Allmerica Securities Trust

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 811-02338

 


Allmerica Securities Trust

(Name of Registrant)

 


440 Lincoln Street

Worcester, Massachusetts 01653

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 


Sheila B. St. Hilaire, Trust Secretary

Allmerica Financial

440 Lincoln Street

Worcester, MA 01653

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 


Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (508) 855-1000

 


Date of Fiscal Year End: December 31

Date of Reporting Period: December 31, 2005


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

The following is a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940:

Allmerica Securities Trust

Annual Report

December 31, 2005


LOGO


Table of Contents

 

Trust Information

  2

A Letter from the Chairman

  3

Trust Overview

  4

Expense Example

  F-1

Financials

  F-2

Regulatory Disclosures and
Shareholder Information

  F-16


Trust Information

 

Board of Trustees

John P. Kavanaugh, Chairman

P. Kevin Condron*

Jocelyn S. Davis*

Cynthia A. Hargadon*

Gordon Holmes*

Edward J. Parry III

Ranne P. Warner*

 

Officers

John P. Kavanaugh, President

Richard J. Litchfield, Vice President

Ann K. Tripp, Vice President

Donald P. Wayman, Vice President

Paul S. Bellany, Treasurer

Sheila B. St. Hilaire, Secretary

 

Investment Manager

Opus Investment Management, Inc.

440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01653

 

Registrar and Transfer, Dividend Disbursing and Reinvestment Agent

The Bank of New York

P.O. Box 11258

Church Street Station, New York, NY 10286

 

Administrator and Custodian

Investors Bank & Trust Company

200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116

 

*Independent Trustees

Independent Accountants

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110

 

Legal Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP

One International Place, Boston, MA 02110

 

Shareholder Inquiries May Be Directed To:

The Bank of New York Shareholder Relations Dept.

P.O. Box 11258

Church Street Station, New York, NY 10286

1-800-432-8224

 

 

2


A Letter from the Chairman

 

Dear Client:

 

The United States economy turned in another solid performance in 2005, but U.S. stock markets barely budged. GDP grew by an estimated 3.5% for the year and inflation remained well contained. Oil and natural gas prices skyrocketed after hurricanes ripped through refineries and pipelines along the Gulf Coast, threatening economic growth. These prices moved lower when it became apparent that the economy could withstand the effects of these natural disasters. The Federal Reserve Board raised short-term interest rates a full two percentage points during the period, in its continuing effort to combat inflation and maintain price stability. Employment growth continued, although hurricane related losses and layoffs at high-profile companies garnered many of the headlines. Despite a strong economy, U.S. stock markets did not fare as well as some in other parts of the world. For the year, the S&P 500® Index rose over 4%, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained over 1%. The bond markets provided another year of positive returns, despite the Federal Reserve Board’s tightening moves. The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index was higher by more than 2%.

 

For the year, the Allmerica Securities Trust portfolio returned 1.91%, based on net asset value, and generated income supporting aggregate dividends of 55 cents per share.

 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees,

 

LOGO

 

John P. Kavanaugh

 

Chairman of the Board

 

Allmerica Securities Trust

 

3


Allmerica Securities Trust

 

The Allmerica Securities Trust returned 1.91% for 2005, underperforming its benchmark, the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index, which returned 1.96%.

 

The U.S. economy displayed amazing resilience, as it endured several major tests during the year. Real GDP increased about 3.5%, but the bond market’s reaction was remarkably tame, in light of the Federal Reserve Board’s on-going tightening policy. Long-term interest rates have remained extraordinarily well-behaved, with the ten year Treasury only 18 basis points higher, and the thirty year Treasury actually 27 basis points lower, than a year ago, resulting in a relatively flat yield curve. Corporate profits were robust in 2005, but the corporate bond market struggled. Much of this can be traced to the Auto sector and the well-publicized problems of Ford and GM, which detracted from performance during the period. The Trust holds the credit arms of these firms, which the Investment Manager believes are ultimately a less risky exposure to the sector. The Trust also owned two Canadian paper companies, Tembec and Domtar, whose performance was hurt by the strength of the Canadian dollar. Among the better performers in the period were MBNA, which was acquired by Bank of America during the year, JC Penney, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and the Energy sector holdings.

 

The Investment Manager believes that the fixed income market will remain in bear territory during 2006 and that the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index total return will likely fall in the 4.0% to 5.0% range. Credits that the Investment Manager believe have further upside potential based on fundamental analysis, include Safeway, Kroger, Sprint/Nextel and Morgan Stanley.

 

The comments above are based on information provided by the Investment Manager for the period indicated.

 

   
Investment Manager    About the Trust
Opus Investment Management, Inc.    Seeks to generate a high rate of current income for distribution to shareholders.

 

Average Annual Total Returns

 

     1 Year      5 Year      10 Year

Allmerica Securities Trust

   1.91%      4.95%      5.88%

Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index

   1.96%      7.11%      6.46%

Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB-Rated Average

   1.97%      6.49%      5.96%

 

Historical Performance

 

     Total Return
on Net Asset Value
     Total Return
on Market Value

2001

   4.96%      6.00%

2002

   5.91%      2.11%

2003

   6.70%      9.38%

2004

   5.36%      5.93%

2005

   1.91%      (1.16)%

 

The Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index is an unmanaged index of publicly issued, fixed-rate, non-convertible investment grade corporate debt. The Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB-Rated Average is a non-weighted average of funds within the corporate debt funds BBB-rated investment objective.

 

 

4


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

EXPENSE EXAMPLE 12/31/05 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of Allmerica Securities Trust (“Trust”), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars and cents) of investing in the Trust and to compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

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

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The second line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Trust’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Trust’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing expenses of investing in the Trust and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the second line in the table is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
Account
Value
07/01/05
   Ending
Account
Value
12/31/05
   Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses Paid
During Period*
(July 1 to
December 31, 2005)

Allmerica Securities Trust

          

Actual

   $ 1,000.00    $ 995.30    0.72 %   $ 3.62

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00      1,028.84    0.72 %     3.68

 

* Expenses are calculated using the Trust’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days), and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days).

 

F-1


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS • December 31, 2005

 

Par Value         Moody’s Ratings
(Unaudited)
   Value
(Note 2)
  U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS (f) - 0.2%      
  

Freddie Mac - 0.2%

     
$ 38,821    5.00%, 05/15/21    NR        $ 38,761
  94,590    6.00%, 10/15/07    NR          95,146
            
           133,907
            
  

Total U.S. Government Agency

     
   Mortgage-Backed Obligations
(Cost $139,631)
        133,907
            
  U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 4.3%      
  

U.S. Treasury Bond - 2.9%

     
  1,145,000    5.38%, 02/15/31    NR          1,286,157
  270,000    6.25%, 08/15/23    NR          322,418
  705,000    8.00%, 11/15/21    NR          971,275
            
           2,579,850
            
  

U.S. Treasury Note - 1.4%

     
  250,000    2.63%, 05/15/08    NR          240,156
  460,000    4.00%, 02/15/15    NR          445,984
  495,000    4.38%, 08/15/12    NR          494,942
            
           1,181,082
            
   Total U.S. Government Obligations
(Cost $3,764,772)
        3,760,932
            
  CORPORATE NOTES AND BONDS - 77.1%      
  

Auto Manufacturers - 2.4%

     
  450,000    DaimlerChrysler North America Holding Corp.      
   6.50%, 11/15/13    A3          471,172
  500,000    DaimlerChrysler North America Holding Corp.      
   7.30%, 01/15/12    A3          539,503
  500,000    DaimlerChrysler North America Holding Corp.      
   8.50%, 01/18/31    A3          605,008
  500,000    General Motors Acceptance Corp.      
   7.00%, 02/01/12    Ba1        453,463
            
           2,069,146
            
  

Banks - 8.8%

     
  880,000    Bank of America Corp.      
   4.88%, 09/15/12    Aa2        873,887
  500,000    Bank of America Corp.      
   5.25%, 12/01/15    Aa3        501,018
  1,000,000    Bank of New York Co., Inc.      
   6.38%, 04/01/12    A1          1,069,766
  500,000    Firstar Bank      
   7.13%, 12/01/09    Aa2        539,444
  450,000    HSBC Bank USA, Inc.      
   4.63%, 04/01/14    Aa3        432,067
  450,000    Marshall & Ilsley Corp.      
   4.38%, 08/01/09    A1          441,929
  420,000    National City Bank of Indiana      
   4.88%, 07/20/07    Aa3        420,157
$ 350,000    PNC Funding Corp.      
   6.13%, 02/15/09    A3        $ 361,223
  125,000    Suntrust Banks, Inc.      
   7.75%, 05/01/10    A1          138,303
  500,000    U.S. Bancorp, MTN      
   5.10%, 07/15/07    Aa2        501,974
  475,000    Wachovia Bank N.A.      
   4.85%, 07/30/07    Aa2        474,876
  450,000    Wells Fargo & Co.      
   5.13%, 09/01/12    Aa2        452,768
  1,000,000    Zions Bancorporation      
   5.50%, 11/16/15    Baa1      1,007,383
  440,000    Zions Bancorporation      
   5.65%, 05/15/14    Baa1      450,900
            
           7,665,695
            
  

Chemicals - 0.8%

     
  200,000    Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours and Co.      
   8.25%, 09/15/06    Aa3        204,634
  500,000    Praxair, Inc.      
   6.63%, 10/15/07    A3          515,802
            
           720,436
            
  

Cosmetics & Personal Care - 2.2%

     
  500,000    Kimberly-Clark Corp.      
   7.10%, 08/01/07    Aa2        517,306
  300,000    Procter & Gamble Co.      
   4.75%, 06/15/07    Aa3        300,286
  1,000,000    Procter & Gamble Co.      
   8.50%, 08/10/09    Aa3        1,121,889
            
           1,939,481
            
  

Diversified Financial Services - 15.9%

     
  500,000    American Express Co.      
   3.75%, 11/20/07    A1          490,808
  580,000    Bear Stearns Cos., Inc.      
   4.00%, 01/31/08    A1          569,397
  725,000    Capital One Bank      
   4.88%, 05/15/08    Baa2      722,049
  1,900,000    CIT Group, Inc., MTN      
   5.13%, 09/30/14    A2          1,869,011
  500,000    Citifinancial      
   6.75%, 07/01/07    Aa1        513,267
  460,000    Ford Motor Credit Co.      
   6.50%, 01/25/07    Baa3      445,036
  400,000    Ford Motor Credit Co.      
   6.88%, 02/01/06    Baa3      399,140
  825,000    Ford Motor Credit Co.      
   7.25%, 10/25/11    Baa3      712,681
  500,000    General Electric Capital Corp.      
   8.75%, 05/21/07    Aaa        526,140
  450,000    Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.      
   3.88%, 01/15/09    Aa3        436,841
  450,000    Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.      
   5.70%, 09/01/12    Aa3        462,905

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

F-2


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS, Continued • December 31, 2005

 

Par Value         Moody’s Ratings
(Unaudited)
   Value
(Note 2)
  

Diversified Financial Services (continued)

     
$ 500,000    Household Finance Corp.      
   8.00%, 07/15/10    A1        $ 557,788
  425,000    J. Paul Getty Trust      
   5.88%, 10/01/33    Aaa        443,928
  110,870    Jones (Edward D.) & Co., LP (a) (b)      
   7.95%, 04/15/06    NR          111,781
  900,000    JPMorgan Chase & Co.      
   5.25%, 05/01/15    A1          895,128
  500,000    Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.      
   4.00%, 01/22/08    A1          491,719
  605,000    MBNA Corp., MTN      
   4.63%, 08/03/09    Baa1      600,273
  350,000    MBNA Corp., MTN      
   6.25%, 01/17/07    Baa2      353,986
  85,000    MBNA Corp., MTN      
   7.50%, 03/15/12    Baa2      95,738
  1,630,000    Morgan Stanley      
   4.75%, 04/01/14    A1          1,563,279
  495,000    Morgan Stanley      
   6.60%, 04/01/12    Aa3        532,060
  550,000    Pitney Bowes Credit Corp.      
   8.55%, 09/15/09    Aa3        614,133
  500,000    Toyota Motor Credit Corp.      
   5.50%, 12/15/08    Aaa        509,273
            
           13,916,361
            
  

Electric - 4.5%

     
  505,000    Centerpoint Energy, Inc.      
   5.88%, 06/01/08    Ba1        511,824
  375,000    Consolidated Edison Co. of New York      
   4.70%, 06/15/09    A1          372,557
  425,000    Detroit Edison Co.      
   6.13%, 10/01/10    A3          443,330
  563,466    East Coast Power LLC      
   7.07%, 03/31/12    Baa3      583,869
  450,000    FirstEnergy Corp.      
   6.45%, 11/15/11    Baa3      476,999
  500,000    FirstEnergy Corp.      
   7.38%, 11/15/31    Baa3      589,985
  450,000    Pacific Gas & Electric Co.      
   6.05%, 03/01/34    Baa1      465,732
  450,000    TXU Energy Co.      
   7.00%, 03/15/13    Baa2      479,549
            
           3,923,845
            
  

Environmental Control - 1.1%

     
  450,000    Allied Waste North America      
   6.50%, 11/15/10    B2          445,500
  500,000    Allied Waste North America      
   8.50%, 12/01/08    B2          525,000
            
           970,500
            
  

Food - 4.7%

     
  1,500,000    Delhaize America, Inc.      
   8.13%, 04/15/11    Ba1        1,635,101
  296,000    General Mills, Inc.      
   6.00%, 02/15/12    Baa2      309,778
$ 470,000    Kroger Co.      
   5.50%, 02/01/13    Baa2    $ 463,959
  350,000    Kroger Co.      
   6.38%, 03/01/08    Baa2      357,134
  450,000    Safeway, Inc.      
   6.50%, 03/01/11    Baa2      465,979
  830,000    Unilever Capital Corp.      
   5.90%, 11/15/32    A1          879,142
            
           4,111,093
            
  

Forest Products & Paper - 1.6%

     
  1,000,000    Georgia-Pacific Group      
   7.25%, 06/01/28    Ba2        886,250
  500,000    International Paper Co.      
   5.50%, 01/15/14    Baa2      491,412
            
           1,377,662
            
  

Health Care - Products - 0.2%

     
  120,000    Johnson & Johnson      
   6.73%, 11/15/23    Aaa        143,530
            
  

Home Builders - 1.7%

     
  920,000    D.R. Horton, Inc.      
   5.00%, 01/15/09    Ba1        907,640
  500,000    Pulte Homes, Inc.      
   8.13%, 03/01/11    Baa3      550,679
            
           1,458,319
            
  

Lodging - 2.0%

     
  900,000    Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc.      
   5.75%, 10/01/17    Baa3      875,966
  500,000    Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc.      
   7.13%, 06/01/07    Baa3      512,688
  350,000    Park Place Entertainment Corp.      
   8.13%, 05/15/11    Ba1        386,312
            
           1,774,966
            
  

Media - 4.9%

     
  550,000    AOL Time Warner, Inc.      
   6.88%, 05/01/12    Baa1      585,464
  270,000    Belo Corp.      
   8.00%, 11/01/08    Baa3      286,819
  450,000    Continental Cablevision, Inc.      
   8.30%, 05/15/06    Baa2      455,455
  505,000    Cox Communications, Inc.      
   7.13%, 10/01/12    Baa3      541,095
  700,000    Echostar DBS Corp.      
   5.75%, 10/01/08    Ba3        686,000
  500,000    News America Holdings, Inc.      
   7.38%, 10/17/08    Baa3      527,828
  300,000    Time Warner Cos., Inc.      
   7.57%, 02/01/24    Baa1      327,226
  850,000    Time Warner Entertainment Co.      
   7.25%, 09/01/08    Baa1      889,681
            
           4,299,568
            

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

F-3


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS, Continued • December 31, 2005

 

Par Value         Moody’s Ratings
(Unaudited)
  

Value

(Note 2)

  

Metal Fabricate & Hardware - 1.2%

     
$ 1,000,000   

Precision Castparts Corp.

     
  

5.60%, 12/15/13

   Baa3    $ 1,012,181
            
  

Oil & Gas - 5.0%

     
  900,000   

Atmos Energy Corp.

     
  

4.00%, 10/15/09

   Baa3      863,121
  944,908   

Caithness Coso Funding Corp. (c)

     
  

5.49%, 06/15/19

   Baa3      937,576
  450,000   

Devon Financing Corp.

     
  

6.88%, 09/30/11

   Baa2      492,226
  450,000   

Devon Financing Corp.

     
  

7.88%, 09/30/31

   Baa2      571,815
  500,000   

Enterprise Products Operating, LP

     
  

5.00%, 03/01/15

   Baa3      476,292
  600,000   

Texaco Capital, Inc.

     
  

8.25%, 10/01/06

   Aa3        611,090
  400,000   

XTO Energy, Inc.

     
  

7.50%, 04/15/12

   Baa3      447,428
            
           4,399,548
            
  

Packaging & Containers - 3.1%

     
  1,750,000   

Packaging Corp. of America

     
  

5.75%, 08/01/13

   Ba1        1,718,638
  970,000   

Sealed Air Corp. (c)

     
  

5.63%, 07/15/13

   Baa3      962,876
            
           2,681,514
            
  

Pharmaceuticals - 4.1%

     
  500,000   

AmerisourceBergen Corp. (c)

     
  

5.88%, 09/15/15

   Ba2        504,375
  750,000   

Lilly (Eli) & Co.

     
  

7.13%, 06/01/25

   Aa3        902,564
  710,000   

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

     
  

7.25%, 08/15/13

   Ba1        779,946
  1,000,000   

Mylan Laboratories, Inc. (c)

     
  

5.75%, 08/15/10

   Ba1        1,001,250
  330,000   

Zeneca Wilmington

     
  

7.00%, 11/15/23

   Aa2        400,712
            
           3,588,847
            
  

Pipelines - 1.1%

     
  500,000   

Gulfstream Natural Gas System LLC (c)

     
  

5.56%, 11/01/15

   Baa2      504,628
  500,000   

Magellan Midstream Partners

     
  

5.65%, 10/15/16

   Ba1        503,968
            
           1,008,596
            
  

Retail - 4.9%

     
  595,000   

Home Depot, Inc.

     
  

3.75%, 09/15/09

   Aa3        574,097
  500,000   

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

     
  

7.38%, 08/15/08

   Ba1        525,597
  900,000   

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

     
  

7.95%, 04/01/17

   Ba1        1,045,386
$ 450,000   

Kroger Co. (The)

     
  

6.20%, 06/15/12

   Baa2    $ 461,021
  1,000,000   

Safeway, Inc.

     
  

7.25%, 02/01/31

   Baa2      1,079,078
  450,000   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

     
  

7.55%, 02/15/30

   Aa2      574,197
            
           4,259,376
            
  

Savings & Loans - 1.0%

     
  455,000   

Washington Mutual Bank FA

     
  

5.50%, 01/15/13

   A3          462,103
  450,000   

Washington Mutual, Inc.

     
  

4.38%, 01/15/08

   A3          444,626
            
           906,729
            
  

Telecommunications - 3.1%

     
  500,000   

BellSouth Corp.

     
  

6.88%, 10/15/31

   A2          548,855
  500,000   

Nextel Communications, Inc.

     
  

5.95%, 03/15/14

   Baa2      502,619
  400,000   

SBC Communications, Inc.

     
  

5.10%, 09/15/14

   A2          390,753
  680,000   

Sprint Capital Corp.

     
  

6.13%, 11/15/08

   Baa2      699,251
  120,000   

Sprint Capital Corp.

     
  

6.88%, 11/15/28

   Baa2      131,123
  450,000   

Verizon Florida, Inc.

     
  

6.13%, 01/15/13

   A1          454,562
            
           2,727,163
            
  

Transportation - 2.8%

     
  900,000   

CSX Transportation, Inc.

     
  

6.30%, 03/15/12

   Baa2      956,462
  189,000   

CSX Transportation, Inc.

     
  

9.75%, 06/15/20

   Baa2      258,031
  261,000   

Norfolk Southern Corp.

     
  

9.75%, 06/15/20

   Baa1      365,493
  255,000   

Union Pacific Corp.

     
  

5.38%, 06/01/33

   Baa2      245,613
  380,000   

Union Pacific Corp.

     
  

6.50%, 04/15/12

   Baa2      408,711
  250,000   

Union Pacific Corp.

     
  

6.63%, 02/01/08

   Baa2      258,198
            
           2,492,508
            
  

Total Corporate Notes and Bonds

(Cost $ 67,106,323)

        67,447,064
            
  ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (f) - 4.8%      
  1,000,000   

American Airlines, Inc., Pass-Through Trust, Series 1991 - C2 9.73%, 09/29/14

   Caa2      744,230

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

F-4


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS, Continued • December 31, 2005

 

Par Value        

Moody’s Ratings

(Unaudited)

  

Value

(Note 2)

  ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (f) (continued)      
$ 150,000   

Capital One Auto Finance Trust, Series 2003-A, Class A4A

     
  

2.47%, 01/15/10

   Aaa      $ 147,307
  780,000   

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., Series 2002-PBW1,

     
  

Class A2, CMO

     
  

4.72%, 11/11/35

   Aaa        764,584
  250,000   

Bear Stearns Mortgage Securities, Inc., Series 1999-WF2, Class A2, CMO

     
  

7.08%, 07/15/31

   Aaa        264,564
  710,000   

General Electric Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp., Series 2002-1A, Class A3, CMO

     
  

6.27%, 12/10/35

   Aaa        752,069
  500,000   

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Series 1997-GL, Class A2D, CMO

     
  

6.94%, 07/13/30

   Aaa        510,400
  750,000   

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital I, Series 2003-T0P9, Class A2, CMO (d)

     
  

4.74%, 11/13/36

   AAA        733,741
  300,000   

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2000-A3

     
  

6.88%, 11/16/09

   Aaa        311,090
            
  

Total Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities

(Cost $ 4,593,993)

        4,227,985
            
  FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS (g) - 2.3%      
  450,000   

Province of British Columbia

     
  

5.38%, 10/29/08

   Aa1        457,692
  550,000   

Province of Manitoba

     
  

4.25%, 11/20/06

   Aa2        547,877
  500,000   

Province of Quebec

     
  

6.13%, 01/22/11

   A1          528,522
  450,000   

Province of Quebec

     
  

7.00%, 01/30/07

   A1          460,311
            
  

Total Foreign Government Obligations

(Cost $ 1,962,350)

        1,994,402
            
  FOREIGN BONDS (g) - 9.5%      
  790,000   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Plc

     
  

4.70%, 07/03/18

   Aa3        753,299
  890,000   

Domtar, Inc.

     
  

5.38%, 12/01/13

   Ba2        709,775
  450,000   

Norske Skog Canada, Ltd.

     
  

7.38%, 03/01/14

   Ba3        393,750
  435,000   

Stora Enso Oyj

     
  

7.38%, 05/15/11

   Baa1      468,709
  230,000   

Tembec Industries, Inc.

     
  

8.50%, 02/01/11

   B3          127,650
  355,000   

Canadian Pacific Ltd.

     
  

9.45%, 08/01/21

   Baa2      502,927
$ 700,000   

British Sky Broadcasting Group, Plc

     
  

7.30%, 10/15/06

   Baa2    $ 711,327
  500,000   

Alberta Energy Co., Ltd.

     
  

7.38%, 11/01/31

   Baa2      612,763
  375,000   

Burlington Resources Finance Co.

     
  

7.40%, 12/01/31

   Baa1      474,591
  500,000   

Conoco Funding Co.

     
  

7.25%, 10/15/31

   A3          622,973
  450,000   

British Telecom, Plc (e)

     
  

8.38%, 12/15/10

   Baa1      512,262
  900,000   

Telecom Italia Capital SA

     
  

5.25%, 10/01/15

   Baa2      874,153
  500,000   

Telus Corp.

     
  

7.50%, 06/01/07

   Baa2      516,317
  500,000   

Vodafone Group, Plc

     
  

6.25%, 11/30/32

   A2          526,486
  450,000   

Canadian Pacific Railroad

     
  

5.75%, 03/15/33

   Baa2      466,643
            
  

Total Foreign Bonds

(Cost $ 8,181,564)

        8,273,625
            
Shares               
  INVESTMENT COMPANY - 0.4%      
  354,632   

Marshall Money Market Fund

   NR          354,632
            
  

Total Investment Company

(Cost $ 354,632)

        354,632
            
 
 
Total Investments - 98.6%
(Cost $86,103,265)
        86,192,547
            
  Net Other Assets and Liabilities - 1.4%         1,264,325
            
  Total Net Assets - 100.0%       $ 87,456,872
            

(a) Security is valued by management (Note 2).

 

(b) Restricted Security - Represents ownership in a private placement investment which has not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933. At December 31, 2005, these securities amounted to $111,781 or 0.1% of net assets (Notes 2 and 5).

 

(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 2005, these securities amounted to $3,910,705 or 4.5% of net assets.

 

(d) Standard & Poor’s (S&P) credit ratings are used in the absence of a rating by Moody’s Investors, Inc.

 

(e) Debt obligation initially issued in coupon form which converts to a higher coupon form at a specified date and rate. The rate shown is the rate at period end. The maturity date shown is the ultimate maturity.

 

(f) Pass Through Certificates.

 

(g) U.S. currency denominated.

CMO Collateralized Mortgage Obligation (Pay Through Certificate)

MTN Medium Term Note

 

NR Not Rated

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

F-5


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS, Continued • December 31, 2005

OTHER INFORMATION

The composition of ratings of both long-term and short-term debt holdings as a percentage of total value of investments in securities is as follows:

Moody’s Ratings

(Unaudited)

 

Aaa

   5.1 %

Aa

   15.9 %

A

   19.4 %

Baa

   36.9 %

Ba

   14.7 %

B

   1.3 %

Caa

   0.9 %

NR (Not Rated)

   5.0 %
      
   99.2 %
      

S&P Ratings

(Unaudited)

 

AAA

   0.8 %
      

Major Class Concentration of Investments

as a Percentage of Net Assets*:

 

Corporate Notes And Bonds

   77.1 %

Foreign Bonds

   9.5  

Asset-Backed And Mortgage-Backed Securities

   4.8  

U.S. Government Obligations

   4.3  

Foreign Government Obligations

   2.3  

Investment Companies

   0.4  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligation

   0.2  

Net Other Assets and Liabilities

   1.4  
      

Total

   100.0 %
      

* Not part of the financial statements; therefore not covered by the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

F-6


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES • December 31, 2005

 

ASSETS:

  

Investments:

  

Investments at cost

   $ 86,103,265  

Net unrealized appreciation

     89,282  
        

Total investments at value†

     86,192,547  

Cash

     6,563  

Interest receivable

     1,334,281  
        

Total Assets

     87,533,391  
        

LIABILITIES:

  

Management fee payable

     35,188  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

     4,507  

Accrued expenses and other payables

     36,824  
        

Total Liabilities

     76,519  
        

NET ASSETS

   $ 87,456,872  
        

NET ASSETS consist of:

  

Par Value

   $ 8,592,306  

Paid-in capital

     88,089,385  

Distribution in excess of net investment income

     (862,787 )

Accumulated net realized loss

     (8,451,314 )

Net unrealized appreciation

     89,282  
        

TOTAL NET ASSETS

   $ 87,456,872  
        

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (10,000,000 authorized shares with par value of $1.00)

     8,592,306  

NET ASSET VALUE

  

Per share

   $ 10.179  
        

MARKET VALUE (closing price on New York Stock Exchange)

  

Per share

   $ 9.07  
        

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

F-7


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS • For the Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 4,893,964  

Securities lending income

     7,865  
        

Total investment income

     4,901,829  
        

EXPENSES

  

Management fees

     401,671  

Custodian and Fund accounting fees

     80,516  

Transfer agent fees

     62,541  

Legal fees

     21,368  

Audit fees

     17,845  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     16,592  

Reports to shareholders

     21,749  

New York Stock Exchange fees

     25,000  
        

Total expenses

     647,282  
        

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

     4,254,547  
        

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:

  

Net realized loss on investments sold

     (606,526 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     (2,455,355 )
        

NET REALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS

     (3,061,881 )
        

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 1,192,666  
        

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2005     2004  

NET ASSETS at beginning of year

   $ 90,989,974     $ 91,458,225  
                

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS:

    

Net investment income

     4,254,547       4,275,738  

Net realized loss on investments sold

     (606,526 )     (65,308 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     (2,455,355 )     25,606  
                

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     1,192,666       4,236,036  
                

Distributions To Shareholders From Net Investment Income

     (4,725,768 )     (4,704,287 )
                

Total decrease in net assets

     (3,533,102 )     (468,251 )
                

NET ASSETS at end of year

   $ 87,456,872     $ 90,989,974  
                

Distribution in excess of net investment income

   $ (862,787 )   $ (756,837 )
                

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

F-8


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  

Net Asset Value, beginning of year

   $ 10.590     $ 10.644     $ 10.572     $ 10.565     $ 10.866  
                                        

Income from Investment Operations:

          

Net investment income

     0.495       0.498       0.486       0.565       0.673 (1)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     (0.356 )     (0.004 )     0.151       0.027       (0.209 )
                                        

Total from investment operations

     0.139       0.494       0.637       0.592       0.464  
                                        

Less Distributions:

          

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.550 )     (0.548 )     (0.565 )     (0.585 )     (0.729 )

Return of capital

     —         —         —         —         (0.036 )
                                        

Total distributions

     (0.550 )     (0.548 )     (0.565 )     (0.585 )     (0.765 )
                                        

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value

     (0.411 )     (0.054 )     0.072       0.007       (0.301 )
                                        

Net Asset Value, end of year

   $ 10.179     $ 10.590     $ 10.644     $ 10.572     $ 10.565  
                                        

Market Value, end of year

   $ 9.07     $ 9.74     $ 9.75     $ 9.45     $ 9.83  
                                        

Total Return on Market Value, end of year

     (1.16 )%     5.93 %     9.38 %     2.11 %     6.00 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s)

   $ 87,457     $ 90,990     $ 91,458     $ 90,834     $ 90,774  

Ratios to average net assets:

          

Net investment income

     4.76 %     4.70 %     4.56 %     5.38 %     6.23 %

Operating expenses

     0.72 %     0.76 %     0.68 %     0.86 %     0.79 %

Management fee

     0.45 %     0.45 %     0.44 %     0.45 %     0.50 %

Portfolio turnover rate

     29 %     32 %     98 %     79 %     128 %

(1) Computed using average shares throughout the period.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

F-9


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Allmerica Securities Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on June 30, 1986, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, closed-end management investment company.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements:

Security Valuation: Corporate debt securities and debt securities of the U.S. Government and its agencies (other than short-term investments) are valued using an independent pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees which utilizes market quotations and transactions, quotations from dealers and various relationships among securities in determining value. If not valued by a pricing service, such securities are valued at prices obtained from independent brokers. If prices are not readily available or do not accurately reflect fair value for a security, or if a security’s value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, that security may be valued by another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. A security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value. Price movements in futures contracts, market and trading trends, the bid/ask quotes of brokers and off-exchange institutional trading may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security’s fair value. Short-term investments that mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost. This method involves valuing a portfolio security initially at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium. Investments in other investment companies are valued at net asset value.

At December 31, 2005, one security with a value of $111,781 or 0.1% of net assets was valued by management under the direction of the Board of Trustees.

Security Transactions and Investment Income: Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are determined on the basis of identified cost. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discount on securities, is accrued daily. Income distributions earned by the Trust from investments in certain investment companies are recorded as interest income in the accompanying financial statements.

For the year ended December 31, 2005, the aggregate cost of purchases and the proceeds of sales, other than from short-term investments, included of non-governmental issuers, for the portfolio are as follows:

 

Purchases    Sales
Government    Non-Government    Government    Non-Government
$ 6,773,334    $ 19,119,382    $ 3,630,499    $ 22,613,994

Federal Income Taxes: The Trust intends to continue to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. By so qualifying, the Trust will not be subject to Federal income taxes to the extent it distributes all of its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, for its fiscal year. In addition, by distributing during each calendar year substantially all of its net investment income, capital gains and certain other amounts, if any, the Trust will not be subject to Federal excise tax. Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.

 

F-10


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost of investment securities owned at December 31, 2005, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment securities owned at December 31, 2005, are as follows:

 

Gross Appreciation    Gross Depreciation    

Net Unrealized

Appreciation (Depreciation)

    Cost
$ 875,145    $ (1,689,710 )   $ (814,565 )   $ 87,007,112

As of December 31, 2005, the components of distributable earnings (excluding unrealized appreciation disclosed above) on a tax basis consisted of undistributed ordinary income, undistributed long-term capital gains, undistributed short-term capital gains and capital loss carryforwards for the portfolio is as follows:

 

Undistributed

Ordinary Income

  

Undistributed Long-Term

Capital Gains

  

Undistributed Short-Term

Capital Gains

  

Capital Loss

Carryforwards

$ 28,176    $ —      $ —      $ 8,076,934

For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Portfolio has elected to defer capital losses attributable to Post-October capital losses are as follows:

 

Capital Losses

$361,496

During the two year ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, the tax character of distributions paid for ordinary income and long-term capital gain, for the portfolio are as follows:

 

December 31, 2005    December 31, 2004

Distributions

Paid from

Ordinary Income

  

Long-Term

Capital Gain

  

Distributions

Paid from

Ordinary Income

  

Long-Term

Capital Gain

$ 4,725,768    $ —      $ 4,704,287    $ —  

At December 31, 2005, the Portfolio had capital loss carryforwards which expire as follows:

 

2008    2009    2010    2011    2012    2013
$ 1,365,128    $ 2,362,884    $ 2,513,063    $ —      $ 1,232,756    $ 603,103

Distributions to Shareholders: Dividends to shareholders resulting from net investment income are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid quarterly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually. Income and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations. Differences between book basis and tax basis amounts are primarily due to differing book and tax treatments in both the timing of the recognition of gains or losses, including “Post-October Losses,” paydown gains/losses on certain securities, capital loss carryforwards and differing treatments for the amortization of premium and market discount. Permanent book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid in capital. Permanent book-tax differences, if any, are not included in ending undistributed net investment income for the purpose of calculating net investment income per share in the Financial Highlights.

Securities Lending: The Trust, using Investors Bank & Trust Company (“IBT”) as its lending agent, may loan securities to brokers and dealers in exchange for negotiated lenders’ fees. The Trust receives collateral against the loaned securities which must be maintained at not less than 102% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan.

 

F-11


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Collateral received is generally cash, and is invested in short-term investments. Lending portfolio securities involves possible delays in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the counterparty (borrower) not meet its obligations under the terms of the loan. Information regarding the securities loaned and the collateral held at period end is included in footnotes at the end of the Trust’s portfolio of investments.

Expenses: Most expenses of the Trust can be directly attributable to the Trust. Expenses which cannot be directly attributable to the Trust are allocated based upon relative net assets among the Trust and one other affiliated registered investment company, Allmerica Investment Trust (comprised of nine separate portfolios).

Repurchase Agreements: The Trust may engage in repurchase agreement transactions with institutions that the Investment Manager has determined are creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Trust requires that the securities purchased in a repurchase agreement transaction be transferred to the Trust’s Custodian in a manner that is intended to enable the Trust to obtain those securities in the event of a counterparty default. The Investment Manager monitors the value of the securities, including accrued interest, daily to ensure that the value of the collateral equals or exceeds amounts due under the repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreement transactions involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the counterparty, including possible delays or restrictions upon the Trust’s ability to dispose of the underlying securities, and a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the Trust seeks to assert its rights.

 

3. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Opus Investment Management, Inc. (“Opus”), a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Allmerica Financial Corporation (“Allmerica Financial”) serves as Investment Manager to the Trust. For these services, the Trust pays Opus an aggregate monthly compensation at the annual rate of (a) 3/10 of 1% of average net assets plus (b) 21/2% of the amount of interest income excluding amortization of premium and accretion of discount.

To the extent that normal operating expenses of the Trust, excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses, but including the investment management fee, exceed 1.50% of the first $30,000,000 of the Trust’s average weekly net assets, and 1.00% of any excess of such value over $30,000,000, Opus will bear such excess expenses.

IBT performs fund administration, custodian, and fund accounting services for the Trust. IBT is entitled to receive a fee for these services, in addition to certain out-of-pocket expenses. Opus is solely responsible for the payment of the administration fee and the Trust pays the fees for the fund accounting and custodian services to IBT.

The Trust pays no salaries or compensation to any of its officers. Trustees who are not directors, officers or employees of the Trust or the Investment Manager are reimbursed for their travel expenses in attending meetings of the Trustees and receive fees for their services. Such amounts are paid by the Trust.

 

4. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

There are 10,000,000 shares of $1.00 par value common stock authorized. At December 31, 2005, First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Allmerica Financial, the Trustees and the officers of the Trust owned in the aggregate 130,809 shares of beneficial interest.

 

5. FOREIGN SECURITIES

The Trust may invest in only U.S. dollar denominated foreign securities. Investing in foreign securities involves special risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. The risks include future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of securities of comparable U.S. issuers.

 

F-12


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

6. RESTRICTED SECURITIES

At December 31, 2005, the Trust owned the following restricted security constituting 0.1% of net assets, which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The Trust would bear the registration costs in connection with the disposition of restricted securities held in the portfolio. The Trust does not have the right to demand that such securities be registered. The disposal of restricted securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense; a prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The value of restricted securities is determined by valuations supplied by a pricing service or brokers or, if not available, in good faith by or at the direction of the Board of Trustees. Additional information on the restricted security is as follows:

 

Issuer

   Date of
Acquisition
   Par
Amount
   Cost at
Acquisition
   Value

Jones (Edward D.) & Co., LP

   05/06/94    $ 110,870    $ 110,870    $ 111,781
                   

 

7. OTHER

The Trust’s organizational documents provide former and current trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Trust, in the normal course of business, the Trust may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Trust. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

F-13


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Allmerica Securities Trust

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments (except for Moody’s and S&P Ratings and Major Class Concentration of Investments table), and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Allmerica Securities Trust (hereafter referred to as the “Trust”) at December 31, 2005, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods indicated, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Trust’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2005 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 15, 2006

 

F-14


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

BOARD OF TRUSTEES At December 31, 2005 (Unaudited)

 

Name, Address and Age(1)

  

Position(s) Held with Trust

  

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years(2)

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
  

Other Directorships
Held by Trustee

P. Kevin Condron (60)

   Trustee, Member of the Audit Committee, Fund Operations Committee, Governance Committee and Investment Operations Committee   

Indefinite

 

Served Since 1997

   President and Chief Executive Officer, The Granite Group (wholesale plumbing and heating), 1997-present.    11    Director, Banknorth Group.

Jocelyn S. Davis (52)

   Trustee, Member of the Audit Committee, Fund Operations Committee, Governance Committee and Investment Operations Committee   

Indefinite

 

Served Since 2001

   President, Nelson Hart, LLC (consulting), 2002-present; Beers & Cutler (professional services), 2001-2002; Chief Financial Officer, AARP (non-profit), 1996-2001.    11    None

Cynthia A. Hargadon (50)

   Trustee, Chairperson of the Fund Operations Committee, Member of the Audit Committee, Investment Operations Committee and Governance Committee   

Indefinite

 

Served Since 1997

   Chief Investment Officer, North Point Advisors LLC (consulting), 2003-present; President, Hargadon Associates (asset management consulting), 2002-2003; President, Potomac Asset Management, Inc., 2000-2002; Director of Investments, National Automobile Dealers Association, 1999-2000.    11    Director, Wilshire Target Funds, 2001- present, Wilshire VIT Funds, 2004- present.*

Gordon Holmes (67)

   Trustee, Chairman of the Audit Committee and Member of the Fund Operations Committee, Investment Operations Committee and Governance Committee   

Indefinite

 

Served Since 1991

   Instructor at Bentley College, 1998- present; Certified Public Accountant; Retired Partner, Tofias, Fleishman, Shapiro & Co., P.C. (Accountants).    11    None

Ranne P. Warner (60)

   Trustee, Chairman of the Governance Committee, Member of the Fund Operations Committee, Investment Operations Committee and Governance Committee   

Indefinite

 

Served Since 1991

   President, Centros Properties, USA; Owner, Ranne P. Warner and Company; Blackston Exchange LLC (real estate) 2001-present.    11    Director, Wainwright Bank & Trust Co. (commercial bank)

* The number of funds overseen by Ms. Hargadon at Wilshire Target Funds and Wilshire VIT Funds is five (5) and seven (7), respectively.

 


 

**  John P. Kavanaugh (51)    Chairman, Trustee and President, Chairman of the Investment Operations Committee   

1 Year Term Indefinite Term as Trustee

 

Served Since 1995

   President, Opus Investment Management, Inc.. (“OIM ”); Vice President, Director, Chief Investment Officer, First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company (“First Allmerica”) and Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company (“Allmerica Financial Life”).    11    None

**  Edward J. Parry, III (46)

  

Trustee, Member of the Investment Operations

Committee

  

1 Year Term

 

Served Since 2004

   Executive Vice President, Director, Chief Financial Officer, Allmerica Financial Corporation, First Allmerica and Allmerica Financial Life.    11    None

** Messrs. Kavanaugh and Parry are “interested persons”, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the “1940 Act”), of the Trust and of Allmerica Financial Corporation (“AFC”) because of their affiliations with AFC.

 

(1) The business address of each person is 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653.

 

(2) Except as otherwise noted, each individual has held the office indicated or other offices in the same organization for the last five years.

 

F-15


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES (Unaudited)

The performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

This report is authorized for distribution to existing shareholders of Allmerica Securities Trust (the “Trust”).

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trust’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Trust’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

During the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, the Trust did not vote proxies relating to its portfolio securities because the Trust invests exclusively in non-voting securities.

The Trust has submitted a CEO annual certification to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on which the Trust’s principal executive officer certified that he was not aware of any violation by the Trust of the NYSE’s Corporate Governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules, the Trust’s principal executive and principal financial officers have made quarterly certifications, included in filings with the SEC on Forms N-CSR and N-Q, relating to, among other things, the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, as applicable.

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

The portion of the Trust dividends that was derived from U.S. Government obligations in 2005 and may be exempt from state income taxation is 6.74%. The states of California, Connecticut, and New York have exclusionary provisions; however, each of these states has a threshold requirement that must be met before the exclusion applies. During 2005, the level of exempt income did not meet these thresholds and the exclusion did not apply.

Certain states also require, for intangible tax reporting purposes, the reporting of the percentage of assets invested in either state specific or state specific and federal obligations. The percentage applicable to the states of Florida and Kansas is 0%. The percentage applicable to the state of West Virginia, which is only for amounts invested in West Virginia obligations, is 0%.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (Unaudited)

Automatic Dividend Investment Plan: As a shareholder, you may participate in the Trust’s Automatic Dividend Investment Plan. Under the plan, dividends and other distributions are automatically invested in additional full and fractional shares of the Trust to be held on deposit in your account. Such dividends and other distributions are invested at the net asset value if lower than market price plus brokerage commission or, if higher, at the market price plus brokerage commission. You will receive a statement after each payment date for a dividend or other distribution that will show the details of the transaction and the status of your account. You may terminate or rejoin at any time.

Cash Investment Plan: The cash investment plan provides a systematic, convenient and inexpensive means to increase your investment in the Trust by putting your cash to work. The plan permits you to invest amounts ranging from $25 to $1,000 in any one month to purchase additional shares of the Trust. Regular monthly investment is not required.

Your funds are consolidated with funds of other participants to purchase shares. Shares are purchased in bulk and you realize the commission savings. You pay only a service charge of $1.00 per transaction and your proportionate share of the brokerage commission.

Your account will be credited with full and fractional shares purchased. Following each investment, you will receive a statement showing the details of the transaction and the current status of the account. The plan is voluntary and you may terminate at any time.

Investment Manager: Opus Investment Management, Inc.

Portfolio Manager: Ann K. Tripp

 

F-16


ALLMERICA SECURITIES TRUST

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)

Investment Objectives: The Trust’s primary investment objective is to provide a high rate of current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective.

(There is no guarantee that the Trust will achieve its investment objectives and an investor in the Trust could lose money.)

Principal Investment Policies: The Trust seeks to achieve its objectives by investing in various types of fixed income securities with an emphasis on corporate debt obligations. Examples of the types of securities in which the Trust invests are corporate bonds, notes and debentures; mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities; obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities; and money market instruments. The Trust may invest up to 30% of its assets in high yield securities or “junk bonds” rated below investment grade but at least B- or higher by Moody’s Investors Services or Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or similar rating organizations, and in unrated securities determined by the Investment Manager to be of comparable quality. The Trust may invest up to 25% of its assets in U.S. dollar denominated foreign debt securities. The Trust may invest in securities with relatively long maturities as well as securities with shorter maturities.

Securities issued by some U.S. Government-sponsored entities, such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurances can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to a U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentality if not obligated to do so.

Principal Risks of investing in the Trust:

 

    Company Risk means that investments in a company often fluctuate based on factors such as earnings, changes in management or products or potential for takeovers or acquisition.

 

    Credit Risk is the risk that a fixed income security will not be able to pay interest and principal. “Junk bonds,” for example, have a high level of credit risk.

 

    Foreign Investment Risk involves risks relating to political, social and economic developments abroad.

 

    Interest Rate Risk means that, when interest rates rise, the prices of fixed income securities will generally fall and, when interest rates fall, the prices of fixed income securities will generally rise.

 

    Investment Management Risk is the risk that a fund does not achieve its investment objective despite the investment strategies used by the Investment Manager.

 

    Liquidity Risk is the risk that the Trust will not be able to sell a security at a reasonable price because the security is not traded on a regular basis.

 

    Market Risk is the risk that the price of a security will fall due to changes in economic, political or market conditions.

 

    Prepayment Risk means that the Trust may lose future interest income when a decline in interest rates causes homeowners to prepay their mortgage loans.

 

F-17


LOGO

 

440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01653, Phone 508-855-1000, Fax 508-853-6332, www.allmerica.com

 

THE ALLMERICA COMPANIES

The Hanover Insurance Company • Citizens Insurance Company of America • Citizens Management Inc.

Opus Investment Management, Inc. • AMGRO, Inc. • Financial Profiles, Inc. • VeraVest Investments, Inc.

Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company • First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company

 

AR-AST (12/05)

  05-0141


Item 2. Code of Ethics

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial/principal accounting officer.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that Gordon Holmes, who is an “independent” Trustee (as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in regulations implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Regulations”)), qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” (as such term has been defined in the SEC Regulations).

The SEC has stated that the designation or identification of a person as an audit financial expert pursuant to this Item 3 of Form N-CSR does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

     Audit Fees   

Types of Services

  

Percentage of Services Approved

by the Audit Committee under

the De Minimus Exception (defined below)

 
2005    $ 29,000       —    
2004    $ 27,000       —    
     Audit-Related Fees            
2005    $ 0       0 %
2004    $ 0       0 %
     Tax Fees            
2005    $ 2,500    Tax return review    0 %
2004    $ 3,500    Tax return review    0 %
     All Other Fees            
2005    $ 0       0 %
2004    $ 0       0 %

All fees disclosed above under the captions “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees,” and “All Other Fees” represent fees billed for services that were required to be pre-approved, and which were so pre-approved, by the registrant’s Audit Committee in accordance with the Audit Committee’s Policy for Pre-Approval of Services Provided by Independent Auditors.

For the last two fiscal years of the registrant, the independent accountants billed aggregate non-audit fees in the following amounts to the registrant and Opus Investment Management, Inc. (“Opus”), the Trust’s investment adviser:

 

2005    $ 2,500      
2004    $ 3,500      

The registrant’s Audit Committee has determined that the provision by the registrant’s independent accountants of non-audit services that were rendered to Opus and that were not pre-approved by the Audit Committee were compatible with maintaining the independence of such accountants.


The following table presents fees billed by the registrant’s independent accountants for services required to be approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

     Audit-Related Fees    Tax Fees    All Other Fees    Total Non-Audit Fees    Percentages of services
approved by Audit
Committee
2005    $ 0    $ 0    $ 0    $ 0    —  
2004    $ 0    $ 0    $ 0    $ 0    —  

The Audit Committee has adopted certain policies and procedures for pre-approval of services provided by the independent accountants. On an annual basis, certain types of recurring audit, audit-related and other services are pre-approved by the Committee, including, among other things, the list of required audits and projects presented by the independent accountants; consultation and advisory services related to accounting/reporting and risk management/control matters provided in the normal course of business; and assistance with SEC and other regulatory filings and tax services incurred in the normal course of business. This pre-approval will occur concurrently with the approval of the annual audit fees and will apply to all individual projects meeting the criteria discussed above and which are expected to result in total fees less than $400,000. For individual projects outside the scope of the fiscal year audits and tax return filings expected to be $25,000 or greater, specific pre-approval will be necessary.

Pre-approvals for all other services will occur if and when the need for any such services arises. This pre-approval will be initiated by AFIMS and will be requested from the Chairman or, in the event the Chairman is unavailable, any other member of the Audit Committee. Any services approved by the Chairman, or other Audit Committee member, at any time other than during an Audit Committee meeting will be reported to the full Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Expenses permitted under Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X (the “De Minimis Exception”) will not require pre-approval.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The members of the Audit Committee are Gordon Holmes (Chairman), P. Kevin Condron, Jocelyn S. Davis, Cynthia A. Hargadon and Ranne P. Warner.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

The schedule referenced in this Item 6 of Form N-CSR is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of Form N-CSR.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not Applicable. (The registrant invests exclusively in non-voting securities.)

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Investment Adviser:

Opus Investment Management, Inc. (“OIM”)

Portfolio Manager:

Ann K. Tripp

Business Experience during the Past 5 Years:

Vice President, OIM, 1993-present; Vice President, First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company.


Number of Accounts Managed by Category

   Total Assets    Material
Conflicts
of
Interest
    Compensation
Structure and
method used
to determine
    Ownership
of Fund
Shares

Registered Investment

      (1 )   (2 )   None

Companies: 3

   $ 524 million       

Other Pooled Investment

         

Vehicles: 0

         

Other accounts: 12

   $ 232 million       

 

(1) Opus is not aware of any material conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with the Portfolio Manager’s management of the Fund’s investments and the investments of the other accounts included above.

 

(2) Portfolio manager compensation consists primarily of a base salary, a cash bonus and an equity incentive that usually comes in the form of stock options. Cash bonus compensation is variable and determined based on investment metrics and subjective metrics set out at the onset of the year. Some investment metrics include: total rate of return of unaffiliated portfolios, net investment income targets, new money yield targets and portfolio book yield targets and default targets for affiliated portfolios. Contribution to our overall investment process is also an important consideration as well. Sharing ideas with other portfolio managers and research analysts, working effectively with and mentoring less seasoned members of the team and being good corporate citizens are important components of our long term success are all highly valued.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

Not Applicable

 

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

Not Applicable

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

  (a) The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded that, based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report on Form N-CSR, such disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by the appropriate persons.

 

  (b) Changes to internal control over financial reporting: Not Applicable

 

Item 12. Exhibits

 

  (a)    (1) Code of Ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial/principal accounting officer is attached as Exhibit 99.CODE.

 

  (2) Separate certifications by the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

 

  (b) A certification by the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERTB.


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.

 

    Allmerica Securities Trust

Date: February 28, 2006

   

By:

 

/s/ John P. Kavanaugh

       

John P. Kavanaugh

       

President and Chairman

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.

 

Date: February 28, 2006

   

By:

 

/s/ John P. Kavanaugh

       

John P. Kavanaugh

       

President and Chairman

Date: February 28, 2006

   

By:

 

/s/ Paul S. Bellany

       

Paul S. Bellany

       

Assistant Vice President and Treasurer

       

(Principal Accounting Officer and

Principal Financial Officer)