N-CSR 1 c64212_ncsr.htm

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          811-08071

Lazard Retirement Series, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112
(Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip code)

Nathan A. Paul, Esq.
Lazard Asset Management LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:           (212) 632-6000

Date of fiscal year end:          12/31

Date of reporting period:          12/31/10


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


(FRONT COVER)

December 31, 2010

Lazard Retirement Series Annual Report

Lazard Retirement Series

 

 

 

U.S. Equity

International Equity

Emerging Markets

Lazard Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio

Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio

Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity

Lazard Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio

 

Portfolio




 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Table of Contents

 


 

 

 

2

 

A Message from Lazard

3

 

Investment Overviews

7

 

Performance Overviews

11

 

Information About Your Portfolio’s Expenses

12

 

Portfolio Holdings Presented by Sector

13

 

Portfolios of Investments

13

 

Lazard Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio

15

 

Lazard Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio

17

 

Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio

19

 

Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

21

 

Notes to Portfolios of Investments

23

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

24

 

Statements of Operations

25

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

27

 

Financial Highlights

30

 

Notes to Financial Statements

36

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

37

 

Board of Directors and Officers Information

40

 

Other Information

43

 

Tax Information

Shares of the Portfolios are currently offered only to separate accounts established by insurance companies to fund variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Portfolio shares may also be offered to certain qualified pension and retirement plans and to accounts permitting accumulation of assets on a tax-deferred basis.

Please consider a Portfolio’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For more complete information about Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. (the “Fund”), you may obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus, by calling 800-823-6300, or online, at www.LazardNet.com. Read the prospectus or each Portfolio’s summary prospectus carefully before you invest. The prospectus or summary prospectus contain investment objective, risks, charges, expenses and other information about Portfolios of the Fund, which may not be detailed in this report.

Distributed by Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC.

Annual Report  1



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. A Message from Lazard

 

Dear Shareholder,

During 2010, global economies and financial markets continued to show signs of stability and recovery, following the extreme volatility of the previous two years. The economic environment was broadly stable in most developed markets, with a relatively modest recovery in place, while growth in emerging markets remained quite strong.

Key economic events during the year included the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to engage in quantitative easing; the European debt crisis; and the People’s Bank of China’s decision to raise interest rates for the first time in three years.

At Lazard Asset Management, we remain focused on fundamental, active management, particularly during these challenging financial times.

We continue to believe that financial markets offer attractive opportunities, and that we possess and cultivate the skills, knowledge, and experience to identify and take advantage of these opportunities. We are committed to leveraging our strengths to help you, our valued shareholder, reach your financial goals.

We sincerely appreciate your continued confidence in our management capabilities, and are honored that you have turned to Lazard for your investment needs.

Sincerely,

Lazard Asset Management LLC

2  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Investment Overviews

 


U.S. Equities
The U.S. stock market posted robust returns in 2010, as economic growth continued to slowly improve. As the year progressed, the U.S. economy was healing, as GDP improved, many companies reported strong earnings and cash-rich balance sheets, manufacturing expanded, exports reverted to levels seen before the financial crisis, and retail sales returned to where they were before the recession began. In November, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) announced a second round of quantitative easing, which can be viewed as a means to increase demand and reduce the risk of deflation. However, concerns about the economy persisted, as the unemployment rate continued to stagnate and home prices remained weak. News from abroad also affected the market throughout the year, particularly geopolitical concerns about sovereign debt levels in Europe. Both Greece and Ireland agreed to rescue packages from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund; however, the bailouts did not fully stem fears of contagion in other Euro-zone countries. China raised interest rates twice in the fourth quarter of 2010, the first rate increases in nearly three years, which dampened investors’ sentiment.

During 2010, sectors generally considered cyclicals, such as consumer discretionary and industrials, gained as the economy continued to recover. Materials and energy also posted large returns due to strong commodity prices. In contrast, the health care and utilities sectors had lower returns, as investors rotated away from more traditionally defensive stocks.

International Equities: Broadly Stable Developed Markets and Strong Emerging Markets
International equity markets followed the very strong rebound of 2009 with a near 8% rise in 2010. The economic environment was broadly stable in most developed markets, with at least a weak recovery in place, while growth in emerging markets remained very strong. Low equity valuations were sufficient to drive shares up during the year, especially in the fourth quarter as macroeconomic concerns eased and we saw further unconventional policy measures from the Fed.

The U.S. policy of quantitative easing kept short- and longer-term interest rates extremely low, while the government deficit continued to increase. In Europe, governments have started to address their weak fiscal positions. In the U.K. and a number of Eurozone countries, notably Greece, Ireland, and Spain, the proposals have been aggressive. The year 2010 saw increasing pressure on the Eurozone, as the

lack of a common fiscal policy exposed deep divisions on how to respond to a debt crisis within one of its member states. So far the response has been one of crisis management, with first Greece, and then Ireland, receiving financial assistance from other member states, but a permanent solution is still required.

In this environment, the strongest performers of 2010 were many emerging market stocks, and the more cyclical stocks in developed markets. In emerging markets, the focus was on low-valued consumer stocks. In developed markets, industrial, material, and automobile stocks rose strongly, especially in the later part of the year. Less cyclical stocks, such as those in the health care and utility sectors, made little progress. Despite low valuations, banks were generally weak during 2010, especially those with exposure to the euro area or to capital markets. Stock markets in Greece, Spain, Ireland, and Portugal all suffered. The Australian domestic market was weak as a result of rising interest rates, but a rising currency gave strong U.S. dollar-denominated returns. Similarly, the Japanese market was weak in yen as exporters suffered, but gave good U.S. dollar-denominated returns.

Emerging Markets Equity: Fiscal Strength Propels Markets Higher
Despite intermittent periods of optimism, followed by concern about global growth, shares in emerging markets still returned nearly 19% in 2010, largely due to the monetary policies of the world’s central banks. For example, the Fed engaged in another phase of quantitative easing towards year-end, known as QE2. Considerable market weakness occurred due to the fiscal crises in Greece early in the year, and Ireland’s economic troubles in December. Although shares of companies in two countries, Hungary and the Czech Republic, finished lower over the year, all other major developing nations’ markets finished higher and, in many cases, rose considerably. Significant increases were witnessed in markets such as Thailand, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, despite political strife, earthquakes, and global economic instability. The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI®) Emerging Markets (EM®) Index (the EM Index) increased by 18.88% over the year 2010, as stocks in Asia considerably outperformed those in Eastern Europe or Latin America.

Across Asia, excellent performance in the information technology sector aided Taiwanese equities, which recorded strong relative price movements in the region. Pakistani stocks rebounded powerfully following the devastating



Annual Report  3



 

 

 

 


floods in the third quarter. Thai and Malaysian shares finished sharply higher despite ongoing political disharmony in Thailand, and due to the prospect of greater capital markets activity (in the form of possible privatizations) in Malaysia. Indonesian and Philippine equities experienced a continuing period of strong performance. Chinese shares, harmed by concerns over real estate prices and industrial production, performed relatively poorly.

All Latin American markets witnessed significant rises over the period. Argentinean, Chilean, and Peruvian equities were the best performers, helped by strong commodity prices and the aftermath of a debt renegotiation in Argentina. Mexican stocks also rose strongly, helped by the improving U.S. economic outlook. Brazilian shares rose by a more modest amount, held back by the record size of Petro-bras’s secondary offering and despite the election of Dilma Rousseff as president.

Mixed performance was registered across most of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Share prices rose sharply in South Africa and Russia towards year-end as commodity prices rose, and investor concerns over changes in the taxation treatment of oil in Russia appeared to dissipate. Elsewhere, despite buoyant economic conditions, Turkish stocks experienced considerable profit-taking after a period of impressive performance, due to a weaker lira caused by a reduction in money market rates. Hungarian and Czech equities fell, and Polish shares finished modestly higher over the year as the European fiscal crises negatively impacted conditions.

All sectors in the EM Index finished the year higher. The consumer discretionary, consumer staples, industrials, health care, and materials sectors outperformed the EM Index. The utilities, energy, and telecom services sectors were the weakest performers over the year.

Lazard Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Lazard Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio’s Service Shares posted a total return of 12.85%, as compared with the 15.06% return for the S&P 500® Index.

During the year, the Portfolio benefited from stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector. Shares of AutoZone, a leading auto parts retailer, performed well on a series of strong quarterly earnings. Stock selection in the energy sector also helped returns. Shares of ConocoPhillips, one of the largest U.S. integrated oil companies, rose as the company

executed on its strategy to sell non-core assets in order to fund debt reduction and share buybacks.

In contrast, stock selection in the consumer staples sector detracted from performance. Shares of retailer Wal-Mart underperformed as the market focused on consumer names with more exposure to discretionary spending. The company also had slightly negative U.S. year-over-year comparisons, largely due to food deflation. Stock selection in the information technology sector also hurt returns. Shares of Symantec, an information technology security and management firm, were weak as the company faced execution issues and market headwinds. However, the company’s latest quarter saw an implementation improvement, and maintenance/subscription revenues remained a solid generator of cash flow.

Lazard Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Lazard Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio’s Service Shares posted a total return of 23.72%, as compared with the 26.71% return for the Russell 2500® Index.

For the year 2010, stock selection in the health care and information technology sectors detracted from performance, while stock selection in the consumer discretionary and materials sectors helped returns.

Stock selection in the health care sector was the leading detractor over the year. Shares of XenoPort, a biotechnology company, fell significantly, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration surprisingly rejected one of its later-stage pipeline drugs. This failure broke the investment thesis for this stock, and we eliminated the position from the Portfolio in 2010. Tenet Healthcare declined following an announcement that it was considering acquiring a large Australian hospital corporation, as investors were worried about the company’s debt levels if such an acquisition occurred. The company also declined based on lower-than-expected first-quarter 2010 volumes. We sold our position in Tenet during the year.

Stock selection in the information technology sector, especially the technology hardware and equipment space, also detracted from returns during 2010. Early in the year, Brocade Communications Systems missed earnings estimates by a large margin, structurally changing our outlook for the company and leading us to eliminate the position. FLIR Systems, a maker of thermal imaging systems, also fell early in 2010 on weaker-than-expected guidance due to uncer-



4  Annual Report



 

 

 

 


tainty about its order book. SMART Technologies, a developer of interactive technology solutions such as digital whiteboards, fell short of consensus revenue expectations during the year. The company went on to reduce its full-year revenue estimates based on weaker education budgets, causing its share price to drop. Following this, we sold our position in SMART Technologies.

The Portfolio’s performance in 2010 was helped by stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector. Tenneco, a designer and manufacturer of automotive emission control and ride control products, benefited from the recovery in automobile demand and posted very strong second-quarter earnings. In the retail segment, Family Dollar Stores, a discount retail chain, performed well, as its business remained strong during what proved to be a volatile year for consumers. Gymboree, a children’s clothing retailer, agreed to be acquired by asset management firm Bain Capital Partners in October 2010. We exited the position following the strong rally in Gymboree’s share price after the announcement of the acquisition.

Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio’s Service Shares posted a total return of 6.72%, as compared with the 7.75% return of the MSCI Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE®) Index.

The strongest positive effect on the Portfolio stemmed from stock selection in the financials sector. Banks and real estate were the primary drivers, as positions in U.K. banks Barclays and Lloyds, emerging markets bank Banco do Brasil, and Japanese real estate company Daito Trust Construction, contributed to positive returns. We exited the position in Barclays during 2010.

Stock selection in the energy sector also contributed to returns as the Portfolio benefited by minimizing losses with the early sale of a position in BP following the oil spill. Positions in oil services companies AMEC, Aker Solutions, and Technip were also beneficial.

In contrast, the largest drag on the Portfolio’s performance over the year was a low exposure to, and stock selection in, the industrials sector, which performed well on improved global demand and capital expenditure growth. Within the sector, positions in Atlantia and TNT hurt performance.

The Portfolio’s low exposure to the materials sector also detracted from returns, as the sector performed well on renewed demand and commodity price strength. Stock selection partially offset this low exposure, as Xstrata and Potash performed well.

Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio’s Service Shares posted a total return of 22.69%, while Investor Shares posted a total return of 23.05%, as compared with the 18.88% return for the EM Index.

Stock selection in the financials sector helped the Portfolio’s performance over the year, as a position in Banco do Brasil, a Brazilian bank, rose on improved sentiment following a capital raise. Stock selection in Brazil also added to returns, as a position in Brazilian tobacco company Souza Cruz benefited from strong operating trends.

Additionally, a higher-than-index exposure to consumer staples and a lower-than-index exposure to China helped performance. A lower-than-index exposure and stock selection in the energy sector also added to returns.

HTC, a Taiwanese smartphone designer and manufacturer, was one of the top-performing positions during the year. The company performed well on the successful introduction of new products. The Portfolio also benefited from holding shares of Kumba Iron Ore, a South African iron ore producer, which rose on sharply higher iron ore prices.

In contrast, stock selection in Korea hurt performance during the year. A position in Hite, a Korean beer producer, experienced profit-taking on expectation of lower volumes and concerns over corporate structure.

Stock selection in the telecom services sector also hurt performance. Shares of the Egyptian Company for Mobile Services (or Mobinil), an Egyptian cellular operator, performed poorly following a weaker-than-expected earnings release.

A position in Redecard was one of the worst performers over the year. Shares of the Brazilian credit card operator declined on disappointing earnings results.



Annual Report  5



 

 

 

 

Notes to Investment Overviews:

All returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolios may have been waived or reimbursed by Lazard Asset Management LLC, the Fund’s Investment Manager (the “Investment Manager”), or State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Fund’s Administrator (“State Street”); without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios’ returns would have been lower. Performance information does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies at the separate account level, and such charges will have the effect of reducing performance. Past performance is not indicative, or a guarantee, of future results.

The performance data of the indices and other market data have been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. These indices are unmanaged, have no fees or costs and are not available for investment.

The views of the Investment Manager and the securities described in this report are as of December 31, 2010; these views and portfolio holdings may have changed subsequent to this date. Nothing herein should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold a particular security. There is no assurance that the securities discussed herein will remain in each Portfolio at the time you receive this report, or that securities sold will not have been repurchased. The specific securities discussed may, in aggregate, represent only a small percentage of each Portfolio’s holdings. It should not be assumed that securities identified and discussed were, or will be, profitable, or that the investment decisions made in the future will be profitable, or equal the investment performance of the securities discussed herein.

The views and opinions expressed are provided for general information only, and do not constitute specific tax, legal, or investment advice to, or recommendations for, any person. There can be no guarantee as to the accuracy of the outlooks for markets, sectors and securities as discussed herein. You should read the Fund’s prospectus or each Portfolio’s summary prospectus for a more detailed discussion of each Portfolio’s investment objective, strategies, risks and fees.

6  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Performance Overviews

 

Lazard Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio

Comparison of Changes in Value
of $10,000 Investment in the
Service Shares of Lazard Retire-
ment U.S. Strategic Equity
Portfolio and S&P 500® Index*


(LINE GRAPH)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

One

 

Five

 

Ten

 

 

 

Year

 

Years

 

Years

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

12.85%

 

1.51%

 

1.82%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S&P 500 Index

 

15.06%

 

2.29%

 

1.41%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

 

*

All returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolio’s Investment Manager or State Street; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Performance information does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies at the separate account level, and such charges will have the effect of reducing performance.

 

 

 

The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, or a guarantee, of future results; the investment return and principal value of the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that Portfolio shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Within the longer periods illustrated there may have been short-term fluctuations, counter to the overall trend of investment results, and no single period of any length may be taken as typical of what may be expected in future periods.

 

 

 

The performance data of the index has been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to its accuracy. The S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks, designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of these stocks, which represent all major industries. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.

 

 

 

Before May 1, 2007, the Portfolio was known as Lazard Retirement Equity Portfolio and had a different investment strategy.

Annual Report  7



 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio

Comparison of Changes in Value
of $10,000 Investment in the Ser-
vice Shares of Lazard Retirement
U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Port-
folio, Russell 2500® Index and
Russell 2000/2500 Linked Index*


(LINE GRAPH)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*
Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

One

 

Five

 

Ten

 

 

 

Year

 

Years

 

Years

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

23.72%

 

5.27%

 

7.54%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russell 2500 Index

 

26.71%

 

4.86%

 

6.98%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russell 2000/2500 Linked Index

 

26.71%

 

4.76%

 

6.48%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

 

*

All returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolio’s Investment Manager or State Street; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Performance information does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies at the separate account level, and such charges will have the effect of reducing performance.

 

 

 

The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, or a guarantee, of future results; the investment return and principal value of the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that Portfolio shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Within the longer periods illustrated there may have been short-term fluctuations, counter to the overall trend of investment results, and no single period of any length may be taken as typical of what may be expected in future periods.

 

 

 

The performance data of the indices have been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. The Russell 2500 Index is comprised of the 2,500 smallest U.S. companies included in the Russell 3000® Index (which consists of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies by capitalization). The Russell 2000/2500 Linked Index is an index created by the Portfolio’s Investment Manager, which links the performance of the Russell 2000® Index for all periods prior to June 1, 2009 and the Russell 2500 Index for all periods thereafter. The Russell 2000 Index is comprised of the 2,000 smallest U.S. companies included in the Russell 3000 Index. The indices are unmanaged, have no fees or costs and are not available for investment.

 

 

 

The Portfolio was previously known as Lazard Retirement U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio. As of June 1, 2009, the Portfolio changed its name to Lazard U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio and changed its investment strategy to invest in equity securities of small-mid cap U.S. companies.

8  Annual Report



 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio

Comparison of Changes in Value
of $10,000 Investment in the
Service Shares of Lazard Retire-
ment International Equity
Portfolio and Morgan Stanley
Capital International (MSCI®)
Europe, Australasia and Far East
(EAFE®) Index*


(LINE GRAPH)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*
Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

One

 

Five

 

Ten

 

 

 

Year

 

Years

 

Years

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

6.72%

 

2.08%

 

2.08%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSCI EAFE Index

 

7.75%

 

2.46%

 

3.50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

 

*

All returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolio’s Investment Manager or State Street; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Performance information does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies at the separate account level, and such charges will have the effect of reducing performance.

 

 

 

The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, or a guarantee, of future results; the investment return and principal value of the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that Portfolio shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Within the longer periods illustrated there may have been short-term fluctuations, counter to the overall trend of investment results, and no single period of any length may be taken as typical of what may be expected in future periods.

 

 

 

The performance data of the index has been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to its accuracy. The MSCI EAFE Index is a broadly diversified international index comprised of equity securities of approximately 1,000 companies located outside the United States. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.

Annual Report  9



 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

Comparison of Changes in Value
of $10,000 Investment in the
Service Shares of Lazard Retire-
ment Emerging Markets Equity
Portfolio and MSCI Emerging
Markets (EM®) Index*


(LINE GRAPH)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*
Periods Ended December 31, 2010

 

Service Shares

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

One

 

Five

 

Ten

 

One

 

Since

 

 

 

Year

 

Years

 

Years

 

Year

 

Inception

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio**

 

22.69%

 

13.11%

 

17.14%

 

23.05%

 

10.47%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSCI EM Index

 

18.88%

 

12.78%

 

15.89%

 

18.88%

 

8.96%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

*

All returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolio’s Investment Manager or State Street; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Performance information does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies at the separate account level, and such charges will have the effect of reducing performance.

 

 

 

The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, or a guarantee, of future results; the investment return and principal value of the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that Portfolio shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Within the longer periods illustrated there may have been short-term fluctuations, counter to the overall trend of investment results, and no single period of any length may be taken as typical of what may be expected in future periods.

 

 

 

The performance data of the index has been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to its accuracy. The MSCI EM Index is comprised of emerging market securities in countries open to non-local investors. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.

 

 

**

The performance of Service Shares may be greater than or less than the performance of Investor Shares, primarily based on the differences in fees borne by shareholders investing in different classes.

 

 

The inception date for Investor Shares was May 1, 2006.

10  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Information About Your Portfolio’s Expenses

 


Expense Example
As a shareholder in a Portfolio of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (Service Shares only), and other expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period from July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 and held for the entire period.

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
For each Share class of the Portfolios, the second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio and other mutual funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholders reports of the other funds.

Please note that you also bear fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies at the separate account level, which are described in the separate prospectuses issued by the insurance companies. Such charges will have the effect of reducing account value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio

 

 

Beginning
Account Value
7/1/10

 

 

Ending
Account Value
12/31/10

 

 

Expenses Paid
During Period*
7/1/10 - 12/31/10

 

 

Annualized Expense
Ratio During Period
7/1/10 - 12/31/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,242.20

 

 

 

 

$6.71

 

 

 

 

1.19

%

 

Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,019.22

 

 

 

 

$6.04

 

 

 

 

1.19

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,275.40

 

 

 

 

$6.84

 

 

 

 

1.19

%

 

Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,019.19

 

 

 

 

$6.07

 

 

 

 

1.19

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement International Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,216.80

 

 

 

 

$6.40

 

 

 

 

1.15

%

 

Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,019.43

 

 

 

 

$5.83

 

 

 

 

1.15

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,267.80

 

 

 

 

$8.35

 

 

 

 

1.46

%

 

Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,017.84

 

 

 

 

$7.43

 

 

 

 

1.46

%

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,269.70

 

 

 

 

$6.93

 

 

 

 

1.21

%

 

Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)

 

 

 

$1,000.00

 

 

 

 

$1,019.10

 

 

 

 

$6.17

 

 

 

 

1.21

%

 


 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio of each Share class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect one-half year period).

Annual Report  11



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Portfolio Holdings Presented by Sector December 31, 2010

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sector*

 

 

Lazard
Retirement
U.S. Strategic
Equity Portfolio

 

 

Lazard
Retirement
U.S. Small-Mid Cap
Equity Portfolio

 

 

Lazard
Retirement
International
Equity Portfolio

 

 

Lazard
Retirement
Emerging Markets
Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary

 

 

 

13.6

%

 

 

 

14.8

%

 

 

 

12.7

%

 

 

 

5.8

%

 

Consumer Staples

 

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

Energy

 

 

 

12.8

 

 

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

Financials

 

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

 

19.5

 

 

 

 

25.1

 

 

 

 

22.9

 

 

Health Care

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrials

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

Information Technology

 

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

 

18.4

 

 

Materials

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

 

16.0

 

 

Telecommunication Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

Utilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

Total Investments

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

100.0

%

 


 

 

*

Represents percentage of total investments.

12  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Portfolios of Investments December 31, 2010

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks | 97.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aerospace & Defense | 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raytheon Co.

 

 

3,010

 

$

139,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture | 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monsanto Co.

 

 

990

 

 

68,944

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alcohol & Tobacco | 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

 

 

2,630

 

 

132,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automotive | 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Motor Co. (a)

 

 

2,325

 

 

39,037

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banking | 5.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America Corp.

 

 

3,925

 

 

52,360

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

 

3,270

 

 

138,713

 

Wells Fargo & Co.

 

 

4,195

 

 

130,003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

321,076

 

Cable Television | 4.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comcast Corp., Class A

 

 

12,695

 

 

264,183

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemicals | 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dow Chemical Co.

 

 

1,580

 

 

53,941

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal | 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Massey Energy Co.

 

 

580

 

 

31,117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services | 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apollo Group, Inc., Class A (a)

 

 

770

 

 

30,407

 

Corrections Corp. of America (a)

 

 

2,890

 

 

72,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

102,830

 

Computer Software | 6.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microsoft Corp.

 

 

6,390

 

 

178,409

 

Oracle Corp.

 

 

6,065

 

 

189,834

 

Symantec Corp. (a)

 

 

3,275

 

 

54,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

423,067

 

Consumer Products | 4.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avon Products, Inc.

 

 

2,545

 

 

73,958

 

Mattel, Inc.

 

 

705

 

 

17,928

 

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

 

 

2,390

 

 

43,450

 

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

 

 

910

 

 

60,852

 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

 

 

1,025

 

 

65,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

262,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy Exploration & Production | 2.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apache Corp.

 

 

504

 

$

60,092

 

Devon Energy Corp.

 

 

565

 

 

44,358

 

EQT Corp.

 

 

1,565

 

 

70,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

174,625

 

Energy Integrated | 7.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chevron Corp.

 

 

1,120

 

 

102,200

 

ConocoPhillips

 

 

4,770

 

 

324,837

 

CONSOL Energy, Inc.

 

 

600

 

 

29,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

456,281

 

Energy Services | 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halliburton Co.

 

 

810

 

 

33,072

 

Noble Corp.

 

 

800

 

 

28,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,688

 

Financial Services | 6.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

 

 

2,235

 

 

128,624

 

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

 

 

230

 

 

51,545

 

Morgan Stanley

 

 

3,400

 

 

92,514

 

NYSE Euronext

 

 

2,115

 

 

63,408

 

State Street Corp.

 

 

1,705

 

 

79,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

415,101

 

Food & Beverages | 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Mills, Inc.

 

 

1,630

 

 

58,012

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

 

 

805

 

 

52,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110,602

 

Insurance | 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Travelers Cos., Inc.

 

 

1,620

 

 

90,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leisure & Entertainment | 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

 

 

620

 

 

28,793

 

McDonald’s Corp.

 

 

515

 

 

39,531

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

68,324

 

Manufacturing | 4.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dover Corp.

 

 

1,035

 

 

60,496

 

Emerson Electric Co.

 

 

865

 

 

49,452

 

Honeywell International, Inc.

 

 

1,925

 

 

102,333

 

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

 

 

1,200

 

 

64,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

276,361

 

Medical Products | 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medtronic, Inc.

 

 

1,865

 

 

69,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metal & Glass Containers | 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ball Corp.

 

 

2,230

 

 

151,751

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining | 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nucor Corp.

 

 

1,780

 

 

78,000

 



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

Annual Report  13



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology | 10.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amgen, Inc. (a)

 

 

1,375

 

$

75,488

 

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (a)

 

 

1,400

 

 

44,772

 

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (a)

 

 

1,420

 

 

51,461

 

Johnson & Johnson

 

 

1,470

 

 

90,919

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

 

 

1,539

 

 

55,466

 

Pfizer, Inc.

 

 

17,285

 

 

302,660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

620,766

 

Refining | 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valero Energy Corp.

 

 

2,820

 

 

65,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail | 11.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AutoZone, Inc. (a)

 

 

471

 

 

128,390

 

Big Lots, Inc. (a)

 

 

1,340

 

 

40,816

 

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

 

 

1,150

 

 

28,842

 

The Gap, Inc.

 

 

3,970

 

 

87,896

 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

 

 

3,760

 

 

202,777

 

Walgreen Co.

 

 

5,820

 

 

226,747

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

715,468

 

Semiconductor & Components | 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intel Corp.

 

 

6,835

 

 

143,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology | 3.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AOL, Inc. (a)

 

 

1,090

 

 

25,844

 

Computer Sciences Corp.

 

 

600

 

 

29,760

 

eBay, Inc. (a)

 

 

3,620

 

 

100,745

 

Google, Inc., Class A (a)

 

 

130

 

 

77,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

233,565

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware | 5.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cisco Systems, Inc. (a)

 

 

4,295

 

$

86,888

 

EMC Corp. (a)

 

 

2,185

 

 

50,037

 

International Business Machines Corp.

 

 

1,515

 

 

222,341

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

359,266

 

Transportation | 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norfolk Southern Corp.

 

 

1,110

 

 

69,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $5,015,130)

 

 

 

 

 

5,997,693

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock | 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automotive | 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Better Place, Inc., Series B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $31,701)

 

 

10,567

 

 

31,701

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Investment | 2.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Street Institutional Treasury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money Market Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $146,204)

 

 

146,204

 

 

146,204

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Investments | 100.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $5,193,035) (b)

 

 

 

 

$

6,175,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities in Excess of Cash and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets | (0.1)%

 

 

 

 

 

(3,531

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets | 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

6,172,067

 



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

14  Annual Report



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

Shares

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks | 99.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automotive | 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dorman Products, Inc. (a)

 

 

6,500

 

$

235,560

 

Modine Manufacturing Co. (a)

 

 

108,670

 

 

1,684,385

 

Tenneco, Inc. (a)

 

 

24,850

 

 

1,022,826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,942,771

 

Banking | 6.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BancorpSouth, Inc.

 

 

47,800

 

 

762,410

 

City National Corp.

 

 

33,863

 

 

2,077,834

 

Fulton Financial Corp.

 

 

140,300

 

 

1,450,702

 

PacWest Bancorp

 

 

124,550

 

 

2,662,879

 

Wintrust Financial Corp.

 

 

67,780

 

 

2,238,773

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,192,598

 

Chemicals | 3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GrafTech International, Ltd. (a)

 

 

66,200

 

 

1,313,408

 

Kronos Worldwide, Inc.

 

 

25,700

 

 

1,091,993

 

Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

42,830

 

 

1,675,510

 

Solutia, Inc. (a)

 

 

60,300

 

 

1,391,724

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,472,635

 

Commercial Services | 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equifax, Inc.

 

 

42,200

 

 

1,502,320

 

Team, Inc. (a)

 

 

78,500

 

 

1,899,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,402,020

 

Computer Software | 6.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (a)

 

 

19,300

 

 

908,065

 

BMC Software, Inc. (a)

 

 

45,300

 

 

2,135,442

 

Nuance Communications, Inc. (a)

 

 

69,700

 

 

1,267,146

 

Quest Software, Inc. (a)

 

 

84,600

 

 

2,346,804

 

Red Hat, Inc. (a)

 

 

50,850

 

 

2,321,302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,978,759

 

Construction & Engineering | 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orion Marine Group, Inc. (a)

 

 

85,100

 

 

987,160

 

Quanta Services, Inc. (a)

 

 

101,600

 

 

2,023,872

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,011,032

 

Consumer Products | 6.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Central Garden & Pet Co., Class A (a)

 

 

222,662

 

 

2,199,901

 

Mattel, Inc.

 

 

59,290

 

 

1,507,745

 

Matthews International Corp., Class A

 

 

42,980

 

 

1,503,440

 

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

 

 

79,100

 

 

1,438,038

 

Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. (a)

 

 

37,790

 

 

1,513,867

 

The Middleby Corp. (a)

 

 

17,000

 

 

1,435,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,598,131

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

Shares

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric | 1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast Utilities

 

 

74,940

 

$

2,389,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy Integrated | 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cimarex Energy Co.

 

 

25,510

 

 

2,258,400

 

James River Coal Co. (a)

 

 

75,850

 

 

1,921,281

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,179,681

 

Energy Services | 4.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

 

 

46,690

 

 

2,263,531

 

Key Energy Services, Inc. (a)

 

 

128,800

 

 

1,671,824

 

Oceaneering International, Inc. (a)

 

 

30,220

 

 

2,225,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,160,454

 

Financial Services | 3.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYSE Euronext

 

 

75,900

 

 

2,275,482

 

Stifel Financial Corp. (a)

 

 

41,100

 

 

2,549,844

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,825,326

 

Food & Beverages | 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

28,500

 

 

1,852,785

 

Snyders-Lance, Inc.

 

 

51,650

 

 

1,210,676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,063,461

 

Forest & Paper Products | 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rock-Tenn Co., Class A

 

 

33,500

 

 

1,807,325

 

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

 

 

25,600

 

 

1,610,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,418,077

 

Gas Utilities | 3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Jersey Resources Corp.

 

 

57,800

 

 

2,491,758

 

Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc.

 

 

74,200

 

 

2,074,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,566,390

 

Health Services | 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Health Systems, Inc. (a)

 

 

29,000

 

 

1,083,730

 

VCA Antech, Inc. (a)

 

 

84,200

 

 

1,961,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,044,748

 

Housing | 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trex Co., Inc. (a)

 

 

58,385

 

 

1,398,905

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance | 2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arch Capital Group, Ltd. (a)

 

 

23,600

 

 

2,077,980

 

Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd.

 

 

41,200

 

 

1,179,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,257,124

 

Leisure & Entertainment | 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

 

 

34,190

 

 

1,587,783

 

Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (a)

 

 

90,510

 

 

1,554,057

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,141,840

 



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

Annual Report  15



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

Shares

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing | 7.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altra Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

109,930

 

$

2,183,210

 

BE Aerospace, Inc. (a)

 

 

37,600

 

 

1,392,328

 

FLIR Systems, Inc. (a)

 

 

70,140

 

 

2,086,665

 

Generac Holdings, Inc.

 

 

69,173

 

 

1,118,527

 

Harsco Corp.

 

 

96,400

 

 

2,730,048

 

Regal-Beloit Corp.

 

 

29,960

 

 

2,000,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,510,908

 

Medical Products | 4.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CareFusion Corp. (a)

 

 

66,540

 

 

1,710,078

 

Haemonetics Corp. (a)

 

 

15,140

 

 

956,545

 

Hospira, Inc. (a)

 

 

39,870

 

 

2,220,360

 

Life Technologies Corp. (a)

 

 

42,200

 

 

2,342,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,229,083

 

Metal & Glass Containers | 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ball Corp.

 

 

20,470

 

 

1,392,983

 

Owens-Illinois, Inc. (a)

 

 

42,010

 

 

1,289,707

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,682,690

 

Metals & Mining | 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A

 

 

29,930

 

 

1,987,053

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology | 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warner Chilcott PLC, Class A

 

 

67,030

 

 

1,512,197

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate | 8.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., Class A (a)

 

 

38,500

 

 

788,480

 

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

 

 

26,250

 

 

1,352,925

 

Extra Space Storage, Inc. REIT

 

 

123,800

 

 

2,154,120

 

Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT

 

 

39,850

 

 

1,453,330

 

LaSalle Hotel Properties REIT

 

 

75,100

 

 

1,982,640

 

The Macerich Co. REIT

 

 

51,022

 

 

2,416,912

 

UDR, Inc. REIT

 

 

101,400

 

 

2,384,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,533,335

 

Retail | 6.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

 

 

101,020

 

 

1,477,922

 

Brown Shoe Co., Inc.

 

 

139,100

 

 

1,937,663

 

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

 

 

30,270

 

 

1,504,722

 

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (a)

 

 

100,120

 

 

1,933,317

 

Liz Claiborne, Inc. (a)

 

 

199,230

 

 

1,426,487

 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

 

 

41,700

 

 

1,488,273

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,768,384

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

Shares

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semiconductor & Components | 3.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FARO Technologies, Inc. (a)

 

 

11,400

 

$

374,376

 

ON Semiconductor Corp. (a)

 

 

224,200

 

 

2,215,096

 

Xilinx, Inc.

 

 

82,200

 

 

2,382,156

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,971,628

 

Technology | 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

 

 

131,200

 

 

2,690,912

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware | 3.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar Corp., Class A (a)

 

 

3,300

 

 

82,401

 

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A (a)

 

 

86,400

 

 

1,649,376

 

Polycom, Inc. (a)

 

 

46,900

 

 

1,828,162

 

Teradyne, Inc. (a)

 

 

121,100

 

 

1,700,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,260,183

 

Transportation | 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. (a)

 

 

154,460

 

 

1,859,699

 

UTI Worldwide, Inc.

 

 

74,226

 

 

1,573,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,433,290

 

Total Common Stocks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $116,977,188)

 

 

 

 

 

145,622,702

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock | 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automotive | 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Better Place, Inc., Series B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $864,900)

 

 

288,300

 

 

864,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Investment | 4.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Street Institutional Treasury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money Market Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $6,572,154)

 

 

6,572,154

 

 

6,572,154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Investments | 104.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $124,414,242) (b)

 

 

 

 

$

153,059,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities in Excess of Cash and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets | (4.4)%

 

 

 

 

 

(6,416,009

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets | 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

146,643,747

 



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

16  Annual Report



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

Shares

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks | 95.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia | 2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QBE Insurance Group, Ltd.

 

 

217,100

 

$

4,030,206

 

Telstra Corp., Ltd.

 

 

2,159,700

 

 

6,162,948

 

Total Australia

 

 

 

 

 

10,193,154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belgium | 2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV

 

 

177,400

 

 

10,146,151

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil | 2.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banco do Brasil SA

 

 

366,842

 

 

6,943,479

 

Cielo SA

 

 

645,600

 

 

5,230,916

 

Total Brazil

 

 

 

 

 

12,174,395

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada | 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.

 

 

27,200

 

 

4,225,123

 

Rogers Communications, Inc.

 

 

109,600

 

 

3,813,900

 

Total Canada

 

 

 

 

 

8,039,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China | 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China, Ltd., Class H

 

 

5,695,600

 

 

4,228,028

 

Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Class H

 

 

491,000

 

 

3,035,270

 

Total China

 

 

 

 

 

7,263,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denmark | 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

 

 

50,400

 

 

5,683,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finland | 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sampo Oyj, A Shares

 

 

158,900

 

 

4,257,378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France | 9.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BNP Paribas SA

 

 

115,080

 

 

7,321,532

 

Danone SA

 

 

112,870

 

 

7,091,941

 

Sanofi-Aventis

 

 

171,280

 

 

10,951,977

 

Technip SA

 

 

72,900

 

 

6,731,464

 

Total SA

 

 

126,572

 

 

6,706,328

 

Valeo SA (a)

 

 

141,400

 

 

8,023,881

 

Total France

 

 

 

 

 

46,827,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

Shares

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germany | 4.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

 

 

72,300

 

$

5,685,762

 

SAP AG

 

 

89,000

 

 

4,531,259

 

Siemens AG

 

 

82,838

 

 

10,261,558

 

Total Germany

 

 

 

 

 

20,478,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hong Kong | 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AIA Group, Ltd.

 

 

377,600

 

 

1,061,466

 

Esprit Holdings, Ltd.

 

 

1

 

 

5

 

Kerry Properties, Ltd.

 

 

858,600

 

 

4,451,623

 

Total Hong Kong

 

 

 

 

 

5,513,094

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israel | 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored ADR

 

 

80,600

 

 

4,201,678

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy | 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atlantia SpA

 

 

240,802

 

 

4,913,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Japan | 19.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asics Corp.

 

 

199,960

 

 

2,571,231

 

Benesse Holdings, Inc.

 

 

88,400

 

 

4,072,127

 

Canon, Inc.

 

 

191,600

 

 

9,935,164

 

Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.

 

 

140,900

 

 

9,649,021

 

Don Quijote Co., Ltd.

 

 

107,800

 

 

3,283,525

 

eAccess, Ltd.

 

 

5,615

 

 

3,395,695

 

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

 

 

209,300

 

 

8,287,960

 

Hoya Corp.

 

 

256,800

 

 

6,237,340

 

JS Group Corp.

 

 

190,500

 

 

4,192,924

 

Keyence Corp.

 

 

14,900

 

 

4,316,394

 

Kubota Corp.

 

 

1

 

 

10

 

Mitsubishi Corp.

 

 

178,600

 

 

4,835,113

 

Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

 

 

319,000

 

 

5,917,157

 

Nidec Corp.

 

 

49,500

 

 

5,005,481

 

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

 

 

193,900

 

 

6,906,747

 

Yahoo Japan Corp.

 

 

18,343

 

 

7,116,695

 

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.

 

 

77,080

 

 

5,259,554

 

Total Japan

 

 

 

 

 

90,982,138

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico | 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grupo Televisa SA Sponsored ADR (a)

 

 

150,900

 

 

3,912,837

 



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

Annual Report  17



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netherlands | 2.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

ING Groep NV (a)

 

673,430

 

$

6,551,305

 

TNT NV

 

210,337

 

 

5,551,198

 

Total Netherlands

 

 

 

 

12,102,503

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norway | 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aker Solutions ASA

 

245,400

 

 

4,174,077

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russia | 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sberbank

 

1,284,500

 

 

4,376,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singapore | 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.

 

1,819,200

 

 

4,327,627

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Korea | 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hyundai Mobis (a)

 

21,300

 

 

5,339,545

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. GDR (c)

 

13,100

 

 

5,526,890

 

Total South Korea

 

 

 

 

10,866,435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spain | 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amadeus IT Holding SA, A Shares

 

252,700

 

 

5,294,869

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweden | 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

 

151,500

 

 

4,268,621

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Switzerland | 7.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julius Baer Group, Ltd.

 

103,300

 

 

4,839,080

 

Nestle SA

 

133,140

 

 

7,796,166

 

Novartis AG

 

217,800

 

 

12,800,117

 

UBS AG (a)

 

445,160

 

 

7,308,242

 

Total Switzerland

 

 

 

 

32,743,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turkey | 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS ADR

 

772,700

 

 

3,979,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom | 28.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMEC PLC

 

154,800

 

$

2,775,508

 

BAE Systems PLC

 

778,900

 

 

4,007,462

 

BG Group PLC

 

245,900

 

 

4,968,637

 

BHP Billiton PLC

 

228,100

 

 

9,072,135

 

British Airways PLC (a)

 

1

 

 

4

 

British American Tobacco PLC

 

172,840

 

 

6,638,509

 

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

 

453,200

 

 

8,761,639

 

HSBC Holdings PLC

 

998,791

 

 

10,139,022

 

Informa PLC

 

969,324

 

 

6,158,435

 

International Power PLC

 

823,900

 

 

5,621,155

 

Lloyds Banking Group PLC (a)

 

6,391,578

 

 

6,547,073

 

Prudential PLC

 

1,017,330

 

 

10,595,271

 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A Shares

 

304,400

 

 

10,149,103

 

Standard Chartered PLC

 

278,875

 

 

7,502,367

 

Tullow Oil PLC

 

233,700

 

 

4,594,598

 

Unilever PLC

 

308,000

 

 

9,426,376

 

Vodafone Group PLC

 

1,822,541

 

 

4,711,244

 

William Morrison Supermarkets PLC

 

1,295,900

 

 

5,406,689

 

WPP PLC

 

483,000

 

 

5,945,290

 

Xstrata PLC

 

453,400

 

 

10,642,313

 

Total United Kingdom

 

 

 

 

133,662,830

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(Identified cost $382,880,058)

 

 

 

 

450,382,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Investment | 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Street Institutional Treasury

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money Market Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $13,681,301)

 

13,681,301

 

 

13,681,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Investments | 98.5%
(Identified cost $396,561,359) (b)

 

 

 

$

464,063,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Other Assets in

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excess of Liabilities | 1.5%

 

 

 

 

6,967,139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets | 100.0%

 

 

 

$

471,030,465

 



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

18  Annual Report



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks | 92.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil | 17.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banco do Brasil SA

 

1,769,566

 

$

33,493,834

 

Cielo SA

 

2,916,600

 

 

23,631,488

 

Companhia de Concessoes Rodoviarias

 

258,800

 

 

7,311,879

 

Companhia Energetica de Minas

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gerais SA Sponsored ADR

 

624,710

 

 

10,363,939

 

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional SA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored ADR

 

801,600

 

 

13,362,672

 

Natura Cosmeticos SA

 

422,800

 

 

12,146,585

 

Redecard SA

 

1,683,657

 

 

21,349,988

 

Souza Cruz SA

 

160,311

 

 

8,729,224

 

Vale SA Sponsored ADR

 

865,800

 

 

29,930,706

 

Total Brazil

 

 

 

 

160,320,315

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada | 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.

 

145,000

 

 

15,749,774

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China | 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

 

10,038,390

 

 

9,040,337

 

NetEase.com, Inc. Sponsored ADR (a)

 

248,300

 

 

8,976,045

 

Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Class H

 

847,000

 

 

5,235,996

 

Total China

 

 

 

 

23,252,378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Egypt | 3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial International Bank

 

1,195,442

 

 

9,750,935

 

Eastern Co.

 

159,553

 

 

3,298,253

 

Egyptian Company for Mobile Services

 

120,465

 

 

3,405,393

 

Orascom Construction Industries

 

242,444

 

 

12,019,877

 

Total Egypt

 

 

 

 

28,474,458

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France | 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

CFAO SA

 

142,659

 

 

6,208,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hong Kong | 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

China High Speed Transmission

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment Group Co., Ltd.

 

91,000

 

 

140,490

 

Shougang Concord International

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enterprises Co., Ltd. (a)

 

1,565,500

 

 

227,590

 

Total Hong Kong

 

 

 

 

368,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hungary | 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTP Bank Nyrt (a)

 

443,258

 

$

10,694,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India | 4.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of India

 

889,272

 

 

9,028,950

 

Infosys Technologies, Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored ADR

 

91,200

 

 

6,938,496

 

Jindal Steel & Power, Ltd.

 

579,759

 

 

9,228,949

 

Punjab National Bank, Ltd.

 

646,817

 

 

17,677,350

 

Total India

 

 

 

 

42,873,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indonesia | 4.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

PT Bank Mandiri Tbk

 

8,047,100

 

 

5,805,344

 

PT Semen Gresik (Persero) Tbk

 

6,560,500

 

 

6,880,880

 

PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam Tbk

 

2,832,000

 

 

7,213,585

 

PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored ADR

 

483,600

 

 

17,240,340

 

PT United Tractors Tbk

 

2,496,450

 

 

6,594,396

 

Total Indonesia

 

 

 

 

43,734,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malaysia | 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

British American Tobacco Malaysia Berhad

 

335,000

 

 

4,888,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico | 6.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

America Movil SAB de CV ADR, Series L

 

232,900

 

 

13,354,486

 

Desarrolladora Homex SAB de CV ADR (a)

 

149,390

 

 

5,050,876

 

Fomento Economico Mexicano

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAB de CV Sponsored ADR

 

161,590

 

 

9,036,113

 

Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B

 

3,773,854

 

 

15,535,444

 

Grupo Televisa SA Sponsored ADR (a)

 

454,600

 

 

11,787,778

 

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A

 

907,200

 

 

5,535,022

 

Total Mexico

 

 

 

 

60,299,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pakistan | 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil & Gas Development Co., Ltd.

 

2,377,200

 

 

4,722,501

 

Pakistan Petroleum, Ltd.

 

2,543,244

 

 

6,444,467

 

Total Pakistan

 

 

 

 

11,166,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philippines | 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored ADR

 

293,700

 

 

17,113,899

 



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

Annual Report  19



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russia | 6.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magnit OJSC Sponsored GDR (c), (d)

 

 

243,275

 

$

7,127,958

 

Mobile TeleSystems Sponsored ADR

 

 

604,500

 

 

12,615,915

 

OAO LUKOIL Sponsored ADR

 

 

213,100

 

 

12,058,834

 

Oriflame Cosmetics SA SDR

 

 

131,230

 

 

6,907,202

 

TNK-BP Holding

 

 

2,774,636

 

 

7,352,785

 

Uralkali Sponsored GDR

 

 

345,952

 

 

12,703,357

 

Total Russia

 

 

 

 

 

58,766,051

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Africa | 11.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bidvest Group, Ltd.

 

 

88,347

 

 

2,102,223

 

Kumba Iron Ore, Ltd.

 

 

265,116

 

 

17,084,135

 

Massmart Holdings, Ltd.

 

 

379,486

 

 

8,450,944

 

Murray & Roberts Holdings, Ltd.

 

 

1,428,865

 

 

8,713,094

 

Nedbank Group, Ltd.

 

 

395,135

 

 

7,818,725

 

Pretoria Portland Cement Co., Ltd.

 

 

1,725,893

 

 

9,156,730

 

Sanlam, Ltd.

 

 

3,002,628

 

 

12,726,129

 

Shoprite Holdings, Ltd.

 

 

536,293

 

 

8,112,577

 

Standard Bank Group, Ltd.

 

 

513,586

 

 

8,384,998

 

Tiger Brands, Ltd.

 

 

302,441

 

 

8,889,814

 

Truworths International, Ltd.

 

 

896,727

 

 

9,753,395

 

Total South Africa

 

 

 

 

 

101,192,764

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Korea | 13.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hite Brewery Co., Ltd. (a)

 

 

38,295

 

 

4,066,039

 

Hyundai Mobis (a)

 

 

42,245

 

 

10,590,098

 

KB Financial Group, Inc. (a)

 

 

140,600

 

 

7,433,254

 

Korea Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

 

 

1,683,452

 

 

11,792,619

 

KT&G Corp. (a)

 

 

247,810

 

 

14,127,506

 

NHN Corp. (a)

 

 

85,271

 

 

17,055,703

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. GDR (c)

 

 

50,673

 

 

21,378,939

 

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. (a)

 

 

570,858

 

 

26,608,854

 

Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd. (a)

 

 

268,786

 

 

9,544,520

 

Total South Korea

 

 

 

 

 

122,597,532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taiwan | 7.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advanced Semiconductor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engineering, Inc.

 

 

6,653,516

 

 

7,701,753

 

Delta Electronics, Inc.

 

 

1,558,000

 

 

7,614,597

 

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.

 

 

3,287,959

 

 

13,250,396

 

HTC Corp.

 

 

220,385

 

 

6,802,823

 

MediaTek, Inc.

 

 

1,014,675

 

 

14,529,412

 

Taiwan Semiconductor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

 

 

7,727,642

 

 

18,817,848

 

Total Taiwan

 

 

 

 

 

68,716,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

Shares

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thailand | 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banpu Public Co., Ltd.

 

 

350,800

 

$

9,170,025

 

Kasikornbank Public Co., Ltd.

 

 

1,473,600

 

 

6,379,326

 

Total Thailand

 

 

 

 

 

15,549,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turkey | 6.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Akbank TAS

 

 

1,833,796

 

 

10,190,395

 

Koc Holding AS

 

 

1,368,119

 

 

6,663,377

 

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS

 

 

2,806,857

 

 

19,178,978

 

Turkiye Is Bankasi AS, C Shares

 

 

6,067,162

 

 

21,612,300

 

Total Turkey

 

 

 

 

 

57,645,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $671,085,834)

 

 

 

 

 

849,614,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks | 2.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil | 2.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Companhia de Bebidas das Americas SA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored ADR

 

 

9,600

 

 

297,888

 

Eletropaulo Metropolitana SA

 

 

92,000

 

 

1,779,590

 

Ultrapar Participacoes SA

 

 

100,200

 

 

6,343,988

 

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Shares

 

 

1,297,000

 

 

14,970,193

 

Vale Fertilizantes SA (a)

 

 

75,500

 

 

863,702

 

Total Brazil

 

 

 

 

 

24,255,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $23,896,916)

 

 

 

 

 

24,255,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Investment | 4.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Street Institutional Treasury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money Market Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $38,605,417)

 

 

38,605,417

 

 

38,605,417

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Investments | 99.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Identified cost $733,588,167) (b)

 

 

 

 

$

912,475,139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Other Assets in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excess of Liabilities | 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

9,282,671

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets | 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

921,757,810

 



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

20  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Notes to Portfolios of Investments December 31, 2010

 


 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

(b)

For federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation, aggregate gross unrealized depreciation and the net unrealized appreciation are as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio

 

Aggregate
Cost

 

Aggregate Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation

 

Aggregate Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation

 

Net Unrealized
Appreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity

 

$

5,279,084

 

 

$

927,329

 

 

 

$

30,815

 

 

 

$

896,514

 

 

Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity

 

 

124,578,910

 

 

 

29,003,836

 

 

 

 

522,990

 

 

 

 

28,480,846

 

 

Retirement International Equity

 

 

408,341,905

 

 

 

61,097,342

 

 

 

 

5,375,921

 

 

 

 

55,721,421

 

 

Retirement Emerging Markets Equity

 

 

746,134,424

 

 

 

179,149,883

 

 

 

 

12,809,168

 

 

 

 

166,340,715

 

 


 

 

(c)

Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, these securities may only be traded among “qualified institutional buyers.” At December 31, 2010, these securities amounted to 1.2% and 3.1% of net assets of Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio and Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio, respectively, and are considered to be liquid.

 

 

(d)

Categorized based on Level 2 inputs. (Note 8)


 

 

 

Security Abbreviations:

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

GDR

Global Depositary Receipt

REIT 

— 

Real Estate Investment Trust

SDR

Swedish Depositary Receipt

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

Annual Report  21



 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings by industry (as percentage of net assets), for those Portfolios previously presented by country:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Lazard
Retirement
International
Equity Portfolio

 

Lazard
Retirement
Emerging Markets
Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

 

0.9

%

 

 

 

1.5

%

 

 

Alcohol &Tobacco

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

Automotive

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banking

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

 

17.1

 

 

 

Building Materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

Commercial Services

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

Computer Software

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

Consumer Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

Diversified

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

Electric

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

Energy Exploration & Production

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

Energy Integrated

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

Energy Services

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Services

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

Food & Beverages

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

Forest & Paper Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

Gas Utilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

Housing

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

Insurance

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

Leisure & Entertainment

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

Manufacturing

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

Metals & Mining

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Components

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

Technology

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

Technology Hardware

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

Telecommunications

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

Transportation

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

95.6

 

 

 

 

94.8

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

Total Investments

 

 

98.5

%

 

 

 

99.0

%

 

 

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

22  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

Lazard
Retirement
U.S. Strategic
Equity Portfolio

 

Lazard
Retirement
U.S. Small-Mid Cap
Equity Portfolio

 

Lazard
Retirement
International
Equity Portfolio

 

Lazard
Retirement
Emerging Markets
Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in securities, at value

 

 

$

6,175,598

 

 

 

$

153,059,756

 

 

 

$

464,063,326

 

 

 

$

912,475,139

 

 

Foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

127,092

 

 

 

 

2,928,496

 

 

Receivables for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital stock sold

 

 

 

3,716

 

 

 

 

162,248

 

 

 

 

7,519,185

 

 

 

 

5,906,250

 

 

Investments sold

 

 

 

5,123

 

 

 

 

263,057

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,481,648

 

 

Dividends and interest

 

 

 

3,495

 

 

 

 

105,676

 

 

 

 

910,378

 

 

 

 

1,708,441

 

 

Amount due from Investment Manager (Note 3)

 

 

 

6,009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

 

6,193,941

 

 

 

 

153,590,737

 

 

 

 

472,619,981

 

 

 

 

925,499,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payables for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

94,995

 

 

 

 

289,550

 

 

 

 

745,401

 

 

Accrued distribution fees

 

 

 

1,292

 

 

 

 

31,514

 

 

 

 

95,420

 

 

 

 

117,400

 

 

Accrued directors’ fees

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

224

 

 

 

 

680

 

 

 

 

1,318

 

 

Capital stock redeemed

 

 

 

2,776

 

 

 

 

6,529,731

 

 

 

 

529,465

 

 

 

 

217,263

 

 

Investments purchased

 

 

 

9,835

 

 

 

 

270,769

 

 

 

 

617,064

 

 

 

 

1,380,626

 

 

Foreign capital gains taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,124,674

 

 

Other accrued expenses and payables

 

 

 

7,961

 

 

 

 

19,757

 

 

 

 

57,337

 

 

 

 

155,482

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

 

21,874

 

 

 

 

6,946,990

 

 

 

 

1,589,516

 

 

 

 

3,742,164

 

 

Net assets

 

 

$

6,172,067

 

 

 

$

146,643,747

 

 

 

$

471,030,465

 

 

 

$

921,757,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid in capital

 

 

$

6,353,389

 

 

 

$

115,126,040

 

 

 

$

503,045,908

 

 

 

$

802,632,040

 

 

Undistributed net investment income

 

 

 

11,531

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,528,413

 

 

 

 

1,506,840

 

 

Accumulated undistributed net realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

(1,175,416

)

 

 

 

2,872,193

 

 

 

 

(101,083,771

)

 

 

 

(60,143,330

)

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

982,563

 

 

 

 

28,645,514

 

 

 

 

67,501,967

 

 

 

 

177,762,298

 

 

Foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,948

 

 

 

 

(38

)

 

Net assets

 

 

$

6,172,067

 

 

 

$

146,643,747

 

 

 

$

471,030,465

 

 

 

$

921,757,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 

 

$

6,172,067

 

 

 

$

146,643,747

 

 

 

$

471,030,465

 

 

 

$

581,859,134

 

 

Shares of capital stock outstanding*

 

 

 

671,997

 

 

 

 

13,285,662

 

 

 

 

45,824,607

 

 

 

 

24,938,452

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

 

 

$

9.18

 

 

 

$

11.04

 

 

 

$

10.28

 

 

 

$

23.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

339,898,676

 

 

Shares of capital stock outstanding*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,669,543

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

23.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of investments in securities

 

 

$

5,193,035

 

 

 

$

124,414,242

 

 

 

$

396,561,359

 

 

 

$

733,588,167

 

 

Cost of foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

126,165

 

 

 

$

2,918,785

 

 

* $0.001 par value 1,400,000,000 shares authorized for the Portfolios in total.

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

Annual Report  23



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Statements of Operations

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

Lazard
Retirement
U.S. Strategic
Equity Portfolio

 

Lazard
Retirement
U.S. Small-Mid Cap
Equity Portfolio

 

Lazard
Retirement
International
Equity Portfolio

 

Lazard
Retirement
Emerging Markets
Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

 

$

104,351

 

 

 

$

2,076,616

 

 

 

$

9,925,278

 

 

 

$

20,804,558

 

 

Interest

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

807

 

 

 

 

1,209

 

 

 

 

3,571

 

 

Total investment income*

 

 

 

104,367

 

 

 

 

2,077,423

 

 

 

 

9,926,487

 

 

 

 

20,808,129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management fees (Note 3)

 

 

 

40,993

 

 

 

 

1,065,091

 

 

 

 

2,917,845

 

 

 

 

6,717,508

 

 

Distribution fees (Service Shares)

 

 

 

13,783

 

 

 

 

355,030

 

 

 

 

972,615

 

 

 

 

1,090,520

 

 

Custodian fees

 

 

 

51,138

 

 

 

 

57,263

 

 

 

 

219,346

 

 

 

 

935,902

 

 

Administration fees

 

 

 

43,603

 

 

 

 

70,903

 

 

 

 

120,310

 

 

 

 

176,851

 

 

Professional services

 

 

 

32,372

 

 

 

 

55,484

 

 

 

 

89,486

 

 

 

 

126,819

 

 

Shareholders’ reports

 

 

 

13,704

 

 

 

 

40,105

 

 

 

 

57,069

 

 

 

 

91,344

 

 

Shareholders’ services

 

 

 

13,820

 

 

 

 

15,717

 

 

 

 

18,618

 

 

 

 

33,598

 

 

Directors’ fees and expenses

 

 

 

187

 

 

 

 

4,803

 

 

 

 

13,072

 

 

 

 

22,445

 

 

Registration fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,989

 

 

 

 

27,141

 

 

Other

 

 

 

2,179

 

 

 

 

6,014

 

 

 

 

12,420

 

 

 

 

19,221

 

 

Total gross expenses

 

 

 

211,779

 

 

 

 

1,670,410

 

 

 

 

4,431,770

 

 

 

 

9,241,349

 

 

Management fees waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

 

(125,897

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administration fees waived

 

 

 

(18,750

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense reductions (Note 2(h))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(39

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net expenses

 

 

 

67,132

 

 

 

 

1,670,371

 

 

 

 

4,431,770

 

 

 

 

9,241,349

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

37,235

 

 

 

 

407,052

 

 

 

 

5,494,717

 

 

 

 

11,566,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Foreign Currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments**

 

 

 

414,434

 

 

 

 

23,617,156

 

 

 

 

(6,210,216

)

 

 

 

42,367,287

 

 

Foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(268,889

)

 

 

 

(644,440

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments†

 

 

 

246,291

 

 

 

 

3,521,513

 

 

 

 

34,880,828

 

 

 

 

89,371,218

 

 

Foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,596

 

 

 

 

(7,952

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and
foreign currency

 

 

 

660,725

 

 

 

 

27,138,669

 

 

 

 

28,408,319

 

 

 

 

131,086,113

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

 

$

697,960

 

 

 

$

27,545,721

 

 

 

$

33,903,036

 

 

 

$

142,652,893

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Net of foreign withholding taxes of

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

818,765

 

 

 

$

1,749,582

 

 

** Net of foreign capital gains taxes of

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

140,536

 

 

† Includes net change in unrealized foreign capital gains taxes of

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

563,328

 

 

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

24  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement
U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio

 

Lazard Retirement
U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2010

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2009

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2010

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

 

$

37,235

 

 

 

$

43,169

 

 

 

$

407,052

 

 

 

$

(163,976

)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

 

 

414,434

 

 

 

 

(400,565

)

 

 

 

23,617,156

 

 

 

 

5,740,143

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

 

 

 

246,291

 

 

 

 

1,460,002

 

 

 

 

3,521,513

 

 

 

 

34,363,003

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

 

 

697,960

 

 

 

 

1,102,606

 

 

 

 

27,545,721

 

 

 

 

39,939,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From net investment income

 

 

 

(39,648

)

 

 

 

(43,552

)

 

 

 

(408,572

)

 

 

 

 

 

From net realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,603,165

)

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

 

 

 

(39,648

)

 

 

 

(43,552

)

 

 

 

(12,011,737

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital stock transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from sales

 

 

 

1,637,305

 

 

 

 

2,846,505

 

 

 

 

42,239,882

 

 

 

 

95,420,237

 

 

Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

39,648

 

 

 

 

43,552

 

 

 

 

12,011,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of shares redeemed

 

 

 

(1,527,855

)

 

 

 

(1,896,364

)

 

 

 

(66,963,260

)

 

 

 

(26,507,142

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions

 

 

 

149,098

 

 

 

 

993,693

 

 

 

 

(12,711,641

)

 

 

 

68,913,095

 

 

Total increase in net assets

 

 

 

807,410

 

 

 

 

2,052,747

 

 

 

 

2,822,343

 

 

 

 

108,852,265

 

 

Net assets at beginning of year

 

 

 

5,364,657

 

 

 

 

3,311,910

 

 

 

 

143,821,404

 

 

 

 

34,969,139

 

 

Net assets at end of year*

 

 

$

6,172,067

 

 

 

$

5,364,657

 

 

 

$

146,643,747

 

 

 

$

143,821,404

 

 

* Includes undistributed net investment income of

 

 

$

11,531

 

 

 

$

13,944

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued and redeemed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding at beginning of year

 

 

 

654,699

 

 

 

 

508,605

 

 

 

 

14,853,900

 

 

 

 

5,516,390

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

 

194,439

 

 

 

 

416,416

 

 

 

 

4,119,893

 

 

 

 

12,596,356

 

 

Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

4,512

 

 

 

 

5,422

 

 

 

 

1,085,071

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

 

(181,653

)

 

 

 

(275,744

)

 

 

 

(6,773,202

)

 

 

 

(3,258,846

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

 

 

 

17,298

 

 

 

 

146,094

 

 

 

 

(1,568,238

)

 

 

 

9,337,510

 

 

Shares outstanding at end of year

 

 

 

671,997

 

 

 

 

654,699

 

 

 

 

13,285,662

 

 

 

 

14,853,900

 

 

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

Annual Report  25



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement
International Equity Portfolio

 

Lazard Retirement
Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2010

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2009

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2010

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

$

5,494,717

 

$

4,859,670

 

$

11,566,780

 

$

6,885,545

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

 

 

(6,479,105

)

 

(81,731,677

)

 

41,722,847

 

 

(66,900,922

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and foreign currency

 

 

34,887,424

 

 

123,081,264

 

 

89,363,266

 

 

245,608,815

 

 

 

                     

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

 

33,903,036

 

 

46,209,257

 

 

142,652,893

 

 

185,593,438

 

 

 

                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

(5,831,608

)

 

(7,551,839

)

 

(6,122,781

)

 

(8,447,777

)

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,875,768

)

 

(4,531,305

)

 

 

                     

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

 

 

(5,831,608

)

 

(7,551,839

)

 

(10,998,549

)

 

(12,979,082

)

 

 

                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital stock transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

168,354,826

 

 

201,710,808

 

 

241,679,378

 

 

163,522,304

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

180,327,574

 

 

81,664,428

 

Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

5,831,608

 

 

7,551,839

 

 

6,122,781

 

 

8,447,777

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,875,768

 

 

4,531,304

 

Cost of shares redeemed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

(74,694,460

)

 

(188,593,451

)

 

(121,478,378

)

 

(97,290,179

)

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

(58,900,881

)

 

(25,804,605

)

 

 

                     

 

Net increase in net assets from capital stock transactions

 

 

99,491,974

 

 

20,669,196

 

 

252,626,242

 

 

135,071,029

 

 

 

                     

 

Total increase in net assets

 

 

127,563,402

 

 

59,326,614

 

 

384,280,586

 

 

307,685,385

 

Net assets at beginning of year

 

 

343,467,063

 

 

284,140,449

 

 

537,477,224

 

 

229,791,839

 

 

 

                     

 

Net assets at end of year*

 

$

471,030,465

 

$

343,467,063

 

$

921,757,810

 

$

537,477,224

 

 

 

                     

 

* Includes undistributed net investment income of

 

$

1,528,413

 

$

91,104

 

$

1,506,840

 

$

1,723,585

 

 

 

                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued and redeemed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding at beginning of year

 

 

35,197,641

 

 

34,537,314

 

 

19,101,582

 

 

14,562,340

 

 

 

                     

 

Shares sold

 

 

17,863,719

 

 

23,841,316

 

 

11,494,698

 

 

10,655,282

 

Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

582,833

 

 

779,489

 

 

271,023

 

 

441,201

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(7,819,586

)

 

(23,960,478

)

 

(5,928,851

)

 

(6,557,241

)

 

 

                     

 

Net increase

 

 

10,626,966

 

 

660,327

 

 

5,836,870

 

 

4,539,242

 

 

 

                     

 

Shares outstanding at end of year

 

 

45,824,607

 

 

35,197,641

 

 

24,938,452

 

 

19,101,582

 

 

 

                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding at beginning of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,896,581

 

 

5,281,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

Shares sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,543,810

 

 

5,063,770

 

Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

218,823

 

 

239,126

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,989,671

)

 

(1,688,125

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

Net increase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,772,962

 

 

3,614,771

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

Shares outstanding at end of year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,669,543

 

 

8,896,581

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

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

 

 

26  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Financial Highlights

 


LAZARD RETIREMENT U.S. STRATEGIC EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share of capital

 

Year Ended

 

 

stock outstanding throughout each year

 

12/31/10

 

12/31/09

 

12/31/08

 

12/31/07

 

12/31/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

8.19

 

$

6.51

 

$

10.17

 

$

12.86

 

$

11.02

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

0.06

 

 

0.06

 

 

0.10

 

 

0.07

 

 

0.09

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

0.99

 

 

1.69

 

 

(3.69

)

 

(0.14

)

 

1.83

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

1.05

 

 

1.75

 

 

(3.59

)

 

(0.07

)

 

1.92

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(0.06

)

 

(0.07

)

 

(0.07

)

 

(0.15

)

 

(0.08

)

 

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.47

)

 

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Total distributions

 

 

(0.06

)

 

(0.07

)

 

(0.07

)

 

(2.62

)

 

(0.08

)

 

 

 

                             

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

9.18

 

$

8.19

 

$

6.51

 

$

10.17

 

$

12.86

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Total Return (a)

 

 

12.85

%

 

26.84

%

 

–35.28

%

 

–0.95

%

 

17.48

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (in thousands)

 

$

6,172

 

$

5,365

 

$

3,312

 

$

4,959

 

$

5,078

 

 

Ratios to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

 

1.22

%

 

1.25

%

 

1.25

%

 

1.25

%

 

1.25

%

 

Gross expenses

 

 

3.84

%

 

4.67

%

 

4.88

%

 

4.21

%

 

4.45

%

 

Net investment income

 

 

0.68

%

 

1.03

%

 

1.27

%

 

0.62

%

 

0.68

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

55

%

 

79

%

 

86

%

 

101

%

 

102

%


LAZARD RETIREMENT U.S. SMALL-MID CAP EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share of capital

 

Year Ended

 

 

stock outstanding throughout each year

 

12/31/10

 

12/31/09

 

12/31/08

 

12/31/07

 

12/31/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

9.68

 

$

6.34

 

$

9.98

 

$

17.31

 

$

16.31

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

 

0.03

 

 

(0.01

)

 

(0.01

)

 

(0.02

)

 

(0.06

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

2.27

 

 

3.35

 

 

(3.63

)

 

(0.87

)

 

2.49

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

2.30

 

 

3.34

 

 

(3.64

)

 

(0.89

)

 

2.43

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(0.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gains

 

 

(0.91

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6.44

)

 

(1.43

)

 

 

 

                             

 

Total distributions

 

 

(0.94

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6.44

)

 

(1.43

)

 

 

 

                             

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

11.04

 

$

9.68

 

$

6.34

 

$

9.98

 

$

17.31

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Total Return (a)

 

 

23.72

%

 

52.68

%

 

–36.47

%

 

–7.20

%

 

16.07

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (in thousands)

 

$

146,644

 

$

143,821

 

$

34,969

 

$

62,772

 

$

82,514

 

 

Ratios to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

 

1.18

%

 

1.25

%

 

1.25

%

 

1.25

%

 

1.18

%

 

Gross expenses

 

 

1.18

%

 

1.31

%

 

1.41

%

 

1.33

%

 

1.18

%

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

 

0.29

%

 

–0.21

%

 

–0.11

%

 

–0.17

%

 

–0.22

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

122

%

 

171

%

 

139

%

 

102

%

 

87

%


 

 

(a)

Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolio’s Investment Manager or State Street; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Performance information does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies at the separate account level, and such charges will have the effect of reducing performance.

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

Annual Report  27



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAZARD RETIREMENT INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share of capital

 

Year Ended

 

stock outstanding throughout each year

 

12/31/10

 

12/31/09

 

12/31/08

 

12/31/07

 

12/31/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

9.76

 

$

8.23

 

$

13.35

 

$

14.89

 

$

12.83

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

0.12

 

 

0.16

 

 

0.21

 

 

0.19

 

 

0.21

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

0.53

 

 

1.60

 

 

(5.15

)

 

1.24

 

 

2.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

0.65

 

 

1.76

 

 

(4.94

)

 

1.43

 

 

2.82

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(0.13

)

 

(0.23

)

 

(0.14

)

 

(0.37

)

 

(0.15

)

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.04

)

 

(2.60

)

 

(0.61

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total distributions

 

 

(0.13

)

 

(0.23

)

 

(0.18

)

 

(2.97

)

 

(0.76

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

10.28

 

$

9.76

 

$

8.23

 

$

13.35

 

$

14.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return (a)

 

 

6.72

%

 

21.46

%

 

–37.02

%

 

10.78

%

 

22.53

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (in thousands)

 

$

471,030

 

$

343,467

 

$

284,140

 

$

391,465

 

$

308,693

 

Ratios to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

 

1.14

%

 

1.17

%

 

1.17

%

 

1.18

%

 

1.19

%

Gross expenses

 

 

1.14

%

 

1.17

%

 

1.17

%

 

1.18

%

 

1.19

%

Net investment income

 

 

1.41

%

 

1.89

%

 

2.15

%

 

1.60

%

 

1.51

%

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

53

%

 

104

%

 

43

%

 

48

%

 

75

%

 

 

(a)

Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Performance information does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies at the separate account level, and such charges will have the effect of reducing performance.

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

28  Annual Report



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAZARD RETIREMENT EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share of capital

 

Year Ended

 

stock outstanding throughout each year

 

12/31/10

 

12/31/09

 

12/31/08

 

12/31/07

 

12/31/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

19.23

 

$

11.59

 

$

25.64

 

$

22.69

 

$

18.81

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

0.34

 

 

0.29

 

 

0.58

 

 

0.29

 

 

0.27

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

4.02

 

 

7.80

 

 

(12.77

)

 

7.03

 

 

5.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

4.36

 

 

8.09

 

 

(12.19

)

 

7.32

 

 

5.35

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(0.26

)

 

(0.45

)

 

(0.47

)

 

(0.30

)

 

(0.10

)

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.39

)

 

(4.07

)

 

(1.37

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total distributions

 

 

(0.26

)

 

(0.45

)

 

(1.86

)

 

(4.37

)

 

(1.47

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

23.33

 

$

19.23

 

$

11.59

 

$

25.64

 

$

22.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

22.69

%

 

69.85

%

 

–48.72

%

 

33.30

%

 

29.95

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (in thousands)

 

$

581,859

 

$

367,260

 

$

168,787

 

$

251,665

 

$

129,306

 

Ratios to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

 

1.46

%

 

1.56

%

 

1.52

%

 

1.57

%

 

1.60

%

Gross expenses

 

 

1.46

%

 

1.56

%

 

1.52

%

 

1.57

%

 

1.69

%

Net investment income

 

 

1.66

%

 

1.86

%

 

2.81

%

 

1.12

%

 

1.30

%

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

27

%

 

51

%

 

53

%

 

52

%

 

48

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Period
5/1/06* to
12/31/06

 

Selected data for a share of capital

 

Year Ended

 

 

stock outstanding throughout each period

 

12/31/10

 

12/31/09

 

12/31/08

 

12/31/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

19.13

 

$

11.55

 

$

25.60

 

$

22.71

 

 

$

22.13

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

0.38

 

 

0.32

 

 

0.64

 

 

0.35

 

 

 

0.19

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

4.01

 

 

7.79

 

 

(12.78

)

 

7.04

 

 

 

1.88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

4.39

 

 

8.11

 

 

(12.14

)

 

7.39

 

 

 

2.07

 

 

Less distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(0.35

)

 

(0.53

)

 

(0.52

)

 

(0.43

)

 

 

(0.12

)

 

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.39

)

 

(4.07

)

 

 

(1.37

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total distributions

 

 

(0.35

)

 

(0.53

)

 

(1.91

)

 

(4.50

)

 

 

(1.49

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

23.17

 

$

19.13

 

$

11.55

 

$

25.60

 

 

$

22.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

23.05

%

 

70.23

%

 

–48.59

%

 

33.63

%

 

 

10.64

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios and Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

 

$

339,899

 

$

170,217

 

$

61,005

 

$

145,530

 

 

$

42,009

 

 

Ratios to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses (c)

 

 

1.21

%

 

1.31

%

 

1.28

%

 

1.32

%

 

 

1.35

%

 

Gross expenses (c)

 

 

1.21

%

 

1.31

%

 

1.28

%

 

1.32

%

 

 

1.54

%

 

Net investment income (c)

 

 

1.83

%

 

2.03

%

 

3.02

%

 

1.34

%

 

 

1.38

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

27

%

 

51

%

 

53

%

 

52

%

 

 

48

%

 

 

 

*

The inception date for Investor Shares was May 1, 2006.

(a)

Beginning with the fiscal year ended 12/31/06, net investment income has been computed using the average shares method.

(b)

Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolio’s Investment Manager; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Performance information does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies at the separate account level, and such charges will have the effect of reducing performance. A period of less than one year is not annualized.

(c)

Annualized for a period of less than one year.

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

Annual Report  29



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2010

 


1. Organization
Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on February 13, 1997 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund is comprised of eleven no-load portfolios (each referred to as a “Portfolio”), which are currently offered only to separate accounts established by insurance companies to fund variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Portfolio shares may also be offered to certain qualified pension and retirement plans and to accounts permitting accumulation of assets on a tax-deferred basis. Effective January 31, 2006, the Fund designated its existing class of shares as Service Shares and commenced offering Investor Shares. Investor Shares and Service Shares are identical, except as to the services offered to and expenses borne by each class of shares. Currently, only the following four Portfolios, each of which is “diversified”, as defined in the Act, are offered: Lazard Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio (“U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio”), Lazard Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio (“U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio”), Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio (“International Equity Portfolio”) and Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (“Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio”). Each of the other seven Portfolios had not commenced operations as of December 31, 2010.

2. Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

(a) Valuation of Investments—Market values for securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), NAS-DAQ national market or other U.S. exchanges or markets are generally based on the last reported sales price on the principal exchange or market on which the security is traded, generally as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each valuation date; securities not traded on the valuation date are valued at the closing bid price. The Fund values NASDAQ-traded securities at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price, which may not be the last reported sales price in certain instances. Any securities not listed, for which current over-the-counter market quotations or bids are readily available, are valued at the last

quoted bid price or, if available, the mean of two such prices. Except as described below, securities listed on foreign exchanges are valued at the last reported sales price; securities listed on foreign exchanges not traded on the valuation date are valued at the last quoted bid price. Investments in money market funds are valued at the fund’s net asset value.

If a significant event materially affecting the value of securities occurs between the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded and the time when a Portfolio’s net asset value is calculated, or when current market quotations otherwise are determined not to be readily available or reliable (including restricted or other illiquid securities such as derivative instruments), such securities will be valued at their fair values as determined by, or in accordance with procedures approved by, the Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Valuation Committee of the Investment Manager may evaluate a variety of factors to determine the fair value of securities for which market quotations are determined not to be readily available or reliable. These factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the value of comparable securities, observations from financial institutions and relevant news events. Input from the Investment Manager’s analysts also will be considered. The fair value of foreign securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service, using correlations between the movement of prices of such securities and indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as closing market prices of relevant ADRs or futures contracts. The effect of using fair value pricing is that the net asset value of a Portfolio will reflect the affected securities’ values as determined in the judgment of the Board, or its designee, instead of being determined by the market. Using a fair value pricing methodology to price securities may result in a value that is different from the most recent closing price of a security and from the prices used by other investment companies to calculate their portfolios’ net asset values.

(b) Portfolio Securities Transactions and Investment Income—Portfolio securities transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments are recorded on a specific identification basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is accrued daily.

The Portfolios may be subject to taxes imposed by foreign countries in which they invest. Such taxes are generally



30  Annual Report



 

 

 

 


based upon income earned or capital gains, realized or unrealized. The Portfolios accrue and apply such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains concurrent with the recognition of income or capital gains (realized and unrealized) from the applicable portfolio securities.

(c) Repurchase Agreements—In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, the Fund’s custodian takes possession of the underlying collateral securities, the fair value of which, at all times, is required to be at least equal to the principal amount, plus accrued interest, of the repurchase transaction. If the seller defaults, and the fair value of the collateral declines, realization of the collateral by a Portfolio may be delayed or limited.

(d) Foreign Currency Translation—The accounting records of the Portfolios are maintained in U.S. dollars. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated daily into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective transaction dates.

The Portfolios do not isolate the portion of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in their market prices. Such fluctuations are included in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions represents net foreign currency gain (loss) from disposition of foreign currencies, currency gain (loss) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on a Portfolio’s accounting records and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency reflects the impact of changes in exchange rates on the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, during the year.

(e) Federal Income Taxes—The Fund’s policy is to continue to have each Portfolio qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net

realized capital gains, to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

At December 31, 2010, the Portfolios had available, for federal income tax purposes, unused realized capital losses which can be used to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Portfolio

 

 

Expiring 2016

 

 

Expiring 2017

 

 

Expiring 2018 

 

U.S. Strategic Equity

 

 

$

406,197

 

 

 

$

683,170

 

 

 

$

 

 

U.S. Small-Mid Cap
Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Equity

 

 

 

6,022,728

 

 

 

 

71,571,550

 

 

 

 

7,205,218

 

 

Emerging Markets
Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48,721,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under current tax law, certain capital and net foreign currency losses realized after October 31 within the taxable year may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the tax year ended December 31, 2010, International Equity Portfolio elected to defer net capital losses of $5,649,194 arising between November 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years (2007-2009), or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2010 tax returns.

(f) Dividends and Distributions—Each Portfolio intends to declare and to pay dividends annually from net investment income. During any particular year, net realized gains from investment transactions in excess of available capital loss carryforwards would be taxable to the Portfolio, if not distributed. The Portfolios intend to declare and distribute these amounts, at least annually, to shareholders; however, to avoid taxation, a second distribution may be required.

Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax differences, which may result in distribution reclassifications, are primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions, wash sales and distributions from real estate investment trusts. The book/tax differences relating to shareholder distributions may result in reclassifications among certain capital accounts.



Annual Report  31



 

 

 

 


The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended December 31, was as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Income

 

Long-Term Capital Gain

 

Portfolio

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Strategic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

39,648

 

$

43,552

 

$

 

$

 

U.S. Small-Mid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cap Equity

 

 

8,841,561

 

 

 

 

3,170,176

 

 

 

International Equity

 

 

5,831,608

 

 

7,551,839

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging Markets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

10,998,549

 

 

12,979,082

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2010, the components of distributable earnings, on a tax basis, not disclosed elsewhere, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio

 

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income

 

Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain

 

Net Unrealized
Appreciation
Including
Foreign Currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Strategic Equity

 

$

11,531

 

$

 

$

896,514

 

U.S. Small-Mid Cap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

432,034

 

 

2,604,827

 

 

28,480,846

 

International Equity

 

 

2,680,383

 

 

 

 

55,752,864

 

Emerging Markets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

1,511,791

 

 

 

 

166,335,764

 

(g) Allocation of Expenses—Expenses not directly chargeable to a specific Portfolio are allocated among the Portfolios primarily on the basis of relative net assets. A Portfolio accrues distribution and service (12b-1) fees to its Service Shares. Each Portfolio’s income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated proportionally each day between the classes based upon the relative net assets of each class.

(h) Expense Reductions—The Portfolios’ excess cash in demand deposit accounts may receive credits that are available to offset custody expenses. The Statements of Operations report gross custody expenses, and report the amount of such credits separately as an expense reduction.

(i) Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Fund to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

3. Investment Management, Administration and Distribution Agreements
The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, has entered into an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Investment Manager. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager regularly provides each Portfolio with investment research, advice and supervision and furnishes continuously an investment program for each Portfolio consistent with its investment objective and policies, including the purchase, retention and disposition of securities. For its services provided to the Fund, the Investment Manager earns a management fee, accrued daily and payable by each Portfolio monthly, at the annual rate set forth below as a percentage of its average daily net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio

 

Annual Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Strategic Equity*

 

0.70

%

 

U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity

 

0.75

 

 

International Equity

 

0.75

 

 

Emerging Markets Equity

 

1.00

 

 

 

 

*

Effective November 19, 2010, the management fee has been reduced from an annual rate of 0.75% to 0.70%.

The Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed to reduce its fees and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolios if annualized operating expenses exceed the following percentages of average daily net assets for the respective Shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio

 

Service Shares

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Strategic Equity*

 

1.00

%

 

N/A

 

 

U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity

 

1.25

 

 

N/A

 

 

International Equity

 

1.25

 

 

N/A

 

 

Emerging Markets Equity

 

1.60

 

 

1.35

%

 

 

 

*

Effective November 19, 2010, the Investment Manager voluntarily agreed to lower the expense cap from 1.25% to 1.00%.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Investment Manager waived its management fee and reimbursed the U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio $125,897 for other expenses.

The Fund has entered into an administration agreement with State Street to provide certain administrative services to the Portfolios. Each Portfolio bears the cost of such services at a fixed annual rate of $42,500, plus 0.02% of average daily net assets up to $1 billion and 0.01% of average daily net assets over $1 billion. State Street has agreed to waive $18,750 of the $42,500 annual fee for the U.S. Strategic



32  Annual Report



 

 

 

 


Equity Portfolio until the Portfolio’s net assets reach $25 million.

The Fund has a distribution agreement with Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, to serve as the distributor for shares of each Portfolio. The Distributor bears the cost of printing and mailing prospectuses to potential investors and certain expenses in connection with the offering of Portfolio shares.

Under a Distribution and Servicing Plan, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Act, each Portfolio pays a monthly fee to the Distributor, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of its Service Shares, for distribution and servicing of accounts. The Distributor may make payments to participating insurance companies, certain financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals for providing these services.

4. Directors’ Compensation
Certain Directors of the Fund are officers of the Investment Manager. Each Director who is not an affiliated person of the Investment Manager or any of its affiliates is paid by the Fund, The Lazard Funds, Inc., Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc. and Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc. (collectively with the Fund, the “Lazard Funds”), each a registered management investment company advised by the Investment Manager: (1) an annual retainer of $80,000, (2) a per meeting in person regular or special meeting fee of $5,000 ($1,500 for telephonic participation), including Board, committee, subcommittee or other special meetings specifically authorized by the Board and held in connection with delegated Fund business, and (3) a telephone Audit Committee or special Board meeting fee of $1,500, with an additional annual fee for the Audit Committee Chairman, Lester Z. Lieberman, of $5,000. (Prior to July 1, 2010, the compensation consisted of: (1) an annual retainer of $60,000, (2) $4,000 per meeting attended in person ($1,500 per meeting attended by telephone) and (3) $1,000 for each committee, subcommittee or other special meetings specifically authorized by the Board and held in connection with delegated Fund business.) The Independent Directors also are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses for attending Board and committee meetings. No additional compensation is provided in respect of committee meetings held in conjunction with a

meeting of the Board. Compensation is divided among the Lazard Funds based on relative net assets. The Directors do not receive benefits from the Fund pursuant to any pension, retirement or similar arrangement.

5. Securities Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio

 

 

Purchases

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Strategic Equity

 

$

2,995,342

 

$

3,103,874

 

U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity

 

 

164,184,601

 

 

186,809,838

 

International Equity

 

 

297,035,962

 

 

194,087,095

 

Emerging Markets Equity

 

 

401,574,583

 

 

173,899,574

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, no brokerage commissions were paid to affiliates of the Investment Manager or other affiliates of the Fund for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.

6. Foreign Securities Investment Risks
Certain Portfolios invest in securities of foreign entities and in instruments denominated in foreign currencies which involve risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. Non-domestic securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. A Portfolio’s investments in emerging market countries are exposed to additional volatility. A Portfolio’s performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting companies in emerging markets countries. Emerging market countries generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries.

7. Contractual Obligations
The Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.



Annual Report  33




 

 

 

 


8. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that a Portfolio would receive to sell an asset, or would pay to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the date of measurement. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures provisions of GAAP also establish a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement that is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer, broadly, to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Each investment’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

 

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including unadjusted quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

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

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities.

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolios’ investments by each fair value hierarchy level as of December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Investments
(Level 1)

 

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Balance as of
December 31,
2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

5,997,693

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,997,693

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,701

 

 

31,701

 

Short-Term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment

 

 

 

 

146,204

 

 

 

 

146,204

 

Total

 

$

5,997,693

 

$

146,204

 

$

31,701

 

$

6,175,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

145,622,702

 

$

 

$

 

$

145,622,702

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

864,900

 

 

864,900

 

Short-Term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment

 

 

 

 

6,572,154

 

 

 

 

6,572,154

 

Total

 

$

145,622,702

 

$

6,572,154

 

$

864,900

 

$

153,059,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

450,382,025

 

$

 

$

 

$

450,382,025

 

Short-Term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment

 

 

 

 

13,681,301

 

 

 

 

13,681,301

 

Total

 

$

450,382,025

 

$

13,681,301

 

$

 

$

464,063,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

842,486,403

 

$

7,127,958

 

$

 

$

849,614,361

 

Preferred Stocks

 

 

24,255,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,255,361

 

Short-Term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment

 

 

 

 

38,605,417

 

 

 

 

38,605,417

 

Total

 

$

866,741,764

 

$

45,733,375

 

$

 

$

912,475,139

 

The common stock included in Level 2 was valued based on reference to a similar security from the same issuer which was trading on an active market. The preferred stock included in Level 3 was valued by reference to comparable entities and evaluation of fundamental data relating to the issuer.

In connection with the periodic implementation of fair value pricing procedures with respect to foreign securities (see Note 2(a)), certain securities in the International Equity and Emerging Market Equity Portfolios are transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 and revert to Level 1 when the fair value pricing procedure triggers are no longer met. Since the fair value pricing procedure triggers were not met at December 31, 2010, any securities which had been valued under these procedures as of December 31, 2009 which remained in the Portfolios as of December 31, 2010 were transferred to Level 1. There were no significant transfers into or out of Level 3 as of December 31, 2010.

For further information regarding security characteristics see Portfolios of Investments.



34  Annual Report



 

 

 

 

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value during the year ended December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Balance as of
December 31,
2009

 

Accrued
Discounts
(Premiums)

 

Realized
Gain
(Loss)

 

Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Net Transfers
Into
Level 3

 

Net Transfers
Out of
Level 3

 

Balance as of
December 31,
2010

 

Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
from Investments
Still Held at
December 31,
2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Strategic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

31,701

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

31,701

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Small-Mid Cap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Portfolio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

864,900

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

864,900

 

 

 

$

 

 


9. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events affecting the Fund’s financial statements and has determined that there are no such subsequent events that would require disclosure.



Annual Report  35



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 


The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Lazard Retirement Series, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. (the “Fund”, comprised of Lazard Retirement U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio, Lazard Retirement U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio, Lazard Retirement International Equity Portfolio and Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio) as of December 31, 2010 and the related statements 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 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2010, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights as stated above, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the respective portfolios constituting Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. as of December 31, 2010, the results of their operations for the year then ended, changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

ANCHIN, BLOCK & ANCHIN LLP

New York, New York
February 15, 2011

36  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Board of Directors and Officers Information (unaudited)

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Age)
Address(1)

 

Position(s) with the Fund
(Since) and Term(2)

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
and Other Directorships Held(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Interested Directors:

Kenneth S. Davidson (65)(3)

 

Director
(April 1997)

 

President, Davidson Capital Management Corporation, an investment manager; Partner, Aquiline Holdings LLC, an investment manager; Trustee, The Juilliard School; Chairman of the Board, Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival; Trustee, American Friends of the National Gallery, London

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy A. Eckl (48)

 

Director
(May 2007)

 

Former Vice President, Trust Investments, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“American Beacon”) and Vice President of certain funds advised by American Beacon; Trustee, College Retirement Equities Fund (eight accounts); Trustee, TIAA-CREF Funds (49 funds) and TIAA-CREF Life Funds (10 funds), and Member of the Management Committee of TIAA Separate Account VA-1

 

 

 

 

 

Lester Z. Lieberman (80)

 

Director
(April 1997)

 

Private Investor; Chairman, Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey; Director, Cives Steel Co.; Director, Northside Power Transmission Co.; Advisory Trustee, New Jersey Medical School; Director, Public Health Research Institute; Trustee Emeritus, Clarkson University; Council of Trustees, New Jersey Performing Arts Center

 

 

 

 

 

Leon M. Pollack (70)

 

Director
(August 2006)

 

Former Managing Director, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette; Trustee, Adelphi University

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Reiss, Jr. (66)

 

Director
(April 1997)

 

Chairman, Georgica Advisors LLC, an investment manager; Director, O’Charley’s, Inc., a restaurant chain

 

 

 

 

 

Robert M. Solmson (63)

 

Director
(September 2004)

 

President, Fairwood Capital, LLC, a private investment corporation engaged primarily in real estate and hotel investments; Director, Colonial Williamsburg Co.; Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, RFS Hotel Investors, Inc.; Former Director, Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc.; Former Director, Independent Bank, Memphis

 

 

 

 

 

Interested Directors (4):

Charles L. Carroll (50)

 

Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director
(June 2004)

 

Deputy Chairman and Head of Global Marketing of the Investment Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Ashish Bhutani (50)

 

Director
(July 2005)

 

Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Manager; Vice Chairman and Director of Lazard Ltd (since January 2010)

Annual Report  37



 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

The address of each Director is Lazard Asset Management LLC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112-6300.

 

 

(2)

Each Director also serves as a Director for each of the Lazard Funds (comprised of, as of January 31, 2011, 22 active investment portfolios). Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected, and each Director serves in the same capacity for the other Lazard Funds. All of the Independent Directors, except Mr. Lieberman, are also board members of Lazard Alternative Strategies Fund, L.L.C., a privately-offered fund registered under the Act and advised by an affiliate of the Investment Manager.

 

 

(3)

It is possible that Mr. Davidson could be deemed to be an affiliate of a company that has an indirect ownership interest in a broker-dealer that the Investment Manager may use to execute portfolio transactions for clients other than the Portfolios, and thus an “interested person” (as defined in the Act) of the Fund. However, due to the structure of Mr. Davidson’s relationship with the company and the remote nature of any deemed affiliation with the broker-dealer, Mr. Davidson is not identified as an “interested person” (as defined in the Act) of the Fund. Mr. Davidson participates in Fund Board meetings as if his status were that of an “interested person” (as defined in the Act).

 

 

(4)

Messrs. Bhutani and Carroll are “interested persons” (as defined in the Act) of the Fund because of their positions with the Investment Manager.

 

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains further information about the Directors and is available without charge by calling 800-823-6300.

38  Annual Report



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Age)
Address(1)

 

Position(s) with the Fund
(Since) and Term(2)

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officers (3):

 

 

 

 

Nathan A. Paul (38)

 

Vice President
and Secretary
(April 2002)

 

Managing Director and General Counsel of the Investment Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen St. Clair (52)

 

Treasurer
(May 2003)

 

Vice President of the Investment Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Brian D. Simon (48)

 

Chief Compliance Officer
(January 2009) and
Assistant Secretary
(November 2002)

 

Director and Chief Compliance Officer (since January 2009) of the Fund and the Investment Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Tamar Goldstein (35)

 

Assistant Secretary
(February 2009)

 

Vice President (since March 2009) and previously Counsel (November 2006 to February 2009) of the Investment Manager; Associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, a law firm, from May 2004 to October 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Cesar A. Trelles (36)

 

Assistant Treasurer
(December 2004)

 

Fund Administration Manager of the Investment Manager


 

 

(1)

The address of each officer is Lazard Asset Management LLC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112-6300.

 

 

(2)

Each officer serves for an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Each officer serves in the same capacity for the other Lazard Funds.

 

 

(3)

In addition to Charles L. Carroll, President, whose information is included in the Interested Directors section.

Annual Report  39



 

 

   Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Other Information (unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting
A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how proxies relating to Fund portfolio securities are voted is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 823-6300 or (2) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 823-6300 or (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Information as of June 30 each year will generally be available by the following August 31.

Form N-Q
The Fund files a complete schedule of each Portfolio’s holdings for the first and third quarters of its fiscal year with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

Board Consideration of Management Agreement
At the meeting of the Fund’s Board held on November 17-18, 2010, the Board considered the approval, for an additional annual period, of the Management Agreement between the Fund, on behalf of its Portfolios, and the Investment Manager. The Independent Directors were assisted in their review by Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP (“Stroock”) and met with Stroock in executive session separate from representatives of the Investment Manager.

Services Provided
Representatives of the Investment Manager discussed with the Board the Investment Manager’s written presentation provided in advance of the meeting addressing, among other matters, the nature, extent and quality of services that the Investment Manager provides the Fund, including a discussion of the Investment Manager and its clients (of which the Lazard funds complex of 20 active funds comprises approximately $20.3 billion of the nearly $130 billion of total assets under the management of the Investment Manager and its global affiliates as of September 30, 2010). The representatives of the Investment Manager noted that the Investment Manager believes that the Fund continues to benefit significantly from the infrastructure and services provided by the

Investment Manager’s global investment management platform, technology, operational and legal and compliance support and significant marketing infrastructure across broad distribution channels. The Directors also considered information provided by the Investment Manager regarding its personnel, resources, financial condition and experience. The representatives of the Investment Manager reviewed the Fund’s distribution channels, the relationships with various intermediaries, marketing activities on behalf of the Portfolios over the past year and Portfolio asset flows and the growth or decline in asset levels.

The Directors considered the various services provided by the Investment Manager including the Investment Manager’s research and portfolio management capabilities and oversight of day-to-day operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Directors also considered the Investment Manager’s infrastructure and agreed that the Fund benefits from the services and infrastructure provided by the Investment Manager. The Directors accepted management’s assertion that such services and infrastructure are greater than those typically provided to a $20.3 billion fund complex not managed by a large, global firm such as the Investment Manager.

Comparative Management Fee, Expense Ratio and Performance Information
The Directors reviewed comparative management fee, expense ratio and performance (through September 30, 2010) information prepared by Lipper, noting the limitations of certain Lipper comparison groups (each, a “Group”). Lipper’s materials stated that Lipper’s reports are specifically designed to provide boards of directors the necessary fee, expense and investment performance information to help fulfill their advisory contract renewal responsibilities under Section 15(c) of the Act.

Management Fees and Expense Ratios. The Directors discussed the management fees and expense ratios for each Portfolio. They note the methodology and assumptions used by Lip-per, including that management fee comparisons include administrative fees (which, for the Fund, is paid to the Fund’s third party administrator that is not affiliated with the Investment Manager) and that the quintile rankings used therein (referred to below) did not include fixed dollar amounts paid to administrators. It was noted that such fixed



40  Annual Report



 

 

 

 


fees were not material relative to the Portfolios’ management fees, but could affect management fee quintile rankings if included in Lipper’s analysis.

In reviewing Lipper’s analyses (which was for the Service shares class of all Portfolios except for the Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio, which has both Service and Investor class shares), it was noted that, except for Global Listed Infrastructure and Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolios (which are not active Portfolios), contractual management fees are at or lower or, in the case of the U.S. Equity Value and U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolios, only slightly higher than each Portfolio’s relevant Group median. They also noted that, except for International Strategic Equity and Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolios (which are not active Portfolios), expense ratios were within the range of those of the funds in the relevant Group. The Directors considered that the Investment Manager continues to voluntarily enter into fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreements for all of the active Portfolios and that for certain of these Portfolios the Investment Manager was waiving management fees and/or reimbursing expenses. For the U.S. Equity Value and U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolios, Fund management proposed, and the Directors approved, a reduction in the contractual management fee which would have ranked the fees below the respective Group medians.

The Directors also considered management fees paid to the Investment Manager by funds advised or sub-advised by the Investment Manager utilizing the same investment strategies as the Portfolios, as well as the Investment Manager’s separately managed accounts with similar investment objectives, policies and strategies (for each Portfolio, collectively with such funds, “Similar Accounts”). The Directors discussed the fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund’s Portfolios compared to the fees paid to the Investment Manager by Similar Accounts. Representatives of the Investment Manager discussed the nature of the Similar Accounts and the differences, from the Investment Manager’s perspective, in services provided to the different types of Similar Accounts as compared to the services provided to the Portfolios. The Directors considered the relevance of the fee information provided for Similar Accounts managed by the Investment Manager, in light of the differences in services provided, to evaluate the appro-

priateness and reasonableness of the Portfolios’ management fees.

Performance. The Directors noted that, as discussed below, the Portfolios’ investment returns were variously above, at or below the median ranges of the relevant Group and/or Lipper universe (“Universe”) over measurement periods up to ten years through September 30, 2010.

The Directors noted that performance of U.S. Strategic Equity Portfolio was above or equal to the Group median in half of the periods; U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio was above or equal to the Group median in all periods; International Equity Portfolio was at or below the Group and Universe medians for most of the periods; and the Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio was above the median of the Group and Universe in each time period.

The Directors had received regular updates on the Investment Manager’s efforts in respect of underperforming Portfolios.

Investment Manager Profitability and Economies of Scale
The Directors reviewed information prepared by the Investment Manager for each Portfolio concerning the estimated expenses incurred, and profits realized, by the Investment Manager and its affiliates resulting from the Management Agreement, including the projected dollar amount of expenses allocated and profit received by the Investment Manager for the calendar year ending December 31, 2010 (assuming that asset levels were unchanged from September 30, 2010 to December 31, 2010) and for calendar year 2011 assuming that the average net assets used in the 2010 projection increased by 20%, and the method used to determine such expenses and profits. The representatives of the Investment Manager stated that neither the Investment Manager nor its affiliates receive any significant indirect benefits from the Investment Manager acting as investment adviser to the Portfolios. The Investment Manager’s representatives stated that the broker-dealer that is treated as an affiliate of the Investment Manager did not effect trades for the Portfolios from January 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010 and the Investment Manager did not benefit from money flow (float) in connection with transactions in the Portfolios’ shares. The Investment Manager’s representatives reviewed with the Board information provided on the Investment Manager’s brokerage practices and the Portfolios’ brokerage allocation,



Annual Report  41



 

 

 

 


commission payments and soft dollar commissions and benefits. The representatives of the Investment Manager reminded the Board that the Investment Manager is continuing to support distribution relationships through direct payments from its or its affiliates’ own resources to third parties in connection with distribution and shareholder servicing and/or administrative and recordkeeping services, and noted that the Fund does not bear any related costs other than the 0.25% 12b-1 fee pursuant to the Distribution and Servicing Plan adopted for the Portfolios’ Service Shares.

The profitability percentages were within ranges determined by relevant court cases not to be so disproportionately large that they bore no reasonable relationship to the services rendered. Representatives of the Investment Manager stated that the Investment Manager believed the profits are not unreasonable in light of the services provided and other factors. The Directors considered the Investment Manager’s estimated and projected profitability with respect to each Portfolio as part of their evaluation of whether the Portfolio’s fee under the Management Agreement bears a reasonable relationship to the mix of services provided by the Investment Manager, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, and evaluated profitability in light of the relevant circumstances for each Portfolio, including the size of each Portfolio and the trend in asset growth or decline. Representatives of the Investment Manager and the Directors discussed ways economies of scale could be realized and how they could be shared, including the Investment Manager’s reinvestment of money back into its business, waiving or reimbursing Portfolio expenses, adding discounts to a Portfolio’s management fee schedule as a Portfolio’s assets increase or by instituting relatively low management fees from inception. It was noted that, for Portfolios with declining or stable assets, the extent to which the Investment Manager may have realized any economies of scale would be reduced. The Directors determined that they would continue to consider potential material economies of scale. Specifically, the Independent Directors requested a further presentation from the Investment Manager (the “Supplemental Presentation”).

At the conclusion of these discussions, each of the Directors expressed the opinion that, subject to receipt of the Supplemental Presentation, he or she had been furnished with sufficient information to make an informed business decision with respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement. Based on its discussions and considerations as described above, the Board made the following conclusions and determinations.

 

 

The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Manager are adequate and appropriate, noting the benefits of advisory and research services and other services and infrastructure (as discussed above) associated with a nearly $130 billion global asset management business.

 

 

The Board was generally satisfied with the overall performance of the Portfolios, but would continue to monitor performance of the Portfolios with performance that was not generally above or competitive with Group or Universe medians.

 

 

The Board concluded that each Portfolio’s fee paid to the Investment Manager was reasonable in light of the considerations discussed above.

 

 

The Board recognized that economies of scale may be realized as the assets of the Portfolios increase and determined that they would continue to consider potential material economies of scale.

The Board considered these conclusions and determinations in their totality and, without any one factor being dispositive, determined that approval of the Management Agreement for the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios (subject to receipt of the Supplemental Presentation), was in the best interests of the Portfolio and its shareholders.

On December 14, 2010, the Board received a satisfactory Supplemental Presentation and took no further action in respect of its previous approval of the Management Agreement.



42  Annual Report



 

 

 Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Tax Information Year Ended December 31, 2010 (unaudited)

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, the corresponding percentage represents the amount of each dividend which will qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio

 

Percentage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Strategic Equity

 

100.00

%

 

U.S. Small-Mid Cap Equity

 

11.71

%

 

International Equity

 

 

 

Emerging Markets Equity

 

 

 

The 2010 foreign source income and foreign tax expense, by country, is illustrated below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Equity Portfolio

 

Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

 

Country

 

Foreign
Source Income
Per Country
Factor

 

Foreign
Tax Expense
Per Country
Factor

 

Foreign
Source Income
Per Country
Factor

 

Foreign
Tax Expense
Per Country
Factor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia

 

2.07

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belgium

 

0.73

%

 

1.47

%

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

2.13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil

 

6.70

%

 

3.29

%

 

34.43

%

 

12.62

%

 

Canada

 

2.26

%

 

4.54

%

 

0.32

%

 

0.61

%

 

China

 

1.17

%

 

1.57

%

 

1.02

%

 

1.29

%

 

Denmark

 

0.74

%

 

1.49

%

 

 

 

 

 

Egypt

 

 

 

 

 

3.71

%

 

 

 

France

 

9.65

%

 

19.12

%

 

0.53

%

 

0.22

%

 

Germany

 

2.50

%

 

5.03

%

 

 

 

 

 

India

 

 

 

 

 

2.12

%

 

 

 

Indonesia

 

 

 

 

 

4.84

%

 

11.11

%

 

Ireland

 

1.60

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israel

 

0.27

%

 

0.33

%

 

2.92

%

 

3.42

%

 

Italy

 

2.58

%

 

5.19

%

 

 

 

 

 

Japan

 

16.16

%

 

15.17

%

 

 

 

 

 

Jersey, Channel Islands

 

1.54

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luxembourg

 

 

 

 

 

0.63

%

 

1.20

%

 

Malaysia

 

 

 

 

 

0.96

%

 

 

 

Mexico

 

 

 

 

 

2.57

%

 

 

 

Netherlands

 

4.35

%

 

8.76

%

 

 

 

 

 

Norway

 

1.25

%

 

2.51

%

 

 

 

 

 

Pakistan

 

 

 

 

 

1.34

%

 

1.69

%

 

Philippines

 

 

 

 

 

4.96

%

 

17.65

%

 

Republic of Korea

 

0.15

%

 

0.33

%

 

4.29

%

 

8.96

%

 

Russia

 

0.74

%

 

1.00

%

 

7.05

%

 

8.92

%

 

Singapore

 

1.86

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Africa

 

 

 

 

 

14.64

%

 

 

 

Spain

 

3.83

%

 

5.78

%

 

 

 

 

 

Sweden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Switzerland

 

12.13

%

 

24.42

%

 

 

 

 

 

Taiwan

 

 

 

 

 

6.92

%

 

17.49

%

 

Thailand

 

 

 

 

 

1.27

%

 

9.48

%

 

Turkey

 

0.25

%

 

 

 

5.48

%

 

5.34

%

 

United Kingdom

 

25.34

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

Total Foreign

 

100.00

%

 

100.00

%

 

100.00

%

 

100.00

%

 

 

 

                       

Annual Report  43


NOTES


NOTES


NOTES


NOTES


NOTES



 

 

 

 


 

Lazard Retirement Series, Inc.

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

Telephone: 800-823-6300

http://www.LazardNet.com

 

Investment Manager

Lazard Asset Management LLC

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

Telephone: 800-823-6300

 

Distributor

Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

 

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

 

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 8514

Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8514

Telephone: 800-986-3455

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP

1375 Broadway

New York, New York 10018

http://www.anchin.com

 

Legal Counsel

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

180 Maiden Lane

New York, New York 10038-4982

http://www.stroock.com




(BACK COVER)

Performance information as of the most recent month end is available online at www.LazardNet.com.

Lazard Asset Management LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112-6300
800-823-6300

www.LazardNet.com

© 2011 Lazard Asset Management LLC

12/10 LZDPS010

Lazard Retirement Series



ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

          The Registrant 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.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

          The Registrant’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has determined that Lester Z. Lieberman, Robert M. Solmson and Nancy A. Eckl, members of the Audit Committee of the Board, are audit committee financial experts as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Solmson and Ms. Eckl are “independent” as defined by the SEC for purposes of audit committee financial expert determinations.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant (the “Auditor”) for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $99,800 in 2009 and $99,800 in 2010.

(b) Audit-Related Fees. There were no fees billed in the Reporting Periods by the Auditor to the Registrant for assurance and related services 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 4. There were no fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant’s investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant (“Service Affiliates”).

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods by the Auditor to the Registrant for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”) were $26,200 in 2009 and $26,200 in 2010. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.

There were no fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Tax Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates.

(d) All Other Fees. There were no fees billed in the Reporting Periods by the Auditor to the Registrant for products and services other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item.

There were no fees billed in the Reporting Periods by the Auditor to Service Affiliates.


(e) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Registrant’s Audit Committee pre-approves the Auditor’s engagements for audit and non-audit services to the Registrant and, as required, non-audit services to Service Affiliates on a case-by-case basis. Pre-approval considerations include whether the proposed services are compatible with maintaining the Auditor’s independence. There were no services provided by the Auditor to the Registrant or Service Affiliates that were approved pursuant to (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the Reporting Periods.

(f) None.

(g) Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to the Registrant for the Reporting Periods were $26,200 in 2009 and $26,200 in 2010. There were no fees billed in the Reporting Periods by the Auditor to Service Affiliates.

(h) Not applicable.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

          Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INVESTMENTS

          Not applicable.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENTCOMPANIES.

          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.

          There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board during the period covered by this report.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a)        The Registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is


recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b)        There were no changes to the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

(a)(1)        Code of Ethics referred to in Item 2.

(a)(2)        Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(a)(3)        Not applicable.

(b)          Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.


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.

 

 

 

Lazard Retirement Series, Inc.

 

 

 

By

/s/ Charles L. Carroll

 

 

 

 

 

Charles L. Carroll

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Date

February 24, 2011

 

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

 

 

 

By

/s/ Charles L. Carroll

 

 

 

 

 

Charles L. Carroll

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Date

February 24, 2011

 


 

 

 

By

/s/ Stephen St. Clair

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen St. Clair

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Date

February 24, 2011