N-CSR 1 tm212072d1_ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

 

 

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       811-10145      

 

Baillie Gifford Funds 

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

1 Greenside Row

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, EH1 3AN 

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Gareth Griffiths

1 Greenside Row

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, EH1 3AN 

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:          011-44-131-275-2000         

 

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

 

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2020

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

(a)Include a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1).

 

 

 

 

BAILLIE GIFFORD FUNDS

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Index

Page Number

     
 

01

   

Shareholder Letter

 
 

02

   

Management Discussion

 
 

37

   

Fund Expenses

 
   

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 
 

44

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

45

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

47

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

48

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

49

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

50

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

51

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
 

52

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

53

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

57

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

58

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

59

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

60

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

61

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

62

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

63

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
 

64

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

65

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

69

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

70

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

71

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

72

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

73

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

74

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

75

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
 

76

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

77

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

81

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

82

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

83

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

84

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

85

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

86

   

Selected Data for Class 4

 
 

87

   

Selected Data for Class 5

 
 

88

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

89

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
 

90

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

91

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

96

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

97

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

98

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

99

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

100

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

101

   

Selected Data for Class 4

 
 

102

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

103

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

 
 

104

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

105

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

109

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

110

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

111

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

112

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

113

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
 

114

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

115

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

120

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

121

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

122

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

123

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 

 

Page Number

     
 

124

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

125

   

Selected Data for Class 4

 
 

126

   

Selected Data for Class 5

 
 

127

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

128

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

 
 

129

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

130

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

132

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

133

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

134

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

135

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

136

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
 

137

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

138

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

142

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

143

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

144

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

145

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

146

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

147

   

Selected Data for Class 4

 
 

148

   

Selected Data for Class 5

 
 

149

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

150

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

 
 

151

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

152

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

156

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

157

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

158

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

159

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

160

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
 

161

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

162

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

164

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

165

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

166

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

167

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

168

   

Selected Data for Class 5

 
 

169

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

170

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 
 

171

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

172

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

175

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

176

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

177

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

178

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

179

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 
 

180

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

181

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

183

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

184

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

185

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

186

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

187

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
 

188

   

Notes to Financial Statements

 
 

214

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
   

Supplemental Information

 
 

216

   

Federal Income Tax Information

 
 

217

   

Management of the Trust

 

This report is intended for shareholders of the funds listed on the front of this report (each, a "Fund", and collectively the "Funds") and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for each Fund.

The statements and views expressed in this report are as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. All investments entail risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Source: © David Robertson / Alamy Stock Photo



Shareholder Letter

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Dear Shareholder,

2020 kicked off a new decade for us all, bringing optimism and excitement about the next 10 years of innovation. However, by the end of the first quarter, a global pandemic was quickly becoming the reality for us all. We all continue to feel the impacts of COVID-19 on our daily lives, and I would therefore like to open this letter by saying that all of us at Baillie Gifford hope that you are all keeping safe, and as well as possible, in what has been a tough period for so many.

At Baillie Gifford we take great pride in providing the best possible service to our clients, and looking after our staff, and we are thankful for the teamwork and friendship we have seen across all of our relationships. The majority of our staff continue to work from home. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the relationships we have and continue to build with you, and for your support as shareholders.

When reflecting on the market, 2020 has also been an interesting year, with concerns and uncertainty initially creating a sell-off in Q2, and then a K-shaped recovery. This demonstrates the polarisation between those companies that have thrived, for example as the shift to online has been accelerated, and those that for a variety of reasons have struggled. At Baillie Gifford we have long believed that technology shifts consumer behaviour, and that investing in high-quality growth businesses that reinvest in and deepen their competitive positions, is the way to deliver long-term outperformance for shareholders. Stock selection generated strong investment performance across the Funds in 2020. We are delighted to have achieved this for you, however, as always would ask that all performance be considered on a long-term basis (five-year periods or longer).

We are "Actual" Investors. Our purpose is to deploy clients' capital into what we believe to be the most promising and high quality growth businesses with durable competitive advantages, where management are investing for the long-term benefit of shareholders. We remain focused on fundamental investment research, and during the year we have continued to engage with company management and a range of academic institutes. We continue to think in decades not quarters, and we hope you as our shareholders can see the benefit of our long-term approach.

I would like to end on a positive note for our future. Last year I noted that Greta Thunberg led the biggest climate protest to date. We are taking a number of steps to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. I also noted last year that we continue to see technology driving medical advancements, delivering better treatments and offering potential new cures. With several companies now moving into production of a COVID-19 vaccine, this will be the fastest vaccine in medical history thanks to mRNA technology. This news is hugely encouraging for us all from a health perspective. It also highlights the rapid pace of technological development, and as growth investors we're incredibly excited about the investment opportunities we continue to find.

Sincerely,

David Salter

President

Baillie Gifford Funds


01



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

It has been a very positive year for the Fund in terms of both absolute and relative performance. China's rapid recovery from the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic has allowed for a return to broad-based economic growth and an acceleration in many of the thematic trends to which the Fund has exposure. Fund returns have generally been driven by stock-specific factors deriving primarily from continued operational strength. We aim to hold a small number of exceptional growth companies whose culture, competitive advantages and structural opportunities position them to be long-term winners.

Asymchem Laboratories and Glodon were among the positive contributors to performance over the 12-month period.

Asymchem Laboratories is a contract development and manufacturing organization offering comprehensive services to pharmaceutical companies ranging from research and development to manufacturing. It has a blue-chip client list of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. We believe Asymchem's core advantages come from patents in flow chemistry relating to continuous manufacturing. This can dramatically shorten the time required for production and speed up the commercialization of relevant drugs, whilst lowering waste, reducing environmental impact and improving safety. We believe Asymchem is benefiting from the shift in demand for contract operations to lower cost markets, as well as China's attempt to reduce generic drug pricing and nurture more innovative drug discovery companies.

Glodon is a proprietary software company with a leading market share in construction engineering, procurement and costing software. The company has been steadily shifting their business model from a license-fee based model to a cloud-based subscription service model. Renewal rates have been very positive, and we expect the incentives for companies to invest in software technology will continue to rise in this environment. Given the low starting point, we believe the addressable market for Glodon is likely to be significantly larger than today, and we believe the longevity of growth is being underestimated

by a market fixated on the short term and on the risks of this being a cyclical sector.

Among the key detractors from performance over the 12-month period were Nanji E-commerce and Ping An Insurance.

We only purchased the shares of Nanji E-commerce in June of this year. As such, we believe it is far too early to derive any value from assessing the company's performance. We have an investment horizon of 5 to 10 years. Nanji E-commerce is a branded e-commerce platform in China. It offers branding, e-commerce, and other services to suppliers and merchants to help them do business on large e-commerce platforms like Alibaba, JD and Pinduoduo. It has particular strength in lower tier cities. We expect growth on the Nanji E-commerce platform to be very strong driven by an increase in Chinese consumption and by the addition of more categories of products to the platform over time.

Ping An Insurance is one of China's largest insurance companies. It has suffered from COVID-19-related challenges which we expect to be short-term, specifically: unfavorable market conditions such as rising credit risk, falling interest rates and equity volatility, alongside disruption to offline agents' sales activities. However, we expect that demand for life insurance has likely risen as a result of the pandemic, and we currently don't see any change in the long-term investment case. We believe Ping An is a best-in-class insurer with a technology advantage and valuable ecosystem in a structurally attractive and growing market.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

The Fund is a purely stock-driven, unconstrained equity strategy focused on investing in exceptional growth companies listed on the domestic stock markets in China (known as 'A' shares). The portfolio is benchmark agnostic. Our research framework is at the heart of our process. Every new idea in the portfolio must be passed through our research format to ensure we focus our investment analysis on the long-term fundamentals. The research framework comprises two separate approaches. A 10 question stock research framework considers both the scale and sustainability of the opportunity on a 5 to 10 year view. This framework encourages us to consider the scale of the opportunity for the company over the next decade along


02



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

with the cultural and financial factors which will allow the company to capitalize on this opportunity. We have an additional due diligence checklist which helps focus further attention on governance, financials, ownership and potential risks. Our aim is to identify the exceptional growth businesses in China and hold them for long enough that the advantages of their business models and strength of their cultures become dominant drivers of their stock prices. We believe our patience and long-term time horizons are a significant differentiator from the short-term focus of the market.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Proya Cosmetics, Yonyou, Nanji E-commerce, Hefei Meiya Optoelectronic Technology, Centre Testing International Group, SG Micro, Sinocera Material, Jafron Biomedical

Complete Sales:

Huayu Auto Systems, Weichai Power, Visual China, Wuliangye Yibin, China International Travel Group, Focus Media

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund Class K

   

92.29

%

   

93.62

%

 

12/19/19

 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund Fund Institutional Class

   

92.29

%

   

93.62

%

 

12/19/19

 

MSCI China A Onshore Index

   

40.29

%

   

41.56

%

 

12/19/19

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


03



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

What a year 2020 has been. The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe. It continues to impact people's health and well-being, but also their habits and lives more generally. The observation often attributed to Lenin that, "there are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen," has rarely seemed so apt. In many cases, the measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic included lockdowns of public life to varying, often extreme, degrees. Unsurprisingly, this has had an immense impact on some of the businesses held in the Fund.

As long-term fundamental stock pickers, we cannot and do not attempt to predict the events of the future, but we can take steps to try to ensure that the Fund's holdings are prepared for any eventuality they might face. We do this by investing in what we perceive to be good quality growth companies with characteristics that make them "anti-fragile." That is, businesses that we believe will not only survive and endure through thick and thin, but those that we think will disrupt incumbents and create profits over the long term, as well as emerge stronger than their peers over time. For some of the Fund's holdings, it has been a time of tremendous progress and opportunity. The large-scale social experiment of confining a significant portion of the world's population to their homes over the past year in many ways reinforced and accelerated existing trends. Nowhere has this been more obvious and pronounced than in retail, which witnessed a dramatic increase in e-commerce penetration.

In terms of stock attribution, three of the top performers for the past year have been Zalando, Avanza and Spotify.

Zalando was a notable contributor to 2020 performance. The e-commerce company specializes in fashion retail and is the European leader in this space. We believe it has an enormous potential market with the shift of fashion to online, and the company has made long-term investments in its logistics infrastructure. Over the last year it had strong operating results, a significant uptick in user numbers as people migrated online for apparel spend, and also increased spend per user. Even more encouragingly, it has partnered with a number of brick and mortar retailers and is also exploring opportunities to enter new markets.

Avanza was a notable strong performer in 2020. As Sweden's leading online savings platform, it saw strong

growth during the 12-month period with an increase in new customers and asset levels, brokerage volumes and significant operating margin expansion.

Spotify, the Swedish music streaming platform, performed well in 2020. Over the past 12-months, its user base has continued to grow globally, they have made a number of acquisitions to further expand into podcasts, and they continue to capture market share.

Amongst the negative contributors to performance during the 12-month period were Treasury Wine Estates, Hargreaves Lansdown and Johnson Matthey.

Treasury Wine Estates, the Australian listed global wine business, had a marked period of underperformance in 2020. The company has faced some considerable headwinds with China having announced large tariffs on wine imports following an anti-dumping investigation plus fractious Chinese-Australian relations. It has also had a change in management and had weaker operational results over the past year.

A further notable detractor to performance for 2020 was Hargreaves Lansdown, a leading U.K. investment savings platform. Over the long-term, it has been a beneficiary of the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution pensions in the U.K. market and more generally from making investment easy for their customers. Its performance has been somewhat lackluster. In particular its growth in assets under management subdued in 2020 and one of its founders has continued to sell his holding. The U.K. stock market has also lagged many other international stock markets over 2020 and that has further weighted on the share price.

Johnson Matthey also underperformed in 2020. The multinational specialty chemicals company based in the U.K. that makes catalytic convertors (majority of sales) suffered from lower orders on the back of weak global demand for automobiles. Its move to develop its low cobalt battery material business for electric vehicles continues to be slow.

As investors it's natural for us to be asked for predictions about the future. In those moments it's worth recalling a quote attributed to U.S. baseball player Yogi Berra: "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." We must remain humble about what we (can) know and be willing and ready to change our minds as new facts emerge. We do, however, strongly believe that a careful selection of great growth businesses which are run by aligned management teams should thrive over the long term. Our task then is to focus on finding these exceptional companies and develop the fortitude to own them for, not just the year ahead, but long periods of time.


04



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. Bottom-up investing is an investment approach that focuses on the analysis of individual stocks and deemphasizes the significance of economic cycles and market cycles. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth above the market over the long-term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantages, management capabilities, financial strength and valuation. From the outset, we also consider aspects which may derail the investment case and revisit the thesis for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. The International All Cap Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. It meets regularly to discuss both buy and sell

ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. Ongoing monitoring of the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings enables appropriate changes to be made where applicable.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Kering, LVMH, Rational, Remy Cointreau, Ubisoft Entertainment

Complete Sales:

Infineon, Jupiter Fund Management, Legrand, MS&AD Insurance, Novozymes, Schindler, U-Blox


05



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund Class 2

   

27.95

%

   

12.78

%

   

9.14

%

 

04/15/14

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund Class 3

   

28.04

%

   

12.82

%

   

9.17

%

 

03/24/17

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund Class K

   

27.98

%

   

12.78

%

   

9.14

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Institutional Class
   

27.77

%

   

12.68

%

   

9.03

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI EAFE Index

   

8.28

%

   

7.96

%

   

5.21

%

 

04/15/14

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


06



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

What a year 2020 has been. The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe. It continues to impact people's health and well-being, but also their habits and lives more generally. The observation often attributed to Lenin that, "there are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen," has rarely seemed so apt. In many cases, the measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic included lockdowns of public life to varying, often extreme, degrees. Unsurprisingly, this has had an immense impact on some of the businesses held in the Fund.

As long-term fundamental stock pickers, we cannot and do not attempt to predict the events of the future, but we can take steps to try to ensure that the Fund's holdings are prepared for any eventuality they might face. We do this by investing in what we perceive to be good quality growth companies with characteristics that make them "anti-fragile." That is, businesses that we believe will not only survive and endure through thick and thin, but those that we think will disrupt incumbents and create profits over the long term, as well as emerge stronger than their peers over time. For some of the Fund's holdings, it has been a time of tremendous progress and opportunity. The large-scale social experiment of confining a significant portion of the world's population to their homes over the past year in many ways reinforced and accelerated existing trends. Nowhere has this been more obvious and pronounced than in retail, which witnessed a dramatic increase in e-commerce penetration.

In terms of stock attribution, three of the top performers for the past year have been Zalando, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Sartorius.

Zalando was a contributor to 2020 performance. The e-commerce company specializes in fashion retail and is the European leader in this space. We believe it has an enormous potential market with the shift of fashion to online, and the company has made long-term investments in its logistics infrastructure. Over the last year, it had strong operating results, a significant uptick in user numbers as people migrated online for apparel spend, and also increased spend per user. Even more encouragingly, it has partnered with a number of brick and mortar retailers and is also exploring opportunities to enter new markets.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry, had a good 2020 and was a contributor to the Fund's 2020

performance. It had strong operating results and strong order volumes during the 12-month period, and it continues to invest significantly in, expand and improve its production facilities. We perceive that its competition continues to struggle to keep up in terms of investment levels and technology. The outlook for the business looks promising, in our view, with strong demand from high performance computing and 5G telecoms.

Sartorius had, perhaps somewhat unsurprisingly, a good 2020. It provides single-use equipment and products that are used in the manufacturing of biological products, for example antibodies and vaccines. In addition to being exposed to what we perceive as an attractive area of biological drugs, we believe the company is well-positioned to benefit from the structural shift from reusable to single-use bio-manufacturing technology. Over the prior 12-month period, operating results have been strong, order growth promising, and the business saw a notable uptick in growth across both bioprocess solutions and its laboratory equipment business.

Amongst the negative contributors to performance during the 12-month period were Hargreaves Lansdown, Treasury Wine Estates, and Inditex.

A notable detractor to performance for 2020 was Hargreaves Lansdown, a leading U.K. investment savings platform. Over the long-term, it has been a beneficiary of the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution pensions in the U.K. market and more generally from making investment easy for their customers. Its performance has been somewhat lackluster. In particular its growth in assets under management subdued in 2020 and one of its founders has continued to sell his holding. The U.K. stock market has also lagged many other international stock markets over 2020 and that has further weighted on the share price.

Treasury Wine Estates, the Australian listed global wine business, also had a marked period of underperformance in 2020. The company has faced some considerable headwinds with China having announced large tariffs on wine imports following an anti-dumping investigation plus fractious Chinese-Australian relations. It has also had a change in management and had weaker operational results over the past year.

Inditex was a further detractor from performance. The apparel retailer, with Zara as its main brand, saw a marked fall in revenues for much of 2020 with a large proportion of its stores closed globally for large parts of the year under the COVID-19 lockdowns across countries. A pick-up in its online sales and its strong, net cash balance sheet was a partial offset to its underperformance over the 12-month period.


07



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

As investors it's natural for us to be asked for predictions about the future. In those moments it's worth recalling a quote attributed to U.S. baseball player Yogi Berra: "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." We must remain humble about what we (can) know and be willing and ready to change our minds as new facts emerge. We do, however, strongly believe that a careful selection of great growth businesses which are run by aligned management teams should thrive over the long term. Our task then is to focus on finding these exceptional companies and develop the fortitude to own them for, not just the year ahead, but long periods of time.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. Bottom-up investing is an investment approach that focuses on the analysis of individual stocks and deemphasizes the significance of economic cycles and market cycles. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth above the market over the long-term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantages, management capabilities,

financial strength and valuation. From the outset, we also consider aspects which may derail the investment case and revisit the thesis for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. The International All Cap Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. It meets regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. Ongoing monitoring of the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings enables appropriate changes to be made where applicable.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Kering, LVMH, MercadoLibre, Meituan Dianping, Rational, Remy Cointreau, Ubisoft Entertainment

Complete Sales:

Infineon, Jupiter Fund Management, Legrand, MS&AD Insurance, Novozymes, Schindler, U-Blox


08



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Ten Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund Class 2

   

28.77

%

   

13.37

%

   

8.99

%

   

9.86

%

 

12/17/09

 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund Class 3*

   

28.80

%

   

13.38

%

   

8.99

%

   

9.86

%

 

08/03/20

 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund Class K

   

28.78

%

   

13.38

%

   

8.99

%

   

9.86

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
Institutional Class
   

28.68

%

   

13.27

%

   

8.86

%

   

9.72

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI EAFE Index

   

8.28

%

   

7.96

%

   

6.00

%

   

6.37

%

 

12/17/09

 

*  Returns for Class 3 shares are based on actual performance from August 3, 2020. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on Class 2 shares.

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


09



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

Market conditions and review of performance during 2020

We hope that our long-standing shareholders will forgive the broken record, but before commenting on more recent performance, it is worth re-stating our long-standing view on performance measurement. We are resolutely long term in our investment approach and as such we don't believe genuine conclusions about a fund manager's skill can be drawn by looking at a single year of portfolio performance. It may be that this is especially true this year.

That said, it has been pleasing to see that operational results at companies at very different ends of the portfolio have been strong over the last year. This does give us confidence that the 'barbell' strategy is working well. On the one hand, several structural growth stocks with improving competitive positions are amongst those that have contributed most to more recent performance. Equally, we have seen companies in more cyclical areas, such as the materials sector, also amongst the strong performers.

In e-commerce, MercadoLibre in Latin America was particularly strong during the 12-month period. MercadoLibre recently passed the milestone of 300 million live listings on the site and has responded admirably to a material uptick in demand, despite physical retail starting to reopen in many of its key markets. Over many years of investing in emerging market ("EM") companies, one important feature we've seen in many of the longest duration growth businesses in the portfolio is a willingness to continually reinvest in themselves, to remain ahead of competition and to stay relevant for customers. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Ping An Insurance are great examples of this in the Fund, both spending multiple billions per year on research and development and/or capital projects. Interestingly, though at a different stage of evolution, we are now seeing comparable behavior from MercadoLibre. For this business, we believe the more they can invest in building out their own logistics network (Mercado Envios), the less they have to rely on third party logistics services where the quality is variable, and so the better the service they can provide to their customers. We've been very encouraged by the focus of the management team on building out their logistics capabilities. In our meeting with MercadoLibre's Chief Financial Officer earlier in the year, it was clear that logistics is MercadoLibre's number one priority when it

comes to improving the competitive advantage of the business.

Another lesson we've learnt over many years investing in EM is that it can be very rewarding to invest in cyclical growth companies, particularly where we're able to express a view different to many other market participants. A good example here comes in the case of mining companies exposed to copper. Rather than anchoring on the direction of near term Purchasing Managers' Indexes, or short-term production estimates, we're much more interested in the long-term potential for the electric vehicle supply chain, which we expect to become the key customer of this metal. It has been a good year for First Quantum Minerals (copper miner in Panama and Zambia).

More broadly, the sentiment towards many materials businesses has changed considerably since the depths of March 2020. This may be as simple as a combination of rebounding industrial activity and free flowing cash, however we're also seeing a broader recognition of the importance of sustainable growth for many companies in this sector which we believe bodes well for the longer term. In December 2020, Norilsk Nickel's Capital Markets Day was entitled 'Enabling the transition to a greener economy'. There was an unsurprising emphasis on environmental, social, and corporate governance ("ESG") and industrial safety issues. Importantly, Norilsk Nickel re-confirmed its capital expenditure to 2030 at $27bn, with $5.5bn on emissions control and environmental improvement. Their 2030 production targets were raised for copper, nickel and palladium. Whilst it's clear that the rhetoric and ambition around ESG is improving, we are keenly watching for delivery on their ambition.

Amongst the performance detractors during the 12-month period were a number of oil exploration and production companies, including Petrobras (Brazil), Premier Oil (various EMs; now exited the portfolio) and CNOOC (China). Despite a decent recovery in the price of oil, to which CNOOC is very operationally geared, during November 2020 the parent company of CNOOC was included in the U.S. executive order addressing the threat from securities investments that finance "Communist Chinese Military Companies." We are conscious that often important details change between the issuance of these orders and their implementation dates, but in this case we have come to the view that the risks of continuing to own the position outweigh the possible upside, and we have therefore sold the Fund's holding in CNOOC.

Elsewhere, banks such as Sberbank (Russia) and Banco Bradesco (Brazil) also detracted from performance during


10



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

the 12-month period. In particular, we still believe that Sberbank looks excellent in an EM banking context and in a global context. We perceive a growth opportunity for both loan growth and ongoing penetration of credit in Russia. In fact, there are probably no other EM banks looking as attractive as this in our view, given Sberbank's dominance and its undemanding starting valuation. We used market volatility earlier in 2020 to add to the position. The bank has leading market shares in retail loans and mortgage loans and a semi-monopolistic position in retail deposits too. This allows it to generate high net interest margins and positive net income throughout the business cycle, which we expect to compound for many years.

2020 ends with COVID-19 still exacting its terrible human and economic cost, but we believe there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to the heroic efforts of scientists around the world, it now appears there are a number of viable vaccines which will likely, in time, allow us to return to some sort of normality through the course of 2021. Moreover, it currently appears that while the West will prioritize its own people, it will also commit to underwrite vaccinations for the poorer parts of the world so everyone can be free of the virus in the future.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

We are long-term, active growth investors and invest in companies that we believe have the most substantial long-term growth prospects. To do so, we look for businesses that enjoy sustainable competitive advantages and which we believe will grow their earnings significantly faster than the market average. As emerging markets investors, we operate in a different opportunity set to global or developed market investors: economic and industrial cycles are often shorter or sharper and information is frequently incomplete. We have significant experience in

dealing with these challenges, which require a greater focus on future change rather than the present reality. Our approach results in a committed portfolio which will frequently look very different than its benchmark. In the pursuit of superior performance over the long term, we are happy to accept volatility around an index in the short term. This strategy is managed by the Emerging Markets Equity team, with decision making taking place in a Portfolio Construction Group, which is a subset of the wider team. Our process is focused on proprietary fundamental research and considers the competitive advantages of companies as well as how the external environment around them is changing.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Allegro.eu, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Copa Holdings S A, Dada Nexus Ltd ADR, First Quantum, Minerals, JD.Com Inc — ADR, Kaspi.Kz JSC GDR, KE Holdings ADR, Kingdee Int'l Software Group, Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd ADR, Li Ning, LUFAX Holdings LTD, Meituan Dianping, Midea Group 'A', Moscow Exchange, Ozon Holdings, Samsung SDI Co Ltd, SEA Ltd ADR, Yatsen Holding Ltd ADR

Complete Sales:

Alfa SAB de CV, Ambuja Cements Ltd, Banco Bradesco Pref, Banco Macro ADR, Bank Mandiri, China Vanke Co Ltd H, CNOOC Ltd, Cogna Educacao, Eclat Textile Company Ltd, FirstRand Ltd, Galp Energia SGPS, Garanti Bankasi, Hon Hai Precision, Kasikornbank NVDR, Kingsoft Corp Ltd, Orion Corp, Premier Oil, Samsung Fire & Marine Ins.


11



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Ten Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Class 2
   

29.06

%

   

17.26

%

   

6.75

%

   

14.57

%

 

03/02/15

 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Class 3
   

29.15

%

   

17.34

%

   

6.81

%

   

14.64

%

 

03/31/16

 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Class 4*
   

29.19

%

   

17.38

%

   

6.84

%

   

14.65

%

 

01/10/20

 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Class 5**
   

29.25

%

   

17.44

%

   

6.87

%

   

14.67

%

 

04/04/03

 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Class K
   

29.04

%

   

17.26

%

   

6.74

%

   

14.56

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Institutional Class
   

28.91

%

   

17.16

%

   

6.62

%

   

14.41

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

   

18.69

%

   

13.20

%

   

3.99

%

   

11.98

%

 

04/04/03

 

*  Returns for Class 4 shares are based on actual performance from January 10, 2020. Prior to that date, returns are calculated based on Class 5 shares from January 1, 2015, adjusted to reflect the differences in share class fees. Prior to January 1, 2015, returns are calculated based on the shares previously designated as Class 3 shares, prior to conversion to Class 5 shares.

**  Effective January 1, 2015, the share class structure of Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund was changed, and shares previously designated as Class 3 shares were converted to Class 5 shares. The performance information provided for Class 5 reflects the performance for Class 3 for periods prior to January 1, 2015. Class 3 shares were subject to a higher shareholder service fee than Class 5 shares, and no adjustment has been made to the performance information shown for Class 5 to reflect its different expense structure.

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class 5 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


12



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

"We view our role as supporting ambition and helping special businesses to meet their full potential."

The above quote from our Global Alpha Stewardship Report may never be more relevant than it is at present. The past year has been hugely challenging; 'normal' life has been redefined by the global COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that patient and supportive stewardship is of paramount importance during challenging times. In contrast to many market participants, we have encouraged companies to forego near-term profitability in favor of the best long-term interests of their stakeholders. In some cases, we have supported holdings with further capital earmarked to underpin future growth. Following the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, we undertook resiliency analysis of the Fund's portfolio. With the vast majority of the holdings on a firm financial footing, we then switched focus to the future in an effort to move on and identify exciting long-term growth opportunities. While the pandemic has riddled many aspects of our lives with uncertainty, this has not extended to the approach we take to managing the Fund's assets. We continue to seek further opportunities and are wary of complacency.

We remain focused and open-minded to seek what we perceive to be the best growth companies globally, spread across our four growth categories — Stalwart, Rapid, Cyclical and Latent — a framework that is intended to encapsulate how the companies generate growth. The objective is to build a diversified portfolio that remain resilient through both secular and cyclical changes.

Over the past five years, there has been a deliberate reduction in the Fund's exposure to cyclical growth companies from a peak of ~30% of the Fund in 2014 to ~15% as of the end of 2020. The result is that exposure to economically sensitive companies was limited as the pandemic hit and economies around the world stalled. It is perhaps unsurprising that several of the main detractors from performance during 2020 came from the Fund's limited exposure to such areas. In particular Kirby (U.S. barge operator) and EOG Resources (oil and gas producer) have both had weak performance during the 12-month period as a result of economic uncertainty. In addition, capital allocation has proven a headache at Kirby, and this

has prompted our decision to sell the holding. Despite a successful inland marine services operation which transports oil and petrochemicals along the canals and waterways of the southeastern U.S., management has consistently allocated capital to its less profitable engine services business. Insurance companies, such as Prudential and Fairfax Financial, have also been weak during the 12-month period as the market worried about what impact the pandemic might have on insurance sales and claims and investment returns.

More positively though, the vast majority of the strong investment performance has been underpinned by fundamental progress at many of the technology and healthcare companies held in the portfolio, despite the difficult backdrop. Stocks such as Tesla (electric vehicles and battery production), Shopify (platform which enables businesses to move online), and SEA (gaming) have seen very significant share price appreciation over the past 12 months. Tesla's production grew in 2020, despite the factory shutdown in California. It is scaling up in Shanghai and will open its Berlin plant in 2021, at which point we'd expect the company to be selling over 1 million cars per annum. Shopify has seen a huge increase in its merchant userbase over the last year as previously offline-only businesses moved to get online as lockdowns were imposed around the world. SEA, an Asian e-commerce and gaming company, also saw significant growth over the last year, resulting in revenues more than doubling in the first six months of 2020. Similarly, the U.S. telemedicine company, Teladoc, has seen a huge increase in demand for its services over the last year as patients recognized the benefits of virtual medical consultations.

One of our barometers of efficacy is the intensity of competition for inclusion in the portfolio. To continue to merit a place in the portfolio, holdings must proffer sufficiently attractive growth prospects relative to new opportunities. Upside testing is ongoing for several of the portfolio's strongest performers. Indeed, we undertook reductions to Amazon and Tesla in the first half of 2020 and broadened our field of focus to consider probable beneficiaries of an economic recovery by purchasing Estee Lauder (cosmetics) and Lyft (ride hailing) and adding to Booking.com (online travel) and Ryanair (air travel). This work has continued in recent months and led to a reduction of the Fund's position in Zillow, the U.S. real estate portal, and a complete sale of SAP, the German enterprise software business. In both cases, valuation was a growing concern — the likelihood of a doubling in share price over the next five years looked, to us, increasingly remote. This comes against what we perceive as an increasingly competitive landscape for both businesses — in SAP's


13



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

case, from a growing number of cloud-based software businesses, a handful of which were purchased for your portfolio last quarter. Elsewhere, we elected to add to CBRE, a leading player in the commercial real estate market.

Taking the above transactions into account, the Fund's annual turnover was 23% for the period, in line with its long-term investment horizon.

Our investment approach remains a tried and tested one which centers on bottom-up stock-picking and an ability to invest in growth companies anywhere in the world. We undertake regular thematic reviews of the portfolio, the most recent of which highlights what we believe is a proliferating and reassuringly diverse range of underlying exposures. Our approach has supported a calm and measured response to the developments of 2020 and has allowed us to make modest changes to position the portfolio for future growth. Inherent in this is a desire to invest in companies run by management teams that are sensible stewards of capital and are capable of navigating and adapting to what the future brings. As we begin a new year, many economic and market commentators will set about predicting all manner of variables and outcomes for the next 12 months. Instead, our approach means that we have begun assessing potential areas of interest for our 2021 research agenda. Suggestions have been plentiful and diverse, including, for example, the future of food, new frontiers of the internet and how the Fund would be positioned in an inflationary environment. Ultimately, this will influence where we hunt for new ideas but, always, our approach will be to assess the fundamental long-term growth prospects of companies. Through this lens, opportunities appear plentiful. This is what underpins our confidence that, whatever lies ahead, the Fund will be positioned to deliver superior long-term returns.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth above the market over the long term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantage, management attitudes and financial strength, and finally we consider valuation. We meet the management of the companies within our investment universe and revisit the investment case for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. The Global Alpha investment team is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. They meet regularly as part of a Portfolio Review Group, along with representatives from each of Baillie Gifford's regional investment teams, to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction in their continuing holdings.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Adidas, Adyen, Booking Holdings, CBRE, Cloudflare, Datadog, Doordash, Estee Lauder, Farfetch, KE Holdings, Lyft, Moderna, Ping An Healthcare & Technology, Rio Tinto, S&P Global, SEA Ltd, Snowflake, SoftBank, Tencent Music, Twilio, Ubisoft, Wayfair

Complete Sales:

58.com, Apache, Banco Bradesco, Bank of Ireland, Bureau Veritas, Chipotle, Distribution Now, Grubhub, Jardine Matheson, Kirby, M&G, MarketAxess, Myriad Genetics, SAP, Schindler, Signify, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Trip.com, Tsingtao, Visa, Waters


14



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund Class 2

   

36.31

%

   

18.24

%

   

15.41

%

 

01/06/13

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund Class 3

   

36.40

%

   

18.32

%

   

15.49

%

 

11/15/11

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund Class 4

   

36.45

%

   

18.35

%

   

15.50

%

 

07/10/17

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund Class K

   

36.35

%

   

18.24

%

   

15.41

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Institutional Class
   

36.22

%

   

18.19

%

   

15.31

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI ACWI Index

   

16.82

%

   

12.85

%

   

11.42

%

 

11/15/11

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the K and Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class 3 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


15



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

In a year dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, equity markets were volatile but ultimately produced a positive return. The first few months of 2020 witnessed the outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the impact on economic activity of the increasingly stringent lockdown measures which were put into place. Global equities fell significantly in response; for example, the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI), the Fund's benchmark, was down 21% in dollar terms during the first quarter of the year. However, share prices subsequently recovered, partially as a result of the huge interventions by central banks and governments around the world to prop up markets and pump-prime economies. More recently the final three months of 2020 saw equities continue to rise following the release of the hugely encouraging results of the trials of the first COVID-19 vaccines. Remarkably, therefore, the MSCI ACWI ended the year up 16.82%.

Against this backdrop, the Fund performed very well. Having held up better than the wider market during the downturn in February and March, the portfolio then rose considerably as markets recovered, with Class K shares delivering a return over the 12 months of 75.39%. In addition, the Fund's more important and more meaningful longer-term performance figures were also strong, both in absolute terms and when compared to the Fund's benchmark. A healthy dose of humility is required in recognizing that the outlook for the global economy and equity markets is highly uncertain. Investors should not be surprised if we continue to experience short-term volatility as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, we are delighted to have been able to protect and grow clients' capital in a difficult period.

Positive performance over the past year was driven by the Fund's exposure to technology companies which we believed would gradually alter and improve the way in which we work, shop, learn and communicate. 2020 witnessed a dramatic step-change in the uptake of these disruptive services and, in many cases, this has resulted in remarkable growth for the companies concerned.

One of the clearest examples of this was the Fund's holding in Canadian e-commerce platform Shopify. The company was quick to introduce and widen access to new features to help its merchants during the pandemic, including extended free trials, gift card capabilities and adapted pickup and delivery options. These measures

contributed to a 62% increase in new store creation on the Shopify platform between mid-March and mid-April when compared to the previous six weeks, leading to a 47% year-on-year increase in revenue for the company in the first quarter of 2020 at a time when many other companies were struggling.

But the single biggest contributor to performance for the period was the holding in electric car maker Tesla, the share price of which rose more than eight-fold over the year. The company is rarely far from the headlines, but what can sometimes be missed is its highly impressive operational performance. In 2015, Tesla delivered just over 50,000 cars. In 2020, and despite coronavirus-related shutdowns, the business delivered almost 500,000. Moreover, we believe Tesla has the ambition and planning in place to go significantly higher in the next five years and beyond, with an established lead in battery technology which underpins not just its car business, but also its energy generation and storage divisions.

Meanwhile the holding in LendingTree, an online marketplace for U.S. consumer credit products, detracted from performance during 2020 as the stock fell by around 10% during the 12-month period. The shares weakened in November 2020 following news that one of the company's large shareholders, Liberty Inc., would be selling its stake. Liberty was undertaking unrelated corporate actions, and, per Liberty, the holding in LendingTree no longer aligned with its other objectives. Although this marks the end of a relationship with a strategic investment partner, it will increase LendingTree's free float and offers the opportunity for the company to widen its investor base.

In addition, analysis shows that over the year the two largest detractors from the Fund's performance relative to the Fund's benchmark were Apple and Microsoft. Neither were held in the Fund during the period, but their stock prices have been strong and so this has therefore detracted from performance relative to the benchmark as the Fund 'missed out' on their rise.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. Bottom-up investing is an investment approach that focuses on the analysis of individual stocks and deemphasizes the significance of economic cycles and market cycles. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable long-term earnings growth. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive


16



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

advantages, management capabilities, financial strength and valuation, along with environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. From the outset, we also consider aspects which may derail the investment case and revisit the thesis for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. The Global Stewardship Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. It meets regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. Ongoing monitoring of the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings enables appropriate changes to be made where applicable.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Adevinta, Bridgestone, Denso, Meituan Dianping, MercardoLibre, Ocado, Samsung SDI, Slack Technologies, Twilio, Upwork, Workday

Complete Sales:

CarMax, Facebook, Fortive, Gree, Grubhub, Hon Hai, M&G, Richemont, Schindler, Svenska Handelsbanken

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund Class K

   

75.39

%

   

27.30

%

 

12/14/17

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund Institutional Class

   

75.39

%

   

27.30

%

 

12/14/17

 

MSCI ACWI Index

   

16.82

%

   

11.03

%

 

12/14/17

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


17



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

The quote "there are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen" feels a particularly apt way to describe the year. Through this volatile period, the Fund has enjoyed both relative and absolute outperformance. After the initial slump in international equity markets, we have seen a resurgence in the second half of the year with the MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index, the Fund's benchmark, providing an 11.13% return for the 2020 calendar year. The Fund comfortably outperformed its benchmark over the period. Relative outperformance was driven overwhelmingly by stock selection over the period, which is what we would expect from a bottom-up strategy. Stock selection was a positive contributor to performance across all major regions on a relative basis. From a sector standpoint, communication services and consumer discretion were the top two contributors to performance during the 12-month period, while an underweight position in the healthcare industry relative to the Fund's benchmark contributed negatively during the period.

As long-term fundamental stock pickers, we cannot and do not attempt to predict the future, but we can take steps necessary to try to prepare your portfolio for any eventuality it might face. We prepare by investing in what we perceive to be quality growth companies with characteristics that make them "anti-fragile." That is, we seek to invest in businesses that we expect will be bastions of stability through thick and thin, that we believe will disrupt incumbents and create new profit pools, that we perceive as being able to emerge stronger than their peers, and that we anticipate are able to take advantage of a crisis. We believe these businesses likely have a natural immunity, which makes them durable investments.

In terms of stock attribution, two of the top performers for the period have been MercadoLibre and Spotify.

MercadoLibre, the Latin American e-commerce business, was the standout contributor to performance over the year. The company's heavy investment in its logistics network in 2019 has seemingly provided solid foundations for growth in an environment where the ongoing uncertainty of COVID-19 seems to have fast-tracked the adoption of online retail and e-commerce, both of which remain in Latin America at levels far below other major global regions. We are confident that in the long-term this is a business which will continue to grow its e-commerce platform and its payment platform Mercado Pago.

Elsewhere, we see the continuation of trends towards online audio and music streaming with Spotify, the Swedish music streaming platform, performing well this year. Spotify is the leader in this market with over 300 million users. The business has invested heavily in its podcast portfolio over the last year, purchasing exclusive rights to the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast (9 million YouTube subscribers), entered a licensing agreement with Warner Music Company to exclusively produce content on the platform and signed a deal for exclusivity with Kim Kardashian-West. Spotify is also developing expansions into new markets (such as India) and continues to develop its direct-to-artist offering.

Amongst the negative contributors to performance during the 12-month period were Copa Holdings, a Panamanian airline, and Fairfax Financial Holdings, a Canadian insurance and investment business.

Copa has had a difficult year, as one might expect for an airline in a period where flights have been restricted for large parts of the year. We believe Copa is a quality business and well capitalized within an industry that has a number of laggards. In the long term, we believe this is a company which should emerge strongly from this pandemic. In April 2020 Copa issued a $350m convertible bond to bolster an already strong balance sheet. We anticipate that the business is well placed to thrive as we emerge from the panic.

Fairfax Financial was also among the negative contributors for the period. The Canadian financial services company has struggled to achieve expected returns. In a period where we might expect its business to thrive, it has underperformed. Blackberry, Seaspan and Eurobank were among Fairfax Financial's key investments to underperform expectations. Whilst the company continues to hold a number of interesting investments that might yield value over the long term, our confidence in the overall stewardship of its investment portfolio has waned. With additional concerns mounting over governance structures at the company, we felt there are more attractive growth investments to be found elsewhere in the international universe and made the decision to sell the holding.

Unlike some, we do not believe the acid test is the historic return on equity ratio or the stability of historic margins, when considering the growth opportunity for a company. We believe that it is the interaction of numerous factors that create the conditions for a company to grow and thrive over many years. It is a company's ability to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of it, to be resilient to the inevitable challenges it will face, and to adapt and evolve as the world changes. These are the attributes that enable companies to


18



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

thrive, not just from quarter to quarter, or even year to year, but from cycle to cycle and decade to decade, in our view. Investors who are prepared to seek out such companies and have the patience to stay with them for the journey may be rewarded with extraordinary long-term returns.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

The investment strategy remains unchanged. The Fund invests in growth stocks based on bottom-up company analysis. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry opportunity, competitive advantage, management attitudes, financial strength, and valuation. We also consider whether we have a different view from the market. We think that the market, in general, is too short term and inward looking. Our ability to add value is derived from having a much longer time horizon and from our differentiated sources of information. We believe our patient investment approach, and reputation as a long-term investor, allows us to develop much deeper relationships with management teams and have more meaningful conversations with company leaders.

The International Alpha Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. They meet regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings and will continue to monitor the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings and make changes where appropriate.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Adyen, Amadeus, Chr Hansen, Dassault Systemes, FinecoBank, ICICI Lombard, KE Holdings ADR, Meituan Dianping, Nintendo, Rational, Shiseido, Temenos

Complete Sales:

ASOS, Bankinter, Boohoo, Cogna, Continental, Fairfax Financial, Howden, Legrand, MTU, Naspers, St. James Place, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust, Unilever


19



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Ten Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class 2

   

26.45

%

   

14.64

%

   

8.89

%

   

7.16

%

 

02/07/08

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class 3

   

26.54

%

   

14.72

%

   

8.97

%

   

7.45

%

 

09/01/10

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class 4

   

26.57

%

   

14.72

%

   

8.93

%

   

7.19

%

 

07/10/17

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class 5

   

26.64

%

   

14.81

%

   

8.99

%

   

7.24

%

 

04/07/14

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class K

   

26.40

%

   

14.63

%

   

8.89

%

   

7.16

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Institutional Class
   

26.29

%

   

14.53

%

   

8.76

%

   

7.02

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index

   

11.13

%

   

9.43

%

   

5.40

%

   

4.09

%

 

02/07/08

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


20



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

Market conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

It has been an extraordinary year for both absolute and relative performance. Fund returns have generally been driven by stock specific factors deriving primarily from continued operational strength. Operational progress for certain portfolio holdings has been accelerated by some changes in how we live our lives, brought about by lockdown measures. However, while lots has changed in the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services, change is by no means temporary. We recognize that societies and economies are in a deep, structural period of transformation, which is driven by exponential advances in technology combined with innovative business models. Exceptional businesses are by their very nature rare, which is why we invest in a small number (20 to 35) of what we believe to be the most exceptional international growth companies.

Top contributors to performance during 2020 included Tesla and MercadoLibre.

Tesla, the U.S. electric vehicles, solar cell and energy storage company, has enjoyed a considerable increase in share price over the last 12 months as the market is finally recognizing years of excellent operational progress. Demand for the Model 3 has been high, and news of further significant battery life improvement has added to growing awareness of the long-term potential of the auto segment. When viewing the tremendous upside potential for Tesla, we contend that the view must consider not just the potential of incredible electric vehicles, as we're witnessing, but also autonomous vehicles and world leading battery technology transforming our entire energy infrastructure.

MercadoLibre, the Latin American e-commerce company, has also been a strong contributor to performance over the last year, as lockdown measures across a broad range of Latin American countries helped to catalyze uptake. Business segments (including e-commerce, advertising and financial services) are starting from a very low penetration in Latin America, and MercadoLibre is investing heavily over the long-term to grow market share.

Among the key detractors from performance over the 12-month period were Trip.com and Inditex.

Trip.com (formerly Ctrip.com), the Chinese based international online travel agency, provides accommodation, ticketing, package tours and corporate travel management. It is easy to recognize how operations in travel have suffered under lockdown measures. However, 2020 is a very short-term lens through which to view the world. Trip.com dominates the Chinese travel market with regards to high-end and outbound travel, despite facing increasing competition from Meituan in the very low-end domestic market. It is strong in both online and traditional booking services and is particularly formidable in the major cities. We think the company faces a huge long-term opportunity to become a global travel platform utilizing the bargaining power that Chinese tourists provide. To this end, Trip.com has expanded through acquiring Skyscanner and buying stakes in other national travel champions, such as MakeMyTrip in India.

Inditex, the European fast fashion retailer and owner of brands including Zara, Pull&Bear and Bershka, has secured an impressive share of its market and executed its strategy well over the last year. Its distinctive business model and culture have interacted to create what we believe to be a durable competitive advantage, and we remain impressed by the company's growth opportunity. However, the structure of the fast fashion supply chain raises worries that the industry may see its growth shrink in the coming decade as consumers seek out more sustainable alternatives. Additionally, while Inditex has adapted to online shopping, we worry that its e-commerce offering is less differentiated relative to competitors and that its ambition to invest in the growth opportunity may be waning. Given increasing competition for capital in the portfolio, we have therefore sold the holding to invest in companies where we have higher conviction.

More broadly on transactions, where strength in conviction in holdings has shifted over time, we have redeployed capital to where we believe long-term growth potential is highest. As mentioned, capital was recently made available from the sale of Inditex, as well as AIA (Asian holding company focused on life insurance) and Softbank (the Japanese holding company). Higher levels of conviction exist elsewhere, such as in new holdings Shopify (the Canadian e-commerce company that makes it easy for businesses to sell products and services online) and Moderna (a leading player in the field of mRNA therapeutics, a new class of medicines that leverage the body's natural protein-production apparatus in order to treat diseases).

2020 has been an extraordinary year in many ways and lots of growth has been accelerated, but we are clear in our


21



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

belief that much more lies ahead. This belief stems from a recognition of exponential growth in technologies being used by innovative business models to create real disruption across whole swathes of the index.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

The Fund invests in growth stocks based on bottom-up company analysis. In determining the potential of a company, we conduct a process of Idea Generation, Initial Research, Investment Decision and Ownership. Within Initial Research, we consider questions relating to exceptional growth potential, durable edge, stewardship, financial strength and perspective.

We think that the market, in general, is too short term and inward looking. Our ability to add value is derived from having a much longer time horizon, from being

concentrated, from seeking to take advantage of asymmetric returns, and from our differentiated sources of information. When formulating an investment opinion, we pay little heed to broker research. Instead, we prefer to listen to alternative voices such as industry experts, academics, visionary management and unlisted companies.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Moderna, Shopify

Complete Sales:

AIA, Inditex, Softbank

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities
Fund Class K
   

97.24

%

   

35.26

%

 

12/14/17

 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities
Fund Institutional Class
   

97.09

%

   

35.04

%

 

12/14/17

 

MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index

   

11.13

%

   

6.10

%

 

12/14/17

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


22



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

Market conditions and review of performance during 2020

Despite the tumultuous events of 2020, international equity markets delivered surprisingly good returns. The MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index, the Fund's benchmark, rose by 11.13% over the 12-month period. Many listed companies adapted quickly and effectively to the pandemic, and some had their future prospects improved by it. A rise in savings rates and substantial liquidity provision by authorities around the world may also have boosted equities when the returns available in other asset classes appeared unappealing.

The Fund significantly outperformed its benchmark with a return of 62.96% for Class 2 shares over the 12-month period. During the period positive contributors included M3, MercadoLibre and Meituan while negative contributors included Rolls-Royce, Alibaba and Inditex.

M3's share price rose by more than 200% during the 12-month period. The Japanese company's position as a leading international provider of digital medical services was certainly propitious in 2020. M3 engaged quickly with efforts to boost COVID-19 diagnosis through digital imaging. Demand for its online healthcare service, offered in place of face-to-face doctor visits, understandably soared in the last 12 months. M3's core business of replacing pharmaceutical sales rep visits to doctors by digital means also more than doubled during the period. In our view the healthcare industry has undoubtedly had its practices changed for good by the pandemic, and we believe M3 has attractive opportunities ahead.

MercadoLibre's share price rose by 193% during the 12-month period. Before the pandemic it had been enjoying rapid growth as Latin American customers increasingly shopped online, using its platform more than any other. This growth accelerated as COVID-19 restrictions kicked in, with users and volumes of goods sold almost doubling by the end of 2020. The group's payments business also developed rapidly. Our main question mark around the company had been its competitive position, however we believe its competitive position has been strengthened substantially by the growth in its business in 2020.

Meituan is the leading player in China's offline-to-online market, providing customers with a digital platform to purchase meals, travel, cinema tickets, etc. Its share price rose by 191% during the 12-month period. Food delivery,

the company's largest business, was boosted by China's lockdowns early in 2020 and ultimately grew by a third during the year. In an industry with natural winner-takes-all dynamics, we believe Meituan is establishing a decisive advantage over competitors in several market categories. Given the breadth of its offering and the size of the markets in which it operates, we believe its future growth potential is substantial.

Enjoying very strong overall performance during the period, the Fund was fortunate to avoid many areas of the market that suffered sharp drops in performance in 2020. One stock in the Fund's portfolio that did struggle was Rolls Royce. The British jet engine manufacturer was in the middle of a prolonged and difficult restructuring when the pandemic brought air traffic and new engine purchases to a shuddering halt. The group made significant cuts to its workforce and investment plans in the spring and issued debt and equity in the autumn as part of a £5bn recapitalization plan. The share price fell by 48% over the year. We stuck with the company through this painful period and saw the share price recover towards year end.

Alibaba features amongst the detractors from relative performance compared to the Fund's benchmark over the period. It is a large holding of the Fund, whose share price rose during the year, but by less than the market. Operationally, Alibaba has benefitted from the general uptick in online activity during the year, but its share price suffered a setback at the end of the year as the hotly anticipated initial public offering of its subsidiary, Ant Financial, was suspended at the last minute following a disagreement with the Chinese government. We have always considered alignment with the economic goals of the state to be an important part of the Alibaba investment case, and we are considering how deep the current problems may run before taking any action.

Inditex's shares fell by 8.3% in 2020. The company has been combatting competitive pressure from online clothing retailers with a hybrid store-and-online model for several years but was hampered by the enforced closure of much of its store portfolio during the pandemic. We believe the group is in a strong financial position and is well managed, so we expect it to adapt successfully to the changes in its business environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on many growth stocks. It brought demand for online goods and services forward. Bottlenecks to progress were shattered as the pandemic created shocks to which companies, governments and citizens simply had to adjust. Habits have changed. Evolution that was likely to take place over a decade was compressed into a year. We do not


23



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

believe things will revert back when the pandemic is mercifully over. Incumbent companies are being challenged in a way they did not expect to be at this point of time, and the younger companies disrupting them have achieved positions of strength much sooner than otherwise anticipated.

We believe these are fertile conditions in which to find growth stocks. While the valuation of many growth stocks has reflected the boost such companies received in 2020, we do not believe the long-term opportunities presented by accelerating change are being fully considered. We believe the best investments over the long term will be those disruptive companies in the vanguard of such change.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

The Fund invests in growth stocks based on bottom-up company analysis. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantage, management attitudes, financial strength and valuation. We seek to own stocks that have the potential to

grow to multiples of their current size. We believe that the market is too short term and insufficiently imaginative. Our ability to add value is derived from having a much longer time horizon, from our differentiated sources of information, and from our ability to evaluate uncertain future outcomes. When formulating an investment opinion, we prioritize voices outside the financial industry, such as academics, authors, independent experts and management of unlisted companies.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Adyen, Afterpay, Wisetech, Xero

Complete Sales:

Aston Martin, Baidu, Cyberagent, Elekta, GMO Gateway, MakeMyTrip, Svenska Handelsbanken, Sysmex


24



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Ten Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund Class 2

   

62.95

%

   

22.33

%

   

12.79

%

   

9.90

%

 

03/06/08

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund Class 3

   

63.07

%

   

22.41

%

   

12.87

%

   

9.97

%

 

04/19/10

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund Class 4

   

63.12

%

   

22.43

%

   

12.84

%

   

9.94

%

 

10/10/16

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund Class 5

   

63.20

%

   

22.51

%

   

13.15

%

   

10.17

%

 

07/19/12

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund Class K

   

62.95

%

   

22.34

%

   

12.80

%

   

9.90

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Institutional Class
   

62.84

%

   

22.24

%

   

12.67

%

   

9.77

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index

   

11.13

%

   

8.68

%

   

6.35

%

   

3.77

%

 

03/06/08

 

MSCI EAFE Index

   

8.28

%

   

7.96

%

   

6.00

%

   

3.78

%

 

03/06/08

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


25



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

The Fund performed strongly in absolute and relative terms in 2020, returning 48.61% compared to a benchmark return of 14.67%.

2020 has witnessed a truly staggering turn of events with enforced adaption by individuals, institutions, business and society. While costs to the healthcare system are still widespread and ongoing, there does at least appear to be a path to progress based on a deeper understanding of COVID-19 as a disease and therapeutic agents that can either mitigate its impact or severely blunt its spread. In under a year since an unknown, insidious pathogen emerged, it has been extensively characterized, a range of diagnostic tests developed, therapies fast-tracked and vaccines developed and extensively tested. The speed at which this insight has been gleaned and then harnessed is breath-taking and speaks to much of the accelerated entrepreneurial spirit that necessity can bring about.

During this extraordinary year, we've observed the acceleration of many of the trends to which the portfolio already had exposure. Importantly, we believe that this will not be limited to a short-term effect and that we will continue to feel its impact over the years ahead. From here we still view further societal change as more likely than a reversion to pre-pandemic lives. In light of this, we'd reiterate our conviction that our growth investing style, focused on owning the long-term beneficiaries of change, remains fully appropriate for this rapidly evolving world.

Avanza Bank, a Swedish online-only bank providing deposit and investment accounts, stock brokerage, and occupational pension services, was the top contributor to Fund performance in the last 12 months. Avanza's proposition is based on offering services which are simpler and cheaper than its competitors, with a strong focus on customer service. They have performed well through the pandemic, with their online-only model allowing customers to open account and transact at a time when more traditional banking channels (bricks & mortar, call centers) were closed. Results released during the fourth quarter of 2020 demonstrate this, with Avanza increasing customer numbers by 31% and savings capital by 40%. Their improved market position is emphasized by the fact they are now receiving roughly 20% of all inflows into the Swedish savings market. What's particularly encouraging,

however, is that in the midst of all this growth, they have received the award for Sweden's most satisfied savers for a remarkable 11th year in a row! We're delighted by the progress of the company over the last 12 months, and we're excited to see how it progresses from here.

Bengo4.com, which has been among the Fund's top contributors to performance in the year, is an example of a company benefitting from the changes brought about by COVID-19. The Japanese company has two aspects to its business — an online platform connecting lawyers with potential clients and a digital signature business (CloudSign). Its digital signature business has been a clear beneficiary of the lockdown measures required to combat the pandemic. By replacing the traditional Japanese physical stamp system (Hanko stamps), it became the market leader in the small but quickly growing Japanese digital contract market. As such a clear beneficiary of lockdown, it is likely that the news of an effective COVID-19 vaccine has caused some investors to pause and realize some of their gains over the year. Taking a longer-term perspective, we do not share these concerns. During 2020 users of the digital signature business have increased more than three-fold and the number of contracts signed have doubled. We believe this type of dramatic progress, where potentially years of forecast growth have been achieved in a number of months, leaves the business in a much better place than it was 12 months ago and increases the probability of its continued long-term success.

iStyle, the Japanese online site for the review and sale of cosmetics, was one of the weaker performers in the Fund in 2020. The company has suffered as trading conditions have worsened, not only due to COVID-19, but also due to the Hong Kong riots and a change in Chinese regulations on cosmetics. This has led to sales and profits collapsing. We recently engaged with senior management to better understand the situation, who confirmed changes to their strategy in response to today's challenging marketplace. Although early-stage, it is also encouraging is that their SaaS business is beginning to gain traction, with two recent high profile customer wins. Further, we can take comfort from the health of the balance sheet, with the business being well-funded following a debt raise earlier in the year. Overall, we remain enthusiastic about business and believe the long-term investment hypothesis remains intact.

The Fund's holding in U-Blox also detracted from performance over the year. U-Blox is a specialist in GPS and wireless chips and modules. It serves a broad range of markets through largely standardized products (e.g., automotive and industrial markets). The importance of the automotive and industrial industries, and the widespread


26



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

production shutdowns felt in the past year in these industries, has impacted the company's progress over the period. The near term damage felt by U-Blox, however, doesn't necessarily mean that the longer term mega-trends the company is geared into will be impacted. We see the opportunity as relatively simple — the future is likely to see more and more connected devices (e.g., electric vehicles), and technology is improving to enable this (e.g., 5G). By using a fabless manufacturing model, we believe U-Blox will suffer from minimal internal bottlenecks along the way. Also, as an engineering-centric business, the company has delivered a number of 'world firsts' in positioning technology. We continue to monitor the company's progress, while admiring U-Blox's efforts-to-date.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

The investment strategy used to manage the Fund is unchanged over the year. The Fund employs bottom-up, fundamental research to build a portfolio of growing companies. The Fund's portfolio is constructed with an awareness of the asset class. New purchases are typically below $2 billion in market capitalization at time of purchase, and we typically do not seek to add to a position once a company's value increases beyond $5 billion. Most investments will be sold before they reach $10 billion in market capitalization. International smaller companies present a vast and incredibly diverse investment universe. This Fund seeks to find the exceptional businesses within that, companies with the potential to deliver strong returns for our clients, while also acknowledging that these companies can do so in different ways. Our edge in this comes from our portfolio managers, who bring a range of experiences in managing small and all-cap portfolios across different geographies, and our ability to employ a longer-term investment horizon than most of the market. This long-termism is fundamental to how we exploit the asymmetry available in equity returns.

Central to our investment process is our 'Radar' framework. We assess all potential new and existing holdings against this. It has six spokes (opportunity, edge, alignment, scalability, sustainability, insight) which represent what we believe are the most important factors to the investment case. We recognize that special companies can come in different shapes, and often the most exciting companies will score very highly in few, rather than all, categories.

The International Smaller Companies Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. They meet for weekly stock discussions and six weekly portfolio construction meetings, in which they review the progress of existing holdings and consider revisions to the portfolio.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Bactiguard, Cellavision, GA Technologies, Games Workshop, Inter Action Corporation, JMDC, Melexis, Mesoblast, Netwealth, Paradox International, Sansan, Storytel, WealthNavi, Xvivo Perfusion

Complete Sales:

Creo Medical, Enento, Fenix Outdoor International, Horizon Discovery, IRESS Limited, Isra Vision, Li Ning, LoopUp, Noritsu Koki, Open Door, RIB Software, XXL


27



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund Class K

   

48.61

%

   

36.12

%

 

12/19/18

 
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund
Institutional Class
   

48.61

%

   

36.12

%

 

12/19/18

 

MSCI ACWI ex-USA Small Cap Index

   

14.67

%

   

18.11

%

 

12/19/18

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


28



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

Amidst the tumult and severe challenges facing the global economy and stock markets in 2020, Class 2 shares of the Fund delivered a return of 101.77% during the period (84.95% ahead of the Fund's benchmark). This was a period in which deep multi-decade transitions — such as the rise of e-commerce, cloud-based enterprise software, home entertainment and fitness, and revolutionary advances in healthcare — accelerated in the pandemic environment. Many companies in the Fund's portfolio are spearheading, enabling or benefiting from such transitions and have demonstrated robust growth in their businesses during the year. Other holdings, mainly those whose businesses still depend on bricks and mortar retail or travel, have been affected by lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Looking back on 2020, Tesla, Pinduoduo and Meituan were among the top positive contributors to the Fund's relative performance during the year.

Tesla's share price grew more than sevenfold during the year — a period during which the company delivered remarkable operational progress. Despite its main factory in Fremont, California experiencing a temporary closure due to pandemic restrictions, Tesla produced and delivered close to half a million vehicles in 2020 (its 5-year compound annual growth rate now stands at over 45%). The company has continued to invest in production capacity, battery technology, software, manufacturing, charging infrastructure, and its rapidly-scaling energy business — and all whilst generating profits.

Meanwhile, Pinduoduo's share price more than tripled during 2020 as the company continued to transform China's e-commerce market. With nearly 650 million monthly active users and growing at around 50% year-on-year, it has surpassed JD.com in scale and is gaining on Alibaba. Strikingly, it has achieved this scale in only five years. Whilst the company is best known for its group-buy e-commerce deals, it is also seemingly revolutionizing Chinese agriculture and manufacturing to benefit both suppliers and consumers.

Also in China, Meituan's on-demand food service grew to nearly 35 million meal deliveries per day on average, with a rising average value per order. Whilst travel restrictions due to the pandemic temporarily impinged on Meituan's in-store, hotel and travel business, the company

has continued to expand its logistics network to cater to the emerging opportunity in on-demand grocery shopping.

Among the top detractors from performance relative to the Fund's benchmark over the period were Apple, Inditex and Beyond Meat.

Apple is not held in the Fund and thus the company's strong share price appreciation during the year and its significant index weighting served to detract from the Fund's performance relative to its benchmark.

Temporary store closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic materially impacted Inditex's operations, despite the company's commendable efforts to scale-up its online business. While we remain impressed by Inditex's growth opportunity and its robust financial characteristics, we sold the holding from the Fund because of what we perceive to be a waning longer-term ambition to invest in the growth opportunity and deepen its competitive advantage. We also believe that the inherent environmental unsustainability of the fast fashion business model is likely to become more of a headwind in future.

Beyond Meat witnessed robust share price appreciation in 2020, though it experienced temporary weakness since being purchased for the Fund in the third quarter and it, therefore, features among the detractors from the Fund's relative performance compared to its benchmark. Whilst revenues were impacted by temporary closures of food retailers due to pandemic restrictions, the company continues to expand into new geographies (mainly Europe and China) to execute on its long-term opportunity.

Though this commentary pertains to the year 2020, as ever our focus is on the much longer-term prospects for companies in the portfolio over 5 to 10 years and beyond. Our role as stock pickers remains as relevant as ever. We are forever seeking to identify the small number of exceptional companies with the most compelling operational performance and opportunities for long-term growth. The trading undertaken for the portfolio in 2020 (as detailed below) reflects our excitement in what we believe will be transformative growth companies over our investment horizon. We believe the potential for upside from here remains vast.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth over the long term. In determining the potential of a company, we


29



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

analyze industry background, competitive advantage, management attitudes and financial strength, and finally we consider valuation. We meet the management of the companies within our investment universe and revisit the investment case for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met.

The Long Term Global Growth team is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. We interact regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. We will continue to monitor the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings and make changes where appropriate.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Adyen, BeiGene, Beyond Meat, Carvana, Cloudflare, KE Holdings, Moderna, Zoom

Complete Sales:

AIA, Inditex, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Under Armour, L'Oreal, Rocket Internet, Trip.com

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class 2

   

101.77

%

   

31.52

%

   

26.54

%

 

06/10/14

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class 5*

   

101.99

%

   

31.55

%

   

26.56

%

 

07/14/20

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class K

   

101.76

%

   

31.53

%

   

26.54

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Institutional Class
   

101.61

%

   

31.42

%

   

26.42

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI ACWI Index

   

16.82

%

   

12.85

%

   

9.14

%

 

06/10/14

 

*  Returns for Class 5 shares are based on actual performance from July 14, 2020. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on Class 2 shares.

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


30



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

Global equities ended the year well into positive territory despite the COVID-19 pandemic and against this backdrop, the Fund significantly outperformed its benchmark. The Fund aims to deliver attractive investment returns and to contribute towards a more sustainable world, and 2020 saw a number of companies in the portfolio providing a solution to the pandemic and accordingly performing very well. 2020 was, therefore, a year of very strong operational performance for the majority of holdings in the Fund, providing good progress towards delivering on both our financial and positive change objectives over our 5-year time horizon.

The largest contributors to financial performance over the year were Tesla and M3.

While the COVID-19 pandemic was the topic of most new headlines over the last year, Tesla is certainly helping to contribute to a solution to climate change, another important global challenge, through provision of its electric vehicles and energy storage products. The company was once again the top contributor to Fund performance in 2020. Tesla demonstrated very strong progress towards meeting its 2020 target of delivering around 500,000 electric vehicles, an increase of more than 30% on last year. This is an impressive feat given its California gigafactory had to close for almost two months earlier this year due to the pandemic outbreak. We attended Tesla's 'Battery Day' in September 2020 where Tesla's Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk outlined plans for the company to reduce battery cell cost, which has been a bottleneck in the ongoing transition to electric vehicles. We believe Tesla's lead in battery technology looks set to become further entrenched which could have profound implications — not only for the car business, but also for the energy generation and storage business.

M3 helps pharmaceutical companies and doctors access information online. Its platform uses technology and data to take costs out of healthcare systems and drive efficiencies for both doctors and pharmaceutical companies in its home country of Japan. Over the year M3's drug marketing platform has seen a rapid increase in activity from both companies and doctors as social distancing rules have severely curtailed physical drug sales activities. M3 has an early stage partnership with dominant Japanese social media platform LINE and is providing free online doctor consultations in collaboration with the

government. M3 has also partnered with Alibaba on an artificial intelligence diagnostic tool for COVID-19 using CT scans to improve patient diagnosis. We are encouraged by these many ways M3 is using its data and digital platform to provide a solution to the pandemic, and we believe these initiatives will be enduring.

Detractors to performance over the period included Bank Rakyat and Discovery.

Bank Rakyat is Indonesia's largest bank. It provides financial services and micro loans to millions of low-income individuals. Lower central bank interest rates and the need to restructure loans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have weighed on Bank Rakyat's share price in 2020. We think the company's strong underwriting track record puts it in a good position going forward. Looking forward, Bank Rakyat is continuing to invest in branchless banking, and the COVID-19 pandemic is providing a greater emphasis on digital banking with the number of internet banking transactions up by 124% in the first half of the year. Loan growth also continues, and micro loans now account for 36% of the bank's overall loan book with a 40% target in place over the medium term. We believe the investment and impact cases, therefore, remain intact.

Discovery is a South African life and health insurer that offers its Vitality wellness products around the world. Over the year profitability was lower due to its life insurance business grappling with lower interest rates in the U.K. and due to increased investment in new strategic initiatives, including an online bank offering in South Africa and an online investment offering in the U.K. We remain focused on the long-term growth of its Vitality health insurance business which rewards long-term healthy behavior (e.g., exercising) with short-term incentives (e.g., coffee shop vouchers). This positive impact leads to lower lapse and claims ratios and higher underwriting profitability. With its Vitality Health product, Discovery partners with leading insurers internationally, including Ping An Insurance which provides access to the huge and growing China market. New business in China was up 42% in 2020, and we believe that this strong growth will continue and that Discovery's fee generating partnerships will increase profitability longer term.

We believe that every company within the portfolio has the potential to deliver positive impact as well as strong financial returns. As our key contributors to performance demonstrate, impact and investment progress often go hand in hand, but for more information on our impact objective please see our Impact Report which provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the holdings within the portfolio. The report combined bespoke metrics


31



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

for individual companies along with the portfolio's overall contribution to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. A copy of our most recent Impact Report is available on our website at https://www.bailliegifford.com/en/usa/professional-investor/literature-library/positive-change-impact-report/positive-change-impact-report-full-year-2019-for-us-investors/.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

The Fund seeks capital appreciation by investing in high quality growth businesses that deliver a positive social or environmental change in the following areas: social inclusion and education, healthcare, the environment, and that address basic needs and aspirations of the world's poorest populations.

The Fund applies Baillie Gifford's core approach to stock picking as well as inhouse, proprietary research on positive impact when considering holdings for the Fund.

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth over the long term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantage, management attitudes and financial strength, and finally we consider valuation. We meet the management of the

companies within our investment universe and revisit the investment case for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. We firmly believe that investment performance and impact are complementary and that companies that are doing the right thing will outperform over the long term.

The Positive Change decision makers, consisting of a mix of Investment Managers and Impact Analysts, is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. They meet regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. They monitor both the investment and impact performance of the holdings in the fund on a regular basis. Holdings must meet both impact and investment objectives over the long run to merit a place in the Fund.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

10X Genomics, Alibaba, Berkeley Lights, Beyond Meat, Deere, MercadoLibre

Complete Sales:

Pigeon, Signify, Sysmex, Tencent


32



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund Class K

   

88.43

%

   

34.81

%

 

12/14/17

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund Institutional Class

   

88.28

%

   

34.76

%

 

12/14/17

 

MSCI ACWI Index

   

16.82

%

   

11.03

%

 

12/14/17

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


33



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

In this most unusual of years, COVID-19 dominated the global landscape. Health agencies and governments came to recognize the expansion of the virus as a pandemic, and governments around the world locked down their societies and economies, bolstered their healthcare systems and embarked on wartime-like stimulus packages to prop up mothballed industries. Perhaps amplified by the stress of the situation and by the political rhetoric of a divisive U.S. Presidential election, issues of social, racial and wealth inequality came to the fore in the summer of 2020. Politics dominated the headlines as the U.S. election approached and continued after we might have expected a confirmed result, as signs of second and third waves of the COVID-19 virus emerged.

But there are causes for optimism. The pandemic has accelerated shifts in business and society that were underway already but have taken on new importance in a socially distanced and restricted world. Climate change and our impact on the planet remained on the agenda even amidst the crisis. We may eventually look back and associate 2020 not just with the COVID-19 pandemic, but also with the beginning of the end of the carbon era. We believe a revolution in energy is underway. We should also not forget that, despite the tragic toll of the COVID-19 virus, extraordinary developments in technology have enabled the development of several vaccines which are already being distributed at scale. Technology has helped many of us to live in relative comfort under what might have seemed like impossible restrictions.

Against this backdrop, the Fund delivered a return that was ahead of the Russell 1000 Growth and the S&P 500 indices, the Fund's benchmarks. The Fund's investment strategy is based on holding companies which are capable of transformational growth in the belief that the successes will generate significant share price returns for patient investors. This approach has produced positions in companies which are redefining commerce, leisure, enterprise and finance online. In a world of accelerated change, several holdings have seen their opportunities for growth expand significantly.

The e-commerce platform Shopify was a significant contributor to returns. Shopify offers scale as a service to entrepreneurs by giving them access to world-class online tools and back office functions for a monthly subscription. It allows small retailers to compete on a level playing field

with large incumbents, and it does this while preserving the independence of each retailer's brand. Demand for its services accelerated in 2020 as retailers of all sizes reimagined their businesses online. We believe that Shopify's competitive position has improved and, as it continues to expand the scope of services it offers, that the prospects of continued growth from this point are far from captured in the share price.

Despite the tailwinds behind the Fund's e-commerce holdings, it was a manufacturer which produced the largest contribution to returns during the period; the electric vehicle and energy business Tesla. With car production rising and its manufacturing footprint growing, Tesla is answering important questions about its ability to manufacture at scale, and operational leverage is turning in its favor. It remains far ahead of traditional car manufacturers in terms of performance and desirability, and it seems increasingly likely to capture a significant proportion of the global car market. At the same time its static energy storage and generation business is starting to ramp up and that could be a significant contributor to Tesla's performance within our investment time horizon.

The Trade Desk, a programmatic advertising buying platform, also enjoyed a strong 2020. Their platform allows advertisers to buy digital advertising space through real-time auctions based on data. The shift of TV viewing online greatly increases the number of data points available, and we expect programmatic ad buying to become the norm. Instead of simply buying airtime on TV channels, advertisers can now purchase defined numbers of impressions at increasingly specific target audiences. As this happens, buyers are likely to congregate around a small number of platforms. We believe the Trade Desk has an opportunity to become one of those dominant platforms.

Not all holdings in the Fund fared so well in share price terms during the period. Illumina, the gene sequencing machine maker, had a weak year despite its machines helping to provide the genetic sequence for COVID-19 in just two days. Illumina's business has been interrupted in 2020 with restrictions placed on research laboratories and medical facilities over the course of the year. In addition, the stock market did not react favorably to Illumina's announcement that it would acquire the cancer blood test maker GRAIL, a company which Illumina spun out from its own operations only five years ago. We have a more positive interpretation of the move which could drive down the cost of liquid cancer biopsies with positive implications for their adoption and for the early detection of cancer.

The two other largest detractors from performance relative to the Russell 1000 Growth Index were PayPal and


34



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Apple which saw strong share price performance during 2020. Although there is much to admire about both businesses, we don't think that they are amongst the most compelling stock opportunities for the next five years, and we do not hold them in the Fund.

We are excited about the long-term future for a select group of innovative and disruptive U.S. companies. Normal will be different after the pandemic passes. We think it would be a mistake to expect a reversion to how things were before. We expect online disruptors in retail and business will continue on a faster path to growth and that our attitudes to experimenting with new services have changed. We think people will demand greater convenience and flexibility and that healthcare will shift to prevention instead of treating us when we are sick. We also expect that companies like Tesla will be at the vanguard of a revolution in energy. We can't tell you exactly when this will happen or predict what's in store for 2021, but we expect these trends to dominate the next 10 years and will continue to strive to place the Fund on the right side of innovation by seeking out what we view as exceptional companies. In times of dramatic change, we believe it pays to be patient.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

The Fund seeks to meet its objective by identifying exceptional growth businesses and owning them for long

enough that the advantages of their business models and cultural strengths become the dominant drivers of their stock prices. Our long-term time horizon allows us to capture the disproportionate impact of successful investments, harnessing the asymmetry of returns inherent in equity markets. In our terms, an exceptional growth business has a special culture, addresses a large market opportunity and possesses an edge that gives it a high chance of delivering large future returns. Such opportunities are rare. The Fund is concentrated as we do not want to dilute the impact of exceptional companies in the name of diversification.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Carvana, Cloudflare, Datadog, Doordash, Lemonade, Slack Technologies, Snowflake, Twilio, Vroom, Workday

Complete Sales:

2U, Activision Blizzard, Facebook, Fortive, Grubhub, Interactive Brokers Group, Markel, New Relic, Now


35



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund Class K*

   

125.57

%

   

42.87

%

 

12/05/16

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund Institutional Class

   

125.43

%

   

42.80

%

 

04/28/17

 

Russell 1000 Growth Index

   

38.49

%

   

24.67

%

 

12/05/16

 

S&P 500 Index

   

18.40

%

   

16.21

%

 

12/05/16

 

*  The inception date for Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund is December 5, 2016, when Baillie Gifford International, LLC purchased Class 1 shares. Classes 1-5 of Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund were terminated effective May 1, 2017, and Class 1 was converted to Class K. For the purposes of the total return data and other data reflected in the Fund's management discussion, the Fund has used December 5, 2016 as its inception date for Class K.

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date, returns are calculated based on Class 1 and are adjusted to reflect the Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


36



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

As a shareholder of Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund, Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund, Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund and/or Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include purchase fees and redemption fees and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees, administration and supervisory fees and other Fund expenses. This example is 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 the 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, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each table 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 the 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 the Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return.

The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as purchase fees and redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table labeled "Hypothetical (5% 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.


37



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/20 to 12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,435.90

     

0.87

%

 

$

5.33

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.76

     

0.87

%

 

$

4.42

   

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,435.90

     

0.87

%

 

$

5.33

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.76

     

0.87

%

 

$

4.42

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,289.70

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.68

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.92

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.25

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,290.10

     

0.57

%

 

$

3.28

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.27

     

0.57

%

 

$

2.90

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,289.60

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.68

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.92

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.25

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,288.50

     

0.76

%

 

$

4.37

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.32

     

0.76

%

 

$

3.86

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,301.70

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.53

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.07

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.10

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund — Class 3(1)

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,098.60

     

0.54

%

 

$

2.34

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.42

     

0.54

%

 

$

2.25

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,301.80

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.53

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.07

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.10

   


38



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/20 to 12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,301.70

     

0.70

%

 

$

4.05

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.62

     

0.70

%

 

$

3.56

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,411.30

     

0.79

%

 

$

4.79

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.17

     

0.79

%

 

$

4.01

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,411.80

     

0.72

%

 

$

4.36

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.52

     

0.72

%

 

$

3.66

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Class 4

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,412.00

     

0.69

%

 

$

4.18

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.67

     

0.69

%

 

$

3.51

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Class 5

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,412.40

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.88

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.92

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.25

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,411.00

     

0.79

%

 

$

4.79

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.17

     

0.79

%

 

$

4.01

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,410.30

     

0.88

%

 

$

5.33

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.71

     

0.88

%

 

$

4.47

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,312.50

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.72

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.92

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.25

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,312.90

     

0.57

%

 

$

3.31

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.27

     

0.57

%

 

$

2.90

   


39



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/20 to 12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Class 4

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,313.10

     

0.54

%

 

$

3.14

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.42

     

0.54

%

 

$

2.75

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,312.30

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.72

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.92

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.25

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,311.90

     

0.75

%

 

$

4.36

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.37

     

0.75

%

 

$

3.81

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,398.80

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.92

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.87

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.30

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,398.80

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.92

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.87

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.30

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,271.30

     

0.58

%

 

$

3.31

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.22

     

0.58

%

 

$

2.95

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,271.70

     

0.51

%

 

$

2.91

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.57

     

0.51

%

 

$

2.59

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class 4

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,271.90

     

0.48

%

 

$

2.74

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.72

     

0.48

%

 

$

2.44

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class 5

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,272.20

     

0.43

%

 

$

2.46

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.97

     

0.43

%

 

$

2.19

   


40



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/20 to 12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,270.60

     

0.58

%

 

$

3.31

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.22

     

0.58

%

 

$

2.95

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,270.30

     

0.67

%

 

$

3.82

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.77

     

0.67

%

 

$

3.40

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,524.30

     

0.72

%

 

$

4.57

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.52

     

0.72

%

 

$

3.66

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,523.60

     

0.82

%

 

$

5.20

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.01

     

0.82

%

 

$

4.17

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,386.40

     

0.57

%

 

$

3.42

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.27

     

0.57

%

 

$

2.90

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,386.90

     

0.50

%

 

$

3.00

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.62

     

0.50

%

 

$

2.54

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class 4

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,387.10

     

0.47

%

 

$

2.82

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.77

     

0.47

%

 

$

2.39

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class 5

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,387.40

     

0.42

%

 

$

2.52

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,023.03

     

0.42

%

 

$

2.14

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,386.10

     

0.57

%

 

$

3.42

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.27

     

0.57

%

 

$

2.90

   


41



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/20 to 12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,385.60

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.84

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.92

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.25

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,402.90

     

0.90

%

 

$

5.44

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.61

     

0.90

%

 

$

4.57

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,402.90

     

0.90

%

 

$

5.44

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.61

     

0.90

%

 

$

4.57

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,443.60

     

0.71

%

 

$

4.36

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.57

     

0.71

%

 

$

3.61

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund — Class 5(2)

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,265.20

     

0.56

%

 

$

2.96

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.32

     

0.56

%

 

$

2.65

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,443.90

     

0.71

%

 

$

4.36

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.57

     

0.71

%

 

$

3.61

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,442.70

     

0.79

%

 

$

4.85

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.17

     

0.79

%

 

$

4.01

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,466.60

     

0.65

%

 

$

4.03

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.87

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.30

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,466.30

     

0.69

%

 

$

4.28

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.67

     

0.69

%

 

$

3.51

   


42



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/20 to 12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,562.90

     

0.65

%

 

$

4.19

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.87

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.30

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,562.00

     

0.74

%

 

$

4.77

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.42

     

0.74

%

 

$

3.76

   

*  Unless otherwise indicated, expenses are calculated using the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the six-month period).

(1)  Recommencement of operations on August 3, 2020. Expenses are calculated using the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the ending value for the period, multiplied by 151/366 (to reflect recommencement of operations).

(2)  Recommencement of operations on July 14, 2020. Expenses are calculated using the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the ending value for the period, multiplied by 171/366 (to reflect recommencement of operations).

Expenses are calculated using the annualized expense ratio for the Fund, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the period ended December 31, 2020. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of

days in the most recent most recent fiscal half-year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the calendar year. Expense ratios for the most recent fiscal year may differ from expense ratios based on the one-year data in the financial highlights.


43



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Beverages

 

$

167,794

     

8.5

%

 

Chemicals

   

40,766

     

2.1

   

Commercial Services

   

158,694

     

8.0

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

35,436

     

1.8

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

102,268

     

5.2

   

Electronics

   

142,032

     

7.2

   

Food

   

153,291

     

7.7

   

Healthcare — Products

   

88,349

     

4.5

   

Healthcare — Services

   

261,966

     

13.2

   

Home Furnishings

   

97,893

     

4.9

   

Insurance

   

106,449

     

5.4

   

Internet

   

27,435

     

1.4

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

26,427

     

1.3

   

Metal Fabricate/Hardware

   

95,107

     

4.8

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

215,356

     

10.9

   

Semiconductors

   

32,291

     

1.6

   

Software

   

150,971

     

7.6

   

Transportation

   

68,814

     

3.5

   

Total Value of Investments

   

1,971,339

     

99.6

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

6,935

     

0.4

   

Net Assets

 

$

1,978,274

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


44



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 99.6%

 

CHINA — 99.6%

 

Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co., Ltd., Class A

   

2,100

   

$

96,125

   
Berry Genomics Co., Ltd., Class A *    

5,800

     

33,741

   

BGI Genomics Co., Ltd., Class A

   

2,700

     

53,025

   

Centre Testing International Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

9,600

     

40,172

   

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

1,900

     

102,268

   

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd., Class A

   

3,600

     

110,539

   

Glodon Co., Ltd., Class A

   

8,100

     

97,648

   

Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

4,000

     

78,420

   

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

7,400

     

54,917

   

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd., Class A

   

4,800

     

118,522

   

Hefei Meiya Optoelectronic Technology, Inc., Class A

   

3,900

     

26,427

   

Iflytek Co., Ltd., Class A

   

3,500

     

21,897

   

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

6,300

     

42,752

   

Jafron Biomedical Co., Ltd., Class A

   

3,400

     

35,324

   

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A

   

5,060

     

86,209

   

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A

   

300

     

91,680

   

Luzhou Laojiao Co., Ltd., Class A

   

2,200

     

76,114

   

Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

6,500

     

97,893

   

NanJi E-Commerce Co., Ltd., Class A

   

13,100

     

27,435

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class A

   

8,000

     

106,449

   

Proya Cosmetics Co., Ltd., Class A

   

1,300

     

35,436

   

SF Holding Co., Ltd., Class A

   

5,100

     

68,814

   

SG Micro Corp., Class A

   

800

     

32,291

   

Shandong Sinocera Functional Material Co., Ltd., Class A

   

5,900

     

40,766

   

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

6,100

     

87,115

   
Topchoice Medical Corp., Class A *    

1,700

     

71,970

   

WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class A

   

3,780

     

77,835

   

Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

4,680

     

31,426

   

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

1,900

     

33,022

   

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd., Class A

   

25,220

     

95,107

   
         

1,971,339

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.6%

 

(cost $1,059,629)

     

$

1,971,339

   

Other assets less liabilities — 0.4%

       

6,935

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

1,978,274

   

*  Non-income producing security.

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (the "Manager") retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
45



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

   

$

1,971,339

   

$

   

$

1,971,339

   

Total

 

$

   

$

1,971,339

   

$

   

$

1,971,339

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
46



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $1,059,629)

 

$

1,971,339

   

Cash

   

59,814

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

12,867

   

Total Assets

   

2,044,020

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

2,420

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

748

   

Trustee fee payable

   

14

   

Commitment fee payable

   

3

   

Accrued expenses

   

62,561

   

Total Liabilities

   

65,746

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

1,978,274

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

1,013,851

   

Total distributable earnings

   

964,423

   
   

$

1,978,274

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($989,137 / 50,373 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

19.64

   
Institutional Class ($989,137 / 50,373 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

19.64

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
47



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $1,115)

 

$

9,905

   

Interest

   

18

   

Total Investment Income

   

9,923

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

7,577

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

1,171

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

1,171

   

Transfer agency

   

32,024

   

Fund accounting

   

71,956

   

Professional fees

   

26,885

   

Legal

   

180

   

Trustees' fees

   

54

   

Commitment fees

   

15

   

Miscellaneous

   

3,925

   

Total Expenses

   

144,958

   

Fees waived

   

(132,973

)

 

Total Expenses after waiver

   

11,985

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(2,062

)

 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments

   

70,207

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

119

   
     

70,326

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

881,406

   
     

881,406

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

951,732

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

949,670

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
48



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the Period
December 19,
2019(a)
through
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment loss

 

$

(2,062

)

 

$

(264

)

 

Net realized gain (loss)

   

70,326

     

(1,436

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

881,406

     

30,304

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

949,670

     

28,604

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(7,058

)

   

   

Institutional Class

   

(7,057

)

   

   

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(14,115

)

   

   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class K

   

     

500,000

   

Institutional Class

   

     

500,000

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

7,058

     

   

Institutional Class

   

7,057

     

   

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

14,115

     

1,000,000

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

949,670

     

1,028,604

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

1,028,604

     

   

End of year

 

$

1,978,274

   

$

1,028,604

   

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
49



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the Period
December 19,
2019(a)
through
December 31,
2019
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.29

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency

   

9.51

     

0.29

   

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

9.49

     

0.29

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.14

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.14

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

19.64

   

$

10.29

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

92.29

%

   

2.90

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

989

   

$

514

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

10.52

%

   

90.51

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.87

%

   

0.87

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.15

)%

   

(0.80

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

20

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
50



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the Period
December 19,
2019(a)
through
December 31,
2019
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.29

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency

   

9.51

     

0.29

   

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

9.49

     

0.29

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.14

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.14

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

19.64

   

$

10.29

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

92.29

%

   

2.90

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

989

   

$

514

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

10.52

%

   

90.51

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.87

%

   

0.87

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.15

)%

   

(0.80

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

20

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
51



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

32,244,295

     

5.5

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

7,250,005

     

1.2

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

7,713,893

     

1.3

   

Banks

   

8,770,869

     

1.5

   

Beverages

   

14,194,554

     

2.4

   

Building Materials

   

22,724,112

     

3.8

   

Chemicals

   

6,635,074

     

1.1

   

Commercial Services

   

6,391,168

     

1.1

   

Computers

   

13,249,370

     

2.3

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

22,528,385

     

3.8

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

26,996,767

     

4.6

   

Electronics

   

53,939,841

     

9.2

   

Engineering & Construction

   

5,500,906

     

0.9

   

Food

   

11,814,221

     

2.0

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

10,741,509

     

1.8

   

Healthcare — Products

   

36,443,109

     

6.2

   

Healthcare — Services

   

5,887,661

     

1.0

   

Holding Companies — Diversified

   

2,791,313

     

0.5

   

Home Furnishings

   

5,768,706

     

1.0

   

Insurance

   

17,167,809

     

2.9

   

Internet

   

75,338,603

     

12.8

   

Investment Companies

   

9,070,333

     

1.5

   

Leisure Time

   

14,770,376

     

2.5

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

10,454,791

     

1.8

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

49,217,499

     

8.4

   

Oil & Gas Services

   

2,848,222

     

0.5

   

Retail

   

46,225,913

     

8.0

   

Semiconductors

   

20,617,234

     

3.5

   

Software

   

24,817,305

     

4.2

   

Telecommunications

   

10,791,276

     

1.8

   

Total Value of Investments

   

582,905,119

     

99.1

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

5,424,976

     

0.9

   

Net Assets

 

$

588,330,095

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


52



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.1%

 

AUSTRALIA — 4.0%

 

Cochlear Ltd.

   

71,023

   

$

10,363,349

   

SEEK Ltd.

   

403,772

     

8,852,647

   

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

   

573,749

     

4,150,411

   
         

23,366,407

   

CHINA — 1.1%

 
Prosus NV *    

61,648

     

6,656,671

   

FINLAND — 1.7%

 

Kone Oyj, B Shares

   

120,120

     

9,787,395

   

FRANCE — 6.5%

 

Kering

   

11,725

     

8,509,230

   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   

15,559

     

9,739,956

   

Remy Cointreau SA

   

53,811

     

10,044,143

   
Ubisoft Entertainment SA *    

101,634

     

9,794,325

   
         

38,087,654

   

GERMANY — 9.1%

 
adidas AG *    

23,046

     

8,384,249

   

Bechtle AG

   

60,793

     

13,249,370

   

Nemetschek SE

   

60,859

     

4,522,942

   

Rational AG

   

6,201

     

5,768,706

   
Zalando SE *    

194,814

     

21,669,447

   
         

53,594,714

   

HONG KONG — 5.8%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

1,408,800

     

17,167,809

   

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

   

49,900

     

2,791,313

   

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

   

143,300

     

3,565,304

   

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.

   

751,500

     

10,741,509

   
         

34,265,935

   

IRELAND — 1.6%

 
Kingspan Group PLC *    

136,525

     

9,573,503

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
53



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

JAPAN — 24.8%

 

Denso Corp.

   

129,600

   

$

7,713,893

   

Kakaku.com, Inc.

   

266,000

     

7,281,312

   

Kao Corp.

   

103,300

     

7,980,567

   

Keyence Corp.

   

15,400

     

8,662,762

   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

110,700

     

10,021,621

   

Nidec Corp.

   

98,300

     

12,435,733

   

Olympus Corp.

   

707,000

     

15,478,984

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

107,100

     

4,420,310

   

Shimano, Inc.

   

63,100

     

14,770,376

   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

   

146,300

     

10,127,509

   

SMC Corp.

   

24,700

     

15,085,219

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

139,000

     

10,791,276

   

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd.

   

47,700

     

3,186,311

   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

   

156,400

     

7,250,005

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

88,100

     

10,600,775

   
         

145,806,653

   

NETHERLANDS — 3.5%

 
ASML Holding NV    

42,582

     

20,617,235

   

NEW ZEALAND — 2.8%

 

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

   

536,654

     

5,887,661

   
Xero Ltd. *    

92,512

     

10,500,038

   
         

16,387,699

   

PORTUGAL — 1.4%

 

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

   

490,723

     

8,248,917

   

SINGAPORE — 1.5%

 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

514,589

     

8,770,869

   

SPAIN — 1.8%

 

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

331,783

     

10,530,738

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
54



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SWEDEN — 10.2%

 

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   

305,121

   

$

15,682,123

   

Avanza Bank Holding AB

   

556,719

     

15,765,901

   

Epiroc AB, A Shares

   

21,605

     

392,665

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

334,569

     

5,648,097

   

Investor AB, B Shares

   

124,621

     

9,070,333

   

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

401,009

     

13,150,609

   
         

59,709,728

   

SWITZERLAND — 1.8%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

119,982

     

10,839,417

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 13.8%

 
ASOS PLC *    

133,822

     

8,721,067

   

Auto Trader Group PLC

   

1,443,151

     

11,746,870

   
Burberry Group PLC *    

229,764

     

5,610,860

   

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

539,373

     

11,230,866

   

HomeServe PLC

   

392,867

     

5,500,906

   

Intertek Group PLC

   

82,744

     

6,391,168

   
John Wood Group PLC *    

675,200

     

2,848,222

   

Johnson Matthey PLC

   

200,270

     

6,635,074

   
Rightmove PLC *    

1,301,156

     

11,560,481

   
Trainline PLC *    

997,624

     

6,342,862

   
Weir Group PLC (The) *    

162,343

     

4,414,030

   
         

81,002,406

   

UNITED STATES — 5.7%

 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *    

17,195

     

19,596,797

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

45,054

     

14,176,692

   
         

33,773,489

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $353,542,235)

       

571,019,430

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
55



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

PREFERRED STOCKS — 2.0%

 

GERMANY — 2.0%

 

Sartorius AG 0.10% (cost $3,828,004)

   

28,220

   

$

11,885,689

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.1%

 

(cost $357,370,239)

     

$

582,905,119

   

Other assets less liabilities — 0.9%

       

5,424,976

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

588,330,095

   

*  Non-income producing security.

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

81,696,274

   

$

489,323,156

   

$

   

$

571,019,430

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

11,885,689

     

     

11,885,689

   

Total

 

$

81,696,274

   

$

501,208,845

   

$

   

$

582,905,119

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
56



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $357,370,239)

 

$

582,905,119

   

Cash

   

5,435,254

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

723,117

   

Dividends receivable

   

290,318

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

2,002

   

Prepaid assets

   

22,652

   

Total Assets

   

589,378,462

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

499,436

   

Servicing fee payable

   

119,914

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

119,818

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

105,535

   

Due to foreign custodian (cost $40,819)

   

40,482

   

Trustee fee payable

   

4,701

   

Commitment fee payable

   

860

   

Accrued expenses

   

157,621

   

Total Liabilities

   

1,048,367

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

588,330,095

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

365,512,732

   

Total distributable earnings

   

222,817,363

   
   

$

588,330,095

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($221,181,297 / 13,294,274 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.64

   
Class 3 ($108,722,252 / 6,470,875 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.80

   
Class K ($246,283,423 / 14,827,745 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.61

   
Institutional Class ($12,143,123 / 731,908 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.59

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
57



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $587,886)

 

$

6,118,948

   

Interest

   

6,337

   

Total Investment Income

   

6,125,285

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

1,894,638

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

376,651

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

86,775

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

375,562

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

20,522

   

Transfer agency

   

75,507

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

13,853

   

Fund accounting

   

214,860

   

Registration fees

   

96,413

   

Custody

   

88,932

   

Legal

   

71,746

   

Professional fees

   

49,621

   

Trustees' fees

   

18,885

   

Commitment fees

   

4,483

   

Line of Credit

   

1,740

   

Miscellaneous

   

29,435

   

Total Expenses

   

3,419,623

   

Net Investment Income

   

2,705,662

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments

   

11,623,576

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

120,962

   
     

11,744,538

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

121,487,473

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

38,817

   
     

121,526,290

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

133,270,828

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

135,976,490

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
58



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

2,705,662

   

$

4,989,369

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

11,744,538

     

(2,107,688

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

121,526,290

     

127,381,767

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

135,976,490

     

130,263,448

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(2,184,122

)

   

(2,596,461

)

 

Class 3

   

(1,158,667

)

   

(1,002,546

)

 

Class K

   

(2,481,439

)

   

(2,874,994

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(109,348

)

   

(107,514

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(5,933,576

)

   

(6,581,515

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

6,000

     

6,000

   

Class K

   

9,101,965

     

73,243,343

   

Institutional Class

   

17,007,484

     

7,084,206

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

2,184,122

     

2,596,461

   

Class 3

   

1,158,667

     

1,002,546

   

Class K

   

2,359,735

     

2,624,780

   

Institutional Class

   

109,348

     

107,514

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(65,191,959

)

   

(9,000,000

)

 

Class K

   

(62,538,353

)

   

(29,311,402

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(17,016,373

)

   

(990,117

)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

(112,819,364

)

   

47,363,331

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

17,223,550

     

171,045,264

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

571,106,545

     

400,061,281

   

End of year

 

$

588,330,095

   

$

571,106,545

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
59



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

13.13

   

$

10.04

   

$

12.06

   

$

9.55

   

$

9.70

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.07

     

0.13

     

0.15

     

0.14

     

0.17

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.61

     

3.11

     

(2.08

)

   

2.58

     

(0.18

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.68

     

3.24

     

(1.93

)

   

2.72

     

(0.01

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.14

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

     

(0.06

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.14

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.01

     

(0.00

)(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

16.64

   

$

13.13

   

$

10.04

   

$

12.06

   

$

9.55

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

27.95

%

   

32.33

%

   

(16.05

)%

   

28.59

%

   

(0.20

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

221,181

   

$

229,861

   

$

181,679

   

$

221,316

   

$

172,316

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.64

%

   

0.66

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.66

%

   

0.66

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.50

%

   

1.08

%

   

1.23

%

   

1.22

%

   

1.73

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

12

%

   

19

%

   

14

%

   

21

%

   

13

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
60



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
March 24,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.26

   

$

10.13

   

$

12.17

   

$

10.49

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.07

     

0.14

     

0.16

     

0.12

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

3.65

     

3.15

     

(2.11

)

   

1.79

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.72

     

3.29

     

(1.95

)

   

1.91

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                 

From net investment income

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.23

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

     

(0.06

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.23

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(b)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(c)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.80

   

$

13.26

   

$

10.13

   

$

12.17

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

28.04

%

   

32.42

%

   

(15.99

)%

   

18.25

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

108,722

   

$

84,911

   

$

64,123

   

$

82,523

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.57

%

   

0.59

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.58

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.55

%

   

1.16

%

   

1.31

%

   

1.32

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

12

%

   

19

%

   

14

%

   

21

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
61



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.11

   

$

10.03

   

$

12.06

   

$

10.74

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.06

     

0.12

     

0.11

     

0.07

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

3.61

     

3.11

     

(2.04

)

   

1.47

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.67

     

3.23

     

(1.93

)

   

1.54

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.22

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

     

(0.06

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.61

   

$

13.11

   

$

10.03

   

$

12.06

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

27.98

%

   

32.24

%

   

(16.05

)%

   

14.39

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

246,283

   

$

247,155

   

$

152,397

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.64

%

   

0.66

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.66

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.49

%

   

1.04

%

   

0.99

%

   

0.87

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

12

%

   

19

%

   

14

%

   

21

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
62



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.10

   

$

10.02

   

$

12.06

   

$

10.74

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.06

     

0.11

     

0.06

     

0.07

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

3.58

     

3.13

     

(2.00

)

   

1.47

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.64

     

3.24

     

(1.94

)

   

1.54

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.22

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

     

(0.06

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.59

   

$

13.10

   

$

10.02

   

$

12.06

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

27.77

%

   

32.28

%

   

(16.13

)%

   

14.39

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

12,143

   

$

9,179

   

$

1,862

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.76

%

   

0.73

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.66

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.43

%

   

0.89

%

   

0.59

%

   

0.87

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

12

%

   

19

%

   

14

%

   

21

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
63



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

33,435,273

     

4.6

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

7,449,333

     

1.0

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

8,362,670

     

1.1

   

Banks

   

9,241,022

     

1.3

   

Beverages

   

24,563,829

     

3.3

   

Building Materials

   

23,894,772

     

3.3

   

Chemicals

   

6,274,646

     

0.9

   

Commercial Services

   

8,978,562

     

1.2

   

Computers

   

16,589,555

     

2.3

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

26,953,718

     

3.7

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

10,710,543

     

1.5

   

Electronics

   

69,728,972

     

9.5

   

Engineering & Construction

   

6,135,951

     

0.8

   

Food

   

14,243,887

     

1.9

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

10,641,455

     

1.5

   

Healthcare — Products

   

40,744,465

     

5.5

   

Holding Companies — Diversified

   

2,002,585

     

0.3

   

Home Furnishings

   

7,258,095

     

1.0

   

Insurance

   

28,384,372

     

3.8

   

Internet

   

136,209,202

     

18.5

   

Investment Companies

   

10,986,718

     

1.5

   

Leisure Time

   

11,797,575

     

1.6

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

12,381,106

     

1.7

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

56,244,305

     

7.8

   

Oil & Gas Services

   

3,349,415

     

0.5

   

Retail

   

54,858,292

     

7.5

   

Semiconductors

   

39,433,943

     

5.3

   

Software

   

27,851,228

     

3.8

   

Telecommunications

   

11,319,195

     

1.5

   

Total Value of Investments

   

720,024,684

     

98.2

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

12,837,201

     

1.8

   

Net Assets

 

$

732,861,885

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


64



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 95.9%

 

ARGENTINA — 1.7%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

7,621

   

$

12,766,852

   

AUSTRALIA — 3.3%

 

Cochlear Ltd.

   

77,138

     

11,255,622

   

SEEK Ltd.

   

423,321

     

9,281,256

   

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

   

539,896

     

3,905,524

   
         

24,442,402

   

BRAZIL — 0.6%

 

Raia Drogasil SA

   

964,500

     

4,636,426

   

CHINA — 7.5%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

49,921

     

11,618,114

   
Baidu, Inc. ADR *    

22,601

     

4,887,240

   
Meituan, Class B *    

361,200

     

13,596,817

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

563,000

     

6,851,494

   
Prosus NV *    

43,576

     

4,705,280

   
Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR *    

114,113

     

3,849,032

   

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd., Class H

   

903,943

     

9,470,522

   
         

54,978,499

   

FINLAND — 1.6%

 

Kone Oyj, B Shares

   

139,854

     

11,395,324

   

FRANCE — 5.0%

 

Kering

   

10,181

     

7,388,697

   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   

12,491

     

7,819,384

   

Remy Cointreau SA

   

59,938

     

11,187,783

   
Ubisoft Entertainment SA *    

102,374

     

9,865,638

   
         

36,261,502

   

GERMANY — 9.0%

 
adidas AG *    

35,339

     

12,856,504

   

Bechtle AG

   

76,119

     

16,589,554

   

Nemetschek SE

   

72,300

     

5,373,218

   

Rational AG

   

7,802

     

7,258,095

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
65



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Zalando SE *    

212,418

   

$

23,627,566

   
         

65,704,937

   

HONG KONG — 5.3%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

1,767,000

     

21,532,878

   

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

   

35,800

     

2,002,585

   

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

   

199,100

     

4,953,608

   

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.

   

744,500

     

10,641,456

   
         

39,130,527

   

INDIA — 0.4%

 
MakeMyTrip Ltd. *    

97,790

     

2,887,739

   

IRELAND — 1.4%

 
Kingspan Group PLC *    

145,467

     

10,200,540

   

JAPAN — 22.0%

 

Denso Corp.

   

140,500

     

8,362,670

   

Kakaku.com, Inc.

   

217,500

     

5,953,704

   

Kao Corp.

   

98,800

     

7,632,914

   

Keyence Corp.

   

18,300

     

10,294,062

   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

146,000

     

13,217,314

   

Nidec Corp.

   

114,600

     

14,497,813

   

Olympus Corp.

   

674,200

     

14,760,865

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

131,000

     

5,406,728

   

Shimano, Inc.

   

50,400

     

11,797,575

   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

   

201,000

     

13,914,076

   

SMC Corp.

   

29,400

     

17,955,685

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

145,800

     

11,319,195

   

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd.

   

60,700

     

4,054,697

   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

   

160,700

     

7,449,333

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

122,400

     

14,727,978

   
         

161,344,609

   

NETHERLANDS — 2.4%

 
ASML Holding NV    

36,805

     

17,820,143

   

NEW ZEALAND — 1.7%

 
Xero Ltd. *    

111,123

     

12,612,372

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
66



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

PORTUGAL — 1.3%

 

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

   

552,673

   

$

9,290,279

   

SINGAPORE — 1.3%

 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

542,173

     

9,241,022

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 1.1%

 

Naspers Ltd., N Shares

   

40,961

     

8,387,776

   

SPAIN — 1.5%

 

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

346,731

     

11,005,185

   

SWEDEN — 6.6%

 

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   

183,169

     

9,414,229

   

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

160,067

     

7,185,005

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

416,850

     

7,037,140

   

Investor AB, B Shares

   

150,951

     

10,986,718

   

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

417,586

     

13,694,232

   
         

48,317,324

   

SWITZERLAND — 1.6%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

127,675

     

11,534,418

   

TAIWAN — 3.0%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

198,219

     

21,613,800

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 12.1%

 
ASOS PLC *    

130,054

     

8,475,510

   

Auto Trader Group PLC

   

1,627,338

     

13,246,104

   
Burberry Group PLC *    

219,929

     

5,370,688

   

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

514,384

     

10,710,543

   

HomeServe PLC

   

438,221

     

6,135,951

   

Intertek Group PLC

   

116,242

     

8,978,562

   
John Wood Group PLC *    

794,013

     

3,349,415

   

Johnson Matthey PLC

   

189,391

     

6,274,646

   
Rightmove PLC *    

1,446,718

     

12,853,767

   
Trainline PLC *    

1,292,222

     

8,215,907

   
Weir Group PLC (The) *    

196,545

     

5,343,966

   
         

88,955,059

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
67



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

UNITED STATES — 5.5%

 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *    

22,046

   

$

25,125,385

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

49,209

     

15,484,104

   
         

40,609,489

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $445,914,508)

       

703,136,224

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 2.3%

 

GERMANY — 2.3%

 

Sartorius AG 0.10% (cost $8,041,249)

   

40,098

     

16,888,460

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.2%

 

(cost $453,955,757)

     

$

720,024,684

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.8%

       

12,837,201

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

732,861,885

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

137,234,063

   

$

565,902,161

   

$

   

$

703,136,224

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

16,888,460

     

     

16,888,460

   

Total

 

$

137,234,063

   

$

582,790,621

   

$

   

$

720,024,684

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
68



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $453,955,757)

 

$

720,024,684

   

Cash

   

12,683,072

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

404,112

   

Dividends receivable

   

365,155

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

273,539

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

113,015

   

Prepaid assets

   

25,238

   

Total Assets

   

733,888,815

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

618,666

   

Servicing fee payable

   

175,328

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

101,069

   

Due to foreign custodian

   

6,229

   

Trustee fee payable

   

5,538

   

Commitment fee payable

   

1,014

   

Accrued expenses

   

119,086

   

Total Liabilities

   

1,026,930

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

732,861,885

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

467,989,876

   

Total distributable earnings

   

264,872,009

   
   

$

732,861,885

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($343,888,379 / 16,256,604 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.15

   
Class 3 ($146,565,390 / 6,934,219 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.14

   
Class K ($202,514,139 / 9,602,360 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.09

   
Institutional Class ($39,893,977 / 1,895,639 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.05

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
69



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $558,813)

 

$

5,313,550

   

Interest

   

12,882

   

Total Investment Income

   

5,326,432

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

1,835,403

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

507,085

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

53,824

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

245,067

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

47,829

   

Transfer agency

   

73,429

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

27,031

   

Fund accounting

   

178,317

   

Custody

   

76,913

   

Legal

   

63,770

   

Registration fees

   

47,531

   

Professional fees

   

32,947

   

Trustees' fees

   

18,453

   

Commitment fees

   

3,717

   

Line of Credit

   

190

   

Miscellaneous

   

24,301

   

Total Expenses

   

3,235,807

   

Net Investment Income

   

2,090,625

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments

   

11,208,362

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

491,755

   
     

11,700,117

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

147,101,137

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

37,887

   
     

147,139,024

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

158,839,141

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

160,929,766

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
70



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

2,090,625

   

$

6,597,705

   

Net realized gain

   

11,700,117

     

8,530,839

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

147,139,024

     

87,029,751

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

160,929,766

     

102,158,295

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(5,732,100

)

   

(11,089,493

)

 

Class 3

   

(2,604,537

)

   

   

Class K

   

(3,457,873

)

   

(4,158,396

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(652,549

)

   

(833,239

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(12,447,059

)

   

(16,081,128

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

786,000

     

2,723,300

   

Class 3

   

118,434,820

     

   

Class K

   

70,360,885

     

27,900,000

   

Institutional Class

   

11,245,159

     

9,046,949

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

5,732,100

     

11,089,493

   

Class 3

   

2,604,536

     

   

Class K

   

3,452,561

     

4,146,582

   

Institutional Class

   

650,466

     

828,614

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(45,075,399

)

   

(528,300

)

 

Class K

   

(28,250,000

)

   

(1,375,000

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(3,196,880

)

   

(805,468

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

136,744,248

     

53,026,170

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

285,226,955

     

139,103,337

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

447,634,930

     

308,531,593

   

End of year

 

$

732,861,885

   

$

447,634,930

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
71



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

16.71

   

$

13.15

   

$

16.11

   

$

12.46

   

$

12.55

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.07

     

0.27

     

0.17

     

0.16

     

0.19

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

4.73

     

3.91

     

(2.81

)

   

3.74

     

(0.13

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.80

     

4.18

     

(2.64

)

   

3.90

     

0.06

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.33

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.16

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.23

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.62

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.16

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

21.15

   

$

16.71

   

$

13.15

   

$

16.11

   

$

12.46

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

28.77

%

   

31.73

%

   

(16.39

)%

   

31.28

%

   

0.59

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

343,888

   

$

309,335

   

$

232,937

   

$

280,488

   

$

272,338

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.62

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.65

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.42

%

   

1.76

%

   

1.06

%

   

1.06

%

   

1.46

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

20

%

   

11

%

   

26

%

   

12

%

   

23

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
72



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the Period
August 3, 2020(a)
through
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

17.57

   

$

12.58

   

$

12.67

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.03

     

0.16

     

0.2

   

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency

   

3.93

     

3.79

     

(0.13

)

 

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.96

     

3.95

     

0.07

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.17

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.22

)

   

     

   

Return of capital

   

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Proceeds from Purchase Fees and Redemption Fees(a)

   

     

0.00

(c)

   

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.14

   

$

16.26

   

$

12.58

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

22.49

%

   

31.37

%

   

0.66

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

146,565

   

$

26,932

   

$

19,890

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.54

%*    

0.60

%

   

0.58

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.35

%*    

1.06

%

   

1.59

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

20

%

   

12

%

   

23

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from April 9, 2018 to August 2, 2020. All shares of this class were redeemed at $16.18 on April 9, 2018. New shares were issued at $17.57 on August 3, 2020.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
73



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

16.66

   

$

13.12

   

$

16.10

   

$

14.15

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.07

     

0.26

     

0.04

     

0.08

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

4.73

     

3.91

     

(2.68

)

   

2.13

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.80

     

4.17

     

(2.64

)

   

2.21

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.26

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.23

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.63

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.26

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.09

   

$

16.66

   

$

13.12

   

$

16.10

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

28.78

%

   

31.72

%

   

(16.36

)%

   

15.63

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

202,514

   

$

114,922

   

$

64,827

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.62

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.68

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.40

%

   

1.73

%

   

0.42

%

   

0.73

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

20

%

   

11

%

   

26

%

   

12

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
74



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

16.63

   

$

13.10

   

$

16.09

   

$

14.15

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.05

     

0.26

     

0.07

     

0.01

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

4.72

     

3.88

     

(2.73

)

   

2.21

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.77

     

4.14

     

(2.66

)

   

2.22

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.28

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.23

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.61

)

   

(0.33

)

   

(0.28

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.05

   

$

16.63

   

$

13.10

   

$

16.09

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

28.68

%

   

31.60

%

   

(16.50

)%

   

15.68

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

39,894

   

$

23,378

   

$

10,768

   

$

201

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.72

%

   

0.75

%

   

0.78

%

   

0.68

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.30

%

   

1.72

%

   

0.47

%

   

0.14

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

20

%

   

11

%

   

26

%

   

12

%

 

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
75



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Airlines

 

$

43,468,983

     

0.7

%

 

Apparel

   

46,379,260

     

0.8

   

Auto Manufacturers

   

176,931,341

     

2.9

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

32,304,881

     

0.5

   

Banks

   

555,112,526

     

8.9

   

Biotechnology

   

104,931,622

     

1.7

   

Building Materials

   

66,065,253

     

1.1

   

Chemicals

   

151,085,989

     

2.4

   

Computers

   

64,498,360

     

1.0

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

268,862,484

     

4.3

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

88,256,017

     

1.4

   

Food

   

37,067,930

     

0.6

   

Gas

   

20,361,131

     

0.3

   

Home Furnishings

   

95,022,740

     

1.5

   

Insurance

   

278,701,929

     

4.5

   

Internet

   

1,598,049,833

     

25.8

   

Iron/Steel

   

134,792,669

     

2.2

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

22,106,277

     

0.4

   

Mining

   

373,921,001

     

5.9

   

Oil & Gas

   

376,368,654

     

6.1

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

33,608,304

     

0.5

   

Retail

   

67,070,917

     

1.1

   

Semiconductors

   

1,134,007,918

     

18.2

   

Software

   

234,992,021

     

3.9

   

Telecommunications

   

113,000,810

     

1.8

   

Total Value of Investments

   

6,116,968,850

     

98.5

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

94,216,432

     

1.5

   

Net Assets

 

$

6,211,185,282

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


76



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 95.7%

 

ARGENTINA — 2.7%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

98,930

   

$

165,729,515

   

BRAZIL — 6.6%

 

B3 SA — Brasil Bolsa Balcao

   

7,389,400

     

88,471,689

   

Banco Bradesco SA ADR

   

11,516,704

     

60,577,863

   

Petroleo Brasileiro SA ADR

   

11,304,950

     

126,954,588

   

Vale SA ADR

   

8,042,522

     

134,792,669

   
         

410,796,809

   

CANADA — 0.0% (1)

 
Valeura Energy, Inc. *    

4,672,400

     

2,092,284

   

CHILE — 1.1%

 

Lundin Mining Corp.

   

7,936,729

     

70,457,253

   

CHINA — 35.0%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. *    

13,938,120

     

405,383,677

   
BeiGene Ltd. ADR *    

119,817

     

30,959,515

   

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

   

33,792,000

     

30,847,585

   

China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd., Class H

   

18,101,000

     

114,507,737

   

CNOOC Ltd.

   

40,016,000

     

36,711,568

   

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

1,639,675

     

88,256,017

   
Dada Nexus Ltd. ADR *    

1,008,466

     

36,809,009

   

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

   

22,698,000

     

77,720,315

   
Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd., Class H *    

15,112,480

     

54,777,611

   
JD.com, Inc., Class A *    

1,494,252

     

65,810,480

   

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A

   

1,972,623

     

33,608,304

   
KE Holdings, Inc. ADR *    

652,043

     

40,126,726

   
Kingdee International Software Group Co., Ltd. *    

9,151,000

     

37,359,496

   
Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd. ADR *    

1,814,707

     

79,030,490

   

Li Ning Co., Ltd.

   

6,059,000

     

41,692,915

   
Lufax Holding Ltd. ADR *    

3,678,524

     

52,235,041

   
Meituan, Class B *    

5,818,300

     

219,020,929

   

Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

2,672,247

     

40,245,129

   

Minth Group Ltd.

   

6,106,000

     

32,304,881

   

Ping An Bank Co., Ltd., Class A

   

18,241,308

     

53,978,320

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

15,827,000

     

192,608,530

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
77



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

   

2,366,500

   

$

46,379,260

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

3,123,800

     

224,769,274

   
Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR *    

2,275,441

     

43,779,485

   
Yatsen Holding Ltd. ADR *    

1,337,823

     

22,742,991

   
Zai Lab Ltd. ADR *    

546,565

     

73,972,107

   
         

2,175,637,392

   

INDIA — 10.6%

 

Asian Paints Ltd.

   

707,921

     

26,814,856

   
HDFC Life Insurance Co., Ltd. *    

3,822,263

     

35,482,033

   

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

4,311,725

     

151,065,392

   
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co., Ltd. *    

1,251,948

     

26,098,654

   
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co., Ltd. *    

3,587,228

     

24,512,712

   

Indraprastha Gas Ltd.

   

2,962,144

     

20,361,131

   

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

   

3,195,699

     

31,602,929

   

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

   

350,372

     

36,760,511

   

Reliance Industries Ltd.

   

5,586,668

     

152,007,278

   

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

   

1,642,637

     

64,498,361

   

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

   

4,263,318

     

56,981,368

   

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

   

398,087

     

28,862,445

   
         

655,047,670

   

INDONESIA — 0.9%

 

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

   

182,430,000

     

54,237,070

   

KAZAKHSTAN — 0.3%

 
Kaspi.KZ JSC GDR Reg S *    

319,758

     

21,455,762

   

MEXICO — 1.7%

 
Cemex SAB de CV, Participating Certificates ADR *    

7,195,901

     

37,202,808

   
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O *    

7,241,393

     

39,901,442

   

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

   

9,034,160

     

25,378,002

   
         

102,482,252

   

PANAMA — 0.7%

 

Copa Holdings SA, Class A

   

562,851

     

43,468,983

   

PERU — 0.4%

 

Credicorp Ltd.

   

143,401

     

23,520,632

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
78



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

POLAND — 1.9%

 
Allegro.eu SA *    

3,547,562

   

$

80,434,323

   
KGHM Polska Miedz SA *    

785,769

     

38,707,449

   
         

119,141,772

   

RUSSIA — 7.2%

 

Magnit PJSC GDR Reg S

   

2,109,338

     

37,067,930

   

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ADR

   

5,456,054

     

170,057,581

   

Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC

   

13,569,500

     

29,325,403

   
Ozon Holdings PLC ADR *    

675,409

     

27,968,687

   

Sberbank of Russia PJSC ADR

   

12,510,672

     

180,882,148

   
         

445,301,749

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 2.7%

 

Naspers Ltd., N Shares

   

821,637

     

168,250,470

   

SOUTH KOREA — 11.1%

 
Doosan Bobcat, Inc. *    

807,374

     

22,106,277

   
LG Chem Ltd. *    

163,425

     

124,271,133

   
NAVER Corp. *    

166,893

     

44,989,224

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

   

3,966,017

     

296,164,383

   

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.

   

194,981

     

113,000,810

   

SK Hynix, Inc.

   

820,501

     

89,622,099

   
         

690,153,926

   

TAIWAN — 10.9%

 

MediaTek, Inc.

   

5,378,000

     

143,416,635

   
Sea Ltd. ADR *    

201,783

     

40,164,906

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

26,041,310

     

492,635,771

   
         

676,217,312

   

THAILAND — 0.4%

 

Siam Commercial Bank PCL (The) NVDR

   

9,425,900

     

27,507,314

   

ZAMBIA — 1.5%

 

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

   

5,275,361

     

94,698,719

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $3,627,775,868)

       

5,946,196,884

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
79



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

PREFERRED STOCKS — 2.8%

 

BRAZIL — 1.0%

 

Petroleo Brasileiro SA ADR 0.00%

   

5,298,638

   

$

58,602,936

   

SOUTH KOREA — 1.8%

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1.43%

   

1,653,509

     

112,169,030

   

Total Preferred Stocks

 

(cost $95,072,995)

       

170,771,966

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.5%

 

(cost $3,722,848,863)

     

$

6,116,968,850

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.5%

 

   

94,216,432

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

 

$

6,211,185,282

   

(1)  Amount rounds to less than 0.1%.

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

GDR  —  Global Depositary Receipt

NVDR  —  Non-Voting Depositary Receipt

Reg S  —  Regulation S ("Reg S") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act") is a safe harbor that defines when an offering of securities will be deemed to come to rest abroad and therefore is not subject to the registration obligations imposed under Section 5 of the 1933 Act. The regulation includes two safe harbor provisions: an issuer safe harbor and a resale safe harbor. In each case, the regulation demands that offers and sales of the securities be made outside the United States and that no offering participant (which includes the issuer, the banks assisting with the offer and their respective affiliates) engage in "directed" selling efforts. In the case of issuers for whose securities there is substantial U.S. market interest, the regulation also requires that no offers and sales be made to U.S. persons (including U.S. persons physically located outside the United States). These securities have been deemed liquid under procedures approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. At December 31, 2020, the net value of these securities was $58,523,692 representing 0.9% of net assets.

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

1,429,231,411

   

$

4,516,965,473

   

$

   

$

5,946,196,884

   
Preferred Stocks **    

58,602,936

     

112,169,030

     

     

170,771,966

   

Total

 

$

1,487,834,347

   

$

4,629,134,503

   

$

   

$

6,116,968,850

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
80



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $3,722,848,863)

 

$

6,116,968,850

   

Cash

   

105,927,641

   

Foreign cash, at value (cost $3,502,405)

   

3,538,284

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

41,953,942

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

10,331,259

   

Dividends receivable

   

9,500,888

   

Receivable for India capital gains tax refunds (Note A)

   

1,347,063

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

206,928

   

Prepaid assets

   

47,579

   

Total Assets

   

6,289,822,434

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

7,167,822

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

43,256,854

   

Deferred India capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

23,867,546

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

1,989,641

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

1,321,776

   

Servicing fee payable

   

230,280

   

Trustee fee payable

   

40,666

   

Commitment fee payable

   

7,443

   

Accrued expenses

   

755,124

   

Total Liabilities

   

78,637,152

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

6,211,185,282

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

4,051,340,892

   

Total distributable earnings

   

2,159,844,390

   

 

$

6,211,185,282

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($144,905,561 / 5,238,352 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

27.66

   
Class 3 ($168,459,849 / 6,033,960 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

27.92

   
Class 4 ($276,790,840 / 9,779,002 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

28.30

   
Class 5 ($1,953,356,335 / 68,076,340 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

28.69

   
Class K ($2,441,337,543 / 88,573,658 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

27.56

   
Institutional Class ($1,226,335,154 / 44,510,401 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

27.55

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
81



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $10,333,287)

 

$

75,130,857

   

Interest

   

36,401

   

Total Investment Income

   

75,167,258

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

22,832,300

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

187,657

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

134,377

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

143,598

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

296,859

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

2,693,878

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

1,370,172

   

Transfer agency

   

178,350

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

771,242

   

Fund accounting

   

1,428,575

   

Custody

   

1,394,550

   

Legal

   

545,616

   

Trustees' fees

   

146,873

   

Registration fees

   

120,330

   

Professional fees

   

50,199

   

Commitment fees

   

36,433

   

Miscellaneous

   

307,026

   

Total Expenses

   

32,638,035

   

Net Investment Income

   

42,529,223

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments (net of India capital gains tax expense of $727,715)

   

(142,953,304

)

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

530,203

   
     

(142,423,101

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments (net of deferred India capital gains tax expense of $12,458,774) (Note A)

   

1,560,003,152

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

63,873

   

   

1,560,067,025

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

1,417,643,924

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

1,460,173,147

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
82



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

42,529,223

   

$

103,248,934

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

(142,423,101

)

   

13,920,823

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

1,560,067,025

     

603,118,873

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

1,460,173,147

     

720,288,630

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(1,826,111

)

   

(4,430,516

)

 

Class 3

   

(2,184,364

)

   

(12,961,322

)

 

Class 4

   

(3,613,950

)

   

   

Class 5

   

(25,856,284

)

   

(49,677,405

)

 

Class K

   

(31,409,509

)

   

(50,357,207

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(14,749,236

)

   

(24,586,085

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(79,639,454

)

   

(142,012,535

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

10,006,000

     

7,306,000

   

Class 3

   

     

106,960,476

*

 

Class 4

   

218,894,438

*

   

   

Class 5

   

232,200,000

     

7,000,000

   

Class K

   

851,114,264

     

797,388,161

*

 

Institutional Class

   

497,607,207

     

498,938,452

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

1,826,111

     

4,430,516

   

Class 3

   

2,184,364

     

12,961,322

   

Class 4

   

3,613,950

     

   

Class 5

   

25,856,285

     

49,677,405

   

Class K

   

24,127,144

     

40,228,644

   

Institutional Class

   

14,702,902

     

24,574,424

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(13,000,000

)

   

(109,960,476

)*  

Class 3

   

(218,894,438

)*    

   

Class 5

   

(112,120,000

)

   

(34,320,000

)

 

Class K

   

(280,870,445

)

   

(158,716,823

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(214,228,570

)

   

(213,958,164

)*  

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

1,043,019,212

     

1,032,509,937

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

2,423,552,905

     

1,610,786,032

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

3,787,632,377

     

2,176,846,345

   

End of year

 

$

6,211,185,282

   

$

3,787,632,377

   

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
83



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

21.71

   

$

17.62

   

$

22.82

   

$

15.20

   

$

14.88

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.19

     

0.63

     

0.28

     

0.16

     

0.07

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
   

6.11

     

4.30

     

(3.70

)

   

7.89

     

0.38

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from investment operations
   

6.30

     

4.93

     

(3.42

)

   

8.05

     

0.45

   
Dividends and Distributions to
Shareholders
 

From net investment income

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.65

)

   

(0.23

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.14

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.84

)

   

(1.78

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.14

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees
and Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

(0.00

)(b)

   

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

27.66

   

$

21.71

   

$

17.62

   

$

22.82

   

$

15.20

   

Total Return

 
Total return based on
net asset value(c)
   

29.06

%

   

28.00

%

   

(14.92

)%

   

53.02

%

   

3.10

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 
Net assets, end of period
(000's omitted)
 

$

144,906

   

$

118,856

   

$

191,177

   

$

203,830

   

$

121,739

   
Ratio of net expenses to average
net assets
   

0.80

%

   

0.83

%

   

0.84

%

   

0.85

%

   

0.87

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
   

0.90

%

   

3.29

%(d)

   

1.31

%

   

0.82

%

   

0.52

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

   

24

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
84



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the Period
April 01,
2016(a) through
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

21.91

   

$

17.77

   

$

23.00

   

$

15.32

   

$

14.72

   

$

16.74

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.20

     

0.71

     

0.29

     

0.17

     

0.12

     

0.17

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
   

6.18

     

4.29

     

(3.72

)

   

7.96

     

0.62

     

(0.15

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from investment operations
   

6.38

     

5.00

     

(3.43

)

   

8.13

     

0.74

     

0.02

   
Dividends and Distributions to
Shareholders
 

From net investment income

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.67

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.02

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.86

)

   

(1.80

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.02

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees
and Redemption Fees(b)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(c)

   

0.00

(c)

   

0.02

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

27.92

   

$

21.91

   

$

17.77

   

$

23.00

   

$

15.32

   

$

16.76

   

Total Return

 
Total return based on
net asset value(d)
   

29.15

%

   

28.09

%

   

(14.86

)%

   

53.13

%

   

5.05

%

   

0.26

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 
Net assets, end of period
(000's omitted)
 

$

168,460

   

$

344,702

   

$

167,268

   

$

196,468

   

$

128,303

   

$

485,066

   
Ratio of net expenses to average
net assets
   

0.73

%

   

0.76

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.78

%

   

0.80

%*    

0.75

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
   

0.95

%

   

3.45

%(e)

   

1.33

%

   

0.84

%

   

1.09

%*    

1.00

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

24

%

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

   

24

%

   

26

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2016. All shares of this class were redeemed on December 31, 2014 at $16.76. New shares were issued at $14.72 on April 01, 2016.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
85



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 4 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the Period
January 10, 2020(a)
through
December 31,
2020
  For the Period
January 1, 2016
through
October 10,
2016(a)
  For the Period
November 2, 2015(b)
through
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

22.69

   

$

15.12

   

$

15.40

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(c)

   

0.22

     

0.11

     

0.02

   
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
and foreign currency
   

5.76

     

1.69

     

(0.28

)

 

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

5.98

     

1.80

     

(0.26

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.37

)

   

     

(0.06

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

     

(0.00

)(d)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.37

)

   

     

(0.06

)

 

Proceeds from Purchase Fees and Redemption Fees(c)

   

     

0.01

     

0.04

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

28.30

   

$

16.93

   

$

15.12

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(e)

   

26.45

%

   

12.04

%

   

(1.40

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

276,791

   

$

110,086

   

$

98,273

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.70

%

   

0.73

%*    

0.76

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.05

%

   

1.29

%*    

0.88

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

24

%

   

24

%

   

46

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from October 10, 2016 to January 09, 2020. All shares of this class were redeemed on October 10, 2016 at $16.93. New shares were issued at $22.69 on January 10, 2020

(b)  Commencement of investment operations.

(c)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(d)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(e)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
86



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 5 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

22.50

   

$

18.23

   

$

23.55

   

$

15.67

   

$

15.33

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.24

     

0.72

     

0.31

     

0.19

     

0.13

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
   

6.33

     

4.42

     

(3.81

)

   

8.15

     

0.35

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value
from investment operations
   

6.57

     

5.14

     

(3.50

)

   

8.34

     

0.48

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.38

)

   

(0.68

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.38

)

   

(0.87

)

   

(1.82

)

   

(0.46

)

   

(0.15

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

28.69

   

$

22.50

   

$

18.23

   

$

23.55

   

$

15.67

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

29.25

%

   

28.19

%

   

(14.80

)%

   

53.25

%

   

3.24

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

1,953,356

   

$

1,331,946

   

$

1,063,434

   

$

1,232,137

   

$

1,075,176

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.65

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.69

%

   

0.70

%

   

0.71

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
   

1.08

%

   

3.47

%(d)

   

1.41

%

   

0.91

%

   

0.83

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

   

24

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
87



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

21.64

   

$

17.57

   

$

22.79

   

$

18.22

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.20

     

0.71

     

0.34

     

0.02

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

6.08

     

4.21

     

(3.75

)

   

5.00

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

6.28

     

4.92

     

(3.41

)

   

5.02

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.66

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.27

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.85

)

   

(1.81

)

   

(0.45

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

27.56

   

$

21.64

   

$

17.57

   

$

22.79

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

29.04

%

   

28.00

%

   

(14.91

)%

   

27.57

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

2,441,338

   

$

1,328,535

   

$

499,172

   

$

73,349

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.80

%

   

0.83

%

   

0.84

%

   

0.85

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.95

%

   

3.55

%(d)

   

1.65

%

   

0.18

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
88



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

21.64

   

$

17.56

   

$

22.80

   

$

18.22

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.18

     

0.79

     

0.11

     

0.16

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

6.07

     

4.12

     

(3.54

)

   

4.86

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

6.25

     

4.91

     

(3.43

)

   

5.02

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.64

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.26

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.83

)

   

(1.81

)

   

(0.44

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

27.55

   

$

21.64

   

$

17.56

   

$

22.80

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

28.91

%

   

27.94

%

   

(14.98

)%

   

27.61

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

1,226,335

   

$

663,593

   

$

255,795

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.89

%

   

0.92

%

   

0.95

%

   

0.85

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.86

%

   

3.81

%(d)

   

0.68

%

   

1.13

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
89



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Advertising

 

$

19,752,660

     

1.3

%

 

Airlines

   

32,058,290

     

2.1

   

Apparel

   

15,565,032

     

1.0

   

Auto Manufacturers

   

45,609,685

     

3.0

   

Banks

   

16,770,704

     

1.1

   

Beverages

   

23,922,277

     

1.6

   

Biotechnology

   

55,959,784

     

3.7

   

Building Materials

   

34,695,157

     

2.3

   

Chemicals

   

12,526,956

     

0.8

   

Commercial Services

   

81,317,251

     

5.4

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

17,636,685

     

1.2

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

13,610,454

     

0.9

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

93,989,672

     

6.2

   

Environmental Control

   

7,019,108

     

0.5

   

Food

   

6,416,759

     

0.4

   

Healthcare — Products

   

103,026,774

     

6.8

   

Healthcare — Services

   

43,882,600

     

2.9

   

Home Furnishings

   

4,765,686

     

0.3

   

Insurance

   

130,242,625

     

8.6

   

Internet

   

377,504,188

     

25.0

   

Lodging

   

3,387,355

     

0.2

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

9,428,519

     

0.6

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

34,325,608

     

2.3

   

Media

   

11,409,346

     

0.8

   

Mining

   

31,277,079

     

2.1

   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

   

13,823,403

     

0.9

   

Oil & Gas

   

23,187,074

     

1.5

   

Real Estate

   

20,611,015

     

1.4

   

Retail

   

16,214,632

     

1.1

   

Semiconductors

   

64,615,392

     

4.3

   

Software

   

119,214,419

     

7.9

   

Telecommunications

   

32,288,431

     

2.1

   

Total Value of Investments

   

1,516,054,620

     

100.3

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

(4,580,212

)

   

(0.3

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

1,511,474,408

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


90



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 100.3%

 

AUSTRALIA — 2.3%

 

BHP Group PLC

   

586,291

   

$

15,480,648

   

Orica Ltd.

   

318,624

     

3,726,563

   

Rio Tinto PLC

   

209,855

     

15,796,432

   
         

35,003,643

   

BRAZIL — 0.6%

 

B3 SA — Brasil Bolsa Balcao

   

799,700

     

9,574,635

   

CANADA — 2.9%

 

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

   

20,416

     

6,958,505

   

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.

   

82,238

     

5,719,653

   
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

27,798

     

31,465,946

   
         

44,144,104

   

CHINA — 8.3%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

126,731

     

29,494,106

   

Autohome, Inc. ADR

   

67,590

     

6,733,316

   

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

   

6,366,000

     

5,811,308

   
KE Holdings, Inc. ADR *    

48,799

     

3,003,090

   
Meituan, Class B *    

747,600

     

28,142,249

   
Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co., Ltd. *    

506,200

     

6,147,910

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

1,659,000

     

20,189,395

   
Prosus NV *    

152,796

     

16,498,712

   
Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR *    

450,929

     

8,675,874

   
         

124,695,960

   

DENMARK — 0.6%

 
Genmab A/S *    

23,363

     

9,473,554

   

FRANCE — 2.3%

 
Adevinta ASA *    

277,389

     

4,662,924

   

Pernod Ricard SA

   

124,565

     

23,922,277

   
Ubisoft Entertainment SA *    

69,550

     

6,702,436

   
         

35,287,637

   

GERMANY — 2.1%

 
adidas AG *    

42,784

     

15,565,032

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
91



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

Deutsche Boerse AG

   

56,852

   

$

9,680,322

   
Just Eat Takeaway *    

51,588

     

5,816,700

   
Just Eat Takeaway *    

5,334

     

600,059

   
         

31,662,113

   

HONG KONG — 1.8%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

2,263,800

     

27,586,944

   

INDIA — 2.7%

 

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

471,092

     

16,505,157

   
ICICI Bank Ltd. ADR *    

581,746

     

8,644,745

   

Reliance Industries Ltd. GDR

   

272,377

     

14,850,107

   
         

40,000,009

   

IRELAND — 3.3%

 

CRH PLC

   

428,448

     

18,103,642

   
Ryanair Holdings PLC ADR *    

291,492

     

32,058,290

   
         

50,161,932

   

JAPAN — 9.1%

 

Advantest Corp.

   

223,000

     

16,703,110

   

CyberAgent, Inc.

   

184,900

     

12,755,260

   

Hoshizaki Corp.

   

51,900

     

4,765,686

   

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

   

429,200

     

13,058,429

   

Olympus Corp.

   

1,155,200

     

25,291,829

   

SMC Corp.

   

24,000

     

14,657,702

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

415,900

     

32,288,431

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

150,900

     

18,157,287

   
         

137,677,734

   

MACAU — 0.2%

 

Sands China Ltd.

   

775,600

     

3,387,355

   

NETHERLANDS — 0.6%

 
Adyen NV *    

3,839

     

8,920,077

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
92



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

NORWAY — 0.8%

 
Schibsted ASA, Class A *    

239,866

   

$

10,223,046

   
Schibsted ASA, Class B *    

31,958

     

1,186,300

   
         

11,409,346

   

RUSSIA — 0.8%

 
Mail.Ru Group Ltd. GDR Reg S *    

152,544

     

3,997,806

   

Sberbank of Russia PJSC ADR

   

562,030

     

8,125,958

   
         

12,123,764

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 3.2%

 

Naspers Ltd., N Shares

   

234,581

     

48,036,254

   

SWEDEN — 1.5%

 

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

302,037

     

13,557,682

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

558,505

     

9,428,518

   
         

22,986,200

   

SWITZERLAND — 0.7%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

111,429

     

10,066,722

   

TAIWAN — 3.9%

 
Sea Ltd. ADR *    

144,619

     

28,786,412

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

1,605,000

     

30,362,544

   
         

59,148,956

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 3.5%

 
Farfetch Ltd., Class A *    

277,694

     

17,719,654

   
Hays PLC *    

1,947,643

     

3,820,719

   

Prudential PLC

   

1,707,698

     

31,401,099

   
         

52,941,472

   

UNITED STATES — 49.1%

 
ABIOMED, Inc. *    

26,909

     

8,723,898

   

Albemarle Corp.

   

84,917

     

12,526,956

   
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *    

99,863

     

12,979,194

   
Alphabet, Inc., Class C *    

23,466

     

41,109,616

   
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

13,674

     

44,535,261

   

Anthem, Inc.

   

88,837

     

28,524,672

   

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

   

173,038

     

21,406,531

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
93



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Axon Enterprise, Inc. *    

82,403

   

$

10,096,840

   
Booking Holdings, Inc. *    

7,618

     

16,967,343

   

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

   

89,162

     

13,659,618

   
CBRE Group, Inc., Class A *    

237,217

     

14,878,250

   

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

   

167,501

     

8,884,253

   
Chegg, Inc. *    

111,595

     

10,080,376

   
Cloudflare, Inc., Class A *    

188,988

     

14,361,198

   
Datadog, Inc., Class A *    

74,521

     

7,335,847

   
DoorDash, Inc., Class A *    

11,785

     

1,682,309

   

EOG Resources, Inc.

   

167,174

     

8,336,967

   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A

   

66,256

     

17,636,685

   
Facebook, Inc., Class A *    

62,727

     

17,134,507

   
Howard Hughes Corp. (The) *    

72,631

     

5,732,765

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

30,519

     

11,292,030

   

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

   

79,044

     

4,815,361

   

Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.

   

278,327

     

6,846,844

   
LendingTree, Inc. *    

16,829

     

4,607,612

   
Lyft, Inc., Class A *    

156,302

     

7,679,117

   
Markel Corp. *    

9,331

     

9,641,722

   

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

   

58,427

     

16,591,515

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

92,664

     

33,075,488

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

145,212

     

32,298,053

   
Moderna, Inc. *    

98,176

     

10,256,447

   

Moody's Corp.

   

123,611

     

35,876,857

   
Netflix, Inc. *    

18,607

     

10,061,363

   
Novocure Ltd. *    

79,302

     

13,722,418

   

ResMed, Inc.

   

68,203

     

14,497,230

   

S&P Global, Inc.

   

15,623

     

5,135,749

   
Seagen, Inc. *    

68,280

     

11,958,559

   

Service Corp. International

   

239,589

     

11,763,820

   
SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. *    

85,800

     

13,610,454

   
Snowflake, Inc., Class A *    

10,823

     

3,045,592

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

27,828

     

8,756,358

   
Stericycle, Inc. *    

101,242

     

7,019,108

   
Teladoc Health, Inc. *    

76,805

     

15,357,928

   

Teradyne, Inc.

   

146,382

     

17,549,738

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

56,398

     

39,798,377

   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

   

48,594

     

22,634,113

   
Trade Desk, Inc. (The), Class A *    

24,660

     

19,752,660

   
Twilio, Inc., Class A *    

26,669

     

9,027,457

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
94



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Wayfair, Inc., Class A *    

27,311

   

$

6,167,097

   

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.

   

83,473

     

6,110,224

   
Zillow Group, Inc., Class C *    

124,991

     

16,223,832

   
         

741,766,209

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $862,648,738)

       

1,516,054,620

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.3% **

 

(cost $862,648,738)

     

$

1,516,054,620

   

Liabilities in excess of assets — (0.3)%

 

   

(4,580,212

)

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

 

$

1,511,474,408

   

*  Non-income producing security.

**  The Total Investments percentage exceeds 100% due to the timing of settling transactions and not as a result of borrowings for investment purposes.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

GDR  —  Global Depositary Receipt

Reg S  —  Regulation S ("Reg S") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act") is a safe harbor that defines when an offering of securities will be deemed to come to rest abroad and therefore is not subject to the registration obligations imposed under Section 5 of the 1933 Act. The regulation includes two safe harbor provisions: an issuer safe harbor and a resale safe harbor. In each case, the regulation demands that offers and sales of the securities be made outside the United States and that no offering participant (which includes the issuer, the banks assisting with the offer and their respective affiliates) engage in "directed" selling efforts. In the case of issuers for whose securities there is substantial U.S. market interest, the regulation also requires that no offers and sales be made to U.S. persons (including U.S. persons physically located outside the United States). These securities have been deemed liquid under procedures approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. At December 31, 2020, the net value of these securities was $3,997,806 representing 0.3% of net assets.

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks ***  

$

921,025,801

   

$

595,028,819

   

$

   

$

1,516,054,620

   

Total

 

$

921,025,801

   

$

595,028,819

   

$

   

$

1,516,054,620

   

***  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
95



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $862,648,738)

 

$

1,516,054,620

   

Cash

   

11,201,568

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

398,057

   

Dividends receivable

   

315,766

   

Receivable for India capital gains tax refunds (Note A)

   

76,898

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

6,202

   

Prepaid assets

   

22,149

   

Total Assets

   

1,528,075,260

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

1,389,657

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

14,212,690

   

Deferred India capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

403,692

   

Servicing fee payable

   

282,619

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

106,553

   

Trustee fee payable

   

10,750

   

Commitment fee payable

   

1,967

   

Due to foreign custodian (cost $12)

   

12

   

Accrued expenses

   

192,912

   

Total Liabilities

   

16,600,852

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

1,511,474,408

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

864,276,014

   

Total distributable earnings

   

647,198,394

   

 

$

1,511,474,408

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($250,775,965 / 11,838,110 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.18

   
Class 3 ($282,858,905 / 12,972,542 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.80

   
Class 4 ($682,238,606 / 30,481,724 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

22.38

   
Class K ($267,923,312 / 12,685,373 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.12

   
Institutional Class ($27,677,620 / 1,308,655 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.15

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
96



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $682,202)

 

$

9,898,347

   

Interest

   

9,345

   

Total Investment Income

   

9,907,692

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

4,471,121

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

338,006

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

510,229

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

173,932

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

246,599

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

25,827

   

Transfer agency

   

93,029

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

13,287

   

Fund accounting

   

381,525

   

Legal

   

140,950

   

Custody

   

108,544

   

Registration fees

   

39,856

   

Trustees' fees

   

38,102

   

Professional fees

   

34,403

   

Commitment fees

   

6,458

   

Miscellaneous

   

45,055

   

Total Expenses

   

6,666,923

   

Net Investment Income

   

3,240,769

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments (net of India capital gains tax expense of $14,735)

   

76,204,691

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(202,273

)

 

   

76,002,418

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments (net of deferred India capital gains tax expense of $69,904) (Note A)

   

317,930,347

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

29,679

   

   

317,960,026

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

393,962,444

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

397,203,213

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
97



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

3,240,769

   

$

22,201,828

   

Net realized gain

   

76,002,418

     

29,442,328

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

317,960,026

     

188,564,183

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

397,203,213

     

240,208,339

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(13,975,367

)

   

(9,449,544

)

 

Class 3

   

(15,207,662

)

   

(30,477,830

)

 

Class 4

   

(36,754,305

)

   

(7,732,134

)

 

Class K

   

(15,897,931

)

   

(4,458,584

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(1,590,334

)

   

(386

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(83,425,599

)

   

(52,118,478

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

21,406,000

     

5,506,000

   

Class 3

   

     

8,000,000

   

Class 4

   

453,824,236

*

   

   

Class K

   

162,657,595

     

34,752,614

   

Institutional Class

   

22,514,998

     

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

13,975,368

     

9,449,544

   

Class 3

   

15,207,661

     

30,477,830

   

Class 4

   

36,754,305

     

7,732,135

   

Class K

   

15,897,930

     

4,458,584

   

Institutional Class

   

1,590,334

     

386

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(12,867,763

)

   

(4,000,000

)

 

Class 3

   

(440,824,236

)*    

(33,788,000

)

 

Class 4

   

(25,000,000

)

   

   

Class K

   

(36,392,473

)

   

(11,265,988

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(1,613,033

)

   

   

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

227,130,922

     

51,323,105

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

540,908,536

     

239,412,966

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

970,565,872

     

731,152,906

   

End of year

 

$

1,511,474,408

   

$

970,565,872

   

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
98



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

16.46

   

$

13.13

   

$

18.85

   

$

14.52

   

$

13.96

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.04

     

0.39

     

0.11

     

0.10

     

0.10

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

5.93

     

3.89

     

(1.93

)

   

4.91

     

0.59

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

5.97

     

4.28

     

(1.82

)

   

5.01

     

0.69

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.08

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(1.12

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(1.25

)

   

(0.95

)

   

(3.90

)

   

(0.68

)

   

(0.13

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

21.18

   

$

16.46

   

$

13.13

   

$

18.85

   

$

14.52

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

36.31

%

   

32.56

%

   

(9.44

)%

   

34.56

%

   

4.95

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)

 

$

250,776

   

$

173,625

   

$

129,690

   

$

154,523

   

$

225,095

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.65

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.67

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
   

0.25

%

   

2.52

%(d)

   

0.59

%

   

0.59

%

   

0.69

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

23

%

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

   

20

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions , if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
99



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

16.90

   

$

13.46

   

$

19.22

   

$

14.79

   

$

14.23

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.07

     

0.41

     

0.13

     

0.10

     

0.10

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

6.07

     

3.99

     

(1.97

)

   

5.04

     

0.61

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

6.14

     

4.40

     

(1.84

)

   

5.14

     

0.71

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.58

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.10

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(1.12

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(1.24

)

   

(0.96

)

   

(3.92

)

   

(0.71

)

   

(0.15

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

21.80

   

$

16.90

   

$

13.46

   

$

19.22

   

$

14.79

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

36.40

%

   

32.65

%

   

(9.37

)%

   

34.65

%

   

5.02

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

282,859

   

$

568,608

   

$

449,177

   

$

564,714

   

$

593,513

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.58

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.60

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
   

0.41

%

   

2.61

%(d)

   

0.67

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.75

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

23

%

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

   

20

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
100



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 4 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
July 10, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

17.34

   

$

13.79

   

$

19.58

   

$

17.99

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.03

     

0.42

     

0.11

     

0.01

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

6.28

     

4.10

     

(1.98

)

   

2.31

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

6.31

     

4.52

     

(1.87

)

   

2.32

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                 

From net investment income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.59

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.16

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(1.12

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(1.27

)

   

(0.97

)

   

(3.92

)

   

(0.73

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

22.38

   

$

17.34

   

$

13.79

   

$

19.58

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

36.45

%

   

32.69

%

   

(9.35

)%

   

12.87

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

682,239

   

$

147,092

   

$

110,854

   

$

367,908

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.55

%

   

0.57

%

   

0.58

%

   

0.58

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.16

%

   

2.62

%(d)

   

0.57

%

   

0.15

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

23

%

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
101



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

16.42

   

$

13.11

   

$

18.82

   

$

16.56

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.03

     

0.35

     

0.11

     

0.02

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

5.93

     

3.92

     

(1.92

)

   

2.96

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

5.96

     

4.27

     

(1.81

)

   

2.98

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                 

From net investment income

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.58

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(1.12

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(1.26

)

   

(0.96

)

   

(3.90

)

   

(0.72

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.12

   

$

16.42

   

$

13.11

   

$

18.82

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

36.35

%

   

32.48

%

   

(9.38

)%

   

17.97

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

267,923

   

$

81,234

   

$

41,427

   

$

56,163

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.65

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.68

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.18

%

   

2.22

%(d)

   

0.56

%

   

0.17

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

23

%

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
102



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

16.45

   

$

13.12

   

$

18.84

   

$

16.56

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.02

     

0.39

     

0.12

     

0.04

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

5.93

     

3.89

     

(1.94

)

   

2.95

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

5.95

     

4.28

     

(1.82

)

   

2.99

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                 

From net investment income

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.14

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(1.12

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(1.25

)

   

(0.95

)

   

(3.90

)

   

(0.71

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.15

   

$

16.45

   

$

13.12

   

$

18.84

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

36.22

%

   

32.56

%

   

(9.42

)%

   

18.03

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

27,677

   

$

7

   

$

5

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.74

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.67

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.09

%

   

2.56

%(d)

   

0.62

%

   

0.35

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

23

%

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
103



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Advertising

 

$

122,553

     

2.0

%

 

Apparel

   

81,128

     

1.3

   

Auto Manufacturers

   

375,416

     

6.0

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

108,107

     

1.7

   

Banks

   

184,984

     

2.9

   

Biotechnology

   

234,023

     

3.7

   

Building Materials

   

49,191

     

0.8

   

Chemicals

   

108,338

     

1.7

   

Commercial Services

   

419,067

     

6.7

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

116,478

     

1.9

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

303,129

     

4.8

   

Electronics

   

35,134

     

0.6

   

Food

   

34,428

     

0.6

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

25,930

     

0.4

   

Healthcare — Products

   

286,683

     

4.6

   

Home Furnishings

   

37,736

     

0.6

   

Insurance

   

264,932

     

4.2

   

Internet

   

1,688,366

     

27.0

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

315,039

     

5.0

   

Metal Fabricate/Hardware

   

42,676

     

0.7

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

118,419

     

1.9

   

Real Estate

   

123,877

     

2.0

   

Retail

   

83,376

     

1.3

   

Semiconductors

   

246,380

     

3.9

   

Software

   

371,421

     

5.9

   

Telecommunications

   

337,924

     

5.4

   

Toys/Games/Hobbies

   

72,065

     

1.2

   

Total Value of Investments

   

6,186,800

     

98.8

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

72,141

     

1.2

   

Net Assets

 

$

6,258,941

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


104



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.8%

 

ARGENTINA — 1.2%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

43

   

$

72,034

   

CANADA — 4.8%

 
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

266

     

301,099

   

CHINA — 6.7%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. *    

2,832

     

82,368

   
Baidu, Inc. ADR *    

125

     

27,030

   
JD.com, Inc., Class A *    

2,502

     

110,194

   
Meituan, Class B *    

2,300

     

86,580

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

1,600

     

115,126

   
         

421,298

   

DENMARK — 0.3%

 

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

311

     

17,715

   

FRANCE — 2.2%

 
Adevinta ASA *    

2,615

     

43,958

   

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

   

267

     

94,984

   
         

138,942

   

GERMANY — 2.3%

 
adidas AG *    

223

     

81,128

   
Zalando SE *    

566

     

62,957

   
         

144,085

   

HONG KONG — 2.6%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

9,400

     

114,549

   

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

   

900

     

49,367

   
         

163,916

   

IRELAND — 0.6%

 
COSMO Pharmaceuticals NV *    

400

     

38,413

   

JAPAN — 12.6%

 

Bridgestone Corp.

   

1,300

     

42,635

   

CyberAgent, Inc.

   

400

     

27,594

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
105



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

Denso Corp.

   

1,100

   

$

65,473

   

DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.

   

1,700

     

25,930

   

FANUC Corp. ADR

   

3,312

     

81,773

   

FANUC Corp.

   

200

     

49,370

   

Kubota Corp.

   

4,100

     

89,575

   

MISUMI Group, Inc.

   

1,300

     

42,676

   

Nintendo Co., Ltd. ADR

   

895

     

72,065

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

2,800

     

217,378

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

   

2,300

     

70,966

   
         

785,435

   

NETHERLANDS — 1.4%

 

IMCD NV

   

712

     

90,623

   

SOUTH KOREA — 1.9%

 

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.

   

208

     

120,546

   

SWEDEN — 2.3%

 

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

1,085

     

48,703

   

Beijer Ref AB

   

997

     

45,618

   

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

1,500

     

49,191

   
         

143,512

   

TAIWAN — 2.4%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

8,000

     

151,340

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 4.1%

 

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

1,800

     

37,480

   
Just Group PLC *    

36,025

     

34,695

   
Ocado Group PLC *    

1,101

     

34,428

   

Prudential PLC

   

4,999

     

91,921

   

St James's Place PLC

   

3,811

     

58,972

   
         

257,496

   

UNITED STATES — 53.4%

 
ABIOMED, Inc. *    

240

     

77,808

   
Alphabet, Inc., Class A *    

64

     

112,169

   
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

73

     

237,756

   
Chegg, Inc. *    

2,138

     

193,126

   
Denali Therapeutics, Inc. *    

1,217

     

101,936

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
106



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Exact Sciences Corp. *    

296

   

$

39,217

   

Fastenal Co.

   

1,193

     

58,254

   

First Republic Bank

   

776

     

114,018

   
Glaukos Corp. *    

387

     

29,126

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

251

     

92,870

   

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

   

381

     

23,211

   
iRobot Corp. *    

470

     

37,736

   
LendingTree, Inc. *    

246

     

67,352

   
Lyft, Inc., Class A *    

509

     

25,007

   
Markel Corp. *    

23

     

23,766

   

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

   

396

     

225,942

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

187

     

66,748

   
Netflix, Inc. *    

292

     

157,893

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

182

     

95,040

   
Pacira BioSciences, Inc. *    

1,337

     

80,006

   
Redfin Corp. *    

1,805

     

123,877

   
Slack Technologies, Inc., Class A *    

1,253

     

52,927

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

312

     

98,174

   
STAAR Surgical Co. *    

1,070

     

84,765

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

532

     

375,416

   

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

   

299

     

20,419

   
Trade Desk, Inc. (The), Class A *    

153

     

122,553

   
Twilio, Inc., Class A *    

220

     

74,470

   
Upwork, Inc. *    

2,522

     

87,059

   
Waters Corp. *    

142

     

35,134

   

Watsco, Inc.

   

257

     

58,223

   
Wayfair, Inc., Class A *    

462

     

104,324

   
Workday, Inc., Class A *    

490

     

117,409

   
Yext, Inc. *    

1,102

     

17,323

   
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A *    

324

     

109,292

   
         

3,340,346

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.8%

 

(cost $3,234,178)

     

$

6,186,800

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.2%

       

72,141

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

6,258,941

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
107



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

3,989,332

   

$

2,197,468

   

$

   

$

6,186,800

   

Total

 

$

3,989,332

   

$

2,197,468

   

$

   

$

6,186,800

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
108



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $3,234,178)

 

$

6,186,800

   

Cash

   

78,932

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

38,586

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

4,349

   

Dividends receivable

   

2,133

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

434

   

Prepaid assets

   

23,465

   

Total Assets

   

6,334,699

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

4,767

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

2,456

   

Trustee fee payable

   

45

   

Commitment fee payable

   

8

   

Accrued expenses

   

68,482

   

Total Liabilities

   

75,758

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

6,258,941

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

3,296,639

   

Total distributable earnings

   

2,962,302

   
   

$

6,258,941

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($3,129,471 / 159,245 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

19.65

   
Institutional Class ($3,129,470 / 159,244 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

19.65

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
109



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $2,025)

 

$

25,165

   

Total Investment Income

   

25,165

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

14,969

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

3,856

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

3,856

   

Transfer agency

   

33,398

   

Fund accounting

   

96,563

   

Registration fees

   

39,409

   

Professional fees

   

35,385

   

Custody

   

2,714

   

Legal

   

569

   

Trustees' fees

   

156

   

Commitment fees

   

50

   

Miscellaneous

   

5,886

   

Total Expenses

   

236,811

   

Fees waived

   

(207,326

)

 

Total Expenses after waiver

   

29,485

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(4,320

)

 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments

   

239,569

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

476

   
     

240,045

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

2,456,102

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

78

   
     

2,456,180

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

2,696,225

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

2,691,905

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
110



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(4,320

)

 

$

7,931

   

Net realized gain

   

240,045

     

61,120

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

2,456,180

     

741,025

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

2,691,905

     

810,076

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(111,795

)

   

(21,386

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(111,795

)

   

(21,386

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(223,590

)

   

(42,772

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

111,795

     

21,386

   

Institutional Class

   

111,795

     

21,386

   

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

223,590

     

42,772

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

2,691,905

     

810,076

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

3,567,036

     

2,756,960

   

End of year

 

$

6,258,941

   

$

3,567,036

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
111



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

11.62

   

$

9.09

   

$

10.15

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.01

)

   

0.03

     

0.03

     

(0.00

)(c)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

8.77

     

2.64

     

(0.99

)

   

0.15

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

8.76

     

2.67

     

(0.96

)

   

0.15

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                 

From net investment income

   

     

(0.03

)

   

(0.02

)

   

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.73

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.08

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.73

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.10

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

19.65

   

$

11.62

   

$

9.09

   

$

10.15

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

75.39

%

   

29.37

%

   

(9.43

)%

   

1.50

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

3,129

   

$

1,784

   

$

1,378

   

$

1,523

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

5.22

%

   

6.60

%

   

5.53

%

   

18.55

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.10

)%

   

0.24

%

   

0.25

%

   

(0.31

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

17

%

   

21

%

   

14

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
112



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

11.62

   

$

9.09

   

$

10.15

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.01

)

   

0.03

     

0.03

     

(0.00

)(c)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

8.77

     

2.64

     

(0.99

)

   

0.15

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

8.76

     

2.67

     

(0.96

)

   

0.15

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                 

From net investment income

   

     

(0.03

)

   

(0.02

)

   

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.73

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.08

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.73

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.10

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

19.65

   

$

11.62

   

$

9.09

   

$

10.15

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

75.39

%

   

29.37

%

   

(9.43

)%

   

1.50

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

3,129

   

$

1,784

   

$

1,379

   

$

1,523

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

5.22

%

   

6.60

%

   

5.53

%

   

18.55

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.80

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.10

)%

   

0.24

%

   

0.25

%

   

(0.31

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

17

%

   

21

%

   

14

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
113



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Airlines

 

$

113,697,332

     

2.7

%

 

Apparel

   

33,097,955

     

0.8

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

50,027,218

     

1.2

   

Banks

   

106,995,557

     

2.6

   

Beverages

   

39,899,221

     

1.0

   

Biotechnology

   

50,924,061

     

1.2

   

Building Materials

   

99,062,425

     

2.4

   

Chemicals

   

154,626,208

     

3.7

   

Commercial Services

   

243,914,662

     

5.8

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

39,423,215

     

0.9

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

43,052,352

     

1.0

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

320,663,311

     

7.7

   

Electronics

   

81,724,146

     

2.0

   

Food

   

170,460,942

     

4.1

   

Healthcare — Products

   

32,310,192

     

0.8

   

Home Furnishings

   

114,738,542

     

2.8

   

Insurance

   

295,725,884

     

7.1

   

Internet

   

805,818,989

     

19.3

   

Leisure Time

   

59,947,597

     

1.4

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

51,465,543

     

1.2

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

258,103,895

     

6.2

   

Mining

   

97,400,004

     

2.3

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

38,179,966

     

0.9

   

Retail

   

117,178,239

     

2.8

   

Semiconductors

   

336,628,922

     

8.1

   

Software

   

201,111,633

     

4.8

   

Toys/Games/Hobbies

   

49,108,518

     

1.2

   

Transportation

   

106,658,231

     

2.6

   

Total Value of Investments

   

4,111,944,760

     

98.6

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

58,375,669

     

1.4

   

Net Assets

 

$

4,170,320,429

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


114



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.0%

 

ARGENTINA — 5.3%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

132,467

   

$

221,911,368

   

AUSTRALIA — 3.7%

 

Cochlear Ltd.

   

221,431

     

32,310,191

   

CSL Ltd.

   

233,070

     

50,924,061

   

Rio Tinto PLC

   

935,375

     

70,408,555

   
         

153,642,807

   

BELGIUM — 0.7%

 

Umicore SA

   

615,970

     

29,606,652

   

CANADA — 1.8%

 

Constellation Software, Inc.

   

30,667

     

39,822,529

   

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.

   

525,565

     

36,553,046

   
Topicus.com, Inc. *    

57,035

     

215,625

   
         

76,591,200

   

CHINA — 11.3%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. *    

3,554,288

     

103,374,798

   
KE Holdings, Inc. ADR *    

307,286

     

18,910,380

   
Meituan, Class B *    

1,647,300

     

62,010,068

   
Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co., Ltd. *    

3,137,100

     

38,100,766

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

5,181,500

     

63,056,871

   
Prosus NV *    

350,181

     

37,812,087

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

1,388,000

     

99,871,872

   
Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR *    

2,507,204

     

48,238,605

   
         

471,375,447

   

DENMARK — 3.3%

 
Chr. Hansen Holding A/S *    

294,908

     

30,470,396

   

DSV Panalpina A/S

   

362,663

     

60,949,794

   

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

779,597

     

44,405,799

   
         

135,825,989

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
115



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

FINLAND — 1.6%

 

Kone Oyj, B Shares

   

826,734

   

$

67,362,404

   

FRANCE — 3.2%

 

Danone SA

   

490,645

     

32,287,463

   

Dassault Systemes SE

   

206,804

     

41,943,908

   

Edenred

   

1,014,862

     

57,635,282

   
         

131,866,653

   

GERMANY — 8.6%

 

Deutsche Boerse AG

   

488,210

     

83,128,651

   
Just Eat Takeaway *    

235,378

     

26,539,569

   
Just Eat Takeaway *    

146,091

     

16,434,796

   

Rational AG

   

58,096

     

54,045,923

   

SAP SE

   

608,784

     

78,848,966

   

Scout24 AG

   

1,201,774

     

98,201,579

   
         

357,199,484

   

HONG KONG — 3.5%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

7,578,800

     

92,356,184

   

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

   

999,900

     

54,846,243

   
         

147,202,427

   

INDIA — 2.6%

 

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

2,435,113

     

85,316,503

   
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co., Ltd. *    

1,062,013

     

22,139,186

   
         

107,455,689

   

IRELAND — 4.4%

 

CRH PLC

   

1,098,192

     

46,403,004

   
Kingspan Group PLC *    

750,961

     

52,659,421

   
Ryanair Holdings PLC ADR *    

780,625

     

85,853,137

   
         

184,915,562

   

ITALY — 0.9%

 
FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA *    

2,336,344

     

38,531,031

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
116



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

JAPAN — 13.4%

 

Denso Corp.

   

840,500

   

$

50,027,218

   

FANUC Corp.

   

205,000

     

50,604,068

   

Japan Exchange Group, Inc.

   

2,108,700

     

53,881,092

   

Nidec Corp.

   

646,000

     

81,724,146

   

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

   

76,500

     

49,108,518

   

Shimano, Inc.

   

256,100

     

59,947,597

   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

   

569,500

     

39,423,215

   

SMC Corp.

   

116,300

     

71,028,783

   

Sony Corp.

   

602,300

     

60,692,619

   

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

   

1,063,900

     

43,052,352

   
         

559,489,608

   

NETHERLANDS — 4.1%

 
Adyen NV *    

11,899

     

27,647,824

   
ASML Holding NV    

112,562

     

54,499,956

   

Heineken Holding NV

   

423,882

     

39,899,221

   

IMCD NV

   

393,961

     

50,143,361

   
         

172,190,362

   

PANAMA — 0.7%

 

Copa Holdings SA, Class A

   

360,536

     

27,844,195

   

PERU — 0.6%

 

Credicorp Ltd.

   

150,072

     

24,614,810

   

RUSSIA — 1.2%

 

Magnit PJSC GDR Reg S

   

1,387,646

     

24,385,454

   

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ADR

   

865,982

     

26,991,449

   
         

51,376,903

   

SINGAPORE — 0.6%

 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

1,560,172

     

26,592,222

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 1.3%

 

Discovery Ltd.

   

5,150,683

     

53,846,585

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
117



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SOUTH KOREA — 3.9%

 
NAVER Corp. *    

191,281

   

$

51,563,480

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

   

1,490,251

     

111,285,269

   
         

162,848,749

   

SPAIN — 3.1%

 

Amadeus IT Group SA

   

799,711

     

59,032,478

   

Grifols SA

   

704,819

     

20,578,220

   

Grifols SA ADR

   

550,878

     

10,158,190

   

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

1,178,802

     

37,414,983

   
         

127,183,871

   

SWEDEN — 2.9%

 

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

1,539,597

     

69,108,640

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

3,048,598

     

51,465,543

   
         

120,574,183

   

SWITZERLAND — 4.8%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

461,164

     

41,662,490

   

Kuehne + Nagel International AG

   

201,431

     

45,708,438

   

Nestle SA

   

599,043

     

70,813,660

   

Temenos AG

   

289,103

     

40,280,604

   
         

198,465,192

   

TAIWAN — 4.1%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

9,031,000

     

170,843,696

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 4.9%

 
Burberry Group PLC *    

1,355,357

     

33,097,955

   

Experian PLC

   

1,659,602

     

63,046,032

   

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

2,088,688

     

43,490,823

   

Prudential PLC

   

3,498,323

     

64,327,058

   
         

203,961,868

   

UNITED STATES — 1.5%

 
Spotify Technology SA *    

203,155

     

63,924,752

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $2,446,858,952)

       

4,087,243,709

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
118



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.6%

 

BRAZIL — 0.4%

 

Itau Unibanco Holding SA ADR 4.65%

   

2,833,743

   

$

17,257,495

   

SPAIN — 0.2%

 

Grifols SA, B Shares 2.11%

   

397,170

     

7,443,556

   

Total Preferred Stocks

 

(cost $29,462,745)

       

24,701,051

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.6%

 

(cost $2,476,321,697)

     

$

4,111,944,760

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.4%

 

   

58,375,669

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

 

$

4,170,320,429

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

GDR  —  Global Depositary Receipt

Reg S  —  Regulation S ("Reg S") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act") is a safe harbor that defines when an offering of securities will be deemed to come to rest abroad and therefore is not subject to the registration obligations imposed under Section 5 of the 1933 Act. The regulation includes two safe harbor provisions: an issuer safe harbor and a resale safe harbor. In each case, the regulation demands that offers and sales of the securities be made outside the United States and that no offering participant (which includes the issuer, the banks assisting with the offer and their respective affiliates) engage in "directed" selling efforts. In the case of issuers for whose securities there is substantial U.S. market interest, the regulation also requires that no offers and sales be made to U.S. persons (including U.S. persons physically located outside the United States). These securities have been deemed liquid under procedures approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. At December 31, 2020, the net value of these securities was $24,385,454 representing 0.6% of net assets.

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

724,435,577

   

$

3,362,808,132

   

$

   

$

4,087,243,709

   
Preferred Stocks **    

17,257,495

     

7,443,556

     

     

24,701,051

   

Total

 

$

741,693,072

   

$

3,370,251,688

   

$

   

$

4,111,944,760

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
119



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $2,476,321,697)

 

$

4,111,944,760

   

Cash

   

57,799,556

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

3,510,143

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

3,340,744

   

Dividends receivable

   

2,093,137

   

Prepaid assets

   

50,217

   

Total Assets

   

4,178,738,557

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

3,261,811

   

Deferred India capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

2,755,446

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

718,274

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

534,040

   

Servicing fee payable

   

524,812

   

Trustee fee payable

   

31,013

   

Commitment fee payable

   

5,676

   

Accrued expenses

   

587,056

   

Total Liabilities

   

8,418,128

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

4,170,320,429

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

2,495,156,386

   

Total distributable earnings

   

1,675,164,043

   

 

$

4,170,320,429

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($367,841,161 / 21,926,112 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.78

   
Class 3 ($757,194,482 / 44,476,525 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

17.02

   
Class 4 ($1,082,123,327 / 62,488,125 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

17.32

   
Class 5 ($149,744,659 / 8,486,076 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

17.65

   
Class K ($1,083,711,368 / 64,837,366 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.71

   
Institutional Class ($729,705,432 / 43,528,754 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.76

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
120



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $4,654,158)

 

$

41,929,063

   

Interest

   

20,363

   

Total Investment Income

   

41,949,426

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

10,409,554

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

595,886

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

855,328

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

467,432

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

23,486

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

1,258,273

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

627,020

   

Transfer agency

   

143,079

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

310,442

   

Fund accounting

   

993,103

   

Custody

   

503,708

   

Legal

   

389,957

   

Professional fees

   

120,459

   

Trustees' fees

   

107,677

   

Registration fees

   

65,075

   

Commitment fees

   

21,278

   

Miscellaneous

   

190,171

   

Total Expenses

   

17,081,928

   

Net Investment Income

   

24,867,498

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments (net of India capital gains tax expense of $54,942)

   

132,819,175

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(53,353

)

 
     

132,765,822

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments (net of deferred India capital gains tax expense of $1,386,080) (Note A)

   

752,865,086

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

62,629

   

   

752,927,715

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

885,693,537

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

910,561,035

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
121



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

24,867,498

   

$

47,079,488

   

Net realized gain

   

132,765,822

     

44,312,454

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

752,927,715

     

513,538,512

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

910,561,035

     

604,930,454

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(8,221,408

)

   

(24,482,634

)

 

Class 3

   

(17,027,749

)

   

(31,689,022

)

 

Class 4

   

(24,650,239

)

   

(27,316,172

)

 

Class 5

   

(3,388,104

)

   

(4,893,497

)

 

Class K

   

(24,860,209

)

   

(27,292,246

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(16,563,536

)

   

(6,083,997

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(94,711,245

)

   

(121,757,568

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

72,006,000

     

107,216,862

*

 

Class 3

   

295,090,505

*

   

202,113,924

*

 

Class 4

   

397,280,701

     

204,511,879

*

 

Class 5

   

11,000,000

     

   

Class K

   

488,403,549

     

197,754,517

   

Institutional Class

   

572,999,510

     

100,370,867

*

 

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

8,221,408

     

24,482,634

   

Class 3

   

17,027,749

     

31,689,022

   

Class 4

   

24,650,239

     

27,316,172

   

Class 5

   

3,388,104

     

4,893,497

   

Class K

   

21,998,469

     

24,093,941

   

Institutional Class

   

16,542,889

     

6,083,367

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(294,390,504

)*    

(44,700,000

)

 

Class 3

   

(453,876,207

)

   

(335,095,740

)*  

Class 4

   

(84,000,000

)

   

(198,213,924

)*  

Class K

   

(180,996,529

)

   

(36,825,366

)*  

Institutional Class

   

(120,707,617

)

   

(33,820,482

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

794,638,266

     

281,871,170

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

1,610,488,056

     

765,044,056

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

2,559,832,373

     

1,794,788,317

   

End of year

 

$

4,170,320,429

   

$

2,559,832,373

   

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
122



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

13.57

   

$

10.78

   

$

14.20

   

$

10.90

   

$

10.65

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.12

     

0.27

     

0.22

     

0.18

     

0.17

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.47

     

3.20

     

(2.59

)

   

3.62

     

0.39

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.59

     

3.47

     

(2.37

)

   

3.80

     

0.56

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.38

)

   

(0.68

)

   

(1.05

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.31

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

16.78

   

$

13.57

   

$

10.78

   

$

14.20

   

$

10.90

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

26.45

%

   

32.14

%

   

(16.57

)%

   

34.96

%

   

5.24

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)

 

$

367,841

   

$

513,803

   

$

335,450

   

$

478,079

   

$

578,606

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.59

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.62

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.61

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.85

%

   

2.11

%(d)

   

1.57

%

   

1.41

%

   

1.53

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

   

12

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
123



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

13.76

   

$

10.92

   

$

14.37

   

$

11.03

   

$

10.79

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.13

     

0.28

     

0.22

     

0.18

     

0.17

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.52

     

3.24

     

(2.60

)

   

3.68

     

0.40

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.65

     

3.52

     

(2.38

)

   

3.86

     

0.57

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.17

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.68

)

   

(1.07

)

   

(0.52

)

   

(0.33

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

17.02

   

$

13.76

   

$

10.92

   

$

14.37

   

$

11.03

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

26.54

%

   

32.23

%

   

(16.51

)%

   

35.05

%

   

5.31

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)

 

$

757,194

   

$

668,206

   

$

613,224

   

$

1,119,162

   

$

915,782

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.52

%

   

0.54

%

   

0.55

%

   

0.55

%

   

0.54

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.92

%

   

2.18

%(d)

   

1.58

%

   

1.35

%

   

1.54

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

   

12

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
124



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class 4 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
July 10,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
  For the Period
January 1,
2015
through
December 10,
2015(a)
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

14.00

   

$

11.10

   

$

14.59

   

$

13.43

   

$

11.60

   

$

12.20

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.12

     

0.28

     

0.23

     

0.05

     

0.19

     

0.22

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
   

3.60

     

3.31

     

(2.65

)

   

1.64

     

(0.33

)

   

(0.57

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from investment operations
   

3.72

     

3.59

     

(2.42

)

   

1.69

     

(0.14

)

   

(0.35

)

 
Dividends and Distributions to
Shareholders
             

From net investment income

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.21

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

   

     

(0.05

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.40

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(1.07

)

   

(0.53

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.26

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees
and Redemption Fees(b)
   

     

     

     

     

0.01

     

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

17.32

   

$

14.00

   

$

11.10

   

$

14.59

   

$

11.46

   

$

11.60

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

26.57

%

   

32.27

%

   

(16.49

)%

   

12.60

%

   

(1.04

)%

   

(2.82

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 
Net assets, end of period
(000's omitted)
 

$

1,082,123

   

$

580,146

   

$

438,616

   

$

232,741

   

$

59

   

$

352,890

   
Ratio of net expenses to average
net assets
   

0.49

%

   

0.51

%

   

0.52

%

   

0.53

%

   

0.52

%

   

0.51

%

 
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets
   

0.82

%

   

2.20

%(d)

   

1.61

%

   

0.77

%

   

1.72

%

   

1.82

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

   

15

%

   

11

%

 

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
125



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class 5 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

14.26

   

$

11.30

   

$

14.82

   

$

11.36

   

$

11.11

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.14

     

0.30

     

0.21

     

0.20

     

0.19

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.66

     

3.35

     

(2.65

)

   

3.79

     

0.41

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.80

     

3.65

     

(2.44

)

   

3.99

     

0.60

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.19

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.16

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.41

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(1.08

)

   

(0.53

)

   

(0.35

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

17.65

   

$

14.26

   

$

11.30

   

$

14.82

   

$

11.36

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

26.64

%

   

32.34

%

   

(16.44

)%

   

35.16

%

   

5.40

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)

 

$

149,745

   

$

104,935

   

$

79,293

   

$

183,384

   

$

167,297

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.44

%

   

0.46

%

   

0.47

%

   

0.47

%

   

0.46

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
   

0.94

%

   

2.25

%(d)

   

1.55

%

   

1.45

%

   

1.66

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

   

12

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
126



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.53

   

$

10.75

   

$

14.17

   

$

12.44

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.10

     

0.26

     

0.17

     

0.01

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

3.47

     

3.20

     

(2.52

)

   

2.25

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.57

     

3.46

     

(2.35

)

   

2.26

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.17

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.68

)

   

(1.07

)

   

(0.53

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.71

   

$

13.53

   

$

10.75

   

$

14.17

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

26.40

%

   

32.16

%

   

(16.54

)%

   

18.19

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

1,083,711

   

$

566,554

   

$

290,186

   

$

108,728

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.59

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.62

%

   

0.63

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.74

%

   

2.09

%(d)

   

1.26

%

   

0.12

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
127



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.58

   

$

10.79

   

$

14.19

   

$

12.44

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.08

     

0.25

     

0.22

     

0.09

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

3.49

     

3.22

     

(2.59

)

   

2.17

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.57

     

3.47

     

(2.37

)

   

2.26

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.68

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.51

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.76

   

$

13.58

   

$

10.79

   

$

14.19

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

26.29

%

   

32.11

%

   

(16.68

)%

   

18.25

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

729,705

   

$

126,189

   

$

38,019

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.67

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.72

%

   

0.62

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.52

%

   

1.93

%(d)

   

1.58

%

   

1.01

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

24

%

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
128



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

4,100,233

     

6.8

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

8,694,007

     

14.4

   

Biotechnology

   

4,184,512

     

6.9

   

Commercial Services

   

2,723,191

     

4.5

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

704,345

     

1.2

   

Food

   

1,776,986

     

2.9

   

Insurance

   

1,466,439

     

2.4

   

Internet

   

30,111,207

     

49.9

   

Investment Companies

   

1,057,381

     

1.7

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

520,470

     

0.9

   

Retail

   

2,995,686

     

5.0

   

Semiconductors

   

6,281,371

     

10.4

   

Total Value of Investments

   

64,615,828

     

107.0

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

(4,246,585

)

   

(7.0

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

60,369,243

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


129



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 107.0%

 

ARGENTINA — 11.0%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

3,977

   

$

6,662,350

   

CANADA — 0.7%

 
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

391

     

442,592

   

CHINA — 24.8%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

13,690

     

3,186,074

   
Meituan, Class B *    

117,700

     

4,430,635

   
NIO, Inc. ADR *    

32,902

     

1,603,643

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

120,500

     

1,466,439

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

48,700

     

3,504,150

   
Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR *    

22,247

     

750,391

   
         

14,941,332

   

DENMARK — 2.3%

 
Genmab A/S *    

3,449

     

1,398,549

   

FRANCE — 8.0%

 

Hermes International

   

1,592

     

1,711,843

   

Kering

   

3,291

     

2,388,390

   

L'Oreal SA

   

1,846

     

704,346

   
         

4,804,579

   

GERMANY — 10.0%

 
Delivery Hero SE *    

19,614

     

3,067,414

   
Zalando SE *    

26,932

     

2,995,686

   
         

6,063,100

   

ITALY — 3.2%

 

Ferrari NV

   

8,235

     

1,910,039

   

JAPAN — 7.9%

 

M3, Inc.

   

50,600

     

4,780,047

   

NETHERLANDS — 13.9%

 
Adyen NV *    

1,172

     

2,723,191

   
ASML Holding NV    

11,747

     

5,687,630

   
         

8,410,821

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
130



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SWEDEN — 2.6%

 

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

11,595

   

$

520,470

   
Kinnevik AB, B Shares *    

21,048

     

1,057,381

   
         

1,577,851

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 3.0%

 
Ocado Group PLC *    

56,827

     

1,776,986

   

UNITED STATES — 19.6%

 
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

248

     

807,719

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

6,719

     

2,486,030

   
Moderna, Inc. *    

2,871

     

299,933

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

1,137

     

593,741

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

7,881

     

2,479,835

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

7,341

     

5,180,324

   
         

11,847,582

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 107.0% **

 

(cost $32,786,776)

     

$

64,615,828

   

Other liabilities less assets — (7.0)%

       

(4,246,585

)

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

60,369,243

   

*  Non-income producing security.

**  The Total Investments percentage exceeds 100% due to the timing of settling transactions and not as a result of borrowings for investment purposes.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks ***  

$

24,492,633

   

$

40,123,195

   

$

   

$

64,615,828

   

Total

 

$

24,492,633

   

$

40,123,195

   

$

   

$

64,615,828

   

***  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
131



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $32,786,776)

 

$

64,615,828

   

Cash

   

1,520,338

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

38,366,507

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

1,167,824

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

25,632

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

1,503

   

Prepaid assets

   

24,788

   

Total Assets

   

105,722,420

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

92,803

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

44,845,579

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

303,896

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

39,441

   

Due to foreign custodian (cost $776)

   

776

   

Trustee fee payable

   

717

   

Commitment fee payable

   

131

   

Accrued expenses

   

69,834

   

Total Liabilities

   

45,353,177

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

60,369,243

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

9,856,810

   

Total distributable earnings

   

50,512,433

   
   

$

60,369,243

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($42,357,253 / 3,441,800 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

12.31

   
Institutional Class ($18,011,990 / 1,477,385 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

12.19

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
132



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $26,499)

 

$

569,981

   

Interest

   

886

   

Total Investment Income

   

570,867

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

508,776

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

198,643

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

17,587

   

Transfer agency

   

39,746

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

8,312

   

Fund accounting

   

95,141

   

Registration fees

   

41,988

   

Professional fees

   

31,185

   

Custody

   

25,427

   

Legal

   

21,338

   

Trustees' fees

   

4,237

   

Line of Credit

   

3,570

   

Commitment fees

   

1,484

   

Miscellaneous

   

11,090

   

Total Expenses

   

1,008,524

   

Fees waived

   

(84,415

)

 

Total Expenses after waiver

   

924,109

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(353,242

)

 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments

   

77,893,095

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

126,762

   
     

78,019,857

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

18,773,922

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

(84,733

)

 
     

18,689,189

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

96,709,046

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

96,355,804

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
133



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(353,242

)

 

$

182,073

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

78,019,857

     

(1,827,800

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

18,689,189

     

27,145,465

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

96,355,804

     

25,499,738

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(40,877,596

)

   

(175,602

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(13,601,434

)

   

(1,520

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(54,479,030

)

   

(177,122

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class K

   

33,989,078

     

20,684,000

   

Institutional Class

   

21,921,486

     

176,417

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

38,023,629

     

175,602

   

Institutional Class

   

13,601,434

     

1,431

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class K

   

(178,597,888

)

   

   

Institutional Class

   

(13,118,779

)

   

(14,572

)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

(84,181,040

)

   

21,022,878

   

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

(42,304,266

)

   

46,345,494

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

102,673,509

     

56,328,015

   

End of year

 

$

60,369,243

   

$

102,673,509

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
134



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

12.70

   

$

8.75

   

$

10.05

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.04

)

   

0.03

     

(0.03

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

12.16

     

3.94

     

(1.27

)

   

0.05

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

12.12

     

3.97

     

(1.30

)

   

0.05

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

     

(0.02

)

   

     

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(12.51

)

   

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(12.51

)

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

12.31

   

$

12.70

   

$

8.75

   

$

10.05

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

97.24

%

   

45.26

%

   

(12.84

)%

   

0.50

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

42,357

   

$

101,797

   

$

55,852

   

$

502

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.79

%

   

0.90

%

   

1.07

%

   

53.29

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.72

%

   

0.72

%

   

0.72

%

   

0.72

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.26

)%

   

0.26

%(e)

   

(0.26

)%

   

(0.68

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

59

%

   

4

%

   

32

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
135



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

12.65

   

$

8.72

   

$

10.05

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.09

)

   

0.03

     

(0.06

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

12.14

     

3.92

     

(1.27

)

   

0.05

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

12.05

     

3.95

     

(1.33

)

   

0.05

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

     

(0.02

)

   

     

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(12.51

)

   

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(12.51

)

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

12.19

   

$

12.65

   

$

8.72

   

$

10.05

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

97.09

%

   

45.32

%

   

(13.23

)%

   

0.50

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

18,012

   

$

876

   

$

476

   

$

502

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.87

%

   

0.91

%

   

1.16

%

   

53.29

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.80

%

   

0.73

%

   

0.81

%

   

0.87

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.47

)%

   

0.30

%(e)

   

(0.53

)%

   

(0.68

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

59

%

   

4

%

   

32

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
136



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Aerospace/Defense

 

$

35,869,074

     

0.8

%

 

Apparel

   

178,182,190

     

3.9

   

Auto Manufacturers

   

336,207,271

     

7.4

   

Biotechnology

   

191,460,809

     

4.2

   

Chemicals

   

153,962,801

     

3.4

   

Commercial Services

   

229,987,835

     

5.1

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

109,011,934

     

2.4

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

129,222,256

     

2.8

   

Electronics

   

146,015,050

     

3.2

   

Food

   

169,652,037

     

3.7

   

Healthcare — Products

   

79,581,546

     

1.7

   

Insurance

   

161,793,395

     

3.6

   

Internet

   

1,519,934,847

     

33.5

   

Investment Companies

   

122,908,600

     

2.7

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

162,261,691

     

3.6

   

Media

   

21,520,645

     

0.5

   

Retail

   

275,973,991

     

6.1

   

Semiconductors

   

339,892,790

     

7.5

   

Software

   

100,968,915

     

2.2

   

Telecommunications

   

57,853,663

     

1.3

   

Total Value of Investments

   

4,522,261,340

     

99.6

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

20,427,909

     

0.4

   

Net Assets

 

$

4,542,689,249

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


137



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.5%

 

ARGENTINA — 5.6%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

151,624

   

$

254,003,557

   

AUSTRALIA — 1.8%

 
Afterpay Ltd. *    

538,030

     

48,909,998

   

WiseTech Global Ltd.

   

1,343,606

     

31,931,030

   
         

80,841,028

   

BELGIUM — 1.6%

 

Umicore SA

   

1,491,781

     

71,702,584

   

CHINA — 18.8%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. *    

5,846,108

     

170,031,307

   
Meituan, Class B *    

5,677,400

     

213,716,965

   
NIO, Inc. ADR *    

2,000,355

     

97,497,303

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

5,422,000

     

65,983,664

   
TAL Education Group ADR *    

1,221,576

     

87,354,900

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

3,058,100

     

220,041,910

   
         

854,626,049

   

DENMARK — 5.4%

 

Ambu A/S, B Shares

   

1,531,360

     

65,786,305

   
Chr. Hansen Holding A/S *    

288,713

     

29,830,318

   
Genmab A/S *    

311,486

     

126,305,677

   

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

394,648

     

22,479,127

   
         

244,401,427

   

FRANCE — 6.4%

 
Adevinta ASA *    

642,991

     

10,808,714

   

EssilorLuxottica SA

   

88,525

     

13,795,241

   

Kering

   

245,520

     

178,182,190

   

L'Oreal SA

   

231,632

     

88,379,695

   
         

291,165,840

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
138



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

GERMANY — 9.1%

 
Aixtron SE *    

1,176,041

   

$

20,451,057

   

BASF SE

   

378,919

     

29,950,772

   
Delivery Hero SE *    

651,856

     

101,943,124

   
HelloFresh SE *    

1,042,680

     

80,653,564

   
MorphoSys AG *    

167,184

     

19,547,061

   
Zalando SE *    

1,466,213

     

163,089,025

   
         

415,634,603

   

HONG KONG — 3.0%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

7,862,200

     

95,809,731

   

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

   

714,801

     

39,208,070

   
         

135,017,801

   

INDIA — 0.4%

 

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

564,415

     

19,774,817

   

ISRAEL — 1.4%

 
Wix.com Ltd. *    

263,451

     

65,852,212

   

ITALY — 4.4%

 

Ferrari NV

   

852,737

     

197,785,121

   

JAPAN — 13.8%

 

M3, Inc.

   

3,490,000

     

329,690,974

   

Nidec Corp.

   

765,900

     

96,892,451

   

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

   

998,800

     

23,075,988

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

499,900

     

20,632,240

   

SBI Holdings, Inc.

   

896,600

     

21,329,370

   

SMC Corp.

   

129,600

     

79,151,593

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

745,200

     

57,853,663

   
         

628,626,279

   

NETHERLANDS — 12.4%

 
Adyen NV *    

61,386

     

142,632,935

   
Argenx SE *    

154,771

     

45,608,071

   
ASML Holding NV    

659,762

     

319,441,733

   

EXOR NV

   

676,357

     

54,938,541

   
         

562,621,280

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
139



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

NEW ZEALAND — 0.7%

 
Xero Ltd. *    

279,046

   

$

31,671,498

   

NORWAY — 0.5%

 
Schibsted ASA, Class A *    

247,363

     

10,542,567

   
Schibsted ASA, B Shares *    

295,741

     

10,978,078

   
         

21,520,645

   

SPAIN — 2.0%

 

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

2,829,535

     

89,808,978

   

SWEDEN — 3.3%

 

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   

1,617,041

     

83,110,099

   
Kinnevik AB, B Shares *    

1,352,998

     

67,970,059

   
         

151,080,158

   

SWITZERLAND — 0.8%

 

Temenos AG

   

268,187

     

37,366,386

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 3.7%

 
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV *    

2,265,288

     

40,924,847

   
Ocado Group PLC *    

2,846,120

     

88,998,473

   
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC *    

23,700,581

     

35,869,074

   
         

165,792,394

   

UNITED STATES — 3.4%

 
Spotify Technology SA *    

488,928

     

153,846,084

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $1,691,372,715)

       

4,473,138,741

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.1%

 

GERMANY — 1.1%

 

Sartorius AG 0.10% (cost $13,252,501)

   

116,631

     

49,122,599

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.6%

 

(cost $1,704,625,216)

     

$

4,522,261,340

   

Other assets less liabilities — 0.4%

 

   

20,427,909

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

 

$

4,542,689,249

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
140



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

658,554,056

   

$

3,814,584,685

   

$

   

$

4,473,138,741

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

49,122,599

     

     

49,122,599

   

Total

 

$

658,554,056

   

$

3,863,707,284

   

$

   

$

4,522,261,340

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
141



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $1,704,625,216)

 

$

4,522,261,340

   

Cash

   

78,802,230

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

13,693,460

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

3,173,510

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

696,382

   

Dividends receivable

   

247,146

   

Prepaid assets

   

53,309

   

Total Assets

   

4,618,927,377

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

3,400,705

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

51,965,027

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

19,106,019

   

Servicing fee payable

   

643,435

   

Deferred India capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

348,434

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

139,942

   

Due to foreign custodian (cost $47,362)

   

47,289

   

Trustee fee payable

   

31,576

   

Commitment fee payable

   

5,780

   

Accrued expenses

   

549,921

   

Total Liabilities

   

76,238,128

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

4,542,689,249

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

1,655,281,766

   

Total distributable earnings

   

2,887,407,483

   

 

$

4,542,689,249

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($599,275,347 / 27,799,301 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.56

   
Class 3 ($693,179,053 / 32,054,227 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.63

   
Class 4 ($969,426,695 / 44,779,278 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.65

   
Class 5 ($1,842,230,722 / 84,891,349 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.70

   
Class K ($130,401,391 / 6,054,437 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.54

   
Institutional Class ($308,176,041 / 14,345,107 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.48

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
142



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $1,091,352)

 

$

19,174,733

   

Interest

   

60,724

   

Total Investment Income

   

19,235,457

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

11,625,310

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

1,084,743

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

620,546

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

431,751

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

293,753

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

36,002

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

215,346

   

Transfer agency

   

121,212

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

76,416

   

Fund accounting

   

1,166,483

   

Legal

   

450,016

   

Custody

   

432,107

   

Trustees' fees

   

118,580

   

Professional fees

   

90,212

   

Registration fees

   

52,457

   

Commitment fees

   

18,520

   

Miscellaneous

   

122,992

   

Total Expenses

   

16,956,446

   

Net Investment Income

   

2,279,011

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments (net of India capital gains tax expense of $4,558)

   

470,319,612

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

99,385

   
     

470,418,997

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments (net of deferred India capital gains tax expense of $18,096) (Note A)

   

1,383,678,788

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

156,001

   

   

1,383,834,789

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

1,854,253,786

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

1,856,532,797

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
143



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

2,279,011

   

$

33,185,824

   

Net realized gain

   

470,418,997

     

25,083,150

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

1,383,834,789

     

767,763,729

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

1,856,532,797

     

826,032,703

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(55,541,011

)

   

(9,711,659

)

 

Class 3

   

(64,060,790

)

   

(6,398,737

)

 

Class 4

   

(91,315,840

)

   

(3,385,754

)

 

Class 5

   

(170,297,829

)

   

(16,066,961

)

 

Class K

   

(8,879,140

)

   

(77

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(29,144,231

)

   

(285,728

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(419,238,841

)

   

(35,848,916

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

81,506,000

     

64,526,000

   

Class 3

   

592,448,173

*

   

9,300,000

   

Class 4

   

434,310,417

*

   

   

Class K

   

115,840,279

     

   

Institutional Class

   

230,631,609

     

21,930,555

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

55,541,011

     

9,691,346

   

Class 3

   

64,060,790

     

6,398,737

   

Class 4

   

91,315,840

     

3,385,754

   

Class 5

   

170,297,829

     

16,066,961

   

Class K

   

6,873,455

     

77

   

Institutional Class

   

28,803,483

     

285,728

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(695,348,173

)*    

(63,189,038

)

 

Class 3

   

(764,520,237

)*    

(5,000,000

)

 

Class 4

   

(78,000,000

)

   

   

Class 5

   

(225,000,000

)

   

   

Class K

   

(229,035

)

   

   

Institutional Class

   

(32,662,300

)

   

(2,123,738

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

75,869,141

     

61,272,382

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

1,513,163,097

     

851,456,169

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

3,029,526,152

     

2,178,069,983

   

End of year

 

$

4,542,689,249

   

$

3,029,526,152

   

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
144



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

14.59

   

$

10.74

   

$

14.39

   

$

10.09

   

$

10.52

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.15

     

0.11

     

0.05

     

0.08

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

9.17

     

3.87

     

(2.61

)

   

4.60

     

0.06

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

9.17

     

4.02

     

(2.50

)

   

4.65

     

0.14

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

     

(0.15

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.07

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.50

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

     

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(1.15

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.57

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

21.56

   

$

14.59

   

$

10.74

   

$

14.39

   

$

10.09

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

62.95

%

   

37.34

%

   

(17.33

)%

   

46.09

%

   

1.34

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)

 

$

599,275

   

$

874,230

   

$

632,645

   

$

746,817

   

$

732,160

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.58

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.61

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.02

%

   

1.16

%(d)

   

0.72

%

   

0.42

%

   

0.81

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

26

%

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

   

18

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
145



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

14.62

   

$

10.76

   

$

14.42

   

$

10.11

   

$

10.54

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.01

     

0.16

     

0.11

     

0.05

     

0.11

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

9.20

     

3.88

     

(2.61

)

   

4.62

     

0.03

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

9.21

     

4.04

     

(2.50

)

   

4.67

     

0.14

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

     

(0.16

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.07

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.50

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

     

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.18

)

   

(1.16

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.57

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

21.63

   

$

14.62

   

$

10.76

   

$

14.42

   

$

10.11

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

63.07

%

   

37.44

%

   

(17.27

)%

   

46.20

%

   

1.41

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)

 

$

693,179

   

$

546,477

   

$

393,050

   

$

601,549

   

$

433,860

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.51

%

   

0.53

%

   

0.53

%

   

0.54

%

   

0.54

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.03

%

   

1.22

%(d)

   

0.74

%

   

0.41

%

   

1.04

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

26

%

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

   

18

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
146



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 4 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the Period
October 10,
2016(a)
through
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

14.63

   

$

10.77

   

$

14.43

   

$

10.12

   

$

11.49

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.01

     

0.16

     

0.12

     

0.06

     

0.00

(c)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

9.21

     

3.88

     

(2.61

)

   

4.62

     

(0.81

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

9.22

     

4.04

     

(2.49

)

   

4.68

     

(0.81

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

0.00

(c)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.08

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.48

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

     

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.18

)

   

(1.17

)

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.56

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(b)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(c)

   

0.00

(c)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.65

   

$

14.63

   

$

10.77

   

$

14.43

   

$

10.12

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

63.12

%

   

37.48

%

   

(17.24

)%

   

46.24

%

   

(6.97

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

969,427

   

$

283,094

   

$

205,923

   

$

302,474

   

$

201,923

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.48

%

   

0.50

%

   

0.50

%

   

0.51

%

   

0.52

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.06

%

   

1.26

%(e)

   

0.83

%

   

0.45

%

   

0.05

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

26

%

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

   

18

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from April 11, 2016 to October 9, 2016. All shares of this class were redeemed on April 11, 2016 at $10.16. New shares were issued at $11.49 on October 10, 2016.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
147



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 5 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

14.66

   

$

10.79

   

$

14.46

   

$

10.14

   

$

10.56

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.02

     

0.17

     

0.12

     

0.07

     

0.10

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

9.23

     

3.89

     

(2.61

)

   

4.62

     

0.06

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

9.25

     

4.06

     

(2.49

)

   

4.69

     

0.16

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.08

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.50

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

     

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(2.21

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(1.18

)

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.58

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

21.70

   

$

14.66

   

$

10.79

   

$

14.46

   

$

10.14

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

63.20

%

   

37.55

%

   

(17.20

)%

   

46.31

%

   

1.49

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)

 

$

1,842,231

   

$

1,298,918

   

$

944,366

   

$

1,139,553

   

$

778,857

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.43

%

   

0.45

%

   

0.45

%

   

0.46

%

   

0.46

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.13

%

   

1.31

%(d)

   

0.84

%

   

0.51

%

   

0.98

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

26

%

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

   

18

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(d)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
148



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

14.58

   

$

10.73

   

$

14.38

   

$

12.02

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.05

)(c)

   

0.15

     

0.10

     

0.01

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

9.21

     

3.87

     

(2.60

)

   

2.71

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

9.16

     

4.02

     

(2.50

)

   

2.72

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                 

From net investment income

   

0.00

(d)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.07

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

     

(0.02

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(1.15

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.54

   

$

14.58

   

$

10.73

   

$

14.38

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(e)

   

62.95

%

   

37.40

%

   

(17.32

)%

   

22.62

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

130,401

   

$

7

   

$

5

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.58

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.60

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.26

)%

   

1.17

%(f)

   

0.72

%

   

0.14

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

   

26

%

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share may not correlate to the aggregate investment income presented in the Statement of Operations due to the allocation of expenses across the share classes.

(d)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(e)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(f)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(g)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
149



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

14.55

   

$

10.72

   

$

14.38

   

$

12.02

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.03

)(c)

   

0.15

     

(0.01

)

   

0.01

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

9.16

     

3.85

     

(2.49

)(d)

   

2.71

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

9.13

     

4.00

     

(2.50

)

   

2.72

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

     

(0.15

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.07

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

     

(0.02

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(2.20

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(1.16

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.48

   

$

14.55

   

$

10.72

   

$

14.38

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(e)

   

62.84

%

   

37.25

%

   

(17.34

)%

   

22.62

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

308,176

   

$

26,800

   

$

2,081

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.64

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.69

%

   

0.60

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.16

)%

   

1.09

%(f)

   

(0.23

)%

   

0.14

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

   

26

%

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share may not correlate to the aggregate investment income presented in the Statement of Operations due to the allocation of expenses across the share classes.

(d)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(e)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(f)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(g)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
150



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Auto Parts & Equipment

 

$

8,087

     

0.4

%

 

Banks

   

7,692

     

0.4

   

Biotechnology

   

28,881

     

1.6

   

Building Materials

   

54,705

     

2.9

   

Chemicals

   

13,261

     

0.7

   

Commercial Services

   

173,224

     

9.3

   

Computers

   

54,556

     

2.9

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

73,998

     

4.0

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

154,027

     

8.2

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

7,429

     

0.4

   

Electronics

   

79,971

     

4.3

   

Food

   

9,787

     

0.5

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

13,728

     

0.7

   

Healthcare — Products

   

30,291

     

1.6

   

Insurance

   

12,540

     

0.7

   

Internet

   

310,928

     

16.6

   

Investment Companies

   

17,853

     

1.0

   

Leisure Time

   

52,695

     

2.8

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

38,659

     

2.1

   

Media

   

12,737

     

0.7

   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

   

64,281

     

3.4

   

Office/Business Equipment

   

10,806

     

0.6

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

51,221

     

2.7

   

Private Equity

   

15,632

     

0.8

   

Retail

   

61,314

     

3.3

   

Semiconductors

   

195,690

     

10.5

   

Software

   

225,332

     

12.0

   

Telecommunications

   

28,446

     

1.5

   

Toys/Games/Hobbies

   

36,749

     

2.0

   

Total Value of Investments

   

1,844,520

     

98.6

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

27,107

     

1.4

   

Net Assets

 

$

1,871,627

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


151



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.6%

 

AUSTRALIA — 1.1%

 
Mesoblast Ltd. *    

1,699

   

$

2,933

   

Netwealth Group Ltd.

   

1,510

     

18,629

   
         

21,562

   

BELGIUM — 1.0%

 
Biocartis Group NV *    

862

     

4,910

   

Melexis NV

   

147

     

14,328

   
         

19,238

   

CANADA — 2.3%

 
Kinaxis, Inc. *    

300

     

42,503

   

CHINA — 3.4%

 

Airtac International Group

   

2,000

     

64,281

   

DENMARK — 1.6%

 
ALK-Abello A/S *    

72

     

29,657

   

FRANCE — 1.2%

 
Cellectis SA *    

506

     

14,469

   
ESI Group *    

135

     

7,553

   
         

22,022

   

GERMANY — 6.2%

 
Aumann AG *    

165

     

2,305

   
Hypoport SE *    

107

     

67,996

   

New Work SE

   

80

     

27,365

   
zooplus AG *    

84

     

17,590

   
         

115,256

   

HONG KONG — 0.7%

 
Hypebeast Ltd. *    

47,500

     

4,793

   

Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd.

   

3,000

     

7,429

   
         

12,222

   

IRELAND — 1.2%

 
Keywords Studios PLC *    

586

     

22,883

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
152



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

ISRAEL — 1.6%

 

Maytronics Ltd.

   

2,033

   

$

30,610

   

ITALY — 5.7%

 
Brunello Cucinelli SpA *    

991

     

43,273

   

Reply SpA

   

353

     

41,328

   
Technogym SpA *    

1,951

     

22,086

   
         

106,687

   

JAPAN — 32.9%

 

Anicom Holdings, Inc.

   

1,200

     

12,540

   
Bengo4.com, Inc. *    

600

     

59,366

   

COLOPL, Inc.

   

1,900

     

18,813

   

Daikyonishikawa Corp.

   

1,000

     

8,087

   
Demae-Can Co., Ltd. *    

1,400

     

42,716

   

DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.

   

900

     

13,728

   

eGuarantee, Inc.

   

1,000

     

21,797

   
GA Technologies Co. Ltd. *    

600

     

18,213

   
Healios K.K. *    

700

     

13,372

   

Ichiyoshi Securities Co., Ltd.

   

1,700

     

7,692

   

Infomart Corp.

   

3,300

     

31,516

   

Inter Action Corp.

   

400

     

7,497

   

Iriso Electronics Co., Ltd.

   

300

     

12,985

   
Istyle, Inc. *    

2,600

     

10,300

   
JMDC, Inc. *    

400

     

22,711

   

Katitas Co., Ltd.

   

1,000

     

32,267

   

KH Neochem Co., Ltd.

   

500

     

13,261

   

Kitanotatsujin Corp.

   

3,600

     

16,183

   

Link and Motivation, Inc.

   

2,300

     

13,071

   
Locondo, Inc. *    

700

     

14,954

   

Megachips Corp.

   

1,200

     

32,766

   

Optex Group Co., Ltd.

   

700

     

12,817

   

Outsourcing, Inc.

   

3,000

     

40,331

   
Raksul, Inc. *    

1,200

     

51,826

   
Sansan, Inc. *    

100

     

6,598

   

Sato Holdings Corp.

   

500

     

10,806

   

Tsugami Corp.

   

2,400

     

36,354

   
Uzabase, Inc. *    

400

     

13,895

   
WealthNavi, Inc. *    

800

     

19,602

   
         

616,064

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
153



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SOUTH KOREA — 6.4%

 
Cafe24 Corp. *    

217

   

$

12,709

   
Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd. *    

622

     

59,594

   
Genexine, Inc. *    

100

     

11,479

   
Koh Young Technology, Inc. *    

374

     

36,186

   
         

119,968

   

SWEDEN — 11.7%

 

AddTech AB, B Shares

   

3,092

     

41,091

   

Avanza Bank Holding AB

   

2,893

     

81,928

   
Bactiguard Holding AB *    

403

     

7,004

   
Cellavision AB *    

182

     

6,791

   
HMS Networks AB *    

902

     

28,446

   

Paradox Interactive AB

   

343

     

10,657

   
Storytel AB *    

386

     

12,736

   
VNV Global AB *    

1,254

     

17,853

   
Xvivo Perfusion AB *    

305

     

11,586

   
         

218,092

   

SWITZERLAND — 3.3%

 

Bossard Holding AG

   

163

     

32,906

   
Sensirion Holding AG *    

326

     

21,261

   
u-blox Holding AG *    

102

     

6,785

   
         

60,952

   

TAIWAN — 6.0%

 

ASPEED Technology, Inc.

   

1,000

     

61,164

   

Chroma ATE, Inc.

   

3,000

     

17,984

   

Global Unichip Corp.

   

2,000

     

24,207

   

TCI Co., Ltd.

   

1,148

     

8,192

   
         

111,547

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 12.3%

 
Alpha FX Group PLC *    

679

     

12,071

   
Dialog Semiconductor PLC *    

508

     

27,683

   

dotdigital group PLC

   

2,785

     

6,106

   
Draper Esprit PLC *    

1,732

     

15,632

   

FDM Group Holdings PLC

   

2,049

     

31,673

   
First Derivatives PLC *    

720

     

31,507

   

Games Workshop Group PLC

   

240

     

36,749

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
154



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Hotel Chocolat Group PLC *    

1,694

   

$

9,787

   
Naked Wines PLC *    

1,972

     

18,041

   
Team17 Group PLC *    

1,781

     

19,289

   
Victoria PLC *    

2,505

     

22,438

   
         

230,976

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.6%

 

(cost $1,084,946)

     

$

1,844,520

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.4%

       

27,107

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

1,871,627

   

*  Non-income producing security.

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

321,512

   

$

1,523,008

   

$

   

$

1,844,520

   

Total

 

$

321,512

   

$

1,523,008

   

$

   

$

1,844,520

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
155



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $1,084,946)

 

$

1,844,520

   

Cash

   

36,400

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

42,326

   

Dividends receivable

   

1,275

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

70

   

Prepaid assets

   

25,956

   

Total Assets

   

1,950,547

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

2,510

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

736

   

Trustee fee payable

   

14

   

Commitment fee payable

   

2

   

Accrued expenses

   

75,658

   

Total Liabilities

   

78,920

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

1,871,627

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

1,109,570

   

Total distributable earnings

   

762,057

   
   

$

1,871,627

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($935,814 / 53,508 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

17.49

   
Institutional Class ($935,813 / 53,509 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

17.49

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
156



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $1,311)

 

$

9,244

   

Total Investment Income

   

9,244

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

8,040

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

1,178

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

1,178

   

Transfer agency

   

33,232

   

Fund accounting

   

108,153

   

Registration fees

   

41,558

   

Professional fees

   

33,865

   

Custody

   

5,357

   

Legal

   

121

   

Commitment fees

   

16

   

Trustees' fees

   

11

   

Miscellaneous

   

5,764

   

Total Expenses

   

238,473

   

Fees waived

   

(225,996

)

 

Total Expenses after waiver

   

12,477

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(3,233

)

 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

99,190

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(86

)

 
     

99,104

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

516,347

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

(55

)

 
     

516,292

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

615,396

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

612,163

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
157



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(3,233

)

 

$

1,453

   

Net realized gain

   

99,104

     

20,675

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

516,292

     

242,653

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

612,163

     

264,781

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(40,101

)

   

(14,729

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(40,101

)

   

(14,729

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(80,202

)

   

(29,458

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

40,101

     

14,729

   

Institutional Class

   

40,101

     

14,729

   

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

80,202

     

29,458

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

612,163

     

264,781

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

1,259,464

     

994,683

   

End of year

 

$

1,871,627

   

$

1,259,464

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
158



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the Period
December 19,
2018(a)
through
December 31,
2018
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

12.30

   

$

9.95

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.03

)

   

0.01

     

0.01

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

6.00

     

2.64

     

(0.06

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

5.97

     

2.65

     

(0.05

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                         

From net investment income

   

     

(0.11

)

   

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.19

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.30

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

17.49

   

$

12.30

   

$

9.95

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

48.61

%

   

26.58

%

   

(0.50

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

936

   

$

630

   

$

497

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

17.20

%

   

15.15

%

   

95.80

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.90

%

   

0.90

%

   

0.90

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.23

)%

   

0.13

%

   

1.85

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

16

%

   

11

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
159



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the Period
December 19,
2018(a)
through
December 31,
2018
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

12.30

   

$

9.95

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.03

)

   

0.01

     

0.01

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

6.00

     

2.64

     

(0.06

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

5.97

     

2.65

     

(0.05

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                         

From net investment income

   

     

(0.11

)

   

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.19

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.78

)

   

(0.30

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

17.49

   

$

12.30

   

$

9.95

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

48.61

%

   

26.58

%

   

(0.50

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

936

   

$

630

   

$

498

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

17.20

%

   

15.15

%

   

95.80

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.90

%

   

0.90

%

   

0.90

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.23

)%

   

0.13

%

   

1.85

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

16

%

   

11

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
160



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

41,128,792

     

5.1

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

104,306,395

     

12.9

   

Biotechnology

   

53,096,707

     

6.5

   

Commercial Services

   

34,887,662

     

4.3

   

Food

   

6,907,625

     

0.9

   

Healthcare — Products

   

16,029,033

     

2.0

   

Internet

   

347,401,895

     

42.8

   

Leisure Time

   

28,372,550

     

3.5

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

21,469,641

     

2.6

   

Retail

   

9,270,677

     

1.1

   

Semiconductors

   

42,194,619

     

5.2

   

Software

   

87,269,396

     

10.7

   

Total Value of Investments

   

792,334,992

     

97.6

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

19,579,178

     

2.4

   

Net Assets

 

$

811,914,170

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


161



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.6%

 

CANADA — 2.9%

 
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

20,698

   

$

23,429,101

   

CHINA — 28.6%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

150,923

     

35,124,310

   
BeiGene Ltd. ADR *    

45,956

     

11,874,571

   
KE Holdings, Inc. ADR *    

102,740

     

6,322,619

   
Meituan, Class B *    

1,087,200

     

40,925,967

   

NetEase, Inc. ADR

   

109,317

     

10,469,289

   
NIO, Inc. ADR *    

497,601

     

24,253,073

   
Pinduoduo, Inc. ADR *    

269,910

     

47,954,910

   
TAL Education Group ADR *    

202,879

     

14,507,877

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

566,900

     

40,790,608

   
         

232,223,224

   

FRANCE — 5.1%

 

Hermes International

   

10,105

     

10,865,688

   

Kering

   

41,700

     

30,263,104

   
         

41,128,792

   

GERMANY — 2.3%

 
Delivery Hero SE *    

119,343

     

18,663,935

   

NETHERLANDS — 5.4%

 
Adyen NV *    

8,771

     

20,379,785

   
ASML Holding NV    

48,870

     

23,661,741

   
         

44,041,526

   

UNITED STATES — 53.3%

 
Alphabet, Inc., Class C *    

7,869

     

13,785,544

   
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

14,033

     

45,704,499

   
Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A *    

77,132

     

18,038,861

   
Beyond Meat, Inc. *    

55,261

     

6,907,625

   
Carvana Co. *    

38,702

     

9,270,677

   
Cloudflare, Inc., Class A *    

189,933

     

14,433,009

   
DexCom, Inc. *    

58,070

     

21,469,640

   
Facebook, Inc., Class A *    

97,460

     

26,622,174

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

88,445

     

32,724,650

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
162



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. *    

19,593

   

$

16,029,033

   
Moderna, Inc. *    

81,339

     

8,497,485

   
Netflix, Inc. *    

53,192

     

28,762,510

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

35,490

     

18,532,878

   
Peloton Interactive, Inc., Class A *    

187,006

     

28,372,550

   
salesforce.com, Inc. *    

65,374

     

14,547,676

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

61,386

     

19,315,719

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

113,443

     

80,053,322

   
Workday, Inc., Class A *    

62,131

     

14,887,209

   
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A *    

44,152

     

14,893,353

   
         

432,848,414

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 97.6%

 

(cost $382,212,606)

     

$

792,334,992

   

Other assets less liabilities — 2.4%

       

19,579,178

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

811,914,170

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

606,784,164

   

$

185,550,828

   

$

   

$

792,334,992

   

Total

 

$

606,784,164

   

$

185,550,828

   

$

   

$

792,334,992

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
163



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $382,212,606)

 

$

792,334,992

   

Cash

   

29,979,683

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

7,282,884

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

2,294

   

Prepaid assets

   

31,014

   

Total Assets

   

829,630,867

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

779,177

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

16,164,282

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

412,199

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

199,275

   

Servicing fee payable

   

57,592

   

Trustee fee payable

   

5,078

   

Commitment fee payable

   

929

   

Accrued expenses

   

98,165

   

Total Liabilities

   

17,716,697

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

811,914,170

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

393,453,443

   

Total distributable earnings

   

418,460,727

   
   

$

811,914,170

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($131,695,379 / 3,425,280 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

38.45

   
Class 5 ($108,170,795 / 2,198,304 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

49.21

   
Class K ($221,188,137 / 5,750,370 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

38.47

   
Institutional Class ($350,859,859 / 9,140,866 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

38.38

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
164



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $69,028)

 

$

664,714

   

Interest

   

4,546

   

Total Investment Income

   

669,260

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

2,233,290

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

168,923

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

31,006

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

9,514

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

266,202

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

252,391

   

Transfer agency

   

84,222

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

124,123

   

Fund accounting

   

159,375

   

Legal

   

61,010

   

Registration fees

   

44,236

   

Custody

   

39,910

   

Professional fees

   

30,535

   

Trustees' fees

   

17,011

   

Commitment fees

   

3,951

   

Line of Credit

   

1,613

   

Miscellaneous

   

33,402

   

Total Expenses

   

3,560,714

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(2,891,454

)

 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments

   

72,759,160

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

8,352

   
     

72,767,512

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

296,094,334

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

7,678

   
     

296,102,012

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

368,869,524

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

365,978,070

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
165



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment loss

 

$

(2,891,454

)

 

$

(1,011,594

)

 

Net realized gain (loss)

   

72,767,512

     

(4,177,007

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

296,102,012

     

79,757,070

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

365,978,070

     

74,568,469

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(10,181,428

)

   

(102,829

)

 

Class 4

   

     

(91,124

)

 

Class 5

   

(6,648,326

)

   

   

Class K

   

(17,015,889

)

   

(194,232

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(25,886,267

)

   

(80,814

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(59,731,910

)

   

(468,999

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

164,000

     

155,750

   

Class 4

   

     

67,193,017

*

 

Class 5

   

109,513,867

*

   

   

Class K

   

52,083,127

     

34,246,083

   

Institutional Class

   

223,565,185

     

50,656,366

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

10,181,428

     

102,829

   

Class 4

   

     

91,124

   

Class 5

   

6,648,326

     

   

Class K

   

17,015,889

     

194,231

   

Institutional Class

   

25,886,267

     

80,814

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(12,000,000

)

   

(1,000,000

)

 

Class 4

   

(113,363,867

)*    

   

Class 5

   

(32,000,000

)

   

(69,693,017

)*  

Class K

   

(83,087,481

)

   

(1,500,000

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(38,874,654

)

   

(3,117,562

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

165,732,087

     

77,409,635

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

471,978,247

     

151,509,105

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

339,935,923

     

188,426,818

   

End of year

 

$

811,914,170

   

$

339,935,923

   

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
166



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

20.68

   

$

15.51

   

$

17.33

   

$

11.25

   

$

11.76

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(a)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.05

)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

21.17

     

5.27

     

(0.22

)

   

6.16

     

(0.39

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

21.00

     

5.20

     

(0.26

)

   

6.08

     

(0.44

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net realized gain on investments

   

(3.23

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

     

(0.07

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(3.23

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

     

(0.07

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

38.45

   

$

20.68

   

$

15.51

   

$

17.33

   

$

11.25

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

101.77

%

   

33.49

%

   

(1.42

)%

   

54.07

%

   

(3.80

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)

 

$

131,695

   

$

72,023

   

$

54,661

   

$

59,870

   

$

32,434

   
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets,
before waiver
   

0.71

%

   

0.76

%

   

0.79

%

   

0.82

%

   

0.87

%

 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets,
after waiver
   

0.71

%

   

0.76

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.77

%

 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.58

)%

   

(0.40

)%

   

(0.22

)%

   

(0.50

)%

   

(0.43

)%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

40

%

   

5

%

   

16

%

   

13

%

   

15

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
167



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 5 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the Period
July 14, 2020(a)
through
December 31,
2020
  For the Period
January 1, 2019
through
April 10,
2019(a)
  For the Period
April 9, 2018(b)
through
December 31,
2018
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

39.89

   

$

19.46

   

$

22.47

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(c)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.02

)

   

0.02

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

12.66

     

4.17

     

(1.47

)(d)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

12.55

     

4.15

     

(1.45

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net realized gain on investments

   

(3.23

)

   

     

(1.56

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(3.23

)

   

     

(1.56

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

49.21

   

$

23.61

   

$

19.46

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(e)

   

31.57

%(f)

   

21.27

%

   

(6.41

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

108,171

   

$

67,815

   

$

58,008

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.55

%*     0.61

%*

   

0.64

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.55

%*     0.61

%*

   

0.62

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.54

)%*     (0.37

)%*

   

0.09

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

   

40

%

   

5

%

   

16

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from April 10, 2019 to July 13, 2020. All shares of this class were redeemed at $23.61 on April 10, 2019. New shares were issued at $39.89 on July 14, 2020.

(b)  Commencement of investment operations.

(c)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(d)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(e)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(f)  Represents total return for the period July 14, 2020 (recommencement of investment operations) through December 31, 2020.

(g)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
168



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

20.69

   

$

15.52

   

$

17.34

   

$

13.96

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.07

)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

21.18

     

5.27

     

(0.22

)

   

3.45

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

21.01

     

5.20

     

(0.26

)

   

3.38

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(3.23

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(3.23

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

38.47

   

$

20.69

   

$

15.52

   

$

17.34

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

101.76

%

   

33.50

%

   

(1.41

)%

   

24.21

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

221,188

   

$

136,096

   

$

75,402

   

$

70,639

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.71

%

   

0.76

%

   

0.79

%

   

0.80

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.71

%

   

0.76

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.77

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.57

)%

   

(0.41

)%

   

(0.23

)%

   

(0.61

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

40

%

   

5

%

   

16

%

   

13

%

 

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
169



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

20.66

   

$

15.51

   

$

17.34

   

$

13.96

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.06

)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

21.17

     

5.28

     

(0.08

)(c)

   

3.44

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

20.95

     

5.18

     

(0.27

)

   

3.38

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(3.23

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(3.23

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

38.38

   

$

20.66

   

$

15.51

   

$

17.34

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

101.61

%

   

33.40

%

   

(1.47

)%

   

24.21

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

350,860

   

$

57,009

   

$

356

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.79

%

   

0.86

%

   

0.88

%

   

0.80

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.79

%

   

0.86

%

   

0.87

%

   

0.80

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.68

)%

   

(0.53

)%

   

(0.91

)%

   

(0.56

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

40

%

   

5

%

   

16

%

   

13

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
170



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Auto Manufacturers

 

$

9,662,739

     

10.0

%

 

Banks

   

2,102,560

     

2.2

   

Biotechnology

   

10,919,169

     

11.4

   

Building Materials

   

6,027,917

     

6.3

   

Chemicals

   

8,723,632

     

9.1

   

Computers

   

760,909

     

0.8

   

Electric

   

2,632,247

     

2.7

   

Electronics

   

1,640,073

     

1.7

   

Food

   

1,425,750

     

1.5

   

Healthcare — Products

   

6,124,604

     

6.4

   

Healthcare — Services

   

2,953,409

     

3.1

   

Insurance

   

2,109,315

     

2.2

   

Internet

   

19,702,830

     

20.5

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

4,480,841

     

4.7

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

3,529,347

     

3.7

   

Semiconductors

   

11,419,693

     

11.9

   

Telecommunications

   

606,457

     

0.6

   

Total Value of Investments

   

94,821,492

     

98.8

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

1,172,885

     

1.2

   

Net Assets

 

$

95,994,377

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


171



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.1%

 

ARGENTINA — 5.4%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

3,087

   

$

5,171,404

   

BELGIUM — 3.1%

 

Umicore SA

   

62,230

     

2,991,090

   

CANADA — 2.5%

 
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

2,106

     

2,383,887

   

CHINA — 1.6%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. *    

52,100

     

1,515,304

   

DENMARK — 7.2%

 
Chr. Hansen Holding A/S *    

25,222

     

2,605,980

   

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

29,608

     

1,686,470

   

Orsted AS

   

12,865

     

2,632,247

   
         

6,924,697

   

INDONESIA — 2.2%

 

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

   

7,072,100

     

2,102,560

   

IRELAND — 3.1%

 
Kingspan Group PLC *    

42,184

     

2,958,056

   

JAPAN — 8.1%

 

M3, Inc.

   

81,900

     

7,736,874

   

KENYA — 0.6%

 

Safaricom PLC

   

1,933,700

     

606,457

   

NETHERLANDS — 5.6%

 
ASML Holding NV    

11,122

     

5,385,019

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 2.2%

 

Discovery Ltd.

   

201,766

     

2,109,315

   

SWEDEN — 3.2%

 

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

93,611

     

3,069,860

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
172



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

TAIWAN — 6.3%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

319,000

   

$

6,034,674

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 0.8%

 

FDM Group Holdings PLC

   

49,225

     

760,909

   

UNITED STATES — 45.2%

 
10X Genomics, Inc., Class A *    

14,158

     

2,004,773

   
ABIOMED, Inc. *    

7,488

     

2,427,610

   
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *    

14,655

     

1,904,710

   
Alphabet, Inc., Class A *    

1,652

     

2,895,361

   
Berkeley Lights, Inc. *    

7,929

     

708,932

   
Beyond Meat, Inc. *    

11,406

     

1,425,750

   

Deere & Co.

   

7,633

     

2,053,659

   
DexCom, Inc. *    

9,546

     

3,529,347

   

Ecolab, Inc.

   

6,656

     

1,440,092

   
Glaukos Corp. *    

22,485

     

1,692,221

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

10,928

     

4,043,360

   
Moderna, Inc. *    

40,798

     

4,262,167

   
Teladoc Health, Inc. *    

14,770

     

2,953,409

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

13,693

     

9,662,739

   

Xylem, Inc.

   

23,845

     

2,427,183

   
         

43,431,313

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $62,198,497)

       

93,181,419

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.7%

 

GERMANY — 1.7%

 

Sartorius AG 0.10% (cost $1,144,767)

   

3,894

     

1,640,073

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.8%

 

(cost $63,343,264)

     

$

94,821,492

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.2%

       

1,172,885

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

95,994,377

   

*  Non-income producing security.

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
173



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

53,944,659

   

$

39,236,760

   

$

   

$

93,181,419

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

1,640,073

     

     

1,640,073

   

Total

 

$

53,944,659

   

$

40,876,833

   

$

   

$

94,821,492

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
174



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $63,343,264)

 

$

94,821,492

   

Cash

   

1,164,659

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

146,367

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

36,241

   

Dividends receivable

   

31,833

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

13,238

   

Prepaid assets

   

23,981

   

Total Assets

   

96,237,811

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

66,167

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

67,666

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

34,086

   

Trustee fee payable

   

561

   

Commitment fee payable

   

103

   

Accrued expenses

   

74,851

   

Total Liabilities

   

243,434

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

95,994,377

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

61,694,113

   

Total distributable earnings

   

34,300,264

   
   

$

95,994,377

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($59,594,240 / 2,502,922 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

23.81

   
Institutional Class ($36,400,137 / 1,530,031 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

23.79

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
175



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $38,504)

 

$

228,424

   

Interest

   

264

   

Total Investment Income

   

228,688

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

163,890

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

51,187

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

33,241

   

Transfer agency

   

45,707

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

5,656

   

Fund accounting

   

95,285

   

Registration fees

   

41,194

   

Professional fees

   

31,185

   

Custody

   

21,801

   

Legal

   

5,595

   

Trustees' fees

   

1,679

   

Commitment fees

   

467

   

Line of Credit

   

354

   

Miscellaneous

   

13,141

   

Total Expenses

   

510,382

   

Fees waived

   

(181,907

)

 

Total Expenses after waiver

   

328,475

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(99,787

)

 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

6,622,196

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(18,744

)

 
     

6,603,452

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

27,866,288

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

1,063

   
     

27,867,351

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

34,470,803

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

34,371,016

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
176



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(99,787

)

 

$

80,352

   

Net realized gain

   

6,603,452

     

39,972

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

27,867,351

     

5,080,153

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

34,371,016

     

5,200,477

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(2,264,794

)

   

(65,275

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(1,368,157

)

   

(40,744

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(3,632,951

)

   

(106,019

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class K

   

29,045,519

     

8,086,054

   

Institutional Class

   

15,232,525

     

884,224

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

1,516,124

     

18,677

   

Institutional Class

   

1,350,344

     

40,744

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class K

   

(5,528,256

)

   

   

Institutional Class

   

(3,001,141

)

   

(10,610

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

38,615,115

     

9,019,089

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

69,353,180

     

14,113,547

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

26,641,197

     

12,527,650

   

End of year

 

$

95,994,377

   

$

26,641,197

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
177



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.13

   

$

10.10

   

$

10.16

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.04

)

   

0.05

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

11.65

     

3.04

     

(0.04

)(d)

   

0.16

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

11.61

     

3.09

     

(0.06

)

   

0.16

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

     

(0.04

)

   

     

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.93

)

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.93

)

   

(0.06

)

   

     

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

23.81

   

$

13.13

   

$

10.10

   

$

10.16

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(e)

   

88.43

%

   

30.53

%

   

(0.59

)%

   

1.60

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

59,594

   

$

15,923

   

$

5,036

   

$

508

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

1.02

%

   

1.63

%

   

3.21

%

   

53.13

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.19

)%

   

0.44

%

   

(0.14

)%

   

(0.47

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

40

%

   

7

%

   

7

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(e)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
178



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.13

   

$

10.10

   

$

10.16

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

(0.04

)

   

0.05

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

11.63

     

3.03

     

(0.04

)(d)

   

0.16

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

11.59

     

3.08

     

(0.06

)

   

0.16

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

     

(0.03

)

   

     

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.93

)

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.93

)

   

(0.05

)

   

     

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

23.79

   

$

13.13

   

$

10.10

   

$

10.16

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(e)

   

88.28

%

   

30.49

%

   

(0.59

)%

   

1.60

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

36,400

   

$

10,718

   

$

7,492

   

$

508

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

1.05

%

   

1.63

%

   

3.21

%

   

53.13

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.68

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.80

%*  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

(0.21

)%

   

0.41

%

   

(0.14

)%

   

(0.47

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

40

%

   

7

%

   

7

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(e)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
179



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Advertising

 

$

5,335,461

     

5.3

%

 

Aerospace/Defense

   

618,662

     

0.6

   

Auto Manufacturers

   

10,496,841

     

10.4

   

Banks

   

2,182,939

     

2.2

   

Biotechnology

   

5,920,330

     

5.9

   

Commercial Services

   

6,559,640

     

6.5

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

1,159,483

     

1.2

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

2,200,178

     

2.2

   

Healthcare — Products

   

5,751,796

     

5.7

   

Healthcare — Services

   

1,550,290

     

1.5

   

Insurance

   

1,384,250

     

1.4

   

Internet

   

35,409,241

     

35.1

   

Real Estate

   

2,161,296

     

2.1

   

Retail

   

3,605,924

     

3.6

   

Semiconductors

   

1,158,240

     

1.1

   

Software

   

13,712,924

     

13.6

   

Total Value of Investments

   

99,207,495

     

98.4

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

1,600,848

     

1.6

   

Net Assets

 

$

100,808,343

     

100.0

%

 

  The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


180



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.4%

 

CANADA — 7.7%

 
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

6,829

   

$

7,730,087

   

UNITED STATES — 90.7%

 
ABIOMED, Inc. *    

4,997

     

1,620,027

   
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *    

6,998

     

909,530

   
Alphabet, Inc., Class C *    

1,474

     

2,582,271

   
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

2,429

     

7,911,083

   
Appian Corp. *    

17,243

     

2,794,918

   
Carvana Co. *    

7,791

     

1,866,256

   
Chegg, Inc. *    

29,415

     

2,657,057

   
Chewy, Inc., Class A *    

26,674

     

2,397,726

   
Cloudflare, Inc., Class A *    

18,932

     

1,438,643

   
CoStar Group, Inc. *    

1,750

     

1,617,490

   
Datadog, Inc., Class A *    

10,427

     

1,026,434

   
Denali Therapeutics, Inc. *    

20,215

     

1,693,208

   
DoorDash, Inc., Class A *    

2,102

     

300,061

   
Eventbrite, Inc., Class A *    

13,039

     

236,006

   

First Republic Bank

   

14,857

     

2,182,939

   
Glaukos Corp. *    

13,927

     

1,048,146

   

HEICO Corp., Class A

   

5,285

     

618,662

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

5,467

     

2,022,790

   
Lemonade, Inc. *    

11,300

     

1,384,250

   
Lyft, Inc., Class A *    

6,089

     

299,153

   

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

   

4,005

     

2,285,093

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

6,164

     

2,200,178

   
Moderna, Inc. *    

12,394

     

1,294,801

   
Netflix, Inc. *    

6,420

     

3,471,487

   
Novocure Ltd. *    

13,509

     

2,337,597

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

2,218

     

1,158,240

   
Penumbra, Inc. *    

4,263

     

746,025

   
Redfin Corp. *    

31,492

     

2,161,296

   
Roku, Inc. *    

11,931

     

3,961,331

   
Slack Technologies, Inc., Class A *    

28,068

     

1,185,592

   
Snowflake, Inc., Class A *    

1,343

     

377,920

   
Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A *    

19,349

     

1,136,173

   
Teladoc Health, Inc. *    

7,753

     

1,550,290

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

14,875

     

10,496,841

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
181



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Trade Desk, Inc. (The), Class A *    

6,661

   

$

5,335,461

   
Twilio, Inc., Class A *    

7,075

     

2,394,888

   
Vroom, Inc. *    

42,462

     

1,739,668

   

Watsco, Inc.

   

5,118

     

1,159,483

   
Wayfair, Inc., Class A *    

17,956

     

4,054,644

   
Workday, Inc., Class A *    

7,425

     

1,779,104

   
Yext, Inc. *    

25,020

     

393,314

   
Zillow Group, Inc., Class A *    

9,778

     

1,329,221

   
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A *    

6,884

     

2,322,111

   
         

91,477,408

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.4%

 

(cost $63,503,166)

     

$

99,207,495

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.6%

       

1,600,848

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

100,808,343

   

*  Non-income producing security.

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, the Manager retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in each Fund's prospectus.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

99,207,495

   

$

   

$

   

$

99,207,495

   

Total

 

$

99,207,495

   

$

   

$

   

$

99,207,495

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
182



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $63,503,166)

 

$

99,207,495

   

Cash

   

2,625,602

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

1,216,660

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

22,073

   

Prepaid assets

   

24,953

   

Total Assets

   

103,096,783

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

72,778

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

2,097,686

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

37,492

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

17,276

   

Trustee fee payable

   

685

   

Commitment fee payable

   

125

   

Accrued expenses

   

62,398

   

Total Liabilities

   

2,288,440

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

100,808,343

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

61,934,018

   

Total distributable earnings

   

38,874,325

   
   

$

100,808,343

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($58,076,386 / 1,457,518 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

39.85

   
Institutional Class ($42,731,957 / 1,074,170 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

39.78

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
183



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

 

$

43,550

   

Interest

   

207

   

Total Investment Income

   

43,757

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

150,240

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

48,302

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

29,094

   

Transfer agency

   

38,294

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

15,282

   

Fund accounting

   

82,940

   

Registration fees

   

41,190

   

Professional fees

   

24,465

   

Custody

   

11,252

   

Legal

   

5,168

   

Trustees' fees

   

1,673

   

Commitment fees

   

386

   

Line of Credit

   

337

   

Miscellaneous

   

7,949

   

Total Expenses

   

456,572

   

Fees waived

   

(145,360

)

 

Total Expenses after waiver

   

311,212

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(267,455

)

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments

   

6,406,378

   
     

6,406,378

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

33,266,753

   
     

33,266,753

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

39,673,131

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

39,405,676

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
184



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment loss

 

$

(267,455

)

 

$

(73,863

)

 

Net realized gain

   

6,406,378

     

378,374

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

33,266,753

     

3,471,672

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

39,405,676

     

3,776,183

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(1,796,813

)

   

(185,245

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(1,331,225

)

   

(46,343

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(3,128,038

)

   

(231,588

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class K

   

26,113,885

     

117,664

   

Institutional Class

   

29,537,484

     

3,569,371

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

1,747,331

     

185,245

   

Institutional Class

   

1,331,225

     

46,343

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class K

   

(7,048,968

)

   

   

Institutional Class

   

(4,481,602

)

   

(732,087

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

47,199,355

     

3,186,536

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

83,476,993

     

6,731,131

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

17,331,350

     

10,600,219

   

End of year

 

$

100,808,343

   

$

17,331,350

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
185



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

18.25

   

$

14.25

   

$

13.39

   

$

11.49

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.03

)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and
foreign currency
   

23.07

     

4.33

     

1.22

(c)

   

1.98

   

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

22.91

     

4.25

     

1.15

     

1.95

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(1.31

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(1.31

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

39.85

   

$

18.25

   

$

14.25

   

$

13.39

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

125.57

%

   

29.78

%

   

8.60

%

   

17.01

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

58,076

   

$

13,867

   

$

10,594

   

$

1,344

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.97

%

   

1.72

%

   

7.75

%

   

13.11

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.63

%

   

0.57

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.55

)%

   

(0.45

)%

   

(0.46

)%

   

(0.31

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

33

%

   

18

%

   

107

%

   

15

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
186



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

18.23

   

$

14.21

   

$

13.39

   

$

11.49

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.03

)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and
foreign currency
   

23.06

     

4.37

     

1.21

(c)

   

1.98

   

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

22.86

     

4.27

     

1.11

     

1.95

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(1.31

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(1.31

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

39.78

   

$

18.23

   

$

14.21

   

$

13.39

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

125.43

%

   

30.01

%(e)

   

8.30

%

   

17.01

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

42,732

   

$

3,464

   

$

6

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

1.06

%

   

1.82

%

   

6.69

%

   

13.11

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.74

%

   

0.75

%

   

0.78

%

   

0.72

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.65

)%

   

(0.56

)%

   

(0.53

)%

   

(0.31

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

33

%

   

18

%

   

107

%

   

15

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Excluding reimbursement received from the Manager, total return for the period is 29.72%. See Note D.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
187



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Note A — Organization and Accounting Policies

Each fund identified in the table below (each, a "Fund", and collectively, the "Funds") is a series of Baillie Gifford Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust includes two other series, Baillie Gifford Multi Asset Fund and Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund, that are not included in this report, and two other series, Baillie Gifford Asia Ex Japan and Baillie Gifford Japan Growth Fund, which have not yet commenced

operations. The investment objective of each Fund includes achieving capital appreciation. For more detail on specific objectives of each Fund and a description of each share class, please refer to the relevant prospectus. The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on June 21, 2000, under the laws of Massachusetts. The Trust operates pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 27, 2017, as amended from time to time.

The following table is a summary of classes of the Funds with shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020:

    Baillie
Gifford
China A
Shares
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Developed
EAFE
All Cap
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
EAFE
Plus
All Cap
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Emerging
Markets
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Global
Alpha
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Global
Stewardship
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Alpha
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Concentrated
Growth
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Growth
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Smaller
Companies
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Long Term
Global
Growth
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Positive
Change
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
U.S.
Equity
Growth
Fund
 

Class 2

   

N/A

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Class 3

   

N/A

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Class 4

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

X

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Class 5

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Class K

   

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

   
Institutional
Class
   

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

   

The Funds are investment companies that apply the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The financial statements of the Funds have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds:

Valuation of Investments

Equity securities listed on an established securities exchange are normally valued at their last sale price on the exchange where primarily traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Equity securities listed

on an established securities exchange for which there is no reported sale during the day (and in the case of over-the-counter securities not so listed) are valued at the mean between the last available bid and ask prices.

Other securities for which current market quotations are not readily available (or for which quotations are not believed to be reliable due to market changes that occur after the most recent available quotations are obtained, or for any other reason), and all other assets, are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (the "Manager"), pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board"). The actual calculations may be made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Board or by pricing services.

Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is substantially completed each day at various times prior to close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Occasionally, events affecting the value of equity securities of non-U.S. issuers not traded on a U.S. exchange may occur between the completion of substantial trading of such securities for the day and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange and such events may not be reflected in the computation of a Fund's net asset value.


188



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

If events materially affecting the value of the Funds' portfolio securities occur during such period, then these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Manager, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. The Funds utilize a third party pricing service which for all equity securities, except those traded on Canadian, Latin American or U.S. exchanges, subject to certain minimum confidence levels, applies a fair value adjustment that seeks to reflect changes in such securities' market prices since the close of the market on which they are traded. To the extent that securities are valued using this service, they will be classified as Level 2 securities in the fair value measurement framework described below.

Fair Value Measurement

GAAP provides guidance on fair value measurements and defines fair value as the price that a Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. It establishes a single definition of fair value, creates a three-tier hierarchy as a framework for measuring fair value based on inputs used to value the Fund's investments, and requires additional disclosure about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

Level 1 —  unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

Level 2 —  other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

Level 3 —  significant unobservable inputs (including the Trust's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

For Level 1 inputs, the Funds use unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information as the most reliable evidence of fair value.

The Funds' Level 2 valuation techniques include inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for an asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. This includes when a fair value adjustment is applied which seeks to reflect changes in foreign securities' market prices since the close of the market on which they are traded. Level 2 observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets

that are not active in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially over time or among market participants. Inputs that are observable for the asset or liability in Level 2 include such factors as interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and default rates for similar liabilities.

For Level 3 valuation techniques, the Funds use unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions market participants would be expected to use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available and are developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. In developing unobservable inputs, market participant assumptions are used if they are reasonably available without undue cost and effort.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The hierarchy classification of inputs used to value each Fund's investments at December 31, 2020 is disclosed at the end of each Fund's Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine the fair value.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable rate of exchange to determine the value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Funds do not isolate that portion of net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates from the impact arising from changes in market prices. Such fluctuations are included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.

Net realized foreign exchange 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 exchange 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.


189



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Securities Transactions and Investment Income

The Funds' securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash income, if any, is included in investment income and is recorded at the fair market value of securities received.

Investment income, expenses (other than those specific to a particular class of shares), and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated to the separate classes of shares based upon their relative net asset value on the date income is earned or expensed and realized and unrealized gains and losses are incurred.

Federal and Other Taxes

Each Fund intends to continue to qualify to be taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and as such will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income (including any net realized capital gains) which is distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Code to the Funds' shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Investment income received from investments in foreign jurisdictions may be subject to foreign withholding tax. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Funds may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Whenever possible, the Funds will attempt to operate so as to qualify for reduced tax rates or tax exemptions in those countries with which the United States has a tax treaty. Foreign taxes, if any, net of any reclaims, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Funds invest.

In addition to the requirements of the Code, the Funds may also be subject to capital gains tax in India and potentially other foreign jurisdictions, on gains realized

upon the sale of securities. Any realized losses in excess of gains in India may be carried forward to offset future gains. Funds with exposure to Indian securities and potentially other foreign jurisdictions accrue a deferred liability for unrealized gains in excess of available loss carryforwards based on existing tax rates and holding periods of the securities. As of December 31, 2020, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund and Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund recorded a receivable for India capital gains tax refunds of $1,347,063 and $76,898 respectively. As of December 31, 2020, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund and Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund recorded a deferred liability for potential future India capital gains taxes of $23,867,546, $403,692, $2,755,446 and $348,434, respectively.

With respect to Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, while overseas investors currently are exempt from paying capital gains or value added taxes on income and gains from investments in China A shares purchased through the Stock Connect programs, these Chinese tax rules could be changed, which could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund.

The Funds are subject to tax accounting standards that provide guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. These standards require the evaluation of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in the course of preparing the Funds' tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are "more-likely-than-not" of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the "more-likely-than-not" threshold would be recorded as a reduction in a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has evaluated the application of these standards and has determined no liabilities for income tax related expenses are required in the financial statements of the Funds. The previous three tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable, remain subject to examination.

At December 31, 2020 for federal income tax purposes, the following Funds had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains. To the extent that these loss carryforwards are utilized, capital gains so offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

Fund   Short Term
Capital Losses
No Expiration
  Long Term
Capital Losses
No Expiration
  Capital Loss
Available Total
 

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 

$

(52,717,239

)

 

$

(67,489,660

)

 

$

(120,206,899

)

 


190



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the following Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards:

Fund

 

Utilized

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 

$

10,152,588

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

 

$

4,230,287

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 

$

4,237,000

   

Realized capital losses, currency losses and passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") losses incurred after October 31 ("post-October losses/Late-Year Specified") within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of each Fund's next taxable year. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Funds shown below incurred and will elect to defer net post-October or late-year losses as indicated.

At December 31, 2020, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Fund   Undistributed
Net Ordinary
Income
  Long Term
Capital
Gains
  Capital
Loss
Carryforwards
  Post October
Capital/Late
Year Ordinary
Losses, or
other Timing
Differences
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Investments
and Foreign
Currency, Net
of Foreign Taxes
  Distributable
Earnings/
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Baillie Gifford
China A Shares Fund
 

$

52,713

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

911,710

   

$

964,423

   
Baillie Gifford Developed
EAFE All Cap Fund
   

2,173,465

     

1,695,898

     

     

110,984

     

218,837,016

     

222,817,363

   
Baillie Gifford EAFE
Plus All Cap Fund
   

2,373,562

     

5,548,817

     

     

     

256,949,630

     

264,872,009

   
Baillie Gifford Emerging
Markets Equities Fund
   

10,841,434

     

     

(120,206,899

)

   

     

2,269,209,855

     

2,159,844,390

   
Baillie Gifford Global
Alpha Equities Fund
   

2,255,863

     

9,480,319

     

     

     

635,462,212

     

647,198,394

   
Baillie Gifford Global
Stewardship Equities
Fund
   

     

10,854

     

     

     

2,951,448

     

2,962,302

   
Baillie Gifford
International Alpha
Fund
   

4,115,537

     

49,545,865

     

     

1,572,738

     

1,619,929,903

     

1,675,164,043

   
Baillie Gifford
International
Concentrated Growth
Equities Fund
   

8,624,237

     

10,502,356

     

     

     

31,385,840

     

50,512,433

   
Baillie Gifford
International Growth
Fund
   

589,105

     

72,613,489

     

     

     

2,814,204,889

     

2,887,407,483

   
Baillie Gifford
International Smaller
Companies Fund
   

5,187

     

19,401

     

     

     

737,469

     

762,057

   
Baillie Gifford
Long Term Global
Growth Fund
   

     

9,537,814

     

     

     

408,922,913

     

418,460,727

   
Baillie Gifford Positive
Change Equities Fund
   

359,178

     

2,865,619

     

     

     

31,075,467

     

34,300,264

   
Baillie Gifford U.S.
Equity Growth Fund
   

     

3,457,171

     

     

     

35,417,154

     

38,874,325

   


191



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

The differences between the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis and the amounts reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are primarily due to the differing book/tax treatment of realized losses on wash sales and mark to market income on securities categorized as PFICs.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the following reclassifications have been made on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a result of certain differences in the computation of net investment income and net realized capital gains under U.S. federal income tax rules and regulations versus GAAP, such as net operating losses.

Fund   Total Distributable
Earnings
  Paid-in
Capital
 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 

$

2,614,082

   

$

(2,614,082

)

 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

64

     

(64

)

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

120,393

     

(120,393

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

The Funds intend to distribute each year, as dividends, substantially all net investment income and net capital gains realized. All such dividends or distributions are credited in the form of additional shares of the Funds at net asset value on the ex-dividend date unless the

shareholder elects to receive dividends and distributions in cash. Currently, the Funds' policies are to distribute net investment income and net capital gains on an annual basis. Such distributions are determined in conformity with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

For the years or periods ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the tax characters of the dividends paid were:

Fund   Ordinary
Income
2020
  Long Term
Capital Gains
2020
  Return of
Capital
2020
  Ordinary
Income
2019
  Long Term
Capital Gains
2019
  Return of
Capital
2019
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

$

14,115

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

   
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap
Fund
   

5,933,576

     

     

     

6,581,515

     

     

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

5,070,822

     

7,376,237

     

     

8,616,780

     

7,464,348

     

   
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund
   

79,639,454

     

     

     

116,158,167

     

25,854,368

     

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

9,585,960

     

73,839,639

     

     

31,925,808

     

20,192,670

     

   
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities
Fund
   

2,763

     

220,827

     

     

8,996

     

33,776

     

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

27,591,429

     

67,119,816

     

     

61,639,182

     

60,118,386

     

   
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated
Growth Equities Fund
   

5,409,561

     

49,069,469

     

     

177,122

     

     

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

733,011

     

418,505,830

     

     

32,396,205

     

3,452,711

     

   
Baillie Gifford International Smaller
Companies Fund
   

1,323

     

78,879

     

     

29,458

     

     

   
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth
Fund
   

     

59,731,910

     

     

     

468,999

     

   
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities
Fund
   

     

3,632,951

     

     

71,477

     

34,542

     

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

     

3,128,038

     

     

40,789

     

190,799

     

   


192



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For tax purposes, short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions.

The Funds' cost of investments and gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at December 31, 2020 for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Fund   Cost of
Investments
  Gross
Appreciation
  Gross
Depreciation
  Net
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

$

1,059,629

   

$

935,102

   

$

(23,392

)

 

$

911,710

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

364,118,051

     

234,725,036

     

(15,937,968

)

   

218,787,068

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

463,108,612

     

271,535,485

     

(14,619,413

)

   

256,916,072

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

3,823,682,586

     

2,499,601,587

     

(206,315,323

)

   

2,293,286,264

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

880,211,702

     

669,963,235

     

(34,120,317

)

   

635,842,918

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

3,235,408

     

3,046,849

     

(95,457

)

   

2,951,392

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

2,489,338,038

     

1,668,610,259

     

(46,003,537

)

   

1,622,606,722

   
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth
Equities Fund
   

33,140,227

     

31,954,395

     

(478,794

)

   

31,475,601

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

1,707,783,976

     

2,874,042,477

     

(59,565,113

)

   

2,814,477,364

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

1,107,077

     

824,160

     

(86,717

)

   

737,443

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

383,425,030

     

411,653,261

     

(2,743,299

)

   

408,909,962

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

63,747,102

     

31,624,889

     

(550,499

)

   

31,074,390

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

63,790,341

     

35,951,715

     

(534,561

)

   

35,417,154

   

Note B — Investment Management and Other Services

The Funds are advised and managed by the Manager. The Manager, an investment adviser registered with the

Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Baillie Gifford & Co.

Under an investment advisory agreement between the Manager and the Trust on behalf of the Funds (the "Advisory Agreement"), each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee, in arrears.

The advisory fee paid by each Fund under the Advisory Agreement is calculated and accrued daily on the basis of the annual rate noted below and expressed as a percentage of that Fund's average daily net assets.

Fund

  Average Daily Net Assets
of the Fund (billions)
  Annual Rate at
Each Asset Level
 
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.55
0.51%
0.49%%
 
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35
0.31%
0.29%%
 
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35
0.31%
0.29%%
 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.55
0.51%
0.49%%
 
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.40
0.36%
0.34%%
 


193



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund

  Average Daily Net Assets
of the Fund (billions)
  Annual Rate at
Each Asset Level
 
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.33
0.29%
0.27%%
 
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35
0.31%
0.29%%
 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.40
0.36%
0.34%%
 
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35
0.31%
0.29%%
 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

 

All assets

  0.58%  
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.45
0.41%
0.39%%
 
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.33
0.29%
0.27%%
 
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.33
0.29%
0.27%%
 

The Manager has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or bear expenses of the following Funds to the extent that such Fund's total annual operating expenses (excluding taxes, sub-accounting expenses and extraordinary expenses) exceed the following amounts:

Fund

 

Class

 

Expense Limitation

 

Expiration Date

 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

Class K

   

0.87

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.87

%

 

April 30, 2021

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

 

Class K

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated
Growth Equities Fund
 

Class K

   

0.72

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.72

%

 

April 30, 2021

 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

 

Class K

   

0.90

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.90

%

 

April 30, 2021

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 

Class 2

   

0.77

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Class 3

   

0.70

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Class 4

   

0.67

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Class 5

   

0.62

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Class K

   

0.77

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.77

%

 

April 30, 2021

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 

Class K

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2021

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 

Class K

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2021

 


194



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Waived fees for all Funds are not subject to recoupment. These contractual agreements may only be terminated by the Board.

Baillie Gifford Funds Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, serves as the sole distributor and principal underwriter of the shares of the Funds.

The Funds mentioned in the following table have adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan providing that the Fund may pay the Manager, or any other entity that acts from time to time as the shareholder servicing agent with respect to a class of Fund shares, for services rendered and expenses borne in connection with the provision of services provided to Fund investors and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. For these services, the Funds pay the Manager a fee at the annualized rate of the Funds' average daily net assets attributed to each class of shares as follows:

    Baillie
Gifford
Developed
EAFE
All Cap
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
EAFE
Plus
All Cap
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Emerging
Markets
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Global
Alpha
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Alpha
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Growth
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Long Term
Global
Growth
Fund
 

Class 2

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

 

Class 3

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

 

Class 4

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

 

Class 5

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

 

With respect to Class K and Institutional Class shares, the Manager is responsible for providing certain administrative services to Fund shareholders as well as coordinating, overseeing and supporting services provided to Fund shareholders by third parties, including financial intermediaries that hold accounts with the Funds, pursuant to an Administration and Supervisory Agreement between the Manager and the Trust on behalf of each Fund. Each Fund has adopted an Administration, Supervisory and Sub-Accounting Services Plan with respect to Class K and Institutional Class shares of each Fund, which authorizes each Fund to pay the Manager an Administration and Supervisory Fee quarterly, in arrears, with respect to Class K and Institutional Class shares at an annual rate of 0.17% of such Fund's average net assets.

Institutional Class shares bear expenses in connection with compensating financial intermediaries for sub-transfer agency and other services. Class K shares do not bear such expenses.

The Funds may enter into certain agreements with Financial Intermediaries that require payments for sub-transfer agency services in excess of the Board approved cap on payments and/or reimbursements to Financial Intermediaries. In such instances the Manager will pay, out of its own profits, the difference between the amount due under the agreement with the Financial Intermediary and the cap on such payments and/or reimbursements approved by the Board.

The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Funds' administrator and custodian. BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. serves as the Trust's transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent.

Note C — Investment Transactions

Purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term securities) for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

Fund

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

$

285,931

   

$

272,233

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

66,660,702

     

179,272,156

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

226,648,243

     

104,076,633

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

2,014,040,254

     

1,037,050,614

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

422,882,512

     

259,384,860

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

750,244

     

787,139

   


195



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 

$

1,412,620,262

   

$

725,844,360

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

70,052,892

     

193,086,777

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

858,330,496

     

1,172,522,931

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

226,164

     

266,463

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

286,247,369

     

194,561,908

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

53,719,518

     

19,759,742

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

57,523,596

     

15,067,612

   

Note D — Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

373

     

7,058

     

373

     

7,057

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

 

$

373

   

$

7,058

   

$

373

   

$

7,057

   
   

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Period Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Period Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

50,000

   

$

500,000

     

50,000

   

$

500,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

 

$

50,000

   

$

500,000

   

$

50,000

   

$

500,000

   
   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

459

   

$

6,000

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

130,567

     

2,184,122

     

68,588

     

1,158,667

   

Shares redeemed

   

(4,340,986

)

   

(65,191,959

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(4,209,960

)

 

$

(63,001,837

)

   

68,588

   

$

1,158,667

   


196



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

781,546

   

$

9,101,965

     

1,343,178

   

$

17,007,484

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

141,302

     

2,359,735

     

6,555

     

109,348

   

Shares redeemed

   

(4,944,572

)

   

(62,538,353

)

   

(1,318,718

)

   

(17,016,373

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(4,021,724

)

 

$

(51,076,653

)

   

31,015

   

$

100,459

   
   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

519

   

$

6,000

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

196,688

     

2,596,461

     

75,196

     

1,002,546

   

Shares redeemed

   

(794,863

)

   

(9,000,000

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(597,656

)

 

$

(6,397,539

)

   

75,196

   

$

1,002,546

   
   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

5,978,804

   

$

73,243,343

     

587,848

   

$

7,084,206

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

199,149

     

2,624,780

     

8,164

     

107,514

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,529,710

)

   

(29,311,401

)

   

(80,919

)

   

(990,117

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

3,648,243

   

$

46,556,722

     

515,093

   

$

6,201,603

   
   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

51,681

   

$

786,000

     

6,811,061

   

$

118,434,820

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

270,825

     

5,732,100

     

123,158

     

2,604,536

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,582,085

)

   

(45,075,399

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(2,259,579

)

 

$

(38,557,299

)

   

6,934,219

   

$

121,039,356

   


197



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

4,055,108

   

$

70,360,885

     

631,289

   

$

11,245,159

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

163,628

     

3,452,561

     

30,886

     

650,466

   

Shares redeemed

   

(1,513,484

)

   

(28,250,000

)

   

(172,195

)

   

(3,196,880

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

2,705,252

   

$

45,563,446

     

489,980

   

$

8,698,745

   
   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

178,140

   

$

2,723,300

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

660,317

     

11,089,493

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

(35,301

)

   

(528,300

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

803,156

   

$

13,284,493

     

   

$

   
   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

1,798,306

   

$

27,900,000

     

585,572

   

$

9,046,949

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

247,557

     

4,146,582

     

49,558

     

828,614

   

Shares redeemed

   

(90,034

)

   

(1,375,000

)

   

(51,426

)

   

(805,468

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

1,955,829

   

$

30,671,582

     

583,704

   

$

9,070,095

   
   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

433,207

   

$

10,006,000

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

67,036

     

1,826,111

     

79,451

     

2,184,364

   

Shares redeemed

   

(736,002

)

   

(13,000,000

)

   

(9,780,806

)(a)

   

(218,894,438

)(a)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(235,759

)

 

$

(1,167,889

)

   

(9,701,355

)

 

$

(216,710,074

)

 

(a)  9,780,806 shares and $218,894,438 converted from Class 3 into Class 4.


198



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

9,649,345

(b)

 

$

218,894,438

(b)

   

12,179,541

   

$

232,200,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

129,657

     

3,613,950

     

915,065

     

25,856,285

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(4,209,013

)

   

(112,120,000

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

9,779,002

   

$

222,508,388

     

8,885,593

   

$

145,936,285

   

(b)  9,649,345 shares and $218,894,438 converted into Class 4 from Class 3.

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

40,913,876

   

$

851,114,264

     

23,699,958

   

$

497,607,207

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

888,988

     

24,127,144

     

541,663

     

14,702,902

   

Shares redeemed

   

(14,622,141

)

   

(280,870,445

)

   

(10,401,670

)

   

(214,228,570

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

27,180,723

   

$

594,370,963

     

13,839,951

   

$

298,081,539

   
   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

345,334

   

$

7,306,000

     

5,731,888

(c)

 

$

106,960,476

(c)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

202,888

     

4,430,516

     

588,293

     

12,961,322

   

Shares redeemed

   

(5,927,081

)(d)

   

(109,960,476

)(d)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(5,378,859

)

 

$

(98,223,960

)

   

6,320,181

   

$

119,921,798

   

(c)  5,731,888 shares and $106,960,476 converted into Class 3 from Class 2.

(d)  5,781,084 shares and $106,960,476 converted from Class 2 into Class 3.


199



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

339,491

   

$

7,000,000

     

39,089,342

(e)

 

$

797,388,161

(e)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

2,195,036

     

49,677,405

     

1,848,743

     

40,228,644

   

Shares redeemed

   

(1,680,402

)

   

(34,320,000

)

   

(7,957,791

)

   

(158,716,823

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

854,125

   

$

22,357,405

     

32,980,294

   

$

678,899,982

   

(e)  6,907,896 shares and $144,490,534 converted into Class K from Institutional Class.

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

25,316,056

   

$

498,938,452

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,129,370

     

24,574,424

   

Shares redeemed

   

(10,339,139

)(f)

   

(213,958,164

)(f)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

16,106,287

   

$

309,554,712

   

(f)  6,914,479 shares and $144,490,534 converted from Institutional Class into Class K.

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

1,395,617

   

$

21,406,000

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

663,645

     

13,975,368

     

701,609

     

15,207,661

   

Shares redeemed

   

(767,153

)

   

(12,867,763

)

   

(21,376,629

)(a)

   

(440,824,236

)(a)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

1,292,109

   

$

22,513,605

     

(20,675,020

)

 

$

(425,616,575

)

 

(a)  21,047,679 shares and $433,824,236 converted from Class 3 into Class 4.


200



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

21,747,419

(b)

 

$

453,824,236

(b)

   

8,761,839

   

$

162,657,595

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,651,924

     

36,754,305

     

757,044

     

15,897,930

   

Shares redeemed

   

(1,398,930

)

   

(25,000,000

)

   

(1,779,493

)

   

(36,392,473

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

22,000,413

   

$

465,578,541

     

7,739,390

   

$

142,163,052

   

(b)  20,503,932 shares and $433,824,236 converted into Class 4 from Class 3.

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

1,312,156

   

$

22,514,998

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

75,658

     

1,590,334

   

Shares redeemed

   

(79,590

)

   

(1,613,033

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

1,308,224

   

$

22,492,299

   

 

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

352,252

   

$

5,506,000

     

536,067

   

$

8,000,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

570,983

     

9,449,544

     

1,794,175

     

30,477,830

   

Shares redeemed

   

(253,860

)

   

(4,000,000

)

   

(2,060,990

)

   

(33,788,000

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

669,375

   

$

10,955,544

     

269,252

   

$

4,689,830

   
   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

2,248,756

   

$

34,752,614

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

443,524

     

7,732,135

     

270,053

     

4,458,584

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(733,836

)

   

(11,265,988

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

443,524

   

$

7,732,135

     

1,784,973

   

$

27,945,210

   


201



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

24

     

386

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

24

   

$

386

   

 

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

5,710

     

111,795

     

5,709

     

111,795

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

5,710

   

$

111,795

     

5,709

   

$

111,795

   
   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,828

     

21,386

     

1,828

     

21,386

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

1,828

   

$

21,386

     

1,828

   

$

21,386

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

7,362,309

   

$

72,006,000

     

23,777,552

(b)

 

$

295,090,505

(b)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

490,406

     

8,221,408

     

1,000,902

     

17,027,749

   

Shares redeemed

   

(23,786,305

)(a)

   

(294,390,504

)(a)

   

(28,848,451

)(c)

   

(453,876,207

)(c)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(15,933,590

)

 

$

(214,163,096

)

   

(4,069,997

)

 

$

(141,757,953

)

 

(a)  21,633,450 shares and $262,890,504 converted from Class 2 into Class 3.

(b)  21,327,203 shares and $262,890,504 converted into Class 3 from Class 2.

(c)  25,129,907 shares and $394,280,702 converted from Class 3 into Class 4.


202



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

24,894,421

(d)

 

$

397,280,701

(d)

   

933,778

   

$

11,000,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,424,466

     

24,650,239

     

192,144

     

3,388,104

   

Shares redeemed

   

(5,267,481

)

   

(84,000,000

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

21,051,406

   

$

337,930,940

     

1,125,922

   

$

14,388,104

   

(d)  24,699,662 shares and $394,280,702 converted into Class 4 from Class 3.

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

33,933,960

(e)

 

$

488,403,549

(e)

   

41,667,953

(g)

 

$

572,999,510

(g)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,317,169

     

21,998,469

     

987,601

     

16,542,889

   

Shares redeemed

   

(12,293,910

)(f)

   

(180,996,529

)(f)

   

(8,421,705

)(h)

   

(120,707,617

)(h)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

22,957,219

   

$

329,405,489

     

34,233,849

   

$

468,834,782

   

(e)  3,152,072 shares and $43,253,757 converted into Class K from Institutional Class.

(f)  29,884 shares and $442,302 converted from Class K into Institutional Class.

(g)  29,783 shares and $442,302 converted into Institutional Class from Class K.

(h)  3,142,905 shares and $43,253,757 converted from Institutional Class into Class K.

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

8,507,431

(i)

 

$

107,216,862

(i)

   

15,916,592

(j)

 

$

202,113,924

(j)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,793,560

     

24,482,634

     

2,288,958

     

31,689,022

   

Shares redeemed

   

(3,555,835

)

   

(44,700,000

)

   

(25,793,251

)(k)

   

(335,095,740

)(k)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

6,745,156

   

$

86,999,496

     

(7,587,701

)

 

$

(101,292,794

)

 

(i)  7,357,093 shares and $92,210,862 converted into Class 2 from Class 3.

(j)  15,604,447 shares and $198,213,924 converted into Class 3 from Class 4.

(k)  7,259,326 shares and $92,210,862 converted from Class 3 into Class 2 and 15,604,447 shares and $204,511,879 converted from Class 3 into Class 4.


203



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

15,348,444

(l)

 

$

204,511,879

(l)

   

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,939,766

     

27,316,172

     

341,248

     

4,893,497

   

Shares redeemed

   

(15,349,714

)(m)

   

(198,213,924

)(m)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

1,938,496

   

$

33,614,127

     

341,248

   

$

4,893,497

   

(l)  15,348,444 shares and $204,511,879 converted into Class 4 from Class 3.

(m)  15,349,714 shares and $198,213,924 converted from Class 4 into Class 3.

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

15,999,769

   

$

197,754,519

     

8,054,702

(o)

 

$

100,370,867

(o)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,769,959

     

24,087,396

     

445,383

     

6,083,368

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,884,462

)(n)

   

(36,825,366

)(n)

   

(2,727,853

)

   

(33,820,482

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

14,885,266

   

$

185,016,549

     

5,772,232

   

$

72,633,753

   

(n)  10,676 shares and $141,572 converted from Class K into Institutional Class.

(o)  10,644 shares and $141,572 converted into Institutional Class from Class K.

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

2,646,999

   

$

33,989,078

     

1,288,248

   

$

21,921,486

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

3,145,048

     

38,023,629

     

1,136,294

     

13,601,434

   

Shares redeemed

   

(10,365,471

)

   

(178,597,888

)

   

(1,016,427

)

   

(13,118,779

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(4,573,424

)

 

$

(106,585,181

)

   

1,408,115

   

$

22,404,141

   


204



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

1,622,013

   

$

20,684,000

     

16,086

   

$

176,417

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

13,687

     

175,602

     

111

     

1,431

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(1,567

)

   

(14,572

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

1,635,700

   

$

20,859,602

     

14,630

   

$

163,276

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

5,590,575

   

$

81,506,000

     

34,452,980

(b)

 

$

592,448,173

(b)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

2,589,071

     

55,541,011

     

2,976,844

(c)

   

64,060,790

(c)

 

Shares redeemed

   

(40,310,173

)(a)

   

(695,348,173

)(a)

   

(42,757,002

)

   

(764,520,237

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(32,130,527

)

 

$

(558,301,162

)

   

(5,327,178

)

 

$

(108,011,274

)

 

(a)  34,160,773 shares and $585,048,173 converted from Class 2 into Class 3.

(b)  34,079,090 shares and $585,048,173 converted from Class 2 into Class 3.

(c)  25,065,507 shares and $434,310,417 converted from Class 3 into Class 4.

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

25,043,754

(d)

 

$

434,310,417

(d)

   

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

4,238,692

     

91,315,840

     

7,885,948

     

170,297,829

   

Shares redeemed

   

(3,853,216

)

   

(78,000,000

)

   

(11,604,279

)

   

(225,000,000

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

25,429,230

   

$

447,626,257

     

(3,718,331

)

 

$

(54,702,171

)

 

(d)  25,043,754 shares and $434,310,417 converted from Class 3 into Class 4.


205



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

5,745,433

   

$

115,840,279

     

12,952,871

   

$

230,631,609

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

320,740

     

6,873,455

     

1,347,216

     

28,803,483

   

Shares redeemed

   

(12,214

)

   

(229,035

)

   

(1,797,254

)

   

(32,662,300

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

6,053,959

   

$

122,484,699

     

12,502,833

   

$

226,772,792

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

5,107,421

   

$

64,526,000

     

819,205

   

$

9,300,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

660,349

     

9,691,346

     

435,063

     

6,398,737

   

Shares redeemed

   

(4,742,078

)

   

(63,189,038

)

   

(393,803

)

   

(5,000,000

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

1,025,692

   

$

11,028,308

     

860,465

   

$

10,698,737

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

230,029

     

3,385,754

     

1,089,463

     

16,066,961

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

230,029

   

$

3,385,754

     

1,089,463

   

$

16,066,961

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

1,790,773

   

$

21,930,555

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

5

     

77

     

19,517

     

285,728

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(162,113

)

   

(2,123,738

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

5

   

$

77

     

1,648,177

   

$

20,092,545

   


206



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

2,310

     

40,101

     

2,311

     

40,101

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

2,310

   

$

40,101

     

2,311

   

$

40,101

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,198

     

14,729

     

1,198

     

14,729

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

1,198

   

$

14,729

     

1,198

   

$

14,729

   
   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

6,508

   

$

164,000

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

268,661

     

10,181,428

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

(333,008

)

   

(12,000,000

)

   

(3,085,974

)(a)

   

(113,363,867

)(a)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(57,839

)

 

$

(1,654,572

)

   

(3,085,974

)

 

$

(113,363,867

)

 

(a)  2,948,106 shares and $109,513,867 converted from Class 4 into Class 5.

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

2,745,672

(b)

 

$

109,513,867

(b)

   

1,689,135

   

$

52,083,127

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

137,077

     

6,648,326

     

448,850

     

17,015,889

   

Shares redeemed

   

(684,445

)

   

(32,000,000

)

   

(2,966,787

)

   

(83,087,481

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

2,198,304

   

$

84,162,193

     

(828,802

)

 

$

(13,988,465

)

 

(b)  2,745,672 shares and $109,513,867 converted into Class 5 from Class 4.


207



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

6,896,944

   

$

223,565,185

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

684,278

     

25,886,267

   

Shares redeemed

   

(1,199,421

)

   

(38,874,654

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

6,381,801

   

$

210,576,798

   

 

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

8,620

   

$

155,750

     

3,082,248

(c)

 

$

67,193,017

(c)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

4,929

     

102,829

     

3,726

     

91,124

   

Shares redeemed

   

(54,170

)

   

(1,000,000

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(40,621

)

 

$

(741,421

)

   

3,085,974

   

$

67,284,141

   

(c)  3,082,248 shares and $67,193,017 converted into Class 4 from Class 5.

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

1,791,287

   

$

34,246,083

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

9,307

     

194,231

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,981,486

)(d)

   

(69,693,017

)(d)

   

(80,257

)

   

(1,500,000

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(2,981,486

)

 

$

(69,693,017

)

   

1,720,337

   

$

32,940,314

   

(d)  2,872,319 shares and $67,193,017 converted from Class 5 into Class 4.

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

2,904,872

   

$

50,656,366

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

3,876

     

80,814

   

Shares redeemed

   

(172,633

)

   

(3,117,562

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

2,736,115

   

$

47,619,618

   


208



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

1,527,722

   

$

29,045,519

     

807,287

   

$

15,232,525

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

63,836

     

1,516,124

     

56,904

     

1,350,344

   

Shares redeemed

   

(301,001

)

   

(5,528,256

)

   

(150,680

)

   

(3,001,141

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

1,290,557

   

$

25,033,387

     

713,511

   

$

13,581,728

   
   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

712,396

   

$

8,086,054

     

72,635

   

$

884,224

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,416

     

18,677

     

3,087

     

40,744

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(861

)

   

(10,610

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

713,812

   

$

8,104,731

     

74,861

   

$

914,358

   
   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

862,472

   

$

26,113,885

     

991,300

   

$

29,537,484

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

43,694

     

1,747,331

     

33,339

     

1,331,225

   

Shares redeemed

   

(208,574

)

   

(7,048,968

)

   

(140,455

)

   

(4,481,602

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

697,592

   

$

20,812,248

     

884,184

   

$

26,387,107

   
   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019*
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

6,450

   

$

117,664

     

228,252

   

$

3,569,371

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

10,024

     

185,245

     

2,510

     

46,343

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(41,228

)

   

(732,087

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

16,474

   

$

302,909

     

189,534

   

$

2,883,627

   

*   Includes a reimbursement from the Manager of $8,698 plus interest as a result of errors in the application of contractual expense waivers and subsequent purchase and redemption activity in the period.


209



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Note E — Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial ownership, either direct or indirect, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund creates a presumption of control under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2020, the following shareholders beneficially owned 25% or more of a Fund's voting securities:

Fund

 

Investor

 

Percentage

 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

Baillie Gifford International LLC

   

100.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

 

Baillie Gifford International LLC

   

100.00

%

 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated
Growth Equities Fund
 

Crestone Securities LLC

   

65.37

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 

Teachers' Retirement System of The State of Kentucky

   

40.39

%

 
Baillie Gifford International Smaller
Companies Fund
 

Baillie Gifford International LLC

   

100.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 

President and Fellows of Harvard College

   

31.27

%

 

Purchase and redemption activity of these accounts may have a significant effect on the operation of each Fund.

At December 31, 2020, Baillie Gifford International LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Manager, owned 100% of Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund and Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund and as a result may be deemed to control such Funds.

Note F — Commitments and Contingencies

Each of the Funds indemnifies the Trust's officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from the performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications.

The Funds' maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.

Note G — Line of Credit

The Trust entered into a committed facility with Bank of New York Mellon on May 1, 2017, renewed April 21, 2020, and expiring April 20, 2021 which allows the certain series of the Trust to borrow up to $50 million in total subject to

minimum asset coverage requirements set out in the Credit Agreement. Each such series may borrow money under this credit facility for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for other temporary or emergency purposes.

In normal market conditions, borrowings are charged at an interest rate of 1.25% per annum plus the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the one-month USD LIBOR Rate. Prior to April 1, 2020, pursuant to the Committed Revolving Credit Facility Procedures adopted by the Board, any expenses including the commitment fee associated with the credit facility or borrowings thereunder were borne by the classes borrowing pursuant to the Credit Agreement. Effective April 1, 2020, any expenses associated with the credit facility or borrowings thereunder are payable at a fund level.

The rate payable at December 31, 2020 was 1.39% on any amounts drawn down.


210



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

The following borrowings were made against the credit facility during the period:

Fund   Date of
Borrowing
  Full
Repayment
Date
  Maximum
Amount
Borrowed
  Average
Amount
Borrowed*
  Average
Interest
Rate
 
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
 
 
  4/02/2020
6/01/2020
9/01/2020
  4/06/2020
6/02/2020
9/02/2020
  $10,750,000
$5,700,000
$3,100,000
  $5,208,333   2.23
1.43%
1.41%%
 
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
 
  6/30/2020
12/15/2020
  7/02/2020
12/16/2020
  $1,350,000
$2,150,000
  $1,616,667   1.41
1.40%%
 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated
Growth Equities Fund
 
 
 
 
  7/01/2020
7/22/2020
9/01/2020
9/04/2020
10/01/2020
11/17/2020
  7/06/2020
7/23/2020
9/02/2020
9/10/2020
10/02/2020
11/18/2020
  $12,350,000
$300,000
$18,650,000
$1,850,000
$550,000
$1,050,000
  $6,073,333   1.41
1.43%
1.41%
1.40%
1.39%
1.40%%
 
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund
 
  2/21/2020
9/10/2020
  2/25/2020
9/11/2020
  $900,000
$1,700,000
  $1,060,000   2.87
1.40%%
 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 

7/28/2020

 

7/30/2020

  $20,850,000   $20,525,000   1.41%  
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund
 
  8/14/2020
12/01/2020
  8/17/2020
12/03/2020
  $2,250,000
$1,200,000
  $1,730,000   1.40
1.40%%
 

*  Average amount borrowed is calculated using days with outstanding borrowings.

Note H — Principal Risks (unaudited)

The below is a selection of the Funds' principal risks. Additional risks of investing in a Fund are included in the Fund's prospectus.

Cash

Cash held by the Fund may be in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) limitations. The Manager does not expect any losses as a result of cash being in excess of FDIC limits.

Investment Style Risk

The Manager actively makes investment decisions for the Funds through bottom-up stock selection. Accordingly, the Funds will have risk characteristics that differ from their benchmark indices. The Manager's judgments about the attractiveness, relative value, or potential appreciation of a particular stock may prove to be incorrect and cause a Fund to lose money or underperform compared to its benchmark index. There can be no assurance that the Manager's investment decisions will produce the desired results.

Growth Stock Risk

The prices of growth stocks may be based largely on expectations of future earnings, and their prices can decline rapidly and significantly in reaction to negative news. Growth stocks may underperform stocks in other broad style categories (and the stock market as a whole) over any period of time and may shift in and out of favor with investors generally, sometimes rapidly, depending on changes in market, economic, and other factors.

Long-Term Investment Strategy Risk

The Funds pursue a long-term investment approach, typically seeking returns over a period of several years. This investment style may cause a Fund to lose money or underperform compared to its benchmark index or other mutual funds over extended periods of time, and a Fund may not perform as expected in the long term. An investment in a Fund may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short- or medium-term fluctuations in the value of the Fund's portfolio.


211



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Emerging Markets Risk

To the extent the Funds invest in emerging market securities, the Funds may be exposed to greater market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, technical and other risks different from, or greater than, the risks of investing in developed markets.

Geographic Focus Risk

Certain Funds expect to focus investments in a limited number of countries or geographic regions, and as a result may not offer the same level of diversification of risks as a more broadly global fund because these Funds will be exposed to a smaller geographic area. The performance of a fund that is less diversified across countries or geographic regions will be closely tied to market, currency, economic, political, environmental, or regulatory conditions and developments in the countries or regions in which the fund invests, and may be more volatile than the performance of a more geographically-diversified portfolio.

Non-Diversification Risk

A non-diversified fund may hold a smaller number of portfolio securities, with larger positions in each security it holds, than many other mutual funds. To the extent a Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers, a decline in the market value of a particular security held by the Fund may affect its value more than if it invested in a larger number of issuers. The value of the Fund's shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds. Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund, and Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund are all non-diversified Funds.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

Communicable diseases, including those that result in pandemics or epidemics, may pose significant threats to human health, and such diseases, along with any efforts to contain their spread, may be highly disruptive to both global and local economies and markets, with significant negative impact on individual issuers, sectors, industries,

and asset classes. Significant public health crises, including those triggered by the transmission of a communicable disease and efforts to contain it may result in, among other things, border closings and other significant travel restrictions and disruptions, significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, lower consumer demand for goods and services, event cancellations and restrictions, service cancellations, reductions and other changes, significant challenges in healthcare service preparation and delivery, and prolonged quarantines, as well as general concern and uncertainty. All of these disruptive effects were present, for example, in the global pandemic linked to the outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus designated as COVID-19 that was first reported in China in December 2019.

For further information on the risks of investing in each Fund, please refer to each Fund's prospectus.

Note I — Legal Notice (unaudited)

MSCI

The MSCI information may only be used for your internal use, may not be reproduced or re-disseminated in any form and may not be used as a basis for or a component of any financial instruments or products or indices. None of the MSCI information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such. Historical data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance analysis, forecast or prediction. The MSCI information is provided on an "as is" basis and the user of this information assumes the entire risk of any use made of this information. MSCI, each of its affiliates and each other person involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating any MSCI information (collectively, the "MSCI Parties") expressly disclaims all warranties (including, without limitation, any warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to this information.

Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any MSCI Party have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential (including, without limitation, lost profits) or any other damages. (www.msci.com)


212



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

FTSE Russell (U.S. Equity Growth)

FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies. Russell® is a trade mark of the relevant LSE Group companies and is used by any other LSE Group company under license. "TMX® " is a trade mark of TSX, Inc. and used by the LSE Group under license. All rights in the FTSE Russell indexes or data vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the index or the data. Neither LSE Group nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the indexes or data and no party may rely on any indexes or data contained in this communication. No further distribution of data from the LSE Group is permitted without the relevant LSE Group company's express written consent. The LSE Group does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication.

S&P (U.S. Equity Growth)

The S&P 500 and S&P Global Small Cap ("Index") is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, or its affiliates ("SPDJI"). Standard & Poor's® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global ("S&P"); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones"). Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein.

Note J — Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 (the "Liquidity Rule") under the 1940 Act, the Funds have adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"). The purpose of the Program is to outline the techniques, tools and arrangements employed for the

management of liquidity risk within the Funds, and the terms, contents and frequency of reporting and escalation of any issues to the Board. Liquidity is managed taking into account of the investment strategy, liquidity profile, and redemption policy and history of each Fund, with the objective of maintaining a level of liquidity that is appropriate in light of each Fund's obligations to its shareholders. The Program assesses liquidity risk under both normal and stressed market conditions.

During the reporting period, the Funds maintained a high level of liquidity and primarily held assets that are defined under the Liquidity Rule as "Highly Liquid Investments." As a result, the Funds, other than Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund, have not adopted a Highly Liquid Investment minimum. Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund has adopted a Highly Liquid Investment minimum of 30% and complied with the Highly Liquid Investment minimum throughout the period. A Highly Liquid Investment is defined as cash and any investment reasonably expected to be convertible to cash in current market conditions in three business days or less without the conversion to cash significantly changing the market value of the investment.

During the reporting period, there were no liquidity events that materially affected the performance of the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Manager, which has been designated by the Board to administer the Program, determined that, during the reporting period, the Program operated adequately and effectively to manage the Funds' liquidity risk. There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Further information on liquidity risks applicable to the Funds can be found in the Funds' prospectuses.

Note K — Subsequent Events

Events or transactions that occur after the financial statement date but before the financial statements are issued are categorized as recognized or non-recognized for financial statement purposes.

As of April 30, 2021, Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund will be renamed Baillie Gifford China A Shares Growth Fund.

There were no subsequent events identified between December 31, 2020 and the issuance of the Financial Statements.


213



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Annual Report December 31, 2020

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Baillie Gifford Funds

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Baillie Gifford Funds comprising the funds listed below (the "Funds") as of December 31, 2020, the related statements of operations, the statements of changes in net assets, the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated below (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of December 31, 2020, the results of their operations, the changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated below in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Fund Name  

Statements of Operations

  Statements of Changes
in Net Assets
 

Financial Highlights

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund, Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund, and Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, and Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and for the period from December 14, 2017 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2017

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and for the period from April 28, 2017 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2017

 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and for the period from December 19, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018

 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the period December 19, 2019 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2019

 

The Funds' financial highlights for the year or period ended December 31, 2016, were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 28, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.


214



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds' financial statements 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 are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, 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. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Funds' auditor since 2017.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

Cleveland, Ohio
February 25, 2021


215



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Federal Income Tax Information

The Funds intend to designate the maximum amount of dividends that qualify for the reduced tax rate pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 for the year ended December 31, 2020.

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of ordinary income distributions for the year/period ended December 31, 2020 for the corporate dividends-received deduction for each Fund is as follows.

Fund   Qualified
Dividend Income
  Dividends-received
Deductions
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

   

61.13

%

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

88.87

%

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

89.08

%

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

61.04

%

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

85.48

%

   

29.64

%

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

100.00

%

   

100.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

100.00

%

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

6.81

%

   

0.06

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

100.00

%

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

100.00

%

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 

In February 2021, certain U.S. shareholders will be advised on IRS Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the U.S. federal tax status of the distributions received in the calendar year 2020.

Foreign Taxes Paid — The following Funds elect under the Code Section 853 to pass through foreign taxes paid to its shareholders. The total amounts of foreign taxes passed through to shareholders on a per share basis for the year ended December 31, 2020, are as follows:

Fund   Foreign Taxes
Per Share
  Foreign Income
Per Share
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

0.0149

     

0.1904

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

0.0148

     

0.1693

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

0.0485

     

0.3892

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

0.0094

     

0.1106

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

0.0180

     

0.1901

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

0.0035

     

0.0965

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

     

   


216



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Management of The Trust

The following tables set forth the Trustees and officers of the Trust, their principal occupations during the past five years, and certain other information as of December 31, 2020.

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
  Principal Occupation and Other
Directorships Held During Past 5 Years(2)
  Number of Funds in
Fund complex
overseen by
Trustee(3)
 

Indepedent Trustees

 
Howard W. Chin
1952
 

Trustee, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee(4)

 

Since 2015

 

Retired. Formerly: Managing Director, Investments, Guardian Life Insurance (financial services).

 

17

 
Pamela M. J. Cox
1952
 

Trustee

 

Since 2017

 

Retired. Formerly: Senior Associate (non-resident), CSIS (think tank); Senior Vice President; Vice President East Asia, World Bank Group (international bank & financial services).

 

17

 
Bruce C. Long
1945
 

Trustee, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee(4)

 

Since 2009

 

Global Financial Consultant.

 

17

 
Robert E. Rigsby
1949
 

Trustee, Chair of the Audit Oversight Committee

 

Since 2014

 

Retired. Formerly: President & COO, Delivery Business at Dominion Energy, Inc. (electric and gas energy company).

 

17

 
Donald P. Sullivan Jr.(5)
1954
 

Trustee

 

Since 2020

 

Retired. Formerly: Senior Vice President, Agency Distribution, Guardian Life Insurance (financial services).

 

17

 

Interested Trustee

             

 
David Salter(6)
1975
 

Trustee, Chair of the Board, and President

 

Since 2016 (Previously Vice President since 2014)

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); CEO & Chair, Baillie Gifford Funds Services LLC (broker-dealer).

 

17

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years(2)

 

Officers (other than officers who are also Trustees)

         

 
Andrew Telfer
1967
 

Vice President

 

Since 2008

 

Managing Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Michael Stirling-Aird
1977
 

Vice President

 

Since 2012

 

Client Service Director, Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (investment adviser).

 
Julie Paul
1975
 

Vice President

 

Since 2012

 

Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Tim Campbell
1975
 

Vice President

 

Since 2014

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); Manager, Baillie Gifford International LLC with oversight of marketing performed in North America.

 


217



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Name and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years(2)

 

Officers (other than officers who are also Trustees)

             
Lindsay Cockburn
1978
 

Treasurer

 

Since 2015

 

Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Gareth Griffiths
1973
 

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

 

Secretary since 2015; Chief Legal Officer since 2017

 

Senior Legal Counsel for Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Graham Laybourn
1966
 

Vice President

 

Since 2018

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Suzanne Quinn
1979
 

Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer

 

Since 2018

 

Manager, Compliance Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Evan Delaney
1969
 

Chief Risk Officer

 

Since 2013

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); Group Chief Risk Officer, Director of Business Risk and Internal Audit, Baillie Gifford Group (investment adviser).

 
Lesley-Anne Archibald
1988
 

Vice President

 

Since 2017

 

Assistant Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Kelly Cameron
1989
 

Vice President

 

Since 2020

 

Client Service Manager, Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (investment adviser).

 

The address of each Trustee and officer of the Trust is c/o Baillie Gifford Funds, Calton Square, 1 Greenside Row, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 3AN.

(1)  Length of time served relates to the relevant Trustee's or officer's service at the position listed under position(s) held with Trust. There is no stated term of office for the Trustees and a Trustee may serve until such Trustee reaches the age of 75 years. The Chair of the Board and President of the Trust are elected annually by the Board of Trustees. Other officers may be elected or appointed by the Trustees at any time.

(2)  Previous positions during the past five years with Baillie Gifford & Co., the Manager, and Baillie Gifford Group are omitted if not materially different from the positions listed.

(3)  The number of Funds in the Fund complex overseen by the Trustee includes Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund and Baillie Gifford Multi Asset Fund, whose reports are prepared separately, and Baillie Gifford Asia Ex Japan Fund and Baillie Gifford Japan Growth Fund; series of the Trust which have not yet commenced operations.

(4)  On October 1, 2020 Howard W. Chin took over as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee in anticipation of Bruce C. Long's retirement on December 31, 2020.

(5)  Donald P. Sullivan Jr. joined the Board as a new trustee on July 1, 2020.

(6)  David Salter is an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or the Manager due to his positions with the Manager and his role as an officer of the Trust.

Additional information regarding the Trustees is in each Fund's Statement of Additional Information and is available upon request, without charge, by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

A description of each Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures related to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000 or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent

12-month period ended June 30 is also available without charge upon request by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000 or by accessing each Fund's Form N-PX on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

Each of the Funds files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their Form N-PORT. The Funds' Form N-PORT is available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Funds' holdings can also be found at Baillie Gifford Funds' website: http://USmutualfund.bailliegifford.com.


218



Copyright © Baillie Gifford & Co 2015.



 

 

BAILLIE GIFFORD FUNDS

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2020



Index

Page Number

 
 

01

   

Management Discussion

 
 

04

   

Fund Expenses

 
 

06

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

07

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

12

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

13

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

14

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

15

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

16

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

17

   

Selected Data for Class 5

 
 

18

   

Notes to Financial Statements

 
 

27

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
   

Supplemental Information

 
 

28

   

Federal Income Tax Information

 
 

29

   

Management of the Trust

 

Source: © David Robertson / Alamy Stock Photo

This report is intended for shareholders of Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund (the "Fund") and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.

The statements and views expressed in this report are as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. All investments entail risk, including the possible loss of principal.



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2020

What a year 2020 has been. The novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic has swept across the globe. It continues to impact people's health and well-being, but also their habits and lives more generally. The observation often attributed to Lenin that, "there are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen," has rarely seemed so apt. In many cases, the measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic included lockdowns of public life to varying, often extreme, degrees. Unsurprisingly, this has had an immense impact on some of the businesses held in the Fund.

As long-term fundamental stock pickers, we cannot and do not attempt to predict the events of the future, but we can take steps to try to ensure that the Fund's holdings are prepared for any eventuality they might face. We do this by investing in what we perceive to be good quality growth companies with characteristics that make them "anti-fragile." That is, businesses that we believe will not only survive and endure through thick and thin, but those that we think will disrupt incumbents and create profits over the long term, as well as emerge stronger than their peers over time. For some of the Fund's holdings, it has been a time of tremendous progress and opportunity. The large-scale social experiment of confining a significant portion of the world's population to their homes over the past year in many ways reinforced and accelerated existing trends. Nowhere has this been more obvious and pronounced than in retail, which witnessed a dramatic increase in e-commerce penetration.

In terms of stock attribution, three of the top performers for the past year have been Shopify, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Zalando.

Shopify, the Canadian listed 'all-in-one' e-commerce solutions provider delivered exceptionally strong operational performance throughout the past year. It has also expanded its services and seen strong growth in its payments and supply chain businesses, as well as the core subscription and merchandise solutions business lines. In many respects, the lockdown environment has been a perfect storm for the business and its customers, which are anyone wanting to sell online.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry, had a good 2020. Over the last year, it had strong operating results and strong order volumes and continues to invest significantly in, expand and improve its production

facilities. Its competition continues to struggle to keep up in terms of investment levels and technology. We believe the outlook for the business is promising with strong demand from high performance computing and 5G telecoms.

Zalando was a further contributor to 2020 performance. The e-commerce company specializes in fashion retail and is the European leader in this space. We believe it has an enormous potential market with the shift of fashion to online, and the company has made long-term investments in its logistics infrastructure. Over the last year it had strong operating results, a significant uptick in user numbers as people migrated online for apparel spend, and also increased spend per user. Even more encouragingly, it has partnered with a number of brick and mortar retailers and is also exploring opportunities to enter new markets.

Amongst the negative contributors to performance during the 12-month period were Hargreaves Lansdown, Raia Drogasil and Treasury Wine Estates.

A notable detractor to performance for 2020 was Hargreaves Lansdown, a leading U.K. investment savings platform. Over the long-term, it has been a beneficiary of the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution pensions in the U.K. market and more generally from making investment easy for their customers. Its performance has been somewhat lackluster. In particular its growth in assets under management subdued in 2020 and one of its founders has continued to sell his holding. The U.K. stock market has also lagged many other international stock markets over 2020 and that has further weighed on the share price.

Raia Drogasil, the Brazilian pharmacy chain, was also a notable detractor. Though it is a business that should benefit at these times, growth has been disappointing, and Brazil, like many other emerging economies, has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Treasury Wine Estates, the Australian listed global wine business, also had a marked period of underperformance in 2020. The company has faced some considerable headwinds with China having announced large tariffs on wine imports following an anti-dumping investigation plus fractious Chinese-Australian relations. It has also had a change in management and had weaker operational results over the past year.

As investors it's natural for us to be asked for predictions about the future. In those moments it's worth recalling a quote attributed to U.S. baseball player Yogi Berra: "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." We must remain humble about what we (can) know and be willing and ready to change our minds as new facts emerge. We do, however, strongly believe that a careful


01



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

selection of great growth businesses which are run by aligned management teams should thrive over the long term. Our task then is to focus on finding these exceptional companies and develop the fortitude to own them for, not just the year ahead, but long periods of time.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. Bottom-up investing is an investment approach that focuses on the analysis of individual stocks and deemphasizes the significance of economic cycles and market cycles. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth above the market over the long-term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantages, management capabilities, financial strength and valuation. From the outset, we also consider aspects which may derail the investment case and revisit the thesis for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. The

International All Cap Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. It meets regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. Ongoing monitoring of the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings enables appropriate changes to be made where applicable.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., ICICI Lombard, Kering, Li Ning, LVMH, Meituan Dianping, MercadoLibre, Rational, Remy Cointreau, Ubisoft Entertainment

Complete Sales:

Infineon, Jupiter Fund Management, Legrand, MS&AD Insurance, Novozymes, Public Bank, Schindler, U-Blox


02



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Fund Performance for periods ended 12/31/20 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
 

Inception Date

 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund Class 2*
   

33.31

%

   

14.27

%

   

10.88

%

 

04/09/13

 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund Class 3
   

33.40

%

   

14.35

%

   

10.94

%

 

05/01/13

 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund Class 5**
   

33.51

%

   

14.32

%

   

10.91

%

 

07/10/19

 

MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index

   

11.13

%

   

9.43

%

   

6.90

%

 

09/24/12

 

*  Performance for Class 2 shares prior to their date of inception is derived from the historical performance of Class 1 shares (inception date Septepmber 24, 2012), and has not been adjusted for the lower shareholder servicing fees applicable to Class 2 shares.

**  Performance for Class 5 shares prior to their date of inception (July 10, 2019) is derived from the historical performance of Class 2 shares and has not been adjusted for the lower shareholder servicing fees applicable to Class 5 shares. Prior to the inception of Class 2 (April 9, 2013), Class 5 shares historical performance is derived from Class 1 shares and has not been adjusted for the lower shareholder servicing fees applicable to Class 5 shares.

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


03



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

As a shareholder of the Fund you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include purchase fees and redemption fees and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees, shareholder service fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in the 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, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

Actual Expenses

The first line of each table 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 the 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 the Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return.

The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as purchase fees and redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table labeled "Hypothetical (5% 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.


04



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

    Account Value
7/01/20
  Ending
Beginning
Value
12/31/20
  Annualized
Account
Based on the Period
7/01/20 to 12/31/20
  Expense Ratios
Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,315.90

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.55

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.07

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.10

   

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,316.40

     

0.54

%

 

$

3.14

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.42

     

0.54

%

 

$

2.75

   

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund — Class 5

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,316.90

     

0.46

%

 

$

2.68

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.82

     

0.46

%

 

$

2.34

   

*  Unless otherwise indicated, expenses are calculated using the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the six-month period).

Expenses are calculated using the annualized expense ratio for the Fund, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the period end December 31, 2020. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of

days in the most recent fiscal half-year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the calendar year. Expense ratios for the most recent period may differ from expense ratios based on the one-year data in the financial highlights.


05



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

23,740,235

     

4.1

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

5,460,681

     

1.0

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

3,981,940

     

0.7

   

Banks

   

6,265,510

     

1.1

   

Beverages

   

24,791,226

     

4.3

   

Building Materials

   

16,361,655

     

2.8

   

Chemicals

   

14,916,749

     

2.6

   

Commercial Services

   

5,454,938

     

0.9

   

Computers

   

12,224,387

     

2.1

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

15,762,998

     

2.7

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

16,405,834

     

2.9

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

3,932,208

     

0.7

   

Electronics

   

40,685,128

     

7.1

   

Engineering & Construction

   

3,498,655

     

0.6

   

Food

   

7,169,101

     

1.3

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

8,290,187

     

1.4

   

Healthcare — Products

   

28,218,298

     

4.9

   

Holding Companies — Diversified

   

2,606,717

     

0.5

   

Home Furnishings

   

5,561,253

     

1.0

   

Insurance

   

20,706,069

     

3.6

   

Internet

   

132,645,442

     

23.1

   

Investment Companies

   

5,535,319

     

1.0

   

Leisure Time

   

7,396,892

     

1.3

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

9,322,605

     

1.6

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

34,008,244

     

5.9

   

Oil & Gas Services

   

1,996,059

     

0.3

   

Retail

   

48,979,382

     

8.5

   

Semiconductors

   

38,485,433

     

6.7

   

Software

   

19,256,248

     

3.4

   

Telecommunications

   

6,366,077

     

1.1

   

Total Value of Investments

   

570,025,470

     

99.2

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

4,471,149

     

0.8

   

Net Assets

 

$

574,496,619

     

100.0

%

 

The table above is based on Bloomberg Industry Group classifications. For compliance monitoring purposes, sub-industry classifications are used which results in less concentration across industry sectors.


06



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.5%

 

ARGENTINA — 1.6%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

5,642

   

$

9,451,591

   

AUSTRALIA — 2.9%

 

Cochlear Ltd.

   

51,613

     

7,531,131

   

SEEK Ltd.

   

281,000

     

6,160,887

   

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

   

405,952

     

2,936,594

   
         

16,628,612

   

BRAZIL — 1.0%

 

Raia Drogasil SA

   

1,184,500

     

5,693,983

   

CANADA — 4.3%

 

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

   

8,057

     

2,746,115

   
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

19,649

     

22,241,685

   
         

24,987,800

   

CHINA — 11.0%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

56,431

     

13,133,187

   
Baidu, Inc. ADR *    

26,504

     

5,731,225

   

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

73,055

     

3,932,208

   

Li Ning Co., Ltd.

   

1,070,500

     

7,366,276

   
Meituan, Class B *    

281,400

     

10,592,869

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

438,500

     

5,336,377

   
Prosus NV *    

42,577

     

4,597,409

   
Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR *    

94,741

     

3,195,614

   

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd., Class H

   

884,057

     

9,262,178

   
         

63,147,343

   

FINLAND — 1.2%

 

Kone Oyj, B Shares

   

83,560

     

6,808,481

   

FRANCE — 4.5%

 

Kering

   

7,826

     

5,679,594

   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   

9,998

     

6,258,762

   

Remy Cointreau SA

   

41,953

     

7,830,776

   
Ubisoft Entertainment SA *    

61,674

     

5,943,437

   
         

25,712,569

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
07



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

GERMANY — 7.9%

 
adidas AG *    

22,092

   

$

8,037,179

   

Bechtle AG

   

56,090

     

12,224,387

   

Nemetschek SE

   

52,072

     

3,869,906

   

Rational AG

   

5,978

     

5,561,253

   
Zalando SE *    

142,809

     

15,884,855

   
         

45,577,580

   

HONG KONG — 3.9%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

770,400

     

9,388,188

   

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

   

46,600

     

2,606,717

   

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

   

87,400

     

2,174,512

   

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.

   

580,000

     

8,290,187

   
         

22,459,604

   

INDIA — 4.9%

 

Asian Paints Ltd.

   

297,856

     

11,282,284

   

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

246,140

     

8,623,749

   

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co., Ltd.*

   

155,201

     

3,235,388

   
MakeMyTrip Ltd. *    

75,532

     

2,230,460

   
United Spirits Ltd. *    

325,990

     

2,583,507

   
         

27,955,388

   

IRELAND — 1.3%

 
Kingspan Group PLC *    

103,175

     

7,234,911

   

JAPAN — 18.3%

 

Denso Corp.

   

66,900

     

3,981,940

   

Kakaku.com, Inc.

   

168,600

     

4,615,148

   

Kao Corp.

   

52,900

     

4,086,854

   

Keyence Corp.

   

13,700

     

7,706,483

   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

108,300

     

9,804,350

   

Nidec Corp.

   

85,900

     

10,867,034

   

Olympus Corp.

   

453,000

     

9,917,935

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

92,200

     

3,805,346

   

Shimano, Inc.

   

31,600

     

7,396,892

   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

   

113,700

     

7,870,798

   

SMC Corp.

   

15,300

     

9,344,285

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

82,000

     

6,366,077

   

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd.

   

42,700

     

2,852,316

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
08



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

Suzuki Motor Corp.

   

117,800

   

$

5,460,681

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

89,500

     

10,769,233

   
         

104,845,372

   

MEXICO — 0.4%

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

   

883,900

     

2,482,977

   

NETHERLANDS — 2.5%

 
ASML Holding NV    

29,196

     

14,136,038

   

NEW ZEALAND — 1.6%

 
Xero Ltd. *    

83,198

     

9,442,906

   

PORTUGAL — 0.9%

 

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

   

297,125

     

4,994,589

   

SINGAPORE — 1.1%

 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

367,599

     

6,265,510

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 1.5%

 

Naspers Ltd., N Shares

   

42,607

     

8,724,836

   

SOUTH KOREA — 0.8%

 
NAVER Corp. *    

17,356

     

4,678,644

   

SPAIN — 1.3%

 

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

232,248

     

7,371,514

   

SWEDEN — 5.3%

 

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   

4,093

     

210,366

   

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

221,412

     

9,938,628

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

335,837

     

5,669,502

   

Investor AB, B Shares

   

76,052

     

5,535,319

   

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

278,307

     

9,126,744

   
         

30,480,559

   

SWITZERLAND — 1.3%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

81,108

     

7,327,461

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
09



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

TAIWAN — 4.2%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

223,307

   

$

24,349,395

   

THAILAND — 0.4%

 

Thai Beverage PCL

   

3,912,700

     

2,178,171

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 10.0%

 
ASOS PLC

*

     

63,108

     

4,112,695

   

Auto Trader Group PLC

   

988,551

     

8,046,546

   
Burberry Group PLC *    

154,164

     

3,764,700

   

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

373,742

     

7,782,085

   

HomeServe PLC

   

249,869

     

3,498,655

   

Intertek Group PLC

   

70,623

     

5,454,938

   
John Wood Group PLC *    

473,186

     

1,996,059

   

Johnson Matthey PLC

   

109,701

     

3,634,465

   
Rightmove PLC *    

1,081,046

     

9,604,853

   
Trainline PLC *    

952,836

     

6,058,101

   
Weir Group PLC (The) *    

134,357

     

3,653,103

   
         

57,606,200

   

UNITED STATES — 3.4%

 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *    

8,864

     

10,102,123

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

30,095

     

9,469,693

   
         

19,571,816

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $302,377,083)

       

560,113,850

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.7%

 

GERMANY — 1.7%

 

Sartorius AG 0.10% (cost $2,494,583)

   

23,533

     

9,911,620

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.2%

 

(cost $304,871,666)

     

$

570,025,470

   

Other assets less liabilities — 0.8%

 

   

4,471,149

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

 

$

574,496,619

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

This report classifies issuers geographically by their country of risk. For compliance monitoring purposes, Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited retains discretion to consider a number of factors in determining where a particular issuer is located, as described in further detail in the Fund's Prospectus for Private Placement.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

132,329,129

   

$

427,784,721

   

$

   

$

560,113,850

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

9,911,620

     

     

9,911,620

   

Total

 

$

132,329,129

   

$

437,696,341

   

$

   

$

570,025,470

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $304,871,666)

 

$

570,025,470

   

Cash

   

5,670,198

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

271,278

   

Dividends receivable

   

268,880

   

Total Assets

   

576,235,826

   

LIABILITIES

 

Deferred India capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

974,343

   

Advisory fee payable

   

483,171

   

Servicing fee payable

   

159,335

   

Trustee fee payable

   

4,333

   

Commitment fee payable

   

793

   

Accrued expenses

   

117,232

   

Total Liabilities

   

1,739,207

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

574,496,619

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

312,271,663

   

Total distributable earnings

   

262,224,956

   

 

$

574,496,619

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($183,036,972 / 9,029,508 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

20.27

   
Class 3 ($331,138,339 / 16,151,342 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

20.50

   
Class 5 ($60,321,308 / 2,878,422 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

20.96

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2020

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $523,765)

 

$

4,658,820

   

Interest

   

14,264

   

Total Investment Income

   

4,673,084

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

1,673,825

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

280,618

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

265,852

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

9,463

   

Transfer agency

   

51,645

   

Fund accounting

   

186,602

   

Custody

   

83,221

   

Legal

   

59,535

   

Professional fees

   

31,703

   

Trustees' fees

   

16,324

   

Commitment fees

   

2,465

   

Miscellaneous

   

28,713

   

Total Expenses

   

2,689,966

   

Net Investment Income

   

1,983,118

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments (net of India capital gains tax expense of $32,267)

   

25,913,013

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

58,743

   
     

25,971,756

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments (net of deferred India capital gains tax expense of $382,687) (Note A)

   

123,283,098

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

17,804

   

   

123,300,902

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

149,272,659

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

151,255,776

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

1,983,118

   

$

8,320,719

   

Net realized gain

   

25,971,756

     

12,212,397

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

123,300,902

     

99,030,743

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

151,255,776

     

119,563,859

   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(7,087,594

)

   

(7,024,708

)

 

Class 3

   

(12,911,540

)

   

(4,352,607

)

 

Class 5

   

(2,339,465

)

   

(1,252,272

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(22,338,599

)

   

(12,629,587

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

7,000,000

     

   

Class 3

   

103,690,220

     

   

Class 4

   

     

39,464,199

*

 

Class 5

   

     

40,720,857

*

 

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

7,087,595

     

7,024,708

   

Class 3

   

12,911,540

     

4,352,607

   

Class 5

   

2,339,464

     

1,252,272

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(134,690,220

)

   

(52,832,371

)

 

Class 3

   

(15,000,000

)

   

   

Class 4

   

     

(40,720,857

)*  

Class 5

   

     

(39,464,199

)*  

Decrease in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

(16,661,401

)

   

(40,202,784

)

 

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

112,255,776

     

66,731,488

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

462,240,843

     

395,509,355

   

End of year

 

$

574,496,619

   

$

462,240,843

   

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

15.82

   

$

12.26

   

$

14.85

   

$

11.44

   

$

11.53

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.06

     

0.27

     

0.15

     

0.14

     

0.17

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

5.20

     

3.73

     

(2.61

)

   

3.46

     

(0.11

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

5.26

     

4.00

     

(2.46

)

   

3.60

     

0.06

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.63

)

   

     

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.81

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.15

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

20.27

   

$

15.82

   

$

12.26

   

$

14.85

   

$

11.44

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

33.31

%

   

32.65

%

   

(16.63

)%

   

31.45

%

   

0.54

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

183,037

   

$

258,860

   

$

242,317

   

$

324,764

   

$

219,300

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.62

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.64

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.34

%

   

1.92

%(d)

   

1.02

%

   

1.03

%

   

1.48

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

12

%

   

13

%

   

15

%

   

12

%

   

14

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

15.99

   

$

12.39

   

$

15.01

   

$

11.56

   

$

11.65

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.07

     

0.30

     

0.16

     

0.15

     

0.18

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

5.27

     

3.75

     

(2.64

)

   

3.50

     

(0.12

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

5.34

     

4.05

     

(2.48

)

   

3.65

     

0.06

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.63

)

   

     

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.83

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.15

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

20.50

   

$

15.99

   

$

12.39

   

$

15.01

   

$

11.56

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

33.40

%

   

32.74

%

   

(16.57

)%

   

31.54

%

   

0.61

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

331,138

   

$

158,198

   

$

119,176

   

$

142,844

   

$

108,594

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.55

%

   

0.58

%

   

0.57

%

   

0.58

%

   

0.58

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.44

%

   

2.04

%(d)

   

1.09

%

   

1.13

%

   

1.55

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

12

%

   

13

%

   

15

%

   

12

%

   

14

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 5 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  For the Period
July 10,
2019(b)
through
December 31,
2019
  For the Period
January 1,
2019
through
April 10,
2019(b)
  For the Period
January 10,
2018(a)
through
December 31,
2018
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

16.33

   

$

15.14

   

$

12.64

   

$

15.72

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(c)

   

0.09

     

0.20

     

0.06

     

0.18

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

5.38

     

1.46

     

1.97

     

(3.11

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

5.47

     

1.66

     

2.03

     

(2.93

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                 

From net investment income

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.47

)

   

     

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.63

)

   

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.84

)

   

(0.47

)

   

     

(0.15

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

20.96

   

$

16.33

   

$

14.67

   

$

12.64

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

33.51

%

   

10.95

%

   

16.02

%

   

(18.61

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

60,321

   

$

45,183

   

$

39,464

   

$

34,016

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.47

%

   

0.50

%*    

0.49

%*    

0.49

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.51

%

   

2.66

%(e)

   

1.59

%*    

1.21

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

12

%

   

13

%

   

13

%

   

15

%

 

*  Annualized

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from April 11, 2019 to July 10, 2019. All shares of this class were redeemed on April 10, 2019 at $14.67. New shares were issued at $15.14 on July 10, 2019.

(c)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to one-off taxable stock dividends that were treated as income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Note A — Organization and Accounting Policies

The Fund is a series of Baillie Gifford Funds (the "Trust"). The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve capital appreciation. For information on the specific investment strategies of the Fund and description of each share class, please refer to the Fund's Prospectus for Private Placement ("Prospectus"). The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on June 21, 2000, under the laws of Massachusetts. The Trust operates pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 27, 2017, as amended from time to time.

The Fund's Class 2, Class 3 and Class 5 share classes had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020.

The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The financial statements of the Fund have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund:

Valuation of Investments

Equity securities listed on an established securities exchange are normally valued at their last sale price on the exchange where primarily traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Equity Securities listed on an established securities exchange for which there is no reported sale during the day (and in the case of over-the-counter securities not so listed) are valued at the mean between the last available bid and ask prices.

Other securities for which current market quotations are not readily available (or for which quotations are not believed to be reliable due to market changes that occur after the most recent available quotations are obtained, or for any other reason), and all other assets, are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (the "Manager"), pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board"). The actual calculations may be made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Board or by pricing services.

Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is substantially completed each day at various times prior to close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Occasionally, events affecting the value of equity securities of non-U.S. issuers not traded on a U.S. exchange may occur between the completion of substantial trading of such securities for the day and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange and such events may not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value.

If events materially affecting the value of the Fund's portfolio securities occur during such period, then these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Manager, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. The Fund utilizes a third party pricing service which for all equity securities, except those traded on Canadian, Latin American or U.S. exchanges, subject to certain minimum confidence levels, applies a fair value adjustment that seeks to reflect changes in such securities' market prices since the close of the market on which they are traded. To the extent that securities are valued using this service, they will be classified as Level 2 securities in the fair value measurement framework described below.

Fair Value Measurement

GAAP provides guidance on fair value measurements and defines fair value as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. It establishes a single definition of fair value, creates a three-tier hierarchy as a framework for measuring fair value


18



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

based on inputs used to value the Fund's investments, and requires additional disclosure about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

Level 1 —  unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

Level 2 —  other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

Level 3 —  significant unobservable inputs (including the Trust's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

For Level 1 inputs, the Fund uses unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information as the most reliable evidence of fair value.

The Fund's Level 2 valuation techniques include inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for an asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. This includes when a fair value adjustment is applied which seeks to reflect changes in foreign securities' market prices since the close of the market on which they are traded. Level 2 observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially over time or among market participants. Inputs that are observable for the asset or liability in Level 2 include such factors as interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and default rates for similar liabilities.

For Level 3 valuation techniques, the Fund uses unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions market participants would be expected to use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available and are developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. In developing unobservable inputs, market participant assumptions are used if they are reasonably available without undue cost and effort.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The hierarchy classification of inputs used to value the Fund's investments at December 31, 2020 is disclosed at the end of the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine the fair value.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable rate of exchange to determine the value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates from the impact arising from changes in market prices. Such fluctuations are included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.

Net realized foreign exchange 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 Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange 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.

Securities Transactions and Investment Income

The Fund's securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Investment income, expenses (other than those specific to a particular class of shares), and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated to the separate classes of shares based upon their relative net asset value on the date income is earned or expensed and realized and unrealized gains and losses are incurred.


19



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Federal Taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify to be taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and as such will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income (including any net realized capital gains) which is distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Code to the Fund's shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Investment income received from investments in foreign jurisdictions may be subject to foreign withholding tax. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Whenever possible, the Fund will attempt to operate so as to qualify for reduced tax rates or tax exemptions in those countries with which the United States has a tax treaty. Foreign taxes, if any, net of any reclaims, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Fund invests.

In addition to the requirements of the Code, the Fund may also be subject to capital gains tax in India and potentially other foreign jurisdictions, on gains realized upon the sale of securities. Any realized losses in excess of gains in India may be carried forward to offset future gains. Funds with exposure to Indian securities and potentially other foreign jurisdictions accrue a deferred liability for unrealized gains in excess of available loss

carryforwards based on existing tax rates and holding periods of the securities. As of December 31, 2020, the Fund recorded a deferred liability for potential future India capital gains taxes of $974,343.

The Fund is subject to tax accounting standards that provide guidance for how certain and uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. These standards require the evaluation of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in the course of preparing the Fund's tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are "more- likely-than-not" of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the "more- likely-than-not" threshold would be recorded as a reduction in a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has evaluated the application of these standards and has determined no liabilities for income tax related expenses are required in the financial statements of the Fund. The previous three tax year ends remain subject to examination.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund utilized $1,771,239 in capital loss carryforwards.

Realized capital losses, currency losses and passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") losses incurred after October 31 ("post-October losses/Late-Year Specified") within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund's next taxable year. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund incurred and will elect to defer net post-October or late-year losses as indicated.

At December 31, 2020, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Fund

  Undistributed
Net Ordinary
Income
  Long Term
Capital
Gains
  Capital
Loss
Carryforwards
  Post October
Capital/
Late Year
Ordinary
Losses
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
on
Investments
and Foreign
Currencies and
Foreign Tax
  Total
Distributable
Earnings/
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund
 

$

1,556,617

   

$

5,651,014

   

$

   

$

   

$

255,017,325

   

$

262,224,956

   

The differences between the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis and the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities are primarily due to the differing book/tax treatment of realized losses on wash sales and mark to market income on securities categorized as PFICs.


20



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

The Fund intends to distribute each year, as dividends, substantially all net investment income and net capital gains realized. All such dividends or distributions are credited in the form of additional shares of the Fund at net asset value on the ex-dividend date unless the shareholder

elects to receive dividends and distributions in cash. Currently, the Fund's policy is to distribute net investment income and net capital gains on an annual basis. Such distributions are determined in conformity with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the tax characters of the dividends paid were:

Fund

  Ordinary
Income
2020
  Long Term
Capital Gains
2020
  Return of
Capital
2020
  Ordinary
Income
2019
  Long Term
Capital Gains
2019
  Return of
Capital
2019
 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund
 

$

5,244,726

   

$

17,093,873

   

$

   

$

12,629,587

   

$

   

$

   

For tax purposes, short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions.

The Fund's cost of investments and gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at December 31, 2020 for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Fund

  Cost of
Investments
  Gross
Appreciation
  Gross
Depreciation
  Net
Appreciation
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 

$

314,057,279

   

$

283,152,846

   

$

(27,184,655

)

 

$

255,968,191

   

Note B — Investment Management and Other Services

The Fund is advised and managed by the Manager. The Manager, an investment adviser registered with the

Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Baillie Gifford & Co.

Under an investment advisory agreement between the Manager and the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the "Advisory Agreement"), the Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee, in arrears.

The advisory fee paid by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement is calculated and accrued daily on the basis of the annual rate noted below and expressed as a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Fund

  Average Daily Net Assets
of the Fund (billions)
  Annual Rate at
Each Asset Level
 
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35%
0.31%
0.29%
 

Baillie Gifford Funds Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, serves as the sole distributor and principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund.

The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan providing that the Fund may pay the Manager, or any other entity that acts from time to time as the shareholder

servicing agent with respect to a class of Fund shares, for services rendered and expenses borne in connection with the provision of services provided to Fund investors and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. For these


21



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

services, the Fund pays the Manager a fee at the annualized rate of the Fund's average daily net assets attributed to each class of shares as follows:

    Baillie Gifford
International
All Cap Fund
 

Class 2

   

0.17

%

 

Class 3

   

0.10

%

 

Class 5

   

0.02

%

 

The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Fund's administrator and custodian. BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. serves as the Trust's transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent.

Note C — Investment Transactions

Purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term securities) for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

Fund

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 

$

58,191,650

   

$

95,650,676

   

Note D — Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

440,817

   

$

7,000,000

     

6,425,102

   

$

103,690,220

(b)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

350,101

     

7,087,594

     

630,594

     

12,911,540

   

Shares redeemed

   

(8,124,339

)

   

(134,690,220

)(a)

   

(795,798

)

   

(15,000,000

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(7,333,421

)

 

$

(120,602,626

)

   

6,259,898

   

$

101,601,760

   

(a)  6,495,741 shares and $103,690,220 converted from Class 2 into Class 3.

(b)  6,425,102 shares and $103,690,220 converted into Class 3 from Class 2.

    Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

111,783

     

2,339,465

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

111,783

   

$

2,339,465

   


22



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

441,467

     

7,024,708

     

270,573

     

4,352,607

   

Shares redeemed

   

(3,848,699

)

   

(52,832,371

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(3,407,232

)

 

$

(45,807,663

)

   

270,573

   

$

4,352,607

   
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

2,718,276

(a)

 

$

39,464,199

(a)

   

2,690,403

(c)

 

$

40,720,857

(c)

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

76,236

     

1,252,272

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,718,276

)(b)

   

(40,720,857

)(b)

   

(2,690,460

)(d)

   

(39,464,199

)(d)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

   

$

(1,256,658

)

   

76,179

   

$

2,508,930

   

(a)  2,718,276 shares and $39,464,199 converted into Class 4 from Class 5.

(b)  2,718,276 shares and $40,720,857 converted from Class 4 into Class 5.

(c)  2,690,403 shares and $40,720,857 converted into Class 5 from Class 4.

(d)  2,690,460 shares and $39,464,199 converted from Class 5 into Class 4.

Note E — Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial ownership, either direct or indirect, of more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund creates a presumption of control under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2020, the following shareholder beneficially owned 25% or more of the Fund's voting securities:

Fund

 

Investor

 

Percentage

 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 

The Municipal Fire & Police Retirement System of Iowa

   

33.78

%

 

Purchase and redemption activity of these accounts may have a significant effect on the operation of the Fund.

Note F — Commitments and Contingencies

The Fund indemnifies the Trust's officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from the performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications.

The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future

claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Note G — Line of Credit

The Trust entered into a committed facility with Bank of New York Mellon on May 1, 2017, renewed April 21, 2020, and expiring April 20, 2021 which allows the certain series of the Trust to borrow up to $50 million in total subject to


23



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

minimum asset coverage requirements set out in the Credit Agreement. Each such series may borrow money under this credit facility for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for other temporary or emergency purposes.

In normal market conditions, borrowings are charged at an interest rate of 1.25% per annum plus the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the one-month USD LIBOR Rate. Prior to April 1, 2020, pursuant to the Committed Revolving Credit Facility Procedures adopted by the Board, any expenses including the commitment fee associated with the credit facility or borrowings thereunder were borne by the classes borrowing pursuant to the Credit Agreement. Effective April 1, 2020, any expenses associated with the credit facility or borrowings thereunder are payable at a fund level.

The rate payable at December 31, 2020 was 1.39% on any amounts drawn down. The were no borrowings made against the credit facility during the period.

Note H — Principal Risks (unaudited)

The below is a selection of the Fund's principal risks. Additional risks of investing in the Fund are included in the Fund's Prospectus.

Cash

Cash held by the Fund may be in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) limitations. The Manager does not expect any losses as a result of cash being in excess of FDIC limits.

Investment Style Risk

The Manager actively makes investment decisions for the Fund through bottom-up stock selection. Accordingly, the Fund will have risk characteristics that differ from its benchmark index. The Manager's judgments about the attractiveness, relative value, or potential appreciation of a particular stock may prove to be incorrect and cause the Fund to lose money or underperform compared to its benchmark index. There can be no assurance that the Manager's investment decisions will produce the desired results.

Growth Stock Risk

The prices of growth stocks may be based largely on expectations of future earnings, and their prices can decline rapidly and significantly in reaction to negative news. Growth stocks may underperform stocks in other broad style categories (and the stock market as a whole) over any period of time and may shift in and out of favor with investors generally, sometimes rapidly, depending on changes in market, economic, and other factors.

Long-Term Investment Strategy Risk

The Fund pursues a long-term investment approach, typically seeking returns over a period of several years. This investment style may cause the Fund to lose money or underperform compared to its benchmark index or other mutual funds over extended periods of time, and the Fund may not perform as expected in the long term. An investment in the Fund may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of short- or medium-term fluctuations in the value of the Fund's portfolio.

Emerging Markets Risk

To the extent the Fund invests in emerging market securities, the Fund may be exposed to greater market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, technical and other risks different from, or greater than, the risks of investing in developed markets.

Geographic Focus Risk

The Fund expects to focus investments in a limited number of countries or geographic regions, and as a result may not offer the same level of diversification of risks as a more broadly global fund because the Fund will be exposed to a smaller geographic area. The performance of a fund that is less diversified across countries or geographic regions will be closely tied to market, currency, economic, political, environmental, or regulatory conditions and developments in the countries or regions in which the fund invests, and may be more volatile than the performance of a more geographically-diversified portfolio.


24



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

Communicable diseases, including those that result in pandemics or epidemics, may pose significant threats to human health, and such diseases, along with any efforts to contain their spread, may be highly disruptive to both global and local economies and markets, with significant negative impact on individual issuers, sectors, industries, and asset classes. Significant public health crises, including those triggered by the transmission of a communicable disease and efforts to contain it may result in, among other things, border closings and other significant travel restrictions and disruptions, significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, lower consumer demand for goods and services, event cancellations and restrictions, service cancellations, reductions and other changes, significant challenges in healthcare service preparation and delivery, and prolonged quarantines, as well as general concern and uncertainty. All of these disruptive effects were present, for example, in the global pandemic linked to the outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus designated as COVID-19 that was first reported in China in December 2019.

For further information on the risks of investing in the Fund, please refer to the Prospectus.

Note I — Legal Notice (unaudited)

MSCI

The MSCI information may only be used for your internal use, may not be reproduced or re-disseminated in any form and may not be used as a basis for or a component of any financial instruments or products or indices. None of the MSCI information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such. Historical data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance analysis, forecast or prediction. The MSCI information is provided on an "as is" basis and the user of this information assumes the entire risk of any use made of this information. MSCI, each of its affiliates and each other person involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating any MSCI information (collectively, the "MSCI Parties") expressly disclaims all warranties (including, without limitation, any warranties of originality, accuracy,

completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to this information.

Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any MSCI Party have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential (including, without limitation, lost profits) or any other damages. (www.msci.com)

Note J — Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 (the "Liquidity Rule") under the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"). The purpose of the Program is to outline the techniques, tools and arrangements employed for the management of liquidity risk within the Fund, and the terms, contents and frequency of reporting and escalation of any issues to the Board. Liquidity is managed taking into account the investment strategy, liquidity profile, and redemption policy and history of the Fund, with the objective of maintaining a level of liquidity that is appropriate in light of the Fund's obligations to its shareholders. The Program assesses liquidity risk under both normal and stressed market conditions.

During the reporting period, the Fund maintained a high level of liquidity and primarily held assets that are defined under the Liquidity Rule as "Highly Liquid Investments." As a result, the Fund has not adopted a "Highly Liquid Investment Minimum," as defined under the Liquidity Rule. A Highly Liquid Investment is defined as cash and any investment reasonably expected to be convertible to cash in current market conditions in three business days or less without the conversion to cash significantly changing the market value of the investment.

During the reporting period, there were no liquidity events that materially affected the performance of the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Manager, which has been designated by the Board to administer the Program, determined that, during the reporting period, the Program operated adequately and effectively to manage the Fund's liquidity risk. There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Further information on liquidity risks applicable to the Fund can be found in the Fund's Prospectus.


25



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Note K — Subsequent Events

Events or transactions that occur after the financial statement date but before the financial statements are issued are categorized as recognized or non-recognized for financial statement purposes.

There were no subsequent events identified between December 31, 2020 and the issuance of the Financial Statements.


26



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Annual Report December 31, 2020

To the Shareholders of Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund and
Board of Trustees of Baillie Gifford Funds

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund (the "Fund"), a series of Baillie Gifford Funds, as of December 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The Fund's financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2016 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 28, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements 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 Fund 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 are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, 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. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Fund's auditor since 2017.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

Cleveland, Ohio
February 25, 2021


27



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Federal Income Tax Information

The Fund intends to designate the maximum amount of dividends that qualify for the reduced tax rate pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Fund

  Qualified
Dividend Income
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

74.07

%

 

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of ordinary income distributions for the year ended December 31, 2020 for the corporate dividends-received deduction is:

Fund

  Dividends-received
Deductions
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

0.00

%

 

In February 2021, certain U.S. shareholders will be advised on IRS Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the U.S. federal tax status of the distributions received in the calendar year 2020.

Foreign Taxes Paid — The Fund elects under the Code Section 853 to pass through foreign taxes paid to its shareholders. The total amounts of foreign taxes passed through to shareholders on a per share basis for the year ended December 31, 2020, are as follows:

Fund

  Foreign Taxes
Per Share
  Foreign Income
Per Share
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

0.0191

     

0.1847

   


28



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Management of The Trust

The following tables set forth the Trustees and officers of the Trust, their principal occupations during the past five years, and certain other information as of December 31, 2020.

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
  Principal Occupation and Other
Directorships Held During Past 5 Years(2)
  Number of Funds in
Fund complex
overseen by
Trustee(3)
 

Indepedent Trustees

 
Howard W. Chin
1952
 

Trustee, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee(4)

 

Since 2015

 

Retired. Formerly: Managing Director, Investments, Guardian Life Insurance (financial services).

 

17

 
Pamela M. J. Cox
1952
 

Trustee

 

Since 2017

 

Retired. Formerly: Senior Associate (non-resident), CSIS (think tank); Senior Vice President; Vice President East Asia, World Bank Group (international bank & financial services).

 

17

 
Bruce C. Long
1945
 

Trustee, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee(4)

 

Since 2009

 

Global Financial Consultant.

 

17

 
Robert E. Rigsby
1949
 

Trustee, Chair of the Audit Oversight Committee

 

Since 2014

 

Retired. Formerly: President & COO, Delivery Business at Dominion Energy, Inc. (electric and gas energy company).

 

17

 
Donald P. Sullivan Jr.(5)
1954
 

Trustee

 

Since 2020

 

Retired. Formerly: Senior Vice President, Agency Distribution, Guardian Life Insurance (financial services).

 

17

 

Interested Trustee

                 
David Salter(6)
1975
 

Trustee, Chair of the Board, and President

 

Since 2016 (Previously Vice President since 2014)

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); CEO & Chair, Baillie Gifford Funds Services LLC (broker-dealer).

 

17

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years(2)

 

Officers (other than officers who are also Trustees)

             
Andrew Telfer
1967
 

Vice President

 

Since 2008

 

Managing Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Michael Stirling-Aird
1977
 

Vice President

 

Since 2012

 

Client Service Director, Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (investment adviser).

 
Julie Paul
1975
 

Vice President

 

Since 2012

 

Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Tim Campbell
1975
 

Vice President

 

Since 2014

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); Manager, Baillie Gifford International LLC with oversight of marketing performed in North America.

 


29



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2020

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years(2)

 

Officers (other than officers who are also Trustees)

             
Lindsay Cockburn
1978
 

Treasurer

 

Since 2015

 

Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Gareth Griffiths
1973
 

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

 

Secretary since 2015; Chief Legal Officer since 2017

 

Senior Legal Counsel for Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Graham Laybourn
1966
 

Vice President

 

Since 2018

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Suzanne Quinn
1979
 

Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer

 

Since 2018

 

Manager, Compliance Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Evan Delaney
1969
 

Chief Risk Officer

 

Since 2013

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); Group Chief Risk Officer, Director of Business Risk and Internal Audit, Baillie Gifford Group (investment adviser).

 
Lesley-Anne Archibald
1988
 

Vice President

 

Since 2017

 

Assistant Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Kelly Cameron
1989
 

Vice President

 

Since 2020

 

Client Service Manager, Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (investment adviser).

 

The address of each Trustee and officer of the Trust is c/o Baillie Gifford Funds, Calton Square, 1 Greenside Row, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 3AN.

(1)  Length of time served relates to the relevant Trustee's or officer's service at the position listed under position(s) held with Trust. There is no stated term of office for the Trustees and a Trustee may serve until such Trustee reaches the age of 75 years. The Chair of the Board and President of the Trust are elected annually by the Board of Trustees. Other officers may be elected or appointed by the Trustees at any time.

(2)  Previous positions during the past five years with Baillie Gifford & Co., the Manager, and Baillie Gifford Group are omitted if not materially different from the positions listed.

(3)  The number of Funds in the Fund complex overseen by the Trustee includes series of the Trust not included in this shareholder report or which have not yet commenced investment operations as of the date hereof.

(4)  On October 1, 2020 Howard W. Chin took over as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee in anticipation of Bruce C. Long's retirement on December 31, 2020.

(5)  Donald P. Sullivan Jr. joined the Board as a new trustee on July 1, 2020.

(6)  David Salter is an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or the Manager due to his positions with the Manager and his role as an officer of the Trust.

Additional information regarding the Trustees is in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information and is available upon request, without charge, by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

A description of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures related to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000 or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is also available without charge upon request by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000 or by accessing the Fund's Form N-PX on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its Form N-PORT. The Fund's Form N-PORT is available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.


30



Copyright © Baillie Gifford & Co 2015.



(b)Not applicable

 

 

 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

(a)The registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

(c)There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description.

 

(d)The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

 

(e)Not applicable.

 

(f)The registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as an exhibit.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that Mr. Robert E. Rigsby, is qualified to serve as an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit oversight committee and that he is “independent,” as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

 

 

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Audit Fees

 

(a)The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are $294,770 for 2020 and $284,200 for 2019.

 

An additional payment of $6,838 was made for year 2019. This was an out of pocket expense in relation to the audit services provided.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

(b)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $0 for 2020 and $0 for 2019.

 

Tax Fees

 

(c)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $85,690 for 2020 and $84,000 for 2019. These services are related to the review of federal and state income tax returns, excise tax returns, and the review of the distribution requirements for excise tax purposes.

 

All Other Fees

 

(d)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $0 for 2020 and $0 for 2019.

 

(e)(1) In order for the Trust’s accountant to remain independent, the following engagements must be approved in advance by the Trust’s Audit Oversight Committee or pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures for Audit and Non-Audit Services, as adopted by the Trust’s Audit Oversight Committee:

 

(a)any engagement of the accountant to provide audit services or non-audit services to the Trust; and

 

(b)any engagement of the accountant to provide non-audit services to the Trust’s investment adviser, or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Trust (“Service Providers”), if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Trust.

 

(e)(2) The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:

 

(b) Audit Related Fees – Not Applicable

 

 

 

 

(c) Tax Fees – 100%

 

(d) All Other Fees – 100%

 

(f)Not applicable.

 

(g)The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant was $12,300 for 2020 and $14,000 for 2019.

 

The fees disclosed above relate to ad-hoc tax advice provided by the registrant’s accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser. An additional payment of $6,838 was made for year 2019. This was an out of pocket expense in relation to the non-audit services provided.

 

(h)Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1(a) of this form.

 

(b)In accordance with Section 13(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has divested itself of the following securities since the filing of its last report or Form N-CSR.

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 

Name of Issuer  Exchange
Ticker Symbol
  Security
Identifier
(CUSIP
number/ISIN
  Total Number
of Shares
Divested
   Date Securities
were Divested
  Amount Held
on Filing Date
   Statute
Atlas Copco A  ATCO A  SE0011166610   4,892   09/01/2020   305,121   Sudan
Accountability
          17,243   10/16/2020       and Divestment
Act of 2007
Atlas Copco B  ATCO B  SE0011166628   5,672   08/07/2020   0    
                       
          20,524   10/16/2020        

 

 

 

 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 

Name of Issuer  Exchange
Ticker Symbol
 

Security
Identifier
(CUSIP

number/ISIN

  Total Number
of Shares
Divested
   Date Securities
were Divested
  Amount Held
on Filing Date
   Statute
Atlas Copco B  ATCO B  SE0011166628   7,470   09/29/2020   160,067   Sudan
Accountability
          5,078   12/15/2020       and Divestment
Act of 2007

 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 

Name of Issuer  Exchange
Ticker Symbol
  Security
Identifier
(CUSIP
number/ISIN
  Total Number
of Shares
Divested
   Date Securities
were Divested
  Amount Held
on Filing Date
   Statute
Atlas Copco B  ATCO B  SE0011166628   9,535   08/18/2020   221,412   Sudan
Accountability
          6,770   10/07/2020       and Divestment
Act of 2007

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 

Name of Issuer  Exchange
Ticker Symbol
  Security
Identifier
(CUSIP
number/ISIN
  Total Number
of Shares
Divested
   Date Securities
were Divested
  Amount Held
on Filing Date
   Statute
Atlas Copco B  ATCO B  SE0011166628   28,604   08/26/2020   1,539,597   Sudan
Accountability
          5,479   10/20/2020       and Divestment
Act of 2007

 

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Fund

 

Name of Issuer  Exchange
Ticker Symbol
  Security
Identifier
(CUSIP
number/ISIN
  Total Number
of Shares
Divested
   Date Securities
were Divested
  Amount Held
on Filing Date
   Statute
Atlas Copco B  ATCO B  SE0011166628   3,536   07/01/2020   11,595   Sudan
Accountability
          10,055   08/31/2020        and Divestment
Act of 2007
          1,112   09/08/2020       
                       
          12,103   09/15/2020       
                       
          777   10/12/2020         
                       
          968   12/22/2020         
                       
          7,126   12/30/2020        

 

 

 

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 

Name of Issuer  Exchange
Ticker Symbol
  Security
Identifier
(CUSIP
number/ISIN
  Total Number
of Shares
Divested
   Date Securities
were Divested
  Amount Held
on Filing Date
   Statute
Atlas Copco A  ATCO A  SE0011166610   43,597   07/31/2020   1,617,041   Sudan
Accountability
          159,257   09/04/2020        and Divestment
Act of 2007
          12,389   09/07/2020       
                       
          21,908   10/12/2020      

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

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 Holders.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

 

 

 

(b)There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is 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.

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)Code of ethics, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.

 

(a)(2)Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

(a)(3)Not applicable.

 

(a)(4)Not applicable.

 

(b)Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

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): Baillie Gifford Funds

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ David Salter, President  
  David Salter, President  
  (principal executive officer)  

 

Date:     March 1, 2021

 

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

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ David Salter, President  
  David Salter, President  
  (principal executive officer)  

 

Date:     March 1, 2021

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Lindsay Cockburn, Treasurer  
  Lindsay Cockburn, Treasurer  
  (principal financial officer)  

 

Date:     March 1, 2021

 

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.