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 811-23220
Fiera Capital Series Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
375 Park Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10152
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Corporation Service Company
251 Little Falls Drive
Wilmington, Delaware 19808
(Name and address of agent for service)
Copy to:
Stephen A. McShea
Fiera Capital Inc.
375 Park Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10152
George M. Silfen, Esq.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 300-1600
Date of fiscal year end: March 31
Date of reporting period: March 31, 2023
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders
(a) The following is a copy of the report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1)
Fiera Capital Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Fiera Capital International Equity Fund
Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund
Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund
Each, a series of Fiera Capital Series Trust
Annual Report
March 31, 2023
Fiera Capital Series Trust |
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Fund Performance | 2 |
Fiera Capital Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | 2 |
Fiera Capital International Equity Fund | 5 |
Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund | 8 |
Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | 12 |
Portfolio Composition | 16 |
Schedules of Investments | 18 |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities | 23 |
Statements of Operations | 24 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 25 |
Financial Highlights | 29 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 35 |
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 45 |
Expense Example | 47 |
Additional Information | 49 |
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement | 52 |
Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program | 54 |
Privacy Notice | 55 |
Fiera Capital Series Trust – Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance |
For the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, the Fiera Capital Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund returned -14.18% for Institutional class, and -14.38% for Investor class (net of fees). The Fund underperformed its category benchmark, the Russell 2500 Growth Index, which returned -10.35% for the same period.
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY
We believe that the best way to provide value-added returns is to identify companies that exhibit certain favorable fundamental advantages and benefit from secular growth trends, allowing us to structure the portfolio in high-conviction areas of longer-term sustainable growth. Embedded in our portfolio construction is the recognition of companies at different stages of their growth cycle, which we designate as “stable” and “emerging” growth stocks. We believe that having a spectrum of growth companies ranging from those that are truly innovative and growing rapidly to those that are more established, can provide relative stability while allowing the opportunity to drive outperformance versus our benchmark and peers over time.
MARKET ENVIRONMENT
Throughout 2022, as the Fed has conveyed its desire to squelch inflation, financial conditions, by every measure, tightened considerably. The inflation problem, which started as a supply issue in 2021, has evolved into a more persistent problem. The labor market is extremely tight, and wage growth (which tends to be sticky) is starting to take hold resulting in broad-based inflationary pressures. Consensus emerged that because of tightening financial conditions, we were positioning for a recession. Housing and the associated cyclical industries are the primary channels through which monetary policy will impact the economy.
As we progressed later into the year, the market environment continued to evolve and has been significantly driven by the Federal Reserve’s resolve to tighten financial conditions to tame inflation and inflation expectations. The Fed has finally accepted that inflationary conditions have become persistent. The policy messaging has become unambiguously for higher Fed Funds rates and the market has come to accept the likelihood of a recession.
The macro picture stepped to centerstage and the implications of tighter financial conditions are being reflected – first and foremost in housing and then followed by the cyclical parts of the economy. One of the key aspects is the tightness of the labor market due to the retirement of more than three million baby boomers and the changing immigration landscape. This has resulted in stickiness of wage growth stoking inflation fears. In the early portion of 2022, capital spending was strong (+21%) and the market is worried the free cash flow margins will decline from peak levels. Historically, significant growth in capital expenditure has not been met well by the market and that seems to be the case again. In this environment of higher real rates and a decline in free cash flow, the equation has resulted in massive multiple compression of high growth, high multiple stocks. In addition to high multiples which were justified away in a previous regime of low to negative real rates, several companies have come short of earnings expectations. This potent brew has resulted in massive declines of once so-called market darlings, mainly in technology. Worries about a cyclical slowdown due to tighter Fed policy has compressed the cyclical sectors of the market. In summary, there are many worries from the macro to the micro.
As 2022 came to a close, the narrative has been driven significantly by the Federal Reserve’s resolve to tighten financial conditions to tame inflation and inflation expectations. The Fed has finally accepted that inflationary conditions have become persistent. The policy messaging has become decidedly for higher Fed Funds rates and the market has come to accept the potential for recession at some point within the coming year. The Fed’s stated goal of stifling persistent inflation to the 2-3% range from the reported CPI of 5.5% in November increases the chance of a policy misstep.
The macro picture is foggy, at best. The labor market continued to be hot with job openings per unemployed person still elevated at 1.7:1 (down from a 70-year high of 2:1 in March 2022). There are initial signs of layoffs in the housing related and tech sector but a more leading indicator such as unemployment claims have not risen in a noticeable manner.
As the calendar turned to 2023, the first quarter of the year was punctuated by the effects of Fed tightening and the higher interest rates taking a toll on the banking sector – particularly the regional banks. Unlike past banking crises (which were caused due to credit issues), the current crisis is rooted in volatility of deposits as the short-term rate environment shifted. This has resulted in unrealized losses in the investment portfolios of regional banks. In the extreme case of a couple of regional banks (Silicon Valley Bank & Signature Bank) the
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Fiera Capital Series Trust – Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
Asset-Liability Risk management was lacking and resulted in FDIC takeover of the banks. The speed at which events unfolded resulting in these bank failures was alarming and unexpected. We believe there is potential that this will result in tighter regulation and tighter credit conditions.
In the latter portion of the first quarter of 2023, the market has recognized that the Fed may have tightened financial conditions too much. As the Fed increased rates last year, there was always a concern of policy error. The odds of that policy error have gone up recently. The effects of the Fed tightening still need to be felt in the economy. The higher Fed funds rate and the natural tightening of credit conditions resulting from the regional banking crisis has shifted the narrative from the market. Now the Fed has truly become data dependent and we may be in the last stretch of higher Fed funds rates. Last quarter, the economy was too hot as persistent inflation and tight labor conditions were topic de-jour. In a matter of weeks, the consensus has shifted to the possibility of a recession in the second half of 2023.
As we mentioned before, the macro picture is foggy at best. Even though inflation may have peaked, it has proven to be sticky. The market perceives it is a long way from the current 5% level to the targeted 2% level – and a lot can happen in terms of economic and equity return outcomes as the Fed balances its goals.
PERFORMANCE (YEAR), INCLUDING CONTRIBUTORS/DETRACTORS
On a trailing one-year basis, the Fund lagged its benchmark, trailing the Russell 2500 Growth benchmark by 3.83% (-14.18% vs -10.35%). The Fund’s security selection was a headwind towards relative performance while and sector allocation contributed towards the active return. Strongest stock selection came in the Consumer Discretionary and Industrials sectors while it was more challenged in Healthcare and Information Technology. The sector overweight in Energy and underweight to Real Estate were the most significant contributors from an allocation perspective. Conversely, the underweight to Consumer Staples and overweight within Health Care detracted from the Fund’s return.
The decision to underweight or overweight a sector is typically more a function of the names available to us that meet our desired criteria, based on our bottom-up analyses than it is on any top-down decision-making. At the end of the period, the Fund was overweight Information Technology, Health Care, Consumer Discretionary and Communication Services, and underweight all other sectors. From a sector perspective, Consumer Discretionary, Energy and Industrials were positive contributors while Health Care, Information Technology and Financials were negative contributors.
On an individual security basis, five of the top performers that provided excess contribution to overall return in the Fund were Shockwave Medical (SWAV) +92%, Deckers Outdoor (DECK) +80%, EMCOR Group (EME) +61%, Amicus Therapeutics (FOLD) +63%, Arista Networks (ANET) +39%. The bottom five performers were Bausch Health (BHC) -76%, Entegris (ENTG) -32%, Gitlab (GTLB) -50%, Zendesk (ZEN) -51%, Guardant Health (GH) -63%.
OUTLOOK
Looking ahead into 2023, uncertainty remains high. With an inverted yield curve, based on historical precedents, a recession is inevitable. The biggest controversy currently is no longer if a recession is imminent. Rather, the question is if the recession will result in a soft landing or a hard landing. Yet at the same time, this landscape presents opportunities to invest in companies with secular growth characteristics at attractive levels. From a bottom-up perspective, we are finding plenty of opportunities to invest in companies with strong good cash generation characteristics and benefitted by secular growth at reasonable multiples.
3
Fiera Capital Series Trust – Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Results of a $1,000,000 Investment*
Share Class | Ticker | Cusip | Inception | Expense Ratios | |
Gross | Net | ||||
Institutional | APSGX | 31660Q702 | 06/29/12 | 1.15% | 1.05% |
Investor | APSRX | 31660Q603 | 02/12/18 | 1.40% | 1.30% |
The table references expense ratios per the prospectus dated July 29, 2022. The net expense ratios reflect contractual expense limitations agreed to by the Adviser which will continue through October 31, 2023. Returns would be lower without these contractual expense limitations in effect.
Annualized Total Return Information*
Share Class | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year |
Institutional Class | (14.18)% | 20.87% | 9.02% | 10.52% |
Investor Class | (14.38)% | 20.56% | 8.72% | 9.32%(2) |
Fund Benchmark | ||||
Russell 2500 Growth Index(1) | (10.35)% | 14.75% | 6.82% | 10.05% |
(1) | Primary benchmark. |
(2) | The return of the Investor Class is since inception. |
Performance of Investor Class shares will vary from the performance of the Institutional Class shares shown above due to differences in charges and expenses. This graph illustrates the hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 in the Institutional Class shares of the Fund from March 31, 2013 to March 31, 2023.
The Russell 2500 Growth Index measures the performance of the small to mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2500 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
* | The Apex Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund (the “Apex Fund”), a series of the Ultimus Managers Trust with an inception date of 6/29/12, was reorganized into the Fund as of 2/12/18. The Fund has the same investment objective and investment team, and substantially similar fundamental investment policies, principal investment strategies and risks as the Apex Fund. |
Index results assume the re-investment of all dividends and capital gains. The Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from the securities that comprise the index. The index is not a projection, prediction or guarantee of performance. It is not possible to invest directly in the index.
The performance quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment results and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data that is current to the most recent month end is available by calling 1-855-771-7119.
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.
The Fund invests primarily in small- and mid- capitalization equity securities which, like all equity securities, carry the potential for unpredictable drops in value and periods of lackluster performance. Small- and mid- capitalization companies may involve greater risks than large capitalization companies because these companies may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Small- and mid- capitalization companies may be subject to greater price fluctuations and be less liquid compared to larger capitalization companies. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities involve risks that may be different from those of U.S. securities. Foreign securities may not be subject to uniform audit and financial reporting and disclosure standards. In addition, the Fund’s foreign investments may be subject to adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, including military action or conflict, and nationalization of companies or industries.
4
Fiera Capital Series Trust – International Equity Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance |
For the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, the Fiera Capital International Equity Fund returned -0.33% for Institutional class, -0.57% for Investor class, and -0.10% for Z class (net of fees). The Fund outperformed its category benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index, which returned -1.38% for the same period.
Investment Philosophy
The Fund seeks to achieve capital appreciation. It is invested in a portfolio of the Global Equity Team’s highest conviction ideas from international developed countries and select emerging markets. This research-focused approach seeks to identify what we believe are best of breed companies in an industry with a sustainable competitive advantage and growth potential, that operate with high barriers to entry and a history of stable profit margins with little dependence on financial leverage, trading at what we believe are attractive valuations.
Market Review and Positioning
For the April 1 to June 30, 2022 period, the Fiera Capital International Equity strategy was down in absolute performance and underperformed the index over the quarter. Global equity markets continued to decline, dominated by concerns of stagflation, as China’s lockdowns exacerbated supply chain constraints after having already been under increased pressure with the Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, rate hikes accelerated at an aggressive pace to combat inflation. The strategy’s underperformance over the quarter was primarily driven by our lack of exposure to the Energy sector and our security selection which was less successful in the Industrials and Information Technology sectors.
Novo Nordisk and Unilever were among the leading contributors to performance over the quarter. Novo Nordisk posted very strong results, far exceeding expectations. While the company’s results were broad-based, growth was particularly impressive for Ozempic, one of the company’s key diabetes drugs, and Wegovy, the company’s latest obesity drug, despite supply constraints. The company furthermore meaningfully upgraded its guidance. Novo Nordisk additionally announced during the quarter encouraging phase 3 data for its investigational once-weekly insulin, news which was positively received, once again demonstrating the company’s innovative lead in insulin. As for Unilever, its stock outperformed the index as the higher multiple names de-rated at a faster pace. The company reported a higher than anticipated topline beat led by pricing initiatives that exceeded expectations. Whereas the company was able to instate aggressive pricing actions, volumes declined given their significant mass-market and emerging market presence, which are typically subject to greater demand elasticity as prices increase.
Among the leading detractors over the quarter were Taiwan Semiconductor and Keyence. While Taiwan Semiconductor has indicated that it has reached capacity for 2022 as customers looked to secure their orders, an anticipated industry-wide correction is looming, negatively impacting the sentiment on semiconductor stocks. The company has maintained its $100B CAPEX guidance, which was previously announced, and is well on track to produce its advanced 3nm nodes, whose initial technology ramp-up is anticipated to impact margins negatively in its early stages. Regarding Keyence, although the stock underperformed the market given its relatively higher valuation, the company delivered solid results.
The Japanese-based company benefits from the secular demand for automation, being well-positioned due to its innovative products, distribution capabilities, and solid management.
During the quarter, we did not exit or initiate any new positions. However, we took profits from Novo-Nordisk while adding to our position in InterContinental Hotels Group.
For the July 1 to September 30, 2022 period, the Fiera Capital International Equity fund was down in absolute performance and outperformed the index over the quarter. Despite starting strong, global equity markets experienced wild market swings over the quarter as fears of a global recession persisted. Interest rates continued to rise at a faster pace in an effort to combat inflation, and the soar in the US dollar propelled international currencies to decline, with the British pound plunging to alltime relative lows. As for the strategy’s outperformance over the quarter, security selection in the Consumers and Financials sectors contributed positively, partially offset by weaker selection in the Information Technology, Industrials, and Materials sectors. It was primarily driven by our lack of exposure to the Energy sector and our security selection which was less successful in the Industrials and Information Technology sectors.
5
Fiera Capital Series Trust – International Equity Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
HDFC Bank was among the leading contributors to performance over the quarter. The stock bounced back after initially dropping following the announcement of the merger of HDFC Bank and HDFC Ltd. (Corp). The bank posted solid results over the quarter with strong loan growth and stated that initial approvals for the merger have been obtained. Furthermore, loan loss provisions decreased, while capital levels remained very strong.
Among the leading detractors over the quarter was Taiwan Semiconductor. The stock underperformed alongside its peers due to the challenging macroeconomic environment and looming correction in the semiconductor industry. The company, however, reported strong results with the underlying business continuing to perform very well, driven by their technology leadership, manufacturing capabilities, and overall strong execution.
During the quarter, we did not exit or initiate any new positions.
For the October 1 to December 31, 2022 period, the Fiera Capital International Equity fund was up in absolute performance, however underperformed the MSCI EAFE Index over the quarter. While global equity markets continued to fluctuate over the quarter with the persistent energy crisis in Europe, signs of hope arose as US inflation seemingly peaked, leading investors to believe that the Fed may ease its rate hikes. China’s announcement of new stimulus measures and less restrictive covid policy also spurred further excitement in the markets. As for the strategy’s underperformance, it was predominantly driven by less successful security selection in the Financial sector as well as the strategy’s overweight position in the underperforming Consumer Staples sector.
Novo-Nordisk and Essilor Luxottica were among the leading contributors to performance over the quarter. Danish-based diabetes and obesity specialist, Novo-Nordisk, posted another very strong quarter, exceeding expectations and raising guidance. The company announced that its latest obesity drug, Wegovy, which had recently suffered from material manufacturing disruptions was confirmed to be fully available by year end 2022. The obesity market remains largely untapped, representing a strong opportunity for Novo-Nordisk, as the market is increasingly becoming aware of the efficacy of these obesity drugs. As for one of the global leaders in ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses, Essilor Luxottica, its stock was up over the quarter as the company reported overall solid results, delivering strong organic growth. The Asia-Pacific region delivered particularly strong growth aided by China seeing strong demand for one of the company’s latest products, Stellest, offering myopia correcting glasses for children. Furthermore, the company’s premium brand portfolio of frames and sunglasses brands such as Prada eyewear are continuing to see strong demand.
During the quarter, we did not exit or initiate any new positions.
For the January 1 to March 31, 2023 period, the Fiera Capital International Equity fund was up in absolute performance and outperformed its benchmark the MSCI EAFE Index over the quarter. Global equity markets started the year with a continuation of the fourth quarter’s risk-on sentiment, however the banking sector was front and center after the failures of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank, as well as UBS’s rescue acquisition of Credit Suisse. Despite heightened volatility, swift actions from policymakers and indications that the Fed may soon pause rate hikes helped the equity market finish higher for the quarter.
As for the International strategy’s outperformance, security selection in the Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Industrials sectors were primary drivers. Additionally, being underweight Energy contributed to the quarter’s relative performance.
Among the largest individual contributors over the quarter were Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). TSMC’s stock recovered meaningfully after being depressed from both geopolitical and cyclical risks in the second half of 2022. The company reported quarterly results and despite a slight miss vs. consensus on revenue, strong margins and margin guidance amidst a cyclical downturn helped the stock higher. As for LVMH, the stock outperformed significantly as the luxury goods conglomerate reported solid 4th quarter results led by their Fashion & Leather Goods division. An optimistic tone from management, namely on China post-reopening as well as strong tourism spending in Europe helped propel the stock higher.
Among the detractors over the quarter were EssilorLuxottica and HDFC Bank. After outperforming in the fourth quarter of 2022, EssilorLuxottica lagged the broader market. A global leader in ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses reported earnings, which missed consensus estimates on bottom and topline measures. The margin miss due to wage inflation was seen as the primary negative factor. As for HDFC, the company slightly underperformed following global banking pressures, however the retail bank is well capitalized, has a culture of conservative underwriting, strong risk management, granular asset-liability matching, and has a healthy liquidity coverage ratio. Importantly, the bank also has a diversified clientele and benefits from the under-penetration of traditional banking in India.
6
Fiera Capital Series Trust – International Equity Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
International Equity Fund
Results of a $1,000,000 Investment
Share Class | Ticker | Cusip | Inception | Expense Ratios | |
Gross | Net | ||||
Institutional | FCIUX | 31660Q306 | 09/29/17 | 1.24% | 1.00% |
Investor | FCIRX | 31660Q504 | 09/29/17 | 1.49% | 1.25% |
Z | FCIWX | 31660Q405 | 09/29/17 | 1.24% | 0.80% |
The table references expense ratios per the prospectus dated July 29, 2022. The net expense ratios reflect contractual expense limitations agreed to by the Adviser which will continue through October 31, 2023. Returns would be lower without these contractual expense limitations in effect.
Annualized Total Return Information
Share Class | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since |
Institutional Class | (0.33)% | 14.82% | 8.50% | 8.18% |
Investor Class | (0.57)% | 14.63% | 8.29% | 7.97% |
Class Z | (0.10)% | 15.05% | 8.73% | 8.41% |
Fund Benchmark | ||||
MSCI ACWI Index | (7.44)% | 15.36% | 6.93% | 7.17% |
MSCI EAFE Index(1) | (1.38)% | 12.99% | 3.52% | 3.69% |
MSCI World Index | (7.02)% | 16.40% | 8.01% | 8.05% |
(1) | Primary benchmark. |
Performance of Investor Class and Z Class shares will vary from the performance of the Institutional Class shares shown above due to differences in charges and expenses. This graph illustrates the hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 in the Institutional Class shares of the Fund from inception date to March 31, 2023.
The Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) All Country World Index (“ACWI”) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets.
The MSCI EAFE Index is a stock market index made up of approximately 909 constituents. It is used as a common benchmark for international stock funds. The index comprises the MSCI country indexes capturing large and mid-cap equities across developed markets in Europe, Australasia and the Far East, excluding the U.S. and Canada.
The MSCI World Index is a stock market index made up of approximately 1,600 global stocks. It is used as a common benchmark for ‘world’ or ‘global’ stock funds. The index comprises a collection of stocks of all the developed markets in the world, as defined by MSCI and includes stocks from 23 countries, but excludes stocks from emerging and frontier economies.
Index results assume the re-investment of all dividends and capital gains. The Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from the securities that comprise the index. The index is not a projection, prediction or guarantee of performance. It is not possible to invest directly in the index.
The performance quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment results and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data that is current to the most recent month end is available by calling 1-855-771-7119.
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The Fund invests in foreign securities, which involve greater volatility and political, economic, including military action or conflict, and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for investments in emerging markets.
7
Fiera Capital Series Trust – Global Equity Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance |
For the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, the Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund returned -1.92% for Institutional class, and -2.19% for Investor class (net of fees). The Fund outperformed its category benchmark, the MSCI World Index, which returned -7.02% for the same period.
Investment Philosophy
The Fund seeks to achieve capital appreciation. It is invested in a concentrated portfolio of the Global Equity Team’s highest conviction ideas from across global, developed, and select emerging markets. We seek to generate returns with lower than market volatility, achieved by investing in companies we believe hold unique competitive advantages, operate with high barriers to entry and are able to consistently generate attractive returns on invested capital (ROIC) with little dependence on financial leverage.
Market Review and Positioning
For the April 1 to June 30, 2022 period, the Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund was down in absolute performance and outperformed the index over the quarter. Global equity markets continued to decline, dominated by concerns of stagflation, as China’s lockdowns exacerbated supply chain constraints after having already been under increased pressure with the Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, rate hikes accelerated at an aggressive pace to combat inflation. The strategy’s outperformance over the quarter was primarily driven by security selection, which was particularly successful in the Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology sectors.
Among the largest contributors over the quarter were AutoZone and Johnson & Johnson. AutoZone’s stock outperformed primarily driven by the impressive acceleration of the company’s commercial business, posting same-store sales growth far exceeding expectations. The leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories remains committed to its mega-hub strategy, having significantly increased its mega-hub expansion targets. While the company’s retail division posted relatively muted results, sales were better than feared, considering the previous year’s tough comparables. Regarding inflation, the company and industry have effectively been able to price in the increased cost of goods sold. As for Johnson & Johnson, the company posted overall strong results. The Medical Devices division continued to show a strong broad-based recovery with the easing of Covid-related restrictions. Whereas Johnson & Johnson’s Covid vaccine sales fell below consensus, as the company slowly realizes revenues for their largely not-for-profit vaccine, the bulk of the company’s key drugs continue to demonstrate attractive growth.
Among the most significant detractors over the quarter were Moody’s and Keyence. Moody’s stock continued to underperform as issuance volumes were down over the quarter following record levels in 2021. The company subsequently negatively revised its guidance in its Investors Service division. Moody’s Analytics division, however, posted strong organic growth, seeing strong demand for regulatory products such as Know Your Client rules. Regarding Keyence, although the stock underperformed the market given its relatively higher valuation, the company delivered solid results. The Japanese-based company benefits from the secular demand for automation, being well-positioned due to its strong products, distribution capabilities, and solid management.
During the quarter, we did not exit or initiate any new positions in the fund. We did, however, trim our position in Sherwin Williams while adding to our position in Microsoft.
For the July 1 to September 30, 2022 period, the Fiera Capital Global Equity fund was down in absolute performance and performed relatively in line with the index. Despite starting off strong, global equity markets experienced wild swings over the quarter as fears of a global recession persisted. Interest rates continued to rise at a faster pace as policymakers attempted to combat inflation, and the soar in the US dollar propelled global currencies to decline, with the British pound plunging to all-time relative lows. As for the strategy’s performance, security selection in the Consumer Staples sector was positive, while selection within the Information Technology sector was particularly challenging.
Among the largest contributors over the quarter were TJX and AutoZone. Despite HomeGoods experiencing sales pressure due to high comparables during the pandemic and margin pressure driven by higher freight costs, TJX’s Marmaxx division, on the other hand, is performing well. The off-price retailer is poised to benefit from the challenging market environment, which has historically increased customer appetite for its unique value proposition. Furthermore, the company is in a strong inventory position, as supply chain disruptions have positively impacted the company’s ability to source great products and increase its inventory levels. As for Autozone,
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Fiera Capital Series Trust – Global Equity Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
its stock outperformed as its Commercial business continues to deliver stellar growth, while its retail segment’s Same Store Sales have climbed back into positive territory, following exceptional strength in recent pandemic years. The company has also demonstrated an ability to price in inflationary pressures.
Among the most significant detractors over the quarter were Taiwan Semiconductor and Alphabet. Taiwan Semiconductor underperformed alongside its peers due to the challenging macroeconomic environment and looming correction in the semiconductor industry. The company, however, reported strong results with the underlying business continuing to perform very well, driven by their technology leadership, manufacturing capabilities, and overall strong execution. As for Alphabet, its stock underperformed as its results came in slightly below expectations with a negative earnings revision due to macroeconomic and FX headwinds. Google Search still fared better than its “ads business” peers. As the most popular search engine, it has increasingly gained performance-based ads, less economically sensitive than brand ads. Furthermore, its material travel exposure experienced a very strong recovery following years of covid-related weakness. Despite the more challenging landscape, the company continues to execute well, with strong cost controls in place.
During the quarter, we did not exit or initiate any new positions in the fund.
For the October 1 to December 31, 2022 period, the Fiera Capital Global Equity fund was up in absolute performance and outperformed the MSCI World Index over the quarter. While global equity markets continued to fluctuate over the quarter with the persistent energy crisis in Europe, signs of hope arose as US inflation seemingly peaked, leading investors to believe that the Fed may ease its rate hikes. China’s announcement of new stimulus measures and less restrictive covid policy also spurred further excitement in the markets. As for the strategy’s outperformance, it was predominantly driven by security selection, which was particularly successful in the Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology sectors. Not owning FAANG mega-caps, Amazon and Apple as well as EV giant Tesla, also contributed to the strategy’s relative outperformance.
Among the largest contributors over the quarter was TJX. Strong margin execution drove the stock’s outperformance even though the company is experiencing freight costs headwinds. The company furthermore is continuing to benefit from strong merchandise availability as supply chain disruptions have increased their selection from suppliers, while the inflationary environment has enabled the off-price retailer to strategically increase its pricing.
Among the most significant detractors over the quarter were Alphabet and Roche. Alphabet’s stock underperformed as the company reported results that came in below expectations and negatively revised earnings. The USbased multinational tech giant continues to be faced with short term macro challenges and FX headwinds. The company remains committed to spending on innovation throughout the market cycle, while at the same time have not meaningfully slowed down hirings, staying focused on the business long-term, despite the impact being negative on margins short term. As for Roche, the company’s pharmaceutical division reported results that came in below consensus, while the beat in diagnostics was partially driven by better than anticipated covid testing revenue. Furthermore, the company announced that its experimental Alzheimer’s drug, Gantenerumab failed in phase 3 of its trial, proving to not be significant, leading Roche to terminate its program. During the quarter, we did not exit or initiate any new positions in the fund. We did, however, trim our positions in AutoZone and Alphabet.
For the January 1 to March 31, 2023 period, the Fiera Capital Global Equity fund was up in absolute performance and outperformed its benchmark the MSCI World Index over the quarter. Global equity markets started the year with a continuation of the fourth quarter’s risk-on sentiment, however the banking sector was front and center after the failures of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank, as well as UBS’s rescue acquisition of Credit Suisse. Despite heightened volatility, swift actions from policymakers and indications that the Fed may soon pause rate hikes helped the equity market finish higher for the quarter.
As for the strategy’s outperformance, security selection in Financials was a primary driver given no US bank exposure and a preference for names such as Moody’s and MSCI. Additionally, being underweight Energy and security selection in Industrials contributed. On the counter side, selection in Consumer Discretionary and Health Care as well as not owning Apple and NVIDIA detracted from a relative performance perspective.
Among the largest individual contributors over the quarter were LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC). LVMH outperformed significantly as the luxury goods conglomerate reported solid fourth quarter results led by their Fashion & Leather Goods division. An optimistic tone from management, namely on China post-reopening as well as strong
9
Fiera Capital Series Trust – Global Equity Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
tourism spending in Europe helped propel the stock higher. As for TSMC, the stock recovered meaningfully after being depressed from both geopolitical and cyclical risks in the second half of 2022. The company reported quarterly results and despite a slight miss vs. consensus on revenue, strong margins and margin guidance amidst a cyclical downturn helped the stock higher.
Among the more significant detractors over the quarter were Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH). JNJ’s quarter showed softening in their pharmaceuticals division ex-COVID vaccines, subpar earnings quality, and a soft margin outlook amid inflationary pressures and an upcoming spin-off of their consumer unit. A significant pending liability related to talc in their baby powder also weighed on the stock as the U.S. appeals court denied an attempt to handle the subsidiary’s lawsuits in bankruptcy court. As for UNH, rulings around risk adjustments to Medicare Advantage as well as slightly underwhelming rate increases were an overhang on the stock in the short-term.
10
Fiera Capital Series Trust – Global Equity Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
Global Equity Fund
Results of a $1,000,000 Investment
Share Class | Ticker | Cusip | Inception | Expense Ratios | |
Gross | Net | ||||
Institutional | FCGIX | 31660Q207 | 04/28/17 | 1.70% | 0.90% |
Investor | FCGEX | 31660Q108 | 04/28/17 | 1.95% | 1.15% |
The table references expense ratios per the prospectus dated July 29, 2022. The net expense ratios reflect contractual expense limitations agreed to by the Adviser which will continue through October 31, 2023. Returns would be lower without these contractual expense limitations in effect.
Annualized Total Return Information
Share Class | 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since |
Institutional Class | (1.92)% | 17.03% | 11.09% | 12.10% |
Investor Class | (2.19)% | 16.74% | 10.79% | 11.82% |
Fund Benchmark | ||||
MSCI ACWI Index | (7.44)% | 15.36% | 6.93% | 8.04% |
MSCI World Index(1) | (7.02)% | 16.40% | 8.01% | 8.77% |
(1) | Primary benchmark. |
Performance of Investor Class shares will vary from the performance of the Institutional Class shares shown above due to differences in charges and expenses. This graph illustrates the hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 in the Institutional Class shares of the Fund from inception date to March 31, 2023.
The Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) All Country World Index (“ACWI”) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets.
The MSCI World Index is a stock market index made up of approximately 1,600 global stocks. It is used as a common benchmark for ‘world’ or ‘global’ stock funds. The index comprises a collection of stocks of all the developed markets in the world, as defined by MSCI and includes stocks from 23 countries but excludes stocks from emerging and frontier economies.
Index results assume the re-investment of all dividends and capital gains. The Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from the securities that comprise the index. The index is not a projection, prediction or guarantee of performance. It is not possible to invest directly in the index.
The performance quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment results and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data that is current to the most recent month end is available by calling 1-855-771-7119.
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The Fund invests in foreign securities which involve greater volatility and political, economic, including military action or conflict, and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for investments in emerging markets. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning it may concentrate its assets in fewer individual holdings or geographical areas than a diversified fund. Therefore, the Fund is more exposed to individual stock volatility than a diversified fund.
11
Fiera Capital Series Trust – U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance |
For the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, the Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund returned -1.26% for Institutional class, and -1.45% for Investor class (net of fees). The Fund outperformed its category benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, which returned -7.73% for the same period.
Investment Philosophy
The Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation. It seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing substantially in a portfolio of US equities. We seek to invest in what we believe are quality companies that we believe have an ability to consistently generate attractive returns on invested capital (ROIC) with little dependence on financial leverage.
Market Review and Positioning
For the April 1 to June 30, 2022 period, the Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund was down in absolute performance and outperformed the index over the quarter. Global equity markets continued to decline, dominated by concerns of stagflation, as China’s lockdowns exacerbated supply chain constraints after having already been under increased pressure with the Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, rate hikes accelerated at an aggressive pace to combat inflation. The strategy’s outperformance over the quarter was primarily driven by security selection, which was particularly successful in the Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology sectors.
Among the largest contributors over the quarter were AutoZone and Johnson & Johnson. AutoZone’s stock outperformed primarily driven by the impressive acceleration of the company’s commercial business, posting same-store sales growth far exceeding expectations. The leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories remains committed to its mega-hub strategy, having significantly increased its mega-hub expansion targets. While the company’s retail division posted relatively muted results, sales were better than feared, considering the previous year’s tough comparables. Regarding inflation, the company and industry as a whole have effectively been able to price in the increase in the cost of goods sold. As for Johnson & Johnson, the company posted overall strong results. The Medical Devices division continued to show a strong broad-based recovery with the easing of Covid-related restrictions. Whereas Johnson & Johnson’s Covid vaccine sales fell below consensus, as the company begins to slowly realize revenues for their largely not-forprofit vaccine, the bulk of the company’s key drugs continue to demonstrate attractive growth.
Among the largest detractors over the quarter were Moody’s and Middleby. Moody’s stock continued to underperform as issuance volumes were down over the quarter following record levels in 2021. The company subsequently negatively revised its guidance in its Investors Service division. Moody’s Analytics division, however, posted strong organic growth, seeing strong demand for regulatory products such as Know Your Client rules. As for Middleby, the company reported lower than anticipated margins across divisions, driven by supply chain constraints and rising costs. While orders remain healthy, seeing double-digit growth, order trends relatively slowed down, creating concerns among investors. Despite the more challenging macro environment, the company has historically demonstrated its ability to navigate difficult periods.
During the quarter, we did not exit or initiate any new positions in the fund. We did, however, trim our positions in PepsiCo and Colgate Palmolive while adding to our positions in Microsoft and Alphabet.
For the July 1 to September 30, 2022 period, the Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund was down in absolute performance and underperformed the index over the quarter. Despite starting off strong, global equity markets experienced wild swings over the quarter as fears of a global recession persisted. Interest rates continued to rise at a faster pace as policymakers attempted to combat inflation, and the soar in the US dollar propelled global currencies to decline, with the British pound plunging to all-time relative lows. As for the strategy’s underperformance, it was primarily driven by security selection in the Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Financials sectors.
Among the largest contributors over the quarter were Lowe’s and TJX. Lowe’s stock outperformed as the company’s management has demonstrated its ability to execute and effectively manage selling, general and administrative expenses. Furthermore, the company’s Pro customer sales saw doubt-digit growth for the ninth consecutive quarter, which partially offset the relatively more difficult DIY sales, considering its recent strength last year. As for TJX, despite HomeGoods experiencing sales pressure due to high comparables during the pandemic and margin pressure driven by higher freight costs, its Marmaxx division, on the other hand, is performing well. The off-price
12
Fiera Capital Series Trust – U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
retailer is poised to benefit from the challenging market environment, which has historically increased customer appetite for its unique value proposition. Furthermore, the company is in a strong inventory position, as supply chain disruptions have positively impacted the company’s ability to source great products and increase its inventory levels.
Among the largest detractors over the quarter were Adobe and Moody’s. Adobe’s stock sharply dropped following the announcement of the acquisition of Figma, a collaborative web-based tool for user experience design. While Adobe paid a sizeable price to acquire the business, it is believed that Figma’s web-based technology will accelerate Adobe’s ability to move its products to the cloud, a task that would be very challenging to do organically, as well as enable it to further tap into the extremely vast communicators/consumers total addressable market, with ambitions of driving future growth. As for Moody’s, its stock underperformed as the company reported results that came in below expectations, negatively revising its guidance. The company’s Investors Service division continues to be challenged due to uncertainty in the markets after two years of exceptional issuance volumes fueled by low rates. Moody’s Analytics division, however, posted strong organic growth as they continue to see positive demand for regulatory (know your clients) as well as risk-related products, providing a degree of stability to their earnings.
During the quarter, we did not exit or initiate any new positions in the fund.
For the October 1 to December 31, 2022 period, the Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund was up in absolute performance and outperformed the S&P 500 Index over the quarter. While global equity markets continued to fluctuate over the quarter with the persistent energy crisis in Europe, signs of hope arose as US inflation seemingly peaked, leading investors to believe that the Fed may ease its rate hikes. China’s announcement of new stimulus measures and less restrictive covid policy also spurred further excitement in the markets. As for the strategy’s outperformance, it was predominantly driven by security selection, which was particularly successful in the Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology sectors. Not owning FAANG mega-caps, Amazon and Apple as well as EV giant Tesla, also contributed to the strategy’s relative outperformance.
Among the largest contributors over the quarter was Nike. Nike’s stock outperformed over the quarter, as the multinational apparel and footwear player proved its ability to navigate through a challenging inventory environment, faring better than its main competitors. The company believes itself to be efficiently managing its end-to-end supply chain while not slowing down on their innovative pipeline of products. Nike believes the inventory peak to have passed and have seen encouraging results in Greater China showing a stronger inventory position. The company further anticipates their margins to increase next year as the transitory pressures necessitating greater promotional activity to resume a healthy inventory level, are behind them. Nike furthermore continues to be able to attract some of the world’s best roster of athletes while continuing to focus on retail experience and digital growth.
Among the largest detractors over the quarter were Alphabet and CME Group. Alphabet’s stock underperformed as the company reported results that came in below expectations and negatively revised earnings. The US-based multinational tech giant continues to be faced with short term macro challenges and FX headwinds. The company remains committed to spending on innovation throughout the market cycle, while at the same time has not meaningfully slowed down hirings, staying focused on the business long-term, despite the impact being negative on margins short term.
While CME reported fairly in-line results and all product categories posting strong volume growth with the exception of the Energy complex, the stock nonetheless underperformed as pricing was down due to temporary concessions made by the company. CME Group, however, continues to deliver strong execution, launching new products and further expanding their client base internationally.
During the quarter, we did not exit or initiate any new positions in the fund. We did, however, trim our positions in AutoZone while adding to our position in CME Group.
For the January 1 to March 31, 2023 period, the Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund was up in absolute performance and underperformed its benchmark the S&P 500 Index over the quarter. Equity markets started the year with a continuation of the fourth quarter’s risk-on sentiment, however the banking sector was front and center after the failures of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank, as well as UBS’s rescue acquisition of Credit Suisse. Despite heightened volatility, swift actions from policymakers and indications that the Fed may soon pause rate hikes helped the equity market finish higher for the quarter.
13
Fiera Capital Series Trust – U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
As for the strategy’s underperformance, security selection in Consumer Discretionary as well as allocation and security selection within Information Technology were the primary detractors. Specifically, not owning Apple nor NVIDIA negatively impacted from a relative sense. On the positive side, security selection in Financials contributed given no US bank exposure and a preference for names such as Moody’s and MSCI. Additionally, being underweight Energy aided the strategy.
Among the more significant detractors over the quarter were Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH). JNJ’s quarter showed softening in their pharmaceuticals division ex-COVID vaccines, subpar earnings quality, and a soft margin outlook amid inflationary pressures and an upcoming spin-off of their Consumer unit. A significant pending liability related to talc in their baby powder also weighed on the stock as the U.S. appeals court denied an attempt to handle the subsidiary’s lawsuits in bankruptcy court. As for UNH, rulings around risk adjustments to Medicare Advantage as well as slightly underwhelming rate increases were an overhang on the stock in the short-term.
Among positive contributors, MSCI and Microsoft (MSFT) helped the fund over the quarter. MSCI outperformed following strong quarterly results and guidance. Margins improved slightly, and the company benefitted from broader market performance as well as their ESG/Climate division. As for Microsoft, market attention on AI tools, ChatGPT and Alphabet’s recently launched, Bard continued. MSFT stock performed well in the quarter following a challenged 2022. There were a variety of announcements around OpenAI integration, including a new partnership with Salesforce and their Einstein AI product. We continue to stay focused on developments and believe AI will be a complimentary tool to existing platforms such as Search and Office. Microsoft’s 4th quarter earnings announcement was largely in-line, however deceleration in Azure, their cloud division and lowered guidance offset an initially positive market reaction.
14
Fiera Capital Series Trust – U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund
Management Discussion and Fund Performance – Continued |
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund
Results of a $1,000,000 Investment
Share Class | Ticker | Cusip | Inception | Expense Ratios | |
Gross | Net | ||||
Investor | FCUEX | 31660Q868 | 09/30/19 | 1.13% | 1.00% |
Institutional | FCUIX | 31660Q850 | 09/30/19 | 0.88% | 0.75% |
The table references expense ratios per the prospectus dated July 29, 2022. The net expense ratios reflect contractual expense limitations agreed to by the Adviser which will continue through October 31, 2023. Returns would be lower without these contractual expense limitations in effect.
Cumulative Total Return Information
Share Class | 1 Year | 3 Year | Since |
Institutional Class | (1.26)% | 20.25% | 14.74% |
Investor Class | (1.45)% | 19.96% | 14.49% |
Fund Benchmark | |||
S&P 500 Index(1) | (7.73)% | 18.60% | 11.48% |
(1) | Primary benchmark. |
Performance of Investor Class shares will vary from the performance of the Institutional Class shares shown above due to differences in charges and expenses. This graph illustrates the hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 in the Institutional Class shares of the Fund from inception date to March 31, 2023.
The S&P 500 Index is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s and is an unmanaged broadly-based index of the common stock prices of 500 large U.S. companies that includes the reinvestment of dividends.
Index results assume the re-investment of all dividends and capital gains. The Fund’s holdings may differ significantly from the securities that comprise the index. The index is not a projection, prediction or guarantee of performance. It is not possible to invest directly in the index.
The performance quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment results and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data that is current to the most recent month end is available by calling 1-855-771-7119.
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.
15
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Portfolio Composition March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) |
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Sector | % of Total | |||
Common Stocks* | ||||
Communications | 10.4 | % | ||
Consumer, Cyclical | 15.6 | |||
Consumer, Non-cyclical | 27.2 | |||
Energy | 2.7 | |||
Financial | 5.0 | |||
Industrial | 15.4 | |||
Technology | 22.1 | |||
Total Common Stocks | 98.4 | |||
Other Assets and Liabilities | 1.6 | |||
Total Net Assets | 100.0 | % |
Industry | Value | % of Total | ||||||
Common Stocks | ||||||||
Apparel | $ | 1,342,356 | 1.8 | % | ||||
Banks | 1,371,691 | 1.8 | ||||||
Biotechnology | 8,204,786 | 11.1 | ||||||
Commercial Services | 3,243,534 | 4.4 | ||||||
Distribution/Wholesale | 707,952 | 1.0 | ||||||
Diversified Financial Services | 1,159,644 | 1.6 | ||||||
Engineering & Construction | 4,380,789 | 5.9 | ||||||
Hand/Machine Tools | 1,112,471 | 1.5 | ||||||
Healthcare-Products | 5,315,809 | 7.2 | ||||||
Healthcare-Services | 2,305,232 | 3.1 | ||||||
Home Builders | 1,229,184 | 1.7 | ||||||
Home Furnishings | 1,290,269 | 1.7 | ||||||
Internet | 3,406,414 | 4.6 | ||||||
Leisure Time | 1,543,638 | 2.1 | ||||||
Lodging | 1,757,227 | 2.4 | ||||||
Machinery-Construction & Mining | 1,165,294 | 1.6 | ||||||
Machinery-Diversified | 3,348,595 | 4.5 | ||||||
Media | 2,114,355 | 2.8 | ||||||
Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 1,412,181 | 1.9 | ||||||
Oil & Gas | 1,055,826 | 1.4 | ||||||
Oil & Gas Services | 950,147 | 1.3 | ||||||
Pharmaceuticals | 1,046,210 | 1.4 | ||||||
Private Equity | 1,194,861 | 1.6 | ||||||
Retail | 2,444,683 | 3.3 | ||||||
Semiconductors | 5,173,245 | 7.0 | ||||||
Software | 11,207,228 | 15.1 | ||||||
Telecommunications | 2,200,812 | 3.0 | ||||||
Textiles | 1,210,557 | 1.6 | ||||||
Total Common Stocks | 72,894,990 | 98.4 | ||||||
Other Assets and Liabilities | 1,154,585 | 1.6 | ||||||
Total Net Assets | $ | 74,049,575 | 100.0 | % |
International Equity Fund
Sector | % of Total | |||
Common Stocks* | ||||
Basic Materials | 2.7 | % | ||
Consumer, Cyclical | 19.7 | |||
Consumer, Non-cyclical | 40.5 | |||
Financial | 9.9 | |||
Industrial | 17.8 | |||
Technology | 8.6 | |||
Total Common Stocks | 99.2 | |||
Other Assets and Liabilities | 0.8 | |||
Total Net Assets | 100.0 | % |
Industry | Value | % of Total | ||||||
Common Stocks | ||||||||
Apparel | $ | 12,995,523 | 5.4 | % | ||||
Banks | 13,789,578 | 5.7 | ||||||
Beverages | 10,187,304 | 4.2 | ||||||
Building Materials | 5,696,409 | 2.4 | ||||||
Chemicals | 6,629,819 | 2.7 | ||||||
Commercial Services | 14,087,776 | 5.8 | ||||||
Cosmetics/Personal Care | 20,518,704 | 8.5 | ||||||
Distribution/Wholesale | 5,125,662 | 2.1 | ||||||
Diversified Financial Services | 10,019,175 | 4.1 | ||||||
Electronics | 3,377,128 | 1.4 | ||||||
Food | 14,639,163 | 6.1 | ||||||
Hand/Machine Tools | 5,987,373 | 2.5 | ||||||
Healthcare-Products | 14,423,976 | 6.0 | ||||||
Home Furnishings | 7,860,630 | 3.3 | ||||||
Leisure Time | 5,187,876 | 2.1 | ||||||
Lodging | 8,248,382 | 3.4 | ||||||
Machinery-Diversified | 19,712,007 | 8.2 | ||||||
Pharmaceuticals | 24,019,128 | 9.9 | ||||||
Retail | 8,132,822 | 3.4 | ||||||
Semiconductors | 13,749,658 | 5.7 | ||||||
Software | 6,938,569 | 2.9 | ||||||
Transportation | 8,134,857 | 3.4 | ||||||
Total Common Stocks | 239,461,519 | 99.2 | ||||||
Other Assets and Liabilities | 2,004,841 | 0.8 | ||||||
Total Net Assets | $ | 241,466,360 | 100.0 | % |
16
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Portfolio Composition – Continued |
Global Equity Fund
Sector | % of Total | |||
Common Stocks* | ||||
Basic Materials | 2.5 | % | ||
Communications | 5.0 | |||
Consumer, Cyclical | 19.5 | |||
Consumer, Non-cyclical | 26.8 | |||
Financial | 9.8 | |||
Industrial | 17.7 | |||
Technology | 18.1 | |||
Total Common Stocks | 99.4 | |||
Other Assets and Liabilities | 0.6 | |||
Total Net Assets | 100.0 | % |
Industry | Value | % of Total | ||||||
Common Stocks | ||||||||
Apparel | $ | 1,980,888 | 7.0 | % | ||||
Banks | 640,365 | 2.2 | ||||||
Beverages | 1,721,016 | 6.1 | ||||||
Building Materials | 1,199,262 | 4.2 | ||||||
Chemicals | 703,530 | 2.5 | ||||||
Commercial Services | 1,920,908 | 6.8 | ||||||
Diversified Financial Services | 2,139,052 | 7.5 | ||||||
Electronics | 739,091 | 2.6 | ||||||
Food | 1,037,817 | 3.7 | ||||||
Hand/Machine Tools | 312,629 | 1.1 | ||||||
Healthcare-Services | 986,768 | 3.5 | ||||||
Internet | 1,408,239 | 5.0 | ||||||
Lodging | 675,046 | 2.4 | ||||||
Machinery-Diversified | 2,775,289 | 9.8 | ||||||
Pharmaceuticals | 1,926,141 | 6.8 | ||||||
Retail | 2,873,050 | 10.1 | ||||||
Semiconductors | 1,340,976 | 4.7 | ||||||
Software | 3,805,875 | 13.4 | ||||||
Total Common Stocks | 28,185,942 | 99.4 | ||||||
Other Assets and Liabilities | 174,394 | 0.6 | ||||||
Total Net Assets | $ | 28,360,336 | 100.0 | % |
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund
Sector | % of Total | |||
Common Stocks* | ||||
Basic Materials | 7.1 | % | ||
Communications | 8.0 | |||
Consumer, Cyclical | 16.2 | |||
Consumer, Non-cyclical | 18.3 | |||
Financial | 17.9 | |||
Industrial | 13.2 | |||
Technology | 19.1 | |||
Total Common Stocks | 99.8 | |||
Other Assets and Liabilities | 0.2 | |||
Total Net Assets | 100.0 | % |
Industry | Value | % of Total | ||||||
Common Stocks | ||||||||
Apparel | $ | 2,509,337 | 2.8 | % | ||||
Beverages | 3,651,287 | 4.1 | ||||||
Building Materials | 2,261,605 | 2.6 | ||||||
Chemicals | 6,374,106 | 7.1 | ||||||
Cosmetics/Personal Care | 1,304,078 | 1.5 | ||||||
Diversified Financial Services | 15,933,114 | 17.9 | ||||||
Electronics | 2,503,424 | 2.8 | ||||||
Healthcare-Services | 5,000,947 | 5.6 | ||||||
Internet | 5,271,973 | 5.9 | ||||||
Machinery-Diversified | 6,987,976 | 7.8 | ||||||
Media | 1,884,509 | 2.1 | ||||||
Pharmaceuticals | 6,387,124 | 7.1 | ||||||
Retail | 11,972,463 | 13.4 | ||||||
Semiconductors | 3,210,347 | 3.6 | ||||||
Software | 13,827,940 | 15.5 | ||||||
Total Common Stocks | 89,080,230 | 99.8 | ||||||
Other Assets and Liabilities | 188,564 | 0.2 | ||||||
Total Net Assets | $ | 89,268,794 | 100.0 | % |
Portfolio composition changes due to the ongoing management of the Funds. The percentages are based on net assets as of March 31, 2023.
* | At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in a related group of industries within an economic sector. Companies in the ame economic sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that economic sector that funds that invest more broadly. Generally, the more broadly a Fund invests, the more it spreads risk and potentially reduces the risk of loss and volatility. |
17
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments |
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
Common Stocks — 98.4% | ||||||||
Communications — 10.4% | ||||||||
Internet — 4.6% | ||||||||
Etsy, Inc.(1) | 14,518 | $ | 1,616,289 | |||||
GoDaddy, Inc., Class A(1) | 23,033 | 1,790,125 | ||||||
| 3,406,414 | |||||||
Media — 2.8% | ||||||||
New York Times Co., Class A | 34,380 | 1,336,694 | ||||||
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. | 4,504 | 777,661 | ||||||
| 2,114,355 | |||||||
Telecommunications — 3.0% | ||||||||
Arista Networks, Inc.(1) | 13,111 | 2,200,812 | ||||||
Total Communications | 7,721,581 | |||||||
Consumer, Cyclical — 15.6% | ||||||||
Apparel — 1.8% | ||||||||
Deckers Outdoor Corp.(1) | 2,986 | 1,342,356 | ||||||
Distribution/Wholesale — 1.0% | ||||||||
Avient Corp. | 17,200 | 707,952 | ||||||
Home Builders — 1.7% | ||||||||
PulteGroup, Inc. | 21,091 | 1,229,184 | ||||||
Home Furnishings — 1.7% | ||||||||
Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Class A | 15,105 | 1,290,269 | ||||||
Leisure Time — 2.1% | ||||||||
Harley-Davidson, Inc. | 15,425 | 585,687 | ||||||
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.(1) | 14,670 | 957,951 | ||||||
| 1,543,638 | |||||||
Lodging — 2.4% | ||||||||
Hyatt Hotels Corp., Class A(1) | 15,719 | 1,757,227 | ||||||
Retail — 3.3% | ||||||||
Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A | 5,148 | 1,178,532 | ||||||
Wingstop, Inc. | 6,897 | 1,266,151 | ||||||
| 2,444,683 | |||||||
Textiles — 1.6% | ||||||||
Mohawk Industries, Inc.(1) | 12,079 | 1,210,557 | ||||||
Total Consumer, Cyclical | 11,525,866 | |||||||
Consumer, Non-cyclical — 27.2% | ||||||||
Biotechnology — 11.1% | ||||||||
Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.(1) | 135,230 | $ | 1,499,700 | |||||
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) | 14,372 | 947,977 | ||||||
Argenx SE, ADR(1) | 4,426 | 1,649,039 | ||||||
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(1) | 11,745 | 1,142,084 | ||||||
Guardant Health, Inc.(1) | 14,410 | 337,770 | ||||||
Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.(1) | 6,448 | 1,171,215 | ||||||
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(1) | 18,600 | 691,548 | ||||||
SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc.(1) | 16,370 | 421,364 | ||||||
Veracyte, Inc.(1) | 15,430 | 344,089 | ||||||
| 8,204,786 | |||||||
Commercial Services — 4.4% | ||||||||
Insperity, Inc. | 10,891 | 1,323,801 | ||||||
Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc. | 7,950 | 447,506 | ||||||
United Rentals, Inc. | 3,720 | 1,472,227 | ||||||
| 3,243,534 | |||||||
Healthcare-Products — 7.2% | ||||||||
AtriCure, Inc.(1) | 17,873 | 740,836 | ||||||
Inari Medical, Inc.(1) | 9,314 | 575,046 | ||||||
iRhythm Technologies, Inc.(1) | 18,285 | 2,267,889 | ||||||
Shockwave Medical, Inc.(1) | 7,988 | 1,732,038 | ||||||
| 5,315,809 | |||||||
Healthcare-Services — 3.1% | ||||||||
ICON PLC(1) | 3,320 | 709,119 | ||||||
Molina Healthcare, Inc.(1) | 5,967 | 1,596,113 | ||||||
| 2,305,232 | |||||||
Pharmaceuticals — 1.4% | ||||||||
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(1) | 10,336 | 1,046,210 | ||||||
Total Consumer, Non-Cyclical | 20,115,571 | |||||||
Energy — 2.7% | ||||||||
Oil & Gas — 1.4% | ||||||||
Devon Energy Corp. | 20,862 | 1,055,826 | ||||||
Oil & Gas Services — 1.3% | ||||||||
ChampionX Corp. | 35,022 | 950,147 | ||||||
Total Energy | 2,005,973 | |||||||
Financial — 5.0% | ||||||||
Banks — 1.8% | ||||||||
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | 45,166 | 1,371,691 | ||||||
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
18
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments – Continued |
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
Diversified Financial Services — 1.6% | ||||||||
Invesco, Ltd. | 70,710 | $ | 1,159,644 | |||||
Private Equity — 1.6% | ||||||||
Ares Management Corp., Class A | 14,320 | 1,194,861 | ||||||
Total Financial | 3,726,196 | |||||||
Industrial — 15.4% | ||||||||
Engineering & Construction — 5.9% | ||||||||
EMCOR Group, Inc. | 12,184 | 1,980,997 | ||||||
Jacobs Solutions, Inc. | 9,690 | 1,138,672 | ||||||
TopBuild Corp.(1) | 6,059 | 1,261,120 | ||||||
4,380,789 | ||||||||
Hand/Machine Tools — 1.5% | ||||||||
Regal Rexnord Corp. | 7,905 | 1,112,471 | ||||||
Machinery-Construction & Mining — 1.6% | ||||||||
BWX Technologies, Inc. | 18,485 | 1,165,294 | ||||||
Machinery-Diversified — 4.5% | ||||||||
Cognex Corp. | 22,193 | 1,099,663 | ||||||
Graco, Inc. | 12,839 | 937,376 | ||||||
Nordson Corp. | 5,901 | 1,311,556 | ||||||
3,348,595 | ||||||||
Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 1.9% | ||||||||
AO Smith Corp. | 20,422 | 1,412,181 | ||||||
Total Industrial | 11,419,330 | |||||||
Technology — 22.1% | ||||||||
Semiconductors — 7.0% | ||||||||
Entegris, Inc. | 23,736 | 1,946,589 | ||||||
Lattice Semiconductor Corp.(1) | 22,291 | 2,128,791 | ||||||
Power Integrations, Inc. | 12,971 | 1,097,865 | ||||||
5,173,245 | ||||||||
Software — 15.1% | ||||||||
ACI Worldwide, Inc.(1) | 24,321 | $ | 656,181 | |||||
Gitlab, Inc., Class A(1) | 31,947 | 1,095,463 | ||||||
HubSpot, Inc.(1) | 4,765 | 2,042,994 | ||||||
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. | 5,621 | 847,197 | ||||||
JFrog, Ltd.(1) | 41,280 | 813,216 | ||||||
MongoDB, Inc., Class A(1) | 6,471 | 1,508,520 | ||||||
Outset Medical, Inc.(1) | 14,690 | 270,296 | ||||||
Paycom Software, Inc.(1) | 5,246 | 1,594,836 | ||||||
PubMatic, Inc., Class A(1) | 35,820 | 495,032 | ||||||
Tyler Technologies, Inc.(1) | 5,311 | 1,883,493 | ||||||
| 11,207,228 | |||||||
Total Technology | 16,380,473 | |||||||
Total Common Stocks (identified cost $56,559,327) | 72,894,990 | |||||||
Total Investments — 98.4% (identified cost $56,559,327) | 72,894,990 | |||||||
Other Assets and Liabilities — 1.6% | 1,154,585 | |||||||
Total Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 74,049,575 |
(1) | Non-income producing. |
ADR – American Depositary Receipt
PLC – Public Limited Company
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
19
International Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments |
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
Common Stocks — 99.2% | ||||||||
Australia — 2.2% | ||||||||
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 78,741 | $ | 5,198,906 | |||||
Canada — 3.4% | ||||||||
Canadian National Railway Co. | 68,957 | 8,134,858 | ||||||
Denmark — 7.2% | ||||||||
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B | 109,331 | 17,363,975 | ||||||
France — 16.0% | ||||||||
Air Liquide SA | 39,608 | 6,629,819 | ||||||
EssilorLuxottica SA | 48,000 | 8,655,351 | ||||||
L’Oreal SA | 23,286 | 10,404,999 | ||||||
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | 14,158 | 12,995,522 | ||||||
| 38,685,691 | |||||||
Germany — 4.0% | ||||||||
Rational AG | 3,910 | 2,628,198 | ||||||
SAP SE | 54,951 | 6,938,569 | ||||||
| 9,566,767 | |||||||
India — 2.5% | ||||||||
HDFC Bank, Ltd., ADR | 91,124 | 6,075,237 | ||||||
Japan — 9.9% | ||||||||
FANUC Corp. | 100,005 | 3,611,400 | ||||||
Keyence Corp. | 21,220 | 10,400,108 | ||||||
Shimano, Inc. | 29,921 | 5,187,876 | ||||||
Unicharm Corp. | 114,311 | 4,698,839 | ||||||
| 23,898,223 | |||||||
Sweden — 1.0% | ||||||||
Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A | 290,437 | 2,515,435 | ||||||
Switzerland — 19.4% | ||||||||
Alcon, Inc. | 81,267 | 5,768,625 | ||||||
Cie Financiere Richemont SA | 50,720 | 8,132,822 | ||||||
Geberit AG | 10,201 | 5,696,409 | ||||||
Nestle SA | 120,068 | 14,639,163 | ||||||
Roche Holding AG | 23,292 | 6,655,153 | ||||||
Schindler Holding AG | 27,023 | 5,987,372 | ||||||
| 46,879,544 | |||||||
Taiwan — 5.7% | ||||||||
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., ADR | 147,814 | 13,749,658 | ||||||
United Kingdom — 23.9% | ||||||||
Bunzl PLC | 135,692 | $ | 5,125,662 | |||||
Diageo PLC | 228,253 | 10,187,304 | ||||||
Howden Joinery Group PLC | 605,959 | 5,232,433 | ||||||
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC | 125,990 | 8,248,382 | ||||||
Intertek Group PLC | 89,790 | 4,497,309 | ||||||
London Stock Exchange Group PLC | 103,148 | 10,019,175 | ||||||
Rotork PLC | 866,654 | 3,377,128 | ||||||
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC | 38,824 | 5,700,499 | ||||||
Unilever PLC | 104,605 | 5,414,866 | ||||||
| 57,802,758 | |||||||
United States — 4.0% | ||||||||
S&P Global, Inc. | 27,817 | 9,590,467 | ||||||
Total Common Stocks (identified cost $181,644,962) | 239,461,519 | |||||||
Total Investments — 99.2% (identified cost $181,644,962) | 239,461,519 | |||||||
Other Assets and Liabilities — 0.8% | 2,004,841 | |||||||
Total Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 241,466,360 |
ADR — American Depositary Receipt
PLC — Public Limited Company
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
20
Global Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments |
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
Common Stocks — 99.4% | ||||||||
Denmark — 0.8% | ||||||||
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B | 1,493 | $ | 237,119 | |||||
France — 4.7% | ||||||||
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | 1,443 | 1,324,519 | ||||||
India — 2.3% | ||||||||
HDFC Bank, Ltd., ADR | 9,605 | 640,365 | ||||||
Japan — 3.4% | ||||||||
Keyence Corp. | 1,942 | 951,791 | ||||||
Switzerland — 9.1% | ||||||||
Cie Financiere Richemont SA | 3,884 | 622,790 | ||||||
Geberit AG | 1,095 | 611,466 | ||||||
Nestle SA | 8,512 | 1,037,817 | ||||||
Schindler Holding AG | 1,411 | 312,629 | ||||||
| 2,584,702 | |||||||
Taiwan — 4.7% | ||||||||
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., ADR | 14,416 | 1,340,976 | ||||||
United Kingdom — 8.5% | ||||||||
Diageo PLC | 20,519 | 915,796 | ||||||
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC | 10,311 | 675,046 | ||||||
Intertek Group PLC | 7,436 | 372,447 | ||||||
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC | 3,010 | 441,956 | ||||||
| 2,405,245 | |||||||
United States — 65.9% | ||||||||
Alphabet, Inc., Class A (1) | 13,576 | $ | 1,408,239 | |||||
AutoZone, Inc. (1) | 554 | 1,361,815 | ||||||
Becton, Dickinson and Co. | 2,926 | 724,302 | ||||||
Carrier Global Corp. | 12,848 | 587,796 | ||||||
CME Group, Inc. | 4,186 | 801,703 | ||||||
Graco, Inc. | 8,492 | 620,001 | ||||||
Johnson & Johnson | 6,224 | 964,720 | ||||||
Mastercard, Inc., Class A | 3,680 | 1,337,349 | ||||||
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (1) | 483 | 739,091 | ||||||
Microsoft Corp. | 7,373 | 2,125,636 | ||||||
Moody’s Corp. | 5,060 | 1,548,461 | ||||||
MSCI, Inc. | 1,569 | 878,154 | ||||||
NIKE, Inc., Class B | 5,352 | 656,369 | ||||||
Oracle Corp. | 8,632 | 802,085 | ||||||
Otis Worldwide Corp. | 9,023 | 761,541 | ||||||
PepsiCo, Inc. | 4,417 | 805,219 | ||||||
Sherwin-Williams Co. | 3,130 | 703,530 | ||||||
TJX Cos., Inc. | 11,338 | 888,446 | ||||||
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | 2,088 | 986,768 | ||||||
| 18,701,225 | |||||||
Total Common Stocks (identified cost $20,608,576) | 28,185,942 | |||||||
Total Investments — 99.4% (identified cost $20,608,576) | 28,185,942 | |||||||
Other Assets and Liabilities — 0.6% | 174,394 | |||||||
Total Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 28,360,336 |
(1) | Non-income producing. |
ADR — American Depositary Receipt
PLC — Public Limited Company
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
21
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund
Schedule of Investments |
Description | Shares | Value | ||||||
Common Stocks — 99.8% | ||||||||
Basic Materials — 7.1% | ||||||||
Chemicals — 7.1% | ||||||||
Linde PLC | 10,748 | $ | 3,820,269 | |||||
Sherwin-Williams Co. | 11,362 | 2,553,837 | ||||||
Total Basic Materials | 6,374,106 | |||||||
Communications — 8.0% | ||||||||
Internet — 5.9% | ||||||||
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1) | 50,824 | 5,271,973 | ||||||
Media — 2.1% | ||||||||
FactSet Research Systems, Inc. | 4,540 | 1,884,509 | ||||||
Total Communications | 7,156,482 | |||||||
Consumer, Cyclical — 16.2% | ||||||||
Apparel — 2.8% | ||||||||
NIKE, Inc., Class B | 20,461 | 2,509,337 | ||||||
Retail — 13.4% | ||||||||
AutoZone, Inc.(1) | 2,146 | 5,275,190 | ||||||
Lowe’s Cos., Inc. | 17,607 | 3,520,872 | ||||||
TJX Cos., Inc. | 40,536 | 3,176,401 | ||||||
| 11,972,463 | |||||||
Total Consumer, Cyclical | 14,481,800 | |||||||
Consumer, Non-cyclical — 18.3% | ||||||||
Beverages — 4.1% | ||||||||
PepsiCo, Inc. | 20,029 | 3,651,287 | ||||||
Cosmetics/Personal Care — 1.5% | ||||||||
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | 17,353 | 1,304,078 | ||||||
Healthcare-Services — 5.6% | ||||||||
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | 10,582 | 5,000,947 | ||||||
Pharmaceuticals — 7.1% | ||||||||
Becton, Dickinson and Co. | 10,226 | 2,531,344 | ||||||
Johnson & Johnson | 24,876 | 3,855,780 | ||||||
| 6,387,124 | |||||||
Total Consumer, Non-Cyclical | 16,343,436 | |||||||
Financial — 17.9% | ||||||||
Diversified Financial Services — 17.9% | ||||||||
CME Group, Inc. | 14,816 | $ | 2,837,560 | |||||
Mastercard, Inc., Class A | 12,466 | 4,530,269 | ||||||
Moody’s Corp. | 17,237 | 5,274,867 | ||||||
MSCI, Inc. | 5,879 | 3,290,418 | ||||||
Total Financial | 15,933,114 | |||||||
Industrial — 13.2% | ||||||||
Building Materials — 2.6% | ||||||||
Carrier Global Corp. | 49,434 | 2,261,605 | ||||||
Electronics — 2.8% | ||||||||
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(1) | 1,636 | 2,503,424 | ||||||
Machinery-Diversified — 7.8% | ||||||||
Graco, Inc. | 33,252 | 2,427,729 | ||||||
Middleby Corp.(1) | 14,722 | 2,158,392 | ||||||
Otis Worldwide Corp. | 28,458 | 2,401,855 | ||||||
| 6,987,976 | |||||||
Total Industrial | 11,753,005 | |||||||
Technology — 19.1% | ||||||||
Semiconductors — 3.6% | ||||||||
Analog Devices, Inc. | 16,278 | 3,210,347 | ||||||
Software — 15.5% | ||||||||
Adobe Systems, Inc.(1) | 5,430 | 2,092,559 | ||||||
Microsoft Corp. | 31,037 | 8,947,967 | ||||||
Oracle Corp. | 29,998 | 2,787,414 | ||||||
| 13,827,940 | |||||||
Total Technology | 17,038,287 | |||||||
Total Common Stocks (identified cost $61,890,203) | 89,080,230 | |||||||
Total Investments — 99.8% (identified cost $61,890,203) | 89,080,230 | |||||||
Other Assets and Liabilities — 0.2% | 188,564 | |||||||
Total Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 89,268,794 |
(1) | Non-income producing. |
PLC — Public Limited Company
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
22
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Statements of Assets and Liabilities March 31, 2023 |
Small/Mid-Cap | International | Global | U.S. Equity | |||||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value | $ | 72,894,990 | $ | 239,461,519 | $ | 28,185,942 | $ | 89,080,230 | ||||||||
Cash | 1,261,961 | 1,176,189 | 4,603 | 445,740 | ||||||||||||
Cash denominated in foreign currencies(1) | — | 136,880 | 139,004 | — | ||||||||||||
Dividends and interest receivable | 10,399 | 1,180,059 | 92,627 | 7,048 | ||||||||||||
Receivable for investments sold | — | — | 62,024 | — | ||||||||||||
Receivable for capital stock sold | 5,283 | 85,851 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Due from Adviser | — | — | 5,982 | — | ||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses | 20,850 | 30,601 | 5,259 | 16,843 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | 74,193,483 | 242,071,099 | 28,495,441 | 89,549,861 | ||||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Payables: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments purchased | — | — | 75,268 | 194,823 | ||||||||||||
Capital stock redeemed | 41,146 | 382,679 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Adviser for management fees (Note 3) | 38,050 | 101,780 | — | 24,849 | ||||||||||||
Shareholder servicing fees | — | 32,452 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Trustee fees | 12,500 | 12,500 | 12,500 | 12,500 | ||||||||||||
Transfer agent fees | 10,558 | 15,441 | 7,464 | 8,470 | ||||||||||||
Audit and tax fees | 11,425 | 11,425 | 11,425 | 11,425 | ||||||||||||
Legal fees | 10,712 | 10,712 | 10,712 | 10,712 | ||||||||||||
12b-1 fees | 25 | 1,012 | 225 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Other liabilities | 19,492 | 36,738 | 17,511 | 18,285 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 143,908 | 604,739 | 135,105 | 281,067 | ||||||||||||
Total net assets | $ | 74,049,575 | $ | 241,466,360 | $ | 28,360,336 | $ | 89,268,794 | ||||||||
Net assets consist of: | ||||||||||||||||
Paid-in capital | $ | 56,931,455 | $ | 188,767,736 | $ | 21,615,570 | $ | 56,807,577 | ||||||||
Total distributable earnings (loss) | 17,118,120 | 52,698,624 | 6,744,766 | 32,461,217 | ||||||||||||
Total net assets | 74,049,575 | 241,466,360 | 28,360,336 | 89,268,794 | ||||||||||||
Net asset value per share (unlimited shares authorized, $0.001 par value) | ||||||||||||||||
Investor class | $ | 13.96 | $ | 14.51 | $ | 16.87 | $ | 15.16 | ||||||||
Institutional class | 14.28 | 14.53 | 16.93 | 15.17 | ||||||||||||
Z class | — | 14.60 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Net assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor class | $ | 122,361 | $ | 5,161,640 | $ | 1,103,663 | $ | 17,398 | ||||||||
Institutional class | 73,927,214 | 196,961,601 | 27,256,673 | 89,251,396 | ||||||||||||
Z class | — | 39,343,119 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total net assets | $ | 74,049,575 | $ | 241,466,360 | $ | 28,360,336 | $ | 89,268,794 | ||||||||
Shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor class | 8,765 | 355,822 | 65,431 | 1,148 | ||||||||||||
Institutional class | 5,175,172 | 13,556,668 | 1,609,945 | 5,882,667 | ||||||||||||
Z class | — | 2,695,105 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total shares outstanding | 5,183,937 | 16,607,595 | 1,675,376 | 5,883,815 | ||||||||||||
Investments, at cost: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at cost | $ | 56,559,327 | $ | 181,644,962 | $ | 20,608,576 | $ | 61,890,203 |
(1) | Identified cost of cash denominated in foreign currencies are $0, $137,647, $136,419 and $0, respectively. |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
23
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Statements of Operations Year Ended March 31, 2023 |
Small/Mid-Cap | International | Global | U.S. Equity | |||||||||||||
Investment income: | ||||||||||||||||
Dividend income from: | ||||||||||||||||
Unaffiliated issuers(1) | $ | 659,966 | $ | 3,837,046 | $ | 371,582 | $ | 1,100,931 | ||||||||
Total income | 659,966 | 3,837,046 | 371,582 | 1,100,931 | ||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Investment advisory (Note 3) | 759,285 | 1,756,691 | 222,282 | 481,055 | ||||||||||||
Fund accounting and administration | 74,094 | 145,407 | 50,979 | 72,274 | ||||||||||||
Transfer agent | 62,999 | 94,739 | 45,259 | 51,847 | ||||||||||||
Registration | 38,776 | 55,908 | 37,023 | 36,123 | ||||||||||||
Trustees | 50,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 | 50,000 | ||||||||||||
Miscellaneous | 34,150 | 51,534 | 25,614 | 23,602 | ||||||||||||
Audit and tax | 36,400 | 36,400 | 36,400 | 37,513 | ||||||||||||
Chief compliance officer | 21,000 | 21,000 | 21,000 | 21,000 | ||||||||||||
Legal | 49,291 | 49,291 | 49,291 | 49,309 | ||||||||||||
Custodian | 5,049 | 18,874 | 16,790 | 6,402 | ||||||||||||
Licensing | 13,314 | 30,691 | 4,021 | 12,613 | ||||||||||||
12b-1 (Note 2): | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | 286 | 8,523 | 2,639 | 38 | ||||||||||||
Shareholder servicing (Note 2): | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | — | 8,523 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Institutional Class | — | 451,416 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Z Class | — | 89,027 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total expenses | 1,144,644 | 2,868,024 | 561,298 | 841,776 | ||||||||||||
Deduct: | ||||||||||||||||
Expense waiver of fees and reimbursement of expenses (Note 2 & Note 4) | (258,525 | ) | (735,852 | ) | (308,591 | ) | (185,754 | ) | ||||||||
Net expenses | 886,119 | 2,132,172 | 252,707 | 656,022 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | (226,153 | ) | 1,704,874 | 118,875 | 444,909 | |||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency: | ||||||||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on transactions from: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments in unaffiliated issuers | 2,498,316 | (4,376,112 | ) | (635,915 | ) | (109,569 | ) | |||||||||
Foreign currency transactions | — | (43,460 | ) | (5,835 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Total net realized gain (loss) on transactions | 2,498,316 | (4,419,572 | ) | (641,750 | ) | (109,569 | ) | |||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments in unaffiliated issuers | (19,943,100 | ) | (1,720,301 | ) | (489,668 | ) | (1,944,603 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign currency translations | — | (1,177 | ) | 4,948 | — | |||||||||||
Total net change in unrealized depreciation | (19,943,100 | ) | (1,721,478 | ) | (484,720 | ) | (1,944,603 | ) | ||||||||
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments and foreign currency | (17,444,784 | ) | (6,141,050 | ) | (1,126,470 | ) | (2,054,172 | ) | ||||||||
Change in net assets resulting from operations | $ | (17,670,937 | ) | $ | (4,436,176 | ) | $ | (1,007,595 | ) | $ | (1,609,263 | ) |
(1) | Net of foreign taxes withheld of $2,360, $409,516, $16,140, and $0, respectively. |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
24
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | International Equity Fund | |||||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||
Change in net assets resulting from: | ||||||||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ | (226,153 | ) | $ | (438,359 | ) | $ | 1,704,874 | $ | 1,382,909 | ||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | 2,498,316 | 21,029,499 | (4,419,572 | ) | (47,869 | ) | ||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | (19,943,100 | ) | (16,580,668 | ) | (1,721,478 | ) | 6,991,827 | |||||||||
Change in net assets resulting from operations | (17,670,937 | ) | 4,010,472 | (4,436,176 | ) | 8,326,867 | ||||||||||
Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | (15,686 | ) | (12,304 | ) | (26,566 | ) | (6,405 | ) | ||||||||
Institutional Class | (10,744,946 | ) | (15,810,834 | ) | (1,392,547 | ) | (1,297,837 | ) | ||||||||
Z Class | — | — | (371,742 | ) | (357,311 | ) | ||||||||||
Change in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | (10,760,632 | ) | (15,823,138 | ) | (1,790,855 | ) | (1,661,553 | ) | ||||||||
Capital stock transactions: | ||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from sale of shares: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | 52,602 | 43,389 | 4,026,503 | 870,828 | ||||||||||||
Institutional Class | 9,976,759 | 11,756,964 | 44,915,874 | 63,255,976 | ||||||||||||
Net proceeds from sale of shares | 10,029,361 | 11,800,353 | 48,942,377 | 64,126,804 | ||||||||||||
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | 15,686 | 12,304 | 26,553 | 6,404 | ||||||||||||
Institutional Class | 9,754,349 | 14,521,528 | 1,312,291 | 1,112,195 | ||||||||||||
Z Class | — | — | 371,742 | 357,311 | ||||||||||||
Net proceeds from shares issued | 9,770,035 | 14,533,832 | 1,710,586 | 1,475,910 | ||||||||||||
Cost of shares redeemed: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | (20,731 | ) | (7,703 | ) | (1,322,961 | ) | (201,352 | ) | ||||||||
Institutional Class | (40,824,278 | ) | (40,664,584 | ) | (61,011,193 | ) | (11,857,765 | ) | ||||||||
Z Class | — | — | (4,000,000 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Net cost of shares redeemed | (40,845,009 | ) | (40,672,287 | ) | (66,334,154 | ) | (12,059,117 | ) | ||||||||
Change in net assets resulting from capital stock transactions | (21,045,613 | ) | (14,338,102 | ) | (15,681,191 | ) | 53,543,597 | |||||||||
Change in net assets | (49,477,182 | ) | (26,150,768 | ) | (21,908,222 | ) | 60,208,911 | |||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Beginning of period | 123,526,757 | 149,677,525 | 263,374,582 | 203,165,671 | ||||||||||||
End of period | $ | 74,049,575 | $ | 123,526,757 | $ | 241,466,360 | $ | 263,374,582 | ||||||||
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
25
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Statements of Changes in Net Assets – Continued |
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | International Equity Fund | |||||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||
Capital Stock Transactions in Shares: | ||||||||||||||||
Sale of shares: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | 3,267 | 2,016 | 299,422 | 58,499 | ||||||||||||
Institutional Class | 640,282 | 561,183 | 3,340,494 | 4,107,023 | ||||||||||||
Net sale of shares | 643,549 | 563,199 | 3,639,916 | 4,165,522 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued to shareholder in payment of distributions declared: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | 1,182 | 610 | 2,036 | 394 | ||||||||||||
Institutional Class | 718,817 | 707,677 | 100,559 | 68,401 | ||||||||||||
Z Class | — | — | 28,377 | 21,867 | ||||||||||||
Net shares issued | 719,999 | 708,287 | 130,972 | 90,662 | ||||||||||||
Shares redeemed: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | (1,306 | ) | (351 | ) | (99,359 | ) | (13,017 | ) | ||||||||
Institutional Class | (2,528,183 | ) | (2,006,116 | ) | (4,691,151 | ) | (779,689 | ) | ||||||||
Z Class | — | — | (274,348 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Net shares redeemed | (2,529,489 | ) | (2,006,467 | ) | (5,064,858 | ) | (792,706 | ) | ||||||||
Net change resulting from fund share transactions in shares | (1,165,941 | ) | (734,981 | ) | (1,293,970 | ) | 3,463,478 |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
26
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
Global Equity Fund | U.S. Equity Long-Term | |||||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||
Change in net assets resulting from: | ||||||||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ | 118,875 | $ | 80,067 | $ | 444,909 | $ | 317,654 | ||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | (641,750 | ) | 2,052,189 | (109,569 | ) | 2,164,104 | ||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | (484,720 | ) | 210,223 | (1,944,603 | ) | 10,205,524 | ||||||||||
Change in net assets resulting from operations | (1,007,595 | ) | 2,342,479 | (1,609,263 | ) | 12,687,282 | ||||||||||
Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | (55,479 | ) | (39,388 | ) | (508 | ) | (170 | ) | ||||||||
Institutional Class | (1,427,637 | ) | (1,007,823 | ) | (3,144,318 | ) | (1,092,787 | ) | ||||||||
Change in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders | (1,483,116 | ) | (1,047,211 | ) | (3,144,826 | ) | (1,092,957 | ) | ||||||||
Capital stock transactions: | ||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from sale of shares: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | 37,695 | 361,730 | 1,300 | 2,300 | ||||||||||||
Institutional Class | 1,082,460 | 10,717,266 | 4,977,200 | 10,362,923 | ||||||||||||
Net proceeds from sale of shares | 1,120,155 | 11,078,996 | 4,978,500 | 10,365,223 | ||||||||||||
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | 52,775 | 37,403 | 507 | 171 | ||||||||||||
Institutional Class | 702,371 | 611,145 | 1,975,226 | 646,981 | ||||||||||||
Net proceeds from shares issued | 755,146 | 648,548 | 1,975,733 | 647,152 | ||||||||||||
Cost of shares redeemed: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | (62,689 | ) | (293,399 | ) | — | (2,414 | ) | |||||||||
Institutional Class | (3,290,324 | ) | (7,757,657 | ) | (10,015,209 | ) | (7,180,066 | ) | ||||||||
Net cost of shares redeemed | (3,353,013 | ) | (8,051,056 | ) | (10,015,209 | ) | (7,182,480 | ) | ||||||||
Change in net assets resulting from capital stock transactions | (1,477,712 | ) | 3,676,488 | (3,060,976 | ) | 3,829,895 | ||||||||||
Change in net assets | (3,968,423 | ) | 4,971,756 | (7,815,065 | ) | 15,424,220 | ||||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Beginning of period | 32,328,759 | 27,357,003 | 97,083,859 | 81,659,639 | ||||||||||||
End of period | $ | 28,360,336 | $ | 32,328,759 | $ | 89,268,794 | $ | 97,083,859 | ||||||||
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
27
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Statements of Changes in Net Assets – Continued |
Global Equity Fund | U.S. Equity Long-Term | |||||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||
Capital Stock Transactions in Shares: | ||||||||||||||||
Sale of shares: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | 2,307 | 19,210 | 88 | 147 | ||||||||||||
Institutional Class | 66,898 | 531,081 | 335,273 | 624,195 | ||||||||||||
Net sale of shares | 69,205 | 550,291 | 335,361 | 624,342 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued to shareholder in payment of distributions declared: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | 3,392 | 1,865 | 36 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Institutional Class | 45,024 | 30,375 | 138,905 | 37,463 | ||||||||||||
Net shares issued | 48,416 | 32,240 | 138,941 | 37,473 | ||||||||||||
Shares redeemed: | ||||||||||||||||
Investor Class | (3,723 | ) | (16,051 | ) | — | (148 | ) | |||||||||
Institutional Class | (205,976 | ) | (398,341 | ) | (681,833 | ) | (425,670 | ) | ||||||||
Net shares redeemed | (209,699 | ) | (414,392 | ) | (681,833 | ) | (425,818 | ) | ||||||||
Net change resulting from fund share transactions in shares | (92,078 | ) | 168,139 | (207,531 | ) | 235,997 |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
28
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Financial Highlights – Investor Class |
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
Period Ended | Net asset | Net | Net realized | Total from | Dividends to | Dividends to | Total | Net asset | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | $ | 19.12 | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (2.79 | ) | $ | (2.87 | ) | $ | — | $ | (2.29 | ) | $ | (2.29 | ) | $ | 13.96 | |||||||||||
20221 | $ | 20.85 | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | 0.80 | $ | 0.68 | $ | — | $ | (2.41 | ) | $ | (2.41 | ) | $ | 19.12 | |||||||||||||
20211 | $ | 12.68 | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | 12.52 | $ | 12.37 | $ | — | $ | (4.20 | ) | $ | (4.20 | ) | $ | 20.85 | |||||||||||||
20201 | $ | 16.71 | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (2.00 | ) | $ | (2.12 | ) | $ | — | $ | (1.91 | ) | $ | (1.91 | ) | $ | 12.68 | |||||||||||
2019 | $ | 21.20 | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | — | $ | (4.00 | ) | $ | (4.00 | ) | $ | 16.71 | |||||||||||
International Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | $ | 14.70 | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.16 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | — | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 14.51 | ||||||||||||
20221 | $ | 14.06 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.69 | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | 14.70 | |||||||||||||
20211 | $ | 9.92 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 4.37 | $ | 4.40 | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | (0.26 | ) | $ | 14.06 | |||||||||||||
20201 | $ | 10.48 | $ | 0.05 | $ | (0.50 | ) | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | 9.92 | |||||||||||
20191 | $ | 10.24 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.34 | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 10.48 | |||||||||||||
Global Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | $ | 18.23 | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.51 | ) | $ | (0.48 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.85 | ) | $ | (0.88 | ) | $ | 16.87 | |||||||||||
20221 | $ | 17.05 | $ | 0.00 | 3 | $ | 1.83 | $ | 1.83 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.64 | ) | $ | (0.65 | ) | $ | 18.23 | ||||||||||||
20211 | $ | 11.63 | $ | 0.02 | $ | 5.49 | $ | 5.51 | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | 17.05 | |||||||||||||
20201 | $ | 12.73 | $ | 0.05 | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | (0.58 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | (0.52 | ) | $ | 11.63 | |||||||||||
2019 | $ | 11.60 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 1.19 | $ | 1.23 | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 12.73 | |||||||||||||
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | $ | 15.92 | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.46 | ) | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | 15.16 | |||||||||||
20221 | $ | 13.93 | $ | 0.02 | $ | 2.12 | $ | 2.14 | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | 15.92 | |||||||||||||
20211 | $ | 9.28 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 4.78 | $ | 4.81 | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.16 | ) | $ | 13.93 | |||||||||||||
20201,2 | $ | 10.00 | $ | 0.03 | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (0.69 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.00 | )3 | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 9.28 |
1 | Per share calculations are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period. |
2 | Reflects operations for the period from September 30, 2019 (inception date) to March 31, 2020. |
3 | Less than $0.01 per share. |
4 | Based on net asset value as of end of period date. |
5 | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
6 | Annualized, with the exception of non-recurring organizational costs. |
7 | The contractual and voluntary expense waivers pursuant to Note 2 and Note 4 of the financial statements are reflected in both the net expense and net investment income (loss) ratios. |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
29
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Financial Highlights – Investor Class – Continued |
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
Period Ended March 31 | Total | Gross | Net | Net | Net assets, | Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | (14.38 | )% | 1.61 | % | 1.30 | % | (0.52 | )% | $ | 122 | 88 | % | ||||||||||||
20221 | 2.64 | % | 1.40 | % | 1.30 | % | (0.55 | )% | $ | 108 | 24 | % | ||||||||||||
20211 | 99.38 | % | 1.41 | % | 1.30 | % | (0.78 | )% | $ | 70 | 53 | % | ||||||||||||
20201 | (15.36 | )% | 1.36 | % | 1.30 | % | (0.70 | )% | $ | 11 | 38 | % | ||||||||||||
2019 | 2.44 | % | 1.36 | % | 1.30 | % | (0.73 | )% | $ | 11 | 50 | % | ||||||||||||
International Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | (0.57 | )% | 1.55 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.50 | % | $ | 5,162 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||
20221 | 4.91 | % | 1.49 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.27 | % | $ | 2,260 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||
20211 | 44.38 | % | 1.55 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.19 | % | $ | 1,516 | 12 | % | ||||||||||||
20201 | (4.48 | )% | 1.56 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.44 | % | $ | 324 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||
20191 | 3.51 | % | 1.73 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.83 | % | $ | 94 | 38 | % | ||||||||||||
Global Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | (2.19 | )% | 2.26 | % | 1.15 | % | 0.19 | % | $ | 1,104 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||
20221 | 10.39 | % | 1.95 | % | 1.15 | % | 0.01 | % | $ | 1,157 | 25 | % | ||||||||||||
20211 | 47.37 | % | 2.30 | % | 1.15 | % | 0.10 | % | $ | 996 | 16 | % | ||||||||||||
20201 | (5.26 | )% | 2.39 | % | 1.15 | % | 0.35 | % | $ | 340 | 45 | % | ||||||||||||
2019 | 10.75 | % | 3.59 | % | 1.15 | % | 0.72 | % | $ | 144 | 28 | % | ||||||||||||
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | (1.45 | )% | 1.21 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.27 | % | $ | 17 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||
20221 | 15.20 | % | 1.13 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.09 | % | $ | 16 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||
20211 | 52.04 | % | 1.29 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.24 | % | $ | 14 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||
20201,2 | (6.96 | )% | 1.73 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.48 | % | $ | 9 | 6 | % |
1 | Per share calculations are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period. |
2 | Reflects operations for the period from September 30, 2019 (inception date) to March 31, 2020. |
3 | Less than $0.01 per share. |
4 | Based on net asset value as of end of period date. |
5 | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
6 | Annualized, with the exception of non-recurring organizational costs. |
7 | The contractual and voluntary expense waivers pursuant to Note 2 and Note 4 of the financial statements are reflected in both the net expense and net investment income (loss) ratios. |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
30
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Financial Highlights – Institutional Class |
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
Period Ended | Net asset | Net | Net realized | Total from | Dividends to | Dividends to | Total | Net asset | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | $ | 19.45 | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (2.84 | ) | $ | (2.88 | ) | $ | — | $ | (2.29 | ) | $ | (2.29 | ) | $ | 14.28 | |||||||||||
20221 | $ | 21.13 | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | 0.79 | $ | 0.73 | $ | — | $ | (2.41 | ) | $ | (2.41 | ) | $ | 19.45 | |||||||||||||
20211 | $ | 12.78 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 12.65 | $ | 12.55 | $ | — | $ | (4.20 | ) | $ | (4.20 | ) | $ | 21.13 | |||||||||||||
20201 | $ | 16.79 | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (2.02 | ) | $ | (2.10 | ) | $ | — | $ | (1.91 | ) | $ | (1.91 | ) | $ | 12.78 | |||||||||||
2019 | $ | 21.21 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.32 | ) | $ | (0.42 | ) | $ | — | $ | (4.00 | ) | $ | (4.00 | ) | $ | 16.79 | |||||||||||
International Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | $ | 14.70 | $ | 0.10 | $ | (0.16 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | — | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | 14.53 | ||||||||||||
20221 | $ | 14.06 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 0.73 | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | 14.70 | |||||||||||||
20211 | $ | 9.92 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 4.34 | $ | 4.40 | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | (0.26 | ) | $ | 14.06 | |||||||||||||
20201 | $ | 10.48 | $ | 0.08 | $ | (0.50 | ) | $ | (0.42 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | �� | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | 9.92 | ||||||||||
20191 | $ | 10.25 | 0.12 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.36 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | 10.48 | ||||||||||||||
Global Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | $ | 18.29 | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.50 | ) | $ | (0.43 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.85 | ) | $ | (0.93 | ) | $ | 16.93 | |||||||||||
20221 | $ | 17.11 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 1.82 | $ | 1.87 | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.64 | ) | $ | (0.69 | ) | $ | 18.29 | |||||||||||||
20211 | $ | 11.66 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 5.52 | $ | 5.57 | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | 17.11 | |||||||||||||
20201 | $ | 12.74 | $ | 0.08 | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | (0.54 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | (0.54 | ) | $ | 11.66 | |||||||||||
2019 | $ | 11.60 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 1.15 | $ | 1.26 | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | 12.74 | |||||||||||||
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | $ | 15.94 | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | (0.24 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.46 | ) | $ | (0.53 | ) | $ | 15.17 | |||||||||||
20221 | $ | 13.95 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 2.13 | $ | 2.18 | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.19 | ) | $ | 15.94 | |||||||||||||
20211 | $ | 9.28 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 4.79 | $ | 4.85 | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | 13.95 | |||||||||||||
20201,2 | $ | 10.00 | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.73 | ) | $ | (0.69 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.00 | )3 | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 9.28 |
1 | Per share calculations are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period. |
2 | Reflects operations for the period from September 30, 2019 (inception date) to March 31, 2020. |
3 | Less than $0.01 per share. |
4 | Based on net asset value as of end of period date. |
5 | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
6 | Annualized, with the exception of non-recurring organizational costs. |
7 | The contractual and voluntary expense waivers pursuant to Note 2 and Note 4 of the financial statements are reflected in both the net expense and net investment income (loss) ratios. |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
31
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Financial Highlights – Institutional Class – Continued |
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
Period Ended March 31 | Total | Gross | Net | Net | Net assets, | Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | (14.18 | )% | 1.36 | % | 1.05 | % | (0.27 | )% | $ | 73,927 | 88 | % | ||||||||||||
20221 | 2.85 | % | 1.15 | % | 1.05 | % | (0.30 | )% | $ | 123,419 | 24 | % | ||||||||||||
20211 | 100.06 | % | 1.16 | % | 1.05 | % | (0.53 | )% | $ | 149,608 | 53 | % | ||||||||||||
20201 | (15.16 | )% | 1.11 | % | 1.05 | % | (0.45 | )% | $ | 108,356 | 38 | % | ||||||||||||
2019 | 2.81 | % | 1.11 | % | 1.05 | % | (0.49 | )% | $ | 190,348 | 50 | % | ||||||||||||
International Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | (0.33 | )% | 1.30 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.75 | % | $ | 196,962 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||
20221 | 5.16 | % | 1.24 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.52 | % | $ | 217,664 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||
20211 | 44.43 | % | 1.30 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.44 | % | $ | 160,421 | 12 | % | ||||||||||||
20201 | (4.23 | )% | 1.31 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.69 | % | $ | 79,543 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||
20191 | 3.72 | % | 1.48 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.21 | % | $ | 45,193 | 38 | % | ||||||||||||
Global Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | (1.92 | )% | 2.01 | % | 0.90 | % | 0.44 | % | $ | 27,257 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||
20221 | 10.58 | % | 1.70 | % | 0.90 | % | 0.26 | % | $ | 31,172 | 25 | % | ||||||||||||
20211 | 47.78 | % | 2.05 | % | 0.90 | % | 0.35 | % | $ | 26,361 | 16 | % | ||||||||||||
20201 | (4.97 | )% | 2.14 | % | 0.90 | % | 0.60 | % | $ | 15,613 | 45 | % | ||||||||||||
2019 | 11.07 | % | 3.34 | % | 0.90 | % | 0.96 | % | $ | 12,478 | 28 | % | ||||||||||||
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | (1.26 | )% | 0.96 | % | 0.75 | % | 0.51 | % | $ | 89,251 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||
20221 | 15.49 | % | 0.88 | % | 0.75 | % | 0.33 | % | $ | 97,068 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||
20211 | 52.48 | % | 1.04 | % | 0.75 | % | 0.48 | % | $ | 81,645 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||
20201,2 | (6.91 | )% | 1.48 | % | 0.75 | % | 0.73 | % | $ | 43,299 | 6 | % |
1 | Per share calculations are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period. |
2 | Reflects operations for the period from September 30, 2019 (inception date) to March 31, 2020. |
3 | Less than $0.01 per share. |
4 | Based on net asset value as of end of period date. |
5 | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
6 | Annualized, with the exception of non-recurring organizational costs. |
7 | The contractual and voluntary expense waivers pursuant to Note 2 and Note 4 of the financial statements are reflected in both the net expense and net investment income (loss) ratios. |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
32
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Financial Highlights – Z Class |
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
Period Ended | Net asset | Net | Net realized | Total from | Dividends to | Dividends to | Total | Net asset | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
International Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | $ | 14.77 | $ | 0.13 | $ | (0.16 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | — | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | 14.60 | ||||||||||||
20221 | $ | 14.12 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.77 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | 14.77 | |||||||||||||
20211 | $ | 9.96 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 4.36 | $ | 4.44 | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 14.12 | |||||||||||||
20201 | $ | 10.52 | $ | 0.10 | $ | (0.51 | ) | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | 9.96 | |||||||||||
20191 | $ | 10.26 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.39 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | 10.52 |
1 | Per share calculations are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period. |
2 | Based on net asset value as of end of period date. |
3 | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
4 | Annualized, with the exception of non-recurring organizational costs. |
5 | The contractual and voluntary expense waivers pursuant to Note 2 and Note 4 of the financial statements are reflected in both the net expense and net investment income (loss) ratios. |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
33
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Financial Highlights – Z Class – Continued |
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
Period Ended March 31 | Total | Gross | Net | Net | Net assets, | Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||||
International Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20231 | (0.10 | )% | 1.30 | % | 0.80 | % | 0.95 | % | $ | 39,343 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||
20221 | 5.39 | % | 1.24 | % | 0.80 | % | 0.72 | % | $ | 43,451 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||
20211 | 44.65 | % | 1.30 | % | 0.80 | % | 0.64 | % | $ | 41,229 | 12 | % | ||||||||||||
20201 | (4.07 | )% | 1.31 | % | 0.80 | % | 0.89 | % | $ | 45,405 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||
20191 | 4.02 | % | 1.48 | % | 0.80 | % | 1.23 | % | $ | 57,026 | 38 | % |
1 | Per share calculations are based on average shares outstanding throughout the period. |
2 | Based on net asset value as of end of period date. |
3 | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
4 | Annualized, with the exception of non-recurring organizational costs. |
5 | The contractual and voluntary expense waivers pursuant to Note 2 and Note 4 of the financial statements are reflected in both the net expense and net investment income (loss) ratios. |
See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.
34
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements March 31, 2023 |
1. Organization
The Fiera Capital Series Trust (the “Trust”) was organized on December 8, 2016, as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. As of the close of business on March 31, 2023, the Trust consisted of four series: Fiera Capital Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund (the “Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund”), Fiera Capital International Equity Fund (the “International Equity Fund”), Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund (the “Global Equity Fund”), and Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund (the “U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund”) (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”). Inception dates displayed throughout this report represent the beginning performance measurement date by which the original NAV (“Net Asset Value”) was used for subscription placement. The funds’/class’ commencement of investment operations date began on the business day following the inception date.
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund – The investment objective of the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund is to achieve long-term capital growth. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of companies believed to be small- and mid-cap growth-oriented companies that are selected for their long-term capital appreciation potential and which the Adviser expects to grow faster than the U.S. economy. The Fund considers an issuer to be a small- or mid-capitalization issuer if it has a market capitalization, at the time of purchase, within the range of the largest and smallest capitalized issuers included in the Russell 2500 Growth Index during the most recent 11-month period (based on month-end data) plus the most recent data during the current month. The Fund’s inception date was June 29, 2012.
International Equity Fund – The investment objective of the International Equity Fund is to achieve capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of international equities. Under normal market conditions, the International Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies located in at least three countries other than the U.S, including emerging market countries. For these purposes, a company is considered located in a country outside the United States if: (i) the company’s securities are principally traded on such country’s exchange or (ii) the company’s securities are included in the MSCI World Ex-US Index. In addition, the Fund considers countries represented in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index to be emerging market countries. The Fund may invest in issuers with market capitalizations of any size, though it generally expects to focus on issues with market capitalization in excess of $1 billion. The Fund’s inception date was September 29, 2017.
Global Equity Fund – The investment objective of the Global Equity Fund is to achieve capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of global equities. Under normal market conditions, the Global Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purpose) in equity securities. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities and depositary receipts. Under normal market conditions, the Fund generally invests at least 40% of its net assets in companies that maintain their principal place of business or conduct their principal business activities outside the U.S., companies that have their securities traded on non-U.S. exchanges or that have securities that trade in the form of depositary receipts, or companies that have formed under the laws of non-U.S. countries. The Fund may invest in issuers with market capitalizations of any size, though it generally expects to focus on issues with market capitalization in excess of $1 billion. The Fund’s inception date was April 28, 2017.
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund – The investment objective of the U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially in a portfolio of U.S. equities. The Fund seeks to invest in what the Fund believes are quality companies, i.e., companies that the Fund considers to have, among other things, an ability to generate an elevated level of return on invested capital significantly above the cost of capital. Under normal market conditions, the U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purpose) in equity securities located in the United States. For these purposes, a company is considered located in the United States if: (i) the company’s securities are principally traded on a U.S. securities exchange or (ii) the company is organized in the United States. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock, convertible debt securities and depositary receipts. The Fund may invest in issuers with market capitalizations of any size, though it generally expects to focus on issues with market capitalization in excess of $1 billion. The Fund’s inception date was September 30, 2019.
Fiera Capital Inc. (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser of the Funds. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has the overall responsibility for monitoring the operations of the Trust and the Funds, including the Adviser.
35
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements |
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The Funds are investment companies; as such, these financial statements have applied the guidance set forth in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies. The policies are in conformity with the United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), which 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, as well as reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Expenses – Expenses are accrued daily. Non-class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of Shares based on the total Shares outstanding without distinction between Share classes. Expenses attributable to a particular class of Shares are allocated directly to that class. Expenses are subject to the Funds’ respective Expense Limitation Agreements (See Note 4).
Investment Valuation – Each Fund’s securities are generally valued at current market prices. Domestic exchange traded equity securities (other than those that trade on NASDAQ) are valued at their last reported composite sale prices as reported on such exchanges or, in the absence of any reported sale on a particular day, at their composite bid prices (for securities held long) or their composite ask prices (for securities held short), as reported by such exchanges. Securities traded on NASDAQ are valued: (i) at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”) (which is the last trade price at or before 4:00 p.m. New York time adjusted up to NASDAQ’s best offer price if the last trade is below such bid and down to NASDAQ’s best offer price if the last trade is above such offer price); (ii) if no NOCP is available, at the last sale price on NASDAQ prior to the calculation of each Fund’s net asset value; (iii) if no sale is shown on NASDAQ, at the bid price; or (iv) if no sale is shown and no bid price is available for a period of seven business days, the price will be deemed “stale” and the value will be determined at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser, pursuant to policies adopted by the Board and under the supervision of the Board. Securities traded on a foreign securities exchange are valued at their last sale prices on the exchange where the securities are primarily traded, or in the absence of a reported sale on a particular day, at their bid prices (in the case of securities held long) or ask prices (in the case of securities held short) as reported by that exchange. The Funds do not separately isolate the foreign currency translation for investments, and as such, any impact of foreign exchange is recorded through net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency.
Other securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at their bid prices (or ask prices in the case of securities held short) as obtained from one or more dealers making markets for those securities. If market quotations are not readily available, the security must be valued at fair value (the amount which a Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale) (“Fair Value Pricing”). The Board has delegated to the Trust’s Valuation Designee, the Fund’s Adviser, the responsibility for making all Fair Value Pricing determinations, subject to the oversight of the Board.
Any debt securities (other than convertible securities) are valued in accordance with the procedures described above which, with respect to these securities, may include the use of valuations furnished by a pricing service which employs a matrix to determine valuations for normal institutional size trading units. The Adviser monitors the reasonableness of valuations provided by the pricing service. Such debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less may, absent unusual circumstances, be valued at amortized cost.
If, in the view of the Adviser, the bid price of a debt security (or ask price in the case of any such security held short), or the bid, ask, or price of any other type of security, does not fairly reflect the market value of the security, the Adviser may value the security at fair value. All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using foreign exchange rates provided by a pricing service compiled as of 4:00 p.m. New York time. Trading in foreign securities generally is completed, and the values of foreign securities are determined prior to the close of securities markets in the U.S. Foreign exchange rates are also determined, prior to such close. On occasion, the values of foreign securities and exchange rates may be materially affected by events occurring before each Fund calculates its net asset value per share but after the close of the primary markets or exchanges on which foreign securities are traded. These intervening events might be country-specific (e.g., natural disaster, economic or political developments, interest-rate change), issuer-specific (e.g., earnings report, merger announcement), or U.S. market- specific (e.g., a significant movement in the U.S. markets that is deemed to affect the value of foreign securities). When such an event materially affects the values of securities held by the Funds or their liabilities (including foreign securities for which there is a readily available market price), such securities and liabilities may be
36
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements |
valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. The Funds have retained an independent fair value pricing service to assist in fair valuing foreign securities. The service utilizes statistical data based on historical performance of securities, markets, and other data in developing factors used to estimate fair value.
GAAP defines fair value by establishing a three-tier framework for measuring fair value based on a hierarchy of inputs, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. It also provides guidance on determining when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability, when a transaction is not orderly and how that information must be incorporated into a fair value measurement. The hierarchy distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and each Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the fair value of the Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
● | Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. |
● | Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc. and quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active). |
● | Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including each Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). |
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the valuation inputs, representing 100% of the Funds’ investments, used to value the Funds’ assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2023:
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks* | $ | 72,894,990 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 72,894,990 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 72,894,990 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 72,894,990 |
International Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks | ||||||||||||||||
Australia | $ | — | $ | 5,198,906 | $ | — | $ | 5,198,906 | ||||||||
Canada | 8,134,858 | — | — | 8,134,858 | ||||||||||||
Denmark | — | 17,363,975 | — | 17,363,975 | ||||||||||||
France | — | 38,685,691 | — | 38,685,691 | ||||||||||||
Germany | — | 9,566,767 | — | 9,566,767 | ||||||||||||
India | 6,075,237 | — | — | 6,075,237 | ||||||||||||
Japan | — | 23,898,223 | — | 23,898,223 | ||||||||||||
Sweden | — | 2,515,435 | — | 2,515,435 | ||||||||||||
Switzerland | — | 46,879,544 | — | 46,879,544 | ||||||||||||
Taiwan | 13,749,658 | — | — | 13,749,658 | ||||||||||||
United Kingdom | — | 57,802,758 | — | 57,802,758 | ||||||||||||
United States | 9,590,467 | — | — | 9,590,467 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 37,550,220 | $ | 201,911,299 | $ | — | $ | 239,461,519 |
37
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements |
Global Equity Fund | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks | ||||||||||||||||
Denmark | $ | — | $ | 237,119 | $ | — | $ | 237,119 | ||||||||
France | — | 1,324,519 | — | 1,324,519 | ||||||||||||
India | 640,365 | — | — | 640,365 | ||||||||||||
Japan | — | 951,791 | — | 951,791 | ||||||||||||
Switzerland | — | 2,584,702 | — | 2,584,702 | ||||||||||||
Taiwan | 1,340,976 | — | — | 1,340,976 | ||||||||||||
United Kingdom | — | 2,405,245 | — | 2,405,245 | ||||||||||||
United States | 18,701,225 | — | — | 18,701,225 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 20,682,566 | $ | 7,503,376 | $ | — | $ | 28,185,942 |
U.S Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks* | $ | 89,080,230 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 89,080,230 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 89,080,230 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 89,080,230 |
* | All sub-categories represent an entire Level 1 evaluation status. |
As of March 31, 2023, the Funds did not hold any Level 3 securities.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income – Investment transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income is allocated daily to each class of Shares based on the value of total Shares outstanding of each class.
Distributions to shareholders – The Funds distribute net investment income, if any, and net realized gains (net of any capital loss carryovers) annually. The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are due in part to differing treatment of net operating loss, wash sales, foreign currency gains and losses, non-deductible offering costs and capital loss carryforwards. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification.
All shareholders bear the common expenses of the Funds. Dividends are declared separately for each class. No class has preferential dividend rights; differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in class-specific expenses. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class of Shares based on the value of total Shares outstanding of each class without distinction between Share classes. Expenses attributable to a particular class of Shares, such as distribution fees, are allocated directly to that class.
Federal and Other Taxes – Each Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies as defined in Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to make distributions from net investment income and from net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Certain Funds may utilize earnings and profits on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction.
Management has evaluated all tax positions taken or expected to be taken by the Funds to determine whether each tax position is more likely than not (i.e. greater than 50%) to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not threshold will result in the Fund recording an unrecognized tax benefit. If the Funds were to incur an income tax liability in the future, interest on any income tax liability would be reported as interest expense and penalties on any income tax liability would be reported as income taxes. No interest expense or penalties have been recognized for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. Management of the Funds are also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will
38
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements |
significantly change in the next twelve months. Management has determined that the Funds have not taken any tax positions which do not meet the more likely than not threshold and as such, no liabilities related to uncertain tax positions have been reflected in the Funds’ financial statements.
The Funds’ U.S. Federal and state income tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue. For Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund, fiscal years 2020-2023 are open to examination as of March 31, 2023.
Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets each Fund invests.
Distribution Plan – Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved, and each Fund has adopted a distribution plan which allows the Funds to pay distribution fees for the sale and distribution of Investor Class shares of each Fund. Shareholders holding Investor Class shares will pay distribution fees at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Investor Class Shares. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, distribution fees amounted to $286, $8,523, $2,639, and $38 for the Investor Class Shares of the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund, respectively. Institutional and Z Class shares do not pay distribution fees.
Shareholder Servicing Fees – The Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long- Term Quality Fund have certain arrangements in place to compensate financial intermediaries, including the Adviser or its affiliates, that hold Fund shares through networked and omnibus accounts, for services that they provide to Fund shareholders (Shareholder Services). Shareholder Services and related fees vary by financial intermediary and according to distribution channel, and may include sub- accounting, sub-transfer agency, participant recordkeeping, shareholder or participant reporting, shareholder or participant transaction processing, maintenance of shareholder records, preparation of account statements and provision of customer service, and are not intended to include services that are primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Payments for Shareholder Services generally are not expected to exceed 0.25% of the average aggregate value of the respective Fund’s shares. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, shareholder servicing fees amounted to $8,523, $451,416, and $89,027 for the Investor, Institutional, and Z Class Shares, respectively, of the International Equity Fund. The Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Global Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund do not currently pay shareholder servicing fees.
Effective on July 29, 2019, the Adviser voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the Shareholder Servicing Fee for each class of the International Equity Fund so that the Shareholder Servicing Fee does not exceed 0.20% of each class. This voluntary waiver is implemented as part of (and not in addition to) the Adviser’s application of the Expense Limitation and is not subject to recoupment. The amount of the voluntary waivers as of March 31, 2023 of Shareholder Servicing Fees were $1,705, $91,276 and $89,027 in the Investor, Institutional, and Z classes of shares, respectively.
Foreign Securities Risk – Investing in foreign securities may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. In addition, certain foreign securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities. To the extent that each Fund concentrates its investment exposure to any one or a few specific countries, the Funds will be particularly susceptible to the various conditions, events or other factors impacting those countries and may, therefore, have a greater risk than that of a fund which is more geographically diversified.
Foreign Currency Translation Risk – The Funds’ records are maintained in U.S. dollars. The value of securities, currencies and other assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars based upon foreign exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period. The currencies are translated into U.S. dollars by using the exchange rates quoted by WM/ Reuters FX benchmark prior to when the Funds’ NAV is next determined. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions.
39
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements |
Net realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the differences between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds’ books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, resulting from changes in the exchange rates.
General Economic and Market Conditions – The success of the Fund’s activities may be materially affected by general economic and market conditions, including interest rates, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, availability of credit, financial market volatility, changes in laws and national and international political circumstances, government fiscal policy changes impacting debt, taxes and spending. The stability and sustainability of growth in global economies may be impacted by terrorism or acts of war. The availability, unavailability or hindered operation of external credit markets, equity markets and other economic systems which the Fund may depend upon to achieve their objectives may have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s operations and profitability. There can be no assurance that such markets and economic systems will be available or will be available as anticipated or needed for the Fund to operate successfully. These factors may adversely impact the performance and growth prospects for Fund Investments.
Emerging Market Securities Risk – Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries, such as China, Russia and certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America or Africa, are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Small- and Mid-Cap Company Securities Risk – Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
3. Investment Advisory Agreement
The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has entered into Investment Advisory Agreements (the “Advisory Agreements”) with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser is responsible for developing, implementing and supervising the Funds’ investment programs and providing day-to-day management services to the Funds. The Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund pay the Adviser a monthly fee in arrears that accrues daily at an annual rate of 0.90%, 0.80%, 0.80%, and 0.55% of the average daily net assets of each Fund, respectively. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality incurred $759,285, $1,756,691, $222,282 and $481,055 in investment advisory fees, respectively.
The Adviser is under common control with Fiera Capital Corporation, which also manages other vehicles and accounts in accordance with an investment strategy that may be substantially similar to that of the Funds. From time to time the Adviser may engage its investment advisory affiliates around the world, including Fiera Capital Corporation (“Participating Affiliates”) to provide a variety of services such as, investment research, investment monitoring, trading and discretionary investment management (including portfolio management) to certain accounts managed by the Adviser, including the Funds. This Participating Affiliate provides services to the Adviser pursuant to personnel-sharing or similar inter-company arrangements.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are also Officers of the Adviser.
40
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements |
On January 24, 2022, shareholders of the Global Equity Fund, International Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund (together the “Funds”) approved a sub-advisory agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Adviser and PineStone Asset Management Inc. (“PineStone”). Under the terms of the Agreement, PineStone provides sub-advisory services to the Funds. For such subadvisory service, the Adviser pays to PineStone from its own management fee, an amount equal to 0.336% of the average net assets of each of the Global Equity Fund and International Equity Fund and 0.231% of the average net assets of the U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund.
4. Expense Limitation and Other Reimbursement Agreements
The Adviser and the Funds have entered into expense limitation and reimbursement agreements (each an “Expense Limitation Agreement”) under which the Adviser (or its affiliate) has agreed to pay or absorb the ordinary operating expenses of the Funds (including organization and offering expenses, but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses of each Fund and any other expenses, the exclusion of which is specifically set forth in each Fund’s prospectus and which may from time to time, be deemed appropriate as an excludable expense and specifically approved by the Board), to the extent necessary to limit the ordinary operating expenses of the Funds from exceeding the amounts for the periods set forth below.
In consideration of the Adviser’s agreement to limit each Fund’s expenses, the Adviser may recoup amounts waived or reimbursed for a period not to exceed three years from the time in which they were waived or reimbursed. Recoupment will be made only to the extent it does not cause a Fund’s ordinary operating expenses to exceed: (1) the expense limitation in effect at the time the expense was paid or absorbed; and (2) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recapture. The Expense Limitation Agreement will remain in effect for each Fund through the date specified below, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Board, but in no case will the Expense Limitation Agreement be terminated prior to one year from the date of the Prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Expense Limitation Agreement | ||||
Fund | Investor | Institutional | Z Class | Expense Limitation |
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | 1.30% | 1.05% | — | October 31, 2023 |
International Equity Fund | 1.25% | 1.00% | 0.80% | October 31, 2023 |
Global Equity Fund | 1.15% | 0.90% | — | October 31, 2023 |
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | 1.00% | 0.75% | — | October 31, 2023 |
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, expenses in the amounts of $258,525, $553,844, $308,591, and $185,754 were contractually reimbursed to the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund, respectively. As it relates to the International Equity Fund these reimbursements are in addition to the reimbursements discussed in the Shareholder Servicing Fees section in Note 2 of these financial statements. No expenses that were contractually reimbursed accordingly to the Expense Limitation Agreement were recouped during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.
As of March 31, 2023, the Adviser may seek recoupment for previously waived or reimbursed investment advisory fee reductions, subject to the limitations noted above, no later than the dates and in no greater amounts than as outlined below:
Fund | Date of | Date of | Date of | |||||||||
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | $ | 103,466 | $ | 119,070 | $ | 258,525 | ||||||
International Equity Fund | 383,397 | 470,476 | 553,844 | |||||||||
Global Equity Fund | 238,179 | 247,857 | 308,591 | |||||||||
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | 182,817 | 125,108 | 185,754 |
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Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements |
5. Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of securities by each Fund, excluding short-term investments, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 were as follows:
Fund | Purchases | Sales | ||||||
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | $ | 74,138,458 | $ | 103,710,398 | ||||
International Equity Fund | 24,705,612 | 39,836,203 | ||||||
Global Equity Fund | 2,923,392 | 5,716,886 | ||||||
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | 5,531,566 | 11,330,859 |
6. Federal Income Tax Information
Capital losses incurred after October 31 (“post-October” losses) within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first day of the Fund’s next fiscal year if the Fund so elects. As of March 31, 2023, the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund had $0, $0, $0 and $293,383, respectively, of post-October capital losses which are deferred until the next fiscal year for tax purposes.
As of March 31, 2023 the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund had $58,890, $0, $0 and $0, respectively, of qualified late-year ordinary losses, which are deferred until fiscal year 2024 for tax purposes. Net late-year ordinary losses incurred after December 31, and within the taxable year , are deemed to arise on the first day of each Fund’s next taxable year.
As of March 31, 2023, the Funds had net capital loss carryovers as follows:
Small/Mid-Cap | International | Global Equity | U.S. Equity Long- | |||||||||||||
Not subject to expiration: | ||||||||||||||||
Short Term | $ | — | $ | 19,109 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
Long Term | — | 3,652,004 | 564,377 | — | ||||||||||||
$ | — | $ | 3,671,113 | $ | 564,377 | $ | — |
| Small/Mid-Cap | International | Global Equity | U.S. Equity | ||||||||||||
Cost of investments | $ | 57,385,469 | $ | 183,556,415 | $ | 20,911,389 | $ | 56,423,786 | ||||||||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 18,603,449 | $ | 61,733,217 | $ | 8,159,013 | 33,712,154 | |||||||||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (3,093,928 | ) | (5,828,113 | ) | (884,460 | ) | (1,055,710 | ) | ||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation on investments | $ | 15,509,521 | $ | 55,905,104 | $ | 7,274,553 | $ | 32,656,444 |
The difference between cost amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes is due primarily to timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses in security transactions.
42
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements |
The tax basis of the components of distributable net earnings (deficit) at March 31, 2023 were as follows:
| Small/Mid-Cap | International | Global Equity | U.S. Equity | ||||||||||||
Undistributed Ordinary Income | $ | — | $ | 454,280 | $ | 29,257 | $ | 98,156 | ||||||||
Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | 1,667,289 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Tax accumulated earnings | 1,667,289 | 454,280 | 29,257 | 98,156 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | (58,690 | ) | (3,671,113 | ) | (564,377 | ) | (293,383 | ) | ||||||||
Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation ) | 15,509,521 | 55,905,104 | 7,274,553 | 32,656,444 | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency translations | — | 10,353 | 5,333 | — | ||||||||||||
Distributable net earnings | $ | 17,118,120 | $ | 52,698,624 | $ | 6,744,766 | $ | 32,461,217 |
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 for Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund and for U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund were as follows:
Small/Mid-Cap | International | ||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||
Ordinary Income | $ | 1,125,818 | $ | 2,197,147 | $ | 1,790,855 | $ | 1,269,274 | |||||||||
Long-Term Capital Gain | $ | 9,634,814 | $ | 13,625,991 | $ | — | $ | 392,279 |
Global |
| U.S. Equity Long-Term | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||
Ordinary Income | $ | 125,758 | $ | 95,487 | $ | 410,307 | $ | 330,223 | |||||||||
Long-Term Capital Gain | $ | 1,357,358 | $ | 951,724 | $ | 2,734,519 | $ | 762,734 |
U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended March 31, 2023, permanent differences in book and tax accounting have been reclassified to paid-in capital and total distributable earnings/(losses) as follows:
Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||
| Paid in Capital | Total Distributable | ||||||
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | $ | (189,653 | ) | $ | 189,653 | |||
International Equity Fund | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Global Equity Fund | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | $ | — | $ | — |
7. Commitments and Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that might be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience of the Adviser, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.
43
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements |
8. Officers and Trustees
Each Independent Trustee receives an annual retainer of $65,000 by the Trust (they are also reimbursed for travel-related expenses). In addition, the Audit Committee Chair is also paid an annual retainer of $5,000 by the Trust. Each Trustee is entitled to receive such compensation for any partial quarter for which he serves. No “interested persons” who serves as Trustee of the Funds received any compensation for their services as Trustee.
9. Subsequent Events
The Adviser has agreed to sell its investment advisory business relating to the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund to New York Life Investment Management LLC. Subject to approval by shareholders, the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund would reorganize into MainStay Fiera SMID Growth Fund, a newly-created series of MainStay Funds Trust (the “Successor Fund”) that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and advised by New York Life Investment Management LLC (“New York Life Investment Management”), with substantially similar investment objectives, strategies and restrictions as the Small Mid/Cap-Growth Fund (the “Reorganization”). Fiera Capital Inc. would continue to provide day-to-day portfolio management services as a subadviser to the Successor Fund. On February 24, 2023, the Board of the Fiera Capital Series Trust approved the initial filing of a preliminary Proxy Statement/Prospectus on Form N-14 concerning the Reorganization, including the agreement and plan of reorganization. A meeting of shareholders of the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund is currently scheduled to be held in June 2023 to consider the Reorganization. There can be no assurance that the Reorganization will be approved and effected.
The Adviser has agreed to sell its investment advisory business relating to the Global Equity Fund, International Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund to New York Life Investment Management LLC. Subject to approval by shareholders, each of the Global Equity Fund, International Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund would each reorganize into the MainStay PineStone Global Equity Fund, the MainStay PineStone International Equity Fund, and the MainStay PineStone U.S. Equity Fund, respectively, each a corresponding newly-created series of MainStay Funds Trust (each a “Successor Fund”) that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and advised by New York Life Investment Management LLC (“New York Life Investment Management”), with substantially similar investment objectives, strategies and restrictions as each of the Global Equity Fund, International Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund , respectively (each a “Reorganization”). Following each Reorganization, PineStone Asset Management Inc. (formerly StonePine Asset Management Inc.) would continue to provide day-to-day portfolio management services as a subadviser to the applicable Successor Fund and, as a result, each Fund’s current portfolio management team would remain intact. However, Fiera Capital would no longer provide services to the Successor Funds. On May 4, 2023, the Board of the Fiera Capital Series Trust approved the initial filing of a preliminary Proxy Statement/Prospectus on Form N-14 concerning each Reorganization, including an agreement and plan of reorganization. A meeting of shareholders of each of the Global Equity Fund, International Equity Fund, and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund is currently scheduled to be held in August 2023 to consider the applicable Reorganization. There can be no assurance that each Reorganization will be approved and effected.
Management of the Funds has determined that there were no other subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
44
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Fiera Capital Series Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Fiera Capital Series Trust, comprising Fiera Capital Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, Fiera Capital International Equity Fund, Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund, and Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund (collectively, the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of March 31, 2023, the related statements of operations, the statements of changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds listed above constituting Fiera Capital Series Trust as of March 31, 2023, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Individual Funds | Statements of Operations | Statements of Changes in | Financial Highlights |
Fiera Capital Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | For the year ended March 31, 2023 | For each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2023 | For each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2023 |
Fiera Capital International Equity Fund | For the year ended March 31, 2023 | For each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2023 | For each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2023 |
Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund | For the year ended March 31, 2023 | For each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2023 | For each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2023 |
Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | For the year ended March 31, 2023 | For each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2023 | For each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2023 and for the period from September 30, 2019 (inception date) to March 31, 2020 |
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
45
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
May 26, 2023
We have served as the auditor of one or more Fiera Capital affiliated investment companies since 2015.
46
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Expense Example March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) |
For the period ended March 31, 2023
As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; and other Fund expenses. The examples below are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
Actual Expenses
The information in the row titled “Actual Performance” of the table below provides actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these columns, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the appropriate row, under the column titled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The information in the row titled “Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)” of the table below provides hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ 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 Funds and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the information in the row titled “Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Fund | Beginning | Ending | Annualized | Expenses Paid | |
Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund | |||||
Institutional Class | Actual | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,079.60 | 1.05% | $ 5.44 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,019.73 | 1.05% | 5.29 | |
Investor Class | Actual | 1,000.00 | 1,078.40 | 1.30% | 6.74 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,018.43 | 1.30% | 6.54 | |
International Equity Fund | |||||
Institutional Class | Actual | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,287.50 | 1.00% | $ 5.70 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,019.93 | 1.00% | 5.04 | |
Investor Class | Actual | 1,000.00 | 1,286.70 | 1.25% | 7.13 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,018.73 | 1.25% | 6.29 | |
Z Class | Actual | 1,000.00 | 1,288.70 | 0.80% | 4.56 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,020.93 | 0.80% | 4.03 |
47
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Expense Example – Continued |
Fund | Beginning | Ending | Annualized | Expenses Paid | |
Global Equity Fund | |||||
Institutional Class | Actual | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,217.00 | 0.90% | $ 4.97 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,020.43 | 0.90% | 4.53 | |
Investor Class | Actual | 1,000.00 | 1,215.40 | 1.15% | 6.35 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,019.23 | 1.15% | 5.79 | |
U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund | |||||
Institutional Class | Actual | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,191.40 | 0.75% | $ 4.10 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,021.23 | 0.75% | 3.78 | |
Investor Class | Actual | 1,000.00 | 1,190.30 | 1.00% | 5.46 |
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | 1,000.00 | 1,020.03 | 1.00% | 5.04 |
(1) | Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratios for the period October 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023, multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by / (to reflect the one-half year period). |
48
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Additional Information |
Trustees and Officers Information
Information regarding each of the Trustees and officers of the Trust, including their principal occupations during the past five years, is set forth below. The business address of each Trustee and officer is c/o Fiera Capital Inc., 375 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10152.
Name, Age, and | Term of Office | Principal Occupation | Number | Present or Past (Within 5 |
Disinterested Trustees | ||||
Gerald Hellerman, 85 Trustee | Indefinite/ Since Inception | Mr. Hellerman owned and served as Managing Director of Hellerman Associates, a financial and corporate consulting firm, from the firm’s inception in 1993 until it ceased operations in 2013. Mr. Hellerman currently serves as a director and member of the audit committee of The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc., a trustee and chair of the audit committee of High Income Securities Fund, as a director for The Mexico Equity and Income Fund, Inc. and for the Special Opportunities Fund, Inc. Mr. Hellerman was previously chair of the audit committee of MVC Capital, Inc., a Trustee of Crossroads Liquidating Trust (formerly BDCA Venture, Inc.), and director and chairman of the audit committee of Emergent Capital, Inc. (formerly known as Imperial Holdings, Inc.) | 4 | See Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years column. |
Kevin Mirabile, 61 Trustee | Indefinite/ Since Inception | Mr. Mirabile is currently a Clinical Associate Professor of Finance and Business Economics at Fordham University., (2007-Present). He previously served as a Principal at Morgan Stanley (1986-1995), a senior Executive Director at Daiwa Securities (1995-1998), a Managing Director at Barclays Capital (1998-2004) and as Chief Operating Officer at Larch Lane Advisors (2008-2011). He graduated from S.U.N.Y. Albany in 1983, is a CPA, and has a doctorate in finance and economics from PACE University (2013). | 4 | None |
49
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Additional Information – Continued |
Name, Age, and | Term of Office | Principal Occupation | Number | Present or Past (Within 5 |
Disinterested Trustees - Continued | ||||
Corey Dillon, 53 Trustee | Indefinite/ Since August 15, 2018 | Mr. Dillon co-founded Benefitness Partners, a Denver-based provider of corporate wellness programs, in 2015, and served as the Firm’s CEO through 2021. He was previously Senior Vice President and Director of Advisory Services for ALPS, a DST Company (2007-2015), and served as Vice President and Director at Janus Capital Group (1993-2006). | 4 | None |
Officers Who are Not Trustees | ||||
Michael Quigley, 61 Chief Executive Officer | Indefinite/ Since | Mr. Quigley currently serves as Executive Vice President and Global Head of Institutional Markets and Managing Partner – Boston of Fiera Capital Corporation (2020 to present). He previously served as Executive Vice President, Head of Institutional Markets – Canada at Fiera Capital Corporation (2019-2020), and National Lead Business Development at RBC Global Asset Management (2013- 2019). | N/A | N/A |
Nadeem Siddiqui, 55 Chief Financial Officer** | Indefinite/ Since | Mr. Siddiqui serves as Vice President and Head of Finance, Americas, of Fiera Capital Inc. (2021-Present). Prior to joining Fiera Capital Inc., he served as Executive Director and Finance and Business Controller at Barclays Bank (2010-2020) and Management Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (2020-2021). | N/A | N/A |
Andrew Jones, 28 Chief Compliance Officer | Indefinite/ Since August 18, 2022 | Principal Consultant, Fund Officers at ACA Group (since October 2022); Due Diligence Manager (from July 2022 to October 2022), Associate Director, Due Diligence (from 2020 to 2022), and Senior Analysist, Due Diligence (from 2017 to 2020) at Foreside Financial Group | N/A | N/A |
* | The Trustees serve on the Board of Trustees for terms of indefinite duration. |
** | Following Dominic Grimard’s departure, Nadeem Siddiqui has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of Fiera Capital Series Trust effective May 10, 2022. |
50
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Additional Information – Continued |
Proxy Voting – For a description of the policies and procedures that each Fund use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, please call (toll-free) 1-855-771-7119 and request a Statement of Additional Information which contains this description. One will be mailed to you free of charge. The Statement of Additional Information is also available on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at https://www.sec.gov. A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling (toll-free) 1-855-771-7119 or by accessing the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at https://www.sec.gov.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings – Each Fund files complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. Each Fund’s Form N-PORT is available on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at https://www.sec.gov.
Tax Information
Corporate Dividends Received Deduction
For the year ended March 31, 2023, the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund respectively, had 0%, 4.93%, 100% and 100% of dividends paid from net investment income qualified for the 70% dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
Qualified Dividend Income
For the year ended March 31, 2023, the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund, respectively, had 0%, 100%, 100% and 100% of dividends paid from net investment income, designated as qualified dividend income.
Foreign Taxes Paid
Pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the International Equity Fund designates $1,891,509 of income derived from foreign sources and $328,389 of foreign taxes paid for the period ended March 31, 2023.
Of the ordinary income (including short-term capital gain) distributions made (or to be made) for the year ended March 31, 2023, the proportionate share of income derived from foreign sources and foreign taxes paid attributable to one share of stock are:
| Foreign | Foreign | ||||||
International Equity Fund | $ | 0.1139 | $ | 0.0198 |
Long-Term Capital Gains Designation
Pursuant to IRC 852 (b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund, International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund and U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund hereby designates $9,634,814, $0, $1,357,358 and $2,734,519, respectively, as long-term capital gains distributed during the year ended March 31, 2023. Certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 23.8%.
51
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement |
Renewal of Investment Advisory Agreements
At a meeting held on February 24, 2023 (the “Meeting”), the Board of Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund (the “Global Fund”), Fiera Capital International Equity Fund (the “International Fund”), Fiera Capital U.S. Equity Long-Term Quality Fund (the “U.S. Equity Fund”) and Fiera Capital Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund (the “SMID Fund”), each a series of the Trust, approved the renewal of each of the investment advisory agreements (each, an “Advisory Agreement,” and collectively the “Advisory Agreements”) between the Trust, on behalf of each of the Global Fund, the International Fund, the U.S. Equity Fund and the SMID Fund (the “Funds”), respectively, and the Adviser, for an additional one-year period. Also, by a unanimous vote, the Independent Trustees separately voted to approve the renewal of each Advisory Agreement.
In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreements the Board reviewed various materials from the Adviser provided in advance of the Meeting, which included the 15(c) questionnaires and the responses provided by the Adviser. In addition, a number of follow-up questions were raised by the Independent Trustees with the Adviser which were addressed in consultation with the independent counsel prior to and then at the Meeting. In its consideration of whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Board reviewed the following: (i) information concerning the services provided or proposed to be provided to each of the Funds by the Adviser; (ii) the investment performance of each of the Funds and the Adviser, including comparative performance information; (iii) the fees and expenses of each of the Funds, including comparative expense information; (iv) information on the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates, taking into account their cost of providing services; (v) economies of scale (as applicable) and (vi) other benefits to the Adviser from its relationship with the Funds. In particular, the Board considered the following:
(a) The Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by the Adviser
The Trustees reviewed various presentations the Adviser provided to the Board regarding services provided to the Funds. The Trustees noted the importance of the Adviser having adequate resources. The Trustees also noted the financial strength of Fiera Capital Corporation, the Adviser’s parent company and its resources. The Trustees further took into account the Adviser’s representation that its current financial condition should enable it to continue to provide quality services to the Funds. The Board took into account the Adviser’s strategic transaction with NYLIM and the related proposed reorganization of the SMID Fund into a corresponding new fund that is a series of the MainStay Funds Trust (“MainStay Trust”), noting the Board’s separate consideration of such reorganization and that its consummation will be subject to a number of conditions, including approval by the SMID Fund shareholders. It was also noted that consummation of the reorganization is targeted for June 2023 and that the proposed renewal of the Advisory Agreement for the SMID Fund would be for a period that terminates on the earlier of one year or the effective date of the reorganization. The Trustees also noted the indication from management that similar reorganizations for the other Funds are likely to be proposed in the coming weeks/months. The Adviser represented that, until the consummation of the reorganizations, the Adviser would continue to provide at least the same level and quality of service that has been provided to the Funds. The Board also discussed the acceptability of the terms of each Advisory Agreement, including the relatively broad scope of services required to be performed by the Adviser under each agreement. The Trustees noted that no changes were proposed to any of the terms of the Advisory Agreements. They also noted the wide array of legal and compliance services that continue to be provided to the Funds. The Board also observed that the Adviser provides, at its own expense, facilities necessary for the operation of the Funds and it makes personnel available to serve as the senior officers of the Funds, including their Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer.
In connection with the investment advisory services provided to the Funds, the Board discussed, in detail, with representatives of the Adviser, the management of the Funds’ investments in accordance with each Fund’s stated investment objective and policies, including the oversight of PineStone Asset Management Inc. (“PineStone”) (previously known as StonePoint Asset Management Inc.) as sub-adviser to each of the Global Fund, International Fund and U.S. Equity Fund. The Board found it was reasonable to expect that each Fund would continue to receive the services required from the Adviser under the applicable Advisory Agreement and that these services should be of high quality.
(b) Investment Performance of the Funds and Adviser
In connection with the evaluation of the services provided by the Adviser, the Trustees reviewed the performance of the Adviser for each Fund. In particular, the Trustees observed (i) with respect to: each of the Global Fund and the U.S. Equity Fund, each Fund’s outperformance of its benchmark for the one-year period, as well as for longer-term periods; (ii) with respect to the International Fund,
52
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement – Continued |
its underperformance compared to its benchmark for the one-year period, but significant outperformance of the benchmark for longer-term periods; and (iii) with respect to the SMID Fund, the Fund’s outperformance of its benchmark for the one-, three- and five-year periods. The Trustees further observed the Funds’ rankings in the top quartile compared to peers.
(c) Cost of the Services Provided and Profits Realized by the Adviser from its Relationship with the Funds
The Trustees reviewed the cost of services provided by the Adviser and the fees paid under the Advisory Agreements. The Trustees also considered information showing a comparison of the advisory fees and expense ratios of each of the Funds compared with fees and expenses of other similarly managed open-end registered products, as well as fees of other accounts advised by the Adviser which employ investment strategies similar to that of the Funds. In addition, the Trustees observed the effect of the expense limitations agreed to by the Adviser on each Fund’s expense ratio, currently in place until October 2023 and which the Adviser indicated were expected to continue thereafter for each Fund unless the Fund is reorganized. Based on its review, the Board concluded that the level of the management fees for each Fund was fair and not unreasonable in light of the extent and quality of services that each Fund receives.
In reaching this conclusion, the Trustees also considered the profitability realized by the Adviser and its affiliates from the relationships with each of the Funds both individually and as a family of funds. The Trustees also observed the lack of meaningful profitability for the Adviser from any of the Funds and concluded that the amount of profitability was not excessive.
(d) Other Benefits
The Trustees then considered the direct and indirect benefits to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Funds, including the fees paid pursuant to the Advisory Agreements, the Funds’ Amended Shareholder Service Agreement with the Adviser, as well as soft dollars. The Trustees also reviewed information from the Adviser regarding shareholder servicing fees and other information showing out of pocket shareholder servicing costs paid by the Adviser to third party intermediaries. In addition, the Trustees discussed the services provided by the Adviser in overseeing various shareholder service intermediaries and the direct shareholder services provided by the Adviser to the Funds’ investors, and resources dedicated to such services. The Board concluded that the Funds would benefit from those services and that the benefits to the Adviser derived from these relationships seemed fair and reasonable.
(e) Economies of Scale
The Trustees then considered the economies of scale that might be realized by the Adviser as a Fund grows and took note of the extent to which Fund shareholders might also benefit from such growth. The Trustees observed that although each Fund’s advisory fee rate is currently not subject to a breakpoint, none of the Funds has achieved meaningful scale as each Fund is operating over its expense cap, under its expense limitation agreement, and is being subsidized in part by the Adviser. Thus, the Board concluded that the economies of scale are expected to likewise be diminished.
Conclusion
Based on all of the foregoing, and such other matters as were deemed relevant, the Board found the fees under each Advisory Agreement to be fair and not unreasonable in light of the services provided by the Adviser. No single factor was determinative to the decision of the Board. Based on this determination, all of the Trustees, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the renewal of the Advisory Agreement for each Fund.
53
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program |
Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) requires open-end registered investment companies, including exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), to establish written liquidity risk management programs. Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) seeks to promote effective liquidity risk management, thereby reducing the risk that open-end funds will be unable to meet their redemption obligations and mitigating dilution of the interests of fund shareholders.
Consistent with the Liquidity Rule, the Fiera Capital Series Trust (the “Trust”) adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program (“the Program”) on behalf of each series of the Trust. Fiera Capital, Inc. (the “Adviser”), acting through its Liquidity Risk Committee (the “Committee”), serves as the Program Administrator. The Committee is responsible for, among other things, adopting and administering the Program on behalf of the Adviser pursuant to Rule 22e-4. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) approved the Adviser acting through the Committee as the Program Administrator for the Program with the responsibilities set forth in the Program.
At a meeting of the Board held on November 8, 2022, the Adviser provided an annual written report to the Board to address the operation of the Program and assess its adequacy and the effectiveness of its implementation. The Adviser noted that, over the past year, the Adviser did not: 1) alter the classification of the liquidity of any Fund’s portfolio investments, 2) breach the 15% limitation on illiquid investments for any Fund, or 3) exceed the minimum threshold of any Fund causing the designation of such Fund as a Primarily Highly Liquid Fund (as defined in the Program) to be changed. The Adviser reported that the Adviser believes that the Program has been implemented effectively and continues to function adequately. The Adviser further reported that there have been no material changes to the Program since its most recent annual report.
There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to each Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.
54
Fiera Capital Series Trust
Privacy Notice |
An important part of our commitment to you is our respect to your right to privacy. Protecting all of the information we are either required to gather or which accumulates in the course of doing business with you is a cornerstone of our relationship with you. This Privacy Notice sets forth the policies of Fiera Capital Series Trust (the “Trust”) with respect to the collection, sharing and protection of non-public personal information of the Trust’s investors, prospective investors and former investors. These policies may be changed at any time, provided that a notice of such change is given to you. Please read this Privacy Notice carefully to understand what we do.
We collect personal information about you (such as your name, address, social security or tax identification number, assets and income) in the course of doing business with you or from documents that you may deliver to us or to an agent of the Trust. We may use this information to effectively administer our customer relationship with you. It also permits us to provide efficient, accurate and responsive service, to help protect you from unauthorized use of your information and to comply with regulatory and other legal requirements. These include those related to institutional risk control and the resolution of disputes or inquiries.
We do not disclose any nonpublic, personal information about the Trust’s investors, prospective investors or former investors to third parties, except as permitted or required by law. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect such information, and limit access to such information to those employees who require it in order to provide services to you.
To service your account and effect transactions, we may provide your personal information to our affiliates and to non-affiliate firms (i.e., companies not related by common ownership or control) that assist us in servicing your account and have a need for such information, such as a broker or administrator. We may also disclose such information to service providers and financial institutions with whom we have marketing arrangements. We require third party service providers and financial institutions with which we have marketing arrangements to protect the confidentiality of your information and to use the information only for the purposes for which we disclose the information to them. We do not otherwise provide information about you to outside firms, organizations or individuals except to our attorneys, accountants and auditors and as permitted by law.
It may be necessary, under anti-money laundering or other laws, to disclose information about you in order to accept your purchase order. Information about you may also be released if you so direct, or if we, or an affiliate, are compelled to do so by law, or in connection with any government or self-regulatory organization request or investigation.
We are committed to upholding these privacy policies. We will notify you on an annual basis of our policies and practices in this regard and at any time that there is a material change thereto.
55
Board of Trustees
Corey Dillon
Gerald Hellerman
Kevin Mirabile
Investment Adviser
Fiera Capital, Inc.
375 Park Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10152
Dividend Paying Agent, Custodian, Transfer Agent
UMB Fund Services
235 West Galena Street
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Distributor
Foreside Fund Services, LLC
3 Canal Plaza #100
Portland, ME 04101
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
555 East Wells Street, Suite 1400
Milwaukee, WI 53202
This report has been prepared for the general information of the shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus. Each Fund’s prospectus contains more complete information about the objectives, policies, expenses and risks of the Fund. The Funds are not bank deposits, not FDIC insured and may lose value. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.
This report contains certain forward looking statements which are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward looking statements generally include words such as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘expects,’’ ‘‘anticipates’’ and other words of similar import. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the Risk Factors noted in each Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each Fund undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statement.
(b) There were no notices transmitted to stockholders in reliance on Rule 30e-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that contained disclosures specified by paragraph (c)(3) of that rule.
Item 2. Code of Ethics
The Registrant has a code of ethics (the “Code”) that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer. During the period covered by this report, there were no amendments to the provisions of the Code, nor were there any implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the Code. The Code is filed herewith.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the Registrant has an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee who is “independent” within the meaning set forth in Item 3(a)(2) of Form N-CSR: Gerald Hellerman. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The aggregate fees billed for professional services by the principal accountant during the Registrant’s last two fiscal years were as follows:
(a) Audit Fees for Registrant.
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 | $101,000 |
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 | $97,000 |
(b) Audit-Related Fees for Registrant. These are fees by the Registrant’s independent auditors for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant’s financial statements that are not reported under “Audit Fees”.
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 | $0 |
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 | $0 |
(c) Tax Fees for Registrant. These are fees for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s independent auditors for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. These fees include federal, excise and state tax reviews, and tax agent services.
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 | $24,700 |
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 | $23,740 |
(d) All Other Fees.
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 | None |
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 | None |
(e) | Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures. |
(1) | The Audit Committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures that require the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services of the Registrant, including services provided to the Registrant’s investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Registrant’s investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant with respect to any engagement that directly relates to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant. |
(2) | None of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item 4 were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. |
(f) | None. |
(g) | During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, there were no other non-audit services rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant to the Registrant, its investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by or under the common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant. |
(h) | Not applicable. |
(i) | Not applicable. |
(j) | Not applicable. |
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
Not applicable.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments
(a) | Included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR. |
(b) | Not applicable. |
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-end Management Investment Companies
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 9. Purchase of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No material changes to report.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures
(a) | The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service providers. |
(b) | There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable to open-end investment companies.
Item 13. Exhibits
(a) (1) Code of Ethics. Filed herewith.
(2) | Certifications of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) of the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith. |
(3) | Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not applicable to open-end investment companies. |
(4) | Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant. Not applicable |
(b) | Certification of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(b) of 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 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 | Fiera Capital Series Trust | |
By | /s/ Michael Quigley | |
Title | Michael Quigley, Principal Executive Officer | |
Date | June 9, 2023 |
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/ Michael Quigley | |
Title | Michael Quigley, Principal Executive Officer | |
Date | June 9, 2023 | |
By | /s/ Nadeem Siddiqui | |
Title | Nadeem Siddiqui, Principal Financial Officer | |
Date | June 9, 2023 |