1,156,800) - 97.16% $ 1,303,636
--------------
Other assets less liabilities - 2.84% 38,150
--------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00% $ 1,341,786
==============
</table>
(a) Non-income producing.
(b) Variable rate security; the coupon rate shown represents the rate at
May 31, 2003.
(c) American Depository Receipt.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
May 31, 2003 (Unaudited)
<table>
<s> <c>
Assets
Investments in securities, at value (cost $1,156,800) $ 1,303,636
Interest receivable 24
Dividends receivable 648
Receivable for investments sold 17,928
Receivable for fund shares sold 25,096
-------------
Total assets 1,347,332
-------------
Liabilities
Accrued advisory fees 1,051
Other payables and accrued expenses 4,495
-------------
Total liabilities 5,546
-------------
Net Assets $ 1,341,786
=============
Net Assets consist of:
Paid in capital 1,237,177
Accumulated net investment income (loss) (203)
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments (42,024)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments 146,836
-------------
Net Assets, for 127,632 shares $ 1,341,786
=============
Net Asset Value,
Offering price and redemption price per share ($1,341,786 / 127,632) $ 10.51
=============
</table>
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Statement of Operations
Six months ended May 31, 2003 (Unaudited)
<table>
<s> <c>
Investment Income
Dividend income $ 4,439
Interest income 2,270
-----------
Total Income 6,709
-----------
Expenses
Investment advisory fee 4,976
Trustee expenses 1,936
-----------
Total Expenses 6,912
-----------
Net Investment Income (Loss) (203)
-----------
Realized & Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities (9,310)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investment securities 131,937
------------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities 122,627
------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 122,424
============
</table>
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Statement of Changes In Net Assets
<table>
<s> <c> <c>
Six months ended
May 31, 2003 Period ended
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets (Unaudited) 11/30/2002(a)
-------------------- ----------------
Operations
Net investment income (loss) $ (203) $ (2,250)
Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities (9,310) (32,713)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 131,937 14,899
-------------------- -----------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 122,424 (20,064)
-------------------- -----------------
Distributions
From net investment income - -
From net realized gain - -
-------------------- -----------------
Total distributions - -
-------------------- -----------------
Capital Share Transactions
Proceeds from shares sold 423,267 820,939
Reinvestment of distributions - -
Amount paid for shares repurchased (500) (4,280)
-------------------- -----------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from share transactions 422,767 816,659
-------------------- -----------------
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets 545,191 796,595
-------------------- -----------------
Net Assets
Beginning of period 796,595 -
-------------------- -----------------
End of period [including accumulated net
investment income (loss) of $(203) and $0, respectively] $ 1,341,786 $ 796,595
==================== =================
Capital Share Transactions
Shares sold 46,726 81,422
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions - -
Shares repurchased (57) (459)
-------------------- -----------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 46,669 80,963
==================== =================
(a) For the period December 21, 2001 (commencement of operations)
through November 30, 2002.
</table>
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Financial Highlights
<table>
<s> <c> <c>
Six months ended
May 31, 2003 Period ended
(Unaudited) Nov. 30, 2002(c)
-------------------- -----------------
Selected Per Share Data
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 9.84 $ 10.00
-------------------- -----------------
Income from investment operations
Net investment income (loss) 0.00 (0.04)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.67 (0.12)
-------------------- -----------------
Total from investment operations 0.67 (0.16)
-------------------- -----------------
Less Distributions to shareholders:
From net investment income 0.00 0.00
From net realized gain 0.00 0.00
-------------------- -----------------
Total distributions 0.00 0.00
-------------------- -----------------
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.51 $ 9.84
==================== =================
Total Return 6.81%(b) (1.60)(b)
Ratios and Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (000) $ 1,342 $ 797
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 1.43%(a) 1.43%(a)
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets (0.04)(a) (0.38)(a)
Portfolio turnover rate 21.64% 52.75%
</table>
(a) Annualized.
(b) For periods of less than a full year, total return is not annualized.
(c) For the period December 21, 2001 (Commencement of Operations) through
November 30, 2002.
See accompanying notes which are an integral part of the financial statements.
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 2003 (Unaudited)
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION
The Bull Moose Growth Fund (the "Fund") was organized as a diversified
series of the AmeriPrime Advisors Trust (the "Trust") on June 28, 2001 and
commenced operations on December 21, 2001. The Trust is established under the
laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 3, 1999 (the
"Trust Agreement"). The Trust Agreement permits the Board of Trustees to issue
an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without
par value. The Fund is one of a series of funds currently authorized by the
Board of Trustees. The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital
appreciation. The investment adviser to the Fund is The Roosevelt Investment
Group (the "Adviser").
NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by
the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Securities Valuations - Securities that are traded on any exchange or on
the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are valued at the last quoted sale price.
Lacking a last sale price, a security is valued at its last bid price except
when in the opinion of the Adviser the last bid price does not accurately
reflect the current value of the security. All other securities for which
over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at their
last bid price. When market quotations are not readily available, when the
Adviser determines the last bid price does not accurately reflect the current
value or when restricted securities are being valued, such securities are valued
as determined in good faith by the Adviser, in conformity with guidelines
adopted by and subject to review of the Board of Trustees.
Fixed income securities generally are valued by using market quotations,
but may be valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service when the
Adviser believes such prices accurately reflect the fair market value of such
securities. A pricing service utilizes electronic data processing techniques
based on yield spreads relating to securities with similar characteristics to
determine prices for normal institutional-size trading units of debt securities
without regard to sale or bid prices. If the Adviser decides that a price
provided by the pricing services does not accurately reflect the fair market
value of the securities, when prices are not readily available from a pricing
service, or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, securities
are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser, in
conformity with guidelines adopted by and subject to review of the Board of
Trustees. Short-term investments in fixed-income securities with maturities of
less than 60 days when acquired, or which subsequently are within 60 days of
maturity, are valued by using the amortized cost method of valuation, which the
Board of Trustees has determined will represent fair value.
Federal Income Taxes - The Fund intends to qualify each year as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. By so qualifying, the Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes
to the extent that it distributes substantially all of its net investment income
and any realized capital gains.
Dividends and Distributions - The Fund intends to distribute substantially
all of its net investment income as dividends to its shareholders on an annual
basis. The Fund intends to distribute its net long-term capital gains and its
net short-term capital gains at least once a year.
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 2003 (Unaudited) - continued
NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Other - The Fund follows industry practice and records security
transactions on the trade date. The specific identification method is used for
determining gains or losses for financial statements and income tax purposes.
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is
recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are
amortized over the life of the respective securities. Generally accepted
accounting principles require that financial reporting differences relating to
shareholder distributions be reclassified to paid in capital.
NOTE 3. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Fund retains The Roosevelt Investment Group to manage the Fund's
investments. The Roosevelt Investment Group was founded in 1990 by Arthur Sheer.
The Adviser's clients consist primarily of corporations, pensions accounts,
non-profit companies, endowments and high net worth individuals. Mr. Sheer, the
sole shareholder of the Adviser, has served as the Chief Executive Officer since
he founded the firm in 1990. Mr. Sheer has been primarily responsible for the
day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio since its inception.
Under the terms of the management agreement (the "Agreement"), the Adviser
manages the Fund's investments subject to approval of the Board of Trustees and
pays all of the expenses of the Fund except brokerage fees and commissions,
taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expense on
securities sold short), fees and expenses of the non-interested person trustees,
12b-1 expenses and extraordinary expenses. As compensation for its management
services, the Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued
daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net
assets of the Fund. It should be noted that most investment companies pay their
own operating expenses directly, while the Fund's expenses, except those
specified above, are paid by the Adviser. For the six months ended May 31, 2003,
the Adviser earned a fee of $4,976 from the Fund.
The Fund retains Unified Fund Services, Inc., ("Unified") a wholly owned
subsidiary of Unified Financial Services, Inc., to manage the Fund's business
affairs and provide the Fund with administrative, transfer agency and fund
accounting services, including all regulatory reporting and necessary office
equipment and personnel. The Adviser paid all administrative, transfer agency
and fund accounting fees on behalf of the Fund per the Agreement. A Trustee and
the officers of the Trust are members of management and/or employees of Unified.
Unified Financial Securities, Inc. (the "Distributor") acts as the
principal distributor of the Fund's shares pursuant to an agreement whereby the
Adviser pays all distribution fees. The Fund has adopted a 12b-1 Plan that
permits the Fund to charge 12b-1 fees of up to 0.25% annually, but the Adviser
has no current intention to activate the Plan.. Timothy L. Ashburn (a Trustee
and officer of the Trust) and Thomas G. Napurano (an officer of the Trust) are a
director and officer, respectively, of the Distributor and of Unified Financial
Services, Inc. (the parent company of the Distributor), and may be deemed to be
affiliates of the Distributor.
NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS
For the six months ended May 31, 2003, purchases and sales of investment
securities, other than short-term investments, aggregated $665,081 and $176,598,
respectively. As of May 31, 2003, the gross unrealized appreciation for all
securities totaled $175,847 and the gross unrealized depreciation for all
<page>
Bull Moose Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 2003 (Unaudited) - continued
NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS - continued
securities totaled $29,011 for a net unrealized appreciation of $146,836.
The aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes at May 31, 2003
was $1,156,800.
NOTE 5. ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
NOTE 6. ELECTON OF TRUSTEES
At a special meeting of the shareholders held on November 22, 2002, a
vote was held to elect members to serve on the Board of Trustees. The vote
tally for each Trustee is as follows:
<table>
<s> <c> <c> <c> <c>
For Against Withheld Total
Timothy L. Ashburn 20,758,655.572 12,686.845 15,821,784.991 36,593,127.408
Ronald C. Tritschler 20,758,655.572 12,686.845 15,821,784.991 36,593,127.408
Gary E. Hippenstiel 20,758,655.572 12,686.845 15,821,784.991 36,593,127.408
Stephen A. Little 20,758,655.572 12,686.845 15,821,784.991 36,593,127.408
Daniel Condon 20,758,655.572 12,686.845 15,821,784.991 36,593,127.408
</table>
<page>
Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable.
[Applies to annual reports only, for fiscal years ending on or after
July 15, 2003.]
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable.
[Applies to annual reports only, for fiscal years ending on or after
July 15, 2003.]
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. Not applicable.
[Applies to annual reports only, for fiscal years ending after
December 15, 2003.]
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies. Not applicable.
[Applies to listed companies only.]
Item 6. Reserved.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for
Closed-End Funds. Not applicable.
[Applies to closed-end funds only.]
Item 8. Reserved.
Item 9. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Based on an evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures as of June 30, 2003 , the disclosure controls and procedures are
reasonably designed to ensure that the information required in filings on
Forms N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely
basis.
(b) There were no significant changes in the registrant's internal
controls or in other factors that could affect these controls subsequent to
the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard
to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
[Applies to annual and semi-annual reports.] .
Item 10. Exhibits.
(a) Not applicable.[see Item 2.]
(b) Certifications required by Item 10(b) of Form N-CSR are filed herewith.
[File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form. Letter or number the
exhibits in the sequence indicated.
(a) Annual reports only: Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto,
that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent
that the registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through
filing of an exhibit. (registrant may file the Code of Ethics, or state in
the annual report that 1) the Code is available on website (give address)
or 2) state that the Code is available on request without charge, and
explain how to request a copy. This Exhibit is named "EX-99.CODE ETH" for
EDGAR filing.].
(b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and
principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2
under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2). This Exhibit is named "EX-99.CERT" for
EDGAR filing.]
<page>
SIGNATURES
[See General Instruction F: the report must be signed by the
registrant, and by each officer that provided a certification.]
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)AmeriPrime Advisors Trust
By (Signature and Title)
* /s/ Timothy Ashburn
Timothy Ashburn, President
Date 7/22/03
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/ Timothy Ashburn
Timothy Ashburn, President
Date 7/22/03
By (Signature and Title)
* /s/ Thomas Napurano
Thomas Napurano, Chief Financial Officer
Date 7/28/03