N-CSRS 1 e85648nvcsrs.htm N-CSRS nvcsrs

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 811-08361


Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust


(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303


(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
     
Peter V. Bonanno, Esq.   Copies to:
Goldman, Sachs & Co.   Geoffrey R. T. Kenyon, Esq.
200 West Street   Dechert LLP
New York, New York 10282   200 Clarendon Street
    27th Floor
Boston, MA 02116-5021

(Name and address of agents for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 655-4400


Date of fiscal year end: December 31


Date of reporting period: June 30, 2010


     
ITEM 1.   REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
     
    The Semi-Annual Reports to Stockholders are filed herewith.

 


 

 
Goldman
Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund
Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund
Goldman Sachs Government Income Fund
Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund
 
 
 
 
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2010
LOGO


 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Principal Investment Strategies and Risks
 
Shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust Funds are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Funds are not offered directly to the general public. The variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are described in the separate prospectuses issued by participating insurance companies. You should refer to those prospectuses for information about surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees and other charges that may be assessed by participating insurance companies under the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies. Such fees or charges, if any, may affect the return you realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a Fund’s objective, risks and charges and expenses, and read the Prospectus carefully before investing. The Prospectus contains this and other information about a Fund.
 
The Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Core Fixed Income Fund’s investments in fixed income securities are subject to the risks associated with debt securities, including credit and interest rate risk. The guarantee on U.S. government securities applies only to the underlying securities of the Fund if held to maturity and not to the value of the Fund’s shares. The Fund’s investments in mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risks. These risks may result in greater share price volatility. The Fund may make substantial investments in derivative instruments, including options, financial futures, Eurodollar futures contracts, swaps, option on swaps, structured securities and other derivative investments. Derivative instruments may involve a high degree of financial risk. These risks include the risk that a small movement in the price of the underlying security or benchmark may result in a disproportionately large movement, unfavorable or favorable, in the price of the derivative instrument; risks of default by a counterparty, and the risks that transactions may not be liquid.
 
Foreign and emerging markets investments may be more volatile and less liquid than investments in U.S. securities and will be subject to the risks of currency fluctuations and political developments. At times, the Fund may be unable to sell certain of its portfolio securities without a substantial drop in price, if at all. The Fund may also engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes including cross hedging or for speculative purposes. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations.
 
The Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Equity Index Fund invests in a broadly diversified portfolio of large-cap U.S. equity investments and is subject to market risk so that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions. The Fund’s performance may vary substantially from the performance of the benchmark it tracks (S&P 500 Index) as a result of share purchases and redemptions, transaction costs, expenses and other factors. The Fund may make investments in derivative instruments, including options, futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivative investments. Derivative instruments may involve a high degree of financial risk. These risks include the risk that a small movement in the price of the underlying security or benchmark may result in a disproportionately large movement, unfavorable or favorable, in the price of the derivative instrument; risks of default by a counterparty, and the risks that transactions may not be liquid.
 
The Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Government Income Fund’s net asset value and yield are not guaranteed by the U.S. government or by its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. Investments in fixed income securities are subject to the risks associated with debt securities, including credit and interest rate risk. The guarantee on U.S. government securities applies only to the underlying securities of the Fund if held to maturity and not to the value of the Fund’s shares. The Fund’s investments in mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risks. These risks may result in greater share price volatility. The Fund may make substantial investments in derivative instruments, including options, financial futures, Eurodollar futures contracts, swaps, option on swaps, structured securities and other derivative investments. Derivative instruments may involve a high degree of financial risk. These risks include the risk that a small movement in the price of the underlying security
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
or benchmark may result in a disproportionately large movement, unfavorable or favorable, in the price of the derivative instrument; risks of default by a counterparty, and the risks that transactions may not be liquid.
 
The Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Growth Opportunities Fund invests in U.S. equity investments with a primary focus on mid-cap companies. The Fund is subject to market risk so that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions.
 
The securities of mid-capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements.
 
The Fund may invest in foreign securities, which may be more volatile and less liquid than investments in U.S. securities and will be subject to the risks of currency fluctuations and sudden economic or political developments. At times, the Fund may be unable to sell certain of its portfolio securities without a substantial drop in price, if at all.
 
 
 2


 

MARKET REVIEW
 
 

 
Market Review
 
Investor sentiment shifted from optimism about a global economic recovery to heightened uncertainty during the six months ended June 30, 2010 (the “Reporting Period”).
 
U.S. consumer spending increased steadily during the first quarter of 2010, and European confidence in the economic outlook improved. As a sign of a more sustained U.S. economic recovery, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) began to scale back the support programs it had established to enhance liquidity in the credit markets and also raised the discount rate, which is the rate it charges to banks for short-term loans. Still, concerns over Greece’s debt troubles hung over first quarter financial markets.
 
In late April, concerns over Europe’s sovereign debt issues intensified. The U.S. economy continued its recovery, but growth momentum appeared to be stalling as the boost from fiscal stimulus and inventory restocking began to fade. Additionally, investors increasingly focused on the potential impact of a growing government appetite for regulation and mounting evidence that the global economic recovery might be losing steam. The Fed suggested that “financial conditions have become less supportive of economic growth,” while first quarter Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) was revised down slightly from 3.0% to 2.7%. Consumer confidence fell sharply in June, and private sector payroll growth was weaker than expected.
 
EQUITY MARKETS
 
U.S. equities advanced during the first quarter of 2010, overcoming a weak start in January with modest gains in February and strong performance in March. While this marked the fourth consecutive quarter of gains for U.S. equities, underlying economic data and sentiment were less encouraging. Stronger personal spending and retail sales figures released during the quarter jump-started consumer-related stocks. Continued positive numbers from several key manufacturing surveys lifted industrial stocks. Indeed, increasing cash flow, high productivity and significant cost cutting fueled expectations of forthcoming business spending and corporate profits across a wide spectrum of equity market sectors.
 
Investor sentiment, however, turned sharply in April. Particularly hard hit were financial stocks. In the U.S., significant financial reform legislation neared final stages, leading investors to contemplate the possible effect on earnings multiples of a number of large banks that might be forced to spin off or limit ownership in highly profitable businesses. To add pressure to an already volatile backdrop, U.S. equity markets were doused with a number of disappointing economic readings at the end of June. Fears that Chinese, and therefore global, demand might be slowing hit commodity prices and their stocks, while high crude oil inventory levels and BP’s disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico further pressured energy stocks.
 
FIXED INCOME MARKETS
 
During the first quarter of 2010, interest rates rose as market participants priced in a more optimistic outlook on global growth. The trend reversed itself in the second quarter. Rates declined sharply in May on worries about fiscal conditions in peripheral European countries, uncertainties about financial regulation reform and the outlook for China’s economic growth, which all contributed to a flight to quality and an increase in global risk premiums. The 10-year Treasury yield, which began the Reporting Period at 3.83%, fell to 2.93% — its lowest level in more than a year. Short-term rates remained anchored.
 
 


 

MARKET REVIEW
 
 

 
Within spread, or non-Treasury, sectors, performance was mixed. Because of relatively strong economic growth during the first quarter, risk premiums declined temporarily and most sectors underperformed Treasuries during the second quarter. During the Reporting Period as a whole, however, agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) outperformed duration-equivalent Treasuries by more than 70 basis points. (A basis point is equal to 1/100th of a percentage point.) Despite heightened volatility driven by the buyback of delinquent loans by government-sponsored agencies and the Fed’s exit from the agency MBS purchase program, the sector continued to perform well amid strong technicals and subdued prepayments. Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) outperformed duration-equivalent Treasuries during the Reporting Period by more than 700 basis points, while investment grade corporate bonds underperformed by approximately 110 basis points. Within the corporate bond sector, financials underperformed the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index during the second half of the Reporting Period, driven primarily by the banking industry amid heightened uncertainties surrounding financial regulation reform.
 
High yield corporate bonds had a strong first quarter, characterized by subdued defaults and strong inflows. In May, however, these bonds experienced a significant correction, and the fixed income sector slightly underperformed duration-equivalent Treasuries during the Reporting Period as a whole.
 
Similarly, non-agency MBS, which experienced strong performance during the first quarter, weakened in May in response to broad risk aversion. Nevertheless, in our view, their loss-adjusted valuations remained the most compelling among non-Treasury sectors.
 
Looking Ahead
 
EQUITY MARKETS
 
We maintained, at the end of the Reporting Period, a cautiously optimistic view ahead on the U.S. economy, though we recognized that the path to recovery may occur at an uneven pace. Further, many of the headwinds to recovery had already been discounted in the U.S. equity market by the end of the Reporting Period, so we believe the risk/reward trade-off is an overall positive over the longer term. Amidst a challenging macroeconomic backdrop that includes earnings volatility, regulatory uncertainty and high unemployment, we remained encouraged by data points at the company level. Whereas earnings improvements during the Reporting Period were primarily driven by cost cutting, we believe revenues are beginning to stabilize. In our view, corporate profits appear to be improving, and management teams are more positive. High cash levels and strong balance sheets bode well, in our view, for capital expenditures — the fuel for longer-term growth.
 
FIXED INCOME MARKETS
 
Although we expect the U.S. economic recovery to continue, we have reduced our forecast for 2010 GDP growth from 3.3% to an annualized rate of approximately 3% . Inventories and fiscal stimulus have provided much of the support for growth to date, and both are nearing the point where their positive growth impact may begin to lessen. Meanwhile, consumer and business confidence have fallen. In addition, companies continue to hold significant amounts of cash on their balance sheets, which could drive sustainable growth only if the corporate sector has the confidence to increase investment and hiring. As fiscal stimulus and inventory replacement fade as sources of growth, we think business
 
 
 4


 

MARKET REVIEW
 
 

 
investment remains the primary source of upside potential in the U.S. economy. Because of the weaker economic outlook, as well as disinflationary pressures, we expect the Fed to keep the targeted federal funds rate on hold well into 2011.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks a total return consisting of capital appreciation and income that exceeds the total return of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Investment Management Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the Reporting Period.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Core Fixed Income Fund (the “Fund”) perform during the Reporting Period?
 
During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Service Shares generated a cumulative total return, without sales charges, of 5.54%. These returns compare to the 5.33% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Barclays Index”), during the same time period.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
The Fund benefited from our cross-sector, currency and country strategies. Also particularly advantageous was our issue selection among collateralized debt and government and agency bonds. The Fund’s overweighted exposure, relative to the Barclays Index, to non-agency mortgage backed securities (MBS) further added to returns. However, an underweighted exposure to commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) was a slight detractor.
 
Which fixed income market sectors contributed the most to Fund performance?
 
The Fund’s overweighted exposure to non-agency MBS was a significant contributor to its relative performance. Issue selection within the sector also added value. Despite the high volatility and weakness in the housing markets typical of the winter season, non-agency MBS rallied during the first quarter of 2010 on supportive technicals and improving fundamentals. A proposed modification of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), which could help restore homeowner equity and reduce foreclosures, also helped support non-agency residential MBS prices. Although prices softened when risk aversion broadened during May, fundamental credit trends continued to improve and technical factors remained highly supportive.
 
What sectors detracted from the Fund’s performance?
 
The Fund’s spread widening position in U.S. Treasury swaps was the largest detractor from relative results. Spreads, or the difference in yields between these securities and duration-equivalent Treasuries, tightened significantly during March, largely because of market technicals. An underweighted position in CMBS relative to the Barclays Index was also a drag on performance.
 
How did duration positioning decisions affect the Fund’s performance?
 
The Fund’s shorter duration position compared to the Barclays Index detracted from its relative results. The position, which resulted from the Fund’s underweighted position in medium- to longer-term maturities on the yield curve, or spectrum of maturities, hampered relative results as interest rates declined during the second quarter. Duration is a measure of the Fund’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
 
What changes did you make to the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period and why?
 
Based on our view of interest rates, we tactically shifted the Fund’s duration position from shorter than the Barclays Index at the beginning of the Reporting Period to longer than the Barclays Index in March and then back again to a comparatively shorter duration by the end of the Reporting Period. Also, we moved from a neutral position relative to the Barclays Index to an underweighted position in CMBS. In response to the market stress sparked by the European debt crisis, we decreased the Fund’s corporate basis exposure, which is generally defined as an investment position that bets on spread tightening between cash bonds and their synthetic counterparts.
 
 
 6


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?
 
At the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund was overweight government and agency securities relative to the Barclays Index. The Fund was more modestly overweight collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and investment-grade corporate bonds. The Fund was significantly underweight residential MBS, particularly mortgage pass-throughs. Pass-through mortgages consist of a pool of residential mortgage loans, where homeowners’ monthly payments of principal, interest and prepayments pass from the original bank through a government agency or investment bank to investors. The Fund was slightly underweight emerging markets debt compared to the Barclays Index at the end of the Reporting Period.
 
What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
We are targeting a shorter duration than the Barclays Index for the Fund. In our opinion, the market has priced in an overly pessimistic outlook for U.S. growth. That said, we do believe moderately-paced economic growth is likely to push bond yields higher. We expect to maintain an underweighted position in agency MBS, as we believe their valuations are expensive relative to Treasuries. Market prepayment expectations have also remained muted, and we see risk to the upside.
 
Despite the strong rally in the non-agency mortgage market, we continue to see opportunities in the senior tranches of distressed securities backed by Alt-A mortgages, which are mortgages that fall between prime and subprime in terms of the credit quality of the underlying borrowers, and option adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), which give borrowers payment options. We believe these securities remain attractively priced, even under extremely conservative default and recovery assumptions.
 
 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Core Fixed Income Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Service
    15.05 %     4.72 %   1/09/06    
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Service
    0.67 %     0.79 %    
2 The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
 
 8


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

 
FUND COMPOSITION3
 
 
(GRAPH)
 
3 The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets. Short-term investments represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded. Figures in the above graph may not sum to 100% due to the exclusion of other assets and liabilities.
4 Federal Agencies are mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (“FHLMC”). GNMA instruments are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
5 “Government Guarantee Obligations” are guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program or a foreign government guarantee program and are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or the government of a foreign country. The expiration date of the FDIC’s guarantee is the earlier of the maturity date of the debt or June 30, 2012 and the expiration date of a foreign country guarantee is the maturity date of the debt.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks to achieve investment results that correspond to the aggregate price and yield performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment returns of large capitalization stocks.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, State Street Funds Management, Inc. (“SSgA”), the Fund’s Sub-adviser, discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the Reporting Period.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Equity Index Fund (the “Fund”) perform during the Reporting Period?
 
During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Service Shares generated a cumulative total return of, without sales charges, −6.58%. This return compares to the −6.65% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (the “S&P 500 Index”) (with dividends reinvested), during the same time period.
 
During the Reporting Period, which sectors and which industries in the S&P 500 Index were the strongest contributors to the Fund’s performance?
 
All ten sectors in the S&P 500 Index lost ground during the Reporting Period. That said, the three sectors that declined least were information technology, financials and energy. The industries that held up best were diversified financial services, computers and peripherals, pharmaceuticals, software and oil, gas and consumable fuels.
 
Which sectors and industries in the S&P 500 Index were the weakest contributors to the Fund’s performance?
 
The telecommunication services, materials and utilities sectors were weakest. The industries that declined most were diversified consumer services, life sciences tools and services, construction materials, real estate management and development and thrifts and mortgage finance.
 
Which individual stocks were the top performers, and which were the greatest detractors?
 
The largest sector by weighting in the S&P 500 Index at the end of the Reporting Period was information technology at a weighting of 18.75%, and it provided all three of the Reporting Period’s top performers — Microsoft, Cisco Systems and Oracle. Other contributors were Exxon Mobil and JPMorgan Chase.
 
Detractors from S&P 500 Index and Fund returns included Newmont Mining, Berkshire Hathaway, The Gap, H&R Block and Intercontinental Exchange.
 
What changes were made to the makeup of the S&P 500 Index during the Reporting Period?
 
Nine stocks were removed from the S&P 500 Index during the Reporting Period. They included Questar, XTO Energy, BJ Services, Black & Decker, IMS Health, Pepsi Bottling Group, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Affiliated Computer Services and Sun Microsystems.
 
There were also nine additions to the S&P 500 Index during the Reporting Period. They were QEP Resources, CarMax, Cerner, ONEOK, Helmerich & Payne, Discovery Communications, Berkshire Hathaway B, Urban Outfitters and NRG Energy.
 
What is your Fund strategy for the months ahead?
 
In keeping with the Fund’s investment objective, we will seek to achieve investment results that correspond to the aggregate price and yield performance of the S&P 500 Index, which measures the investment returns of large capitalization stocks.
 
 
 10


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Equity Index Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Service
    14.18 %     -2.96     1/09/06    
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Service
    0.54 %     0.68 %    
2 The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
 
11 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

 
 
TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 6/30/103
 
                 
Holding   % of Net Assets     Line of Business    
 
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    3.1 %   Energy    
Apple, Inc.
    2.4     Technology Hardware & Equipment    
Microsoft Corp.
    1.9     Software & Services    
The Procter & Gamble Co.
    1.8     Household & Personal Products    
Johnson & Johnson
    1.7     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences    
International Business Machines Corp.
    1.7     Technology Hardware & Equipment    
General Electric Co.
    1.6     Capital Goods    
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    1.5     Diversified Financials    
Bank of America Corp.
    1.5     Diversified Financials    
AT&T, Inc.
    1.5     Telecommunication Services    
 
3 Opinions expressed in this report represent our present opinion only. Reference to individual securities should not be construed as a commitment that such securities will be retained by the Fund. From time to time, the Fund may change the individual securities it holds, the number or types of securities held and the markets in which it invests. Fund holdings of securities should not be relied upon in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. References to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to the investor to buy, hold or sell such securities. In addition, references to past performance of the Fund do not indicate future returns, which are not guaranteed and will vary. Furthermore, the value of shares of the Fund may fall as well as rise.
 
FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS AS OF 6/30/104
 
 
(GRAPH)
 
4 The above graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. Consequently, the Fund’s overall industry sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value. Short-term investments represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded.
 
 
 12


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks a high level of current income, consistent with safety of principal.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Investment Management Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the Reporting Period.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Government Income Fund (the “Fund”) perform during the Reporting Period?
 
During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Service Shares generated a cumulative total return of, without sales charges, 4.76%. These returns compare to the 4.96% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Barclays Capital Government/Mortgage Index (the “Barclays Index”) during the same time period.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
The Fund’s shorter duration position compared to the Barclays Index detracted from its relative results. The position, which resulted from the Fund’s underweighted position in medium to longer-term maturities on the yield curve, or spectrum of maturities, hampered relative results as interest rates declined during the second quarter. Duration is a measure of the Fund’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
 
Which fixed income market sectors contributed the most to Fund performance?
 
Issue selection within agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) added to the Fund’s relative results. We believed that the implementation of new accounting rules would create incentives for government-sponsored enterprises (GSE) to accelerate their buyouts of delinquent loans, negatively impacting the higher coupon Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac MBS that generally have less creditworthy borrowers. The Fund benefited from its underweighted position in these higher coupon Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac MBS in the heightened prepayment volatility that followed the February announcement of the GSE purchase program.
 
The Fund’s overweighted exposure relative to the Barclays Index to non-agency MBS was also a contributor to its relative performance. Issue selection within the sector also added value. Despite the high volatility and weakness in the housing markets typical of the winter season, non-agency MBS rallied during the first quarter on supportive technicals and improving fundamentals. A proposed modification of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), which could help restore homeowner equity and reduce foreclosures, also helped support non-agency residential MBS prices. Although prices softened when risk aversion broadened during May, fundamental credit trends continued to improve and technical factors remained highly supportive.
 
The Fund’s exposure to commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) also contributed to relative performance during the Reporting Period.
 
What sectors detracted from the Fund’s performance?
 
The Fund’s spread widening position in U.S. Treasury swaps was the largest detractor from its relative results. Spreads, or the difference in yields between these securities and duration-equivalent Treasuries, tightened significantly during March, largely because of market technicals. Issue selection among asset-backed securities (ABS) also hampered relative progress.
 
How did duration positioning decisions affect the Fund’s performance?
 
As mentioned, the Fund’s short duration positioning compared to the Barclays Index, through a modest position in the medium- to long-term end of the yield curve, detracted from performance.
 
What changes did you make to the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period and why?
 
Based on our view of interest rates, we tactically shifted the Fund’s duration position from shorter than the Barclays Index at the beginning of the Reporting Period to longer than the Barclays Index in March and then back again to a comparatively shorter duration by the end of the Reporting Period. Also, we moved from a neutral position relative to the Barclays Index to an underweighted position in CMBS.
 
 
13 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND

 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?
 
The Fund maintained a significantly underweighted allocation to U.S. Treasuries relative to the Barclays Index because we expect these securities to underperform spread, or non-Treasury, sectors in the near term. The Fund had an overweighted exposure to agency securities compared to the Barclays Index but an underweighted position in mortgage pass-throughs. Pass-through mortgages consist of a pool of residential mortgage loans, where homeowners’ monthly payments of principal, interest and prepayments pass from the original bank through a government agency or investment bank to investors. The Fund also had small allocations to non-agency adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and ABS, which are not represented in the benchmark.
 
What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
We are targeting a short duration position compared to the Barclays Index. In our opinion, the market has priced in an overly pessimistic outlook for U.S. growth. That said, we do believe moderately-paced economic growth is likely to push bond yields higher. We expect to maintain an underweighted position in agency MBS, as we believe their valuations are expensive relative to Treasuries. Market prepayment expectations have also remained muted, and we see risk to the upside.
 
Despite the strong rally in the non-agency mortgage market, we continue to see opportunities in the senior tranches of distressed securities backed by Alt-A mortgages, which are mortgages that fall between prime and subprime in terms of the credit quality of the underlying borrowers, and option ARMs, which give borrowers payment options. We believe these securities continue to remain attractively priced, even under extremely conservative default and recovery assumptions.
 
 
 14


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Government Income Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Service
    9.10 %     5.71 %   1/09/06    
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Service
    0.81 %     1.05 %    
2 The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
 
15 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

 
 
FUND COMPOSITION3
 
(GRAPH)
 
3 The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets. Short-term investments represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded. Figures in the above graph may not sum to 100% due to the exclusion of other assets and liabilities.
4 Federal Agencies are mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (“FHLMC”). GNMA instruments are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
5 “Government Guarantee Obligations” are guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program and are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The expiration date of the FDIC’s guarantee is the earlier of the maturity date of the debt or June 30, 2012.
 
 
 16


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs Growth Equity Management Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the Reporting Period.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Growth Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) perform during the Reporting Period?
 
During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Service Shares generated a cumulative total return of, without sales charges, −4.97%. This compares to the −3.31% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell Midcap® Growth Index (with dividends reinvested) (the “Russell Index”), during the same time period.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
The Fund’s underperformance relative to the Russell Index was largely the result of stock selection.
 
Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Our bottom-up approach focuses on security selection and, as a result, we do not make active sector-level investment decisions. That said, on a sector level, stock selection in the energy sector and an underweighted position in utilities relative to the Russell Index added to Fund results. Positions in the information technology and consumer staples sectors detracted.
 
What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?
 
Netflix was the top contributor to the Fund’s relative performance, as it reported better-than-expected earnings. The company announced that it added more than 1.5 million subscribers and subsequently raised its full- year earnings guidance. The company’s “watch instantly” service that can stream movies and TV shows from the Internet directly to subscribers’ computers continued to drive new business. The service is available via a Roku receiver box and Sony’s BRAVIA line of Internet capable high-definition televisions, as well as the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii video game consoles.
 
Shares of Amylin Pharmaceuticals rose during the Reporting Period as investors gained confidence that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) would approve diabetes drug Byetta Long-Acting-Release (LAR). A competing drug, liraglutide, also received FDA approval, suggesting that Byetta LAR — which has shown fewer negative side effects — could also be approved.
 
Core Laboratories also contributed to the Fund’s relative performance. The company provides field analytics to the oil and gas industry, including fracturing analysis and simulation technologies used to determine the quality and size of natural gas formations. Its shares rose after Congress increased the regulation of fracturing, boosting the importance of effective pre-fracturing analysis. Core Laboratories has been a leading provider of these services and, in our view, was well positioned to benefit from growth of the U.S. natural gas exploration industry.
 
Which individual stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
A top detractor during the Reporting Period was FormFactor, which designs and manufactures wafer probe cards used for testing semiconductor chips. Although the company has consistently generated revenue in line with market expectations, its shares traded down on concern that higher-than-expected supply chain costs could push margins lower. In response to these near-term challenges and in order to return to profitability, FormFactor has reorganized its management team. We believe the company has a strong balance sheet with a significant amount of cash, which should help it engineer a turnaround and reduce its long-term cost structure.
 
Electronic payments processor Global Payments also hampered the Fund’s relative results. Although the company reported higher-than-expected earnings, its revenues from Canada — an important market — were weak. The company also provided lower 2010 earnings guidance. On the positive side, its U.S. sales stabilized following the recession, and the company’s Asian operations experienced strong volume growth. We continue to have significant conviction in Global Payments and
 
 
17 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

expect it to use its solid balance sheet to continue its international growth. We took advantage of weakness in its stock price to add to the Fund’s position.
 
Shares of Equinix sold off during the Reporting Period, as investors were nervous about the company’s exposure to Europe. In our view, this was short-term “noise.” The company’s core data center business remained robust and should continue to strengthen with its recent acquisition of Switch & Data, a company that provides network-neutral data centers and Internet exchange services to network-centric businesses. At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed Equinix remained well-positioned to benefit from a number of secular trends, including cloud computing (that is, Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand, like the electricity grid), demand for optimized network performance and mobile data.
 
Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the Reporting Period?
 
During the Reporting Period, the Fund purchased NetApp, which develops data storage hardware and software for enterprise clients. We believe NetApp has a strong competitive position in an industry benefiting from several growth trends such as virtualization. We expect these trends to increase demand for the company’s storage products. NetApp specializes in external networked storage, which has taken — and in our view, will continue to take — market share from direct attached products. We also think the company’s storage devices are easier to buy, install and manage than competing products. As a result, we believe NetApp is poised to gain market share as companies increase corporate information technology spending.
 
In the consumer discretionary sector, the Fund bought apparel company Phillips-Van Heusen. We believe the company has a high quality brand portfolio, including Calvin Klein, IZOD and Tommy Hilfiger, and licenses for other brands such as NAUTICA and Timberland. Recently, the company has increased its focus on international expansion. Many international apparel markets are less consolidated than those in the U.S., which, in our view, should provide Phillips-Van Heusen with opportunities to expand its margins and grow revenue.
 
The Fund sold Apollo, which provides private education programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels through the Internet and on campuses. We continue to believe that Apollo is a high-quality growth business that can benefit from the increasing demand for online courses. However, we decided to sell the position because of near-term uncertainty about potential government regulations that could affect Apollo’s long-term business.
 
The Fund also eliminated its position in Coach. Shares of Coach have meaningfully appreciated since 2009, reducing the stock’s valuation discount. With the stock price reflecting a better fundamental outlook for Coach, we decided to sell the name in favor of positions with higher potential upside.
 
Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period?
 
There were no notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period.
 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?
 
As mentioned, the Fund’s sector positioning relative to its benchmark index is the result of our stock selection, as we take a pure bottom-up, research-intensive approach to investing. From that perspective, then, at the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund’s portfolio was broadly diversified with overweighted positions compared to the Russell Index in the financials, energy, telecommunication services and consumer staples sectors. The Fund had smaller weightings relative to the Russell Index in the industrials, materials, information technology, health care, utilities and consumer discretionary sectors at the end of the Reporting Period.
 
What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
As we consider the U.S. equity market going forward, we believe stock prices will be driven by company-specific fundamentals, specifically free cash flow and margin structures. Further, in our view, the dramatic cost cutting that occurred in 2009 should provide certain companies with significant operating leverage. Our research efforts continue to be focused on companies that can grow revenue by gaining market share and on determining whether those companies’ cost cutting was sustainable or transient. We believe it will continue to be a stock-picker’s market and, therefore, that an investment manager’s ability to identify and purchase those companies best poised for earnings and free cash flow growth will be an important component of investment returns. As always, deep research resources, a forward-looking investment process and truly actively managed portfolios are keys, in our view, to both preserving capital and outperforming the market over the long term.
 
 
 18


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Growth Opportunities Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Service
    22.71 %     1.96 %   1/09/06    
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Service
    1.18 %     1.43 %    
2 The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
 
19 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

 
 
TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 6/30/103
 
                 
Holding   % of Net Assets     Line of Business    
 
St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    2.5 %   Health Care Equipment & Services    
Global Payments, Inc.
    2.5     Software & Services    
Ecolab, Inc.
    2.4     Materials    
American Tower Corp. Class A
    2.3     Telecommunication Services    
Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.
    2.2     Consumer Durables & Apparel    
Iron Mountain, Inc.
    2.2     Commercial & Professional Services    
Cameron International Corp.
    2.2     Energy    
Equinix, Inc.
    2.2     Software & Services    
Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.
    2.1     Retailing    
Northern Trust Corp.
    2.1     Diversified Financials    
 
3 Opinions expressed in this report represent our present opinion only. Reference to individual securities should not be construed as a commitment that such securities will be retained by the Fund. From time to time, the Fund may change the individual securities it holds, the number or types of securities held and the markets in which it invests. Fund holdings of securities should not be relied upon in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. References to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to the investor to buy, hold or sell such securities. In addition, references to past performance of the Fund do not indicate future returns, which are not guaranteed and will vary. Furthermore, the value of shares of the Fund may fall as well as rise.
 
FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS AS OF 6/30/104
 
(GRAPH)
 
4 The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. The above graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. Consequently, the Fund’s overall industry sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value. Short-term investments represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded.
 
 
 20


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 Corporate Obligations – 16.9%
                                 
                                 
    Banks – 4.5%
   
Bank of America Corp.
    $ 200,000       5.750 %     12/01/17     $ 206,645  
      150,000       5.625       07/01/20       150,809  
   
BBVA Bancomer SA(a)
      425,000       7.250       04/22/20       429,619  
   
Citigroup, Inc.
      225,000       6.375       08/12/14       239,407  
      600,000       5.000       09/15/14       600,060  
   
Credit Agricole SA(a)(b)(c)
      200,000       8.375       12/31/49       189,000  
   
Discover Bank
      575,000       8.700       11/18/19       636,000  
   
Fifth Third Bank(b)
      300,000       0.546       05/17/13       281,696  
   
JPMorgan Chase Capital XXV Series Y
      275,000       6.800       10/01/37       271,196  
   
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
      325,000       6.400       08/28/17       339,099  
      450,000       6.875       04/25/18       479,907  
   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
      275,000       5.750       08/31/12       288,273  
      400,000       5.950       12/28/17       405,942  
      450,000       6.625       04/01/18       471,331  
      100,000       5.625       09/23/19       96,651  
   
PNC Bank NA
      225,000       6.875       04/01/18       254,066  
   
Resona Bank Ltd.(a)(b)(c)
      775,000       5.850       09/29/49       732,426  
   
Santander Issuances SA(a)(b)
      200,000       5.805       06/20/16       193,665  
   
The Bear Stearns Companies, LLC
      500,000       7.250       02/01/18       583,871  
   
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC(a)
      425,000       4.875       08/25/14       426,238  
   
US Bank NA(b)
    EUR 250,000       4.375       02/28/17       302,958  
   
Wachovia Bank NA
    $ 250,000       7.800       08/18/10       251,983  
      300,000       6.600       01/15/38       327,874  
                                 
                              8,158,716  
     
     
    Chemicals – 0.3%
   
The Dow Chemical Co.
      500,000       7.600       05/15/14       575,490  
     
     
    Consumer Products – 0.2%
   
Whirlpool Corp.
      125,000       8.000       05/01/12       137,143  
      175,000       8.600       05/01/14       206,700  
                                 
                              343,843  
     
     
    Electric – 1.1%
   
Arizona Public Service Co.
      250,000       6.375       10/15/11       263,823  
      225,000       6.250       08/01/16       249,046  
   
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Series B
      1,000,000       7.250       09/01/10       1,008,176  
     
     
   
Progress Energy, Inc.
      350,000       7.000 %     10/30/31       412,361  
                                 
                              1,933,406  
     
     
    Energy – 1.1%
   
Dolphin Energy Ltd.(a)
      230,232       5.888       06/15/19       235,301  
   
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd. III(a)
      250,000       5.500       09/30/14       266,846  
   
Suncor Energy, Inc.
      250,000       6.100       06/01/18       282,716  
   
Talisman Energy, Inc.
      325,000       7.750       06/01/19       398,546  
   
Transocean, Inc. Series B
      975,000       1.500       12/15/37       865,313  
                                 
                              2,048,722  
     
     
    Food & Beverage – 0.9%
   
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.
      400,000       7.200       01/15/14 (a)     459,934  
      225,000       4.125       01/15/15       235,536  
      150,000       7.750       01/15/19 (a)     182,064  
   
Kraft Foods, Inc.
      275,000       6.125       08/23/18       310,703  
      225,000       6.500       02/09/40       250,851  
   
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.(a)
      150,000       3.700       06/30/14       151,718  
                                 
                              1,590,806  
     
     
    Healthcare – 0.7%
   
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
      550,000       5.500       09/14/15       591,972  
   
Boston Scientific Corp.
      225,000       4.500       01/15/15       221,025  
      150,000       6.000       01/15/20       148,924  
   
Covidien International Finance SA
      225,000       4.200       06/15/20       230,089  
                                 
                              1,192,010  
     
     
    Life Insurance – 1.0%
   
MetLife Capital Trust X(a)(b)(c)
      300,000       9.250       04/08/38       324,000  
   
Prudential Financial, Inc.
      575,000       3.875       01/14/15       579,271  
   
Symetra Financial Corp.(a)(b)
      325,000       8.300       10/15/37       278,033  
   
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.(a)
      600,000       6.063       03/30/40       643,223  
                                 
                              1,824,527  
     
     
    Media Cable – 0.3%
   
Comcast Corp.
      425,000       6.450       03/15/37       458,456  
     
     
    Media Non-Cable – 0.1%
   
WPP Finance UK
      206,000       8.000       09/15/14       238,058  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
21 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 Corporate Obligations – (continued)
    Media Non-Cable – (continued)
                                 
    Metals and Mining – 0.7%
   
Anglo American Capital PLC(a)
    $ 100,000       9.375 %     04/08/14     $ 119,543  
      225,000       9.375       04/08/19       289,394  
   
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.
      418,000       8.375       04/01/17       459,800  
   
Teck Resources Ltd.
      300,000       10.750       05/15/19       364,500  
                                 
                              1,233,237  
     
     
    Non-Captive Financial – 0.1%
   
General Electric Co.
      150,000       5.250       12/06/17       163,419  
     
     
    Paper – 0.2%
   
International Paper Co.
      325,000       7.500       08/15/21       378,413  
     
     
    Pharmaceuticals – 0.2%
   
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
      325,000       5.000       08/15/14       348,487  
     
     
    Pipelines – 2.3%
   
Boardwalk Pipelines LP
      575,000       5.875       11/15/16       625,412  
   
DCP Midstream LLC(a)
      280,000       9.750       03/15/19       360,115  
   
El Paso Pipeline Partners Operating Co. LLC
      150,000       6.500       04/01/20       153,000  
   
Energy Transfer Partners LP
      450,000       5.950       02/01/15       481,229  
   
Enterprise Products Operating LLC
      175,000       5.000       03/01/15       185,697  
      550,000       6.650       04/15/18       618,893  
   
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.
      150,000       8.000       02/01/16       174,351  
      200,000       8.375       06/15/32       233,986  
   
The Williams Companies, Inc.
      325,000       8.750       03/15/32       383,360  
   
TransCanada Pipelines Ltd.(b)
      325,000       6.350       05/15/67       289,250  
   
Valmont Industries, Inc.
      375,000       6.625       04/20/20       382,208  
   
Williams Partners Finance Corp.
      350,000       7.250       02/01/17       399,318  
                                 
                              4,286,819  
     
     
    Property/Casualty Insurance – 1.4%
   
Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.
      350,000       6.000       08/15/14       369,438  
   
Axis Specialty Finance LLC
      400,000       5.875       06/01/20       383,290  
   
Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd.
      150,000       6.150       10/15/15       160,769  
   
Marsh & McClennan Companies, Inc.
      600,000       5.150       09/15/10       604,319  
   
QBE Insurance Group Ltd.(a)
      225,000       9.750       03/14/14       271,990  
     
     
   
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.
      225,000       8.000       11/30/39       227,216  
   
ZFS Finance USA Trust IV(a)(b)(c)
      675,000       5.875       05/09/32       596,882  
                                 
                              2,613,904  
     
     
    Real Estate Investment Trusts – 1.2%
   
Developers Diversified Realty Corp.
      275,000       7.500       04/01/17       266,750  
   
Duke Realty LP
      350,000       5.950       02/15/17       362,007  
   
HCP, Inc.
      150,000       6.000       01/30/17       153,228  
   
Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.
      300,000       6.500       01/17/17       322,542  
   
ProLogis
      100,000       2.250       04/01/37       94,125  
      175,000       1.875       11/15/37       157,063  
   
Simon Property Group LP
      350,000       10.350       04/01/19       465,047  
   
Westfield Capital Corp. Ltd.(a)
      225,000       4.375       11/15/10       227,442  
   
Westfield Group(a)
      75,000       5.400       10/01/12       79,495  
      125,000       7.500       06/02/14       141,658  
                                 
                              2,269,357  
     
     
    Tobacco – 0.1%
   
Altria Group, Inc.
      125,000       9.700       11/10/18       158,117  
     
     
    Wireless Telecommunications – 0.1%
   
Rogers Cable, Inc.
      200,000       7.875       05/01/12       222,297  
     
     
    Wirelines Telecommunications – 0.4%
   
Qwest Corp.
      150,000       8.375       05/01/16       163,875  
   
Telecom Italia Capital SA
      300,000       4.875       10/01/10       302,220  
   
Telefonica Europe BV
      300,000       7.750       09/15/10       303,752  
                                 
                              769,847  
     
     
   
TOTAL CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS
       
    (Cost $29,773,936)   $ 30,807,931  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Mortgage-Backed Obligations – 37.3%
                                 
                                 
    Adjustable Rate Non-Agency(b) – 2.8%
   
Bear Stearns Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust Series 2004-1, Class 21A1
    $ 34,374       2.613 %     04/25/34     $ 31,182  
   
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust Series 2005-38, Class A1
      294,281       1.921       09/25/35       170,716  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 22


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 Mortgage-Backed Obligations – (continued)
    Adjustable Rate Non-Agency(b) – (continued)
                                 
   
Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust Series 2003-52, Class A1
    $ 126,161       3.416 %     02/19/34     $ 106,098  
   
Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust Series 2004-HYB6, Class A2
      22,471       3.479       11/20/34       17,410  
   
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2005-AR15, Class A1
      543,823       5.185       09/25/35       435,873  
   
Indymac Index Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2006-AR4, Class A1A
      1,122,947       0.557       05/25/46       589,548  
   
J.P. Morgan Mortgage Trust Series 2007-A1, Class 2A2
      463,197       3.547       07/25/35       421,030  
   
Lehman XS Trust Series 2005-7N, Class 1A1A
      446,959       0.617       12/25/35       267,368  
   
Mastr Adjustable Rate Mortgages Trust Series 2006-OA2, Class 4A1A
      669,476       1.271       12/25/46       211,110  
   
Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2004-5, Class 3A1
      54,244       2.469       05/25/34       50,646  
   
Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2004-12, Class 3A2
      24,729       2.548       09/25/34       21,412  
   
Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust Series 2006-4, Class A2B
      1,714,243       0.463       07/25/36       1,638,157  
   
Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2004-AR3, Class A2
      33,989       2.709       06/25/34       33,111  
   
Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2007-OA2, Class 1A
      689,478       1.121       03/25/47       378,892  
   
Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust Series 2006-AR10, Class 5A3
      958,307       5.462       07/25/36       764,229  
                                 
                              5,136,782  
     
     
    Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – 2.6%
    Interest Only(b)(d) – 0.0%
   
FNMA REMIC Series 2004-71, Class DI
      416,204       0.000       04/25/34       2,707  
     
     
    Planned Amortization Class – 1.7%
   
FNMA REMIC Series 2003-92, Class PD
      2,983,411       4.500       03/25/17       3,083,587  
     
     
    Regular Floater(b) – 0.9%
   
FHLMC REMIC Series 2005-3038, Class XA(e)
      31,224       0.000       09/15/35       30,746  
   
FHLMC REMIC Series 2007-3275, Class UF(e)
      27,070       0.000       02/15/37       26,482  
   
FHLMC REMIC Series 2007-3342, Class FT
      1,067,930       0.800       07/15/37       1,063,802  
   
FNMA REMIC Series 2006-68, Class FM
      481,616       0.797       08/25/36       480,337  
     
     
   
FNMA REMIC Series 2007-56, Class GY(e)
      14,489       0.000       06/25/37       14,129  
                                 
                              1,615,496  
     
     
    TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS   $ 4,701,790  
     
     
    Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities – 5.2%
    Adjustable Rate Non-Agency(b) – 0.7%
   
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2006-C25, Class A5
    $ 1,200,000       5.924 %     05/15/43     $ 1,265,836  
     
     
    Sequential Fixed Rate – 4.5%
   
CWCapital Cobalt Ltd. Series 2006-C1, Class A4
      1,052,000       5.223       08/15/48       1,021,135  
   
GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp. Series 2002-1A, Class A3
      2,700,000       6.269       12/10/35       2,833,246  
   
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp. Series 2005-LDP2, Class A4
      1,500,000       4.738       07/15/42       1,539,996  
   
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital I Series 2003-TOP9, Class A2
      2,700,000       4.740       11/13/36       2,830,431  
                                 
                              8,224,808  
     
     
    TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES   $ 9,490,644  
     
     
    Federal Agencies – 26.7%
    Adjustable Rate FHLMC(b) – 2.0%
    $ 1,958,481       4.845 %     09/01/35     $ 2,046,391  
      1,487,403       4.677       10/01/35       1,564,924  
                                 
                              3,611,315  
     
     
    Adjustable Rate FNMA(b) – 1.8%
      658,328       2.216       05/01/33       680,296  
      1,066,385       2.593       05/01/35       1,112,805  
      1,340,090       4.040       09/01/35       1,406,096  
                                 
                              3,199,197  
     
     
    FHLMC – 6.1%
      1,212       7.000       08/01/10       1,229  
      5,709       7.000       11/01/11       5,915  
      4,378       7.000       12/01/11       4,537  
      37,421       7.500       06/01/15       40,626  
      162,882       7.000       07/01/16       175,811  
      722,821       5.500       02/01/18       785,004  
      60,084       5.500       04/01/18       65,253  
      44,019       4.500       05/01/18       46,924  
      25,842       4.500       06/01/18       27,547  
      63,262       4.500       09/01/18       67,437  
      100,743       5.500       09/01/18       109,410  
      80,555       4.500       10/01/18       85,871  
      32,546       4.500       01/01/19       34,693  
      29,112       4.500       03/01/19       31,033  
      11,147       9.500       08/01/19       12,336  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
23 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 Mortgage-Backed Obligations – (continued)
    FHLMC – (continued)
                                 
    $ 761       9.500 %     08/01/20     $ 844  
      238,535       6.500       10/01/20       263,911  
      37,481       4.500       07/01/24       39,747  
      27,500       4.500       09/01/24       29,095  
      367,281       4.500       11/01/24       388,900  
      48,721       4.500       12/01/24       51,637  
      69,329       6.000       03/01/29       76,454  
      900       6.000       04/01/29       992  
      47,942       7.500       12/01/29       53,472  
      428,051       7.000       05/01/32       475,599  
      1,563       6.000       08/01/32       1,718  
      225,048       7.000       12/01/32       250,047  
      47,935       5.000       12/01/35       50,862  
      55,555       6.000       09/01/37       61,041  
      82,125       6.000       02/01/38       90,363  
      78,773       5.000       04/01/38       83,620  
      323,876       6.000       07/01/38       356,106  
      59,793       6.000       10/01/38       65,876  
      19,664       6.000       11/01/38       21,553  
      453,242       5.000       03/01/39       481,197  
      1,208,902       5.000       04/01/39       1,283,467  
      398,589       5.000       05/01/39       424,170  
      2,213,283       5.000       06/01/39       2,353,005  
      655,233       5.000       07/01/39       696,122  
      62,429       5.000       08/01/39       66,435  
      962,841       4.500       09/01/39       1,002,671  
      292,654       4.500       10/01/39       304,364  
      291,583       5.000       10/01/39       309,808  
      292,649       5.000       12/01/39       311,431  
                                 
                              11,088,133  
     
     
    FNMA – 15.9%
      18,592       6.000       08/01/13       20,153  
      98,950       7.500       08/01/15       108,013  
      45,018       6.000       04/01/16       49,006  
      94,671       6.500       05/01/16       103,037  
      141,229       6.500       09/01/16       153,710  
      173,204       6.500       11/01/16       188,510  
      45,893       6.000       12/01/16       49,959  
      358,434       6.000       02/01/17       390,873  
      48,855       7.500       04/01/17       52,122  
      570,585       6.000       10/01/17       622,224  
      670,064       5.500       02/01/18       727,047  
      763,322       5.000       05/01/18       819,623  
      56,302       6.500       08/01/18       61,899  
      255,132       7.000       08/01/18       282,508  
      2,481,223       4.000       09/01/18       2,627,059  
      385,352       5.000       04/01/19       413,865  
      697,289       4.500       05/01/23       736,728  
      12,185       5.000       06/01/23       13,003  
      838,398       5.500       09/01/23       907,940  
      150,794       5.500       10/01/23       163,729  
      30,212       4.500       07/01/24       32,052  
      667,732       4.500       11/01/24       707,783  
      160,827       4.500       12/01/24       170,571  
      299       7.000       07/01/25       337  
     
     
      7,935       7.000       11/01/25       8,948  
      54,550       9.000       11/01/25       63,524  
      192,325       7.000       08/01/26       217,508  
      3,850       7.000       08/01/27       4,342  
      14,043       7.000       09/01/27       15,840  
      80,935       6.000       12/01/27       88,043  
      546       7.000       01/01/28       616  
      439,855       6.000       02/01/29       486,743  
      404,153       6.000       06/01/29       447,280  
      2,179       7.000       09/01/29       2,444  
      68,582       8.000       10/01/29       79,469  
      28,385       7.000       12/01/29       31,842  
      1,566       8.500       04/01/30       1,824  
      7,797       8.000       05/01/30       8,746  
      443       8.500       06/01/30       516  
      29,270       7.000       05/01/32       32,712  
      211,283       7.000       06/01/32       235,784  
      271,763       7.000       08/01/32       303,277  
      53,899       8.000       08/01/32       62,479  
      29,775       5.000       08/01/33       31,593  
      3,757       5.500       09/01/33       4,046  
      4,726       5.500       02/01/34       5,088  
      758       5.500       04/01/34       816  
      49,102       5.500       12/01/34       52,804  
      113,233       5.000       04/01/35       120,058  
      327,038       6.000       04/01/35       360,889  
      16,303       5.000       09/01/35       17,258  
      6,317       5.500       09/01/35       6,804  
      810       5.500       02/01/37       871  
      1,234       5.500       04/01/37       1,327  
      1,490       5.500       05/01/37       1,603  
      52,366       6.000       06/01/37       57,292  
      14,543       6.000       07/01/37       15,918  
      21,366       6.000       10/01/37       23,386  
      22,073       6.000       11/01/37       24,159  
      106,309       6.000       12/01/37       116,857  
      165,807       6.000       02/01/38       181,404  
      1,720       5.500       03/01/38       1,850  
      105,788       6.000       03/01/38       115,855  
      51,585       6.000       05/01/38       56,800  
      1,210       5.500       06/01/38       1,302  
      75,646       6.000       06/01/38       83,125  
      1,733       5.500       07/01/38       1,865  
      132,858       6.000       07/01/38       146,129  
      2,301       5.500       08/01/38       2,476  
      44,585       6.000       08/01/38       49,092  
      1,181       5.500       09/01/38       1,271  
      25,807       5.500       10/01/38       27,769  
      61,069       6.000       10/01/38       67,243  
      63,005       6.000       11/01/38       69,375  
      761       5.500       12/01/38       818  
      1,645,316       5.000       01/01/39       1,747,610  
      255,930       5.000       02/01/39       271,755  
      354,034       5.000       03/01/39       375,926  
      298,610       5.000       04/01/39       317,821  
      565,206       4.500       05/01/39       587,969  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 24


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 Mortgage-Backed Obligations – (continued)
    FNMA – (continued)
                                 
    $ 601,805       5.000 %     05/01/39     $ 639,786  
      65,938       4.500       06/01/39       68,717  
      180,053       5.000       06/01/39       191,369  
      1,876,657       5.000       07/01/39       1,993,116  
      126,127       4.500       08/01/39       131,261  
      1,105,540       5.000       08/01/39       1,176,607  
      46,496       5.000       09/01/39       49,487  
      1,811,873       5.000       11/01/39       1,924,646  
      304,707       4.500       12/01/39       317,515  
      121,430       5.000       12/01/39       129,242  
      661,461       4.500       01/01/40       688,342  
      744,155       5.000       01/01/40       790,906  
      184,791       4.500       02/01/40       192,522  
      186,751       5.000       02/01/40       198,299  
      320,056       4.500       03/01/40       333,446  
      513,489       4.500       04/01/40       534,971  
      3,000,000       6.500       TBA-30yr (f)     3,285,938  
                                 
                              29,088,082  
     
     
    GNMA – 0.9%
      7,713       7.000       03/15/12       7,743  
      12,268       7.000       10/15/25       13,899  
      23,912       7.000       11/15/25       27,092  
      4,068       7.000       02/15/26       4,614  
      13,480       7.000       04/15/26       15,288  
      6,892       7.000       03/15/27       7,738  
      133,824       7.000       11/15/27       150,250  
      6,653       7.000       01/15/28       7,473  
      42,052       7.000       02/15/28       47,231  
      16,167       7.000       03/15/28       18,158  
      4,213       7.000       04/15/28       4,732  
      673       7.000       05/15/28       756  
      16,047       7.000       06/15/28       18,024  
      30,818       7.000       07/15/28       34,614  
      15,607       7.000       08/15/28       17,529  
      39,209       7.000       09/15/28       44,039  
      4,486       7.000       11/15/28       5,039  
      5,425       7.500       11/15/30       5,978  
      3,414       7.000       10/15/31       3,835  
      641       7.000       12/15/31       720  
      26,339       7.500       10/15/32       30,003  
      834,617       6.000       08/20/34       916,160  
      95,135       5.000       06/15/39       101,917  
      195,267       5.000       10/15/39       209,188  
                                 
                              1,692,020  
     
     
   
TOTAL FEDERAL AGENCIES
  $ 48,678,747  
     
     
   
TOTAL MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS
    (Cost $67,399,126)   $ 68,007,963  
     
     

 Agency Debentures – 1.6%
                                 
                                 
   
Tennessee Valley Authority
    $ 700,000       4.375 %     06/15/15     $ 774,014  
      2,000,000       5.375       04/01/56 (g)     2,272,080  
     
     
   
TOTAL AGENCY DEBENTURES
       
    (Cost $2,722,752)   $ 3,046,094  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Asset-Backed Securities – 1.2%
                                 
                                 
    Home Equity – 0.1%
   
GMAC Mortgage Corp. Loan Trust Series 2007-HE3, Class 1A1
    $ 186,492       7.000 %     09/25/37     $ 102,869  
   
GMAC Mortgage Corp. Loan Trust Series 2007-HE3, Class 2A1
      220,270       7.000       09/25/37       115,795  
                                 
                              218,664  
     
     
    Student Loan – 1.1%
   
College Loan Corp. Trust Series 2006-1, Class A3(b)
      1,000,000       0.406       10/25/25       988,688  
   
Goal Capital Funding Trust Series 2010-1, Class A(a)(b)
      1,000,000       1.238       08/25/48       998,259  
                                 
                              1,986,947  
     
     
   
TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
       
    (Cost $2,378,931)   $ 2,205,611  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Foreign Debt Obligations – 1.3%
                                 
                                 
    Sovereign – 0.9%
   
Federal Republic of Brazil
    $ 220,000       8.250 %     01/20/34     $ 290,400  
      200,000       7.125       01/20/37       237,600  
   
Province of Ontario, Canada
      300,000       4.100       06/16/14       323,628  
   
State of Qatar
      260,000       5.150       04/09/14       279,240  
      560,000       5.250 (a)     01/20/20       583,800  
                                 
                              1,714,668  
     
     
    Supranational – 0.4%
   
North American Development Bank
      700,000       4.375       02/11/20       731,930  
     
     
   
TOTAL FOREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS
    (Cost $2,313,323)   $ 2,446,598  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Municipal Debt Obligations – 1.7%
                                 
                                 
    California – 0.9%
   
California State Various Purpose GO Bonds Series 2009
    $ 325,000       7.500 %     04/01/34     $ 346,840  
      450,000       7.550       04/01/39       482,873  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
25 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 Municipal Debt Obligations – (continued)
    California – (continued)
                                 
   
California State Various Purpose GO Bonds Series 2010
    $ 140,000       7.950 %     03/01/36     $ 147,055  
      575,000       7.625       03/01/40       621,270  
                                 
                              1,598,038  
     
     
    Missouri – 0.5%
   
Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority RB Asset-Backed Notes, Series 2010 A-1(b)(h)
      971,131       1.447       11/26/32       984,206  
     
     
    New York – 0.3%
   
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Taxable Bonds, Series 2010
      475,000       5.600       09/01/20       514,767  
     
     
   
TOTAL MUNICIPAL DEBT OBLIGATIONS
    (Cost $2,981,906)   $ 3,097,011  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Government Guarantee Obligations – 14.0%
                                 
                                 
   
Achmea Hypotheekbank NV(a)(i)
    $ 1,300,000       3.200 %     11/03/14     $ 1,343,104  
   
ANZ National (International) Ltd.(a)(i)
      1,700,000       3.250       04/02/12       1,751,082  
   
BRFkredit AS(a)(i)
      1,700,000       2.050       04/15/13       1,730,517  
   
Citigroup Funding, Inc.(j)
      2,200,000       1.875       10/22/12       2,246,977  
      200,000       1.875       11/15/12       204,302  
   
Commonwealth Bank of Australia(a)(i)
      700,000       2.500       12/10/12       718,304  
   
Danske Bank A/S(a)(i)
      400,000       2.500       05/10/12       409,297  
   
FIH Erhvervsbank A/S(a)(i)
      400,000       2.000       06/12/13       402,525  
   
General Electric Capital Corp.(j)
      2,400,000       2.000       09/28/12       2,457,302  
   
GMAC, Inc.(j)
      3,000,000       1.750       10/30/12       3,056,459  
   
KfW Banengueppe(i)
      1,400,000       1.875       01/14/13       1,420,296  
   
Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank(i)
      1,400,000       4.125       07/15/13       1,502,224  
   
LeasePlan Corp. NV(a)(i)
      1,000,000       3.000       05/07/12       1,028,506  
   
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC(a)(i)
      1,900,000       1.500       03/30/12       1,903,522  
   
Swedbank AB(a)(i)
      900,000       2.800       02/10/12       923,087  
   
Swedish Housing Finance Corp.(a)(i)
      300,000       3.125       03/23/12       310,434  
   
U.S. Central Federal Credit Union(j)
      600,000       1.250       10/19/11       605,724  
   
Westpac Banking Corp.(a)(i)
      2,000,000       3.250       12/16/11       2,057,180  
      1,200,000       1.900       12/14/12       1,207,969  
     
     
   
Westpac Securities NZ Ltd.(a)(i)
      200,000       2.500       05/25/12       204,576  
     
     
   
TOTAL GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS
    (Cost $25,097,006)   $ 25,483,387  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 U.S. Treasury Obligations – 14.8%
                                 
                                 
   
United States Treasury Bonds
    $ 500,000       4.625 %     02/15/40     $ 562,165  
      1,100,000       4.375       05/15/40       1,189,716  
   
United States Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
      300,000       2.375       01/15/25       384,894  
      200,000       3.625       04/15/28       348,874  
   
United States Treasury Notes
      2,500,000       0.750       05/31/12       2,507,200  
      2,100,000       0.625       06/30/12       2,100,084  
      1,800,000       1.375       03/15/13       1,823,382  
      400,000       1.750       04/15/13       409,100  
      1,300,000       1.125       06/15/13       1,305,174  
      1,700,000       1.875       06/30/15       1,706,443  
      3,200,000       2.375       03/31/16       3,247,264  
      2,900,000       2.625       04/30/16       2,980,272  
      200,000       3.125       01/31/17       209,180  
      1,200,000       2.750       02/15/19       1,195,488  
      4,450,000       3.625       08/15/19       4,705,029  
   
United States Treasury Principal-Only STRIPS(k)
      3,400,000       0.000       11/15/21       2,275,655  
     
     
   
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS
    (Cost $26,177,916)   $ 26,949,920  
     
     
                     
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(b) – 11.5%
                     
                     
   
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Capital Shares
      20,931,358     0.067%   $ 20,931,358  
    (Cost $20,931,358)        
     
     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 100.3%
    (Cost $179,776,254)   $ 182,975,873  
     
     
   
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF
OTHER ASSETS – (0.3)%
    (561,487 )
     
     
    NET ASSETS – 100.0%   $ 182,414,386  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
(a) Exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, such securities have been determined to be liquid by the investment adviser and may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers in transactions exempt from registration. Total market value of
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 26


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 
 

 
 
 
 
Rule 144A securities amounts to $22,170,748, which represents approximately 12.2% of net assets as of June 30, 2010.
 
(b) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
(c) Security with “Call” features with resetting interest rates. Maturity dates disclosed are the final maturity dates.
 
(d) Security with notional or nominal principal amount. The actual effective yield of this security is different than the stated interest rate.
 
(e) Issued with a zero coupon and interest rate is contingent upon LIBOR reaching a predetermined level.
 
(f) TBA (To Be Announced) Securities are purchased/sold on a forward commitment basis with an approximate principal amount and no defined maturity date. The actual principal and maturity date will be determined upon settlement when the specific mortgage pools are assigned. Total market value of TBA securities (excluding forward sales contracts, if any) amounts to $3,285,938, which represents approximately 1.8% of net assets as of June 30, 2010.
 
(g) A portion of this security is segregated as collateral for initial margin requirements on futures transactions.
 
(h) Maturity date disclosed is the next interest reset date.
 
(i) Guaranteed by a foreign government until maturity. Total market value of these securities amounts to $16,912,623, which represents approximately 9.3% of net assets as of June 30, 2010.
 
(j) Guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program and is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The expiration date of the FDIC’s guarantee is the earlier of the maturity date of the debt or June 30, 2012. Total market value of the securities amounts to $8,570,764, which represents approximately 4.7% of net assets as of June 30, 2010.
 
(k) Issued with zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount.
 
             
     
     
    Investment Abbreviations:
    FHLMC     Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
    FNMA     Federal National Mortgage Association
    GNMA     Government National Mortgage Association
    GO     General Obligation
    LIBOR     London Interbank Offered Rate
    RB     Revenue Bond
    REMIC     Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
    STRIPS     Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
     
     
             
     
     
    Currency Abbreviations:
    AUD     Australian Dollar
    CAD     Canadian Dollar
    CHF     Swiss Franc
    EUR     Euro
    GBP     British Pound
    JPY     Japanese Yen
    NOK     Norwegian Krone
    NZD     New Zealand Dollar
    SEK     Swedish Krona
     
     
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
 
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS — At June 30, 2010, the Fund had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts, both to purchase and sell foreign currencies:
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts with Unrealized Gain
 
                                     
          Contract
  Expiration
    Current
    Unrealized
 
Counterparty   Currency     Type   Date     Value     Gain  
   
Bank of America NA
    EUR     Sale     9/15/10     $ 211,631     $ 108  
      JPY     Purchase     9/15/10       215,069       2,069  
Citibank NA
    GBP     Purchase     9/15/10       213,656       827  
      NZD     Purchase     9/15/10       155,370       354  
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. 
    AUD     Sale     9/15/10       254,537       1,175  
Royal Bank of Scotland
    EUR     Purchase     9/15/10       212,854       57  
      SEK     Sale     9/15/10       212,695       305  
UBS AG
    EUR     Sale     9/15/10       211,631       713  
      SEK     Purchase     9/15/10       427,213       2,213  
Westpac Banking Corp. 
    AUD     Sale     9/15/10       417,909       2,111  
      EUR     Sale     9/15/10       422,038       1,782  
      NZD     Sale     9/15/10       204,615       6,702  
 
 
TOTAL                               $ 18,416  
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
27 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION (continued)
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts with Unrealized Loss
 
                                     
          Contract
  Expiration
    Current
    Unrealized
 
Counterparty   Currency     Type   Date     Value     Loss  
   
Barclays Bank PLC
    SEK     Sale     9/15/10     $ 220,223     $ (8,223 )
Citibank NA
    EUR     Sale     9/15/10       422,039       (352 )
      NZD     Purchase     9/15/10       207,684       (3,754 )
Credit Suisse (International) Holding AG
    EUR     Sale     7/15/10       203,400       (4,205 )
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. 
    AUD     Sale     9/15/10       217,714       (7,580 )
      AUD     Purchase     9/15/10       75,282       (401 )
HSBC Bank PLC
    EUR     Sale     9/15/10       214,077       (2,874 )
      SEK     Purchase     9/15/10       209,339       (1,661 )
Royal Bank of Canada
    CAD     Purchase     9/15/10       203,747       (8,253 )
      EUR     Purchase     9/15/10       842,854       (6,433 )
      EUR     Sale     9/15/10       509,079       (1,289 )
      JPY     Sale     9/15/10       219,593       (7,593 )
State Street Bank & Trust Co. 
    CAD     Purchase     9/15/10       362,105       (8,601 )
      SEK     Sale     9/15/10       330,790       (11,790 )
Westpac Banking Corp. 
    AUD     Purchase     9/15/10       200,196       (9,372 )
      NZD     Purchase     9/15/10       209,389       (147 )
 
 
TOTAL                               $ (82,528 )
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Cross Currency Exchange Contracts with Unrealized Gain (Purchase/Sale)
 
                                         
          Expiration
    Purchase
    Sale
    Unrealized
 
Counterparty   Currency     Date     Current Value     Current Value     Gain  
   
Bank of America NA
    GBP/EUR       9/15/10     $ 217,747     $ 220,107     $ 2,360  
Citibank NA
    EUR/NOK       9/15/10       421,242       422,038       797  
Credit Suisse (International) Holding AG
    EUR/GBP       9/15/10       213,232       214,078       846  
      GBP/EUR       9/15/10       214,078       214,973       896  
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
    EUR/CAD       9/15/10       207,298       215,301       8,002  
      JPY/EUR       9/15/10       214,078       219,782       5,704  
UBS AG
    CHF/EUR       9/15/10       777,496       824,821       47,325  
Westpac Banking Corp. 
    CHF/AUD       9/15/10       212,708       226,396       13,688  
 
 
TOTAL                                   $ 79,618  
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 28


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION (continued)
 
 
Forward Foreign Cross Currency Exchange Contracts with Unrealized Loss (Purchase/Sale)
 
                                     
          Expiration
  Purchase
    Sale
    Unrealized
 
Counterparty   Currency     Date   Current Value     Current Value     Loss  
   
Barclays Bank PLC
    NOK/JPY     9/15/10   $ 218,462     $ 214,290     $ (4,172 )
      SEK/EUR     9/15/10     150,045       149,895       (150 )
Citibank NA
    EUR/SEK     9/15/10     210,346       209,184       (1,161 )
Credit Suisse (International) Holding AG
    AUD/CHF     9/15/10     223,983       211,874       (12,109 )
      EUR/CHF     9/15/10     432,565       422,039       (10,527 )
HSBC Bank PLC
    EUR/NOK     9/15/10     211,818       211,631       (187 )
      EUR/SEK     9/15/10     211,617       210,408       (1,210 )
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
    CAD/EUR     9/15/10     210,408       206,928       (3,480 )
      NOK/EUR     9/15/10     404,297       399,664       (4,633 )
Royal Bank of Canada
    CAD/EUR     9/15/10     217,747       210,577       (7,171 )
      EUR/JPY     9/15/10     220,308       216,524       (3,784 )
UBS AG
    EUR/AUD     9/15/10     219,164       216,524       (2,639 )
      NOK/EUR     9/15/10     210,408       210,011       (396 )
Westpac Banking Corp. 
    AUD/CHF     9/15/10     212,967       208,538       (4,430 )
 
 
TOTAL                               $ (56,049 )
 
 
 
FUTURES CONTRACTS — At June 30, 2010, the following futures contracts were open:
 
                             
    Number of
                 
    Contracts
    Expiration
  Current
    Unrealized
 
Type   Long (Short)     Date   Value     Gain (Loss)  
   
Euro-Bobl
    71     September 2010   $ 10,497,690     $ 14,794  
Eurodollars
    1     December 2010     248,075       620  
Eurodollars
    1     March 2011     247,900       4,836  
Eurodollars
    1     June 2011     247,650       5,399  
Eurodollars
    1     September 2011     247,288       5,746  
Eurodollars
    1     December 2011     246,775       5,916  
U.S. Treasury Bonds
    69     September 2010     8,797,500       243,554  
2 Year U.S. Treasury Notes
    (2 )   September 2010     (437,656 )     (941 )
5 Year U.S. Treasury Notes
    (1 )   September 2010     (118,352 )     (165 )
10 Year U.S. Treasury Notes
    (20 )   September 2010     (2,450,938 )     (694 )
 
 
TOTAL
                      $ 279,065  
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
29 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – 98.8%
                     
                     
    Automobiles & Components – 0.6%
      60,413     Ford Motor Co.*   $ 608,963  
      4,200     Harley-Davidson, Inc.     93,366  
      12,135     Johnson Controls, Inc.     326,067  
      4,800     The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.*     47,712  
                     
                  1,076,108  
     
     
    Banks – 3.2%
      12,600     BB&T Corp.     331,506  
      3,050     Comerica, Inc.     112,332  
      14,805     Fifth Third Bancorp     181,953  
      4,336     First Horizon National Corp.*     49,650  
      8,700     Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.     106,488  
      12,749     Huntington Bancshares, Inc.     70,629  
      15,300     KeyCorp     117,657  
      1,516     M&T Bank Corp.     128,784  
      9,100     Marshall & Ilsley Corp.     65,338  
      7,100     People’s United Financial, Inc.     95,850  
      9,257     PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.     523,021  
      21,525     Regions Financial Corp.     141,634  
      8,800     SunTrust Banks, Inc.     205,040  
      34,651     U.S. Bancorp     774,450  
      93,139     Wells Fargo & Co.     2,384,358  
      2,800     Zions Bancorporation     60,396  
                     
                  5,349,086  
     
     
    Capital Goods – 7.7%
      12,739     3M Co.     1,006,254  
      11,171     Caterpillar, Inc.     671,042  
      3,700     Cummins, Inc.     240,981  
      9,600     Danaher Corp.     356,352  
      7,479     Deere & Co.     416,431  
      3,401     Dover Corp.     142,128  
      2,900     Eaton Corp.     189,776  
      13,396     Emerson Electric Co.     585,271  
      2,500     Fastenal Co.     125,475  
      1,000     Flowserve Corp.     84,800  
      3,282     Fluor Corp.     139,485  
      7,006     General Dynamics Corp.     410,271  
      190,908     General Electric Co.     2,752,893  
      2,237     Goodrich Corp.     148,201  
      13,808     Honeywell International, Inc.     538,926  
      7,000     Illinois Tool Works, Inc.     288,960  
      3,400     ITT Corp.     152,728  
      2,300     Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.*     83,812  
      2,000     L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.     141,680  
      5,651     Lockheed Martin Corp.     421,000  
      6,500     Masco Corp.     69,940  
      5,392     Northrop Grumman Corp.     293,540  
      6,593     PACCAR, Inc.     262,863  
      2,100     Pall Corp.     72,177  
      2,948     Parker Hannifin Corp.     163,496  
      2,600     Precision Castparts Corp.     267,592  
      4,100     Quanta Services, Inc.*     84,665  
      6,676     Raytheon Co.     323,052  
      2,500     Rockwell Automation, Inc.     122,725  
      2,860     Rockwell Collins, Inc.     151,952  
      1,800     Roper Industries, Inc.     100,728  
     
     
      1,103     Snap-On, Inc.     45,124  
      5,100     Textron, Inc.     86,547  
      13,667     The Boeing Co.     857,604  
      16,814     United Technologies Corp.     1,091,397  
      1,133     W.W. Grainger, Inc.     112,677  
                     
                  13,002,545  
     
     
    Commercial & Professional Services – 0.6%
      2,100     Avery Dennison Corp.     67,473  
      2,300     Cintas Corp.     55,131  
      1,000     Dun & Bradstreet Corp.     67,120  
      2,450     Equifax, Inc.     68,747  
      3,000     Iron Mountain, Inc.     67,380  
      3,500     Pitney Bowes, Inc.     76,860  
      3,500     R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.     57,295  
      5,810     Republic Services, Inc.     172,732  
      2,800     Robert Half International, Inc.     65,940  
      1,600     Stericycle, Inc.*     104,928  
      8,449     Waste Management, Inc.     264,369  
                     
                  1,067,975  
     
     
    Consumer Durables & Apparel – 1.0%
      5,300     Coach, Inc.     193,715  
      4,700     D.R. Horton, Inc.     46,201  
      5,000     Eastman Kodak Co.*     21,700  
      2,700     Fortune Brands, Inc.     105,786  
      1,100     Harman International Industries, Inc.*     32,879  
      2,121     Hasbro, Inc.     87,173  
      2,500     Leggett & Platt, Inc.     50,150  
      3,100     Lennar Corp. Class A     43,121  
      6,751     Mattel, Inc.     142,851  
      4,733     Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.     69,291  
      6,959     NIKE, Inc. Class B     470,081  
      1,000     Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.     72,960  
      5,413     Pulte Group, Inc.*     44,820  
      2,952     Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.     149,135  
      1,600     VF Corp.     113,888  
      1,359     Whirlpool Corp.     119,347  
                     
                  1,763,098  
     
     
    Consumer Services – 1.8%
      2,400     Apollo Group, Inc. Class A*     101,928  
      7,800     Carnival Corp.     235,872  
      2,420     Darden Restaurants, Inc.     94,017  
      1,100     DeVry, Inc.     57,739  
      5,500     H&R Block, Inc.     86,295  
      5,700     International Game Technology     89,490  
      4,663     Marriott International, Inc. Class A     139,610  
      19,297     McDonald’s Corp.     1,271,093  
      13,556     Starbucks Corp.     329,411  
      3,300     Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.     136,719  
      3,426     Wyndham Worldwide Corp.     69,000  
      1,300     Wynn Resorts Ltd.     99,151  
      8,197     Yum! Brands, Inc.     320,011  
                     
                  3,030,336  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 30


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
                     
    Diversified Financials – 7.6%
      21,431     American Express Co.   $ 850,811  
      4,580     Ameriprise Financial, Inc.     165,475  
      180,292     Bank of America Corp.     2,590,796  
      8,333     Capital One Financial Corp.     335,820  
      406,140     Citigroup, Inc.*     1,527,086  
      1,139     CME Group, Inc.     320,685  
      9,317     Discover Financial Services     130,252  
      2,750     E*Trade Financial Corp.*     32,505  
      1,656     Federated Investors, Inc. Class B     34,296  
      2,730     Franklin Resources, Inc.     235,299  
      1,300     IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.*     146,939  
      7,700     Invesco Ltd.     129,591  
      3,700     Janus Capital Group, Inc.     32,856  
      71,134     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     2,604,216  
      3,100     Legg Mason, Inc.     86,893  
      3,200     Leucadia National Corp.*     62,432  
      3,600     Moody’s Corp.     71,712  
      25,247     Morgan Stanley     585,983  
      4,200     Northern Trust Corp.     196,140  
      4,700     NYSE Euronext     129,861  
      8,571     SLM Corp.*     89,053  
      8,867     State Street Corp.     299,882  
      4,600     T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.     204,194  
      21,815     The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.     538,612  
      17,742     The Charles Schwab Corp.     251,581  
      9,277     The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.(a)     1,217,792  
      2,800     The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.*     49,784  
                     
                  12,920,546  
     
     
    Energy – 10.6%
      8,818     Anadarko Petroleum Corp.     318,242  
      6,016     Apache Corp.     506,487  
      7,715     Baker Hughes, Inc.     320,712  
      1,700     Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.     53,244  
      4,500     Cameron International Corp.*     146,340  
      11,517     Chesapeake Energy Corp.     241,281  
      35,873     Chevron Corp.     2,434,342  
      26,752     ConocoPhillips     1,313,256  
      4,000     Consol Energy, Inc.     135,040  
      7,500     Denbury Resources, Inc.*     109,800  
      8,072     Devon Energy Corp.     491,746  
      1,200     Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.     74,628  
      12,430     El Paso Corp.     138,097  
      4,581     EOG Resources, Inc.     450,633  
      91,680     Exxon Mobil Corp.     5,232,201  
      2,223     FMC Technologies, Inc.*     117,063  
      16,017     Halliburton Co.     393,217  
      2,000     Helmerich & Payne, Inc.     73,040  
      5,100     Hess Corp.     256,734  
      12,708     Marathon Oil Corp.     395,092  
      1,700     Massey Energy Co.     46,495  
      3,300     Murphy Oil Corp.     163,515  
      5,300     Nabors Industries Ltd.*     93,386  
      7,418     National-Oilwell Varco, Inc.     245,313  
      3,100     Noble Energy, Inc.     187,023  
      14,500     Occidental Petroleum Corp.     1,118,675  
     
     
      4,706     Peabody Energy Corp.     184,146  
      2,100     Pioneer Natural Resources Co.     124,845  
      2,800     Range Resources Corp.     112,420  
      2,300     Rowan Companies, Inc.*     50,462  
      21,393     Schlumberger Ltd.     1,183,889  
      4,600     Smith International, Inc.     173,190  
      6,100     Southwestern Energy Co.*     235,704  
      11,742     Spectra Energy Corp.     235,662  
      2,300     Sunoco, Inc.     79,971  
      3,000     Tesoro Corp.     35,010  
      10,383     The Williams Companies, Inc.     189,801  
      10,113     Valero Energy Corp.     181,832  
                     
                  17,842,534  
     
     
    Food & Staples Retailing – 2.5%
      7,987     Costco Wholesale Corp.     437,927  
      24,364     CVS Caremark Corp.     714,353  
      7,000     Safeway, Inc.     137,620  
      4,273     SUPERVALU, Inc.     46,319  
      10,700     Sysco Corp.     305,699  
      11,732     The Kroger Co.     231,003  
      17,500     Walgreen Co.     467,250  
      37,360     Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.     1,795,895  
      3,100     Whole Foods Market, Inc.*     111,662  
                     
                  4,247,728  
     
     
    Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 6.1%
      37,326     Altria Group, Inc.     748,013  
      11,433     Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.     295,200  
      2,050     Brown-Forman Corp. Class B     117,322  
      3,300     Campbell Soup Co.     118,239  
      5,550     Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.     143,523  
      7,800     ConAgra Foods, Inc.     181,896  
      3,400     Constellation Brands, Inc. Class A*     53,108  
      3,300     Dean Foods Co.*     33,231  
      4,500     Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.     168,255  
      11,924     General Mills, Inc.     423,540  
      5,668     H.J. Heinz Co.     244,971  
      1,200     Hormel Foods Corp.     48,576  
      4,600     Kellogg Co.     231,380  
      31,457     Kraft Foods, Inc. Class A     880,796  
      2,816     Lorillard, Inc.     202,696  
      2,400     McCormick & Co., Inc.     91,104  
      3,602     Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. Class A     180,532  
      2,800     Molson Coors Brewing Co. Class B     118,608  
      28,962     PepsiCo, Inc.     1,765,234  
      33,244     Philip Morris International, Inc.     1,523,905  
      3,145     Reynolds American, Inc.     163,917  
      11,500     Sara Lee Corp.     162,150  
      41,380     The Coca-Cola Co.     2,073,966  
      2,900     The Hershey Co.     138,997  
      2,234     The J.M. Smucker Co.     134,531  
      5,400     Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A     88,506  
                     
                  10,332,196  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
31 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
                     
    Health Care Equipment & Services – 4.0%
      7,889     Aetna, Inc.   $ 208,112  
      4,960     AmerisourceBergen Corp.     157,480  
      10,810     Baxter International, Inc.     439,318  
      4,123     Becton, Dickinson and Co.     278,797  
      26,906     Boston Scientific Corp.*     156,055  
      1,767     C. R. Bard, Inc.     136,996  
      6,432     Cardinal Health, Inc.     216,180  
      3,416     CareFusion Corp.*     77,543  
      1,200     Cerner Corp.*     91,068  
      5,119     CIGNA Corp.     158,996  
      2,600     Coventry Health Care, Inc.*     45,968  
      1,900     DaVita, Inc.*     118,636  
      2,500     DENTSPLY International, Inc.     74,775  
      9,774     Express Scripts, Inc.*     459,573  
      2,790     Hospira, Inc.*     160,285  
      3,200     Humana, Inc.*     146,144  
      651     Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*     205,469  
      1,800     Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*     135,630  
      4,764     McKesson Corp.     319,950  
      8,037     Medco Health Solutions, Inc.*     442,678  
      19,558     Medtronic, Inc.     709,369  
      1,681     Patterson Companies, Inc.     47,959  
      2,700     Quest Diagnostics, Inc.     134,379  
      5,980     St. Jude Medical, Inc.*     215,818  
      5,000     Stryker Corp.     250,300  
      8,150     Tenet Healthcare Corp.*     35,371  
      20,170     UnitedHealth Group, Inc.     572,828  
      2,300     Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*     120,244  
      7,664     WellPoint, Inc.*     375,000  
      3,517     Zimmer Holdings, Inc.*     190,094  
                     
                  6,681,015  
     
     
    Household & Personal Products – 2.8%
      7,500     Avon Products, Inc.     198,750  
      8,848     Colgate-Palmolive Co.     696,869  
      7,440     Kimberly-Clark Corp.     451,087  
      2,600     The Clorox Co.     161,616  
      2,200     The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. Class A     122,606  
      51,495     The Procter & Gamble Co.     3,088,670  
                     
                  4,719,598  
     
     
    Insurance – 3.9%
      8,292     Aflac, Inc.     353,820  
      2,441     American International Group, Inc.*     84,068  
      4,850     Aon Corp.     180,032  
      2,100     Assurant, Inc.     72,870  
      29,759     Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B*     2,371,495  
      3,068     Cincinnati Financial Corp.     79,369  
      8,600     Genworth Financial, Inc. Class A*     112,402  
      5,358     Lincoln National Corp.     130,146  
      6,147     Loews Corp.     204,757  
      9,788     Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.     220,719  
      14,581     MetLife, Inc.     550,578  
      6,032     Principal Financial Group, Inc.     141,390  
      8,333     Prudential Financial, Inc.     447,149  
     
     
      9,838     The Allstate Corp.     282,646  
      5,749     The Chubb Corp.     287,507  
      7,873     The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.     174,229  
      11,882     The Progressive Corp.     222,431  
      8,884     The Travelers Companies, Inc.     437,537  
      1,441     Torchmark Corp.     71,344  
      5,818     Unum Group     126,251  
      6,200     XL Capital Ltd. Class A     99,262  
                     
                  6,650,002  
     
     
    Materials – 3.4%
      3,800     Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.     246,278  
      1,500     Airgas, Inc.     93,300  
      2,200     AK Steel Holding Corp.     26,224  
      18,268     Alcoa, Inc.     183,776  
      1,851     Allegheny Technologies, Inc.     81,796  
      1,500     Ball Corp.     79,245  
      1,900     Bemis Co., Inc.     51,300  
      1,190     CF Industries Holdings, Inc.     75,506  
      2,494     Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.     117,617  
      16,338     E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.     565,131  
      1,400     Eastman Chemical Co.     74,704  
      4,012     Ecolab, Inc.     180,179  
      1,300     FMC Corp.     74,659  
      8,518     Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.     503,669  
      1,400     International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.     59,388  
      7,859     International Paper Co.     177,849  
      3,198     MeadWestvaco Corp.     70,996  
      9,854     Monsanto Co.     455,452  
      8,787     Newmont Mining Corp.     542,509  
      5,600     Nucor Corp.     214,368  
      3,000     Owens-Illinois, Inc.*     79,350  
      2,200     Pactiv Corp.*     61,270  
      3,000     PPG Industries, Inc.     181,230  
      5,400     Praxair, Inc.     410,346  
      2,616     Sealed Air Corp.     51,588  
      2,200     Sigma-Aldrich Corp.     109,626  
      20,713     The Dow Chemical Co.     491,312  
      1,600     The Sherwin-Williams Co.     110,704  
      1,500     Titanium Metals Corp.*     26,385  
      2,720     United States Steel Corp.     104,856  
      2,400     Vulcan Materials Co.     105,192  
      3,892     Weyerhaeuser Co.     136,998  
                     
                  5,742,803  
     
     
    Media – 3.1%
      11,964     CBS Corp. Class B     154,694  
      50,312     Comcast Corp. Class A     873,919  
      16,192     DIRECTV Class A*     549,233  
      5,000     Discovery Communications, Inc. Class A*     178,550  
      4,271     Gannett Co., Inc.     57,488  
      500     Meredith Corp.     15,565  
      40,686     News Corp. Class A     486,605  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 32


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
    Media – (continued)
                     
      5,648     Omnicom Group, Inc.   $ 193,726  
      1,700     Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. Class A     68,578  
      8,571     The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.*     61,111  
      5,808     The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.     163,437  
      2,200     The New York Times Co. Class A*     19,030  
      34,829     The Walt Disney Co.     1,097,113  
      133     The Washington Post Co. Class B     54,594  
      6,196     Time Warner Cable, Inc.     322,688  
      20,471     Time Warner, Inc.     591,817  
      10,844     Viacom, Inc. Class B     340,176  
                     
                  5,228,324  
     
     
    Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 8.0%
      27,498     Abbott Laboratories     1,286,356  
      5,600     Allergan, Inc.     326,256  
      17,168     Amgen, Inc.*     903,037  
      4,815     Biogen Idec, Inc.*     228,472  
      30,826     Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.     768,800  
      8,100     Celgene Corp.*     411,642  
      1,400     Cephalon, Inc.*     79,450  
      18,342     Eli Lilly & Co.     614,457  
      5,600     Forest Laboratories, Inc.*     153,608  
      4,825     Genzyme Corp.*     244,965  
      15,800     Gilead Sciences, Inc.*     541,624  
      49,294     Johnson & Johnson     2,911,304  
      4,666     King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*     35,415  
      3,170     Life Technologies Corp.*     149,783  
      55,669     Merck & Co., Inc.     1,946,745  
      1,000     Millipore Corp.*     106,650  
      5,900     Mylan, Inc.*     100,536  
      2,300     PerkinElmer, Inc.     47,541  
      144,456     Pfizer, Inc.     2,059,943  
      7,468     Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.*     366,305  
      1,600     Waters Corp.*     103,520  
      1,800     Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*     73,026  
                     
                  13,459,435  
     
     
    Real Estate – 1.4%
      2,080     Apartment Investment & Management Co. Class A (REIT)     40,290  
      1,491     AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (REIT)     139,215  
      2,427     Boston Properties, Inc. (REIT)     173,142  
      4,300     CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. Class A*     58,523  
      223     Developers Diversified Realty Corp. (REIT)     2,208  
      5,200     Equity Residential (REIT)     216,528  
      5,200     HCP, Inc. (REIT)     167,700  
      2,100     Health Care REIT, Inc. (REIT)     88,452  
      11,652     Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (REIT)     157,069  
      6,800     Kimco Realty Corp. (REIT)     91,392  
      2,800     Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. (REIT)     96,684  
      8,100     ProLogis (REIT)     82,053  
      2,351     Public Storage, Inc. (REIT)     206,676  
      5,207     Simon Property Group, Inc. (REIT)     420,465  
     
     
      2,900     Ventas, Inc. (REIT)     136,155  
      2,922     Vornado Realty Trust (REIT)     213,160  
                     
                  2,289,712  
     
     
    Retailing – 3.4%
      1,777     Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Class A     54,536  
      6,138     Amazon.com, Inc.*     670,638  
      1,672     AutoNation, Inc.*     32,604  
      479     AutoZone, Inc.*     92,552  
      4,624     Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*     171,458  
      6,250     Best Buy Co., Inc.     211,625  
      1,300     Big Lots, Inc.*     41,717  
      4,000     CarMax, Inc.*     79,600  
      3,800     Expedia, Inc.     71,364  
      2,400     Family Dollar Stores, Inc.     90,456  
      2,600     GameStop Corp. Class A*     48,854  
      2,740     Genuine Parts Co.     108,093  
      4,100     J.C. Penney Co., Inc.     88,068  
      5,419     Kohl’s Corp.*     257,402  
      5,000     Limited Brands, Inc.     110,350  
      25,536     Lowe’s Companies, Inc.     521,445  
      7,534     Macy’s, Inc.     134,859  
      2,924     Nordstrom, Inc.     94,124  
      5,100     Office Depot, Inc.*     20,604  
      2,500     O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*     118,900  
      860     Priceline.com, Inc.*     151,824  
      2,300     RadioShack Corp.     44,873  
      2,178     Ross Stores, Inc.     116,066  
      900     Sears Holdings Corp.*     58,185  
      13,197     Staples, Inc.     251,403  
      13,139     Target Corp.     646,045  
      8,350     The Gap, Inc.     162,491  
      29,964     The Home Depot, Inc.     841,089  
      7,293     The TJX Companies, Inc.     305,941  
      2,400     Tiffany & Co.     90,984  
      2,500     Urban Outfitters, Inc.*     85,975  
                     
                  5,774,125  
     
     
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 2.6%
      10,200     Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*     74,664  
      5,474     Altera Corp.     135,810  
      5,400     Analog Devices, Inc.     150,444  
      24,022     Applied Materials, Inc.     288,744  
      7,850     Broadcom Corp. Class A     258,815  
      880     First Solar, Inc.*     100,170  
      99,680     Intel Corp.     1,938,776  
      3,025     KLA-Tencor Corp.     84,337  
      4,200     Linear Technology Corp.     116,802  
      12,700     LSI Corp.*     58,420  
      3,700     MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.*     36,556  
      3,100     Microchip Technology, Inc.     85,994  
      15,643     Micron Technology, Inc.*     132,809  
      4,400     National Semiconductor Corp.     59,224  
      1,865     Novellus Systems, Inc.*     47,296  
      9,550     NVIDIA Corp.*     97,506  
      3,400     Teradyne, Inc.*     33,150  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
33 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – (continued)
                     
      21,828     Texas Instruments, Inc.   $ 508,156  
      5,100     Xilinx, Inc.     128,826  
                     
                  4,336,499  
     
     
    Software & Services – 6.8%
      9,315     Adobe Systems, Inc.*     246,195  
      3,000     Akamai Technologies, Inc.*     121,710  
      4,100     Autodesk, Inc.*     99,876  
      9,200     Automatic Data Processing, Inc.     370,392  
      3,100     BMC Software, Inc.*     107,353  
      7,104     CA, Inc.     130,714  
      3,400     Citrix Systems, Inc.*     143,582  
      5,335     Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A*     267,070  
      2,700     Computer Sciences Corp.     122,175  
      4,700     Compuware Corp.*     37,506  
      20,144     eBay, Inc.*     395,024  
      6,000     Electronic Arts, Inc.*     86,400  
      5,800     Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.     155,556  
      2,750     Fiserv, Inc.*     125,565  
      4,349     Google, Inc. Class A*     1,935,088  
      5,700     Intuit, Inc.*     198,189  
      1,700     Mastercard, Inc. Class A     339,201  
      2,900     McAfee, Inc.*     89,088  
      136,747     Microsoft Corp.     3,146,548  
      2,600     Monster Worldwide, Inc.*     30,290  
      7,400     Novell, Inc.*     42,032  
      70,063     Oracle Corp.     1,503,552  
      6,009     Paychex, Inc.     156,054  
      3,155     Red Hat, Inc.*     91,306  
      4,933     SAIC, Inc.*     82,578  
      1,900     Salesforce.com, Inc.*     163,058  
      14,612     Symantec Corp.*     202,815  
      12,019     The Western Union Co.     179,203  
      3,200     Total System Services, Inc.     43,520  
      3,402     VeriSign, Inc.*     90,323  
      7,980     Visa, Inc. Class A     564,585  
      21,300     Yahoo!, Inc.*     294,579  
                     
                  11,561,127  
     
     
    Technology Hardware & Equipment – 9.1%
      6,196     Agilent Technologies, Inc.*     176,152  
      3,100     Amphenol Corp. Class A     121,768  
      16,323     Apple, Inc.*     4,105,724  
      102,058     Cisco Systems, Inc.*     2,174,856  
      27,825     Corning, Inc.     449,374  
      30,700     Dell, Inc.*     370,242  
      36,872     EMC Corp.*     674,758  
      2,900     FLIR Systems, Inc.*     84,361  
      2,400     Harris Corp.     99,960  
      41,933     Hewlett-Packard Co.     1,814,860  
      22,947     International Business Machines Corp.     2,833,496  
      3,783     Jabil Circuit, Inc.     50,314  
      4,625     JDS Uniphase Corp.*     45,510  
      9,600     Juniper Networks, Inc.*     219,072  
     
     
      1,600     Lexmark International, Inc. Class A*     52,848  
      2,725     Molex, Inc.     49,704  
      42,482     Motorola, Inc.*     276,983  
      6,011     NetApp, Inc.*     224,270  
      2,300     QLogic Corp.*     38,226  
      29,418     QUALCOMM, Inc.     966,087  
      4,100     SanDisk Corp.*     172,487  
      6,600     Tellabs, Inc.     42,174  
      3,100     Teradata Corp.*     94,488  
      4,200     Western Digital Corp.*     126,672  
      24,276     Xerox Corp.     195,179  
                     
                  15,459,565  
     
     
    Telecommunication Services – 3.0%
      7,240     American Tower Corp. Class A*     322,180  
      106,006     AT&T, Inc.     2,564,285  
      5,427     CenturyTel, Inc.     180,773  
      4,900     Frontier Communications Corp.     34,839  
      5,400     MetroPCS Communications, Inc.*     44,226  
      27,663     Qwest Communications International, Inc.     145,231  
      54,510     Sprint Nextel Corp.*     231,123  
      50,443     Verizon Communications, Inc.     1,413,413  
      7,681     Windstream Corp.     81,111  
                     
                  5,017,181  
     
     
    Transportation – 1.9%
      2,830     C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.     157,518  
      6,962     CSX Corp.     345,524  
      3,800     Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.     131,138  
      5,700     FedEx Corp.     399,627  
      6,635     Norfolk Southern Corp.     351,987  
      1,100     Ryder System, Inc.     44,253  
      12,918     Southwest Airlines Co.     143,519  
      9,020     Union Pacific Corp.     626,980  
      17,692     United Parcel Service, Inc. Class B     1,006,498  
                     
                  3,207,044  
     
     
    Utilities – 3.7%
      2,800     Allegheny Energy, Inc.     57,904  
      4,477     Ameren Corp.     106,418  
      8,691     American Electric Power Co., Inc.     280,719  
      7,198     CenterPoint Energy, Inc.     94,726  
      4,200     CMS Energy Corp.     61,530  
      5,200     Consolidated Edison, Inc.     224,120  
      3,477     Constellation Energy Group, Inc.     112,133  
      10,547     Dominion Resources, Inc.     408,591  
      3,100     DTE Energy Co.     141,391  
      23,793     Duke Energy Corp.     380,688  
      5,869     Edison International     186,165  
      3,475     Entergy Corp.     248,879  
      2,400     EQT Corp.     86,736  
      11,681     Exelon Corp.     443,528  
      5,411     FirstEnergy Corp.     190,630  
      1,431     Integrys Energy Group, Inc.     62,592  
      7,546     NextEra Energy, Inc.     367,943  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 34


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
    Utilities – (continued)
                     
      700     Nicor, Inc.   $ 28,350  
      5,300     NiSource, Inc.     76,850  
      3,290     Northeast Utilities     83,829  
      4,300     NRG Energy, Inc.*     91,203  
      2,000     Oneok, Inc.     86,500  
      4,300     Pepco Holdings, Inc.     67,424  
      6,731     PG&E Corp.     276,644  
      2,000     Pinnacle West Capital Corp.     72,720  
      8,651     PPL Corp.     215,842  
      5,177     Progress Energy, Inc.     203,042  
      9,242     Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.     289,552  
      3,050     Questar Corp.     138,745  
      2,131     SCANA Corp.     76,205  
      4,313     Sempra Energy     201,805  
      14,741     Southern Co.     490,580  
      3,600     TECO Energy, Inc.     54,252  
      11,864     The AES Corp.*     109,623  
      2,100     Wisconsin Energy Corp.     106,554  
      8,510     Xcel Energy, Inc.     175,391  
                     
                  6,299,804  
     
     
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    (Cost $173,262,892)   $ 167,058,386  
     
     
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 U.S. Treasury Obligation(b)(c) – 0.2%
                                 
                                 
   
United States Treasury Bill
    $ 355,000       0.000 %     10/14/10     $   354,839  
    (Cost $354,917)                
     
     
                         
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(d) – 0.7%
                         
                         
   
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Capital Shares
      1,250,162       0.067 %   $ 1,250,162  
    (Cost $1,250,162)        
     
     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.7%
    (Cost $174,867,971)   $ 168,663,387  
     
     
   
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS
OF LIABILITIES – 0.3%
    484,899  
     
     
    NET ASSETS – 100.0%   $ 169,148,286  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
(a) Represents an affiliated issuer.
 
(b) Issued with zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount.
 
(c) A portion of this security is segregated as collateral for initial margin requirements on futures transactions.
 
(d) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
             
     
     
    Investment Abbreviation:
    REIT     Real Estate Investment Trust
     
     
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
 
 
FUTURES CONTRACTS — At June 30, 2010, the following futures contracts were open:
 
                             
    Number of
                 
    Contracts
    Expiration
  Current
    Unrealized
 
Type   Long (Short)     Date   Value     Gain (Loss)  
   
S&P 500 E-mini Index
    43     September 2010   $ 2,207,190     $ (125,470 )
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
35 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 Mortgage-Backed Obligations – 42.0%
                                 
                                 
    Adjustable Rate Non-Agency(a) – 1.4%
    First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Series 2005-AA7, Class 2A1
    $ 463,818       5.357 %     09/25/35     $ 299,018  
    Harborview Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2006-6, Class 3A1A
      463,771       5.768       08/19/36       300,822  
    J.P. Morgan Mortgage Trust Series 2007-A1, Class 2A2
      463,197       3.547       07/25/35       421,030  
                                 
                              1,020,870  
     
     
    Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – 3.3%
    Interest Only(a)(b) – 0.0%
    FNMA REMIC Series 2004-47, Class EI
      267,632       0.000       06/25/34       3,244  
    FNMA REMIC Series 2004-62, Class DI
      121,420       0.000       07/25/33       927  
                                 
                              4,171  
     
     
    Regular Floater(a) – 1.1%
    FHLMC REMIC Series 2007-3325, Class SX(c)
      26,296       0.000       06/15/37       25,807  
    FNMA REMIC Series 2007-2, Class FM
      364,891       0.597       02/25/37       362,014  
    FNMA REMIC Series 2007-20, Class FP
      455,006       0.647       03/25/37       450,869  
                                 
                              838,690  
     
     
    Sequential Fixed Rate – 2.2%
    Banc of America Funding Corp. Series 2007-8, Class 2A1
      605,947       7.000       10/25/37       446,297  
    FHLMC REMIC Series 2007-3284, Class CA
      469,411       5.000       10/15/21       504,021  
    FNMA REMIC Series 2007-36, Class AB
      670,041       5.000       11/25/21       719,010  
                                 
                              1,669,328  
     
     
    TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS   $ 2,512,189  
     
     
    Federal Agencies – 37.3%
    Adjustable Rate FHLMC(a) – 1.2%
    $ 489,620       4.845 %     09/01/35     $ 511,598  
      371,851       4.677       10/01/35       391,231  
                                 
                              902,829  
     
     
    Adjustable Rate FNMA(a) – 1.5%
      219,443       2.216       05/01/33       226,766  
      533,192       2.593       05/01/35       556,402  
      383,818       5.102       12/01/35       402,980  
                                 
                              1,186,148  
     
     
    FHLMC – 3.8%
      141,707       4.500       12/01/18       151,058  
      5,229       10.000       03/01/21       5,814  
      7,898       6.500       06/01/23       8,641  
      182,568       5.000       05/01/39       194,286  
      457,842       5.000       06/01/39       487,226  
      94,890       5.000       07/01/39       100,980  
      291,583       5.000       10/01/39       309,808  
     
     
      292,649       5.000       12/01/39       311,430  
      60,366       4.500       04/01/40       62,844  
      139,105       4.500       05/01/40       144,816  
      99,617       4.500       06/01/40       103,706  
      1,000,000       5.000       TBA-30yr (d)     1,057,500  
                                 
                              2,938,109  
     
     
    FNMA – 29.0%
      2,134       5.000       02/01/14       2,221  
      39,087       5.000       11/01/17       41,952  
      193,104       5.000       12/01/17       207,260  
      151,072       5.000       01/01/18       162,147  
      61,931       5.000       02/01/18       66,543  
      173,223       5.000       03/01/18       186,125  
      547,245       5.000       04/01/18       588,007  
      273,774       5.000       05/01/18       294,166  
      558,052       5.000       06/01/18       599,619  
      15,910       5.000       07/01/18       17,095  
      992,489       4.000       09/01/18       1,050,823  
      152,624       4.500       09/01/18       162,902  
      356,009       5.000       11/01/18       382,527  
      345,131       4.500       12/01/18       368,373  
      439,627       5.000       12/01/18       472,372  
      33,930       5.000       01/01/19       36,457  
      77,783       5.000       02/01/19       83,539  
      372,459       5.000       03/01/19       400,018  
      738,172       5.500       03/01/19       801,378  
      330,302       5.000       04/01/19       354,741  
      417,117       5.000       06/01/19       448,186  
      254,312       6.000       09/01/19       277,327  
      399,953       5.000       12/01/19       429,580  
      363,660       4.500       03/01/20       388,150  
      315,121       6.000       12/01/20       343,640  
      11,889       8.000       09/01/21       13,626  
      16,256       5.000       04/01/23       17,347  
      77,948       5.000       06/01/23       83,178  
      77       6.000       03/01/32       85  
      5,100       6.000       05/01/33       5,601  
      29,775       5.000       08/01/33       31,593  
      2,305       6.000       12/01/33       2,530  
      2,464       6.000       12/01/34       2,696  
      49,351       5.000       04/01/35       52,326  
      2,799       6.000       04/01/35       3,057  
      19,072       6.000       07/01/35       20,809  
      56,674       6.000       11/01/35       61,772  
      67,548       6.000       01/01/36       73,786  
      6,040       6.000       02/01/36       6,581  
      18,551       6.500       03/01/36       20,343  
      799,196       6.000       09/01/38       869,799  
      170,620       5.000       02/01/39       181,170  
      177,017       5.000       03/01/39       187,963  
      1,130,411       4.500       05/01/39       1,175,937  
      120,403       5.000       05/01/39       127,913  
      65,938       4.500       06/01/39       68,717  
      550,719       5.000       07/01/39       584,947  
      29,024       4.500       08/01/39       30,247  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 36


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 Mortgage-Backed Obligations – (continued)
    FNMA – (continued)
                                 
    $ 958,195       5.000 %     08/01/39     $ 1,019,841  
      97,002       4.500       09/01/39       101,060  
      304,717       5.000       09/01/39       324,016  
      290,619       4.500       10/01/39       302,413  
      1,051,312       5.000       10/01/39       1,117,059  
      53,738       5.000       11/01/39       57,061  
      291,944       4.500       12/01/39       304,249  
      1,667,706       5.000       01/01/40       1,772,301  
      81,393       5.000       02/01/40       86,427  
      2,000,000       4.000       TBA-30yr (d)     2,025,469  
      1,000,000       5.000       TBA-30yr (d)     1,057,968  
      2,000,000       6.500       TBA-30yr (d)     2,190,625  
                                 
                              22,145,660  
     
     
    GNMA – 1.8%
      190,246       5.000       06/15/39       203,809  
      97,929       5.000       10/15/39       104,910  
      1,000,000       4.500       TBA-30yr (d)     1,041,641  
                                 
                              1,350,360  
     
     
    TOTAL FEDERAL AGENCIES   $ 28,523,106  
     
     
    TOTAL MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS
    (Cost $31,371,953)   $ 32,056,165  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Agency Debentures – 9.3%
                                 
                                 
    FFCB
    $ 500,000       5.400 %     06/08/17     $ 580,370  
    FHLB
      800,000       1.750       12/14/12       814,308  
    FHLMC
      1,500,000       4.500       04/02/14       1,655,939  
    Private Export Funding Corp.
      2,000,000       3.550       04/15/13       2,128,679  
      1,100,000       3.050       10/15/14       1,148,439  
    Tennessee Valley Authority(e)
      700,000       5.375       04/01/56       795,228  
     
     
   
TOTAL AGENCY DEBENTURES
       
    (Cost $6,790,276)   $ 7,122,963  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Asset-Backed Securities – 0.7%
                                 
                                 
    Credit Card – 0.6%
    Chase Issuance Trust Series 2005-A11, Class A(a)
    $ 500,000       0.420 %     12/15/14     $ 497,191  
     
     
    Home Equity – 0.1%
    GMAC Mortgage Corp. Loan Trust Series 2007-HE3, Class 1A1
      53,284       7.000       09/25/37       29,391  
     
     
    GMAC Mortgage Corp. Loan Trust Series 2007-HE3, Class 2A1
      62,934       7.000       09/25/37       33,085  
                                 
                              62,476  
     
     
   
TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
       
    (Cost $530,186)   $ 559,667  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Government Guarantee Obligations(f) – 12.2%
                                 
                                 
    Citigroup, Inc.(a)
    $ 840,000       1.087 %     12/09/10     $ 842,526  
    Citigroup Funding, Inc.
      2,200,000       1.875       10/22/12       2,246,977  
      600,000       1.875       11/15/12       612,905  
    GMAC, Inc.
      1,100,000       1.750       10/30/12       1,120,701  
    PNC Funding Corp.
      750,000       2.300       06/22/12       772,441  
    U.S. Central Federal Credit Union
      3,300,000       1.250       10/19/11       3,331,483  
      400,000       1.900       10/19/12       408,753  
     
     
    TOTAL GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS
    (Cost $9,209,402)   $ 9,335,786  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 U.S. Treasury Obligations – 23.6%
                                 
                                 
    United States Treasury Bill(g)
    $ 1,000,000       0.000 %     08/05/10     $ 999,840  
    United States Treasury Bonds
      100,000       4.625       02/15/40       112,433  
      100,000       4.375       05/15/40       108,156  
    United States Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
      100,000       2.375       01/15/25       128,298  
      100,000       2.000       01/15/26       116,148  
      50,000       3.625       04/15/28       87,219  
    United States Treasury Notes
      1,800,000       1.000       04/30/12       1,813,482  
      600,000       0.750       05/31/12       601,728  
      700,000       0.625       06/30/12       700,028  
      300,000       1.375       03/15/13       303,897  
      1,500,000       1.125       06/15/13       1,505,970  
      1,400,000       1.875       06/30/15       1,405,306  
      600,000       2.375       03/31/16       608,862  
      400,000       3.000       09/30/16       417,092  
      1,600,000       3.125       10/31/16       1,678,560  
      300,000       3.250       12/31/16       316,242  
      200,000       3.125       01/31/17       209,180  
      900,000       3.750       11/15/18       969,777  
      200,000       2.750       02/15/19       199,248  
      650,000       3.125       05/15/19       663,526  
      2,100,000       3.625       08/15/19       2,220,351  
      400,000       3.500       05/15/20       418,592  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
37 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
   
    Amount   Rate   Date   Value
 

 U.S. Treasury Obligations – (continued)
                                 
    United States Treasury Principal-Only STRIPS(g)
    $ 1,800,000       0.000 %     08/15/20     $ 1,287,882  
      300,000       0.000       08/15/26       161,124  
      1,100,000       0.000       11/15/26       584,177  
      800,000       0.000       11/15/27       404,704  
     
     
    TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS
    (Cost $17,417,884)   $ 18,021,822  
     
     
                     
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(a) – 21.8%
                     
                     
    JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Capital Shares
      16,661,564     0.067%   $ 16,661,564  
    (Cost $16,661,564)        
     
     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 109.6%
    (Cost $81,981,265)   $ 83,757,967  
     
     
   
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS – (9.6)%
    (7,345,001 )
     
     
    NET ASSETS – 100.0%   $ 76,412,966  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
(a) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
(b) Security with notional or nominal principal amount. The actual effective yield of this security is different than the stated interest rate.
 
(c) Issued with a zero coupon and interest rate is contingent upon LIBOR reaching a predetermined level.
 
(d) TBA (To Be Announced) Securities are purchased/sold on a forward commitment basis with an approximate principal amount and no defined maturity date. The actual principal and maturity date will be determined upon settlement when the specific mortgage pools are assigned. Total market value of TBA securities (excluding forward sales contracts, if any) amounts to $7,373,203, which represents approximately 9.6% of net assets as of June 30, 2010.
 
(e) A portion of this security is segregated as collateral for initial margin requirements on futures transactions.
 
(f) Guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program and is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The expiration date of the FDIC’s guarantee is the earlier of the maturity date of the debt or June 30, 2012.
 
(g) Issued with zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount.
 
             
     
     
    Investment Abbreviations:
    FFCB     Federal Farm Credit Bank
    FHLB     Federal Home Loan Bank
    FHLMC     Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
    FNMA     Federal National Mortgage Association
    GNMA     Government National Mortgage Association
    LIBOR     London Interbank Offered Rate
    REMIC     Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
    STRIPS     Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
     
     
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
 
FORWARD SALES CONTRACTS — At June 30, 2010, the Fund had the following forward sales contracts:
 
                                         
    Interest
    Maturity
    Settlement
    Principal
       
Description   Rate     Date     Date     Amount     Value  
   
FNMA
    4.000 %     TBA-30yr(d )     08/12/10     $ 1,000,000     $ (1,009,375 )
FNMA
    4.000       TBA-30yr(d )     09/14/10       1,000,000       (1,005,586 )
 
 
TOTAL (Proceeds Receivable: $1,991,016)
  $ (2,014,961 )
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 38


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION (continued)
 
 
FUTURES CONTRACTS — At June 30, 2010, the following futures contracts were open:
 
                                 
    Number of
                   
    Contracts
    Expiration
    Current
    Unrealized
 
Type   Long (Short)     Date     Value     Gain (Loss)  
   
Eurodollars
    3       December 2010     $ 744,225     $ 742  
U.S. Treasury Bonds
    21       September 2010       2,677,500       67,210  
5 Year U.S. Treasury Notes
    21       September 2010       2,485,383       31,371  
10 Year U.S. Treasury Notes
    (25 )     September 2010       (3,063,672 )     (32,235 )
 
 
TOTAL
                          $ 67,088  
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
39 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – 97.2%
                     
                     
    Banks – 1.8%
      151,600     People’s United Financial, Inc.   $ 2,046,600  
     
     
    Capital Goods – 5.6%
      23,700     Alliant Techsystems, Inc.*     1,470,822  
      58,600     Kennametal, Inc.     1,490,198  
      56,200     Quanta Services, Inc.*     1,160,530  
      20,890     Rockwell Automation, Inc.     1,025,490  
      22,200     Roper Industries, Inc.     1,242,312  
                     
                  6,389,352  
     
     
    Commercial & Professional Services – 3.0%
      110,800     Iron Mountain, Inc.     2,488,568  
      32,300     Verisk Analytics, Inc. Class A*     965,770  
                     
                  3,454,338  
     
     
    Consumer Durables & Apparel – 6.8%
      35,210     Fortune Brands, Inc.     1,379,528  
      145,100     Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.     2,124,264  
      36,700     Phillips-Van Heusen Corp.     1,698,109  
      34,600     Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.     2,524,416  
                     
                  7,726,317  
     
     
    Diversified Financials – 8.0%
      18,500     IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.*     2,091,055  
      46,700     Lazard Ltd. Class A     1,247,357  
      51,700     Northern Trust Corp.     2,414,390  
      169,500     SLM Corp.*     1,761,105  
      101,900     TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.*     1,559,070  
                     
                  9,072,977  
     
     
    Energy – 9.4%
      76,400     Cameron International Corp.*     2,484,528  
      12,400     Core Laboratories NV     1,830,364  
      32,300     Dril-Quip, Inc.*     1,421,846  
      84,700     Petrohawk Energy Corp.*     1,437,359  
      48,300     Southwestern Energy Co.*     1,866,312  
      21,800     Whiting Petroleum Corp.*     1,709,556  
                     
                  10,749,965  
     
     
    Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 2.1%
      61,400     Hansen Natural Corp.*     2,401,354  
     
     
    Health Care Equipment & Services – 7.5%
      26,705     C. R. Bard, Inc.     2,070,439  
      36,100     CareFusion Corp.*     819,470  
      74,800     Emdeon, Inc. Class A*     937,244  
      34,000     Henry Schein, Inc.*     1,866,600  
      78,500     St. Jude Medical, Inc.*     2,833,065  
                     
                  8,526,818  
     
     
    Household & Personal Products – 3.5%
      83,200     Avon Products, Inc.     2,204,800  
      35,600     Energizer Holdings, Inc.*     1,789,968  
                     
                  3,994,768  
    Materials – 3.6%
      60,700     Ecolab, Inc.     2,726,037  
      28,100     Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.     1,417,645  
                     
                  4,143,682  
     
     
    Media – 1.1%
      48,900     Lamar Advertising Co. Class A*     1,199,028  
     
     
    Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 5.3%
      91,800     Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*     1,725,840  
      41,700     Biogen Idec, Inc.*     1,978,665  
      38,590     Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.*     1,320,164  
      46,100     Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corp.*     972,710  
                     
                  5,997,379  
     
     
    Real Estate – 2.0%
      166,700     CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. Class A*     2,268,787  
     
     
    Retailing – 10.2%
      27,000     Advance Auto Parts, Inc.     1,354,860  
      65,200     Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*     2,417,616  
      43,300     Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.*     1,077,737  
      117,500     GameStop Corp. Class A*     2,207,825  
      5,431     Netflix, Inc.*     590,078  
      61,400     PetSmart, Inc.     1,852,438  
      112,800     Staples, Inc.     2,148,840  
                     
                  11,649,394  
     
     
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 5.7%
      58,700     Altera Corp.     1,456,347  
      41,900     Broadcom Corp. Class A     1,381,443  
      102,600     FormFactor, Inc.*     1,108,080  
      40,500     Linear Technology Corp.     1,126,305  
      55,900     Xilinx, Inc.     1,412,034  
                     
                  6,484,209  
     
     
    Software & Services – 10.4%
      32,700     Citrix Systems, Inc.*     1,380,921  
      26,120     Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A*     1,307,567  
      30,200     Equinix, Inc.*     2,452,844  
      53,600     Genpact Ltd.*     832,408  
      77,500     Global Payments, Inc.     2,831,850  
      18,000     Salesforce.com, Inc.*     1,544,760  
      95,800     The Western Union Co.     1,428,378  
                     
                  11,778,728  
     
     
    Technology Hardware & Equipment – 4.5%
      53,020     Amphenol Corp. Class A     2,082,625  
      57,400     FLIR Systems, Inc.*     1,669,766  
      37,400     NetApp, Inc.*     1,395,394  
                     
                  5,147,785  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 40


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
                     
    Telecommunication Services – 5.6%
      59,000     American Tower Corp. Class A*     2,625,500  
      41,900     Crown Castle International Corp.*     1,561,194  
      127,600     tw telecom, inc.*     2,128,368  
                     
                  6,315,062  
     
     
    Transportation – 1.1%
      22,700     C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.     1,263,482  
     
     
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    (Cost $108,718,152)   $ 110,610,025  
     
     
                     
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(a) – 3.4%
                     
                     
    JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Capital Shares
      3,899,105     0.067%   $ 3,899,105  
    (Cost $3,899,105)        
     
     
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 100.6%
    (Cost $112,617,257)   $ 114,509,130  
     
     
   
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS – (0.6)%
    (720,311 )
     
     
    NET ASSETS – 100.0%   $ 113,788,819  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
(a) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
41 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                                     
                          Growth
 
        Core Fixed
    Equity Index
    Government
    Opportunities
 
        Income Fund     Fund     Income Fund     Fund  
 
   
Assets:
                                     
   
Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers, at value (identified cost $179,776,254, $174,867,971, $81,981,265 and $112,617,257, respectively)
  $ 182,975,873     $ 168,663,387     $ 83,757,967     $ 114,509,130  
   
Cash
    189             190        
   
Foreign currencies, at value (identified cost $2,729, $0, $0 and $0, respectively)
    2,440                    
   
Receivables:
                               
   
Investment securities sold
    11,393,380       397,176       11,575,551       76,941  
   
Interest and dividends, at value
    1,102,478       230,017       241,464       57,221  
   
Due from custodian
    1,062,866                    
   
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, at value
    98,034                    
   
Reimbursement from investment adviser
    25,536       32,080       16,525       23,200  
   
Fund shares sold
    10,339       49,003       202,372       35,049  
   
Due from broker — variation margin, at value
    9,871                    
   
Other assets
    1,546       1,444       716       1,060  
     
     
   
Total assets
    196,682,552       169,373,107       95,794,785       114,702,601  
     
     
                                     
                                     
   
Liabilities:
                                     
   
Payables:
                               
   
Investment securities purchased
    12,683,633             16,170,602       641,795  
   
Due to custodian
    1,096,973             1,053,411        
   
Fund shares redeemed
    159,674       49,368       12,037       81,530  
   
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts, at value
    138,577                    
   
Amounts owed to affiliates
    100,052       79,637       50,253       116,773  
   
Due to broker — variation margin, at value
          18,705       1,330        
   
Forward sale contracts, at value (proceeds receivable $0, $0, $1,991,016 and $0, respectively)
                2,014,961        
   
Accrued expenses
    89,257       77,111       79,225       73,684  
     
     
   
Total liabilities
    14,268,166       224,821       19,381,819       913,782  
     
     
                                     
                                     
   
Net Assets:
                                     
   
Paid-in capital
    196,618,836       218,111,285       75,626,256       125,053,051  
   
Accumulated undistributed (distribution in excess of) net investment income (loss)
    (50,868 )     1,743,857       (62,105 )     (345,098 )
   
Accumulated net realized loss from investment, futures and foreign currency related transactions
    (17,590,355 )     (44,376,802 )     (971,030 )     (12,811,007 )
   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
    3,436,773       (6,330,054 )     1,819,845       1,891,873  
     
     
   
NET ASSETS
  $ 182,414,386     $ 169,148,286     $ 76,412,966     $ 113,788,819  
     
     
   
Total Service Shares of beneficial interest outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):
    18,273,152       22,061,885       7,169,725       21,281,044  
   
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:
  $ 9.98     $ 7.67     $ 10.66     $ 5.35  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 42


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Statements of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                                     
                          Growth
 
        Core Fixed
    Equity Index
    Government
    Opportunities
 
        Income Fund     Fund     Income Fund     Fund  
 
    Investment income:
                                     
    Interest   $ 3,339,268     $ 160     $ 973,088     $  
    Dividends(net of foreign taxes withheld of $0, $0, $0 and $583, respectively)     7,037       1,878,999       4,933       383,202  
    Securities lending income — affiliated issuer                       3,002  
     
     
    Total investment income     3,346,305       1,879,159       978,021       386,204  
     
     
                                     
                                     
    Expenses:
                                     
    Management fees     361,404       288,563       200,757       625,014  
    Distribution and Service fees     225,877       240,468       92,943       156,252  
    Professional fees     41,395       37,713       35,919       34,992  
    Custody and accounting fees     40,915       32,320       33,309       28,164  
    Printing and mailing costs     23,361       23,398       17,715       20,889  
    Transfer Agent fees     18,069       19,236       7,435       12,499  
    Trustee fees     6,110       6,122       6,024       6,067  
    Other     5,713       24,472       4,689       5,005  
     
     
    Total expenses     722,844       672,292       398,791       888,882  
     
     
    Less — expense reductions     (113,880 )     (149,038 )     (96,168 )     (148,867 )
     
     
    Net expenses     608,964       523,254       302,623       740,015  
     
     
    NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)     2,737,341       1,355,905       675,398       (353,811 )
     
     
                                     
                                     
    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment, futures and foreign currency related transactions:
                                     
    Net realized gain from:                                
   
Investment transactions — unaffiliated issuers
    2,173,938       1,501,717       953,428       10,261,777  
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle transactions — affiliated issuer
                      8,345  
   
Futures transactions
    866,924       3,591       164,997        
   
Foreign currency related transactions
    220,286                    
    Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on:                                
   
Investments — unaffiliated issuers
    3,446,800       (14,795,886 )     1,499,533       (15,843,438 )
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle — affiliated issuer
                      (11,661 )
   
Futures
    659,937       (144,353 )     123,632        
   
Translation of asset and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
    (147,362 )                  
     
     
   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment, futures and foreign currency related transactions
    7,220,523       (13,434,931 )     2,741,590       (5,584,977 )
     
     
    NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ 9,957,864     $ (12,079,026 )   $ 3,416,988     $ (5,938,788 )
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
43 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
 
 
                                     
        Core Fixed Income Fund     Equity Index Fund  
        For the
          For the
       
        Six Months Ended
    For the
    Six Months Ended
    For the
 
        June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
    June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
 
        (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009     (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
 
   
From operations:
                                     
   
Net investment income (loss)
  $ 2,737,341     $ 7,690,617     $ 1,355,905     $ 3,551,567  
   
Net realized gain (loss) from investment, futures and foreign currency related transactions
    3,261,148       (14,302,215 )     1,505,308       (1,910,068 )
   
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
    3,959,375       30,830,557       (14,940,239 )     40,904,634  
     
     
   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    9,957,864       24,218,959       (12,079,026 )     42,546,133  
     
     
                                     
                                     
   
Distributions to shareholders:
                                     
   
From net investment income
    (3,115,839 )     (8,665,024 )           (3,577,759 )
   
From net realized gains
                       
     
     
   
Total distributions to shareholders
    (3,115,839 )     (8,665,024 )           (3,577,759 )
     
     
                                     
                                     
   
From share transactions:
                                     
   
Proceeds from sales of shares
    7,456,727       14,192,495       1,835,050       4,799,396  
   
Reinvestment of distributions
    3,115,839       8,665,024             3,577,759  
   
Cost of shares redeemed
    (18,178,278 )     (38,211,108 )     (19,195,242 )     (36,141,486 )
     
     
   
Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions
    (7,605,712 )     (15,353,589 )     (17,360,192 )     (27,764,331 )
     
     
   
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)
    (763,687 )     200,346       (29,439,218 )     11,204,043  
     
     
                                     
                                     
   
Net assets:
                                     
   
Beginning of period
    183,178,073       182,977,727       198,587,504       187,383,461  
     
     
   
End of period
  $ 182,414,386     $ 183,178,073     $ 169,148,286     $ 198,587,504  
     
     
   
Accumulated undistributed net investment income (loss)
  $ (50,868 )   $ 327,630     $ 1,743,857     $ 387,952  
     
     
                                     
                                     
   
Summary of share transactions:
                                     
   
Shares sold
    752,954       1,552,782       219,447       700,975  
   
Shares issued on reinvestment of distributions
    316,575       949,900             434,721  
   
Shares redeemed
    (1,846,014 )     (4,216,306 )     (2,303,805 )     (5,319,029 )
     
     
   
NET DECREASE
    (776,485 )     (1,713,624 )     (2,084,358 )     (4,183,333 )
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 44


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
                                 
    Government Income Fund     Growth Opportunities Fund  
    For the
          For the
       
    Six Months Ended
    For the
    Six Months Ended
    For the
 
    June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
    June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
 
    (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009     (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
 
     
                                 
    $ 675,398     $ 2,415,372     $ (353,811 )   $ (533,107 )
     
1,118,425
      (275,170 )     10,270,122       (16,819,019 )
     

1,623,165
      2,872,208       (15,855,099 )     67,303,833  
     
     
      3,416,988       5,012,410       (5,938,788 )     49,951,707  
     
     
                                 
                                 
     
                                 
      (842,646 )     (2,806,892 )            
            (931,782 )            
     
     
      (842,646 )     (3,738,674 )            
     
     
                                 
                                 
     
                                 
      8,220,625       8,043,563       4,956,474       3,924,032  
      842,646       3,738,674              
      (9,984,865 )     (25,345,776 )     (12,938,934 )     (21,402,568 )
     
     
      (921,594 )     (13,563,539 )     (7,982,460 )     (17,478,536 )
     
     
      1,652,748       (12,289,803 )     (13,921,248 )     32,473,171  
     
     
                                 
                                 
     
                                 
      74,760,218       87,050,021       127,710,067       95,236,896  
     
     
    $ 76,412,966     $ 74,760,218     $ 113,788,819     $ 127,710,067  
     
     
    $ (62,105 )   $ 105,143     $ (345,098 )   $ 8,713  
     
     
                                 
                                 
     
                                 
      782,815       786,658       867,167       878,935  
      80,383       364,335              
      (955,306 )     (2,474,817 )     (2,258,050 )     (5,044,394 )
     
     
      (92,108 )     (1,323,824 )     (1,390,883 )     (4,165,459 )
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
45 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
 
                                                                                                     
          Income (loss) from
                                                     
          investment operations                                                      
                Net
          Distributions
                            Ratio of
    Ratio of
           
    Net asset
          realized
          to shareholders
    Net asset
          Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
           
    value,
    Net
    and
    Total from
    from net
    value,
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    income
    Portfolio
     
    beginning
    investment
    unrealized
    investment
    investment
    end of
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    to average
    turnover
     
    of period     income     gain (loss)     operations     income     period     return(a)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets     rate(b)      
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
2010
  $ 9.62     $ 0.15 (c)   $ 0.38     $ 0.53     $ (0.17 )   $ 9.98       5.54 %   $ 182,414       0.67 %(d)     0.80 %(d)     3.03 %(d)     213 %    
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
2009
    8.81       0.39 (c)     0.87       1.26       (0.45 )     9.62       14.68       183,178       0.67       0.79       4.29       187 (e)    
2008
    10.13       0.47 (c)     (1.31 )     (0.84 )     (0.48 )     8.81       (8.56 )     182,978       0.67       0.77       4.92       140      
2007
    9.94       0.48 (c)     0.17       0.65       (0.46 )     10.13       6.81       264,389       0.54 (f)     0.76 (f)     4.82 (f)     123      
2006(g)
    9.98       0.44 (c)     (0.03 )(h)     0.41       (0.45 )     9.94       4.23 (i)     285,768       0.54       0.78       4.49       265      
2005(g)
    10.29       0.42 (j)     (0.24 )     0.18       (0.49 )     9.98       1.84       332,861       0.64       0.64       4.05       110      
 
(a) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. The Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund first began operations as the Allmerica Select Investment Grade Fund (the “Predecessor AIT Fund”) of the Allmerica Investment Trust. On January 9, 2006, the Predecessor AIT Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. Performance prior to January 9, 2006 is that of the Predecessor AIT Fund. The Predecessor AIT Fund was considered the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the historical total return information of the Predecessor AIT Fund is provided. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(b) The portfolio turnover rate excluding the effect of mortgage dollar rolls is 259%, 92%, 105%, 159%(e) and 172% for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and for the six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. The prior year ratio includes the effect of mortgage dollar roll transactions.
(c) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(d) Annualized.
(e) The amount previously reported has been adjusted to exclude certain “To Be Announced” activity where a mortgage security was delivered.
(f) Includes non-recurring expense for a special shareholder meeting, which amounted to approximately 0.02% of average net assets.
(g) The Predecessor AIT Fund was the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the prior years’ financial highlights reflect the financial information of the Predecessor AIT Fund through January 8, 2006. In connection with such reorganization, the Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund issued Service Shares to the former shareholders of the Predecessor AIT Fund at $10.00 per share. Historical per-share amounts prior to the Fund reorganization have been adjusted to reflect the conversion ratio utilized for the reorganization.
(h) Reflects an increase of $0.04 due to payments received for class action settlements received this year
(i) Total return reflects the impact of payments received for class action settlements received this year. Excluding such payment, the total return would have been 3.81%.
(j) Calculated based on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) methodology.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

46


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
 
                                                                                                                     
          Income (loss) from
                                                     
          investment operations     Distributions to shareholders                                                
                Net
                                                    Ratio of
    Ratio of
           
    Net asset
          realized
                From
          Net asset
          Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
           
    value,
    Net
    and
    Total from
    From net
    net
          value,
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    income
    Portfolio
     
    beginning
    investment
    unrealized
    investment
    investment
    realized
    Total
    end of
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    to average
    turnover
     
    of period     income     gain (loss)     operations     income     gains     distributions     period     return(a)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets     rate      
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
2010
  $ 8.22     $ 0.06 (b)   $ (0.61 )   $ (0.55 )   $     $     $     $ 7.67       (6.58 )%   $ 169,148       0.54 %(c)     0.70 %(c)     1.41 %(c)     2 %    
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
2009
    6.61       0.14 (b)     1.62       1.76       (0.15 )           (0.15 )     8.22       26.28       198,588       0.59       0.68       1.97       5      
2008
    11.42       0.17 (b)     (4.46 )     (4.29 )     (0.18 )     (0.34 )     (0.52 )     6.61       (37.18 )     187,383       0.60       0.69       1.81       4      
2007
    11.04       0.18 (b)     0.41       0.59       (0.21 )           (0.21 )     11.42       5.32       364,288       0.41 (d)     0.68 (d)     1.57 (d)     8      
2006(e)
    9.71       0.16 (b)     1.34       1.50       (0.17 )           (0.17 )     11.04       15.49 (f)     438,471       0.41       0.67       1.53       4      
2005(e)
    9.43       0.13 (g)(h)     0.28       0.41       (0.13 )           (0.13 )     9.71       4.38       489,587       0.52       0.52       1.35       7      
 
(a) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. The Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund first began operations as the Allmerica Equity Index Fund (the “Predecessor AIT Fund”) of the Allmerica Investment Trust. On January 9, 2006, the Predecessor AIT Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. Performance prior to January 9, 2006 is that of the Predecessor AIT Fund. The Predecessor AIT Fund was considered the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the historical total return information of the Predecessor AIT Fund is provided. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(b) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Includes non-recurring expense for a special shareholder meeting, which amounted to approximately 0.02% of average net assets.
(e) The Predecessor AIT Fund was the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the prior years’ financial highlights reflect the financial information of the Predecessor AIT Fund through January 8, 2006. In connection with such reorganization, the Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund issued Service Shares to the former shareholders of the Predecessor AIT Fund at $10.00 per share. Historical per-share amounts prior to the Fund reorganization have been adjusted to reflect the conversion ratio utilized for the reorganization.
(f) Total return reflects the impact of a payment from previous investment manager of a merged fund to compensate for possible adverse effects of trading activity of certain contract holders of the merged fund prior to January 9, 2006 received this year. Excluding such payments, the total return would have been 15.39%.
(g) Calculated based on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) methodology.
(h) Investment income per share reflects a special dividend of $0.028 for the Predecessor AIT Fund.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

47


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
 
                                                                                                                     
          Income (loss) from
                                                     
          investment operations     Distributions to shareholders                                                
                Net
                                                    Ratio of
    Ratio of
           
    Net asset
          realized
                From
          Net asset
          Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
           
    value,
    Net
    and
    Total from
    From net
    net
          value,
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    income
    Portfolio
     
    beginning
    investment
    unrealized
    investment
    investment
    realized
    Total
    end of
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    to average
    turnover
     
    of period     income     gain (loss)     operations     income     gains     distributions     period     return(a)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets     rate(b)      
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
2010
  $ 10.29     $ 0.09 (c)   $ 0.40     $ 0.49     $ (0.12 )   $     $ (0.12 )   $ 10.66       4.76 %   $ 76,413       0.81 %(d)     1.07 %(d)     1.82 %(d)     279 %    
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
2009
    10.14       0.31 (c)     0.33       0.64       (0.36 )     (0.13 )     (0.49 )     10.29       6.44       74,760       0.81       1.05       3.01       287 (e)    
2008
    10.27       0.42 (c)     (0.11 )     0.31       (0.44 )           (0.44 )     10.14       3.14       87,050       0.81       1.04       4.12       244      
2007
    9.96       0.42 (c)     0.29       0.71       (0.40 )           (0.40 )     10.27       7.34       85,978       0.67 (f)     1.03 (f)     4.19 (f)     217      
2006(g)
    9.98       0.39 (c)     0.01       0.40       (0.42 )           (0.42 )     9.96       4.05       87,063       0.68       1.02       3.96       523      
2005(g)
    10.19       0.32 (h)     (0.16 )     0.16       (0.37 )           (0.37 )     9.98       1.55       102,769       0.74       0.74       3.18       44      
 
(a) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. The Goldman Sachs Government Income Fund first began operations as the Allmerica Government Bond Fund (the “Predecessor AIT Fund”) of the Allmerica Investment Trust. On January 9, 2006, the Predecessor AIT Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. Performance prior to January 9, 2006 is that of the Predecessor AIT Fund. The Predecessor AIT Fund was considered the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the historical total return information of the Predecessor AIT Fund is provided. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(b) The portfolio turnover rate excluding the effect of mortgage dollar rolls is 447%, 146%, 184%, 231%(e) and 191% for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and for the six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. The prior year ratio includes the effect of mortgage dollar roll transactions.
(c) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(d) Annualized.
(e) The amount previously reported has been adjusted to exclude certain “To Be Announced” activity where a mortgage security was delivered.
(f) Includes non-recurring expense for a special shareholder meeting, which amounted to approximately 0.03% of average net assets.
(g) The Predecessor AIT Fund was the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the prior years’ financial highlights reflect the financial information of the Predecessor AIT Fund through January 8, 2006. In connection with such reorganization, the Goldman Sachs Government Income Fund issued Service Shares to the former shareholders of the Predecessor AIT Fund at $10.00 per share. Historical per-share amounts prior to the Fund reorganization have been adjusted to reflect the conversion ratio utilized for the reorganization.
(h) Calculated based on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) methodology.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

48


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
 
                                                                                                     
          Income (loss) from
                                                     
          investment operations                                                      
                Net
          Distributions
                            Ratio of
    Ratio of
           
    Net asset
          realized
          to shareholders
    Net asset
          Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
           
    value,
    Net
    and
    Total from
    from net
    value,
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    loss to
    Portfolio
     
    beginning
    investment
    unrealized
    investment
    realized
    end of
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    average
    turnover
     
    of period     loss     gain (loss)     operations     gains     period     return(a)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets     rate      
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
2010
  $ 5.63     $ (0.02 )(b)   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.28 )   $     $ 5.35       (4.97 )%   $ 113,789       1.18 %(c)     1.42 %(c)     (0.57 )%(c)     27 %    
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
2009
    3.55       (0.02 )(b)     2.10       2.08             5.63       58.59       127,710       1.18       1.43       (0.50 )     71      
2008
    6.20       (0.02 )(b)     (2.52 )     (2.54 )     (0.11 )     3.55       (40.72 )     95,237       1.18       1.37       (0.32 )     78      
2007
    6.07       (0.03 )(b)     1.22       1.19       (1.06 )     6.20       19.37       200,146       1.14 (d)     1.38 (d)     (0.48 )(d)     73      
2006(e)
    9.69       (0.06 )(b)     0.68       0.62       (4.24 )     6.07       5.74       215,251       1.15       1.37       (0.60 )     82      
2005(e)
    10.90       (0.05 )(f)(g)     1.54       1.49       (2.70 )     9.69       14.68       273,823       1.15       1.15       (0.50 )     27      
 
(a) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. The Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund first began operations as the Allmerica Select Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Predecessor AIT Fund”) of the Allmerica Investment Trust. On January 9, 2006, the Predecessor AIT Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. Performance prior to January 9, 2006 is that of the Predecessor AIT Fund. The Predecessor AIT Fund was considered the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the historical total return information of the Predecessor AIT Fund is provided. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(b) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Includes non-recurring expense for a special shareholder meeting, which amounted to approximately 0.02% of average net assets.
(e) The Predecessor AIT Fund was the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the prior years’ financial highlights reflect the financial information of the Predecessor AIT Fund through January 8, 2006. In connection with such reorganization, the Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund issued Service Shares to the former shareholders of the Predecessor AIT Fund at $10.00 per share. Historical per-share amounts prior to the Fund reorganization have been adjusted to reflect the conversion ratio utilized for the reorganization.
(f) Calculated based on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) methodology.
(g) Investment income per share reflects a special dividend of $0.005 for the Predecessor AIT Fund.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

49


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
1. ORGANIZATION
 
 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust” or “VIT”) is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund, Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund, Goldman Sachs Government Income Fund and Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund (collectively, the “Funds” or individually a “Fund”). The Funds are diversified portfolios under the Act offering one class of shares — Service Shares. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs” or the “Distributor”) serves as Distributor of the Funds pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to management agreements (the “Agreements”) with the Trust.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
A. Investment Valuation — The investment valuation policy of the Funds is to value investments at market value. Investments in equity securities and investment companies traded on a United States (“U.S.”) securities exchange or the NASDAQ system are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If no sale occurs, such securities and investment companies are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued on the basis of quotations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the trustees or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value. If accurate quotations are not readily available, or if GSAM believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may be determined based on yield equivalents, a pricing matrix or other sources, under valuation procedures established by the trustees. Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price. In the absence of market quotations, broker quotes will be utilized or the security will be fair valued. Investments in investment companies (other than those that are exchange traded) are valued at the net asset value per share (“NAV”) on the valuation date. Short-term debt obligations that mature in sixty days or less and that do not exhibit signs of credit deterioration are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Funds’ NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or market closings; equipment failures; natural or man-made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; government actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; low trading volume; and trading limits or suspensions.
 
B. Security and Fund Share Transactions, and Investment Income — Security and Fund share transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date, which may cause the NAV as stated in the accompanying financial statements to be different than the NAV applied to Fund share transactions. Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, net
 
 
 
 50


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
of foreign withholding taxes, if any, which are reduced by any amounts reclaimable by the Funds, where applicable. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted. Realized gains and losses resulting from principal paydowns on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are included in interest income. In addition, it is the Funds’ policy to accrue for foreign capital gains taxes, if applicable, on certain foreign securities held by the Funds. An estimated foreign capital gains tax is recorded daily on net unrealized gains on these securities and is payable upon the sale of such securities when a gain is realized.
Net investment income (other than class specific expenses) and unrealized and realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares of the Funds based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class.
In addition, distributions received from the Funds’ investments in U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) often include a “return of capital”, which is recorded by the Funds as a reduction of the cost basis of the securities held. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) requires a REIT to distribute at least 95% of its taxable income to investors. In many cases, however, because of “non-cash” expenses such as property depreciation, a REIT’s cash flow will exceed its taxable income. The REIT may distribute this excess cash to offer a more competitive yield. This portion of the Funds’ distributions is deemed a return of capital and is generally not taxable to shareholders.
 
C. Expenses — Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not specifically relate to an individual Fund of the Trust are allocated to the Funds on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expense and are accrued daily.
 
D. Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies (mutual funds) and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provisions are required. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gains distributions, if any, are declared and paid according to the following schedule:
 
                 
    Income Distributions
    Capital Gains Distributions
 
Fund   Declared/Paid     Declared/Paid  
   
Core Fixed Income and Government Income
    Quarterly       Annually  
 
 
Equity Index and Growth Opportunities
    Annually       Annually  
 
 
 
Net capital losses are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Utilization of capital loss carryforwards will reduce the requirement of future capital gains distributions.
The characterization of distributions to shareholders for financial reporting purposes is determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from GAAP. The source of each Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from net investment income, net realized gain or capital. The Funds’ capital accounts on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character, but do not reflect temporary differences.
GSAM has reviewed the Funds’ tax positions for all open tax years (the current and prior three years, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.
 
E. Foreign Currency Translations — The books and records of the Funds are accounted for in U.S. dollars. Amounts denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis: (i) investment valuations, foreign currency and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars based upon 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time exchange rates; and (ii) purchases and sales of foreign investments, income and expenses are converted into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions represents: (i) foreign exchange gains and losses from the sale and holdings of foreign currencies; (ii) currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment security transactions and forward foreign currency exchange contracts; and (iii) gains and losses from the difference between amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the amounts actually received. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on equity securities and derivative instruments is included with the net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments on the Statements of Operations. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on fixed income securities sold during the period is included with the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions, while the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on fixed income securities held at period end is included with the net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments on the Statements of Operations. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arising from changes in the value of other assets and liabilities as a result of changes in foreign exchange rates are included as increases and decreases in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions.
 
F. Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — Certain Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date as a hedge or cross-hedge against either specific transactions, portfolio positions or to seek to increase total return. All contracts are marked to market daily at the applicable forward rate. Unrealized gains or losses on forward foreign currency exchange contracts are recorded by the Funds on a daily basis and realized gains or losses are recorded on the settlement date of a contract.
Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
The contractual amounts of forward foreign currency contracts do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered. The Funds must set aside liquid assets, or engage in other appropriate measures to cover its obligations under these contracts.
 
G. Futures Contracts — The Funds may purchase or sell futures contracts to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, currency exchange rates, or to seek to increase total return. Futures contracts are valued at the last settlement price, or in the absence of a sale, the last bid price, at the end of each day on the board of trade or exchange upon which they are traded. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds deposit cash or securities in an account on behalf of the broker in an amount sufficient to meet the initial margin requirement. Subsequent payments are made or received by the Funds equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable with a corresponding offset in unrealized gains or losses. The Funds recognize a realized gain or loss when a contract is closed or expires.
The use of futures contracts involves, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk which may exceed the amounts recognized in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Futures contracts may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day. Changes in the value of a futures contract may not directly correlate with changes in the value of the underlying securities. These risks may decrease the effectiveness of the Funds’ strategies and potentially result in a loss. The Funds must set aside liquid assets, or engage in other appropriate measures, to cover their obligations under these contracts.
 
H. Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities — The Core Fixed Income, Government Income and Growth Opportunities Funds may invest in mortgage-backed and/or asset-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by residential and/or commercial real property. These securities may include mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, real estate mortgage investment conduit pass-through or participation certificates and stripped mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed securities include securities whose principal and interest payments are collateralized by pools of assets such as auto loans, credit card receivables, leases, installment contracts and personal property. Asset-backed securities also include home equity line of credit loans and other second-lien mortgages.
 
 
 
 52


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
The value of certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities (including adjustable rate mortgage loans) may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. The value of these securities may also fluctuate in response to the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuers. Early repayment of principal on mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities may expose a Fund to the risk of earning a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Asset-backed securities may present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities because they generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. Some asset-backed securities may only have a subordinated claim on collateral. In addition, while mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may be supported by some form of government or private guarantee and/or insurance, there is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers, if any, will meet their obligations.
Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two different classes: one that receives substantially all of the interest payments (the interest-only, or “IO” and/or the high coupon rate with relatively low principal amount, or “IOette”), and the other that receives substantially all of the principal payments (the principal-only, or “PO”) from a pool of mortgage loans. Little to no principal will be received at the maturity of an IO; as a result, adjustments are made to the cost of the security on a daily basis until maturity. These adjustments are included in interest income. Payments received for PO’s are treated as a proportionate reduction to the cost basis of the securities and excess amounts are recorded gains.
 
I. Mortgage Dollar Rolls — The Core Fixed Income and Government Income Funds may enter into mortgage dollar rolls (“dollar rolls”) in which the Funds sell securities in the current month for delivery and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. The Funds treat dollar rolls as two separate transactions: one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale.
During the settlement period between sale and repurchase, the Funds will not be entitled to accrue interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Funds may decline below the repurchase price of those securities. In the event the buyer of the securities in a dollar roll transaction files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Funds’ use of proceeds from the transaction may be restricted pending a determination by, or with respect to, the other counterparty.
 
J. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities — The Core Fixed Income and Government Income Funds may invest in treasury inflation protected securities (“TIPS”), including structured bonds in which the principal amount is adjusted daily to keep pace with inflation, as measured by the U.S. Consumer Pricing Index for Urban Consumers. The adjustments to principal due to inflation/deflation are reflected as increases/decreases to interest income with a corresponding adjustment to cost. Such adjustments may have a significant impact on the Funds’ distributions and may result in a return of capital to shareholders. The repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
 
K. When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments — The Funds may purchase when-issued securities, including TBA (“To Be Announced”) securities and enter into contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued in the market. A forward commitment involves entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period. The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the settlement date. Although the Funds will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for their portfolios, the Funds may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if GSAM deems it appropriate. When purchasing a security on a when-issued basis or entering into a forward commitment, the Funds must set aside liquid assets, or engage in other appropriate measures to cover their obligations under these contracts. The Funds may dispose of or renegotiate these contracts after they have been entered into and may sell these securities before they are delivered, which may result in a capital gain or loss.
 
 
 
53 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
 
 
A. Management Agreements — Under the Agreements, GSAM manages the Funds, subject to the general supervision of the trustees.
As compensation for the services rendered pursuant to the Agreements, the assumption of the expenses related thereto and administration of the Funds’ business affairs, including providing facilities, GSAM is entitled to a management fee computed daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Funds’ average daily net assets.
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, contractual and management fees with GSAM were at the following rates:
 
                                                 
    Contractual Management Rate        
    First
    Next
    Next
    Next
    Over
    Effective
 
Fund   $1 billion     $1 billion     $3 billion     $3 billion     $8 billion     Rate  
   
Core Fixed Income
    0.40 %     0.36 %     0.34 %     0.33 %     0.32 %     0.40 %
 
 
Government Income
    0.54       0.49       0.47       0.46       0.45       0.54  
 
 
Growth Opportunities
    1.00       1.00       0.90       0.86       0.84       1.00  
 
 
 
The Agreement for the Equity Index Fund provides for a contractual management fee at an annual rate equal to 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve the following effective annual rates:
 
                         
Management Rate  
    Over $300 million -
             
$0 - $300 million   $400 million     Over $400 million     Effective Rate  
   
0.27%
    0.24 %     0.20 %     0.27 %
 
 
 
Effective July 1, 2010, GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fees for the Equity Index Fund in order to achieve the following effective annual rates:
 
             
Management Rate  
$0 - $400 million     Over $400 million  
   
  0.21 %     0.20 %
 
 
 
As authorized by the Agreement, GSAM has entered into a Sub-advisory Agreement with SSgA who serves as the sub-adviser to the Equity Index Fund and provides the day-to-day advice regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. As compensation for its services, SSgA is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly by GSAM, at the following annual rates of the Fund’s average daily net assets: 0.03% on the first $50 million, 0.02% on the next $200 million, 0.01% on the next $750 million and 0.008% over $1 billion. The effective Sub-advisory fee was 0.02% for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
B. Distribution and Service Plan — The Trust, on behalf of the Service Shares of the Funds, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly for distribution services, which may then be paid by Goldman Sachs to authorized dealers, equal to, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares. For the Growth Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs has agreed to waive distribution and services fees so as not to exceed 0.16% of average daily net assets of the Fund.
 
C. Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Funds for a fee pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of the Funds.
 
D. Other Agreements — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agent fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder
 
 
 
 54


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)
 
meetings and other extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, 0.004% of the average daily net assets of each Fund. Such Other Expenses reimbursement, if any, is computed daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Funds are not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any.
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expenses reimbursement, were as follows (in thousands):
 
                                 
          Distribution
             
    Management
    and Service
    Other Expenses
    Total Expense
 
Fund   Fee Waiver     Fee Waiver     Reimbursement     Reductions  
   
Core Fixed Income
  $     $     $ 114     $ 114  
 
 
Equity Index
    29             120       149  
 
 
Government Income
                96       96  
 
 
Growth Opportunities
          56       93       149  
 
 
 
As of June 30, 2010, the amounts owed to affiliates of the Funds were as follows (in thousands):
 
                                 
    Management
    Distribution and
    Transfer
       
Fund   Fees     Service Fees     Agent Fees     Total  
   
Core Fixed Income
  $ 60     $ 37     $ 3     $ 100  
 
 
Equity Index
    40       37       3       80  
 
 
Government Income
    33       16       1       50  
 
 
Growth Opportunities
    99       16       2       117  
 
 
 
E. Line of Credit Facility — As of June 30, 2010, the Funds participated in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of the facility, the Funds and other borrowers could increase the credit amount by an additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used solely for temporary or emergency purposes. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Funds based on the amount of the commitment that has not been utilized. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Funds did not have any borrowings under the facility. Prior to May 11, 2010, the amount available through the facility was $660,000,000.
 
F. Other Transactions with Affiliates — For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Goldman Sachs earned approximately $100, $100 and $1,000 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions executed with Goldman Sachs as the Futures Commission Merchant, on behalf of the Core Fixed Income, Government Income and Growth Opportunities Funds, respectively.
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS
 
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest
 
 
 
55 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
 
priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2 — Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
 
Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
 
The following is a summary of the Funds’ investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2010:
 
Core Fixed Income
 
                         
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
   
Assets
                       
Fixed Income
                       
U.S. Treasury and/or Other U.S. Government Obligations and Agencies
  $ 26,949,920     $ 3,046,094     $  
Municipal Debt Obligations
          3,097,011        
Corporate Obligations
          30,807,931        
Foreign Debt Obligations
    323,628       2,122,970        
Government Guarantee Obligations
          25,483,387        
Mortgage-Backed Obligations
          68,007,963        
Asset-Backed Securities
          2,205,611        
Short-term Investment
    20,931,358              
Derivatives
    280,865       98,034        
 
 
Total
  $ 48,485,771     $ 134,869,001     $  
 
 
Liabilities
                       
Derivatives
  $ (1,800 )   $ (138,577 )   $  
 
 
 
Equity Index
 
                         
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
   
Assets
                       
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments
  $ 167,058,386     $     $  
U.S. Treasury and/or Other U.S. Government Obligations and Agencies
    354,839              
Short-term Investments
    1,250,162              
 
 
Total
  $ 168,663,387     $     $  
 
 
Liabilities
                       
Derivatives
  $ (125,470 )   $     $  
 
 
 
 
 
 56


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
 
Government Income
 
                         
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
   
Assets
                       
Fixed Income
                       
U.S. Treasury and/or Other U.S. Government Obligations and Agencies
  $ 18,021,822     $ 7,122,963     $  
Government Guarantee Obligations
          9,335,786        
Mortgage-Backed Obligations
          32,056,165        
Asset-Backed Securities
          559,667        
Short-term Investment
    16,661,564              
Derivatives
    99,323              
 
 
Total
  $ 34,782,709     $ 49,074,581     $  
 
 
Liabilities
                       
Fixed Income
                       
Mortgage-Backed Obligations — Forward Sales Contracts
  $     $ (2,014,961 )   $  
Derivatives
    (32,235 )            
 
 
Total
  $ (32,235 )   $ (2,014,961 )   $  
 
 
 
Growth Opportunities
 
                         
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
   
Assets
                       
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments
  $ 110,610,025     $     $  
Short-term Investment
    3,899,105              
 
 
Total
  $ 114,509,130     $     $  
 
 
 
5. INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES
 
 
The Funds may make investments in derivative instruments, including, but not limited to, options, futures, swaps and other derivatives relating to foreign currency transactions. A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. Derivative instruments may be privately negotiated contracts (often referred to as over the counter (“OTC”) derivatives) or they may be listed and traded on an exchange. Derivative contracts may involve future commitments to purchase or sell financial instruments or commodities at specified terms on a specified date, or to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount. Derivative instruments may involve a high degree of financial risk. The use of derivatives also involves the risk of loss if the investment adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices. Investments in derivative instruments also include the risk of default by the counterparty, the risk that the investment may not be liquid and the risk that a small movement in the price of the underlying security or benchmark may result in a disproportionately large movement, unfavorable or favorable, in the price of the derivative instrument.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
5. INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES (continued)
 
The following table sets forth the gross value of the Funds’ derivative contracts for trading activities by certain risk types as of June 30, 2010. The values in the table below exclude the effects of cash collateral received or posted pursuant to derivative contracts, and therefore are not representative of the Funds’ net exposure.
 
Core Fixed Income
 
                           
    Statements of
          Statements of
     
    Assets and Liabilities
          Assets and Liabilities
     
Risk   Location   Assets       Location   Liabilities  
   
Interest rate
  Due from broker — variation margin, at value   $ 280,865 (a)     Due to broker — variation margin, at value   $ (1,800 )(a)
Currency
  Receivables for forward foreign currency exchange contracts, at value     98,034       Payables for forward foreign currency exchange contracts, at value     (138,577 )
 
 
Total
      $ 378,899           $ (140,377 )
 
 
 
                           
        Statements of
             
        Assets and Liabilities
             
Risk   Fund   Location   Assets       Liabilities  
   
Equity
  Equity Index   Due to broker — variation margin, at value   $       $ (125,470 )(a)
 
 
Interest rate
  Government Income   Due from broker/Due to broker — variation margin, at value     99,323         (32,235 )(a)
 
 
 
(a) Includes unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts described in the Additional Investment Information sections of the Schedules of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
 
The following table sets forth by certain risk types the Funds’ gains (losses) related to derivative activities and their indicative volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2010. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that derivative contracts may have been executed to economically hedge securities and accordingly, gains or losses on derivative contracts may offset losses or gains attributable to securities. These gains (losses) are included in “Net realized gain (loss)” or “Net change in unrealized gain (loss)” on the Statements of Operations:
 
Core Fixed Income
 
                               
              Net Change in
      Average
 
        Net Realized Gain
    Unrealized Gain
      Number of
 
Risk   Statements of Operations Location   (Loss)     (Loss)       Contracts(a)  
   
Interest rate
  Net realized gain (loss) from futures transactions/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures   $ 866,924     $ 659,937         238  
Currency
  Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency related transactions/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies     430,548       147,440         120  
 
 
        $ 1,297,472     $ 807,377         358  
 
 
 
 
 
 58


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
 
5. INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES (continued)
 
The following table represents gains (losses) which are included in “Net realized gain (loss) from future transactions” and “Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures” in the Statements of Operations.
 
                               
              Net Change in
      Average
 
        Net Realized Gain
    Unrealized Gain
      Number of
 
Risk   Fund   (Loss)     (Loss)       Contracts(a)  
   
Equity
  Equity Index   $ 3,591     $ (144,353 )       46  
 
 
Interest rate
  Government Income     164,997       123,632         96  
 
 
 
(a) Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
6. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
 
 
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the six months ended June 30, 2010, were as follows:
 
                                 
                      Sales and
 
          Purchases
    Sales and
    Maturities
 
    Purchases of U.S.
    (Excluding U.S.
    Maturities of U.S.
    (Excluding U.S.
 
    Government and
    Government and
    Government and
    Government and
 
Fund   Agency Obligations     Agency Obligations)     Agency Obligations     Agency Obligations)  
   
Core Fixed Income
  $ 334,726,631     $ 31,473,780     $ 345,339,650     $ 42,863,080  
 
 
Equity Index
          3,725,956             19,247,423  
 
 
Government Income
    194,852,940       987,656       204,930,055       3,336,463  
 
 
Growth Opportunities
          33,425,842             42,536,138  
 
 
 
7. SECURITIES LENDING
 
 
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the terms and conditions contained therein, the Growth Opportunities Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“GSAL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, to certain qualified borrowers including Goldman Sachs and affiliates. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending procedures, the Fund receives cash collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Fund or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan.
The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Enhanced Portfolio of Boston Global Investment Trust (“Enhanced Portfolio”), a Delaware statutory trust. The Enhanced Portfolio, deemed an affiliate of the Trust, is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the Act and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive an investment advisory fee of up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Enhanced Portfolio. The Enhanced Portfolio invests primarily in short-term investments, but is not a “money market fund” subject to the requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the Act. The Fund’s investment of cash collateral in the Enhanced Portfolio is subject to a net asset value that may fall or rise due to market and credit conditions. Effective May 26, 2010, the Fund is no longer participating in the securities lending program.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
7. SECURITIES LENDING (continued)
 
Both the Fund and GSAL received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amounts earned by the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2010, are reported under Investment Income on the Statements of Operations. A portion of this amount, $1,913, represents compensation earned by the Fund from lending its securities to Goldman Sachs. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAL earned $325 in fees as securities lending agent for the Fund.
The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Enhanced Portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2010:
 
                                         
    Number of
                Number of
       
    Shares Held
                Shares Held
    Value at
 
Fund   Beginning of Period     Shares Bought     Shares Sold     End of Period     End of Period  
   
Growth Opportunities
    11,691       5,153       (16,844 )         $  
 
 
 
8. TAX INFORMATION
 
 
As of the most recent fiscal year end, December 31, 2009, the Funds’ capital loss carryforwards and certain timing differences on a tax-basis were as follows:
 
                                 
    Core Fixed
    Equity
    Government
    Growth
 
    Income     Index     Income     Opportunities  
   
Capital loss carryforward:1
                               
Expiring 2010
  $     $ (13,380,657 )   $     $  
Expiring 2011
          (8,097,717 )            
Expiring 2012
          (2,961,297 )            
Expiring 2014
    (4,813,823 )                  
Expiring 2017
    (5,639,128 )     (4,082,503 )           (18,895,925 )
 
 
Total capital loss carryforward
  $ (10,452,951 )   $ (28,522,174 )   $     $ (18,895,925 )
 
 
Timing differences (post-October losses and straddle loss deferral)
  $ (10,779,188 )   $ 1,318     $ (2,142,524 )   $ (718,959 )
 
 
 
1 Expiration occurs on December 31 of the year indicated. Utilization of these losses may be substantially limited under the Code.
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Funds’ aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes was as follows:
 
                                 
    Core Fixed
    Equity
    Government
    Growth
 
    Income     Index     Income     Opportunities  
   
Tax cost
  $ 179,776,490     $ 192,167,020     $ 81,985,607     $ 116,034,681  
 
 
Gross unrealized gain
    5,968,496       30,981,477       2,360,064       12,432,183  
Gross unrealized loss
    (2,769,113 )     (54,485,110 )     (587,704 )     (13,957,734 )
 
 
Net unrealized security gain (loss)
  $ 3,199,383     $ (23,503,633 )   $ 1,772,360     $ (1,525,551 )
 
 
 
The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses), as of the most recent fiscal year end, is attributable primarily to wash sales, net mark to market gains (losses) on regulated futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts and differences related to the tax treatment of partnership and underlying fund investments and securities on loan.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
 
9. OTHER RISKS
 
 
Funds’ Shareholder Concentration Risk — Certain participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of the Funds’ shares. Redemptions by these participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates in the Funds may impact the Funds’ liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force the Funds to sell securities, which may increase the Funds’ brokerage costs.
 
Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, the Funds trade financial instruments and enter into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, the Funds may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Funds have unsettled or open transaction defaults.
 
10. INDEMNIFICATIONS
 
 
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, GSAM believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
 
11. OTHER MATTERS
 
 
Legal Proceedings — On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Goldman Sachs and one of its employees alleging that they made materially misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007 private placement of securities relating to a synthetic collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional investors. On July 14, 2010, the SEC and Goldman Sachs entered into a consent agreement settling this action. On July 20, 2010, the U.S. District Court entered a final judgment approving the settlement.
Neither Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. or Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (collectively “GSAM”, for purposes of this note only) nor any GSAM-managed funds were named in the complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint did not seek any penalties against them or against any employee who is or has been part of GSAM.
GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have received temporary exemptive relief from the SEC to permit them to continue serving as investment adviser and principal underwriter for U.S.-registered mutual funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the operation of mutual funds, they would otherwise have become ineligible to perform these activities as a result of the District Court’s final judgment. GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have applied for final exemptive relief. While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
Goldman Sachs and/or other affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive notices and requests for information from various regulators, and have become or may in the future become involved in legal proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the SEC or other matters. In the view of Goldman Sachs and GSAM, neither the matters alleged in any such similar proceedings nor their eventual resolution are likely to have a material affect on the ability of Goldman Sachs, GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to GSAM-managed funds.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
 
Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Other than the item discussed below, GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreements (Unaudited)
 
Background
 
The Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income, Goldman Sachs Government Income, Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities and Goldman Sachs Equity Index Funds (the “Funds”) are investment portfolios of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees oversees the management of the Trust and reviews the investment performance and expenses of the Funds at regularly scheduled meetings held during the year. In addition, the Board of Trustees determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Trust’s investment management agreements (the “Management Agreements”) with Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) on behalf of the Funds and the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”, and together with the Management Agreements, the “Agreements”) between the Investment Adviser and SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Sub-Adviser”) on behalf of the Equity Index Fund.
 
The Agreements were most recently approved for continuation until June 30, 2011 by the Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not parties to the Agreements or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”), at a meeting held on June 16-17, 2010 (the “Annual Meeting”).
 
The review process undertaken by the Trustees spans the course of the year and culminates with the Annual Meeting. To assist the Trustees in their deliberations, the Trustees have established a Contract Review Committee (the “Committee”), comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Committee held three meetings over the course of the year, since last approving the Agreements. At those Committee meetings, regularly scheduled Board meetings and/or the Annual Meeting, the Board, or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, considered matters relating to the Management Agreements, including:
 
(a) the nature and quality of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Funds by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including information about:
 
(i) the structure, staff and capabilities of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio management teams;
 
(ii) the groups within the Investment Adviser and its affiliates that support the portfolio management teams or provide other types of necessary services, including fund services groups (e.g., accounting and financial reporting, tax, shareholder services and operations), controls and risk management groups (e.g., legal, compliance, valuation oversight, credit risk management, internal audit, market risk analysis and finance and strategy), sales and distribution support groups and others (e.g., information technology and training);
 
(iii) trends in headcount;
 
(iv) the Investment Adviser’s financial resources and ability to hire and retain talented personnel and strengthen its operations; and
 
(v) the parent company’s support of the Investment Adviser and its mutual fund business, as expressed by the firm’s senior management;
 
(b) information on the investment performance of the Funds, including comparisons to the performance of similar mutual funds, as provided by a third party mutual fund data provider engaged as part of the contract review process (the “Outside Data Provider”), and benchmark performance indices, and general investment outlooks in the markets in which the Funds invest;
 
(c) the terms of the Management Agreements and agreements with affiliated service providers entered into by the Trust on behalf of the Funds;
 
(d) expense information for the Funds, including:
 
(i) the relative management fee and expense levels of the Funds as compared to those of comparable funds managed by other advisers, as provided by the Outside Data Provider;
 
(ii) each Fund’s expense trends over time; and
 
(iii) to the extent the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Funds, comparative information on the advisory fees charged and services provided to those accounts by the Investment Adviser;
 
(e) with respect to the extensive investment performance and expense comparison data provided by the Outside Data Provider, its processes in producing that data for the Funds;
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreements (Unaudited) (continued)
 
(f) the undertakings of the Investment Adviser to waive certain fees (with respect to the Equity Index Fund) and reimburse certain expenses of each of the Funds that exceed specified levels; the undertaking of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), the Funds’ distributor, to waive a portion of the distribution and service fees paid by the Growth Opportunities Fund; and a summary of contractual fee reductions made by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates over the past several years with respect to the Funds;
 
(g) information relating to the profitability of the Management Agreements and the transfer agency and distribution and service arrangements of each of the Funds and the Trust as a whole to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates;
 
(h) potential economies of scale, if any, and the levels of breakpoints in the fees payable by the Core Fixed Income, Government Income and Growth Opportunities Funds under their Management Agreement;
 
(i) a summary of the “fall-out” benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Funds, including the fees received by the Investment Adviser’s affiliates from the Funds for transfer agency, securities lending (in the case of the Growth Opportunities Fund), portfolio brokerage (in the case of the Growth Opportunities and Equity Index Funds (the “Equity Funds”)), distribution and other services;
 
(j) a summary of potential benefits derived by the Funds as a result of their relationship with the Investment Adviser;
 
(k) commission rates paid by the Equity Funds, an update on the Investment Adviser’s soft dollars practices (in the case of the Equity Funds) and other portfolio trading related issues;
 
(l) the manner in which portfolio manager compensation is determined, the alignment of the interests of the Funds and of the portfolio managers and related potential conflicts of interest; and the number and types of accounts managed by the portfolio managers;
 
(m) the nature and quality of the services provided to the Funds by their unaffiliated service providers (including the Equity Index Fund’s Sub-Adviser), and the Investment Adviser’s general oversight and evaluation (including reports on due diligence) of those service providers as part of the administration services provided under the Management Agreements; and
 
(n) the Investment Adviser’s processes and policies addressing various types of potential conflicts of interest; its approach to risk management; the annual review of the effectiveness of the Funds’ compliance program; and compliance reports.
 
The Trustees also received an overview of the Funds’ distribution arrangements. They received information regarding the Funds’ assets, share purchase and redemption activity and the payment of Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees by the Funds. Information was also provided to the Trustees relating to revenue sharing payments made by and services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to intermediaries that promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of Fund shares.
 
The presentations made at the Board and Committee meetings and at the Annual Meeting encompassed the Funds and other mutual fund portfolios for which the Board of Trustees has responsibility. In evaluating the Management Agreements at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees relied upon their knowledge, resulting from their meetings and other interactions throughout the year, of the Investment Adviser, its affiliates, their services and the Funds. In conjunction with these meetings, the Trustees received written materials and oral presentations on the topics covered, and were advised by their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities and other regulatory requirements related to the approval and continuation of mutual fund investment management agreements under applicable law. During the course of their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel, without representatives of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates present. The Independent Trustees also discussed the broad range of other investment choices that are available to Fund investors, including the availability of comparable funds managed by other advisers.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided Under the Management Agreements
 
As part of their review, the Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Adviser. In this regard, the Trustees considered both the investment advisory services, and the other, non-advisory services, that are provided to the Funds by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. The Independent Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser had committed substantial financial and operational resources to the Funds and expressed confidence that the Investment Adviser would continue to do so in the future. The Trustees also observed that the Investment Adviser had made significant commitments to address regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Funds and the Investment Adviser.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreements (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Investment Performance
 
The Trustees also considered the investment performance of the Funds and the Investment Adviser. In this regard, they compared the investment performance of each Fund to the performance rankings and ratings compiled by the Outside Data Provider. This information on each Fund’s investment performance relative to that of its peers was provided for the one-and three-year periods ended December 31, 2009. The Trustees also reviewed each Fund’s investment performance over time on a year-by-year basis relative to its performance benchmark. In addition, they considered the investment performance trends of the Funds over time, and reviewed the investment performance of each Fund in light of its investment objective and policies and market conditions (and credit and duration parameters, in the case of the Core Fixed Income and Government Income Funds (the “Fixed Income Funds”)). The Trustees considered whether each Fund had operated within its investment policies and had complied with its investment limitations.
 
In addition, the Trustees considered materials prepared and presentations made by the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer and portfolio management personnel, in which Fund performance was assessed. The Trustees also considered the Investment Adviser’s periodic reports with respect to the Funds’ risk profiles, and how the Investment Adviser’s approach to risk monitoring and management influences portfolio management.
 
With respect to the Fixed Income Funds, the Trustees believed that they were providing investment performance within a competitive range for long-term investors and noted that the Fixed Income Funds outperformed their respective benchmarks for the one-year period ended December 31, 2009. They also noted that the Fixed Income Funds ranked in the top half of their respective peer groups for the one-year period ended December 31, 2009. The Trustees recognized that despite a challenging track record over the three-year and five-year time period ended December 31, 2009 for the Core Fixed Income Fund, the recent performance of the Fixed Income Funds was generally strong. The Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit each Fixed Income Fund and its shareholders. The Trustees also concluded that the Growth Opportunities and Equity Index Funds each were providing investment performance within a competitive range for long-term investors, and noted that the Growth Opportunities Fund outperformed its benchmark and ranked in the top half of its peer group in 2009. The Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit each Equity Fund and its shareholders.
 
Costs of Services Provided and Competitive Information
 
The Trustees considered the contractual fee rates payable by each Fund under its respective Management Agreement and payable by the Investment Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement. In this regard, the Trustees considered information on the services rendered by the Investment Adviser to the Funds, which included both advisory and administrative services that were directed to the needs and operations of the Funds as registered mutual funds.
 
In particular, the Trustees reviewed analyses prepared by the Outside Data Provider regarding the expense rankings of the Funds. The analyses provided a comparison of the Funds’ management fees and breakpoints (as applicable) to those of relevant peer groups and category universes; an expense analysis which compared each Fund’s expenses to a peer group and a category universe; and a four-year history comparing each Fund’s expenses to the peer and category averages. The analyses also compared each Fund’s transfer agency fees, custody and accounting fees, distribution fees, other expenses and fee waivers/reimbursements to those of other funds in the peer group and the peer group median. The Trustees concluded that the comparisons provided by the Outside Data Provider were useful in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees and total expenses paid by the Funds.
 
In addition, the Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s undertakings to limit the Funds’ “other expenses” ratios (excluding certain expenses) to certain specified levels and to waive a portion of the contractual management fees paid by the Equity Index Fund, as well as Goldman Sachs’ undertaking to waive a portion of the distribution and service fees paid by the Growth Opportunities Fund’s Service Shares. They also considered, to the extent that the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Funds, comparative fee information for services provided by the Investment Adviser to those accounts, and information that indicated that services provided to the Funds differed in various significant respects from the services provided to institutional accounts, which generally operated under less stringent legal and regulatory structures, required fewer services from the Investment Adviser to a smaller number of client contact points, were less time-intensive and paid lower fees. By contrast, the Trustees noted that the Investment Adviser provides substantial administrative services to the Funds under the terms of the Management Agreements.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreements (Unaudited) (continued)
 
In addition, the Trustees noted that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares at any time if they believe that the Fund fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
 
Profitability
 
The Trustees reviewed the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins with respect to the Trust and each of the Funds. In this regard the Trustees noted that they had received, among other things, profitability analyses and summaries, revenue and expense schedules by Fund and by function (i.e., investment management, transfer agency and distribution and service) and the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology. They observed that the profitability and expense figures are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Adviser for many internal purposes, including compensation decisions among various business groups, and are thus subject to a vigorous internal debate about how certain revenue and expenses should be allocated. The Trustees also reviewed the report of the internal audit group within the Goldman Sachs organization, which included an assessment of the reasonableness and consistency of the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology and an evaluation of the accuracy of the Investment Adviser’s profitability analysis calculations. Profitability data for the Trust and each Fund were provided for 2009 and 2008, and the Trustees considered this information in relation to the Investment Adviser’s overall profitability. The Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins both in absolute terms and in comparison to information on the reported pre-tax profit margins earned by certain other asset management firms.
 
Economies of Scale
 
The Trustees considered the information that had been provided regarding the Investment Adviser’s profitability and (as applicable) the rationale for the Funds’ breakpoint structure. The Trustees also considered the breakpoints in the fee rate payable under the Management Agreement for the Core Fixed Income, Government Income and Growth Opportunities Funds at the following annual percentage rates of the average daily net assets of the Funds:
 
                         
                Growth
 
    Core Fixed
    Government
    Opportunities
 
    Income Fund     Income Fund     Fund  
   
First $1 billion
    0.40 %     0.54 %     1.00 %
Next $1 billion
    0.36       0.49       1.00  
Next $3 billion
    0.34       0.47       0.90  
Next $3 billion
    0.33       0.46       0.86  
Over $8 billion
    0.32       0.45       0.84  
 
The Trustees noted that the breakpoints at the $5 and $8 billion asset levels had been proposed by the Investment Adviser and approved by the Trustees in 2008 to further share potential economies of scale, if any, with the Funds and their shareholders as assets under management reach those asset levels. The Trustees considered the amounts of assets in the Funds; the Funds’ recent share purchase and redemption activity; the information provided by the Investment Adviser relating to the costs of the services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and their realized profits; information comparing fee rates charged by the Investment Adviser with fee rates charged to other funds in the peer group; and the Investment Adviser’s undertakings to limit fees (with respect to Equity Index Fund) and other expenses (with respect to all of the Funds) to certain amounts. Upon reviewing these matters at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees concluded that the fee breakpoints represented a means of assuring that benefits of scalability would be passed along to shareholders at the specified asset levels.
 
With respect to the Equity Index Fund, the Trustees noted that its Management Agreement did not have breakpoints. The Trustees considered the amounts of assets in the Fund; the Fund’s recent share purchase and redemption activity; the information provided by the Investment Adviser relating to the costs of the services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and their realized profits; and information comparing the contractual fee rate charged by the Investment Adviser with fee rates charged by other, unaffiliated investment managers to other variable annuity index funds. The Trustees noted that the fees actually paid by the Fund were reduced by the Investment Adviser’s undertakings to limit the management fee rate (with the amount of the waiver in percentage terms increasing as assets under management increase) and certain “other expenses” to certain amounts.
 
 
 
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Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreements (Unaudited) (continued)
 
The Trustees also considered and approved the following breakpoints in the contractual fee rate (paid by the Investment Adviser) in the Sub-Advisory Agreement:
 
         
    Equity Index Fund
 
    (Sub-Advisory Fee)  
   
First $50 million
    0.03 %
Next $200 million
    0.02  
Next $750 million
    0.01  
Over $1 billion
    0.008  
 
Other Benefits to the Investment Adviser and Its Affiliates
 
The Trustees also considered the other benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Funds as stated above, including: (a) transfer agency fees received by Goldman Sachs; (b) brokerage and futures commissions earned by Goldman Sachs for executing certain securities transactions (on behalf of the Equity Funds) and futures transactions (on behalf of all of the Funds); (c) research received by the Investment Adviser from broker-dealers in exchange for executing certain transactions on behalf of the Growth Opportunities Fund; (d) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Funds with those for other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (e) in the case of the Growth Opportunities Fund, fees earned during a portion of the year by Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, as securities lending agent for the Fund (and fees earned by the Investment Adviser for managing the portfolio in which the Fund’s cash collateral was invested); (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage the infrastructure designed to service the Funds on behalf of its other clients; (g) the Investment Adviser’s ability to cross-market other products and services to Fund shareholders; (h) Goldman Sachs’ retention of certain fees as Fund Distributor; (i) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate better pricing with custodians on behalf of its other clients, as a result of the relationship with the Funds; and (j) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage relationships with the Funds’ third party service providers to attract more firmwide business. In the course of considering the foregoing, the Independent Trustees requested and received further information quantifying certain of the fall-out benefits. In looking at the benefits to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending and the Investment Adviser from the securities lending program, they noted that the Growth Opportunities Fund also benefited from its participation in the securities lending program.
 
Other Benefits to the Funds and Their Shareholders
 
The Trustees also noted that the Funds receive certain potential benefits as a result of their relationship with the Investment Adviser, including: (a) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Funds with those of other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (b) improved servicing and pricing from vendors because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (c) improved servicing from broker-dealers because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (d) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate favorable terms with derivatives counterparties as a result of the size and reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (e) the advantages gained from the Investment Adviser’s knowledge and experience gained from managing other accounts and products; (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to hire and retain qualified personnel to provide services to the Funds because of the reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (g) the Funds’ access, through the Investment Adviser, to certain firmwide resources (e.g., proprietary databases); and (h) the Funds’ access to certain affiliated distribution channels. The Trustees noted the competitive nature of the mutual fund marketplace, and noted further that many of the Funds’ shareholders invested in the Funds in part because of the Funds’ relationship with the Investment Adviser and that those shareholders have a general expectation that the relationship will continue.
 
Approval of Sub-Advisory Agreement
 
The Trustees concluded that the Sub-Advisory Agreement with respect to the Equity Index Fund should be continued and approved. In reaching this determination, they relied on the information provided by the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. The Trustees noted that the Fund commenced operations in January 2006, and reviewed the Fund’s operations and investment performance since then. The Trustees reviewed the respective services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser under its Management Agreement and by the Sub-Adviser under its Sub-Advisory Agreement. They considered the Sub-Adviser’s strong record in tracking the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, in accordance with the investment objective of the Fund. They also considered the Sub-Adviser’s experience in index investing and its compliance policies and procedures and code of ethics. They considered the contractual management fee rate received by the
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreements (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Sub-Adviser (along with the breakpoints in the fee schedule) and noted that the compensation paid to the Sub-Adviser was paid by the Investment Adviser, not by the Fund, and that the retention of the Sub-Adviser does not increase the fees incurred by the Fund for advisory services. After deliberation and consideration of the information provided, the Trustees concluded that the sub-advisory fee to be paid by the Investment Adviser to the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Equity Index Fund is reasonable in light of the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s reasonably foreseeable asset levels, and that the Sub-Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued until June 30, 2011.
 
Conclusion
 
In connection with their consideration of the Management Agreements, the Trustees gave weight to each of the factors described above, but did not identify any particular factor as controlling their decision. After deliberation and consideration of all of the information provided, including the factors described above, the Trustees concluded, in the exercise of their business judgment, that the management fees paid by each of the Funds were reasonable in light of the services provided to it by the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser’s costs and each Fund’s current and reasonably foreseeable asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the Management Agreements should be approved and continued with respect to each applicable Fund until June 30, 2011.
 
 
 
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Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of the Service Shares of the Funds, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
 
The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
 
Actual Expenses — The first line under each share class in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The second line under each share class in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Funds, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees, or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. The second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.
 
                                                                                                                         
      Core Fixed Income Fund     Equity Index Fund     Government Income Fund     Growth Opportunities Fund
                  Expenses
                Expenses
                Expenses
                Expenses
                  Paid for the
                Paid for the
                Paid for the
                Paid for the
      Beginning
    Ending
    6 Months
    Beginning
    Ending
    6 Months
    Beginning
    Ending
    6 Months
    Beginning
    Ending
    6 Months
      Account Value
    Account Value
    Ended
    Account Value
    Account Value
    Ended
    Account Value
    Account Value
    Ended
    Account Value
    Account Value
    Ended
      1/1/10     6/30/10     6/30/10*     1/1/10     6/30/10     6/30/10*     1/1/10     6/30/10     6/30/10*     1/1/10     6/30/10     6/30/10*
Actual
    $ 1,000       $ 1,055.40       $ 3.41       $ 1,000       $ 934.20       $ 2.59       $ 1,000       $ 1,047.60       $ 4.11       $ 1,000       $ 950.30       $ 5.71  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,021.47 +       3.36         1,000         1,022.12 +       2.71         1,000         1,020.78 +       4.06         1,000         1,018.94 +       5.91  
 
 
* Expenses are calculated using each Fund’s annualized net expense ratio, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized net expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the fiscal year. The annualized net expense ratios for the period were as follows:
 
         
Fund    
 
Core Fixed Income
    0.67 %
Equity Index
    0.54  
Government Income
    0.81  
Growth Opportunities
    1.18  
 
 
 
+ Hypothetical expenses are based on each Fund’s actual annualized net expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses.
 
 

69


 

 
     
TRUSTEES
  OFFICERS
Ashok N. Bakhru, Chairman
  James A. McNamara, President
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
  George F. Travers, Principal Financial Officer
Diana M. Daniels
  Peter V. Bonanno, Secretary
Patrick T. Harker
  Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer
James A. McNamara
   
Jessica Palmer
   
Alan A. Shuch
   
Richard P. Strubel
   
     
     
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
   
     
     
     
 
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
200 West Street, New York, New York 10282    
     
     
     
 
Visit our Web site at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns.
     
     
 
The reports concerning the Funds included in this shareholder report may contain certain forward-looking statements about the factors that may affect the performance of the Funds in the future. These statements are based on Fund management’s predictions and expectations concerning certain future events and their expected impact on the Funds, such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors, changes in the levels of interest rates, the impact of developing world events, and other factors that may influence the future performance of the Funds. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual events may cause adjustments in portfolio management strategies from those currently expected to be employed.
Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect our judgment as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. These forecasts do not take into account the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. These forecasts are subject to high levels of uncertainty that may affect actual performance. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. These forecasts are estimated, based on assumptions, and are subject to significant revision and may change materially as economic and market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide updates or changes to these forecasts. Case studies and examples are for illustrative purposes only.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-621-2550; and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Funds’ first and third fiscal quarters. When available, the Funds’ Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may also be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.
The Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (“MSCI”) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) and is licensed for use by Goldman Sachs. Neither MSCI, S&P nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Holdings and allocations shown may not be representative of current or future investments. Holdings and allocations may not include the Funds’ entire investment portfolio, which may change at any time. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities.
     
     
     
    Toll Free (in U.S.): 800-292-4726
     
 
This material is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or summary prospectus, if applicable. Investors should consider a Fund’s objective, risks, and charges and expenses, and read the summary prospectus, if available, and/or the Prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. The summary prospectus, if available, and the Prospectus contain this and other information about a Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling 1-800-621-2550.
This report is prepared for the general information of contract owners and is not an offer of shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust Funds.
     
     
 
Copyright 2010 Goldman, Sachs & Co. All rights reserved.
     
VITSVCSAR10/39374.MF.TMPL/08-10    


 

 
Goldman
Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Large Cap Value Fund
 
 
 
 
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2010
LOGO


 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

Principal Investment Strategies and Risks
 
Shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Fund are not offered directly to the general public. The variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are described in the separate prospectuses issued by participating insurance companies. You should refer to those prospectuses for information about surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees and other charges that may be assessed by participating insurance companies under the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies. Such fees or charges, if any, may affect the return you realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider the Fund’s objective, risks and charges and expenses, and read the Prospectus carefully before investing. The Prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.
 
The Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund invests primarily in large-capitalization U.S. equity investments and also invests in fixed income securities. The Fund’s equity investments will be subject to market risk so that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions. Investments in fixed income securities are subject to the risks associated with debt securities, including credit and interest rate risk.
 
The Fund may invest in foreign securities, which may be more volatile and less liquid than investments in U.S. securities and will be subject to the risks of currency fluctuations and sudden economic or political developments. At times, the Fund may be unable to sell certain of its portfolio securities without a substantial drop in price, if at all.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs Value Portfolio Management Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund (formerly, Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund) (the “Fund”) perform during the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2010?
 
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 (the “Reporting Period”), the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated cumulative total returns, without sales charges, of -8.30% and -8.41%, respectively. These returns compare to the -5.12% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index (with dividends reinvested) (the “Russell Index”) during the same time period.
 
Were there any significant changes in the Fund’s investment approach during the Reporting Period?
 
Effective April 30, 2010, the Goldman Sachs VIT Growth and Income Fund was renamed “Goldman Sachs VIT Large Cap Value Fund”. The Fund’s performance benchmark and anticipated fees and expenses remained the same, but the investment objective and strategies of the Fund did change. The Fund’s objective is now long-term capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in large cap U.S. issuers with public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) within the range of the market capitalization of companies constituting the Russell Index at the time of investment. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the security. As of March 1, 2010, the capitalization range of the Russell Index was between $240 million and $309 billion. The Fund seeks its investment objective by investing in value opportunities that the Investment Adviser defines as companies with identifiable competitive advantages whose intrinsic value is not reflected in the stock price. Although the Fund will invest primarily in publicly traded U.S. securities, it may invest up to 25% of its Net Assets in foreign securities, including securities quoted in foreign currencies. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its Net Assets in fixed income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
 
What economic and market factors most influenced the equity markets as a whole during the Reporting Period?
 
U.S. equity markets, like the broader global equity markets, broke a four-quarter winning streak with a sharp drop in the second quarter of 2010 that erased gains from the first quarter of the year and sent most major indices into negative territory for the Reporting Period overall. The Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index, which represents the US large-cap equity market, fell more than 11% during the second quarter, in line with the performance of the MSCI World Index, which is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. As of May 27, 2010 the MSCI World Index consisted of the following 24 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Broad-based weakness produced negative returns for all sectors in the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index although more defensive sectors, such as consumer staples, telecommunication services and utilities fared slightly better than index averages.
 
While the performance of both U.S. and international equity markets largely reflected investor concern that Europe’s sovereign debt dilemma would spark another financial crisis, attention was also increasingly focused on evidence that the global economy was losing steam. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (the Fed) remained cautious on economic growth. Consumers were wary, and private sector payroll growth was weaker than expected. Additionally, fears of slowing Chinese demand hit commodity prices, while high crude oil inventory levels and BP’s disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico further pressured energy stocks. The financials sector was among the weakest in the second quarter, as significant financial
 
 
 2


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

reform legislation neared the final stages, and investors contemplated the impact to margins, earnings and multiples of banks.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
Stock selection overall detracted most from the Fund’s performance relative to the Russell Index during the Reporting Period.
 
Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Effective stock selection in the materials, telecommunication services and industrials sectors helped the Fund’s performance most relative to the Russell Index. Detracting most from the Fund’s relative results was stock selection in the financials, health care and consumer discretionary sectors, where company-specific issues weighed on certain holdings.
 
What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?
 
The Fund benefited most relative to the Russell Index from positions in telecommunications giant Sprint Nextel and diversified mining and natural resources company Cliffs Natural Resources.
 
Shares of Sprint Nextel advanced modestly, as the company reported its first sequential increase in operating revenues in several years, as well as lower customer turnover, a key indicator for its turnaround story. After a positive earnings report in April, the company continued to gain momentum in May as investors grew more confident in its turnaround. We remained encouraged by the company’s progress, particularly in reducing churn and rolling out fourth generation (4G). By the end of the Reporting Period, we had trimmed the Fund’s position in Sprint Nextel, taking profits on strength.
 
Cliffs Natural Resources, the only public iron ore company in the U.S., performed well during the Reporting Period, benefiting from improved volume, lower fixed costs and higher pricing. The company’s shares also rose as it reported better-than-anticipated earnings and raised guidance. We trimmed the Fund’s position in Cliffs Natural Resources as it approached our price target.
 
Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
Detracting most from the Fund’s results relative to its benchmark index were positions in independent oil and natural gas producer Range Resources and medical products company Baxter International.
 
Range Resources’ shares were negatively affected by weak natural gas prices. Also, there was investor concern over a possible moratorium on drilling in Pennsylvania that would hurt the company’s business. In a related manner, there were worries about potential headwinds from competitor accidents in the field and further regulation. We continued to like this position with a long-term perspective, as Range Resources has a high quality safety standard such that new regulation, in our view, would hurt them less on a cost basis than it would many of its competitors. Still, we trimmed the Fund’s position in Range Resources to reduce exposure over the near term.
 
Baxter International’s shares fell after the company trimmed its earnings guidance for 2010 due to a weaker outlook for its bioscience, or blood plasma, business. Competition in the blood plasma market had increased, making it more difficult for Baxter International to price its products at a premium. While we expected, at the end of the Reporting Period, uncertainty in the plasma business to remain an overhang in the near term, we continued to believe the company was trading at an attractive valuation due to its robust product pipeline and its market leading franchise.
 
Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the Reporting Period?
 
During the Reporting Period, we sought to take advantage of market volatility by opportunistically investing in strong franchises that were trading at historically low levels. As such, we added to the Fund’s position in diversified financial services company U.S. Bancorp due to its strong and stable management team and its highly diverse set of businesses that have continually enabled the company to earn a higher return-on-assets than many of its peers.
 
We also initiated a Fund position in BMC Software, a provider of management solutions for mainframes and a distributor of information technology systems. BMC Software’s shares were, at the time of purchase, trading well below historical averages on a price/earnings basis. We believe that BMC Software should benefit from a renewal cycle in the mainframe business, driven by catch-up spending that was deferred during the economic downturn. In our view, such a trend should lead to an improved pricing environment for BMC Software’s most profitable line of business.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 
We eliminated the Fund’s position in computer products and information technology services company Hewlett-Packard, as we saw near-term uncertainty regarding a recent acquisition the company made. In our view, other names in the industry had more attractive risk/reward opportunities with similar valuations.
 
We sold out of the Fund’s position in integrated oil company BP after our investment thesis was challenged due to weaker-than-expected production growth as well as acquisition risk. Of course, BP’s shares had fallen rather precipitously in the wake of its disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
 
Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period?
 
In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, we focus on picking stocks rather than on making industry or sector bets. We seek to outpace the benchmark index by overweighting stocks that we expect to outperform and underweighting those that we think may lag. Consequently, changes in the Fund’s sector weights are generally the direct result of individual stock selection or of stock appreciation or depreciation. That said, during the Reporting Period, the Fund’s exposure to the consumer discretionary and industrials sectors increased compared to the Russell Index. The Fund’s allocations compared to the benchmark index in the health care and telecommunication services sectors decreased.
 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?
 
At the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund had overweighted positions relative to the Russell Index in the consumer discretionary, information technology and industrials sectors. On the same date, the Fund had underweighted positions compared to the Russell Index in the telecommunication services, financials and utilities sectors and was rather neutrally weighted to the Index in the energy, materials, consumer staples and health care sectors.
 
What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
We maintained, at the end of the Reporting Period, a cautiously optimistic view ahead on the U.S. economy, though we recognized that the path to recovery may occur at an uneven pace. Further, many of the headwinds to recovery had already been discounted in the U.S. equity market, and so we believe the risk/reward trade-off is an overall positive over the long term. Amidst a challenging macroeconomic backdrop that includes earnings volatility, regulatory uncertainty and high unemployment, we remained encouraged by data points at the company level. Whereas earnings improvements during the Reporting Period were primarily driven by cost cutting, we believe revenues are beginning to stabilize. Corporate profits appear to be improving, and management teams are more positive. High cash levels and strong balance sheets bode well, in our view, for capital expenditures — the fuel for longer-term growth.
 
As valuations and volatility normalize from extremes, we believe stocks should trade more on fundamentals and profitability going forward, creating a fertile environment for stock selection. We were excited, at the end of the Reporting Period, to find ourselves with ample opportunities to buy what we believe to be quality businesses at deeply discounted valuations. Drastic cost cutting during the downturn resulted in increased operating leverage for many companies, benefiting margins. With corporate balance sheets strengthened and flush with cash, we believe capital allocation decisions will distinguish winners and losers. We maintain our discipline as we seek companies with strong or improving fundamentals, led by quality management teams focused on creating shareholder value, and believe that this long-term discipline will help us navigate volatile markets. As always, deep research resources, a forward-looking investment process and truly actively managed portfolios are keys, in our view, to both preserving capital and outperforming the market over the long term.
 
 
 4


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Large Cap Value Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Institutional
    10.72 %     -1.79 %     0.32 %     1.17 %   1/12/98    
Service
    10.31       N/A       N/A       -12.31     7/24/07    
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Institutional
    0.81 %     0.81 %    
Service
    1.06       1.06      
2 The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 6/30/103
 
                 
Holding   % of Net Assets     Line of Business    
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 
    4.4 %   Diversified Financials    
Occidental Petroleum Corp. 
    4.1     Energy    
Bank of America Corp. 
    3.9     Diversified Financials    
Merck & Co., Inc. 
    3.7     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences    
General Electric Co. 
    3.0     Capital Goods    
Honeywell International, Inc. 
    2.6     Capital Goods    
General Mills, Inc. 
    2.4     Food, Beverage & Tobacco    
Baxter International, Inc. 
    2.3     Health Care Equipment & Services    
Johnson & Johnson
    2.2     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences    
Entergy Corp. 
    2.1     Utilities    
 
3 Opinions expressed in this report represent our present opinion only. Reference to individual securities should not be construed as a commitment that such securities will be retained by the Fund. From time to time, the Fund may change the individual securities it holds, the number or types of securities held and the markets in which it invests. Fund holdings of securities should not be relied upon in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. References to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to the investor to buy, hold or sell such securities. In addition, references to past performance of the Fund do not indicate future returns, which are not guaranteed and will vary. Furthermore, the value of shares of the Fund may fall as well as rise.
 
 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

 
 
 
FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4
 
As of June 30, 2010
 
(GRAPH)
 
4 The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. The above graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. Consequently, the Fund’s overall industry sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value. Short-term investments represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded.
 
 
 
 6


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – 95.9%
                     
                     
    Automobiles & Components – 2.1%
      802,396     Ford Motor Co.*   $ 8,088,152  
      420,053     Johnson Controls, Inc.     11,286,824  
                     
                  19,374,976  
     
     
    Banks – 2.5%
      189,296     SunTrust Banks, Inc.     4,410,597  
      808,681     U.S. Bancorp     18,074,020  
                     
                  22,484,617  
     
     
    Capital Goods – 10.1%
      104,751     Eaton Corp.     6,854,905  
      428,434     Emerson Electric Co.     18,718,281  
      1,871,909     General Electric Co.     26,992,928  
      609,654     Honeywell International, Inc.     23,794,796  
      253,499     The Boeing Co.     15,907,062  
                     
                  92,267,972  
     
     
    Consumer Durables & Apparel – 0.9%
      554,135     Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.     8,112,536  
     
     
    Diversified Financials – 14.0%
      2,484,286     Bank of America Corp.     35,699,190  
      104,751     Franklin Resources, Inc.     9,028,489  
      610,701     Invesco Ltd.     10,278,098  
      1,083,130     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     39,653,389  
      1,276,800     SLM Corp.*     13,265,952  
      238,833     State Street Corp.     8,077,332  
      475,572     The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.     11,741,872  
                     
                  127,744,322  
     
     
    Energy – 10.2%
      92,181     EOG Resources, Inc.     9,067,845  
      584,600     Halliburton Co.     14,351,930  
      328,920     Newfield Exploration Co.*     16,071,031  
      486,979     Occidental Petroleum Corp.     37,570,430  
      403,293     Range Resources Corp.     16,192,214  
                     
                  93,253,450  
     
     
    Food & Staples Retailing – 2.7%
      464,049     CVS Caremark Corp.     13,605,917  
      222,073     Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.     10,675,049  
                     
                  24,280,966  
     
     
    Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 6.8%
      527,947     Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.     13,631,592  
      619,081     General Mills, Inc.     21,989,757  
      295,399     PepsiCo, Inc.     18,004,569  
      6,738     Philip Morris International, Inc.     308,870  
      283,876     Unilever NV     7,755,492  
                     
                  61,690,280  
     
     
    Health Care Equipment & Services – 4.3%
      520,091     Baxter International, Inc.     21,136,498  
      358,774     WellPoint, Inc.*     17,554,812  
                     
                  38,691,310  
     
     
    Insurance – 9.4%
      439,956     Aflac, Inc.     18,772,923  
      141,938     Everest Re Group Ltd.     10,037,855  
      431,576     Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.     9,732,039  
      298,018     Prudential Financial, Inc.     15,991,646  
      233,596     The Allstate Corp.     6,711,213  
      431,576     The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.     9,550,777  
      299,065     The Travelers Companies, Inc.     14,728,951  
                     
                  85,525,404  
     
     
    Materials – 2.8%
      102,656     Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.     6,653,135  
      89,039     Newmont Mining Corp.     5,497,268  
      368,725     The Dow Chemical Co.     8,746,157  
      69,136     Walter Energy, Inc.     4,206,926  
                     
                  25,103,486  
     
     
    Media – 5.2%
      920,765     CBS Corp. Class B     11,905,491  
      476,619     Comcast Corp. Class A     8,278,872  
      853,724     DISH Network Corp. Class A     15,495,091  
      370,820     Viacom, Inc. Class B     11,632,623  
                     
                  47,312,077  
     
     
    Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 7.8%
      349,870     Biogen Idec, Inc.*     16,601,332  
      345,680     Johnson & Johnson     20,415,861  
      968,951     Merck & Co., Inc.     33,884,216  
                     
                  70,901,409  
     
     
    Retailing – 2.1%
      69,500     Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*     2,577,060  
      512,235     Staples, Inc.     9,758,077  
      159,222     The TJX Companies, Inc.     6,679,363  
                     
                  19,014,500  
     
     
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.7%
      260,831     Broadcom Corp. Class A     8,599,598  
      292,257     Texas Instruments, Inc.     6,803,743  
                     
                  15,403,341  
     
     
    Software & Services – 2.9%
      265,021     BMC Software, Inc.*     9,177,677  
      19,484     Google, Inc. Class A*     8,669,406  
      397,008     Oracle Corp.     8,519,792  
                     
                  26,366,875  
     
     
    Technology Hardware & Equipment – 2.5%
      443,099     Cisco Systems, Inc.*     9,442,440  
      505,950     EMC Corp.*     9,258,885  
      135,129     QUALCOMM, Inc.     4,437,636  
                     
                  23,138,961  
     
     
    Telecommunication Services – 2.0%
      4,330,849     Sprint Nextel Corp.*     18,362,800  
     
     
                     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
7 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
                     
    Utilities – 5.9%
      577,181     American Electric Power Co., Inc.   $ 18,642,946  
      263,450     Entergy Corp.     18,868,289  
      311,740     FirstEnergy Corp.     10,982,600  
      206,529     PPL Corp.     5,152,899  
                     
                  53,646,734  
     
     
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    (Cost $919,680,523)   $ 872,676,016  
     
     
                     
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(a) – 3.0%
                     
                     
    JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund –
  Capital Shares
      27,414,033     0.067%   $ 27,414,033  
    (Cost $27,414,033)        
     
     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 98.9%
    (Cost $947,094,556)   $ 900,090,049  
     
     
    OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
  LIABILITIES – 1.1%
    9,833,154  
     
     
   
NET ASSETS – 100.0%
  $ 909,923,203  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
(a) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 8


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Assets:
             
    Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $947,094,556)   $ 900,090,049  
    Receivables:        
   
Fund shares sold
    56,281,131  
   
Investment securities sold
    17,803,166  
   
Dividends
    1,282,940  
    Other assets     5,420  
     
     
    Total assets     975,462,706  
     
     
             
             
    Liabilities:
             
    Payables:        
   
Investment securities purchased
    60,834,999  
   
Fund shares redeemed
    3,926,520  
   
Amounts owed to affiliates
    662,606  
    Accrued expenses     115,378  
     
     
    Total liabilities     65,539,503  
     
     
             
             
    Net Assets:
             
    Paid-in capital     1,080,467,386  
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income     6,522,588  
    Accumulated net realized loss from investment transactions     (130,062,264 )
    Net unrealized loss on investments     (47,004,507 )
     
     
    NET ASSETS   $ 909,923,203  
     
     
    Net Assets:        
   
Institutional
  $ 445,093,222  
   
Service
    464,829,981  
     
     
    Total Net Assets   $ 909,923,203  
     
     
    Shares of beneficial interest outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):        
   
Institutional
    52,298,230  
   
Service
    54,692,826  
     
     
    Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:        
   
Institutional
  $ 8.51  
   
Service
    8.50  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
9 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Investment income:
             
    Dividends   $ 8,435,338  
    Securities lending income — affiliated issuer     6,110  
     
     
    Total investment income     8,441,448  
     
     
             
             
    Expenses:
             
    Management fees     3,431,892  
    Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares     543,271  
    Transfer Agent fees(a)     91,510  
    Printing and mailing costs     68,943  
    Professional fees     38,536  
    Custody and accounting fees     35,692  
    Trustee fees     7,894  
    Registration fees     1,234  
    Other     14,376  
     
     
    Total expenses     4,233,348  
     
     
    NET INVESTMENT INCOME     4,208,100  
     
     
             
             
    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment transactions:
             
    Net realized gain from:        
   
Investment transactions — unaffiliated issuers
    43,772,891  
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle transactions — affiliated issuer
    5,417  
    Net change in unrealized loss on:        
   
Investments — unaffiliated issuer
    (126,498,336 )
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle — affiliated issuer
    (18,174 )
     
     
    Net realized and unrealized loss from investment transactions     (82,738,202 )
     
     
    NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (78,530,102 )
     
     
 
(a) Institutional and Service Shares had Transfer Agent fees of $48,052 and $43,458, respectively.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 10


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
 
                     
        For the
       
        Six Months Ended
    For the
 
        June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
 
        (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
 
    From operations:
                     
    Net investment income   $ 4,208,100     $ 12,981,115  
    Net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions     43,778,308       (99,361,706 )
    Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (126,516,510 )     221,989,424  
     
     
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (78,530,102 )     135,608,833  
     
     
                     
                     
    Distributions to shareholders:
                     
    From net investment income                
   
Institutional Shares
          (7,802,114 )
   
Service Shares
          (5,684,192 )
     
     
    Total distributions to shareholders           (13,486,306 )
     
     
                     
                     
    From share transactions:
                     
    Proceeds from sales of shares     193,700,532       407,132,916  
    Reinvestment of distributions           13,486,306  
    Cost of shares redeemed     (84,263,093 )     (120,763,642 )
     
     
    Net increase in net assets resulting from share transactions     109,437,439       299,855,580  
     
     
    TOTAL INCREASE     30,907,337       421,978,107  
     
     
                     
                     
    Net assets:
                     
    Beginning of period     879,015,866       457,037,759  
     
     
    End of period   $ 909,923,203     $ 879,015,866  
     
     
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income   $ 6,522,588     $ 2,314,488  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
11 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
 
                                                                                                                     
          Income (loss) from
                                                     
          investment operations     Distributions to shareholders                                                
                Net
                                                    Ratio of
                 
    Net asset
          realized
                                        Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    Ratio of
           
    value,
    Net
    and
    Total from
    From net
    From net
          Net asset
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    net investment
    Portfolio
     
    beginning
    investment
    unrealized
    investment
    investment
    realized
    Total
    value, end
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    income to
    turnover
     
 Year — Share Class   of period     income(a)     gain (loss)     operations     income     gains     distributions     of period     return(b)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     average net assets     rate      
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
2010 — Institutional
  $ 9.28     $ 0.05     $ (0.82 )   $ (0.77 )   $     $     $     $ 8.51       (8.30 )%   $ 445,093       0.81 %(c)     0.81 %(c)     1.04 %(c)     64 %    
2010 — Service
    9.28       0.04       (0.82 )     (0.78 )                       8.50       (8.41 )     464,830       1.06 (c)     1.06 (c)     0.79 (c)     64      
 
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                     
2009 — Institutional
    7.97       0.18 (d)     1.28       1.46       (0.15 )           (0.15 )     9.28       18.32       487,962       0.81       0.81       2.18 (d)     84      
2009 — Service
    7.98       0.16 (d)     1.28       1.44       (0.14 )           (0.14 )     9.28       17.87       391,053       1.06       1.06       1.92 (d)     84      
2008 — Institutional
    12.53       0.25       (4.59 )     (4.34 )     (0.22 )     (e)     (0.22 )     7.97       (34.45 )     389,838       0.81       0.81       2.36       69      
2008 — Service
    12.52       0.19       (4.51 )     (4.32 )     (0.22 )     (e)     (0.22 )     7.98       (34.32 )     67,200       1.06       1.06       2.15       69      
2007 — Institutional
    13.91       0.25       (0.03 )     0.22       (0.26 )     (1.34 )     (1.60 )     12.53       1.49       571,883       0.85       0.85       1.75       79      
2007 — Service
(Commenced July 24, 2007)
    14.71       0.15       (0.74 )     (0.59 )     (0.26 )     (1.34 )     (1.60 )     12.52       (4.02 )     90       0.94 (c)     1.09 (c)     3.11 (c)     79      
2006 — Institutional
    11.97       0.28       2.43       2.71       (0.23 )     (0.54 )     (0.77 )     13.91       22.63       432,016       0.86       0.87       2.15       52      
2005 — Institutional
    11.71       0.21       0.25       0.46       (0.20 )           (0.20 )     11.97       3.93       313,152       0.88       0.88       1.77       46      
 
(a) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(b) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Reflects income recognized from a special dividend which amounted to $0.02 per share and 0.24% of average net assets.
(e) Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 

12


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
1. ORGANIZATION
 
 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust” or “VIT”) is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs” or the “Distributor”) serves as Distributor of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.
Effective April 30, 2010, the Fund’s name was changed from the Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund to Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
A. Investment Valuation — The investment valuation policy of the Fund is to value investments at market value. Investments in equity securities and investment companies traded on a United States (“U.S.”) securities exchange or the NASDAQ system are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If no sale occurs, such securities and investment companies are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued on the basis of quotations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the trustees or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value. If accurate quotations are not readily available, or if GSAM believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined based on yield equivalents, a pricing matrix or other sources, under valuation procedures established by the trustees. Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price. In the absence of market quotations, broker quotes will be utilized or the security will be fair valued. Investments in investment companies (other than those that are exchange traded) are valued at the net asset value per share (“NAV”) on the valuation date. Short-term debt obligations that mature in sixty days or less and that do not exhibit signs of credit deterioration are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or market closings; equipment failures; natural or man-made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; government actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; low trading volume; and trading limits or suspensions.
 
B. Security and Fund Share Transactions, and Investment Income — Security and Fund share transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date, which may cause the NAV as stated in the accompanying financial statements to be different than the NAV applied to Fund share transactions. Realized gains and losses on sales of
 
 
 
13 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of foreign withholding taxes, if any, which are reduced by any amounts reclaimable by the Fund, where applicable. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted. In addition, it is the Fund’s policy to accrue for foreign capital gains taxes, if applicable, on certain foreign securities held by the Fund. An estimated foreign capital gains tax is recorded daily on net unrealized gains on these securities and is payable upon the sale of such securities when a gain is realized.
Net investment income (other than class specific expenses) and unrealized and realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares of the Fund based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class.
In addition, distributions received from the Fund’s investments in U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) often include a “return of capital”, which is recorded by the Fund as a reduction of the cost basis of the securities held. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) requires a REIT to distribute at least 95% of its taxable income to investors. In many cases, however, because of “non-cash” expenses such as property depreciation, a REIT’s cash flow will exceed its taxable income. The REIT may distribute this excess cash to offer a more competitive yield. This portion of the Fund’s distributions is deemed a return of capital and is generally not taxable to shareholders.
 
C. Expenses — Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not specifically relate to an individual Fund of the Trust are allocated to the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expense and are accrued daily.
 
D. Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies (mutual funds) and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provisions are required. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gains distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net capital losses are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Utilization of capital loss carryforwards will reduce the requirement of future capital gains distributions.
The characterization of distributions to shareholders for financial reporting purposes is determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from GAAP. The source of the Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from net investment income, net realized gain or capital. The Fund’s capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character, but do not reflect temporary differences.
GSAM has reviewed the Fund’s tax positions for all open tax years (the current and prior three years, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
 
 
A. Management Agreement — Under the Agreement, GSAM manages the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the trustees.
As compensation for the services rendered pursuant to the Agreement, the assumption of the expenses related thereto and administration of the Fund’s business affairs, including providing facilities, GSAM is entitled to a management fee computed daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, contractual management fees with GSAM were at the following rates:
 
                                             
Contractual Management Rate    
First
  Next
  Next
  Next
  Over
  Effective
$1 billion   $1 billion   $3 billion   $3 billion   $8 billion   Rate
 
  0.75 %     0.68 %     0.65 %     0.64 %     0.63 %     0.75 %
 
 
 
 
 
 14


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)
 
B. Distribution and Service Plan — The Trust, on behalf of the Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly for distribution services, which may then be paid by Goldman Sachs to authorized dealers, equal to, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares.
 
C. Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets for Institutional and Service Shares.
 
D. Other Agreements — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agent fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and other extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, 0.114% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expenses reimbursement, if any, is computed daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAM did not make any reimbursements to the Fund.
As of June 30, 2010, amounts owed to affiliates were approximately $555,200, $92,600 and $14,800 for management, distribution and service, and transfer agent fees, respectively.
 
E. Line of Credit Facility — As of June 30, 2010, the Fund participated in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of the facility, the Fund and other borrowers could increase the credit amount by an additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used solely for temporary or emergency purposes. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Fund based on the amount of the commitment that has not been utilized. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility. Prior to May 11, 2010, the amount available through the facility was $660,000,000.
 
F. Other Transactions with Affiliates — For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Goldman Sachs earned approximately $62,800 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund.
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS
 
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2 — Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
 
Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
 
 
 
15 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
 
The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2010:
 
                         
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
 
Assets
                       
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments
  $ 872,676,016     $     $  
Short-term Investment
    27,414,033              
 
 
Total
  $ 900,090,049     $     $  
 
 
 
5. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
 
 
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the six months ended June 30, 2010, were $659,145,113 and $567,497,560, respectively.
 
6. SECURITIES LENDING
 
 
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the terms and conditions contained therein, the Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“GSAL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, to certain qualified borrowers including Goldman Sachs and affiliates. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending procedures, the Fund receives cash collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Fund or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan.
The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Enhanced Portfolio of Boston Global Investment Trust (“Enhanced Portfolio”), a Delaware statutory trust. The Enhanced Portfolio, deemed an affiliate of the Trust, is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the Act and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive an investment advisory fee of up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Enhanced Portfolio. The Enhanced Portfolio invests primarily in short-term investments, but is not a “money market fund” subject to the requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the Act. The Fund’s investment of cash collateral in the Enhanced Portfolio is subject to a net asset value that may fall or rise due to market and credit conditions. Effective May 26, 2010, the Fund is no longer participating in the securities lending program.
Both the Fund and GSAL received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amount earned by the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2010, is reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations. A portion of this amount, $310, represents compensation earned by the Fund from lending its securities to Goldman Sachs. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAL earned $668 in fees as securities lending agent.
The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Enhanced Portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2010 (in thousands):
 
                                     
Number of
          Number of
   
Shares Held
          Shares Held
  Value at End
Beginning of Period   Shares Bought   Shares Sold   End of Period   of Period
 
  18,298       24,498       (42,796 )         $  
 
 
 
 
 
 16


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
 
7. TAX INFORMATION
 
 
As of the most recent fiscal year end, December 31, 2009, the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards and certain timing differences on a tax-basis were as follows:
 
         
Capital loss carryforward:1
       
Expiring 2010
  $ (152,979 )
Expiring 2016
    (59,883,538 )
Expiring 2017
    (101,345,522 )
 
 
Total capital loss carryforward
  $ (161,382,039 )
 
 
Timing differences (post-October losses)
  $ (2,438,609 )
 
 
 
1 Expiration occurs on December 31 of the year indicated. Utilization of these losses may be substantially limited under the Code.
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes was as follows:
 
         
Tax cost
  $ 957,223,515  
 
 
Gross unrealized gain
    25,832,437  
Gross unrealized loss
    (82,965,903 )
 
 
Net unrealized security loss
  $ (57,133,466 )
 
 
 
The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses), as of the most recent fiscal year end, is attributable primarily to wash sales and differences related to the tax treatment of partnership investments.
 
8. OTHER RISKS
 
 
Fund’s Shareholder Concentration Risk — Certain participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of the Fund’s shares. Redemptions by these participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates in the Fund may impact the Fund’s liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force the Fund to sell securities, which may increase the Fund’s brokerage costs.
 
Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, the Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, the Fund may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transaction defaults.
 
9. INDEMNIFICATIONS
 
 
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, GSAM believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
 
 
 
17 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
10. OTHER MATTERS
 
 
Legal Proceedings — On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Goldman Sachs and one of its employees alleging that they made materially misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007 private placement of securities relating to a synthetic collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional investors. On July 14, 2010, the SEC and Goldman Sachs entered into a consent agreement settling this action. On July 20, 2010, the U.S. District Court entered a final judgment approving the settlement.
Neither Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. or Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (collectively “GSAM”, for purposes of this note only) nor any GSAM-managed funds were named in the complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint did not seek any penalties against them or against any employee who is or has been part of GSAM.
GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have received temporary exemptive relief from the SEC to permit them to continue serving as investment adviser and principal underwriter for U.S.-registered mutual funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the operation of mutual funds, they would otherwise have become ineligible to perform these activities as a result of the District Court’s final judgment. GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have applied for final exemptive relief. While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
Goldman Sachs and/or other affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive notices and requests for information from various regulators, and have become or may in the future become involved in legal proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the SEC or other matters. In the view of Goldman Sachs and GSAM, neither the matters alleged in any such similar proceedings nor their eventual resolution are likely to have a material affect on the ability of Goldman Sachs, GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to GSAM-managed funds.
 
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
 
Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
12. SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 
 
Share activity is as follows:
 
                                 
    For the Six Months Ended
   
    June 30, 2010
  For the Fiscal Year Ended
    (Unaudited)   December 31, 2009
    Shares   Dollars   Shares   Dollars
 
Institutional Shares
                               
Shares sold
    4,862,461     $ 43,454,776       12,672,731     $ 99,803,020  
Reinvestment of distributions
                838,937       7,802,114  
Shares redeemed
    (5,167,534 )     (48,793,041 )     (9,817,931 )     (79,470,562 )
 
 
      (305,073 )     (5,338,265 )     3,693,737       28,134,572  
 
 
Service Shares
                               
Shares sold
    16,299,954       150,245,756       38,032,724       307,329,896  
Reinvestment of distributions
                610,547       5,684,192  
Shares redeemed
    (3,761,085 )     (35,470,052 )     (4,906,729 )     (41,293,080 )
 
 
      12,538,869       114,775,704       33,736,542       271,721,008  
 
 
NET INCREASE
    12,233,796     $ 109,437,439       37,430,279     $ 299,855,580  
 
 
 
 
 
 18


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited)
 
Background
The Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund (formerly, “Goldman Sachs Growth and Income Fund”) (the “Fund”) is an investment portfolio of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees oversees the management of the Trust and reviews the investment performance and expenses of the Fund at regularly scheduled meetings held during the year. In addition, the Board of Trustees determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Trust’s investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) on behalf of the Fund.
The Management Agreement was most recently approved for continuation until June 30, 2011 by the Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”), at a meeting held on June 16-17, 2010 (the “Annual Meeting”).
The review process undertaken by the Trustees spans the course of the year and culminates with the Annual Meeting. To assist the Trustees in their deliberations, the Trustees have established a Contract Review Committee (the “Committee”), comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Committee held three meetings over the course of the year, since last approving the Management Agreement. At those Committee meetings, regularly scheduled Board meetings and/or the Annual Meeting, the Board, or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, considered matters relating to the Management Agreement, including:
(a) the nature and quality of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including information about:
(i) the structure, staff and capabilities of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio management teams;
(ii) the groups within the Investment Adviser and its affiliates that support the portfolio management teams or provide other types of necessary services, including fund services groups (e.g., accounting and financial reporting, tax, shareholder services and operations), controls and risk management groups (e.g., legal, compliance, valuation oversight, credit risk management, internal audit, market risk analysis and finance and strategy), sales and distribution support groups and others (e.g., information technology and training);
(iii) trends in headcount;
(iv) the Investment Adviser’s financial resources and ability to hire and retain talented personnel and strengthen its operations; and
(v) the parent company’s support of the Investment Adviser and its mutual fund business, as expressed by the firm’s senior management;
(b) information on the investment performance of the Fund, including comparisons to the performance of similar mutual funds, as provided by a third party mutual fund data provider engaged as part of the contract review process (the “Outside Data Provider”), and its benchmark performance index, and general investment outlooks in the markets in which the Fund invests;
(c) the terms of the Management Agreement and agreements with affiliated service providers entered into by the Trust on behalf of the Fund;
(d) expense information for the Fund, including:
(i) the relative management fee and expense level of the Fund as compared to those of comparable funds managed by other advisers, as provided by the Outside Data Provider;
(ii) the Fund’s expense trends over time; and
(iii) to the extent the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative information on the advisory fees charged and services provided to those accounts by the Investment Adviser;
(e) with respect to the extensive investment performance and expense comparison data provided by the Outside Data Provider, its processes in producing that data for the Fund;
(f) the undertaking of the Investment Adviser to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund that exceed a specified level, and a summary of contractual fee reductions made by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates over the past several years with respect to the Fund;
(g) information relating to the profitability of the Management Agreement and the transfer agency and distribution and service arrangements of the Fund and the Trust as a whole to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates;
(h) potential economies of scale, if any, and the levels of breakpoints in the fees payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement;
 
 
 
19 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
(i) a summary of the “fall-out” benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, including the fees received by the Investment Adviser’s affiliates from the Fund for transfer agency, securities lending, portfolio brokerage, distribution and other services;
(j) a summary of potential benefits derived by the Fund as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser;
(k) commission rates paid by the Fund, an update on the Investment Adviser’s soft dollars practices and other portfolio trading related issues;
(l) the manner in which portfolio manager compensation is determined, the alignment of the interests of the Fund and of the portfolio managers and related potential conflicts of interest; and the number and types of accounts managed by the portfolio managers;
(m) the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by its unaffiliated service providers, and the Investment Adviser’s general oversight and evaluation (including reports on due diligence) of those service providers as part of the administration services provided under the Management Agreement; and
(n) the Investment Adviser’s processes and policies addressing various types of potential conflicts of interest; its approach to risk management; the annual review of the effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program; and compliance reports.
The Trustees also received an overview of the Fund’s distribution arrangements. They received information regarding the Fund’s assets, share purchase and redemption activity and the payment of Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees by the Fund’s Service Shares. Information was also provided to the Trustees relating to revenue sharing payments made by and services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to intermediaries that promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of Fund shares.
The presentations made at the Board and Committee meetings and at the Annual Meeting encompassed the Fund and other mutual fund portfolios for which the Board of Trustees has responsibility. In evaluating the Management Agreement at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees relied upon their knowledge, resulting from their meetings and other interactions throughout the year, of the Investment Adviser, its affiliates, their services and the Fund. In conjunction with these meetings, the Trustees received written materials and oral presentations on the topics covered, and were advised by their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities and other regulatory requirements related to the approval and continuation of mutual fund investment management agreements under applicable law. During the course of their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel, without representatives of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates present. The Independent Trustees also discussed the broad range of other investment choices that are available to Fund investors, including the availability of comparable funds managed by other advisers.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided Under the Management Agreement
As part of their review, the Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Adviser. In this regard, the Trustees considered both the investment advisory services, and the other, non-advisory services, that are provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. The Independent Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser had committed substantial financial and operational resources to the Fund and expressed confidence that the Investment Adviser would continue to do so in the future. The Trustees also observed that the Investment Adviser had made significant commitments to address regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Fund and the Investment Adviser.
 
Investment Performance
The Trustees also considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Investment Adviser. In this regard, they compared the investment performance of the Fund to the performance rankings and ratings compiled by the Outside Data Provider. This information on the Fund’s investment performance relative to that of its peers was provided for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2009. The Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s investment performance over time on a year-by-year basis relative to its performance benchmark. In addition, they considered the investment performance trends of the Fund over time, and reviewed the investment performance of the Fund in light of its investment objective and policies and market conditions. The Trustees considered whether the Fund had operated within its investment policies and had complied with its investment limitations.
In addition, the Trustees considered materials prepared and presentations made by the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer and portfolio management personnel, in which Fund performance was assessed. The Trustees also considered the Investment Adviser’s periodic reports with respect to the Fund’s risk profile, and how the Investment Adviser’s approach to risk monitoring and management influences portfolio management.
 
 
 
 20


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
The Trustees observed that the Fund had been providing investment performance within a competitive range for long-term investors, notwithstanding the fact that the Fund’s performance over the one-year period ended December 31, 2009 fell from the top half of its peer group to the fourth quartile of its peer group. The Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
 
Costs of Services Provided and Competitive Information
The Trustees considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement. In this regard, the Trustees considered information on the services rendered by the Investment Adviser to the Fund, which included both advisory and administrative services that were directed to the needs and operations of the Fund as a registered mutual fund.
In particular, the Trustees reviewed analyses prepared by the Outside Data Provider regarding the expense rankings of the Fund. The analyses provided a comparison of the Fund’s management fees and breakpoints to those of a relevant peer group and category universe; an expense analysis which compared the Fund’s expenses to a peer group and a category universe; and a three-year history comparing the Fund’s expenses to the peer and category averages. The analyses also compared the Fund’s transfer agency fees, custody and accounting fees, distribution fees, other expenses and fee waivers/reimbursements to those of other funds in the peer group and the peer group median. The Trustees concluded that the comparisons provided by the Outside Data Provider were useful in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees and total expenses paid by the Fund.
In addition, the Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s undertaking to limit the Fund’s “other expenses” ratio (excluding certain expenses) to a specified level. They also considered, to the extent that the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative fee information for services provided by the Investment Adviser to those accounts, and information that indicated that services provided to the Fund differed in various significant respects from the services provided to institutional accounts, which generally operated under less stringent legal and regulatory structures, required fewer services from the Investment Adviser to a smaller number of client contact points, were less time-intensive and paid lower fees. By contrast, the Trustees noted that the Investment Adviser provides substantial administrative services to the Fund under the terms of the Management Agreement.
In addition, the Trustees noted that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares at any time if they believe that the Fund fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
 
Profitability
The Trustees reviewed the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins with respect to the Trust and the Fund. In this regard the Trustees noted that they had received, among other things, profitability analyses and summaries, revenue and expense schedules by Fund and by function (i.e., investment management, transfer agency and distribution and service) and the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology. They observed that the profitability and expense figures are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Adviser for many internal purposes, including compensation decisions among various business groups, and are thus subject to a vigorous internal debate about how certain revenue and expenses should be allocated. The Trustees also reviewed the report of the internal audit group within the Goldman Sachs organization, which included an assessment of the reasonableness and consistency of the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology and an evaluation of the accuracy of the Investment Adviser’s profitability analysis calculations. Profitability data for the Trust and the Fund were provided for 2009 and 2008, and the Trustees considered this information in relation to the Investment Adviser’s overall profitability. The Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins both in absolute terms and in comparison to information on the reported pre-tax profit margins earned by certain other asset management firms.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Economies of Scale
The Trustees considered the information that had been provided regarding the Investment Adviser’s profitability and the rationale for the Fund’s breakpoint structure. The Trustees also considered the breakpoints in the fee rate payable under the Management Agreement for the Fund at the following annual percentage rates of the average daily net assets of the Fund:
 
         
First $1 billion
    0.75 %
Next $1 billion
    0.68  
Next $3 billion
    0.65  
Next $3 billion
    0.64  
Over $8 billion
    0.63  
 
The Trustees noted that the breakpoints at the $5 and $8 billion asset levels had been proposed by the Investment Adviser and approved by the Trustees in 2008 to further share potential economies of scale, if any, with the Fund and its shareholders as assets under management reach those asset levels. The Trustees considered the amounts of assets in the Fund; the Fund’s recent share purchase and redemption activity; the information provided by the Investment Adviser relating to the costs of the services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and their realized profits; information comparing fee rates charged by the Investment Adviser with fee rates charged to other funds in the peer group; and the Investment Adviser’s undertaking to limit other expenses to a certain amount. Upon reviewing these matters at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees concluded that the fee breakpoints represented a means of assuring that benefits of scalability would be passed along to shareholders at the specified asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to the Investment Adviser and Its Affiliates
The Trustees also considered the other benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund as stated above, including: (a) transfer agency fees received by Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”); (b) brokerage and futures commissions earned by Goldman Sachs for executing securities and futures transactions on behalf of the Fund; (c) research received by the Investment Adviser from broker-dealers in exchange for executing certain transactions on behalf of the Fund; (d) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those for other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (e) fees earned during a portion of the year by Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, as securities lending agent (and fees earned by the Investment Adviser for managing the portfolio in which the Fund’s cash collateral was invested); (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage the infrastructure designed to service the Fund on behalf of its other clients; (g) the Investment Adviser’s ability to cross-market other products and services to Fund shareholders; (h) Goldman Sachs’ retention of certain fees as Fund Distributor; (i) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate better pricing with custodians on behalf of its other clients, as a result of the relationship with the Fund; and (j) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage relationships with the Fund’s third party service providers to attract more firmwide business. In the course of considering the foregoing, the Independent Trustees requested and received further information quantifying certain of the fall-out benefits. In looking at the benefits to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending and the Investment Adviser from the securities lending program, they noted that the Fund also benefited from its participation in the securities lending program.
 
Other Benefits to the Fund and Its Shareholders
The Trustees also noted that the Fund receives certain potential benefits as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser, including: (a) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those of other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (b) improved servicing and pricing from vendors because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (c) improved servicing from broker-dealers because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (d) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate favorable terms with derivatives counterparties as a result of the size and reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (e) the advantages gained from the Investment Adviser’s knowledge and experience gained from managing other accounts and products; (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to hire and retain qualified personnel to provide services to the Fund because of the reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (g) the Fund’s access, through the Investment Adviser, to certain firmwide resources (e.g., proprietary databases); and (h) the Fund’s access to certain affiliated distribution channels. The Trustees noted the competitive nature of the mutual fund marketplace, and noted further that many of the Fund’s shareholders invested in the Fund in part because of the Fund’s relationship with the Investment Adviser and that those shareholders have a general expectation that the relationship will continue.
 
 
 
 22


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Conclusion
In connection with their consideration of the Management Agreement, the Trustees gave weight to each of the factors described above, but did not identify any particular factor as controlling their decision. After deliberation and consideration of all of the information provided, including the factors described above, the Trustees concluded, in the exercise of their business judgment, that the management fees paid by the Fund were reasonable in light of the services provided to it by the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser’s costs and the Fund’s current and reasonably foreseeable asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the Management Agreement should be approved and continued with respect to the Fund until June 30, 2011.
 
 
 
23 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees (with respect to Service Shares); and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund 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 period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
 
Actual Expenses — The first line under each share class in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The second line under each share class in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Fund, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees, or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. The second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.
 
                               
                  Expenses
                  Paid for the
      Beginning
    Ending
    6 Months
      Account Value
    Account Value
    Ended
Share Class     1/01/10     6/30/10     6/30/10*
Institutional
                             
Actual
    $ 1,000       $ 917.00       $ 3.85  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,020.78 +       4.06  
                               
Service
                             
Actual
      1,000         915.90         5.04  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,019.54 +       5.31  
 
 
* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized net expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year and then dividing that result by the number of days in the fiscal year. The annualized net expense ratios for the period were 0.81% and 1.06% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.
 
+ Hypothetical expenses are based on the Fund’s actual annualized net expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses.
 
 
 
 24


 


 

  
     
TRUSTEES
  OFFICERS
Ashok N. Bakhru, Chairman
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Diana M. Daniels
Patrick T. Harker
James A. McNamara
Jessica Palmer
Alan A. Shuch
Richard P. Strubel
  James A. McNamara, President
George F. Travers, Principal Financial Officer
Peter V. Bonanno, Secretary
Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer
     
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
   
     
 
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
200 West Street, New York
New York 10282
     
 
Visit our Web site at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns.
     
 
The reports concerning the Fund included in this shareholder report may contain certain forward-looking statements about the factors that may affect the performance of the Fund in the future. These statements are based on Fund management’s predictions and expectations concerning certain future events and their expected impact on the Fund, such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors, changes in the levels of interest rates, the impact of developing world events, and other factors that may influence the future performance of the Fund. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual events may cause adjustments in portfolio management strategies from those currently expected to be employed.
     
 
Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect our judgment as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. These forecasts do not take into account the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. These forecasts are subject to high levels of uncertainty that may affect actual performance. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. These forecasts are estimated, based on assumptions, and are subject to significant revision and may change materially as economic and market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide updates or changes to these forecasts. Case studies and examples are for illustrative purposes only.
     
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-621-2550; and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
     
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. When available, the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may also be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
 
The Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (“MSCI”) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) and is licensed for use by Goldman Sachs. Neither MSCI, S&P nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
     
 
Holdings and allocations shown may not be representative of current or future investments. Holdings and allocations may not include the Fund’s entire investment portfolio, which may change at any time. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities.
     
 
This material is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or summary prospectus, if applicable. Investors should consider a Fund’s objective, risks, and charges and expenses, and read the summary prospectus, if available, and/or the Prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. The summary prospectus, if available, and the Prospectus contain this and other information about a Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
     
    Toll Free (in U.S.): 800-292-4726
     
 
This report is prepared for the general information of contract owners and is not an offer of shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust: Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund.
     
 
Copyright 2010 Goldman, Sachs & Co. All rights reserved.
VITLCVSAR10/39467.MF.TMPL/08-10    


 

 
Goldman
Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Strategic Growth Fund
 
 
 
 
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2010
LOGO


 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

Principal Investment Strategies and Risks
 
Shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Fund are not offered directly to the general public. The variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are described in the separate prospectuses issued by participating insurance companies. You should refer to those prospectuses for information about surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees and other charges that may be assessed by participating insurance companies under the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies. Such fees or charges, if any, may affect the return you realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider the Fund’s objective, risks and charges and expenses, and read the Prospectus carefully before investing. The Prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.
 
The Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund invests primarily in large-capitalization U.S. equity investments and is subject to market risk so that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions.
 
The Fund may invest in foreign securities, which may be more volatile and less liquid than investments in U.S. securities and will be subject to the risks of currency fluctuations and sudden economic or political developments. At times, the Fund may be unable to sell certain of its portfolio securities without a substantial drop in price, if at all.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs Growth Portfolio Management Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund (formerly, Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund) (the “Fund”) perform during the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2010?
 
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 (the “Reporting Period”), the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated cumulative total returns, without sales charges, of −8.63% and −8.73%, respectively. These returns compare to the −7.65% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index (with dividends reinvested) (the “Russell Index”), during the same time period.
 
Were there any significant changes in the Fund’s investment approach during the Reporting Period?
 
Effective April 30, 2010, the Goldman Sachs VIT Capital Growth Fund was renamed “Goldman Sachs VIT Strategic Growth Fund”. The Fund’s investment objective, performance benchmark and fees and expenses remained the same, but the investment strategies of the Fund did change. The investment focus is now on large-cap U.S. equity investments that are considered to be strategically positioned for consistent long-term growth. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity investments that are considered by the Investment Adviser to be strategically positioned for consistent long-term growth.
 
What economic and market factors most influenced the equity markets as a whole during the Reporting Period?
 
U.S. equities, like the broader global equity markets, began 2010 with modest gains in the first quarter, overcoming a weak start in January with modest gains in February and strong performance in March. While this marked the fourth consecutive quarter of gains for U.S. equities, underlying economic data and sentiment offered less directional conviction. In the U.S., stronger personal spending and retail sales figures released during the quarter jump-started consumer-related stocks. Continued positive numbers from several key manufacturing surveys lifted industrial stocks. Indeed, increasing cash flow, high productivity and significant cost cutting fueled expectations of forthcoming business spending and corporate profits across a wide spectrum of equity market sectors. Still, concerns over Greece’s debt troubles hung over first quarter financial markets.
 
Investor sentiment turned sharply in late April, and U.S. equities broke their winning streak with a sharp drop in the second quarter of 2010, which erased gains from the first quarter and sent most major equity indices into negative territory for the Reporting Period overall. Concerns over Europe’s sovereign debt issues intensified and weighed heavily on equity markets worldwide. Additionally, investors increasingly focused on the potential impact of a growing government appetite for regulation and mounting evidence that the global economic recovery might be losing steam. Particularly hard hit were financial stocks. In the U.S., significant financial reform legislation neared final stages, leading investors to contemplate the possible effect on earnings multiples of a number of large banks that might be forced to spin off or limit ownership in highly profitable businesses.
 
To add pressure to an already volatile backdrop, U.S. equity markets were doused with a number of disappointing economic readings at the end of June. The Federal Reserve (the Fed) suggested that “financial conditions have become less supportive of economic growth,” while first quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was revised down slightly to 2.7% from 3.0%. Consumer confidence fell sharply in June, and private sector payroll growth was weaker than expected. Fears that Chinese, and therefore global, demand might be slowing hit commodity prices and their stocks, while high crude oil inventory levels and BP’s disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico further pressured energy stocks. All told, broad-based weakness produced negative returns for all sectors in the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index, which represents the U.S. large-cap equity market, during the second quarter and for the Reporting Period as a whole.
 
 
 2


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
Stock selection overall detracted most from the Fund’s performance relative to the Russell Index during the Reporting Period.
 
Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Effective stock selection in the telecommunication services and materials sectors helped the Fund’s performance most relative to the Russell Index. Detracting most from the Fund’s relative results was stock selection in the health care and consumer discretionary sectors, where company-specific issues weighed on certain holdings.
 
What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?
 
The Fund benefited relative to the Russell Index from positions in CB Richard Ellis Group, the world’s leading commercial real estate services firm; American Tower, a wireless tower company; and Broadcom, a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications.
 
Shares of CB Richard Ellis Group held up well during the Reporting Period due primarily to its reports of better-than-expected fourth quarter results. Sales and leasing revenues increased year-over-year, and margins showed significant improvement driven by well-executed cost-cutting efforts. Furthermore, the company’s management team expressed increasing optimism that the real estate markets were poised to improve.
 
American Tower was a top contributor, with its shares advancing as the company reported strong revenue and earnings growth. American Tower benefited from being well-positioned in a growing industry with high barriers to entry. In addition, the contracts used in its business model were attractive, as they provide a predictable stream of revenue and recurring cash flow.
 
A position in Broadcom also contributed to the Fund’s relative performance, as its shares outperformed the Russell Index. Broadcom reported first quarter earnings that beat consensus estimates and provided a better-than-expected second quarter outlook. The company’s results were driven by strength in its mobile/wireless and enterprise networking business segments. During the Reporting Period, Broadcom shipped to five of the six largest cellular handset manufacturers. Included among these were Samsung and Nokia, which recently signed agreements with Broadcom, thereby providing a tailwind to unit sales growth.
 
Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
Detracting most from the Fund’s results relative to its benchmark index were positions in medical products company Baxter International, wireless chipmaker QUALCOMM and data center solutions company Equinix.
 
Baxter International’s shares fell after the company trimmed its guidance for 2010 due to a weaker outlook for its bioscience, or blood plasma, business. Competition in the blood plasma market had increased, making it more difficult for Baxter International to price its products at a premium. While we expected, at the end of the Reporting Period, uncertainty in the plasma business to remain an overhang in the near term, we continued to believe the company was trading at an attractive valuation due to its robust product pipeline and its market leading franchise.
 
Shares of QUALCOMM pulled back after the company reported its fiscal first quarter results. While the company’s earnings were ahead of consensus, this was overshadowed by a disappointing outlook based on continued uncertainty around handset pricing and pricing pressures in its chipset business. We maintained the position in the Fund as, in our view, QUALCOMM remained competitively well-positioned given its strong intellectual property portfolio of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technologies and its dominant position in third and fourth generation (3G and 4G) wireless devices. Furthermore, we believed QUALCOMM had significant growth opportunities in emerging markets, new consumer products and 3G and 4G mobile phones.
 
Shares of Equinix sold off during the Reporting Period, as investors were nervous about the company’s exposure to Europe. In our view, this was short-term “noise.” The company’s core data center business remained robust and should continue to strengthen with its recent acquisition of Switch & Data, a company that provided network-neutral data centers and Internet exchange services to network-centric businesses. At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed Equinix remained well-positioned to benefit from a number of secular trends, including cloud computing (that is, Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand, like the electricity grid), demand for optimized network performance and mobile data.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 
Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the Reporting Period?
 
We initiated a position in Xilinx, a leader in programmable logic devices (PLDs), which are used by customers around the world in a variety of industries, including automotive, broadcast, consumer, medical and military. The company met our investment criteria based on its dominant market position and competitive edge in PLDs. Also, in our view, Xilinx should benefit from the secular trend of PLDs taking share from application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), an alternative semiconductor chip. We believe the addressable market for PLDs should continue to expand as they offer significant benefits over ASICs, such as lower development costs, shorter development time and upgradability. Xilinx operates a duopoly in the PLD space, which provides pricing power. Its low fixed costs enable it to generate significant free cash flow. Furthermore, we believe the company’s innovative software serves as a barrier to entry. Finally, at the time of purchase, the company’s stock was trading at a historically low valuation and, in our view, offered significant upside potential.
 
We established a Fund position in Ecolab, a global leader in cleaning, sanitation and pest control services, which it provides to restaurants, hospitality, health care and other enterprises. We believe Ecolab has an effective business model in that it focuses on establishing relationships with clients by offering premium products specific to the consumer’s business, which can then be expanded to include additional services. For instance, the company may provide pest control services and expand the relationship to include floor polishing or machine sanitization. Ecolab’s suite of products focuses on reducing the time and energy required, thereby lowering costs and improving efficiency for its customers. Such a business model allows Ecolab to charge higher prices, which can be justified and offset by the savings to the consumer. We also liked the company because it is significantly larger than its competitors and has a multinational footprint, which we believe will provide Ecolab with sales growth opportunities around the world. At the time of purchase, we believed the company was trading at an attractive valuation.
 
We sold out of the Fund’s position in Suncor Energy, an integrated energy company focused on developing the Athabasca oil sands basin. Suncor Energy had some operational issues during the Reporting Period, leading our team to have lower confidence that it will be able to meet its production guidance. While we continue to like Suncor Energy over the longer term, we believed there were more attractive investment opportunities in the energy sector and so decided to exit the Fund’s position.
 
We exited the Fund’s position in C.R. Bard, a medical devices company that manufactures products for vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialties. We continue to believe the company has an attractive lineup of consumable products that provides consistent, recurring revenue. In addition, the company has a strong management team with a proven history of innovation that has allowed it to drive earnings through organic growth. However, shares of C.R. Bard meaningfully appreciated during the Reporting Period, reducing the stock’s valuation discount. With the stock price reflecting a better fundamental outlook for C.R. Bard, it no longer met our investment criteria. Therefore, we decided to sell out of the Fund’s position in the company, redeploying proceeds to add to other medical device names that we believe offer more attractive risk/reward opportunities in the large-cap segment of the market.
 
Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period?
 
In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, we focus on picking stocks rather than on making industry or sector bets. We seek to outpace the benchmark index by overweighting stocks that we expect to outperform and underweighting those that we think may lag. Consequently, changes in its sector weights are generally the direct result of individual stock selection or of stock appreciation or depreciation. That said, during the Reporting Period, the Fund’s exposure to the consumer staples, information technology and materials sectors increased compared to the Russell Index. The Fund’s allocations compared to the benchmark index in the consumer discretionary, energy, and industrials sectors decreased.
 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?
 
At the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund had overweighted positions relative to the Russell Index in the financials, health care, telecommunication services and consumer staples sectors. On the same date, the Fund had underweighted positions compared to the Russell Index in industrials, consumer discretionary, energy, information technology and materials sectors.
 
 
 4


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 
What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
As we consider the U.S. equity market going forward, we believe stock prices will be driven by company-specific fundamentals, specifically free cash flow and margin structure. Further, in our view, the dramatic cost cutting that occurred in 2009 should provide certain companies with significant operating leverage. Our research efforts continue to be focused on companies that can grow revenue by gaining market share and on determining whether those companies’ cost cutting was sustainable or transient. We believe it will continue to be a stock-picker’s market and, therefore, that an investment manager’s ability to identify and purchase those companies best poised for earnings and free cash flow growth will be an important component of investment returns. As always, deep research resources, a forward-looking investment process and truly actively managed portfolios are keys, in our view, to both preserving capital and outperforming the market over the long term.
 
 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Strategic Growth Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Institutional
    11.00 %     -0.05 %     -2.68 %     0.95 %   4/30/98    
Service
    10.66       N/A       N/A       -2.26     1/09/06    
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Institutional
    0.85 %     0.85 %    
Service
    1.10       1.10      
2 The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 6/30/103
 
                 
Holding   % of Net Assets     Line of Business    
 
Apple, Inc. 
    5.3 %   Technology Hardware & Equipment    
PepsiCo, Inc. 
    3.9     Food, Beverage & Tobacco    
Microsoft Corp. 
    3.6     Software & Services    
American Tower Corp. Class A
    3.3     Telecommunication Services    
Johnson & Johnson
    3.2     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences    
Cisco Systems, Inc. 
    3.1     Technology Hardware & Equipment    
Schlumberger Ltd. 
    3.0     Energy    
The Procter & Gamble Co. 
    2.9     Household & Personal Products    
QUALCOMM, Inc. 
    2.7     Technology Hardware & Equipment    
Baxter International, Inc. 
    2.6     Health Care Equipment & Services    
 
3 Opinions expressed in this report represent our present opinion only. Reference to individual securities should not be construed as a commitment that such securities will be retained by the Fund. From time to time, the Fund may change the individual securities it holds, the number or types of securities held and the markets in which it invests. Fund holdings of securities should not be relied upon in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. References to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to the investor to buy, hold or sell such securities. In addition, references to past performance of the Fund do not indicate future returns, which are not guaranteed and will vary. Furthermore, the value of shares of the Fund may fall as well as rise.
 
 
 6


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

 
 
 
 
FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4
 
As of June 30, 2010
 
(GRAPH)
 
4 The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. The above graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. Consequently, the Fund’s overall industry sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value. Short-term investments represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – 98.0%
                     
                     
    Banks – 0.9%
      213,800     People’s United Financial, Inc.   $ 2,886,300  
     
     
    Capital Goods – 2.6%
      92,500     Danaher Corp.     3,433,600  
      66,730     United Technologies Corp.     4,331,444  
                     
                  7,765,044  
     
     
    Consumer Durables & Apparel – 2.0%
      87,700     NIKE, Inc. Class B     5,924,135  
     
     
    Consumer Services – 1.9%
      89,000     McDonald’s Corp.     5,862,430  
     
     
    Diversified Financials – 6.8%
      19,600     CME Group, Inc.     5,518,380  
      79,400     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     2,906,834  
      133,700     Morgan Stanley     3,103,177  
      112,800     Northern Trust Corp.     5,267,760  
      260,430     The Charles Schwab Corp.     3,692,897  
                     
                  20,489,048  
     
     
    Energy – 8.5%
      295,200     Halliburton Co.     7,247,160  
      53,800     Occidental Petroleum Corp.     4,150,670  
      164,140     Schlumberger Ltd.     9,083,508  
      130,400     Southwestern Energy Co.*     5,038,656  
                     
                  25,519,994  
     
     
    Food & Staples Retailing – 2.5%
      136,000     Costco Wholesale Corp.     7,456,880  
     
     
    Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 5.9%
      108,000     Kraft Foods, Inc. Class A     3,024,000  
      190,500     PepsiCo, Inc.     11,610,975  
      60,700     The Coca-Cola Co.     3,042,284  
                     
                  17,677,259  
     
     
    Health Care Equipment & Services – 5.8%
      194,000     Baxter International, Inc.     7,884,160  
      63,200     Express Scripts, Inc.*     2,971,664  
      181,800     St. Jude Medical, Inc.*     6,561,162  
                     
                  17,416,986  
     
     
    Household & Personal Products – 4.7%
      201,200     Avon Products, Inc.     5,331,800  
      145,600     The Procter & Gamble Co.     8,733,088  
                     
                  14,064,888  
     
     
    Materials – 3.9%
      94,400     Ecolab, Inc.     4,239,504  
      50,600     Monsanto Co.     2,338,732  
      69,300     Praxair, Inc.     5,266,107  
                     
                  11,844,343  
     
     
    Media – 1.0%
      96,874     Viacom, Inc. Class B     3,038,937  
     
     
    Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 9.9%
      43,600     Amgen, Inc.*     2,293,360  
      94,600     Biogen Idec, Inc.*     4,488,770  
      105,753     Gilead Sciences, Inc.*     3,625,213  
      161,000     Johnson & Johnson     9,508,660  
      96,700     Merck & Co., Inc.     3,381,599  
      55,100     Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR     2,864,649  
      76,900     Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.*     3,771,945  
                     
                  29,934,196  
     
     
    Retailing – 7.6%
      105,200     Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*     3,900,816  
      357,840     Lowe’s Companies, Inc.     7,307,093  
      263,100     Staples, Inc.     5,012,055  
      133,500     Target Corp.     6,564,195  
                     
                  22,784,159  
     
     
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 3.1%
      118,800     Broadcom Corp. Class A     3,916,836  
      219,800     Xilinx, Inc.     5,552,148  
                     
                  9,468,984  
     
     
    Software & Services – 13.2%
      46,100     Equinix, Inc.*     3,744,242  
      15,011     Google, Inc. Class A*     6,679,144  
      25,800     Mastercard, Inc. Class A     5,147,874  
      472,568     Microsoft Corp.     10,873,790  
      346,400     Oracle Corp.     7,433,744  
      218,791     The Western Union Co.     3,262,174  
      38,100     Visa, Inc. Class A     2,695,575  
                     
                  39,836,543  
     
     
    Technology Hardware & Equipment – 12.1%
      63,400     Apple, Inc.*     15,947,002  
      437,190     Cisco Systems, Inc.*     9,316,519  
      78,500     NetApp, Inc.*     2,928,835  
      250,291     QUALCOMM, Inc.     8,219,556  
                     
                  36,411,912  
     
     
    Telecommunication Services – 5.6%
      220,690     American Tower Corp. Class A*     9,820,705  
      190,750     Crown Castle International Corp.*     7,107,345  
                     
                  16,928,050  
     
     
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    (Cost $299,810,647)   $ 295,310,088  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 8


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(a) – 1.5%
                     
                     
   
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Capital Shares
      4,395,573     0.067%   $ 4,395,573  
    (Cost $4,395,573)        
     
     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.5%
    (Cost $304,206,220)   $ 299,705,661  
     
     
   
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES – 0.5%
    1,574,536  
     
     
   
NET ASSETS – 100.0%
  $ 301,280,197  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
(a) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
             
     
     
    Investment Abbreviation:
    ADR     American Depositary Receipt
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
9 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Assets:
             
    Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $304,206,220)   $ 299,705,661  
    Receivables:        
   
Investment securities sold
    1,220,597  
   
Fund shares sold
    916,440  
   
Dividends
    318,292  
    Other assets     2,298  
     
     
    Total assets     302,163,288  
     
     
             
             
    Liabilities:
             
    Payables:        
   
Investment securities purchased
    323,351  
   
Amounts owed to affiliates
    242,078  
   
Fund shares redeemed
    201,048  
    Accrued expenses     116,614  
     
     
    Total liabilities     883,091  
     
     
             
             
    Net Assets:
             
    Paid-in capital     424,784,169  
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income     496,050  
    Accumulated net realized loss from investment transactions     (119,499,463 )
    Net unrealized loss on investments     (4,500,559 )
     
     
    NET ASSETS   $ 301,280,197  
     
     
    Net Assets:        
   
Institutional
  $ 106,452,357  
   
Service
    194,827,840  
     
     
    Total Net Assets   $ 301,280,197  
     
     
    Shares of beneficial interest outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):        
   
Institutional
    10,694,030  
   
Service
    19,614,907  
     
     
    Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:        
   
Institutional
  $ 9.95  
   
Service
    9.93  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 10


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Investment income:
             
    Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,482)   $ 2,192,168  
    Securities lending income — affiliated issuer     1,026  
     
     
    Total investment income     2,193,194  
     
     
             
             
    Expenses:
             
    Management fees     1,251,063  
    Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares     267,524  
    Printing and mailing costs     59,200  
    Professional fees     42,811  
    Transfer Agent fees(a)     33,359  
    Custody and accounting fees     33,127  
    Trustee fees     5,961  
    Other     6,584  
     
     
    Total expenses     1,699,629  
     
     
    NET INVESTMENT INCOME     493,565  
     
     
             
             
    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment transactions:
             
    Net realized gain from:        
   
Investment transactions — unaffiliated issuers (including commissions recaptured of $19,969)
    18,383,421  
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle transactions — affiliated issuer
    5,850  
    Net change in unrealized loss on:        
   
Investments — unaffiliated issuers
    (47,428,894 )
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle — affiliated issuer
    (11,583 )
     
     
    Net realized and unrealized loss from investment transactions     (29,051,206 )
     
     
    NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (28,557,641 )
     
     
 
(a) Institutional and Service Shares had Transfer Agent fees of $11,959 and $21,400, respectively.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
11 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
                     
        For the
       
        Six Months Ended
    For the
 
        June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
 
        (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
 
   
From operations:
                     
   
Net investment income
  $ 493,565     $ 552,696  
   
Net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions
    18,389,271       (45,876,538 )
   
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments
    (47,440,477 )     160,768,884  
     
     
   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    (28,557,641 )     115,445,042  
     
     
                     
                     
   
Distributions to shareholders:
                     
   
From net investment income
               
   
Institutional Shares
          (442,989 )
   
Service Shares
          (360,499 )
   
From return of capital
               
   
Institutional Shares
          (53,630 )
   
Service Shares
          (43,643 )
     
     
   
Total distributions to shareholders
          (900,761 )
     
     
                     
                     
   
From share transactions:
                     
   
Proceeds from sales of shares
    15,534,217       24,273,407  
   
Reinvestment of distributions
          900,761  
   
Cost of shares redeemed
    (30,863,599 )     (57,699,129 )
     
     
   
Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions
    (15,329,382 )     (32,524,961 )
     
     
   
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)
    (43,887,023 )     82,019,320  
     
     
                     
                     
   
Net assets:
                     
   
Beginning of period
    345,167,220       263,147,900  
     
     
   
End of period
  $ 301,280,197     $ 345,167,220  
     
     
   
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
  $ 496,050     $ 2,485  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 12


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
 
                                                                                                 
          Income (loss) from
                                                 
          investment operations                                                  
                Net
          Distributions
                            Ratio of
    Ratio of
       
    Net asset
    Net
    realized
          to shareholders
    Net asset
          Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
       
    value,
    investment
    and
    Total from
    from net
    value,
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    income (loss)
    Portfolio
 
    beginning
    income
    unrealized
    investment
    investment
    end of
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    to average
    turnover
 
 Year — Share Class   of period     (loss)(a)     gain (loss)     operations     income     period     return(b)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets     rate  
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
2010 — Institutional
  $ 10.89     $ 0.02     $ (0.96 )   $ (0.94 )   $     $ 9.95       (8.63 )%   $ 106,452       0.86 %(c)     0.86 %(c)     0.45 %(c)     27 %
2010 — Service
    10.88       0.01       (0.96 )     (0.95 )           9.93       (8.73 )     194,828       1.11 (c)     1.11 (c)     0.21 (c)     27  
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
2009 — Institutional
    7.40       0.03       3.50       3.53       (0.04 )(d)     10.89       47.75       125,258       0.85       0.85       0.35       64  
2009 — Service
    7.39       0.01       3.50       3.51       (0.02 )(d)     10.88       47.50       219,909       1.10       1.10       0.10       64  
2008 — Institutional
    12.73       0.02       (5.34 )     (5.32 )     (0.01 )     7.40       (41.67 )     95,218       0.81       0.81       0.20       44  
2008 — Service
    12.73       (0.01 )     (5.33 )     (5.34 )           7.39       (41.86 )     167,930       1.06       1.06       (0.05 )     44  
2007 — Institutional
    11.58       0.02 (e)     1.15       1.17       (0.02 )     12.73       10.13       172,418       0.86 (f)     0.86 (f)     0.18 (e)(f)     53  
2007 — Service
    11.58       0.01 (e)     1.15       1.16       (0.01 )     12.73       10.01       343,100       0.96 (f)     0.11 (f)     0.08 (e)(f)     53  
2006 — Institutional
    10.68       0.01       0.90       0.91       (0.01 )     11.58       8.56       165,877       0.84       0.85       0.12       70  
2006 — Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)
    11.03       (g)     0.55       0.55       (g)     11.58       5.01       386,526       0.94 (c)     1.10 (c)     0.03 (c)     70  
2005 — Institutional
    10.39       0.02       0.29       0.31       (0.02 )     10.68       2.94       168,054       0.90       0.90       0.15       35  
 
(a) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(b) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Includes a return of capital amounting to less than $0.005 per share.
(e) Reflects income recognized from a special dividend which amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.09% of average net assets.
(f) Includes non-recurring expense for a special shareholder meeting which amounted to approximately 0.02% of average net assets.
(g) Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

13


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
1. ORGANIZATION
 
 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust” or “VIT”) is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs” or the “Distributor”) serves as Distributor of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.
Effective April 30, 2010, the Fund’s name was changed from the Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund to Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
A. Investment Valuation — The investment valuation policy of the Fund is to value investments at market value. Investments in equity securities and investment companies traded on a United States (“U.S.”) securities exchange or the NASDAQ system are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If no sale occurs, such securities and investment companies are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued on the basis of quotations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the trustees or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value. If accurate quotations are not readily available, or if GSAM believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined based on yield equivalents, a pricing matrix or other sources, under valuation procedures established by the trustees. Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price. In the absence of market quotations, broker quotes will be utilized or the security will be fair valued. Investments in investment companies (other than those that are exchange traded) are valued at the net asset value per share (“NAV”) on the valuation date. Short-term debt obligations that mature in sixty days or less and that do not exhibit signs of credit deterioration are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or market closings; equipment failures; natural or man-made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; government actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; low trading volume; and trading limits or suspensions.
 
B. Security and Fund Share Transactions, and Investment Income — Security and Fund share transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date, which may cause the NAV as stated in the accompanying financial statements to be different than the NAV applied to Fund share transactions. Realized gains and losses on sales of
 
 
 
 14


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

 
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of foreign withholding taxes, if any, which are reduced by any amounts reclaimable by the Fund, where applicable. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted. In addition, it is the Fund’s policy to accrue for foreign capital gains taxes, if applicable, on certain foreign securities held by the Fund. An estimated foreign capital gains tax is recorded daily on net unrealized gains on these securities and is payable upon the sale of such securities when a gain is realized.
Net investment income (other than class specific expenses) and unrealized and realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares of the Fund based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class.
 
C. Expenses — Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not specifically relate to an individual Fund of the Trust are allocated to the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expense and are accrued daily.
 
D. Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) applicable to regulated investment companies (mutual funds) and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provisions are required. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gains distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net capital losses are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Utilization of capital loss carryforwards will reduce the requirement of future capital gains distributions.
The characterization of distributions to shareholders for financial reporting purposes is determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from GAAP. The source of the Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from net investment income, net realized gain or capital. The Fund’s capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character, but do not reflect temporary differences.
GSAM has reviewed the Fund’s tax positions for all open tax years (the current and prior three years, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.
 
E. Commission Recapture — The Fund may direct portfolio trades, subject to obtaining best execution, to various brokers who have agreed to rebate a portion of the commissions generated. Such rebates are made directly to the Fund as cash payments and are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments on the Statement of Operations.
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
 
 
A. Management Agreement — Under the Agreement, GSAM manages the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the trustees.
As compensation for the services rendered pursuant to the Agreement, the assumption of the expenses related thereto and administration of the Fund’s business affairs, including providing facilities, GSAM is entitled to a management fee computed daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, contractual management fees with GSAM were at the following rates:
 
                                         
Contractual Management Rate
First
  Next
  Next
  Next
  Over
  Effective
$1 billion   $1 billion   $3 billion   $3 billion   $8 billion   Rate
 
0.75%
    0.68%       0.65%       0.64%       0.63%       0.75%  
 
 
 
B. Distribution and Service Plan — The Trust, on behalf of the Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly for
 
 
 
15 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)
 
distribution services, which may then be paid by Goldman Sachs to authorized dealers, equal to, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares.
 
C. Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets for Institutional and Service Shares.
 
D. Other Agreements — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agent fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and other extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, 0.114% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expenses reimbursement, if any, is computed daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAM did not make any reimbursements to the Fund.
As of June 30, 2010, amounts owed to affiliates were approximately $195,000, $41,900 and $5,200 for management, distribution and service, and transfer agent fees, respectively.
 
E. Line of Credit Facility — As of June 30, 2010, the Fund participated in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of the facility, the Fund and other borrowers could increase the credit amount by an additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used solely for temporary or emergency purposes. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Fund based on the amount of the commitment that has not been utilized. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility. Prior to May 11, 2010, the amount available through the facility was $660,000,000.
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS
 
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2 — Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
 
Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
 
 
 
 16


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

 
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
 
The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2010:
 
                         
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
 
Assets
                       
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments
  $ 295,310,088     $     $  
Short-term Investment
    4,395,573              
 
 
Total
  $ 299,705,661     $     $  
 
 
 
5. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
 
 
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the six months ended June 30, 2010, were $88,412,439 and $103,930,654, respectively.
 
6. SECURITIES LENDING
 
 
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the terms and conditions contained therein, the Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“GSAL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, to certain qualified borrowers including Goldman Sachs and affiliates. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending procedures, the Fund receives cash collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Fund or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan.
The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Enhanced Portfolio of Boston Global Investment Trust (“Enhanced Portfolio”), a Delaware statutory trust. The Enhanced Portfolio, deemed an affiliate of the Trust, is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the Act and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive an investment advisory fee of up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Enhanced Portfolio. The Enhanced Portfolio invests primarily in short-term investments, but is not a “money market fund” subject to the requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the Act. The Fund’s investment of cash collateral in the Enhanced Portfolio is subject to a net asset value that may fall or rise due to market and credit conditions. Effective May 26, 2010, the Fund is no longer participating in the securities lending program.
Both the Fund and GSAL received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amount earned by the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2010, is reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations. A portion of this amount, $61, represents compensation earned by the Fund from lending its securities to Goldman Sachs. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAL earned $111 in fees as securities lending agent.
 
The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Enhanced Portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2010 (in thousands):
 
                                 
Number of
          Number of
   
Shares Held
          Shares Held
  Value at End
Beginning of Period   Shares Bought   Shares Sold   End of Period   of Period
 
11,689
    6,373       (18,062 )         $  
 
 
 
 
 
17 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
7. TAX INFORMATION
 
 
As of the most recent fiscal year end, December 31, 2009, the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards and certain timing differences on a tax-basis were as follows:
 
         
Capital loss carryforward:1
       
Expiring 2010
  $ (59,269,469 )
Expiring 2011
    (1,064,803 )
Expiring 2016
    (23,475,963 )
Expiring 2017
    (43,438,215 )
 
 
Total capital loss carryforward
  $ (127,248,450 )
 
 
Timing differences (post-October losses)
  $ (4,197,545 )
 
 
 
1 Expiration occurs on December 31 of the year indicated.
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes was as follows:
 
         
Tax cost
  $ 310,573,861  
 
 
Gross unrealized gain
    18,041,092  
Gross unrealized loss
    (28,909,292 )
 
 
Net unrealized security loss
  $ (10,868,200 )
 
 
 
The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses), as of the most recent fiscal year end, is attributable primarily to wash sales and differences related to the tax treatment of partnership investments.
 
8. OTHER RISKS
 
 
Fund’s Shareholder Concentration Risk — Certain participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of the Fund’s shares. Redemptions by these participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates in the Fund may impact the Fund’s liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force the Fund to sell securities, which may increase the Fund’s brokerage costs.
 
Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, the Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, the Fund may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transaction defaults.
 
9. INDEMNIFICATIONS
 
 
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, GSAM believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
 
 
 
 18


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

 
 
10. OTHER MATTERS
 
 
Legal Proceedings — On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Goldman Sachs and one of its employees alleging that they made materially misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007 private placement of securities relating to a synthetic collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional investors. On July 14, 2010, the SEC and Goldman Sachs entered into a consent agreement settling this action. On July 20, 2010, the U.S. District Court entered a final judgment approving the settlement.
Neither Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. or Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (collectively “GSAM”, for purposes of this note only) nor any GSAM-managed funds were named in the complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint did not seek any penalties against them or against any employee who is or has been part of GSAM.
GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have received temporary exemptive relief from the SEC to permit them to continue serving as investment adviser and principal underwriter for U.S.-registered mutual funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the operation of mutual funds, they would otherwise have become ineligible to perform these activities as a result of the District Court’s final judgment. GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have applied for final exemptive relief. While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
Goldman Sachs and/or other affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive notices and requests for information from various regulators, and have become or may in the future become involved in legal proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the SEC or other matters. In the view of Goldman Sachs and GSAM, neither the matters alleged in any such similar proceedings nor their eventual resolution are likely to have a material affect on the ability of Goldman Sachs, GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to GSAM-managed funds.
 
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
 
Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
12. SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 
 
Share activity is as follows:
 
                                 
    For the Six Months Ended
   
    June 30, 2010
  For the Fiscal Year Ended
    (Unaudited)   December 31, 2009
    Shares   Dollars   Shares   Dollars
 
Institutional Shares
                               
Shares sold
    364,606     $ 3,919,112       1,185,929     $ 10,504,936  
Reinvestment of distributions
                45,729       496,619  
Shares redeemed
    (1,173,189 )     (12,718,994 )     (2,600,340 )     (22,772,377 )
 
 
      (808,583 )     (8,799,882 )     (1,368,682 )     (11,770,822 )
 
 
Service Shares
                               
Shares sold
    1,079,074       11,615,105       1,508,421       13,768,471  
Reinvestment of distributions
                37,214       404,142  
Shares redeemed
    (1,677,664 )     (18,144,605 )     (4,046,698 )     (34,926,752 )
 
 
      (598,590 )     (6,529,500 )     (2,501,063 )     (20,754,139 )
 
 
NET DECREASE
    (1,407,173 )   $ (15,329,382 )     (3,869,745 )   $ (32,524,961 )
 
 
 
 
 
19 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited)
 
Background
The Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund (formerly, “Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund”) (the “Fund”) is an investment portfolio of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees oversees the management of the Trust and reviews the investment performance and expenses of the Fund at regularly scheduled meetings held during the year. In addition, the Board of Trustees determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Trust’s investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) on behalf of the Fund.
The Management Agreement was most recently approved for continuation until June 30, 2011 by the Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”), at a meeting held on June 16-17, 2010 (the “Annual Meeting”).
The review process undertaken by the Trustees spans the course of the year and culminates with the Annual Meeting. To assist the Trustees in their deliberations, the Trustees have established a Contract Review Committee (the “Committee”), comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Committee held three meetings over the course of the year, since last approving the Management Agreement. At those Committee meetings, regularly scheduled Board meetings and/or the Annual Meeting, the Board, or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, considered matters relating to the Management Agreement, including:
(a) the nature and quality of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including information about:
(i) the structure, staff and capabilities of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio management teams;
(ii) the groups within the Investment Adviser and its affiliates that support the portfolio management teams or provide other types of necessary services, including fund services groups (e.g., accounting and financial reporting, tax, shareholder services and operations), controls and risk management groups (e.g., legal, compliance, valuation oversight, credit risk management, internal audit, market risk analysis and finance and strategy), sales and distribution support groups and others (e.g., information technology and training);
(iii) trends in headcount;
(iv) the Investment Adviser’s financial resources and ability to hire and retain talented personnel and strengthen its operations; and
(v) the parent company’s support of the Investment Adviser and its mutual fund business, as expressed by the firm’s senior management;
(b) information on the investment performance of the Fund, including comparisons to the performance of similar mutual funds, as provided by a third party mutual fund data provider engaged as part of the contract review process (the “Outside Data Provider”), and its benchmark performance index, and general investment outlooks in the markets in which the Fund invests;
(c) the terms of the Management Agreement and agreements with affiliated service providers entered into by the Trust on behalf of the Fund;
(d) expense information for the Fund, including:
(i) the relative management fee and expense level of the Fund as compared to those of comparable funds managed by other advisers, as provided by the Outside Data Provider;
(ii) the Fund’s expense trends over time; and
(iii) to the extent the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative information on the advisory fees charged and services provided to those accounts by the Investment Adviser;
(e) with respect to the extensive investment performance and expense comparison data provided by the Outside Data Provider, its processes in producing that data for the Fund;
(f) the undertaking of the Investment Adviser to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund that exceed a specified level, and a summary of contractual fee reductions made by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates over the past several years with respect to the Fund;
(g) information relating to the profitability of the Management Agreement and the transfer agency and distribution and service arrangements of the Fund and the Trust as a whole to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates;
(h) potential economies of scale, if any, and the levels of breakpoints in the fees payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement;
 
 
 
 20


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
(i) a summary of the “fall-out” benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, including the fees received by the Investment Adviser’s affiliates from the Fund for transfer agency, securities lending, portfolio brokerage, distribution and other services;
(j) a summary of potential benefits derived by the Fund as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser;
(k) commission rates paid by the Fund, an update on the Investment Adviser’s soft dollars practices and other portfolio trading related issues;
(l) the manner in which portfolio manager compensation is determined, the alignment of the interests of the Fund and of the portfolio managers and related potential conflicts of interest; and the number and types of accounts managed by the portfolio managers;
(m) the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by its unaffiliated service providers, and the Investment Adviser’s general oversight and evaluation (including reports on due diligence) of those service providers as part of the administration services provided under the Management Agreement; and
(n) the Investment Adviser’s processes and policies addressing various types of potential conflicts of interest; its approach to risk management; the annual review of the effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program; and compliance reports.
The Trustees also received an overview of the Fund’s distribution arrangements. They received information regarding the Fund’s assets, share purchase and redemption activity and the payment of Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees by the Fund’s Service Shares. Information was also provided to the Trustees relating to revenue sharing payments made by and services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to intermediaries that promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of Fund shares.
The presentations made at the Board and Committee meetings and at the Annual Meeting encompassed the Fund and other mutual fund portfolios for which the Board of Trustees has responsibility. In evaluating the Management Agreement at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees relied upon their knowledge, resulting from their meetings and other interactions throughout the year, of the Investment Adviser, its affiliates, their services and the Fund. In conjunction with these meetings, the Trustees received written materials and oral presentations on the topics covered, and were advised by their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities and other regulatory requirements related to the approval and continuation of mutual fund investment management agreements under applicable law. During the course of their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel, without representatives of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates present. The Independent Trustees also discussed the broad range of other investment choices that are available to Fund investors, including the availability of comparable funds managed by other advisers.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided Under the Management Agreement
As part of their review, the Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Adviser. In this regard, the Trustees considered both the investment advisory services, and the other, non-advisory services, that are provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. The Independent Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser had committed substantial financial and operational resources to the Fund and expressed confidence that the Investment Adviser would continue to do so in the future. The Trustees also observed that the Investment Adviser had made significant commitments to address regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Fund and the Investment Adviser.
 
Investment Performance
The Trustees also considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Investment Adviser. In this regard, they compared the investment performance of the Fund to the performance rankings and ratings compiled by the Outside Data Provider. This information on the Fund’s investment performance relative to that of its peers was provided for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2009. The Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s investment performance over time on a year-by-year basis relative to its performance benchmark. In addition, they considered the investment performance trends of the Fund over time, and reviewed the investment performance of the Fund in light of its investment objective and policies and market conditions. The Trustees considered whether the Fund had operated within its investment policies and had complied with its investment limitations.
In addition, the Trustees considered materials prepared and presentations made by the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer and portfolio management personnel, in which Fund performance was assessed. The Trustees also considered the Investment Adviser’s periodic reports with respect to the Fund’s risk profile, and how the Investment Adviser’s approach to risk monitoring and management influences portfolio management.
 
 
 
21 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
The Trustees observed that the Fund was providing investment performance within a competitive range for long-term investors. The Trustees noted that the Fund had outperformed its benchmark during 2009 and also ranked in the top half of its peer group. The Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
 
Costs of Services Provided and Competitive Information
The Trustees considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement. In this regard, the Trustees considered information on the services rendered by the Investment Adviser to the Fund, which included both advisory and administrative services that were directed to the needs and operations of the Fund as a registered mutual fund.
In particular, the Trustees reviewed analyses prepared by the Outside Data Provider regarding the expense rankings of the Fund. The analyses provided a comparison of the Fund’s management fees and breakpoints to those of a relevant peer group and category universe; an expense analysis which compared the Fund’s expenses to a peer group and a category universe; and a four-year history comparing the Fund’s expenses to the peer and category averages. The analyses also compared the Fund’s transfer agency fees, custody and accounting fees, distribution fees, other expenses and fee waivers/reimbursements to those of other funds in the peer group and peer group median. The Trustees concluded that the comparisons provided by the Outside Data Provider were useful in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees and total expenses paid by the Fund.
In addition, the Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s undertaking to limit the Fund’s “other expenses” ratio (excluding certain expenses) to a specified level. They also considered, to the extent that the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative fee information for services provided by the Investment Adviser to those accounts, and information that indicated that services provided to the Fund differed in various significant respects from the services provided to institutional accounts, which generally operated under less stringent legal and regulatory structures, required fewer services from the Investment Adviser to a smaller number of client contact points, were less time-intensive and paid lower fees. By contrast, the Trustees noted that the Investment Adviser provides substantial administrative services to the Fund under the terms of the Management Agreement.
In addition, the Trustees noted that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares at any time if they believe that the Fund fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
 
Profitability
The Trustees reviewed the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins with respect to the Trust and the Fund. In this regard the Trustees noted that they had received, among other things, profitability analyses and summaries, revenue and expense schedules by Fund and by function (i.e., investment management, transfer agency and distribution and service) and the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology. They observed that the profitability and expense figures are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Adviser for many internal purposes, including compensation decisions among various business groups, and are thus subject to a vigorous internal debate about how certain revenue and expenses should be allocated. The Trustees also reviewed the report of the internal audit group within the Goldman Sachs organization, which included an assessment of the reasonableness and consistency of the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology and an evaluation of the accuracy of the Investment Adviser’s profitability analysis calculations. Profitability data for the Trust and the Fund were provided for 2009 and 2008, and the Trustees considered this information in relation to the Investment Adviser’s overall profitability. The Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins both in absolute terms and in comparison to information on the reported pre-tax profit margins earned by certain other asset management firms.
 
Economies of Scale
The Trustees considered the information that had been provided regarding the Investment Adviser’s profitability and the rationale for the Fund’s breakpoint structure. The Trustees also considered the breakpoints in the fee rate payable under the Management Agreement for the Fund at the following annual percentage rates of the average daily net assets of the Fund:
 
         
First $1 billion
    0.75 %
Next $1 billion
    0.68  
Next $3 billion
    0.65  
Next $3 billion
    0.64  
Over $8 billion
    0.63  
 
 
 
 22


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
The Trustees noted that the breakpoints at the $5 and $8 billion asset levels had been proposed by the Investment Adviser and approved by the Trustees in 2008 to further share potential economies of scale, if any, with the Fund and its shareholders as assets under management reach those asset levels. The Trustees considered the amounts of assets in the Fund; the Fund’s recent share purchase and redemption activity; the information provided by the Investment Adviser relating to the costs of the services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and their realized profits; information comparing fee rates charged by the Investment Adviser with fee rates charged to other funds in the peer group; and the Investment Adviser’s undertaking to limit other expenses to a certain amount. Upon reviewing these matters at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees concluded that the fee breakpoints represented a means of assuring that benefits of scalability would be passed along to shareholders at the specified asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to the Investment Adviser and Its Affiliates
The Trustees also considered the other benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund as stated above, including: (a) transfer agency fees received by Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”); (b) brokerage and futures commissions earned by Goldman Sachs for executing securities and futures transactions on behalf of the Fund; (c) research received by the Investment Adviser from broker-dealers in exchange for executing certain transactions on behalf of the Fund; (d) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those for other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (e) fees earned during a portion of the year by Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, as securities lending agent (and fees earned by the Investment Adviser for managing the portfolio in which the Fund’s cash collateral was invested); (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage the infrastructure designed to service the Fund on behalf of its other clients; (g) the Investment Adviser’s ability to cross-market other products and services to Fund shareholders; (h) Goldman Sachs’ retention of certain fees as Fund Distributor; (i) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate better pricing with custodians on behalf of its other clients, as a result of the relationship with the Fund; and (j) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage relationships with the Fund’s third party service providers to attract more firmwide business. In the course of considering the foregoing, the Independent Trustees requested and received further information quantifying certain of the fall-out benefits. In looking at the benefits to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending and the Investment Adviser from the securities lending program, they noted that the Fund also benefited from its participation in the securities lending program.
 
Other Benefits to the Fund and Its Shareholders
The Trustees also noted that the Fund receives certain potential benefits as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser, including: (a) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those of other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (b) improved servicing and pricing from vendors because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (c) improved servicing from broker-dealers because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (d) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate favorable terms with derivatives counterparties as a result of the size and reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (e) the advantages gained from the Investment Adviser’s knowledge and experience gained from managing other accounts and products; (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to hire and retain qualified personnel to provide services to the Fund because of the reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (g) the Fund’s access, through the Investment Adviser, to certain firmwide resources (e.g., proprietary databases); and (h) the Fund’s access to certain affiliated distribution channels. The Trustees noted the competitive nature of the mutual fund marketplace, and noted further that many of the Fund’s shareholders invested in the Fund in part because of the Fund’s relationship with the Investment Adviser and that those shareholders have a general expectation that the relationship will continue.
 
Conclusion
In connection with their consideration of the Management Agreement, the Trustees gave weight to each of the factors described above, but did not identify any particular factor as controlling their decision. After deliberation and consideration of all of the information provided, including the factors described above, the Trustees concluded, in the exercise of their business judgment, that the management fees paid by the Fund were reasonable in light of the services provided to it by the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser’s costs and the Fund’s current and reasonably foreseeable asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the Management Agreement should be approved and continued with respect to the Fund until June 30, 2011.
 
 
 
23 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
 
 

 
Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (with respect to Service Shares) and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund 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 period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
 
Actual Expenses — The first line under each share class in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The second line under each share class in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Fund, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees, or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. The second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.
 
                                 
                      Expenses
 
                      Paid for the
 
      Beginning
      Ending
      6 Months
 
      Account Value
      Account Value
      Ended
 
Share Class     1/01/10       6/30/10       6/30/10*  
Institutional
                               
Actual
    $ 1,000       $ 913 .70       $ 4.08  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,020 .53+         4.31  
 
Service
                               
Actual
      1,000         912 .70         5.26  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,019 .29+         5.56  
 
 
* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized net expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the fiscal year. The annualized net expense ratios for the period were 0.86% and 1.11% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.
 
+ Hypothetical expenses are based on the Fund’s actual annualized net expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses.
 
 
 
 
 24


 

 


 

  
     
TRUSTEES
  OFFICERS
Ashok N. Bakhru, Chairman
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Diana M. Daniels
Patrick T. Harker
James A. McNamara
Jessica Palmer
Alan A. Shuch
Richard P. Strubel
  James A. McNamara, President
George F. Travers, Principal Financial Officer
Peter V. Bonanno, Secretary
Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer
     
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
   
     
 
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
200 West Street, New York
New York 10282
     
 
Visit our Web site at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns.
     
 
The reports concerning the Fund included in this shareholder report may contain certain forward-looking statements about the factors that may affect the performance of the Fund in the future. These statements are based on Fund management’s predictions and expectations concerning certain future events and their expected impact on the Fund, such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors, changes in the levels of interest rates, the impact of developing world events, and other factors that may influence the future performance of the Fund. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual events may cause adjustments in portfolio management strategies from those currently expected to be employed.
     
 
Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect our judgment as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. These forecasts do not take into account the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. These forecasts are subject to high levels of uncertainty that may affect actual performance. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. These forecasts are estimated, based on assumptions, and are subject to significant revision and may change materially as economic and market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide updates or changes to these forecasts. Case studies and examples are for illustrative purposes only.
     
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-621-2550; and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
     
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. When available, the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may also be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
 
The Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (“MSCI”) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) and is licensed for use by Goldman Sachs. Neither MSCI, S&P nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
     
 
Holdings and allocations shown may not be representative of current or future investments. Holdings and allocations may not include the Fund’s entire investment portfolio, which may change at any time. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities.
     
 
This material is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or summary prospectus, if applicable. Investors should consider a Fund’s objective, risks, and charges and expenses, and read the summary prospectus, if available, and/or the Prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. The summary prospectus, if available, and the Prospectus contain this and other information about a Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
     
    Toll Free (in U.S.): 800-292-4726
     
 
This report is prepared for the general information of contract owners and is not an offer of shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust: Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund.
     
 
Copyright 2010 Goldman, Sachs & Co. All rights reserved.
VITSGRWSAR10/39467.MF.TMPL/08-10    


 

 
Goldman
Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Mid Cap Value Fund
 
 
 
 
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2010
(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

Principal Investment Strategies and Risks
 
Shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Fund are not offered directly to the general public. The variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are described in the separate prospectuses issued by participating insurance companies. You should refer to those prospectuses for information about surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees and other charges that may be assessed by participating insurance companies under the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies. Such fees or charges, if any, may affect the return you realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider the Fund’s objective, risks and charges and expenses, and read the Prospectus carefully before investing. The Prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.
 
The Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund invests primarily in mid-capitalization U.S. equity investments and is subject to market risk so that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions. The securities of mid-capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements.
 
The Fund may invest in foreign securities, which may be more volatile and less liquid than investments in U.S. securities and will be subject to the risks of currency fluctuations and sudden economic or political developments. At times, the Fund may be unable to sell certain of its portfolio securities without a substantial drop in price, if at all.
 
The Fund may invest in fixed income securities. Investments in fixed income securities are subject to the risks associated with debt securities, including credit and interest rate risk.
 
 
 
1 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs Value Portfolio Management Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) perform during the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2010?
 
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 (the “Reporting Period”), the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated cumulative total returns, without sales charges, of −3.17% and −3.34%, respectively. These returns compare to the −0.88% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell Midcap® Value Index (with dividends reinvested) (the “Russell Index”), during the same time period.
 
What economic and market factors most influenced the equity markets as a whole during the Reporting Period?
 
U.S. equity markets, like the broader global equity markets, broke a four-quarter winning streak with a sharp drop in the second quarter of 2010 that erased gains from the first quarter of the year and sent most major indices into negative territory for the Reporting Period overall. The Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index, which represents the U.S. large-cap equity cap, fell more than 11% during the second quarter, in line with the performance of the MSCI World Index, which is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. As of May 27, 2010 the MSCI World Index consisted of the following 24 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Broad-based weakness produced negative returns for all sectors in the Standard&Poor’s® 500 Index although more defensive sectors, such as consumer staples, telecommunication services and utilities fared slightly better than index averages.
 
While the performance of both U.S. and international equity markets largely reflected investor concern that Europe’s sovereign debt dilemma would spark another financial crisis, attention was also increasingly focused on evidence that the global economy was losing steam. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (the Fed) remained cautious on economic growth. Consumers were wary, and private sector payroll growth was weaker than expected. Additionally, fears of slowing Chinese demand hit commodity prices, while high crude oil inventory levels and BP’s disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico further pressured energy stocks. The financials sector was among the weakest in the second quarter, as significant financial reform legislation neared the final stages, and investors contemplated the impact to margins, earnings and multiples of banks.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
Stock selection overall detracted most from the Fund’s performance relative to the Russell Index during the Reporting Period.
 
Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Effective stock selection in the industrials, materials and telecommunication services sectors helped the Fund’s performance most relative to the Russell Index. Detracting most from the Fund’s relative results was stock selection in the consumer discretionary, financials and consumer staples sectors, where company-specific issues weighed on certain holdings.
 
What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?
 
The Fund benefited most relative to the Russell Index from positions in telecommunications giant Sprint Nextel and diversified mining and natural resources company Cliffs Natural Resources.
 
Shares of Sprint Nextel advanced modestly, as the company reported its first sequential increase in operating revenues in several years, as well as lower customer turnover, a key indicator for its turnaround story. After a positive earnings report in
 
 
 
 2


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

April, the company continued to gain momentum in May as investors grew more confident in its turnaround. We remained encouraged by the company’s progress, particularly in reducing churn and rolling out fourth generation (4G). By the end of the Reporting Period, we had trimmed the Fund’s position in Sprint Nextel, taking profits on strength.
 
Cliffs Natural Resources, the only public iron ore company in the U.S., performed well during the Reporting Period, benefiting from improved volume, lower fixed costs and higher pricing. The company’s shares also rose as it reported better-than-anticipated earnings and raised guidance. We trimmed the Fund’s position in Cliffs Natural Resources as it approached our price target.
 
Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
Detracting from the Fund’s results relative to its benchmark index were positions in integrated electric power company PPL and independent oil and natural gas producer Range Resources.
 
PPL was a detractor from Fund results, as the fundamentals for the power market remained challenged by low prices and soft demand. Its shares also fell upon its acquisition of Louisiana Gas and Electric, but we believe this will be accretive for the company over the longer term. As such, we added to the Fund’s position in PPL on weakness during the Reporting Period.
 
Range Resources’ shares were negatively affected by weak natural gas prices. Also, there was investor concern over a possible moratorium on drilling in Pennsylvania that would hurt the company’s business. In a related manner, there were worries about potential headwinds from competitor accidents in the field and further regulation. We continued to like this position with a long-term perspective, as Range Resources has a high quality safety standard such that new regulation, in our view, would hurt them less on a cost basis than it would many of its competitors. Still, we trimmed the Fund’s position in Range Resources to reduce exposure over the near term.
 
Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the Reporting Period?
 
We initiated a Fund position in NBTY, the leading producer and distributor of vitamins in the U.S. We viewed the market pull-back during the Reporting Period as an opportune time to buy what we considered to be such a consistent long-term value creator when it was trading at attractive valuations.
 
We also established a Fund position in BMC Software, a provider of management solutions for mainframes and a distributor of information technology systems. BMC Software’s shares were, at the time of purchase, trading well below historical averages on a price/earnings basis. We believe that BMC Software should benefit from a renewal cycle in the mainframe business, driven by catch-up spending that was deferred during the economic downturn. In our view, such a trend should lead to an improved pricing environment for BMC Software’s most profitable line of business.
 
We sold out of the Fund’s position in internal combustion engine manufacturer Cummins, taking profits on strength. The company had benefited from a secular growth trend in its business due to the enforcement of emission standards. Additionally, the company was expanding its capital expenditures and diversifying into other product ranges.
 
Our investment thesis on Huntsman, a diversified chemicals manufacturer, was that it would benefit from an improved capital position, restructuring savings and a very inexpensive valuation. During the Reporting Period, our thesis indeed played out, and so we sold out of the Fund’s position in Huntsman’s stock as it reached our price target.
 
Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period?
 
In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, we focus on picking stocks rather than on making industry or sector bets. We seek to outpace the benchmark index by overweighting stocks that we expect to outperform and underweighting those that we think may lag. Consequently, changes in the Fund’s sector weights are generally the direct result of individual stock selection or of stock appreciation or depreciation. That said, during the Reporting Period, the Fund’s exposure to the consumer discretionary, telecommunication services, industrials, utilities and consumer staples sectors increased compared to the Russell Index. The Fund’s allocation compared to the benchmark index in the materials, energy and financials sectors decreased.
 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?
 
At the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund had overweighted positions relative to the Russell Index in the consumer discretionary, telecommunication services and health care sectors. On the same date, the Fund had underweighted positions compared to the Russell Index in the consumer staples, energy, and financials sectors, and was rather neutrally weighted to the Index in the industrials, information technology, utilities and materials sectors.
 
 
 
3 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 
What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
We maintained, at the end of the Reporting Period, a cautiously optimistic view ahead on the U.S. economy, though we recognized that the path to recovery may occur at an uneven pace. Further, many of the headwinds to recovery had already been discounted in the U.S. equity market, and so we believe the risk/reward trade-off is an overall positive over the long term. Amidst a challenging macroeconomic backdrop that includes earnings volatility, regulatory uncertainty and high unemployment, we remained encouraged by data points at the company level. Whereas earnings improvements during the Reporting Period were primarily driven by cost cutting, we believe revenues are beginning to stabilize. Corporate profits appear to be improving, and management teams are more positive. High cash levels and strong balance sheets bode well, in our view, for capital expenditures — the fuel for longer-term growth.
 
As valuations and volatility normalize from extremes, we believe stocks should trade more on fundamentals and profitability going forward, creating a fertile environment for stock selection. We were excited, at the end of the Reporting Period, to find ourselves with ample opportunities to buy what we believe to be quality businesses at deeply discounted valuations. Drastic cost cutting during the downturn resulted in increased operating leverage for many companies, benefiting margins.
 
With corporate balance sheets strengthened and flush with cash, we believe capital allocation decisions will distinguish winners and losers. We maintain our discipline as we seek companies with strong or improving fundamentals, led by quality management teams focused on creating shareholder value, and believe that this long-term discipline will help us navigate volatile markets. As always, deep research resources, a forward-looking investment process and truly actively managed portfolios are keys, in our view, to both preserving capital and outperforming the market over the long term.
 
 
 
 4


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Mid Cap Value Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Institutional
    22.69 %     0.66 %     9.10 %     6.39 %   5/01/98    
Service
    22.29       N/A       N/A       -1.40     1/09/06    
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Institutional
    0.86 %     0.86 %    
Service
    1.11       1.11      
2 The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 6/30/103
 
                 
Holding   % of Net Assets     Line of Business    
 
Newfield Exploration Co. 
    2.4 %   Energy    
W.R. Berkley Corp. 
    2.3     Insurance    
Eaton Corp. 
    2.0     Capital Goods    
Range Resources Corp. 
    1.8     Energy    
DISH Network Corp. Class A
    1.7     Media    
CBS Corp. Class B
    1.7     Media    
Biogen Idec, Inc. 
    1.7     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences    
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. 
    1.6     Insurance    
Sprint Nextel Corp. 
    1.5     Telecommunication Services    
Aetna, Inc. 
    1.5     Health Care Equipment & Services    
 
3 Opinions expressed in this report represent our present opinion only. Reference to individual securities should not be construed as a commitment that such securities will be retained by the Fund. From time to time, the Fund may change the individual securities it holds, the number or types of securities held and the markets in which it invests. Fund holdings of securities should not be relied upon in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. References to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to the investor to buy, hold or sell such securities. In addition, references to past performance of the Fund do not indicate future returns, which are not guaranteed and will vary. Furthermore, the value of shares of the Fund may fall as well as rise.
 
 
 
5 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

 
 
 
FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4
 
As of June 30, 2010
 
(GRAPH)
 
4 The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. The above graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. Consequently, the Fund’s overall industry sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value. Short-term investment represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded.
 
 
 
 6


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – 99.3%
                     
                     
    Automobiles & Components – 1.5%
      185,680     Harley-Davidson, Inc.   $ 4,127,667  
      277,369     TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.*     7,647,063  
                     
                  11,774,730  
     
     
    Banks – 5.3%
      185,663     Comerica, Inc.     6,837,968  
      636,992     Fifth Third Bancorp     7,828,632  
      530,539     First Horizon National Corp.*     6,074,668  
      65,641     M&T Bank Corp.     5,576,203  
      421,362     Marshall & Ilsley Corp.     3,025,379  
      459,569     SunTrust Banks, Inc.     10,707,958  
                     
                  40,050,808  
     
     
    Capital Goods – 6.6%
      244,765     BE Aerospace, Inc.*     6,224,374  
      125,788     Cooper Industries PLC Class A     5,534,672  
      227,907     Eaton Corp.     14,914,234  
      147,331     Parker Hannifin Corp.     8,170,977  
      249,849     Pentair, Inc.     8,045,138  
      101,980     Snap-On, Inc.     4,172,002  
      199,705     Textron, Inc.     3,388,994  
                     
                  50,450,391  
     
     
    Commercial & Professional Services – 1.9%
      252,797     Equifax, Inc.     7,093,484  
      256,039     Republic Services, Inc.     7,612,039  
                     
                  14,705,523  
     
     
    Consumer Durables & Apparel – 3.8%
      112,343     Fossil, Inc.*     3,898,302  
      184,510     Hanesbrands, Inc.*     4,439,310  
      85,047     Mohawk Industries, Inc.*     3,891,751  
      688,112     Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.     10,073,960  
      10,501     NVR, Inc.*     6,878,470  
                     
                  29,181,793  
     
     
    Consumer Services – 0.5%
      152,019     Penn National Gaming, Inc.*     3,511,639  
     
     
    Diversified Financials – 4.1%
      670,599     Invesco Ltd.     11,286,181  
      561,497     Janus Capital Group, Inc.     4,986,093  
      150,111     Lazard Ltd. Class A     4,009,465  
      1,070,112     SLM Corp.*     11,118,464  
                     
                  31,400,203  
     
     
    Energy – 9.0%
      358,436     Forest Oil Corp.*     9,806,809  
      153,000     Helmerich & Payne, Inc.     5,587,560  
      625,337     Key Energy Services, Inc.*     5,740,594  
      374,028     Newfield Exploration Co.*     18,275,008  
      346,269     Range Resources Corp.     13,902,700  
      700,470     Weatherford International Ltd.*     9,204,176  
      73,700     Whiting Petroleum Corp.*     5,779,554  
                     
                  68,296,401  
     
     
    Food & Staples Retailing – 0.9%
      336,121     Safeway, Inc.     6,608,139  
     
     
    Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 3.1%
      295,096     ConAgra Foods, Inc.     6,881,639  
      127,514     Hansen Natural Corp.*     4,987,073  
      147,534     Hormel Foods Corp.     5,972,176  
      99,193     The J.M. Smucker Co.     5,973,402  
                     
                  23,814,290  
     
     
    Health Care Equipment & Services – 4.7%
      431,713     Aetna, Inc.     11,388,589  
      30,200     Amedisys, Inc.*     1,327,894  
      113,407     C. R. Bard, Inc.     8,792,445  
      457,445     Hologic, Inc.*     6,372,209  
      223,638     Kinetic Concepts, Inc.*     8,165,023  
                     
                  36,046,160  
     
     
    Household & Personal Products – 1.2%
      34,900     Alberto-Culver Co.     945,441  
      241,389     NBTY, Inc.*     8,209,640  
                     
                  9,155,081  
     
     
    Insurance – 11.5%
      153,204     Everest Re Group Ltd.     10,834,587  
      592,408     Genworth Financial, Inc. Class A*     7,742,772  
      549,182     Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.     12,153,398  
      232,314     Lincoln National Corp.     5,642,907  
      406,494     Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.     9,166,440  
      472,283     Principal Financial Group, Inc.     11,070,313  
      252,962     The Progressive Corp.     4,735,449  
      653,559     W.R. Berkley Corp.     17,293,171  
      567,363     XL Capital Ltd. Class A     9,083,482  
                     
                  87,722,519  
     
     
    Materials – 5.0%
      267,009     Celanese Corp. Class A     6,651,194  
      100,177     CF Industries Holdings, Inc.     6,356,231  
      48,000     Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.     2,263,680  
      171,300     Commercial Metals Co.     2,264,586  
      85,112     FMC Corp.     4,887,982  
      189,612     International Paper Co.     4,290,919  
      111,895     Pactiv Corp.*     3,116,276  
      246,334     Steel Dynamics, Inc.     3,249,145  
      76,872     The Sherwin-Williams Co.     5,318,774  
                     
                  38,398,787  
     
     
    Media – 4.2%
      1,017,440     CBS Corp. Class B     13,155,499  
      725,040     DISH Network Corp. Class A     13,159,476  
      12,962     The Washington Post Co. Class B     5,320,642  
                     
                  31,635,617  
     
     
    Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 1.7%
      268,247     Biogen Idec, Inc.*     12,728,320  
     
     
    Real Estate Investment Trust – 7.3%
      115,526     Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.     7,320,883  
      147,994     Boston Properties, Inc.     10,557,892  
      133,617     Digital Realty Trust, Inc.     7,707,028  
      532,065     Douglas Emmett, Inc.     7,565,964  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
7 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
    Real Estate Investment Trust – (continued)
                     
      571,960     Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   $ 7,710,021  
      794,100     MFA Financial, Inc.     5,876,340  
      71,200     Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.     2,946,256  
      120,500     Ventas, Inc.     5,657,475  
                     
                  55,341,859  
     
     
    Retailing – 2.6%
      276,914     Guess?, Inc.     8,650,793  
      66,138     J.C. Penney Co., Inc.     1,420,644  
      909,057     Liberty Media Corp. – Interactive Class A*     9,545,099  
                     
                  19,616,536  
     
     
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.7%
      1,206,866     ON Semiconductor Corp.*     7,699,805  
      500,282     Teradyne, Inc.*     4,877,749  
                     
                  12,577,554  
     
     
    Software & Services – 3.2%
      229,589     BMC Software, Inc.*     7,950,667  
      248,704     IAC/InterActiveCorp*     5,464,027  
      165,300     McAfee, Inc.*     5,078,016  
      352,500     Parametric Technology Corp.*     5,523,675  
                     
                  24,016,385  
     
     
    Technology Hardware & Equipment – 1.6%
      195,003     Amphenol Corp. Class A     7,659,718  
      192,815     CommScope, Inc.*     4,583,212  
                     
                  12,242,930  
     
     
    Telecommunication Services – 2.9%
      155,748     CenturyTel, Inc.     5,187,966  
      788,719     Clearwire Corp. Class A*     5,741,874  
      2,713,873     Sprint Nextel Corp.*     11,506,822  
                     
                  22,436,662  
     
     
    Transportation – 2.3%
      918,390     JetBlue Airways Corp.*     5,041,961  
      174,214     Kansas City Southern*     6,332,679  
      154,846     Ryder System, Inc.     6,229,455  
                     
                  17,604,095  
     
     
    Utilities – 12.7%
      138,800     Alliant Energy Corp.     4,405,512  
      716,607     CMS Energy Corp.     10,498,293  
      193,282     DPL, Inc.     4,619,440  
      298,795     Edison International     9,477,778  
      118,944     FirstEnergy Corp.     4,190,397  
      111,015     Great Plains Energy, Inc.     1,889,475  
      226,373     Northeast Utilities     5,767,984  
      497,799     NV Energy, Inc.     5,879,006  
      117,800     Pinnacle West Capital Corp.     4,283,208  
      440,182     PPL Corp.     10,982,541  
      145,600     Progress Energy, Inc.     5,710,432  
      137,427     Questar Corp.     6,251,554  
      303,012     SCANA Corp.     10,835,709  
      107,500     Sempra Energy     5,029,925  
      315,738     Xcel Energy, Inc.     6,507,360  
                     
                  96,328,614  
     
     
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    (Cost $759,608,817)   $ 755,645,036  
     
     
                     
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(a) – 2.4%
                     
                     
   
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund –
Capital Shares
      18,646,387     0.067%   $ 18,646,387  
    (Cost $18,646,387)        
     
     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 101.7%
    (Cost $778,255,204)   $ 774,291,423  
     
     
   
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS – (1.7)%
    (12,615,877 )
     
     
   
NET ASSETS – 100.0%
  $ 761,675,546  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
(a) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 8


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Assets:
             
    Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $778,255,204)   $ 774,291,423  
    Receivables:        
   
Investment securities sold
    10,119,948  
   
Dividends
    885,942  
   
Fund shares sold
    190,403  
    Other assets     5,792  
     
     
    Total assets     785,493,508  
     
     
             
             
    Liabilities:
             
    Payables:        
   
Investment securities purchased
    22,138,190  
   
Fund shares redeemed
    908,728  
   
Amounts owed to affiliates
    577,589  
    Accrued expenses     193,455  
     
     
    Total liabilities     23,817,962  
     
     
             
             
    Net Assets:
             
    Paid-in capital     1,032,822,511  
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income     4,470,687  
    Accumulated net realized loss from investment transactions     (271,653,871 )
    Net unrealized loss on investments     (3,963,781 )
     
     
    NET ASSETS   $ 761,675,546  
     
     
    Net Assets:        
   
Institutional
  $ 651,874,551  
   
Service
    109,800,995  
     
     
    Total Net Assets   $ 761,675,546  
     
     
    Shares of beneficial interest outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):        
   
Institutional
    59,326,550  
   
Service
    9,986,844  
     
     
    Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:        
   
Institutional
  $ 10.99  
   
Service
    10.99  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
9 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Investment income:
             
    Dividends   $ 5,969,460  
    Securities lending income — affiliated issuer     33,720  
     
     
    Total investment income     6,003,180  
     
     
             
             
    Expenses:
             
    Management fees     3,730,978  
    Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares     153,280  
    Printing and mailing costs     120,224  
    Transfer Agent fees(a)     93,267  
    Custody and accounting fees     55,683  
    Professional fees     43,402  
    Trustee fees     6,443  
    Registration fees     618  
    Other     11,324  
     
     
    Total expenses     4,215,219  
     
     
    NET INVESTMENT INCOME     1,787,961  
     
     
             
             
    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment transactions:
             
    Net realized gain from:        
   
Investment transactions — unaffiliated issuers (including commissions recaptured of $157,535)
    97,420,038  
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle transactions — affiliated issuer
    26,974  
    Net change in unrealized loss on:        
   
Investments — unaffiliated issuers
    (116,404,922 )
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle — affiliated issuer
    (67,665 )
     
     
    Net realized and unrealized loss from investment transactions     (19,025,575 )
     
     
    NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (17,237,614 )
     
     
 
(a) Institutional and Service Shares had Transfer Agent fees of $81,006 and $12,261, respectively.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 10


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
                     
        For the
       
        Six Months Ended
    For the
 
        June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
 
        (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
 
    From operations:
                     
    Net investment income   $ 1,787,961     $ 12,170,021  
    Net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions     97,447,012       (145,586,797 )
    Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (116,472,587 )     380,146,294  
     
     
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (17,237,614 )     246,729,518  
     
     
                     
                     
    Distributions to shareholders:
                     
    From net investment income                
   
Institutional Shares
          (13,210,185 )
   
Service Shares
          (1,663,339 )
     
     
    Total distributions to shareholders           (14,873,524 )
     
     
                     
                     
    From share transactions:
                     
    Proceeds from sales of shares     20,776,693       41,603,690  
    Reinvestment of distributions           14,873,524  
    Cost of shares redeemed     (198,641,333 )     (191,673,776 )
     
     
    Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions     (177,864,640 )     (135,196,562 )
     
     
    TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)     (195,102,254 )     96,659,432  
     
     
                     
                     
    Net assets:
                     
    Beginning of period     956,777,800       860,118,368  
     
     
    End of period   $ 761,675,546     $ 956,777,800  
     
     
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income   $ 4,470,687     $ 2,682,726  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
11 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
                                                                                                             
          Income (loss) from
                                               
          investment operations     Distributions to shareholders                                          
                Net
                                                    Ratio of
    Ratio of
     
    Net asset
          realized
                From
          Net asset
          Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
     
    value,
    Net
    and
    Total from
    From net
    net
          value,
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    income to
    Portfolio
    beginning
    investment
    unrealized
    investment
    investment
    realized
    Total
    end of
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    average
    turnover
 Year — Share Class   of period     income(a)     gain (loss)     operations     income     gains     distributions     period     return(b)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets     rate
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
2010 — Institutional
  $ 11.35     $ 0.02     $ (0.38 )   $ (0.36 )   $     $     $     $ 10.99       (3.17 )%   $ 651,875       0.87 %(c)     0.87 %(c)     0.41 %(c)   50%
2010 — Service
    11.37       0.01       (0.39 )     (0.38 )                       10.99       (3.34 )     109,801       1.12 (c)     1.12 (c)     0.18 (c)   50
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
2009 — Institutional
    8.66       0.14 (d)     2.73       2.87       (0.18 )           (0.18 )     11.35       33.15       834,376       0.86       0.86       1.46 (d)   111
2009 — Service
    8.68       0.12 (d)     2.73       2.85       (0.16 )           (0.16 )     11.37       32.78       122,402       1.11       1.11       1.21 (d)   111
2008 — Institutional
    14.02       0.14 (e)     (5.34 )     (5.20 )     (0.14 )     (0.02 )     (0.16 )     8.66       (36.97 )     748,682       0.84       0.84       1.16 (e)   93
2008 — Service
    14.03       0.11 (e)     (5.34 )     (5.23 )     (0.10 )     (0.02 )     (0.12 )     8.68       (37.13 )     111,437       1.09       1.09       0.91 (e)   93
2007 — Institutional
    16.09       0.14 (f)     0.39       0.53       (0.13 )     (2.47 )     (2.60 )     14.02       3.20       1,559,013       0.87 (g)     0.87 (g)     0.85 (f)(g)   84
2007 — Service
    16.09       0.12 (f)     0.40       0.52       (0.11 )     (2.47 )     (2.58 )     14.03       3.16       225,190       0.97 (g)     1.12 (g)     0.75 (f)(g)   84
2006 — Institutional
    15.53       0.13       2.39       2.52       (0.16 )     (1.80 )     (1.96 )     16.09       16.16       1,673,896       0.86       0.87       0.80     57
2006 — Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)
    15.96       0.12       1.95       2.07       (0.14 )     (1.80 )     (1.94 )     16.09       12.91       273,903       0.96 (c)     1.12 (c)     0.72 (c)   57
2005 — Institutional
    15.28       0.13       1.82       1.95       (0.10 )     (1.60 )     (1.70 )     15.53       12.83       1,430,814       0.87       0.87       0.83     53
 
(a) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(b) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Reflects income recognized from a special dividend which amounted to $0.03 per share and 0.37% of average net assets.
(e) Reflects income recognized from a special dividend which amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.11% of average net assets.
(f) Reflects income recognized from a special dividend which amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.06% of average net assets.
(g) Includes non-recurring expense for a special shareholder meeting which amounted to approximately 0.02% of average net assets.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

12


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
1. ORGANIZATION
 
 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust” or “VIT”) is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs” or the “Distributor”) serves as Distributor of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
A. Investment Valuation — The investment valuation policy of the Fund is to value investments at market value. Investments in equity securities and investment companies traded on a United States (“U.S.”) securities exchange or the NASDAQ system are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If no sale occurs, such securities and investment companies are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued on the basis of quotations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the trustees or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value. If accurate quotations are not readily available, or if GSAM believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined based on yield equivalents, a pricing matrix or other sources, under valuation procedures established by the trustees. Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price. In the absence of market quotations, broker quotes will be utilized or the security will be fair valued. Investments in investment companies (other than those that are exchange traded) are valued at the net asset value per share (“NAV”) on the valuation date. Short-term debt obligations that mature in sixty days or less and that do not exhibit signs of credit deterioration are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or market closings; equipment failures; natural or man-made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; government actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; low trading volume; and trading limits or suspensions.
 
B. Security and Fund Share Transactions, and Investment Income — Security and Fund share transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date, which may cause the NAV as stated in the accompanying financial statements to be different than the NAV applied to Fund share transactions. Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of foreign withholding taxes, if any, which are reduced by any amounts reclaimable by the Fund, where applicable. Interest
 
 
 
13 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted. In addition, it is the Fund’s policy to accrue for foreign capital gains taxes, if applicable, on certain foreign securities held by the Fund. An estimated foreign capital gains tax is recorded daily on net unrealized gains on these securities and is payable upon the sale of such securities when a gain is realized.
Net investment income (other than class specific expenses) and unrealized and realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares of the Fund based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class.
In addition, distributions received from the Fund’s investments in U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) often include a “return of capital”, which is recorded by the Fund as a reduction of the cost basis of the securities held. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) requires a REIT to distribute at least 95% of its taxable income to investors. In many cases, however, because of “non-cash” expenses such as property depreciation, a REIT’s cash flow will exceed its taxable income. The REIT may distribute this excess cash to offer a more competitive yield. This portion of the Fund’s distributions is deemed a return of capital and is generally not taxable to shareholders.
 
C. Expenses — Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not specifically relate to an individual Fund of the Trust are allocated to the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expense and are accrued daily.
 
D. Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies (mutual funds) and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provisions are required. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gains distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net capital losses are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Utilization of capital loss carryforwards will reduce the requirement of future capital gains distributions.
The characterization of distributions to shareholders for financial reporting purposes is determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from GAAP. The source of the Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from net investment income, net realized gain or capital. The Fund’s capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character, but do not reflect temporary differences.
GSAM has reviewed the Fund’s tax positions for all open tax years (the current and prior three years, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.
 
E. Commission Recapture — The Fund may direct portfolio trades, subject to obtaining best execution, to various brokers who have agreed to rebate a portion of the commissions generated. Such rebates are made directly to the Fund as cash payments and are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments on the Statement of Operations.
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
 
 
A. Management Agreement — Under the Agreement, GSAM manages the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the trustees.
As compensation for the services rendered pursuant to the Agreement, the assumption of the expenses related thereto and administration of the Fund’s business affairs, including providing facilities, GSAM is entitled to a management fee computed daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
 
 
 
 14


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, contractual management fees with GSAM were at the following rates:
 
                                     
Contractual Management Rate  
First
    Next
    Next
    Over
    Effective
 
$2 billion     $3 billion     $3 billion     $8 billion     Rate  
   
  0.80 %     0.72 %     0.68 %     0.67 %     0.80 %
 
 
 
B. Distribution and Service Plan — The Trust, on behalf of the Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly for distribution services, which may then be paid by Goldman Sachs to authorized dealers, equal to, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares.
 
C. Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets for Institutional and Service Shares.
 
D. Other Agreements — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agent fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and other extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, 0.054% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expenses reimbursement, if any, is computed daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAM did not make any reimbursements to the Fund.
As of June 30, 2010, amounts owed to affiliates were approximately $539,900, $24,200 and $13,500 for management, distribution and service, and transfer agent fees, respectively.
 
E. Line of Credit Facility — As of June 30, 2010, the Fund participated in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of the facility, the Fund and other borrowers could increase the credit amount by an additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used solely for temporary or emergency purposes. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Fund based on the amount of the commitment that has not been utilized. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility. Prior to May 11, 2010, the amount available through the facility was $660,000,000.
 
F. Other Transactions with Affiliates — For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Goldman Sachs earned approximately $30,200 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund.
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS
 
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 
 
 
15 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
 
Level 2— Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
 
Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
 
The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2010:
 
                         
    Level 1     Level 2   Level 3
 
Assets
                       
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments
  $ 755,645,036       $—       $—  
Short-term Investment
    18,646,387              
 
 
Total
  $ 774,291,423       $—       $—  
 
 
 
5. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
 
 
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the six months ended June 30, 2010, were $455,455,582 and $617,641,075, respectively.
 
6. SECURITIES LENDING
 
 
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the terms and conditions contained therein, the Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“GSAL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, to certain qualified borrowers including Goldman Sachs and affiliates. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending procedures, the Fund receives cash collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Fund or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan.
The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Enhanced Portfolio of Boston Global Investment Trust (“Enhanced Portfolio”), a Delaware statutory trust. The Enhanced Portfolio, deemed an affiliate of the Trust, is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the Act and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive an investment advisory fee of up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Enhanced Portfolio. The Enhanced Portfolio invests primarily in short-term investments, but is not a “money market fund” subject to the requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the Act. The Fund’s investment of cash collateral in the Enhanced Portfolio is subject to a net asset value that may fall or rise due to market and credit conditions. Effective May 26, 2010, the Fund is no longer participating in the securities lending program.
Both the Fund and GSAL received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amount earned by the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2010, is reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations. A portion of this amount, $3,074, represents compensation earned by the Fund from lending its securities to Goldman Sachs. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAL earned $3,690 in fees as securities lending agent.
 
 
 
 16


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
 
6. SECURITIES LENDING (continued)
 
The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Enhanced Portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2010 (in thousands):
 
                                     
Number of
          Number of
   
Shares Held
          Shares Held
  Value at End
Beginning of Period   Shares Bought   Shares Sold   End of Period   of Period
 
  70,461       35,481       (105,942 )         $  
 
 
 
7. TAX INFORMATION
 
 
As of the most recent fiscal year end, December 31, 2009, the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards and certain timing differences on a tax-basis were as follows:
 
         
Capital loss carryforward:1
       
Expiring 2016
  $ (145,363,026 )
Expiring 2017
    (198,236,490 )
 
 
Total capital loss carryforward
  $ (343,599,516 )
 
 
Timing differences (post-October losses and certain REIT dividends)
  $ (7,600,344 )
 
 
 
1 Expiration occurs on December 31 of the year indicated.
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes was as follows:
 
         
Tax cost
  $ 795,792,837  
 
 
Gross unrealized gain
    49,091,166  
Gross unrealized loss
    (70,592,580 )
 
 
Net unrealized security loss
  $ (21,501,414 )
 
 
 
The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses), as of the most recent fiscal year end, is attributable primarily to wash sales and differences related to the tax treatment of partnership investments.
 
8. OTHER RISKS
 
 
Fund’s Shareholder Concentration Risk — Certain participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of the Fund’s shares. Redemptions by these participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates in the Fund may impact the Fund’s liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force the Fund to sell securities, which may increase the Fund’s brokerage costs.
 
Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, the Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, the Fund may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transaction defaults.
 
 
 
17 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
9. INDEMNIFICATIONS
 
 
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, GSAM believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
 
10. OTHER MATTERS
 
 
Legal Proceedings — On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Goldman Sachs and one of its employees alleging that they made materially misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007 private placement of securities relating to a synthetic collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional investors. On July 14, 2010, the SEC and Goldman Sachs entered into a consent agreement settling this action. On July 20, 2010, the U.S. District Court entered a final judgment approving the settlement.
Neither Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. or Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (collectively “GSAM”, for purposes of this note only) nor any GSAM-managed funds were named in the complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint did not seek any penalties against them or against any employee who is or has been part of GSAM.
GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have received temporary exemptive relief from the SEC to permit them to continue serving as investment adviser and principal underwriter for U.S.-registered mutual funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the operation of mutual funds, they would otherwise have become ineligible to perform these activities as a result of the District Court’s final judgment. GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have applied for final exemptive relief. While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
Goldman Sachs and/or other affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive notices and requests for information from various regulators, and have become or may in the future become involved in legal proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the SEC or other matters. In the view of Goldman Sachs and GSAM, neither the matters alleged in any such similar proceedings nor their eventual resolution are likely to have a material affect on the ability of Goldman Sachs, GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to GSAM-managed funds.
 
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
 
Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
 
 
 18


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
 
12. SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 
 
Share activity is as follows:
 
                                 
    For the Six Months Ended
       
    June 30, 2010
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
 
    (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
    Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
   
Institutional Shares
                               
Shares sold
    1,403,736     $ 16,922,567       4,258,252     $ 39,092,639  
Reinvestment of distributions
                1,159,806       13,210,185  
Shares redeemed
    (15,596,918 )     (185,536,546 )     (18,316,480 )     (168,736,934 )
 
 
      (14,193,182 )     (168,613,979 )     (12,898,422 )     (116,434,110 )
 
 
Service Shares
                               
Shares sold
    319,742       3,854,126       270,915       2,511,051  
Reinvestment of distributions
                145,779       1,663,339  
Shares redeemed
    (1,097,596 )     (13,104,787 )     (2,486,621 )     (22,936,842 )
 
 
      (777,854 )     (9,250,661 )     (2,069,927 )     (18,762,452 )
 
 
NET DECREASE
    (14,971,036 )   $ (177,864,640 )     (14,968,349 )   $ (135,196,562 )
 
 
 
 
 
19 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited)
 
Background
The Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) is an investment portfolio of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees oversees the management of the Trust and reviews the investment performance and expenses of the Fund at regularly scheduled meetings held during the year. In addition, the Board of Trustees determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Trust’s investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) on behalf of the Fund.
The Management Agreement was most recently approved for continuation until June 30, 2011 by the Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”), at a meeting held on June 16-17, 2010 (the “Annual Meeting”).
The review process undertaken by the Trustees spans the course of the year and culminates with the Annual Meeting. To assist the Trustees in their deliberations, the Trustees have established a Contract Review Committee (the “Committee”), comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Committee held three meetings over the course of the year, since last approving the Management Agreement. At those Committee meetings, regularly scheduled Board meetings and/or the Annual Meeting, the Board, or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, considered matters relating to the Management Agreement, including:
(a) the nature and quality of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including information about:
(i) the structure, staff and capabilities of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio management teams;
(ii) the groups within the Investment Adviser and its affiliates that support the portfolio management teams or provide other types of necessary services, including fund services groups (e.g., accounting and financial reporting, tax, shareholder services and operations), controls and risk management groups (e.g., legal, compliance, valuation oversight, credit risk management, internal audit, market risk analysis and finance and strategy), sales and distribution support groups and others (e.g., information technology and training);
(iii) trends in headcount;
(iv) the Investment Adviser’s financial resources and ability to hire and retain talented personnel and strengthen its operations; and
(v) the parent company’s support of the Investment Adviser and its mutual fund business, as expressed by the firm’s senior management;
(b) information on the investment performance of the Fund, including comparisons to the performance of similar mutual funds, as provided by a third party mutual fund data provider engaged as part of the contract review process (the “Outside Data Provider”), and its benchmark performance index, and general investment outlooks in the markets in which the Fund invests;
(c) the terms of the Management Agreement and agreements with affiliated service providers entered into by the Trust on behalf of the Fund;
(d) expense information for the Fund, including:
(i) the relative management fee and expense level of the Fund as compared to those of comparable funds managed by other advisers, as provided by the Outside Data Provider;
(ii) the Fund’s expense trends over time; and
(iii) to the extent the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative information on the advisory fees charged and services provided to those accounts by the Investment Adviser;
(e) with respect to the extensive investment performance and expense comparison data provided by the Outside Data Provider, its processes in producing that data for the Fund;
(f) the undertaking of the Investment Adviser to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund that exceed a specified level, and a summary of contractual fee reductions made by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates over the past several years with respect to the Fund;
(g) information relating to the profitability of the Management Agreement and the transfer agency and distribution and service arrangements of the Fund and the Trust as a whole to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates;
(h) potential economies of scale, if any, and the levels of breakpoints in the fees payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement;
 
 
 
 20


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
(i) a summary of the “fall-out” benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, including the fees received by the Investment Adviser’s affiliates from the Fund for transfer agency, securities lending, portfolio brokerage, distribution and other services;
(j) a summary of potential benefits derived by the Fund as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser;
(k) commission rates paid by the Fund, an update on the Investment Adviser’s soft dollars practices and other portfolio trading related issues;
(l) the manner in which portfolio manager compensation is determined, the alignment of the interests of the Fund and of the portfolio managers and related potential conflicts of interest; and the number and types of accounts managed by the portfolio managers;
(m) the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by its unaffiliated service providers, and the Investment Adviser’s general oversight and evaluation (including reports on due diligence) of those service providers as part of the administration services provided under the Management Agreement; and
(n) the Investment Adviser’s processes and policies addressing various types of potential conflicts of interest; its approach to risk management; the annual review of the effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program; and compliance reports.
The Trustees also received an overview of the Fund’s distribution arrangements. They received information regarding the Fund’s assets, share purchase and redemption activity and the payment of Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees by the Fund’s Service Shares. Information was also provided to the Trustees relating to revenue sharing payments made by and services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to intermediaries that promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of Fund shares.
The presentations made at the Board and Committee meetings and at the Annual Meeting encompassed the Fund and other mutual fund portfolios for which the Board of Trustees has responsibility. In evaluating the Management Agreement at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees relied upon their knowledge, resulting from their meetings and other interactions throughout the year, of the Investment Adviser, its affiliates, their services and the Fund. In conjunction with these meetings, the Trustees received written materials and oral presentations on the topics covered, and were advised by their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities and other regulatory requirements related to the approval and continuation of mutual fund investment management agreements under applicable law. During the course of their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel, without representatives of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates present. The Independent Trustees also discussed the broad range of other investment choices that are available to Fund investors, including the availability of comparable funds managed by other advisers.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided Under the Management Agreement
As part of their review, the Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Adviser. In this regard, the Trustees considered both the investment advisory services, and the other, non-advisory services, that are provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. The Independent Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser had committed substantial financial and operational resources to the Fund and expressed confidence that the Investment Adviser would continue to do so in the future. The Trustees also observed that the Investment Adviser had made significant commitments to address regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Fund and the Investment Adviser.
 
Investment Performance
The Trustees also considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Investment Adviser. In this regard, they compared the investment performance of the Fund to the performance rankings and ratings compiled by the Outside Data Provider. This information on the Fund’s investment performance relative to that of its peers was provided for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2009. The Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s investment performance over time on a year-by-year basis relative to its performance benchmark. In addition, they considered the investment performance trends of the Fund over time, and reviewed the investment performance of the Fund in light of its investment objective and policies and market conditions. The Trustees considered whether the Fund had operated within its investment policies and had complied with its investment limitations.
In addition, the Trustees considered materials prepared and presentations made by the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer and portfolio management personnel, in which Fund performance was assessed. The Trustees also considered the Investment Adviser’s periodic reports with respect to the Fund’s risk profile, and how the Investment Adviser’s approach to risk monitoring and management influences portfolio management.
 
 
 
21 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Notwithstanding the fact that the Fund’s performance ranked in the third quartile of its peer group over the one year period ended December 31, 2009, the Trustees observed that the Fund had been providing investment performance within a competitive range for long-term investors, and that it ranked in the second quartile of its peer group over the three-year period. The Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
 
Costs of Services Provided and Competitive Information
The Trustees considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement. In this regard, the Trustees considered information on the services rendered by the Investment Adviser to the Fund, which included both advisory and administrative services that were directed to the needs and operations of the Fund as a registered mutual fund.
In particular, the Trustees reviewed analyses prepared by the Outside Data Provider regarding the expense rankings of the Fund. The analyses provided a comparison of the Fund’s management fees and breakpoints to those of a relevant peer group and category universe; an expense analysis which compared the Fund’s expenses to a peer group and a category universe; and a four-year history comparing the Fund’s expenses to the peer and category averages. The analyses also compared the Fund’s transfer agency fees, custody and accounting fees, distribution fees, other expenses and fee waivers/reimbursements to those of other funds in the peer group and the peer group median. The Trustees concluded that the comparisons provided by the Outside Data Provider were useful in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees and total expenses paid by the Fund.
In addition, the Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s undertaking to limit the Fund’s “other expenses” ratio (excluding certain expenses) to a specified level. They also considered, to the extent that the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative fee information for services provided by the Investment Adviser to those accounts, and information that indicated that services provided to the Fund differed in various significant respects from the services provided to institutional accounts, which generally operated under less stringent legal and regulatory structures, required fewer services from the Investment Adviser to a smaller number of client contact points, were less time-intensive and paid lower fees. By contrast, the Trustees noted that the Investment Adviser provides substantial administrative services to the Fund under the terms of the Management Agreement.
In addition, the Trustees noted that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares at any time if they believe that the Fund fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
 
Profitability
The Trustees reviewed the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins with respect to the Trust and the Fund. In this regard the Trustees noted that they had received, among other things, profitability analyses and summaries, revenue and expense schedules by Fund and by function (i.e., investment management, transfer agency and distribution and service) and the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology. They observed that the profitability and expense figures are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Adviser for many internal purposes, including compensation decisions among various business groups, and are thus subject to a vigorous internal debate about how certain revenue and expenses should be allocated. The Trustees also reviewed the report of the internal audit group within the Goldman Sachs organization, which included an assessment of the reasonableness and consistency of the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology and an evaluation of the accuracy of the Investment Adviser’s profitability analysis calculations. Profitability data for the Trust and the Fund were provided for 2009 and 2008, and the Trustees considered this information in relation to the Investment Adviser’s overall profitability. The Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins both in absolute terms and in comparison to information on the reported pre-tax profit margins earned by certain other asset management firms.
 
Economies of Scale
The Trustees considered the information that had been provided regarding the Investment Adviser’s profitability and the rationale for the Fund’s breakpoint structure. The Trustees also considered the breakpoints in the fee rate payable under the Management Agreement for the Fund at the following annual percentage rates of the average daily net assets of the Fund:
 
         
First $2 billion
    0.80 %
Next $3 billion
    0.72  
Next $3 billion
    0.68  
Over $8 billion
    0.67  
 
 
 
 22


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
The Trustees noted that the breakpoints at the $5 and $8 billion asset levels had been proposed by the Investment Adviser and approved by the Trustees in 2008 to further share potential economies of scale, if any, with the Fund and its shareholders as assets under management reach those asset levels. The Trustees considered the amounts of assets in the Fund; the Fund’s recent share purchase and redemption activity; the information provided by the Investment Adviser relating to the costs of the services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and their realized profits; information comparing fee rates charged by the Investment Adviser with fee rates charged to other funds in the peer group; and the Investment Adviser’s undertaking to limit other expenses to a certain amount. Upon reviewing these matters at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees concluded that the fee breakpoints represented a means of assuring that benefits of scalability would be passed along to shareholders at the specified asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to the Investment Adviser and Its Affiliates
The Trustees also considered the other benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund as stated above, including: (a) transfer agency fees received by Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”); (b) brokerage and futures commissions earned by Goldman Sachs for executing securities and futures transactions on behalf of the Fund; (c) research received by the Investment Adviser from broker-dealers in exchange for executing certain transactions on behalf of the Fund; (d) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those for other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (e) fees earned during a portion of the year by Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, as securities lending agent (and fees earned by the Investment Adviser for managing the portfolio in which the Fund’s cash collateral was invested); (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage the infrastructure designed to service the Fund on behalf of its other clients; (g) the Investment Adviser’s ability to cross-market other products and services to Fund shareholders; (h) Goldman Sachs’ retention of certain fees as Fund Distributor; (i) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate better pricing with custodians on behalf of its other clients, as a result of the relationship with the Fund; and (j) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage relationships with the Fund’s third party service providers to attract more firmwide business. In the course of considering the foregoing, the Independent Trustees requested and received further information quantifying certain of the fall-out benefits. In looking at the benefits to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending and the Investment Adviser from the securities lending program, they noted that the Fund also benefited from its participation in the securities lending program.
 
Other Benefits to the Fund and Its Shareholders
The Trustees also noted that the Fund receives certain potential benefits as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser, including: (a) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those of other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (b) improved servicing and pricing from vendors because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (c) improved servicing from broker-dealers because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (d) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate favorable terms with derivatives counterparties as a result of the size and reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (e) the advantages gained from the Investment Adviser’s knowledge and experience gained from managing other accounts and products; (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to hire and retain qualified personnel to provide services to the Fund because of the reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (g) the Fund’s access, through the Investment Adviser, to certain firmwide resources (e.g., proprietary databases); and (h) the Fund’s access to certain affiliated distribution channels. The Trustees noted the competitive nature of the mutual fund marketplace, and noted further that many of the Fund’s shareholders invested in the Fund in part because of the Fund’s relationship with the Investment Adviser and that those shareholders have a general expectation that the relationship will continue.
 
Conclusion
In connection with their consideration of the Management Agreement, the Trustees gave weight to each of the factors described above, but did not identify any particular factor as controlling their decision. After deliberation and consideration of all of the information provided, including the factors described above, the Trustees concluded, in the exercise of their business judgment, that the management fees paid by the Fund were reasonable in light of the services provided to it by the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser’s costs and the Fund’s current and reasonably foreseeable asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the Management Agreement should be approved and continued with respect to the Fund until June 30, 2011.
 
 
 
23 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND
 
 

 
Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (with respect to Service Shares) and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund 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 period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
 
Actual Expenses — The first line under each share class in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The second line under each share class in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Fund, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees, or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. The second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.
 
                               
                      Expenses
 
                      Paid for the
 
      Beginning
      Ending
      6 Months
 
      Account Value
      Account Value
      Ended
 
Share Class     1/01/10       6/30/10       6/30/10*  
Institutional
                             
Actual
    $ 1,000       $ 968.30       $ 4.25  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,020.48 +       4.36  
 
Service
                             
Actual
      1,000         966.60         5.46  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,019.24 +       5.61  
 
 
* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized net expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the fiscal year. The annualized net expense ratios for the period were 0.87% and 1.12% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.
 
+ Hypothetical expenses are based on the Fund’s actual annualized net expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses.
 
 
 
 24


 

 
 


 

 
     
TRUSTEES
Ashok N. Bakhru, Chairman
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Diana M. Daniels
Patrick T. Harker
James A. McNamara
Jessica Palmer
Alan A. Shuch
Richard P. Strubel
  OFFICERS
James A. McNamara, President
George F. Travers, Principal Financial Officer
Peter V. Bonanno, Secretary
Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer
     
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
   
 
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
200 West Street, New York
New York 10282
 
Visit our Web site at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns.
     
 
The reports concerning the Fund included in this shareholder report may contain certain forward-looking statements about the factors that may affect the performance of the Fund in the future. These statements are based on Fund management’s predictions and expectations concerning certain future events and their expected impact on the Fund, such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors, changes in the levels of interest rates, the impact of developing world events, and other factors that may influence the future performance of the Fund. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual events may cause adjustments in portfolio management strategies from those currently expected to be employed.
     
 
Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect our judgment as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. These forecasts do not take into account the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. These forecasts are subject to high levels of uncertainty that may affect actual performance. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. These forecasts are estimated, based on assumptions, and are subject to significant revision and may change materially as economic and market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide updates or changes to these forecasts. Case studies and examples are for illustrative purposes only.
     
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-621-2550; and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
     
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. When available, the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may also be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
 
The Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital international Inc. (“MSCI”) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) and is licensed for use by Goldman Sachs. Neither MSCI, S&P nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
     
 
Holdings and allocations shown may not be representative of current or future investments. Holdings and allocations may not include the Fund’s entire investment portfolio, which may change at any time. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities.
     
 
This material is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or summary prospectus, if applicable. Investors should consider a Fund’s objective, risks, and charges and expenses, and read the summary prospectus, if available, and/or the Prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. The summary prospectus, if available, and the Prospectus contain this and other information about a Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
     
    Toll Free (in U.S.): 800-292-4726
     
 
This report is prepared for the general information of contract owners and is not an offer of shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust: Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund.
     
 
Copyright 2010 Goldman, Sachs & Co. All rights reserved.
VITMCVSAR10/39467.MF.TMPL/08-10    


 

 
Goldman
Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Strategic International Equity Fund
 
 
 
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2010
LOGO


 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Principal Investment Strategies and Risks
 
Shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust- Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Fund are not offered directly to the general public. The variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are described in the separate prospectuses issued by participating insurance companies. You should refer to those prospectuses for information about surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees and other charges that may be assessed by participating insurance companies under the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies. Such fees or charges, if any, may affect the return you realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider the Fund’s objective, risks and charges and expenses, and read the Prospectus carefully before investing. The Prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.
 
The Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund invests in equity investments in companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States and is subject to market risk so that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions. Foreign and emerging market securities may be more volatile than investments in U.S. securities and will be subject to the risks of currency fluctuations and sudden economic or political developments. At times, the Fund may be unable to sell certain of its portfolio securities without a substantial drop in price, if at all.
 
 
 
1 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs International Equity Portfolio Management Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund (the “Fund”) perform during the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2010?
 
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 (the “Reporting Period”), the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated cumulative total returns, without sales charges, of −13.07% and −13.18%, respectively. These returns compare to the −13.23% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE)(Net) Index (unhedged, with dividends reinvested) (the “MSCI EAFE Index”) during the same time period.
 
What economic and market factors most influenced the international equity markets as a whole during the Reporting Period?
 
International equity markets broke a four-quarter winning streak with a sharp drop in the second quarter of 2010 that erased modest gains from the first quarter of the year and sent most major indices into negative territory for the Reporting Period. The MSCI EAFE Index fell 13.23% in U.S. dollar terms. Broad-based weakness produced negative returns for all sectors, although the more traditionally defensive sectors, such as consumer staples, telecommunication services and utilities, fared slightly better than index averages.
 
European banks bore the brunt of investor angst regarding the health of Europe’s financial system and the possibility that the continent’s debt dilemma would spark another global financial crisis. Still, intensified government focus on financial reform and regulation severely pressured financial stocks globally. In Europe, bank levy and bonus taxation plans further depleted sentiment on banks. In the U.S., investors contemplated the impact of such reform and regulation on earnings and multiples of large global banks, which, in turn, may be forced to spin off or reduce their interest in highly profitable business units.
 
As European governments proposed austerity packages to reduce debt and restore confidence, many investors — as well as the U.S. government — worried this would only further hinder a slowing global economic recovery. U.S. markets were also doused with a number of disappointing economic readings at the end of June as well as by the Federal Reserve Board’s (the Fed’s) suggestion that “financial conditions [had] become less supportive of economic growth.” Adding to the list of investor concerns was Beijing’s attempts to curb speculation in China’s property markets, along with a downward revision of Chinese leading economic indicators. This raised concerns that Chinese and global demand might be slowing. As a result, commodity prices and their corresponding stocks worldwide slid, while high crude oil inventory levels and BP’s disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico further pressured energy stocks. Mining stocks were similarly weak with the exception of gold producers. Gold bullion prices posted strong gains as investors sought alternatives to low cash yields and increasingly worrisome sovereign debt. Europe’s issues further reverberated in international equity markets via a double-digit decline in the euro versus the dollar and the yen. In turn, this decline in the euro boosted German manufacturing surveys and export sectors, such as autos, but was a headwind for export-driven Japan. For investors with international equity portfolios denominated in U.S. dollars, the decline in the euro significantly reduced investment returns.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
The Fund modestly outperformed the MSCI EAFE Index due primarily to effective security selection overall.
 
Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?
 
Security selection within the industrials and consumer discretionary sectors contributed most positively to the Fund’s performance relative to the MSCI EAFE Index during the Reporting Period. Detracting most from the Fund’s results was security selection in the health care and information technology sectors.
 
 
 
 2


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 
What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?
 
French aerospace company Safran of the industrials sector was the top contributor to the Fund’s results relative to the MSCI EAFE Index during the Reporting Period. Safran performed well on the back of rising demand and a positive outlook for the remainder of the year.
 
Swiss-based industrials company Kuehne & Nagel also contributed to Fund performance. Shares of the international freight forwarder rose on strong first quarter results, which were driven by volume growth and the company’s positive outlook for the year.
 
British online retailer ASOS of the consumer discretionary sector was another top performer for the Fund during the Reporting Period. ASOS’ share price rose with news of increasing sales in its European and U.S. markets.
 
Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
French diversified banking institution Societe Generale detracted from the Fund’s performance relative to its benchmark index during the Reporting Period, as the sector broadly was affected by lack of clarity over regulatory changes in the financial industry. Despite short-term weakness, we continued to hold the position, as we believed that Societe Generale was on track for earnings recovery and remained an attractive long-term investment opportunity.
 
The Fund’s relative position in Swiss-based Nestle detracted from the Fund’s results. Nestle is the world’s largest food company with well-known brands and global distribution. It also enjoys a solid balance sheet and a strong management team. The stock was actually a strong performer during the second quarter, and so we trimmed the position on strength, taking profits, and subsequently sold out of it completely. We acted prematurely, as the company’s shares continued to surge after we sold it.
 
German pharmaceutical company Bayer experienced weakness during the Reporting Period due primarily to profit-taking and because investors were disappointed by a softer-than-expected start to its earnings in 2010. We also believe investors were wary of having large positions in Bayer ahead of key data announcements on a new drug called Xarelto, which is due to launch in the middle of 2010. Though it detracted from the Fund’s relative performance during the Reporting Period, we continued to hold the position as we believe Xarelto is not priced in at the company’s end-of-June share price.
 
Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the Reporting Period?
 
During the Reporting Period, we established a Fund position in Italian financial holding company Unicredit. In our view, central and eastern Europe (“CEE”) is one of the three regions in the world where there is still growth potential for the banking industry. This growth in banking should be driven by economic growth, supported, in turn, by European Union accession and further penetration of banking products as these economies develop. Unicredit has the largest franchise in CEE. While Unicredit has a presence in each of the CEE countries, its largest exposures are to Poland, Turkey, Croatia and Russia, which have been the most resilient economies and the best balanced banking markets in CEE. These countries offer the most immediate growth potential in our view. Unicredit’s stock had been under pressure due to a capital increase announced late in 2009. However, we believe that upon completion of the capital increase, the company’s capital position will be especially solid for a predominantly retail bank. Furthermore, in our view, the stock was trading at an attractive valuation at the time of our purchase.
 
We also initiated a Fund position during the Reporting Period in Banco Santander, one of the largest banks in the world. We believe the company’s geographic footprint is attractive, as it spans Spain, Latin America, the U.K. and the U.S. Within Spain, Banco Santander is rated one of the best banks with a large client base. In our view, the company is a well capitalized bank with no fundamental leverage issue. We further believe that the company has a competitive advantage in its mature markets, including Spain, the U.K. and the U.S. Throughout the economic downturn, it balanced being conservative with buying solid franchises at cheap prices. We believe the cost cutting from the integrations in the U.K. and the U.S. make Banco Santander well positioned to gain market share and generate attractive returns. In addition, the company has the largest Latin American franchise and one of the most emerging markets-focused business mixes relative to its competitors in Europe. We believe that the company’s opportunities in Brazil are particularly attractive given that growth there is driven primarily by domestic demand.
 
In addition to the sale of Nestle already mentioned, we sold out of the Fund’s position in Imperial Tobacco during the Reporting Period, as the stock was reaching our target price. The stock had performed well earlier in the Reporting Period, but we took profits as we were concerned about the impact of higher-than-expected raw material prices on its future earnings.
 
 
 
3 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 
Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period?
 
In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, we focus on picking stocks rather than on making regional, country, sector or industry bets. We seek to outpace the benchmark index by overweighting stocks that we expect to outperform and underweighting those that we think may lag. Consequently, changes in its regional or sector weights are generally the direct result of individual stock selection or of stock appreciation or depreciation. That said, during the Reporting Period, the Fund’s exposure to the industrials, telecommunication services and utilities sectors increased, and its exposure to the consumer discretionary, consumer staples and information technology sectors decreased.
 
How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of June 2010?
 
At the end of June 2010, the Fund had greater weightings than the MSCI EAFE Index in the telecommunication services and energy sectors. The Fund had underweighted allocations to the MSCI EAFE Index in the consumer staples, financials, utilities, materials and information technology sectors at the end of the Reporting Period. On the same date, the Fund was virtually equally weighted to the MSCI EAFE Index in the industrials, consumer discretionary, and health care sectors.
 
From a regional perspective, the Fund had underweighted positions in Developed Asia ex-Japan and Europe and was overweight Emerging Markets compared to the MSCI EAFE Index at the end of June 2010.
 
What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
We believe the remainder of 2010 will continue to be ripe for stock picking. While in 2009 company successes were largely driven by cost reductions and inventory management, we think revenue expectations will be important in the months ahead. We intend to look for well-positioned companies in their respective industries, particularly favoring companies with economies of scale, strong brands and seasoned management. We continue to focus on building the Fund’s quality portfolio through intense bottom-up research and believe such a disciplined strategy will help us position the Fund effectively in these uncertain times.
 
 
 
 4


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Strategic International Equity Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Institutional
    4.38 %     -1.44 %     -2.46 %     1.57 %   1/12/98    
Service
    4.15       N/A       N/A       -6.22     1/09/06    
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Institutional
    1.03 %     1.03 %    
Service
    1.28       1.28      
2 The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 6/30/103
 
                 
Holding   % of Net Assets     Line of Business   Country
 
HSBC Holdings PLC
    2.6 %   Banks   United Kingdom
Vodafone Group PLC
    2.6     Telecommunication Services   United Kingdom
Novartis AG (Registered)
    2.5     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences   Switzerland
Roche Holding AG
    2.5     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences   Switzerland
Kuehne + Nagel International AG (Registered)
    2.0     Transportation   Switzerland
Bayer AG
    1.8     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences   Germany
Banco Santander SA
    1.7     Banks   Spain
Eni SpA
    1.7     Energy   Italy
Koninklijke KPN NV
    1.7     Telecommunication Services   Netherlands
Reed Elsevier PLC
    1.6     Media   United Kingdom
 
3 Opinions expressed in this report represent our present opinion only. Reference to individual securities should not be construed as a commitment that such securities will be retained by the Fund. From time to time, the Fund may change the individual securities it holds, the number or types of securities held and the markets in which it invests. Fund holdings of securities should not be relied upon in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. References to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to the investor to buy, hold or sell such securities. In addition, references to past performance of the Fund do not indicate future returns, which are not guaranteed and will vary. Furthermore, the value of shares of the Fund may fall as well as rise.
 
 
 
5 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 


 
 
FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4
 
As of June 30, 2010
 
 
(GRAPH)
 
4 The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. The above graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. Underlying industry sector allocations of exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) held by the Fund are not reflected in the graph above. Consequently, the Fund’s overall industry sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value. Short-term investments represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded.
 
 
 
 6


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – 86.8%
                     
                     
    Belgium – 0.5%
      36,622     Telenet Group Holding NV (Telecommunication Services)*   $ 960,812  
     
     
    Denmark – 1.7%
      30,632     Carlsberg A/S Class B (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)     2,334,435  
      59,491     Christian Hansen Holding A/S (Materials)*     991,264  
                     
                  3,325,699  
     
     
    Finland – 0.5%
      29,534     Outotec Oyj (Capital Goods)     918,543  
     
     
    France – 6.9%
      5,303     Air Liquide SA (Materials)     535,531  
      15,913     Air Liquide SA Prime De Fidelite (Materials)*     1,606,999  
      21,783     Alstom SA (Capital Goods)     986,276  
      114,963     AXA SA (Insurance)     1,756,301  
      33,130     BNP Paribas SA (Banks)     1,782,420  
      35,704     Compagnie Generale de Geophysique-Veritas (Energy)*     635,170  
      74,130     Safran SA (Capital Goods)     2,067,876  
      43,046     Societe Generale (Banks)     1,771,297  
      59,906     Total SA (Energy)     2,674,133  
                     
                  13,816,003  
     
     
    Germany – 6.1%
      65,600     Bayer AG (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)     3,665,821  
      13,325     Continental AG (Automobiles & Components)*     691,692  
      34,970     Daimler AG (Registered) (Automobiles & Components)*     1,768,975  
      63,891     E.ON AG (Utilities)     1,717,915  
      33,217     Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (Transportation)     1,063,115  
      50,460     Henkel AG & Co. KGaA Preference Shares (Household & Personal Products)     2,464,000  
      10,608     Siemens AG (Registered) (Capital Goods)     948,777  
                     
                  12,320,295  
     
     
    Greece – 0.1%
      49,310     Hellenic Exchanges SA (Diversified Financials)     260,724  
     
     
    Hong Kong – 3.2%
      618,000     BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Ltd. (Banks)     1,407,473  
      377,500     Kerry Properties Ltd. (Real Estate)     1,631,155  
      180,443     Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (Real Estate)     2,467,734  
      84,000     Swire Pacific Ltd. Class A (Real Estate)     953,505  
                     
                  6,459,867  
     
     
    Ireland – 1.3%
      90,725     Kerry Group PLC Class A (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)     2,518,408  
     
     
    Italy – 4.9%
      75,382     Acea SpA (Utilities)*     747,705  
      189,776     Azimut Holding SpA (Diversified Financials)     1,566,505  
      81,704     Bulgari SpA (Consumer Durables & Apparel)     583,941  
      184,779     Eni SpA (Energy)     3,391,816  
      1,259,175     UniCredit SpA (Banks)     2,785,341  
      96,046     Unione di Banche Italiane ScpA (Banks)     826,972  
                     
                  9,902,280  
     
     
    Japan – 22.5%
      649,000     DIC Corp. (Materials)     1,000,090  
      23,000     East Japan Railway Co. (Transportation)     1,531,468  
      69,100     FUJIFILM Holdings Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)     1,996,953  
      13,700     Funai Electric Co. Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)     491,807  
      58,800     Hitachi High-Technologies Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)     1,080,209  
      68,900     Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)     2,023,789  
      41,600     Ibiden Co. Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)     1,120,646  
      35,200     JFE Holdings, Inc. (Materials)     1,088,982  
      188,850     JX Holdings, Inc. (Energy)*     933,410  
      49,600     Keihin Corp. (Automobiles & Components)     856,502  
      167,000     Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)     2,102,461  
      202,000     Kubota Corp. (Capital Goods)     1,549,402  
      186,000     Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)     1,763,976  
      85,400     Mitsubishi Corp. (Capital Goods)     1,766,793  
      189,000     Mitsubishi Electric Corp. (Capital Goods)     1,475,129  
      95,000     Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd. (Real Estate)     1,322,559  
      380,700     Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (Banks)     1,728,647  
      92,400     Mitsui & Co. Ltd. (Capital Goods)     1,077,919  
      40,200     Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. (Insurance)     860,414  
      105,000     Nippon Kayaku Co. Ltd. (Materials)     897,877  
      160,600     Nomura Holdings, Inc. (Diversified Financials)     877,435  
      1,452     NTT DoCoMo, Inc. (Telecommunication Services)     2,198,749  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
7 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
    Japan – (continued)
                     
      11,670     ORIX Corp. (Diversified Financials)   $ 845,431  
      103,200     Panasonic Corp. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)     1,288,643  
      1,140     Rakuten, Inc. (Retailing)     823,690  
      9,900     Shimamura Co. Ltd. (Retailing)     895,131  
      50,500     Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (Banks)     1,429,270  
      101,900     Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)     898,753  
      139,000     Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp. (Materials)     1,103,801  
      78,000     Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)     1,047,475  
      240,000     The Bank of Yokohama Ltd. (Banks)     1,097,872  
      53,100     The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (Utilities)     1,295,015  
      228,000     Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. (Utilities)     1,040,852  
      235,000     Toshiba Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)*     1,164,089  
      37,800     Toyota Motor Corp. (Automobiles & Components)     1,298,757  
      16,170     Yamada Denki Co. Ltd. (Retailing)     1,056,545  
                     
                  45,030,541  
     
     
    Luxembourg – 0.4%
      765,987     Regus PLC (Commercial & Professional Services)     795,775  
     
     
    Netherlands – 1.7%
      262,893     Koninklijke KPN NV (Telecommunication Services)     3,350,970  
     
     
    Singapore – 0.5%
      101,129     DBS Group Holdings Ltd. (Banks)     981,446  
     
     
    Spain – 3.5%
      326,688     Banco Santander SA (Banks)     3,425,712  
      23,199     Red Electrica Corp. SA (Utilities)     830,639  
      144,700     Telefonica SA (Telecommunication Services)     2,680,523  
                     
                  6,936,874  
     
     
    Sweden – 0.9%
      61,800     Scania AB Class B (Capital Goods)     943,305  
      165,797     Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*     785,386  
                     
                  1,728,691  
     
     
    Switzerland – 12.0%
      36,704     Aryzta AG (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)     1,412,173  
      52,961     Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA Class A (Consumer Durables & Apparel)     1,848,989  
      38,479     Kuehne + Nagel International AG (Registered) (Transportation)     3,960,983  
      456     Lindt & Spruengli AG (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)     989,405  
      103,387     Novartis AG (Registered) (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)     5,010,458  
      36,348     Roche Holding AG (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)     5,003,001  
      8,813     Syngenta AG (Registered) (Materials)     2,035,945  
      193,257     UBS AG (Registered) (Diversified Financials)*     2,560,234  
      98,905     Xstrata PLC (Materials)     1,295,127  
                     
                  24,116,315  
     
     
    United Kingdom – 20.1%
      61,404     Admiral Group PLC (Insurance)     1,285,941  
      114,262     Amlin PLC (Insurance)     657,630  
      68,935     Anglo American PLC (Materials)*     2,402,053  
      52,890     ASOS PLC (Retailing)*     676,351  
      267,491     Balfour Beatty PLC (Capital Goods)     951,379  
      193,549     BG Group PLC (Energy)     2,878,623  
      413,100     BP PLC (Energy)     1,977,579  
      168,535     Cookson Group PLC (Capital Goods)*     968,778  
      575,923     HSBC Holdings PLC (Banks)     5,261,463  
      258,323     Inchcape PLC (Retailing)*     943,914  
      215,278     Prudential PLC (Insurance)     1,623,758  
      425,513     Reed Elsevier PLC (Media)     3,155,093  
      53,936     Rio Tinto PLC (Materials)(a)     2,368,566  
      34,990     Schroders PLC (Diversified Financials)     629,747  
      575,750     SIG PLC (Capital Goods)*     867,869  
      119,946     Smiths Group PLC (Capital Goods)     1,909,640  
      176,138     SOCO International PLC (Energy)*     1,040,643  
      153,956     SSL International PLC (Health Care Equipment & Services)     1,854,033  
      96,957     The Capita Group PLC (Commercial & Professional Services)     1,068,198  
      119,835     Tullow Oil PLC (Energy)     1,782,583  
      2,534,797     Vodafone Group PLC (Telecommunication Services)     5,222,930  
      109,241     Wellstream Holdings PLC (Energy)     815,501  
                     
                  40,342,272  
     
     
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    (Cost $186,563,022)   $ 173,765,515  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 8


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Exchange Traded Funds – 8.3%
                     
                     
    Australia – 5.3%
      553,361     iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund   $ 10,502,791  
     
     
    Other – 3.0%
      161,959     iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund     6,044,310  
     
     
   
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
    (Cost $12,661,213)   $ 16,547,101  
     
     
                                 
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(b) – 4.3%
                                 
                                 
   
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Capital Shares
      8,566,071     0.067%     $ 8,566,071  
    (Cost $8,566,071)        
     
     
             
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.4%
    (Cost $207,790,306)   $ 198,878,687  
     
     
   
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES – 0.6%
    1,264,738  
     
     
   
NET ASSETS – 100.0%
  $ 200,143,425  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
(a) A portion of this security is segregated as collateral for initial margin requirements on futures transactions.
 
(b) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
 
 
FUTURES CONTRACTS — At June 30, 2010, the following futures contracts were open:
 
                                 
    Number of
                   
    Contracts
    Expiration
          Unrealized
 
Type   Long (Short)     Date     Current Value     Gain (Loss)  
   
Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Index
    38       September 2010     $ 1,193,306     $ (1,968 )
SPI 200 Index
    64       September 2010       5,740,062       (408,428 )
 
 
TOTAL
                          $ (410,396 )
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
9 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Assets:
             
    Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $207,790,306)   $ 198,878,687  
    Foreign currencies, at value (identified cost $249,967)     249,589  
    Receivables:        
   
Investment securities sold, at value
    1,603,080  
   
Dividends, at value
    461,659  
   
Foreign tax reclaims, at value
    134,193  
   
Reimbursement from investment adviser
    35,644  
   
Fund shares sold
    16,662  
    Other assets     2,039  
     
     
    Total assets     201,381,553  
     
     
             
             
    Liabilities:
             
    Payables:        
   
Investment securities purchased, at value
    697,878  
   
Amounts owed to affiliates
    176,132  
   
Due to broker — variation margin, at value
    107,690  
   
Fund shares redeemed
    99,107  
    Accrued expenses     157,321  
     
     
    Total liabilities     1,238,128  
     
     
             
             
    Net Assets:
             
    Paid-in capital     353,537,956  
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income     2,478,428  
    Accumulated net realized loss from investment, futures and foreign currency related transactions     (146,549,707 )
    Net unrealized loss on investments, futures and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies     (9,323,252 )
     
     
    NET ASSETS   $ 200,143,425  
     
     
    Net Assets:        
   
Institutional
  $ 66,678,327  
   
Service
    133,465,098  
     
     
    Total Net Assets   $ 200,143,425  
     
     
    Shares of beneficial interest outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):        
   
Institutional
    9,456,689  
   
Service
    18,928,001  
     
     
    Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:        
   
Institutional
  $ 7.05  
   
Service
    7.05  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 10


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Investment income:
             
    Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $331,200)   $ 3,400,320  
    Securities lending income — affiliated issuer     77,250  
    Interest     5,071  
     
     
    Total investment income     3,482,641  
     
     
             
             
    Expenses:
             
    Management fees     961,356  
    Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares     187,202  
    Printing and mailing costs     78,923  
    Custody and accounting fees     78,020  
    Professional fees     52,616  
    Transfer Agent fees(a)     22,618  
    Trustee fees     5,876  
    Other     5,523  
     
     
    Total expenses     1,392,134  
     
     
    Less — expense reductions     (35,644 )
     
     
    Net expenses     1,356,490  
     
     
    NET INVESTMENT INCOME     2,126,151  
     
     
             
             
    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment, futures and foreign currency related transactions:
             
    Net realized gain (loss) from:        
   
Investment transactions — unaffiliated issuers
    9,796,533  
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle transactions — affiliated issuer
    17,096  
   
Futures transactions
    (227,663 )
   
Foreign currency related transactions
    (178,598 )
    Net change in unrealized loss on:        
   
Investments — unaffiliated issuers
    (40,992,547 )
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle — affiliated issuer
    (13,513 )
   
Futures
    (786,509 )
   
Translation of asset and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
    (3,795 )
     
     
    Net realized and unrealized loss from investment, futures and foreign currency related transactions     (32,388,996 )
     
     
    NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (30,262,845 )
     
     
 
(a) Institutional and Service Shares had Transfer Agent fees of $7,643 and $14,975, respectively.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
11 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
 
 
                     
        For the
       
        Six Months Ended
    For the
 
        June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
 
        (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
 
    From operations:
                     
    Net investment income   $ 2,126,151     $ 3,349,055  
    Net realized gain (loss) from investment, futures and foreign currency related transactions     9,407,368       (17,279,593 )
   
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
    (41,796,364 )     68,649,680  
     
     
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (30,262,845 )     54,719,142  
     
     
                     
                     
    Distributions to shareholders:
                     
    From net investment income                
   
Institutional Shares
          (1,367,314 )
   
Service Shares
          (2,291,819 )
     
     
    Total distributions to shareholders           (3,659,133 )
     
     
                     
                     
    From share transactions:
                     
    Proceeds from sales of shares     6,735,062       28,564,731  
    Reinvestment of distributions           3,659,133  
    Cost of shares redeemed     (15,702,674 )     (31,894,234 )
     
     
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions     (8,967,612 )     329,630  
     
     
    TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)     (39,230,457 )     51,389,639  
     
     
                     
                     
    Net assets:
                     
    Beginning of period     239,373,882       187,984,243  
     
     
    End of period   $ 200,143,425     $ 239,373,882  
     
     
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income   $ 2,478,428     $ 352,277  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 12


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
                                                                                                                 
          Income (loss) from
                                                 
          investment operations     Distributions to shareholders                                            
                Net
                                                    Ratio of
    Ratio of
       
    Net asset
          realized
                From
          Net asset
          Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
       
    value,
    Net
    and
    Total from
    From net
    net
          value,
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    income to
    Portfolio
 
    beginning
    investment
    unrealized
    investment
    investment
    realized
    Total
    end of
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    average
    turnover
 
 Year — Share Class   of period     income(a)     gain (loss)     operations     income     gains     distributions     period     return(b)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets     rate  
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
2010 — Institutional
  $ 8.11     $ 0.08     $ (1.14 )   $ (1.06 )   $     $     $     $ 7.05       (13.07 )%   $ 66,678       1.03 %(c)     1.06 %(c)     2.04 %(c)     65 %
2010 — Service
    8.12       0.07       (1.14 )     (1.07 )                       7.05       (13.18 )     133,465       1.28 (c)     1.31 (c)     1.80 (c)     65  
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
2009 — Institutional
    6.41       0.13       1.71       1.84       (0.14 )           (0.14 )     8.11       28.69       82,015       1.07       1.07       1.80       118  
2009 — Service
    6.42       0.11       1.71       1.82       (0.12 )           (0.12 )     8.12       28.37       157,359       1.32       1.32       1.51       118  
2008 — Institutional
    13.76       0.32 (d)     (6.69 )     (6.37 )     (0.33 )     (0.65 )     (0.98 )     6.41       (45.87 )     74,149       1.12       1.12       2.95 (d)     165  
2008 — Service
    13.76       0.28 (d)     (6.67 )     (6.39 )     (0.30 )     (0.65 )     (0.95 )     6.42       (46.00 )     113,836       1.37       1.37       2.64 (d)     165  
2007 — Institutional
    14.49       0.20       0.92       1.12       (0.21 )     (1.64 )     (1.85 )     13.76       7.88       136,785       1.16 (e)     1.16 (e)     1.30 (e)     134  
2007 — Service
    14.49       0.20       0.92       1.12       (0.21 )     (1.64 )     (1.85 )     13.76       7.86       225,901       1.18 (e)     1.41 (e)     1.30 (e)     134  
2006 — Institutional
    12.05       0.22       2.44 (f)     2.66       (0.22 )           (0.22 )     14.49       22.10 (g)     127,795       1.15       1.16       1.64       76  
2006 — Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)
    12.71       0.22       1.78 (f)     2.00       (0.22 )           (0.22 )     14.49       15.74 (g)     260,251       1.17 (c)     1.41 (c)     1.68 (c)     76  
2005 — Institutional
    10.62       0.09       1.38       1.47       (0.04 )           (0.04 )     12.05       13.70       109,399       1.20       1.36       0.81       56  
 
(a) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(b) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Reflects income recognized from a special dividend which amounted to $0.12 per share and 1.12% of average net assets.
(e) Includes non-recurring expense for a special shareholder meeting which amounted to approximately 0.02% of average net assets.
(f) Reflects an increase of $0.05 due to payments by previous investment manager of a merged fund to compensate for possible adverse affects of the trading activity by certain contract holders of the acquired fund prior to January 9, 2006.
(g) Performance has not been restated to reflect the impact of payments by previous investment manager of a merged fund recorded during the period related to (f) above. If restated, the performance would have been 21.69% and 15.26% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
1. ORGANIZATION
 
 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust” or “VIT”) is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs” or the “Distributor”) serves as Distributor of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
A. Investment Valuation — The investment valuation policy of the Fund is to value investments at market value. Investments in equity securities and investment companies traded on a foreign securities exchange are valued daily at fair value determined by an independent fair value service (if available) under valuation procedures approved by the trustees consistent with applicable regulatory guidance. The independent fair value service takes into account multiple factors including, but not limited to, movements in the United States (“U.S.”) securities markets, certain depositary receipts, futures contracts and foreign currency exchange rates that have occurred subsequent to the close of the foreign securities exchanges. While the independent fair value service may not take into account market or security specific information, under the valuation procedures, these securities might also be fair valued by GSAMI by taking into consideration market or security specific information as discussed below.
Investments in equity securities and investment companies traded on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ system are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. Investments in equity securities and investment companies traded on a foreign securities exchange for which an independent fair value service cannot provide a quote are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange on which they are traded. If no sale occurs, such securities and investment companies are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued on the basis of quotations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the trustees or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value. If accurate quotations are not readily available, or if GSAMI believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined based on yield equivalents, a pricing matrix or other sources, under valuation procedures established by the trustees. Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price. In the absence of market quotations, broker quotes will be utilized or the security will be fair valued. Investments in investment companies (other than those that are exchange traded) are valued at the net asset value per share (“NAV”) on the valuation date. Short-term debt obligations that mature in sixty days or less and that do not exhibit signs of credit deterioration are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
GSAMI, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or market closings; equipment failures; natural or man-made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; government actions or other
 
 
 
 14


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; low trading volume; and trading limits or suspensions.
 
B. Security and Fund Share Transactions, and Investment Income — Security and Fund share transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date, which may cause the NAV as stated in the accompanying financial statements to be different than the NAV applied to Fund share transactions. Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of foreign withholding taxes, if any, which are reduced by any amounts reclaimable by the Fund, where applicable. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted. In addition, it is the Fund’s policy to accrue for foreign capital gains taxes, if applicable, on certain foreign securities held by the Fund. An estimated foreign capital gains tax is recorded daily on net unrealized gains on these securities and is payable upon the sale of such securities when a gain is realized.
Net investment income (other than class specific expenses) and unrealized and realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares of the Fund based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class.
 
C. Expenses — Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not specifically relate to an individual Fund of the Trust are allocated to the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expense and are accrued daily.
 
D. Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) applicable to regulated investment companies (mutual funds) and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provisions are required. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gains distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net capital losses are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Utilization of capital loss carryforwards will reduce the requirement of future capital gains distributions.
The characterization of distributions to shareholders for financial reporting purposes is determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from GAAP. The source of the Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from net investment income, net realized gain or capital. The Fund’s capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character, but do not reflect temporary differences.
GSAMI has reviewed the Fund’s tax positions for all open tax years (the current and prior three years, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.
 
E. Foreign Currency Translations — The books and records of the Fund are accounted for in U.S. dollars. Amounts denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis: (i) investment valuations, foreign currency and other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars based upon 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time exchange rates; and (ii) purchases and sales of foreign investments, income and expenses are converted into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions represents: (i) foreign exchange gains and losses from the sale and holdings of foreign currencies; (ii) currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment security transactions and forward foreign currency exchange contracts; and (iii) gains and losses from the difference between amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the amounts actually received. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on equity securities and derivative instruments is included with the net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments on the Statement of Operations. The effect of changes in
 
 
 
15 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
foreign currency exchange rates on fixed income securities sold during the period is included with the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions, while the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on fixed income securities held at period end is included with the net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments on the Statement of Operations. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arising from changes in the value of other assets and liabilities as a result of changes in foreign exchange rates are included as increases and decreases in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions.
 
F. Futures Contracts — The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, currency exchange rates, or to seek to increase total return. Futures contracts are valued at the last settlement price, or in the absence of a sale, the last bid price, at the end of each day on the board of trade or exchange upon which they are traded. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits cash or securities in an account on behalf of the broker in an amount sufficient to meet the initial margin requirement. Subsequent payments are made or received by the Fund equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable with a corresponding offset in unrealized gains or losses. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when a contract is closed or expires.
The use of futures contracts involves, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk which may exceed the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Futures contracts may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day. Changes in the value of a futures contract may not directly correlate with changes in the value of the underlying securities. These risks may decrease the effectiveness of the Fund’s strategies and potentially result in a loss. The Fund must set aside liquid assets, or engage in other appropriate measures, to cover its obligations under these contracts.
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
 
A. Management Agreement — Under the Agreement, GSAMI manages the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the trustees.
As compensation for the services rendered pursuant to the Agreement, the assumption of the expenses related thereto and administration of the Fund’s business affairs, including providing facilities, GSAMI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, contractual management fees with GSAMI were at the following rates:
 
                                             
Contractual Management Rate
First
  Next
  Next
  Next
  Over
  Effective
$1 billion   $1 billion   $3 billion   $3 billion   $8 billion   Rate
 
  0.85 %     0.77 %     0.73 %     0.72 %     0.71 %     0.85 %
 
 
 
B. Distribution and Service Plan — The Trust, on behalf of the Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly for distribution services, which may then be paid by Goldman Sachs to authorized dealers, equal to, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares.
 
C. Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets for Institutional and Service Shares.
 
D. Other Agreements — GSAMI has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agent fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and other extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to the extent
 
 
 
 16


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)
 
such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, 0.164% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Effective July 1, 2010, GSAMI will reduce the “Other Expenses” limitation from 0.164% to 0.144% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expenses reimbursement, if any, is computed daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAMI for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAMI reimbursed approximately $35,600 to the Fund.
As of June 30, 2010, amounts owed to affiliates were approximately $144,400, $28,300 and $3,400 for management, distribution and service, and transfer agent fees, respectively.
 
E. Line of Credit Facility — As of June 30, 2010, the Fund participated in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAMI or its affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of the facility, the Fund and other borrowers could increase the credit amount by an additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used solely for temporary or emergency purposes. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Fund based on the amount of the commitment that has not been utilized. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility. Prior to May 11, 2010, the amount available through the facility was $660,000,000.
 
F. Other Transactions with Affiliates — For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Goldman Sachs earned approximately $4,800 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions executed with Goldman Sachs as the Futures Commission Merchant, on behalf of the Fund.
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS
 
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2 — Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAMI’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
 
The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2010:
 
                         
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
   
Assets
                       
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments
  $ 16,547,101     $ 173,765,515 (a)   $  
Short-term Investment
    8,566,071              
 
 
Total
  $ 25,113,172     $ 173,765,515     $  
 
 
Liabilities
                       
Derivatives
  $ (410,396 )   $     $  
 
 
 
(a) To adjust for the time difference between local market close and the calculation of net asset value, the Fund utilizes fair value model prices for international equities provided by an independent fair value service resulting in a Level 2 classification.
 
 
 
17 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
5. INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES
 
 
The Fund may make investments in derivative instruments, including, but not limited to, options, futures, swaps and other derivatives relating to foreign currency transactions. A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. Derivative instruments may be privately negotiated contracts (often referred to as over the counter (“OTC”) derivatives) or they may be listed and traded on an exchange. Derivative contracts may involve future commitments to purchase or sell financial instruments or commodities at specified terms on a specified date, or to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount. Derivative instruments may involve a high degree of financial risk. The use of derivatives also involves the risk of loss if the investment adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices. Investments in derivative instruments also include the risk of default by the counterparty, the risk that the investment may not be liquid and the risk that a small movement in the price of the underlying security or benchmark may result in a disproportionately large movement, unfavorable or favorable, in the price of the derivative instrument.
The following table sets forth the gross value of the Fund’s derivative contracts for trading activities by certain risk types as of June 30, 2010. The values in the table below exclude the effects of cash collateral received or posted pursuant to derivative contracts, and therefore are not representative of the Fund’s net exposure.
 
                 
Risk   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location     Liabilities  
   
Equity
    Due to broker — variation margin, at value     $ (410,396)(a)  
 
 
 
(a) Includes unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts described in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
The following table sets forth by certain risk types the Fund’s gains (losses) related to derivative activities and their indicative volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2010. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that derivative contracts may have been executed to economically hedge securities and accordingly, gains (losses) on derivative contracts may offset (losses) gains attributable to securities. These gains (losses) are included in “Net realized gain (loss)” or “Net change in unrealized gain (loss)” on the Statement of Operations:
 
                               
              Net Change in
      Average
 
        Net Realized
    Unrealized
      Number of
 
Risk   Statement of Operations Location   Gain (Loss)     Gain (Loss)       Contracts(a)  
   
Equity
  Net realized gain (loss) from futures transactions/
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures
  $ (227,663 )   $ (786,509 )       75  
 
 
 
(a) Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
6. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
 
 
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the six months ended June 30, 2010, were $139,401,369 and $143,558,148, respectively.
 
7. SECURITIES LENDING
 
 
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the terms and conditions contained therein, the Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“GSAL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, to certain qualified borrowers including Goldman Sachs and affiliates. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending procedures, the Fund receives cash collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the
 
 
 
 18


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
7. SECURITIES LENDING (continued)
 
Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Fund or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan.
The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Enhanced Portfolio of Boston Global Investment Trust (“Enhanced Portfolio”), a Delaware statutory trust. The Enhanced Portfolio, deemed an affiliate of the Trust, is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the Act and is managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), for which GSAM may receive an investment advisory fee of up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Enhanced Portfolio. The Enhanced Portfolio invests primarily in short-term investments, but is not a “money market fund” subject to the requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the Act. The Fund’s investment of cash collateral in the Enhanced Portfolio is subject to a net asset value that may fall or rise due to market and credit conditions. Effective May 26, 2010, the Fund is no longer participating in the securities lending program.
Both the Fund and GSAL received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amount earned by the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2010, is reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations. A portion of this amount, $21,502, represents compensation earned by the Fund from lending its securities to Goldman Sachs. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAL earned $8,579 in fees as securities lending agent.
The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Enhanced Portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2010 (in thousands):
 
                                     
Number of
                Number of
       
Shares Held
                Shares Held
    Value at End
 
Beginning of Period     Shares Bought     Shares Sold     End of Period     of Period  
   
  13,790       38,434       (52,224 )         $  
 
 
 
8. TAX INFORMATION
 
 
As of the most recent fiscal year end, December 31, 2009, the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards and certain timing differences on a tax-basis were as follows:
 
         
Capital loss carryforward:1
       
Expiring 2010
  $ (6,928,702 )
Expiring 2011
    (609,034 )
Expiring 2016
    (74,996,351 )
Expiring 2017
    (63,551,844 )
 
 
Total capital loss carryforward
  $ (146,085,931 )
 
 
Timing differences (post-October losses)
  $ (2,825,407 )
 
 
1 Expiration occurs on December 31 of the year indicated.
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes was as follows:
 
         
Tax cost
  $ 215,240,924  
 
 
Gross unrealized gain
    10,801,108  
Gross unrealized loss
    (27,163,345 )
 
 
Net unrealized security loss
  $ (16,362,237 )
 
 
 
 
 
19 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
8. TAX INFORMATION (continued)
 
The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses), as of the most recent fiscal year end, is attributable primarily to wash sales and differences related to the tax treatment of Passive Foreign Investment Company and partnership investments.
 
9. OTHER RISKS
 
 
Foreign Custody Risk — A Fund that invests in foreign securities may hold such securities and foreign currency with foreign banks, agents, and securities depositories (each a “Foreign Custodian”) appointed by the Fund’s custodian. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to greater custody risks than investments in more developed markets. Custody services in emerging market countries are often undeveloped and may be less regulated than in more developed countries, and thus may not afford the same level of investor protection as would apply in developed countries. In some countries, Foreign Custodians may be subject to little or no regulatory oversight or independent evaluation of their operations. Further, the laws of certain countries may place limitations on a Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a Foreign Custodian enters into bankruptcy.
 
Fund’s Shareholder Concentration Risk — Certain participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of the Fund’s shares. Redemptions by these participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates in the Fund may impact the Fund’s liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force the Fund to sell securities, which may increase the Fund’s brokerage costs.
 
Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, the Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, the Fund may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transaction defaults.
Investing in foreign markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. These risks include revaluation of currencies, high rates of inflation, repatriation restrictions on income and capital, and adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities issued in these markets may be less liquid, be subject to government ownership controls, have delayed settlements and their prices may be more volatile than those of comparable securities in the U.S.
 
10. INDEMNIFICATIONS
 
 
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, GSAMI believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
 
11. OTHER MATTERS
 
 
Legal Proceedings — On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Goldman Sachs and one of its employees alleging that they made materially misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007 private placement of securities relating to a synthetic collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional investors. On July 14, 2010, the SEC and Goldman Sachs entered into a consent agreement settling this action. On July 20, 2010, the U.S. District Court entered a final judgment approving the settlement.
 
 
 
 20


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
11. OTHER MATTERS (continued)
 
Neither Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. or Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (collectively “GSAM”, for purposes of this note only) nor any GSAM-managed funds were named in the complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint did not seek any penalties against them or against any employee who is or has been part of GSAM.
GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have received temporary exemptive relief from the SEC to permit them to continue serving as investment adviser and principal underwriter for U.S.-registered mutual funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the operation of mutual funds, they would otherwise have become ineligible to perform these activities as a result of the District Court’s final judgment. GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have applied for final exemptive relief. While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
Goldman Sachs and/or other affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive notices and requests for information from various regulators, and have become or may in the future become involved in legal proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the SEC or other matters. In the view of Goldman Sachs and GSAM, neither the matters alleged in any such similar proceedings nor their eventual resolution are likely to have a material affect on the ability of Goldman Sachs, GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to GSAM-managed funds.
 
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
 
Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. GSAMI has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
13. SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 
 
Share activity is as follows:
 
                                 
    For the Six Months Ended
       
    June 30, 2010
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
 
    (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
    Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
   
Institutional Shares
                               
Shares sold
    118,625     $ 932,926       234,309     $ 1,485,598  
Reinvestment of distributions
                170,701       1,367,314  
Shares redeemed
    (779,641 )     (6,190,497 )     (1,856,208 )     (12,941,114 )
 
 
      (661,016 )     (5,257,571 )     (1,451,198 )     (10,088,202 )
 
 
Service Shares
                               
Shares sold
    743,346       5,802,136       4,165,773       27,079,133  
Reinvestment of distributions
                285,763       2,291,819  
Shares redeemed
    (1,202,716 )     (9,512,177 )     (2,795,956 )     (18,953,120 )
 
 
      (459,370 )     (3,710,041 )     1,655,580       10,417,832  
 
 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)
    (1,120,386 )   $ (8,967,612 )     204,382     $ 329,630  
 
 
 
 
 
21 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited)
 
Background
 
The Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund (the “Fund”) is an investment portfolio of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees oversees the management of the Trust and reviews the investment performance and expenses of the Fund at regularly scheduled meetings held during the year. In addition, the Board of Trustees determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Trust’s investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (the “Investment Adviser”) on behalf of the Fund.
 
The Management Agreement was most recently approved for continuation until June 30, 2011 by the Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”), at a meeting held on June 16-17, 2010 (the “Annual Meeting”).
 
The review process undertaken by the Trustees spans the course of the year and culminates with the Annual Meeting. To assist the Trustees in their deliberations, the Trustees have established a Contract Review Committee (the “Committee”), comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Committee held three meetings over the course of the year, since last approving the Management Agreement. At those Committee meetings, regularly scheduled Board meetings and/or the Annual Meeting, the Board, or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, considered matters relating to the Management Agreement, including:
 
(a) the nature and quality of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including information about:
 
(i) the structure, staff and capabilities of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio management teams;
 
(ii) the groups within the Investment Adviser and its affiliates that support the portfolio management teams or provide other types of necessary services, including fund services groups (e.g., accounting and financial reporting, tax, shareholder services and operations), controls and risk management groups (e.g., legal, compliance, valuation oversight, credit risk management, internal audit, market risk analysis and finance and strategy), sales and distribution support groups and others (e.g., information technology and training);
 
(iii) trends in headcount;
 
(iv) the Investment Adviser’s financial resources and ability to hire and retain talented personnel and strengthen its operations; and
 
(v) the parent company’s support of the Investment Adviser and its mutual fund business, as expressed by the firm’s senior management;
 
(b) information on the investment performance of the Fund, including comparisons to the performance of similar mutual funds, as provided by a third party mutual fund data provider engaged as part of the contract review process (the “Outside Data Provider”), and its benchmark performance index, and general investment outlooks in the markets in which the Fund invests;
 
(c) the terms of the Management Agreement and agreements with affiliated service providers entered into by the Trust on behalf of the Fund;
 
(d) expense information for the Fund, including:
 
(i) the relative management fee and expense level of the Fund as compared to those of comparable funds managed by other advisers, as provided by the Outside Data Provider;
 
 
 
 22


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
(ii) the Fund’s expense trends over time; and
 
(iii) to the extent the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative information on the advisory fees charged and services provided to those accounts by the Investment Adviser;
 
(e) with respect to the extensive investment performance and expense comparison data provided by the Outside Data Provider, its processes in producing that data for the Fund;
 
(f) the undertaking of the Investment Adviser to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund that exceed a specified level and a summary of contractual fee reductions made by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates over the past several years with respect to the Fund;
 
(g) information relating to the profitability of the Management Agreement and the transfer agency and distribution and service arrangements of the Fund and the Trust as a whole to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates;
 
(h) potential economies of scale, if any, and the levels of breakpoints in the fees payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement;
 
(i) a summary of the “fall-out” benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, including the fees received by the Investment Adviser’s affiliates from the Fund for transfer agency, securities lending, portfolio brokerage, distribution and other services;
 
(j) a summary of potential benefits derived by the Fund as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser;
 
(k) commission rates paid by the Fund, an updated on the Investment Adviser’s soft dollars practices and other portfolio trading related issues;
 
(l) the manner in which portfolio manager compensation is determined, the alignment of the interests of the Fund and of the portfolio managers and related potential conflicts of interest; and the number and types of accounts managed by the portfolio managers;
 
(m) the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by its unaffiliated service providers, and the Investment Adviser’s general oversight and evaluation (including reports on due diligence) of those service providers as part of the administration services provided under the Management Agreement; and
 
(n) the Investment Adviser’s processes and policies addressing various types of potential conflicts of interest; its approach to risk management; the annual review of the effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program; and compliance reports.
 
The Trustees also received an overview of the Fund’s distribution arrangements. They received information regarding the Fund’s assets, share purchase and redemption activity and the payment of Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees by the Fund’s Service Shares. Information was also provided to the Trustees relating to revenue sharing payments made by and services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to intermediaries that promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of Fund shares.
 
The presentations made at the Board and Committee meetings and at the Annual Meeting encompassed the Fund and other mutual fund portfolios for which the Board of Trustees has responsibility. In evaluating the Management Agreement at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees relied upon their knowledge, resulting from their meetings and other interactions throughout the year, of the Investment Adviser, its affiliates, their services and the Fund. In conjunction with these meetings, the Trustees received written materials and oral presentations on the topics covered, and were advised by their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities and other regulatory requirements related to the approval and continuation of mutual fund investment management agreements under applicable law. During the course of their deliberations, the
 
 
 
23 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Independent Trustees met in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel, without representatives of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates present. The Independent Trustees also discussed the broad range of other investment choices that are available to Fund investors, including the availability of comparable funds managed by other advisers.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided Under the Management Agreement
 
As part of their review, the Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Adviser. In this regard, the Trustees considered both the investment advisory services, and the other, non-advisory services, that are provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. They noted that management had made certain personnel changes in an effort to improve the performance of the Fund. The Independent Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser had committed substantial financial and operational resources to the Fund and expressed confidence that the Investment Adviser would continue to do so in the future. The Trustees also observed that the Investment Adviser had made significant commitments to address regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Fund and the Investment Adviser.
 
Investment Performance
 
The Trustees also considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Investment Adviser. In this regard, they compared the investment performance of the Fund to the performance rankings and ratings compiled by the Outside Data Provider. This information on the Fund’s investment performance relative to that of its peers was provided for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2009. The Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s investment performance over time on a year-by-year basis relative to its performance benchmark. In addition, they considered the investment performance trends of the Fund over time, and reviewed the investment performance of the Fund in light of its investment objective and policies and market conditions. The Trustees considered whether the Fund had operated within its investment policies and had complied with its investment limitations.
 
In addition, the Trustees considered materials prepared and presentations made by the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer and portfolio management personnel, in which Fund performance was assessed. The Trustees also considered the Investment Adviser’s periodic reports with respect to the Fund’s risk profile, and how the Investment Adviser’s approach to risk monitoring and management influences portfolio management.
 
The Trustees noted that the Investment Adviser and its affiliates took a number of steps intended to improve Fund performance, including making changes to the leadership and personnel on the portfolio management team in prior periods and implementing enhancements to the investment process for the Fund (which among other things included refinement of how bottom-up stock selection is reflected across multi-regional portfolios). They noted that the Fund still ranked in the bottom half of its peer group for the one-year period ended December 31, 2009, but also noted that the recent performance of the Fund seemed to indicate that these changes could be working. They indicated that they would continue to closely monitor the performance of the Fund, but were encouraged that the changes the Investment Adviser and its affiliates implemented seemed to be contributing to improved performance. The Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
 
Costs of Services Provided and Competitive Information
 
The Trustees considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement. In this regard, the Trustees considered information on the services rendered by the Investment Adviser to the Fund, which included both advisory and administrative services that were directed to the needs and operations of the Fund as a registered mutual fund.
 
In particular, the Trustees reviewed analyses prepared by the Outside Data Provider regarding the expense rankings of the Fund. The analyses provided a comparison of the Fund’s management fees and breakpoints to those of a relevant peer group and category universe; an expense analysis which compared the Fund’s expenses to a peer group and a category
 
 
 
 24


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
universe; and a four-year history comparing the Fund’s expenses to the peer and category averages. The analyses also compared the Fund’s transfer agency fees, custody and accounting fees, distribution fees, other expenses and fee waivers/reimbursements to those of other funds in the peer group and the peer group median. The Trustees concluded that the comparisons provided by the Outside Data Provider were useful in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees and total expenses paid by the Fund.
 
In addition, the Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s undertaking to limit the Fund’s “other expenses” ratio (excluding certain expenses) to a specified level. They also considered, to the extent that the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative fee information for services provided by the Investment Adviser to those accounts, and information that indicated that services provided to the Fund differed in various significant respects from the services provided to institutional accounts, which generally operated under less stringent legal and regulatory structures, required fewer services from the Investment Adviser to a smaller number of client contact points, were less time-intensive and paid lower fees. By contrast, the Trustees noted that the Investment Adviser provides substantial administrative services to the Fund under the terms of the Management Agreement.
 
In addition, the Trustees noted that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares at any time if they believe that the Fund fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
 
Profitability
 
The Trustees reviewed the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins with respect to the Trust and the Fund. In this regard the Trustees noted that they had received, among other things, profitability analyses and summaries, revenue and expense schedules by Fund and by function (i.e., investment management, transfer agency and distribution and service) and the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology. They observed that the profitability and expense figures are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Adviser for many internal purposes, including compensation decisions among various business groups, and are thus subject to a vigorous internal debate about how certain revenue and expenses should be allocated. The Trustees also reviewed the report of the internal audit group within the Goldman Sachs organization, which included an assessment of the reasonableness and consistency of the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology and an evaluation of the accuracy of the Investment Adviser’s profitability analysis calculations. Profitability data for the Trust and the Fund were provided for 2009 and 2008, and the Trustees considered this information in relation to the Investment Adviser’s overall profitability. The Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins both in absolute terms and in comparison to information on the reported pre-tax profit margins earned by certain other asset management firms.
 
Economies of Scale
 
The Trustees considered the information that had been provided regarding the Investment Adviser’s profitability and the rationale for the Fund’s breakpoint structure. The Trustees also considered the breakpoints in the fee rate payable under the Management Agreement for the Fund at the following annual percentage rates of the average daily net assets of the Fund:
 
         
First $1 billion
    0.85 %
Next $1 billion
    0.77  
Next $3 billion
    0.73  
Next $3 billion
    0.72  
Over $8 billion
    0.71  
 
The Trustees noted that the breakpoints at the $5 and $8 billion asset levels had been proposed by the Investment Adviser and approved by the Trustees in 2008 to further share potential economies of scale, if any, with the Fund and its shareholders as assets under management reach those asset levels. The Trustees considered the amounts of assets in the Fund; the Fund’s recent share purchase and redemption activity; the information provided by the Investment Adviser relating
 
 
 
25 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
to the costs of the services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and their realized profits; information comparing fee rates charged by the Investment Adviser with fee rates charged to other funds in the peer group; and the Investment Adviser’s undertaking to limit other expenses to a certain amount. They also considered the lower contractual fee rates implemented at each breakpoint for the Fund in 2009. Upon reviewing these matters at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees concluded that the fee breakpoints represented a means of assuring that benefits of scalability would be passed along to shareholders at the specified asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to the Investment Adviser and Its Affiliates
 
The Trustees also considered the other benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund as stated above, including: (a) transfer agency fees received by Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”); (b) brokerage and futures commissions earned by Goldman Sachs for executing securities and futures transactions on behalf of the Fund; (c) research received by the Investment Adviser from broker-dealers in exchange for executing certain transactions on behalf of the Fund; (d) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those for other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (e) fees earned during a portion of the year by Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, as securities lending agent (and fees earned by an affiliate of the Investment Adviser for managing the portfolio in which the Fund’s cash collateral was invested); (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage the infrastructure designed to service the Fund on behalf of its other clients; (g) the Investment Adviser’s ability to cross-market other products and services to Fund shareholders; (h) Goldman Sachs’ retention of certain fees as Fund Distributor; (i) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate better pricing with custodians on behalf of its other clients, as a result of the relationship with the Fund; and (j) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage relationships with the Fund’s third party service providers to attract more firmwide business. In the course of considering the foregoing, the Independent Trustees requested and received further information quantifying certain of the fall-out benefits. In looking at the benefits to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending and the Investment Adviser’s affiliate from the securities lending program, they noted that the Fund also benefited from its participation in the securities lending program.
 
Other Benefits to the Fund and Its Shareholders
 
The Trustees also noted that the Fund receives certain potential benefits as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser, including: (a) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those of other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (b) improved servicing and pricing from vendors because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (c) improved servicing from broker-dealers because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (d) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate favorable terms with derivatives counterparties as a result of the size and reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (e) the advantages gained from the Investment Adviser’s knowledge and experience gained from managing other accounts and products; (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to hire and retain qualified personnel to provide services to the Fund because of the reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (g) the Fund’s access, through the Investment Adviser, to certain firmwide resources (e.g., proprietary databases); and (h) the Fund’s access to certain affiliated distribution channels. The Trustees noted the competitive nature of the mutual fund marketplace, and noted further that many of the Fund’s shareholders invested in the Fund in part because of the Fund’s relationship with the Investment Adviser and that those shareholders have a general expectation that the relationship will continue.
 
 
 
 26


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Conclusion
 
In connection with their consideration of the Management Agreement, the Trustees gave weight to each of the factors described above, but did not identify any particular factor as controlling their decision. After deliberation and consideration of all of the information provided, including the factors described above, the Trustees concluded, in the exercise of their business judgment, that the management fees paid by the Fund were reasonable in light of the services provided to it by the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser’s costs and the Fund’s current and reasonably foreseeable asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the Management Agreement should be approved and continued with respect to the Fund until June 30, 2011.
 
 
 
27 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of the Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (with respect to Service Shares) and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund 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 period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
 
Actual Expenses — The first line under each share class in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The second line under each share class in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Fund, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees, or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. The second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.
 
                               
                      Expenses
 
                      Paid for the
 
      Beginning
      Ending
      6 Months
 
      Account Value
      Account Value
      Ended
 
Share Class     1/01/10       6/30/10       6/30/10*  
Institutional
                             
Actual
    $ 1,000       $ 869.30       $ 4.77  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,019.69 +       5.16  
                               
Service
                             
Actual
      1,000         868.20         5.98  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,018.40 +       6.46  
 
 
* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized net expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the fiscal year. The annualized net expense ratios for the period were 1.03% and 1.28% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.
 
+ Hypothetical expenses are based on the Fund’s actual annualized net expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses.
 
 
 
 28


 


 

  
     
TRUSTEES
  OFFICERS
Ashok N. Bakhru, Chairman
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Diana M. Daniels
Patrick T. Harker
James A. McNamara
Jessica Palmer
Alan A. Shuch
Richard P. Strubel
  James A. McNamara, President
George F. Travers, Principal Financial Officer
Peter V. Bonanno, Secretary
Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer
     
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
   
 
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL
Investment Adviser
Christchurch Court, 10-15 Newgate Street London, EC1A 7HD, England, United Kingdom
 
Visit our Web site at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns.
The reports concerning the Fund included in this shareholder report may contain certain forward-looking statements about the factors that may affect the performance of the Fund in the future. These statements are based on Fund management’s predictions and expectations concerning certain future events and their expected impact on the Fund, such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors, changes in the levels of interest rates, the impact of developing world events, and other factors that may influence the future performance of the Fund. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual events may cause adjustments in portfolio management strategies from those currently expected to be employed.
Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect our judgment as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. These forecasts do not take into account the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. These forecasts are subject to high levels of uncertainty that may affect actual performance. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. These forecasts are estimated, based on assumptions, and are subject to significant revision and may change materially as economic and market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide updates or changes to these forecasts. Case studies and examples are for illustrative purposes only.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-621-2550; and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. When available, the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may also be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.
The Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (“MSCI”) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) and is licensed for use by Goldman Sachs. Neither MSCI, S&P nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Holdings and allocations shown may not be representative of current or future investments. Holdings and allocations may not include the Fund’s entire investment portfolio, which may change at any time. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities.
This material is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or summary prospectus, if applicable. Investors should consider a Fund’s objective, risks, and charges and expenses, and read the summary prospectus, if available, and/or the Prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. The summary prospectus, if available, and the Prospectus contain this and other information about a Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling 1-800-621-2550.
    Toll Free (in U.S.): 800-292-4726
This report is prepared for the general information of contract owners and is not an offer of shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust: Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund.
Copyright 2010 Goldman, Sachs & Co. All rights reserved.
VITINTLSAR10/39467.MF.TMPL/08-10    


 

 
Goldman
Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Equity Fund
 
 
 
 
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2010
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Principal Investment Strategies and Risks
 
Shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity Fund are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Fund are not offered directly to the general public. The variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are described in the separate prospectuses issued by participating insurance companies. You should refer to those prospectuses for information about surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees and other charges that may be assessed by participating insurance companies under the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies. Such fees or charges, if any, may affect the return you realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider the Fund’s objective, risks and charges and expenses, and read the Prospectus carefully before investing. The Prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.
 
The Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity Fund invests in a broadly diversified portfolio of small-capitalization U.S. equity investments and is subject to market risk so that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions. Stocks of smaller companies are often more volatile and less liquid and present greater risks than stocks of larger companies. At times, the Fund may be unable to sell certain of its portfolio securities without a substantial drop in price, if at all.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs Quantitative Investment Strategies Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity Fund (the “Fund”) perform during the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2010?
 
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 (the “Reporting Period”), the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated cumulative total returns, without sales charges, of -0.23% and -0.34%, respectively. These returns compare to the -1.95% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2000® Index (with dividends reinvested) (the “Russell Index”) during the same time period.
 
What economic and market factors most influenced the equity markets as a whole during the Reporting Period?
 
U.S. equities advanced in the first quarter, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of gains. Increasing cash flow, higher productivity and significant cost cutting fueled expectations of forthcoming business spending and corporate profits across a wide spectrum of economic sectors. Stronger personal spending and retail sales figures released during the quarter jump-started stocks related to consumer spending. Continued positive numbers from several key manufacturing surveys lifted industrial stocks. However, risk appetite shifted rapidly during the second quarter of 2010, as market focus turned to the sovereign debt crises in Europe, and investors began to question the sustainability of the global economic recovery. Further, fears of government policy tightening in China that might start to cool economic growth there and announcements regarding U.S. financial regulation reform combined to heighten investor risk aversion.
 
While all capitalization segments of the U.S. equity market declined during the Reporting Period overall, the U.S. small-cap equity market, as measured by the Russell Index, held up best, followed closely behind by mid-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell Midcap® Index. Large-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 1000® Index trailed. Large-cap stocks were least successful relative to small-cap stocks in the information technology sector. Within the U.S. small-cap equity segment, all sectors were down, but value stocks modestly outperformed growth stocks during the Reporting Period. The Russell 2000® Growth Index returned -2.31% compared to the -1.64% return of the Russell 2000® Value Index. The Russell 2000® Growth Index has a heavier weighting in the information technology sector, which lagged the index average during the Reporting Period.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
As expected, and in keeping with our investment approach, our quantitative model and its six investment themes — Valuation, Profitability, Quality, Management, Momentum and Sentiment — had the greatest impact on relative performance. We use these themes to take a long-term view of market patterns and look for inefficiencies, selecting stocks for the Fund and overweighting or underweighting the ones chosen by the model. Over time and by design, the performance of any one of the model’s investment themes tends to have a low correlation with the model’s other themes, demonstrating the diversification benefit of the Fund’s theme-driven quantitative model. The variance in performance supports our research indicating that the diversification provided by the Fund’s different investment themes is believed to be a significant investment advantage over the long term, even though the Fund may experience underperformance in the short term.
 
Overall, the Fund outperformed during the Reporting Period, with the Fund’s Management theme contributing the most positively to results, followed by Momentum, Valuation and Quality. The Management theme assesses the characteristics, policies and strategic decisions of company management. The Momentum theme seeks to predict drifts in stock prices caused by under-reaction to company-specific information. The Valuation theme attempts to capture potential mispricings of
 
 
 2


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

securities, typically by comparing a measure of the company’s intrinsic value to its market value. The Quality theme evaluates whether the company’s earnings are coming from more persistent, cash-based sources, as opposed to accruals.
 
The Profitability and Sentiment themes detracted from the Fund’s relative results during the Reporting Period. The Profitability theme assesses whether a company is earning more than its cost of capital. The Sentiment theme reflects selected investment views and decisions of individuals and financial intermediaries.
 
How did the Fund’s sector allocations affect relative performance?
 
In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, we focus on picking stocks rather than making industry or sector bets. Consequently, the Fund is similar to its benchmark, the Russell Index, in terms of its sector allocation and style. However, we seek to outpace the Russell Index by overweighting stocks that we expect to outperform and underweighting those that we think may lag. We also build positions based on our thematic views. For example, the Fund aims to hold a basket of stocks with more favorable Momentum characteristics than the benchmark index. We manage the Fund’s industry and sector exposure by including industry factors in our risk model and by explicitly penalizing industry and sector deviations from the benchmark index in optimization. Sector weights generally do not have a meaningful impact on relative performance.
 
All that said, stock selection in the energy, financials and information technology sectors made the biggest positive contribution to the Fund’s results relative to the Russell Index. Conversely, stock selection in the health care and consumer staples sectors detracted most from the Fund’s results relative to its benchmark index.
 
Which individual stock positions contributed the most to the Fund’s relative returns during the Reporting Period?
 
The Fund benefited most from overweight positions in machinery manufacturer and materials handler NACCO Industries, semiconductor developer Lattice Semiconductor, and oil and gas exploration and production company Cimarex Energy. We chose to overweight NACCO Industries because of our positive views on Management and Sentiment. The Fund was overweight Lattice Semiconductor due to our positive views on Sentiment and Momentum. The overweight in Cimarex Energy was the result of our positive views on Quality and Sentiment.
 
Which individual positions detracted from the Fund’s results during the Reporting Period?
 
Detracting most from the Fund’s results relative to its benchmark index were overweight positions in pharmaceutical manufacturer King Pharmaceuticals, molecular diagnostic product developer Myriad Genetics, and HMO provider WellCare Health Plans. Our positive views on Valuation and Momentum led us to overweight King Pharmaceuticals. The Fund had an overweighted position in Myriad Genetics because of our positive views on Profitability and Quality. The Fund was overweight WellCare Health Plans due to our positive views on Profitability and Momentum.
 
Did you make any enhancements to your quantitative models during the Reporting Period?
 
We continuously look for ways to improve our investment process. Accordingly, we continued our extensive ongoing research process but did not implement any significant model enhancements during the first quarter of 2010. During the second quarter, we continued to improve our factor timing within the Momentum theme.
 
What was the Fund’s sector positioning relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Fund was overweight the industrials, consumer discretionary and materials sectors relative to the Russell Index. The Fund was underweight utilities, energy and financials compared to the benchmark index on the same date. The Fund was relatively neutral in consumer staples, telecommunication services, information technology and health care at the end of the Reporting Period.
 
What is your strategy going forward for the Fund?
 
In the coming months, we believe that less expensive stocks should outpace more expensive stocks, and stocks with good momentum are likely to outperform those with poor momentum. Our focus will remain on companies with increasingly strong fundamentals, good profitability, sustainable earnings and a track record of using capital to enhance shareholder
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

value. As such, we anticipate remaining fully invested with long-term performance likely to be the result of stock selection rather than sector or size allocations.
 
We stand behind our investment philosophy that sound economic investment principles, coupled with a disciplined quantitative approach, can provide strong, uncorrelated returns over the long run. Our research agenda is robust, and we continue to enhance our existing models, add new proprietary forecasting signals, and improve our trading execution as we seek to provide the most value to our shareholders.
 
 
 4


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Structured Small Cap Equity Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Institutional
    27.02 %     -3.71 %     2.16 %     2.57 %   2/13/98    
Service
    26.65       N/A       N/A       -8.17     8/31/07    
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Institutional
    0.86 %     1.02 %    
Service
    1.11       1.27      
2 The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 6/30/103
 
                 
Holding   % of Net Assets     Line of Business    
 
Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.
    1.6 %   Real Estate Investment Trust    
Allegiant Travel Co.
    1.5     Transportation    
Rayonier, Inc.
    1.2     Real Estate Investment Trust    
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. Class A
    1.0     Consumer Durables & Apparel    
International Bancshares Corp.
    1.0     Banks    
Lattice Semiconductor Corp.
    0.9     Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment    
Molina Healthcare, Inc.
    0.9     Health Care Equipment & Services    
American Campus Communities, Inc.
    0.9     Real Estate Investment Trust    
Cimarex Energy Co.
    0.9     Energy    
United Stationers, Inc.
    0.8     Commercial & Professional Services    
 
3 Opinions expressed in this report represent our present opinion only. Reference to individual securities should not be construed as a commitment that such securities will be retained by the Fund. From time to time, the Fund may change the individual securities it holds, the number or types of securities held and the markets in which it invests. Fund holdings of securities should not be relied upon in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. References to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to the investor to buy, hold or sell such securities. In addition, references to past performance of the Fund do not indicate future returns, which are not guaranteed and will vary. Furthermore, the value of shares of the Fund may fall as well as rise.
 
 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

 
 
 
FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4
 
As of June 30, 2010
 
 
(GRAPH)
 
4 The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. The above graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. Consequently, the Fund’s overall industry sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value (excluding investments in the securities lending reinvestment vehicle, if any). Investment in the securities lending reinvestment vehicle represented 13.3% of the Fund’s net assets at June 30, 2010. Short-term investments represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded.
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – 97.8%
                     
                     
    Automobiles & Components – 0.8%
      17,464     Dana Holding Corp.*   $ 174,640  
      2,438     Federal Mogul Corp.*     31,743  
      19,157     Modine Manufacturing Co.*     147,126  
      13,146     Spartan Motors, Inc.     55,213  
      13,479     Standard Motor Products, Inc.     108,775  
      20,652     Stoneridge, Inc.*     156,749  
      15,220     Superior Industries International, Inc.     204,557  
                     
                  878,803  
     
     
    Banks – 6.0%
      3,894     1st Source Corp.     65,886  
      19,073     Astoria Financial Corp.     262,444  
      6,330     Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior SA Class E     79,062  
      738     City National Corp.     37,808  
      4,551     Commerce Bancshares, Inc.     163,790  
      74,687     CVB Financial Corp.(a)     709,526  
      24,110     First Bancorp(a)     349,354  
      6,132     First Bancorp, Inc.     80,513  
      18,342     First Financial Bancorp     274,213  
      7,191     FirstMerit Corp.     123,182  
      5,555     FNB Corp.     44,607  
      38,007     Fulton Financial Corp.     366,768  
      10,428     Glacier Bancorp, Inc.     152,979  
      14,075     Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.     285,863  
      64,629     International Bancshares Corp.     1,078,658  
      14,386     Investors Bancorp, Inc.*     188,744  
      37,251     NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc.     417,584  
      3,893     Northfield Bancorp, Inc.     50,531  
      70,828     Popular, Inc.*     189,819  
      11,699     Renasant Corp.(a)     167,881  
      1,736     Republic Bancorp, Inc. Class A     38,886  
      3,975     Southwest Bancorp, Inc.     52,828  
      7,998     SVB Financial Group*(a)     329,758  
      2,979     TCF Financial Corp.     49,481  
      19,977     Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*     327,623  
      6,586     Washington Federal, Inc.     106,561  
      55,762     Wilshire Bancorp, Inc.(a)     487,918  
      2,098     Wintrust Financial Corp.(a)     69,947  
                     
                  6,552,214  
     
     
    Capital Goods – 7.3%
      3,480     AAR Corp.*     58,255  
      7,059     Acuity Brands, Inc.(a)     256,806  
      2,992     Aerovironment, Inc.*     65,016  
      11,114     Albany International Corp. Class A     179,936  
      2,744     American Railcar Industries, Inc.*     33,147  
      6,857     American Woodmark Corp.     117,255  
      16,438     Apogee Enterprises, Inc.     178,024  
      5,631     Armstrong World Industries, Inc.*     169,944  
      2,457     Astec Industries, Inc.*(a)     68,133  
      12,172     Belden, Inc.     267,784  
      14,383     BlueLinx Holdings, Inc.*     37,827  
      28,797     Briggs & Stratton Corp.     490,125  
      9,482     Ceradyne, Inc.*     202,630  
      4,177     Cubic Corp.     151,959  
      4,623     Ducommun, Inc.     79,053  
     
     
      7,521     Dycom Industries, Inc.*     64,305  
      8,338     Encore Wire Corp.(a)     151,668  
      7,773     EnPro Industries, Inc.*(a)     218,810  
      5,482     General Cable Corp.*     146,095  
      3,433     Hubbell, Inc. Class B     136,256  
      3,119     II-VI, Inc.*     92,416  
      7,716     Insteel Industries, Inc.     89,660  
      14,762     Kadant, Inc.*     257,154  
      3,622     LMI Aerospace, Inc.*     57,119  
      43,981     LSI Industries, Inc.     214,627  
      17,917     Miller Industries, Inc.     241,342  
      25,011     Mueller Industries, Inc.     615,271  
      8,408     NACCO Industries, Inc. Class A     746,294  
      17,912     Oshkosh Corp.*     558,138  
      3,866     Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.     94,910  
      13,308     Tecumseh Products Co. Class A*     147,985  
      4,987     Tennant Co.     168,660  
      15,036     Toro Co.(b)     738,568  
      8,621     Tredegar Corp.     140,695  
      2,512     Triumph Group, Inc.     167,375  
      15,178     Universal Forest Products, Inc.     460,045  
      5,741     Woodward Governor Co.(a)     146,568  
                     
                  8,009,855  
     
     
    Commercial & Professional Services – 3.7%
      12,687     ACCO Brands Corp.*     63,308  
      4,998     Administaff, Inc.     120,752  
      17,398     CDI Corp.     270,191  
      3,698     Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc.     38,126  
      28,839     HNI Corp.     795,668  
      48,423     Kelly Services, Inc. Class A*     720,050  
      33,671     Kforce, Inc.*(a)     429,305  
      25,263     Kimball International, Inc. Class B     139,705  
      52,544     SFN Group, Inc.*     286,890  
      35,445     Steelcase, Inc. Class A     274,699  
      17,068     United Stationers, Inc.*     929,694  
                     
                  4,068,388  
     
     
    Consumer Durables & Apparel – 4.6%
      9,389     Blyth, Inc.     319,883  
      3,174     Brunswick Corp.     39,453  
      8,875     Callaway Golf Co.(a)     53,605  
      10,031     Columbia Sportswear Co.(a)     468,147  
      2,729     CSS Industries, Inc.     45,029  
      13,369     Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.(a)     187,032  
      30,312     Furniture Brands International, Inc.*     158,229  
      3,152     G-III Apparel Group Ltd.*     72,149  
      7,432     Hooker Furniture Corp.     79,225  
      18,768     iRobot Corp.*(a)     352,651  
      29,873     Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. Class A*     328,902  
      18,424     Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*(a)     685,741  
      4,249     Mohawk Industries, Inc.*     194,434  
      33,954     Nautilus, Inc.*     51,610  
      11,681     Oxford Industries, Inc.     244,483  
      19,424     Perry Ellis International, Inc.*     392,365  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
7 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
    Consumer Durables & Apparel – (continued)
                     
      31,091     Skechers U.S.A., Inc. Class A*   $ 1,135,443  
      8,322     Tempur-Pedic International, Inc.*     255,902  
                     
                  5,064,283  
     
     
    Consumer Services – 2.7%
      2,512     Biglari Holdings, Inc.*     720,693  
      36,280     Boyd Gaming Corp.*     308,017  
      12,736     Caribou Coffee Co., Inc.*     120,610  
      3,704     Choice Hotels International, Inc.     111,898  
      26,648     Domino’s Pizza, Inc.*     301,123  
      48,755     O’Charleys, Inc.*     258,402  
      22,693     Papa John’s International, Inc.*     524,662  
      7,245     Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.*(a)     329,575  
      7,724     Red Lion Hotels Corp.*     46,112  
      1,384     Steiner Leisure Ltd.*     53,201  
      8,728     Texas Roadhouse, Inc.*     110,147  
      4,516     Universal Technical Institute, Inc.*     106,758  
                     
                  2,991,198  
     
     
    Diversified Financials – 4.4%
      60,252     Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc.     248,841  
      51,809     American Capital Ltd.*(a)     249,719  
      27,432     BlackRock Kelso Capital Corp.     270,754  
      6,023     Cash America International, Inc.     206,408  
      43,359     Compass Diversified Holdings     581,444  
      677     Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.     38,379  
      2,387     Federated Investors, Inc. Class B     49,435  
      7,909     GAMCO Investors, Inc. Class A     294,215  
      17,521     Gladstone Capital Corp.     189,402  
      29,610     Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.     272,708  
      13,147     Kohlberg Capital Corp.(a)     65,866  
      3,874     Life Partners Holdings, Inc.(a)     79,262  
      37,002     NGP Capital Resources Co.     265,304  
      36,701     PHH Corp.*     698,787  
      60,795     Primus Guaranty Ltd.*     224,334  
      13,898     Rewards Network, Inc.     189,986  
      4,200     SEI Investments Co.     85,512  
      38,290     TICC Capital Corp.     321,636  
      12,189     World Acceptance Corp.*(a)     466,961  
                     
                  4,798,953  
     
     
    Energy – 4.7%
      13,409     Cimarex Energy Co.     959,816  
      35,388     Complete Production Services, Inc.*     506,048  
      3,418     Dawson Geophysical Co.*     72,701  
      6,556     Dril-Quip, Inc.*     288,595  
      5,588     Exterran Holdings, Inc.*     144,226  
      61,963     International Coal Group, Inc.*(a)     238,558  
      2,682     Oil States International, Inc.*     106,154  
      5,052     Petroquest Energy, Inc.*     34,151  
      20,603     RPC, Inc.(a)     281,231  
      7,834     Ship Finance International Ltd.(a)     140,072  
      1,694     SM Energy Co.     68,031  
      13,250     Stone Energy Corp.*     147,870  
      5,553     Teekay Corp.     145,322  
     
     
      36,330     Tesoro Corp.     423,971  
      54,317     USEC, Inc.*     258,549  
      52,936     W&T Offshore, Inc.(a)     500,775  
      39,895     Western Refining, Inc.*(a)     200,672  
      3,475     Whiting Petroleum Corp.*     272,509  
      11,229     Willbros Group, Inc.*     83,095  
      10,647     World Fuel Services Corp.(a)     276,183  
                     
                  5,148,529  
     
     
    Food & Staples Retailing – 0.2%
      3,590     Ingles Markets, Inc. Class A     54,029  
      14,986     Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.*     144,465  
                     
                  198,494  
     
     
    Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 2.1%
      81,312     Alliance One International, Inc.*(a)     289,471  
      741     Boston Beer Co., Inc. Class A*     49,980  
      44,171     Dole Food Co., Inc.*(a)     460,703  
      1,742     Hansen Natural Corp.*     68,130  
      5,928     J&J Snack Foods Corp.     249,569  
      14,675     Lancaster Colony Corp.     783,058  
      32,278     National Beverage Corp.     396,374  
                     
                  2,297,285  
     
     
    Health Care Equipment & Services – 6.0%
      36,608     AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.*     273,828  
      894     Analogic Corp.     40,686  
      8,234     Angiodynamics, Inc.*     121,452  
      10,616     Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. Class A*     314,127  
      3,918     Conmed Corp.*     72,992  
      14,247     Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.*     128,081  
      3,081     Health Net, Inc.*     75,084  
      18,235     Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.     554,891  
      2,278     IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*     138,730  
      18,579     Invacare Corp.(a)     385,329  
      35,753     Kindred Healthcare, Inc.*     459,069  
      4,909     Masimo Corp.     116,883  
      19,337     Medcath Corp.*     151,989  
      23,880     Medical Action Industries, Inc.*     286,321  
      13,727     MedQuist, Inc.     108,581  
      3,315     Meridian Bioscience, Inc.     56,355  
      33,898     Molina Healthcare, Inc.*(a)     976,262  
      57,236     Nighthawk Radiology Holdings, Inc.*     148,241  
      50,600     PharMerica Corp.*(a)     741,796  
      10,191     Somanetics Corp.*     254,265  
      19,246     STERIS Corp.     598,166  
      43,644     Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.*     121,330  
      30,995     Universal American Corp.*     446,328  
      2,168     Virtual Radiologic Corp.*     37,203  
                     
                  6,607,989  
     
     
    Household & Personal Products – 1.1%
      58,085     Central Garden and Pet Co. Class A*     521,022  
      46,558     Mannatech, Inc.*     92,650  
      3,017     Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. Class A     75,214  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 8


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
    Household & Personal Products – (continued)
                     
      44,978     Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.*   $ 318,444  
      4,199     USANA Health Sciences, Inc.*     153,390  
                     
                  1,160,720  
     
     
    Insurance – 1.5%
      17,877     American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.     184,491  
      13,165     Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.     325,702  
      22,326     CNA Surety Corp.*     358,779  
      74,460     CNO Financial Group, Inc.*     368,577  
      3,084     First Mercury Financial Corp.     32,629  
      13,476     Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings SA     145,810  
      1,436     Kansas City Life Insurance Co.     42,462  
      1,230     Mercury General Corp.     50,971  
      4,475     National Financial Partners Corp.*     43,721  
      2,336     Protective Life Corp.     49,967  
      147     White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.     47,657  
                     
                  1,650,766  
     
     
    Materials – 4.9%
      22,550     A. Schulman, Inc.     427,548  
      35,650     Boise, Inc.*     195,718  
      16,714     Brush Engineered Materials, Inc.*(a)     333,946  
      9,096     Buckeye Technologies, Inc.*     90,505  
      12,553     Clearwater Paper Corp.*     687,402  
      11,363     Domtar Corp.     558,491  
      8,739     Ferro Corp.*     64,406  
      3,537     Innophos Holdings, Inc.     92,245  
      6,779     Kaiser Aluminum Corp.     235,028  
      33,111     KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp.*     368,857  
      37,806     Louisiana-Pacific Corp.*(a)     252,922  
      14,155     Myers Industries, Inc.     114,514  
      1,501     Olympic Steel, Inc.     34,478  
      13,541     OM Group, Inc.*     323,088  
      40,418     PolyOne Corp.*     340,320  
      12,657     Spartech Corp.*     129,734  
      7,352     Stepan Co.     503,097  
      8,685     Stillwater Mining Co.*(a)     100,920  
      8,319     Wausau Paper Corp.*     56,320  
      26,628     Worthington Industries, Inc.(a)     342,436  
      8,256     Zep, Inc.     143,985  
                     
                  5,395,960  
     
     
    Media – 1.1%
      9,497     Ascent Media Corp. Class A*     239,894  
      50,481     EW Scripps Co. Class A*     375,074  
      12,940     Harte-Hanks, Inc.(a)     135,223  
      59,889     Journal Communications, Inc. Class A*     237,759  
      10,698     Scholastic Corp.     258,036  
                     
                  1,245,986  
     
     
    Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 7.4%
      89,254     Affymetrix, Inc.*     526,599  
      25,361     Albany Molecular Research, Inc.*     131,116  
     
     
      30,901     Alkermes, Inc.*     384,717  
      1,203     Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Class A*     104,047  
      22,918     Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*(a)     472,111  
      30,753     Depomed, Inc.*(a)     86,108  
      25,027     Emergent Biosolutions, Inc.*(a)     408,941  
      4,171     Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.*     91,011  
      42,153     eResearchTechnology, Inc.*     332,166  
      14,821     Exelixis, Inc.*(a)     51,429  
      10,774     Genomic Health, Inc.*(a)     139,308  
      100,993     Insmed, Inc.*     67,928  
      19,416     ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*     42,521  
      111,708     King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*     847,864  
      29,257     Martek Biosciences Corp.*(a)     693,683  
      38,437     Maxygen, Inc.*     212,557  
      25,481     Myriad Genetics, Inc.*     380,941  
      92,957     Nabi Biopharmaceuticals*     505,686  
      3,067     Obagi Medical Products, Inc.*     36,252  
      14,258     Par Pharmaceutical Cos, Inc.*     370,138  
      146,864     PDL BioPharma, Inc.(a)     825,376  
      55,984     Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*(a)     306,792  
      38,900     Sciclone Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*     103,474  
      11,572     Seattle Genetics, Inc.*     138,748  
      17,898     Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp.*     48,325  
      11,251     The Medicines Co.*     85,620  
      1,882     United Therapeutics Corp.*     91,860  
      47,344     Viropharma, Inc.*     530,726  
      29,048     Zymogenetics, Inc.*     122,583  
                     
                  8,138,627  
     
     
    Real Estate Investment Trust – 8.6%
      3,997     Acadia Realty Trust     67,230  
      10,812     Agree Realty Corp.     252,136  
      2,055     AMB Property Corp.     48,724  
      35,419     American Campus Communities, Inc.     966,584  
      5,383     Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.*     39,457  
      7,586     Associated Estates Realty Corp.     98,239  
      3,745     BRE Properties, Inc.     138,303  
      16,695     Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.     805,200  
      12,279     Extra Space Storage, Inc.     170,678  
      4,582     Federal Realty Investment Trust     321,977  
      8,051     FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.*     40,174  
      41,845     Franklin Street Properties Corp.     494,189  
      1,528     Government Properties Income Trust     38,995  
      5,139     Health Care REIT, Inc.     216,455  
      5,335     Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.(b)     117,210  
      11,817     LTC Properties, Inc.     286,799  
      8,278     Mack-Cali Realty Corp.     246,105  
      31,865     MPG Office Trust, Inc.*(a)     93,364  
      6,345     National Health Investors, Inc.     244,663  
      17,740     National Retail Properties, Inc.(a)     380,346  
      50,090     Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.     1,791,719  
      21,098     Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.     420,483  
      2,319     Pennymac Mortgage Investment Trust*     36,872  
      5,268     Potlatch Corp.(a)     188,226  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
9 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
    Real Estate Investment Trust – (continued)
                     
      29,299     Rayonier, Inc.   $ 1,289,742  
      13,105     Realty Income Corp.(a)     397,475  
      16,306     Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.*     161,919  
      3,365     Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. Class A     54,277  
                     
                  9,407,541  
     
     
    Retailing – 4.8%
      31,884     AnnTaylor Stores Corp.*     518,753  
      30,832     Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.*     324,969  
      25,221     Brown Shoe Co., Inc.     382,855  
      13,859     Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Class A*(a)     93,964  
      7,988     Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.*     218,871  
      4,291     Dillard’s, Inc. Class A     92,256  
      16,054     DSW, Inc. Class A*     360,573  
      36,766     Fred’s, Inc. Class A(a)     406,632  
      3,751     Genesco, Inc.*     98,689  
      15,373     Group 1 Automotive, Inc.*(a)     361,727  
      8,411     Haverty Furniture Cos., Inc.     103,371  
      11,648     Lithia Motors, Inc. Class A     71,985  
      6,555     Overstock.com, Inc.*(a)     118,449  
      12,242     Shoe Carnival, Inc.*     251,083  
      8,378     Sonic Automotive, Inc. Class A*     71,716  
      62,365     Stage Stores, Inc.     666,058  
      6,719     The Cato Corp. Class A     147,952  
      16,760     The Finish Line, Inc. Class A     233,467  
      30,118     Tuesday Morning Corp.*     120,171  
      12,401     Williams-Sonoma, Inc.     307,793  
      18,711     Zumiez, Inc.*     301,434  
                     
                  5,252,768  
     
     
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 4.3%
      22,353     Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.*     71,306  
      32,648     Applied Micro Circuits Corp.*     342,151  
      17,375     DSP Group, Inc.*     111,026  
      10,819     Entegris, Inc.*     42,951  
      20,134     Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc.*     169,327  
      9,778     Integrated Device Technology, Inc.*     48,401  
      232,417     Lattice Semiconductor Corp.*     1,008,690  
      53,991     LSI Corp.*     248,359  
      25,618     Micrel, Inc.     260,791  
      12,598     Mindspeed Technologies, Inc.*     94,359  
      45,355     Photronics, Inc.*(a)     205,005  
      23,938     PLX Technology, Inc.*     100,300  
      133,833     RF Micro Devices, Inc.*(a)     523,287  
      18,165     Sigma Designs, Inc.*(a)     181,832  
      125,368     Silicon Image, Inc.*     440,042  
      9,607     Standard Microsystems Corp.*(a)     223,651  
      17,522     TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.*     107,059  
      8,433     Volterra Semiconductor Corp.*     194,465  
      32,155     Zoran Corp.*     306,759  
                     
                  4,679,761  
     
     
    Software & Services – 8.0%
      26,918     Acxiom Corp.*     395,425  
      3,146     Advent Software, Inc.*(b)     147,736  
      23,168     Blackbaud, Inc.     504,367  
      17,947     Bottomline Technologies, Inc.*     233,849  
      80,925     Ciber, Inc.*     224,162  
      22,445     CommVault Systems, Inc.*     505,013  
      11,209     CSG Systems International, Inc.*     205,461  
      8,104     DivX, Inc.*     62,077  
      28,894     Internap Network Services Corp.*     120,488  
      85,583     iPass, Inc.*(a)     91,574  
      16,745     Kenexa Corp.*     200,940  
      121,557     Lionbridge Technologies, Inc.*     555,515  
      6,352     LivePerson, Inc.*     43,575  
      20,179     Manhattan Associates, Inc.*     555,931  
      55,638     Marchex, Inc. Class B     214,206  
      1,197     MAXIMUS, Inc.     69,270  
      23,702     Mentor Graphics Corp.*     209,763  
      9,249     MicroStrategy, Inc. Class A*     694,507  
      16,684     Ness Technologies, Inc.*     71,908  
      2,341     NeuStar, Inc. Class A*     48,271  
      3,536     Opnet Technologies, Inc.     51,944  
      9,229     PROS Holdings, Inc.*     59,989  
      18,246     QAD, Inc.*     75,356  
      18,332     Quest Software, Inc.*     330,709  
      99,910     RealNetworks, Inc.*     329,703  
      25,007     Renaissance Learning, Inc.(a)     367,353  
      10,872     Sonic Solutions, Inc.*(a)     90,781  
      51,992     Symyx Technologies, Inc.*     260,480  
      8,880     Synopsys, Inc.*     185,326  
      9,919     Taleo Corp. Class A*     240,933  
      8,794     TeleTech Holdings, Inc.*     113,355  
      22,420     THQ, Inc.*     96,854  
      16,094     Ultimate Software Group, Inc.*     528,849  
      14,115     Unica Corp.*     135,222  
      37,619     VeriFone Systems, Inc.*     712,128  
                     
                  8,733,020  
     
     
    Technology Hardware & Equipment – 5.2%
      18,861     Agilysys, Inc.     126,180  
      5,135     Benchmark Electronics, Inc.*     81,390  
      41,074     Brightpoint, Inc.*     287,518  
      12,906     CTS Corp.     119,251  
      9,838     EchoStar Corp. Class A*     187,709  
      22,783     Electronics for Imaging, Inc.*     222,134  
      3,145     EMS Technologies, Inc.*     47,238  
      24,305     Emulex Corp.*     223,120  
      36,811     Extreme Networks*     99,390  
      20,500     Gerber Scientific, Inc.*     109,675  
      16,720     Hutchinson Technology, Inc.*     72,398  
      38,302     Imation Corp.*     351,995  
      12,472     Ingram Micro, Inc. Class A*     189,450  
      19,606     Insight Enterprises, Inc.*     258,015  
      4,516     Keithley Instruments, Inc.     39,876  
      32,835     Methode Electronics, Inc.     319,813  
      8,187     PC-Tel, Inc.*     41,262  
      16,477     Plantronics, Inc.     471,242  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 10


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
    Technology Hardware & Equipment – (continued)
                     
      71,972     Power-One, Inc.*(a)   $ 485,811  
      39,900     Powerwave Technologies, Inc.*     61,446  
      204,059     Quantum Corp.*     383,631  
      21,771     Radisys Corp.*     207,260  
      36,456     ShoreTel, Inc.*(a)     169,156  
      27,640     Smart Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc.*     161,694  
      9,391     Super Micro Computer, Inc.*     126,779  
      30,589     Symmetricom, Inc.*     155,698  
      2,097     Tech Data Corp.*     74,695  
      46,042     Tellabs, Inc.     294,208  
      18,178     Tollgrade Communications, Inc.*     114,521  
      15,098     Xyratex Ltd.*     213,637  
                     
                  5,696,192  
     
     
    Telecommunication Services – 1.1%
      13,892     Cbeyond, Inc.*     173,650  
      11,268     IDT Corp. Class B*     143,667  
      12,276     Leap Wireless International, Inc.*     159,342  
      1,971     Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.     59,899  
      51,313     USA Mobility, Inc.     662,964  
                     
                  1,199,522  
     
     
    Transportation – 4.7%
      18,740     Air Transport Services Group, Inc.*     89,202  
      38,550     Allegiant Travel Co.(a)     1,645,700  
      13,731     American Commercial Lines, Inc.*(a)     309,085  
      11,621     Celadon Group, Inc.*     164,321  
      3,706     Dynamex, Inc.*     45,213  
      7,775     Heartland Express, Inc.     112,893  
      2,418     Marten Transport Ltd.*     50,246  
      37,934     Pacer International, Inc.*(a)     265,159  
      75,330     Republic Airways Holdings, Inc.*     460,266  
      14,955     Saia, Inc.*     224,325  
      73,869     SkyWest, Inc.     902,679  
      7,243     Universal Truckload Services, Inc.*     100,895  
      33,677     Werner Enterprises, Inc.     737,190  
                     
                  5,107,174  
     
     
    Utilities – 2.6%
      11,688     Atmos Energy Corp.     316,044  
      11,785     Black Hills Corp.(a)     335,519  
      2,522     DPL, Inc.     60,276  
      3,746     Energen Corp.     166,060  
      20,353     Integrys Energy Group, Inc.     890,240  
      7,674     Pinnacle West Capital Corp.     279,027  
     
     
      14,794     PNM Resources, Inc.     165,397  
      17,044     Southwest Gas Corp.     502,798  
      1,944     WGL Holdings, Inc.     66,154  
                     
                  2,781,515  
     
     
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    (Cost $101,113,716)   $ 107,065,543  
     
     
                     
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(c) – 2.4%
                     
                     
   
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Capital Shares
      2,653,942     0.067%   $ 2,653,942  
    (Cost $2,653,942)        
     
     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITIES LENDING REINVESTMENT VEHICLE
    (Cost $103,767,658)   $ 109,719,485  
     
     
                     
                     

 Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle(c)(d) – 13.3%
                     
                     
    Boston Global Investment Trust – Enhanced Portfolio II
      14,581,295     1.001%   $ 14,595,876  
    (Cost $14,584,966)        
     
     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 113.5%
    (Cost $118,352,624)   $ 124,315,361  
     
     
    LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF
  OTHER ASSETS – (13.5)%
    (14,815,538 )
     
     
   
NET ASSETS – 100.0%
  $ 109,499,823  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
(a) All or a portion of security is on loan.
 
(b) A portion of this security is segregated as collateral for initial margin requirements on futures transactions.
 
(c) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
(d) Represents an affiliated issuer.
 
             
     
     
    Investment Abbreviation:
    REIT     Real Estate Investment Trust
             
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
11 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
 
 
FUTURES CONTRACTS — At June 30, 2010, the following futures contracts were open:
 
                                 
    Number of
                   
    Contracts
    Expiration
    Current
    Unrealized
 
Type   Long (Short)     Date     Value     Gain (Loss)  
   
Russell 2000 Mini Index
    36       September 2010     $ 2,188,080     $ (200,765 )
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 12


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Assets:
             
    Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers, at value (identified cost $103,767,658)(a)   $ 109,719,485  
    Investments in affiliated securities lending reinvestment vehicle, at value (identified cost $14,584,966)     14,595,876  
    Receivables:        
   
Investment securities sold
    706,160  
   
Dividends
    74,003  
   
Fund shares sold
    73,605  
   
Due from custodian
    51,151  
   
Reimbursement from investment adviser
    8,476  
   
Securities lending income
    4,679  
    Other assets     1,000  
     
     
    Total assets     125,234,435  
     
     
             
             
    Liabilities:
             
    Payables:        
   
Payable upon return of securities loaned
    14,814,079  
   
Investment securities purchased
    610,636  
   
Fund shares redeemed
    119,024  
   
Amounts owed to affiliates
    76,779  
   
Due to broker — variation margin
    19,440  
    Accrued expenses     94,654  
     
     
    Total liabilities     15,734,612  
     
     
             
             
    Net Assets:
             
    Paid-in capital     148,918,874  
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income     861,545  
    Accumulated net realized loss from investment and futures transactions     (46,042,568 )
    Net unrealized gain on investments and futures     5,761,972  
     
     
    NET ASSETS   $ 109,499,823  
     
     
    Net Assets:        
   
Institutional
  $ 88,467,766  
   
Service
    21,032,057  
     
     
    Total Net Assets   $ 109,499,823  
     
     
    Shares of beneficial interest outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):        
   
Institutional
    10,052,682  
   
Service
    2,402,369  
     
     
    Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:        
   
Institutional
  $ 8.80  
   
Service
    8.75  
     
     
 
(a) Includes loaned securities having a market value of $14,205,583.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
13 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Investment income:
             
    Dividends   $ 951,575  
    Securities lending income — affiliated issuer     36,786  
     
     
    Total investment income     988,361  
     
     
             
             
    Expenses:
             
    Management fees     462,887  
    Printing and mailing costs     45,913  
    Professional fees     35,500  
    Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares     29,749  
    Custody and accounting fees     24,028  
    Transfer Agent fees(a)     12,343  
    Trustee fees     6,402  
    Other     5,440  
     
     
    Total expenses     622,262  
     
     
    Less — expense reductions     (59,292 )
     
     
    Net expenses     562,970  
     
     
    NET INVESTMENT INCOME     425,391  
     
     
             
             
    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment and futures transactions:
             
    Net realized gain from:        
   
Investment transactions — unaffiliated issuers
    6,965,125  
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle — affiliated issuer
    88,572  
   
Futures transactions
    180,855  
    Net change in unrealized loss on:        
   
Investments — unaffiliated issuers
    (6,810,725 )
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle — affiliated issuer
    (88,572 )
   
Futures
    (259,611 )
     
     
    Net realized and unrealized gain from investment and futures transactions     75,644  
     
     
    NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ 501,035  
     
     
 
(a) Institutional and Service Shares had Transfer Agent fees of $9,963 and $2,380, respectively.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 14


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
                     
        For the
       
        Six Months Ended
    For the
 
        June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
 
        (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
 
    From operations:
                     
    Net investment income   $ 425,391     $ 987,578  
    Net realized gain (loss) from investment and futures transactions     7,234,552       (5,830,824 )
    Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures     (7,158,908 )     31,445,116  
     
     
    Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     501,035       26,601,870  
     
     
                     
                     
    Distributions to shareholders:
                     
    From net investment income                
   
Institutional Shares
          (984,250 )
   
Service Shares
          (203,812 )
     
     
    Total distributions to shareholders           (1,188,062 )
     
     
                     
                     
    From share transactions:
                     
    Proceeds from sales of shares     10,226,009       17,664,477  
    Reinvestment of distributions           1,188,062  
    Cost of shares redeemed     (19,852,879 )     (18,357,340 )
     
     
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions     (9,626,870 )     495,199  
     
     
    TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)     (9,125,835 )     25,909,007  
     
     
                     
                     
    Net assets:
                     
    Beginning of period     118,625,658       92,716,651  
     
     
    End of period   $ 109,499,823     $ 118,625,658  
     
     
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income   $ 861,545     $ 436,154  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
15 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
 
                                                                                                                 
          Income (loss) from
                                                 
          investment operations     Distributions to shareholders                                            
                Net
                                                    Ratio of
    Ratio of
       
    Net asset
          realized
                                        Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
       
    value,
    Net
    and
    Total from
    From net
    From
          Net asset
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    income to
    Portfolio
 
    beginning
    investment
    unrealized
    investment
    investment
    net realized
    Total
    value, end
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    average
    turnover
 
 Year — Share Class   of period     income     gain (loss)     operations     income     gains     distributions     of period     return(a)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets     rate  
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
2010 — Institutional
  $ 8.82     $ 0.03 (b)   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.02 )   $     $     $     $ 8.80       (0.23 )%   $ 88,468       0.86 %(c)     0.96 %(c)     0.74 %(c)     30 %
2010 — Service
    8.78       0.02 (b)     (0.05 )     (0.03 )                       8.75       (0.34 )     21,032       1.11 (c)     1.21 (c)     0.49 (c)     30  
 
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
2009 — Institutional
    6.98       0.08 (b)(d)     1.85       1.93       (0.09 )           (0.09 )     8.82       27.67       95,334       0.86       1.02       1.03 (d)     212  
2009 — Service
    6.96       0.07 (b)(d)     1.83       1.90       (0.08 )           (0.08 )     8.78       27.26       23,291       1.11       1.27       0.83 (d)     212  
2008 — Institutional
    10.71       0.09 (e)     (3.74 )     (3.65 )     (0.06 )     (0.02 )     (0.08 )     6.98       (33.95 )     86,253       0.86       1.06       0.85 (e)     189  
2008 — Service
    10.71       0.06 (e)     (3.73 )     (3.67 )     (0.06 )     (0.02 )     (0.08 )     6.96       (34.16 )     6,464       1.11       1.31       1.92 (e)     189  
2007 — Institutional
    14.44       0.07 (b)(f)     (2.42 )     (2.35 )     (0.05 )     (1.33 )     (1.38 )     10.71       (16.48 )     152,896       0.90 (g)     0.95 (g)     0.49 (f)(g)     163  
2007 — Service (Commenced August 31, 2007)
    12.81       0.02 (b)     (0.74 )     (0.72 )     (0.05 )     (1.33 )     (1.38 )     10.71       (5.86 )     10       0.96 (c)     1.21 (c)     0.56 (c)     163  
2006 — Institutional
    13.93       0.07 (b)     1.64       1.71       (0.10 )     (1.10 )     (1.20 )     14.44       12.27       202,929       0.87       0.99       0.49       133  
2005 — Institutional
    14.40       0.05 (b)     0.86       0.91       (0.04 )     (1.34 )     (1.38 )     13.93       6.07       195,042       0.89       0.93       0.37       119  
 
(a) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(b) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Reflects income recognized from a special dividend which amounted to $0.03 per share and 0.43% of average net assets.
(e) Reflects income recognized from a special dividend which amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.14% of average net assets.
(f) Reflects income recognized from a special dividend which amounted to $0.02 per share and 0.14% of average net assets.
(g) Includes non-recurring expense for a special shareholder meeting, which amounted to approximately 0.03% of average net assets.
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

16


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
1. ORGANIZATION
 
 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust” or “VIT”) is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs” or the “Distributor”) serves as Distributor of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
A. Investment Valuation — The investment valuation policy of the Fund is to value investments at market value. Investments in equity securities and investment companies traded on a United States (“U.S.”) securities exchange or the NASDAQ system are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If no sale occurs, such securities and investment companies are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued on the basis of quotations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the trustees or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value. If accurate quotations are not readily available, or if GSAM believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined based on yield equivalents, a pricing matrix or other sources, under valuation procedures established by the trustees. Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price. In the absence of market quotations, broker quotes will be utilized or the security will be fair valued. Investments in investment companies (other than those that are exchange traded) are valued at the net asset value per share (“NAV”) on the valuation date. Short-term debt obligations that mature in sixty days or less and that do not exhibit signs of credit deterioration are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or market closings; equipment failures; natural or man-made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; government actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; low trading volume; and trading limits or suspensions.
 
B. Security and Fund Share Transactions, and Investment Income — Security and Fund share transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date, which may cause the NAV as stated in the accompanying financial statements to be different than the NAV applied to Fund share transactions. Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of foreign withholding taxes, if any, which are reduced by any amounts reclaimable by the Fund, where applicable. Interest
 
 
 
17 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted. In addition, it is the Fund’s policy to accrue for foreign capital gains taxes, if applicable, on certain foreign securities held by the Fund. An estimated foreign capital gains tax is recorded daily on net unrealized gains on these securities and is payable upon the sale of such securities when a gain is realized.
Net investment income (other than class specific expenses) and unrealized and realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares of the Fund based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class.
In addition, distributions received from the Fund’s investments in U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) often include a “return of capital”, which is recorded by the Fund as a reduction of the cost basis of the securities held. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) requires a REIT to distribute at least 95% of its taxable income to investors. In many cases, however, because of “non-cash” expenses such as property depreciation, a REIT’s cash flow will exceed its taxable income. The REIT may distribute this excess cash to offer a more competitive yield. This portion of the Fund’s distributions is deemed a return of capital and is generally not taxable to shareholders.
 
C. Expenses — Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not specifically relate to an individual Fund of the Trust are allocated to the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expense and are accrued daily.
 
D. Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies (mutual funds) and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provisions are required. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gains distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net capital losses are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Utilization of capital loss carryforwards will reduce the requirement of future capital gains distributions.
The characterization of distributions to shareholders for financial reporting purposes is determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from GAAP. The source of the Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from net investment income, net realized gain or capital. The Fund’s capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character, but do not reflect temporary differences.
GSAM has reviewed the Fund’s tax positions for all open tax years (the current and prior three years, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.
 
E. Futures Contracts — The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts with respect to a representative index to hedge against changes in securities prices, or to seek to increase total return. Futures contracts are valued at the last settlement price, or in the absence of a sale, the last bid price, at the end of each day on the board of trade or exchange upon which they are traded. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits cash or securities in an account on behalf of the broker in an amount sufficient to meet the initial margin requirement. Subsequent payments are made or received by the Fund equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable with a corresponding offset in unrealized gains or losses. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when a contract is closed or expires.
The use of futures contracts involves, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk which may exceed the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Futures contracts may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day. Changes in the value of a futures contract may not directly correlate with changes in the value of the underlying securities. These risks may decrease the effectiveness of the Fund’s strategies and potentially result in a loss. The Fund must set aside liquid assets, or engage in other appropriate measures, to cover its obligations under these contracts.
 
 
 
 18


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
 
 
A. Management Agreement — Under the Agreement, GSAM manages the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the trustees.
As compensation for the services rendered pursuant to the Agreement, the assumption of the expenses related thereto and administration of the Fund’s business affairs, including providing facilities, GSAM is entitled to a management fee computed daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, contractual and effective net management fees with GSAM were at the following rates:
 
                                             
Contractual Management Rate  
       
First
    Next
    Next
    Over
    Effective
    Effective Net
 
$2 billion     $3 billion     $3 billion     $8 billion     Rate     Management Rate  
   
  0.75 %     0.68 %     0.65 %     0.64 %     0.75 %     0.73 %*
 
 
 
* GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve the effective net management rate above. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAM waived approximately $12,300 of the Fund’s management fee.
 
B. Distribution and Service Plan — The Trust, on behalf of the Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly for distribution services, which may then be paid by Goldman Sachs to authorized dealers, equal to, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares.
 
C. Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets for Institutional and Service Shares.
 
D. Other Agreements — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agent fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and other extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, 0.114% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Effective July 1, 2010 GSAM will reduce the “Other Expenses” limitation from 0.114% to 0.094% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expenses reimbursement, if any, is computed daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAM reimbursed approximately $47,000 to the Fund.
As of June 30, 2010, amounts owed to affiliates were approximately $70,300, $4,600 and $1,900 for management, distribution and service, and transfer agent fees, respectively.
 
E. Line of Credit Facility — As of June 30, 2010, the Fund participated in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of the facility, the Fund and other borrowers could increase the credit amount by an additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used solely for temporary or emergency purposes. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Fund based on the amount of the commitment that has not been utilized. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility. Prior to May 11, 2010, the amount available through the facility was $660,000,000.
 
F. Other Transactions with Affiliates — For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Goldman Sachs earned approximately $900 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions executed with Goldman Sachs as the Futures Commission Merchant, on behalf of the Fund.
 
 
 
19 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS
 
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2 — Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
 
Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
 
The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2010:
 
                         
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
   
Assets
                       
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments
  $ 107,065,543     $     $  
Short-term Investment
    2,653,942              
Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle
          14,595,876        
 
 
Total
  $ 109,719,485     $ 14,595,876     $  
 
 
Liabilities
                       
Derivatives
  $ (200,765 )   $        
 
 
 
5. INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES
 
 
The Fund may make investments in derivative instruments, including, but not limited to, options, futures, swaps and other derivatives relating to foreign currency transactions. A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. Derivative instruments may be privately negotiated contracts (often referred to as over the counter (“OTC”) derivatives) or they may be listed and traded on an exchange. Derivative contracts may involve future commitments to purchase or sell financial instruments or commodities at specified terms on a specified date, or to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount. Derivative instruments may involve a high degree of financial risk. The use of derivatives also involves the risk of loss if the investment adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices. Investments in derivative instruments also include the risk of default by the counterparty, the risk that the investment may not be liquid and the risk that a small movement in the price of the underlying security or benchmark may result in a disproportionately large movement, unfavorable or favorable, in the price of the derivative instrument.
 
 
 
 20


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
5. INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES (continued)
 
The following table sets forth the gross value of the Fund’s derivative contracts for trading activities by certain risk types as of June 30, 2010. The values in the table below exclude the effects of cash collateral received or posted pursuant to derivative contracts, and therefore are not representative of the Fund’s net exposure.
 
             
    Statement of
     
    Assets and Liabilities
     
Risk   Location   Liabilities  
   
Equity
  Due to broker — variation margin   $ (200,765)(a)  
 
 
 
(a) Includes unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts described in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
The following table sets forth by certain risk types the Fund’s gains (losses) related to derivative activities and their indicative volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2010. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that derivative contracts may have been executed to economically hedge securities and accordingly, gains (losses) on derivative contracts may offset (losses) gains attributable to securities. These gains (losses) are included in “Net realized gain (loss)” or “Net change in unrealized gain (loss)” on the Statement of Operations:
 
                               
              Net Change in
      Average
 
        Net Realized
    Unrealized
      Number of
 
Risk   Statement of Operations Location   Gain (Loss)     Gain (Loss)       Contracts(a)  
   
Equity
  Net realized gain (loss) from futures transactions/ Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures   $ 180,855     $ (259,611 )       39  
                               
 
 
 
(a) Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
6. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
 
 
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the six months ended June 30, 2010, were $36,131,697 and $45,307,869, respectively.
 
7. SECURITIES LENDING
 
 
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the terms and conditions contained therein, the Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“GSAL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, to certain qualified borrowers including Goldman Sachs and affiliates. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending procedures, the Fund receives cash collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Fund or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan.
The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Enhanced Portfolio II of Boston Global Investment Trust (“Enhanced Portfolio II”), a Delaware statutory trust. The Enhanced Portfolio II, deemed an affiliate of the Trust, is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the Act and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive an investment advisory fee of up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Enhanced Portfolio II. The Enhanced Portfolio II invests primarily in short-term investments, but is not a “money market fund” subject to the requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the Act. The Fund’s investment of cash collateral in the Enhanced Portfolio II is subject to a net asset value that may fall or rise due to market and credit conditions.
 
 
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
7. SECURITIES LENDING (continued)
 
Both the Fund and GSAL receive compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amount earned by the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2010, is reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations. A portion of this amount, $20,341, represents compensation earned by the Fund from lending its securities to Goldman Sachs. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAL earned $4,062 in fees as securities lending agent. The amount payable to Goldman Sachs upon return of securities loaned as of June 30, 2010 was $5,477,954.
The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Enhanced Portfolio II for the six months ended June 30, 2010 (in thousands):
 
                                     
Number of
                Number of
       
Shares Held
                Shares Held
    Value at End
 
Beginning of Period     Shares Bought     Shares Sold     End of Period     of Period  
   
  29,498       15,457       (30,374 )     14,581     $ 14,596  
 
 
 
8. TAX INFORMATION
 
 
As of the most recent fiscal year end, December 31, 2009, the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards and certain timing differences on a tax-basis were as follows:
 
         
Capital loss carryforward:1
       
Expiring 2016
  $ (34,977,258 )
Expiring 2017
    (17,749,027 )
 
 
Total capital loss carryforward
  $ (52,726,285 )
 
 
Timing differences (post-October losses)
  $ (21,886 )
 
 
 
1 Expiration occurs on December 31 of the year indicated.
As of June 30, 2010, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes was as follows:
 
         
Tax cost
  $ 118,787,928  
 
 
Gross unrealized gain
    14,059,093  
Gross unrealized loss
    (8,531,660 )
 
 
Net unrealized security gain
  $ 5,527,433  
 
 
 
The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses), as of the most recent fiscal year end, is attributable primarily to wash sales, net mark to market gains (losses) on regulated futures contracts and differences related to the tax treatment of Passive Foreign Investment Company and partnership investments.
 
9. OTHER RISKS
 
 
Fund’s Shareholder Concentration Risk — Certain participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of the Fund’s shares. Redemptions by these participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates in the Fund may impact the Fund’s liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force the Fund to sell securities, which may increase the Fund’s brokerage costs.
 
 
 
 22


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
9. OTHER RISKS (continued)
 
Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, the Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, the Fund may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transaction defaults.
 
10. INDEMNIFICATIONS
 
 
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, GSAM believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
 
11. OTHER MATTERS
 
 
Legal Proceedings — On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Goldman Sachs and one of its employees alleging that they made materially misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007 private placement of securities relating to a synthetic collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional investors. On July 14, 2010, the SEC and Goldman Sachs entered into a consent agreement settling this action. On July 20, 2010, the U.S. District Court entered a final judgment approving the settlement.
Neither Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. or Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (collectively “GSAM”, for purposes of this note only) nor any GSAM-managed funds were named in the complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint did not seek any penalties against them or against any employee who is or has been part of GSAM.
GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have received temporary exemptive relief from the SEC to permit them to continue serving as investment adviser and principal underwriter for U.S.-registered mutual funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the operation of mutual funds, they would otherwise have become ineligible to perform these activities as a result of the District Court’s final judgment. GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have applied for final exemptive relief. While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
Goldman Sachs and/or other affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive notices and requests for information from various regulators, and have become or may in the future become involved in legal proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the SEC or other matters. In the view of Goldman Sachs and GSAM, neither the matters alleged in any such similar proceedings nor their eventual resolution are likely to have a material affect on the ability of Goldman Sachs, GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to GSAM-managed funds.
 
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
 
Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
 
 
 
23 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
13. SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 
 
Share activity is as follows:
 
                                 
    For the Six Months Ended
       
    June 30, 2010
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
 
    (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
    Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
   
Institutional Shares
                               
Shares sold
    1,068,525     $ 10,147,861       846,977     $ 6,179,797  
Reinvestment of distributions
                111,846       984,250  
Shares redeemed
    (1,828,883 )     (17,346,035 )     (2,509,667 )     (18,206,566 )
 
 
      (760,358 )     (7,198,174 )     (1,550,844 )     (11,042,519 )
 
 
Service Shares
                               
Shares sold
    8,516       78,148       1,717,923       11,484,680  
Reinvestment of distributions
                23,240       203,812  
Shares redeemed
    (258,298 )     (2,506,844 )     (18,237 )     (150,774 )
 
 
      (249,782 )     (2,428,696 )     1,722,926       11,537,718  
 
 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)
    (1,010,140 )   $ (9,626,870 )     172,082     $ 495,199  
 
 
 
 
 
 24


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited)
 
Background
 
The Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity Fund (the “Fund”) is an investment portfolio of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees oversees the management of the Trust and reviews the investment performance and expenses of the Fund at regularly scheduled meetings held during the year. In addition, the Board of Trustees determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Trust’s investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) on behalf of the Fund.
 
The Management Agreement was most recently approved for continuation until June 30, 2011 by the Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”), at a meeting held on June 16-17, 2010 (the “Annual Meeting”).
 
The review process undertaken by the Trustees spans the course of the year and culminates with the Annual Meeting. To assist the Trustees in their deliberations, the Trustees have established a Contract Review Committee (the “Committee”), comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Committee held three meetings over the course of the year, since last approving the Management Agreement. At those Committee meetings, regularly scheduled Board meetings and/or the Annual Meeting, the Board, or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, considered matters relating to the Management Agreement, including:
 
(a) the nature and quality of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including information about:
 
(i) the structure, staff and capabilities of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio management teams;
 
(ii) the groups within the Investment Adviser and its affiliates that support the portfolio management teams or provide other types of necessary services, including fund services groups (e.g., accounting and financial reporting, tax, shareholder services and operations), controls and risk management groups (e.g., legal, compliance, valuation oversight, credit risk management, internal audit, market risk analysis and finance and strategy), sales and distribution support groups and others (e.g., information technology and training);
 
(iii) trends in headcount;
 
(iv) the Investment Adviser’s financial resources and ability to hire and retain talented personnel and strengthen its operations; and
 
(v) the parent company’s support of the Investment Adviser and its mutual fund business, as expressed by the firm’s senior management;
 
(b) information on the investment performance of the Fund, including comparisons to the performance of similar mutual funds, as provided by a third party mutual fund data provider engaged as part of the contract review process (the “Outside Data Provider”), and its benchmark performance index, and general investment outlooks in the markets in which the Fund invests;
 
 
 
25 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
(c) the terms of the Management Agreement and agreements with affiliated service providers entered into by the Trust on behalf of the Fund;
 
(d) expense information for the Fund, including:
 
(i) the relative management fee and expense level of the Fund as compared to those of comparable funds managed by other advisers, as provided by the Outside Data Provider;
 
(ii) the Fund’s expense trends over time; and
 
(iii) to the extent the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative information on the advisory fees charged and services provided to those accounts by the Investment Adviser;
 
(e) with respect to the extensive investment performance and expense comparison data provided by the Outside Data Provider, its processes in producing that data for the Fund;
 
(f) the undertakings of the Investment Adviser to waive certain fees and reimburse certain expenses of the Fund that exceed specified levels, and a summary of contractual fee reductions made by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates over the past several years with respect to the Fund;
 
(g) information relating to the profitability of the Management Agreement and the transfer agency and distribution and service arrangements of the Fund and the Trust as a whole to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates;
 
(h) potential economies of scale, if any, and the levels of breakpoints in the fees payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement;
 
(i) a summary of the “fall-out” benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, including the fees received by the Investment Adviser’s affiliates from the Fund for transfer agency, securities lending, portfolio brokerage, distribution and other services;
 
(j) a summary of potential benefits derived by the Fund as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser;
 
(k) commission rates paid by the Fund and other portfolio trading related issues;
 
(l) the manner in which portfolio manager compensation is determined, the alignment of the interests of the Fund and of the portfolio managers and related potential conflicts of interest; and the number and types of accounts managed by the portfolio managers;
 
(m) the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by its unaffiliated service providers, and the Investment Adviser’s general oversight and evaluation (including reports on due diligence) of those service providers as part of the administration services provided under the Management Agreement; and
 
(n) the Investment Adviser’s processes and policies addressing various types of potential conflicts of interest; its approach to risk management; the annual review of the effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program; and compliance reports.
 
 
 
 26


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
The Trustees also received an overview of the Fund’s distribution arrangements. They received information regarding the Fund’s assets, share purchase and redemption activity and the payment of Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees by the Fund’s Service Shares. Information was also provided to the Trustees relating to revenue sharing payments made by and services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to intermediaries that promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of Fund shares.
 
The presentations made at the Board and Committee meetings and at the Annual Meeting encompassed the Fund and other mutual fund portfolios for which the Board of Trustees has responsibility. In evaluating the Management Agreement at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees relied upon their knowledge, resulting from their meetings and other interactions throughout the year, of the Investment Adviser, its affiliates, their services and the Fund. In conjunction with these meetings, the Trustees received written materials and oral presentations on the topics covered, and were advised by their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities and other regulatory requirements related to the approval and continuation of mutual fund investment management agreements under applicable law. During the course of their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel, without representatives of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates present. The Independent Trustees also discussed the broad range of other investment choices that are available to Fund investors, including the availability of comparable funds managed by other advisers.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided Under the Management Agreement
 
As part of their review, the Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Adviser. In this regard, the Trustees considered both the investment advisory services, and the other, non-advisory services, that are provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. They noted that management had made certain personnel changes in an effort to improve the performance of the Fund. The Independent Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser had committed substantial financial and operational resources to the Fund and expressed confidence that the Investment Adviser would continue to do so in the future. The Trustees also observed that the Investment Adviser had made significant commitments to address regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Fund and the Investment Adviser.
 
Investment Performance
 
The Trustees also considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Investment Adviser. In this regard, they compared the investment performance of the Fund to the performance rankings and ratings compiled by the Outside Data Provider. This information on the Fund’s investment performance relative to that of its peers was provided for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2009. The Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s investment performance over time on a year-by-year basis relative to its performance benchmark. In addition, they considered the investment performance trends of the Fund over time, and reviewed the investment performance of the Fund in light of its investment objective and policies and market conditions. The Trustees considered whether the Fund had operated within its investment policies and had complied with its investment limitations.
 
In addition, the Trustees considered materials prepared and presentations made by the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer and portfolio management personnel, in which Fund performance was assessed. The Trustees also considered the Investment Adviser’s periodic reports with respect to the Fund’s risk profile, and how the Investment Adviser’s approach to risk monitoring and management influences portfolio management.
 
 
 
27 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
The Trustees noted that the Fund ranked in the bottom half of its peer group over the three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2009, but also considered the recent improvement of the Fund over the recent one-year period. The Trustees also noted that, in response to the recent market turmoil, the Investment Adviser implemented measures intended to improve Fund performance, including adjusting the Quantitative Investment Strategies (“QIS”) team’s investment process used to manage the Fund (which among other things included changes in trading strategies and enhancements to the models) and making certain changes to the QIS team’s personnel. The Trustees also recognized that these changes would need time to achieve their desired effects, and resolved to continue to monitor the Fund’s performance. The Trustees noted that they had expressed concern about the persistent under performance relative to its peer group and benchmark of the Fund to senior management of the Investment Adviser, and determined that the changes implemented by the Investment Adviser and the Fund’s more recent performance provided a basis for concluding that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
 
Costs of Services Provided and Competitive Information
 
The Trustees considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement. In this regard, the Trustees considered information on the services rendered by the Investment Adviser to the Fund, which included both advisory and administrative services that were directed to the needs and operations of the Fund as a registered mutual fund.
 
In particular, the Trustees reviewed analyses prepared by the Outside Data Provider regarding the expense rankings of the Fund. The analyses provided a comparison of the Fund’s management fees and breakpoints to those of a relevant peer group and category universe; an expense analysis which compared the Fund’s expenses to a peer group and a category universe; and a three-year history comparing the Fund’s expenses to the peer and category averages. The analyses also compared the Fund’s transfer agency fees, custody and accounting fees, distribution fees, other expenses and fee waivers/reimbursements to those of other funds in the peer group and the peer group median. The Trustees concluded that the comparisons provided by the Outside Data Provider were useful in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees and total expenses paid by the Fund.
 
In addition, the Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s undertakings to limit the Fund’s “other expenses” ratio (excluding certain expenses) and the contractual management fee rate to certain specified levels. They also considered, to the extent that the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative fee information for services provided by the Investment Adviser to those accounts, and information that indicated that services provided to the Fund differed in various significant respects from the services provided to institutional accounts, which generally operated under less stringent legal and regulatory structures, required fewer services from the Investment Adviser to a smaller number of client contact points, were less time-intensive and paid lower fees. By contrast, the Trustees noted that the Investment Adviser provides substantial administrative services to the Fund under the terms of the Management Agreement.
 
In addition, the Trustees noted that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares at any time if they believe that the Fund fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
 
 
 
 28


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Profitability
 
The Trustees reviewed the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins with respect to the Trust and the Fund. In this regard the Trustees noted that they had received, among other things, profitability analyses and summaries, revenue and expense schedules by Fund and by function (i.e., investment management, transfer agency and distribution and service) and the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology. They observed that the profitability and expense figures are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Adviser for many internal purposes, including compensation decisions among various business groups, and are thus subject to a vigorous internal debate about how certain revenue and expenses should be allocated. The Trustees also reviewed the report of the internal audit group within the Goldman Sachs organization, which included an assessment of the reasonableness and consistency of the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology and an evaluation of the accuracy of the Investment Adviser’s profitability analysis calculations. Profitability data for the Trust and the Fund were provided for 2009 and 2008, and the Trustees considered this information in relation to the Investment Adviser’s overall profitability. The Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins both in absolute terms and in comparison to information on the reported pre-tax profit margins earned by certain other asset management firms.
 
Economies of Scale
 
The Trustees considered the information that had been provided regarding the Investment Adviser’s profitability and the rationale for the Fund’s breakpoint structure. The Trustees also considered the breakpoints in the fee rate payable under the Management Agreement for the Fund at the following annual percentage rates of the average daily net assets of the Fund:
 
         
First $2 billion
    0.75 %
Next $3 billion
    0.68  
Next $3 billion
    0.65  
Over $8 billion
    0.64  
 
The Trustees noted that the breakpoints at the $5 and $8 billion asset levels had been proposed by the Investment Adviser and approved by the Trustees in 2008 to further share potential economies of scale, if any, with the Fund and its shareholders as assets under management reach those asset levels. The Trustees considered the amounts of assets in the Fund; the Fund’s recent share purchase and redemption activity; the information provided by the Investment Adviser relating to the costs of the services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and their realized profits; information comparing fee rates charged by the Investment Adviser with fee rates charged to other funds in the peer group; and the Investment Adviser’s undertakings to limit fees and other expenses to certain amounts. Upon reviewing these matters at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees concluded that the fee breakpoints represented a means of assuring that benefits of scalability would be passed along to shareholders at the specified asset levels.
 
 
 
29 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Other Benefits to the Investment Adviser and Its Affiliates
 
The Trustees also considered the other benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund as stated above, including: (a) transfer agency fees received by Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”); (b) brokerage and futures commissions earned by Goldman Sachs for executing securities and futures transactions on behalf of the Fund; (c) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those for other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (d) fees earned throughout the year by Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, as securities lending agent (and fees earned by the Investment Adviser for managing the portfolio in which the Fund’s cash collateral is invested); (e) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage the infrastructure designed to service the Fund on behalf of its other clients; (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to cross-market other products and services to Fund shareholders; (g) Goldman Sachs’ retention of certain fees as Fund Distributor; (h) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate better pricing with custodians on behalf of its other clients, as a result of the relationship with the Fund; and (i) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage relationships with the Fund’s third party service providers to attract more firmwide business. In the course of considering the foregoing, the Independent Trustees requested and received further information quantifying certain of the fall-out benefits. In looking at the benefits to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending and the Investment Adviser from the securities lending program, they noted that the Fund also benefited from its participation in the securities lending program.
 
Other Benefits to the Fund and Its Shareholders
 
The Trustees also noted that the Fund receives certain potential benefits as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser, including: (a) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those of other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (b) improved servicing and pricing from vendors because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (c) improved servicing from broker-dealers because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (d) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate favorable terms with derivatives counterparties as a result of the size and reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (e) the advantages gained from the Investment Adviser’s knowledge and experience gained from managing other accounts and products; (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to hire and retain qualified personnel to provide services to the Fund because of the reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (g) the Fund’s access, through the Investment Adviser, to certain firmwide resources (e.g., proprietary databases); and (h) the Fund’s access to certain affiliated distribution channels. The Trustees noted the competitive nature of the mutual fund marketplace, and noted further that many of the Fund’s shareholders invested in the Fund in part because of the Fund’s relationship with the Investment Adviser and that those shareholders have a general expectation that the relationship will continue.
 
 
 
 30


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Conclusion
 
In connection with their consideration of the Management Agreement, the Trustees gave weight to each of the factors described above, but did not identify any particular factor as controlling their decision. After deliberation and consideration of all of the information provided, including the factors described above, the Trustees concluded, in the exercise of their business judgment, that the management fees paid by the Fund were reasonable in light of the services provided to it by the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser’s costs and the Fund’s current and reasonably foreseeable asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the Management Agreement should be approved and continued with respect to the Fund until June 30, 2011.
 
 
 
31 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of the Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (with respect to Service Shares) and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund 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 period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
 
Actual Expenses — The first line under each share class in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The second line under each share class in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Fund, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees, or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. The second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.
 
                               
                      Expenses
 
                      Paid for the
 
      Beginning
      Ending
      6 Months
 
      Account Value
      Account Value
      Ended
 
Share Class     1/01/10       6/30/10       6/30/10*  
Institutional
                             
Actual
    $ 1,000       $ 997.70       $ 4.26  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,020.53 +       4.31  
 
Service
                             
Actual
      1,000         996.60         5.50  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,019.29 +       5.56  
 
 
* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized net expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the fiscal year. The annualized net expense ratios for the period were 0.86% and 1.11% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.
 
+ Hypothetical expenses are based on the Fund’s actual annualized net expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses.
 
 
 
 32


 


 

  
     
TRUSTEES
  OFFICERS
Ashok N. Bakhru, Chairman
  James A. McNamara, President
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
  George F. Travers, Principal Financial Officer
Diana M. Daniels
  Peter V. Bonanno, Secretary
Patrick T. Harker
  Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer
James A. McNamara
   
Jessica Palmer
   
Alan A. Shuch
   
Richard P. Strubel
   
     
     
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
   
     
 
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
200 West Street, New York
New York 10282
     
 
Visit our Web site at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns.
     
     
     
 
The reports concerning the Fund included in this shareholder report may contain certain forward-looking statements about the factors that may affect the performance of the Fund in the future. These statements are based on Fund management’s predictions and expectations concerning certain future events and their expected impact on the Fund, such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors, changes in the levels of interest rates, the impact of developing world events, and other factors that may influence the future performance of the Fund. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual events may cause adjustments in portfolio management strategies from those currently expected to be employed.
     
 
Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect our judgment as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. These forecasts do not take into account the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. These forecasts are subject to high levels of uncertainty that may affect actual performance. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. These forecasts are estimated, based on assumptions, and are subject to significant revision and may change materially as economic and market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide updates or changes to these forecasts. Case studies and examples are for illustrative purposes only.
     
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-621-2550; and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
     
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. When available, the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may also be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
 
The Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (“MSCI”) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) and is licensed for use by Goldman Sachs. Neither MSCI, S&P nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
     
 
Holdings and allocations shown may not be representative of current or future investments. Holdings and allocations may not include the Fund’s entire investment portfolio,which may change at any time. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities.
     
 
This material is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or summary prospectus, if applicable. Investors should consider a Fund’s objective, risks, and charges and expenses, and read the summary prospectus, if available, and/or the Prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. The summary prospectus, if available, and the Prospectus contain this and other information about a Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
     
    Toll Free (in U.S.): 800-292-4726
     
 
This report is prepared for the general information of contract owners and is not an offer of shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust: Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity Fund.
     
 
Copyright 2010 Goldman, Sachs & Co. All rights reserved.
     
VITSCSAR10/39467.MF.TMPL/08-10    


 

 
Goldman
Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Structured U.S. Equity Fund
 
 
 
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2010
LOGO


 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Principal Investment Strategies and Risks
 
Shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Structured U.S. Equity Fund are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares of the Fund are not offered directly to the general public. The variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies are described in the separate prospectuses issued by participating insurance companies. You should refer to those prospectuses for information about surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees and other charges that may be assessed by participating insurance companies under the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies. Such fees or charges, if any, may affect the return you realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider the Fund’s objective, risks and charges and expenses, and read the Prospectus carefully before investing. The Prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.
 
The Goldman Sachs Structured U.S. Equity Fund invests in a broadly diversified portfolio of U.S. equity investments and is subject to market risk so that the value of the securities in which it invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors and/or general economic conditions.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and dividend income.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs Quantitative Investment Strategies Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Structured U.S. Equity Fund (the “Fund”) perform during the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2010?
 
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 (the “Reporting Period”), the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated cumulative total returns, without sales charges, of -7.58% and -7.68%, respectively. These returns compare to the -6.65% cumulative total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (with dividends reinvested) (the “S&P 500 Index”) during the same time period.
 
What economic and market factors most influenced the equity markets as a whole during the Reporting Period?
 
U.S. equities advanced in the first quarter, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of gains. Increasing cash flow, high productivity and significant cost cutting fueled expectations of forthcoming business spending and corporate profits across a wide spectrum of economic sectors. Stronger personal spending and retail sales figures released during the quarter jump-started stocks related to consumer spending. Continued positive numbers from several key manufacturing surveys lifted industrial stocks. However, risk appetite shifted rapidly during the second quarter of 2010, as market focus turned to the sovereign debt crises in Europe, and investors began to question the sustainability of the global economic recovery. Further, fears of government policy tightening in China that might start to cool economic growth there and announcements regarding U.S. financial regulation reform combined to heighten investor risk aversion.
 
The S&P 500 Index, representing the U.S. large-cap equity market, declined 6.65% during the Reporting Period. All ten sectors in the S&P 500 Index were down, with the materials and energy sectors losing the most ground. The information technology sector, however, was the biggest detractor from S&P 500 Index returns, given that it holds the biggest weighting within the index. More defensive sectors, such as consumer staples, telecommunication services and utilities, fared slightly better than index averages. Given its heavier weighting in the information technology sector, we do not find it surprising that the growth-oriented index for the U.S. large-cap equity market underperformed value stocks during the Reporting Period. The S&P 500 Growth Index returned -7.99% for the Reporting Period compared to the -5.30% return of the S&P 500 Value Index. Overall, while all capitalization segments of the U.S. equity market declined during the Reporting Period, small-cap stocks, as measured by the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, held up best, followed closely behind by mid-cap stocks, as measured by the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Large-cap stocks trailed and were least successful relative to small-cap stocks in the information technology sector.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
As expected, and in keeping with our investment approach, our quantitative model and its six investment themes — Valuation, Profitability, Quality, Management, Momentum and Sentiment — had the greatest impact on relative performance. We use these themes to take a long-term view of market patterns and look for inefficiencies, selecting stocks for the Fund and overweighting or underweighting the ones chosen by the model. Over time and by design, the performance of any one of the model’s investment themes tends to have a low correlation with the model’s other themes, demonstrating the diversification benefit of the Fund’s theme-driven quantitative model. The variance in performance supports our research indicating that the diversification provided by the Fund’s different investment themes is believed to be a significant investment advantage over the long term, even though the Fund may experience underperformance in the short term.
 
Overall, the Fund underperformed during the Reporting Period, with the Fund’s Momentum theme detracting the most, followed at some distance by Sentiment and Management. The Momentum theme seeks to predict drifts in stock prices
 
 
 2


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

caused by under-reaction to company specific information. The Sentiment theme reflects selected investment views and decisions of individuals and financial intermediaries. The Management theme assesses the characteristics, policies and strategic decisions of company management.
 
The Profitability, Quality and Valuation themes contributed positively to the Fund’s returns relative to the S&P 500 Index. The Profitability theme assesses whether a company is earning more than its cost of capital. The Quality theme evaluates whether the company’s earnings are coming from more persistent, cash-based sources, as opposed to accruals. The Valuation theme attempts to capture potential mispricings of securities, typically by comparing a measure of the company’s intrinsic value to its market value.
 
How did the Fund’s sector allocations affect relative performance?
 
In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, we focus on picking stocks rather than making industry or sector bets. Consequently, the Fund is similar to its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, in terms of its sector allocation and style. However, we seek to outpace the S&P 500 Index by overweighting stocks that we expect to outperform and underweighting those that we think may lag. We also build positions based on our thematic views. For example, the Fund aims to hold a basket of stocks with more favorable Momentum characteristics than the benchmark index. We manage the Fund’s industry and sector exposure by including industry factors in our risk model and by explicitly penalizing industry and sector deviations from the benchmark index in optimization. Sector weights generally do not have a meaningful impact on relative performance.
 
All that said, stock selection in the financials, energy and telecommunication services sectors made the biggest positive contribution to the Fund’s results relative to the S&P 500 Index. Conversely, stock selection in the information technology, health care and consumer staples sectors detracted most from the Fund’s results relative to its benchmark index.
 
Which individual stock positions contributed the most to the Fund’s relative returns during the Reporting Period?
 
The Fund benefited most from overweight positions in discount retail apparel store operator Ross Stores, insurance company Unum Group, and regional mall real estate investment trust Simon Property Group. We chose to overweight Ross Stores because of our positive views on Profitability and Quality. We chose to overweight Unum Group based on our positive views on Sentiment and Profitability. The overweight in Simon Property Group was the result of our positive views on Management and Sentiment.
 
Which individual positions detracted from the Fund’s results during the Reporting Period?
 
Detracting most from the Fund’s results relative to its benchmark index were an underweight position in information technology giant Apple and overweight positions in software manufacturing behemoth Microsoft and independent oil and gas exploration and production company Devon Energy. Our negative views on Quality and Momentum led us to underweight Apple. Our positive views on Momentum and Sentiment led us to overweight Microsoft. The Fund had an overweighted position in Devon Energy because of our positive views on Sentiment and Quality.
 
Did you make any enhancements to your quantitative models during the Reporting Period?
 
We continuously look for ways to improve our investment process. Accordingly, we continued our extensive ongoing research process but did not implement any significant model enhancements during the first quarter of 2010. During the second quarter, we continued to improve our factor timing within the Momentum theme.
 
What was the Fund’s sector positioning relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Fund was overweight the energy sector relative to the S&P 500 Index. The Fund was underweight utilities, materials,financials, and consumer staples compared to the benchmark index on the same date. The Fund was relatively neutral in health care, information technology, industrials, consumer discretionary and telecommunication services at the end of the Reporting Period.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
What is your strategy going forward for the Fund?
 
In the coming months, we believe that less expensive stocks should outpace more expensive stocks, and stocks with good momentum are likely to outperform those with poor momentum. Our focus will remain on companies with increasingly strong fundamentals, good profitability, sustainable earnings and a track record of using capital to enhance shareholder value. As such, we anticipate remaining fully invested with long-term performance likely to be the result of stock selection rather than sector or size allocations.
 
We stand behind our investment philosophy that sound economic investment principles, coupled with a disciplined quantitative approach, can provide strong, uncorrelated returns over the long run. Our research agenda is robust, and we continue to enhance our existing models, add new proprietary forecasting signals, and improve our trading execution as we seek to provide the most value to our shareholders.
 
 
 4


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

Structured U.S. Equity Fund
as of June 30, 2010
 
 
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS1
 
                                         
For the period ended 6/30/10   One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since Inception     Inception Date    
 
Institutional
    11.27 %     -3.03 %     -2.45 %     0.78 %   02/13/98    
Service
    11.06       N/A       N/A       -6.10     01/09/06    
 
 
1 The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns or cumulative total returns (only if the performance period is one year or less) as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. The Standardized Total Returns are calculated by computing the annual percentage change in the value of $1,000 invested at the maximum public offering price for specified periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (NAV). These returns are required by securities industry regulations and are designed to establish a standard method of showing mutual fund performance. Because VIT Funds do not involve a sales charge, such a charge is not applied to their Standardized Total Returns.
 
Total return figures in the above chart represent past performance and do not indicate future results, which will vary. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and, therefore, an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the total return figures in the above chart. Please visit www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
 
EXPENSE RATIOS2
 
                     
    Net Expense Ratio (Current)     Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)      
 
Institutional
    0.64 %     0.70 %    
Service
    0.85       0.95      
 
 
2  The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Applicable waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated in the future, consistent with the terms of any agreements in place. If this occurs, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.
 
 


 

FUND BASICS
 
 

 
TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 6/30/103
 
             
Holding   % of Net Assets     Line of Business
 
Microsoft Corp. 
    4.0 %   Software & Services
Lorillard, Inc. 
    3.9     Food, Beverage & Tobacco
Exxon Mobil Corp. 
    3.5     Energy
Eli Lilly & Co. 
    3.1     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
Chevron Corp. 
    2.2     Energy
The Procter & Gamble Co. 
    2.2     Household & Personal Products
AT&T, Inc. 
    2.0     Telecommunication Services
Pfizer, Inc. 
    2.0     Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 
    2.0     Diversified Financials
United Parcel Service, Inc. Class B
    1.9     Transportation
 
3 Opinions expressed in this report represent our present opinion only. Reference to individual securities should not be construed as a commitment that such securities will be retained by the Fund. From time to time, the Fund may change the individual securities it holds, the number or types of securities held and the markets in which it invests. Fund holdings of securities should not be relied upon in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. References to individual securities do not constitute a recommendation to the investor to buy, hold or sell such securities. In addition, references to past performance of the Fund do not indicate future returns, which are not guaranteed and will vary. Furthermore, the value of shares of the Fund may fall as well as rise.
 
 
FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4
 
As of June 30, 2010
 
(GRAPH)
 
4 The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. The above graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”), however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. Consequently, the Fund’s overall industry sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value. Short-term investments represent investments in investment companies other than those that are exchange traded.
 
 
 6


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – 97.4%
                     
                     
    Automobiles & Components – 0.9%
      6,112     Autoliv, Inc.*   $ 292,459  
      120,397     Johnson Controls, Inc.     3,235,068  
                     
                  3,527,527  
     
     
    Banks – 2.8%
      46,294     BB&T Corp.     1,217,995  
      17,565     Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.     214,996  
      8,111     PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.     458,271  
      137,085     U.S. Bancorp     3,063,850  
      227,431     Wells Fargo & Co.     5,822,234  
                     
                  10,777,346  
     
     
    Capital Goods – 7.2%
      19,432     Armstrong World Industries, Inc.*     586,458  
      14,427     Cummins, Inc.     939,631  
      23,869     Eaton Corp.     1,561,987  
      66,085     Emerson Electric Co.     2,887,254  
      323,175     General Electric Co.     4,660,183  
      51,035     Honeywell International, Inc.     1,991,896  
      2,728     MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. Class A     138,200  
      83,279     Northrop Grumman Corp.     4,533,709  
      46,171     Oshkosh Corp.*     1,438,688  
      3,598     Parker Hannifin Corp.     199,545  
      9,355     Rockwell Automation, Inc.     459,237  
      2,999     Rockwell Collins, Inc.     159,337  
      16,897     Textron, Inc.     286,742  
      31,430     The Boeing Co.     1,972,233  
      17,060     Timken Co.     443,389  
      47,216     Toro Co.     2,319,250  
      9,590     Tyco International Ltd.     337,856  
      43,628     United Technologies Corp.     2,831,893  
      3,765     WESCO International, Inc.*     126,768  
                     
                  27,874,256  
     
     
    Commercial & Professional Services – 0.4%
      36,119     Manpower, Inc.     1,559,618  
     
     
    Consumer Durables & Apparel – 0.6%
      3,750     Fossil, Inc.*     130,125  
      26,037     Harman International Industries, Inc.*     778,246  
      8,151     Leggett & Platt, Inc.     163,509  
      22,882     Mohawk Industries, Inc.*     1,047,080  
      2,506     Whirlpool Corp.     220,077  
                     
                  2,339,037  
     
     
    Consumer Services – 1.2%
      9,695     Apollo Group, Inc. Class A*     411,747  
      69,543     Carnival Corp.     2,102,980  
      82,361     Starbucks Corp.     2,001,372  
                     
                  4,516,099  
     
     
    Diversified Financials – 6.5%
      413,772     Bank of America Corp.     5,945,904  
      86,223     Capital One Financial Corp.     3,474,787  
      544,958     Citigroup, Inc.*     2,049,042  
      2,438     CME Group, Inc.     686,419  
      8,631     Franklin Resources, Inc.     743,906  
     
     
      206,504     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     7,560,111  
      85,343     SEI Investments Co.     1,737,583  
      114,523     The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.     2,827,573  
                     
                  25,025,325  
     
     
    Energy – 11.1%
      127,428     Chevron Corp.     8,647,264  
      16,491     Cimarex Energy Co.     1,180,426  
      135,497     ConocoPhillips     6,651,548  
      54,391     Devon Energy Corp.     3,313,499  
      38,047     Exterran Holdings, Inc.*     981,993  
      233,104     Exxon Mobil Corp.     13,303,225  
      29,720     Halliburton Co.     729,626  
      50,285     Hess Corp.     2,531,347  
      33,247     Schlumberger Ltd.     1,839,889  
      18,726     Sunoco, Inc.     651,103  
      155,298     Valero Energy Corp.     2,792,258  
                     
                  42,622,178  
     
     
    Food & Staples Retailing – 1.5%
      8,436     Costco Wholesale Corp.     462,546  
      15,770     CVS Caremark Corp.     462,376  
      37,491     Walgreen Co.     1,001,010  
      84,141     Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.     4,044,658  
                     
                  5,970,590  
     
     
    Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 6.8%
      21,390     Altria Group, Inc.     428,655  
      146,336     Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.     3,778,395  
      17,312     Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.     647,296  
      46,836     Hansen Natural Corp.*     1,831,756  
      208,456     Lorillard, Inc.     15,004,663  
      6,106     PepsiCo, Inc.     372,161  
      13,398     Philip Morris International, Inc.     614,164  
      23,197     The Coca-Cola Co.     1,162,634  
      148,334     Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A     2,431,194  
                     
                  26,270,918  
     
     
    Health Care Equipment & Services – 3.2%
      2,459     Becton, Dickinson and Co.     166,278  
      198,599     Boston Scientific Corp.*     1,151,874  
      90,490     Cardinal Health, Inc.     3,041,369  
      72,112     CareFusion Corp.*     1,636,942  
      5,366     Health Net, Inc.*     130,770  
      11,358     Humana, Inc.*     518,720  
      9,365     McKesson Corp.     628,953  
      16,580     Stryker Corp.     829,995  
      62,607     UnitedHealth Group, Inc.     1,778,039  
      51,454     WellPoint, Inc.*     2,517,644  
                     
                  12,400,584  
     
     
    Household & Personal Products – 2.5%
      9,316     Colgate-Palmolive Co.     733,728  
      8,018     Herbalife Ltd.     369,229  
      144,093     The Procter & Gamble Co.     8,642,698  
                     
                  9,745,655  
     
     
                     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
7 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
                     
    Insurance – 3.4%
      10,212     ACE Ltd.   $ 525,714  
      19,341     Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B*     1,541,284  
      51,618     Loews Corp.     1,719,396  
      76,075     MetLife, Inc.     2,872,592  
      28,143     The Travelers Companies, Inc.     1,386,043  
      224,969     Unum Group     4,881,827  
                     
                  12,926,856  
     
     
    Materials – 2.9%
      3,885     Domtar Corp.     190,948  
      17,233     E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.     596,089  
      22,396     Eastman Chemical Co.     1,195,051  
      64,521     Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.     3,815,127  
      16,708     Huntsman Corp.     144,858  
      101,527     International Paper Co.     2,297,556  
      8,453     Monsanto Co.     390,698  
      10,302     Newmont Mining Corp.     636,045  
      15,007     Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.     542,503  
      11,645     Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Class A     456,484  
      39,866     The Dow Chemical Co.     945,622  
                     
                  11,210,981  
     
     
    Media – 4.0%
      174,637     Comcast Corp. Class A     3,033,445  
      135,585     Comcast Corp. Special A Shares     2,227,661  
      5,901     DIRECTV Class A*     200,162  
      190,806     DISH Network Corp. Class A     3,463,129  
      64,638     News Corp. Class A     773,070  
      197,727     Time Warner, Inc.     5,716,288  
                     
                  15,413,755  
     
     
    Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 9.0%
      126,757     Amgen, Inc.*     6,667,418  
      8,067     Biogen Idec, Inc.*     382,779  
      24,420     Celgene Corp.*     1,241,025  
      4,739     Cephalon, Inc.*     268,938  
      355,774     Eli Lilly & Co.     11,918,429  
      89,505     Gilead Sciences, Inc.*     3,068,232  
      55,523     Johnson & Johnson     3,279,188  
      34,583     King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*     262,485  
      542,309     Pfizer, Inc.     7,733,326  
                     
                  34,821,820  
     
     
    Real Estate Investment Trust – 3.3%
      25,668     Annaly Capital Management, Inc.     440,206  
      9,959     AvalonBay Communities, Inc.     929,872  
      7,983     Mack-Cali Realty Corp.     237,335  
      4,067     Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.     140,434  
      16,888     Public Storage, Inc.     1,484,624  
      65,818     Rayonier, Inc.     2,897,308  
      80,360     Simon Property Group, Inc.     6,489,070  
                     
                  12,618,849  
     
     
    Retailing – 3.1%
      17,374     Amazon.com, Inc.*     1,898,283  
      17,855     Best Buy Co., Inc.     604,570  
     
     
      31,255     Big Lots, Inc.*     1,002,973  
      7,955     Carmax, Inc.*     158,325  
      31,625     Guess?, Inc.     987,965  
      26,540     J.C. Penney Co., Inc.     570,079  
      38,324     Limited Brands, Inc.     845,811  
      51,714     Nordstrom, Inc.     1,664,674  
      53,737     Ross Stores, Inc.     2,863,645  
      49,146     Williams-Sonoma, Inc.     1,219,804  
                     
                  11,816,129  
     
     
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 3.2%
      17,230     Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*     126,124  
      17,840     Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc.*     150,034  
      352,162     Intel Corp.     6,849,551  
      30,451     LSI Corp.*     140,074  
      173,218     Micron Technology, Inc.*     1,470,621  
      158,010     Texas Instruments, Inc.     3,678,473  
                     
                  12,414,877  
     
     
    Software & Services – 8.4%
      156,821     Accenture PLC Class A     6,061,132  
      3,265     Computer Sciences Corp.     147,741  
      12,086     eBay, Inc.*     237,006  
      9,802     Google, Inc. Class A*     4,361,400  
      667,174     Microsoft Corp.     15,351,674  
      171,223     Oracle Corp.     3,674,445  
      180,910     Symantec Corp.*     2,511,031  
                     
                  32,344,429  
     
     
    Technology Hardware & Equipment – 7.1%
      286,905     Cisco Systems, Inc.*     6,113,946  
      309,803     Dell, Inc.*     3,736,224  
      86,841     EMC Corp.*     1,589,190  
      90,817     Flextronics International Ltd.*     508,575  
      42,527     Hewlett-Packard Co.     1,840,569  
      152,664     Ingram Micro, Inc. Class A*     2,318,966  
      188,337     Motorola, Inc.*     1,227,957  
      273,990     Seagate Technology*     3,572,830  
      90,480     Tellabs, Inc.     578,167  
      86,274     Tyco Electronics Ltd.     2,189,634  
      17,528     Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.*     135,667  
      110,812     Western Digital Corp.*     3,342,090  
                     
                  27,153,815  
     
     
    Telecommunication Services – 2.8%
      320,722     AT&T, Inc.(a)     7,758,265  
      449,007     Sprint Nextel Corp.*     1,903,790  
      34,442     Verizon Communications, Inc.     965,065  
                     
                  10,627,120  
     
     
    Transportation – 2.4%
      5,997     Copa Holdings SA Class A     265,187  
      25,731     FedEx Corp.     1,804,001  
      125,216     United Parcel Service, Inc. Class B     7,123,538  
                     
                  9,192,726  
     
     
                     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 8


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
                     
    Shares   Description   Value
 

 Common Stocks – (continued)
                     
    Utilities – 3.1%
      5,998     Consolidated Edison, Inc.   $ 258,514  
      28,856     Constellation Energy Group, Inc.     930,606  
      35,126     Dominion Resources, Inc.     1,360,781  
      259,042     Duke Energy Corp.     4,144,672  
      2,156     Entergy Corp.     154,413  
      86,875     Exelon Corp.     3,298,644  
      12,820     Integrys Energy Group, Inc.     560,747  
      8,249     MDU Resources Group, Inc.     148,729  
      29,426     NiSource, Inc.     426,677  
      9,483     NRG Energy, Inc.*     201,134  
      12,803     PPL Corp.     319,435  
      13,714     TECO Energy, Inc.     206,670  
                     
                  12,011,022  
     
     
   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    (Cost $371,513,242)   $ 375,181,512  
     
     
                     
    Shares   Rate   Value
 

 Short-term Investment(b) – 2.5%
                     
                     
   
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Capital Shares
      9,533,058     0.067%   $ 9,533,058  
    (Cost $9,533,058)        
     
     
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.9%
    (Cost $381,046,300)   $ 384,714,570  
     
     
   
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES – 0.1%
    301,171  
     
     
   
NET ASSETS – 100.0%
  $ 385,015,741  
     
     
 
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
(a) A portion of this security is segregated as collateral for initial margin requirements on futures transactions.
 
(b) Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
 
 
FUTURES CONTRACTS — At June 30, 2010, the following futures contracts were open:
 
                                 
    Number of
                   
    Contracts
    Expiration
          Unrealized
 
Type   Long (Short)     Date     Current Value     Gain (Loss)  
   
S&P 500 E-mini Index
    157       September 2010     $ 8,058,810     $ (648,950 )
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
9 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Assets:
             
    Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $381,046,300)   $ 384,714,570  
    Receivables:        
   
Investment securities sold
    2,998,466  
   
Fund shares sold
    1,580,236  
   
Dividends
    202,034  
   
Reimbursement from investment adviser
    32,734  
    Other assets     2,920  
     
     
    Total assets     389,530,960  
     
     
             
             
    Liabilities:
             
    Payables:        
   
Investment securities purchased
    3,115,092  
   
Fund shares redeemed
    405,349  
   
Amounts owed to affiliates
    233,043  
   
Due to broker — variation margin
    68,295  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     693,440  
     
     
    Total liabilities     4,515,219  
     
     
             
             
    Net Assets:
             
    Paid-in capital     643,249,699  
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income     3,229,038  
    Accumulated net realized loss from investment and futures transactions     (264,482,316 )
    Net unrealized gain on investments and futures     3,019,320  
     
     
    NET ASSETS   $ 385,015,741  
     
     
    Net Assets:        
   
Institutional
  $ 288,203,411  
   
Service
    96,812,330  
     
     
    Total Net Assets   $ 385,015,741  
     
     
    Shares of beneficial interest outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):        
   
Institutional
    32,817,847  
   
Service
    11,021,825  
     
     
    Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:        
   
Institutional
  $ 8.78  
   
Service
    8.78  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 10


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Investment income:
             
    Dividends   $ 4,480,818  
    Securities lending income — affiliated issuer     2,334  
     
     
    Total investment income     4,483,152  
     
     
             
             
    Expenses:
             
    Management fees     1,359,698  
    Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares     137,403  
    Transfer Agent fees(a)     43,857  
    Professional fees     43,272  
    Printing and mailing costs     35,571  
    Custody and accounting fees     34,048  
    Trustee fees     6,045  
    Other     7,092  
     
     
    Total expenses     1,666,986  
     
     
    Less — expense reductions     (139,247 )
     
     
    Net expenses     1,527,739  
     
     
    NET INVESTMENT INCOME     2,955,413  
     
     
             
             
    Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment and futures transactions:
             
    Net realized gain (loss) from:        
   
Investment transactions — unaffiliated issuers
    11,430,277  
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle transactions — affiliated issuer
    33,610  
   
Futures transactions
    (105,452 )
    Net change in unrealized loss on:        
   
Investments — unaffiliated issuers
    (44,425,910 )
   
Securities lending reinvestment vehicle — affiliated issuer
    (33,610 )
   
Futures
    (665,985 )
     
     
    Net realized and unrealized loss from investment and futures transactions     (33,767,070 )
     
     
    NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (30,811,657 )
     
     
 
(a) Institutional and Service Shares had Transfer Agent fees of $32,866 and $10,991, respectively.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
11 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
 
                     
        For the
       
        Six Months Ended
    For the
 
        June 30, 2010
    Fiscal Year Ended
 
        (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
 
   
From operations:
                     
   
Net investment income
  $ 2,955,413     $ 7,195,849  
   
Net realized gain (loss) from investment and futures transactions
    11,358,435       (75,374,280 )
   
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments and futures
    (45,125,505 )     148,918,901  
     
     
   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    (30,811,657 )     80,740,470  
     
     
                     
                     
   
Distributions to shareholders:
                     
   
From net investment income
               
   
Institutional Shares
          (6,370,564 )
   
Service Shares
          (1,887,246 )
     
     
   
Total distributions to shareholders
          (8,257,810 )
     
     
                     
                     
   
From share transactions:
                     
   
Proceeds from sales of shares
    4,262,745       10,818,239  
   
Reinvestment of distributions
          8,257,810  
   
Cost of shares redeemed
    (41,501,270 )     (89,222,749 )
     
     
   
Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions
    (37,238,525 )     (70,146,700 )
     
     
   
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)
    (68,050,182 )     2,335,960  
     
     
                     
                     
   
Net assets:
                     
   
Beginning of period
    453,065,923       450,729,963  
     
     
   
End of period
  $ 385,015,741     $ 453,065,923  
     
     
   
Accumulated undistributed net investment income
  $ 3,229,038     $ 273,625  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 12


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
 
                                                                                                                 
          Income (loss) from
                                                 
          investment operations     Distributions to shareholders                                            
                Net
                                                    Ratio of
    Ratio of
       
    Net asset
          realized
                                        Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
       
    value,
    Net
    and
    Total from
    From net
    From
          Net asset
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    income to
    Portfolio
 
    beginning
    investment
    unrealized
    investment
    investment
    net realized
    Total
    value, end
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    average
    turnover
 
 Year — Share Class   of period     income(a)     gain (loss)     operations     income     gains     distributions     of period     return(b)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets     rate  
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
2010 — Institutional
  $ 9.50     $ 0.07     $ (0.79 )   $ (0.72 )   $     $     $     $ 8.78       (7.58 )%   $ 288,203       0.64 %(c)     0.70 %(c)     1.40 %(c)     22 %
2010 — Service
    9.51       0.06       (0.79 )     (0.73 )                       8.78       (7.68 )     96,812       0.85 (c)     0.95 (c)     1.19 (c)     22  
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                 
2009 — Institutional
    7.99       0.15       1.54       1.69       (0.18 )           (0.18 )     9.50       21.15       340,536       0.68       0.72       1.75       136  
2009 — Service
    8.00       0.13       1.54       1.67       (0.16 )           (0.16 )     9.51       20.89       112,530       0.89       0.97       1.53       136  
2008 — Institutional
    13.16       0.17       (5.06 )     (4.89 )     (0.18 )     (0.10 )     (0.28 )     7.99       (36.92 )     344,144       0.71       0.72       1.53       110  
2008 — Service
    13.16       0.14       (5.04 )     (4.90 )     (0.16 )     (0.10 )     (0.26 )     8.00       (37.05 )     106,586       0.92       0.97       1.34       110  
2007 — Institutional
    14.67       0.15       (0.37 )     (0.22 )     (0.16 )     (1.13 )     (1.29 )     13.16       (1.63 )     752,148       0.71 (d)     0.72 (d)     1.02 (d)     125  
2007 — Service
    14.67       0.14       (0.37 )     (0.23 )     (0.15 )     (1.13 )     (1.28 )     13.16       (1.72 )     205,997       0.79 (d)     0.97 (d)     0.94 (d)     125  
2006 — Institutional
    13.13       0.14       1.55       1.69       (0.15 )           (0.15 )     14.67       12.89       910,345       0.72       0.72       1.01       99  
2006 — Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)
    13.54       0.13       1.14       1.27       (0.14 )           (0.14 )     14.67       9.38       261,814       0.80 (c)     0.97 (c)     0.92 (c)     99  
2005 — Institutional
    12.42       0.13       0.68       0.81       (0.10 )           (0.10 )     13.13       6.51       820,394       0.74       0.76       1.00       109  
 
(a) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(b) Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the period. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Includes non-recurring expense for a special shareholder meeting which amounted to approximately 0.02% of average net assets.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
1. ORGANIZATION
 
 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust” or “VIT”) is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the Goldman Sachs Structured U.S. Equity Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs” or the “Distributor”) serves as Distributor of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
A. Investment Valuation — The investment valuation policy of the Fund is to value investments at market value. Investments in equity securities and investment companies traded on a United States (“U.S.”) securities exchange or the NASDAQ system are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If no sale occurs, such securities and investment companies are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued on the basis of quotations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the trustees or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value. If accurate quotations are not readily available, or if GSAM believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined based on yield equivalents, a pricing matrix or other sources, under valuation procedures established by the trustees. Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price. In the absence of market quotations, broker quotes will be utilized or the security will be fair valued. Investments in investment companies (other than those that are exchange traded) are valued at the net asset value per share (“NAV”) on the valuation date. Short-term debt obligations that mature in sixty days or less and that do not exhibit signs of credit deterioration are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions or market closings; equipment failures; natural or man-made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; government actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory news; significant litigation; low trading volume; and trading limits or suspensions.
 
B. Security and Fund Share Transactions, and Investment Income — Security and Fund share transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date, which may cause the NAV as stated in the accompanying financial statements to be different than the NAV applied to Fund share transactions. Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, net of foreign withholding taxes, if any, which are reduced by any amounts reclaimable by the Fund, where applicable. Interest
 
 
 
 14


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted. In addition, it is the Fund’s policy to accrue for foreign capital gains taxes, if applicable, on certain foreign securities held by the Fund. An estimated foreign capital gains tax is recorded daily on net unrealized gains on these securities and is payable upon the sale of such securities when a gain is realized.
Net investment income (other than class specific expenses) and unrealized and realized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares of the Fund based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class.
In addition, distributions received from the Fund’s investments in U.S. real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) often include a “return of capital”, which is recorded by the Fund as a reduction of the cost basis of the securities held. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) requires a REIT to distribute at least 95% of its taxable income to investors. In many cases, however, because of “non-cash” expenses such as property depreciation, a REIT’s cash flow will exceed its taxable income. The REIT may distribute this excess cash to offer a more competitive yield. This portion of the Fund’s distributions is deemed a return of capital and is generally not taxable to shareholders.
 
C. Expenses — Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not specifically relate to an individual Fund of the Trust are allocated to the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expense and are accrued daily.
 
D. Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies (mutual funds) and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provisions are required. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gains distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net capital losses are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Utilization of capital loss carryforwards will reduce the requirement of future capital gains distributions.
The characterization of distributions to shareholders for financial reporting purposes is determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from GAAP. The source of the Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from net investment income, net realized gain or capital. The Fund’s capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character, but do not reflect temporary differences.
GSAM has reviewed the Fund’s tax positions for all open tax years (the current and prior three years, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.
 
E. Futures Contracts — The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts with respect to the S&P 500 Index to hedge against changes in securities prices, or to seek to increase total return. Futures contracts are valued at the last settlement price, or in the absence of a sale, the last bid price, at the end of each day on the board of trade or exchange upon which they are traded. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits cash or securities in an account on behalf of the broker in an amount sufficient to meet the initial margin requirement. Subsequent payments are made or received by the Fund equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable with a corresponding offset in unrealized gains or losses. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when a contract is closed or expires.
The use of futures contracts involves, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk which may exceed the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Futures contracts may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day. Changes in the value of a futures contract may not directly correlate with changes in the value of the underlying securities. These risks may decrease the effectiveness of the Fund’s strategies and potentially result in a loss. The Fund must set aside liquid assets, or engage in other appropriate measures, to cover its obligations under these contracts.
 
 
 
15 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
 
 
A. Management Agreement — Under the Agreement, GSAM manages the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the trustees.
As compensation for the services rendered pursuant to the Agreement, the assumption of the expenses related thereto and administration of the Fund’s business affairs, including providing facilities, GSAM is entitled to a management fee computed daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, contractual management fees with GSAM were at the following rates:
 
                                             
Contractual Management Rate
First
  Next
  Next
  Next
  Over
  Effective
$1 billion   $1 billion   $3 billion   $3 billion   $8 billion   Rate
 
 
0.62%
      0.59%       0.56%       0.55%       0.54%       0.62%  
 
 
 
B. Distribution and Service Plan — The Trust, on behalf of the Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly for distribution services, which may then be paid by Goldman Sachs to authorized dealers, equal to, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares. Goldman Sachs has agreed to waive distribution and service fees so as not to exceed an annual rate of 0.21% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Goldman Sachs waived approximately $22,000 in distribution and service fees for the Fund’s Services Shares.
 
C. Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets for Institutional and Service Shares.
 
D. Other Agreements — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agent fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and other extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, 0.004% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expenses reimbursement, if any, is computed daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAM reimbursed approximately $117,300 to the Fund.
As of June 30, 2010, amounts owed to affiliates were approximately $208,500, $17,800 and $6,700 for management, distribution and service, and transfer agent fees, respectively.
 
E. Line of Credit Facility — As of June 30, 2010, the Fund participated in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of the facility, the Fund and other borrowers could increase the credit amount by an additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used solely for temporary or emergency purposes. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Fund based on the amount of the commitment that has not been utilized. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility. Prior to May 11, 2010, the amount available through the facility was $660,000,000.
 
F. Other Transactions with Affiliates — For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Goldman Sachs earned approximately $1,400 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions, including futures transactions executed with Goldman Sachs as the Futures Commission Merchant, on behalf of the Fund.
 
 
 
 16


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS
 
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2 — Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
 
Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
 
The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2010:
 
                         
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
 
Assets
                       
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments
  $ 375,181,512     $     $  
Short-term Investment
    9,533,058              
 
 
Total
  $ 384,714,570     $     $  
 
 
Liabilities
                       
Derivatives
  $ (648,950 )   $     $  
 
 
 
5. INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES
 
 
The Fund may make investments in derivative instruments, including, but not limited to, options, futures, swaps and other derivatives relating to foreign currency transactions. A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. Derivative instruments may be privately negotiated contracts (often referred to as over the counter (“OTC”) derivatives) or they may be listed and traded on an exchange. Derivative contracts may involve future commitments to purchase or sell financial instruments or commodities at specified terms on a specified date, or to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount. Derivative instruments may involve a high degree of financial risk. The use of derivatives also involves the risk of loss if the investment adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices. Investments in derivative instruments also include the risk of default by the counterparty, the risk that the investment may not be liquid and the risk that a small movement in the price of the underlying security or benchmark may result in a disproportionately large movement, unfavorable or favorable, in the price of the derivative instrument.
The following table sets forth the gross value of the Fund’s derivative contracts for trading activities by certain risk types as of June 30, 2010. The values in the table below exclude the effects of cash collateral received or posted pursuant to derivative contracts, and therefore are not representative of the Fund’s net exposure.
 
         
    Statement of
   
    Assets and Liabilities
   
Risk   Location   Liabilities
 
Equity
  Due to broker — variation margin   $(648,950)(a)
 
 
 
(a) Includes unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts described in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
 
 
17 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
5. INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES (continued)
 
The following table sets forth by certain risk types the Fund’s gains (losses) related to derivative activities and their indicative volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2010. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that derivative contracts may have been executed to economically hedge securities and accordingly, gains (losses) on derivative contracts may offset (losses) gains attributable to securities. These gains (losses) are included in “Net realized gain (loss)” or “Net change in unrealized gain (loss)” on the Statement of Operations:
 
                               
            Net Change in
    Average
        Net Realized
  Unrealized
    Number of
Risk   Statement of Operations Location   Gain (Loss)   Gain (Loss)     Contracts(a)
 
Equity
  Net realized gain (loss) from futures transactions/ Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures   $ (105,452 )   $ (665,985 )       142  
 
 
 
(a) Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
6. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
 
 
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the six months ended June 30, 2010, were $92,892,037 and $128,975,062, respectively.
 
7. SECURITIES LENDING
 
 
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the terms and conditions contained therein, the Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“GSAL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, to certain qualified borrowers including Goldman Sachs and affiliates. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending procedures, the Fund receives cash collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Fund or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan.
The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Enhanced Portfolio II of Boston Global Investment Trust (“Enhanced Portfolio II”), a Delaware statutory trust. The Enhanced Portfolio II, deemed an affiliate of the Trust, is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the Act and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive an investment advisory fee of up to 0.10% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Enhanced Portfolio II. The Enhanced Portfolio II invests primarily in short-term investments, but is not a “money market fund” subject to the requirements of Rule 2a-7 of the Act. The Fund’s investment of cash collateral in the Enhanced Portfolio II is subject to a net asset value that may fall or rise due to market and credit conditions.
Both the Fund and GSAL receive compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amount earned by the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2010, is reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations. A portion of this amount, $500, represents compensation earned by the Fund from lending its securities to Goldman Sachs. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAL earned $246 in fees as securities lending agent.
 
 
 
 18


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
7. SECURITIES LENDING (continued)
 
The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Enhanced Portfolio II for the six months ended June 30, 2010 (in thousands):
 
                                 
Number of
          Number of
   
Shares Held
          Shares Held
  Value at End
Beginning of Period   Shares Bought   Shares Sold   End of Period   of Period
 
33,609
    9,390       (42,999 )         $  
 
 
 
8. TAX INFORMATION
 
 
As of the most recent fiscal year end, December 31, 2009, the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards on a tax-basis were as follows:
 
         
Capital loss carryforward:1
       
Expiring 2010
  $ (31,739,316 )
Expiring 2016
    (100,034,314 )
Expiring 2017
    (139,411,293 )
 
 
Total capital loss carryforward
  $ (271,184,923 )
 
 
 
1 Expiration occurs on December 31 of the year indicated. Utilization of these losses may be substantially limited under the Code.
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes was as follows:
 
         
Tax cost
  $ 385,671,555  
 
 
Gross unrealized gain
    25,883,759  
Gross unrealized loss
    (26,840,744 )
 
 
Net unrealized security loss
  $ (956,985 )
 
 
 
The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses), as of the most recent fiscal year end, is attributable primarily to wash sales, net mark to market gains on regulated futures contracts and differences related to the tax treatment of partnership investments.
 
9. OTHER RISKS
 
 
Fund’s Shareholder Concentration Risk — Certain participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of the Fund’s shares. Redemptions by these participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates in the Fund may impact the Fund’s liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force the Fund to sell securities, which may increase the Fund’s brokerage costs.
 
Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, the Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, the Fund may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transaction defaults.
 
 
 
19 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
10. INDEMNIFICATIONS
 
 
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, GSAM believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
 
11. OTHER MATTERS
 
 
Legal Proceedings — On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Goldman Sachs and one of its employees alleging that they made materially misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007 private placement of securities relating to a synthetic collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional investors. On July 14, 2010, the SEC and Goldman Sachs entered into a consent agreement settling this action. On July 20, 2010, the U.S. District Court entered a final judgment approving the settlement.
Neither Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. or Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (collectively “GSAM”, for purposes of this note only) nor any GSAM-managed funds were named in the complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint did not seek any penalties against them or against any employee who is or has been part of GSAM.
GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have received temporary exemptive relief from the SEC to permit them to continue serving as investment adviser and principal underwriter for U.S.-registered mutual funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the operation of mutual funds, they would otherwise have become ineligible to perform these activities as a result of the District Court’s final judgment. GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have applied for final exemptive relief. While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
Goldman Sachs and/or other affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive notices and requests for information from various regulators, and have become or may in the future become involved in legal proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the SEC or other matters. In the view of Goldman Sachs and GSAM, neither the matters alleged in any such similar proceedings nor their eventual resolution are likely to have a material affect on the ability of Goldman Sachs, GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to GSAM-managed funds.
 
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
 
Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
 
 
 20


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
 
13. SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS
 
 
Share activity is as follows:
 
                                 
    For the Six Months Ended
   
    June 30, 2010
  For the Fiscal Year Ended
    (Unaudited)   December 31, 2009
    Shares   Dollars   Shares   Dollars
 
Institutional Shares
                               
Shares sold
    343,346     $ 3,149,979       882,949     $ 6,944,789  
Reinvestment of distributions
                668,475       6,370,564  
Shares redeemed
    (3,360,819 )     (32,549,769 )     (8,810,469 )     (71,712,860 )
 
 
      (3,017,473 )     (29,399,790 )     (7,259,045 )     (58,397,507 )
 
 
Service Shares
                               
Shares sold
    115,375       1,112,766       473,655       3,873,450  
Reinvestment of distributions
                197,825       1,887,246  
Shares redeemed
    (920,935 )     (8,951,501 )     (2,171,765 )     (17,509,889 )
 
 
      (805,560 )     (7,838,735 )     (1,500,285 )     (11,749,193 )
 
 
NET DECREASE
    (3,823,033 )   $ (37,238,525 )     (8,759,330 )   $ (70,146,700 )
 
 
 
 
 
21 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited)
 
Background
 
The Goldman Sachs Structured U.S. Equity Fund (the “Fund”) is an investment portfolio of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees oversees the management of the Trust and reviews the investment performance and expenses of the Fund at regularly scheduled meetings held during the year. In addition, the Board of Trustees determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Trust’s investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) on behalf of the Fund.
 
The Management Agreement was most recently approved for continuation until June 30, 2011 by the Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”), at a meeting held on June 16-17, 2010 (the “Annual Meeting”).
 
The review process undertaken by the Trustees spans the course of the year and culminates with the Annual Meeting. To assist the Trustees in their deliberations, the Trustees have established a Contract Review Committee (the “Committee”), comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Committee held three meetings over the course of the year, since last approving the Management Agreement. At those Committee meetings, regularly scheduled Board meetings and/or the Annual Meeting, the Board, or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, considered matters relating to the Management Agreement, including:
 
(a) the nature and quality of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including information about:
 
(i) the structure, staff and capabilities of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio management teams;
 
(ii) the groups within the Investment Adviser and its affiliates that support the portfolio management teams or provide other types of necessary services, including fund services groups (e.g., accounting and financial reporting, tax, shareholder services and operations), controls and risk management groups (e.g., legal, compliance, valuation oversight, credit risk management, internal audit, market risk analysis and finance and strategy), sales and distribution support groups and others (e.g., information technology and training);
 
(iii) trends in headcount;
 
(iv) the Investment Adviser’s financial resources and ability to hire and retain talented personnel and strengthen its operations; and
 
(v) the parent company’s support of the Investment Adviser and its mutual fund business, as expressed by the firm’s senior management;
 
(b) information on the investment performance of the Fund, including comparisons to the performance of similar mutual funds, as provided by a third party mutual fund data provider engaged as part of the contract review process (the “Outside Data Provider”), and its benchmark performance index, and general investment outlooks in the markets in which the Fund invests;
 
(c) the terms of the Management Agreement and agreements with affiliated service providers entered into by the Trust on behalf of the Fund;
 
 
 
 22


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
(d) expense information for the Fund, including:
 
(i) the relative management fee and expense level of the Fund as compared to those of comparable funds managed by other advisers, as provided by the Outside Data Provider;
 
(ii) the Fund’s expense trends over time; and
 
(iii) to the extent the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative information on the advisory fees charged and services provided to those accounts by the Investment Adviser;
 
(e) with respect to the extensive investment performance and expense comparison data provided by the Outside Data Provider, its processes in producing that data for the Fund;
 
(f) the undertakings of the Investment Adviser and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), the Fund’s affiliated distributor, to reimburse certain expenses of the Fund and waive certain distribution and service fees that exceed specified levels, and a summary of contractual fee reductions made by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates over the past several years with respect to the Fund;
 
(g) information relating to the profitability of the Management Agreement and the transfer agency and distribution and service arrangements of the Fund and the Trust as a whole to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates;
 
(h) potential economies of scale, if any, and the levels of breakpoints in the fees payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement;
 
(i) a summary of the “fall-out” benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, including the fees received by the Investment Adviser’s affiliates from the Fund for transfer agency, securities lending, portfolio brokerage, distribution and other services;
 
(j) a summary of potential benefits derived by the Fund as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser;
 
(k) commission rates paid by the Fund and other portfolio trading related issues;
 
(l) the manner in which portfolio manager compensation is determined, the alignment of the interests of the Fund and of the portfolio managers and related potential conflicts of interest; and the number and types of accounts managed by the portfolio managers;
 
(m) the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by its unaffiliated service providers, and the Investment Adviser’s general oversight and evaluation (including reports on due diligence) of those service providers as part of the administration services provided under the Management Agreement; and
 
(n) the Investment Adviser’s processes and policies addressing various types of potential conflicts of interest; its approach to risk management; the annual review of the effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program; and compliance reports.
 
 
 
23 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
The Trustees also received an overview of the Fund’s distribution arrangements. They received information regarding the Fund’s assets, share purchase and redemption activity and the payment of Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees by the Fund’s Service Shares. Information was also provided to the Trustees relating to revenue sharing payments made by and services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to intermediaries that promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of Fund shares.
 
The presentations made at the Board and Committee meetings and at the Annual Meeting encompassed the Fund and other mutual fund portfolios for which the Board of Trustees has responsibility. In evaluating the Management Agreement at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees relied upon their knowledge, resulting from their meetings and other interactions throughout the year, of the Investment Adviser, its affiliates, their services and the Fund. In conjunction with these meetings, the Trustees received written materials and oral presentations on the topics covered, and were advised by their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities and other regulatory requirements related to the approval and continuation of mutual fund investment management agreements under applicable law. During the course of their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel, without representatives of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates present. The Independent Trustees also discussed the broad range of other investment choices that are available to Fund investors, including the availability of comparable funds managed by other advisers.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided Under the Management Agreement
 
As part of their review, the Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Adviser. In this regard, the Trustees considered both the investment advisory services, and the other, non-advisory services, that are provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. They noted that management had made certain personnel changes in an effort to improve the performance of the Fund. The Independent Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser had committed substantial financial and operational resources to the Fund and expressed confidence that the Investment Adviser would continue to do so in the future. The Trustees also observed that the Investment Adviser had made significant commitments to address regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Fund and the Investment Adviser.
 
Investment Performance
 
The Trustees also considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Investment Adviser. In this regard, they compared the investment performance of the Fund to the performance rankings and ratings compiled by the Outside Data Provider. This information on the Fund’s investment performance relative to that of its peers was provided for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2009. The Trustees also reviewed the Fund’s investment performance over time on a year-by-year basis relative to its performance benchmark. In addition, they considered the investment performance trends of the Fund over time, and reviewed the investment performance of the Fund in light of its investment objective and policies and market conditions. The Trustees considered whether the Fund had operated within its investment policies and had complied with its investment limitations.
 
In addition, the Trustees considered materials prepared and presentations made by the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer and portfolio management personnel, in which Fund performance was assessed. The Trustees also considered the Investment Adviser’s periodic reports with respect to the Fund’s risk profile, and how the Investment Adviser’s approach to risk monitoring and management influences portfolio management.
 
The Trustees noted that the Fund ranked in the bottom half of its peer group over the three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2009, but also considered the recent improvement of the Fund over the recent one-year period. The Trustees also noted that, in response to the recent market turmoil, the Investment Adviser implemented measures intended to improve Fund performance, including adjusting the Quantitative Investment Strategies (“QIS”) team’s investment process
 
 
 
 24


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
used to manage the Fund (which among other things included changes in trading strategies and enhancements to the models) and making certain changes to the QIS team’s personnel. The Trustees also recognized that these changes would need time to achieve their desired effects, and resolved to continue to monitor the Fund’s performance. The Trustees noted that they had expressed concern about the Fund’s persistent under performance relative to its peer group and benchmark to senior management of the Investment Adviser, and determined that the changes implemented by the Investment Adviser and the Fund’s more recent performance provided a basis for concluding that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
 
Costs of Services Provided and Competitive Information
 
The Trustees considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement. In this regard, the Trustees considered information on the services rendered by the Investment Adviser to the Fund, which included both advisory and administrative services that were directed to the needs and operations of the Fund as a registered mutual fund.
 
In particular, the Trustees reviewed analyses prepared by the Outside Data Provider regarding the expense rankings of the Fund. The analyses provided a comparison of the Fund’s management fees and breakpoints to those of a relevant peer group and category universe; an expense analysis which compared the Fund’s expenses to a peer group and a category universe; and a four-year history comparing the Fund’s expenses to the peer and category averages. The analyses also compared the Fund’s transfer agency fees, custody and accounting fees, distribution fees, other expenses and fee waivers/reimbursements to those of other funds in the peer group and the peer group median. The Trustees concluded that the comparisons provided by the Outside Data Provider were useful in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees and total expenses paid by the Fund.
 
In addition, the Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s undertaking to limit the Fund’s “other expenses” ratio (excluding certain expenses) to a specified level and Goldman Sachs’ undertaking to waive a portion of the distribution and service fees paid by the Fund’s Service Shares. They also considered, to the extent that the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative fee information for services provided by the Investment Adviser to those accounts, and information that indicated that services provided to the Fund differed in various significant respects from the services provided to institutional accounts, which generally operated under less stringent legal and regulatory structures, required fewer services from the Investment Adviser to a smaller number of client contact points, were less time-intensive and paid lower fees. By contrast, the Trustees noted that the Investment Adviser provides substantial administrative services to the Fund under the terms of the Management Agreement.
 
In addition, the Trustees noted that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares at any time if they believe that the Fund fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
 
 
 
25 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Profitability
 
The Trustees reviewed the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins with respect to the Trust and the Fund. In this regard the Trustees noted that they had received, among other things, profitability analyses and summaries, revenue and expense schedules by Fund and by function (i.e., investment management, transfer agency and distribution and service) and the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology. They observed that the profitability and expense figures are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Adviser for many internal purposes, including compensation decisions among various business groups, and are thus subject to a vigorous internal debate about how certain revenue and expenses should be allocated. The Trustees also reviewed the report of the internal audit group within the Goldman Sachs organization, which included an assessment of the reasonableness and consistency of the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology and an evaluation of the accuracy of the Investment Adviser’s profitability analysis calculations. Profitability data for the Trust and the Fund were provided for 2009 and 2008, and the Trustees considered this information in relation to the Investment Adviser’s overall profitability. The Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins both in absolute terms and in comparison to information on the reported pre-tax profit margins earned by certain other asset management firms.
 
Economies of Scale
 
The Trustees considered the information that had been provided regarding the Investment Adviser’s profitability and the rationale for the Fund’s breakpoint structure. The Trustees also considered the breakpoints in the fee rate payable under the Management Agreement for the Fund at the following annual percentage rates of the average daily net assets of the Fund:
 
         
First $1 billion
    0.62 %
Next $1 billion
    0.59  
Next $3 billion
    0.56  
Next $3 billion
    0.55  
Over $8 billion
    0.54  
 
The Trustees noted that the breakpoints at the $5 and $8 billion asset levels had been proposed by the Investment Adviser and approved by the Trustees in 2008 to further share potential economies of scale, if any, with the Fund and its shareholders as assets under management reach those asset levels. The Trustees considered the amounts of assets in the Fund; the Fund’s recent share purchase and redemption activity; the information provided by the Investment Adviser relating to the costs of the services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and their realized profits; information comparing fee rates charged by the Investment Adviser with fee rates charged to other funds in the peer group; and the Investment Adviser’s and Goldman Sachs’ undertakings to limit fees and other expenses to certain amounts. They also considered the lower contractual fee rate implemented at the first breakpoint for the Fund in 2009. Upon reviewing these matters at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees concluded that the fee breakpoints represented a means of assuring that benefits of scalability would be passed along to shareholders at the specified asset levels.
 
 
 
 26


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Other Benefits to the Investment Adviser and Its Affiliates
 
The Trustees also considered the other benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund as stated above, including: (a) transfer agency fees received by Goldman Sachs; (b) brokerage and futures commissions earned by Goldman Sachs for executing securities and futures transactions on behalf of the Fund; (c) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those for other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (d) fees earned throughout the year by Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, as securities lending agent (and fees earned by the Investment Adviser for managing the portfolio in which the Fund’s cash collateral is invested); (e) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage the infrastructure designed to service the Fund on behalf of its other clients; (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to cross-market other products and services to Fund shareholders; (g) Goldman Sachs’ retention of certain fees as Fund Distributor; (h) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate better pricing with custodians on behalf of its other clients, as a result of the relationship with the Fund; and (i) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage relationships with the Fund’s third party service providers to attract more firmwide business. In the course of considering the foregoing, the Independent Trustees requested and received further information quantifying certain of the fall-out benefits. In looking at the benefits to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending and the Investment Adviser from the securities lending program, they noted that the Fund also benefited from its participation in the securities lending program.
 
Other Benefits to the Fund and Its Shareholders
 
The Trustees also noted that the Fund receives certain potential benefits as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser, including: (a) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those of other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (b) improved servicing and pricing from vendors because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (c) improved servicing from broker-dealers because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (d) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate favorable terms with derivatives counterparties as a result of the size and reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (e) the advantages gained from the Investment Adviser’s knowledge and experience gained from managing other accounts and products; (f) the Investment Adviser’s ability to hire and retain qualified personnel to provide services to the Fund because of the reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (g) the Fund’s access, through the Investment Adviser, to certain firmwide resources (e.g., proprietary databases); and (h) the Fund’s access to certain affiliated distribution channels. The Trustees noted the competitive nature of the mutual fund marketplace, and noted further that many of the Fund’s shareholders invested in the Fund in part because of the Fund’s relationship with the Investment Adviser and that those shareholders have a general expectation that the relationship will continue.
 
Conclusion
 
In connection with their consideration of the Management Agreement, the Trustees gave weight to each of the factors described above, but did not identify any particular factor as controlling their decision. After deliberation and consideration of all of the information provided, including the factors described above, the Trustees concluded, in the exercise of their business judgment, that the management fees paid by the Fund were reasonable in light of the services provided to it by the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser’s costs and the Fund’s current and reasonably foreseeable asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the Management Agreement should be approved and continued with respect to the Fund until June 30, 2011.
 
 
 
27 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRUCTURED U.S. EQUITY FUND
 
 

 
Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (with respect to Service Shares) and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund 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 period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
 
Actual Expenses — The first line under each share class in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The second line under each share class in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Fund, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees, or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. The second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.
 
                               
                  Expenses
                  Paid for the
      Beginning
    Ending
    6 Months
      Account Value
    Account Value
    Ended
Share Class     1/01/10     6/30/10     6/30/10*
Institutional
                             
Actual
    $ 1,000       $ 924.20       $ 3.05  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,021.62 +       3.21  
                               
Service
                             
Actual
      1,000         923.20         4.05  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000         1,020.58 +       4.26  
 
 
* Expenses for each share class are calculated using the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized net expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the fiscal year. The annualized net expense ratios for the period were 0.64% and 0.85% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.
 
+ Hypothetical expenses are based on the Fund’s actual annualized net expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses.
 
 
 
 28


 

 


 

  
     
TRUSTEES
  OFFICERS
Ashok N. Bakhru, Chairman
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Diana M. Daniels
Patrick T. Harker
James A. McNamara
Jessica Palmer
Alan A. Shuch
Richard P. Strubel
  James A. McNamara, President
George F. Travers, Principal Financial Officer
Peter V. Bonanno, Secretary
Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer

     
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
   
     
 
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
200 West Street, New York
New York 10282
     
 
Visit our Web site at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns.
     
 
The reports concerning the Fund included in this shareholder report may contain certain forward-looking statements about the factors that may affect the performance of the Fund in the future. These statements are based on Fund management’s predictions and expectations concerning certain future events and their expected impact on the Fund, such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors, changes in the levels of interest rates, the impact of developing world events, and other factors that may influence the future performance of the Fund. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual events may cause adjustments in portfolio management strategies from those currently expected to be employed.
     
 
Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect our judgment as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. These forecasts do not take into account the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. These forecasts are subject to high levels of uncertainty that may affect actual performance. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. These forecasts are estimated, based on assumptions, and are subject to significant revision and may change materially as economic and market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide updates or changes to these forecasts. Case studies and examples are for illustrative purposes only.
     
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-526-7384 (for Retail Shareholders) or 1-800-621-2550 (for Institutional Shareholders); and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
     
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. When available, the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may also be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
 
The Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (“MSCI”) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) and is licensed for use by Goldman Sachs. Neither MSCI, S&P nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
     
 
Holdings and allocations shown may not be representative of current or future investments. Holdings and allocations may not include the Fund’s entire investment portfolio, which may change at any time. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities.
     
 
This material is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or summary prospectus, if applicable. Investors should consider a Fund’s objective, risks, and charges and expenses, and read the summary prospectus, if available, and/or the Prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. The summary prospectus, if available, and the Prospectus contain this and other information about a Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling 1-800-621-2550.
     
     
    Toll Free (in U.S.): 800-292-4726
     
 
This report is prepared for the general information of contract owners and is not an offer of shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust: Goldman Sachs Structured U.S. Equity Fund.
     
 
Copyright 2010 Goldman, Sachs & Co. All rights reserved.
     
VITUSSAR10/39467.MF.TMPL/08-10    


 

 
Goldman
Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs
Money Market Fund
 
 
 
 
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2010
LOGO


 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

 
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Fund seeks to maximize current income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments.
 
 
Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis
Below, the Goldman Sachs Money Market Portfolio Management Team discusses the Fund’s performance and positioning for the six months ended June 30, 2010.
 
How did the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Money Market Fund (the “Fund”) perform during the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2010?
 
At the end of the six month period ended June 30, 2010 (the “Reporting Period”), the Fund’s standardized 7-day current yield was 0.01% and its standardized 7-day effective yield was 0.01%. The Fund’s one-month simple average yield was 0.01% as of June 30, 2010. The Fund’s 7-day distribution yield was 0.01% as of June 30, 2010.
 
We believe it is important to understand how the standardized yield is derived. To ensure that no money market fund manager was misrepresenting its yield and to provide a common basis for comparing the yields of different fund managers, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) created specific guidelines for the standardized yield calculation methodology and mandated all money market funds to quote this yield to investors. This calculation does not fully reflect the actual distribution income generated by the Fund. The standardized yield calculation methodology does not allow for the inclusion of capital gains and/or losses that are realized in the course of our active trading strategy. However, the 7-day distribution yield includes gains and/or losses that are realized in the course of our active trading strategy, thereby providing the investor with a more accurate representation of the Fund’s actual distribution income, inclusive of both income and short-term capital gains. The standardized 7-day effective yield assumes reinvestment of dividends for one year. The 7-day distribution yield is the average return over the previous seven days and is the Fund’s total income net of expenses, divided by the total number of outstanding shares. Looking at both standardized yields and distribution yields together should help investors understand the magnitude and composition of the Fund’s distributions.
 
What economic and market factors most influenced the money markets as a whole during the Reporting Period?
 
The Reporting Period was one wherein financial regulation reform by the SEC, the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) remaining on hold, and mixed economic indicators had great effect on the money markets. Yields in the money markets remained low throughout.
 
The first quarter of 2010 was characterized by relatively mixed economic data but generally improving investor sentiment. As the quarter began in January, sentiment was generally negative, as investors questioned the robustness of the economic recovery. There were also concerns about the potential impact of withdrawal of government stimulus programs and the eventual tightening of monetary policy. The labor market was still soft, and there were various signs that earlier improvements seen in the employment data were more the result of reduced layoffs than increased hires. All of these factors, combined with President Obama’s proposal of the Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee and other initiatives designed to limit the size and trading activities of financial institutions in order to minimize risk taking, sparked a sell-off across risky assets early in the quarter. By the end of March, more encouraging data had been posted. Retail sales, manufacturing orders and personal income and spending figures all pointed to a positive turnaround in the U.S. economy. U.S. durable goods figures indicated a healthy recovery in the manufacturing sector and recovering world trade, while the latest income and spending figures suggested that households might be playing a larger part in the economy’s recovery. The labor market, despite stabilizing job losses, remained weak. The Fed’s policy statement in March indicated that it intended to maintain the “low for long” theme.
 
The second quarter of the year saw yields on sovereign bonds in several core countries hit lows that had not been seen in some time. Such a rally in government-backed fixed income securities, especially U.S. Treasuries, was primarily due to fears surrounding the debt sustainability of European peripheries, the possible impact of U.S. financial regulation reform on banks’ profitability and balance sheets, signs of heat running out of the Chinese economy, and a slowdown in the recovery of global economic growth. Europe’s fiscal problems came to a head in May, forcing policymakers to announce a EUR750 billion backstop for the sovereign debt of Eurozone peripheral countries. The European Central Bank, in turn,
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

began directly purchasing government bonds. U.S. Treasuries rallied strongly, with interest rates moving lower across the yield curve, or spectrum of maturities. As Treasury yields fell, the gap in yields between Treasury securities and the relatively steady short-term interest rates narrowed. This narrowing, in turn, contributed to the flattening of the taxable money market yield curve, meaning the difference between yields at the short-term end of the money market yield curve and the longer-term end decreased.
 
Another factor that caused the taxable money market yield curve to flatten was the SEC Rule 2a-7 amendments affecting money market funds that became effective on May 5, 2010, with required compliance dates staggered throughout 2010. The rule changes adopted by the SEC were designed to strengthen the regulatory requirements governing money market funds and better protect investors. They were also intended to increase the resilience of money market funds to economic stresses. The regulations include revisions designed to increase credit quality, improve liquidity, shorten maturity limits and enhance reporting requirements of money market funds.
 
What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?
 
Fund yields stayed low over the course of the Reporting Period due primarily to the market factors discussed above. Also, as the money markets experienced a flattening of the yield curve in the wake of the amendments to Rule 2a-7 and the money markets universe generally saw large outflows of assets, as investors sought higher yields elsewhere. As concerns about the debt in peripheral Europe caused volatility in the financial markets, keeping short-term Treasury rates low, we sought to take advantage of the higher rates available in the LIBOR curve by holding asset-backed commercial paper with maturities in the one- to three-month range. LIBOR, or London interbank offered rates, are floating interest rates that are widely used as reference rates in bank, corporate and government lending agreements.
 
How did you manage the Fund’s weighted average maturity during the Reporting Period?
 
At the start of the Reporting Period, the Fund’s weighted average maturity was 37 days. As market conditions shifted, especially regarding liquidity in the short-term markets, we adjusted the Fund’s weighted average maturity between 20 days and 40 days. The Fund’s weighted average maturity was 24 days on June 30, 2010. The weighted average maturity of a money market fund is a measure of its price sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
 
How was the Fund invested during the Reporting Period?
 
The Fund had investments in commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper, Treasury securities, government agency securities, repurchase agreements, government guaranteed paper and certificates of deposit during the Reporting Period. Our focus was on securities with one- to three-month maturities, although we did make purchases with relatively longer maturities when we saw backups, or falling prices, as we sought to lock in the higher yields then available.
 
It is important to note that while one of the goals of the SEC’s recently adopted money market fund rule changes is to reinforce conservative investment practices across the money market fund industry, our security selection process has long emphasized conservative investment choices. The Fund maintains an approach to investing that prioritizes the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity by investing exclusively in high quality money market instruments. As such, the spirit of the SEC’s changes aligns well with our conservative approach to money market investing.
 
Did you make any changes in the Fund’s portfolio during the Reporting Period?
 
As mentioned earlier, we made adjustments in the Fund’s weighted average maturity as market conditions shifted. We also placed an increased emphasis on building a higher Fund concentration in overnight securities.
 
What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?
 
We expect the Fed to maintain its near-zero targeted federal funds rate for the remainder of 2010. That said, sweeping changes in financial regulations, asset trends and heightened volatility are likely to combine to pressure rates to move up, absent a move by the Fed. With many of the government support programs having expired, the key question ahead may be whether or not a more sustainable recovery can be driven forward without such stimulus. We expect the U.S. economy to expand 3.0% year-over-year in 2010, below the 3.3% consensus forecast. We expect inflation of 1.6% in 2010, below the 2.2% consensus. Though we still believe that subdued inflation and an uncertain economic view will likely keep the Fed on hold until 2011, stronger-than-expected growth could persuade policymakers to raise interest rates from their historic lows sooner than is widely anticipated.
 
Against this backdrop, we will continue to carefully watch market conditions and how they affect the performance of asset-backed commercial paper assets, especially the performance of underlying collateral, credit enhancement and liquidity
 
 
 2


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

agreements, and program ratings. We also intend to maintain a healthy liquidity position in the Fund for the near term and to seek opportunities to lengthen the Fund’s weighted average maturity when we see yields improve. Of course, we will continue to fully comply with the rule changes by the dates required by the SEC. We will also continue to closely monitor economic data, Fed policy and any shifts in the money market yield curve, as we strive to strategically navigate the interest rate environment.
 
An investment in the Money Market Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of an investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
 
The yields represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above.
 
Yields will fluctuate as market conditions change. The yield quotations more closely reflect the current earnings of the Fund than total return quotations.
 
 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

 
MONEY MARKET FUND
Security Type
(Percentage of Net Assets)
 
(GRAPH)
 
† The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value (based on amortized cost) of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets. Figures in the above chart may not sum to 100% due to the exclusion of other assets and liabilities.
 
 
 4


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
  Amortized
    Amount   Rate   Date   Cost
 

 Commercial Paper and Corporate Obligations – 36.2%
                                 
                                 
    Amsterdam Funding Corp.
    $ 4,000,000       0.400 %     07/02/10     $ 3,999,955  
    Argento Variable Funding Co. LLC
      1,000,000       0.420       07/09/10       999,907  
      1,000,000       0.580       09/24/10       998,630  
    Aspen Funding Corp.
      2,087,000       0.450       08/16/10       2,085,800  
    Atlantic Asset Securitization LLC
      3,000,000       0.426       07/27/10       2,999,078  
    Cafco LLC
      1,000,000       0.520       09/24/10       998,772  
    Chariot Funding LLC
      3,000,000       0.400       07/13/10       2,999,600  
    Charta LLC
      1,000,000       0.550       09/10/10       998,915  
      1,000,000       0.520       09/24/10       998,772  
    Clipper Receivables Co. LLC
      3,000,000       0.330       08/02/10       2,999,120  
    Govco LLC
      1,000,000       0.580       08/26/10       999,098  
      1,000,000       0.520       09/23/10       998,787  
    Grampian Funding LLC
      1,000,000       0.570       09/15/10       998,797  
    Hannover Funding Co. LLC
      3,000,000       0.480       07/07/10       2,999,760  
    Jupiter Securitization Corp.
      3,000,000       0.400       07/15/10       2,999,533  
    LMA Americas LLC
      3,000,000       0.400       07/21/10       2,999,333  
    Matchpoint Master Trust
      1,000,000       0.570       09/27/10       998,607  
    Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corp.
      1,000,000       0.400       07/09/10       999,911  
    NRW. Bank
      2,000,000       0.350       08/05/10       1,999,319  
    Royal Park Investments SA
      1,000,000       0.620       09/21/10       998,588  
    Standard Chartered Bank
      1,000,000       0.410       07/19/10       999,795  
      1,000,000       0.410       07/29/10       999,681  
    Straight-A Funding LLC
      4,000,000       0.300       07/02/10       3,999,967  
    Thames Asset Global Securitisation, Inc.
      1,000,000       0.580       09/13/10       998,808  
    Windmill Funding Corp.
      3,800,000       0.400       07/02/10       3,799,958  
    Yorktown Capital LLC
      3,000,000       0.280       07/19/10       2,999,580  
     
     
    TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER AND CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS   $ 50,868,071  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit – 4.3%
                                 
                                 
    Credit Agricole SA
    $ 3,000,000       0.540 %     08/02/10     $ 3,000,027  
     
     
    Credit Industriel et Commercial SA
      3,000,000       0.605       08/02/10       3,000,053  
     
     
    TOTAL EURODOLLAR CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT   $ 6,000,080  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Government Guarantee Variable Rate Obligations*(a) – 0.7%
                                 
                                 
    Bank of America N.A.
    $ 1,000,000       0.378 %     07/29/10     $ 1,000,000  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 U.S. Government Agency Obligations – 15.4%
                                 
                                 
    Federal Home Loan Bank
    $ 500,000       0.250 %(a)     07/11/10     $ 499,684  
      900,000       0.297 (a)     07/25/10       899,757  
      1,000,000       0.303 (a)     08/13/10       999,560  
      4,000,000       0.560       08/27/10       3,999,700  
      2,000,000       0.398 (a)     09/01/10       1,999,849  
      1,000,000       0.500       03/14/11       1,000,000  
      1,000,000       0.710       06/03/11       1,000,000  
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.(a)
      5,740,000       0.341       07/07/10       5,740,763  
      1,400,000       0.270       07/11/10       1,398,930  
      1,000,000       0.194       07/12/10       1,000,000  
      300,000       0.277       08/05/10       299,934  
      200,000       0.516       09/03/10       199,989  
    Federal National Mortgage Association
      1,500,000       0.540       07/12/10       1,499,753  
      1,000,000       0.188 (a)     07/13/10       999,990  
     
     
    TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS   $ 21,537,909  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Variable Rate Municipal Debt Obligations(a) – 3.6%
                                 
                                 
    Minneapolis Health Care System VRDN RB for Fairview Health Services Series 2008 E (Wells Fargo Bank N.A. LOC)
    $ 3,595,000       0.180 %     07/07/10     $ 3,595,000  
    New York City GO VRDN Taxable Fiscal Series 2008 Subseries J-13 (Lloyds TSB Bank PLC SPA)
      1,500,000       0.420       07/07/10       1,500,000  
     
     
    TOTAL VARIABLE RATE MUNICIPAL DEBT OBLIGATIONS   $ 5,095,000  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Variable Rate Obligations(a) – 7.1%
                                 
                                 
    Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.
    $ 1,000,000       0.377 %     07/26/10     $ 1,000,000  
    Intesa Sanpaolo SPA
      1,000,000       0.350       07/14/10       1,000,000  
    JPMorgan Chase & Co.
      3,000,000       0.346       07/21/10       3,000,000  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
5 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

 
Schedule of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
                                 
    Principal
  Interest
  Maturity
  Amortized
    Amount   Rate   Date   Cost
 

 Variable Rate Obligations(a) – (continued)
                                 
    Rabobank Nederland
    $ 2,000,000       0.791 %     07/07/10     $ 2,000,000  
      1,000,000       0.436       08/16/10       1,000,000  
    Westpac Securities New Zealand Ltd.
      2,000,000       0.428       07/21/10       2,000,000  
     
     
    TOTAL VARIABLE RATE OBLIGATIONS   $ 10,000,000  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Yankee Certificates of Deposit – 6.4%
                                 
                                 
    Banco Santander SA
    $ 1,000,000       0.700 %     07/08/10     $ 1,000,000  
    Bank of Nova Scotia
      3,000,000       0.300       07/23/10       3,000,000  
    Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.
      3,000,000       0.300       07/21/10       3,000,000  
    Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC
      2,000,000       0.300       07/06/10       2,000,000  
     
     
    TOTAL YANKEE CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT   $ 9,000,000  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 U.S. Treasury Obligation – 0.7%
                                 
                                 
    United States Treasury Bills
    $ 1,020,000       0.140 %     07/29/10     $ 1,019,889  
     
     
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS   $ 104,520,949  
     
     
                                 
                                 

 Repurchase Agreements(b) – 25.6%
                                 
                                 
    BNP Paribas Securities Co.
    $ 4,000,000       0.230 %     07/01/10     $ 4,000,000  
    Maturity Value: $4,000,026
    Collateralized by Hutchison Whampoa International Ltd., 6.500%, due 02/13/13. The market value of the collateral, including accrued interest, was $4,200,000.
     
    Joint Repurchase Agreement Account II
      31,900,000       0.053       07/01/10       31,900,000  
    Maturity Value: $31,900,047        
     
     
    TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS   $ 35,900,000  
     
     
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 100.0%   $ 140,420,949  
     
     
    LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF
OTHER ASSETS – (0.0)%
    (69,933 )
     
     
    NET ASSETS – 100.0%   $ 140,351,016  
     
     
 
The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
 
* Guaranteed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The expiration date of the FDIC’s guarantee is the earlier of the maturity date of the debt or June 30, 2012.
 
(a) Variable or floating rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2010.
 
(b) Unless otherwise noted, all repurchase agreements were entered into on June 30, 2010. Additional information on Joint Repurchase Agreement Account II appears on page 7.
 
Interest rates represent either the stated coupon rate, annualized yield on date of purchase for discounted securities, or for floating rate securities, the current reset date, which is based upon current interest rate indices.
 
Maturity dates represent either the stated date on the security or the next interest rate reset date for floating rate securities.
 
             
     
     
    Investment Abbreviations:
    GO     General Obligation
    LOC     Letter of Credit
    RB     Revenue Bond
    SPA     Stand-by Purchase Agreement
    VRDN     Variable Rate Demand Notes
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 6


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

 
 
 
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION
 
 
 
JOINT REPURCHASE AGREEMENT ACCOUNT II — At June 30, 2010, the Fund had an undivided interest in the Joint Repurchase Agreement Account II which equaled $31,900,000 in principal amount.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
                                 
    Principal
    Interest
    Maturity
    Maturity
 
Counterparty   Amount     Rate     Date     Value  
   
Banc of America Securities LLC
  $ 360,000,000       0.01 %     07/01/10     $ 360,000,100  
 
 
Banc of America Securities LLC
    1,380,000,000       0.05       07/01/10       1,380,001,917  
 
 
Banc of America Securities LLC
    200,000,000       0.15       07/01/10       200,000,833  
 
 
Barclays Capital, Inc. 
    1,100,000,000       0.01       07/01/10       1,100,000,306  
 
 
Barclays Capital, Inc. 
    700,000,000       0.02       07/01/10       700,000,389  
 
 
BNP Paribas Securities Co. 
    3,500,000,000       0.02       07/01/10       3,500,001,944  
 
 
BNP Paribas Securities Co. 
    1,600,000,000       0.05       07/01/10       1,600,002,222  
 
 
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. 
    1,500,000,000       0.08       07/01/10       1,500,003,333  
 
 
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
    400,000,000       0.05       07/01/10       400,000,556  
 
 
JPMorgan Securities
    1,000,000,000       0.01       07/01/10       1,000,000,278  
 
 
JPMorgan Securities
    465,000,000       0.04       07/01/10       465,000,517  
 
 
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 
    850,000,000       0.05       07/01/10       850,001,181  
 
 
Morgan Stanley & Co. 
    500,000,000       0.05       07/01/10       500,000,694  
 
 
RBS Securities, Inc. 
    750,000,000       0.01       07/01/10       750,000,208  
 
 
RBS Securities, Inc. 
    1,350,000,000       0.07       07/01/10       1,350,002,625  
 
 
UBS Securities LLC
    242,400,000       0.07       07/01/10       242,400,471  
 
 
UBS Securities LLC
    500,000,000       0.14       07/01/10       500,001,944  
 
 
Wachovia Capital Markets
    2,000,000,000       0.10       07/01/10       2,000,005,556  
 
 
Wells Fargo Securities LLC
    1,750,000,000       0.10       07/01/10       1,750,004,861  
 
 
TOTAL
                          $ 20,147,429,935  
 
 
 
At June 30, 2010, the Joint Repurchase Agreement Account II was fully collateralized by:
 
                 
    Interest
    Maturity
 
Issuer   Rates     Dates  
   
Federal Farm Credit Bank
    1.750% to 7.350 %     03/07/11 to 08/03/37  
 
 
Federal Farm Credit Bank Principal-Only Stripped Security
    0.000       12/16/15  
 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank
    0.000 to 8.290       09/17/10 to 07/15/36  
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 
    0.000 to 7.690       07/12/10 to 06/01/40  
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Interest-Only Stripped Securities
    0.000       01/15/12 to 01/15/28  
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Principal-Only Stripped Security
    0.000       03/15/31  
 
 
Federal National Mortgage Association
    0.000 to 10.500       07/12/10 to 02/01/50  
 
 
Federal National Mortgage Association Interest-Only Stripped Securities
    0.000       07/15/11 to 07/15/29  
 
 
Federal National Mortgage Association Principal-Only Stripped Securities
    0.000       01/15/30 to 05/15/30  
 
 
Government National Mortgage Association
    3.500 to 6.500       11/15/23 to 06/20/40  
 
 
Tennessee Valley Authority
    4.875 to 6.000       03/15/13 to 12/15/16  
 
 
Tennessee Valley Authority Interest-Only Stripped Securities
    0.000       11/01/10 to 05/01/20  
 
 
U.S. Treasury Bills
    0.000       07/01/10 to 09/30/10  
 
 
U.S. Treasury Bond
    4.375       11/15/39  
 
 
U.S. Treasury Notes
    1.000 to 8.125       01/15/11 to 05/15/20  
 
 
U.S. Treasury Bond Interest-Only Stripped Security
    0.000       11/15/24  
 
 
U.S. Treasury Notes Interest-Only Stripped Securities
    0.000       08/15/10 to 02/15/20  
 
 
The aggregate market value of the collateral, including accrued interest, was $20,564,013,100.
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
7 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Assets:
             
    Investments in securities, at value based on amortized cost   $ 104,520,949  
    Repurchase agreement, at value based on amortized cost     35,900,000  
    Cash     19,782  
    Receivables:        
   
Fund shares sold
    122,441  
   
Interest
    41,801  
   
Reimbursement from investment adviser
    19,125  
    Other assets     1,121  
     
     
    Total assets     140,625,219  
     
     
             
             
    Liabilities:
             
    Payables:        
   
Fund shares redeemed
    165,300  
   
Amounts owed to affiliates
    39,688  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     69,215  
     
     
    Total liabilities     274,203  
     
     
             
             
    Net Assets:
             
    Paid-in capital     140,352,874  
    Accumulated undistributed net investment loss     (1,858 )
     
     
    NET ASSETS   $ 140,351,016  
     
     
    Total Service Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized)     140,351,016  
    Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $ 1.00  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 8


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
 
             
    Investment income:
             
    Interest   $ 186,537  
     
     
             
             
    Expenses:
             
    Management fees     205,223  
    Distribution and Service fees     170,734  
    Professional fees     34,543  
    Printing and mailing costs     22,979  
    Custody and accounting fees     22,809  
    Transfer Agent fees     13,659  
    Trustee fees     9,181  
    Other     5,600  
     
     
    Total expenses     484,728  
     
     
    Less — expense reductions     (294,504 )
     
     
    Net expenses     190,224  
     
     
    NET INVESTMENT LOSS     (3,687 )
     
     
    NET REALIZED GAIN FROM INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS     2,123  
     
     
    NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ (1,564 )
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 
 
9 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets
 
                     
        For the
       
        Six Months Ended
    For the Fiscal
 
        June 30, 2010
    Year Ended
 
        (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
 
    From operations:
                     
    Net investment income (loss)   $ (3,687 )   $ 256,440  
    Net realized gain from investment     2,123       31,994  
     
     
    Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (1,564 )     288,434  
     
     
                     
                     
    Distributions to shareholders:
                     
    From net investment income     (3,649 )     (281,099 )
    From net realized gains     (2,123 )      
     
     
    Total distributions to shareholders     (5,772 )     (281,099 )
     
     
                     
                     
    From share transactions (at net asset value of $1.00 per share):
                     
    Proceeds from sales of shares     31,028,216       36,215,518  
    Reinvestment of distributions     5,772       281,099  
    Cost of shares redeemed     (34,022,862 )     (88,027,845 )
     
     
    Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions     (2,988,874 )     (51,531,228 )
     
     
    TOTAL DECREASE     (2,996,210 )     (51,523,893 )
     
     
                     
                     
    Net assets:
                     
    Beginning of period     143,347,226       194,871,119  
     
     
    End of period   $ 140,351,016     $ 143,347,226  
     
     
    Accumulated undistributed net investment income (loss)   $ (1,858 )   $ 5,478  
     
     
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 10


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND

Financial Highlights
Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period
 
 
                                                                                                             
          Income from investment operations     Distributions to shareholders                                          
                                                                      Ratio of
    Ratio of
     
    Net asset
                            From
          Net asset
          Net assets,
    Ratio of
    total
    net investment
     
    value,
    Net
    Net
    Total from
    From net
    net
          value,
          end of
    net expenses
    expenses
    income (loss)
     
    beginning
    investment
    realized
    investment
    investment
    realized
    Total
    end of
    Total
    period
    to average
    to average
    to average
     
    of period     income     gains     operations     income     gains     distributions(a)     period     return(b)     (in 000s)     net assets     net assets     net assets      
 
 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
2010
  $ 1.00     $ (c)(d)   $ (d)   $ (d)   $ (d)   $ (d)   $ (d)   $ 1.00       0.01 %   $ 140,351       0.28 %(e)     0.71 %(e)     (0.01 )%(e)    
 
 FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             
2009
    1.00       0.002 (c)(f)           0.002       (0.002 )(f)           (0.002 )     1.00       0.15       143,347       0.53       0.77       0.15      
2008
    1.00       0.02 (c)           0.02       (0.02 )           (0.02 )     1.00       2.25       194,871       0.63       0.71       2.27      
2007
    1.00       0.05 (c)           0.05       (0.05 )           (0.05 )     1.00       4.98       205,518       0.48       0.71       4.87      
2006(g)
    1.00       0.05 (c)           0.05       (0.05 )           (0.05 )     1.00       4.65       199,439       0.49       0.71       4.59      
2005(g)
    1.00       0.03 (h)           0.03       (0.03 )(i)           (0.03 )     1.00       2.75       222,194       0.55       0.55       2.65      
 
(a) Distributions may not coincide with the current year net investment income or net realized gains as distributions may be paid from current or prior year earnings.
(b) Assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions. The Goldman Sachs Money Market Fund first began operations as the Allmerica Money Market Fund (the “Predecessor AIT Fund”) of the Allmerica Investment Trust. On January 9, 2006, the Predecessor AIT Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. Performance prior to January 9, 2006, is that of the Predecessor AIT Fund. The Predecessor AIT Fund was considered the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the historical total return information of the Predecessor AIT Fund is provided.
(c) Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.
(d) Amount is less than $0.00005 per share.
(e) Annualized
(f) Net investment income and distributions from net investment income contain $0.0002 of net realized capital gains and distributions from net realized gains.
(g) The Predecessor AIT Fund was the accounting survivor of the reorganization and as such, the prior years’ financial highlights reflect the financial information of the Predecessor AIT Fund through January 8, 2006. In connection with such reorganization, the Goldman Sachs Money Market Fund issued Service Shares to the former shareholders of the Predecessor AIT Fund.
(h) Calculated based on the SEC methodology.
(i) Distribution from net realized gain on investments and return of capital amounted to less than $0.0005.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
1. ORGANIZATION
 
 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust” or “VIT”) is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the Goldman Sachs Money Market Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering one class of shares — Service Shares. Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs” or the “Distributor”), serves as the Distributor of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
 
A. Investment Valuation — It is the Fund’s policy to use the amortized-cost method permitted by Rule 2a-7 under the Act, which approximates market value, for valuing portfolio securities. Under this method, all investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to maturity or reset date. Under procedures and tolerances established by the trustees, GSAM evaluates the difference between the Fund’s net asset value per share (“NAV”) based upon the amortized cost of the Fund’s securities and the NAV based upon available market quotations (or permitted substitutes) at least once a week.
 
B. Security and Fund Share Transactions, and Investment Income — Security and Fund share transactions are reflected for financial reporting purposes as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, premium amortized and discount accreted.
 
C. Expenses — Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not specifically relate to an individual Fund of the Trust are allocated to the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expense and are accrued daily.
 
D. Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) applicable to regulated investment companies (mutual funds) and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provisions are required. Distributions to shareholders are declared and recorded daily and paid monthly by the Fund. Long-term capital gains distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually.
The characterization of distributions to shareholders for financial reporting purposes is determined in accordance with federal income tax rules, which may differ from GAAP. The source of the Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from net investment income, net realized gain or capital. The Fund’s capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character, but do not reflect temporary differences.
Net capital losses are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Utilization of capital loss carryforwards will reduce the requirement of future capital gains distributions.
The amortized cost for the Fund stated in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities also represents aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes.
GSAM has reviewed the Fund’s tax positions for all open tax years (the current and prior three years, as applicable) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.
 
 
 
 12


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

 
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
 
E. Repurchase Agreements — The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements which involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase the securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. During the term of a repurchase agreement, the value of the underlying securities held as collateral on behalf of the Fund, including accrued interest is required to exceed the value of the repurchase agreement, including accrued interest. If the seller defaults or becomes insolvent, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited and there may be a decline in the value of the collateral during the period while the Fund seeks to assert its rights. The underlying securities for all repurchase agreements are held at the Fund’s custodian or designated sub-custodians under tri-party repurchase agreements. Under these agreements, the Fund is permitted to deliver or re-pledge these securities.
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and terms and conditions contained therein, the Fund, together with other registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM, or its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash into joint accounts, the daily aggregate balance of which is invested in one or more repurchase agreements. Under these joint accounts, the Fund’s credit exposure is allocated to the underlying repurchase agreements counterparties on a pro-rata basis. With the exception of certain transaction fees, the Fund is not subject to any expenses in relation to these investments.
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS
 
 
A. Management Agreement — Under the Agreement, GSAM manages the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the trustees.
As compensation for the services rendered pursuant to the Agreement, the assumption of the expenses related thereto and administration of the Fund’s business affairs, including providing facilities, GSAM is entitled to a management fee, computed daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
 
B. Distribution and Service Plan — The Trust, on behalf of the Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly for distribution services, which may then be paid by Goldman Sachs to authorized dealers. This fee is equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
 
C. Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. The fee charged for such transfer agency services is calculated daily and paid monthly and is equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
 
D. Other Agreements — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agent fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meetings and other extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to the extent that such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, 0.004% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expenses reimbursement, if any, is computed daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAM reimbursed approximately $92,000 to the Fund.
 
E. Total Fund Expenses — During the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAM voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its management fee attributable to the Fund. Additionally, Goldman Sachs, as Distributor and Transfer Agent, has voluntarily agreed to waive all or a portion of distribution and service plan fees and transfer agency fees attributable to the Fund. The following table outlines such fees (net of waivers) and Other Expenses (net of reimbursements and custodian and transfer
 
 
 
13 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
3. AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)
 
agent fee credit reductions) in order to determine the Fund’s net annualized expenses for the period. The Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM or Goldman Sachs for prior fiscal year fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, if any.
 
         
    Ratio of net expenses to
 
    average net assets
 
Fee/Expense Type
  for the six months ended
 
(contractual rate, if any)   June 30, 2010*  
   
Management Fee (0.205%)#
    0.24 %
Distribution and Service Fees (0.25%)
    0.04  
Transfer Agency Fee (0.02%)
    0.00  
Other Expenses
    0.00  
 
 
Net Expenses
    0.28 %
 
 
 
* Annualized
 
# Prior to April 30, 2010, the contractual rate was 0.35%.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, GSAM and Goldman Sachs (as applicable) waived approximately $45,000, $144,000, and $14,000 in management, distribution and service, and transfer agent fees, respectively. These waivers may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of GSAM or Goldman Sachs.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the amounts owed to affiliates of the Fund were approximately $24,000 and $15,000 for Management and Distribution and Service Fees, respectively.
 
F. Line of Credit Facility — As of June 30, 2010, the Fund participated in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of the facility, the Fund and other borrowers could increase the credit amount by an additional $340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used solely for temporary or emergency purposes. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. This facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Fund based on the amount of the commitment that has not been utilized. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility. Prior to May 11, 2010, the amount available through the facility was $660,000,000.
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS
 
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2 — Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable (including but not limited to quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk), either directly or indirectly;
Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).
 
 
 
 14


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

 
 
4. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
 
The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments categorized in the fair value hierarchy, as of June 30, 2010:
 
                         
    Level 1   Level 2(a)   Level 3
 
Assets
                       
Corporate Obligations (including repurchase agreements)
  $     $ 112,768,151     $  
U.S. Treasuries and/or Other U.S. Government Obligations and Agencies
    1,019,889       21,537,909        
Municipal Debt Obligations
          5,095,000        
 
 
Total
  $ 1,019,889     $ 139,401,060     $  
 
 
(a) The Fund utilizes amortized cost, which approximates fair value, to value money market investments. This results in a Level 2 classification as amortized cost is considered a model-based price.
 
5. OTHER RISKS
 
 
Fund Shareholder Concentration Risk — Certain participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own (beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of the Fund’s shares. Redemptions by these participating insurance companies, accounts, or Goldman Sachs affiliates in the Fund may impact the Fund’s liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force the Fund to sell securities, which may increase the Fund’s brokerage costs.
 
Interest Rate Risk — In a declining interest rate environment, low yields on the Fund’s holdings may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s ability to provide a positive yield to its shareholders. As a result, GSAM and/or Goldman Sachs may voluntarily agree to waive certain fees (such as distribution and service, transfer agency and management fees) which can fluctuate daily.
 
Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, the Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, the Fund may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transaction defaults.
 
6. INDEMNIFICATIONS
 
 
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, GSAM believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
 
7. OTHER MATTERS
 
 
Legal Proceedings — On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought an action under the U.S. federal securities laws in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Goldman Sachs and one of its employees alleging that they made materially misleading statements and omissions in connection with a 2007 private placement of securities relating to a synthetic collateralized debt obligation sold to two institutional investors. On July 14, 2010, the SEC and Goldman Sachs entered into a consent agreement settling this action. On July 20, 2010, the U.S. District Court entered a final judgment approving the settlement.
 
 
 
15 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

 
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
7. OTHER MATTERS (continued)
 
Neither Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. or Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (collectively “GSAM”, for purposes of this note only) nor any GSAM-managed funds were named in the complaint. Moreover, the SEC complaint did not seek any penalties against them or against any employee who is or has been part of GSAM.
GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have received temporary exemptive relief from the SEC to permit them to continue serving as investment adviser and principal underwriter for U.S.-registered mutual funds. Due to a provision in the law governing the operation of mutual funds, they would otherwise have become ineligible to perform these activities as a result of the District Court’s final judgment. GSAM, Goldman Sachs and certain of their affiliates have applied for final exemptive relief. While there is no assurance that such an exemption would be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past.
Goldman Sachs and/or other affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. have received or may in the future receive notices and requests for information from various regulators, and have become or may in the future become involved in legal proceedings, based on allegations similar to those made by the SEC or other matters. In the view of Goldman Sachs and GSAM, neither the matters alleged in any such similar proceedings nor their eventual resolution are likely to have a material affect on the ability of Goldman Sachs, GSAM or their affiliates to provide services to GSAM-managed funds.
 
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
 
Subsequent events after the balance sheet date have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
 
 
 
 16


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited)
 
Background
The Goldman Sachs Money Market Fund (the “Fund”) is an investment portfolio of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees oversees the management of the Trust and reviews the investment performance and expenses of the Fund at regularly scheduled meetings held during the year. In addition, the Board of Trustees determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Trust’s investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) on behalf of the Fund.
The Management Agreement was most recently approved for continuation until June 30, 2011 by the Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of any party thereto (the “Independent Trustees”), at a meeting held on June 16-17, 2010 (the “Annual Meeting”).
The review process undertaken by the Trustees spans the course of the year and culminates with the Annual Meeting. To assist the Trustees in their deliberations, the Trustees have established a Contract Review Committee (the “Committee”), comprised of the Independent Trustees. The Committee held three meetings over the course of the year, since last approving the Management Agreement. At those Committee meetings, regularly scheduled Board meetings and/or the Annual Meeting, the Board, or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, considered matters relating to the Management Agreement, including:
(a) the nature and quality of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including information about:
(i) the structure, staff and capabilities of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio management teams;
(ii) the groups within the Investment Adviser and its affiliates that support the portfolio management teams or provide other types of necessary services, including fund services groups (e.g., accounting and financial reporting, tax, shareholder services and operations), controls and risk management groups (e.g., legal, compliance, valuation oversight, credit risk management, internal audit, market risk analysis and finance and strategy), sales and distribution support groups and others (e.g., information technology and training);
(iii) trends in headcount;
(iv) the Investment Adviser’s financial resources and ability to hire and retain talented personnel and strengthen its operations; and
(v) the parent company’s support of the Investment Adviser and its mutual fund business, as expressed by the firm’s senior management;
(b) information on the investment performance of the Fund, including comparisons to the performance of similar mutual funds, as provided by a third party mutual fund data provider engaged as part of the contract review process (the “Outside Data Provider”), and general investment outlooks in the markets in which the Fund invests;
(c) the terms of the Management Agreement and agreements with affiliated service providers entered into by the Trust on behalf of the Fund;
(d) expense information for the Fund, including:
(i) the relative management fee and expense level of the Fund as compared to those of comparable funds managed by other advisers, as provided by the Outside Data Provider;
(ii) the Fund’s expense trends over time; and
(iii) to the extent the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative information on the advisory fees charged and services provided to those accounts by the Investment Adviser;
(e) with respect to the extensive investment performance and expense comparison data provided by the Outside Data Provider, its processes in producing that data for the Fund;
(f) the undertakings of the Investment Adviser and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), the Fund’s affiliated distributor and transfer agent, to waive certain fees and reimburse certain expenses of the Fund that exceed specified levels, and a summary of contractual fee reductions made by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates over the past several years with respect to the Fund;
(g) information relating to the profitability of the Management Agreement and the transfer agency and distribution and service arrangements of the Fund and the Trust as a whole to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates;
(h) potential economies of scale, if any;
(i) a summary of the “fall-out” benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, including the fees received by the Investment Adviser’s affiliates from the Fund for transfer agency, distribution and other services;
(j) a summary of potential benefits derived by the Fund as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser;
 
 
 
17 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
(k) the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by its unaffiliated service providers, and the Investment Adviser’s general oversight and evaluation (including reports on due diligence) of those service providers as part of the administration services provided under the Management Agreement; and
(l) the Investment Adviser’s processes and policies addressing various types of potential conflicts of interest; its approach to risk management; the annual review of the effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program; and compliance reports.
The Trustees also received an overview of the Fund’s distribution arrangements. They received information regarding the Fund’s assets, share purchase and redemption activity and the payment of Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees by the Fund’s Service Shares. Information was also provided to the Trustees relating to revenue sharing payments made by and services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to intermediaries that promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of Fund shares.
The presentations made at the Board and Committee meetings and at the Annual Meeting encompassed the Fund and other mutual fund portfolios for which the Board of Trustees has responsibility. In evaluating the Management Agreement at the Annual Meeting, the Trustees relied upon their knowledge, resulting from their meetings and other interactions throughout the year, of the Investment Adviser, its affiliates, their services and the Fund. In conjunction with these meetings, the Trustees received written materials and oral presentations on the topics covered, and were advised by their independent legal counsel regarding their responsibilities and other regulatory requirements related to the approval and continuation of mutual fund investment management agreements under applicable law. During the course of their deliberations, the Independent Trustees met in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel, without representatives of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates present. The Independent Trustees also discussed the broad range of other investment choices that are available to Fund investors, including the availability of comparable funds managed by other advisers.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided Under the Management Agreement
As part of their review, the Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Adviser. In this regard, the Trustees considered both the investment advisory services, and the other, non-advisory services, that are provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. The Independent Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser had committed substantial financial and operational resources to the Fund and expressed confidence that the Investment Adviser would continue to do so in the future. The Trustees also observed that the Investment Adviser had made significant commitments to address regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Fund and the Investment Adviser, noting particularly efforts to comply with recent changes to Rule 2a-7, including the implementation of stress testing and liquidity procedures for the Fund and the substantial costs associated with implementing and complying with Rule 2a-7, as amended, going forward.
 
Investment Performance
The Trustees also considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Investment Adviser. In this regard, they compared the investment performance of the Fund to the performance rankings and ratings compiled by the Outside Data Provider. This information on the Fund’s investment performance relative to that of its peers was provided for the one-and three-year periods ended December 31, 2009.
In addition, the Trustees considered materials prepared and presentations made by the Investment Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer and portfolio management personnel, in which Fund performance was assessed. The Trustees also considered the Investment Adviser’s periodic reports with respect to the Fund’s risk profile, and how the Investment Adviser’s approach to risk monitoring and management influences portfolio management.
The Trustees considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and credit parameters. They also considered the difficult yield environment in which the Fund operated throughout much of 2008 and 2009. They noted that despite volatility in the financial markets in 2008 and 2009, the Investment Adviser was able to maintain a stable net asset value and positive yield to meet the demand of the Fund’s investors, which was the result of fee waivers and expense reimbursements. In light of these considerations, the Independent Trustees believed that the Fund was providing investment performance within a competitive range for investors. The Independent Trustees concluded that the Investment Adviser’s continued management likely would benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
 
 
 
 18


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Costs of Services Provided and Competitive Information
The Trustees considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund under the Management Agreement. In this regard, the Trustees considered information on the services rendered by the Investment Adviser to the Fund, which included both advisory and administrative services that were directed to the needs and operations of the Fund as a registered mutual fund.
In particular, the Trustees reviewed analyses prepared by the Outside Data Provider regarding the expense rankings of the Fund. The analyses provided a comparison of the Fund’s management fee to those of a relevant peer group and category universe; an expense analysis which compared the Fund’s expenses to a peer group and a category universe; and a four-year history comparing the Fund’s expenses to the peer and category averages. The analyses also compared the Fund’s transfer agency fees, custody and accounting fees, distribution fees, other expenses and fee waivers/reimbursements to those of other funds in the peer group and the peer group median. The Trustees concluded that the comparisons provided by the Outside Data Provider were useful in evaluating the reasonableness of the management fees and total expenses paid by the Fund.
In addition, the Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s undertakings to limit the Fund’s “other expenses” ratios (excluding certain expenses) to certain specified levels and to waive a portion of the Fund’s contractual management fee, and Goldman Sachs’ undertakings to waive portions of the distribution and service fees and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund. They noted that the Investment Adviser and Goldman Sachs took those steps in order to maintain positive yields for the Fund. They also considered, to the extent that the Investment Adviser manages institutional accounts or collective investment vehicles having investment objectives and policies similar to those of the Fund, comparative fee information for services provided by the Investment Adviser to those accounts, and information that indicated that services provided to the Fund differed in various significant respects from the services provided to institutional accounts, which generally operated under less stringent legal and regulatory structures, required fewer services from the Investment Adviser to a smaller number of client contact points, were less time-intensive and paid lower fees. By contrast, the Trustees noted that the Investment Adviser provides substantial administrative services to the Fund under the terms of the Management Agreement.
In addition, the Trustees noted that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares at any time if they believe that the Fund fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
 
Profitability
The Trustees reviewed the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins with respect to the Trust and the Fund. In this regard the Trustees noted that they had received, among other things, profitability analyses and summaries, revenue and expense schedules by Fund and by function (i.e., investment management, transfer agency and distribution and service) and the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology. They observed that the profitability and expense figures are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Adviser for many internal purposes, including compensation decisions among various business groups, and are thus subject to a vigorous internal debate about how certain revenue and expenses should be allocated. The Trustees also reviewed the report of the internal audit group within the Goldman Sachs organization, which included an assessment of the reasonableness and consistency of the Investment Adviser’s expense allocation methodology and an evaluation of the accuracy of the Investment Adviser’s profitability analysis calculations. Profitability data for the Trust and the Fund were provided for 2009 and 2008, and the Trustees considered this information in relation to the Investment Adviser’s overall profitability. The Trustees considered the Investment Adviser’s revenues and pre-tax profit margins both in absolute terms and in comparison to information on the reported pre-tax profit margins earned by certain other asset management firms.
 
Economies of Scale
The Trustees considered the information that had been provided regarding the Investment Adviser’s profitability and noted that the Fund does not have management fee breakpoints. They considered the amount of assets in the Fund; the Fund’s recent purchase and redemption activity; the information provided by the Investment Adviser relating to the costs of the services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and their realized profits; and information comparing the contractual fee rates charged by the Investment Adviser with fee rates charged to other money market funds in the peer group. They considered a report prepared by the Outside Data Provider, which surveyed money market funds’ management fee arrangements and use of breakpoints. The Trustees also considered the competitive nature of the money market fund business and the competitiveness of the fees charged to the Fund by the Investment Adviser. They also observed that the Fund’s level of profitability was lower as a result of fee waivers and expense reimbursements.
 
 
 
19 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Management Agreement (Unaudited) (continued)
 
Other Benefits to the Investment Adviser and Its Affiliates
The Trustees also considered the other benefits derived by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund as stated above, including: (a) transfer agency fees received by Goldman Sachs; (b) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those for other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (c) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage the infrastructure designed to service the Fund on behalf of its other clients; (d) the Investment Adviser’s ability to cross-market other products and services to Fund shareholders; (e) Goldman Sachs’ retention of certain fees as Fund Distributor; (f) Goldman Sachs’ ability to engage in principal transactions with the Fund under the SEC exemptive orders permitting such trades; (g) the Investment Adviser’s ability to negotiate better pricing with custodians on behalf of its other clients, as a result of the relationship with the Fund; and (h) the Investment Adviser’s ability to leverage relationships with the Fund’s third party service providers to attract more firmwide business. In the course of considering the foregoing, the Independent Trustees requested and received further information quantifying certain of the fall-out benefits.
 
Other Benefits to the Fund and Its Shareholders
The Trustees also noted that the Fund receives certain potential benefits as a result of its relationship with the Investment Adviser, including: (a) trading efficiencies resulting from aggregation of orders of the Fund with those of other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Adviser; (b) improved servicing and pricing from vendors because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (c) improved servicing from broker-dealers because of the volume of business generated by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates; (d) the advantages gained from the Investment Adviser’s knowledge and experience gained from managing other accounts and products; (e) the Investment Adviser’s ability to hire and retain qualified personnel to provide services to the Fund because of the reputation of the Goldman Sachs organization; (f) the Fund’s access, through the Investment Adviser, to certain firmwide resources (e.g., proprietary databases); and (g) the Fund’s access to certain affiliated distribution channels. The Trustees noted the competitive nature of the mutual fund marketplace, and noted further that many of the Fund’s shareholders invested in the Fund in part because of the Fund’s relationship with the Investment Adviser and that those shareholders have a general expectation that the relationship will continue.
 
Conclusion
In connection with their consideration of the Management Agreement, the Trustees gave weight to each of the factors described above, but did not identify any particular factor as controlling their decision. After deliberation and consideration of all of the information provided, including the factors described above, the Trustees concluded, in the exercise of their business judgment, that the management fees paid by the Fund were reasonable in light of the services provided to it by the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser’s costs and the Fund’s current and reasonably foreseeable asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the Management Agreement should be approved and continued with respect to the Fund until June 30, 2011.
 
 
 
 20


 

GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MONEY MARKET FUND
 
 

 
Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of the Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
 
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
 
Actual Expenses — The first line in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The second line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
 
                               
                      Expenses Paid
 
                      for the
 
      Beginning
      Ending
      6 Months
 
      Account Value
      Account Value
      Ended
 
      01/01/10       06/30/10       06/30/10*  
Actual
    $ 1,000.00       $ 1,000.00       $ 1.39  
Hypothetical 5% return
      1,000.00         1,023.41 +       1.40  
 
 
* Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized net expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the fiscal year. The annualized net expense ratio for the period was 0.28%.
 
+ Hypothetical expenses are based on the Fund’s actual annualized net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses.
 
 
 
21 


 

     
TRUSTEES
  OFFICERS
Ashok N. Bakhru, Chairman
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Diana M. Daniels
Patrick T. Harker
James A. McNamara
Jessica Palmer
Alan A. Shuch
Richard P. Strubel
  James A. McNamara, President
George F. Travers, Principal Financial Officer
Peter V. Bonanno, Secretary
Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer
     
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
   
 
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser
200 West Street, New York, NY 10282
 
Visit our Web site at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/vit to obtain the most recent month-end returns.
 
The reports concerning the Fund included in this shareholder report may contain certain forward-looking statements about the factors that may affect the performance of the Fund in the future. These statements are based on Fund management’s predictions and expectations concerning certain future events and their expected impact on the Fund, such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors, changes in the levels of interest rates, the impact of developing world events, and other factors that may influence the future performance of the Fund. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual events may cause adjustments in portfolio management strategies from those currently expected to be employed.
 
Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect our judgment as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. These forecasts do not take into account the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. These forecasts are subject to high levels of uncertainty that may affect actual performance. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. These forecasts are estimated, based on assumptions, and are subject to significant revision and may change materially as economic and market conditions change. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide updates or changes to these forecasts. Case studies and examples are for illustrative purposes only.
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-621-2550; and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
 
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. When available, the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may also be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.
 
Holdings and allocations shown may not be representative of current or future investments. Holdings and allocations may not include the Fund’s entire investment portfolio,which may change at any time. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities.
 
This material is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or summary prospectus, if applicable. Investors should consider a Fund’s objective, risks, and charges and expenses, and read the summary prospectus, if available, and/or the Prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. The summary prospectus, if available, and the Prospectus contain this and other information about a Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling 1-800-621-2550.
 
Toll Free (in U.S.): 800-292-4726
 
This report is prepared for the general information of contract owners and is not an offer of shares of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust: Goldman Sachs Money Market Fund.
 
Copyright 2010 Goldman, Sachs & Co. All rights reserved.
     
VITMMSAR10/39467.MF.TMPL/08-10    


 

     
ITEM 2.   CODE OF ETHICS.
     
    The information required by this Item is only required in an annual report on this Form N-CSR.
     
ITEM 3.   AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
     
    The information required by this Item is only required in an annual report on this Form N-CSR.

     
ITEM 4.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
     
    The information required by this Item is only required in an annual report on this Form N-CSR.
     
     
ITEM 5.   AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
    Not applicable.
     
ITEM 6.   INVESTMENTS.

  (a) Schedules of Investments are included as part of the Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

  (b) Not applicable.

     
ITEM 7.   DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

    Not applicable.

     
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 have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees.

     
ITEM 11.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

  (a)   The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers or persons performing similar functions have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
  (b)   There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant’s 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)
 

 
 
  The information required by this Item is only required in an annual report on this Form N-CSR.
         
  (a)(2) Exhibit 99.906CERT
  Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed herewith.
         
  (a)(3)     Not applicable.
         
  (b) Exhibit 99.906CERT
  Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed herewith.


 

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

     
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
   
 
   
 
   
/s/ James A. McNamara
   

   
By: James A. McNamara
   
Principal Executive Officer of
   
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
   
 
   
Date: August 26, 2010
   
 
   
 
   
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.
 
   
 
   
/s/ James A. McNamara
   
By: James A. McNamara
   
Principal Executive Officer of
   
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
   
 
   
Date: August 26, 2010
   
 
   
 
   
/s/ George F. Travers
   
By: George F. Travers
   
Principal Financial Officer of
   
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
   
 
   
Date: August 26, 2010