N-CSRS 1 silk_ncsrs.htm N-CSRS

 

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 811-21237

 

Unified Series Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

 

Zachary P. Richmond

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive. Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 513-587-3400

 

Date of fiscal year end: 6/30

 

Date of reporting period: 12/31/23

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection and policymaking roles.

 

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

(a)

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
S E M I  -  A N N U A L  R E P O R T
 
 
Silk Invest New Horizons
Frontier Fund
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2023
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fund Adviser:
 
Silk Invest Limited
30 Churchill Place
London, E14 5RE
United Kingdom
(800) 797-9745
 
www.silkinvest.com/silk-invest-new-horizons-frontier-fund
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE – (Unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholders:

 

The investment objective of the Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund (the “Fund”) is capital appreciation. The objective is measured against the MSCI Frontier Markets Index (Net).

 

Performance Review

 

The Fund delivered a net return of 9.75% for the six-month period ending December 31, 2023, surpassing its main benchmark, the MSCI Frontier Markets Index (Net), which posted a 6.03% return during the same period. Additionally, the Fund outperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index which recorded a return of 3.46% over the same period. The Fund’s outperformance against the main benchmark can be attributed to several factors, including positive stock selection effects in Morocco and Vietnam. Positive country allocation decisions to Nigeria, Egypt, and Pakistan also contributed, offsetting the impact of poor selection effects in Egypt, where the market exhibited robust performance but fell short of benchmark levels. Currency effects were adverse due to the Fund’s positions in Nigeria and Kenya, where currencies depreciated throughout the latter half of the year.

 

The second half of 2023 witnessed a recovery in frontier markets, concluding the year positively for the funds’ regional stock markets. A dovish message on interest rates from the Federal Reserve chairman towards the end of the year played a pivotal role. Despite favorable stock selection and overall market performance, currency contribution was negative due to a stronger dollar and persistent currency depreciation in Nigeria and Kenya.

 

Morocco made a positive contribution to the Fund, maintaining its economic momentum and reducing inflation to 3.6% in November from a peak of 10.1% in February. Contrary to concerns post the September earthquake, recent tourism receipts data indicates that Morocco weathered the impact relatively well, showing a modest downturn in line with seasonal norms.

 

The Nigerian equity market gained momentum towards the end of May, following reforms launched by the newly elected President. These reforms included changes to the foreign exchange market and the removal of a costly fuel subsidy. Nigerian Pension funds responded positively, resulting in a 35% increase in the stock market. Nigerian banking stocks reached a 20-year high in June, driven by these reforms. However, foreign investors remained cautious due to concerns about the currency and challenges in repatriating funds. Prudent investment decisions may require waiting for the return of foreign exchange stability before considering further investments in Nigeria’s market.

 

Fund Outlook and Strategy

 

The year 2024 should be interesting in a political sense with more than 24 general elections planned across various emerging and frontier economies. Commencing with Bangladesh in January, followed by Pakistan in February, South Africa in the summer, and concluding with Ghana in December, these events will no doubt impact our invested markets. As investors, we shall keep a close watch on proceedings with a focus on fiscal discipline and any populist shifts that could stir our markets.

 

Our investment strategy for 2024 involves a balanced approach, capitalizing on growth potential in Asian and Eastern European markets while managing risks and seizing opportunities in African and Middle Eastern economies. Diversification across regions and sectors, with a focus on evaluating economic and political stability, is crucial. Concentrating investments in countries with robust growth narratives, stable macroeconomic policies, and high-potential sectors, such as technology and renewable energy, is imperative.

1

 

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE – (Unaudited) (continued)

 

Despite positive economic outlooks and satisfactory returns in most equity markets, emerging markets, particularly small ones, are trading at a compelling P/E ratio of 8.7x for 2024, with an average earnings growth of 18%. This combination offers an attractive risk-return profile for the asset class.

 

Frontier markets continue to trade at significant valuation discounts compared to the rest of the world. The combination of this valuation discount and positive long-term growth drivers should attract higher allocations from international investors.

 

In summary, we believe the outlook for small emerging and frontier markets in 2024 is promising. A strategic allocation to these markets is prudent, given the current overextended valuations and optimistic earnings expectations prevalent in the US market. The unique characteristics of frontier markets, including their low correlation to other markets and asset classes, present an opportunity for portfolio diversification and potential high returns.

 

The Fund

 

For the half year ended December 31, 2023, the three investments with the largest contribution to the Fund’s absolute return were Nigerian financial services company United Bank for Africa which increased 109% in local currency, Moroccan based Real Estate company Addoha (+46%) and UAE based real estate company Emaar with a positive return of 24% over the reporting period.

 

Conversely, the three investments that negatively impacted the Fund the most were Nigeria’s Nestle Africa with a negative return of 12%, Nigeria’s Leading Telecom provider MTN (-3%) and Kenyan based bank KCB Group (-25%) over the period.

 

The Fund continues to focus its investments in Frontier markets and a number of Emerging markets which are not well covered by other mutual funds. This allows the Fund to invest in an unresearched universe of stocks that are more exposed to local economic fundamentals and are less exposed to global trends and shifts in international investment sentiment.

 

We believe that the Fund is well positioned and offers investors an attractive diversification in the current investment cycle. The Fund has a unique proposition within the Frontier markets universe and offers exposure to companies with attractive valuations in their respective sectors and countries. The Price to Earnings (P/E) of the Fund stands at 5.7x as of December 31, 2023, its Dividend Yield at 3.4% and its Price to Book Ratio at 0.6x.

 

Silk Invest Ltd.

2

 

INVESTMENT RESULTS

 

Average Annual Total Returns(a)
(for the periods ended December 31, 2023)

 

    Six   One   Three   Five   Since Inception
    Months   Year   Year   Year   (5/25/16)
                     
Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund - Institutional Class   9.75%   1.23%   (0.26)%   1.85%   0.22%
MSCI Frontier Markets Index (b)   6.03%   11.63%   (0.52)%   3.33%   3.39%
                     

 

Total annual operating expenses, as disclosed in the Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund (the “Fund”) prospectus dated October 28, 2023, were 3.07% of average daily net assets, including acquired fund fees and expenses of 0.03% and line of credit and interest expense of 0.02% (2.05% after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements). Silk Invest Limited (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding portfolio transaction and other investment-related costs (including brokerage fees and commissions); taxes; borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short); acquired fund fees and expenses; fees and expenses associated with investments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example option and swap fees and expenses); expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization; extraordinary expenses (such as litigation expenses, indemnification of Trust officers and Trustees and contractual indemnification of Fund service providers); and other expenses that the Trustees agree have not been incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, do not exceed 2.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Institutional Class shares through October 31, 2024. This expense cap may not be terminated prior to this date except by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. Each waiver/expense payment by the Adviser is subject to recoupment by the Adviser from the Fund in the three years following the date the particular waiver/expense payment occurred, but only if such recoupment can be achieved without exceeding the annual expense limitation in effect at the time of the waiver/expense payment and any expense limitation in effect at the time of the recoupment. Additional information pertaining to the Fund’s expense ratios as of December 31, 2023 can be found in the financial highlights.

 

The performance quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling (800) 797-9745.

 

(a)Return figures reflect any change in price per share and assume the reinvestment of all distributions. The Fund’s returns reflect any fee reductions during the applicable periods. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the quoted performance would have been lower. Total returns for less than one year are not annualized.

 

(b)The MSCI Frontier Markets Index (the “Index”) captures large- and mid-cap representation across 29 Frontier Markets countries: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Benin, Croatia, Estonia, Guinea-Bissau, Iceland, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Romania, Serbia, Senegal, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Togo, Tunisia and Vietnam. The index includes 211 constituents, covering about 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. The index includes the re-investment of dividends and is not reduced for any assumed trading costs or management fees or other assumed occurred expenses. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index; however, an individual may invest in exchange-traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index.

 

You should consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before you invest. The Fund’s prospectus contains important information about the Fund’s investment objective, potential risks, management fees, charges and expenses, and other information and should be read carefully before investing. You may obtain a current copy of the Fund’s prospectus or performance data current to the most recent month by calling (800) 797-9745.

 

The Fund is distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

3

 

FUND HOLDINGS – (Unaudited)

 

(BAR GRAPH)

 

(a)As a percentage of total net assets.

 

The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation.

 

AVAILABILITY OF PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE – (Unaudited)

 

The Fund files its 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. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and on the Fund’s website at www.silkinvest.com/silk-invest-new-horizons-frontier-fund.

4

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

   Shares   Fair Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 86.67%          
Bangladesh — 6.14%          
BRAC Bank Ltd.(a)   1,558,280   $508,861 
GrameenPhone Ltd.(a)   143,000    373,837 
         882,698 
Egypt — 10.27%          
EFG-Hermes Holding Co.(b)   659,346    355,079 
Elswedy Electric Co.   418,000    386,525 
Ibnsina Pharma S.A.E.   2,451,402    250,237 
Telecom Egypt Co.   271,540    321,541 
Tenth of Ramadan Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics Reagents Co.   2,951,564    162,590 
         1,475,972 
Kazakhstan — 3.44%          
Kapsi.kz JSC   5,370    494,040 
           
Kenya — 6.26%          
Centum Investment Co. Ltd.(a)   2,590,670    138,937 
Equity Group Holdings Ltd.   1,050,000    225,579 
KCB Group Ltd.   2,213,490    309,490 
Safaricom Ltd.   2,540,833    225,484 
         899,490 
Morocco — 5.46%          
Douja Promotion Groupe Addoha SA(b)   439,000    637,625 
Residences Dar Saada(b)   62,000    136,366 
Travaux Generaux de Construction(b)   557    10,501 
         784,492 
Nigeria — 27.58%          
Access Bank PLC   32,550,000    854,800 
Airtel Africa PLC   153,804    330,531 
Guaranty Trust Holding Co. PLC   11,727,752    537,300 
Lafarge Africa PLC   10,230,000    364,769 
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC   1,190,000    356,380 
Nestle Nigeria PLC   285,000    355,632 
United Bank for Africa PLC   22,063,727    641,991 
Zenith Bank PLC   11,869,452    518,450 
         3,959,853 
Pakistan — 8.61%          
Avanceon Ltd.(b)   495,900    100,934 
Habib Bank Ltd.   478,000    187,951 
MCB Bank Ltd.   313,500    191,899 
Meezan Bank Ltd.   339,020    194,202 
Nishat Mills Ltd.   664,500    180,852 
Systems Ltd.   253,840    381,413 
         1,237,251 
United Arab Emirates — 4.77%          
Emaar Properties PJSC   318,099    685,922 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

5

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

   Shares   Fair Value 
United Kingdom — 1.50%          
Airtel Africa PLC   60,000   $99,540 
Cab Payments Holdings PLC(b)   110,441    116,575 
         216,115 
Vietnam — 12.64%          
Digiworld Corp.   60,700    130,671 
Phu Nhuan Jewelry JSC   32,666    115,707 
Saigon - Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank   289,454    128,679 
SSI Securities Corp.   241,918    326,520 
Vietnam Prosperity JSC Bank   408,739    323,077 
Vincom Retail JSC(b)   32,300    30,987 
Vinh Hoan Corp.   52,000    159,273 
Vinhomes JSC   91,410    162,614 
VNDirect Securities Corp.   477,000    436,491 
         1,814,019 
Total Common Stocks          
(Cost $13,437,809)        12,449,852 
           
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 2.60%          
           
Vietnam — 2.60%          
VFMVN DIAMOND ETF(b)   343,000    373,470 
           
Total Exchange-Traded Funds          
(Cost $219,736)        373,470 
           
MONEY MARKET FUNDS - 4.36%          
First American Government Obligations Fund, Class X, 5.29%(c)   626,378    626,378 
           
Total Money Market Funds          
(Cost $626,378)        626,378 
           
Total Investments — 93.63%          
(Cost $14,283,923)        13,449,700 
           
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 6.37%        915,684 
           
NET ASSETS — 100.00%       $14,365,384 

 

(a)All or a portion of this security has been deemed illiquid by the Adviser. The total fair value of these securities as of December 31, 2023 was $958,150, representing 6.67% of net assets.

 

(b)Non-income producing security.

 

(c)Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

6

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Assets     
Investments in securities at fair value (cost $14,283,923)  $13,449,700 
Cash   3,295 
Foreign currency (cost $1,223,751)   769,197 
Receivable for investments sold   144,262 
Dividends receivable   28,930 
Receivable from Adviser   4,523 
Prepaid expenses   3,710 
Total Assets   14,403,617 
      
Liabilities     
Payable to Affiliates   10,175 
Payable for foreign tax   1,773 
Other accrued expenses   26,285 
Total Liabilities   38,233 
      
Net Assets  $14,365,384 
      
Net Assets consist of:     
Paid-in capital   23,903,975 
Accumulated deficit   (9,538,591)
      
Net Assets  $14,365,384 
      
Shares outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)   1,783,298 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share(a)  $8.06 

 

(a)The Fund charges a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 180 days of purchase.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

7

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the six months ended December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Income     
Dividend income (net of foreign taxes withheld of $10,407)  $170,595 
Total investment income   170,595 
      
Expenses     
Adviser   69,785 
Custodian   32,821 
Fund accounting   20,220 
Administration   17,319 
Legal   15,738 
Audit and tax   15,402 
Trustee   8,419 
Transfer agent   6,515 
Compliance Services   6,034 
Report printing   5,205 
Pricing   4,764 
Registration   3,018 
Insurance   1,266 
Miscellaneous   14,106 
Total expenses   220,612 
Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed by Adviser   (81,369)
Net operating expenses   139,243 
Net investment income   31,352 
      
Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments     
Net realized gain on investment securities transactions   352,101 
Net realized loss on foreign currency translations   (5,718)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:     
Investments   969,527 
Foreign currency   (80,137)
      
Net realized and change in unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions   1,235,773 
      
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  $1,267,125 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

8

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   For the Six     
   Months Ended   For the 
   December 31, 2023   Year Ended 
   (Unaudited)   June 30, 2023 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets due to:          
Operations          
Net investment income  $31,352   $385,057 
Net realized gain (loss) on investment securities transactions and foreign currency translations   346,383    (384,453)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities and foreign currency transactions   889,390    (1,892,143)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1,267,125    (1,891,539)
           
Distributions to Shareholders from          
Earnings          
Institutional Class   (267,793)   (365,357)
Total distributions   (267,793)   (365,357)
           
Capital Transactions - Institutional Class          
Proceeds from shares sold       217,530 
Proceeds from redemption fees(a)       4,166 
Reinvestment of distributions   267,794    365,357 
Amount paid for shares redeemed   (23,019)   (1,392,073)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital transactions   244,775    (805,020)
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   1,244,107    (3,061,916)
           
Net Assets          
Beginning of period   13,121,277    16,183,193 
End of period  $14,365,384   $13,121,277 
           
Share Transactions - Institutional Class          
Shares sold       26,378 
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions   32,538    44,939 
Shares redeemed   (2,846)   (175,594)
Total Institutional Class   29,692    (104,277)

 

(a)The Fund charges a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 180 days of purchase.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

9

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - Institutional Class(a)
(For a share outstanding during each period)

 

   For the Six                     
   Months                     
   Ended   For the   For the   For the   For the   For the 
   December 31,   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   2023   June 30,   June 30,   June 30,   June 30,   June 30, 
   (Unaudited)   2023   2022   2021   2020   2019 
Selected Per Share Data:                              
Net asset value, beginning of period  $7.48   $8.71   $9.83   $6.72   $8.30   $10.40 
Investment operations:                              
Net investment gain   0.02    0.23    0.22    0.22    0.21    0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.71    (1.25)   (0.99)   3.03    (1.58)   (1.70)
Total from investment operations   0.73    (1.02)   (0.77)   3.25    (1.37)   (1.54)
                               
Net investment income   (0.15)   (0.21)   (0.35)   (0.14)   (0.21)   (0.22)
Net realized gains                       (0.34)
Total distributions   (0.15)   (0.21)   (0.35)   (0.14)   (0.21)   (0.56)
                               
Paid in capital from redemption fees        (b)    (b)        (b)    (b)
Net asset value, end of period  $8.06   $7.48   $8.71   $9.83   $6.72   $8.30 
                               
Total Return(c)   9.75% (d)   (11.86)%   (8.29)%   48.61%   (16.99)%   (14.83)%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $14,365   $13,121   $16,183   $21,739   $16,068   $37,082 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets   2.00(e)   2.02(f)   1.92(g)   1.75(g)   1.76(f)   1.74%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets before waiver and reimbursement   3.17(e)   3.04(f)   2.57(g)   2.76(g)   2.75(f)   2.19%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.45(e)   2.64%   1.96%   2.36%   1.46%   2.07%
Portfolio turnover rate   5(d)   27%   8%   33%   35%   27%

 

(a)Effective December 20, 2018, Service Class shares were converted to Institutional Class shares. The amounts presented represent the results of the Institutional Class shares for the periods prior to the conversion and the results of the combined share class for the period subsequent to the conversion.

 

(b)Less than $0.005.

 

(c)Total return represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of distributions.

 

(d)Not annualized.

 

(e)Annualized.

 

(f)Includes line of credit and interest expense of 0.02%.

 

(g)Includes line of credit and interest expense of 0.01%.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

10

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION

 

The Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as a diversified series of Unified Series Trust (the “Trust”) on December 15, 2017. The Trust is an open-end investment company established under the laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 14, 2002, as amended (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement permits the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) 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. The investment adviser to the Fund is Silk Invest Limited (the “Adviser”). The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation. Prior to December 21, 2018, the Fund offered two classes of shares: the Institutional Class and the Service Class. The Institutional Class commenced operations on May 25, 2016. The Service Class commenced operations on May 27, 2016. Effective on the close of business on December 20, 2018, Service Class shares were converted into Institutional Class shares. Each share of the Fund has the same voting and other rights and preferences as any other share of the Fund.

 

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, “Financial Services-Investment Companies”. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Regulatory update – Tailored Shareholder Reports for Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) – Effective January 24, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 no longer 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 Fund.

 

Estimates – 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.

 

Federal Income Taxes – The Fund makes no provision for federal income or excise tax. The Fund has qualified and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by complying with the requirements applicable to RICs and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income. The Fund also intends to distribute sufficient net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, so that it will not be subject to excise tax on undistributed income and gains. If the required amount of net investment income or gains is not distributed, the Fund could incur a tax expense.

11

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

As of and during the six months ended December 31, 2023, the Fund did not have any liabilities for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations when incurred. During the period, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties. Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the previous three tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for unrecognized tax benefits or expenses is required in these financial statements and does not expect this to change over the next twelve months.

 

In addition to the requirements of the Code, the Fund may also be subject to capital gains tax in certain foreign jurisdictions on gains realized upon sale of securities, payable upon repatriation of sales proceeds. The Fund accrues a deferred liability for unrealized gains in excess of available loss carryforwards on certain foreign securities based on existing tax rates and holding periods of the securities. As of December 31, 2023, the Fund did not have any recorded deferred liability for potential future capital gain taxes.

 

Expenses – Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not relate to a specific fund of the Trust are allocated to the individual funds of the Trust based on each fund’s relative net assets or another appropriate basis (as determined by the Board).

 

Redemption Fee – The Fund charges a 2.00% redemption fee for shares redeemed within 180 calendar days of purchase. These fees are deducted from the redemption proceeds otherwise payable to the shareholder. The Fund will retain the fee charged as an increase in paid-in capital and such fees become part of the Fund’s daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculation.

 

Security Transactions and Related Income – The Fund follows industry practice and records security transactions on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The specific identification method is used for determining gains or losses for financial statements and income tax purposes. Dividend income, less foreign taxes withheld, is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information becomes available to the Fund. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and foreign capital gain taxes have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax codes and regulations.

 

Income recognized, if any, for foreign tax reclaims is reflected as dividend income in the Statements of Operations and related receivables, if any, are reflected as tax reclaims receivable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 

Foreign Currency Translation and Risks – The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange each business day to determine the value of investments and other assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of foreign securities, and income and expenses, are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective date of these transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuation arising from changes in market prices of securities held. These fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments. Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency translations on the Statement of Operations represents currency gains

12

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

(losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency translations for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

 

As of December 31, 2023, assets and liabilities denominated in Nigerian Naira are translated using the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Rate Fixing (“NAFEX”) rate. During the six months ended December 31, 2023, there has been a significant amount of volatility with regard to the NAFEX rate, given changes that were announced and have taken place with regard to Nigerian government and monetary policy. Monetary policies enacted by government agencies in Nigeria, limiting its local currency’s repatriation to safeguard U.S. dollar reserves and exchange rates, significantly impacts the ability of the Fund to convert local denominated assets and liabilities amounts to U.S. dollars using quoted immediate currency settlement rates.

 

The Fund bears the risk of changes in the foreign currency exchange rates and their impact on the value of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency. The Fund also bears the risk of a counterparty failing to fulfill its obligation under a foreign currency contract. Investments in securities of foreign companies involve additional risks including:

 

Foreign Securities Risks – Investments in securities of foreign companies involve additional risks, including less liquidity, currency-rate fluctuations, political and economic instability, differences in financial reporting standards and securities market regulation, and imposition of foreign taxes. Risks of foreign common stocks also include higher brokerage costs, expropriation or nationalization, transfer restrictions and restrictions on foreign investments and exchange of securities. Geopolitical events, including those in the Middle East, may also cause market disruptions.

 

Frontier Markets Risks – Investments in frontier markets can involve risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in more developed foreign markets. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets than traditional emerging market countries and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries. Frontier market economies can be subject to greater social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties. Adverse government policies, taxation, restrictions on foreign investment and on currency convertibility and repatriation, currency fluctuations and other developments in laws and regulations of frontier countries in which Fund investments may be made, including expropriation, nationalism and other confiscation, could result in loss. In addition to withholding taxes on investment income, some countries with frontier markets may impose different capital gains taxes on foreign investors. All of these factors can make frontier market securities more volatile and potentially less liquid than securities issued in more developed markets, including more developed emerging markets.

 

Currency Risks – The value of the Fund’s foreign holdings as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Fund may also incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including but not limited to, changes in interest rates, intervention by central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”), managed adjustments in

13

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by countries with which frontier markets companies trade or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. For example, Nigeria has experienced economic challenges and liquidity issues with respect to its currency. As a result of these and other currency risks, the Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Fund.

 

Concentration Risk – The Fund may have significant investments in the securities of issuers within a particular sector or country. Any development affecting that sector or country will have a greater impact on the value of the net assets of the Fund than would be the case if the Fund did not have significant investments in that sector or country. In addition, this may increase the risk of loss in the Fund and increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV per share. For instance, economic or market factors, regulatory changes or other developments may negatively impact all companies in a particular sector or country, and therefore the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be adversely affected. As of December 31, 2023, the Fund had 41.74% of the value of its net assets invested in the Financials sector and 27.58% of the value of its net assets invested in stocks within Nigeria.

 

Restricted and Illiquid Securities – A restricted security is a security that has been purchased through a private offering and cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to the resale limitations provided by Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Act. Whether a restricted security is illiquid is determined pursuant to guidelines established by the Board. As of December 31, 2023, the Fund did not hold any restricted securities.

 

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are those investments that may not reasonably be expected to be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the conversion to cash significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid securities may be valued under methods approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. As of December 31, 2023, the Fund had investments in illiquid securities with a total fair value of $958,150 or 6.67% of total net assets.

 

Dividends and Distributions – The Fund intends to distribute its net investment income and net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the period from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified among the components of net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations or NAV per share of the Fund.

14

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 3. SECURITIES VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Fund values its portfolio securities at fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each business day the NYSE is open for business. Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.

 

Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk (the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique). Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained and available from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments and/or registered investment companies where the value per share is determined and published and is the basis for current transactions for identical assets or liabilities at the valuation date

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for an identical security in an inactive market, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining fair value of investments based on the best information available)

 

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 which is reported is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

Equity securities that are traded on any stock exchange are generally valued at the last quoted sale price on the security’s primary exchange. Lacking a last sale price, an exchange traded security is generally valued at its last bid price. Securities traded in the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are generally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. When using the market quotations and when the market is considered active, the security is classified as a Level 1 security. In the event that market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable due to market or other events, securities are valued in good faith by the Adviser as “Valuation Designee” under the oversight of the Board’s Pricing & Liquidity Committee. The Adviser has adopted written policies and procedures for valuing securities and other assets in circumstances where market quotes are not

15

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

readily available, and the security or asset cannot be valued pursuant to one of the valuation methods, the value of the security or asset will be determined in good faith by the Valuation Designee pursuant to its policies and procedures. Any fair value provided by the Valuation Designee is subject to the ultimate review of the pricing methodology by the Pricing & Liquidity Committee of the Board on a quarterly basis. Under these policies, the securities will be classified as Level 2 or 3 within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the inputs used.

 

With respect to foreign equity securities that are principally traded on a market outside the United States, the Board has approved the utilization of an independent fair value pricing service to evaluate the effect of market fluctuations on these securities after the close of trading in that foreign market. To the extent that securities are valued using this service, they will be classified as Level 2 securities.

 

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

 

Investments in mutual funds, including money market mutual funds, are generally priced at the ending NAV as reported by the underlying Fund companies. These securities are categorized as Level 1 securities.

 

In accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies and fair value determinations pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Valuation Designee, the Investment Adviser, is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable as described above. No single method exists for determining fair value because fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of a security being valued by the Valuation Designee would be the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale. Methods that are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market prices of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security or a basket of securities traded on other markets, exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods. Fair-value pricing is permitted if, in the Valuation Designee’s opinion, the validity of market quotations appears to be questionable based on factors such as evidence of a thin market in the security based on a small number of quotations, a significant event occurs after the close of a market but before the Fund’s NAV calculation that may affect a security’s value, or the Valuation Designee is aware of any other data that calls into question the reliability of market quotations. The Valuation Designee may obtain assistance from others in fulfilling its duties. For example, it may seek assistance from pricing services, fund administrators, sub-advisers, accountants, or counsel; it may also consult the Trust’s Fair Value Committee. The Valuation Designee, however, remains responsible for the final fair value determination and may not designate or assign that responsibility to any third party.

16

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023:

 

   Valuation Inputs     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Assets                    
Common Stocks(a)  $11,082,331   $1,367,521   $   $12,449,852 
Exchange-Traded Funds   373,470            373,470 
Money Market Funds   626,378            626,378 
Total  $12,082,179   $1,367,521   $   $13,449,700 

 

(a)Refer to Schedule of Investments for country classifications.

 

The Fund did not hold any investments at the end of the reporting period for which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value; therefore, no reconciliation of Level 3 securities is included for this reporting period.

 

NOTE 4. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

 

The Adviser, under the terms of the management agreement with the Trust with respect to the Fund (the “Agreement”), manages the Fund’s investments. As compensation for its management services, the Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a management fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the six months ended December 31, 2023, the Adviser earned a management fee of $69,785 from the Fund before the waiver and reimbursement described below. At December 31, 2023, the Adviser owed the Fund $4,523.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or reimburse expenses so that total annual Fund operating expenses, excluding portfolio transaction and other investment-related costs (including brokerage fees and commissions); taxes; borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short); acquired fund fees and expenses; fees and expenses associated with investments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example option and swap fees and expenses); expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization; extraordinary expenses (such as litigation expenses, indemnification of Trust officers and Trustees and contractual indemnification of Fund service providers); and other expenses that the Trustees agree have not been incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, do not exceed 2.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Institutional Class shares through October 31, 2024. This expense cap may not be terminated prior to this date except by the Board upon 60 days written notice to the Adviser. For the six months ended December 31, 2023, the Adviser waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the amount of $81,369 for the Fund.

17

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Each waiver/expense payment by the Adviser is subject to recoupment by the Adviser from the Fund in the three years following the date the particular waiver/expense payment occurred, but only if such recoupment can be achieved without exceeding the annual expense limitation in effect at the time of the waiver/expense payment and any expense limitation in effect at the time of the recoupment. As of December 31, 2023, the Adviser may seek repayment of management fees waived and expense reimbursements as follows:

 

Recoverable through    
June 2024  $81,952 
June 2025   130,912 
June 2026   148,574 
December 31, 2026   81,369 

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”) provides administration, fund accounting and transfer agent services to the Fund. The Fund pays Ultimus fees in accordance with the agreements for such services.

 

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), an affiliate of Ultimus, 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 fees from the Fund, which are approved annually by the Board.

 

Under the terms of a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter to the Fund. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ultimus. The Distributor is compensated by the Adviser (not the Fund) for acting as principal underwriter.

 

Certain officers of the Trust are also employees of Ultimus and such persons are not paid by the Fund for serving in such capacities. One Trustee is a former employee of Ultimus who is not currently paid by the Fund for serving in such capacity.

 

The Board supervises the business activities of the Trust. Each Trustee serves as a trustee until termination of the Trust unless the Trustee dies, resigns, retires, or is removed. The Chair of the Board and more than 75% of the Trustees are “Independent Trustees,” which means that they are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act. The Independent Trustees review and establish compensation at least annually. Each Independent Trustee of the Trust receives annual compensation, which is an established amount paid quarterly per fund in the Trust at the time of the regular quarterly Board meetings. The Chair of the Board receives the highest compensation, commensurate with his additional duties and each Chair of a committee receives additional compensation as well. Independent Trustees also receive additional fees for attending any special meetings. In addition, the Trust reimburses Independent Trustees for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in conjunction with attendance at meetings.

 

NOTE 5. LOAN AGREEMENT

 

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has in place a Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Fund’s custodian, U.S. Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) expiring September 17, 2024. Borrowings under this Agreement bear interest at the Prime Rate, which was 8.25% as of December 31, 2023. Maximum borrowings for the Fund is the lesser of

18

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

$1,000,000, or 5% of the gross market value of the Fund, or 33 1/3% of the gross market value (as determined solely by the Bank using consistently-applied valuation methods disclosed to the Trust) of the unencumbered assets of the Fund (i) which are recorded on the Trust’s books and records as belonging solely to the Fund and (ii) which are not subject to segregation or any special purpose usage, and (iii) as to which no third party has any pledge, security, interest, lien or any other rights, and (iv) which are held by the Bank as sole custodian. During the six months ended December 31, 2023, the Fund had no borrowing activity.

 

NOTE 6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

 

For the six months ended December 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments, were $644,235 and $1,289,279, respectively.

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. government obligations during the six months ended December 31, 2023.

 

NOTE 7. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

 

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. At December 31, 2023, Mercy Investment Services, Inc. owned 99.28% of the Fund. As a result, Mercy Investment Services, Inc. may be deemed to control the Fund.

 

NOTE 8. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

 

At December 31, 2023, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and tax cost of investments for tax purposes was as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation  $2,084,703 
Gross unrealized depreciation   (3,245,880)
Net unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments  $(1,161,177)
      
Tax cost of investments  $14,610,877 

 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is primarily attributable to differences due to wash sales, transfers in-kind and passive foreign investment company un-reversed inclusions.

 

The tax character of distributions paid for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end, was as follows:

 

Distributions paid from:     
Ordinary income(a)  $365,357 
Total distributions paid  $365,357 

 

(a)Short-term capital gain distributions are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes.

19

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

At June 30, 2023, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed Ordinary Income  $267,759 
Accumulated Capital and Other Losses   (8,298,032)
Unrealized Depreciation on Investments   (2,507,650)
Total Accumulated Deficits  $(10,537,923)

 

At June 30, 2023, the Fund had short-term and long-term capital loss carryforwards available to offset future gains and not subject to expiration in the amount of $1,412,589 and $6,885,443, respectively.

 

NOTE 9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Trust indemnifies its officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from their performance of their duties to the Trust or the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

 

NOTE 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Management of the Fund has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date at which these financial statements were issued. Based upon this evaluation, management has determined there were no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

20

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM – (Unaudited)

 

The Trust has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the 1940 Act. The Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk of each individual series of the Trust (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), taking into consideration, among other factors, the 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. The Board approved the appointment of the Liquidity Administrator Committee, comprising certain Trust officers and employees of the Adviser. The Liquidity Administrator Committee maintains Program oversight and reports to the Board on at least an annual basis regarding the Program’s operational effectiveness through a written report (the “Report”). The most recent Report, which was presented to the Board for consideration at its meeting held on August 14-15, 2023, outlined the operation of the Program and the adequacy and effectiveness of the Program’s implementation. During the review period, the Fund did not experience unusual stress or disruption to their operations related to purchase and redemption activity. Also, during the review period the Fund held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with such Fund’s prospectus and within the requirements of the 1940 Act. The Report concluded that the Program is reasonably designed to prevent violation of the Liquidity Rule and has been effectively implemented.

21

 

SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES – (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including redemption fees and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

The second line of the 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 you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the table below is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

      Beginning   Ending        
      Account   Account Value   Expenses    
      Value   December 31,   Paid During   Annualized
      July 1, 2023   2023   Period(a)   Expense Ratio
Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund                
Institutional Class Actual   $1,000.00   $1,097.50   $  10.55   2.00%
  Hypothetical(b)   $1,000.00   $1,015.08   $  10.13   2.00%

 

(a)Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

(b)Hypothetical assumes 5% annual return before expenses.

22

 

PRIVACY NOTICE(Unaudited)

 

Rev: January 2020

 

FACTS WHAT DOES SILK INVEST NEW HORIZONS FRONTIER FUND (THE “Fund”) DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
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.
What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

●     Social Security number

 

●     account balances and account transactions

 

●     transaction or loss history and purchase history

 

●     checking account information and wire transfer instructions

 

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

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 the Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information Does the Fund
share?

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

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

No
For joint marketing with other financial companies No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No
For nonaffiliates to market to you No

 

Questions? Call (800) 797-9745

23

 

Who we are

Who is providing

this notice?

 

Silk Invest New Horizons Frontier Fund

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (Distributor)

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (Administrator)

What we do

How does the Fund

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 the Fund

collect my personal

information?

 

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

●     open an account or deposit money

 

●     buy securities from us or sell securities to us

 

●     make deposits or withdrawals from your account or provide account information

 

●     give us your account information

 

●     make a wire transfer

 

●     tell us who receives the money

 

●     tell us where to send the money

 

●     show your government-issued ID

 

●     show your driver’s license

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.

Definitions
Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

●     Silk Invest Limited, the investment adviser to the Fund, could be deemed to be an affiliate.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

●     The Fund does not share your personal information 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.

 

    The Fund doesn’t jointly market.

24

 

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PROXY VOTING

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted those proxies during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30, are available (1) without charge upon request by calling the Fund at (800) 797-9745 and (2) in Fund documents filed with the SEC on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

TRUSTEES
Daniel J. Condon, Chair
David R. Carson
Kenneth G.Y. Grant
Freddie Jacobs, Jr.
Catharine B. McGauley
Ronald C. Tritschler

 

OFFICERS
Martin R. Dean, President
Gweneth K. Gosselink,
    Chief Compliance Officer
Zachary P. Richmond,
    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER
Silk Invest Limited
30 Churchill Place
London, E14 5RE
United Kingdom

 

DISTRIBUTOR
Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800
Cleveland, OH 44115

 

LEGAL COUNSEL
Thompson Hine LLP
312 Walnut Street, 20th Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202

 

CUSTODIAN
U.S. Bank, N.A.
425 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

 

ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND FUND ACCOUNTANT
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

This report is intended only for the information of shareholders or those who have received the Fund’s prospectus which contains information about the Fund’s management fee and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silk-SAR-23

 

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

 

 
 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics. NOT APPLICABLE – disclosed with annual report

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. NOT APPLICABLE – disclosed with annual report

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. NOT APPLICABLE – disclosed with annual report

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to listed companies only

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments. Schedule filed with Item 1.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. NOT APPLICABLE – applies to closed-end funds only

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The registrant has not adopted procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a)       Based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed and are operating effectively to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared, and that the information required in filings on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

 

(b)       There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting 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 Investment Companies.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a) (1) Not Applicable – filed with annual report

 

(2)Certifications by the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are filed herewith.

 

(3)       Not Applicable – there were no written solicitations to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1

during the period

 

(b)Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is 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) Unified Series Trust

 

By /s/ Martin R. Dean             

Martin R. Dean, President

 

Date   3/4/2024   

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By /s/ Martin R. Dean             

Martin R. Dean, President

 

Date   3/4/2024   

 

By /s/ Zachary P. Richmond     

Zachary P. Richmond, Treasurer

 

Date   3/4/2024