N-CSR 1 d625761dncsr.htm GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-08361

 

 

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)

Caroline Kraus

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Copies to:

Geoffrey R.T. Kenyon, Esq.

Dechert LLP

One International Place, 40th Floor

100 Oliver Street

Boston, MA 02110-2605

(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: December 31, 2018

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

    

The Annual Reports to Shareholders are filed herewith.

 

 

 


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Goldman Sachs

Global Trends

Allocation Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

LOGO


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks total return while seeking to provide volatility management.

 

Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis

Below, the Goldman Sachs Quantitative Investment Strategies Team discusses the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Global Trends Allocation Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated average annual total returns of –4.08% and –4.34%, respectively. These returns compare to the –5.07% average annual total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Global Trends Allocation Composite Index (the “Index”), during the same time period. The components of the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI World Index (Net, USD, Unhedged) and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, generated average annual total returns of –8.71% and 0.01%, respectively, during the same time period.

Importantly, during the Reporting Period, the Fund’s overall annualized volatility (which is measured versus the S&P 500® Index) was 8.53%, less than the S&P 500® Index’s annualized volatility of 14.70% during the same time period.

What economic and market factors most influenced the Fund during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the performance of the capital markets was influenced most by economic data, central bank monetary policy and geopolitical events.

Global equities saw a strong start to the Reporting Period in January 2018, peaking during the final week of the month. They then sold off during February 2018 on market speculation of a faster pace of Federal Reserve (“Fed”) short-term interest rate hikes, which stoked a sharp rise in bond yields and an increase in equity market volatility. Concerns about Fed monetary policy tightening were further exacerbated by solid U.S. labor and inflation data. In March 2018, escalating trade tensions and potential tariffs weighed on investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the Fed delivered on a widely expected interest rate increase, with its “dot plot” pointing to a total of three interest rate hikes in the 2018 calendar year and potentially two in 2019. (The “dot plot” shows rate projections of the members of the Fed’s Open Market Committee.) During the first calendar quarter overall, macroeconomic data moderated in the developed markets, particularly in Europe and Japan. Emerging markets equities generally outperformed their developed markets peers because of what many considered to be attractive valuations, because of the comparatively stronger economic data within emerging markets countries and because of higher commodity prices.

During the second quarter of 2018, developed markets equities generated positive returns, while emerging markets equities experienced broad-based weakness. In the developed markets, U.S., U.K., European and Japanese equities advanced, with U.K. export-driven stocks, in particular, benefiting from the depreciation of the British pound versus other major currencies. Emerging markets equities lagged developed markets stocks, as emerging markets’ economic growth slowed and disputes between the U.S. and China about trade tariffs dampened investor appetite for emerging markets assets in general.

Volatility was high for global equities during the third quarter of 2018, driven by trade-related headlines and strong U.S. macroeconomic data relative to other markets. Developed markets equities generally posted gains, though a number of factors weighed on investor sentiment, including trade and protectionism worries, uncertainty about Italy’s 2019 budget, the risk of a no-deal Brexit and concerns that Turkey’s financial crisis could spread to other markets. (Brexit refers to the U.K.’s efforts to leave the European Union.) As for emerging markets equities, they advanced in July 2018 after five consecutive months of declines but resumed their descent in August and September. They closed the third quarter of 2018 with rather flat returns overall, as heightened risk aversion, escalating trade tensions and tightening global liquidity dominated headlines.

In October 2018, global equities fell sharply, as investor sentiment rapidly deteriorated on heightened trade and political uncertainty and in a delayed reaction to rising interest rates. Market conditions eased in November, and developed markets stocks recorded modest gains, led by U.S. and Japanese stocks. Emerging markets equities also moved higher. The recovery, however, was short-lived, as global equities plunged in December 2018 on softer global economic data, which led to downward consensus expectations for corporate earnings growth, and on the Fed’s ongoing interest rate hikes. A partial U.S. federal government shutdown and the U.S. President’s criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell also weighed on U.S. stocks, while European equities fell on continued

 

1


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

uncertainty surrounding a no-deal Brexit scenario. Although emerging markets equities also retreated during the fourth quarter overall, they generally outperformed developed markets equities, due largely to rallies in Brazilian and Indian stocks.

Regarding fixed income, spread, or non-government bond, sectors were challenged during the first quarter of 2018 by a surge in market volatility and “risk-off” sentiment, or reduced risk appetite, amid equity market declines in February and March. Catalysts included firmer than consensus expected U.S. wage and price inflation data at the beginning of February 2018 and rising concerns about trade tensions during March. At their March policy meeting, Fed officials raised short-term interest rates, much as the market had expected, and continued to point to a total of three interest rate increases in 2018. However, Fed policymakers revised their economic growth forecast higher and their employment forecast lower.

During the second calendar quarter, spread sectors broadly weakened amid protectionist trade measures and political events in emerging markets countries and Italy as well as on higher U.S. interest rates and a stronger U.S. dollar. U.S. high yield corporate bonds, however, generated a small positive return. Rising oil prices were a tailwind for the broader high yield corporate bond sector, as many energy bonds are high yield rated. In June 2018, the Fed raised short-term interest rates, and its dot plot pointed to two more rate increases in 2018, implying a total of four rate hikes in the calendar year. U.S. economic growth strengthened, with the Gross Domestic Product expanding at an annualized rate of 4.2% in the second calendar quarter. In contrast, economic growth softened in the Eurozone, Japan and China.

Spread sectors performed well during the third quarter of 2018, as the global economy — led by particularly strong economic growth in the U.S. — expanded. However, some major economies, including those of the Eurozone, the U.K. and China, continued to exhibit a gradual weakening trend. Emerging markets debt broadly posted gains, with strength in July and September 2018 outweighing pronounced August weakness. High yield corporate bonds also advanced, recording their best quarterly performance since the first quarter of 2017. In September 2018, the Fed delivered the eighth interest rate hike of its current tightening cycle, with its dot plot pointing to another increase by calendar year-end and three more during 2019. Fed Chair Powell delivered an upbeat assessment of the U.S. economy, which supported market expectations for these additional Fed rate hikes in 2019. U.S. Treasury rates rose in response, followed, in turn, by the interest rates of other developed markets countries.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, investor concerns about slowing global economic growth momentum as well as tighter financial conditions, mainly in the U.S., weighed on spread sector performance. In particular, U.S. corporate bonds experienced notable weakness, as credit spreads, or yield differentials versus U.S. Treasury securities, widened significantly. U.S. Treasury rates fell as investors grew fearful about the possible end of the global economic cycle and their expectations for Fed rate hikes diminished. In December 2018, Fed policymakers raised short-term interest rates, much as the market had expected, but lowered their projection for 2019 monetary policy tightening from three rate hikes to two. U.S. economic activity data remained in expansionary territory during the fourth calendar quarter but moderated from cycle highs. Headline inflation pressures eased as crude oil prices declined.

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

The Fund primarily seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a global portfolio of equity and fixed income asset classes. Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest at least 40% of its assets in equity investments and at least 20% of its assets in fixed income investments. The percentage of the Fund’s portfolio exposed to any asset class or geographic region will vary from time to time as the weightings of the Fund change, and the Fund may not be invested in each asset class at all times.

As part of the Fund’s investment strategy, the Investment Adviser seeks to manage volatility and limit losses by allocating the Fund’s assets away from risky investments in distressed or volatile market environments. Volatility is a statistical measurement of the magnitude of up and down fluctuations in the value of a financial instrument or index. In distressed or volatile market environments, the Fund may also hold significant amounts of U.S. Treasury, short-term or other fixed income investments, including money market funds and repurchase agreements or cash, and at times may invest up to 100% of its assets in such investments.

During the Reporting Period, the Fund continued dynamically allocating across global asset classes, using a momentum-based methodology, as it sought total return while also seeking to provide volatility management. Momentum investing seeks growth of capital by gaining exposure to asset classes that have exhibited trends in price performance over selected time periods. In managing the Fund, we use a methodology that evaluates historical three-, six- and nine-month returns, volatilities and correlations across a range of nine global asset classes. Represented by indices, these asset classes include, within the equities category, U.S. large-cap and small-cap, European, Asian, emerging markets and U.K. stocks. Within the fixed income category, the Fund may allocate assets to the U.S., Europe and Japan. The analysis of these asset classes drives the aggregate allocations of the Fund over time. We believe market price momentum — either positive or negative — has significant predictive power.

 

2


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

During the Reporting Period, the Fund was hurt overall by our efforts to reduce risk in response to the market volatility in February 2018 and during the last three months of 2018. Allocations to U.S. large-cap stocks and Japanese equities detracted most from the Fund’s performance. The Fund’s allocations to European, U.K. and emerging markets equities also diminished returns. On the positive side, the Fund benefited from its allocations to U.S. Treasury securities and German and Japanese government bonds. An allocation to U.S. small-cap equities did not have a meaningful impact on the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period.

What was the Fund’s volatility during the Reporting Period?

As part of our investment approach, we seek to mitigate the Fund’s volatility. As mentioned earlier, for the Reporting Period overall, the Fund’s actual volatility (annualized, using daily returns) was 8.53%, less than the S&P 500® Index’s annualized volatility of 14.70%.

How was the Fund positioned during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, we tactically managed the Fund’s allocations across equity and fixed income markets based on the momentum and volatility of these asset classes. At the beginning of the Reporting Period, the Fund’s total assets were allocated 80% to equities, 20% to fixed income and 0% to cash. (Many of these positions were implemented through the use of exchanged-traded index future contracts.) Within the equity category, the Fund had allocations to five of six global equity asset classes. It did not have an allocation to U.S. small-cap equities at the beginning of the Reporting Period. As for fixed income, the Fund had an allocation to Japanese government bonds. It had no exposure to U.S. Treasuries or German government bonds at the start of the Reporting Period.

In January 2018, we made no changes to the Fund’s allocations. During February, we reduced the Fund’s allocation to Japanese equities and added an allocation to U.S. small-cap equities. We also added a small position in cash as we sought to reduce risk in the portfolio. Overall, from early February through the end of April 2018, we actively sought to manage volatility within the Fund’s allocations to Japanese equities and U.S. large-cap equities.

During March 2018, we modestly increased the Fund’s position in cash as we continued in our efforts to reduce risk in the portfolio. We reduced the Fund’s allocations to Japanese and U.S. large-cap stocks. We increased its allocation to U.S. small-cap equities. Overall, from the end of March through the end of April, we actively sought to manage volatility within the Fund’s allocation to U.S. small-cap equities. Within fixed income during March, we added an allocation to German government bonds.

In April 2018, we reduced the Fund’s allocation to emerging markets equities and U.S. large-cap equities. We increased its allocations to Japanese, U.K., and European equities. Within fixed income, we increased the Fund’s allocations to German government bonds. By the end of the month, we had eliminated the Fund’s position in cash.

During May 2018, we eliminated the Fund’s allocation to emerging markets equities. We reduced its allocation to European equities and increased its allocations to U.K. and U.S. small-cap and large-cap equities. Within fixed income, we added an allocation to U.S. Treasury securities and decreased its allocation to German government bonds.

During June 2018, within the equity allocation, we increased the Fund’s exposure to Japanese equities and reduced its exposure to U.K. and U.S. large-cap equities. Within fixed income, we increased the Fund’s allocation to German government bonds and eliminated its allocation to U.S. Treasuries.

In July 2018, we increased the Fund’s allocations to U.S. large-cap equities and European equities. We moderated its allocations to Japanese equities and U.K. equities. Within fixed income, we lowered the Fund’s allocations to Japanese and German government bonds.

During August 2018, we increased the Fund’s allocations to U.S. large-cap equities and Japanese equities. We moderated its allocation to European equities. Within fixed income, we greatly reduced the Fund’s allocation to Japanese government bonds, while adding slightly to its allocation to German government bonds. We also established a small allocation to U.S. Treasuries.

During September 2018, we increased the Fund’s allocations to European and Japanese equities. We moderated its allocation to U.S. small-cap equities. Within fixed income, we greatly reduced the Fund’s allocation to German government bonds, while significantly increasing its allocation to Japanese government bonds. In addition, we eliminated the Fund’s small allocation to U.S. Treasuries.

In October 2018, we increased the Fund’s cash position and its allocation to fixed income. We re-established an allocation to U.S. Treasuries. We also decreased the Fund’s allocations to U.S. large-cap, European, U.K. and Japanese equities. During November, we gradually reduced the Fund’s cash position, reallocating the capital to equities and fixed income. In December, as we sought to

 

3


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

reduce risk due to increased market stress, we significantly increased the Fund’s cash position and decreased its allocations to equities and fixed income overall.

How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund employed exchange-traded index futures contracts to gain exposure to U.S. large-cap and small-cap stocks; the European, Japanese and U.K. equity markets; and U.S., Japanese and German government bonds. On an absolute basis, the use of these instruments had a negative impact on the Fund’s performance, as the majority of these allocations detracted from returns.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

Effective April 20, 2018, Amna Qaiser no longer served as a portfolio manager of the Fund. As of the same date, Federico Gilly and Oliver Bunn became portfolio managers of the Fund. By design, all investment decisions for the Fund are performed within a co-lead or team structure, with multiple subject matter experts. This strategic decision making has been the cornerstone of our approach and ensures continuity in the Fund. At the end of the Reporting Period, the portfolio managers for the Fund were Gary Chropuvka, Federico Gilly and Oliver Bunn.

What is the Fund’s tactical asset allocation view and strategy for the months ahead?

At the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund’s total assets were allocated 19.3% to equities, 38.3% to fixed income and 42.4% to cash. (Many of these positions were implemented through the use of exchanged-traded index future contracts.) We prepared for 2019 by maintaining a significant cash position in the Fund. Within the equity allocation, which we had decreased overall, the Fund continued to have exposure to U.S. large-cap stocks and Japanese equities and, to a lesser extent, to U.K. and European equities. Within the fixed income allocation, we had decreased the Fund’s exposure to Japanese and German government bonds as well as U.S. Treasury securities. At the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund had no exposure to emerging markets equities and U.S. small-cap stocks.

Going forward, we intend to position the Fund to provide exposure to price momentum from among nine underlying asset classes, while dynamically managing the volatility, or risk, of the overall portfolio. In general, the Fund seeks to maintain a strategic allocation of 60% of its assets in equity investments and 40% of its assets in fixed income investments. The Fund may deviate from these strategic allocations in order to allocate a greater percentage to asset classes with strong momentum and to reduce its allocation to assets with weak momentum. When volatility increases, our goal is to preserve capital by proportionally increasing the Fund’s cash exposure and reducing its exposure to riskier asset classes. There is no guarantee the Fund’s dynamic management strategy will cause it to achieve its investment objective.

 

4


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Index Definitions

Global Trends Allocation Composite Index is composed 60% of MSCI World Index (Net, USD, Unhedged) and 40% of Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. It is a composite representation prepared by the Investment Adviser of the performance of the Fund’s asset classes, weighted according to their respective weightings in the Fund’s target range.

MSCI World Index (Net, USD, Unhedged) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of 23 developed markets.

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index represents an unmanaged diversified portfolio of fixed income securities, including U.S. Treasuries, investment grade corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.

S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of 500 stocks that is generally representative of the performance of larger companies in the U.S.

It is not possible to invest directly in an unmanaged index.

 

5


FUND BASICS

 

Global Trends Allocation Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the year ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -4.08      2.27      2.79    10/16/13
Service      -4.34        2.02        4.01      4/16/12

 

1 

Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional Shares and Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        0.75      1.00
Service        1.00        1.25  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any 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. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

 

6


FUND BASICS

 

FUND COMPOSITION3

 

LOGO

 

 

 

3 

The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets. Figures in the above graph may not sum to 100% due to the exclusion of other assets and liabilities. The underlying composition of exchange traded funds and investment companies held by the Fund are not reflected in the graph above. Consequently, the Fund’s overall composition may differ from the percentages contained in the graph above. The graph depicts the Fund’s investments but may not represent the Fund’s market exposure due to the exclusion of certain derivatives, if any, as listed in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments.

 

7


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on April 16, 2012 (commencement of the Fund’s operations) in Service Shares at NAV. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the Global Trends Allocation Composite Index, (comprised of the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index (Net, USD, Unhedged) (60%) and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (40%)) is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Institutional Shares will vary from Service Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

Global Trends Allocation Fund’s Lifetime Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from April 16, 2012 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced October 16, 2013)

   -4.08%    2.27%    2.79%

Service (Commenced April 16, 2012)

   -4.34%    2.02%    4.01%

 

 

 

8


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Shares    Description    Value  
Exchange Traded Fund –13.3%

 

208,444    iShares Core S&P 500 ETF   
(Cost $42,482,984)    $ 52,446,595  

 

 

 

Shares   

Dividend

Rate

     Value  
Investment Companies(a) – 56.4%

 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund — Institutional Shares

 

119,104,588      2.521    $ 119,104,588  

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Obligations Fund —Institutional Shares

 

52,179,797      2.611        52,179,797  

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Solutions Fund —Institutional Shares

 

52,179,797      2.235        52,179,797  

 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES 

(Cost $223,464,182)

   $ 223,464,182  

 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 69.7%

(Cost $265,947,166)

 

   $ 275,910,777  

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES – 30.3%

 

     120,177,668  

 

 
NET ASSETS – 100.0%

 

   $ 396,088,445  

 

 

 

The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
(a)   Represents an affiliated issuer.

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

FUTURES CONTRACTS — At December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following futures contracts:

 

Description      Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
       Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Long position contracts:

 

    
EURO STOXX 50 Index        358          03/15/2019        $ 12,198,709        $ (218,062
Euro-Bund        257          03/07/2019          48,155,620          286,692  
FTSE 100 Index        146          03/15/2019          12,391,839          25,554  
Japan 10 Year Bond        31          03/13/2019          43,140,641          197,500  
TOPIX Index        60          03/07/2019          8,175,722          (413,465

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note

       416          03/20/2019          50,771,500          963,034  
Total                                       $ 841,253  

Short position contracts:

 

    

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

       (57        03/15/2019        $ (7,139,820      $ (53,298
Total Futures Contracts

 

     $ 787,955  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   9


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

  
Assets:    

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $42,482,984)

   $ 52,446,595  

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $223,464,182)

     223,464,182  

Cash

     117,094,121  

Receivables:

  

Collateral on certain derivative contracts

     3,520,288  

Dividends

     260,873  

Fund shares sold

     26,699  

Reimbursement from investment adviser

     16,887  
Variation margin on futures      37,817  

Other assets

     38  
Total assets      396,867,500  
  
  
Liabilities:  

Payables:

  

Fund shares redeemed

     395,210  

Management fees

     193,507  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     91,778  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     98,560  
Total liabilities      779,055  
  
  
Net Assets:  

Paid-in capital

     389,978,969  

Total distributable earnings

     6,109,476  
NET ASSETS    $ 396,088,445  

Net Assets:

  

Institutional

   $ 246,688  

Service

     395,841,757  

Total Net Assets

   $ 396,088,445  

Shares outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional

     21,171  

Service

     34,013,609  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

  

Institutional

     $11.65  

Service

     11.64  

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Statement of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

  
Investment income:  

Dividends — affiliated issuers

   $ 3,911,639  

Dividends — unaffiliated issuers

     2,035,809  
Total investment income      5,947,448  
  
  
Expenses:  

Management fees

     3,262,432  

Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares

     1,032,044  

Professional fees

     98,208  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     82,587  

Printing and mailing costs

     42,237  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     34,784  

Trustee fees

     16,885  

Other

     19,583  
Total expenses      4,588,760  

Less — expense reductions

     (1,227,100
Net expenses      3,361,660  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME      2,585,788  
  
  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss):  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments — unaffiliated issuers

     12,177,593  

Futures contracts

     (14,279,935

Foreign currency transactions

     210,883  

Net change in unrealized loss on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated issuers

     (18,150,267

Futures contracts

     (301,063

Foreign currency translation

     (91,634
Net realized and unrealized loss      (20,434,423
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ (17,848,635

(a) Institutional and Service Shares incurred Transfer Agency fees of $30 and $82,557, respectively.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   11


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
     
From operations:  

Net investment income

   $ 2,585,788      $ 812,849  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (1,891,459      30,615,788  

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

     (18,542,964      15,102,236  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations      (17,848,635      46,530,873  
     
     
Distributions to shareholders:  

From distributable earnings:

     

Institutional Shares

     (6,273      (901 )(a) 

Service Shares

     (9,086,313      (11,254,056 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders      (9,092,586      (11,254,957
     
     
From share transactions:  

Proceeds from sales of shares

     42,650,408        38,959,444  

Reinvestment of distributions

     9,092,586        11,254,957  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (35,610,360      (32,234,857
Net increase in net assets resulting from share transactions      16,132,634        17,979,544  
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)      (10,808,587      53,255,460  
     
     
Net assets:(b)  

Beginning of year

     406,897,032        353,641,572  

End of year

   $ 396,088,445      $ 406,897,032  

(a) Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation, see prior year presentation below:

 

     

Institutional

   

Service

 

Distribution from net investment income:

   $ (157   $ (1,185,638

Distributions from net realized gains:

   $ (744   $ (10,068,418

 

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $888,720 for the Fund, as of December 31, 2017.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Global Trends Allocation Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017      2016     2015     2014  
          
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 12.46     $ 11.33      $ 10.89     $ 11.82     $ 11.46  

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.14       0.06        (0.03     0.01       0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.64     1.46        0.52       (0.67     0.41  

Total from investment operations

    (0.50     1.52        0.49       (0.66     0.49  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.12     (0.07      (0.05     (0.03     (0.03

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (0.19     (0.32            (0.24     (0.10

Total distributions

    (0.31     (0.39      (0.05     (0.27     (0.13

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 11.65     $ 12.46      $ 11.33     $ 10.89     $ 11.82  

Total return(b)

    (4.08 )%      13.36      4.49     (5.52 )%      4.23

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 247     $ 30      $ 27     $ 1,008     $ 739  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.51     0.68      0.74     0.75     0.77

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.86     0.86      0.89     0.92     1.01

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

    1.13     0.46      (0.25 )%      0.12     0.68

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    60     64      260     504     304

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   13


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Global Trends Allocation Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 12.45     $ 11.32     $ 10.88     $ 11.82     $ 11.47  

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.08       0.03       0.02       (0.02     (b)  
           

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.62     1.46       0.45       (0.67     0.45  

Total from investment operations

    (0.54     1.49       0.47       (0.69     0.45  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.08     (0.04     (0.03     (0.01     (b)  
           

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (0.19     (0.32           (0.24     (0.10

Total distributions

    (0.27     (0.36     (0.03     (0.25     (0.10

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 11.64     $ 12.45     $ 11.32     $ 10.88     $ 11.82  

Total return(c)

    (4.34 )%      13.11     4.33     (5.82 )%      3.95

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 395,842     $ 406,867     $ 353,615     $ 354,706     $ 267,720  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.81     0.93     1.00     1.00     1.03

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.11     1.11     1.13     1.17     1.24

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

    0.63     0.21     0.20     (0.16 )%      (0.04 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

    60     64     260     504     304

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(d)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 Global Trends Allocation Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service Shares. Shares of the Trust are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The Fund’s valuation policy is to value investments at fair value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Investment income includes interest income, dividend income, and securities lending income, if any. Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recognized on ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign securities, as soon as such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost. Investment transactions are recorded on the following business day for daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculations. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Any foreign capital gains tax is accrued daily based upon net unrealized gains, and is payable upon sale of such investments.

For derivative contracts, realized gains and losses are recorded upon settlement of the contract.

C.  Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of the Fund are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by the Fund are charged to the Fund, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses. Class-specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency fees.

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 and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. 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, if any, are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. 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 distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Fund’s net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

E.  Foreign Currency Translation — The accounting records and reporting currency of the Fund are maintained in United States (“U.S.”) dollars. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates at the close of each business day. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments is included within

 

15


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. Changes in the value of other assets and liabilities as a result of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates are included in the Statement of Operations within net change in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the date the transaction occurred, the effects of which are included within net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Fund’s policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy resulting from such changes are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Fund, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Fund’s investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

A.  Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value Investments — The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values for investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

Equity Securities — Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ system, or those located on certain foreign exchanges, including but not limited to the Americas, are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If there is no sale or official closing price or such price is believed by GSAM to not represent fair value, equity securities are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2.

Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price, and are generally classified as Level 2. Securities traded on certain foreign securities exchanges are valued daily at fair value determined by an independent fair value service (if available) under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees and consistent with applicable regulatory guidance. The independent fair value service takes into account multiple factors including, but not limited to, movements in the securities markets, certain depositary receipts, futures contracts and foreign

 

16


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

currency exchange rates that have occurred subsequent to the close of the foreign securities exchange. These investments are generally classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Underlying Funds (including Money Market Funds) — Underlying funds (“Underlying Funds”) include other investment companies and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Investments in the Underlying Funds (except ETFs) are valued at the NAV per share of the Institutional share class on the day of valuation. ETFs are valued daily at the last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which the investment is traded. Because the Fund invests in Underlying Funds that fluctuate in value, the Fund’s shares will correspondingly fluctuate in value. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2. For information regarding an Underlying Fund’s accounting policies and investment holdings, please see the Underlying Fund’s shareholder report.

Derivative Contracts — A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. The Fund enters into derivative transactions to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, and/or currency exchange rates, to increase total return, or to gain access to certain markets or attain exposure to other underliers.

Exchange-traded derivatives, including futures and options contracts, are generally valued at the last sale or settlement price on the exchange where they are principally traded. Exchange-traded options without settlement prices are generally valued at the midpoint of the bid and ask prices on the exchange where they are principally traded (or, in the absence of two-way trading, at the last bid price for long positions and the last ask price for short positions). Exchange-traded derivatives typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) and centrally cleared derivatives are valued using market transactions and other market evidence, including market-based inputs to models, calibration to market-clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations, or other alternative pricing sources. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value OTC and centrally cleared derivatives depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the instrument, as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, voluntary and involuntary prepayment rates, loss severity rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC and centrally cleared derivatives that trade in liquid markets, model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. OTC and centrally cleared derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy when significant inputs are corroborated by market evidence.

i. Futures Contracts — Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standardized quantity of a specified commodity or security. 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 to unrealized gains or losses. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received, if any, is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as receivables/payables for collateral on certain derivative contracts. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments.

B.  Level 3 Fair Value Investments — To the extent that significant inputs to valuation models and other alternative pricing sources are unobservable, or if 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 under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the most recent valuation 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 which could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions; or unscheduled market closings. Significant events which could also affect a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; ratings downgrades; and bankruptcies.

 

17


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

C.  Fair Value Hierarchy — The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments and derivatives classified in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:

 

Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Exchange Traded Fund      $ 52,446,595        $        $  

Investment Companies

       223,464,182                    
Total      $ 275,910,777        $        $  
Derivative Type                              
Assets(a)               
Futures Contracts      $ 1,472,780        $        $  
Liabilities(a)               
Futures Contracts      $ (684,825      $        $  

 

(a)

Amount shown represents unrealized gain (loss) at fiscal year end.

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Schedule of Investments.

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES

The following table sets forth, by certain risk types, the gross value of derivative contracts (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) as of December 31, 2018. These instruments were used as part of the Fund’s investment strategies and to obtain and/or manage exposure related to the risks below. The values in the table below exclude the effects of cash collateral received or posted pursuant to these derivative contracts, and therefore are not representative of the Fund’s net exposure.

 

Risk         Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Assets(a)     Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Liabilities(a)  
Equity        Variation margin on futures contracts   $ 25,554     Variation margin on futures contracts   $ (684,825
Interest Rate        Variation margin on futures contracts     1,447,226          
 
Total            $ 1,472,780         $ (684,825

 

(a)

Includes unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts described in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments. Only the variation margin as of December 31, 2018 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 these derivatives and their indicative volumes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that these derivative contracts may have been executed to create investment opportunities and/or economically hedge certain investments, and

 

18


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES (continued)

 

accordingly, certain gains (losses) on such derivative contracts may offset certain (losses) gains attributable to investments. These gains (losses) are included in “Net realized gain (loss)” or “Net change in unrealized gain (loss)” on the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Statement of Operations   Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Net Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Average
Number of
Contracts(a)
 
Equity    Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts   $ (17,520,874   $ (1,783,976     1,467  
Interest Rate    Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts     3,240,939       1,482,913       412  
Total        $ (14,279,935   $ (301,063     1,879  

 

(a)

Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

5.    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, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

As of December 31, 2018, the contractual management fees with GSAM were as stated below. The effective contractual management rates and effective net management rates represent the rates for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Contractual Management Rate              
First
$1 billion
    Next
$1 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
    Effective
Rate
    Effective Net
Management Rate^
 
  0.79%       0.71     0.68     0.66     0.65     0.79     0.55 %* 

 

^

Effective Net Management Rate includes the impact of management fee waivers of affiliated Underlying Funds, if any.

*

GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve a net management rate, as defined in the Fund’s most recent prospectus. This waiver will be effective through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without approval of the Trustees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $495,564 of its management fee.

The Fund invests in Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government, Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Obligations, and Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Solutions Funds, which are affiliated Underlying Funds. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee it earns as an investment adviser to the affiliated Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests, except those management fees it earns from the Fund’s investments of cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government, Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Obligations, and Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Solutions Funds. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $513,308 of the Fund’s management fee.

B.  Distribution and Service (12b-1) Plan — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor, is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance 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.

 

19


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

C.  Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of Institutional and Service Shares.

D.  Other Expense Agreements and Affiliated Transactions — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, a percentage rate of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. The Other Expense limitation as an annual percentage rate of average daily net assets for the Fund is 0.004%. The Other Expense limitation will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. In addition, the Fund has entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Fund’s expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitation described above.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expense reimbursements, were as follows:

 

Management Fee
Waiver
    Custody Fee
Credits
    Other Expense
Reimbursement
    Total Expense
Reductions
 
  $1,008,872     $ 23,047     $ 195,181     $ 1,227,100  

E.  Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Fund participated in a $770,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and certain registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility.

F.  Other Transactions with Affiliates — The following table provides information about the Fund’s investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government, Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Obligations, and Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Solutions Funds as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Investment Companies    Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
     Shares as of
December 31, 2018
     Dividend
Income
 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund

   $ 122,370,204      $ 59,786,246      $ (63,051,862   $ 119,104,588        119,104,588      $ 2,144,905  

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Obligations Fund

     50,802,535        1,377,262              52,179,797        52,179,797        888,397  

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Solutions Fund

     50,802,535        1,377,262              52,179,797        52,179,797        878,337  
Total    $ 223,975,274      $ 62,540,770      $ (63,051,862   $ 223,464,182        223,464,182      $ 3,911,639  

As of December 31, 2018, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. was the beneficial owner of approximately 12% of the Institutional Shares of the Fund.

 

20


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

6.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were $68,252,836 and $152,561,616, respectively.

7.    TAX INFORMATION

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

        2017        2018  
Distributions paid from:          

Ordinary income

     $ 4,343,505        $ 7,135,108  

Net long-term capital gains

       6,911,452          1,957,478  
Total taxable distributions      $ 11,254,957        $ 9,092,586  

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net    $ 3,104,633  
Timing differences (Post October Loss Deferral)      (2,279,017
Unrealized gains — net      5,283,860  
Total accumulated earnings — net    $ 6,109,476  

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost    $ 271,309,340  
Gross unrealized gain      11,436,391  
Gross unrealized loss      (6,152,531
Net unrealized gain    $ 5,283,860  

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to wash sales and net mark to market gains (losses) on regulated futures contracts.

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.

8.    OTHER RISKS

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may result in loss. Derivative instruments, which may pose risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities, currencies or other instruments, may be illiquid or less liquid, volatile, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes in the value of the underlying instruments may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in more traditional securities and instruments. Losses from

 

21


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

8.    OTHER RISKS (continued)

 

derivatives can also result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged.

Foreign and Emerging Countries Risk — Investing in foreign markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. Foreign securities may be subject to risk of loss because of more or less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability in the countries in which the Fund invests. The imposition of exchange controls (including repatriation restrictions), confiscations, trade restrictions (including tariffs) and other government restrictions by the U.S. or other governments, or from problems in share registration, settlement or custody, may also result in losses. Foreign risk also involves the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations, which may cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign currency (or other instruments through which the Fund has exposure to foreign currencies) to decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. To the extent that the Fund also invests in securities of issuers located in emerging markets, these risks may be more pronounced.

Foreign Custody Risk — If the Fund invests in foreign securities, the Fund may hold such securities and cash with foreign banks, agents, and securities depositories appointed by the Fund’s custodian (each a “Foreign Custodian”). Some foreign custodians may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In some countries, Foreign Custodians may be subject to little or no regulatory oversight over, or independent evaluation of, their operations. Further, the laws of certain countries may place limitations on the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a Foreign Custodian enters bankruptcy. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to even greater custody risks than investments in more developed markets. Custody services in emerging market countries are very often undeveloped and may be considerably less well regulated than in more developed countries, and thus may not afford the same level of investor protection as would apply in developed countries.

Interest Rate Risk — When interest rates increase, fixed income securities or instruments held by the Fund will generally decline in value. Long-term fixed income securities or instruments will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed income securities or instruments. The risks associated with changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and the Fund’s investments. Fluctuations in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of fixed income securities and instruments held by the Fund.

Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk — As a shareholder of another investment company, including an ETF, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any net management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund. ETFs are subject to risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds, including but not limited to the following: (i) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a premium or a discount to their NAV; and (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained.

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

Liquidity Risk — The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable

 

22


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

8.    OTHER RISKS (continued)

 

conditions. If a Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests. Liquidity risk may be the result of, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed income securities or the lack of an active market. The potential for liquidity risk may be magnified by a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal, potentially causing increased supply in the market due to selling activity. These risks may be more pronounced in connection with the Fund’s investments in securities of issuers located in emerging market countries.

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 or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions defaults.

9.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, 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

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Fund’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

11.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

23


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

12.    SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Share activity is as follows:

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      18,378     $ 229,900           $  
Reinvestment of distributions      535       6,273       72       901  
Shares redeemed      (157     (1,900            
       18,756       234,273       72       901  
Service Shares         
Shares sold      3,407,784       42,420,508       3,237,201       38,959,444  
Reinvestment of distributions      775,283       9,086,313       901,767       11,254,056  
Shares redeemed      (2,858,297     (35,608,460     (2,685,457     (32,234,857
       1,324,770       15,898,361       1,453,511       17,978,643  
NET INCREASE      1,343,526     $ 16,132,634       1,453,583     $ 17,979,544  

 

24


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of Goldman Sachs Global Trends Allocation Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Goldman Sachs Global Trends Allocation Fund (one of the funds constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

25


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)   

As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or 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 Shares and 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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.

 

Share Class   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/18
    Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
    Expenses Paid
for the
6 Months
Ended
12/31/18
*
 
Institutional        
Actual   $ 1,000     $ 954.60     $ 2.46  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,022.68     2.55  
Service        
Actual     1,000       953.60       4.14  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,020.97     4.28  

 

  +

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.

 

 

  *

Expenses 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 December 31, 2018. 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 0.50% and 0.84% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.

 

 

26


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

27


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993- April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

    156     None
         
*

Mr. McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

28


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GLOBAL TRENDS ALLOCATION FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1  

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and President   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer  

Since 2009

(Principal Financial Officer since 2013)

 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer   Since 2016 (Principal Accounting Officer since 2017)  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

(May 2010-October 2015).

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, 24.99% of the dividends paid from net investment company taxable income by the Global Trends Allocation Fund qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Global Trends Allocation Fund designates $1,957,478 or, if different, the maximum amount allowable, as capital gain dividends paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

29


TRUSTEES   OFFICERS
Jessica Palmer, Chair   James A. McNamara, President
Kathryn A. Cassidy   Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice
Diana M. Daniels   President and Principal Financial Officer
Herbert J. Markley  

Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer

Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary

James A. McNamara
Roy W. Templin
Gregory G. Weaver  

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com 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.

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 for the 12-month period ended December 31 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 Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transaction or matter addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The website links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these websites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these websites.

Fund holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

References to indices, benchmarks or other measures of relative market performance over a specified period of time are provided for your information only and do not imply that the portfolio will achieve similar results. The index composition may not reflect the manner in which a portfolio is constructed. While an adviser seeks to design a portfolio which reflects appropriate risk and return features, portfolio characteristics may deviate from those of the benchmark.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.

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 the 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 the Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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 — Goldman Sachs Global Trends Allocation Fund.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITNAVAR-19/157034-OTU-02/2019/11.5k


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

 

Goldman Sachs

Large Cap Value Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

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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 Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated average annual total returns of –8.46% and –8.72%, respectively. These returns compare to the –8.27% average annual total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 1000® 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?

Representing the U.S. equity market, the S&P 500® Index returned –9.03% in December 2018, posting its worst December since 1931 and bringing its total return to –4.38% for the Reporting Period, the worst calendar year since 2008.

Despite a strong start to the Reporting Period in January 2018 amid solid economic data, a $1.5 trillion tax reform law signed in December 2017, and a favorable corporate earnings season, U.S. equities endured a challenging and volatile year in 2018. In February 2018, U.S. and international equities sold off on market speculation of a faster pace of Federal Reserve (“Fed”) short-term interest rate hikes, which stoked a sharp rise in bond yields and an increase in equity market volatility. Concerns about Fed monetary policy tightening were further exacerbated by solid U.S. labor and inflation data. While the hawkish Fed minutes were largely expected, new Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony, positing a more optimistic economic outlook since the December 2017 Fed meeting, surprised equity markets with its hawkish tilt, sparking another sell-off in the U.S. equity markets. (Jerome Powell assumed the chairmanship of the Fed in February 2018. Hawkish language tends to suggest higher interest rates; opposite of dovish.) In March 2018, escalating trade tensions and potential tariffs weighed on investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the Fed delivered on a widely expected interest rate increase, with its “dot plot” pointing to a total of three interest rate hikes this calendar year and potentially two in 2019. (The “dot plot” shows rate projections of the members of the Fed’s Open Market Committee.) However, Fed policymakers acknowledged that the “economic outlook has strengthened in recent months,” revising their economic growth forecast higher and their unemployment forecast lower.

By the end of the Reporting Period, the Fed had hiked interest rates four times and communicated an upbeat view of its economic outlook, spurred by strong U.S. labor and inflation data. Against the strong fundamentals, escalating trade tensions, fears of a global economic slowdown and populist politics weighed on investor sentiment throughout the calendar year. After second and third calendar quarters of generally solid gains, supported by a combination of robust economic growth, strong corporate profits and rising earnings estimates, U.S. equities fell sharply again in the fourth quarter of 2018, as investor sentiment rapidly deteriorated on heightened trade and political uncertainty and in a delayed response to an earlier sell-off in global rates. The correction resulted in tighter U.S. financial conditions, which had been resilient to Fed interest rate hikes earlier in the year. U.S. equities saw a reprieve in November 2018 on more accommodative comments from Fed Chair Powell and on encouraging progress toward China-U.S. trade talks. However, the recovery was short-lived, as U.S. equities plunged in December 2018 on renewed investor fears sparked by the arrest of a Chinese technology executive, the partial Federal government shutdown and the U.S. President’s criticism of Fed Chair Powell.

For the Reporting Period overall, seven sectors posted negative absolute returns and four generated positive returns. Health care, utilities, consumer discretionary and information technology were the best performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index, as measured by total return, and the weakest performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index during the Reporting Period were energy, materials, industrials and financials. (After the close of business on September 28, 2018, the telecommunications services sector was renamed the communication services sector and was broadened to include certain companies from the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors that facilitate communication and offer related content and information through various media.)

Within the U.S. equity market, there was significant disparity in performance not only among sectors but also among the various capitalization and style segments. While all capitalization segments posted negative returns, large-cap stocks, as measured by the

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Russell 1000® Index, performed best, followed at some distance by mid-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell Midcap® Index, and then small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. From a style perspective, growth-oriented stocks significantly outpaced value-oriented stocks across the capitalization spectrum. (All as measured by the FTSE Russell indices.)

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

The Fund posted negative absolute returns that modestly underperformed the Russell Index during the Reporting Period due primarily to stock selection overall. Sector allocation as a whole contributed positively to the Fund’s performance relative to the Russell Index during the Reporting Period.

Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?

Stock selection in the consumer discretionary, energy and financials sectors detracted most from the Fund’s relative results. Only partially offsetting these detractors was stock selection in the information technology, industrials and utilities sectors, which contributed positively. Having an overweighted allocation to the information technology sector, which outpaced the Russell Index during the Reporting Period, and having shifted from an underweighted allocation to a modestly overweighted allocation to utilities, which was also among the strongest sectors in the Russell Index during the Reporting Period, helped as well.

Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

Among those companies detracting most from the Fund’s results relative to the Russell Index were positions in Delphi Technologies, Bank OZK and Devon Energy.

Delphi Technologies, a developer, designer and manufacturer of integrated powertrain technologies, was a new purchase for the Fund during the Reporting Period. Some of the stock’s weak performance was partially driven by investors’ response to the announcement of its Chief Executive Officer’s departure in early October 2018. Headwinds from a third quarter 2018 earnings report that showed decreasing organic growth, weaker than market expected earnings per share and lower guidance also hurt the stock’s performance during the Reporting Period. Overall, given its recent drawdown, at the end of the Reporting Period, we believed Delphi Technologies’ risk/reward outlook was appealing and felt its stock could be a beneficiary of stimulus in China.

Bank OZK, a regional bank, was a new purchase for the Fund during the Reporting Period. Its weak performance began in July 2018 when it announced disappointing second quarter 2018 earnings results. While its earnings per share were in line with market expectations, slower loan growth and net interest margins were below consensus expectations. The majority of Bank OZK’s share price decline, however, came on a single day in October 2018 upon the announcement that the bank had two large delinquent loans — one residential and one commercial. This challenged our confidence in its management team, and we sold the position, believing the incident would be a long-term headwind to its stock price.

Devon Energy is a natural gas, natural gas liquids and petroleum exploration company. The majority of its stock’s poor performance occurred in February 2018 after the company reported weak fourth quarter 2017 earnings, primarily driven by missed production expectations and disappointing 2018 guidance. While we continued to believe the value of the company’s large North American asset base was not fully recognized at the stock’s then-current price, we decided to exit the Fund’s position in favor of what we considered to be more compelling risk-adjusted opportunities elsewhere.

What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?

Relative to the Russell Index, the Fund benefited most from positions in Eli Lilly, Microsoft and Red Hat.

Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical company, was a new purchase for the Fund during the Reporting Period. Its stock rallied in July 2018 after the company reported exceptionally strong second quarter 2018 results and announced its spinoff of Elanco, the company’s animal health business. The company beat investor expectations on both earnings per share and revenues while also raising its full year guidance. Its results were driven by broad-based strength across all of its major products. Eli Lilly’s stock rose again through most of November 2018 when the company reported solid quarterly results in which it beat earnings per share and revenue market expectations and also raised its guidance again for the full year. Then, in December 2018, Eli Lilly shares benefited from the announcement of better than market expected 2019 guidance, featuring significant improvements in revenue growth and long-term sales growth. At the end of the Reporting Period, we maintained our belief that the company had strong risk/reward prospects versus its peers, and we saw an upside to its diabetes franchise. We were also optimistic about its management’s commitment to creating shareholder value through increased dividends and share repurchases. Additionally, we viewed the company’s upcoming split with Elanco as value accretive. Overall, we viewed Eli Lilly at the end of the Reporting Period as a high quality pharmaceutical business with leading franchises, a robust drug pipeline and an improving financial profile.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Software giant Microsoft engages in the design, manufacture and sale of computer products and technologies. Its stock rose in April 2018, after the company reported strong fiscal third quarter results and fiscal fourth quarter guidance, driven by solid growth in its commercial cloud business. Its stock rose again in May 2018, after Microsoft secured a multi-million dollar cloud deal with the Pentagon in which the 17 intelligence agencies and offices will utilize Microsoft’s Azure Government, a cloud service tailored for federal and local governments, in addition to other products the company already offers. Its shares continued to appreciate as the company reassured investors that cloud traction remains healthy. At the end of the Reporting Period, we remained confident the company was executing well in its ongoing emphasis on becoming a leader in cloud computing, effectively migrating its customer base and expanding its addressable market. The company’s recent reorganization, including the reallocation of Windows’ resources to the cloud franchise, has, in our opinion, reinforced Microsoft’s commitment to the cloud and initiatives to further drive growth. At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed its growth may accelerate over the next several years, driving multiple expansion and rewarding shareholders. Additionally, we believed Microsoft was trading at an attractive valuation with strong yield support at the end of the Reporting Period.

Red Hat, a software solutions company serving the enterprise community, was a new purchase for the Fund during the Reporting Period. Its shares soared in late October 2018 after IBM announced an offer to acquire Red Hat for a significant premium to its market price. This acquisition was in line with our thesis of consolidation within the software industry. We also believe the company has impressive growth prospects, led mostly by new business, and has solid sales capacity through its partnerships with cloud providers.

How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the Reporting Period?

During the reporting period, we did not use derivatives.

Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, in addition to those purchases already mentioned, we initiated a Fund position in Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational conglomerate holding company. We purchased the stock due to what we saw as the company’s collection of high quality businesses and its management team’s proven track record of successful capital allocation. Additionally, we are constructive on what we consider to be the company’s strong balance sheet, which provides the ability, in our view, to deploy excess cash toward value-enhancing acquisitions.

We established a Fund position in Verizon Communications. We are confident in the company’s strength in the wireless services segment. We also are positive on the company’s long-term prospects given what we consider to be its attractive valuation and our constructive view on the wireless spectrum space. Furthermore, we are encouraged by Verizon Communications’ recent 5G (fifth generation) trials, which have showcased its ability to successfully deploy wireless broadband in major test cities, providing an avenue for solid revenue growth potential going forward.

Conversely, in addition to those sales already mentioned, we eliminated the Fund’s position in Lowe’s Companies, a company that engages in the retail sale of home improvement products. We had originally purchased the stock due to what we saw as its attractive valuation and our belief it would be a direct beneficiary of the growing trends associated with the housing and home improvement industry. We elected to sell the stock in April 2018 due to our decreased confidence in the company’s execution as well as on near-term trends associated with more challenging weather conditions as presented in the company’s first quarter 2018 results.

We exited the Fund’s position in Citizens Financial Group, a regional bank that services both consumer and commercial clients through loans, deposit products and other financial services. Its stock performed well in January 2018 after the bank reported strong fourth quarter 2017 earnings, which included a $317 million after-tax benefit from an adjustment to its deferred tax liability, a direct result of the tax legislation passed in December 2017. While we remain confident in parts of the business, we exited the Fund’s position in favor of what we perceived as better risk/reward opportunities elsewhere, as tax tailwinds began to moderate and valuations became more inflated.

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 compared to the Russell Index to consumer staples, financials, real estate and utilities increased. The Fund’s allocations compared to the Russell Index in consumer discretionary, health care, industrials, information technology and materials decreased.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?

At the end of December 2018, the Fund had an overweighted position relative to the Russell Index in the communication services sector. On the same date, the Fund had underweighted positions compared to the Russell Index in financials, real estate and materials and was rather neutrally weighted to the Russell Index in the consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, health care, industrials, information technology and utilities sectors.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

Effective January 9, 2018, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) centralized its Fundamental Equity U.S. Value and Fundamental Equity U.S. Growth Teams into a single Fundamental Equity U.S. Equity Team. Effective the same date, decision-making for the Fund’s strategy was centralized with lead portfolio managers, who draw upon the combined team for idea generation and make final investment decisions. The Investment Adviser believes these changes will benefit the Funds by providing a more holistic investment perspective and the ability to leverage investment ideas across the U.S. Fundamental Equity platform.

Effective the same date, co-lead portfolio manager for the Fund, John Arege, left the firm. John shared portfolio management responsibility for the Fund’s strategy with Sean Gallagher, who had been in this role since 2001. Sean continued to serve as a lead portfolio manager for the Fund’s strategy until he announced his retirement, effective September 30, 2018. Charles “Brook” Dane serves as portfolio manager of the Fund effective July 17, 2018. There were no changes to the investment process or philosophy of the Fund’s strategy. We remain committed to high quality, bottom-up research and to the time-tested investment philosophy of the Fund’s strategy. We continue to believe that deep knowledge of company-specific and industry trends is key to our research edge.

What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?

At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed the risk/reward balance for equities in 2019 had improved relative to 2018 following the de-rating in valuation multiples, or price/earnings ratios, in the fourth quarter of 2018. We saw continued expansion of global economic growth and corporate profits. We believed U.S. economic growth would likely moderate in 2019, while the slowdown outside of the U.S. may be behind us. In our view, the ongoing global economic expansion should underpin corporate earnings growth, which we expect to remain positive across all global regions in 2019, supporting risk assets, such as equities. Meanwhile, lower valuations provide, in our view, an attractive entry point. Several challenges in 2018 — such as trade tensions and populist politics — resulted in a sharp de-rating. We think the shift in valuations was overdone relative to both macro and corporate fundamentals. Concerns around the length of the current economic cycle, trade tensions and populist politics may well continue, but we believed at the end of the Reporting Period that it was too soon to position for the end of the cycle and markets have already gone too far in pricing in the risks.

As the U.S. economic expansion approaches the longest on record, late-cycle signs, such as a tight labor market, firming inflation, higher volatility and a flatter yield curve, along with fading fiscal support and continued Fed interest rate hikes, have increased focus, we feel, on a possible moderation in U.S. economic growth. However, discussions around peak earnings are premature, in our view, as margins have historically continued to expand until very close to the beginning of recessions.

We believe rising interest rates and cost pressures make pricing power an increasingly critical differentiator of success. Selectivity, in our view, is also increasingly important amid higher volatility, elevated political and trade risks and slowing revenue growth and margin pressures. We believe this divergence between winners and losers reinforces the importance of active management.

Regardless of market direction, our fundamental, bottom-up stock selection continues to drive our process, rather than headlines or sentiment. We maintain high conviction in the companies the Fund owns and believe they have the potential to outperform relative to the broader market regardless of economic growth conditions. We continue to focus on undervalued companies that we believe have comparatively greater control of their own destiny, such as innovators with differentiated products, companies with low cost structures or companies that have been investing in their own businesses and may be poised to gain market share. We maintain our discipline in identifying companies with what we believe to be strong or improving balance sheets, led by quality management teams and trading at discounted valuations. We remain focused on the long-term performance of the Fund.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Index Definitions

The Russell 1000® Value Index is an unmanaged market capitalization weighted index of the 1000 largest U.S. companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices that measures the performance of the 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The Russell Midcap® Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000® Index, which represent approximately 25% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000 Index.

The Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represent approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

5


FUND BASICS

 

Large Cap Value Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -8.46      3.91      8.92      4.48    1/12/98
Service      -8.72        3.64        8.63        3.24      7/24/07

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional Shares and Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        0.71      0.78
Service        0.96        1.03  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any 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. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 12/31/183

 

Holding      % of Net Assets      Line of Business

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B

       4.0%     

Diversified Financials

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

       3.4     

Banks

Pfizer, Inc.

       3.2     

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

Verizon Communications, Inc.

       3.2     

Telecommunication Services

Bank of America Corp.

       2.9     

Banks

Chevron Corp.

       2.8     

Energy

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

       2.7     

Household & Personal Products

Cisco Systems, Inc.

       2.5     

Technology Hardware & Equipment

Walmart, Inc.

       2.2     

Food & Staples Retailing

Medtronic plc

       2.1     

Health Care Equipment & Services

 

3 

The top 10 holdings may not be representative of the Fund’s future investments.

 

6


FUND BASICS

 

FUND VS. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

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4 

The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. Consequently, the Fund’s overall sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”); however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value. Underlying sector allocations of exchange traded funds and investment companies held by the Fund are not reflected in the graph above.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on January 1, 2009 in Service Shares at NAV. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index (with distributions reinvested), is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Institutional Shares will vary from Service Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

Large Cap Value Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Ten Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced January 12, 1998)

   -8.46%    3.91%    8.92%    4.48%

Service (Commenced July 24, 2007)

   -8.72%    3.64%    8.63%    3.24%

 

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

    
Shares
     Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – 97.7%  
 

Automobiles & Components – 0.3%

  106,630      Delphi Technologies plc    $ 1,526,942  

 

 

 
 

Banks – 10.5%

  518,227      Bank of America Corp.      12,769,113  
  32,933      First Republic Bank      2,861,878  
  151,840      JPMorgan Chase & Co.      14,822,621  
  26,826      M&T Bank Corp.      3,839,605  
  17,941      Signature Bank      1,844,514  
  84,268      SunTrust Banks, Inc.      4,250,478  
  112,947      Wells Fargo & Co.      5,204,598  
     

 

 

 
        45,592,807  

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods – 5.4%

  15,802      Deere & Co.      2,357,184  
  375,857      General Electric Co.      2,845,238  
  41,734      Honeywell International, Inc.      5,513,896  
  89,953      ITT, Inc.      4,342,031  
  24,426      Raytheon Co.      3,745,727  
  39,755      Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      4,760,264  
     

 

 

 
        23,564,340  

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services – 0.5%

  30,574      Waste Connections, Inc.      2,270,120  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel – 0.6%

  29,269      PVH Corp.      2,720,554  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services – 2.0%

  29,390      Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.      1,884,487  
  36,745      Restaurant Brands International, Inc.      1,921,764  
  49,736      Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.      4,863,683  
     

 

 

 
        8,669,934  

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials – 6.8%

  27,205      American Express Co.      2,593,180  
  84,563      Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B*      17,266,073  
  34,805      Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.      2,621,861  
  76,393      Lazard Ltd. Class A      2,819,666  
  49,188      Northern Trust Corp.      4,111,625  
     

 

 

 
        29,412,405  

 

 

 
 

Energy – 8.9%

  112,315      Chevron Corp.      12,218,749  
  28,427      Concho Resources, Inc.*      2,922,011  
  50,199      EOG Resources, Inc.      4,377,855  
  113,410      Exxon Mobil Corp.      7,733,428  
  79,636      Halliburton Co.      2,116,725  
  91,512      Marathon Petroleum Corp.      5,400,123  
  67,844      Royal Dutch Shell plc Class B ADR      4,066,569  
     

 

 

 
        38,835,460  

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing – 2.2%

  104,524      Walmart, Inc.      9,736,411  

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 2.6%

  83,721      Altria Group, Inc.      4,134,980  
  59,295      Kraft Heinz Co. (The)      2,552,057  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – (continued)

 
  112,779      Mondelez International, Inc. Class A    4,514,543  
     

 

 

 
        11,201,580  

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services – 7.0%

  139,562      Boston Scientific Corp.*      4,932,121  
  15,203      Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)      3,869,164  
  60,393      CVS Health Corp.      3,956,949  
  5,778      Humana, Inc.      1,655,281  
  19,035      Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*      2,405,263  
  99,218      Medtronic plc      9,024,869  
  44,135      Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.      4,577,682  
     

 

 

 
        30,421,329  

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products – 2.7%

  126,213      Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      11,601,499  

 

 

 
 

Insurance – 3.4%

  39,208      American Financial Group, Inc.      3,549,500  
  33,654      Arthur J Gallagher & Co.      2,480,300  
  34,954      Chubb Ltd.      4,515,358  
  97,955      MetLife, Inc.      4,022,032  
     

 

 

 
        14,567,190  

 

 

 
 

Materials – 3.1%

  31,922      Celanese Corp.      2,872,022  
  159,145      DowDuPont, Inc.      8,511,075  
  10,992      Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.      1,889,195  
     

 

 

 
        13,272,292  

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment – 4.9%

  3,959      Alphabet, Inc. Class A*      4,136,997  
  194,434      Comcast Corp. Class A      6,620,478  
  19,415      Facebook, Inc. Class A*      2,545,112  
  60,264      Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.*      2,968,002  
  107,009      Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Class A      5,149,273  
     

 

 

 
        21,419,862  

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 9.1%

  30,743      Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      2,993,139  
  58,837      AstraZeneca plc ADR      2,234,629  
  35,375      BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*      3,012,181  
  40,499      Eli Lilly & Co.      4,686,544  
  65,524      Johnson & Johnson      8,455,872  
  58,285      Merck & Co., Inc.      4,453,557  
  316,941      Pfizer, Inc.      13,834,475  
     

 

 

 
        39,670,397  

 

 

 
 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 3.7%

  35,000      Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.      4,033,400  
  33,607      AvalonBay Communities, Inc.      5,849,298  
  25,971      Federal Realty Investment Trust      3,065,617  
  52,421      Prologis, Inc.      3,078,161  
     

 

 

 
        16,026,476  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   9


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

    
Shares
     Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Retailing – 1.7%

  18,656      Home Depot, Inc. (The)    $ 3,205,474  
  69,192      LKQ Corp.*      1,641,926  
  28,300      Ross Stores, Inc.      2,354,560  
     

 

 

 
        7,201,960  

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 3.0%

  62,833      Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*      1,159,897  
  49,778      Analog Devices, Inc.      4,272,446  
  88,185      Intel Corp.      4,138,522  
  205,343      Marvell Technology Group Ltd.      3,324,503  
     

 

 

 
        12,895,368  

 

 

 
 

Software & Services – 3.9%

  21,689      Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.*      2,226,376  
  32,596      Global Payments, Inc.      3,361,625  
  18,025      Intuit, Inc.      3,548,221  
  33,143      Microsoft Corp.      3,366,335  
  24,384      Red Hat, Inc.*      4,282,806  
     

 

 

 
        16,785,363  

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment – 3.2%

  20,173      Apple, Inc.      3,182,089  
  246,824      Cisco Systems, Inc.      10,694,884  
     

 

 

 
        13,876,973  

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services – 4.1%

  146,764      AT&T, Inc.      4,188,644  
  243,539      Verizon Communications, Inc.      13,691,763  
     

 

 

 
        17,880,407  

 

 

 
 

Transportation – 1.3%

  25,247      Union Pacific Corp.      3,489,893  
  34,491      XPO Logistics, Inc.*      1,967,366  
     

 

 

 
        5,457,259  

 

 

 
 

Utilities – 6.8%

  83,643      Ameren Corp.      5,456,033  
  25,528      American Water Works Co., Inc.      2,317,176  
  104,946      CMS Energy Corp.      5,210,569  
  45,440      NextEra Energy, Inc.      7,898,381  
  30,743      Sempra Energy      3,326,085  
  107,722      Xcel Energy, Inc.      5,307,463  
     

 

 

 
        29,515,707  

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS   
  (Cost $425,824,097)    $ 424,122,635  

 

 

 
Shares    Dividend
Rate
   Value  
Investment Company(a) – 0.6%

 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund — Institutional Shares

 

2,443,839    2.521%    $ 2,443,839  
(Cost $2,443,839)   

 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 98.3%

 

(Cost $428,267,936)    $ 426,566,474  

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES – 1.7%

     7,287,681  

 

 
NET ASSETS – 100.0%    $ 433,854,155  

 

 

 

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.

 

 
Investment Abbreviation:
ADR   —American Depositary Receipt

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

  
Assets:  

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $425,824,097)

   $ 424,122,635  

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $2,443,839)

     2,443,839  

Cash

     6,492,578  

Receivables:

  

Fund shares sold

     1,153,987  

Dividends

     618,089  

Other assets

     521  
Total assets      434,831,649  
  
  
Liabilities:    

Payables:

  

Fund shares redeemed

     537,783  

Management fees

     266,252  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     69,262  

Accrued expenses

     104,197  
Total liabilities      977,494  
  
  
Net Assets:    

Paid-in capital

     433,092,072  

Total distributable earnings

     762,083  
NET ASSETS    $ 433,854,155  

Net Assets:

  

Institutional

   $ 150,963,249  

Service

     282,890,906  

Total Net Assets

   $ 433,854,155  

Shares outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional

     19,682,215  

Service

     36,872,387  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

  

Institutional

     $7.67  

Service

     7.67  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   11


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Statement of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

  
Investment income:  

Dividends — unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $6,652)

   $ 10,329,021  

Dividends — affiliated issuers

     24,703  

Securities lending income — unaffiliated issuer

     7,447  
Total investment income      10,361,171  
  
  
Expenses:    

Management fees

     3,715,842  

Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares

     831,928  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     101,770  

Professional fees

     95,491  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     91,799  

Printing and mailing costs

     72,688  

Trustee fees

     17,063  

Registration fees

     712  

Other

     15,073  
Total expenses      4,942,366  

Less — expense reductions

     (483,469
Net expenses      4,458,897  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME      5,902,274  
  
  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss):    

Net realized gain from investments — unaffiliated issuers (including commissions recaptured of $67,460)

     38,681,430  

Net change in unrealized loss on investments — unaffiliated issuers

     (85,485,686
Net realized and unrealized loss      (46,804,256
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ (40,901,982

(a) Institutional and Service Shares incurred Transfer Agency fees of $35,221 and $66,549, respectively.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
     
From operations:  

Net investment income

   $ 5,902,274      $ 7,894,898  

Net realized gain

     38,681,430        92,354,930  

Net change in unrealized loss

     (85,485,686      (40,190,304
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations      (40,901,982      60,059,524  
     
     
Distributions to shareholders:        

From distributable earnings:

     

Institutional Shares

     (11,515,289      (35,473,395 )(a) 

Service Shares

     (20,776,605      (66,746,375 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders      (32,291,894      (102,219,770
     
     
From share transactions:        

Proceeds from sales of shares

     25,313,246        23,300,375  

Reinvestment of distributions

     32,291,894        102,219,770  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (97,515,109      (311,829,893
Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions      (39,909,969      (186,309,748
TOTAL DECREASE      (113,103,845      (228,469,994
     
     
Net assets:(b)        

Beginning of year

     546,958,000        775,427,994  

End of year

   $ 433,854,155      $ 546,958,000  

 

(a)

Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation, see prior year presentation below:

 

     

Institutional

   

Service

 

Distributions from net investment income:

     (3,091,197     (4,927,889

Distributions from net realized gains:

     (32,382,198     (61,818,486

 

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $149,195 for the Fund as of December 31, 2017.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   13


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017      2016      2015     2014  
           
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 9.06     $ 10.16      $ 9.39      $ 11.39     $ 12.59  

Net investment income(a)

    0.12       0.16        0.18        0.15       0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.88     0.83        0.91        (0.67     1.38  

Total from investment operations

    (0.76     0.99        1.09        (0.52     1.54  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.12     (0.18      (0.22      (0.16     (0.19

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (0.51     (1.91      (0.10      (1.32     (2.55

Total distributions

    (0.63     (2.09      (0.32      (1.48     (2.74

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 7.67     $ 9.06      $ 10.16      $ 9.39     $ 11.39  

Total return(b)

    (8.46 )%      9.85      11.55      (4.41 )%      12.94

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 150,963     $ 188,182      $ 243,875      $ 279,910     $ 326,543  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.71     0.72      0.74      0.74     0.75

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.81     0.81      0.81      0.81     0.80

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.32     1.50      1.91      1.38     1.21

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    125     127      130      83     72

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 9.06     $ 10.16     $ 9.39     $ 11.38     $ 12.58  

Net investment income(a)

    0.10       0.13       0.16       0.13       0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.88     0.83       0.90       (0.67     1.37  

Total from investment operations

    (0.78     0.96       1.06       (0.54     1.50  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.10     (0.15     (0.19     (0.13     (0.15

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (0.51     (1.91     (0.10     (1.32     (2.55

Total distributions

    (0.61     (2.06     (0.29     (1.45     (2.70

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 7.67     $ 9.06     $ 10.16     $ 9.39     $ 11.38  

Total return(b)

    (8.72 )%      9.56     11.25     (4.58 )%      12.61

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 282,891     $ 358,776     $ 531,553     $ 610,689     $ 692,741  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.96     0.97     0.99     0.99     1.00

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.06     1.06     1.06     1.06     1.05

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.07     1.26     1.66     1.13     0.96

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    125     127     130     83     72

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   15


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 Shares. Shares of the Trust are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The Fund’s valuation policy is to value investments at fair value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Investment income includes interest income, dividend income, and securities lending income, if any. Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recognized on ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign securities, as soon as such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost. Investment transactions are recorded on the following business day for daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculations. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Any foreign capital gains tax is accrued daily based upon net unrealized gains, and is payable upon sale of such investments. Distributions received from the Fund’s investments in United States (“U.S.”) real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain or a return of capital. A return of capital is recorded by the Fund as a reduction to the cost basis of the REIT.

C.  Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of the Fund are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by the Fund are charged to the Fund, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses. Class specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency fees.

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 and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. 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, if any, are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. 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 distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Fund’s net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

 

16


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

 

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

E.  Commission Recapture — GSAM, on behalf of certain Funds, may direct portfolio trades, subject to seeking 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.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Fund’s policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy resulting from such changes are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Fund, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Fund’s investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

A.  Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value Investments — The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values for investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

Equity Securities — Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ system, or those located on certain foreign exchanges, including but not limited to the Americas, are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If there is no sale or official closing price or such price is believed by GSAM to not represent fair value, equity securities are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2.

Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price, and are generally classified as Level 2. Securities traded on certain foreign securities exchanges are valued daily at fair value determined by an independent fair value service (if available) under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees and consistent with applicable regulatory guidance. The independent fair value service takes into account multiple factors including, but not limited to, movements in the securities markets, certain depositary receipts, futures contracts and foreign currency exchange rates that have occurred subsequent to the close of the foreign securities exchange. These investments are generally classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

17


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

Money Market Funds — Investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Underlying Fund”) are valued at the NAV of the Institutional Share class on the day of valuation. These investments are generally classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For information regarding the Underlying Fund’s accounting policies and investment holdings, please see the Underlying Fund’s shareholder report.

B.  Level 3 Fair Value Investments — To the extent that significant inputs to valuation models and other alternative pricing sources are unobservable, or if 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 under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the most recent valuation 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 which could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions; or unscheduled market closings. Significant events which could also affect a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; ratings downgrades; and bankruptcies.

C.  Fair Value Hierarchy — The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments classified in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:

 

Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments(a)               

Asia

     $ 2,226,376        $        $  

Europe

       6,301,198                    

North America

       415,595,061                    
Investment Company        2,443,839                    
Total      $ 426,566,474        $        $  

 

(a)

Amounts are disclosed by continent to highlight the impact of time zone differences between local market close and the calculation of NAV. Security valuations are based on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, which may differ from country of domicile.

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Schedule of Investments.

4.    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, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

18


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

 

4.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2018, the contractual management fees with GSAM were as stated below. The effective contractual management rates and effective net management rates represent the rates for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Contractual Management Rate              
First
$1 billion
    Next
$1 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
    Effective
Rate
    Effective Net
Management
Rate^
 
  0.72%       0.65     0.62     0.60     0.59     0.73     0.69 %* 

 

^

Effective Net Management Rate includes the impact of management fee waivers of affiliated Underlying Funds, if any.

*

GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve a net management rate, as defined in the Fund’s most recent prospectuses. This waiver will be effective through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without approval of the Trustees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $204,495 of its management fee.

Prior to April 30, 2018, the contractual management fee rates for the Fund were as stated below and GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve an Effective Net Management Rate as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus dated April 28, 2017.

 

First
$1 billion
    Next
$1 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
 
  0.75     0.68     0.65     0.64     0.63

The Fund invests in Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, which is an affiliated Underlying Fund. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee it earns as an investment adviser to the affiliated Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests, except those management fees it earns from the Fund’s investments of cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $2,199 of the Fund’s management fee.

B.  Distribution and Service (12b-1) Plan — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor, is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance 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 the Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of Institutional and Service Shares.

D.  Other Expense Agreements and Affiliated Transactions — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, a percentage rate of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. The Other Expense limitation as an annual percentage rate of average daily net assets for the Fund is 0.004%. The Other Expense limitation will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. In addition, the Fund has entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Fund’s expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitation described above.

 

19


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

4.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expense reimbursements, were as follows:

 

Management
Fee Waiver
    Custody
Fee Credits
    Other Expense
Reimbursement
    Total Expense
Reductions
 
$ 206,694     $ 4,296     $ 272,479     $ 483,469  

E.  Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Fund participated in a $770,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and certain registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility.

F.  Other Transactions with Affiliates — For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs earned $5,554 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions.

The following table provides information about the Fund’s investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
    Shares as of
December 31, 2018
    Dividend Income from
Affiliated Investment
Company
 
$ 2,415,456     $ 78,888,885     $ (78,860,502   $ 2,443,839       2,443,839     $ 24,703  

5.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were $622,489,724 and $687,413,424, respectively.

6.    SECURITIES LENDING

The Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, the Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), to certain qualified borrowers. 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 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. Dividend income received from securities on loan may not be subject to withholding taxes and therefore withholding taxes paid may differ from the amounts listed in the Statement of Operations. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and as such 1) the remaining contractual maturities of the outstanding securities lending transactions are considered to be overnight and continuous and 2) the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Government Money Market Fund”), an affiliated series of the Goldman Sachs Trust. The Government Money Market Fund is registered under the Act as an open end investment company, is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the

 

20


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

 

6.    SECURITIES LENDING (continued)

 

Act, and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive a management fee of up to 0.16% (prior to February 21, 2018, GSAM may have received a management fee of up to 0.205%) on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Government Money Market Fund.

In the event of a default by a borrower with respect to any loan, BNYM may exercise any and all remedies provided under the applicable borrower agreement to make the Fund whole. These remedies include purchasing replacement securities by applying the collateral held from the defaulting broker against the purchase cost of the replacement securities. If BNYM is unable to purchase replacement securities, BNYM will indemnify the Fund by paying the Fund an amount equal to the market value of the securities loaned minus the value of cash collateral received from the borrower for the loan, subject to an exclusion for any shortfalls resulting from a loss of value in such cash collateral due to reinvestment risk. The Fund may enter into master netting agreements with borrowers, which provide the right, in the event of a default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. However, in the event of a default by a borrower, a resolution authority could determine that such rights are not enforceable due to the restrictions or prohibitions against the right of set-off that may be imposed in accordance with a particular jurisdiction’s bankruptcy or insolvency laws. The Fund’s loaned securities were all subject to enforceable Securities Lending Agreements and the value of the collateral was at least equal to the value of the cash received. The amounts of the Fund’s overnight and continuous agreements, which represent the gross amounts of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions outstanding as of December 31, 2018, are disclosed as “Payable upon return of securities loaned” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, where applicable. The Fund did not have securities on loan as of December 31, 2018.

Both the Fund and BNYM received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amounts earned, if any, by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations.

The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Government Money Market Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
 
$     $ 32,784,571     $ (32,784,571   $  

7.    TAX INFORMATION

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

        2017        2018  
Distributions paid from:          

Ordinary income

     $ 31,508,940        $ 6,015,014  

Net long-term capital gains

       70,710,830          26,276,880  

Total taxable distributions

     $ 102,219,770        $ 32,291,894  

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net      $ 583,920  
Undistributed long-term capital gains        5,494,529  
Total undistributed earnings      $ 6,078,449  
Timing differences (Deferred Dividend/Post October Loss Deferral)        (3,115,385
Unrealized losses — net        (2,200,981
Total accumulated earnings — net      $ 762,083  

 

21


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

7.    TAX INFORMATION (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost      $ 428,767,455  
Gross unrealized gain        40,908,992  
Gross unrealized loss        (43,109,973
Net unrealized loss      $ (2,200,981

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to wash sales.

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.

8.    OTHER RISKS

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Foreign Countries Risk — Investing in foreign markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. Foreign securities may be subject to risk of loss because of more or less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability in the countries in which the Fund invests. The imposition of exchange controls (including repatriation restrictions), confiscations, trade restrictions (including tariffs) and other government restrictions by the U.S. or other governments, or from problems in share registration, settlement or custody, may also result in losses. Foreign risk also involves the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations, which may cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign currency (or other instruments through which the Fund has exposure to foreign currencies) to decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time.

Foreign Custody Risk — If the Fund invests in foreign securities, the Fund may hold such securities and cash with foreign banks, agents, and securities depositories appointed by the Fund’s custodian (each a “Foreign Custodian”). Some foreign custodians may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In some countries, Foreign Custodians may be subject to little or no regulatory oversight over, or independent evaluation of, their operations. Further, the laws of certain countries may place limitations on the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a Foreign Custodian enters bankruptcy.

Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk — As a shareholder of another investment company, including an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any net management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund.

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

 

 

22


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

 

8.    OTHER RISKS (continued)

 

Liquidity Risk — The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. If the Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests. Liquidity risk may be the result of, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed income securities or the lack of an active market. The potential for liquidity risk may be magnified by a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal, potentially causing increased supply in the market due to selling activity.

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 or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions defaults.

9.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, 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

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Fund’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

11.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

23


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

12.    SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Share activity is as follows:

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      854,945     $ 7,399,623       993,800     $ 10,470,019  
Reinvestment of distributions      1,482,019       11,515,289       3,928,394       35,473,395  
Shares redeemed      (3,417,525     (30,831,738     (8,151,726     (86,109,541
       (1,080,561     (11,916,826     (3,229,532     (40,166,127
Service Shares         
Shares sold      2,024,327       17,913,623       1,222,029       12,830,356  
Reinvestment of distributions      2,673,952       20,776,605       7,391,625       66,746,375  
Shares redeemed      (7,416,119     (66,683,371     (21,328,914     (225,720,352
       (2,717,840     (27,993,143     (12,715,260     (146,143,621
NET DECREASE      (3,798,401   $ (39,909,969     (15,944,792   $ (186,309,748

 

24


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund (one of the funds constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian and transfer agent. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

25


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)    

As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or 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 Shares and 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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.

 

Share Class   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/18
    Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
    Expenses Paid
for the
6  Months
Ended
12/31/18
*
 
Institutional        
Actual   $ 1,000     $ 934.00     $ 3.46  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,021.63     3.62  
Service        
Actual     1,000       933.40       4.68  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,020.37     4.89  

 

  +

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.

 

 

  *

Expenses 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 December 31, 2018. 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 0.71% and 0.96% for the Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.

 

 

26


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Address and Age1
  Position(s) Held
with the Trust
 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

27


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993- April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

    156     None
         
*

Mr. McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

28


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1  

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and
President
  Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior
Vice President and
Principal Financial
Officer
  Since 2009

(Principal
Financial
Officer since
2013)

 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer
and Principal
Accounting Officer
  Since 2016
(Principal
Accounting
Officer since
2017)
 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

(May 2010-October 2015).

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, 95.22% of the dividends paid from net investment company taxable income by the Large Cap Value Fund qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Large Cap Value Fund designates $26,276,880 or, if different, the maximum amount allowable, as capital gain dividends paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

29


TRUSTEES   OFFICERS
Jessica Palmer, Chair   James A. McNamara, President
Kathryn A. Cassidy   Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice
Diana M. Daniels   President and Principal Financial Officer
Herbert J. Markley   Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasurer
James A. McNamara   and Principal Accounting Officer
Roy W. Templin   Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary
Gregory G. Weaver  

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com 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.

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 for the 12-month period ended December 31 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-Qs are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. Form N-Qs may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transaction or matter addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The website links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these websites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these websites.

Fund holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

References to indices, benchmarks or other measures of relative market performance over a specified period of time are provided for your information only and do not imply that the portfolio will achieve similar results. The index composition may not reflect the manner in which a portfolio is constructed. While an adviser seeks to design a portfolio which reflects appropriate risk and return features, portfolio characteristics may deviate from those of the benchmark.

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.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.

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 the 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 the Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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 — Goldman Sachs Large Cap Value Fund.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITLCVAR-19/157036-OTU-914514/38.5K


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Goldman Sachs

Mid Cap Value Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

LOGO


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 Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated average annual total returns of –10.46% and –10.70%, respectively. These returns compare to the –12.29% average annual 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?

Representing the U.S. equity market, the S&P 500® Index returned –9.03% in December 2018, posting its worst December since 1931 and bringing its total return to –4.38% for the Reporting Period, the worst calendar year since 2008.

Despite a strong start to the Reporting Period in January 2018 amid solid economic data, a $1.5 trillion tax reform law signed in December 2017, and a favorable corporate earnings season, U.S. equities endured a challenging and volatile year in 2018. In February 2018, U.S. and international equities sold off on market speculation of a faster pace of Federal Reserve (“Fed”) short-term interest rate hikes, which stoked a sharp rise in bond yields and an increase in equity market volatility. Concerns about Fed monetary policy tightening were further exacerbated by solid U.S. labor and inflation data. While the hawkish Fed minutes were largely expected, new Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony, positing a more optimistic economic outlook since the December 2017 Fed meeting, surprised equity markets with its hawkish tilt, sparking another sell-off in the U.S. equity markets. (Jerome Powell assumed the chairmanship of the Fed in February 2018. Hawkish language tends to suggest higher interest rates; opposite of dovish.) In March 2018, escalating trade tensions and potential tariffs weighed on investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the Fed delivered on a widely expected interest rate increase, with its “dot plot” pointing to a total of three interest rate hikes this calendar year and potentially two in 2019. (The “dot plot” shows rate projections of the members of the Fed’s Open Market Committee.) However, Fed policymakers acknowledged that the “economic outlook has strengthened in recent months,” revising their economic growth forecast higher and their unemployment forecast lower.

By the end of the Reporting Period, the Fed had hiked interest rates four times and communicated an upbeat view of its economic outlook, spurred by strong U.S. labor and inflation data. Against the strong fundamentals, escalating trade tensions, fears of a global economic slowdown and populist politics weighed on investor sentiment throughout the calendar year. After second and third calendar quarters of generally solid gains, supported by a combination of robust economic growth, strong corporate profits and rising earnings estimates, U.S. equities fell sharply again in the fourth quarter of 2018, as investor sentiment rapidly deteriorated on heightened trade and political uncertainty and in a delayed response to an earlier sell-off in global rates. The correction resulted in tighter U.S. financial conditions, which had been resilient to Fed interest rate hikes earlier in the year. U.S. equities saw a reprieve in November 2018 on more accommodative comments from Fed Chair Powell and on encouraging progress toward China-U.S. trade talks. However, the recovery was short-lived, as U.S. equities plunged in December 2018 on renewed investor fears sparked by the arrest of a Chinese technology executive, the partial Federal government shutdown and the U.S. President’s criticism of Fed Chair Powell.

For the Reporting Period overall, seven sectors posted negative absolute returns and four generated positive returns. Health care, utilities, consumer discretionary and information technology were the best performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index, as measured by total return, and the weakest performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index during the Reporting Period were energy, materials, industrials and financials. (After the close of business on September 28, 2018, the telecommunications services sector was renamed the communication services sector and was broadened to include certain companies from the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors that facilitate communication and offer related content and information through various media.)

Within the U.S. equity market, there was significant disparity in performance not only among sectors but also among the various capitalization and style segments. While all capitalization segments posted negative returns, large-cap stocks, as measured by the

 

1


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Russell 1000® Index, performed best, followed at some distance by mid-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell Midcap® Index, and then small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. From a style perspective, growth-oriented stocks significantly outpaced value-oriented stocks across the capitalization spectrum. (All as measured by the FTSE Russell indices.)

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

The Fund posted negative absolute returns but outperformed the Russell Index during the Reporting Period due primarily to stock selection overall. Sector allocation as a whole also contributed positively, albeit more modestly, to the Fund’s performance relative to the Russell Index during the Reporting Period.

Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?

Contributing most positively to the Fund’s relative results during the Reporting Period was effective stock selection in the information technology, materials and consumer staples sectors. Having an overweighted allocation to the strongly performing information technology sector also helped. Maintaining a position in cash, though modest, also added value during a Reporting Period when the Russell Index declined sharply. Such positive contributors were only partially offset by stock selection in the financials sector, which detracted. Allocation positioning in the industrials and real estate sectors also dampened the Fund’s relative results.

What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?

The Fund benefited most relative to the Russell Index from positions in Ball, Red Hat and Fidelity National Information Services.

Ball is a metal packaging company that produces goods for beverages, household products and aerospace technologies. Its stock experienced weakness in the first half of 2018 but then turned around, as challenges surrounding its acquisition of London-based metal beverage can maker Rexam began to subside. Its stock also reacted positively to an earnings report that highlighted strong cash generation and better than market expected sales and core earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization across all sectors. At the end of the Reporting Period, we viewed Ball as a highly diversified company that has growing market share in the defense industry, a leader in the fragmented aerosol space and one of the more sustainable companies in beverage can production. Additionally, we saw positive upside potential moving forward given the company’s wide range of commercial opportunities to leverage its new global leadership position along with a multi-year stretch of margin improvement.

Red Hat, a software solutions company serving the enterprise community, was a new purchase for the Fund during the Reporting Period. Its shares soared in late October 2018 after IBM announced an offer to acquire Red Hat for a significant premium to its market price. This acquisition was in line with our thesis of consolidation within the software industry. We also believe the company has impressive growth prospects, led mostly by new business, and has solid sales capacity through its partnerships with cloud providers.

Fidelity National Information Services is a financial services technology company. Its performance throughout the Reporting Period was supported by three consecutive quarters of strong new sales and a healthy pipeline that has driven market optimism going into 2019. At the end of the Reporting Period, we were confident in what we saw as the improved quality of the company’s portfolio, solid revenue streams and rising free cash flows.

Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

Detracting from the Fund’s results relative to the Russell Index were positions in LKQ, Stanley Black & Decker and Alkermes.

LKQ is an aftermarket automotive company. Its stock began to decline in April 2018 following an earnings reports that fell short of market expectations due to operational challenges. Its share price continued to decline after the company reported third quarter earnings that showed lower than market expected margin improvement, slightly lowered guidance and relatively in-line earnings per share and organic sales. However, at the end of the Reporting Period, we remained optimistic about LKQ as operational improvement, in our opinion, has been evident across all aspects of its business. In our view, its valuation remained well below historical averages at the end of the Reporting Period, and its margins had improved.

Stanley Black & Decker is a global producer of tools, security systems and industrial products. In April 2018, the company reported strong earnings results, despite significant commodity headwinds. However, its gross margins came in below the market’s expectations, resulting in its stock’s sharp decline. At the end of the Reporting Period, we remained positive on the company moving forward, given its dominant industry position, which we believe should allow the company to offset inflation through price increases. In our view, the company’s multiple new product launches as well as future acquisition opportunities should continue to drive its growth above peer levels.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Alkermes, a biopharmaceutical company, was a new purchase for the Fund during the Reporting Period. Its share price declined in April 2018 following its announcement that the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) had refused to review Alkermes’ depression drug candidate. The FDA cited insufficient efficacy and requested additional clinical trials. The company’s stock saw another downturn in late June 2018 in conjunction with the release of the FDA’s new guidelines for developing drugs for major depressive disorder. While we still believe the company has some attractive growth opportunities, we exited the position in favor of what we viewed as better risk/reward opportunities elsewhere.

How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, we did not use derivatives.

Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the Reporting Period?

In addition to those purchases already mentioned, we initiated a Fund position in M&T Bank, a regional bank holding company, during the Reporting Period. We purchased the company because, although it had a slightly higher valuation than its peers, we viewed it as a higher quality company with a stronger balance sheet, making it more likely, in our opinion, to hold up well in more volatile market conditions.

We established a Fund position in Cooper Companies, a medical device company with exposure to the contact lens and women’s health space. While we have liked this company for some time due to what we see as its steady cash flows and consistent market share growth, when its valuation began to contract from all-time highs, we purchased the company with the belief that it is a solid risk/reward opportunity in a growing industry.

Conversely, in addition to those sales already mentioned, we exited the Fund’s position in Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies, an equipment and system services company for the transit and freight rail industry. While we were originally positive on the company due to its technological advantages and favorable industry backdrop, our thesis began to change as freight orders began to decline. Demand for locomotives has dropped as railroad companies have transitioned to precision railroading, a process that maximizes the utilization of assets already held. In turn, this process minimizes the need to purchase new assets, causing a severe cyclical headwind, at least in the near term. Additionally, a lack of clarity from its management around margins dampened our confidence in the company. Given these conditions and the strong performance of the stock during the first half of the Reporting Period, we sold the position in favor of what we considered to be better risk/reward opportunities elsewhere.

We eliminated the Fund’s position in Steel Dynamics, a carbon-steel producer and metals recycler. We had originally purchased the company because fiscal stimulus and accommodative monetary policy improved market conditions, in our view. Steel Dynamics was also trading at a discount to its peers and utilized environmentally friendly and cost efficient production methods. However, we sold the Fund’s position in August 2018 as trade tensions and cost inputs began to increase margin pressures across the industry. After selling the stock, it sharply declined in the fourth quarter of 2018, helping to contribute to the Fund’s relative returns.

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 financials, health care, information technology, real estate and utilities increased and its exposure to communication services, consumer staples and industrials decreased compared to the Russell Index.

How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?

At the end of December 2018, the Fund had an overweighted position relative to the Russell Index in the information technology sector. On the same date, the Fund had underweighted positions compared to the Russell Index in industrials, communication services and consumer staples and was rather neutrally weighted to the Russell Index in consumer discretionary, energy, financials, health care, materials, real estate and utilities.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

Effective January 9, 2018, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) centralized its Fundamental Equity U.S. Value and Fundamental Equity U.S. Growth Teams into a single Fundamental Equity U.S. Equity Team. Effective the same date, decision-making for the Fund’s strategy was centralized with lead portfolio managers, who draw upon the combined team for idea generation and make final investment decisions. The Investment Adviser believes these changes will benefit the Funds by

 

3


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

providing a more holistic investment perspective and the ability to leverage investment ideas across the U.S. Fundamental Equity platform.

Effective the same date, Adam Agress, vice president, joined Sean Gallagher and Sung Cho as a co-lead portfolio manager for the Fund’s strategy. Adam has 12 years of investment experience. Tim Ryan no longer serves as a co-lead portfolio manager with Sung on this Fund but maintains his co-lead portfolio manager role on other Goldman Sachs Funds that focus on a U.S. real estate securities strategy. Sean Gallagher announced his retirement, effective September 30, 2018. There were no changes to the investment process or philosophy of the Fund’s strategy. We remain committed to high quality, bottom-up research and to the time-tested investment philosophy of the Fund’s strategy. We continue to believe that deep knowledge of company-specific and industry trends is key to our research edge.

What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?

At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed the risk/reward balance for equities in 2019 had improved relative to 2018 following the de-rating in valuation multiples, or price/earnings ratios, in the fourth quarter of 2018. We saw continued expansion of global economic growth and corporate profits. We believed U.S. economic growth would likely moderate in 2019, while the slowdown outside of the U.S. may be behind us. In our view, the ongoing global economic expansion should underpin corporate earnings growth, which we expect to remain positive across all global regions in 2019, supporting risk assets, such as equities. Meanwhile, lower valuations provide, in our view, an attractive entry point. Several challenges in 2018 — such as trade tensions and populist politics — resulted in a sharp de-rating. We think the shift in valuations was overdone relative to both macro and corporate fundamentals. Concerns around the length of the current economic cycle, trade tensions and populist politics may well continue, but we believed at the end of the Reporting Period that it was too soon to position for the end of the cycle and markets have already gone too far in pricing in the risks.

As the U.S. economic expansion approaches the longest on record, late-cycle signs, such as a tight labor market, firming inflation, higher volatility and a flatter yield curve, along with fading fiscal support and continued Fed interest rate hikes, have increased focus, we feel, on a possible moderation in U.S. economic growth. However, discussions around peak earnings are premature, in our view, as margins have historically continued to expand until very close to the beginning of recessions.

We believe rising interest rates and cost pressures make pricing power an increasingly critical differentiator of success. Selectivity, in our view, is also increasingly important amid higher volatility, elevated political and trade risks and slowing revenue growth and margin pressures. We believe this divergence between winners and losers reinforces the importance of active management.

Regardless of market direction, our fundamental, bottom-up stock selection continues to drive our process, rather than headlines or sentiment. We maintain high conviction in the companies the Fund owns and believe they have the potential to outperform relative to the broader market regardless of economic growth conditions. We continue to focus on undervalued companies that we believe have comparatively greater control of their own destiny, such as innovators with differentiated products, companies with low cost structures or companies that have been investing in their own businesses and may be poised to gain market share. We maintain our discipline in identifying companies with what we believe to be strong or improving balance sheets, led by quality management teams and trading at discounted valuations. We remain focused on the long-term performance of the Fund.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Index Definitions

The Russell Midcap Value® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices that measures the performance of those Russell Midcap companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The index figures do not reflect any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices that measures the performance of the 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s composite index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The Russell Midcap® Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000® Index, which represent approximately 25% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000® Index.

The Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represent approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

5


FUND BASICS

 

Mid Cap Value Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -10.46      3.08      11.05      7.78    5/01/98
Service      -10.70        2.82        10.78        5.63      1/09/06

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional Shares and Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        0.84      0.84
Service        1.09        1.09  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any 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. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 12/31/183

 

Holding      % of Net Assets      Line of Business
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.        2.6%      Software & Services
Xcel Energy, Inc.        1.8    Utilities
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.        1.8    Capital Goods
L3 Technologies, Inc.        1.7    Capital Goods
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.        1.7    Utilities
Ball Corp.        1.7    Materials
M&T Bank Corp.        1.7    Banks
CMS Energy Corp.        1.6    Utilities
Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)        1.6    Health Care Equipment & Services
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (REIT)        1.6    Real Estate

 

3 

The top 10 holdings may not be representative of the Fund’s future investments.

 

6


FUND BASICS

 

 

 

FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

4 

The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. Consequently, the Fund’s overall sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”); however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value. Underlying sector allocations of exchange traded funds and investment companies held by the Fund are not reflected in the graph above.

 

7


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on January 1, 2009 in Institutional Shares at NAV. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell Midcap Value® Index (with distributions reinvested), is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Service Shares will vary from Institutional Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

Mid Cap Value Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Ten Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced May 1, 1998)

   -10.46%    3.08%    11.05%    7.78%

Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)

   -10.70%    2.82%    10.78%    5.63%

 

 

8


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – 97.9%  
 

Automobiles & Components – 0.5%

  31,837      Aptiv plc    $ 1,960,204  

 

 

 
 

Banks – 7.6%

  
  123,043      Citizens Financial Group, Inc.      3,658,068  
  51,252      Comerica, Inc.      3,520,500  
  65,026      First Republic Bank      5,650,760  
  43,513      M&T Bank Corp.      6,228,016  
  46,664      Signature Bank      4,797,526  
  97,703      SunTrust Banks, Inc.      4,928,139  
     

 

 

 
        28,783,009  

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods – 6.6%

  
  72,269      Flowserve Corp.      2,747,667  
  113,449      ITT, Inc.      5,476,183  
  58,071      Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.      3,394,831  
  37,281      L3 Technologies, Inc.      6,474,219  
  57,297      Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      6,860,743  
     

 

 

 
        24,953,643  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel – 1.8%

  
  29,084      Lennar Corp. Class A      1,138,639  
  32,755      PVH Corp.      3,044,577  
  74,566      Tapestry, Inc.      2,516,602  
     

 

 

 
        6,699,818  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services – 2.7%

  
  40,264      Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.      2,581,727  
  53,550      Restaurant Brands International, Inc.      2,800,665  
  48,511      Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.      4,743,891  
     

 

 

 
        10,126,283  

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials – 3.7%

  
  23,684      Cboe Global Markets, Inc.      2,317,006  
  66,682      E*TRADE Financial Corp.      2,926,006  
  47,987      Lazard Ltd. Class A      1,771,200  
  56,681      Northern Trust Corp.      4,737,965  
  109,013      Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (REIT)      2,148,646  
     

 

 

 
        13,900,823  

 

 

 
 

Energy – 5.7%

  
  32,106      Apergy Corp.*      869,431  
  72,318      Cheniere Energy, Inc.*      4,280,502  
  37,667      Concho Resources, Inc.*      3,871,791  
  30,392      Diamondback Energy, Inc.      2,817,338  
  58,446      Marathon Petroleum Corp.      3,448,898  
  65,132      Targa Resources Corp.      2,346,055  
  102,952      Williams Cos., Inc. (The)      2,270,092  
  137,638      WPX Energy, Inc.*      1,562,191  
     

 

 

 
        21,466,298  

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 3.8%

  
  56,656      Bunge Ltd.      3,027,697  
  86,010      Coca-Cola European Partners plc      3,943,559  
  72,576      Conagra Brands, Inc.      1,550,223  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – (continued)

  
  27,297      McCormick & Co., Inc. (Non-Voting)    $ 3,800,834  
  128,227      Nomad Foods Ltd.*      2,143,955  
     

 

 

 
        14,466,268  

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services – 5.3%

  
  60,167      Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*      1,546,894  
  23,839      Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)      6,067,025  
  41,380      Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*      5,228,777  
  9,674      Teleflex, Inc.      2,500,536  
  45,559      Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.      4,725,379  
     

 

 

 
        20,068,611  

 

 

 
 

Insurance – 6.5%

  
  117,880      Arch Capital Group Ltd.*      3,149,754  
  10,130      Everest Re Group Ltd.      2,205,909  
  13,562      Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (The)      1,583,635  
  69,372      Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)      3,083,585  
  63,965      Lincoln National Corp.      3,282,044  
  1,997      Markel Corp.*      2,072,986  
  19,647      Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.      2,755,099  
  38,495      Torchmark Corp.      2,869,032  
  23,298      Willis Towers Watson plc      3,538,034  
     

 

 

 
        24,540,078  

 

 

 
 

Materials – 6.5%

  
  136,824      Ball Corp.      6,291,167  
  52,560      Celanese Corp.      4,728,823  
  156,826      Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.      1,616,876  
  30,663      Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.      5,270,050  
  66,012      Newmont Mining Corp.      2,287,316  
  63,793      WR Grace & Co.      4,140,804  
     

 

 

 
        24,335,036  

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment – 1.8%

  
  46,917      Liberty Broadband Corp. Class C*      3,379,431  
  69,163      Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.*      3,406,278  
     

 

 

 
        6,785,709  

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 2.1%

  70,127      Agilent Technologies, Inc.      4,730,767  
  17,039      Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      1,658,917  
  19,043      BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*      1,621,512  
     

 

 

 
        8,011,196  

 

 

 
 

Real Estate – 13.6%

  
  49,519      Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (REIT)      5,706,570  
  33,763      AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (REIT)      5,876,450  
  46,629      Boston Properties, Inc. (REIT)      5,248,094  
  50,184      Camden Property Trust (REIT)      4,418,701  
  166,923      Cushman & Wakefield plc*      2,415,376  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   9


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Real Estate – (continued)

 
  45,553      Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (REIT)    $ 4,424,563  
  15,793      Essex Property Trust, Inc. (REIT)      3,872,602  
  90,774      HCP, Inc. (REIT)      2,535,318  
  69,956      Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (REIT)      2,032,921  
  41,163      Prologis, Inc. (REIT)      2,417,091  
  28,164      Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (REIT)      1,878,257  
  18,008      SBA Communications Corp. (REIT)*      2,915,315  
  173,516      SITE Centers Corp. (REIT)      1,920,822  
  97,618      Ventas, Inc. (REIT)      5,719,439  
     

 

 

 
        51,381,519  

 

 

 
 

Retailing – 4.0%

  22,429      Advance Auto Parts, Inc.      3,531,670  
  12,984      Burlington Stores, Inc.*      2,112,107  
  31,287      Dollar General Corp.      3,381,499  
  19,300      Expedia Group, Inc.      2,174,145  
  163,780      LKQ Corp.*      3,886,500  
     

 

 

 
        15,085,921  

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 3.5%

  75,390      Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*      1,391,699  
  53,607      Analog Devices, Inc.      4,601,089  
  313,784      Marvell Technology Group Ltd.      5,080,163  
  26,175      NXP Semiconductors NV      1,918,104  
     

 

 

 
        12,991,055  

 

 

 
 

Software & Services – 5.7%

  28,167      Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.*      2,891,342  
  94,409      Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      9,681,643  
  35,943      GoDaddy, Inc. Class A*      2,358,580  
  20,537      PTC, Inc.*      1,702,517  
  5,379      Red Hat, Inc.*      944,768  
  57,562      Symantec Corp.      1,087,634  
  34,176      Total System Services, Inc.      2,778,167  
     

 

 

 
        21,444,651  

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment – 2.1%

  69,176      Juniper Networks, Inc.      1,861,526  
  17,292      Motorola Solutions, Inc.      1,989,272  
  390,816      Viavi Solutions, Inc.*      3,927,701  
     

 

 

 
        7,778,499  

 

 

 
 

Transportation – 3.1%

  38,250      CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.      3,216,443  
  241,525      JetBlue Airways Corp.*      3,878,892  
  18,864      Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.      2,329,515  
  36,410      XPO Logistics, Inc.*      2,076,826  
     

 

 

 
        11,501,676  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Utilities – 11.3%

  53,063      American Water Works Co., Inc.    $ 4,816,528  
  29,667      Atmos Energy Corp.      2,750,724  
  124,835      CMS Energy Corp.      6,198,058  
  87,699      Evergy, Inc.      4,978,672  
  23,569      PG&E Corp.*      559,764  
  52,765      Pinnacle West Capital Corp.      4,495,578  
  123,791      Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.      6,443,322  
  51,402      Sempra Energy      5,561,182  
  141,178      Xcel Energy, Inc.      6,955,840  
     

 

 

 
        42,759,668  

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS  
  (Cost $370,620,718)    $ 369,039,965  

 

 

 

 

Shares    Dividend
Rate
     Value  
Investment Company(a) – 0.5%

 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund — 
Institutional Shares

 

1,868,218      2.521    $ 1,868,218  
(Cost $1,868,218)

 

  

 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 98.4%

 

(Cost $372,488,936)

 

   $ 370,908,183  

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES – 1.6%

 

     5,983,276  

 

 
NET ASSETS – 100.0%

 

   $ 376,891,459  

 

 

 

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.

 

 
Investment Abbreviation:
REIT   —Real Estate Investment Trust

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

  
Assets:    

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $370,620,718)

   $ 369,039,965  

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $1,868,218)

     1,868,218  

Cash

     5,759,202  

Receivables:

  

Dividends

     750,172  

Fund shares sold

     42,917  

Reimbursement from investment adviser

     32,782  

Other assets

     521  
Total assets      377,493,777  
  
  
Liabilities:    

Payables:

  

Management fees

     255,530  

Fund shares redeemed

     233,679  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     23,514  

Accrued expenses

     89,595  
Total liabilities      602,318  
  
  
Net Assets:    

Paid-in capital

     385,665,365  

Total distributable loss

     (8,773,906
NET ASSETS    $ 376,891,459  

Net Assets:

  

Institutional

   $ 300,056,148  

Service

     76,835,311  

Total Net Assets

   $ 376,891,459  

Shares outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional

     23,271,221  

Service

     5,904,615  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

  

Institutional

     $12.89  

Service

     13.01  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   11


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Statement of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

  
Investment income:  

Dividends — unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $8,121)

   $ 9,670,799  

Dividends — affiliated issuers

     73,618  

Securities lending income — unaffiliated issuer

     7,131  
Total investment income      9,751,548  
  
  
Expenses:    

Management fees

     4,877,708  

Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares

     659,705  

Printing and mailing costs

     157,805  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     124,881  

Professional fees

     95,674  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     82,571  

Trustee fees

     17,351  

Registration fees

     713  

Other

     23,554  
Total expenses      6,039,962  

Less — expense reductions

     (123,680
Net expenses      5,916,282  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME      3,835,266  
  
  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss):    

Net realized gain from:

  

Investments — unaffiliated issuers (including commissions recaptured of $18,124)

     45,366,902  

In-kind transactions

     1,337,073  

Net change in unrealized loss on investments — unaffiliated issuers

     (100,296,769
Net realized and unrealized loss      (53,592,794
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ (49,757,528

(a) Institutional and Service Shares incurred Transfer Agency fees of $72,109 and $52,772, respectively.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
     
From operations:  

Net investment income

   $ 3,835,266      $ 4,650,381  

Net realized gain

     46,703,975        75,406,510  

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

     (100,296,769      850,845  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations      (49,757,528      80,907,736  
     
     
Distributions to shareholders:        

From distributable earnings:

     

Institutional Shares

     (45,878,403      (23,836,905 )(a) 

Service Shares

     (11,008,040      (22,396,605 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders      (56,886,443      (46,233,510
     
     
From share transactions:        

Proceeds from sales of shares

     33,413,557        25,661,942  

Proceeds paid in connection with in kind transactions

     (93,560,594       

Reinvestment of distributions

     56,886,443        46,233,510  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (283,084,971      (145,139,270
Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions      (286,345,565      (73,243,818
TOTAL DECREASE      (392,989,536      (38,569,592
     
     
Net assets: (b)        

Beginning of year

     769,880,995        808,450,587  

End of year

   $ 376,891,459      $ 769,880,995  

 

(a)

Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation, see prior year presentation below:

 

     

Institutional

   

Service

 

Distributions from net investment income:

   $ (2,801,151   $ (1,817,031

Distributions from net realized gains:

   $ (21,035,754   $ (20,579,574

 

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $1,310,520 for the Fund, as of December 31, 2017.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   13


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 16.93     $ 16.23     $ 14.49     $ 17.43     $ 18.64  

Net investment income(a)

    0.13       0.12       0.16       0.13       0.12  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.86     1.68       1.80       (1.75     2.31  

Total from investment operations

    (1.73     1.80       1.96       (1.62     2.43  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.23     (0.13     (0.21     (0.07     (0.21

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (2.08     (0.97     (0.01     (1.25     (3.43

Total distributions

    (2.31     (1.10     (0.22     (1.32     (3.64

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 12.89     $ 16.93     $ 16.23     $ 14.49     $ 17.43  

Total return(b)

    (10.46 )%      11.07     13.49     (9.24 )%      13.57

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 300,056     $ 388,709     $ 437,085     $ 535,459     $ 692,068  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.84     0.84     0.84     0.84     0.83

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.86     0.87     0.87     0.87     0.87

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.75     0.71     1.08     0.74     0.62

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    109     134     149     94     88

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 16.95     $ 16.25     $ 14.51     $ 17.45     $ 18.66  

Net investment income(a)

    0.07       0.08       0.12       0.08       0.07  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.84     1.68       1.81       (1.75     2.31  

Total from investment operations

    (1.77     1.76       1.93       (1.67     2.38  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.09     (0.09     (0.18     (0.02     (0.16

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (2.08     (0.97     (0.01     (1.25     (3.43

Total distributions

    (2.17     (1.06     (0.19     (1.27     (3.59

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 13.01     $ 16.95     $ 16.25     $ 14.51     $ 17.45  

Total return(b)

    (10.70 )%      10.85     13.24     (9.52 )%      13.29

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 76,835     $ 381,172     $ 371,366     $ 265,545     $ 362,501  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    1.09     1.09     1.09     1.09     1.08

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.11     1.12     1.12     1.12     1.12

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.42     0.47     0.78     0.48     0.38

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    109     134     149     94     88

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   15


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 Shares. Shares of the Trust are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The Fund’s valuation policy is to value investments at fair value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Investment income includes interest income, dividend income, and securities lending income, if any. Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recognized on ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign securities, as soon as such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost. Investment transactions are recorded on the following business day for daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculations. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Any foreign capital gains tax is accrued daily based upon net unrealized gains, and is payable upon sale of such investments. Distributions received from the Fund’s investments in United States (“U.S.”) real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain or a return of capital. A return of capital is recorded by the Fund as a reduction to the cost basis of the REIT.

C.  Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of the Fund are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by the Fund are charged to the Fund, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses. Class specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency fees.

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 and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. 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, if any, are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. 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 distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Fund’s net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

 

16


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

 

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

E.  In-Kind Transactions — The Fund may allow investors, under certain circumstances, to purchase shares with securities instead of cash. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to redeem an investor’s shares by distributing securities instead of cash. These are known as in-kind transactions. Securities included as part of in-kind purchases and redemptions of Fund shares are valued in the same manner as they are valued for purposes of computing the Fund’s NAV, in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures, and such valuations are as of the date the trade is submitted pursuant to the procedures specified in the Fund’s prospectus.

F.  Commission Recapture — GSAM, on behalf of certain Funds, may direct portfolio trades, subject to seeking 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.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Fund’s policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy resulting from such changes are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Fund, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Fund’s investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

A.  Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value Investments — The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values for investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

Equity Securities — Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ system, or those located on certain foreign exchanges, including but not limited to the Americas, are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If there is no sale or official closing price or such price is believed by GSAM to not represent fair value, equity securities are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2.

Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price, and are generally classified as Level 2. Securities traded on certain foreign securities exchanges

 

17


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

are valued daily at fair value determined by an independent fair value service (if available) under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees and consistent with applicable regulatory guidance. The independent fair value service takes into account multiple factors including, but not limited to, movements in the securities markets, certain depositary receipts, futures contracts and foreign currency exchange rates that have occurred subsequent to the close of the foreign securities exchange. These investments are generally classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Money Market Funds — Investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Underlying Fund”) are valued at the NAV of the Institutional Share class on the day of valuation. These investments are generally classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For information regarding the Underlying Fund’s accounting policies and investment holdings, please see the Underlying Fund’s shareholder report.

B.  Level 3 Fair Value Investments — To the extent that significant inputs to valuation models and other alternative pricing sources are unobservable, or if 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 under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the most recent valuation 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 which could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions; or unscheduled market closings. Significant events which could also affect a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; ratings downgrades; and bankruptcies.

C.  Fair Value Hierarchy — The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments classified in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:

 

Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments(a)               

Asia

     $ 2,891,342        $        $  

Europe

       8,005,618                    

North America

       358,143,005                    
Investment Company        1,868,218                    
Total      $ 370,908,183        $        $  

 

(a)

Amounts are disclosed by continent to highlight the impact of time zone differences between local market close and the calculation of NAV. Security valuations are based on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, which may differ from country of domicile.

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Schedule of Investments.

4.    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, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

As of December 31, 2018, the contractual management fees with GSAM were as stated below. The effective contractual management rates and effective net management rates represent the rates for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

 

4.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

 

Contractual Management Rate              
First
$2 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
    Effective
Rate
    Effective Net
Management
Rate^
 
  0.77%       0.69     0.66     0.65     0.78     0.77

 

^

Effective Net Management Rate includes the impact of management fee waivers of affiliated Underlying Funds, if any. The Effective Net Management Fee Rate may not correlate to the Contractual Management Rate as a result of management fee waivers that may be in effect from time to time. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $69,396 of its management fee.

Prior to April 30, 2018, the contractual management fee rates for the Fund was as stated below and GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve an Effective Net Management Rate as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus dated April 28, 2017.

 

First
$2 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
 
  0.80%       0.72     0.68     0.67

The Fund invests in Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, which is an affiliated Underlying Fund. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee it earns as an investment adviser to the affiliated Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests, except those management fees it earns from the Fund’s investments of cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $6,887 of the Fund’s management fee.

B.  Distribution and Service (12b-1) Plan — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor, is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance 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 the Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of Institutional and Service Shares.

D.  Other Expense Agreements and Affiliated Transactions — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, a percentage rate of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. The Other Expense limitation as an annual percentage rate of average daily net assets for the Fund is 0.054%. The Other Expense limitation will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. In addition, the Fund has entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Fund’s expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitation described above.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

4.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expense reimbursements, were as follows:

 

 

Management Fee
Waiver
  Custody Fee
Credits
    Other Expense
Reimbursement
    Total Expense
Reductions
 
$76,283   $ 6,773     $ 40,624     $ 123,680  

E.  Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Fund participated in a $770,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and certain registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility.

F.  Other Transactions with Affiliates — For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs earned $9,238 in brokerage commissions from portfolio transactions.

The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds from
Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
   
Shares as of
December 31, 2018
    Dividend Income
from Affiliated
Investment Company
 
$     $ 155,011,501     $ (153,143,283   $ 1,868,218       1,868,218     $ 73,618  

5.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were $664,265,810 and $899,319,551, respectively.

6.    SECURITIES LENDING

The Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, the Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), to certain qualified borrowers. 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 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. Dividend income received from securities on loan may not be subject to withholding taxes and therefore withholding taxes paid may differ from the amounts listed in the Statement of Operations. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and as such 1) the remaining contractual maturities of the outstanding securities lending transactions are considered to be overnight and continuous and 2) the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Government Money Market Fund”), an affiliated series of the Goldman Sachs Trust. The Government Money Market Fund is registered under the Act as an open end investment company, is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the Act, and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive a management fee of up to 0.16% (prior to February 21, 2018, GSAM may have received a management fee of up to 0.205%) on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Government Money Market Fund.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

 

6.    SECURITIES LENDING (continued)

 

In the event of a default by a borrower with respect to any loan, BNYM may exercise any and all remedies provided under the applicable borrower agreement to make the Fund whole. These remedies include purchasing replacement securities by applying the collateral held from the defaulting broker against the purchase cost of the replacement securities. If BNYM is unable to purchase replacement securities, BNYM will indemnify the Fund by paying the Fund an amount equal to the market value of the securities loaned minus the value of cash collateral received from the borrower for the loan, subject to an exclusion for any shortfalls resulting from a loss of value in such cash collateral due to reinvestment risk. The Fund may enter into master netting agreements with borrowers, which provide the right, in the event of a default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. However, in the event of a default by a borrower, a resolution authority could determine that such rights are not enforceable due to the restrictions or prohibitions against the right of set-off that may be imposed in accordance with a particular jurisdiction’s bankruptcy or insolvency laws. The Fund’s loaned securities were all subject to enforceable Securities Lending Agreements and the value of the collateral was at least equal to the value of the cash received. The amounts of the Fund’s overnight and continuous agreements, which represent the gross amounts of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions outstanding as of December 31, 2018, are disclosed as “Payable upon return of securities loaned” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, where applicable. The Fund did not have securities on loan as of December 31, 2018.

Both the Fund and BNYM received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amounts earned, if any, by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations.

The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Government Money Market Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Market Value

December 31, 2017

    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Market Value
December 31, 2018
 
$     $ 51,683,311     $ (51,683,311   $  

7.    TAX INFORMATION

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

        2017        2018  
Distributions paid from:          

Ordinary income

     $ 4,618,182        $ 18,508,506  

Net long-term capital gains

       41,615,328          38,377,937  
Total taxable distributions      $ 46,233,510        $ 56,886,443  

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net    $ 488,942  
Timing differences (Post October Loss Deferral/Deferred Dividend)      (3,247,996
Unrealized losses — net      (6,014,852
Total accumulated losses — net    $ (8,773,906

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

7.    TAX INFORMATION (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost    $ 376,923,035  
Gross unrealized gain      25,089,200  
Gross unrealized loss      (31,104,052
Net unrealized loss    $ (6,014,852

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to wash sales and differences in the tax treatment of underlying fund investments.

In order to present certain components of the Fund’s capital accounts on a tax-basis, the Fund has reclassified $146,296 of undistributed net investment income and $814,729 of paid-in capital from accumulated net realized gain. This reclassification has no impact on the NAV of the Fund and results primarily from redemptions in kind.

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.

8.    OTHER RISKS

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Foreign Countries Risk — Investing in foreign markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in the U. S. Foreign securities may be subject to risk of loss because of more or less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability in the countries in which the Fund invests. The imposition of exchange controls (including repatriation restrictions), confiscations, trade restrictions (including tariffs) and other government restrictions by the U.S. or other governments, or from problems in share registration, settlement or custody, may also result in losses. Foreign risk also involves the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations, which may cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign currency (or other instruments through which the Fund has exposure to foreign currencies) to decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time.

Foreign Custody Risk — If the Fund invests in foreign securities, the Fund may hold such securities and cash with foreign banks, agents, and securities depositories appointed by the Fund’s custodian (each a “Foreign Custodian”). Some foreign custodians may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In some countries, Foreign Custodians may be subject to little or no regulatory oversight over, or independent evaluation of, their operations. Further, the laws of certain countries may place limitations on the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a Foreign Custodian enters bankruptcy.

Geographic Risk — If the Fund focuses its investments in securities of issuers located in a particular country or geographic region, the Fund may be subjected, to a greater extent than if its investments were less focused, to the risks of volatile economic cycles and/or conditions and developments that may be particular to that country or region, such as: adverse securities markets; adverse exchange rates; adverse social, political, regulatory, economic, business, environmental or other developments; or natural disasters.

Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk — As a shareholder of another investment company, including an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any net management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund.

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Fund to sell portfolio

 

22


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

 

8.    OTHER RISKS (continued)

 

securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

Liquidity Risk — The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. If the Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests.

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 or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions defaults.

9.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, 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

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Fund’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

11.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and 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 MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

12.    SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Share activity is as follows:

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      447,011     $ 7,502,741       705,644     $ 11,893,865  
Reinvestment of distributions      3,486,201       45,878,403       1,418,863       23,836,905  
Shares redeemed      (3,628,101     (61,276,824     (6,089,122     (102,715,737
       305,111       (7,895,680     (3,964,615     (66,984,967
Service Shares         
Shares sold      1,545,842       25,910,816       816,894       13,768,077  
Reinvestment of distributions      828,918       11,008,040       1,330,755       22,396,605  
Shares redeemed      (13,353,565     (221,808,147     (2,508,559     (42,423,533
Shares redeemed in connection with in-kind transactions      (5,605,787     (93,560,594            
       (16,584,592     (278,449,885     (360,910     (6,258,851
NET DECREASE      (16,279,481   $ (286,345,565     (4,325,525   $ (73,243,818

 

24


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund (one of the funds constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian and transfer agent. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31,  2018 (Unaudited)    

As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or 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 Shares and 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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.

 

Share Class   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/18
    Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
    Expenses
Paid for the
6 Months
Ended
12/31/18
*
 
Institutional        
       
Actual   $ 1,000     $ 891.20     $ 4.05  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,020.92     4.33  
Service        
       
Actual     1,000     $ 890.40       5.24  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,019.66     5.60  

 

  +

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.

 

 

  *

Expenses 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 December 31, 2018. 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 0.85% and 1.10% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.

 

 

26


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

27


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993- April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

    156     None
         

 

*

Mr. McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

28


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1  

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and President   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer  

Since 2009

(Principal Financial Officer since 2013)

 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer   Since 2016 (Principal Accounting Officer since 2017)  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

(May 2010-October 2015).

 

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, 36.37% of the dividends paid from net investment company taxable income by the Mid Cap Value Fund qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Mid Cap Value Fund designates $38,377,937 or, if different, the maximum amount allowable, as capital gain dividends paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

29


TRUSTEES   OFFICERS

Jessica Palmer, Chair

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Diana M. Daniels

Herbert J. Markley

James A. McNamara

Roy W. Templin

Gregory G. Weaver

 

James A. McNamara, President

Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer

Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer

Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com 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.

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 for the 12-month period ended December 31 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-Qs are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. Form N-Qs may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transaction or matter addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The website links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these websites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these websites.

Fund holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

References to indices, benchmarks or other measures of relative market performance over a specified period of time are provided for your information only and do not imply that the portfolio will achieve similar results. The index composition may not reflect the manner in which a portfolio is constructed. While an adviser seeks to design a portfolio which reflects appropriate risk and return features, portfolio characteristics may deviate from those of the benchmark.

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.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.

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 the 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 the Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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 — Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Fund.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITMCVAR-19/157037-OTU-914517/32k


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Goldman Sachs Government

Money Market Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

LOGO


You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of the bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.

 

 

 


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT 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 Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Government Money Market Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

The Fund’s Institutional Shares’ standardized 7-day current yield was 2.35% and their standardized 7-day effective yield was 2.37% as of December 31, 2018. The Institutional Shares’ one-month simple average yield was 2.20% as of December 31, 2018. The Institutional Shares’ 7-day distribution yield as of December 31, 2018 was 2.33%.

The Fund’s Service Shares’ standardized 7-day current yield was 2.10% and their standardized 7-day effective yield was 2.12% as of December 31, 2018. The Service Shares’ one-month simple average yield was 1.95% as of December 31, 2018. The Service Shares’ 7-day distribution yield as of December 31, 2018 was 2.08%.

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.

What economic and market factors most influenced the money markets as a whole during the Reporting Period?

The Reporting Period was one wherein money market yields remained low throughout but did move noticeably higher as the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) proceeded to raise the target range of the federal funds rate four more times, bringing it to a range of 2.25% to 2.50% by the end of December 2018. The money market yield curve, or spectrum of maturities, flattened, as yields on short-term maturities rose more than those on longer-term maturities. Other significant events that influenced the money markets during the Reporting Period included the continuation of the Fed’s balance sheet normalization, begun in October 2017, and action by other central banks around the world, including the European Central Bank’s (“ECB”) discussion of tapering its asset purchases. (Balance sheet normalization refers to the steps the Fed is taking to reverse quantitative easing and remove the substantial monetary accommodation it has provided to the economy since the financial crisis began in 2007.)

In March 2018, the Fed delivered its first interest rate hike of the calendar year, raising the targeted federal funds rate by 25 basis points. (A basis point is 1/100th of a percentage point.) Policymakers cited ongoing strength in the labor market and a pickup in household spending and business fixed investment. The Fed’s dot plot, which shows rate projections of the members of the Fed’s Open Market Committee, indicated at the March meeting that a total of three rate increases were on tap for 2018 and potentially two in 2019. In June 2018, the Fed delivered another 25 basis point interest rate hike. Additionally, at its June meeting, the Fed moved its projected interest rate hikes from three to four for the calendar year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who assumed the role in February 2018, cited increasing strength in the economy, low unemployment, and inflation close to the Fed’s objective. His comments were largely expected by the market. These interest rate hikes led the U.S. money market yield curve higher, with the curve overall becoming flatter.

In September 2018, the Fed delivered its third interest rate hike of the calendar year, raising the targeted federal funds rate another 25 basis points. The outcome was mixed, perhaps even slightly dovish on balance, mainly because of the removal of the word “accommodative” from its policy stance. There was no change in the medians for the targeted federal funds rate path and little change in the forecasts of key macroeconomic variables. In December 2018, the Fed delivered its fourth interest rate hike of the calendar year, raising the targeted federal funds rate by another 25 basis points, bringing it into the 2.25% to 2.50% range and citing an emphasis on data dependence with a tightening bias. The Fed mentioned it “expects further gradual increases” in the policy rate.

Outside the U.S., the ECB announced in June 2018 that it would end its monthly asset purchase program, seeking to wind it down by the end of 2018, an action confirmed later in the calendar year. The ECB also stated its policy rates would remain low for “an

 

1


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

extended period of time, and well past the horizon of the net asset purchases.” Also, as of December 2018, the Bank of England maintained its benchmark interest rate of 0.5% and signaled that future monetary policy tightening would be appropriate to return inflation sustainably to its target. However, Bank of England members agreed that any future increases in its benchmark interest rate would be at a gradual pace and to a limited extent. At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed there was a mounting case for the Bank of England to raise interest rates in 2019. The U.K.’s unemployment rate remained close to a 43-year low; real wage growth was rising across both the public and private sector; and inflation was moderating toward target amid lower oil prices and as the impact of earlier currency weakness fades.

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

The Fund’s yields rose during the Reporting Period due primarily to the economic and market factors discussed above. The targeted federal funds rate was gradually increased during the Reporting Period to a range of 2.25% to 2.50%, and, as such, money market yields similarly rose modestly though with little difference between maturities during that time. As mentioned, the money market yield curve, or spectrum of maturities, flattened during the Reporting Period overall, as shorter-term rates rose more than longer-term rates did. The Fund remained highly liquid throughout.

We felt comfortable that the Fund was appropriately positioned given the interest rate environment during the Reporting Period, as we sought to take advantage of anticipated interest rate movements throughout. While conditions throughout the Reporting Period did not provide bountiful opportunities to pick up yield, as the interest rate yield curve flattened through most of the Reporting Period, it should be noted that regardless of interest rate conditions, we manage the Fund consistently. Our investment approach has always been tri-fold — to seek preservation of capital, daily liquidity and maximization of yield potential. We manage interest and credit risk daily. Whether interest rates are historically low, high or in-between, we intend to continue to use our actively managed approach to provide the best possible return within the framework of the Fund’s guidelines and objectives.

How did you manage the Fund’s weighted average maturity during the Reporting Period?

On December 31, 2017, the Fund’s weighted average maturity was 18 days. During the first quarter of 2018, we targeted a weighted average maturity for the Fund in an 18 to 24 day range in anticipation of the March 2018 interest rate increase by the Fed. By the end of March 2018, following the Fed’s rate hike, we extended the Fund’s weighted average maturity to 40 days. During the second quarter of 2018, with comments from the Fed about a potential June 2018 interest rate increase, we maintained a weighted average maturity for the Fund in a 29 to 33 day range. After the Fed raised interest rates at its June 2018 meeting, we allowed the weighted average maturity of the Fund to extend to a range of between 33 days and 37 days. The Fund’s weighted average maturity on June 30, 2018 was 37 days.

During the third quarter of 2018, we maintained a weighted average maturity for the Fund in a 27 to 33 day range, moving up to a weighted average maturity of 33 days by the end of September 2018. During the fourth quarter of 2018, we maintained a weighted average maturity for the Fund in a 21 to 45 day range, moving up to a weighted average maturity of 45 days by the end of December 2018.

Throughout the Reporting Period, we focused on U.S. government agency securities, U.S. government repurchase agreements and U.S. Treasuries when and where we saw what we considered to be attractive opportunities.

The weighted average maturity of a money market fund is a measure of its price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Also known as effective maturity, weighted average maturity measures the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.

How did you manage the Fund’s weighted average life during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, we managed the weighted average life of the Fund below 120 days. The weighted average life of the Fund was 103 days as of December 31, 2018. The weighted average life of a money market fund is a measure of a money market fund’s price sensitivity to changes in liquidity and/or credit risk.

Under amendments to SEC Rule 2a-7 that became effective in May 2010, the maximum allowable weighted average life of a money market fund is 120 days. While one of the goals of the SEC’s money market fund rule is to reinforce conservative investment practices across the money market fund industry, our security selection process has long emphasized conservative investment choices.

How was the Fund invested during the Reporting Period?

The Fund had investments in U.S. government agency securities, U.S. government repurchase agreements, U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury repurchase agreements during the Reporting Period.

 

2


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

With yields bounds in a still-low range, there was not a lot of dispersion in performance among securities available for purchase. Throughout, though, we stayed true to our investment discipline, favoring liquidity and high quality credits over added yield. The primary focal points for our team are consistently managing interest rate risk and credit risk. We were able to navigate interest rate risk by adjusting the Fund’s weighted average maturity longer or shorter as market conditions shifted and to mitigate potential credit risk by buying high quality, creditworthy names, strategies which added to the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period.

Did you make any changes in the Fund’s portfolio during the Reporting Period?

As indicated earlier, we made adjustments to the Fund’s weighted average maturity and to specific security type composition allocations based on then-current market conditions, our near-term view, and anticipated and actual Fed monetary policy statements. That said, there were no significant changes in the Fund’s investment exposures during the Reporting Period. Our duration positioning in the Fund ahead of the March, June, September and December 2018 Fed meetings was particularly positive for the Fund.

What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?

Following four Fed interest rate hikes in 2018, we anticipate two more in 2019. At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed the Fed would likely shift away from the “gradual” approach to a more data-dependent tightening bias, perhaps by deleting “gradual increases” from its next statement and inserting something like “additional increases” instead. An alternative would be to keep the current “gradual increases” but then add that the gradual approach is valid “in the near term.” While this is our outlook, we have less conviction on the Fed’s outlook for 2019.

For the last two years, we have had high conviction that the market was underpricing the path of Fed rate hikes. At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed that was still the case, which underpins our expectation for further increases in market interest rates, but we have less conviction in our Fed view compared to 2017 and 2018. With the recent tightening in financial conditions and the new year’s expected economic growth slowdown, we think the case for a pause in the Fed’s tightening campaign has grown stronger. We also see a risk that wage and price inflation pick up in 2019 given the tightness in the U.S. labor market, leading the Fed to possibly continue hiking every quarter through 2019. The Fed is both creating and responding to changes in financial conditions. If financial conditions continue to tighten primarily due to a cheapening in equities, we do not see that as a compelling reason for the Fed to respond or for investors to de-risk. If financial conditions tighten due to a rise in long-term interest rates, we think the Fed may pause to assess the medium- to long-term outlook, which could be supportive for risk assets. As a result, we think the main downside scenario for risk assets is that economic growth slows but rising inflation forces the Fed to continue raising the targeted federal funds rate.

Looking ahead, our strategy continues to be flexibly guided by shifting market conditions, positioning the Fund to seek to take advantage of anticipated interest rate movements. More specifically, at the end of the Reporting Period, we intended to adjust duration guided by the context of market pricing in relation to our own expectations. As always, we intend to continue to use our actively managed approach to seek the best possible return within the framework of the Fund’s investment guidelines and objectives. In addition, we will continue to manage interest, liquidity and credit risk daily.

We will, of course, 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.

 

3


FUND BASICS

 

FUND COMPOSITION†

Security Type

(Percentage of Net Assets)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its portfolio 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 GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
    Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
 
  U.S. Government Agency Obligations – 18.5%  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 Mo. LIBOR – 0.09%)

 
$ 1,000,000       2.415 %(a)      03/28/19     $ 1,000,000  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 Mo. LIBOR – 0.14%)

 
  1,700,000       2.663 (a)       09/30/19       1,699,937  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 Mo. LIBOR – 0.26%)

 
  250,000       2.154 (a)       07/10/19       250,000  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill MMY – 0.20%)(a)

 
  1,300,000       2.495       11/20/19       1,299,966  
  650,000       2.495       11/29/19       650,000  
  650,000       2.500       02/18/20       650,000  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill MMY – 0.15%)(a)

 
  800,000       2.505       10/18/19       799,981  
  650,000       2.505       12/26/19       649,975  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill MMY – 0.18%)(a)

 
  800,000       2.520       02/19/19       799,991  
  800,000       2.515       07/05/19       799,992  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (FEDL01 – 0.11%)

 
  800,000       2.510 (a)       08/13/20       799,871  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime Rate – 2.88%)

 
  1,000,000       2.620 (a)       05/07/20       999,893  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime Rate – 2.90%)

 
  600,000       2.600 (a)       01/30/20       600,000  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime Rate – 2.93%)

 
  1,200,000       2.570 (a)       11/06/20       1,200,000  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime Rate – 2.94%)

 
  1,500,000       2.565 (a)       10/30/20       1,500,000  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime Rate – 2.95%)

 
  100,000       2.550 (a)       04/30/20       100,000  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime Rate – 2.96%)

 
  200,000       2.540 (a)       03/13/20       199,821  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime Rate – 2.98%)

 
  300,000       2.520 (a)       11/12/20       299,723  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime Rate – 6.16%)(a)

 
  250,000       2.420       06/27/19       249,994  
  1,600,000       2.420       07/17/19       1,599,913  
 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime Rate – 3.12%)

 
  1,000,000       2.380 (a)       01/24/19       999,993  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank

 
  1,200,000       2.500       05/17/19       1,199,802  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (1 Mo. LIBOR – 0.05%)

 
  6,000,000       2.333 (a)       10/07/19       6,000,000  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (1 Mo. LIBOR – 0.08%)

 
  13,000,000       2.390 (a)       03/19/19       13,000,000  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (1 Mo. LIBOR – 0.09%)

 
  1,200,000       2.350 (a)       01/14/19       1,200,000  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (1 Mo. LIBOR – 0.19%)

 
  5,700,000       2.360 (a)       04/18/19       5,700,000  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (1 Mo. LIBOR – 0.33%)(a)

 
  9,500,000       2.396       01/25/19       9,499,943  
  11,000,000       2.394       02/22/19       10,999,954  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (1 Mo. LIBOR – 0.12%)

 
  1,700,000       2.389 (a)       01/22/19       1,699,989  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (3 Mo. LIBOR – 1.24%)(a)

 
  6,200,000       2.466       03/12/19       6,200,000  
  3,500,000       2.469       03/13/19       3,500,000  
  1,400,000       2.514       03/22/19       1,400,000  
  750,000       2.512       03/25/19       750,000  

 

 

 
  U.S. Government Agency Obligations – (continued)  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (3 Mo. LIBOR – 0.96%)(a)

 
$ 2,900,000       2.470     03/21/19     $ 2,900,000  
  5,900,000       2.502       03/25/19       5,900,000  
  6,000,000       2.502       03/27/19       6,000,000  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (3 Mo. LIBOR – 0.66%)(a)

 
  4,500,000       2.080       01/07/19       4,500,000  
  5,000,000       2.090       01/11/19       5,000,000  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill – 0.07%)

 
  10,700,000       2.534 (a)       01/30/20       10,701,735  
 

Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes

 
  6,500,000       2.394       02/25/19       6,476,365  
  6,500,000       2.432       03/01/19       6,474,604  
 

Federal National Mortgage Association (SOFR – 0.08%)

 
  6,000,000       2.540 (a)       01/30/19       6,000,000  
 

Federal National Mortgage Association (SOFR – 0.12%)

 
  6,000,000       2.580 (a)       07/30/19       6,000,000  
 

Federal National Mortgage Association (SOFR – 0.16%)

 
  750,000       2.620 (a)       01/30/20       750,000  
 

Overseas Private Investment Corp. (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill – 0.00%)

 
  5,385,317       2.430 (a)       01/07/19       5,385,317  

 

 

 
 
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY
OBLIGATIONS
 
 
  $ 144,386,759  

 

 

 
     
  U.S. Treasury Obligations – 31.0%  
 

United States Treasury Bills

 
$ 10,000       2.412     02/05/19     $ 9,977  
  80,000       2.417       02/05/19       79,815  
  320,000       2.422       02/05/19       319,260  
  20,000       2.416       02/14/19       19,942  
  20,000       2.432       02/19/19       19,935  
  100,000       2.420       04/04/19       99,390  
  300,000       2.429       04/04/19       298,163  
  1,000,000       2.438       04/04/19       993,839  
  1,100,000       2.443       04/04/19       1,093,208  
  1,700,000       2.444       04/04/19       1,689,504  
  1,000,000       2.500 (b)       04/04/19       993,806  
  3,000,000       2.505 (b)       04/04/19       2,981,383  
  1,500,000       2.506 (b)       04/04/19       1,490,688  
  100,000       2.507       05/02/19       99,176  
  500,000       2.524       05/23/19       495,148  
  11,000,000       2.541       05/30/19       10,887,319  
  15,000,000       2.562       06/06/19       14,837,825  
  20,000,000       2.546       06/13/19       19,775,422  
  90,000       2.477       06/20/19       88,974  
  18,500,000       2.552       06/20/19       18,282,908  
  100,000       2.494       06/27/19       98,805  
  34,910,000       2.546       06/27/19       34,484,331  
  50,000,000       2.573 (b)       07/05/19       49,363,313  
 

United States Treasury Floating Rate Note (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill
MMY + 0.04%)

 
 
  10,000,000       2.473 (a)       07/31/20       9,998,843  
 

United States Treasury Floating Rate Notes (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill
MMY + 0.05%)(a)

 
 
  46,000,000       2.478       10/31/19       46,003,742  
  15,000,000       2.475       10/31/20       15,000,272  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   5


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
    Maturity
Date
    Amortized
Cost
 
  U.S. Treasury Obligations – (continued)  
 

United States Treasury Notes

 
$ 300,000       1.125     01/31/19     $ 299,693  
  100,000       1.500       01/31/19       99,926  
  500,000       1.125       05/31/19       497,087  
  2,400,000       1.250       06/30/19       2,384,194  
  3,100,000       1.625       06/30/19       3,085,264  
  2,500,000       0.750       07/15/19       2,475,531  
  1,200,000       0.750       08/15/19       1,186,207  
  1,500,000       3.625       08/15/19       1,509,106  
  600,000       1.750       09/30/19       595,872  

 

 

 
 
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY
OBLIGATIONS
 
 
  $ 241,637,868  

 

 

 
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
 
  $ 386,024,627  

 

 

 
     
  Repurchase Agreements(c) – 55.8%  
 

BNP Paribas

 
$ 5,000,000       2.400 %(d)      01/07/19     $ 5,000,000  
 

Maturity Value: $5,030,667

 
 

Settlement Date: 11/27/18

 
 





Collateralized by a U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Bond,
2.000%, due 01/15/26, U.S. Treasury Interest-Only Stripped
Securities, 0.000%, due 02/15/20 to 11/15/44, a U.S. Treasury
Note, 1.750%, due 12/31/20 and U.S. Treasury Principal-Only
Stripped Securities, 0.000%, due 05/15/20 to 08/15/39. The
aggregate market value of the collateral, including accrued
interest, was $5,100,001.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  5,000,000       2.420 (d)       01/07/19       5,000,000  
 

Maturity Value: $5,030,922

 
 

Settlement Date: 11/27/18

 
 






Collateralized by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 3.000% to
6.500%, due 03/01/26 to 09/01/46, Federal National Mortgage
Association, 3.000% to 7.000%, due 11/01/21 to 11/01/48,
Government National Mortgage Association, 3.000% to
6.000%, due 09/15/38 to 05/20/46 and U.S. Treasury Notes,
1.000% to 2.625%, due 10/15/19 to 06/15/21. The aggregate
market value of the collateral, including accrued interest, was
$5,149,888.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  10,000,000       2.480 (d)       01/07/19       10,000,000  
 

Maturity Value: $10,063,378

 
 

Settlement Date: 12/20/18

 
 




Collateralized by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 4.000%,
due 12/01/45, Federal National Mortgage Association, 4.000%
to 4.500%, due 10/01/48 to 11/01/48 and Government National
Mortgage Association, 3.500%, due 12/20/45. The aggregate
market value of the collateral, including accrued interest, was
$10,300,001.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

Joint Repurchase Agreement Account III

 
  400,500,000       2.993       01/02/19       400,500,000  
 

Maturity Value: $400,566,602

 

 

 

 
  Repurchase Agreements(c) – (continued)  
 

Royal Bank of Canada-New York Branch

 
$ 15,000,000       2.390 %(d)      01/04/19     $ 15,000,000  
 

Maturity Value: $15,027,883

 
 

Settlement Date: 12/07/18

 
 




Collateralized by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 3.000%,
due 03/01/46, Federal National Mortgage Association, 2.000%
to 5.000%, due 02/01/33 to 11/01/48 and Government National
Mortgage Association, 3.500% to 4.000%, due 09/20/42 to
02/20/48. The aggregate market value of the collateral,
including accrued interest, was $15,300,000.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
  TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS     $ 435,500,000  

 

 

 
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 105.3%     $ 821,524,627  

 

 

 
 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF
OTHER ASSETS – (5.3)%


 
    (41,425,165

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS – 100.0%     $ 780,099,462  

 

 

 

 

The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
(a)   Variable or floating rate security. Except for floating rate notes (for which final maturity is disclosed), maturity date disclosed is the next interest reset date. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect on December 31, 2018.
(b)   All or a portion represents a forward commitment.
(c)   Unless noted, all repurchase agreements were entered into on December 31, 2018. Additional information on Joint Repurchase Agreement Account III appears in the Additional Investment Information section.
(d)   The instrument is subject to a demand feature.
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 rate, which is based upon current interest rate indices.
Maturity dates represent either the final legal maturity date on the security, the demand date for puttable securities, the date of the next interest rate reset for variable rate securities, or the prerefunded date for those types of securities.

 

 
Investment Abbreviations:
FEDL01   —US Federal Funds Effective Rate
LIBOR   —London Interbank Offered Rates
MMY   —Money Market Yield
Prime   —Federal Reserve Bank Prime Loan Rate US
SOFR   —Secured Overnight Financing Rate
T-Bill   —Treasury Bill

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

JOINT REPURCHASE AGREEMENT ACCOUNT III — At December 31, 2018, the Fund had undivided interests in the Joint Repurchase Agreement Account III, with a maturity date of January 2, 2019, as follows:

 

Principal Amount      Maturity Value      Collateral Value
    $400,500,000          $ 400,566,602        $ 412,482,134

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS — At December 31, 2018, the Principal Amounts of the Fund’s interest in the Joint Repurchase Agreement Account III were as follows:

 

Counterparty     

Interest

Rate

      

Principal

Amount

 
ABN Amro Bank N.V.        2.970      $ 22,247,528  
Bank of America, N.A.        3.000          27,809,410  
Bank of Nova Scotia (The)        2.970          122,361,405  
BNP Paribas        3.000          27,809,410  
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.        3.000          116,799,522  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

       3.020          83,472,725  
TOTAL                 $ 400,500,000  

At December 31, 2018, the Joint Repurchase Agreement Account III was fully collateralized by:

 

Issuer     

Interest

Rates

      

Maturity

Dates

 
Federal Farm Credit Bank        1.550 to 4.150        04/13/20 to 06/27/33  
Federal Home Loan Bank        1.250          01/16/19  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.        2.000 to 7.500          05/01/21 to 01/01/49  
Federal National Mortgage Association        1.750 to 7.500          02/01/19 to 10/01/56  
Government National Mortgage Association        2.500 to 7.500          09/15/24 to 11/20/48  
U.S. Treasury Bill        0.000          01/10/19  
U.S. Treasury Bond        2.750          08/15/47  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   7


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

  
Assets:    

Investments based on amortized cost

   $ 386,024,627  

Repurchase agreements based on amortized cost

     435,500,000  

Cash

     63,814  

Receivables:

  

Fund shares sold

     14,173,968  

Interest

     694,887  

Reimbursement from investment adviser

     43,117  
Total assets      836,500,413  
  
Liabilities:    

Payables:

  

Investment securities purchased

     54,829,189  

Fund shares redeemed

     1,295,159  

Management fees

     94,789  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     87,929  

Accrued expenses

     93,885  
Total liabilities      56,400,951  
  
Net Assets:    

Paid-in capital

     780,114,877  

Total distributable loss

     (15,415
NET ASSETS    $ 780,099,462  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 1.00  

Net Assets:

  

Institutional Shares

   $ 411,447,477  

Service Shares

     368,651,985  

Total Net Assets

   $ 780,099,462  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional Shares

     411,455,450  

Service Shares

     368,659,408  

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Statement of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

  
Investment Income:    

Interest

   $ 12,052,775  
  
  
Expenses:    

Management fees

     1,048,079  

Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares

     870,909  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     126,047  

Professional fees

     121,495  

Printing and mailing costs

     57,490  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     51,838  

Trustee fees

     17,182  

Other

     12,502  
Total expenses      2,305,542  

Less — expense reductions

     (276,035
Net expenses      2,029,507  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME      10,023,268  
NET REALIZED LOSS FROM INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS      (46,644
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ 9,976,624  

(a) Institutional and Service Shares incurred Transfer Agency fees of $56,380 and $69,667, respectively.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   9


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
     
From operations:        

Net investment income

   $ 10,023,268      $ 3,607,434  

Net realized loss from investment transactions

     (46,644      (9,695
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations      9,976,624        3,597,739  
     
     
Distributions to shareholders:        

From distributable earnings:

     

Institutional Shares

     (4,862,159      (1,764,524 )(a) 

Service Shares

     (5,123,116      (1,838,690 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders      (9,985,275      (3,603,214
     
     
From share transactions (at $1.00 per share):        

Proceeds from sales of shares

     791,066,132        475,485,463  

Reinvestment of distributions

     9,982,588        3,592,877  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (677,694,987      (404,885,071
Net increase in net assets resulting from share transactions      123,353,733        74,193,269  
TOTAL INCREASE      123,345,082        74,187,794  
     
     
Net assets:(b)        

Beginning of year

     656,754,380        582,566,586  

End of year

   $ 780,099,462      $ 656,754,380  

(a) Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation. Distributions to shareholders consisted solely of net investment income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

(b) Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $6,724 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    Goldman Sachs Government Money Market Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data:                    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00  

Net investment income(a)

    0.017       0.008       0.003       (b)       (b)  
           

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income(c)

    (0.017     (0.008     (0.003     (b)       (b)  
           

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00  

Total return(d)

    1.74     0.76     0.29     0.02     0.01

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

  $ 411,447     $ 302,507     $ 206,987     $ 1,143     $ 773  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.18     0.18     0.19     0.23     0.23

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.23     0.27     0.30     0.31     0.31

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.73     0.76     0.31     0.03     0.03

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Amount is less than $0.0005 per share.

(c)

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.

(d)

Assumes reinvestment of all distributions.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   11


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    Goldman Sachs Government Money Market Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data:                    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00  

Net investment income(a)

    0.015       0.005       (b)       (b)       (b)  
           

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income(c)

    (0.015     (0.005     (b)       (b)       (b)  
           

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00  

Total return(d)

    1.48     0.51     0.04     0.01     0.01

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

  $ 368,652     $ 354,248     $ 375,580     $ 328,202     $ 305,994  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.43     0.43     0.44     0.26     0.24

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.48     0.52     0.55     0.56     0.56

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.48     0.51     0.03     0.01     %(e) 

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Amount is less than $0.0005 per share.

(c)

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.

(d)

Assumes reinvestment of all distributions.

(e)

Amount is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 Government Money Market Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service Shares. Shares of the Trust are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The investment valuation policy of the Fund is to use the amortized-cost method permitted by Rule 2a-7 under the Act for valuing portfolio securities. The amortized-cost method of valuation involves valuing a security at its cost and thereafter applying a constant accretion or amortization to maturity of any discount or premium. Normally, a security’s amortized cost will approximate its market value. Under procedures and tolerances approved by the Board of Trustees (“Trustees”), GSAM evaluates daily the difference between the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share using the amortized costs of its portfolio securities and the Fund’s NAV per share using market-based values of its portfolio securities. The market-based value of a portfolio security is determined, where readily available, on the basis of market quotations provided by pricing services or securities dealers, or, where accurate market quotations are not readily available, on the basis of the security’s fair value as determined in accordance with Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which may consider (among other things): (i) yield or price with respect to debt securities that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date or (ii) quotations from securities dealers to determine current value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost.

C.  Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of the Fund are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Class specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency fees. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by the Fund are charged to the Fund, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the applicable Funds on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses.

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 and tax-exempt income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. Distributions to shareholders are declared and recorded daily and paid monthly by the Fund and may include short-term capital gains. Long-term capital gain distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually. The Fund may defer or accelerate the timing of the distribution of short-term capital gains (or any portion thereof)

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 distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Fund’s net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

 

13


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

        2018        2017  
Distributions paid from:          
Ordinary income      $ 9,985,275        $ 3,603,214  
Net long-term capital gains                  
Total taxable distributions      $ 9,985,275        $ 3,603,214  

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed (Distributions in excess of) ordinary income — net      $ 44,717  
Perpetual Short-term Capital loss carryforward        (43,959
Timing differences (Post October Loss Deferral/Distributions Payable)        (16,173
Unrealized gains (losses) — net         
Total accumulated earnings (losses) — net      $ (15,415

The amortized cost for the Fund stated in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities also represents aggregate cost for U.S. 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.

E.  Forward Commitments — A forward commitment involves entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities, typically on an extended settlement basis, for a fixed price at a future date. The purchase of securities on a 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 Fund will generally purchase securities on a forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, the Fund may dispose of forward commitments prior to settlement which may result in a realized gain or loss.

F.  Repurchase Agreements — Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase the securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price, under the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement (“MRA”). During the term of a repurchase agreement, the value of the underlying securities held as collateral on behalf of a Fund, including accrued interest, is required to exceed the value of the repurchase agreement, including accrued interest. The gross value of repurchase agreements is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for financial reporting purposes. The underlying securities for all repurchase agreements are held at the Fund’s custodian or designated sub-custodians under tri-party repurchase agreements.

An MRA governs transactions between the Fund and select counterparties. An MRA contains provisions for, among other things, initiation of the transaction, income payments, events of default, and maintenance of securities for repurchase agreements. An MRA also permits offsetting with collateral to create one single net payment in the event of default or similar events, including the bankruptcy or insolvency of a counterparty.

If the seller defaults, the Fund could suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of

 

14


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

 

 

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of default or insolvency of the seller, a court could determine that a Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable, resulting in additional losses to the Fund.

Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and terms and conditions contained therein, the Fund, together with other funds of the Trust and 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 maintains pro-rata credit exposure to the underlying repurchase agreements’ counterparties. With the exception of certain transaction fees, the Fund is not subject to any expenses in relation to these investments.

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Fund’s policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

The Trustees have approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Fund, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation (including both the amortized cost and market-based methods of valuation) of the Fund’s investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies related to the market-based method of valuation, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

As of December 31, 2018, all investments and repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for further detail.

4.    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, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Prior to February 21, 2018, GSAM agreed to waive a portion of the management fee equal to 0.045% of the annual contractual rate applicable to the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

15


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

4.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

B.  Distribution and Service (12b-1) Plan — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor (the “Distributor”), is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance 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 fee charged for such transfer agency services is accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the Fund’s average daily net assets of Institutional and Service Shares.

D.  Other Expense Agreements — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent that such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, 0.004% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. This Other Expense limitation will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM reimbursed $235,298 to the Fund. In addition, the Fund has entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Fund’s expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitation described above. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, custody fee credits were $1,036.

E.  Contractual and Net Fund Expenses — During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM, as the investment adviser, and Goldman Sachs, as distributor and transfer agent, voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of management fees, distribution and service plan fees and transfer agency fees attributable to the Fund. These waivers may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of GSAM or Goldman Sachs (as applicable). The following table outlines such fees (net of waivers) and Other Expenses (net of reimbursements and custodian and transfer agency fee credit reductions) in order to determine the Fund’s net annualized expenses for the fiscal period. The Fund is not obligated to reimburse Goldman Sachs for prior fiscal year fee waivers, if any.

 

     Institutional Shares     Service Shares  
Fee/Expense Type   

Contractual rate,

if any

    Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets
for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2018
   

Contractual rate,

if any

    Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets
for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2018
 
Management Fee(a)      0.16     0.16     0.16     0.16
Distribution and Service Fees      N/A       N/A       0.25       0.25  
Transfer Agency Fees      0.02       0.02       0.02       0.02  
Other Expenses            0.00 (b)             0.00 (b)  
Net Expenses              0.18             0.43

 

(a)

Prior to February 21, 2018, the Fund’s contractual management fee rate was 0.205% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

(b)

Amount is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

N/A

- Fees not applicable to respective share class.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs waived $39,691 and $10 in management and transfer agency fees, respectively.

F.  Other Transactions with Affiliates — The Fund may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is solely due to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common Trustees. For the fiscal

 

16


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

 

 

4.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

year ended December 31, 2018, there were no purchase and sale transactions for the Fund with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act.

G.  Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Fund participated in a $770,000,000 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. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility.

5.    OTHER RISKS

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. These transactions may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio.

Interest Rate Risk — When interest rates increase, the Fund’s yield will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates, and the market value of its securities or instruments may also be adversely affected. A low interest rate environment poses additional risks to the Fund, because low yields on the Fund’s portfolio holdings may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s ability to provide a positive yield to its shareholders, pay expenses out of Fund assets, or, at times, maintain a stable $1.00 share price. The risks associated with changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and the Fund’s investments. Fluctuations in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of fixed income securities and instruments held by the Fund.

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 or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions defaults.

Credit/Default Risk — An issuer or guarantor of a security held by the Fund, or a bank or other financial institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement with the Fund, may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal or default on any other obligation. Additionally, the credit quality of securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the Fund’s liquidity and cause significant deterioration in NAV.

6.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, 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 GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

7.    OTHER MATTERS

 

 

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Fund’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

8.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

9.    SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Share activity is as follows:

 

      For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
Institutional Shares*     
Shares sold      576,263,982       289,673,821  
Reinvestment of distributions      4,859,363       1,754,187  
Shares redeemed      (472,178,302     (195,904,682
       108,945,043       95,523,326  
Service Shares*     
Shares sold      214,802,150       185,811,642  
Reinvestment of distributions      5,123,225       1,838,690  
Shares redeemed      (205,516,685     (208,980,389
       14,408,690       (21,330,057
NET INCREASE IN SHARES      123,353,733       74,193,269  

 

*

Valued at $1.00 per share.

 

18


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of Goldman Sachs Government Money Market Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Goldman Sachs Government Money Market Fund (one of the funds constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

19


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)   

As a shareholder of Institutional Shares and 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 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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.

 

Share Class   Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
    Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
    Expenses Paid
for the
6 Months
Ended
12/31/18
*
 
Institutional Shares        
       
Actual   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,010.01     $ 0.91  
Hypothetical 5% return   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,024.30   $ 0.92  
Service Shares        
       
Actual   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,008.73     $ 2.18  
Hypothetical 5% return   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,023.04   $ 2.19  

 

  *

Expenses 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 December 31, 2018. 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 (or, since inception, if shorter); and then dividing that result by the number of days in the period. The annualized net expense ratios for the period were 0.18% and 0.43% for the Institutional Shares and Service Shares, respectively.

 

 

  +

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.

 

 

20


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Address and Age1
  Position(s) Held
with the Trust
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served2
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
    Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/ Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

21


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
  Position(s) Held
with the Trust
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served2
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
    Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

    156     None
         

 

*

Mr. McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

 

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

22


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1   Position(s) Held
with the Trust
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served2
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and
President
  Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior
Vice President and
Principal Financial
Officer
  Since 2009
(Principal
Financial
Officer
since 2013)
 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer
and Principal
Accounting Officer
  Since 2016
(Principal
Accounting
Officer
since 2017)
 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (May 2010-October 2015).

 

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

23


TRUSTEES

Jessica Palmer, Chair

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Diana M. Daniels

Herbert J. Markley

James A. McNamara

Roy W. Templin

Gregory G. Weaver

 

OFFICERS

James A. McNamara, President

Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer

Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasuer

and Principal Accounting Officer

Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com 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.

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 December 31 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.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

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 Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. Forms N-Q may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transaction or matter addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The web site links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these web sites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these web sites.

Fund holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.

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 the 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 the Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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 — Goldman Sachs Government Money Market Fund.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITMMAR-19/157330-OTU-916697/8.1k


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Goldman Sachs

Multi-Strategy

Alternatives Portfolio

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

LOGO


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital.

 

Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis

Below, the Goldman Sachs Global Portfolio Solutions Team discusses the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio’s (the “Portfolio”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Portfolio perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Portfolio’s Institutional, Service and Advisor Shares generated average annual total returns of –6.74%, –6.93% and –7.09%, respectively. These returns compare to the 2.08% average annual total return of the Portfolio’s benchmark, the ICE® BofAML® U.S. Dollar Three-Month LIBOR Constant Maturity Index (the “LIBOR Index”), during the same period.

Please note that the Portfolio’s benchmark being the LIBOR Index is a means of emphasizing that the Portfolio has an unconstrained strategy. That said, this Portfolio employs a benchmark agnostic strategy and thus comparisons to a benchmark index are not particularly relevant.

What economic and market factors most influenced the Portfolio during the Reporting Period?

The capital markets were influenced most during the Reporting Period by economic data, central bank monetary policy, higher commodity prices and geopolitical events.

In the first quarter of 2018, when the Reporting Period began, global equity markets experienced their first pullback after rallying for eight consecutive calendar quarters. Global equity prices peaked during the last week of January 2018 before retreating on news of stronger than consensus expected U.S. wage growth data in early February. In addition to the wage growth data, which led investors to anticipate a faster pace of U.S. Federal Reserve (“Fed”) interest rate hikes, rising concerns about potential trade protectionism and worsening market sentiment about U.S. information technology stocks weighed on global equity prices. In the second half of March 2018, U.S. information technology stocks sold off due to investor concerns about data privacy. During the first calendar quarter overall, macroeconomic data moderated in the developed markets, particularly in Europe and Japan. Emerging markets equities generally outperformed their developed markets peers because of what many considered to be attractive valuations, because of the comparatively stronger economic data within emerging markets countries and because of higher commodity prices. In the fixed income markets, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the first quarter of 2018, driven by the Fed’s decision to raise interest rates at its March policy meeting as well as by a modest pickup in inflation and a higher than consensus expected U.S. fiscal deficit. The outcome of the Fed’s policy meeting was generally considered dovish by investors but was also in line with market expectations. (Dovish tends to imply lower interest rates; opposite of hawkish.) The U.S. dollar weakened relative to other major developed markets currencies during the first calendar quarter.

During the second quarter of 2018, developed markets equities generated positive returns, while emerging markets equities experienced broad-based weakness. Two large themes were at play: 1) divergence between U.S. economic growth compared to that of the rest of the world and 2) continued escalation of trade tensions. Within developed markets, U.S., U.K., European and Japanese equities rallied. U.K. export-driven stocks, in particular, benefited strongly from the depreciation of the British pound versus other major currencies. Meanwhile, emerging markets equities substantially underperformed developed markets stocks, as emerging markets’ economic growth slowed and disputes between the U.S. and China about trade tariffs soured investors’ appetite for emerging markets assets in general. Broad-based selling also contributed to the weakness of emerging markets stocks. Within fixed income, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose, as U.S. macroeconomic data remained relatively strong, inflation increased and crude oil prices rose. The U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies, driven by comparatively better U.S. economic growth and tighter Fed monetary policy. The Mexican peso and euro were among those currencies experiencing some of the largest drops versus the U.S. dollar. Weakening appetite for emerging markets assets and the looming Mexican presidential election weighed on the Mexican peso, while slower Eurozone economic growth and a dovish European Central Bank pressured the euro. Meanwhile, moderating global economic growth and escalating trade tensions weighed on the prices of metals, such as copper, and the stronger U.S. dollar pushed down gold prices.

 

1


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

In the third quarter of 2018, global economic growth continued to moderate, especially outside of the U.S. At the same time, U.S.-China trade tensions escalated, leading to tariffs of $250 billion on U.S. imports from China. In terms of monetary policy, the Fed raised short-term interest rates at its September policy meeting and signaled one more hike in 2018. Global equities overall posted gains during the third calendar quarter, driven by a rally in developed markets stocks. Within developed markets stocks, U.S. equities outperformed, recording one of their best performing quarters in five years due to strong corporate earnings and economic data. European equities retreated, as softer economic activity and concerns around Italy weighed on their performance. Japanese equities rallied on the back of a weakening Japanese yen. Meanwhile, emerging markets equities declined, primarily due to the negative performance of Chinese stocks. Regarding fixed income, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose in response to strong U.S. economic activity, which caused the market to price in additional Fed rate hikes. In Europe, the spread, or yield differential, between 10-year Italian and German government bonds widened, reflecting higher risk premiums on Italian assets because of increased concerns about the Italian government’s budget. Also during the third quarter of 2018, the currencies of emerging markets countries with significant financing needs fell to their 2018 calendar year lows versus the U.S. dollar; the Turkish lira and Argentinian peso, as prime examples, were down 42% and 50%, respectively, between January 1 and August 31. Within commodities, higher U.S. interest rates and slowing Chinese economic growth dampened gold and copper prices.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, softer global economic data, which led to downward consensus expectations for corporate earnings growth, and the Fed’s less accommodative monetary policy weighed on global equity markets, driving a double-digit decline across most major equity indices. Within developed markets stocks, Japanese equities turned in the weakest performance, as cyclical stocks were pressured by decelerating global economic growth, and export-oriented stocks were hurt by a stronger Japanese yen. U.S. and European equities also experienced substantial losses. Despite weaker economic data from China, emerging markets equities outperformed developed markets equities during the fourth calendar quarter, thanks in large part to rallies in Brazilian and Indian stocks. Brazilian risk assets broadly benefited from renewed investor optimism about potentially market-friendly measures from its new government and relatively better economic data. Indian equities were helped by lower crude oil prices and improving macro data. Within fixed income, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell in response to a decline in U.S. inflation, driven by the drop in crude oil prices and signs of slowing U.S. economic growth. Yields of government bonds in other developed markets countries also fell but by a lesser magnitude. Investors revised downward their expectations for 2019 Fed monetary policy action from two short-term interest rate increases to no rate hike at all. The Fed, however, still projected two rate hikes during the 2019 calendar year. Within commodities, crude oil prices declined on market concerns about global economic growth and as oversupply led investors to unwind long positions. Regarding metals, copper prices fell, while gold prices rallied. As for currencies, the Japanese yen was the best performing major currency during the fourth quarter of 2018. The U.S. dollar strengthened overall versus most major currencies.

What key factors were responsible for the Portfolio’s performance during the Reporting Period?

The Portfolio’s performance is driven by four sources of return: long-term strategic asset allocation to market exposures, medium-term cycle-aware allocation, short-term tactical allocation and excess returns from investments in Underlying Funds. Strategic asset allocation is the process by which the Portfolio’s assets are allocated across underlying asset classes and strategies in a way that considers the risks of each underlying asset class and strategy. Medium-term cycle-aware allocation is the process by which we adjust the portfolio for changes in the business or economic cycle. Short-term tactical allocation is the implementation of tactical market views with the goal of improving the Portfolio’s risk-adjusted return. The risk-adjusted return on an investment takes into account the risk associated with that investment relative to other potential investments.

During the Reporting Period, the Portfolio generated negative absolute returns, driven primarily by strategic asset allocation and by security selection within the Portfolio’s Underlying Funds. Short-term tactical asset allocation and medium-term cycle-aware allocation also hurt performance.

Strategic asset allocation detracted from the Portfolio’s results during the Reporting Period. Allocations to equities had the greatest negative impact, driven primarily by the Portfolio’s strategic allocation to emerging markets stocks, as emerging markets assets struggled due to trade-related tensions, slowing global economic growth and the spillover effects of country-specific idiosyncratic risks. In addition, the Portfolio’s allocation to U.S. real estate securities detracted from returns during the Reporting Period. Within fixed income, an allocation to emerging markets debt hampered performance amid broad weakness in emerging markets assets. The Portfolio was also hurt by our long U.S. interest rate options strategy, through which we seek to profit if interest rates fall, remain constant or rise less than anticipated. This strategy detracted from performance as U.S. Treasury yields rose over the course of the Reporting Period. (Our long U.S. interest rate options strategy is a macroeconomic hedge that buys put options on short-term interest rates. A put option is an option contract giving the owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell a specified amount of an underlying asset at a specified price within a specified time.) Additionally, a strategic allocation to U.S. high yield corporate bonds

 

2


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

detracted from the Portfolio’s returns as credit spreads widened. (Credit spreads are yield differentials between corporate bonds and U.S. Treasury securities of comparable maturity). Finally, the Portfolio’s allocations to liquid alternatives strategies had a negative impact on performance, though they outperformed relative to traditional investment strategies. In particular, the Portfolio’s volatility selling strategy was a source of weakness as volatility increased during the Reporting Period. (Our volatility selling strategy seeks to benefit from changes in the level of market implied volatility (i.e., expectations of future volatility) in equity markets.)

Medium-term cycle-aware allocation also detracted from the Portfolio’s performance. Over the course of the Reporting Period, the Portfolio held three medium-term cycle-aware views. The first was to have a short duration position, which we expressed through a short position in long-maturity German government bonds and short positions in specific segments of the U.S. Treasury yield curve. (Duration is a measure of the Portfolio’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Yield curve is a spectrum of interest rates based on maturities of varying lengths.) The Portfolio’s short position in long-maturity German government bonds detracted from results, as Germany’s long-term interest rates fell during the Reporting Period in response to slower European economic growth, dovish European Central Bank monetary policy and political risk in Italy. This was offset somewhat by the Portfolio’s short position in the two-year segment of the U.S. Treasury yield curve, which added to performance as yields rose during the Reporting Period overall. The second medium-term cycle-aware view was to hold a long position in emerging markets equities versus developed markets equities. This positioning detracted from the Portfolio’s returns, as emerging markets equities broadly underperformed developed markets equities during the Reporting Period. The third medium-term cycle-aware view — to hold a long position in local currency emerging markets bonds versus U.S. high yield corporate bonds — also hurt the Portfolio’s performance due to the broad underperformance of emerging markets assets.

Short-term tactical allocation had a negative impact on Portfolio returns during the Reporting Period overall. During the first three months of the Reporting Period, the Portfolio’s tactical long-short currency basket detracted from performance as did our tactical country view to hold a long position in Japanese equities. In addition, a tactical long position in U.S. dollar-denominated emerging markets bonds dampened results amid broad weakness in emerging markets assets. On April 4, 2018, we transitioned the Portfolio to a single implementation vehicle for expressing our tactical views — the Goldman Sachs Tactical Exposure Fund (the “Underlying Tactical Fund”). Between April 4, 2018 and the end of the Reporting Period, the Portfolio’s allocation to the Underlying Tactical Fund detracted from performance.

Overall, security selection within Underlying Funds detracted from the Portfolio’s performance during the Reporting Period. The Goldman Sachs Long Short Credit Fund, the Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund and the Goldman Sachs Strategic Income Fund underperformed their respective benchmark indices — and our expectations — during the Reporting Period. None of the Underlying Funds meaningfully outperformed their benchmark indices during the Reporting Period.

How was the Portfolio positioned at the beginning of the Reporting Period?

At the beginning of the Reporting Period, the Portfolio was positioned, in terms of its total net assets, with 61.1% in liquid alternative strategies, 31.4% in real assets/satellite asset classes and 7.6% in cash. (Liquid alternatives strategies generally include, but are not limited to, momentum or trend trading strategies (investment decisions based on trends in asset prices over time), hedge fund beta (long term total returns consistent with investment results that approximate the return and risk patterns of a diversified universe of hedge funds), managed risk investment strategies (which seek to manage extreme risk scenarios by implementing daily and monthly risk targets across a diversified mix of asset classes), emerging markets debt and unconstrained fixed income strategies (which have the ability to move across various fixed income sectors)). Real assets generally include, but are not limited to, commodities, global real estate securities, infrastructure and master limited partnerships. The strategic asset allocation of the Portfolio reflects a risk-based allocation approach to increase diversification across the Portfolio. The Portfolio had –7.9% of its total net assets invested in tactical exposures at the beginning of the Reporting Period.

How did you manage the Portfolio’s allocations during the Reporting Period?

Over the course of the Reporting Period, we made changes to the Portfolio’s strategic allocation, medium-term cycle-aware allocation and short-term tactical allocation. Within the strategic allocation, we added an allocation to alternative investment strategies through the Goldman Sachs Alternative Premia Fund. We consider the Portfolio’s strategic asset allocation and underlying active security selection strategies the largest drivers of risk and performance.

We also sought to adjust the Portfolio’s exposure for medium-term changes to the business or economic cycle. In early May 2018, we added a long position in local emerging markets debt versus U.S. high yield corporate debt. This view reflected our belief that we are approaching the point in the economic cycle at which credit spreads have historically started to widen, which could be a headwind for high yield fixed income. We considered it an opportune time to add this position, as credit spreads were likely, in our

 

3


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

view, to remain well anchored in the near term and because emerging markets assets had experienced a selloff earlier in the 2018 calendar year. However, in October, because of heightened volatility among emerging markets currencies, we modestly reduced the Fund’s exposure to local emerging markets debt and emerging markets equities. In November, we further reduced the Fund’s exposure to emerging markets equities. We had expected economic data out of China to improve on the back of stimulus measures implemented by the Chinese government, but this thesis did not play out as we expected. We took advantage of the heightened volatility to add to the Fund’s allocation to developed markets equities.

Within the short-term tactical allocation, we decreased the Portfolio’s exposure to equities overall at the beginning of the Reporting Period because we thought they might experience a temporary pullback. After the selloff in February 2018, we added tactical long positions in U.S. and emerging markets stocks. Within equities, we initiated tactical short positions in Japan and Singapore and a tactical long position in China. We eliminated the Portfolio’s tactical short position in South African equities. On the sector level, we added a tactical long position in European bank stocks. Finally, as mentioned previously, we transitioned the Portfolio to the Underlying Tactical Fund, which served as a single implementation vehicle for expressing our tactical views starting on April 4, 2018.

How was the Portfolio positioned at the end of the Reporting Period?

At the end of the Reporting Period, the Portfolio was positioned, in terms of its total net assets, with 65.5% in liquid alternative strategies, 30.6% in real assets/satellite asset classes and 3.9% in cash. The Portfolio had –7.6% of its total net assets invested in tactical exposures.

How did the Portfolio use derivatives and similar instruments during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, derivatives were used primarily to express our views across developed and emerging markets equities. More specifically, the Portfolio employed equity index futures to affect short exposures to U.S. large-cap equities (positive impact) and European equities (positive impact). In addition, the Portfolio used equity index futures to assume short positions in Australian equities (positive impact), U.K. large-cap equities (negative impact), European equities (positive impact), and South African equities (positive impact). The Portfolio also utilized equity index futures to take long positions in emerging markets equities (negative impact), Japanese equities (negative impact), Singapore equities (positive impact), European bank stocks (negative impact) and Chinese equities (negative impact). Furthermore, the Portfolio used European equity index dividend futures (negative impact) during the Reporting Period.

Within fixed income during the Reporting Period, the Portfolio used interest rate futures, specifically Eurodollar futures, to express views on the U.S. Treasury yield curve (positive impact). Eurodollar futures are contracts that have underlying assets linked to time deposits denominated in U.S. dollars at banks outside the U.S. The Portfolio also used bond futures to affect a short position in German government bonds (negative impact). The Portfolio employed interest rate options in a macroeconomic hedge that seeks to profit if interest rates fall, remain constant or rise less than anticipated (negative impact). In addition, the Portfolio employed foreign exchange forwards to go long and short select developed and emerging markets currencies within a tactical basket of currencies (negative impact).

Additionally, some of the Underlying Funds used derivatives during the Reporting Period to apply their active investment views with greater versatility and potentially to afford greater risk management precision. As market conditions warranted during the Reporting Period, some of these Underlying Funds engaged in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, financial futures contracts, options, swap contracts and structured securities to attempt to enhance portfolio return and for hedging purposes.

What is the Portfolio’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?

At the end of the Reporting Period, we emphasized three macro themes. First, we expected to see an elongated U.S. economic expansion in 2019, with U.S. economic growth slowing but remaining at above trend levels. Second, we expected to see renewed convergence in global economic growth, as the U.S. economy slows, the European economy stabilizes and emerging markets economic growth (outside of China) improves. Third, we saw attractive opportunities in the wake of the 2018 market downturn. In our view, valuations and investor expectations had adjusted significantly since the start of 2018, and we had become more positive about potential returns in the near term.

At the asset class level, we were positive on equities over the medium term. We believed a slowdown in U.S. economic growth, which could eventually reduce labor market pressures, had increased the likelihood at the margin of an elongation in the U.S. economic cycle. This, along with the 2018 equity market downturn, continued corporate earnings growth and global economic expansion, should support equity returns, in our view. As for fixed income, we remained bearish on government bonds. In our opinion, the elongated U.S. economic cycle is likely to lead to higher yields due to Fed interest rate hikes, and we expected a path

 

4


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

that is more hawkish than what the market was pricing in at the end of the Reporting Period. Additionally, we considered credit spreads rather wide and expected to see some compression in the near term. Over the course of 2019, credit spreads are likely to tighten further, we believe. Finally, while we still thought emerging markets assets would likely outperform developed markets assets over the long term, deterioration in China’s economic growth has been worse than we expected. As a result, we decided to reduce the Fund’s allocation to emerging markets assets in the medium term because we believe there is increased uncertainty around the timing and magnitude of economic growth improvements for China.

 

5


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Index Definitions

ICE® BofAML® U.S. Dollar Three-Month LIBOR Constant Maturity Index is based on the assumed purchase of a synthetic instrument having three months to maturity and with a coupon equal to the closing quote for three-month LIBOR. That issue is sold the following day (priced at a yield equal to the current day closing three-month LIBOR rate) and is rolled into a new three-month instrument. The index, therefore, will always have a constant maturity equal to exactly three months.

MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large- and mid-cap representation across 24 emerging markets countries. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

S&P 500® Index is a U.S. stock market index based on the market capitalizations of 500 large companies having common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ. The S&P 500® Index components and their weightings are determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices.

It is not possible to invest directly in an unmanaged index.

 

6


FUND BASICS

 

Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Three Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -6.74      -0.34      -1.33    4/25/14
Service      -6.93        -0.56        -1.57      4/25/14
Advisor      -7.09        -0.69        -1.70      4/25/14

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional, Service and Advisor Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        1.09      2.36
Service        1.34        2.61  
Advisor        1.49        2.76  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Portfolio, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectuses for the Portfolio and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights of this report. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Portfolio’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Portfolio’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

 

7


FUND BASICS

 

OVERALL UNDERLYING FUND AND ETF WEIGHTINGS3

Percentage of Net Assets

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

3

The Portfolio is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. The percentage shown for each Underlying Fund and exchange traded fund (“ETF”) reflects the value of that Underlying Fund or ETF as a percentage of net assets of the Portfolio. Figures in the graph above may not sum to 100% due to rounding and/or exclusion of other assets and liabilities. Underlying sector allocations of exchange traded funds and investment companies held by the Portfolio are not reflected in the graph above. Investments in the securities lending reinvestment vehicle represented 1.3% of the Portfolio’s net assets at December 31, 2018. The graph depicts the Portfolio’s investments but may not represent the Portfolio’s market exposure due to the exclusion of certain derivatives, if any, as listed in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments.

 

8


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on April 25, 2014 (commencement of the Portfolio’s operations) in Advisor Shares at NAV. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Portfolio’s benchmark, the ICE BofAML U.S. Dollar Three-Month LIBOR Constant Maturity Index, is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Portfolio level expenses but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Portfolio as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Institutional and Service Shares will vary from Advisor Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Portfolio performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Portfolio operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Portfolio.

Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio’s Lifetime Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from April 25, 2014 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Three Years    Since Inception  

Institutional (Commenced April 25, 2014)

   -6.74%    -0.34%      -1.33%  

Service (Commenced April 25, 2014)

   -6.93%    -0.56%      -1.57%  

Advisor (Commenced April 25, 2014)

   -7.09%    -0.69%      -1.70%  

 

 

9


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Shares          
Description
   Value  
  Underlying Funds (Class R6 Shares)(a) – 93.3%  
 

Equity – 13.1%

 
  107,543      Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund    $ 977,566  
  58,185      Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Insights Fund      511,446  
  36,746      Goldman Sachs Real Estate Securities Fund      479,541  
     

 

 

 
        1,968,553  

 

 

 
 

Fixed Income – 80.2%

 
  246,434      Goldman Sachs Tactical Exposure Fund      2,247,480  
  196,091      Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund      2,017,781  
  195,089      Goldman Sachs Long Short Credit Strategies Fund      1,644,600  
  157,988      Goldman Sachs Strategic Income Fund      1,428,213  
  118,840      Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Debt Fund      1,354,777  
  134,575      Goldman Sachs Alternative Premia Fund      1,088,711  
  114,860      Goldman Sachs High Yield Floating Rate Fund      1,048,669  
  127,927      Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund      763,723  
  79,939      Goldman Sachs Local Emerging Markets Debt Fund      448,457  
     

 

 

 
        12,042,411  

 

 

 
  TOTAL UNDERLYING FUNDS (CLASS R6 SHARES)  
  (Cost $15,055,611)    $ 14,010,964  

 

 

 
     
  Exchange Traded Fund(b) – 1.7%  
  6,264      ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF    $ 264,967  
  (Cost $301,573)   

 

 

 

 

Shares    Dividend
Rate
     Value  
Investment Company(a) – 1.3%

 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund — Institutional Shares

 

191,106      2.521    $ 191,106  
(Cost $191,106)

 

  

 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITIES LENDING REINVESTMENT VEHICLE

 

(Cost $15,548,290)

 

   $ 14,467,037  

 

 
     
Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle(a) – 1.3%

 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund — Institutional Shares

 

191,250      2.521    $ 191,250  
(Cost $191,250)

 

  

 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 97.6%

 

(Cost $15,739,540)

 

   $ 14,658,287  

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES – 2.4%

 

     357,838  

 

 
NET ASSETS – 100.0%

 

   $ 15,016,125  

 

 

 

The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
(a)   Represents an Affiliated Issuer.
(b)   All or a portion of security is on loan.

 

 
Currency Abbreviation:
USD   —United States Dollar

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

FUTURES CONTRACTS — At December 31, 2018, the Portfolio had the following futures contracts:

 

Description      Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
       Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Long position contracts:

 

MSCI Emerging Markets E-Mini Index

       22          03/15/2019        $ 1,063,480        $ (2,524
Total                                       $ (2,524

Short position contracts:

                   
3 Month Eurodollar        (41        03/16/2020        $ (9,987,600      $ 32,430  
Euro-Buxl        (4        03/07/2019          (827,782        (16,148
MSCI EAFE E-Mini Index        (1        03/15/2019          (85,800        1,828  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

       (1        03/15/2019          (125,260        7,196  
Total                                       $ 25,306  
Total Futures Contracts                                       $ 22,782  

PURCHASED OPTIONS CONTRACTS — At December 31, 2018, the Portfolio had the following purchased options contracts:

 

Description    Counterparty   

Exercise

Price

     Expiration
Date
    Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Value     Premiums
Paid
(Received)
by the
Portfolio
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
 

Purchased options contracts:

               

Calls

                  
3 Month Eurodollar    Barclays Bank PLC      96.00 USD        03/18/2019       5     $ 1,250,000     $ 16,125     $ 14,774     $ 1,351  
        96.50 USD        03/18/2019       2       500,000       3,950       3,655       295  
        97.13 USD        03/18/2019       11       2,750,000       4,950       20,313       (15,363
        99.00 USD        03/18/2019       109       27,250,000       681       9,789       (9,108
        96.00 USD        06/17/2019       1       250,000       3,288       2,877       411  
        96.88 USD        06/17/2019       14       3,500,000       15,575       24,395       (8,820
        99.00 USD        06/17/2019       61       15,250,000       381       6,241       (5,860
        96.75 USD        09/16/2019       15       3,750,000       22,312       30,822       (8,510
        97.75 USD        09/16/2019       5       1,250,000       594       3,137       (2,543
        96.50 USD        12/16/2019       8       2,000,000       17,050       15,969       1,081  
        96.00 USD        03/16/2020       6       1,500,000       21,675       15,289       6,386  
        96.75 USD        03/16/2020       2       500,000       3,625       2,255       1,370  
        97.00 USD        06/15/2020       18       4,500,000       27,450       13,318       14,132  
        97.13 USD        06/15/2020       3       750,000       3,938       2,332       1,606  
        97.00 USD        09/14/2020       15       3,750,000       25,219       12,247       12,972  
        97.13 USD        09/14/2020       3       750,000       4,444       2,744       1,700  
        96.75 USD        12/14/2020       10       2,500,000       21,937       12,748       9,189  
            96.75 USD        03/15/2021       3       750,000       6,975       4,920       2,055  
Total purchased options contracts

 

             291             $ 200,169     $ 197,825     $ 2,344  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   11


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

  
Assets:  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $15,246,717)

   $ 14,202,070  

Investments in unaffiliated Funds, at value (cost $301,573)(a)

     264,967  

Investments in affiliated securities lending reinvestment vehicle, at value (cost $191,250)

     191,250  

Purchased Options, at value (premiums paid $197,825)

     200,169  

Cash

     257,212  

Receivables:

  

Portfolio shares sold

     89,314  

Collateral on certain derivative contracts(b)

     87,221  

Investments sold

     50,000  

Reimbursement from investment adviser

     29,821  

Dividends

     22,649  

Securities lending income

     337  

Other assets

     120  
Total assets      15,395,130  
  
  
Liabilities:    

Variation margin on futures

     6,612  

Payables:

  

Payable upon return of securities loaned

     191,250  

Due to custodian

     50,000  

Portfolio shares redeemed

     32,281  

Investments purchased

     24,008  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     5,308  

Accrued expenses

     69,546  
Total liabilities      379,005  
  
  
Net Assets:    

Paid-in capital

     17,210,361  

Total distributable loss

     (2,194,236
NET ASSETS    $ 15,016,125  

Net Assets:

  

Institutional

   $ 745,117  

Service

     811,021  

Advisor

     13,459,987  

Total Net Assets

   $ 15,016,125  

Shares outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional

     87,559  

Service

     95,227  

Advisor

     1,586,220  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

  

Institutional

     $8.51  

Service

     8.52  

Advisor

     8.49  

 

(a)

Includes loaned securities having a market value of $186,930.

(b)

Includes amount segregated for initial margin on future transactions.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Statement of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

  
Investment income:  

Dividends from affiliated Underlying Funds

   $ 425,946  

Dividends from unaffiliated Funds

     3,367  

Securities lending income — unaffiliated issuer

     1,484  
Total investment income      430,797  
  
  
Expenses:    

Professional fees

     83,855  

Distribution and Service fees(a)

     64,046  

Printing and mailing costs

     62,591  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     58,398  

Management fees

     25,114  

Trustee fees

     16,104  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     3,348  

Registration fees

     1,114  

Other

     5,758  
Total expenses      320,328  

Less — expense reductions

     (219,618
Net expenses      100,710  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME      330,087  
  
  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss):    

Net realized loss from:

  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds

     (333,869

Investments in unaffiliated Funds

     (9,379

Futures contracts

     (223,612

Purchased options

     (139,672

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     (13,329

Foreign currency transactions

     (1,039

Capital gain distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds

     164,008  

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on:

  

Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds

     (938,512

Investments in unaffiliated Funds

     (142,621

Futures contracts

     (25,873

Purchased options

     86,210  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     (740

Foreign currency translation

     3,867  
Net realized and unrealized loss      (1,574,561
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ (1,244,474

(a) Class specific Distribution and/or Service, and Transfer Agency fees were as follows:

 

Distribution and/or
Service Fees
    Transfer Agency Fees  

Advisor

    

Service

   

Advisor

    

Institutional

    

Service

 
$ 63,171      $ 875     $ 3,158      $ 120      $ 70  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   13


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
    
From operations:  

Net investment income

   $ 330,087     $ 244,626  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (556,892     251,415  

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

     (1,017,669     156,154  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations      (1,244,474     652,195  
    
    
Distributions to shareholders:        

From distributable earnings:

    

Institutional Shares

     (20,403     (10,357 )(a) 

Service Shares

     (20,381     (2,291 )(a) 

Advisor Shares

     (318,314     (303,417 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders      (359,098     (316,065
    
    
From share transactions:        

Proceeds from sales of shares

     6,168,668       5,892,266  

Reinvestment of distributions

     359,098       316,065  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (5,978,711     (1,594,340
Net increase in net assets resulting from share transactions      549,055       4,613,991  
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)      (1,054,517     4,950,121  
    
    
Net assets:(b)        

Beginning of year

     16,070,642       11,120,521  

End of year

   $ 15,016,125     $ 16,070,642  

 

(a)

Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation. Distributions to shareholders for the Fund consisted solely of net investment income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $43,805 for the Fund as of December 31, 2017.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    Goldman Sachs Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,    

For the Period

April 25, 2014* to

  December 31, 2014  

 
      2018         2017          2016          2015    
           
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.39     $ 9.10      $ 9.15      $ 9.81     $ 10.00  

Net investment income(a)(b)

    0.24       0.21        0.11        0.20       0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.87     0.30        (0.06      (0.65     (0.16

Total from investment operations

    (0.63     0.51        0.05        (0.45     (0.07

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.25     (0.22      (0.10      (0.20     (0.12

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

                        (0.01     (c)  
           

Total distributions

    (0.25     (0.22      (0.10      (0.21     (0.12

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.51     $ 9.39      $ 9.10      $ 9.15     $ 9.81  

Total return(d)

    (6.74 )%      5.60      0.52      (4.51 )%      (0.67 )% 

Net assets, end of period (in 000s)

  $ 745     $ 453      $ 309      $ 958     $ 1,003  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(e)

    0.22     0.21      0.24      0.22     0.22 %(f) 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets(e)

    1.57     1.47      2.37      4.40     24.63 %(f) 

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

    2.62     2.20      1.17      2.02     1.30 %(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    61     53      44      53     25

 

*

Commencement of Operations.

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds in which the Portfolio invests.

(c)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)

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.

(e)

Expense ratios exclude the expenses of the Underlying Funds in which the Portfolio invests.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   15


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

    Goldman Sachs Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,    

For the Period

April 25, 2014* to

  December 31, 2014  

 
      2018         2017          2016          2015    
           
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.41     $ 9.13      $ 9.14      $ 9.81     $ 10.00  

Net investment income(a)(b)

    0.28       0.27        0.08        0.24       0.07  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.93     0.22        (0.05      (0.71     (0.16

Total from investment operations

    (0.65     0.49        0.03        (0.47     (0.09

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.24     (0.21      (0.04      (0.19     (0.10

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

                        (0.01     (c)  
           

Total distributions

    (0.24     (0.21      (0.04      (0.20     (0.10

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.52     $ 9.41      $ 9.13      $ 9.14     $ 9.81  

Total return(d)

    (6.93 )%      5.37      0.28      (4.76 )%      (0.85 )% 

Net assets, end of period (in 000s)

  $ 811     $ 105      $ 34      $ 22     $ 10  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(e)

    0.47     0.46      0.46      0.48     0.49 %(f) 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets(e)

    1.95     1.73      1.97      3.33     25.05 %(f) 

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

    3.08     2.88      0.92      2.54     1.02 %(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    61     53      44      53     25

 

*

Commencement of Operations.

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds in which the Portfolio invests.

(c)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)

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.

(e)

Expense ratios exclude the expenses of the Underlying Funds in which the Portfolio invests.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    Goldman Sachs Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio  
    Advisor Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,    

For the Period

April 25, 2014* to

December 31, 2014

 
    2018     2017      2016      2015  
           
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.36     $ 9.08      $ 9.12      $ 9.79     $ 10.00  

Net investment income(a)(b)

    0.17       0.17        0.10        0.21       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.83     0.30        (0.07      (0.69     (0.21

Total from investment operations

    (0.66     0.47        0.03        (0.48     (0.10

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.21     (0.19      (0.07      (0.18     (0.11

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

                        (0.01     (c)  
           

Total distributions

    (0.21     (0.19      (0.07      (0.19     (0.11

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.49     $ 9.36      $ 9.08      $ 9.12     $ 9.79  

Total return(d)

    (7.09 )%      5.14      0.27      (4.89 )%      (0.97 )% 

Net assets, end of period (in 000s)

  $ 13,460     $ 15,512      $ 10,778      $ 9,666     $ 3,246  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(e)

    0.62     0.61      0.61      0.62     0.62 %(f) 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets(e)

    1.93     1.88      2.58      3.51     16.16 %(f) 

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

    1.92     1.78      1.06      2.16     1.66 %(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    61     53      44      53     25

 

*

Commencement of Operations.

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Recognition of net investment income by the Portfolio is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds in which the Portfolio invests.

(c)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)

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.

(e)

Expense ratios exclude the expenses of the Underlying Funds in which the Portfolio invests.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   17


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio (the “Portfolio”). The Portfolio is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering three classes of shares — Institutional, Service and Advisor Shares. Shares of the Trust are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Portfolio pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.

The Portfolio invests primarily in a combination of domestic and international equity and fixed income underlying funds (“Underlying Funds”) which are registered under the Act, for which GSAM acts as investment adviser. Additionally, this Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets directly in other securities and instruments, including unaffiliated exchange traded funds (“Unaffiliated Funds”).

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The valuation policy of the Portfolio and Underlying Funds is to value investments at fair value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Investment income includes interest income, dividend income, and securities lending income, if any. Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recognized on ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign securities, as soon as such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions received from Underlying Funds are recognized on ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost. Investment transactions are recorded on the following business day for daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculations. Income distributions are recognized as capital gains or income in the financial statements in accordance with the character that is distributed. Distributions received from the Portfolios investments in Goldman Sachs Real Estate Securities Fund (the “Underlying Fund invested in REITs”) may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain or a return of capital. A return of capital is recorded by the Portfolio as a reduction to the cost basis of the REIT.

For derivative contracts, realized gains and losses are recorded upon settlement of the contract.

C.  Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of each Portfolio are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by the Portfolio are charged to the Portfolio, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the applicable Portfolios on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses. Class specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency. Expenses included in the accompanying financial statements reflect the expenses of each Portfolio and do not include any expenses associated with the Underlying Funds (“Underlying Funds”). Because the Underlying Funds have varied expense and fee levels and the Portfolio may own different proportions of the Underlying Funds at different times, the amount of fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Portfolio will vary.

D.  Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is the Portfolio’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Portfolio is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gains distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually.

 

18


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

 

 

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Net capital losses, if any, are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. 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 Portfolio’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Portfolio’s net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Portfolio’s policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Portfolio’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy resulting from such changes are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Portfolio, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Portfolio’s investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

A.  Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value Investments — The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values for investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

Underlying Funds (Including Money Market Funds) — Underlying funds (“Underlying Funds”) include other investment companies and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Investments in the Underlying Funds (except ETFs) are valued at the NAV per share of the Class R6 or Institutional Share class on the day of valuation. ETFs are valued daily at the last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which the investment is traded. Because the Portfolio invests in Underlying Funds that fluctuate in value, the Portfolio’s shares will correspondingly fluctuate in value. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2. For information regarding an Underlying Fund’s accounting policies and investment holdings, please see the Underlying Fund’s shareholder report.

Derivative Contracts — A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. The Portfolio enters into derivative transactions to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities

 

19


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

prices, and/or currency exchange rates, to increase total return, or to gain access to certain markets or attain exposure to other underliers.

Exchange-traded derivatives, including futures and options contracts, are generally valued at the last sale or settlement price on the exchange where they are principally traded. Exchange-traded options without settlement prices are generally valued at the midpoint of the bid and ask prices on the exchange where they are principally traded (or, in the absence of two-way trading, at the last bid price for long positions and the last ask price for short positions). Exchange-traded derivatives typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) and centrally cleared derivatives are valued using market transactions and other market evidence, including market-based inputs to models, calibration to market-clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations, or other alternative pricing sources. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value OTC and centrally cleared derivatives depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the instrument, as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, voluntary and involuntary prepayment rates, loss severity rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC and centrally cleared derivatives that trade in liquid markets, model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. OTC and centrally cleared derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy when significant inputs are corroborated by market evidence.

i. Forward Contracts — A forward contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. A forward contract settlement can occur on a cash or delivery basis. Forward contracts are marked-to-market daily using independent vendor prices, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. Cash and certain investments may be used to collateralize forward contracts.

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is a forward contract in which the Portfolio agrees to receive or deliver a fixed quantity of one currency for another, at a pre-determined price at a future date. All forward foreign currency exchange contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable forward rate. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency.

ii. Futures Contracts — Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standardized quantity of a specified commodity or security. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable with a corresponding offset to unrealized gains or losses. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Portfolio and cash collateral received, if any, is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as receivables/payables for collateral on certain derivative contracts. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Portfolio, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments.

iii. Options — When the Portfolio writes call or put options, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability and is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option written. Swaptions are options on interest rate swap contracts.

Upon the purchase of a call option or a put option by the Portfolio, the premium paid is recorded as an investment and subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option. Certain options may be purchased with premiums to be determined on a future date. The premiums for these options are based upon implied volatility parameters at specified terms.

B.  Level 3 Fair Value Investments — To the extent that significant inputs to valuation models and other alternative pricing sources are unobservable, or if quotations are not readily available, or if GSAM believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Portfolio’s investments may be determined under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the most recent valuation 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 Portfolio’s NAV. Significant events which could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations;

 

20


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

market disruptions; or unscheduled market closings. Significant events which could also affect a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; ratings downgrades; and bankruptcies.

C.  Fair Value Hierarchy — The following is a summary of the Portfolio’s investments and derivatives classified in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:

 

Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Equity Underlying Funds      $ 1,968,553        $        $  
Fixed Income Underlying Funds        12,042,411                    
Exchange Traded Fund        264,967                    
Investment Company        191,106                    
Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle        191,250                    
Total      $ 14,658,287        $        $  
Derivative Type                              
Assets               
Futures Contracts(a)      $ 41,454        $        $  
Purchased Options Contracts        200,169                    
Total      $ 241,623        $        $  
Liabilities(a)               
Futures Contracts      $ (18,672      $        $  

 

(a)

Amount shown represents unrealized gain (loss) at fiscal year end.

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Schedule of Investments.

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES

The following table sets forth, by certain risk types, the gross value of derivative contracts (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) as of December 31, 2018. These instruments were used as part of the Portfolio’s investment strategies and to obtain and/or manage exposure related to the risks below. The values in the table below exclude the effects of cash collateral received or posted pursuant to these derivative contracts, and therefore are not representative of the Portfolio’s net exposure.

 

Risk         Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Assets(a)     Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Liabilities(a)  
Equity        Variation margin on futures contracts   $ 9,024     Variation margin on futures contracts   $ (2,524
Interest Rate        Variation margin on futures contracts and purchased options contracts at value     232,599     Variation margin on futures contracts     (16,148
 
Total            $ 241,623         $ (18,672

 

(a)

Includes unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts described in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments. Only the variation margin as of December 31, 2018 is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following table sets forth, by certain risk types, the Portfolio’s gains (losses) related to these derivatives and their indicative volumes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that these derivative contracts may have been executed to create investment opportunities and/or economically hedge certain investments, and

 

21


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES (continued)

 

accordingly, certain gains (losses) on such derivative contracts may offset certain (losses) gains attributable to investments. These gains (losses) are included in “Net realized gain (loss)” or “Net change in unrealized gain (loss)” on the Statement of Operations.

 

Risk    Statement of Operations   Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Net Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Average
Number of
Contracts(a)
 
Equity    Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts   $ (158,072   $ (16,786     33  
Currency    Net realized gain (loss) from forward foreign currency exchange contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts     (13,329     (740     13  
Interest Rate    Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts and purchased options/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts and purchased options     (205,212     77,123       505  
 
Total        $ (376,613   $ 59,597       551  

 

(a)

Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS

A.  Management Agreement — Under the Agreement, GSAM manages the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio’s business affairs, including providing facilities, GSAM is entitled to a management fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of 0.15% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. GSAM has agreed to waive all of its management fee. The management fee waiver will remain in effect through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $25,114 of its management fee.

The Portfolio invests in Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, which is an affiliated Underlying Fund. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Portfolio in an amount equal to the management fee it earns as an investment adviser to the affiliated Underlying Fund in which the Portfolio invests, except those management fees it earns from the Portfolio’s investments of cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $637 of the Portfolio’s management fee.

B.  Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Plans — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of the Portfolio, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor (the “Distributor”), is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance services, which may then be paid by Goldman Sachs to authorized dealers, equal to, on an annual basis, 0.25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares.

The Trust, on behalf of Advisor Shares of the Portfolio, has adopted a Distribution Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution Plan, Goldman Sachs as Distributor 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, 0.15% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets attributable to Advisor Shares.

C.  Service Plans — The Trust, on behalf of Advisor Shares of the Portfolio, has adopted a Service Plan to allow Advisor Shares to compensate service organizations (including Goldman Sachs) for providing varying levels of personal and account maintenance and administration services to their customers who are beneficial owners of such shares. The Service Plans each provide for compensation to the service organizations equal to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Advisor Shares of the Portfolio.

 

22


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

 

5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

D.  Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Portfolio for a fee pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of Institutional, Service and Advisor Shares.

E.  Other Expense Agreements and Affiliated Transactions — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Portfolio (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, a percentage rate of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. The Other Expense limitation as an annual percentage rate of average daily net assets for the Portfolio is 0.204%. The Other Expense limitation will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. In addition, the Portfolio has entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Portfolio’s expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitation described above.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expense reimbursements, were as follows:

 

Management Fee

Waiver

   

Custody Fee

Credits

   

Other Expense

Reimbursement

   

Total Expense

Reductions

 
$ 25,752     $ 191     $ 193,675     $ 219,618  

F.  Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio participated in a $770,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and certain registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The facility also requires a fee to be paid by the Portfolio based on the amount of the commitment that has not been utilized. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Portfolio did not have any borrowings under the facility.

G.  Other Transactions with Affiliates — The Portfolio invests primarily in the Class R6 Shares of the Underlying Funds. These Underlying Funds are considered to be affiliated with the Portfolio. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Portfolio converted Institutional Shares of the Underlying Funds (except ETFs) to Class R6 Shares. The table below shows the transactions in and earnings from investments in these Underlying Funds for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Underlying Funds   Beginning
Value as of
December 31,
2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ending Value
as of
December 31,
2018
    Shares
as of
December 31,
2018
    Dividend
Income
from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
    Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
 

Goldman Sachs Alternative Premia Fund

  $     $ 1,375,913     $ (250,913   $ 51,799     $ (88,088   $ 1,088,711       134,575     $     $ 60,913  

Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund — Institutional Shares

    2,282,265       90,000       (2,309,582 )(a)            (62,683                        

Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund — Class R6

          2,412,007 (a)       (1,451,650     19,804       (2,595     977,566       107,543       10,774       16,651  

 

23


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

Underlying Funds   Beginning
Value as of
December 31,
2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ending Value
as of
December 31,
2018
    Shares
as of
December 31,
2018
    Dividend
Income
from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
    Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
 

Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Debt Fund — Institutional Shares

  $ 2,016,665     $ 109,983     $ (2,128,384 )(b)    $     $ 1,736     $           $     $  

Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Debt Fund — Class R6

          2,496,833 (b)       (945,000     (50,020     (147,036     1,354,777       118,840       73,773        

Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Insights Fund — Institutional Shares

    1,015,209       30,000       (951,770 )(c)      4,305       (97,744                        

Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Insights Fund — Class R6

          1,123,136 (c)       (600,000     33,561       (45,251     511,446       58,185       11,367        

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund

    868,891       5,537,575       (6,215,360                 191,106       191,106       6,304        

Goldman Sachs High Yield Floating Rate Fund — Institutional Shares

    470,785       372,918       (844,784 )(d)            1,081                          

Goldman Sachs High Yield Floating Rate Fund — Class R6

          1,292,375 (d)       (175,000     (5,537     (63,169     1,048,669       114,860       49,926        

Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund — Institutional Shares

    1,048,853       59,630       (1,115,058 )(e)            6,575                          

Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund — Class R6

          1,504,002 (e)       (650,000     (25,749     (64,530     763,723       127,927       53,705        

Goldman Sachs Local Emerging Markets Debt Fund

          673,250       (170,000     (20,846     (33,947     448,457       79,939       18,111        

Goldman Sachs Long Short Credit Strategies Fund — Institutional Shares

    3,577,130       195,006       (3,880,174 )(f)            108,038                          

 

24


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

 

5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

Underlying Funds   Beginning
Value as of
December 31,
2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ending Value
as of
December 31,
2018
    Shares
as of
December 31,
2018
    Dividend
Income
from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
    Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
 

Goldman Sachs Long Short Credit Strategies Fund — Class R6

  $     $ 4,212,020 (f)     $ (2,275,000   $ (112,380   $ (180,040   $ 1,644,600       195,089     $ 117,144     $  

Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund — Institutional Shares

    996,123       1,350,000       (2,329,175 )(g)            (16,948                        

Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund — Class R6

          2,457,618 (g)       (408,443     (9,869     (21,525     2,017,781       196,091             3,443  

Goldman Sachs Real Estate Securities Fund — Institutional Shares

    511,928       50,000       (633,666 )(h)            71,738                          

Goldman Sachs Real Estate Securities Fund — Class R6

          712,297 (h)       (123,869     45,706       (154,593     479,541       36,746       14,760       63,870  

Goldman Sachs Strategic Income Fund — Institutional Shares

    1,473,510       670,000       (2,166,131 )(i)            22,621                          

Goldman Sachs Strategic Income Fund — Class R6

          2,448,253 (i)       (920,000     (25,062     (74,978     1,428,213       157,988       42,120        

Goldman Sachs Strategic Macro Fund

    1,103,929             (1,101,240     (77,849     75,160                          

Goldman Sachs Tactical Exposure Fund

          2,817,093       (399,131     2,276       (172,758     2,247,480       246,434       27,962       19,131  
Total   $ 15,365,288     $ 31,989,909     $ (32,044,330   $ (169,861   $ (938,936   $ 14,202,070       1,765,323     $ 425,946     $ 164,008  

 

(a)

Amounts include $2,309,582 for conversion of Institutional Shares to Class R6 Shares.

(b)

Amounts include $2,128,383 for conversion of Institutional Shares to Class R6 Shares.

(c)

Amounts include $901,770 for conversion of Institutional Shares to Class R6 Shares.

(d)

Amounts include $844,785 for conversion of Institutional Shares to Class R6 Shares.

(e)

Amounts include $1,115,058 for conversion of Institutional Shares to Class R6 Shares.

(f)

Amounts include $3,880,174 for conversion of Institutional Shares to Class R6 Shares.

(g)

Amounts include $2,329,175 for conversion of Institutional Shares to Class R6 Shares.

(h)

Amounts include $633,667 for conversion of Institutional Shares to Class R6 Shares

(i)

Amounts include $2,166,132 for conversion of Institutional Shares to Class R6 Shares

 

25


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

6.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were $10,778,186 and $9,644,289, respectively.

7.    SECURITIES LENDING

The Portfolio may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, the Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), to certain qualified borrowers. In accordance with the Portfolio’s securities lending procedures, the Portfolio 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 Portfolio, 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 Portfolio on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Portfolio may experience delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Portfolio or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan. Dividend income received from securities on loan may not be subject to withholding taxes and therefore withholding taxes paid may differ from the amounts listed in the Statement of Operations. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and as such 1) the remaining contractual maturities of the outstanding securities lending transactions are considered to be overnight and continuous and 2) the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The Portfolio invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Government Money Market Fund”), an affiliated series of the Goldman Sachs Trust. The Government Money Market Fund is registered under the Act as an open end investment company, is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the Act, and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive a management fee of up to 0.16% (prior to February 21, 2018, GSAM may have received a management fee of up to 0.205%) on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Government Money Market Fund.

In the event of a default by a borrower with respect to any loan, BNYM may exercise any and all remedies provided under the applicable borrower agreement to make the Portfolio whole. These remedies include purchasing replacement securities by applying the collateral held from the defaulting broker against the purchase cost of the replacement securities. If BNYM is unable to purchase replacement securities, BNYM will indemnify the Portfolio by paying the Portfolio an amount equal to the market value of the securities loaned minus the value of cash collateral received from the borrower for the loan, subject to an exclusion for any shortfalls resulting from a loss of value in such cash collateral due to reinvestment risk. The Portfolio may enter into master netting agreements with borrowers, which provide the right, in the event of a default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. However, in the event of a default by a borrower, a resolution authority could determine that such rights are not enforceable due to the restrictions or prohibitions against the right of set-off that may be imposed in accordance with a particular jurisdiction’s bankruptcy or insolvency laws. The Portfolio’s loaned securities were all subject to enforceable Securities Lending Agreements and the value of the collateral was at least equal to the value of the cash received. The amounts of the Portfolio’s overnight and continuous agreements, which represent the gross amounts of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions outstanding as of December 31, 2018, are disclosed as “Payable upon return of securities loaned” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, where applicable. The Portfolio did not have securities on loan as of December 31, 2018.

Both the Portfolio and BNYM received compensation relating to the lending of the Portfolio’s securities. The amounts earned, if any, by the Portfolio for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations.

 

26


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

 

7.    SECURITIES LENDING (continued)

 

The following table provides information about the Portfolio’s investment in the Government Money Market Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
 
$     $ 1,518,738     $ (1,327,488   $ 191,250  

8.    TAX INFORMATION

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

        2017        2018  
Distributions paid from ordinary income      $ 316,065        $ 359,098  

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net    $ 62,768  
Capital loss carryforwards:   

Perpetual Short-term

     (514,168

Perpetual Long-term

     (369,817
Total capital loss carryforwards    $ (883,985
Timing differences (Qualified Late Year Loss Deferral/Post October Loss Deferral)      (23,546
Unrealized losses — net      (1,349,473
Total accumulated losses — net    $ (2,194,236

As of December 31, 2018, the Portfolio’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost    $ 16,035,819  
Gross unrealized gain      94,002  
Gross unrealized loss      (1,443,475
Net unrealized loss    $ (1,349,473

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to wash sales, net mark to market gains (losses) on regulated futures and options contracts and differences in the tax treatment of partnership investments.

GSAM has reviewed the Portfolio’s tax position 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 Portfolio’s financial statements. Such open tax years remain subject to examination and adjustment by tax authorities.

 

27


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

9.    OTHER RISKS

 

The Portfolio’s risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Derivatives Risk — The Portfolio’s use of derivatives may result in loss. Derivative instruments, which may pose risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities, currencies or other instruments, may be illiquid or less liquid, volatile, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes in the value of the underlying instruments may produce disproportionate losses to the Portfolio. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in more traditional securities and instruments. Losses from derivatives can also result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged.

Investments in the Underlying Funds — The investments of the Portfolio are concentrated in the Underlying Funds, and the Portfolio’s investment performance is directly related to the investment performance of the Underlying Funds it holds. The Portfolio is subject to the risk factors associated with the investments of the Underlying Funds in direct proportion to the amount of assets allocated to each. To the extent that the Portfolio has a relative concentration of its portfolio in a single Underlying Fund, the Portfolio may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting that Underlying Fund, and may be more susceptible to losses because of these developments.

Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk — As a shareholder of another investment company, including an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), the Portfolio will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any net management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Portfolio. ETFs are subject to risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds, including but not limited to the following: (i) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a premium or a discount to their NAV; and (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained.

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — The Portfolio or an Underlying Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Portfolio or an Underlying Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Portfolio or an Underlying Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Portfolio’s or an Underlying Fund’s NAV and liquidity. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Portfolio’s or an Underlying Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Portfolio’s or an Underlying Fund’s expense ratio. Similarly, large Portfolio or Underlying Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Portfolio’s or an Underlying Fund’s performance to the extent that the Portfolio or an Underlying Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

Liquidity Risk — The Underlying Funds may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Portfolio will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Portfolio may be forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. If the Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests. These risks may be more pronounced in connection with the Portfolio’s investments in securities of issuers located in emerging market countries.

Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, the Portfolio and the Underlying Funds trade financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, the Portfolio and the Underlying Funds may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Portfolio or the Underlying Funds have unsettled or open transactions defaults.

 

28


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

 

 

10.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Portfolio. Additionally, in the course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Portfolio that have not yet occurred. However, GSAM believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.

11.    OTHER MATTERS

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Fund’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

12.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and GSAM 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 Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      53,822     $ 488,301       14,083     $ 133,278  
Reinvestment of distributions      2,400       20,403       1,104       10,357  
Shares redeemed      (16,933     (153,669     (837     (7,840
       39,289       355,035       14,350       135,795  
Service Shares         
Shares sold      84,312       762,281       7,288       69,479  
Reinvestment of distributions      2,398       20,381       244       2,291  
Shares redeemed      (2,657     (23,809     (27     (254
       84,053       758,853       7,505       71,516  
Advisor Shares         
Shares sold      539,263       4,918,086       608,399       5,689,509  
Reinvestment of distributions      37,581       318,314       32,451       303,417  
Shares redeemed      (648,355     (5,801,233     (170,306     (1,586,246
       (71,511     (564,833     470,544       4,406,680  
NET INCREASE      51,831     $ 549,055       492,399     $ 4,613,991  

 

29


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of Goldman Sachs Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Goldman Sachs Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio (one of the portfolios constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Portfolio”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of December 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Portfolio’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

30


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Portfolio Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)    

As a shareholder of Institutional, Service or Advisor Shares of the Portfolio, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (with respect to Service and Advisor Shares) and other Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Institutional Shares, Service Shares and Advisor Shares of the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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 Portfolio’s actual net expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Portfolio and other 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 Portfolio 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.

 

Share Class   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/18
    Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
    Expenses
Paid for the
6 Months
Ended
12/31/18
*
 
Institutional        
       
Actual   $ 1,000     $ 967.60     $ 1.09  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,024.10     1.12  
Service        
       
Actual     1,000       967.70       2.33  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,022.84     2.40  
Advisor        
       
Actual     1,000       966.20       3.07  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,022.08     3.16  

 

  +

Hypothetical expenses are based on the Portfolio’s actual annualized net expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses.

 

 

  *

Expenses are calculated using the Portfolio’s annualized net expense ratio for each class, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended December 31, 2018. 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 0.22%, 0.47% and 0.62% for Institutional, Service and Advisor Shares, respectively.

 

 

31


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
 

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

32


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
 

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993- April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

  156   None
         
*

Mr. McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Portfolio’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

33


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST MULTI-STRATEGY ALTERNATIVES PORTFOLIO

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1  

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and President   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer  

Since 2009

(Principal Financial Officer since 2013)

 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer   Since 2016 (Principal Accounting Officer since 2017)  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

(May 2010-October 2015).

 

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Portfolio’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, 0.76% of the dividends paid from net investment company taxable income by the Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations.

For the 2018 tax year, the Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio has elected to pass through a credit for taxes paid to foreign jurisdictions. The total amount of income received by the Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio from sources within foreign countries and possessions of the United States was $0.0081 per share, all of which is attributable to qualified passive income. The percentage of net investment income dividends paid by the Portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2018 from foreign sources was 2.28%. The total amount of foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio was $0.0012 per share.

 

34


TRUSTEES   OFFICERS
Jessica Palmer, Chair   James A. McNamara, President
Kathryn A. Cassidy   Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice
Diana M. Daniels   President and Principal Financial Officer
Herbert J. Markley   Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasurer and
James A. McNamara   Principal Accounting Officer
Roy W. Templin   Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary
Gregory G. Weaver  

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns.

The reports concerning the Portfolio included in this shareholder report may contain certain forward-looking statements about the factors that may affect the performance of the Portfolio in the future. These statements are based on Portfolio management’s predictions and expectations concerning certain future events and their expected impact on the Portfolio, 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 Portfolio. 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.

A description of the policies and procedures that the Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Portfolio voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the 12-month period ended December 31 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio’s Form N-Qs are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Portfolio’s first and third fiscal quarters. Form N-Qs may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transactions or matters addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The website links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these websites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these websites.

Portfolio holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Portfolio holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

References to indices, benchmarks or other measures of relative market performance over a specified period of time are provided for your information only and do not imply that the portfolio will achieve similar results. The index composition may not reflect the manner in which a portfolio is constructed. While an adviser seeks to design a portfolio which reflects appropriate risk and return features, portfolio characteristics may deviate from those of the benchmark.

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.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Diversification does not protect an investor from market risk and does not ensure a profit.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 Portfolio 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Portfolio.

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 the Portfolio’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 the Portfolio and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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 — Goldman Sachs Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITMSAAR-19/157040-OTU-914557/535


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund

Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund

Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund

Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

LOGO

 


MARKET REVIEW

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust Funds

 

Market Review

During the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”), the performance of the U.S. equity and fixed income markets were influenced most by Federal Reserve (“Fed”) monetary policy, U.S. and global economic data, and geopolitical issues, including the U.S.-China trade dispute.

Equity Markets

U.S. equities saw a strong start to the Reporting Period in January 2018, driven by positive economic data, a $1.5 trillion tax reform law signed in December 2017, and a favorable corporate earnings season. In February 2018, however, U.S. equities sold off on market speculation of a faster pace of Fed short-term interest rate hikes, which stoked a sharp rise in bond yields and an increase in equity market volatility. Concerns about Fed monetary policy tightening were further exacerbated by solid U.S. labor and inflation data. While the hawkish Fed minutes were largely expected, new Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony, positing a more optimistic economic outlook since the December 2017 Fed meeting, surprised equity markets with its hawkish tilt, sparking another sell-off in the U.S. equity markets. (Jerome Powell assumed the chairmanship of the Fed in February 2018. Hawkish language tends to suggest higher interest rates; opposite of dovish.) In March 2018, escalating trade tensions and potential tariffs weighed on investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the Fed delivered on a widely expected interest rate increase, with its “dot plot” pointing to a total of three interest rate hikes the 2018 calendar year and potentially two in 2019. (The “dot plot” shows rate projections of the members of the Fed’s Open Market Committee.) However, Fed policymakers acknowledged that the “economic outlook has strengthened in recent months,” revising their economic growth forecast higher and their unemployment forecast lower.

By the end of the Reporting Period, the Fed had hiked interest rates four times and communicated an upbeat view of its economic outlook, spurred by strong U.S. labor and inflation data. Against these strong fundamentals, escalating trade tensions, fears of a global economic slowdown and populist politics weighed on investor sentiment throughout the calendar year. After second and third calendar quarters of generally solid gains, supported by a combination of robust economic growth, strong corporate profits and rising earnings estimates, U.S. equities fell sharply again in the fourth quarter of 2018, as investor sentiment rapidly deteriorated on heightened trade and political uncertainty and in a delayed reaction to rising interest rates. The retreat resulted in tighter U.S. financial conditions, which had been resilient to Fed interest rate hikes earlier in the year. U.S. equities saw a reprieve in November 2018 on more accommodative comments from Fed Chair Powell and on encouraging progress toward China-U.S. trade talks. However, the recovery was short-lived, as U.S. equities plunged in December 2018 on renewed investor fears sparked by the arrest of a Chinese technology executive, the partial federal government shutdown and the U.S. President’s criticism of Fed Chair Powell.

For the Reporting Period overall, seven sectors posted negative absolute returns and four generated positive returns. Health care, utilities, consumer discretionary and information technology were the best performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index, as measured by total return. The weakest performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index during the Reporting Period were energy, materials, industrials and financials. (After the close of business on September 28, 2018, the telecommunications services sector was renamed the communication services sector and was broadened to include certain companies from the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors that facilitate communication and offer related content and information through various media.)

Within the U.S. equity market, there was significant disparity in performance not only among sectors but also among the various capitalization and style segments. While all capitalization segments posted negative returns, large-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 1000® Index, performed best, followed at some distance by mid-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell Midcap® Index, and then small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. From a style perspective, growth-oriented stocks significantly outpaced value-oriented stocks across the capitalization spectrum. (All as measured by the FTSE Russell indices.)

Fixed Income Markets

In the first quarter of 2018, spread, or non-government bond, sectors were challenged by a surge in market volatility and “risk-off” sentiment, or reduced risk appetite, amid equity market declines in February and March. Catalysts included firmer than consensus expected U.S. wage and price inflation data at the beginning of February 2018 and rising concerns about trade tensions during March. At their March policy meeting, Fed officials raised short-term interest rates, much as the market had expected, and

 

1


MARKET REVIEW

 

continued to point to a total of three interest rate increases in 2018. However, Fed policymakers revised their economic growth forecast higher and their employment forecast lower, given their view of the strengthening U.S. economic outlook.

During the second calendar quarter, spread sectors broadly weakened amid protectionist trade measures and political events in emerging markets countries and Italy as well as higher U.S. interest rates and a stronger U.S. dollar. U.S. high yield corporate bonds, however, generated a small positive return. Rising oil prices were a tailwind for the broader high yield corporate bond sector, as many energy bonds are high yield rated. In June 2018, the Fed raised short-term interest rates and its dot plot pointed to two more rate increases in 2018, implying a total of four rate hikes in the calendar year. U.S. economic growth strengthened, with the Gross Domestic Product expanding at an annualized rate of 4.2% in the second calendar quarter. In contrast, economic growth softened in the Eurozone, Japan and China.

Spread sectors performed well during the third quarter of 2018, as the global economy — led by particularly strong economic growth in the U.S. — expanded. However, some major economies, including those of the Eurozone, the U.K. and China, continued to exhibit a gradual weakening trend. Emerging markets debt broadly posted gains, with strength in July and September 2018 outweighing pronounced August weakness. High yield corporate bonds also advanced, recording their best quarterly performance since the first quarter of 2017. In September 2018, the Fed delivered the eighth interest rate hike of its current tightening cycle, with its dot plot pointing to another increase by calendar year-end and three more during 2019. Fed Chair Powell delivered an upbeat assessment of the U.S. economy, which supported market expectations for these additional Fed rate hikes in 2019. U.S. Treasury rates rose in response, followed, in turn, by the interest rates of other developed markets countries.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, investor concerns about slowing global economic growth momentum as well as tighter financial conditions, mainly in the U.S., weighed on spread sector performance. In particular, U.S. corporate bonds experienced notable weakness, as credit spreads, or yield differentials versus U.S. Treasury securities, widened significantly. U.S. Treasury yields fell as investors grew fearful about the possible end of the global economic cycle and as their expectations for Fed rate hikes diminished. In December 2018, Fed policymakers raised short-term interest rates, much as the market had expected, but lowered their projection for 2019 monetary policy tightening from three rate hikes to two. U.S. economic activity data remained in expansionary territory during the fourth quarter but moderated from cycle highs. Headline inflation pressures eased as crude oil prices declined.

For the Reporting Period overall, spread sectors generally lagged U.S. Treasury securities. Sovereign emerging markets debt, high yield corporate bonds and investment grade corporate bonds underperformed U.S. Treasuries the most, followed at some distance by agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed securities, the only fixed income market segment to generate a positive return during the Reporting Period, outperformed U.S. Treasuries. The U.S. Treasury yield curve, or spectrum of maturities, flattened during the Reporting Period, as yields on maturities of two years and less rose more than yields on maturities of three years and longer. (A flattening yield curve is one wherein the differential in yields between longer-term and shorter-term maturities narrows.) The yield on the bellwether 10-year U.S. Treasury rose approximately 29 basis points to end the Reporting Period at 2.69%.

Looking Ahead

Equity Markets

At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed the risk/reward balance for equities in 2019 had improved relative to 2018 following the de-rating in valuation multiples, or price/earnings ratios, in the fourth quarter of 2018. We saw continued expansion of global economic growth and corporate profits. We believed U.S. economic growth would likely moderate in 2019, while the slowdown outside of the U.S. may be behind us. In our view, the ongoing global economic expansion should underpin corporate earnings growth, which we expect to remain positive across all global regions in 2019, supporting risk assets, such as equities. Meanwhile, lower valuations provide, in our view, an attractive entry point. Several challenges in 2018 — such as trade tensions and populist politics — resulted in a sharp de-rating. We think the shift in valuations was overdone relative to both macro and corporate fundamentals. Concerns around the length of the current economic cycle, trade tensions and populist politics may well continue, but we believed at the end of the Reporting Period that it was too soon to position for the end of the cycle and markets had already gone too far in pricing in the risks.

 

2


MARKET REVIEW

 

As the U.S. economic expansion approaches the longest on record, late-cycle signs, such as a tight labor market, firming inflation, higher volatility and a flatter yield curve, along with fading fiscal support and continued Fed interest rate hikes, have increased focus, we feel, on a possible moderation in U.S. economic growth. However, discussions around peak earnings are premature, in our view, as margins have historically continued to expand until very close to the beginning of recessions.

We believe rising interest rates and cost pressures make pricing power an increasingly critical differentiator of success. Selectivity, in our view, is also increasingly important amid higher volatility, elevated political and trade risks and slowing revenue growth and margin pressures. We believe this divergence between winners and losers reinforces the importance of active management.

Fixed Income Markets

At the end of the Reporting Period, we expected the global economic expansion to continue. However, we think the environment is shifting from one of divergence, with U.S. economic growth strongly outpacing that of many other countries, to one of convergence, wherein the pace of U.S. economic growth moderates as the impact of earlier fiscal stimulus fades. Outside of the U.S., we see stabilization in the economic growth of developed markets countries and expect economic growth in the emerging markets to surprise to the upside. As for China, we expect its economy to benefit from the government’s continued policy support measures.

Regarding U.S. monetary policy, we believe the Fed is likely to hike short-term interest rates twice during 2019, assuming the U.S. labor market remains healthy and inflationary pressures continue to build gradually. That said, at the end of the Reporting Period, the market was pricing in barely one rate increase during 2019. We think markets will continue to underprice the most likely path of interest rate hikes, and we expect to see a continuation of what we saw in 2018 — rapid rises in bond yields interrupted by periods of consolidation during which upward pressures rebuild.

While our overall outlook for 2019 is optimistic, we also saw a number of substantial risks at the end of the Reporting Period, including geopolitics, escalating trade tensions, potential for abrupt increases in bond yields driven by wage inflation, and investor concerns about the end of the current economic cycle. Until we see clearer signs of deterioration in the macro environment, however, we think episodic market declines should provide dynamic investment opportunities.

 

3


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 Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

 

Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis

Below, the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team discusses the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated average annual total returns of –0.58% and –0.83%, respectively. This compares to the 0.01% average annual total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Bloomberg Barclays Index”), during the same time period.

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s top-down country strategy detracted from relative performance, driven by a long position in Italy. In addition, a long position in the U.S. versus short positions in the U.K. and Europe hurt results. Within our top-down currency strategy, the Fund was hampered by long positions in the Swedish krona and Australian dollar as well as by its tactical positions overall in the Japanese yen. These losses were partially offset by a short position in the euro and a long position in the Norwegian krone, which contributed positively.

Also detracting from relative returns was the Fund’s top-down cross-sector strategy. In our cross-sector strategy, we invest Fund assets across a variety of fixed income sectors, including some that may not be included in the Bloomberg Barclays Index. On the positive side, our bottom-up individual issue selection added to relative returns.

The Fund’s combined tactical duration and yield curve positioning contributed positively during the Reporting Period. (Duration is a measure of the Fund’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Yield curve is a spectrum of interest rates based on maturities of varying lengths.)

Which fixed income market sectors most affected Fund performance during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund was hurt by its allocations to corporate credit, collateralized loan obligations and residential mortgage-backed securities. An overweight position compared to the Bloomberg Barclays Index in emerging markets sovereign debt further detracted from relative performance. These losses were offset somewhat by the Fund’s exposure to the government/swaps sector as well as by its underweights in mortgage-backed securities and emerging markets debt broadly, which contributed positively.

As for individual issue selection, the Fund benefited from its holdings in the securitized sector, especially investments in mortgage-backed securities and asset backed securities (“ABS”). Within corporate credit, relative performance was helped by our selection of various maturities along the yield curve and by the Fund’s lower credit quality bias. Selection among Kuwaiti and United Arab Emirates external bonds further added to the Fund’s relative performance.

Did the Fund’s duration and yield curve positioning strategy help or hurt its results during the Reporting Period?

The Fund’s combined duration and yield curve positioning added to performance during the Reporting Period. Compared to the Bloomberg Barclays Index, the Fund held a short duration position because we believed the market was underestimating the pace of Federal Reserve (“Fed”) interest rate hikes.

How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the Reporting Period?

As market conditions warranted during the Reporting Period, currency transactions were carried out using primarily over-the-counter (“OTC”) forward foreign exchange contracts. Currency transactions were used as we sought both to enhance returns and to hedge the Fund’s portfolio against currency exchange rate fluctuations. OTC forward foreign exchange contracts detracted from Fund performance during the Reporting Period. In addition, futures contracts were employed as warranted to facilitate specific

 

4


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

duration, yield curve and country strategies. During the Reporting Period, futures contracts had a negative impact on the Fund’s results. Swaptions (options on interest rate swap contracts), which were used to express our interest rate views and to hedge volatility and yield curve risks in the Fund, did not have a meaningful impact on the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period. Interest rate swaps, which were used to manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, added to the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period.

Additionally, the Fund employed credit default swaps to implement specific credit-related investment strategies, including management of the Fund’s exposure to credit spreads. Credit default swaps had a negative impact on the Fund’s results during the Reporting Period. Overall, we employ derivatives and similar instruments for the efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio. Derivatives and similar instruments allow us to manage interest rate, credit and currency risks more effectively by allowing us both to hedge and to apply active investment views with greater versatility and to afford greater risk management precision than we would otherwise be able to implement.

Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period?

On a contribution to duration basis, we moved the Fund from an underweight position relative to the Bloomberg Barclays Index in investment grade corporate credit to an overweight position during the Reporting Period.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

There were no changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period. However, effective January 1, 2019 after the end of the Reporting Period, Jonathan Beinner no longer served as a portfolio manager for the Fund and Ashish Shah became a portfolio manager for the Fund. As of January 1, 2019, Ashish Shah and Michael Swell are portfolio managers of the Fund.

How was the Fund positioned relative to the Bloomberg Barclays Index at the end of the Reporting Period?

At the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund was overweight ABS and non-agency mortgage-backed securities compared to the Bloomberg Barclays Index on a market-value weighted basis. As measured by contribution to duration, it was overweight in agency mortgage-backed securities and rather neutral in corporate credit. It was underweight emerging markets corporate bonds and overweight emerging markets sovereign bonds on a market-value weighted basis. In addition, the Fund was underweight U.S. government bonds and relatively neutral in quasi-government bonds. It was also rather neutral in commercial mortgage-backed securities on a market-value weighted basis. Finally, the Fund maintained an allocation to collateralized loan obligations, which are not represented in the Bloomberg Barclays Index, at the end of the Reporting Period.

 

5


FUND BASICS

 

Core Fixed Income Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -0.58      2.39      N/A        1.72    4/30/13
Service      -0.83      2.15      4.41      3.50    1/09/06

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional and Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        0.42      0.65
Service        0.67        0.90  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectus for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

 

6


FUND BASICS

 

FUND COMPOSITION3

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

3 

The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets. Figures in the above graph may not sum to 100% due to the exclusion of other assets and liabilities. Short-Term Investments represent investments in commercial paper. Underlying sector allocations of investment companies held by the Fund are not reflected in the graph above. The graph depicts the Fund’s investments but may not represent the Fund’s market exposure due to the exclusion of certain derivatives, if any, as listed in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments.

 

4 

“Mortgage-Backed Securities” are guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (“FHLMC”). GNMA instruments are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

 

5 

“U.S. Government Agency Securities” include agency securities offered by companies such as FNMA and the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), which operate under a government charter. While they are required to report to a government regulator, their assets are not explicitly guaranteed by the government and they otherwise operate like any other publicly traded company.

 

7


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on January 1, 2009 in Service Shares. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses, but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Institutional Shares will vary from Service Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry/country investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

Core Fixed Income Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Ten Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced April 30, 2013)

   -0.58%    2.39%    N/A    1.72%

Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)

   -0.83%    2.15%    4.41%    3.50%

 

 

 

8


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, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSgA”), the Fund’s Subadvisor, discusses the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust – Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Service Shares generated an average annual total return of –4.87%. This compares to the –4.38% average annual 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.

During the Reporting Period, which sectors and which industries in the S&P 500® Index were the weakest contributors to the Fund’s performance?

Seven of the 11 sectors in the S&P 500® Index recorded declines during the Reporting Period. In terms of total return, the sectors that made the weakest contributions to the S&P 500® Index and to the Fund were energy, materials and industrials. The industries with the weakest performance in terms of total return were pharmaceuticals: other; home furnishings; oilfield services/equipment; automotive aftermarket; and savings banks.

On the basis of impact (which takes both total returns and weightings into account), the sectors that made the weakest contributions to the S&P 500® Index and to the Fund were financials, industrials and energy. The industries with the weakest performance on the basis of impact were major banks, industrial conglomerates, Internet software/services, tobacco and integrated oil.

Which sectors and industries in the S&P 500® Index were the strongest contributors to the Fund’s performance?

In terms of total return, during the Reporting Period, the strongest contributing sectors were health care, utilities and information technology. 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 20.10%. The industries with the strongest performance in terms of total return were hospital/nursing management, movies/entertainment, Internet retail, department stores and packaged software.

On the basis of impact, the strongest performing sectors were information technology, health care and consumer discretionary. The strongest performing industries on the basis of impact were packaged software; Internet retail; medical specialties; pharmaceuticals: major; and finance/rental/leasing.

Which individual stocks were the top detractors, and which were the greatest positive contributors?

On the basis of impact, the stocks that made the weakest contribution during the Reporting Period were Facebook, General Electric, AT&T, Exxon Mobil and Philip Morris International. The strongest performers were Microsoft, Amazon.com, Merck, Pfizer and Mastercard.

How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund did not use derivatives as part of an active management strategy to add value to the Fund’s results. However, equity index futures were used to equitize the Fund’s cash holdings. In other words, we put the Fund’s cash holdings to work by using them as collateral for the purchase of equity index futures. We also used these equity index futures to provide liquidity for daily cash flow requirements. Equity index futures had a neutral impact on the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

There were no changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period.

What changes were made to the makeup of the S&P 500® Index during the Reporting Period?

Twenty-eight stocks were removed from the S&P 500® Index during the Reporting Period. They were Acuity Brands, Aetna, Andeavor, Apergy, CA, C.R. Bard, Chesapeake Energy, CSRA, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Envision Healthcare, EQT, Express

 

9


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

Scripts Holding, Garrett Motion, GGP, Monsanto Company, Navient, nVent Electric, Patterson Companies, Perspecta, Range Resources, Resideo Technologies, Rockwell Collins, Scripps Networks Interactive, Signet Jewelers, Stericycle, Time Warner, Wyndham Worldwide and XL Group.

There were 28 stocks added to the S&P 500® Index during the Reporting Period. They were Abiomed, Apergy, Arista Networks, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Celanese, Copart, Diamondback Energy, FleetCor Technologies, Fortinet, Garrett Motion, Henry Jack & Associates, HollyFrontier, Huntington Ingalls Industries, IPG Photonics, Keysight Technologies, Lamb Weston Holdings, Maxim Integrated Products, MSCI, Nektar Therapeutics, nVent Electric, Perspecta, Resideo Technologies, Rollins, Take-Two Interactive Software, Twitter, SVB Financial Group, Wellcare Health Plans and Westar Energy.

The source of the data included in the above Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis with respect to the Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund is FactSet as of 12/31/18.

Characteristics presented are calculated using the month end market value of holdings, except for beta and standard deviation, if shown, which use month end return values. Averages reflect the market weight of securities in the portfolio. Market data, prices, and dividend estimates for characteristics calculations provided by FactSet Research Systems, Inc. All other portfolio data provided by SSgA. Characteristics are as of the date indicated, are subject to change, and should not be relied upon as current thereafter.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Index returns are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses. Index returns reflect all items of income, gain and loss and the reinvestment of dividends and other income.

SSgA may have or may seek investment management or other business relationships with companies discussed in this material or affiliates of those companies, such as their officers, directors and pension plans.

The views expressed in this material are the views of SSgA’s Global Equity Beta Solutions Team through the period ended December 31, 2018 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected.

 

10


FUND BASICS

 

Equity Index Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Service      -4.87      8.00      12.69      7.14    1/09/06

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Service        0.48      0.71

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectus for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 12/31/183

 

Holding      % of Net Assets      Line of Business
Microsoft Corp.        3.7%      Software & Services
Apple, Inc.        3.4    Technology Hardware & Equipment
Amazon.com, Inc.        2.9    Retailing
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B        1.9    Diversified Financials
Johnson & Johnson        1.6    Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
JPMorgan Chase & Co.        1.5    Banks
Alphabet, Inc. Class C        1.5    Media & Entertainment
Facebook, Inc. Class A        1.5    Media & Entertainment
Alphabet, Inc. Class A        1.5    Media & Entertainment
Exxon Mobil Corp.        1.4    Energy

3 The top 10 holdings may not be representative of the Fund’s future investments.

 

11


FUND BASICS

 

FUND VS. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

4 

The graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”); however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value (excluding short-term investments, if any). The graph depicts the Fund’s investments but may not represent the Fund’s market exposure due to the exclusion of certain derivatives, if any, as listed in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments.

 

12


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on January 1, 2009. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P 500 Index (with distributions reinvested), is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses, but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

Equity Index Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Ten Years    Since Inception

Equity Index Fund (Commenced January 9, 2006)

   -4.87%    8.00%    12.69%    7.14%

 

 

13


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 Investment Team discusses the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust—Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated average annual total returns of –4.17% and –4.34%, respectively. These returns compare to the –4.75% average annual 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 outperformed the Russell Index during the Reporting Period largely because of its sector positioning, which was the direct result of security selection.

Which equity market sectors helped and hurt Fund performance?

Our bottom-up approach focuses on security selection, and therefore, we do not make active sector-level investment decisions. That said, on a sector level, stock selection in the information technology sector contributed most positively to the Fund’s performance. The Fund also benefited from an underweight position compared to the Russell Index in the materials sector and from an overweight position in the consumer staples sector. Conversely, the Fund was hampered by stock selection in the industrials, consumer discretionary and energy sectors during the Reporting Period.

Which individual stocks added to the Fund’s relative performance during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund benefited most relative to the Russell Index from its positions in Illumina, McCormick & Company (“McCormick”) and Intuit.

Illumina was the top contributor to the Fund’s relative returns. During the first half of the Reporting Period, the biotechnology company’s shares rose steadily on the heels of multiple quarters in which earnings per share exceeded market expectations. The strong results were driven by the outperformance of NovaSeq, Illumina’s genetic sequencing platform. At the end of July 2018, its stock price spiked following another earnings release in which the company reported both earnings per share and revenues well ahead of consensus estimates. Sustained strength in the NovaSeq product line was a primary driver of performance. At the end of the Reporting Period, we continued to believe the company’s growth was at an inflection point, as NovaSeq, which we think is more cost- and time-effective for customers than competing products, is still in its early stages. In our view, the company was well positioned as a leader in its industry to capitalize on the NovaSeq product cycle, with the added benefit of strong and increasing secular demand for genetic sequencing.

McCormick, a spice manufacturer, marketer and distributor, also added to the Fund’s relative performance during the Reporting Period. We initiated the position in April 2018, and at the end of June, the company announced positive earnings that beat market expectations, which caused its stock to jump. Its shares continued to trend upward through the rest of the Reporting Period, in tandem with the consumer staples sector broadly, as investors fled to more defensive stocks amid increased market volatility. At the end of the Reporting Period, we continued to believe McCormick is a high quality company in an operating category that is relatively insulated from some of the pressures, such as cost and freight inflation, faced by other consumer-related companies. We were also positive on McCormick’s July 2018 acquisition of Reckitt Benckiser Group, as integration efforts have tracked better than the market expected. Overall, we felt McCormick had an attractive risk/reward profile within more challenged consumer-oriented sectors.

Intuit, a financial, accounting and tax preparation software maker, was another notable contributor during the Reporting Period. At the end of April 2018, following the 2017 tax filing season, the company pre-announced positive numbers that included continued market share gains. It also raised its full-year consumer tax guidance. Its stock price climbed higher in May 2018 on stronger than market expected earnings and revenues as well as on raised earning guidance. The company’s management attributed the positive

 

14


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

results to a market shift toward digital offerings, highlighted by Turbo Tax Live, additional services growth and strong pricing. In our view, Turbo Tax Live has the potential to unlock the underpenetrated tax professional market. In August 2018, the company again announced earnings per share that beat market expectations, and its stock continued to climb. Overall, at the end of the Reporting Period, we remained positive on Intuit’s ability to gain market share in the do-it-yourself tax space and considered its deep product line and growing customer base indicators of further potential growth. Intuit is a high quality franchise, in our opinion, with a healthy system of offerings that may benefit from the improving environment for small businesses.

Which individual stocks detracted from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

Middleby, Concho Resources and PVH detracted most from the Fund’s relative returns during the Reporting Period.

The Fund’s top detractor was Middleby, which designs, manufactures and distributes kitchen equipment around the world. Its stock price declined sharply in May 2018 following a disappointing earnings release. The company reported continued organic growth weakness and higher than market expected operating expenses related to recent acquisitions. In the wake of this announcement, our confidence in Middleby’s ability to execute eroded, and we decided to exit the Fund’s position in its stock.

Another key detractor was Concho Resources, which engages in the acquisition, development and exploration of oil and natural gas properties. Its shares were pressured by the drop in crude oil prices during the fourth quarter of 2018 as the equity market broadly declined. Despite the volatility in crude oil prices, we remained confident at the end of the Reporting Period in Concho Resources’ ability to operate efficiently and in its prime acreage in the Permian Basin of West Texas. We were also positive on the company’s acquisition of RSP Permian, completed in July 2018, which we believe strengthens Concho Resources’ position in the Permian Basin while also providing an attractive opportunity to unlock cost synergies.

The Fund was further hampered during the Reporting Period by an investment in PVH, a clothing company that owns brands such as Van Heusen, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, IZOD, Arrow, Warner’s, Olga, True & Co. and Geoffrey Beene. In August 2018, the company announced solid quarterly results, with earnings per share coming in better than market expectations. At the same time, its management raised its full year guidance. Despite the strength in earnings, however, gross margins were weaker than consensus anticipated, and its management pointed to continued margin headwinds in the second half of the year, which caused its stock price to fall. Its shares continued to decline at the end of the 2018 calendar year along with the equity market as a whole. Even with potential margin pressures, we remained positive on PVH at the end of the Reporting Period given its geographic diversity and global growth potential. We also believed the company was well-positioned given its recognizable brand names, strong balance sheet and good free cash flow generation.

Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the Reporting Period?

Among the positions initiated by the Fund during the Reporting Period was an investment in Dollar General. We view the off-price retailer favorably, as it has shown an ability to consistently grow sales, with its very low ticket averages (the average prices charged to customers) and frequent visits overall by customers, which we believe leaves Dollar General relatively insulated from e-commerce pressures. We also believe the company’s business model is positioned to benefit in a healthy market environment and to mitigate challenges in an economic downturn. Overall, we feel Dollar General is a high quality growth company that was trading at an attractive valuation at the time of purchase given its risk/reward profile.

The Fund also established a position in Teleflex, which provides medical technology products that enable health care providers to improve patient outcomes and enhance patient and provider safety. We are positive about the company given that medical purchasing trends overall have continued to shift toward improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital stays. In our view, Teleflex’s deep product pipeline positions it well for growth, as it continues to invest in key diseases and markets. We consider Teleflex a high quality growth company with strong cash flows and the opportunity to expand margins as it works to benefit from these secular growth themes.

In addition to the sale of Middle by, already mentioned, the Fund exited its position in Lam Research, a supplier of wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. The stock had experienced several years of outperformance, driven by a strong equipment upgrade cycle. However, we believe that, with the slowing of Moore’s Law, companies may use their existing semiconductor equipment longer. (Moore’s Law is the observation that the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles about every two years.) In our view, this secular shift creates a less favorable outlook for Lam Research and its peers, leading us to sell the Fund’s position and seek opportunities elsewhere.

 

15


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period?

Changes to the Fund’s sector weightings relative to the Russell Index are due to our stock selection. As a result of these decisions during the Reporting Period, the Fund shifted from an overweight position in the financials sector to a rather neutral position versus the Russell Index. It also moved from a neutral position in the industrials sector to an underweight position.

How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the Reporting Period?

The Fund did not use derivatives or similar instruments within its investment process during the Reporting Period.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

Effective January 9, 2018, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) centralized its Fundamental Equity U.S. Growth and Fundamental Equity U.S. Value Teams into a single Fundamental Equity U.S. Equity Team. The Investment Adviser believes these changes will benefit the Fund by providing a more holistic investment perspective and the ability to leverage investment ideas across the U.S. Fundamental Equity platform. No changes were made to the Fund’s portfolio management team in connection with this new structure. Effective October 23, 2018, Ashley R. Woodruff no longer served as a portfolio manager of the Fund. At that time, Steven M. Barry, who has managed the Fund since its inception two decades ago, became the sole portfolio manager of the Fund.

How was the Fund positioned relative to the Russell Index at the end of the Reporting Period?

As mentioned, the Fund’s sector positioning relative to the Russell 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 overweight positions compared to the Russell Index in the health care and consumer staples sectors. The Fund had smaller weightings than the Russell Index in the industrials, information technology, consumer discretionary and communication services sectors. At the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund was relatively neutral compared to the Russell Index in the energy, real estate, financials and materials sectors.

 

16


FUND BASICS

 

Growth Opportunities Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -4.17      5.51      N/A        8.22    4/30/13
Service      -4.34      5.33      14.04      7.93    1/09/06

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional and Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        0.85      1.01
Service        1.01        1.26  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectus for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 12/31/183

 

Holding

    

% of Net Assets

      

Line of Business

Dollar General Corp.

       2.7%       

Retailing

Amphenol Corp. Class A

       2.5     

Technology Hardware & Equipment

Global Payments, Inc.

       2.2     

Software & Services

Fiserv, Inc.

       2.2     

Software & Services

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

       2.0     

Health Care Equipment & Services

GoDaddy, Inc. Class A

       2.0     

Software & Services

Total System Services, Inc.

       1.9     

Software & Services

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

       1.9     

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

Teleflex, Inc.

       1.8     

Health Care Equipment & Services

Ross Stores, Inc.

       1.8     

Retailing

 

3 

The top 10 holdings may not be representative of the Fund’s future investments.

 

17


FUND BASICS

 

FUND VS. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

4 

The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. Consequently, the Fund’s overall sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”); however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. 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). Underlying sector allocations of exchange traded funds and investment companies held by the Fund are not reflected in the graph above. Investments in the securities lending reinvestment vehicle represented 0.3% of the Fund’s net assets at December 31, 2018.

 

18


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on January 1, 2009 in Service Shares. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell Midcap Growth Index (with distributions reinvested), is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses, but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Institutional Shares will vary from Service Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

Growth Opportunities Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Ten Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced April 30, 2013)

   -4.17%    5.51%    N/A    8.22%

Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)

   -4.34%    5.33%    14.04%    7.93%

 

 

19


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income, consistent with low volatility of principal.

 

Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis

Below, the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team discusses the Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional, Service and Advisor Shares generated average annual total returns of 1.75%, 1.50% and 1.37%, respectively. These returns compare to the 1.87% average annual total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the ICE® BofAML® Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (the “ICE® BofAML® Index”), during the Reporting Period.

We note that the Fund’s benchmark being the ICE® BofAML® Index is a means of emphasizing that the Fund has an unconstrained strategy. That said, this Fund employs a benchmark agnostic strategy and thus comparisons to a benchmark index are not particularly relevant.

What key factors had the greatest impact on the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, our individual issue selection added most to the Fund’s relative returns. Our top-down cross-sector strategy also contributed positively. In our cross-sector strategy, we invest Fund assets based on a discipline of valuing each fixed income sector in the context of all investment opportunities within the Fund’s universe.

Conversely, the Fund’s combined tactical duration and yield curve positioning detracted from results. Duration is a measure of the Fund’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Yield curve is a spectrum of interest rates based on maturities of varying lengths.

Which fixed income market sectors helped or hurt Fund performance during the Reporting Period?

Individual issue selection bolstered the Fund’s relative performance during the Reporting Period. In particular, the Fund benefited from selection within the securitized sector, led by investments in shorter-duration collateralized mortgage obligations and Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”) asset backed securities (“ABS”). FFELP ABS are backed by loans that are at least 97% guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education, and they are also an attractive source of short spread duration, in our view. (Spread duration is the sensitivity of the price of a bond to a 100 basis point change to its option-adjusted spread. A basis point is 1/100th of a percentage point. The option adjusted spread is a measurement tool for evaluating price differences between similar products with different embedded options.) Within the government/swaps sector, individual issue selection of U.S. government securities detracted from relative returns.

Our cross-sector strategy also contributed positively to relative performance. Compared to the ICE® BofAML® Index, the Fund’s overweight in ABS added to returns, as the ABS sector’s increased yield from carry performed strongly in spite of widening spreads, or yield differentials versus bonds of comparable maturity. (Carry is essentially the return an investor might expect on an investment if nothing happens to the price of the assets.) In addition, Federal Reserve (“Fed”) interest rate hikes led floating rate ABS to outperform fixed rate ABS during the Reporting Period. On the negative side, the Fund was hurt by its overweight in agency mortgage-backed securities, as their spreads widened due to the Fed’s balance sheet normalization process. (Balance sheet normalization refers to the steps the Fed is taking, which includes fewer purchases of agency mortgage-backed securities, to reverse quantitative easing and remove the substantial monetary accommodation it has provided to the economy since the financial crisis began in 2007.)

Did the Fund’s duration and yield curve positioning strategy help or hurt its results during the Reporting Period?

The Fund’s combined tactical duration and yield curve positioning detracted from performance. More specifically, the Fund was hurt by its exposure to specific segments of the U.S. Treasury yield curve during the Reporting Period. In our view, the market was underpricing the pace of Fed monetary policy tightening. At the end of the Reporting Period, the market did not expect the Fed to raise short-term interest rates in 2019, while we anticipate one or two rate increases.

 

20


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

Were there any notable changes in the Fund’s weightings during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, we reduced the Fund’s exposure to ABS. That said, within ABS, we continued to favor high quality floating rate securitized credit, especially FFELP student loan ABS, which tend to benefit from strong U.S. government support and limited supply pressures, in our view. Additionally, we decreased the Fund’s exposure to agency mortgage-backed securities during the Reporting Period. As mentioned previously, the Fed has been buying fewer agency mortgage-backed securities as part of its balance sheet normalization process, which has been a headwind for the sector.

How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the Reporting Period?

As market conditions warranted, the Fund used Treasury futures and Eurodollar futures to hedge interest rate exposure and to facilitate duration management. (Eurodollar futures are contracts that have underlying assets linked to time deposits denominated in U.S. dollars at banks outside the U.S.) During the Reporting Period, the use of futures overall did not have a material impact on performance. The Fund also employed interest rate swaps to manage interest risk, which did not have a meaningful impact on performance during the Reporting Period.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

There were no changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period.

How was the Fund positioned relative to the ICE® BofAML® Index at the end of the Reporting Period?

At the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund had little exposure to U.S. government securities, which represent 100% of the ICE® BofAML® Index. The Fund had positions in ABS, agency collateralized mortgage obligations, residential mortgage-backed securities and agency mortgage-backed securities, none of which are represented in the ICE® BofAML® Index.

 

21


FUND BASICS

 

High Quality Floating Rate Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      1.75      0.94      N/A        0.92    4/30/13
Service      1.50        0.69        2.43      2.97      1/09/06
Advisor      1.37        N/A        N/A        0.69      10/15/14

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional, Service and Advisor Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        0.36      0.63
Service        0.61        0.88  
Advisor        0.76        1.03  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) are as set forth above according to the most recent publicly available Prospectus for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

 

22


FUND BASICS

 

FUND COMPOSITION3

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

3 

The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets. Figures in the above graph may not sum to 100% due to the exclusion of other assets and liabilities. Short-Term Investments represent investments in commercial paper. Underlying sector allocations of investment companies held by the Fund are not reflected in the graph above. The graph depicts the Fund’s investments but may not represent the Fund’s market exposure due to the exclusion of certain derivatives, if any, as listed in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments.

 

4 

Mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (“FHLMC”). GNMA instruments are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

 

5 

“U.S. Government Agency Security” include agency securities offered by companies such as FNMA and the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), which operate under a government charter. While they are required to report to a government regulator, their assets are not explicitly guaranteed by the government and they otherwise operate like any other publicly traded company.

 

23


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on January 1, 2009 in Service Shares. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the ICE BofAML® Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses, but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Institutional and Advisor Shares will vary from Service Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

High Quality Floating Rate Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Ten Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced April 30, 2013)

   1.75%    0.94%    N/A    0.92%

Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)

   1.50%    0.69%    2.43%    2.97%

Advisor (Commenced October 15, 2014)

   1.37%    N/A    N/A    0.69%

 

 

 

24


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Index Definitions

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index represents an unmanaged diversified portfolio of fixed income securities, including U.S. Treasuries, investment-grade corporate bonds and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.

ICE® BofAML® Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index measures total return on cash, including price and interest income, based on short-term government Treasury Bills of about 90-day maturity, as reported by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Russell Midcap® Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those companies in the Russell Midcap® Index with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

Russell Midcap® Index measures the performance of the mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell Midcap® Index is a subset of the Russell 1000® Index. The Russell Midcap® Index includes approximately 800 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell Midcap® Index represents approximately 31% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000® Index companies. The Russell Midcap® Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer for the mid-cap segment. The Russell Midcap® Index is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not distort the performance and characteristics of the true mid-cap opportunity set.

Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 1000® Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and includes approximately 1000 of the largest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 1000® Index represents approximately 92% of the U.S. market. The Russell 1000® Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer for the large-cap segment and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure new and growing equities are reflected.

Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000® Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. The Russell 2000® Index includes approximately 2000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 2000® Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased small-cap barometer and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not distort the performance and characteristics of the true small-cap opportunity set.

It is not possible to invest directly in an unmanaged index.

 

25


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Corporate Bonds – 32.9%  
 

Banks – 7.4%

 

American Express Co.(a)

 
$ 25,000     3.625%     12/05/2024     $ 24,446  
 

Bank of America Corp.

 
  75,000     4.125     01/22/2024       75,962  
  49,000     4.000     04/01/2024       49,282  
  75,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 0.94%),

3.864(a)(b)

    07/23/2024       74,878  
  45,000     3.248(a)     10/21/2027       41,622  
  75,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.58%),

3.824(a)(b)

    01/20/2028       72,571  
  85,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.04%),

3.419(a)(b)

    12/20/2028       79,167  
  50,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.31%),

4.271(a)(b)

    07/23/2029       49,738  
 

Bank of America Corp. Series L(a)

 
  25,000     4.183     11/25/2027       24,020  
 

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)(a)

 
  25,000     3.300     08/23/2029       23,478  
 

Citigroup, Inc.

 
  220,000     3.400     05/01/2026       207,047  
  25,000     4.125     07/25/2028       23,453  
 

Deutsche Bank AG

 
  15,000     2.500     02/13/2019       14,979  
  190,000     2.700     07/13/2020       184,289  
 

Discover Financial Services(a)

 
  75,000     3.750     03/04/2025       71,568  
 

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.(a)

 
  50,000     4.000     05/15/2025       50,202  
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 
  155,000     4.400     07/22/2020       157,783  
  95,000     2.700(a)     05/18/2023       91,222  
  200,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.00%),

4.023(a)(b)

    12/05/2024       201,427  
  15,000     3.625(a)     12/01/2027       13,997  
  75,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.34%),

3.782(a)(b)

    02/01/2028       72,728  
  45,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 0.95%),

3.509(a)(b)

    01/23/2029       42,597  
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Series Z(a)(b)

 
  85,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 3.80%),

5.300

    12/31/2049       84,078  
 

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

 
  250,000     2.601     09/11/2022       241,745  
 

Morgan Stanley

 
  50,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.40%),

3.887(a)(b)

    10/24/2023       49,777  
  50,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 0.85%),

3.737(a)(b)

    04/24/2024       49,609  
  225,000     3.700     10/23/2024       221,484  
  25,000     3.625     01/20/2027       23,786  
 

Morgan Stanley Series F

 
  35,000     3.875     04/29/2024       34,847  
 

Nuveen LLC(a)(c)

 
  50,000     4.000     11/01/2028       51,463  

 

 

 
  Corporate Bonds – (continued)  
 

Banks – (continued)

 
 

Royal Bank of Canada

 
$ 50,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 0.39%),
2.910%(b)
    04/30/2021     $ 49,660  
  50,000     3.200     04/30/2021       50,041  
 

Standard Chartered plc(a)(b)(c)

 
  200,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 1.15%),

4.247

    01/20/2023       197,862  
 

Synchrony Financial(a)

 
  12,000     4.500     07/23/2025       10,897  
 

Wells Fargo & Co.

 
  175,000     3.000     10/23/2026       162,085  
 

Westpac Banking Corp.(a)(b)

 
  25,000     (5 Yr. Swap Rate + 2.24%),

4.322

    11/23/2031       23,648  
     

 

 

 
        2,897,438  

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods – 1.2%

 

Boeing Co. (The)(a)

 
  50,000     3.450     11/01/2028       49,473  
 

Hubbell, Inc.(a)

 
  45,000     3.500     02/15/2028       41,993  
 

Northrop Grumman Corp.

 
  75,000     2.930(a)     01/15/2025       71,165  
  75,000     3.250(a)     01/15/2028       70,101  
  25,000     4.750     06/01/2043       25,211  
 

Roper Technologies, Inc.(a)

 
  50,000     4.200     09/15/2028       49,776  
 

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.(a)

 
  50,000     4.250     11/15/2028       51,404  
 

United Technologies Corp.

 
  25,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 0.65%),

3.279(a)(b)

    08/16/2021       24,875  
  25,000     3.350     08/16/2021       24,929  
  50,000     3.950(a)     08/16/2025       49,662  
     

 

 

 
        458,589  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services(a) – 0.4%

 

Marriott International, Inc.

 
  85,000     2.300     01/15/2022       81,471  
 

Starbucks Corp.

 
  75,000     3.800     08/15/2025       74,101  
     

 

 

 
        155,572  

 

 

 
 

Electric – 2.1%

 

Alliant Energy Finance LLC(a)(c)

 
  25,000     3.750     06/15/2023       25,046  
 

Arizona Public Service Co.(a)

 
  45,000     2.950     09/15/2027       42,301  
 

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co.(a)

 
  25,000     3.250     04/15/2028       23,805  
 

Duke Energy Carolinas LLC(a)

 
  25,000     3.950     03/15/2048       23,932  
 

Emera US Finance LP(a)

 
  45,000     2.700     06/15/2021       43,844  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

 

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Corporate Bonds – (continued)  
 

Electric – (continued)

 
 

Entergy Corp.(a)

 
$ 45,000     2.950%     09/01/2026     $ 41,507  
 

Exelon Corp.(a)

 
  45,000     3.497     06/01/2022       43,960  
 

Florida Power & Light Co.(a)

 
  68,000     4.125     02/01/2042       68,456  
  25,000     3.950     03/01/2048       24,489  
 

NiSource, Inc.(a)

 
  50,000     3.650(c)     06/15/2023       50,122  
  95,000     3.490     05/15/2027       90,943  
 

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.(a)

 
  10,000     3.500     06/15/2025       8,604  
 

Progress Energy, Inc.

 
  120,000     7.000     10/30/2031       151,707  
 

Sempra Energy(a)(b)

 
  70,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 0.50%),

2.936

    01/15/2021       68,776  
 

Southern California Edison Co.(a)

 
  60,000     4.050     03/15/2042       55,906  
 

Southern Co. (The)(a)

 
  60,000     3.250     07/01/2026       56,138  
     

 

 

 
        819,536  

 

 

 
 

Energy – 4.0%

 

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

 
  15,000     5.550 (a)     03/15/2026       15,716  
  15,000     6.450     09/15/2036       15,953  
 

BP Capital Markets America, Inc.(a)

 
  75,000     3.224     04/14/2024       73,240  
  25,000     4.234     11/06/2028       25,605  
 

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.(a)

 
  35,000     3.850     06/01/2027       33,127  
 

Cenovus Energy, Inc.(a)

 
  25,000     4.250     04/15/2027       22,775  
 

Concho Resources, Inc.(a)

 
  50,000     4.300     08/15/2028       48,942  
 

Continental Resources, Inc.(a)

 
  150,000     4.500     04/15/2023       147,332  
 

Devon Energy Corp.(a)

 
  29,000     5.850     12/15/2025       30,590  
  25,000     5.600     07/15/2041       23,714  
  5,000     4.750     05/15/2042       4,310  
 

Dolphin Energy Ltd. LLC(c)

 
  10,464     5.888     06/15/2019       10,516  
 

Energy Transfer Operating LP(a)

 
  25,000     4.650     06/01/2021       25,353  
  75,000     4.200     09/15/2023       74,060  
  25,000     4.950     06/15/2028       24,512  
  25,000     5.300     04/15/2047       22,131  
  25,000     6.000     06/15/2048       24,303  
 

EQM Midstream Partners LP(a)

 
  100,000     4.750     07/15/2023       99,526  
 

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP(a)

 
  25,000     5.400     09/01/2044       24,096  

 

 

 
  Corporate Bonds – (continued)  
 

Energy – (continued)

 
 

Kinder Morgan, Inc.(a)

 
$ 145,000     3.050%     12/01/2019     $ 144,152  
 

Marathon Oil Corp.(a)

 
  50,000     4.400     07/15/2027       47,415  
 

Marathon Petroleum Corp.(a)

 
  25,000     3.625     09/15/2024       24,384  
  25,000     3.800(c)     04/01/2028       23,534  
 

MPLX LP(a)

 
  25,000     4.800     02/15/2029       24,935  
  35,000     4.500     04/15/2038       30,739  
  25,000     4.700     04/15/2048       21,671  
  25,000     5.500     02/15/2049       24,230  
 

Newfield Exploration Co.

 
  50,000     5.625     07/01/2024       50,750  
 

ONEOK, Inc.(a)

 
  75,000     4.550     07/15/2028       74,166  
 

Petroleos Mexicanos

 
  60,000     6.375     02/04/2021       60,615  
  12,000     6.350     02/12/2048       9,558  
 

Phillips 66(a)

 
  60,000     3.900     03/15/2028       57,742  
 

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.(a)

 
  25,000     3.950     07/15/2022       25,057  
 

Plains All American Pipeline LP(a)

 
  15,000     3.650     06/01/2022       14,695  
  35,000     3.850     10/15/2023       33,843  
  45,000     4.500     12/15/2026       43,280  
 

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC(a)

 
  75,000     5.625     03/01/2025       78,170  
 

Valero Energy Corp.

 
  35,000     3.650     03/15/2025       33,523  
     

 

 

 
        1,568,260  

 

 

 
 

Food & Beverage – 1.5%

 

Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC(a)(c)

 
  35,000     4.700     02/01/2036       32,564  
  35,000     4.900     02/01/2046       32,397  
 

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc.(a)

 
  37,000     2.650     02/01/2021       36,371  
 

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.(a)

 
  125,000     4.000     04/13/2028       119,638  
 

Conagra Brands, Inc.(a)

 
  25,000     5.400     11/01/2048       23,066  
 

Constellation Brands, Inc.(a)

 
  75,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 0.70%),

3.209(b)

    11/15/2021       74,864  
  25,000     4.400     11/15/2025       25,198  
 

Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.(a)(c)

 
  50,000     4.057     05/25/2023       49,805  
 

Kraft Heinz Foods Co.(a)

 
  15,000     4.375     06/01/2046       12,418  
 

Smithfield Foods, Inc.(c)

 
  125,000     2.700     01/31/2020       123,450  

 

 

 

 

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)

December 31, 2018

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Corporate Bonds – (continued)  
 

Food & Beverage – (continued)

 
 

Tyson Foods, Inc.(a)

 
$ 50,000     3.900%     09/28/2023     $ 49,903  
     

 

 

 
        579,674  

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services – 1.9%

 

Allergan Sales LLC(a)(c)

 
  35,000     5.000     12/15/2021       36,031  
 

Becton Dickinson and Co.(a)

 
  125,000     (3 Mo. LIBOR + 0.88%),

3.678(b)

    12/29/2020       124,158  
  95,000     2.894     06/06/2022       91,989  
  25,000     3.363     06/06/2024       23,935  
  35,000     4.685     12/15/2044       32,941  
 

Cigna Corp.(a)(c)

 
  150,000     3.750     07/15/2023       149,611  
 

CVS Health Corp.(a)

 
  45,000     2.800     07/20/2020       44,605  
  45,000     4.125     05/15/2021       45,512  
  75,000     3.500     07/20/2022       74,538  
  75,000     3.875     07/20/2025       73,170  
  25,000     4.780     03/25/2038       24,001  
 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

 
  35,000     4.625     07/15/2035       37,109  
     

 

 

 
        757,600  

 

 

 
 

Life Insurance – 0.8%

 

American International Group, Inc.(a)

 
  125,000     3.900     04/01/2026       120,367  
  25,000     4.200     04/01/2028       24,079  
 

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. (The)(c)

 
  70,000     6.063     03/30/2040       85,059  
 

Principal Financial Group, Inc.(a)

 
  50,000     3.100     11/15/2026       46,752  
 

Prudential Financial, Inc.(a)

 
  50,000     3.878     03/27/2028       50,333  
     

 

 

 
        326,590  

 

 

 
 

Materials – 0.4%

 

DowDuPont, Inc.(a)

 
  50,000     4.205     11/15/2023       51,102  
  50,000     4.493     11/15/2025       51,448  
  25,000     4.725     11/15/2028       25,993  
 

Ecolab, Inc.

 
  4,000     5.500     12/08/2041       4,578  
 

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)(a)

 
  25,000     3.450     06/01/2027       23,280  
     

 

 

 
        156,401  

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment – 1.8%

 

21st Century Fox America, Inc.

 
  25,000     3.700(a)     09/15/2024       25,306  
  25,000     6.150     03/01/2037       30,478  

 

 

 
  Corporate Bonds – (continued)  
 

Media & Entertainment – (continued)

 
 

CCO Safari II LLC(a)

 
$ 75,000     3.579%     07/23/2020     $ 75,071  
  65,000     4.464     07/23/2022       65,624  
  50,000     4.500     02/01/2024       49,872  
  45,000     4.908     07/23/2025       44,721  
 

Comcast Corp.(a)

 
  125,000     3.700     04/15/2024       125,667  
  45,000     3.375     08/15/2025       43,887  
  25,000     3.300     02/01/2027       23,936  
  25,000     3.150     02/15/2028       23,474  
  125,000     4.150     10/15/2028       126,945  
  50,000     4.250     10/15/2030       50,577  
 

Time Warner Cable LLC

 
  15,000     5.000     02/01/2020       15,220  
     

 

 

 
        700,778  

 

 

 
 

Metals and Mining(c) – 0.1%

 

Glencore Funding LLC

 
  25,000     4.625     04/29/2024       24,912  

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 2.7%

 

AbbVie, Inc.

 
  45,000     2.500(a)     05/14/2020       44,524  
  75,000     3.375     11/14/2021       74,964  
  50,000     3.750(a)     11/14/2023       49,762  
 

Amgen, Inc.(a)

 
  70,000     3.125     05/01/2025       67,256  
 

Bayer US Finance II LLC(a)(c)

 
  200,000     3.875     12/15/2023       196,266  
  200,000     4.375     12/15/2028       190,780  
 

Bayer US Finance LLC(c)

 
  200,000     3.000     10/08/2021       195,575  
 

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.(c)

 
  50,000     3.912     08/27/2021       50,265  
  25,000     4.272(a)     08/28/2023       25,045  
 

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV

 
  30,000     2.200     07/21/2021       27,641  
  30,000     2.800     07/21/2023       26,109  
 

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.(a)

 
  35,000     3.000     04/15/2023       34,026  
  15,000     3.650     12/15/2025       14,810  
 

Zoetis, Inc.(a)

 
  45,000     3.000     09/12/2027       41,576  
     

 

 

 
        1,038,599  

 

 

 
 

Pipelines(a) – 0.6%

 

Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc.

 
  35,000     3.300     06/01/2020       34,891  
 

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP

 
  15,000     4.250     04/01/2024       14,692  
  75,000     5.400     10/01/2047       67,426  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

 

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Corporate Bonds – (continued)  
 

Pipelines(a) – (continued)

 
 

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

 
$ 25,000     3.600%     03/15/2022     $ 24,543  
  50,000     3.900     01/15/2025       48,546  
  35,000     4.000     09/15/2025       33,866  
     

 

 

 
        223,964  

 

 

 
 

Property/Casualty Insurance – 0.2%

 

Arch Capital Group US, Inc.

 
  36,000     5.144     11/01/2043       37,590  
 

XLIT Ltd.

 
  45,000     4.450     03/31/2025       44,757  
     

 

 

 
        82,347  

 

 

 
 

Real Estate Investment Trusts(a) – 1.5%

 

American Campus Communities Operating Partnership LP

 
  95,000     4.125     07/01/2024       95,266  
 

Crown Castle International Corp.

 
  25,000     2.250     09/01/2021       24,125  
  85,000     3.150     07/15/2023       81,653  
  60,000     3.650     09/01/2027       55,860  
 

CubeSmart LP

 
  45,000     4.000     11/15/2025       44,493  
 

Duke Realty LP

 
  50,000     4.000     09/15/2028       49,785  
 

HCP, Inc.

 
  10,000     2.625     02/01/2020       9,928  
 

Healthcare Trust of America Holdings LP

 
  35,000     3.375     07/15/2021       34,768  
 

Kilroy Realty LP

 
  25,000     4.750     12/15/2028       25,439  
 

National Retail Properties, Inc.

 
  45,000     4.000     11/15/2025       44,597  
 

Select Income REIT

 
  25,000     3.600     02/01/2020       24,860  
 

Ventas Realty LP

 
  45,000     3.500     02/01/2025       43,230  
 

VEREIT Operating Partnership LP

 
  50,000     4.625     11/01/2025       50,064  
     

 

 

 
        584,068  

 

 

 
 

Retailing(a) – 0.9%

 

Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc.(c)

 
  45,000     2.700     07/26/2022       43,499  
 

Amazon.com, Inc.

 
  35,000     5.200     12/03/2025       38,424  
  45,000     4.800     12/05/2034       48,615  
  15,000     3.875     08/22/2037       14,593  
 

Dollar Tree, Inc.

 
  50,000     4.000     05/15/2025       48,071  
  50,000     4.200     05/15/2028       47,383  
 

Expedia Group, Inc.

 
  35,000     3.800     02/15/2028       31,794  

 

 

 
  Corporate Bonds – (continued)  
 

Retailing(a) – (continued)

 
 

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

 
$ 50,000     3.900%     12/06/2028     $ 51,181  
  25,000     4.250     04/01/2046       24,967  
     

 

 

 
        348,527  

 

 

 
 

Software & Services(a) – 0.2%

 

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

 
  45,000     3.000     08/15/2026       41,381  
 

Fiserv, Inc.

 
  25,000     3.800     10/01/2023       25,166  
  25,000     4.200     10/01/2028       25,043  
     

 

 

 
        91,590  

 

 

 
 

Technology – 1.9%

 

Apple, Inc.(a)

 
  225,000     2.450     08/04/2026       208,004  
  25,000     4.650     02/23/2046       26,468  
 

Broadcom Corp.(a)

 
  50,000     2.650     01/15/2023       46,336  
  100,000     3.625     01/15/2024       94,542  
  25,000     3.125     01/15/2025       22,552  
 

Dell International LLC(a)(c)

 
  95,000     5.450     06/15/2023       96,795  
 

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.(a)

 
  45,000     4.900     10/15/2025       45,503  
 

Microchip Technology, Inc.(c)

 
  25,000     3.922     06/01/2021       24,628  
 

Oracle Corp.(a)

 
  70,000     2.500     05/15/2022       68,484  
  60,000     3.250     11/15/2027       57,898  
  35,000     4.000     07/15/2046       32,698  
 

QUALCOMM, Inc.(a)

 
  25,000     2.600     01/30/2023       24,036  
     

 

 

 
        747,944  

 

 

 
 

Tobacco(a) – 0.3%

 

BAT Capital Corp.

   
  70,000     3.222     08/15/2024       64,428  
 

Reynolds American, Inc.

 
  55,000     4.450     06/12/2025       52,958  
     

 

 

 
        117,386  

 

 

 
 

Transportation – 0.7%

 

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC(a)

 
  25,000     4.050     06/15/2048       23,953  
 

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

 
  150,000     3.400     04/19/2021       149,081  
 

FedEx Corp.(a)

 
  45,000     3.400     02/15/2028       42,460  
 

Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP(a)(c)

 
  70,000     3.375     02/01/2022       69,063  
     

 

 

 
        284,557  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   29


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Corporate Bonds – (continued)  
 

Wireless Telecommunications – 2.3%

 

American Tower Corp.

 
$ 45,000     4.700%     03/15/2022     $ 46,213  
 

AT&T, Inc.

 
  60,000     3.200(a)     03/01/2022       59,200  
  105,000     3.800     03/15/2022       105,435  
  50,000     3.000(a)     06/30/2022       48,796  
  120,000     3.600(a)     02/17/2023       119,162  
  70,000     3.400(a)     05/15/2025       65,751  
  110,000     4.250(a)     03/01/2027       107,595  
 

Verizon Communications, Inc.

 
  25,000     2.625     08/15/2026       22,669  
  145,000     4.329     09/21/2028       145,728  
  62,000     5.012     04/15/2049       61,800  
 

Vodafone Group plc

 
  100,000     3.750     01/16/2024       98,437  
     

 

 

 
        880,786  

 

 

 
  TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS  
  (Cost $13,119,628)   $ 12,845,118  

 

 

 
     
  Mortgage-Backed Securities – 29.0%  
 

FHLMC – 0.1%

 
$ 2,866     6.500%     10/01/2020     $ 2,866  
  3,654     4.500     07/01/2024       3,770  
  21,832     4.500     11/01/2024       22,538  
  4,944     4.500     12/01/2024       5,102  
  8,018     7.500     12/01/2029       9,153  
  2,509     5.000     10/01/2033       2,674  
  3,653     5.000     07/01/2035       3,894  
  4,988     5.000     12/01/2035       5,302  
  1,072     5.000     03/01/2038       1,140  
  3,037     5.000     06/01/2041       3,218  
     

 

 

 
        59,657  

 

 

 
 

FNMA – 12.0%

 
  404     5.000     06/01/2023       417  
  34,559     5.500     09/01/2023       35,636  
  10,021     5.500     10/01/2023       10,343  
  2,186     4.500     07/01/2024       2,253  
  55,849     4.500     11/01/2024       57,656  
  24,370     4.500     12/01/2024       25,168  
  7,825     9.000     11/01/2025       8,620  
  31,234     7.000     08/01/2026       34,145  
  15,062     8.000     10/01/2029       17,258  
  1,185     8.500     04/01/2030       1,394  
  2,204     8.000     05/01/2030       2,290  
  81     8.500     06/01/2030       83  
  6,661     8.000     08/01/2032       7,520  
  9,568     4.500     08/01/2039       10,054  
  44,393     3.000     01/01/2043       43,614  
  178,562     3.000     03/01/2043       175,487  
  250,647     3.000     04/01/2043       246,331  
  185,617     3.000     05/01/2043       182,421  

 

 

 
  Mortgage-Backed Securities – (continued)  
 

FNMA – (continued)

 
$ 612,565     4.500%     04/01/2045     $ 642,553  
  68,105     4.500     05/01/2045       71,461  
  411,258     4.000     02/01/2048       421,283  
  550,834     4.000     03/01/2048       564,262  
  45,017     4.000     07/01/2048       46,160  
  2,000,000     4.500     TBA-30yr (d)       2,070,411  
     

 

 

 
        4,676,820  

 

 

 
 

GNMA – 16.9%

 
  1,591     7.000     10/15/2025       1,615  
  6,177     7.000     11/15/2025       6,502  
  928     7.000     02/15/2026       948  
  2,969     7.000     04/15/2026       3,132  
  2,821     7.000     03/15/2027       2,963  
  19,512     7.000     11/15/2027       20,022  
  223     7.000     01/15/2028       223  
  14,460     7.000     02/15/2028       15,849  
  1,639     7.000     03/15/2028       1,653  
  912     7.000     04/15/2028       920  
  168     7.000     05/15/2028       184  
  2,777     7.000     06/15/2028       2,996  
  6,241     7.000     07/15/2028       6,788  
  10,448     7.000     09/15/2028       11,084  
  2,037     7.000     11/15/2028       2,144  
  1,599     7.500     11/15/2030       1,602  
  116,267     6.000     08/20/2034       129,407  
  113,751     5.000     06/15/2040       121,033  
  539,529     4.000     08/20/2043       556,751  
  268,764     4.000     08/20/2045       276,335  
  262,644     4.000     10/20/2045       270,043  
  2,989,184     4.500     08/20/2048       3,094,866  
  996,135     4.500     10/20/2048       1,031,430  
  1,000,000     5.000     TBA-30yr (d)       1,040,173  
     

 

 

 
        6,598,663  

 

 

 
  TOTAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES  
  (Cost $11,340,940)     $ 11,335,140  

 

 

 
     
  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – 3.3%  
 

Adjustable Rate Non-Agency(a)(b) – 2.4%

 
 

Alternative Loan Trust Series 2005-38, Class A1

 
$ 89,572     3.657%     09/25/2035     $ 87,722  
 

Harben Finance plc Series 2017-1X, Class A

 
GBP 83,323     1.689     08/20/2056       105,286  
 

Lehman XS Trust Series 2005-7N, Class 1A1A

 
$ 158,054     3.046     12/25/2035       148,451  
 

London Wall Mortgage Capital plc Series 2017-FL1, Class A

 
GBP 103,535     1.735     11/15/2049       130,684  
 

MASTR Adjustable Rate Mortgages Trust Series 2006-OA2,
Class 4A1A

 
 
$ 194,383     3.007     12/25/2046       256,242  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

 

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
    Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – (continued)  
 

Adjustable Rate Non-Agency(a)(b) – (continued)

 
 

Ripon Mortgages plc Series 1X, Class A2

 
GBP 149,875       1.689%     08/20/2056     $ 189,708  
     

 

 

 
        918,093  

 

 

 
 

Sequential Fixed Rate – 0.9%

 
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2012-111, Class B

 
$ 13,200       7.000     10/25/2042       14,962  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2012-153, Class B

 
  35,774       7.000     07/25/2042       40,731  
 

NCUA Guaranteed Notes Series A4

 
  300,000       3.000     06/12/2019       300,307  
     

 

 

 
        356,000  

 

 

 
  TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS  
  (Cost $1,200,520)     $ 1,274,093  

 

 

 
     
  Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security(a)(b)(c) – 0.4%
 

Adjustable Rate Non-Agency – 0.4%

 
 

Exantas Capital Corp. Ltd. Series 2018-RSO6, Class A

 
$ 150,000       3.285%     06/15/2035     $ 147,394  
  (Cost $150,000)  

 

 

 
  U.S. Government Agency Securities – 2.5%  
  FHLB        
$ 100,000       3.375%       12/08/2023     $ 103,113  
  FNMA        
  400,000       1.875     09/24/2026       372,259  
  400,000       6.250     05/15/2029       511,129  

 

 

 
  TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY SECURITIES
  (Cost $1,017,502)   $ 986,501  

 

 

 
     
  Asset-Backed Securities(a) – 11.8%  
 

Automobile – 0.2%

 

Ally Master Owner Trust Series 2018-1, Class A2

 
$ 100,000       2.700%       01/17/2023     $ 99,302  

 

 

 
 

Collateralized Debt Obligations(b)(c) – 1.6%

 

Arbor Realty Commercial Real Estate Notes Ltd.
Series 2018-FL1, Class A

 
 
  200,000       3.605     06/15/2028       196,772  
 

KREF Ltd. Series 2018-FL1, Class A

 
  150,000       3.402     06/15/2036       149,997  
 

Orix Series 2018-CRE1, Class A

 
  125,000       3.487     06/15/2036       125,000  
 

TPG Real Estate Finance Issuer Ltd. Series 2018-FL2, Class A

 
  175,000       3.585     11/15/2037       175,000  
     

 

 

 
        646,769  

 

 

 
  Asset-Backed Securities(a) – (continued)  
 

Collateralized Loan Obligations(b)(c) – 4.4%

 

CBAM Ltd. Series 2018-5A, Class A

 
$ 525,000     3.469%     04/17/2031     $ 518,736  
 

Cutwater Ltd. Series 2014-1A, Class A1AR

 
  458,985     3.686     07/15/2026       458,560  
 

Madison Park Funding XXX Ltd. Series 2018-30A, Class A

 
  750,000     3.186     04/15/2029       731,438  
     

 

 

 
        1,708,734  

 

 

 
 

Home Equity(b) – 0.2%

 

GMACM Home Equity Loan Trust Series 2007-HE3, Class 1A1

 
  11,004     7.000     09/25/2037       11,065  
 

GMACM Home Equity Loan Trust Series 2007-HE3, Class 2A1

 
  59,654     7.000     09/25/2037       61,611  
     

 

 

 
        72,676  

 

 

 
 

Student Loans(b) – 5.4%

 

Academic Loan Funding Trust Series 2012-1A, Class A2(c)

 
  487,761     3.606     12/27/2044       491,734  
 

AccessLex Institute Series 2005-2, Class A3

 
  16,632     2.857     11/22/2024       16,607  
 

Chase Education Loan Trust Series 2007-A, Class A3

 
  14,961     2.883     12/28/2023       14,934  
 

ECMC Group Student Loan Trust Series 2016-1A, Class A(c)

 
  394,713     3.856     07/26/2066       399,881  
 

EFS Volunteer No. 2 LLC Series 2012-1, Class A2(c)

 
  550,000     3.856     03/25/2036       552,276  
 

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2006-2, Class A5

 
  104,400     2.590     01/25/2030       104,229  
 

Northstar Education Finance, Inc. Series 2007-1, Class A1

 
  56,477     2.590     04/28/2030       56,179  
 

Scholar Funding Trust Series 2010-A, Class A(c)

 
  113,720     3.259     10/28/2041       112,726  
 

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2003-7A, Class A5A(c)

 
  344,549     3.988     12/15/2033       348,146  
     

 

 

 
        2,096,712  

 

 

 
  TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES  
  (Cost $4,634,707)     $ 4,624,193  

 

 

 
     
  Foreign Government Securities – 4.4%  
 

Indonesia Government International Note(c)

 
$ 230,000     4.750%     01/08/2026     $ 232,757  
 

Israel Government AID Bond(e)

 
  400,000     5.500     09/18/2023       448,860  
  200,000     5.500     12/04/2023       225,013  
  100,000     5.500     04/26/2024       113,456  
 

Kuwait International Government Bond

 
  500,000     3.500     03/20/2027       496,750  
 

United Arab Emirates Government International Bond(c)

 
  220,000     3.125     10/11/2027       210,100  

 

 

 
  TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES  
  (Cost $1,754,889)   $ 1,726,936  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   31


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
    Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Municipal Bonds – 1.1%  
 

California – 0.4%

 
 

California State Various Purpose GO Bonds Series 2010

 
$ 105,000       7.625%     03/01/2040     $ 149,498  

 

 

 
 

Illinois – 0.4%

 
 

Illinois State GO Bonds for Build America Bonds Series 2010-5

 
  100,000       7.350     07/01/2035       110,843  
 

Illinois State GO Bonds Pension Funding Series 2003

 
  25,000       5.100     06/01/2033       23,836  
     

 

 

 
        134,679  

 

 

 
 

Ohio – 0.3%

 
 

American Municipal Power, Inc. RB Build America Bond
Series 2010 E RMKT

 
 
  100,000       6.270     02/15/2050       124,100  

 

 

 
  TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS  
  (Cost $333,210)   $ 408,277  

 

 

 
     
  U.S. Treasury Obligations – 18.5%  
 

U.S. Treasury Bonds

 
$ 410,000       3.125%     02/15/2043     $ 418,587  
  490,000       3.750     11/15/2043       553,801  
  490,000       3.125     08/15/2044       500,465  
  100,000       3.000     11/15/2044       99,900  
  200,000       2.875     08/15/2045       194,896  
  2,120,000       2.875     11/15/2046       2,062,787  
  120,000       3.000     05/15/2047       119,592  
  1,180,000       2.750     11/15/2047       1,117,659  
 

U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Notes

 
  261,934       0.750     07/15/2028       256,652  
 

U.S. Treasury Notes

 
  400,000       2.625     08/31/2020       400,538  
  300,000       2.625     07/15/2021       301,102  
  100,000       2.875     08/15/2028       101,592  
 

U.S. Treasury STRIPS Bonds(f)

 
  1,800,000       0.000     02/15/2036       1,092,445  

 

 

 
  TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS  
  (Cost $7,283,286)   $ 7,220,016  

 

 

 
     
Shares    

Dividend

Rate

    Value  
  Investment Company(g) – 0.7%  
 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund —
Institutional Shares

 
 
  275,823       2.521%     $ 275,823  
  (Cost $275,823)    

 

 

 
Principal
Amount
   

Interest

Rate

  Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Short-Term Investment – 0.6%  
 

Commercial Paper – 0.6%

 
 

Bell Canada, Inc.

 
$ 250,000     2.683%     01/22/2019     $ 249,580  
  (Cost $249,612)    

 

 

 
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 105.2%  
  (Cost $41,360,117)     $ 41,093,071  

 

 

 
 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF
OTHER ASSETS – (5.2)%


 
    (2,019,618

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS – 100.0%     $ 39,073,453  

 

 

 

 

The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of net assets.
(a)   Securities with “Call” features. Maturity dates disclosed are the final maturity dates.
(b)   Variable rate security. Except for floating rate notes (for which final maturity is disclosed), maturity date disclosed is the next interest reset date. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect on December 31, 2018.
(c)   Exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, such securities may be deemed liquid by the Investment Adviser and may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers in transactions exempt from registration. Total market value of Rule 144A securities amounts to $6,634,805, which represents approximately 17.0% of net assets as of December 31, 2018. The liquidity determination is unaudited.
(d)   TBA (To Be Announced) Securities are purchased 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 $3,110,584 which represents approximately 8.0% of net assets as of December 31, 2018.
(e)   Guaranteed by the United States Government. Total market value of these securities amounts to $787,329, which represents 2.0% of net assets as of December 31, 2018.
(f)   Issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount.
(g)   Represents an Affiliated Issuer.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

 

 
Investment Abbreviations:
BA   —Banker Acceptance Rate
BBR   —Bank Bill Reference Rate
EURIBOR   —Euro Interbank Offered Rate
FHLB   —Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC   —Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
FNMA   —Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA   —Government National Mortgage Association
GO   —General Obligation
LIBOR   —London Interbank Offered Rate
Mo.   —Month
NIBOR   —Norwegian Interbank Offered Rate
RB   —Revenue Bond
REIT   —Real Estate Investment Trust
REMIC   —Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
RMKT   —Remarketed
SONIA   —Sterling Overnight Index Average
STIBOR   —Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate
STRIPS   —Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
Yr.   —Year
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
USD   —United States Dollar

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS — At December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS WITH UNREALIZED GAIN

 

Counterparty    Currency
Purchased
     Currency
Sold
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Gain
 

Morgan Stanley Co., Inc.

   CAD 16,283      AUD 16,759        03/20/2019      $ 129  
   CHF 229,971      EUR 204,269        03/20/2019        112  
   EUR 53,011      CAD 81,851        03/20/2019        1,066  
   EUR 23,513      NOK   229,495        03/20/2019        482  
   EUR 89,761      USD 102,758        02/08/2019        408  
     EUR485,944      USD 557,879        03/20/2019        2,484  
   GBP 35,139      EUR 38,634        03/20/2019        405  
   GBP 35,652      USD 45,568        03/20/2019        43  
   JPY 10,029,050      EUR 79,000        03/20/2019        970  
   JPY 11,613,101      USD 103,756        01/15/2019        2,308  
   JPY 27,016,626      USD 241,030        03/20/2019        6,989  
   NOK 1,419,901      EUR 142,475        03/20/2019        480  
   NOK 262,793      USD 29,995        03/20/2019        501  
   SEK 1,228,449      EUR 119,537        03/20/2019        1,616  
   SEK 1,223,000      USD 136,683        02/07/2019        1,716  
   USD 115,633      AUD 163,475        01/16/2019        458  
   USD 212,180      AUD 289,997        03/20/2019        7,654  
   USD 184,296      CAD 241,731        01/24/2019        7,126  
   USD 363,300      CAD 481,896        03/20/2019        9,685  
   USD 993,229      EUR 862,492        02/08/2019        1,929  
   USD 59,994      EUR 52,009        03/20/2019        20  
   USD 823,298      GBP 643,219        01/17/2019        2,862  
     USD 397,269      NZD 583,148        03/20/2019        5,335  
TOTAL

 

   $ 54,778  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   33


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION (continued)

 

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS WITH UNREALIZED LOSS

 

Counterparty    Currency
Purchased
     Currency
Sold
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Loss
 

Morgan Stanley Co., Inc.

   AUD 83,935      EUR 53,004        03/20/2019      $ (1,924
   AUD 16,996      JPY 1,325,540        03/20/2019        (182
   AUD 42,017      NZD 44,196        03/20/2019        (70
   AUD 206,843      USD 146,310        01/16/2019        (579
   AUD    494,650      USD 361,743        03/20/2019        (12,881
   CAD 243,177      EUR 160,472        03/20/2019        (6,604
   CAD 16,352      JPY 1,363,609        03/20/2019        (519
   CAD 258,925      USD 197,405        01/24/2019        (7,633
   CAD 380,272      USD 285,140        03/20/2019        (6,098
   EUR 80,962      CHF 91,626        03/20/2019        (533
   EUR 27,015      GBP 24,440        03/20/2019        (116
   EUR 11,749      NOK 117,023        03/20/2019        (32
   EUR 26,011      SEK 264,540        03/20/2019        (37
   EUR 797,131      USD 917,960        02/08/2019        (1,783
   GBP 24,152      EUR 27,024        03/20/2019        (263
   GBP 300,832      USD 385,389        01/17/2019        (1,673
   GBP 124,884      USD 160,052        03/20/2019        (282
   NOK  2,846,084      EUR 291,267        03/20/2019        (5,595
   NOK 103,221      USD 12,191        03/20/2019        (213
   NZD 44,186      EUR 25,996        03/20/2019        (279
   NZD 223,914      USD 153,903        03/20/2019        (3,410
   USD 299,135      EUR 261,202        03/20/2019        (2,069
   USD 60,972      GBP 48,021        03/20/2019        (463
   USD 80,061      JPY 8,960,919        01/15/2019        (1,781
   USD 302,390      JPY 33,745,675        03/20/2019        (7,401
   USD 117,405      SEK 1,050,504        02/07/2019        (1,474
     USD 43,305      SEK 383,295        03/20/2019        (209
TOTAL                               $ (64,103

FORWARD SALES CONTRACT — At December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following forward sales contract:

 

Description      Interest
Rate
       Maturity
Date(a)
       Principal
Amount
       Settlement
Date
       Value  

GNMA (Proceeds Received: $1,018,750)

       4.000        TBA-30yr        $ 1,000,000          01/23/2019        $ (1,024,029

 

(a)

TBA (To Be Announced) Securities are sold on a forward commitment basis with an approximate principal amounted and no defined maturity date. The actual principal and maturity date will be determined upon settlement when the specific mortgage pools are assigned.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION (continued)

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS — At December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following futures contracts:

 

Description      Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
       Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Long position contracts:

                   
Euro-Bobl        4          03/07/2019        $ 607,339        $ 1,748  
Euro-Bund        2          03/07/2019          374,752          1,805  
U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note        6          03/20/2019          732,281          4,544  
U.S. Treasury 2 Year Note        24          03/29/2019          5,094,375          34,286  
U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note        47          03/29/2019          5,389,211          89,038  

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

       13          03/20/2019          1,899,625          81,194  
Total                                       $ 212,615  

Short position contracts:

                   
3 Month Euro Euribor        (5        12/16/2019        $ (1,435,768      $ (859
3 Month Eurodollar        (4        06/17/2019          (973,200        6,793  
3 Month Eurodollar        (1        09/16/2019          (243,350        (352
3 Month Eurodollar        (48        12/16/2019          (11,680,800        (25,745
3 Month Eurodollar        (4        12/14/2020          (975,200        (5,203
Euro-BTP        (1        03/07/2019          (146,450        (4,611
Euro-OAT        (2        03/07/2019          (345,558        155  
U.S. Treasury 10 Year Ultra Note        (9        03/20/2019          (1,171,406        (29,224

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

       (20        03/20/2019          (3,221,875        (164,256
Total                                       $ (223,302
Total futures contracts                                       $ (10,687

SWAP CONTRACTS — At December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following swap contracts:

CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP CONTRACTS

 

Reference Obligation/Index   Financing
Rate
Received
(Paid) by
the Fund
    Credit
Spread at
December 31,
2018(a)
    Termination
Date
  

Notional
Amount

(000’s)

     Value    

Upfront

Premium

(Received)

Paid

    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Protection Purchased(b):

 

 
iTraxx Europe Index     (1.000 )%      0.888   12/20/2023      EUR    190      $ (1,262   $ (1,534   $ 272  

Protection Sold(c):

               
Markit CDX North America Investment Grade Index     1.000       0.806     06/20/2023      USD 2,175        18,150       33,366       (15,216
Markit CDX North America Investment Grade Index     1.000     0.878   12/20/2023      1,495        8,828       17,713       (8,885
TOTAL                                 $ 25,716     $ 49,545     $ (23,829

 

(a)

Credit spread on the referenced obligation, together with the period of expiration, are indicators of payment/performance risk. The likelihood of a credit event occurring which would require a fund or its counterparty to make a payment or otherwise be required to perform under the swap contract is generally greater as the credit spread and term of the swap contract increase.

(b)

Payments made quarterly.

(c)

Payments received quarterly.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   35


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION (continued)

 

CENTRALLY CLEARED INTEREST RATE SWAP CONTRACTS

 

Payments

Made by

the Fund

 

Payments

Received by

the Fund

    Termination
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000’s)
    Value     Upfront
Premium
(Received)
Paid
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
3 Month EURIBOR(b)     (0.085)%       11/22/2020      EUR 1,830 (a)     $ 2,443     $ 100     $ 2,343  
3 Month EURIBOR(b)     (0.100)       01/16/2021      EUR 790 (a)       2,411       (125     2,536  
0.050%(c)     3 Month STIBOR       01/16/2021      SEK 5,830 (a)       275       (238     513  
3 Month BA(d)     2.500       03/20/2021      CAD 320 (a)       1,245       119       1,126  
3 Month BBR(b)     2.250       03/20/2021      NZD 1,170 (a)       4,167       1,971       2,196  
2.750(d)     3 Month LIBOR       03/20/2021      USD 1,510 (a)       (3,503     4,260       (7,763
6 Month EURIBOR(d)     0.350       12/16/2021      EUR 1,410 (a)       11,550       (2,753     14,303  
0.500(c)     3 Month STIBOR       12/16/2021      SEK 11,710 (a)       (4,567     4,304       (8,871
6 Month EURIBOR(d)     0.600       09/28/2022      EUR 660 (a)       5,954       (22     5,976  
6 Month EURIBOR(d)     0.500       03/20/2023      EUR 450 (a)       8,200       6,082       2,118  
0.500(c)     3 Month STIBOR       03/20/2023      SEK 3,570 (a)       (1,548     (1,090     (458
1.100(c)     1 Day SONIA       08/01/2023      GBP 240       (1,814     (561     (1,253
6 Month EURIBOR(d)     0.670       08/03/2023      EUR 410 (a)       4,963       280       4,683  
2.750(d)     6 Month BBR       03/20/2024      AUD 840 (a)       (14,840     (11,169     (3,671
3 Month BA(d)     2.500       03/20/2024      CAD 630 (a)       4,453       92       4,361  
6 Month EURIBOR(d)     0.500       03/20/2024      EUR 1,810 (a)       26,580       17,958       8,622  
6 Month NIBOR(d)     2.000       03/20/2024      NOK 980 (a)       918       384       534  
0.750(c)     3 Month STIBOR       03/20/2024      SEK 9,450 (a)       (9,907     (8,014     (1,893
2.750(d)     3 Month LIBOR       03/20/2024      USD 870 (a)       (7,338     3,571       (10,909
1.900(d)     6 Month LIBOR       08/03/2028      GBP 180 (a)       (3,696     (308     (3,388
6 Month LIBOR(d)     1.050       08/07/2028      CHF 280 (a)       3,819       (235     4,054  
1.150(c)     1 Day SONIA       12/18/2028      GBP 40       18       47       (29
6 Month EURIBOR(d)     1.000       03/20/2029      EUR 240 (a)       4,021       2,172       1,849  
1.250(c)     3 Month STIBOR       03/20/2029      SEK 760 (a)       (691     (423     (268
3 Month LIBOR(b)     3.000       03/20/2029      USD 60 (a)       1,510       410       1,100  
3 Month LIBOR(b)     3.500       11/08/2048      USD 100 (a)       6,905       1,860       5,045  
1.000(d)     6 Month LIBOR       03/20/2049      JPY 14,740 (a)       (10,147     (5,396     (4,751
TOTAL                            $ 31,381     $ 13,276     $ 18,105  

 

(a)

Represents forward starting interest rate swaps whose effective dates of commencement of accruals and cash flows occur subsequent to December 31, 2018.

(b)

Payments made quarterly.

(c)

Payments made annually.

(d)

Payments made semi-annually.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

    
Shares
     Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – 99.5%  
 

Automobiles & Components – 0.5%

  1,933      Aptiv plc    $ 119,015  
  1,437      BorgWarner, Inc.      49,921  
  28,318      Ford Motor Co.      216,633  
  9,707      General Motors Co.      324,699  
  1,729      Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The)      35,289  
  1,249      Harley-Davidson, Inc.      42,616  
     

 

 

 
        788,173  

 

 

 
 

Banks – 5.6%

  67,132      Bank of America Corp.      1,654,133  
  5,740      BB&T Corp.      248,657  
  17,962      Citigroup, Inc.      935,102  
  3,384      Citizens Financial Group, Inc.      100,606  
  1,154      Comerica, Inc.      79,268  
  4,978      Fifth Third Bancorp      117,132  
  1,199      First Republic Bank      104,193  
  8,155      Huntington Bancshares, Inc.      97,208  
  24,357      JPMorgan Chase & Co.      2,377,730  
  7,473      KeyCorp      110,451  
  1,065      M&T Bank Corp.      152,433  
  2,617      People’s United Financial, Inc.      37,763  
  3,429      PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)      400,884  
  7,428      Regions Financial Corp.      99,387  
  3,248      SunTrust Banks, Inc.      163,829  
  390      SVB Financial Group*      74,069  
  11,157      US Bancorp      509,875  
  31,160      Wells Fargo & Co.      1,435,853  
  1,442      Zions Bancorp NA      58,747  
     

 

 

 
        8,757,320  

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods – 6.4%

  4,280      3M Co.      815,511  
  666      Allegion plc      53,087  
  1,657      AMETEK, Inc.      112,179  
  1,081      AO Smith Corp.      46,159  
  2,985      Arconic, Inc.      50,327  
  3,865      Boeing Co. (The)      1,246,463  
  4,329      Caterpillar, Inc.      550,086  
  1,121      Cummins, Inc.      149,810  
  2,380      Deere & Co.      355,025  
  1,098      Dover Corp.      77,903  
  3,121      Eaton Corp. plc      214,288  
  4,563      Emerson Electric Co.      272,639  
  2,093      Fastenal Co.      109,443  
  906      Flowserve Corp.      34,446  
  988      Fluor Corp.      31,814  
  2,217      Fortive Corp.      150,002  
  1,039      Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.      39,472  
  2,059      General Dynamics Corp.      323,695  
  64,113      General Electric Co.      485,335  
  877      Harris Corp.      118,088  
  5,417      Honeywell International, Inc.      715,694  
  319      Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.      60,709  
  2,285      Illinois Tool Works, Inc.      289,487  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Capital Goods – (continued)

 
  1,816      Ingersoll-Rand plc    $ 165,674  
  903      Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.      52,789  
  6,790      Johnson Controls International plc      201,324  
  581      L3 Technologies, Inc.      100,896  
  1,805      Lockheed Martin Corp.      472,621  
  2,210      Masco Corp.      64,620  
  1,288      Northrop Grumman Corp.      315,431  
  2,566      PACCAR, Inc.      146,621  
  987      Parker-Hannifin Corp.      147,201  
  1,227      Pentair plc      46,356  
  1,029      Quanta Services, Inc.      30,973  
  2,109      Raytheon Co.      323,415  
  876      Rockwell Automation, Inc.      131,821  
  763      Roper Technologies, Inc.      203,355  
  398      Snap-on, Inc.      57,825  
  1,131      Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      135,426  
  1,832      Textron, Inc.      84,254  
  354      TransDigm Group, Inc.*      120,381  
  605      United Rentals, Inc.*      62,031  
  5,907      United Technologies Corp.      628,977  
  324      WW Grainger, Inc.      91,485  
  1,339      Xylem, Inc.      89,338  
     

 

 

 
        9,974,476  

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services – 0.7%

  622      Cintas Corp.      104,490  
  1,509      Copart, Inc.*      72,100  
  901      Equifax, Inc.      83,910  
  2,597      IHS Markit Ltd.*      124,578  
  2,557      Nielsen Holdings plc      59,655  
  1,549      Republic Services, Inc.      111,667  
  917      Robert Half International, Inc.      52,452  
  1,077      Rollins, Inc.      38,880  
  1,231      Verisk Analytics, Inc.*      134,228  
  2,926      Waste Management, Inc.      260,385  
     

 

 

 
        1,042,345  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel – 1.1%

  2,535      DR Horton, Inc.      87,863  
  927      Garmin Ltd.      58,698  
  2,697      Hanesbrands, Inc.      33,793  
  815      Hasbro, Inc.      66,219  
  931      Leggett & Platt, Inc.      33,367  
  2,205      Lennar Corp. Class A      86,326  
  2,376      Mattel, Inc.*      23,736  
  1,057      Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.*      40,081  
  473      Mohawk Industries, Inc.*      55,322  
  3,034      Newell Brands, Inc.      56,402  
  9,337      NIKE, Inc. Class B      692,245  
  1,915      PulteGroup, Inc.      49,771  
  579      PVH Corp.      53,818  
  413      Ralph Lauren Corp.      42,729  
  2,140      Tapestry, Inc.      72,225  
  1,254      Under Armour, Inc. Class A*      22,158  
  1,232      Under Armour, Inc. Class C*      19,922  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   37


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

    
Shares
     Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel – (continued)

 
  2,418      VF Corp.    $ 172,500  
  464      Whirlpool Corp.      49,588  
     

 

 

 
        1,716,763  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services – 1.9%

  2,878      Carnival Corp.      141,885  
  176      Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*      75,995  
  929      Darden Restaurants, Inc.      92,770  
  1,623      H&R Block, Inc.      41,175  
  2,226      Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.      159,827  
  2,073      Marriott International, Inc. Class A      225,045  
  5,674      McDonald’s Corp.      1,007,532  
  3,644      MGM Resorts International      88,403  
  1,409      Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.*      59,728  
  1,262      Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.      123,411  
  9,082      Starbucks Corp.      584,881  
  744      Wynn Resorts Ltd.      73,589  
  2,279      Yum! Brands, Inc.      209,486  
     

 

 

 
        2,883,727  

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials – 5.3%

  380      Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.      37,027  
  5,144      American Express Co.      490,326  
  1,037      Ameriprise Financial, Inc.      108,232  
  6,746      Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)      317,534  
  14,281      Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B*      2,915,895  
  884      BlackRock, Inc.      347,253  
  3,542      Capital One Financial Corp.      267,740  
  841      Cboe Global Markets, Inc.      82,275  
  8,884      Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      368,953  
  2,577      CME Group, Inc.      484,785  
  2,454      Discover Financial Services      144,737  
  1,829      E*TRADE Financial Corp.      80,256  
  2,129      Franklin Resources, Inc.      63,146  
  2,522      Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)(a)      421,300  
  4,244      Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.      319,700  
  3,083      Invesco Ltd.      51,609  
  2,127      Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.      36,925  
  1,213      Moody’s Corp.      169,868  
  9,526      Morgan Stanley      377,706  
  644      MSCI, Inc.      94,945  
  835      Nasdaq, Inc.      68,111  
  1,666      Northern Trust Corp.      139,261  
  924      Raymond James Financial, Inc.      68,755  
  1,831      S&P Global, Inc.      311,160  
  2,822      State Street Corp.      177,984  
  4,871      Synchrony Financial      114,274  
  1,764      T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.      162,852  
     

 

 

 
        8,222,609  

 

 

 
 

Energy – 5.3%

  3,769      Anadarko Petroleum Corp.      165,233  
  2,762      Apache Corp.      72,503  
  3,018      Baker Hughes a GE Co.      64,887  
  3,095      Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.      69,173  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Energy – (continued)

 
  14,027      Chevron Corp.    $ 1,525,997  
  696      Cimarex Energy Co.      42,908  
  1,490      Concho Resources, Inc.*      153,157  
  8,467      ConocoPhillips      527,918  
  3,341      Devon Energy Corp.      75,306  
  1,111      Diamondback Energy, Inc.      102,990  
  4,225      EOG Resources, Inc.      368,462  
  31,009      Exxon Mobil Corp.      2,114,504  
  6,411      Halliburton Co.      170,404  
  800      Helmerich & Payne, Inc.      38,352  
  1,795      Hess Corp.      72,698  
  1,140      HollyFrontier Corp.      58,277  
  13,711      Kinder Morgan, Inc.      210,875  
  6,132      Marathon Oil Corp.      87,933  
  4,963      Marathon Petroleum Corp.      292,867  
  2,775      National Oilwell Varco, Inc.      71,318  
  1,411      Newfield Exploration Co.*      20,685  
  3,593      Noble Energy, Inc.      67,405  
  5,586      Occidental Petroleum Corp.      342,869  
  2,965      ONEOK, Inc.      159,962  
  3,163      Phillips 66      272,492  
  1,239      Pioneer Natural Resources Co.      162,953  
  10,215      Schlumberger Ltd.      368,557  
  3,216      TechnipFMC plc      62,969  
  3,127      Valero Energy Corp.      234,431  
  8,745      Williams Cos., Inc. (The)      192,827  
     

 

 

 
        8,170,912  

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing – 1.6%

  3,198      Costco Wholesale Corp.      651,465  
  5,905      Kroger Co. (The)      162,388  
  3,467      Sysco Corp.      217,242  
  5,913      Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.      404,035  
  10,476      Walmart, Inc.      975,839  
     

 

 

 
        2,410,969  

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 4.0%

  13,750      Altria Group, Inc.      679,112  
  4,079      Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.      167,117  
  1,236      Brown-Forman Corp. Class B      58,809  
  1,352      Campbell Soup Co.      44,602  
  28,012      Coca-Cola Co. (The)      1,326,368  
  3,405      Conagra Brands, Inc.      72,731  
  1,213      Constellation Brands, Inc. Class A      195,075  
  4,436      General Mills, Inc.      172,738  
  1,040      Hershey Co. (The)      111,467  
  1,987      Hormel Foods Corp.      84,805  
  818      JM Smucker Co. (The)      76,475  
  1,817      Kellogg Co.      103,587  
  4,616      Kraft Heinz Co. (The)      198,673  
  1,072      Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.      78,856  
  873      McCormick & Co., Inc. (Non-Voting)      121,557  
  1,400      Molson Coors Brewing Co. Class B      78,624  
  10,604      Mondelez International, Inc. Class A      424,478  
  2,847      Monster Beverage Corp.*      140,129  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

 

 

    
Shares
     Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – (continued)

 
  10,348      PepsiCo, Inc.    $ 1,143,247  
  11,347      Philip Morris International, Inc.      757,526  
  2,107      Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A      112,514  
     

 

 

 
        6,148,490  

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services – 6.7%

  12,804      Abbott Laboratories      926,113  
  336      ABIOMED, Inc.*      109,214  
  535      Align Technology, Inc.*      112,045  
  1,168      AmerisourceBergen Corp.      86,899  
  1,918      Anthem, Inc.      503,724  
  3,605      Baxter International, Inc.      237,281  
  1,976      Becton Dickinson and Co.      445,232  
  10,224      Boston Scientific Corp.*      361,316  
  2,259      Cardinal Health, Inc.      100,751  
  1,500      Centene Corp.*      172,950  
  2,461      Cerner Corp.*      129,055  
  2,810      Cigna Corp.      533,675  
  366      Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)      93,147  
  9,422      CVS Health Corp.      617,330  
  4,547      Danaher Corp.      468,887  
  887      DaVita, Inc.*      45,645  
  1,701      DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.      63,294  
  1,528      Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*      234,044  
  1,951      HCA Healthcare, Inc.      242,802  
  1,129      Henry Schein, Inc.*      88,649  
  1,906      Hologic, Inc.*      78,337  
  1,019      Humana, Inc.      291,923  
  639      IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*      118,867  
  840      Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*      402,293  
  722      Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*      91,232  
  1,432      McKesson Corp.      158,193  
  9,857      Medtronic plc      896,593  
  1,024      Quest Diagnostics, Inc.      85,269  
  1,068      ResMed, Inc.      121,613  
  2,295      Stryker Corp.      359,741  
  7,047      UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      1,755,549  
  616      Universal Health Services, Inc. Class B      71,801  
  653      Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*      73,991  
  360      WellCare Health Plans, Inc.*      84,992  
  1,463      Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.      151,742  
     

 

 

 
        10,314,189  

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products – 1.8%

  1,773      Church & Dwight Co., Inc.      116,592  
  940      Clorox Co. (The)      144,892  
  6,415      Colgate-Palmolive Co.      381,821  
  3,489      Coty, Inc. Class A      22,888  
  1,617      Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The) Class A      210,372  
  2,529      Kimberly-Clark Corp.      288,154  
  18,223      Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      1,675,058  
     

 

 

 
        2,839,777  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Insurance – 2.4%

  5,641      Aflac, Inc.    $ 257,004  
  2,571      Allstate Corp. (The)      212,442  
  6,420      American International Group, Inc.      253,012  
  1,798      Aon plc      261,357  
  1,356      Arthur J Gallagher & Co.      99,937  
  397      Assurant, Inc.      35,508  
  940      Brighthouse Financial, Inc.*      28,651  
  3,422      Chubb Ltd.      442,054  
  1,136      Cincinnati Financial Corp.      87,949  
  305      Everest Re Group Ltd.      66,417  
  2,620      Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)      116,459  
  1,630      Lincoln National Corp.      83,635  
  2,095      Loews Corp.      95,364  
  3,672      Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.      292,842  
  7,363      MetLife, Inc.      302,325  
  2,000      Principal Financial Group, Inc.      88,340  
  4,262      Progressive Corp. (The)      257,127  
  3,089      Prudential Financial, Inc.      251,908  
  747      Torchmark Corp.      55,674  
  1,969      Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)      235,788  
  1,673      Unum Group      49,153  
  977      Willis Towers Watson plc      148,367  
     

 

 

 
        3,721,313  

 

 

 
 

Materials – 2.7%

  1,585      Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.      253,679  
  822      Albemarle Corp.      63,351  
  631      Avery Dennison Corp.      56,683  
  2,434      Ball Corp.      111,915  
  981      Celanese Corp.      88,261  
  1,681      CF Industries Holdings, Inc.      73,140  
  16,874      DowDuPont, Inc.      902,421  
  991      Eastman Chemical Co.      72,452  
  1,883      Ecolab, Inc.      277,460  
  985      FMC Corp.      72,851  
  10,860      Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.      111,967  
  735      International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.      98,688  
  2,902      International Paper Co.      117,125  
  4,015      Linde plc      626,501  
  2,372      LyondellBasell Industries NV Class A      197,255  
  449      Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.      77,170  
  2,585      Mosaic Co. (The)      75,508  
  3,881      Newmont Mining Corp.      134,477  
  2,351      Nucor Corp.      121,805  
  705      Packaging Corp. of America      58,839  
  1,733      PPG Industries, Inc.      177,165  
  1,214      Sealed Air Corp.      42,296  
  604      Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)      237,650  
  974      Vulcan Materials Co.      96,231  
  1,834      Westrock Co.      69,252  
     

 

 

 
        4,214,142  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   39


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

    
Shares
     Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Media & Entertainment – 7.9%

  5,641      Activision Blizzard, Inc.    $ 262,701  
  2,189      Alphabet, Inc. Class A*      2,287,418  
  2,255      Alphabet, Inc. Class C*      2,335,301  
  2,404      CBS Corp. (Non-Voting) Class B      105,103  
  1,284      Charter Communications, Inc. Class A*      365,902  
  33,220      Comcast Corp. Class A      1,131,141  
  1,181      Discovery, Inc. Class A*      29,218  
  2,727      Discovery, Inc. Class C*      62,939  
  1,615      DISH Network Corp. Class A*      40,327  
  2,237      Electronic Arts, Inc.*      176,522  
  17,596      Facebook, Inc. Class A*      2,306,660  
  2,948      Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)      60,817  
  3,177      Netflix, Inc.*      850,356  
  2,809      News Corp. Class A      31,882  
  1,017      News Corp. Class B      11,746  
  1,593      Omnicom Group, Inc.      116,671  
  832      Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*      85,646  
  693      TripAdvisor, Inc.*      37,380  
  7,795      Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Class A      375,095  
  3,632      Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Class B      173,537  
  5,364      Twitter, Inc.*      154,161  
  2,641      Viacom, Inc. Class B      67,874  
  10,882      Walt Disney Co. (The)      1,193,211  
     

 

 

 
        12,261,608  

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 8.8%

  11,073      AbbVie, Inc.      1,020,820  
  2,314      Agilent Technologies, Inc.      156,102  
  1,635      Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      159,183  
  2,359      Allergan plc      315,304  
  4,660      Amgen, Inc.      907,162  
  1,487      Biogen, Inc.*      447,468  
  11,895      Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      618,302  
  5,136      Celgene Corp.*      329,166  
  6,892      Eli Lilly & Co.      797,542  
  9,450      Gilead Sciences, Inc.      591,097  
  1,087      Illumina, Inc.*      326,024  
  1,335      Incyte Corp.*      84,893  
  1,211      IQVIA Holdings, Inc.*      140,682  
  19,652      Johnson & Johnson      2,536,091  
  19,126      Merck & Co., Inc.      1,461,418  
  186      Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*      105,198  
  3,849      Mylan NV*      105,463  
  1,164      Nektar Therapeutics*      38,261  
  783      PerkinElmer, Inc.      61,505  
  944      Perrigo Co. plc      36,580  
  42,516      Pfizer, Inc.      1,855,823  
  568      Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      212,148  
  2,937      Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      657,271  
  1,865      Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      309,049  
  579      Waters Corp.*      109,228  
  3,566      Zoetis, Inc.      305,036  
     

 

 

 
        13,686,816  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Real Estate – 2.9%

  743      Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (REIT)    $ 85,623  
  3,211      American Tower Corp. (REIT)      507,948  
  1,113      Apartment Investment & Management Co. Class A (REIT)      48,838  
  1,017      AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (REIT)      177,009  
  1,134      Boston Properties, Inc. (REIT)      127,632  
  2,381      CBRE Group, Inc. Class A*      95,335  
  3,008      Crown Castle International Corp. (REIT)      326,759  
  1,507      Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (REIT)      160,571  
  2,616      Duke Realty Corp. (REIT)      67,754  
  583      Equinix, Inc. (REIT)      205,543  
  2,704      Equity Residential (REIT)      178,491  
  489      Essex Property Trust, Inc. (REIT)      119,908  
  931      Extra Space Storage, Inc. (REIT)      84,237  
  562      Federal Realty Investment Trust (REIT)      66,338  
  3,435      HCP, Inc. (REIT)      95,940  
  5,516      Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (REIT)      91,952  
  1,967      Iron Mountain, Inc. (REIT)      63,750  
  3,014      Kimco Realty Corp. (REIT)      44,155  
  813      Macerich Co. (The) (REIT)      35,187  
  862      Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (REIT)      82,493  
  4,662      Prologis, Inc. (REIT)      273,753  
  1,101      Public Storage (REIT)      222,853  
  2,172      Realty Income Corp. (REIT)      136,923  
  1,285      Regency Centers Corp. (REIT)      75,404  
  815      SBA Communications Corp. (REIT)*      131,940  
  2,248      Simon Property Group, Inc. (REIT)      377,642  
  620      SL Green Realty Corp. (REIT)      49,030  
  1,934      UDR, Inc. (REIT)      76,625  
  2,558      Ventas, Inc. (REIT)      149,873  
  1,238      Vornado Realty Trust (REIT)      76,793  
  2,678      Welltower, Inc. (REIT)      185,880  
  5,479      Weyerhaeuser Co. (REIT)      119,771  
     

 

 

 
        4,541,950  

 

 

 
 

Retailing – 6.4%

  548      Advance Auto Parts, Inc.      86,288  
  3,010      Amazon.com, Inc.*      4,520,930  
  182      AutoZone, Inc.*      152,578  
  1,798      Best Buy Co., Inc.      95,222  
  338      Booking Holdings, Inc.*      582,178  
  1,278      CarMax, Inc.*      80,169  
  1,972      Dollar General Corp.      213,134  
  1,704      Dollar Tree, Inc.*      153,905  
  6,837      eBay, Inc.*      191,915  
  861      Expedia Group, Inc.      96,992  
  910      Foot Locker, Inc.      48,412  
  1,637      Gap, Inc. (The)      42,169  
  1,069      Genuine Parts Co.      102,645  
  8,267      Home Depot, Inc. (The)      1,420,436  
  1,173      Kohl’s Corp.      77,817  
  1,575      L Brands, Inc.      40,430  
  2,207      LKQ Corp.*      52,372  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

 

 

    
Shares
     Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Retailing – (continued)

 
  5,862      Lowe’s Cos., Inc.    $ 541,414  
  2,233      Macy’s, Inc.      66,499  
  849      Nordstrom, Inc.      39,572  
  599      O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*      206,254  
  2,791      Ross Stores, Inc.      232,211  
  3,895      Target Corp.      257,420  
  764      Tiffany & Co.      61,510  
  9,021      TJX Cos., Inc. (The)      403,599  
  901      Tractor Supply Co.      75,179  
  402      Ulta Beauty, Inc.*      98,426  
     

 

 

 
        9,939,676  

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 3.7%

  6,423      Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*      118,569  
  2,710      Analog Devices, Inc.      232,599  
  7,294      Applied Materials, Inc.      238,806  
  3,041      Broadcom, Inc.      773,265  
  33,411      Intel Corp.      1,567,978  
  1,155      KLA-Tencor Corp.      103,361  
  1,130      Lam Research Corp.      153,872  
  2,035      Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.      103,480  
  1,737      Microchip Technology, Inc.      124,925  
  8,137      Micron Technology, Inc.*      258,187  
  4,478      NVIDIA Corp.      597,813  
  945      Qorvo, Inc.*      57,390  
  8,908      QUALCOMM, Inc.      506,954  
  1,346      Skyworks Solutions, Inc.      90,209  
  7,089      Texas Instruments, Inc.      669,911  
  1,818      Xilinx, Inc.      154,839  
     

 

 

 
        5,752,158  

 

 

 
 

Software & Services – 10.9%

  4,674      Accenture plc Class A      659,081  
  3,573      Adobe, Inc.*      808,356  
  1,255      Akamai Technologies, Inc.*      76,655  
  344      Alliance Data Systems Corp.      51,628  
  612      ANSYS, Inc.*      87,479  
  1,584      Autodesk, Inc.*      203,718  
  3,235      Automatic Data Processing, Inc.      424,173  
  850      Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.      81,813  
  2,071      Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*      90,047  
  958      Citrix Systems, Inc.      98,157  
  4,240      Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A      269,155  
  2,060      DXC Technology Co.      109,530  
  2,439      Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      250,120  
  2,913      Fiserv, Inc.*      214,076  
  642      FleetCor Technologies, Inc.*      119,232  
  1,047      Fortinet, Inc.*      73,740  
  649      Gartner, Inc.*      82,968  
  1,149      Global Payments, Inc.      118,496  
  6,659      International Business Machines Corp.      756,929  
  1,911      Intuit, Inc.      376,180  
  567      Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.      71,737  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Software & Services – (continued)

 
  6,676      Mastercard, Inc. Class A    $ 1,259,427  
  56,642      Microsoft Corp.      5,753,128  
  18,688      Oracle Corp.      843,763  
  2,364      Paychex, Inc.      154,015  
  8,633      PayPal Holdings, Inc.*      725,949  
  1,318      Red Hat, Inc.*      231,494  
  5,520      salesforce.com, Inc.*      756,074  
  4,408      Symantec Corp.      83,289  
  1,097      Synopsys, Inc.*      92,411  
  1,200      Total System Services, Inc.      97,548  
  802      VeriSign, Inc.*      118,929  
  12,866      Visa, Inc. Class A      1,697,540  
  3,108      Western Union Co. (The)      53,023  
     

 

 

 
        16,889,860  

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment – 5.4%

  2,209      Amphenol Corp. Class A      178,973  
  33,037      Apple, Inc.      5,211,256  
  390      Arista Networks, Inc.*      82,173  
  33,068      Cisco Systems, Inc.      1,432,836  
  5,824      Corning, Inc.      175,943  
  440      F5 Networks, Inc.*      71,293  
  1,002      FLIR Systems, Inc.      43,627  
  10,556      Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.      139,445  
  11,445      HP, Inc.      234,165  
  286      IPG Photonics Corp.*      32,401  
  2,510      Juniper Networks, Inc.      67,544  
  1,357      Keysight Technologies, Inc.*      84,243  
  1,169      Motorola Solutions, Inc.      134,482  
  1,853      NetApp, Inc.      110,569  
  1,846      Seagate Technology plc      71,237  
  2,529      TE Connectivity Ltd.      191,268  
  2,142      Western Digital Corp.      79,190  
  1,569      Xerox Corp.      31,003  
     

 

 

 
        8,371,648  

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services – 2.1%

  53,160      AT&T, Inc.      1,517,186  
  6,771      CenturyLink, Inc.      102,581  
  30,252      Verizon Communications, Inc.      1,700,767  
     

 

 

 
        3,320,534  

 

 

 
 

Transportation – 2.1%

  861      Alaska Air Group, Inc.      52,392  
  2,979      American Airlines Group, Inc.      95,656  
  1,002      CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.      84,258  
  5,844      CSX Corp.      363,088  
  4,666      Delta Air Lines, Inc.      232,833  
  1,317      Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.      89,674  
  1,798      FedEx Corp.      290,071  
  620      JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.      57,685  
  768      Kansas City Southern      73,306  
  1,981      Norfolk Southern Corp.      296,239  
  3,712      Southwest Airlines Co.      172,534  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   41


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

    
Shares
     Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Transportation – (continued)

 
  5,395      Union Pacific Corp.    $ 745,751  
  1,630      United Continental Holdings, Inc.*      136,480  
  5,116      United Parcel Service, Inc. Class B      498,963  
     

 

 

 
        3,188,930  

 

 

 
 

Utilities – 3.3%

  4,791      AES Corp.      69,278  
  1,695      Alliant Energy Corp.      71,614  
  1,790      Ameren Corp.      116,762  
  3,562      American Electric Power Co., Inc.      266,224  
  1,327      American Water Works Co., Inc.      120,452  
  3,707      CenterPoint Energy, Inc.      104,649  
  2,018      CMS Energy Corp.      100,194  
  2,246      Consolidated Edison, Inc.      171,729  
  4,786      Dominion Energy, Inc.      342,008  
  1,308      DTE Energy Co.      144,272  
  5,186      Duke Energy Corp.      447,552  
  2,419      Edison International      137,327  
  1,304      Entergy Corp.      112,235  
  2,027      Evergy, Inc.      115,073  
  2,354      Eversource Energy      153,104  
  6,984      Exelon Corp.      314,978  
  3,637      FirstEnergy Corp.      136,569  
  3,438      NextEra Energy, Inc.      597,593  
  2,594      NiSource, Inc.      65,758  
  2,197      NRG Energy, Inc.      87,001  
  3,741      PG&E Corp.*      88,849  
  791      Pinnacle West Capital Corp.      67,393  
  5,074      PPL Corp.      143,746  
  3,729      Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.      194,094  
  993      SCANA Corp.      47,445  
  2,030      Sempra Energy      219,626  
  7,504      Southern Co. (The)      329,576  
  2,341      WEC Energy Group, Inc.      162,138  
  3,704      Xcel Energy, Inc.      182,496  
     

 

 

 
        5,109,735  

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS   
  (Cost $64,148,397)    $ 154,268,120  

 

 

 

 

Principal
Amount
   Interest
Rate
     Maturity
Date
     Value  
Short-term Investment(b) – 0.0%

 

U.S. Treasury Obligation – 0.0%

U.S. Treasury Bills

 

$75,000      2.501      06/20/2019      $ 74,146  
(Cost $74,125)

 

  

 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.5%

 

  
(Cost $64,222,522)

 

      $ 154,342,266  

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES – 0.5%

 

     756,003  

 

 
NET ASSETS – 100.0%

 

   $ 155,098,269  

 

 

 

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)   All or a portion of security is segregated as collateral for initial margin requirements on futures transactions. Total market value of these securities amounts to $74,146, which represents 0.0% of net assets as of December 31, 2018.

 

 
Investment Abbreviation:
REIT   —Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

FUTURES CONTRACTS — At December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following futures contracts:

 

Description      Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
       Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Long position contracts:

 

              
S&P 500 E-Mini Index        8        03/15/2019      $ 1,002,080        $ (49,193

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

    
Shares
     Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – 96.0%  
 

Automobiles & Components – 0.8%

  8,128      Aptiv plc    $ 500,441  

 

 

 
 

Banks – 1.3%

  
  9,031      First Republic Bank      784,794  

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods – 10.4%

  
  10,750      Fortive Corp.      727,345  
  4,342      Harris Corp.      584,650  
  5,856      HEICO Corp.      453,723  
  3,001      HEICO Corp. Class A      189,063  
  5,448      IDEX Corp.      687,865  
  3,892      Ingersoll-Rand plc      355,067  
  7,881      John Bean Technologies Corp.      565,935  
  2,752      L3 Technologies, Inc.      477,912  
  3,875      Roper Technologies, Inc.      1,032,765  
  15,440      Sensata Technologies Holding plc*      692,330  
  6,992      Xylem, Inc.      466,506  
     

 

 

 
        6,233,161  

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services – 2.3%

  
  3,496      Cintas Corp.      587,293  
  7,406      Verisk Analytics, Inc.*      807,550  
     

 

 

 
        1,394,843  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel – 2.0%

  
  5,483      Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*      666,787  
  5,707      PVH Corp.      530,466  
     

 

 

 
        1,197,253  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services – 5.6%

  
  9,082      Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.*      1,012,189  
  544      Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*      234,894  
  12,669      Choice Hotels International, Inc.      906,847  
  1,282      Domino’s Pizza, Inc.      317,923  
  13,379      Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.      857,861  
     

 

 

 
        3,329,714  

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials – 4.7%

  
  8,433      Cboe Global Markets, Inc.      825,001  
  11,391      Lazard Ltd. Class A      420,442  
  2,156      Moody’s Corp.      301,926  
  3,642      MSCI, Inc.      536,940  
  8,682      Northern Trust Corp.      725,728  
     

 

 

 
        2,810,037  

 

 

 
 

Energy – 2.4%

  
  10,428      Cheniere Energy, Inc.*      617,233  
  4,149      Concho Resources, Inc.*      426,476  
  4,439      Diamondback Energy, Inc.      411,495  
     

 

 

 
        1,455,204  

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 4.0%

  
  17,654      Brown-Forman Corp. Class B      839,977  
  7,629      McCormick & Co., Inc. (Non-Voting)      1,062,262  
  9,403      Monster Beverage Corp.*      462,816  
     

 

 

 
        2,365,055  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Health Care Equipment & Services – 8.3%

  
  787      ABIOMED, Inc.*    $ 255,806  
  4,036      Align Technology, Inc.*      845,259  
  1,370      Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)      348,665  
  4,860      Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*      744,406  
  6,581      IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*      1,224,198  
  4,235      Teleflex, Inc.      1,094,663  
  4,487      West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.      439,861  
     

 

 

 
        4,952,858  

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products – 0.8%

  
  3,234      Clorox Co. (The)      498,489  

 

 

 
 

Materials – 2.9%

  
  9,264      Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.      657,373  
  8,944      Avery Dennison Corp.      803,440  
  1,741      Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.      299,226  
     

 

 

 
        1,760,039  

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment – 1.8%

  
  2,535      IAC/InterActiveCorp*      464,007  
  2,302      Spotify Technology SA*      261,277  
  12,265      Twitter, Inc.*      352,496  
     

 

 

 
        1,077,780  

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 10.0%

  16,764      Agilent Technologies, Inc.      1,130,899  
  3,611      Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      166,503  
  9,614      Alkermes plc*      283,709  
  4,341      BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*      369,636  
  758      Bluebird Bio, Inc.*      75,194  
  8,652      Elanco Animal Health, Inc.*      272,798  
  6,795      Exact Sciences Corp.*      428,765  
  13,634      Exelixis, Inc.*      268,181  
  3,087      Illumina, Inc.*      925,884  
  2,214      Incyte Corp.*      140,788  
  729      Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*      412,308  
  13,494      Moderna, Inc.*(a)      206,053  
  5,594      PRA Health Sciences, Inc.*      514,424  
  1,166      Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.*      127,246  
  3,903      Spark Therapeutics, Inc.*      152,763  
  6,047      Zoetis, Inc.      517,260  
     

 

 

 
        5,992,411  

 

 

 
 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 2.6%

  
  5,098      Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.      495,169  
  6,493      SBA Communications Corp.*      1,051,152  
     

 

 

 
        1,546,321  

 

 

 
 

Retailing – 6.6%

  
  14,883      Dollar General Corp.      1,608,555  
  8,099      Farfetch Ltd. Class A*      143,433  
  4,903      Five Below, Inc.*      501,675  
  2,622      GrubHub, Inc.*      201,396  
  13,074      Ross Stores, Inc.      1,087,757  
  5,069      Tiffany & Co.      408,105  
     

 

 

 
        3,950,921  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   43


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Shares          
Description
   Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 4.5%

  20,567      Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*    $ 379,667  
  9,876      Analog Devices, Inc.      847,657  
  50,864      Marvell Technology Group Ltd.      823,488  
  12,265      Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.      623,675  
     

 

 

 
        2,674,487  

 

 

 
 

Software & Services – 21.2%

  3,776      Atlassian Corp. plc Class A*      335,988  
  6,096      Autodesk, Inc.*      784,007  
  23,424      Black Knight, Inc.*      1,055,485  
  6,992      Citrix Systems, Inc.      716,400  
  10,049      Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      1,030,525  
  17,621      Fiserv, Inc.*      1,294,967  
  12,654      Global Payments, Inc.      1,305,007  
  18,441      GoDaddy, Inc. Class A*      1,210,098  
  5,332      Intuit, Inc.      1,049,604  
  7,545      PTC, Inc.*      625,481  
  6,012      ServiceNow, Inc.*      1,070,437  
  4,370      Splunk, Inc.*      458,195  
  5,535      Square, Inc. Class A*      310,458  
  14,140      Total System Services, Inc.      1,149,441  
  1,954      Workday, Inc. Class A*      312,015  
     

 

 

 
        12,708,108  

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment – 2.5%

  18,663      Amphenol Corp. Class A      1,512,076  

 

 

 
 

Transportation – 1.3%

  3,409      Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.      420,977  
  6,319      XPO Logistics, Inc.*      360,436  
     

 

 

 
        781,413  

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS   
  (Cost $47,541,835)    $ 57,525,405  

 

 

 
     
Shares      Dividend
Rate
   Value  
  Investment Company(b) – 2.7%  
 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund —
Institutional Shares

 
 
  1,640,990      2.521%    $ 1,640,990  
  (Cost $1,640,990)   

 

 

 
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITIES
LENDING REINVESTMENT VEHICLE
  
  (Cost $49,182,825)    $ 59,166,395  

 

 

 
  Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle(b) – 0.3%  
 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund —
Institutional Shares

 
 
  193,706      2.521%    $ 193,706  
  (Cost $193,706)   

 

 

 
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.0%  
  (Cost $49,376,531)    $ 59,360,101  

 

 

 
 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES – 1.0%

     609,527  

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS – 100.0%    $ 59,969,628  

 

 

 

 

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)   Represents an Affiliated Issuer.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
    Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Mortgage-Backed Securities – 3.6%  
 

Adjustable Rate FHLMC(a) – 1.3%

 
$ 127,330       4.171     05/01/2035     $ 133,172  
  55,827       4.511       09/01/2035       58,839  
  106,471       4.633       12/01/2036       111,289  
  203,244       4.305       04/01/2037       214,887  
  206,942       4.222       01/01/2038       214,244  
  276,378       4.459       01/01/2038       287,569  
     

 

 

 
        1,020,000  

 

 

 
 

Adjustable Rate FNMA(a) – 1.5%

 
  39,761       4.013       05/01/2033       40,963  
  74,205       4.208       05/01/2035       78,201  
  315,403       4.164       06/01/2035       328,994  
  491,244       4.372       11/01/2035       511,122  
  59,735       4.669       12/01/2035       62,512  
  213,735       4.631       03/01/2037       224,900  
     

 

 

 
        1,246,692  

 

 

 
 

Adjustable Rate GNMA(a) – 0.2%

 
  190,603       3.625       04/20/2033       195,010  

 

 

 
 

Agency Multi-Family – 0.6%

 
 

FNMA

 
  40,807       3.416       10/01/2020       41,087  
  49,807       3.619       12/01/2020       50,438  
  255,085       3.771       12/01/2020       258,442  
  112,665       4.381       06/01/2021       116,447  
     

 

 

 
        466,414  

 

 

 
  TOTAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES  
  (Cost $2,963,625)     $ 2,928,116  

 

 

 
     
  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations(a) – 27.9%  
 

Adjustable Rate Non-Agency(b) – 0.3%

 
 

Holmes Master Issuer plc Series 2018-1A, Class A2

 
$ 200,000       2.796     10/15/2054     $ 199,206  

 

 

 
 

Agency Multi-Family – 4.4%

 
 

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates
REMIC Series KP04, Class AG1(c)

 
 
  1,350,000       2.567       07/25/2020       1,347,677  
 

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates
REMIC Series KF03, Class A

 
 
  67,182       2.687       01/25/2021       67,139  
 

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates
REMIC Series KS02, Class A

 
 
  235,318       2.727       08/25/2023       235,153  
 

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates
REMIC Series KF32, Class A(c)

 
 
  1,013,181       2.717       05/25/2024       1,007,383  
 

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates
REMIC Series KF42, Class A(c)

 
 
  393,068       2.597       12/25/2024       390,983  
 

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates
REMIC Series J15L, Class AFL(c)

 
 

 

 

 
  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations(a) – (continued)  
 

Agency Multi-Family – (continued)

 
$ 607,524       2.697     08/25/2025     $ 604,446  
     

 

 

 
        3,652,781  

 

 

 
 

Regular Floater – 23.2%

 
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 3049, Class FP

 
  177,051       2.805       10/15/2035       177,130  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 3208, Class FB(c)

 
  108,659       2.855       08/15/2036       109,008  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 3208, Class FD(c)

 
  161,902       2.855       08/15/2036       162,422  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 3208, Class FG(c)

 
  651,952       2.855       08/15/2036       654,048  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 3307, Class FT

 
  1,009,721       2.695       07/15/2034       1,007,050  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 3311, Class KF(c)

 
  1,789,041       2.795       05/15/2037       1,787,414  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 3371, Class FA(c)

 
  409,610       3.055       09/15/2037       413,897  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 4174, Class FB(c)

 
  751,697       2.755       05/15/2039       750,373  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 4320, Class FD

 
  365,901       2.855       07/15/2039       366,689  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 4477, Class FG

 
  486,084       2.599       10/15/2040       484,095  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 4508, Class CF(c)

 
  345,112       2.855       09/15/2045       346,670  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 4631, Class GF

 
  2,217,427       2.955       11/15/2046       2,231,898  
 

FHLMC REMIC Series 4637, Class QF(c)

 
  1,896,891       3.349       04/15/2044       1,898,271  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2006-82, Class F

 
  167,513       3.076       09/25/2036       168,691  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2006-96, Class FA

 
  544,207       2.806       10/25/2036       543,482  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2007-33, Class HF

 
  93,348       2.856       04/25/2037       93,387  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2007-36, Class F

 
  155,757       2.736       04/25/2037       155,019  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2007-85, Class FC

 
  424,208       3.046       09/25/2037       427,507  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2008-8, Class FB

 
  361,093       3.326       02/25/2038       364,771  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2011-63, Class FG

 
  370,989       2.956       07/25/2041       372,267  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2012-35, Class QF

 
  1,152,848       2.906       04/25/2042       1,155,229  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2016-1, Class FT

 
  1,118,578       2.856       02/25/2046       1,120,402  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2017-45, Class FA

 
  679,302       2.619       06/25/2047       678,226  
 

FNMA REMIC Series 2017-96, Class FC

 
  1,234,640       2.906       12/25/2057       1,235,890  
 

GNMA REMIC Series 2005-48, Class AF

 
  551,291       2.670       06/20/2035       548,165  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
    Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations(a) – (continued)  
 

Regular Floater – (continued)

 
 

GNMA REMIC Series 2012-98, Class FA

 
$ 515,235       2.870%       08/20/2042     $ 517,439  
 

NCUA Guaranteed Notes Trust Series 2010-R1, Class 1A(c)

 
  118,018       2.829       10/07/2020       118,017  
 

NCUA Guaranteed Notes Trust Series 2010-R2, Class 2A(c)

 
  297,366       2.850       11/05/2020       297,456  
 

NCUA Guaranteed Notes Trust Series 2011-R1, Class 1A(c)

 
  924,770       2.829       01/08/2020       924,549  
     

 

 

 
        19,109,462  

 

 

 
  TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS  
  (Cost $22,962,325)     $ 22,961,449  

 

 

 
     
  Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security(a) – 0.5%  
 

Agency Multi-Family – 0.5%

 
 

FNMA ACES REMIC Series 2017-M13, Class FA

 
$ 425,071       2.701%       10/25/2024     $ 421,228  
  (Cost $424,607)    

 

 

 
  U.S. Government Agency Security(a) – 2.4%  
 

FNMA

 
$ 2,000,000      

(SOFR + 0.16%),

2.620%

 

 

    01/30/2020     $ 2,001,622  
  (Cost $2,000,000)    

 

 

 
  Asset-Backed Securities – 38.8%  
 

Automobile – 8.1%

 

Ally Master Owner Trust Series 2017-3, Class A1(a)(c)

 
$ 1,350,000       2.885%       06/15/2022     $ 1,349,187  
 

Ally Master Owner Trust Series 2018-1, Class A2(c)

 
  800,000       2.700       01/17/2023       794,411  
 

Chesapeake Funding II LLC Series 2016-2A, Class A2(a)(b)(c)

 
  190,539       3.455       06/15/2028       190,889  
 

Chesapeake Funding II LLC Series 2017-3A, Class A2(a)(b)(c)

 
  389,855       2.795       08/15/2029       388,614  
 

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust A Series 2015-2,
Class A2(a)

 
 
  1,210,000       3.025       01/15/2022       1,213,218  
 

GMF Floorplan Owner Revolving Trust Series 2017-2,
Class A2(a)(b)(c)

 
 
  900,000       2.885       07/15/2022       898,737  
 

Mercedes-Benz Master Owner Trust Series 2018-AA,
Class A(a)(b)(c)

 
 
  1,500,000       2.715       05/16/2022       1,497,408  
 

Nissan Master Owner Trust Receivables Series 2017-C,
Class A(a)(c)

 
 
  300,000       2.775       10/17/2022       299,275  
     

 

 

 
        6,631,739  

 

 

 
  Asset-Backed Securities – (continued)  
 

Collateralized Loan Obligations(a)(b)(c) – 6.3%

 

Bowman Park CLO Ltd. Series 2014-1A, Class AR

 
$ 250,000       3.857     11/23/2025     $ 249,315  
 

CBAM Ltd. Series 2018-5A, Class A

 
  1,100,000       3.469       04/17/2031       1,086,875  
 

Cutwater Ltd. Series 2014-1A, Class A1AR

 
  292,081       3.686       07/15/2026       291,811  
 

Dryden 64 CLO Ltd. Series 2018-64A, Class A

 
  600,000       3.415       04/18/2031       585,190  
 

Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding Ltd. Series 2014-1A, Class A1R

 
  213,369       3.575       04/18/2026       212,716  
 

Madison Park Funding XXX Ltd. Series 2018-30A, Class A

 
  1,100,000       3.186       04/15/2029       1,072,776  
 

Parallel Ltd. Series 2015-1A, Class AR

 
  300,000       3.319       07/20/2027       296,658  
 

Pikes Peak CLO 2 Series 2018-2A, Class A

 
  800,000       4.109       01/18/2032       797,842  
 

Trinitas CLO II Ltd. Series 2014-2A, Class A1R

 
  265,980       3.616       07/15/2026       264,873  
 

WhiteHorse IX Ltd. Series 2014-9A, Class AR

 
  356,711       3.609       07/17/2026       355,195  
     

 

 

 
    5,213,251  

 

 

 
 

Credit Card(a) – 8.0%

 

BA Credit Card Trust Series 2014-A1, Class A

 
  1,000,000       2.835       06/15/2021       1,000,066  
 

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust Series 2016-A1,
Class A1(c)

 
 
  300,000       2.905       02/15/2022       300,213  
 

CARDS II Trust Series 2017-1A, Class A(b)

 
  300,000       2.825       04/18/2022       299,977  
 

CARDS II Trust Series 2018-1A, Class A(b)(c)

 
  2,200,000       2.805       04/17/2023       2,202,243  
 

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust Series 2017-A5, Class A5(c)

 
  1,400,000       3.124       04/22/2026       1,406,154  
 

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust Series 2017-A7, Class A7(c)

 
  500,000       2.757       08/08/2024       498,390  
 

Trillium Credit Card Trust II Series 2018-1A, Class A(b)(c)

 
  900,000       2.756       02/27/2023       898,315  
     

 

 

 
    6,605,358  

 

 

 
 

Student Loans(a) – 16.4%

 

Academic Loan Funding Trust Series 2013-1A, Class A(b)(c)

 
  424,160       3.306       12/26/2044       422,223  
 

Access Group, Inc. Series 2015-1, Class A(b)(c)

 
  173,695       3.206       07/25/2056       172,561  
 

Access to Loans for Learning Student Loan Corp. Series 2013-I,
Class A(c)

 
 
  416,407       3.115       02/25/2041       413,709  
 

Brazos Higher Education Authority, Inc. Series 2011-1,
Class A2(c)

 
 
  945,861       3.477       02/25/2030       945,800  
 

ECMC Group Student Loan Trust Series 2016-1A, Class A(b)(c)

 
  230,249       3.856       07/26/2066       233,263  
 

ECMC Group Student Loan Trust Series 2018-1A, Class A(b)(c)

 

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

 

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
    Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Asset-Backed Securities – (continued)  
 

Student Loans(a) – (continued)

 
$ 670,877       3.256     02/27/2068     $ 667,865  
 

Edsouth Indenture No. 1 LLC Series 2010-1, Class A1(b)(c)

 
  311,484       3.340       07/25/2023       311,442  
 

Edsouth Indenture No. 4 LLC Series 2013-1, Class A(b)(c)

 
  127,218       3.076       02/26/2029       125,852  
 

Edsouth Indenture No. 5 LLC Series 2014-1, Class A(b)(c)

 
  227,849       3.206       02/25/2039       226,239  
 

Education Loan Asset-Backed Trust I Series 2013-1, Class A1(b)

 
  160,358       3.306       06/25/2026       160,412  
 

Education Loan Asset-Backed Trust I Series 2013-1, Class A2(b)

 
  500,000       3.306       04/26/2032       491,504  
 

Educational Funding of the South, Inc. Series 2011-1, Class A2(c)

 
  420,110       3.140       04/25/2035       417,112  
 

Educational Funding of the South, Inc. Series 2012-1, Class A

 
  291,598       3.365       03/25/2036       292,043  
 

EFS Volunteer No. 3 LLC Series 2012-1, Class A2(b)(c)

 
  59,342       3.506       02/25/2025       59,349  
 

Goal Capital Funding Trust Series 2006-1, Class A4(c)

 
  53,881       2.827       11/27/2028       53,837  
 

Higher Education Funding I Series 2014-1, Class A(b)(c)

 
  272,737       3.739       05/25/2034       275,018  
 

Illinois Student Assistance Commission Series 2010-1, Class A3

 
  198,664       3.390       07/25/2045       198,811  
 

Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corp. Series 2013-2,
Class A1(c)

 
 
  602,066       2.949       09/01/2028       595,113  
 

Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corp. Series 2015-1,
Class A1

 
 
  560,407       3.099       12/01/2031       555,578  
 

Montana Higher Education Student Assistance Corp.
Series 2012-1, Class A2(c)

 
 
  590,384       3.470       05/20/2030       592,694  
 

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2016-5A, Class A(b)(c)

 
  1,030,440       3.756       06/25/2065       1,038,486  
 

Navient Student Loan Trust Series 2016-7A, Class A(b)(c)

 
  225,836       3.656       03/25/2066       226,704  
 

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2006-1, Class A5(c)

 
  651,080       2.763       08/23/2027       648,813  
 

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2006-2, Class A5(c)

 
  135,720       2.590       01/25/2030       135,498  
 

Nelnet Student Loan Trust Series 2013-5A, Class A(b)(c)

 
  78,456       3.136       01/25/2037       77,964  
 

New Hampshire Higher Education Loan Corp. Series 2011-1,
Class A3(c)

 
 
  200,000       3.340       10/25/2037       200,534  
 

North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
Series 2010-1, Class A1(c)

 
 
  100,779       3.390       07/25/2041       100,567  
 

Panhandle-Plains Higher Education Authority, Inc. Series 2011-1,
Class A2(c)

 
 
  75,528       3.346       07/01/2024       75,559  
 

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Series 2006-1,
Class A3(c)

 
 
  483,520       2.630       10/25/2035       473,066  

 

 

 
  Asset-Backed Securities – (continued)  
 

Student Loans(a) – (continued)

 
 

Scholar Funding Trust Series 2010-A, Class A(b)(c)

 
$ 233,757     3.259%     10/28/2041     $ 231,714  
 

Scholar Funding Trust Series 2011-A, Class A(b)(c)

 
  200,901     3.409     10/28/2043       200,579  
 

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2005-5, Class A4(c)

 
  1,000,711     2.627     10/25/2028       994,084  
 

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2005-9, Class A6(c)

 
  56,994     3.037     10/26/2026       56,994  
 

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2007-1, Class A5(c)

 
  920,906     2.580     01/26/2026       918,004  
 

SLM Student Loan Trust Series 2008-5, Class A4(c)

 
  124,995     4.187     07/25/2023       126,948  
 

South Texas Higher Education Authority, Inc. Series 2012-1,
Class A2

 
 
  81,922     3.250     10/01/2024       82,170  
 

Utah State Board of Regents Series 2015-1, Class A(c)

 
  329,290     3.106     02/25/2043       326,951  
 

Utah State Board of Regents Series 2016-1, Class A

 
  380,884     3.256     09/25/2056       379,478  
 

Wachovia Student Loan Trust Series 2005-1, Class A5(c)

 
  13,523     2.620     01/26/2026       13,509  
     

 

 

 
    13,518,047  

 

 

 
  TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
  (Cost $32,006,874)     $ 31,968,395  

 

 

 
     
  Supranational(a) – 1.2%  
 

International Bank for Reconstruction & Development

 
$ 1,000,000     (SOFR + 0.22%),

2.680%

    08/21/2020     $ 1,000,318  
  (Cost $1,000,000)    

 

 

 
     
  Municipal Bond(a)(b)(c) – 0.1%  
 

New York – 0.1%

 
 

Freddie Mac Multifamily ML Certificates RB Pass Through
Series 2017

 
 
$ 97,093     (1 Mo. LIBOR +

0.50%),

3.022%

    01/25/2033     $ 96,408  
  (Cost $97,093)  

 

 

 
     
  U.S. Treasury Obligations – 10.9%  
 

U.S. Treasury Bonds

 
$ 220,000     3.750%     11/15/2043     $ 248,645  
 

U.S. Treasury Notes(a)

 
  1,500,000     (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill

MMY + 0.03%),

2.463

    04/30/2020       1,499,248  
  2,300,000     (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill

MMY + 0.04%),

2.473

    07/31/2020       2,298,054  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Principal
Amount
    Interest
Rate
  Maturity
Date
    Value  
  U.S. Treasury Obligations – (continued)  
$ 4,900,000     (3 Mo. U.S. T-Bill

MMY + 0.05%),

2.475%

    10/31/2020     $ 4,893,043  

 

 

 
  TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS
 
  (Cost $8,936,366)     $ 8,938,990  

 

 

 
     
Shares    

Dividend

Rate

    Value  
  Investment Company(d) – 11.8%  
 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund — 
Institutional Shares

 
 
    9,734,004       2.521   $ 9,734,004  
  (Cost $9,734,004)  

 

 

 

 

Principal
Amount
   

Interest

Rate

    Maturity
Date
    Value  
  Short-Term Investments – 1.6%  
 

Commercial Paper – 1.6%

 
 

Bell Canada, Inc.

 
$ 250,000       2.683     01/22/2019     $ 249,580  
 

General Electric Co.

 
  250,000       3.186       03/01/2019       248,679  
 

VW Credit, Inc.

 
  250,000       2.577       01/07/2019       249,869  
  250,000       2.577       01/08/2019       249,850  
  300,000       2.820       03/20/2019       297,955  

 

 

 
  TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 
  (Cost $1,296,276)   $ 1,295,933  

 

 

 
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 98.8%
  (Cost $81,421,170)     $ 81,346,463  

 

 

 
 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES – 1.2%

 
 
    947,922  

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS – 100.0%     $ 82,294,385  

 

 

 

 

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. Except for floating rate notes (for which final maturity is disclosed), maturity date disclosed is the next interest reset date. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect on December 31, 2018.
(b)   Exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, such securities may be deemed liquid by the Investment Adviser and may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers in transactions exempt from registration. Total market value of Rule 144A securities amounts to $16,806,223, which represents approximately 20.4% of net assets as of December 31, 2018. The liquidity determination is unaudited.
(c)   Securities with “Call” features. Maturity dates disclosed are the final maturity dates.
(d)   Represents an Affiliated Issuer.

 

 
Investment Abbreviations:
ACES   —Alternative Credit Enhancement Securities
FHLMC   —Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
FNMA   —Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA   —Government National Mortgage Association
LIBOR   —London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY   —Money Market Yield
Mo.   —Month
RB   —Revenue Bond
REMIC   —Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
SOFR   —Secured Overnight Financing Rate
T-Bill   —Treasury Bill
U.S.   —United States

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

FUTURES CONTRACTS — At December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following futures contracts:

 

Description      Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
       Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Long position contracts:

                   
U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note        3          03/20/2019        $ 366,140        $ 8,996  

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Ultra Note

       3          03/20/2019          390,469          12,684  
Total                                       $ 21,680  

Short position contracts:

 

    
U.S. Treasury 2 Year Note        (6)          03/29/2019        $ (1,273,594      $ (8,552
U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note        (3)          03/29/2019          (343,992        (5,685

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

       (11)          03/20/2019          (1,607,375        (76,040
Total                                       $ (90,277
Total Futures Contracts

 

     $ (68,597

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

     Core Fixed Income
Fund
     Equity Index
Fund
     Growth
Opportunities
Fund
     High Quality
Floating Rate
Fund
 
           
Assets:                            

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $41,084,294, $63,950,712, $47,541,835 and $71,687,166)(a)

   $ 40,817,248      $ 153,920,966      $ 57,525,405      $ 71,612,459  

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $275,823, $271,810, $1,640,990 and $9,734,004)

     275,823        421,300        1,640,990        9,734,004  

Investments in affiliated securities lending reinvestment vehicle, at value
(cost $0, $0, $193,706 and $0)

                   193,706         

Cash

     541,863        795,410        896,150        1,232,185  

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $32,323, $0, $0 and $0)

     32,621                       

Receivables:

           

Investments sold on an extended-settlement basis

     4,105,664                      114,078  

Collateral on certain derivative contracts(b)

     387,849                      30,895  

Interest and dividends

     254,945        179,051        35,890        195,546  

Reimbursement from investment adviser

     22,183        54,394        19,114        18,368  

Investments sold

     3,954        49,189                

Fund shares sold

     99               319        7,998  

Securities lending income

            9        918         

Unrealized gain on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     54,778                       

Variation margin on futures

            7,680                

Other assets

     22        22        22        22  
Total assets      46,497,049        155,428,021        60,312,514        82,945,555  
           
           
Liabilities:                            

Forward sale contracts, at value (proceeds received $1,018,750, $0, $0 and $0)

     1,024,029                       

Unrealized loss on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     64,103                       

Variation margin on futures

     2,830                      4,867  

Variation margin on swaps

     337                       

Payables:

           

Investments purchased on an extended-settlement basis

     6,188,906                       

Management fees

     13,239        28,555        42,895        20,274  

Fund shares redeemed

     13,180        85,900        16,917        15,596  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     8,447        36,714        9,355        19,312  

Investments purchased

            104,153               498,438  

Payable upon return of securities loaned

                   193,706         

Accrued expenses

     108,525        74,430        80,013        92,683  
Total liabilities      7,423,596        329,752        342,886        651,170  
           
           
Net Assets:                            

Paid-in capital

     41,600,463        69,204,454        47,790,382        83,452,648  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     (2,527,010      85,893,815        12,179,246        (1,158,263
NET ASSETS    $ 39,073,453      $ 155,098,269      $ 59,969,628      $ 82,294,385  

Net Assets:

           

Institutional

   $ 2,656,969      $      $ 59,177      $ 2,326,116  

Service

     36,416,484        155,098,269        59,910,451        72,784,441  

Advisor

                          7,183,828  

Total Net Assets

   $ 39,073,453      $ 155,098,269      $ 59,969,628      $ 82,294,385  

Shares outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

           

Institutional

     260,360               22,518        224,093  

Service

     3,567,846        10,747,382        23,599,075        7,024,509  

Advisor

                          692,634  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

           

Institutional

   $ 10.20             $ 2.63      $ 10.38  

Service

     10.21        14.43        2.54        10.36  

Advisor

                          10.37  

(a) Includes loaned securities having a market value of $189,030 for the Growth Opportunities Fund.

(b) Segregated for initial margin and/or collateral on transactions as follows:

 

Fund

  

Forwards

    

Futures

    

Swaps

 
Core Fixed Income    $ 210,000      $ 62,029      $ 115,820  
High Quality Floating Rate             30,895         

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Statements of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

     Core Fixed Income
Fund
     Equity Index
Fund
     Growth
Opportunities
Fund
     High Quality
Floating
Rate Fund
 
           
Investment income:                            

Interest

   $ 1,527,179      $ 1,351      $      $ 1,751,293  

Dividends — affiliated issuers

     27,180        8,262        18,778        91,594  

Dividends — unaffiliated issuers

            3,434,398        700,823         

Securities lending income — affiliated issuer

            717                

Securities lending income — unaffiliated issuer

                   7,665         
Total investment income      1,554,359        3,444,728        727,266        1,842,887  
           
           
Expenses:                            

Management fees

     198,497        525,957        873,240        257,316  

Distribution and Service fees(a)

     122,530        438,296        234,699        198,422  

Professional fees

     111,201        95,669        95,674        98,499  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     66,896        56,814        59,958        60,889  

Printing and mailing costs

     49,993        67,972        47,797        45,694  

Trustee fees

     16,150        16,418        16,238        16,218  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     9,924        35,061        18,786        15,233  

Other

     7,342        22,625        8,653        7,450  
Total expenses      582,533        1,258,812        1,355,045        699,721  

Less — expense reductions

     (253,318      (411,057      (405,463      (235,871
Net expenses      329,215        847,755        949,582        463,850  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)      1,225,144        2,596,973        (222,316      1,379,037  
           
           
Realized and unrealized gain (loss):                            

Net realized gain (loss) from:

           

Investments — unaffiliated issuers (including commissions recaptured of $0, $0, $2,163 and $0)

     (1,022,449      11,617,060        38,998,411        26,862  

Investments — affiliated issuers

            21,235                

Futures contracts

     (365,196      (14,936             55,912  

Purchased options

     (1,102                     

Swap contracts

     (41,573                    (3,939

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     (115,183                     

Foreign currency transactions

     7,126                       

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on:

           

Investments — unaffiliated issuers

     (1,504,228      (21,281,591      (38,082,096      (272,680

Investments — affiliated issuers

            (250,441              

Futures contracts

     6,981        (66,039             (60,549

Purchased options

     (1,966                     

Swap contracts

     26,797                      1,873  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     (111,142                     

Foreign currency translation

     (1,500                     
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)      (3,123,435      (9,974,712      916,315        (252,521
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ (1,898,291    $ (7,377,739    $ 693,999      $ 1,126,516  

(a) Class specific Distribution and Service, and Transfer Agency fees were as follows:

 

     Distribution and
Service Fees
     Transfer Agency Fees  

Fund

  

Service

    

Advisor

    

Institutional

    

Service

    

Advisor

 

Core Fixed Income

   $ 122,530        N/A      $ 122      $ 9,802        N/A  

Equity Index

     438,296        N/A        N/A        35,061        N/A  

Growth Opportunities

     234,699        N/A        11        18,775        N/A  

High Quality Floating Rate

     174,682      $ 23,740        73        13,973      $ 1,187  

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Core Fixed Income Fund     Equity Index Fund  
    For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
    For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
       
From operations:  

Net investment income

  $ 1,225,144     $ 2,151,679     $ 2,596,973     $ 2,634,930  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (1,538,377     1,020,532       11,623,359       9,666,167  

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

    (1,585,058     261,262       (21,598,071     20,858,368  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (1,898,291     3,433,473       (7,377,739     33,159,465  
       
       
Distributions to shareholders:  

From distributable earnings:

       

Institutional Shares

    (14,101     (5,356 )(a)             

Service Shares

    (1,241,765     (2,870,144 )(a)      (13,646,931     (10,027,577 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders     (1,255,866     (2,875,500     (13,646,931     (10,027,577
       
       
From share transactions:  

Proceeds from sales of shares

    5,175,072       7,052,506       4,433,966       2,056,692  

Reinvestment of distributions

    1,255,866       2,875,500       13,646,931       10,027,577  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (73,392,129     (11,863,453     (20,993,560     (21,731,411
Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions     (66,961,191     (1,935,447     (2,912,663     (9,647,142
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)     (70,115,348     (1,377,474     (23,937,333     13,484,746  
       
       
Net assets:(b)  

Beginning of year

    109,188,801       110,566,275       179,035,602       165,550,856  

End of year

  $ 39,073,453     $ 109,188,801     $ 155,098,269     $ 179,035,602  

(a) Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation, see prior year presentation below:

 

     

Institutional

   

Service

 

Distributions from net investment income:

    

Core Fixed Income Fund:

   $ (5,356   $ (2,870,144

Equity Index Fund:

           (2,616,868

Distributions from net realized gains:

    

Equity Index Fund:

   $     $ (7,410,709

 

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $134,428 and $262,554 for the Core Fixed Income and Equity Index Funds, respectively, as of December 31, 2017.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    Growth Opportunities Fund     High Quality Floating Rate Fund  
    For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
    For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
       
From operations:  

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (222,316   $ (428,934   $ 1,379,037     $ 755,781  

Net realized gain

    38,998,411       21,900,883       78,835       28,050  

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

    (38,082,096     18,521,181       (331,356     202,672  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     693,999       39,993,130       1,126,516       986,503  
       
       
Distributions to shareholders:  

From distributable earnings:

       

Institutional Shares

    (37,921     (4,985 )(a)      (12,809     (956 )(a) 

Service Shares

    (39,325,197     (16,867,555 )(a)      (1,323,812     (842,342 )(a) 

Advisor Shares

                (107,740     (43,482 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders     (39,363,118     (16,872,540     (1,444,361     (886,780
       
       
From share transactions:  

Proceeds from sales of shares

    2,826,810       4,405,396       21,196,717       12,689,584  

Reinvestment of distributions

    39,363,118       16,872,540       1,444,361       886,780  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (114,387,857     (33,003,465     (11,359,427     (10,739,000
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions     (72,197,929     (11,725,529     11,281,651       2,837,364  
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)     (110,867,048     11,395,061       10,963,806       2,937,087  
       
       
Net assets:(b)  

Beginning of year

    170,836,676       159,441,615       71,330,579       68,393,492  

End of year

  $ 59,969,628     $ 170,836,676     $ 82,294,385     $ 71,330,579  

(a) Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation, see prior year presentation below:

 

     

Institutional

   

Service

   

Advisor

 

Distributions from net investment income:

      

High Quality Floating Rate Fund:

   $ (956   $ (842,342   $ (43,482

Distributions from net realized gains:

      

Growth Opportunities Fund:

   $ (4,985   $ (16,867,555   $  

 

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $3,637 and $94,959 for the Growth Opportunities and High Quality Floating Rate Funds, respectively, as of December 31, 2017.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.66     $ 10.61     $ 10.53     $ 10.75     $ 10.48  

Net investment income(a)

    0.29       0.23       0.24       0.27       0.25  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.37     0.13       0.08       (0.20     0.34  

Total from investment operations

    (0.08     0.36       0.32       0.07       0.59  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.38     (0.31     (0.24     (0.29     (0.32

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.20     $ 10.66     $ 10.61     $ 10.53     $ 10.75  

Total return(b)

    (0.58 )%      3.40     2.98     0.60     5.68

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 2,657     $ 241     $ 90     $ 26     $ 26  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.42     0.42     0.43     0.42     0.44

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.06     0.65     0.65     0.74     0.65

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    2.88     2.18     2.28     2.53     2.31

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    406     229     329     376     353

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST CORE FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.65     $ 10.60     $ 10.53     $ 10.76     $ 10.47  

Net investment income(a)

    0.25       0.21       0.22       0.24       0.22  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.34     0.12       0.07       (0.21     0.36  

Total from investment operations

    (0.09     0.33       0.29       0.03       0.58  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.35     (0.28     (0.22     (0.26     (0.29

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.21     $ 10.65     $ 10.60     $ 10.53     $ 10.76  

Total return(b)

    (0.83 )%      3.14     2.70     0.27     5.61

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 36,416     $ 108,948     $ 110,476     $ 104,924     $ 107,063  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.67     0.67     0.67     0.67     0.68

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.18     0.90     0.91     0.99     0.91

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    2.46     1.95     2.05     2.27     2.06

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    406     229     329     376     353

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST EQUITY INDEX FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 16.60     $ 14.49     $ 13.91     $ 14.91     $ 13.68  

Net investment income(a)

    0.25       0.24       0.25       0.32       0.22  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.04     2.85       1.35       (0.18     1.58  

Total from investment operations

    (0.79     3.09       1.60       0.14       1.80  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.27     (0.26     (0.33     (0.28     (0.25

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (1.11     (0.72     (0.69     (0.86     (0.32

Total distributions

    (1.38     (0.98     (1.02     (1.14     (0.57

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 14.43     $ 16.60     $ 14.49     $ 13.91     $ 14.91  

Total return(b)

    (4.87 )%      21.29     11.41     0.94     13.22

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 155,098     $ 179,036     $ 165,551     $ 169,295     $ 190,009  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.48     0.48     0.48     0.48     0.49

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.72     0.71     0.73     0.70     0.71

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.48     1.53     1.73     2.15     1.55

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    4     2     3     4     2

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 7.78     $ 6.78     $ 6.71     $ 7.72     $ 8.59  

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.01     (0.01     (0.02     (0.01     (0.02

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.31     1.85       0.14       (0.39     0.94  

Total from investment operations

    (0.32     1.84       0.12       (0.40     0.92  

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (4.83     (0.84     (0.05     (0.61     (1.79

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 2.63     $ 7.78     $ 6.78     $ 6.71     $ 7.72  

Total return(b)

    (4.17 )%      27.14     1.71     (5.20 )%      11.32

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 59     $ 52     $ 3,518     $ 32     $ 33  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.85     0.87     0.89     0.93     1.01

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.20     1.14     1.16     1.14     1.15

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

    (0.08 )%      (0.13 )%      (0.26 )%      (0.19 )%      (0.24 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    59     57     63     57     62

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 7.70     $ 6.73     $ 6.68     $ 7.69     $ 8.58  

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.02     (0.02     (0.02     (0.03     (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.31     1.83       0.12       (0.37     0.93  

Total from investment operations

    (0.33     1.81       0.10       (0.40     0.90  

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (4.83     (0.84     (0.05     (0.61     (1.79

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 2.54     $ 7.70     $ 6.73     $ 6.68     $ 7.69  

Total return(b)

    (4.34 )%      26.92     1.42     (5.20 )%      11.10

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 59,910     $ 170,785     $ 155,924     $ 168,653     $ 201,519  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    1.01     1.02     1.05     1.09     1.17

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.44     1.39     1.40     1.40     1.39

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

    (0.24 )%      (0.26 )%      (0.37 )%      (0.36 )%      (0.39 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    59     57     63     57     62

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.42     $ 10.41     $ 10.40     $ 10.49     $ 10.51  

Net investment income(a)

    0.24       0.14       0.11       0.06       0.05  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.06     0.03       0.03       (0.08     (0.03

Total from investment operations

    0.18       0.17       0.14       (0.02     0.02  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.22     (0.16     (0.13     (0.07     (0.04

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.38     $ 10.42     $ 10.41     $ 10.40     $ 10.49  

Total return(b)

    1.75     1.62     1.35     (0.16 )%      0.17

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 2,326     $ 57     $ 25     $ 25     $ 25  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.34     0.36     0.39     0.38     0.40

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.63     0.72     0.78     0.81     0.70

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    2.28     1.33     1.03     0.54     0.51

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    36     38     47     14     17

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.40     $ 10.38     $ 10.38     $ 10.47     $ 10.51  

Net investment income(a)

    0.19       0.11       0.08       0.03       0.03  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.03     0.04       0.02       (0.07     (0.04

Total from investment operations

    0.16       0.15       0.10       (0.04     (0.01

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.20     (0.13     (0.10     (0.05     (0.03

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.36     $ 10.40     $ 10.38     $ 10.38     $ 10.47  

Total return(b)

    1.50     1.47     1.00     (0.42 )%      (0.09 )% 

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 72,784     $ 66,548     $ 66,710     $ 69,625     $ 74,892  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.60     0.61     0.65     0.64     0.66

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.91     0.97     1.04     1.05     0.96

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.82     1.08     0.77     0.28     0.25

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    36     38     47     14     17

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund  
    Advisor Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,    

For the Period

October 15, 2014*

to

December 31, 2014

 
    2018     2017     2016     2015  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.41     $ 10.40     $ 10.40     $ 10.49     $ 10.51  

Net investment income(a)

    0.18       0.10       0.06       0.01       (b)  
           

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.04     0.03       0.03       (0.06     (0.02

Total from investment operations

    0.14       0.13       0.09       (0.05     (0.02

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.18     (0.12     (0.09     (0.04      

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.37     $ 10.41     $ 10.40     $ 10.40     $ 10.49  

Total return(c)

    1.37     1.26     0.96     (0.57 )%      (0.10 )%(d) 

Net assets, end of period (in 000s)

  $ 7,184     $ 4,726     $ 1,658     $ 1,315     $ 10  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.75     0.76     0.80     0.78     0.77 %(e) 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.05     1.12     1.18     1.25     1.13 %(e) 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.69     0.96     0.62     0.12     0.15 %(e) 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    36     38     47     14     17

 

*

Commencement of Operations.

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

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.

(d)

Represents cumulative total returns

(e)

Annualized.

(f)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 following table lists those series of the Trust that are included in this report (collectively, the “Funds” or individually a “Fund”), along with their corresponding share classes and respective diversification status under the Act:

 

Fund    Share Classes Offered   

Diversified/

Non-diversified

High Quality Floating Rate

   Institutional, Service and Advisor    Diversified

Core Fixed Income and Growth Opportunities

   Institutional and Service    Diversified

Equity Index

   Service    Diversified

Shares of the Trust are offered to a separate account of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Funds pursuant to management agreements (the “Agreements”) with the Trust.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The Funds’ valuation policy is to value investments at fair value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Investment income includes interest income, dividend income, and securities lending income, if any. Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recognized on ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign securities, as soon as such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost. Investment transactions are recorded on the following business day for daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculations. Distributions received from the Funds’ investments in United States (“U.S.”) real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain or a return of capital. A return of capital is recorded by the Funds as a reduction to the cost basis of the REIT.

For derivative contracts, realized gains and losses are recorded upon settlement of the contract. Upfront payments, if any, are made or received upon entering into a swap agreement and are reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Upfront payments are recognized over the contract’s term/event as realized gains or losses, with the exception of forward starting swap contracts whose realized gains or losses are recognized from the effective start date. For securities with paydown provisions, principal payments received are treated as a proportionate reduction to the cost basis of the securities, and excess or shortfall amounts are recorded as income. For treasury inflation protected securities (“TIPS”), adjustments to principal due to inflation/deflation are reflected as increases/decreases to interest income with a corresponding adjustment to cost.

C.  Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of each Fund are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by a Fund are charged to that Fund, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the applicable Funds on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses. Class-specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency fees.

D.  Federal Taxes and Distributions to Shareholders — It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year

 

62


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

 

 

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, each Fund is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. 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:

 

Fund   

Income Distributions

Declared/Paid

   Capital Gains Distributions
Declared/Paid

Core Fixed Income and High Quality Floating Rate

   Quarterly    Annually

Equity Index and Growth Opportunities

   Annually    Annually

Net capital losses, if any, are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. 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 distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Funds’ net assets on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

E.  Foreign Currency Translation — The accounting records and reporting currency of a Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates at the close of each business day. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments is included within net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. Changes in the value of other assets and liabilities as a result of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates are included in the Statements of Operations within net change in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the date the transaction occurred, the effects of which are included within net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

F.  Commission Recapture — GSAM, on behalf of certain Funds, may direct portfolio trades, subject to seeking best execution, to various brokers who have agreed to rebate a portion of the commissions generated. Such rebates are made directly to a Fund as cash payments and are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments on the Statements of Operations.

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Funds’ policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

 

63


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Funds’ policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy resulting from such changes are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Funds, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Funds’ investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

A.  Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value Investments — The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values for investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

Equity Securities — Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ system, or those located on certain foreign exchanges, including but not limited to the Americas, are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If there is no sale or official closing price or such price is believed by GSAM to not represent fair value, equity securities are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2.

Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price, and are generally classified as Level 2.

Money Market Funds — Investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Underlying Fund”) are valued at the NAV of the Institutional Share class on the day of valuation. These investments are generally classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For information regarding the Underlying Fund’s accounting policies and investment holdings, please see the Underlying Fund’s shareholder report.

Debt Securities — Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued daily on the basis of quotations supplied by dealers or an independent pricing service approved by the Trustees. 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 securities dealers to determine current value. With the exception of treasury securities of G8 countries, which are generally classified as Level 1, these investments are generally classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

i. Commercial Paper — Commercial paper normally represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations, finance companies and other issuers. Commercial paper consists of direct U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign issuers. Asset-backed commercial paper is issued by a special purpose entity that is organized to issue the commercial paper and to purchase trade receivables or other financial assets.

ii. Mortgage-Backed and 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 estate property. Asset-backed securities include securities whose principal and interest payments are collateralized by pools of other assets or receivables. 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.

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.

 

64


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

 

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two different classes: one that receives substantially all interest payments (interest-only, or “IO” and/or high coupon rate with relatively low principal amount, or “IOette”), and the other that receives substantially all principal payments (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, periodic adjustments are recorded to reduce the cost of the security until maturity. These adjustments are included in interest income.

iii. Mortgage Dollar Rolls — Mortgage dollar rolls are transactions whereby a Fund sells mortgage-backed-securities and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar securities on a specified future date. During the settlement period, a Fund will not be entitled to accrue interest and receive principal payments on the securities sold. The Funds account for mortgage dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales and realize gains and losses on these transactions.

iv. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities — TIPS are treasury securities 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 repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

v. When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments — When-issued securities, including TBA (“To Be Announced”) securities, are securities that are authorized but not yet issued in the market and purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to a Fund. A forward commitment involves entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities, typically on an extended settlement basis, for a fixed price at a future date. 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 a Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, the Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement, which may result in a realized gain or loss.

Derivative Contracts — A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. A Fund enters into derivative transactions to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, and/or currency exchange rates, to increase total return, or to gain access to certain markets or attain exposure to other underliers.

Exchange-traded derivatives, including futures and options contracts, are generally valued at the last sale or settlement price on the exchange where they are principally traded. Exchange-traded options without settlement prices are generally valued at the midpoint of the bid and ask prices on the exchange where they are principally traded (or, in the absence of two-way trading, at the last bid price for long positions and the last ask price for short positions). Exchange-traded derivatives typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) and centrally cleared derivatives are valued using market transactions and other market evidence, including market-based inputs to models, calibration to market-clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations, or other alternative pricing sources. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value OTC and centrally cleared derivatives depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the instrument, as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, voluntary and involuntary prepayment rates, loss severity rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC and centrally cleared derivatives that trade in liquid markets, model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. OTC and centrally cleared derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy when significant inputs are corroborated by market evidence.

i. Forward Contracts — A forward contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. A forward contract settlement can occur on a cash or delivery basis. Forward contracts are marked-to-market daily using independent vendor prices, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. Cash and certain investments may be used to collateralize forward contracts.

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is a forward contract in which a Fund agrees to receive or deliver a fixed quantity of one currency for another, at a pre-determined price at a future date. All forward foreign currency exchange

 

65


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable forward rate. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency.

ii. Futures Contracts — Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standardized quantity of a specified commodity or security. Upon entering into a futures contract, a 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 a Fund equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable with a corresponding offset to unrealized gains or losses. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds and cash collateral received, if any, is reported separately on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as receivables/payables for collateral on certain derivative contracts. Non-cash collateral pledged by a Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments.

iii. Options — When a Fund writes call or put options, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability and is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option written. Swaptions are options on interest rate swap contracts.

Upon the purchase of a call option or a put option by a Fund, the premium paid is recorded as an investment and subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option. Certain options may be purchased with premiums to be determined on a future date. The premiums for these options are based upon implied volatility parameters at specified terms.

iv. Swap Contracts — Bilateral swap contracts are agreements in which a Fund and a counterparty agree to exchange periodic payments on a specified notional amount or make a net payment upon termination. Bilateral swap transactions are privately negotiated in the OTC market and payments are settled through direct payments between a Fund and the counterparty. By contrast, certain swap transactions are subject to mandatory central clearing. These swaps are executed through a derivatives clearing member (“DCM”), acting in an agency capacity, and submitted to a central counterparty (“CCP”) (“centrally cleared swaps”), in which case all payments are settled with the CCP through the DCM. Swaps are marked-to-market daily using pricing vendor quotations, counterparty or clearinghouse prices or model prices, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. Upon entering into a swap contract, a Fund is required to satisfy an initial margin requirement by delivering cash or securities to the counterparty (or in some cases, segregated in a triparty account on behalf of the counterparty), which can be adjusted by any mark-to-market gains or losses pursuant to bilateral or centrally cleared arrangements. For centrally cleared swaps the daily change in valuation, if any, is recorded as a receivable or payable for variation margin.

An interest rate swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals, based upon or calculated by reference to changes in interest rates on a specified notional principal amount. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other.

A credit default swap is an agreement that involves one party (the buyer of protection) making a stream of payments to another party (the seller of protection) in exchange for the right to receive protection on a reference security or obligation, including a group of assets or exposure to the performance of an index. A Fund’s investment in credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the referenced obligation directly. Credit events are contract specific but may include bankruptcy, failure to pay, restructuring and obligation acceleration. If a Fund buys protection through a credit default swap and no credit event occurs, its payments are limited to the periodic payments previously made to the counterparty. Upon the occurrence of a specified credit event, a Fund, as a buyer of credit protection, is entitled to receive an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver to the seller the defaulted reference obligation in a physically settled trade. A Fund may also receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap reduced by the recovery value of the reference obligation in a cash settled trade.

As a seller of protection, a Fund generally receives a payment stream throughout the term of the swap, provided that there is no credit event. In addition, if a Fund sells protection through a credit default swap, a Fund could suffer a loss because the value of the referenced obligation and the premium payments received may be less than the notional amount of the swap paid

 

66


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

 

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

to the buyer of protection. Upon the occurrence of a specified credit event, a Fund, as a seller of credit protection, may be required to take possession of the defaulted reference obligation and pay the buyer an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap in a physically settled trade. A Fund may also pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap reduced by the recovery value of the reference obligation in a cash settled trade. Recovery values are at times established through the credit event auction process in which market participants are ensured that a transparent price has been set for the defaulted security or obligation. In addition, a Fund is entitled to a return of any assets, which have been pledged as collateral to the counterparty upon settlement.

The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that a Fund as seller of protection could be required to make under a credit default swap would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations or net amounts received from a settlement of a credit default swap for the same reference security or obligation where a Fund bought credit protection.

B.  Level 3 Fair Value Investments — To the extent that significant inputs to valuation models and other alternative pricing sources are unobservable, or if quotations are not readily available, or if GSAM believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of a Fund’s investments may be determined under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the most recent valuation 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 a Fund’s NAV. Significant events which could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions; or unscheduled market closings. Significant events which could also affect a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; ratings downgrades; and bankruptcies.

C.  Fair Value Hierarchy — The following is a summary of the Funds’ investments and derivatives classified in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:

CORE FIXED INCOME                           
Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Fixed Income               

Corporate Bonds

     $        $ 12,845,118        $  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

                11,335,140           

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

                1,274,093           

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security

                147,394           

U.S. Treasury Obligations and/or Other U.S. Government Agencies

       7,220,016          986,501           

Asset-Backed Securities

                4,624,193           

Foreign Government Securities

                1,726,936           

Municipal Bonds

                408,277           
Investment Company        275,823                    
Short-Term Investment                 249,580           
Total      $ 7,495,839        $ 33,597,232        $  
Liabilities               
Fixed Income               

Mortgage-Backed Security — Forward Sales Contract

     $        $ (1,024,029      $  

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

CORE FIXED INCOME (continued)                           
Derivative Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets(a)               
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts      $        $ 54,778        $  
Futures Contracts        219,563                    
Credit Default Swap Contracts                 272           
Interest Rate Swap Contracts                 61,359           
Total      $ 219,563        $ 116,409        $  
Liabilities(a)               
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts      $        $ (64,103      $  
Futures Contracts        (230,250                  
Credit Default Swap Contracts                 (24,101         
Interest Rate Swap Contracts                 (43,254         
Total      $ (230,250      $ (131,458      $  
EQUITY INDEX                           
Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments(b)               

Europe

     $ 735,826        $        $  

North America

       153,532,294                    
Short-Term Investment        74,146                    
Total      $ 154,342,266        $        $  
Derivative Type                              
Liabilities(a)               
Futures Contracts      $ (49,193      $        $  
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES                           
Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments(b)               

Europe

     $ 143,433        $        $  

North America

       57,381,972                    
Investment Company        1,640,990                    
Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle        193,706                    
Total      $ 59,360,101        $        $  

 

(a)

Amount shown represents unrealized gain (loss) at fiscal year end.

(b)

Amounts are disclosed by continent to highlight the impact of time zone differences between local market close and the calculation of NAV. Security valuations are based on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, which may differ from country of domicile.

 

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3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

HIGH QUALITY FLOATING RATE                           
Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Fixed Income               

U.S. Treasury Obligations and/or Other U.S. Government Agencies

     $ 8,938,990        $ 2,001,622        $  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

                2,928,116           

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

                22,961,449           

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security

                421,228           

Asset-Backed Securities

                31,968,395           

Municipal Bond

                96,408           

Supranational

                1,000,318           

Investment Company

       9,734,004                    
Short Term Investments                 1,295,933           
Total      $ 18,672,994        $ 62,673,469        $  
Derivative Type                              
Assets(a)               
Futures Contracts      $ 21,680        $        $  
Liabilities(a)               
Futures Contracts      $ (90,277      $        $  

 

(a)

Amount shown represents unrealized gain (loss) at fiscal year end.

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Schedules of Investments.

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES

The following tables set forth, by certain risk types, the gross value of derivative contracts (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) as of December 31, 2018. These instruments were used as part of the Funds’ investment strategies and to obtain and/or manage exposure related to the risks below. The values in the tables below exclude the effects of cash collateral received or posted pursuant to these derivative contracts, and therefore are not representative of the Funds’ net exposure.

Core Fixed Income

 

Risk         Statements of Assets and Liabilities   Assets     Statements of Assets and Liabilities      Liabilities  
Interest Rate           Variation margin on futures and swaps contracts   $ 280,922 (a)     Variation margin on futures and swaps contracts      $ (273,504 )(a) 
Credit        Variation margin on Swap contracts     272 (a)     Variation margin on Swap contracts        (24,101 )(a) 
Currency        Receivables for unrealized gain on forward foreign currency exchange contracts     54,778     Payable for unrealized loss on forward foreign currency exchange contracts        (64,103
 
Total            $ 335,972            $ (361,708

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES (continued)

 

             
Fund    Risk   Statements of Assets and Liabilities      Assets(a)     Statements of Assets and Liabilities   Liabilities(a)  
Equity Index    Equity        $     Variation margin on futures   $ (49,193
 
High Quality Floating Rate    Interest Rate   Variation margin on futures
contracts
       21,680     Variation margin on futures
contracts
    (90,277

 

(a)

Includes unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts and centrally cleared swap contracts described in the Additional Investment Information sections of the Schedules of Investments. Only the variation margin as of December 31, 2018 is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables set forth, by certain risk types, the Funds’ gains (losses) related to these derivatives and their indicative volumes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that these derivative contracts may have been executed to create investment opportunities and/or economically hedge certain investments, and accordingly, certain gains (losses) on such derivative contracts may offset certain (losses) gains attributable to investments. 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

 

Risk   Statements of Operations    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Average
Number of
Contracts(a)
 
Interest Rate   Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts, purchased options and swap contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts, purchased options and swap contracts    $ (414,361    $ 55,641       190  
Credit   Net realized gain (loss) from swap contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on swap contracts      6,490        (23,829     2  
Currency   Net realized gain (loss) from forward foreign currency exchange contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts      (115,183      (111,142     386  
 
Total        $ (523,054    $ (79,330     578  

Equity Index

 

Risk   Statements of Operations    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Average
Number of
Contracts(a)
 
 
Equity   Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts    $ (14,936    $ (66,039     10  

High Quality Floating Rate

 

Risk   Statements of Operations    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Average
Number of
Contracts(a)
 
 
Interest Rate   Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts and swap contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts and swap contracts    $ 51,973      $ (58,676     65  

 

(a)

Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

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5.    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, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets.

As of December 31, 2018, the contractual management fees with GSAM were as stated below. The effective contractual management rates and effective net management rates represent the rates for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

    Contractual Management Rate           Effective Net
Management
Rate^
 
Fund   First
$1 billion
    Next
$1 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
    Effective
Rate
 
Core Fixed Income     0.40     0.36     0.34     0.33     0.32     0.40     0.39
Growth Opportunities     0.87       0.87       0.78       0.74       0.73       0.93       0.83
High Quality Floating Rate     0.31       0.28       0.27       0.26       0.25       0.34       0.30  

 

^

Effective Net Management Rate includes the impact of management fee waivers of affiliated Underlying Funds, if any. The Effective Net Management Rate may not correlate to the Contractual Management Rate as a result of management fee waivers that may be in effect from time to time.

*

GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve net management rate, as defined in the Fund’s most recent prospectuses. This waiver will be effective through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without approval of the Trustees.

Prior to April 30, 2018, the contractual management fee rates for the Growth Opportunities Fund and High Quality Floating Rate Fund were as stated below and GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve an Effective Net Management Rate as set forth in the Funds’ prospectuses dated April 28, 2017.

 

Fund  

First

$1 billion

   

Next

$1 billion

   

Next

$3 billion

   

Next

$3 billion

   

Over

$8 billion

 
Growth Opportunities     1.00     1.00     0.90     0.86     0.84
High Quality Floating Rate     0.40       0.36       0.34       0.33       0.32  

The Core Fixed Income, Growth Opportunities and High Quality Floating Rate Funds invest in Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, which is an affiliated Underlying Fund. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Funds in an amount equal to the management fee it earns as an investment adviser to the affiliated Underlying Fund in which the Funds invest, except those management fees it earns from the Funds’ investments of cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $2,816, $1,759 and $8,472 of the Core Fixed Income, Growth Opportunities and High Quality Floating Rate Funds’ management fees, respectively.

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. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve the following effective annual rates which will remain in effect through at least April 30, 2019 and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees:

 

Net Management Rate
Fund   $0-$400 million   Over $400 million   Effective Rate
Equity Index   0.21%   0.20%   0.21%

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

As authorized by the Agreement for the Equity Index Fund, GSAM has entered into a Sub-advisory Agreement with SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSgA”) which serves as the sub-adviser to the 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, accrued 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

B.  Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Plans — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of each applicable Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor (the “Distributor”), is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 for the Growth Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs agreed to waive distribution and services fees so as not to exceed an annual rate of 0.16% of average daily net assets of the Fund. This distribution and service fee waiver will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date Goldman Sachs may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees.

The Trust, on behalf of Advisor Shares of each applicable Fund, has adopted a Distribution Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution Plan, Goldman Sachs as Distributor 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, 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Advisor Shares.

C.  Service Plans — The Trust, on behalf of Advisor Shares of each applicable Fund, has adopted a Service Plan to allow Advisor Shares to compensate service organizations (including Goldman Sachs) for providing varying levels of personal and account maintenance and administration services to their customers who are beneficial owners of such shares. The Service Plans each provide for compensation to the service organizations equal to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Advisor Shares of the Fund.

D.  Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Funds for a fee pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of Institutional, Service and Advisor Shares.

E.  Other Expense Agreements and Affiliated Transactions — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Funds (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, a percentage rate of the average daily net assets of each Fund. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Funds are not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. The Other Expense limitations as an annual percentage rate of average daily net assets for the Core Fixed Income, Equity Index, Growth Opportunities and High Quality Floating Rate Funds are 0.004%, 0.004%, 0.004% and 0.034%, respectively. These Other Expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Trustees. In addition, the Funds have entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Funds’ expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitations described above.

 

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5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expense reimbursements, were as follows:

 

                    Fund      Management
Fee Waiver
       Distribution and
Service Fee
Waiver
       Custody Fee
Credits
       Other Expense
Reimbursement
       Total Expense
Reductions
 
Core Fixed Income      $ 2,816        $        $ 904        $ 249,598        $ 253,318  
Equity Index        157,790                   780          252,487          411,057  
Growth Opportunities        95,298          84,493          1,105          224,567          405,463  
High Quality Floating Rate        31,988                   1,033          202,850          235,871  

F.  Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Funds participated in a $770,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and certain registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Funds did not have any borrowings under the facility.

G.  Other Transactions with Affiliates — For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs earned $7, $444 and $28 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, Growth Opportunities and High Quality Floating Rate Funds, respectively.

The following table provides information about the investment in shares of issuers of which a Fund is an affiliate as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Fund           Name of Affiliated Issuer   Beginning
Value as of
December 31,
2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain
(Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ending
Value as of
December 31,
2018
    Shares
as of
December 31,
2018
    Dividend
Income from
Affiliated
Issuer
 
Equity Index   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)   $ 697,023     $ 8,590     $ (55,107   $ 21,235     $ (250,441   $ 421,300       2,522     $ 8,262  

The following table provides information about the Funds’ investment in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

                    Fund      Beginning
Value as of
December 31,
2017
       Purchases
at Cost
       Proceeds
from Sales
       Ending
Value as of
December 31,
2018
       Shares as of
December 31,
2018
       Dividend
Income from
Affiliated
Investment
Company
 
Core Fixed Income      $ 1,280,522        $ 37,924,082        $ (38,928,781      $ 275,823          275,823        $ 27,180  
Growth Opportunities        572          26,207,214          (24,566,796        1,640,990          1,640,990          18,778  
High Quality Floating Rate        5,655,467          44,682,966          (40,604,429        9,734,004          9,734,004          91,594  

As of December 31, 2018, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. was the beneficial owner of approximately 66% of the Institutional Shares of the Growth Opportunities Fund.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

6.     PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were as follows:

 

                    Fund      Purchases of U.S.
Government and
Agency Obligations
       Purchases
(Excluding U.S.
Government and
Agency Obligations)
       Sales and
Maturities of U.S.
Government and
Agency Obligations
       Sales and
Maturities
(Excluding U.S.
Government and
Agency Obligations)
 
Core Fixed Income      $ 208,832,409        $ 15,981,943        $ 227,733,374        $ 54,198,281  
Equity Index                 7,580,560                   20,919,487  
Growth Opportunities                 56,628,116                   168,869,671  
High Quality Floating Rate        13,296,224          17,054,325          8,701,263          15,491,895  

7.    SECURITIES LENDING

The Growth Opportunities Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, the Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), to certain qualified borrowers. Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the terms and conditions contained therein, the Equity Index 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 Funds’ securities lending procedures, the Funds receive 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 Funds, 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 Funds on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Funds may experience delay in the recovery of their securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Funds or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan. Dividend income received from securities on loan may not be subject to withholding taxes and therefore withholding taxes paid may differ from the amounts listed in the Statements of Operations. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and as such 1) the remaining contractual maturities of the outstanding securities lending transactions are considered to be overnight and continuous and 2) the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The Equity Index and Growth Opportunities Funds invest the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Government Money Market Fund”), an affiliated series of the Goldman Sachs Trust. The Government Money Market Fund is registered under the Act as an open end investment company, is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the Act, and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive a management fee of up to 0.16% (prior to February 21, 2018, GSAM may have received a management fee of up to 0.205%) on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Government Money Market Fund.

In the event of a default by a borrower with respect to any loan, GSAL will and BNYM may exercise any and all remedies provided under the applicable borrower agreement to make the Funds whole. These remedies include purchasing replacement securities by applying the collateral held from the defaulting broker against the purchase cost of the replacement securities. If GSAL or BNYM are unable to purchase replacement securities, GSAL and/or BNYM will indemnify the Funds by paying the Funds an amount equal to the market value of the securities loaned minus the value of cash collateral received from the borrower for the loan, subject to an exclusion for any shortfalls resulting from a loss of value in such cash collateral due to reinvestment risk. The Funds may enter into master netting agreements with borrowers, which provide the right, in the event of a default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. However, in the event of a default by a borrower, a resolution authority could determine that such

 

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7.    SECURITIES LENDING (continued)

 

rights are not enforceable due to the restrictions or prohibitions against the right of set-off that may be imposed in accordance with a particular jurisdiction’s bankruptcy or insolvency laws. The Funds’ loaned securities were all subject to enforceable Securities Lending Agreements and the value of the collateral was at least equal to the value of the cash received. The amounts of the Funds’ overnight and continuous agreements, which represent the gross amounts of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions outstanding as of December 31, 2018, are disclosed as “Payable upon return of securities loaned” on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, where applicable. The Equity Index Fund did not have securities on loan as of December 31, 2018.

Each of the Equity Index and Growth Opportunities Funds and GSAL and BNYM received compensation relating to the lending of the Funds’ securities. The amounts earned, if any, by the Funds’ for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are reported under Investment Income on the Statements of Operations.

The table below details securities lending activity with affiliates of Goldman Sachs:

 

          For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2018           
Fund          Earnings of GSAL Relating
to Securities Loaned
       Amount Received by
the Funds from Lending
to Goldman Sachs
       Amounts Payable to
Goldman Sachs Upon
Return of Securities Loaned
as of December 31, 2018
 
Equity Index         $ 77        $ 168        $  

The following table provides information about the Funds’ investment in the Government Money Market Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Fund              Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
       Purchases
at Cost
       Proceeds
from Sales
       Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
 
Equity Index             $ 165,850        $ 1,835,625        $ (2,001,475      $  
Growth Opportunities               1,040,835          14,240,539          (15,087,668        193,706  

8.    TAX INFORMATION

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

        Core Fixed Income        Equity Index        Growth Opportunities        High Quality Floating Rate  
Distributions paid from:                    

Ordinary income

     $ 1,255,866        $ 2,726,622        $ 5,004,305        $ 1,444,361  

Net long-term capital gains

                10,920,309          34,358,813           
Total taxable distributions      $ 1,255,866        $ 13,646,931        $ 39,363,118        $ 1,444,361  

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 was as follows:

 

        Core Fixed Income        Equity Index        Growth Opportunities        High Quality Floating Rate  
Distributions paid from:                    

Ordinary income

     $ 2,875,500        $ 2,728,376        $        $ 886,780  

Net long-term capital gains

                7,299,201          16,872,540           
Total taxable distributions      $ 2,875,500        $ 10,027,577        $ 16,872,540        $ 886,780  

 

75


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

8.    TAX INFORMATION (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

      Core Fixed Income      Equity Index      Growth Opportunities      High Quality Floating Rate  
Undistributed ordinary income — net    $ 99,899      $ 136,525      $ 773,892      $ 158,141  
Undistributed long-term capital gains             1,545,206        2,419,597         
Total undistributed earnings    $ 99,899      $ 1,681,731      $ 3,193,489      $ 158,141  
Capital loss carryforwards(1):            

Perpetual short-term

   $ (1,042,210    $      $      $ (166,128

Perpetual long-term

     (1,165,002                    (969,533
Total capital loss carryforwards    $ (2,207,212    $      $      $ (1,135,661
Timing differences (§ 857 (b)(9) deferred dividend, post October loss deferral, and straddle loss deferrals)    $ (143,546    $ (129,576    $ (239,899    $ (106,038
Unrealized gains (losses) — net      (276,151      84,341,660        9,225,656        (74,705
Total accumulated earnings (losses) — net    $ (2,527,010    $ 85,893,815      $ 12,179,246      $ (1,158,263

 

(1)

The Core Fixed Income Fund had $4,214,815 capital loss carryforwards expire in the current fiscal year end.

As of December 31, 2018, the Funds’ aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

        Core Fixed Income        Equity Index        Growth Opportunities        High Quality Floating Rate  
Tax cost      $ 41,337,322        $ 69,996,259        $ 50,134,445        $ 81,352,571  
Gross unrealized gain        813,985          94,948,964          13,126,789          273,496  
Gross unrealized loss        (1,090,136        (10,607,304        (3,901,133        (348,201
Net unrealized security gain (loss)      $ (276,151      $ 84,341,660        $ 9,225,656        $ (74,705

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to wash sales, net mark to market gains (losses) on regulated futures and foreign currency contracts, and differences in the tax treatment of underlying fund investments, real estate investment trust investments, partnership investments and swap transactions.

The Core Fixed Income Fund reclassified $4,214,815 from distributable earnings to paid in capital for the year ending December 31, 2018. In order to present certain components of the Fund’s capital accounts on a tax-basis, certain reclassifications have been recorded to the Fund’s accounts. These reclassifications have no impact on the net asset value of the Fund and result primarily from expired capital loss carryforwards.

The Equity Index Fund reclassified $44,846 from distributable earnings to paid in capital for the year ending December 31, 2018. In order to present certain components of the Fund’s capital accounts on a tax-basis, certain reclassifications have been recorded to the Fund’s accounts. These reclassifications have no impact on the net asset value of the Fund and result primarily from differences in the tax treatment of underlying fund investments.

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.

 

76


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

 

 

9.    OTHER RISKS

 

The Funds’ risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Derivatives Risk — The Funds’ use of derivatives may result in loss. Derivative instruments, which may pose risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities, currencies or other instruments, may be illiquid or less liquid, volatile, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes in the value of the underlying instruments may produce disproportionate losses to the Funds. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in more traditional securities and instruments. Losses from derivatives can also result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged.

Interest Rate Risk — When interest rates increase, fixed income securities or instruments held by a Fund will generally decline in value. Long-term fixed income securities or instruments will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed income securities or instruments. The risks associated with changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and a Fund’s investments. Fluctuations in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of fixed income securities and instruments held by the Funds.

Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk — As a shareholder of another investment company, including an exchange traded fund (“ETF”), a Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any net management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund.

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — A Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of a Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause a Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact a Fund’s NAV and liquidity. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in a Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect a Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

Liquidity Risk — A Fund may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that a Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, a Fund may be forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. If a Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests. Liquidity risk may be the result of, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed income securities or the lack of an active market. The potential for liquidity risk may be magnified by a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal, potentially causing increased supply in the market due to selling activity.

Market and Credit Risks — In the normal course of business, a Fund trades financial instruments and enters into financial transactions where risk of potential loss exists due to changes in the market (market risk). Additionally, a Fund may also be exposed to credit risk in the event that an issuer or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions defaults.

10.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the

 

77


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

10.    INDEMNIFICATIONS (continued)

 

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

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 – Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in the ASU shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium, by requiring amortization to the earliest call date. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13— Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Funds’ fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

12.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statements of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and GSAM 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:

 

     Core Fixed Income Fund  
     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      239,264     $ 2,398,042       15,479     $ 164,881  
Reinvestment of distributions      1,385       14,101       504       5,356  
Shares redeemed      (2,860     (29,294     (1,931     (20,628
       237,789       2,382,849       14,052       149,609  
Service Shares         
Shares sold      269,492       2,777,030       646,406       6,887,625  
Reinvestment of distributions      121,784       1,241,765       270,542       2,870,144  
Shares redeemed      (7,052,075     (73,362,835     (1,110,095     (11,842,825
       (6,660,799     (69,344,040     (193,147     (2,085,056
NET DECREASE      (6,423,010   $ (66,961,191     (179,095   $ (1,935,447

 

78


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

 

 

13.    SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

 

     Equity Index Fund  
     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Service Shares         
Shares sold      255,683     $ 4,433,966       128,581     $ 2,056,692  
Reinvestment of distributions      931,531       13,646,931       600,454       10,027,577  
Shares redeemed      (1,225,406     (20,993,560     (1,367,871     (21,731,411
NET DECREASE      (38,192   $ (2,912,663     (638,836   $ (9,647,142

 

     Growth Opportunities Fund  
     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      1,452     $ 10,553       48,128     $ 365,935  
Reinvestment of distributions      14,418       37,921       642       4,985  
Shares redeemed            (6     (560,729     (4,411,997
       15,870       48,468       (511,959     (4,041,077
Service Shares         
Shares sold      400,481       2,816,257       531,350       4,039,461  
Reinvestment of distributions      15,482,361       39,325,197       2,196,296       16,867,555  
Shares redeemed      (14,466,620     (114,387,851     (3,713,893     (28,591,468
       1,416,222       (72,246,397     (986,247     (7,684,452
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)      1,432,092     $ (72,197,929     (1,498,206   $ (11,725,529

 

79


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

13.    SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

 

     High Quality Floating Rate Fund  
     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      220,421     $ 2,298,983       6,236     $ 65,055  
Reinvestment of distributions      1,234       12,809       92       956  
Shares redeemed      (2,992     (31,202     (3,345     (34,922
       218,663       2,280,590       2,983       31,089  
Service Shares         
Shares sold      1,428,964       14,877,058       537,817       5,602,003  
Reinvestment of distributions      127,506       1,323,812       80,994       842,342  
Shares redeemed      (930,951     (9,686,886     (643,776     (6,705,632
       625,519       6,513,984       (24,965     (261,287
Advisor Shares         
Shares sold      385,926       4,020,676       673,871       7,022,526  
Reinvestment of distributions      10,367       107,740       4,176       43,482  
Shares redeemed      (157,560     (1,641,339     (383,555     (3,998,446
       238,733       2,487,077       294,492       3,067,562  
NET INCREASE      1,082,915     $ 11,281,651       272,510     $ 2,837,364  

 

80


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of the

Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund, Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund, Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund and Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund, Goldman Sachs Equity Index Fund, Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities Fund and Goldman Sachs High Quality Floating Rate Fund (four of the funds constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of December 31, 2018, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

81


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)   

As a shareholder of Institutional, Service or Advisor Shares of the Funds, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (with respect to Service and Advisor Shares) and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Institutional Shares, Service Shares and Advisor Shares of 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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     Growth Opportunities Fund     High Quality Floating Rate Fund  
Share Class  

Beginning
Account
Value

07/01/18

   

Ending
Account
Value

12/31/18

   

Expenses

Paid for the
6 Months
Ended

12/31/18*

   

Beginning
Account
Value

07/01/18

   

Ending

Account

Value
12/31/18

   

Expenses

Paid for the
6 Months
Ended

12/31/18*

   

Beginning
Account
Value

07/01/18

   

Ending

Account
Value

12/31/18

   

Expenses

Paid for the
6 Months
Ended

12/31/18*

   

Beginning
Account
Value

07/01/18

   

Ending
Account
Value

12/31/18

   

Expenses

Paid for the
6 Months
Ended

12/31/18*

 
Institutional                                                
                         

Actual

  $ 1,000     $ 1,013.20     $ 2.13       N/A       N/A       N/A     $ 1,000     $ 921.60     $ 4.12     $ 1,000     $ 1,008.00     $ 1.72  

Hypothetical 5% return

    1,000       1,023.09     2.14       N/A       N/A       N/A       1,000       1,020.92     4.33       1,000       1,023.49     1.73  
Service                                                
                         

Actual

    1,000       1,011.90       3.40     $ 1,000     $ 928.90     $ 2.33       1,000       920.70       4.89       1,000       1,006.70       3.03  

Hypothetical 5% return

    1,000       1,021.83     3.41       1,000       1,022.79     2.45       1,000       1,020.11     5.14       1,000       1,022.18     3.06  
Advisor                                                
                         

Actual

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       1,000       1,005.80       3.79  

Hypothetical 5% return

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       1,000       1,021.42     3.82  

 

  +

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.

 
  *

Expenses are calculated using each 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 December 31, 2018. 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    Institutional     Service     Advisor  
Core Fixed Income      0.42     0.67     N/A  
Equity Index      N/A       0.48       N/A  
Growth Opportunities      0.85       1.01       N/A  
High Quality Floating Rate      0.34       0.60       0.75

 

 

82


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Address and Age1
  Position(s) Held
with the Trust
 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

83


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993- April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

    156     None
         
*

Mr. McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

84


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1  

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and
President
  Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior
Vice President and
Principal Financial
Officer
  Since 2009

(Principal
Financial
Officer since
2013)

 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer
and Principal
Accounting Officer
  Since 2016
(Principal
Accounting
Officer since
2017)
 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

(May 2010-October 2015).

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, 100% and 9.27% of the dividends paid from net investment company taxable income by the Equity Index and Growth Opportunities Funds qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Equity Index and Growth Opportunities Funds designate $10,920,309 and $34,358,813 respectively, or, if different, the maximum amount allowable, as capital gain dividends paid during the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

85


TRUSTEES   OFFICERS
Jessica Palmer, Chair   James A. McNamara, President
Kathryn A. Cassidy   Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice
Diana M. Daniels   President and Principal Financial Officer
Herbert J. Markley   Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasurer and
James A. McNamara   Principal Accounting Officer
Roy W. Templin   Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary
Gregory G. Weaver  

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com 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.

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 for the 12-month period ended December 31 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’ Form N-Qs are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Funds’ first and third fiscal quarters. Form N-Qs may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transactions or matters addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The website links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these websites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these websites.

Fund holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

References to indices, benchmarks or other measures of relative market performance over a specified period of time are provided for your information only and do not imply that the portfolio will achieve similar results. The index composition may not reflect the manner in which a portfolio is constructed. While an adviser seeks to design a portfolio which reflects appropriate risk and return features, portfolio characteristics may deviate from those of the benchmark.

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.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Funds.

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 the Funds’ 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 the Funds and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITMLTIAR-19/157038-OTU-914415/15.2k


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Goldman Sachs

Small Cap Equity Insights Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

LOGO


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Investment Process. The Investment Adviser begins with a broad universe of U.S. equity investments for the Fund. As described more fully below, the Investment Adviser uses proprietary multifactor models (the “Multifactor Models”) that attempt to forecast the returns of different markets, currencies and individual securities.

The Multifactor Models rely on some or all of the following investment pillars and themes to forecast the returns of individual securities (although additional pillars or themes may be added in the future without prior notice):

Fundamental Mispricings

• Valuation: 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.

High Quality Business Models

• Profitability: The Profitability theme seeks to assess whether a company is earning more than its cost of capital.

• Quality: The Quality theme assesses both firm and management quality.

• Management: The Management theme assesses the characteristics, policies and strategic decisions of company management.

Market Themes and Trends

• Momentum: The Momentum theme seeks to predict drifts in stock prices caused by delayed investor reaction to company-specific information and information about related companies.

Sentiment Analysis

• Sentiment: The Sentiment theme reflects selected investment views and decisions of individuals and financial intermediaries.

 

1


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS 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 Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity Insights Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated average annual total returns of –8.62% and –8.82%, respectively. These returns compare to the –11.01% average annual 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?

Representing the U.S. equity market, the S&P 500® Index returned –9.03% in December 2018, posting its worst December since 1931 and bringing its total return to –4.38% for the Reporting Period, the worst calendar year since 2008.

Despite a strong start to the Reporting Period in January 2018 amid solid economic data, a $1.5 trillion tax reform law signed in December 2017, and a favorable corporate earnings season, U.S. equities endured a challenging and volatile year in 2018. In February 2018, U.S. and international equities sold off on market speculation of a faster pace of Federal Reserve (“Fed”) short-term interest rate hikes, which stoked a sharp rise in bond yields and an increase in equity market volatility. Concerns about Fed monetary policy tightening were further exacerbated by solid U.S. labor and inflation data. While the hawkish Fed minutes were largely expected, new Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony, positing a more optimistic economic outlook since the December 2017 Fed meeting, surprised equity markets with its hawkish tilt, sparking another sell-off in the U.S. equity markets. (Jerome Powell assumed the chairmanship of the Fed in February 2018. Hawkish language tends to suggest higher interest rates; opposite of dovish.) In March 2018, escalating trade tensions and potential tariffs weighed on investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the Fed delivered on a widely expected interest rate increase, with its “dot plot” pointing to a total of three interest rate hikes in calendar year 2018 and potentially two in 2019. (The “dot plot” shows rate projections of the members of the Fed’s Open Market Committee.) However, Fed policymakers acknowledged that the “economic outlook has strengthened in recent months,” revising their economic growth forecast higher and their unemployment forecast lower.

By the end of the Reporting Period, the Fed had hiked interest rates four times and communicated an upbeat view of its economic outlook, spurred by strong U.S. labor and inflation data. Against the strong fundamentals, escalating trade tensions, fears of a global economic slowdown and populist politics weighed on investor sentiment throughout the calendar year. After second and third calendar quarters of generally solid gains, supported by a combination of robust economic growth, strong corporate profits and rising earnings estimates, U.S. equities fell sharply again in the fourth quarter of 2018, as investor sentiment rapidly deteriorated on heightened trade and political uncertainty and in a delayed response to an earlier sell-off in global rates. The correction resulted in tighter U.S. financial conditions, which had been resilient to Fed interest rate hikes earlier in the year. U.S. equities saw a reprieve in November 2018 on more accommodative comments from Fed Chair Powell and on encouraging progress toward China-U.S. trade talks. However, the recovery was short-lived, as U.S. equities plunged in December 2018 on renewed investor fears sparked by the arrest of a Chinese technology executive, the partial Federal government shutdown and the U.S. President’s criticism of Fed Chair Powell.

For the Reporting Period overall, seven sectors posted negative absolute returns and four generated positive returns. Health care, utilities, consumer discretionary and information technology were the best performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index, as measured by total return, and the weakest performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index during the Reporting Period were energy, materials, industrials and financials. (After the close of business on September 28, 2018, the telecommunications services sector was renamed the communication services sector and was broadened to include certain companies from the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors that facilitate communication and offer related content and information through various media.)

Within the U.S. equity market, there was significant disparity in performance not only among sectors but also among the various capitalization and style segments. While all capitalization segments posted negative returns, large-cap stocks, as measured by the

 

2


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Russell 1000® Index, performed best, followed at some distance by mid-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell Midcap® Index, and then small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. From a style perspective, growth-oriented stocks significantly outpaced value-oriented stocks across the capitalization spectrum. (All as measured by the FTSE Russell indices.)

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund posted negative absolute returns but outperformed the Russell Index on a relative basis. Four of our quantitative model’s six investment themes added to relative performance.

What impact did the Fund’s investment themes have on 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 a significant investment advantage over the long term, even though the Fund may experience underperformance in the short term. Of course, diversification does not protect an investor from market risk nor does it ensure a profit.

During the Reporting Period, four of our six investment themes contributed positively to the Fund’s relative performance. Momentum contributed most positively to relative performance, followed by Quality and Management. The Sentiment theme also contributed positively, albeit to a lesser extent. The Momentum theme seeks to predict drifts in stock prices caused by delayed investor reaction to company-specific information and information about related companies. The Quality theme assesses both firm and financial quality. The Management theme assesses the characteristics, policies and strategic decisions of company management. The Sentiment theme reflects selected investment views and decisions of individuals and financial intermediaries.

The Fund’s Valuation theme detracted most from the Fund’s relative performance. Valuation attempts to capture potential mispricings of securities, typically by comparing a measure of the company’s intrinsic value to its market value. The Profitability theme also detracted, albeit to a much lesser extent. The Profitability theme assesses whether a company is earning more than its cost of capital.

How did the Fund’s sector and industry 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. 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 or changes in weights generally do not have a meaningful impact on relative performance.

Did stock selection help or hurt Fund performance during the Reporting Period?

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. During the Reporting Period, stock selection overall contributed positively to the Fund’s relative performance.

Effective stock selection in the industrials, financials and consumer discretionary sectors contributed most positively to the Fund’s results relative to the Russell Index. Partially offsetting these positive contributors was having an overweight to energy, the weakest sector in the Russell Index during the Reporting Period, which detracted from the Fund’s relative results. Having an overweight to materials, which lagged the Russell Index during the Reporting Period, and underweights to information technology which outperformed the Russell Index during the annual period, also hurt. There were no significant detractors from a stock selection perspective during the Reporting Period.

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 genomic-based cancer clinical diagnostic tests developer Genomic Health, human resources and business optimization services provider Insperity and alternate-site health care services provider Amedisys. We chose to overweight Genomic Health because of our positive views on Value and Sentiment. Our positive views on Momentum and Profitability led us to overweight Insperity. The Fund had an overweight in Amedisys based on our positive views on Quality and Profitability.

 

3


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

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 integrated heavy construction and industrial equipment services company H&E Equipment Services, automotive systems manufacturer and distributor Cooper-Standard Holdings and behavioral health care treatment services coordinator Magellan Health. The Fund had an overweight position in H&E Equipment Services based on our positive views on Management and Value. We chose to overweight Cooper-Standard Holdings due to our positive views on Value and Sentiment. Our positive view on Momentum led us to overweight Magellan Health.

How did the Fund use derivatives during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, we did not use derivatives as part of an active management strategy to add value to the Fund’s results. However, we used equity index futures contracts, on an opportunistic basis, to equitize the Fund’s excess cash holdings. In other words, we put the Fund’s excess cash holdings to work by using them as collateral for the purchase of stock futures. The use of these futures contracts did not have a material impact on the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period.

Did you make any enhancements to your quantitative models during the Reporting Period?

We continuously look for ways to improve our investment process. During the Reporting Period, we made numerous enhancements to our models. As example, during the second quarter of 2018, we introduced two new signals to our Sentiment theme in the U.S. region that use options data to gauge sentiment around companies. The first signal looks at high conviction option purchases to assess how strongly market participants feel about the prospects of a particular stock. The second signal aims to infer the positive or negative sentiment around a stock by looking at put and call options purchased for the particular company.

We also introduced a new signal within our Momentum theme that helps us create economic links between different companies, potentially giving us insights into price movements of related companies. The signal, introduced in the U.S., European, Japanese and emerging markets regions, uses natural language processing to read through various sections in the patent document to form linkages.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, we added a signal within our Quality theme that uses novel data to help us understand consumer retail trends. We believe this signal will complement our existing suite of alternative data metrics to help us better understand retailers’ earnings growth. We also added a number of signals that utilize natural language processing and regulatory filings to help us better understand the regulatory and business risks faced by companies.

Within our Sentiment theme, we enhanced our existing signals, which use machine learning to help understand sell-side analyst sentiment. With a larger body of sell-side research reports to analyze, we introduced a new machine learning algorithm to help classify sentiment.

What was the Fund’s sector positioning relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund was overweight the consumer discretionary, communication services, energy and materials sectors relative to the Russell Index. The Fund was underweight information technology, industrials and utilities and was rather neutrally weighted in financials, health care, real estate and consumer staples compared to the benchmark index on the same date.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

There were no changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period.

What is your strategy going forward for the Fund?

Looking ahead, we continue to believe that less expensive stocks should outpace more expensive stocks, and stocks with good momentum are likely to outperform those with poor momentum. We intend to maintain our focus on seeking companies about which fundamental research analysts are becoming more positive as well as profitable companies with sustainable earnings and a track record of using their 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 capitalization 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 term. 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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Index Definitions

The Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices that measures the performance of the 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The Russell Midcap® Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000® Index, which represents approximately 25% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000 Index.

The Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

5


FUND BASICS

 

Small Cap Equity Insights Fund

as of December 31, 2018

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -8.62      5.62      12.89      6.34    2/13/98
Service      -8.82        5.34        12.60        6.44      8/31/07

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional Shares and Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        0.81      0.95
Service        1.06        1.20  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any 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. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 12/31/183,4

 

Holding      % of Net Assets      Line of Business
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.        0.9%      Consumer Services
Portland General Electric Co.        0.9    Utilities
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Class A        0.8    Media & Entertainment
NorthWestern Corp.        0.8    Utilities
Fabrinet        0.8    Technology Hardware & Equipment
Insperity, Inc.        0.8    Commercial & Professional Services
Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.        0.8    Insurance
Amedisys, Inc.        0.8    Health Care Equipment & Services
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.        0.7    Insurance
J&J Snack Foods Corp.        0.7    Food, Beverage & Tobacco

 

3 

The top 10 holdings may not be representative of the Fund’s future investments.

4 

The Fund’s overall top ten holdings differ from the table above due to the exclusion of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (a securities lending reinvestment vehicle) which represents 1.2% of the Fund’s net assets as of 12/31/2018.

 

6


FUND BASICS

 

FUND VS. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

5 

The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. Consequently, the Fund’s overall sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”); however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. 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). Investments in the securities lending reinvestment vehicle represented 1.2% of the Fund’s net assets at December 31, 2018.

 

7


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on January 1, 2009 in Institutional Shares at NAV. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2000® Index (with distributions reinvested), is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Service Shares will vary from Institutional Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

Small Cap Equity Insights Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years      Ten Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced February 13, 1998)

   -8.62%      5.62%      12.89%    6.34%

Service (Commenced August 31, 2007)

   -8.82%      5.34%      12.60%    6.44%

 

 

8


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – 98.7%  
 

Automobiles & Components – 0.4%

  5,612      Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.    $ 181,436  
  1,523      Dana, Inc.      20,758  
  1,164      Modine Manufacturing Co.*      12,583  
  1,950      Standard Motor Products, Inc.      94,439  
  1,388      Tower International, Inc.      33,034  
     

 

 

 
        342,250  

 

 

 
 

Banks – 11.7%

  5,025      1st Source Corp.      202,708  
  410      ACNB Corp.      16,092  
  6,734      Amalgamated Bank Class A      131,313  
  629      Arrow Financial Corp.      20,141  
  5,023      Bancorp, Inc. (The)*      39,983  
  1,379      BankFinancial Corp.      20,616  
  637      Banner Corp.      34,067  
  3,461      Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.      93,343  
  22,908      Cadence BanCorp      384,396  
  1,424      Cathay General Bancorp      47,747  
  25,183      CenterState Bank Corp.      529,850  
  20,596      Central Pacific Financial Corp.      501,513  
  378      Century Bancorp, Inc. Class A      25,602  
  1,667      ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.      30,789  
  13,755      Customers Bancorp, Inc.*      250,341  
  27,944      CVB Financial Corp.      565,307  
  650      Enterprise Bancorp, Inc.      20,904  
  5,191      Equity Bancshares, Inc. Class A*      182,983  
  5,742      Essent Group Ltd.*      196,262  
  4,753      Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. Class C      287,271  
  3,352      Financial Institutions, Inc.      86,146  
  9,832      First Bancorp      321,113  
  38,879      First Commonwealth Financial Corp.      469,658  
  4,373      First Financial Corp.      175,576  
  6,418      First Internet Bancorp      131,184  
  894      First of Long Island Corp. (The)      17,835  
  1,792      Flushing Financial Corp.      38,582  
  24,846      Fulton Financial Corp.      384,616  
  11,668      Hanmi Financial Corp.      229,860  
  7,836      Hilltop Holdings, Inc.      139,716  
  13,545      Home BancShares, Inc.      221,325  
  1,069      HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.      27,986  
  8,589      Independent Bank Group, Inc.      393,118  
  16,087      International Bancshares Corp.      553,393  
  50,987      Investors Bancorp, Inc.      530,265  
  2,488      LegacyTexas Financial Group, Inc.      79,840  
  2,006      Macatawa Bank Corp.      19,298  
  4,969      Mercantile Bank Corp.      140,424  
  583      Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.*      17,986  
  1,752      NMI Holdings, Inc. Class A*      31,273  
  11,582      OFG Bancorp      190,640  
  1,281      Opus Bank      25,095  
  807      Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.*      20,595  
  1,516      Parke Bancorp, Inc.      28,372  
  4,137      PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.      87,953  
  37,555      Radian Group, Inc.      614,400  
  1,756      Riverview Bancorp, Inc.      12,784  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Banks – (continued)

 
  3,977      Sierra Bancorp    $ 95,567  
  690      South State Corp.      41,365  
  1,776      Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc.      23,479  
  800      Territorial Bancorp, Inc.      20,784  
  10,094      TriCo Bancshares      341,076  
  20,737      TrustCo Bank Corp.      142,256  
  2,994      United Bankshares, Inc.      93,143  
  11,556      United Community Banks, Inc.      247,992  
  3,909      United Community Financial Corp.      34,595  
  29,714      Valley National Bancorp      263,860  
  2,994      WSFS Financial Corp.      113,503  
     

 

 

 
        9,987,881  

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods – 6.8%

  1,454      Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.      35,259  
  7,751      Aegion Corp.*      126,496  
  11,668      Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.*      411,064  
  4,375      Albany International Corp. Class A      273,131  
  1,402      Atkore International Group, Inc.*      27,816  
  2,376      Barnes Group, Inc.      127,401  
  3,873      BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.*      59,954  
  11,288      Comfort Systems USA, Inc.      493,060  
  18,970      Continental Building Products, Inc.*      482,787  
  1,476      Ducommun, Inc.*      53,608  
  737      DXP Enterprises, Inc.*      20,518  
  1,870      Dycom Industries, Inc.*      101,055  
  7,702      EMCOR Group, Inc.      459,732  
  286      EnerSys      22,196  
  692      EnPro Industries, Inc.      41,589  
  805      ESCO Technologies, Inc.      53,090  
  8,291      H&E Equipment Services, Inc.      169,302  
  2,116      Herc Holdings, Inc.*      54,995  
  12,631      Hillenbrand, Inc.      479,094  
  614      Hurco Cos., Inc.      21,920  
  769      Kaman Corp.      43,133  
  3,589      MasTec, Inc.*      145,570  
  3,303      Meritor, Inc.*      55,854  
  22,542      Milacron Holdings Corp.*      268,024  
  4,149      Miller Industries, Inc.      112,023  
  1,037      Moog, Inc. Class A      80,347  
  1,682      MRC Global, Inc.*      20,571  
  1,023      NV5 Global, Inc.*      61,943  
  6,203      Rexnord Corp.*      142,359  
  2,756      Rush Enterprises, Inc. Class A      95,027  
  9,859      Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.      533,668  
  554      SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.*      30,620  
  1,033      Systemax, Inc.      24,678  
  8,033      Titan Machinery, Inc.*      105,634  
  13,521      TriMas Corp.*      368,988  
  7,824      Tutor Perini Corp.*      124,949  
  2,090      Vectrus, Inc.*      45,102  
     

 

 

 
        5,772,557  

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services – 5.1%

  1,665      Advanced Disposal Services, Inc.*      39,860  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   9


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Commercial & Professional Services – (continued)

 
  2,195      Barrett Business Services, Inc.    $ 125,664  
  13,080      CBIZ, Inc.*      257,676  
  5,248      CRA International, Inc.      223,302  
  2,705      Deluxe Corp.      103,980  
  5,147      Exponent, Inc.      261,004  
  2,795      Huron Consulting Group, Inc.*      143,412  
  1,971      ICF International, Inc.      127,681  
  7,223      Insperity, Inc.      674,339  
  16,480      Kforce, Inc.      509,562  
  13,120      Korn/Ferry International      518,765  
  11,463      McGrath RentCorp      590,115  
  18,717      Navigant Consulting, Inc.      450,144  
  7,239      TrueBlue, Inc.*      161,068  
  143      UniFirst Corp.      20,459  
  439      US Ecology, Inc.      27,648  
  3,469      WageWorks, Inc.*      94,218  
     

 

 

 
        4,328,897  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel – 4.1%

  14,176      American Outdoor Brands Corp.*      182,303  
  1,017      Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.      20,381  
  32,700      Callaway Golf Co.      500,310  
  16,487      Crocs, Inc.*      428,332  
  13,400      Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.      235,706  
  990      Fossil Group, Inc.*      15,573  
  1,442      Helen of Troy Ltd.*      189,162  
  2,876      Installed Building Products, Inc.*      96,892  
  832      Johnson Outdoors, Inc. Class A      48,872  
  13,870      KB Home      264,917  
  4,723      Malibu Boats, Inc. Class A*      164,360  
  11,768      MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc.*      220,062  
  7,166      Meritage Homes Corp.*      263,136  
  911      Nautilus, Inc.*      9,930  
  2,765      Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.      147,153  
  10,584      Tupperware Brands Corp.      334,137  
  19,770      Vista Outdoor, Inc.*      224,389  
  14,465      William Lyon Homes Class A*      154,631  
  2,380      ZAGG, Inc.*      23,276  
     

 

 

 
        3,523,522  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services – 5.9%

  1,504      American Public Education, Inc.*      42,804  
  8,362      BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.      422,866  
  3,218      Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.      57,570  
  1,014      Boyd Gaming Corp.      21,071  
  5,492      Brinker International, Inc.(a)      241,538  
  14,521      Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.*      142,887  
  8,934      Cheesecake Factory, Inc. (The)      388,718  
  5,091      Chegg, Inc.*      144,686  
  3,631      Denny’s Corp.*      58,859  
  7,779      Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.*      120,652  
  52,737      Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co.*      467,250  
  6,923      Jack in the Box, Inc.      537,432  
  21,290      K12, Inc.*      527,779  
  2,782      Planet Fitness, Inc. Class A*      149,171  
  11,530      Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.*      308,082  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Consumer Services – (continued)

 
  14,969      SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.*    $ 330,665  
  12,582      Texas Roadhouse, Inc.      751,145  
  2,358      Weight Watchers International, Inc.*      90,901  
  4,208      Wingstop, Inc.      270,112  
     

 

 

 
        5,074,188  

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials – 2.6%

  32,165      Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp. (REIT)      129,947  
  1,618      Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc. Class A      35,774  
  7,241      BrightSphere Investment Group plc      77,334  
  10,861      Cannae Holdings, Inc.*      185,940  
  1,169      Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corp. (REIT)      20,504  
  11,103      Enova International, Inc.*      216,064  
  4,321      Focus Financial Partners, Inc. Class A*      113,772  
  2,212      Green Dot Corp. Class A*      175,898  
  657      Houlihan Lokey, Inc.      24,178  
  34,976      Ladder Capital Corp. (REIT)      541,079  
  3,478      On Deck Capital, Inc.*      20,520  
  8,180      Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc. Class A      208,999  
  4,371      Piper Jaffray Cos.      287,787  
  441      PJT Partners, Inc. Class A      17,093  
  2,264      Regional Management Corp.*      54,449  
  4,472      Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.      152,048  
     

 

 

 
        2,261,386  

 

 

 
 

Energy – 4.9%

  1,578      Arch Coal, Inc. Class A      130,958  
  1,840      California Resources Corp.*      31,354  
  10,033      CONSOL Energy, Inc.*      318,146  
  715      CVR Energy, Inc.      24,653  
  16,704      Delek US Holdings, Inc.      543,047  
  30,272      Denbury Resources, Inc.*      51,765  
  17,349      DHT Holdings, Inc.      68,008  
  20,738      FTS International, Inc.*      147,447  
  30,544      Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*      165,243  
  3,186      Keane Group, Inc.*      26,062  
  15,525      Matrix Service Co.*      278,519  
  9,962      McDermott International, Inc.*      65,151  
  27,118      Newpark Resources, Inc.*      186,301  
  14,887      Oasis Petroleum, Inc.*      82,325  
  3,846      PDC Energy, Inc.*      114,457  
  15,751      Peabody Energy Corp.      480,090  
  30,808      Pioneer Energy Services Corp.*      37,894  
  18,674      Renewable Energy Group, Inc.*      479,922  
  11,481      SEACOR Holdings, Inc.*      424,797  
  3,205      Select Energy Services, Inc. Class A*      20,256  
  30,604      Superior Energy Services, Inc.*      102,523  
  8,388      Unit Corp.*      119,781  
  22,276      W&T Offshore, Inc.*      91,777  
  9,761      World Fuel Services Corp.      208,983  
     

 

 

 
        4,199,459  

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing – 0.4%

  5,747      Ingles Markets, Inc. Class A      156,433  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Food & Staples Retailing – (continued)

 
  6,160      Smart & Final Stores, Inc.*    $ 29,199  
  1,111      SpartanNash Co.      19,087  
  3,685      Village Super Market, Inc. Class A      98,537  
  1,655      Weis Markets, Inc.      79,076  
     

 

 

 
        382,332  

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 2.2%

  2,591      Calavo Growers, Inc.      189,039  
  3,188      Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.      134,852  
  10,816      Dean Foods Co.      41,209  
  3,652      Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.      103,242  
  11,498      Freshpet, Inc.*      369,776  
  4,278      J&J Snack Foods Corp.      618,556  
  1,005      John B Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.      55,938  
  3,224      National Beverage Corp.      231,387  
  17,939      Vector Group Ltd.      174,547  
     

 

 

 
        1,918,546  

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services – 4.0%

  5,723      Amedisys, Inc.*      670,221  
  1,753      BioTelemetry, Inc.*      104,689  
  1,281      Computer Programs & Systems, Inc.      32,153  
  15,719      Ensign Group, Inc. (The)      609,740  
  3,321      Globus Medical, Inc. Class A*      143,733  
  117      Heska Corp.*      10,074  
  892      HMS Holdings Corp.*      25,092  
  1,282      Inogen, Inc.*      159,186  
  1,761      National HealthCare Corp.      138,150  
  5,123      NxStage Medical, Inc.*      146,620  
  9,405      Orthofix Medical, Inc.*      493,668  
  1,463      Patterson Cos., Inc.      28,763  
  799      Quidel Corp.*      39,007  
  3,175      STAAR Surgical Co.*      101,314  
  5,673      Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.*      215,404  
  1,008      Teladoc Health, Inc.*      49,967  
  10,222      Tenet Healthcare Corp.*      175,205  
  1,227      Tivity Health, Inc.*      30,442  
  12,700      Triple-S Management Corp. Class B*      220,853  
     

 

 

 
        3,394,281  

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products – 0.4%

  2,824      Medifast, Inc.      353,057  

 

 

 
 

Insurance – 3.2%

  22,887      American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.      639,463  
  2,406      AMERISAFE, Inc.      136,396  
  10,019      Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.      673,778  
  6,679      Employers Holdings, Inc.      280,318  
  5,564      FBL Financial Group, Inc. Class A      365,277  
  10,804      Genworth Financial, Inc. Class A*      50,347  
  435      Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. Class A*      11,627  
  1,221      National General Holdings Corp.      29,560  
  103      National Western Life Group, Inc. Class A      30,972  
  4,257      ProAssurance Corp.      172,664  
  277      Safety Insurance Group, Inc.      22,661  
  13,154      Trupanion, Inc.*(a)      334,901  
     

 

 

 
        2,747,964  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Materials – 4.6%

  1,078      AdvanSix, Inc.*    $ 26,239  
  50,255      AK Steel Holding Corp.*      113,074  
  6,727      Balchem Corp.      527,060  
  15,591      Boise Cascade Co.      371,845  
  11,284      Carpenter Technology Corp.      401,823  
  3,376      Chase Corp.      337,769  
  2,011      Ferro Corp.*      31,532  
  1,366      FutureFuel Corp.      21,665  
  4,570      Innophos Holdings, Inc.      112,102  
  2,227      Innospec, Inc.      137,540  
  7,774      Kraton Corp.*      169,784  
  18,719      Louisiana-Pacific Corp.      415,936  
  4,237      Materion Corp.      190,623  
  5,669      Minerals Technologies, Inc.      291,046  
  6,158      OMNOVA Solutions, Inc.*      45,138  
  2,269      PolyOne Corp.      64,893  
  6,787      Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Class A      146,260  
  5,317      Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.      133,191  
  7,941      SunCoke Energy, Inc.*      67,896  
  3,109      Trinseo SA      142,330  
  8,577      Verso Corp. Class A*      192,125  
     

 

 

 
        3,939,871  

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment – 3.7%

  31,641      AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Class A(a)      388,551  
  4,023      Entravision Communications Corp. Class A      11,707  
  3,354      Glu Mobile, Inc.*      27,067  
  5,197      Gray Television, Inc.*      76,604  
  1,736      IMAX Corp.*      32,654  
  11,729      Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. Class A*      186,374  
  1,622      Loral Space & Communications, Inc.*      60,419  
  23,321      MSG Networks, Inc. Class A*      549,443  
  17,209      New Media Investment Group, Inc.      199,108  
  8,870      New York Times Co. (The) Class A      197,712  
  8,924      Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Class A      701,783  
  5,217      QuinStreet, Inc.*      84,672  
  865      Scholastic Corp.      34,825  
  11,937      Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Class A      314,421  
  2,189      WideOpenWest, Inc.*      15,608  
  2,656      World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Class A      198,456  
  3,485      Yelp, Inc.*      121,940  
     

 

 

 
        3,201,344  

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 11.3%

  7,826      ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      126,546  
  4,421      Acceleron Pharma, Inc.*      192,535  
  3,218      Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.*      50,136  
  10,513      Akorn, Inc.*      35,639  
  1,497      AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      22,739  
  14,908      Array BioPharma, Inc.*      212,439  
  2,244      Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*(a)      27,870  
  3,901      Assertio Therapeutics, Inc.*      14,083  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   11


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – (continued)

 
  1,733      Blueprint Medicines Corp.*    $ 93,426  
  4,846      CareDx, Inc.*      121,828  
  9,097      ChemoCentryx, Inc.*      99,248  
  2,356      Coherus Biosciences, Inc.*      21,322  
  5,763      Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.*      98,951  
  13,995      CytomX Therapeutics, Inc.*      211,325  
  3,070      Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      123,690  
  2,602      Editas Medicine, Inc.*      59,196  
  4,885      Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.*      289,583  
  3,080      Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      218,156  
  16,268      Endo International plc*      118,756  
  2,165      Fate Therapeutics, Inc.*      27,777  
  4,665      FibroGen, Inc.*      215,896  
  8,661      Genomic Health, Inc.*      557,855  
  1,869      Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.*      76,722  
  37,891      Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.*      554,345  
  9,792      Horizon Pharma plc*      191,336  
  23,160      Innoviva, Inc.*      404,142  
  1,043      Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      105,124  
  7,015      Intersect ENT, Inc.*      197,683  
  4,276      Invitae Corp.*      47,293  
  15,696      Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      162,611  
  3,251      Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      441,161  
  2,911      Loxo Oncology, Inc.*      407,744  
  2,768      MacroGenics, Inc.*      35,154  
  3,279      Mallinckrodt plc*      51,808  
  4,802      Minerva Neurosciences, Inc.*      32,365  
  503      Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.*      21,337  
  8,781      Myriad Genetics, Inc.*      255,264  
  9,474      Natera, Inc.*      132,257  
  13,811      Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      594,149  
  14,915      Phibro Animal Health Corp. Class A      479,666  
  38,611      Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      102,705  
  12,956      Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc.*      400,081  
  4,086      Prothena Corp. plc*      42,086  
  3,546      PTC Therapeutics, Inc.*      121,699  
  6,829      REGENXBIO, Inc.*      286,477  
  4,519      Repligen Corp.*      238,332  
  12,433      Retrophin, Inc.*      281,359  
  3,342      Spark Therapeutics, Inc.*      130,806  
  1,802      Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      15,768  
  9,592      Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      250,639  
  27,540      Veracyte, Inc.*      346,453  
  4,921      Vericel Corp.*      85,625  
  5,047      Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.*      47,442  
  3,927      Xencor, Inc.*      142,000  
  4,780      Zafgen, Inc.*      23,661  
     

 

 

 
        9,644,290  

 

 

 
 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 6.3%

  4,876      American Assets Trust, Inc.      195,869  
  2,473      CareTrust REIT, Inc.      45,652  
  13,221      Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.      41,514  
  78,015      Cousins Properties, Inc.      616,319  
  459      EastGroup Properties, Inc.      42,104  
  20,668      First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.      596,478  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – (continued)

 
  4,317      Gladstone Commercial Corp.    $ 77,361  
  1,849      Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.      52,586  
  11,228      Lexington Realty Trust      92,182  
  7,407      NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc.      259,615  
  2,220      NorthStar Realty Europe Corp.      32,279  
  16,879      Pennsylvania REIT      100,261  
  5,640      Physicians Realty Trust      90,409  
  17,130      Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Class A      291,895  
  20,668      Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.      609,086  
  3,025      RLJ Lodging Trust      49,610  
  627      Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.      41,815  
  33,172      Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.      546,675  
  14,216      STAG Industrial, Inc.      353,694  
  36,602      Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.      476,192  
  17,224      Terreno Realty Corp.      605,768  
  4,245      Tier REIT, Inc.      87,574  
  1,129      Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. Class A      21,699  
  7,291      Washington Prime Group, Inc.      35,434  
  3,069      Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc      52,787  
     

 

 

 
        5,414,858  

 

 

 
 

Retailing – 4.5%

  25,898      Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Class A      519,255  
  22,027      American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.      425,782  
  403      America’s Car-Mart, Inc.*      29,197  
  3,095      Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.*      52,708  
  1,591      Cato Corp. (The) Class A      22,704  
  10,103      Citi Trends, Inc.      206,000  
  1,634      Conn’s, Inc.*      30,817  
  18,197      Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.      423,080  
  15,619      DSW, Inc. Class A      385,789  
  37,168      Express, Inc.*      189,928  
  3,387      Five Below, Inc.*      346,558  
  1,602      Genesco, Inc.*      70,969  
  11,649      Groupon, Inc.*      37,277  
  4,984      Hudson Ltd. Class A*      85,476  
  14,364      Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc. Class A*      561,776  
  1,490      PetMed Express, Inc.(a)      34,657  
  8,745      Shoe Carnival, Inc.      293,045  
  1,604      Sleep Number Corp.*      50,895  
  2,018      Zumiez, Inc.*      38,685  
     

 

 

 
        3,804,598  

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.5%

  1,785      Cirrus Logic, Inc.*      59,227  
  12,312      Diodes, Inc.*      397,185  
  17,056      Entegris, Inc.      475,777  
  5,494      Inphi Corp.*      176,632  
  2,884      Semtech Corp.*      132,289  
     

 

 

 
        1,241,110  

 

 

 
 

Software & Services – 5.5%

  8,118      8x8, Inc.*      146,449  
  2,306      Appfolio, Inc. Class A*      136,561  
  10,593      Bottomline Technologies DE, Inc.*      508,464  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Software & Services – (continued)

 
  15,156      Box, Inc. Class A*    $ 255,833  
  15,277      Cloudera, Inc.*      168,964  
  3,943      Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.*      198,845  
  3,178      Coupa Software, Inc.*      199,769  
  2,406      Five9, Inc.*      105,190  
  6,588      Hortonworks, Inc.*      94,999  
  2,342      HubSpot, Inc.*      294,460  
  3,167      MicroStrategy, Inc. Class A*      404,584  
  821      New Relic, Inc.*      66,476  
  8,360      Paylocity Holding Corp.*      503,356  
  8,014      Perficient, Inc.*      178,392  
  22,759      Perspecta, Inc.      391,910  
  16,046      Progress Software Corp.      569,473  
  272      Qualys, Inc.*      20,329  
  2,448      Science Applications International Corp.      155,938  
  15,414      ServiceSource International, Inc.*      16,647  
  786      SPS Commerce, Inc.*      64,751  
  603      Trade Desk, Inc. (The) Class A*      69,984  
  1,907      Varonis Systems, Inc.*      100,880  
  1,632      Workiva, Inc.*      58,572  
     

 

 

 
        4,710,826  

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment – 4.5%

  1,304      Acacia Communications, Inc.*      49,552  
  4,400      ADTRAN, Inc.      47,256  
  163      Anixter International, Inc.*      8,852  
  3,396      CalAmp Corp.*      44,182  
  19,158      Casa Systems, Inc.*      251,544  
  15,176      Ciena Corp.*      514,618  
  14,373      Comtech Telecommunications Corp.      349,839  
  2,461      Control4 Corp.*      43,314  
  1,639      ePlus, Inc.*      116,648  
  11,075      Extreme Networks, Inc.*      67,557  
  13,347      Fabrinet*      684,835  
  3,595      FARO Technologies, Inc.*      146,101  
  19,885      Fitbit, Inc. Class A*      98,828  
  12,926      Insight Enterprises, Inc.*      526,734  
  2,196      Knowles Corp.*      29,229  
  9,345      Lumentum Holdings, Inc.*      392,583  
  789      Novanta, Inc.*      49,707  
  5,231      PC Connection, Inc.      155,518  
  836      ScanSource, Inc.*      28,742  
  369      Tech Data Corp.*      30,188  
  7,269      Vishay Precision Group, Inc.*      219,742  
     

 

 

 
        3,855,569  

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services – 1.6%

  13,443      Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.      607,758  
  3,838      Ooma, Inc.*      53,271  
  2,164      Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.      95,757  
  8,105      Spok Holdings, Inc.      107,472  
  55,935      Vonage Holdings Corp.*      488,313  
     

 

 

 
        1,352,571  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Transportation – 0.7%

  967      Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. Class A*    $ 18,566  
  10,769      Echo Global Logistics, Inc.*      218,934  
  7,942      Marten Transport Ltd.      128,581  
  1,144      Saia, Inc.*      63,858  
  3,549      SkyWest, Inc.      157,824  
  7,092      YRC Worldwide, Inc.*      22,340  
     

 

 

 
        610,103  

 

 

 
 

Utilities – 2.8%

  8,376      Black Hills Corp.      525,845  
  11,565      NorthWestern Corp.      687,424  
  1,103      ONE Gas, Inc.      87,799  
  16,131      Portland General Electric Co.      739,606  
  5,960      Unitil Corp.      301,814  
  962      York Water Co. (The)      30,842  
     

 

 

 
        2,373,330  

 

 

 
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITIES LENDING
REINVESTMENT VEHICLE
 
 
  (Cost $91,750,161)    $ 84,434,790  

 

 

 

 

Shares    Dividend
Rate
   Value  
Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle(b) – 1.2%

 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund — Institutional Shares

 

993,085    2.521%    $ 993,085  
(Cost $993,085)   

 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.9%

 

(Cost $92,743,246)    $ 85,427,875  

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES – 0.1%

     59,837  

 

 
NET ASSETS – 100.0%    $ 85,487,712  

 

 

 

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)   Represents an Affiliated Issuer.

 

 
Investment Abbreviation:
REIT   —Real Estate Investment Trust

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   13


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

  
Assets:  

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $91,750,161)(a)

   $ 84,434,790  

Investments in affiliated securities lending reinvestment vehicle, at value (cost $993,085)

     993,085  

Cash

     795,025  

Receivables:

  

Fund shares sold

     233,082  

Dividends

     137,750  

Reimbursement from investment adviser

     17,849  

Securities lending income

     822  

Other assets

     534  
Total assets      86,612,937  
  
  
Liabilities:  

Payables:

  

Payable upon return of securities loaned

     993,085  

Management fees

     52,451  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     5,110  

Fund shares redeemed

     4,695  

Accrued expenses

     69,884  
Total liabilities      1,125,225  
  
  
Net Assets:  

Paid-in capital

     92,699,479  

Total distributable loss

     (7,211,767
NET ASSETS    $ 85,487,712  

Net Assets:

  

Institutional

   $ 68,950,896  

Service

     16,536,816  

Total Net Assets

   $ 85,487,712  

Shares outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional

     6,647,861  

Service

     1,607,950  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

  

Institutional

   $ 10.37  

Service

     10.28  

(a) Includes loaned securities having a market value of $971,446.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Statement of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

  
Investment income:  

Dividends — unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $267)

   $ 1,255,251  

Securities lending income — affiliated issuer

     20,220  

Dividends — affiliated issuers

     6,694  
Total investment income      1,282,165  
  
Expenses:  

Management fees

     725,915  

Professional fees

     100,451  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     72,157  

Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares

     50,661  

Printing and mailing costs

     44,490  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     20,273  

Trustee fees

     16,276  

Registration fees

     730  

Other

     9,807  
Total expenses      1,040,760  

Less — expense reductions

     (166,935
Net expenses      873,825  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME      408,340  
  
  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss):  

Net realized gain from:

  

Investments — unaffiliated issuers

     12,760,111  

Futures contracts

     9,535  

Net change in unrealized loss on:

  

Investments — unaffiliated issuers

     (20,842,090

Futures contracts

     (4,406
Net realized and unrealized loss      (8,076,850
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ (7,668,510

(a) Institutional and Service Shares incurred Transfer Agency fees of $16,221 and $4,052, respectively.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   15


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
     
From operations:  

Net investment income

   $ 408,340      $ 460,184  

Net realized gain

     12,769,646        10,781,537  

Net change in unrealized loss

     (20,846,496      (835,483
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations      (7,668,510      10,406,238  
     
Distributions to shareholders:  

From distributable earnings:

     

Institutional Shares

     (11,874,335      (8,809,035 )(a) 

Service Shares

     (2,807,539      (2,298,766 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders      (14,681,874      (11,107,801
     
     
From share transactions:  

Proceeds from sales of shares

     12,578,607        7,393,057  

Reinvestment of distributions

     14,681,874        11,107,801  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (17,743,096      (17,336,021
Net increase in net assets resulting from share transactions      9,517,385        1,164,837  
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)      (12,832,999      463,274  
     
Net assets:(b)  

Beginning of year

     98,320,711        97,857,437  

End of year

   $ 85,487,712      $ 98,320,711  

(a) Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation, see prior year presentation below:

 

     

Institutional

   

Service

 

Distribution from net investment income:

   $ (410,159   $ (60,003

Distributions from net realized gains:

   $ (8,398,876   $ (2,238,763

 

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $64,150 for the Fund as of December 31, 2017.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity Insights Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 13.66     $ 13.79     $ 11.60     $ 13.67     $ 15.07  

Net investment income(a)

    0.07 (b)       0.08       0.11       0.08 (c)       0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.21     1.53       2.59       (0.37     0.90  

Total from investment operations

    (1.14     1.61       2.70       (0.29     0.98  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.07     (0.08     (0.15     (0.04     (0.12

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (2.08     (1.66     (0.36     (1.74     (2.26

Total distributions

    (2.15     (1.74     (0.51     (1.78     (2.38

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.37     $ 13.66     $ 13.79     $ 11.60     $ 13.67  

Total return(d)

    (8.62 )%      11.57     23.13     (2.13 )%      6.93

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 68,951     $ 77,815     $ 77,421     $ 73,270     $ 89,043  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.81     0.81     0.81     0.81     0.83

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.98     1.00     1.04     0.99     1.04

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.46 %(b)      0.53     0.95     0.59 %(c)      0.53

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    116     110     119     124     119

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Reflects income recognized from special dividends which amounted to $0.02 per share and 0.17% of average net assets.

(c)

Reflects income recognized from special dividends which amounted to $0.02 per share and 0.15% of average net assets.

(d)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(e)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   17


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity Insights Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 13.55     $ 13.70     $ 11.52     $ 13.60     $ 15.00  

Net investment income(a)

    0.03 (b)       0.04       0.08       0.05 (c)       0.04  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.19     1.51       2.58       (0.39     0.90  

Total from investment operations

    (1.16     1.55       2.66       (0.34     0.94  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.03     (0.04     (0.12     (d)       (0.08

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (2.08     (1.66     (0.36     (1.74     (2.26

Total distributions

    (2.11     (1.70     (0.48     (1.74     (2.34

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.28     $ 13.55     $ 13.70     $ 11.52     $ 13.60  

Total return(e)

    (8.82 )%      11.22     22.92     (2.49 )%      6.69

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 16,537     $ 20,505     $ 20,437     $ 19,488     $ 23,744  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    1.06     1.06     1.06     1.06     1.08

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.23     1.25     1.29     1.24     1.29

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.19 %(b)      0.28     0.70     0.34 %(c)      0.28

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    116     110     119     124     119

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Reflects income recognized from special dividends which amounted to $0.02 per share and 0.17% of average net assets.

(c)

Reflects income recognized from special dividends which amounted to $0.02 per share and 0.15% of average net assets.

(d)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(e)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(f)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 Small Cap Equity Insights Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service Shares. Shares of the Trust are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The Fund’s valuation policy is to value investments at fair value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Investment income includes interest income, dividend income, and securities lending income, if any. Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recognized on ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign securities, as soon as such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost. Investment transactions are recorded on the following business day for daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculations. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Any foreign capital gains tax is accrued daily based upon net unrealized gains, and is payable upon sale of such investments. Distributions received from the Fund’s investments in United States (“U.S.”) real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain or a return of capital. A return of capital is recorded by the Fund as a reduction to the cost basis of the REIT.

For derivative contracts, realized gains and losses are recorded upon settlement of the contract.

C.  Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of the Fund are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by the Fund are charged to the Fund, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses. Class specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency fees.

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 and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. 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, if any, are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. 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 distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Fund’s net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

 

19


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Fund’s policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy resulting from such changes are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Fund, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Fund’s investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

A.  Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value Investments — The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values for investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

Equity Securities — Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ system, or those located on certain foreign exchanges, including but not limited to the Americas, are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If there is no sale or official closing price or such price is believed by GSAM to not represent fair value, equity securities are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2.

Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price, and are generally classified as Level 2.

Money Market Funds — Investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Underlying Fund”) are valued at the NAV of the Institutional Share class on the day of valuation. These investments are generally classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For information regarding the Underlying Fund’s accounting policies and investment holdings, please see the Underlying Fund’s shareholder report.

Derivative Contracts — A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. The Fund enters into derivative transactions to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, and/or currency exchange rates, to increase total return, or to gain access to certain markets or attain exposure to other underliers.

Exchange-traded derivatives, including futures and options contracts, are generally valued at the last sale or settlement price on the exchange where they are principally traded. Exchange-traded options without settlement prices are generally valued at the

 

20


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

midpoint of the bid and ask prices on the exchange where they are principally traded (or, in the absence of two-way trading, at the last bid price for long positions and the last ask price for short positions). Exchange-traded derivatives typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) and centrally cleared derivatives are valued using market transactions and other market evidence, including market-based inputs to models, calibration to market-clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations, or other alternative pricing sources. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value OTC and centrally cleared derivatives depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the instrument, as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, voluntary and involuntary prepayment rates, loss severity rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC and centrally cleared derivatives that trade in liquid markets, model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. OTC and centrally cleared derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy when significant inputs are corroborated by market evidence.

i.   Futures Contracts — Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standardized quantity of a specified commodity or security. 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 to unrealized gains or losses. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received, if any, is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as receivables/payables for collateral on certain derivative contracts. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments.

B.  Level 3 Fair Value Investments — To the extent that significant inputs to valuation models and other alternative pricing sources are unobservable, or if 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 under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the most recent valuation 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 which could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions; or unscheduled market closings. Significant events which could also affect a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; ratings downgrades; and bankruptcies.

C.  Fair Value Hierarchy — The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments and derivatives classified in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:

 

 

Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments(a)               

Asia

     $ 684,835        $        $  

Europe

       42,086                    

North America

       83,707,869                    
Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle        993,085                    
Total      $ 85,427,875        $        $  

 

(a)

Amounts are disclosed by continent to highlight the impact of time zone differences between local market close and the calculation of net asset value. Security valuations are based on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, which may differ from country of domicile.

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Schedule of Investments.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES

 

The following table sets forth, by certain risk types, the Fund’s gains (losses) related to these derivatives and their indicative volumes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that these derivative contracts may have been executed to create investment opportunities and/or economically hedge certain investments, and accordingly, certain gains (losses) on such derivative contracts may offset certain (losses) gains attributable to investments. These gains (losses) are included in “Net realized gain (loss)” or “Net change in unrealized gain (loss)” on the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Statement of Operations   Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
   

Net Change in

Unrealized

Gain (Loss)

    Average
Number of
Contracts(a)
 
 
Equity    Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts   $ 9,535     $ (4,406     7  

 

(a)

Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

5.    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, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

As of December 31, 2018, the contractual management fees with GSAM were as stated below. The effective contractual management rate and effective net management rate represent the rates for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Contractual Management Rate           Effective
Net Management
Rate^
 
First
$2 billion
  Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
    Effective
Rate
 
0.70%     0.63     0.60     0.59     0.72     0.70

 

^

Effective Net Management Rate includes the impact of management fee waivers of affiliated Underlying Funds, if any. The Effective Net Management Rate may not correlate to the Contractual Management Rate as a result of management fee waivers that may be in effect from time to time. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $16,294 of its management fee.

Prior to April 30, 2018, the contractual management fee rate for the Fund was as stated below and GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve an Effective Net Management Rate as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus dated April 28, 2017.

 

First
$2 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
 
  0.75%       0.68     0.65     0.64

The Fund invests in Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, which is an affiliated Underlying Fund. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee it earns as an investment adviser to the affiliated Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests, except those management fees it earns from the Fund’s investments of cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $669 of the Fund’s management fee.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

B.  Distribution and Service (12b-1) Plan — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor, is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance 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 the Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of Institutional and Service Shares.

D.  Other Expense Agreements and Affiliated Transactions — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, a percentage rate of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. The Other Expense limitation as an annual percentage rate of average daily net assets for the Fund is 0.094%. The Other Expense limitation will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. In addition, the Fund has entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Fund’s expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitation described above.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expense reimbursements, were as follows:

 

Management
Fee Waiver
    Custody Fee
Credits
    Other Expense
Reimbursement
    Total Expense
Reductions
 
$ 16,963     $ 1,119     $ 148,853     $ 166,935  

E.  Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Fund participated in a $770,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and certain registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility.

F.  Other Transactions with Affiliates — The following table provides information about the Fund’s investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning

Value as of
December 31, 2017

    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
    Shares as of
December 31, 2018
    Dividend Income
from Affiliated
Investment Company
 
$ 264,823     $ 9,647,720     $ (9,912,543   $           $ 6,694  

6.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were $114,489,776 and $118,320,649, respectively.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

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 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. Dividend income received from securities on loan may not be subject to withholding taxes and therefore withholding taxes paid may differ from the amounts listed in the Statement of Operations. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and as such 1) the remaining contractual maturities of the outstanding securities lending transactions are considered to be overnight and continuous and 2) the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Government Money Market Fund”), an affiliated series of the Goldman Sachs Trust. The Government Money Market Fund is registered under the Act as an open end investment company, is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the Act, and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive a management fee of up to 0.16% (prior to February 21, 2018, GSAM may have received a management fee of up to 0.205%) on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Government Money Market Fund.

In the event of a default by a borrower with respect to any loan, GSAL will exercise any and all remedies provided under the applicable borrower agreement to make the Fund whole. These remedies include purchasing replacement securities by applying the collateral held from the defaulting broker against the purchase cost of the replacement securities. If GSAL is unable to purchase replacement securities, GSAL will indemnify the Fund by paying the Fund an amount equal to the market value of the securities loaned minus the value of cash collateral received from the borrower for the loan, subject to an exclusion for any shortfalls resulting from a loss of value in such cash collateral due to reinvestment risk. The Fund may enter into master netting agreements with borrowers, which provide the right, in the event of a default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. However, in the event of a default by a borrower, a resolution authority could determine that such rights are not enforceable due to the restrictions or prohibitions against the right of set-off that may be imposed in accordance with a particular jurisdiction’s bankruptcy or insolvency laws. The Fund’s loaned securities were all subject to enforceable Securities Lending Agreements and the value of the collateral was at least equal to the value of the cash received. The amounts of the Fund’s overnight and continuous agreements, which represent the gross amounts of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions outstanding as of December 31, 2018, are disclosed as “Payable upon return of securities loaned” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, where applicable.

Both the Fund and GSAL received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amounts earned, if any, by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations.

The table below details securities lending activity with affiliates of Goldman Sachs:

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018        
Earnings of GSAL
Relating to
Securities
Loaned
    Amount Received
by the Fund
from Lending to
Goldman Sachs
    Amount Payable to
Goldman Sachs
Upon Return of
Securities Loaned as of
December 31, 2018
 
$ 2,225     $ 1,934     $ 34,300  

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

7.    SECURITIES LENDING (continued)

 

The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Government Money Market Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
 
  $1,053,265     $ 12,770,633     $ (12,830,813   $ 993,085  

8.    TAX INFORMATION

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

        2017        2018  
Distributions paid from:          

Ordinary income

     $ 4,147,037        $ 6,368,697  

Net long-term capital gains

       6,960,764          8,313,177  
Total taxable distributions      $ 11,107,801        $ 14,681,874  

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net      $ 44,432  
Undistributed long-term capital gains        869,401  
Total undistributed earnings      $ 913,833  
Timing differences (§ 857(b)(9) Deferred Dividend/ Post October Loss Deferral)      $ (667,178
Unrealized losses — net        (7,458,422
Total accumulated losses — net      $ (7,211,767

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost    $ 92,886,297  
Gross unrealized gain      5,976,533  
Gross unrealized loss      (13,434,955
Net unrealized loss    $ (7,458,422

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to wash sales.

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.

 

25


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

9.    OTHER RISKS

 

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may result in loss. Derivative instruments, which may pose risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities, currencies or other instruments, may be illiquid or less liquid, volatile, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes in the value of the underlying instruments may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in more traditional securities and instruments. Losses from derivatives can also result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged.

Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk — As a shareholder of another investment company, including an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any net management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund.

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

Liquidity Risk — The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. If the Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests.

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 or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions defaults.

10.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, 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.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

11.    OTHER MATTERS

 

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Fund’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

12.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and GSAM 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 Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      746,343     $ 10,751,346       449,078     $ 6,364,463  
Reinvestment of distributions      1,125,530       11,874,335       640,192       8,809,035  
Shares redeemed      (921,549     (13,354,939     (1,006,312     (14,236,742
       950,324       9,270,742       82,958       936,756  
Service Shares         
Shares sold      128,444       1,827,261       73,489       1,028,594  
Reinvestment of distributions      268,407       2,807,539       168,284       2,298,766  
Shares redeemed      (301,678     (4,388,157     (220,914     (3,099,279
       95,173       246,643       20,859       228,081  
NET INCREASE      1,045,497     $ 9,517,385       103,817     $ 1,164,837  

 

 

27


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity Insights Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity Insights Fund (one of the funds constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

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GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)    

As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or 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 Shares and 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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.

 

Share Class   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/18
    Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
    Expenses Paid
for the
6 Months
Ended
12/31/18
*
 
Institutional        
       
Actual   $ 1,000     $ 823.90     $ 3.72  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,021.12     4.13  
Service        
       
Actual     1,000       822.50       4.87  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,019.86     5.40  

 

  +

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.

 
  *

Expenses 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 December 31, 2018. 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 the Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.

 

 

29


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Address and Age1
  Position(s) Held
with the Trust
 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
 

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

  103   Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

30


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
  Position(s) Held
with the Trust
 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
 

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993- April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

  156   None
         
*

Mr. McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

31


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST SMALL CAP EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1  

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and President   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer  

Since 2009

(Principal Financial Officer since 2013)

 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer   Since 2016 (Principal Accounting Officer since 2017)  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

(May 2010-October 2015).

 

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, 16.43% of the dividends paid from net investment company taxable income by the Small Cap Equity Insights Fund qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Small Cap Equity Insights Fund designates $8,313,177 or, if different, the maximum amount allowable, as capital gain dividends paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

32


TRUSTEES   OFFICERS

Jessica Palmer, Chair

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Diana M. Daniels

Herbert J. Markley

James A. McNamara

Roy W. Templin

Gregory G. Weaver

 

James A. McNamara, President

Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer

Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer

Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com 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.

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 for the 12-month period ended December 31 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-Qs are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. Form N-Qs may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transaction or matter addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The website links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these websites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these websites.

Fund holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

References to indices, benchmarks or other measures of relative market performance over a specified period of time are provided for your information only and do not imply that the portfolio will achieve similar results. The index composition may not reflect the manner in which a portfolio is constructed. While an adviser seeks to design a portfolio which reflects appropriate risk and return features, portfolio characteristics may deviate from those of the benchmark.

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.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.

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 the Funds’ 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 the Funds and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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 — Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity Insights Fund.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITSCAR-19/157041-OTU-914559/7.4k


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Goldman Sachs

Strategic Growth Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

LOGO


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 Fundamental Equity U.S. Equity Portfolio Management Team discusses the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated average annual total returns of –1.04% and –1.32%, respectively. These returns compare to the –1.51% average annual total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth 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?

Representing the U.S. equity market, the S&P 500® Index returned –9.03% in December 2018, posting its worst December since 1931 and bringing its total return to –4.38% for the Reporting Period, the worst calendar year since 2008.

Despite a strong start to the Reporting Period in January 2018 amid solid economic data, a $1.5 trillion tax reform law signed in December 2017, and a favorable corporate earnings season, U.S. equities endured a challenging and volatile year in 2018. In February 2018, U.S. and international equities sold off on market speculation of a faster pace of Federal Reserve (“Fed”) short-term interest rate hikes, which stoked a sharp rise in bond yields and an increase in equity market volatility. Concerns about Fed monetary policy tightening were further exacerbated by solid U.S. labor and inflation data. While the hawkish Fed minutes were largely expected, new Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony, positing a more optimistic economic outlook since the December 2017 Fed meeting, surprised equity markets with its hawkish tilt, sparking another sell-off in the U.S. equity markets. (Jerome Powell assumed the chairmanship of the Fed in February 2018. Hawkish language tends to suggest higher interest rates; opposite of dovish.) In March 2018, escalating trade tensions and potential tariffs weighed on investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the Fed delivered on a widely expected interest rate increase, with its “dot plot” pointing to a total of three interest rate hikes in calendar year 2018 and potentially two in 2019. (The “dot plot” shows rate projections of the members of the Fed’s Open Market Committee.) However, Fed policymakers acknowledged that the “economic outlook has strengthened in recent months,” revising their economic growth forecast higher and their unemployment forecast lower.

By the end of the Reporting Period, the Fed had hiked interest rates four times and communicated an upbeat view of its economic outlook, spurred by strong U.S. labor and inflation data. Against the strong fundamentals, escalating trade tensions, fears of a global economic slowdown and populist politics weighed on investor sentiment throughout the calendar year. After second and third calendar quarters of generally solid gains, supported by a combination of robust economic growth, strong corporate profits and rising earnings estimates, U.S. equities fell sharply again in the fourth quarter of 2018, as investor sentiment rapidly deteriorated on heightened trade and political uncertainty and in a delayed response to an earlier sell-off in global rates. The correction resulted in tighter U.S. financial conditions, which had been resilient to Fed interest rate hikes earlier in the year. U.S. equities saw a reprieve in November 2018 on more accommodative comments from Fed Chair Powell and on encouraging progress toward China-U.S. trade talks. However, the recovery was short-lived, as U.S. equities plunged in December 2018 on renewed investor fears sparked by the arrest of a Chinese technology executive, the partial Federal government shutdown and the U.S. President’s criticism of Fed Chair Powell.

For the Reporting Period overall, seven sectors posted negative absolute returns and four generated positive returns. Health care, utilities, consumer discretionary and information technology were the best performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index, as measured by total return, and the weakest performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index during the Reporting Period were energy, materials, industrials and financials. (After the close of business on September 28, 2018, the telecommunications services sector was renamed the communication services sector and was broadened to include certain companies from the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors that facilitate communication and offer related content and information through various media.)

Within the U.S. equity market, there was significant disparity in performance not only among sectors but also among the various capitalization and style segments. While all capitalization segments posted negative returns, large-cap stocks, as measured by the

 

1


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Russell 1000® Index, performed best, followed at some distance by mid-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell Midcap® Index, and then small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. From a style perspective, growth-oriented stocks significantly outpaced value-oriented stocks across the capitalization spectrum. (All as measured by the FTSE Russell indices.)

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

While the Fund posted negative absolute returns, it outperformed the Russell Index during the Reporting Period attributable primarily to stock selection overall. Sector allocation as a whole also contributed positively, albeit more modestly.

Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance?

Contributing most positively to the Fund’s relative results during the Reporting Period was effective stock selection in the health care, information technology and materials sectors. The sectors that detracted most from the Fund’s relative results during the Reporting Period were consumer staples, consumer discretionary and real estate, wherein stock selection hurt most.

What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks?

Among those stocks the Fund benefited most from relative to the Russell Index were positions in customer relationship management services software on demand provider salesforce.com, genetics company Illumina and pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.

Shares of salesforce.com rose in the middle of February 2018 following an upgrade in which the analysts cited strong enterprise growth as being a key driver to its strong performance. Also, the company reported earnings and revenue that beat consensus expectations, led by strong billings growth. The company’s stock rose further following its earnings announcement in May 2018, in which both revenue and earnings per share exceeded market estimates with strong guidance. In November 2018, its stock spiked again following another strong earnings report in which earnings per share beat market estimates with better than market expected guidance. Overall, at the end of the Reporting Period, we believed the company presented an attractive growth story, as it continued to grow and gain market share through strategic partnerships, international markets and government opportunities. We also believed salesforce.com remained a high quality growth company with a strong management team.

Throughout the first half of the Reporting Period, shares of Illumina rose rather steadily, and the company had multiple quarters in which its earnings per share exceeded market expectations. The strong results were driven by the performance of NovaSeq, Illumina’s genetic sequencing platform. At the end of July 2018, its stock surged following another earnings release in which the company reported both earnings per share and revenues well ahead of consensus estimates. Sustained strength in the NovaSeq product line was a primary driver of performance. At the end of the Reporting Period, we maintained our belief that the company’s growth was at an inflection point, as NovaSeq, which is more cost and time effective for customers than competitors’ platforms, was still in its early stages. In our view, the company remained well positioned as a leader in its industry to capitalize on the NovaSeq product cycle with the tailwind of strong and increasing secular demand for genetic sequencing.

Much of Eli Lilly’s strong performance is attributable to the second half of the Reporting Period. Its stock rallied in July 2018 after the company reported exceptionally strong second quarter results and announced its spinoff of Elanco, the company’s animal health business. The company beat investor expectations on both earnings per share and revenues while also raising its full year guidance. Its results were driven by broad-based strength across all of its major products. Eli Lilly’s stock rose again through most of November 2018 when the company reported solid quarterly results in which it beat earnings per share and revenue market expectations and also raised its guidance again for the full year. Then, in December 2018, Eli Lilly shares benefited from the announcement of better than market expected 2019 guidance, featuring significant improvements in revenue growth and long-term sales growth. At the end of the Reporting Period, we maintained our belief that the company had strong risk/reward prospects versus its peers, and we saw an upside to its diabetes franchise. We were also optimistic about its management’s commitment to creating shareholder value through increased dividends and share repurchases. Additionally, we viewed the company’s upcoming split with Elanco as value accretive. Overall, we viewed Eli Lilly at the end of the Reporting Period as a high quality pharmaceutical business with leading franchises, a robust drug pipeline and an improving financial profile.

Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

Detracting from the Fund’s results relative to the Russell Index were positions in processed food and beverages producer Kraft Heinz, tobacco company Philip Morris International and biopharmaceutical company Incyte.

Shares of Kraft Heinz traded lower during the first part of the Reporting Period following the company’s fourth quarter 2017 earnings release in which it missed earnings estimates due to weaker than market expected margins. The margin pressure was primarily driven by both increased commodity costs and strategic investments. Its stock also fell in November 2018 following a

 

2


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

disappointing earnings report in which earnings per share came in lower than market estimates. Despite these results, we continued to view Kraft Heinz at the end of the Reporting Period as a high quality company with a strong balance sheet that allows for flexibility around capital deployment and potential strategic acquisitions.

In April 2018, shares of Philip Morris International declined sharply following a disappointing quarterly earnings announcement. Its earnings per share beat market estimates, but its top-line revenue was lower than market expectations, driven primarily by disappointing results in the company’s iQOS segment and organic sales. (iQOS is the company’s electronic smokeless cigarette products line.) Later in the second calendar quarter, the company raised its quarterly dividend by more than 6% and finished a study concluding that its iQOS segment met its primary objective. Still, its stock fell sharply again in December 2018 amidst the overall equity market pullback as well as on negative Japan cigarette category volume data. Despite the decline in its stock, at the end of the Reporting Period, we felt the company provided best-in-class pricing, was attractively valued and paid an above-market dividend. We continued to view Philip Morris International as a high quality franchise, well positioned to benefit from an improving macroeconomic backdrop.

Most of the decline in Incyte’s share price occurred during the first half of the Reporting Period. Incyte’s shares sold off early in April 2018 following the highly anticipated Phase III trial results for its melanoma drug. Following the poor trial results, Incyte announced it would halt the study given that its product failed to show any benefit in conjunction with another cancer immunotherapy drug. At the end of June 2018, the company reported an end to another one of its drugs, REACH1, after the drug reported a low response rate. Despite these setbacks, we remained confident at the end of the Reporting Period in what we see as the company’s strong internal research and development capability and deep product pipeline.

How did the Fund use derivatives and similar instruments during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, we did not use derivatives as part of an active management strategy.

Did the Fund make any significant purchases or sales during the Reporting Period?

Among the purchases initiated during the Reporting Period, we established a Fund position in Visa. Visa is a global leader in the provisioning of payment services. At the time of purchase, we felt confident the company would benefit from several secular growth themes as transaction volume continues to shift toward electronic payments. We also viewed the company favorably, as it invests in multiple services and geographies, which we think provides several potential sources of growth. Finally, we felt the stock was trading at attractive levels given what we see as its growth prospects.

We initiated a Fund position in Union Pacific. Union Pacific is one of the most recognized railroad transportation companies in the world with approximately 32,000 miles of track covering 23 states in the western two-thirds of the U.S. We believe Union Pacific is a high quality company because of what we view as its strong balance sheet, free cash flow and diversified business mix relative to its peers. We were also positive at the time of purchase on the company’s shareholder-friendly management team, which we believe has been prudent in reducing costs as well as increasing share buybacks. We were also positive on the benefits the company could reap from tax reform and good economic growth in the U.S.

Conversely, we eliminated the Fund’s position in online travel fare aggregator Booking Holdings. During the Reporting Period, its shares came under pressure following its second quarter results in which its earnings per share and revenues exceeded market expectations, but its guidance came in softer than the market expected. Given the less favorable outlook and what we viewed as a less compelling valuation, we decided to exit the position and reallocate capital to companies we felt had better risk/reward profiles.

We sold the Fund’s position in Amgen. During the Reporting Period, we grew less positive on one of the company’s key drugs, Repatha, which we believe might experience slower growth than Amgen had previously expected. While we still believe Amgen is one of the leaders in the biotechnology industry and has a strong balance sheet and good free cash flow, we decided to exit the position and allocate the capital elsewhere.

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 materials increased compared to the Russell Index. The Fund’s allocation compared to the Russell Index in financials decreased.

How was the Fund positioned relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?

At the end of December 2018, the Fund had overweighted positions relative to the Russell Index in the health care and energy sectors. On the same date, the Fund had an underweighted position compared to the Russell Index in consumer discretionary and

 

3


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

was rather neutrally weighted to the Russell Index in materials, communication services, consumer staples, real estate, industrials, information technology and financials. The Fund had no exposure to the utilities sector at the end of the Reporting Period.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

Effective January 9, 2018, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (the “Investment Adviser”) centralized its Fundamental Equity U.S. Value and Fundamental Equity U.S. Growth Teams into a single Fundamental Equity U.S. Equity Team. The Investment Adviser believes these changes will benefit the Funds by providing a more holistic investment perspective and the ability to leverage investment ideas across the U.S. Fundamental Equity platform.

Effective the same date, co-lead portfolio manager for the Fund, Tim Leahy, left the firm. Tim shared portfolio management responsibility with Steve Barry and Stephen Becker, who have been co-lead portfolio managers of the Fund’s strategy since 2000 and 2013, respectively, and who continue in those roles. There were no changes to the investment process or philosophy of the Fund’s strategy. We remain committed to high quality, bottom-up research and to the time-tested investment philosophy of the Fund’s strategy. We continue to believe that deep knowledge of company-specific and industry trends is key to our research edge.

What is the Fund’s tactical view and strategy for the months ahead?

At the end of the Reporting Period, we believed the risk/reward balance for equities in 2019 had improved relative to 2018 following the de-rating in valuation multiples, or price/earnings ratios, in the fourth quarter of 2018. We saw continued expansion of global economic growth and corporate profits. We believed U.S. economic growth would likely moderate in 2019, while the slowdown outside of the U.S. may be behind us. In our view, the ongoing global economic expansion should underpin corporate earnings growth, which we expect to remain positive across all global regions in 2019, supporting risk assets, such as equities. Meanwhile, lower valuations provide, in our view, an attractive entry point. Several challenges in 2018 — such as trade tensions and populist politics — resulted in a sharp de-rating. We think the shift in valuations was overdone relative to both macro and corporate fundamentals. Concerns around the length of the current economic cycle, trade tensions and populist politics may well continue, but we believed at the end of the Reporting Period that it was too soon to position for the end of the cycle and markets have already gone too far in pricing in the risks.

As the U.S. economic expansion approaches the longest on record, late-cycle signs, such as a tight labor market, firming inflation, higher volatility and a flatter yield curve, along with fading fiscal support and continued Fed interest rate hikes, have increased focus, we feel, on a possible moderation in U.S. economic growth. However, discussions around peak earnings are premature, in our view, as margins have historically continued to expand until very close to the beginning of recessions.

We believe rising interest rates and cost pressures make pricing power an increasingly critical differentiator of success. Selectivity, in our view, is also increasingly important amid higher volatility, elevated political and trade risks and slowing revenue growth and margin pressures. We believe this divergence between winners and losers reinforces the importance of active management.

Regardless of market direction, we remain committed to our core philosophy and process. We intend to maintain a long-term time horizon, rather than forecast the next quarter. We intend to continue to favor high quality growth businesses over breathtaking concepts. We intend to invest when we consider valuations to be attractive, rather than following the trend. These core beliefs have guided our team during the past 30 years; we believe they hold the answer for the next 30.

As always, we maintain our focus on seeking companies that we believe will generate long-term growth in today’s ever-changing market conditions.

 

4


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Index Definitions

 

The Russell 1000® Growth Index (with dividends reinvested) is an unmanaged market capitalization weighted index of the 1000 largest U.S. companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The Russell 2000® Index (with dividends reinvested) is an unmanaged index of common stock prices that measures the performance of the 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The S&P 500® Index (with dividends reinvested) is the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

The Russell Midcap® Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000® Index, which represent approximately 25% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000® Index.

The Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represent approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

5


FUND BASICS

 

Strategic Growth Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -1.04      9.15      14.63      5.87    4/30/98
Service      -1.32        8.87        14.35        7.52      1/09/06

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional Shares and Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        0.74      0.78
Service        0.99        1.03  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any 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. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 12/31/183

 

 

Holding      % of Net Assets      Line of Business
Microsoft Corp.        6.7%      Software & Services
Apple, Inc.        5.9    Technology Hardware & Equipment
Amazon.com, Inc.        5.6    Retailing
Alphabet, Inc. Class A        3.3    Media & Entertainment
Facebook, Inc. Class A        3.1    Media & Entertainment
Visa, Inc. Class A        3.0    Software & Services
Alphabet, Inc. Class C        2.5    Media & Entertainment
Boeing Co. (The)        2.1    Capital Goods
Mastercard, Inc. Class A        2.0    Software & Services
salesforce.com, Inc.        1.9    Software & Services

 

3 

The top 10 holdings may not be representative of the Fund’s future investments.

 

6


FUND BASICS

 

FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

4 

The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. Consequently, the Fund’s overall sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”); however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value.

 

7


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on January 1, 2009 in Service Shares at NAV. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index (with distributions reinvested), is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Institutional Shares will vary from Service Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

Strategic Growth Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Ten Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced April 30, 1998)

   -1.04%    9.15%    14.63%    5.87%

Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)

   -1.32%    8.87%    14.35%    7.52%

 

 

8


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – 99.3%  
 

Automobiles & Components – 0.8%

  32,053      Aptiv plc    $ 1,973,503  

 

 

 
 

Banks – 1.1%

  
  29,627      First Republic Bank      2,574,586  

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods – 8.2%

  
  15,394      Boeing Co. (The)      4,964,565  
  15,662      Deere & Co.      2,336,301  
  39,846      Fortive Corp.      2,695,980  
  27,954      Honeywell International, Inc.      3,693,283  
  13,358      Northrop Grumman Corp.      3,271,374  
  33,397      Sensata Technologies Holding plc*      1,497,521  
  10,152      Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      1,215,601  
     

 

 

 
        19,674,625  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel – 2.5%

  
  57,967      NIKE, Inc. Class B      4,297,673  
  17,352      PVH Corp.      1,612,869  
     

 

 

 
        5,910,542  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services – 2.6%

  
  2,303      Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*      994,412  
  37,395      Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.      2,397,768  
  16,835      McDonald’s Corp.      2,989,391  
     

 

 

 
        6,381,571  

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials – 2.2%

  
  14,975      Cboe Global Markets, Inc.      1,465,004  
  22,932      Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.      1,727,467  
  25,813      Northern Trust Corp.      2,157,709  
     

 

 

 
        5,350,180  

 

 

 
 

Energy – 1.9%

  
  14,835      Cheniere Energy, Inc.*      878,083  
  12,947      Diamondback Energy, Inc.      1,200,187  
  12,434      EOG Resources, Inc.      1,084,369  
  22,475      Marathon Petroleum Corp.      1,326,250  
     

 

 

 
        4,488,889  

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing – 1.0%

  
  25,203      Walmart, Inc.      2,347,659  

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 4.0%

  
  28,832      Brown-Forman Corp. Class B      1,371,827  
  39,034      Coca-Cola Co. (The)      1,848,260  
  22,022      Kraft Heinz Co. (The)      947,827  
  42,351      Mondelez International, Inc. Class A      1,695,311  
  55,579      Monster Beverage Corp.*      2,735,598  
  17,107      Philip Morris International, Inc.      1,142,063  
     

 

 

 
        9,740,886  

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services – 7.2%

  
  8,740      Align Technology, Inc.*      1,830,418  
  90,964      Boston Scientific Corp.*      3,214,668  
  26,833      Danaher Corp.      2,767,019  
  11,175      Humana, Inc.      3,201,414  
  5,220      Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*      2,499,962  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Health Care Equipment & Services – (continued)

  10,757      UnitedHealth Group, Inc.    $ 2,679,784  
  12,010      West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.      1,177,340  
     

 

 

 
        17,370,605  

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products – 0.7%

  
  26,317      Colgate-Palmolive Co.      1,566,388  

 

 

 
 

Insurance – 0.3%

  
  723      Markel Corp.*      750,510  

 

 

 
 

Materials – 2.5%

  
  21,084      DowDuPont, Inc.      1,127,572  
  18,334      Ecolab, Inc.      2,701,515  
  5,376      Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.      923,973  
  3,465      Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)      1,363,339  
     

 

 

 
        6,116,399  

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment – 12.0%

  
  7,627      Alphabet, Inc. Class A*      7,969,910  
  5,771      Alphabet, Inc. Class C*      5,976,505  
  73,954      Comcast Corp. Class A      2,518,134  
  23,428      Electronic Arts, Inc.*      1,848,704  
  57,538      Facebook, Inc. Class A*      7,542,656  
  11,971      Netflix, Inc.*      3,204,158  
     

 

 

 
        29,060,067  

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 8.5%

  8,461      AbbVie, Inc.      780,020  
  36,173      Agilent Technologies, Inc.      2,440,231  
  14,559      Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      1,417,464  
  14,542      BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*      1,238,251  
  15,546      Elanco Animal Health, Inc.*      490,165  
  34,907      Eli Lilly & Co.      4,039,438  
  10,889      Illumina, Inc.*      3,265,938  
  21,840      Incyte Corp.*      1,388,806  
  16,272      Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      2,696,433  
  32,761      Zoetis, Inc.      2,802,376  
     

 

 

 
        20,559,122  

 

 

 
 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 1.9%

  
  18,677      American Tower Corp.      2,954,515  
  4,874      Equinix, Inc.      1,718,377  
     

 

 

 
        4,672,892  

 

 

 
 

Retailing – 8.2%

  8,461      Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR*      1,159,749  
  9,074      Amazon.com, Inc.*      13,628,876  
  10,848      Home Depot, Inc. (The)      1,863,904  
  38,111      Ross Stores, Inc.      3,170,835  
     

 

 

 
        19,823,364  

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 4.0%

  17,421      Analog Devices, Inc.      1,495,244  
  98,169      Marvell Technology Group Ltd.      1,589,356  
  15,211      NVIDIA Corp.      2,030,669  
  25,783      NXP Semiconductors NV      1,889,378  
  28,669      Texas Instruments, Inc.      2,709,221  
     

 

 

 
        9,713,868  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   9


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Software & Services – 18.9%

  16,556      Adobe, Inc.*    $ 3,745,629  
  11,684      Autodesk, Inc.*      1,502,679  
  24,266      Fiserv, Inc.*      1,783,308  
  22,143      Global Payments, Inc.      2,283,608  
  16,637      Intuit, Inc.      3,274,994  
  26,017      Mastercard, Inc. Class A      4,908,107  
  160,114      Microsoft Corp.      16,262,779  
  33,399      salesforce.com, Inc.*      4,574,661  
  54,951      Visa, Inc. Class A      7,250,235  
     

 

 

 
        45,586,000  

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment – 7.8%

  31,073      Amphenol Corp. Class A      2,517,535  
  90,080      Apple, Inc.      14,209,219  
  50,146      Cisco Systems, Inc.      2,172,826  
     

 

 

 
        18,899,580  

 

 

 
 

Transportation – 3.0%

  48,549      CSX Corp.      3,016,350  
  23,245      Union Pacific Corp.      3,213,156  
  19,234      XPO Logistics, Inc.*      1,097,107  
     

 

 

 
        7,326,613  

 

 

 
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.3%  
  (Cost $160,449,998)    $ 239,887,849  

 

 

 
 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES – 0.7%

     1,724,983  

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS – 100.0%    $ 241,612,832  

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 
Investment Abbreviation:
ADR   —American Depositary Receipt

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

  
Assets:    

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $160,449,998)

   $ 239,887,849  

Cash

     1,718,246  

Receivables:

  

Fund shares sold

     166,813  

Dividends

     161,689  

Reimbursement from investment adviser

     20,675  

Other assets

     521  
Total assets      241,955,793  
  
Liabilities:    

Payables:

  

Management fees

     151,370  

Fund shares redeemed

     67,340  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     35,345  

Accrued expenses

     88,906  
Total liabilities      342,961  
  
Net Assets:    

Paid-in capital

     143,805,443  

Total distributable earnings

     97,807,389  
NET ASSETS    $ 241,612,832  

Net Assets:

  

Institutional

   $ 102,198,640  

Service

     139,414,192  

Total Net Assets

   $ 241,612,832  

Shares outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional

     10,453,748  

Service

     14,252,140  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

  

Institutional

     $9.78  

Service

     9.78  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   11


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Statement of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

  
Investment income:  

Dividends — unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $2,006)

   $ 4,002,351  

Securities lending income — unaffiliated issuer

     35,855  

Dividends — affiliated issuers

     6,451  
Total investment income      4,044,657  
  
Expenses:    

Management fees

     2,825,965  

Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares

     679,563  

Professional fees

     95,484  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     77,878  

Printing and mailing costs

     77,182  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     67,725  

Trustee fees

     16,834  

Registration fees

     713  

Other

     18,064  
Total expenses      3,859,408  

Less — expense reductions

     (286,005
Net expenses      3,573,403  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME      471,254  
  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss):    

Net realized gain from investments — unaffiliated issuers (including commissions recaptured of $3,523)

     130,943,811  

Net change in unrealized loss on investments — unaffiliated issuers

     (119,739,252
Net realized and unrealized gain      11,204,559  
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ 11,675,813  

(a) Institutional and Service Shares incurred Transfer Agency fees of $23,517 and $54,361, respectively.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
     
From operations:  

Net investment income

   $ 471,254      $ 1,482,058  

Net realized gain

     130,943,811        42,429,492  

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

     (119,739,252      92,211,760  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations      11,675,813        136,123,310  
     
Distributions to shareholders:        

From distributable earnings:

     

Institutional Shares

     (51,500,129      (5,401,988 )(a) 

Service Shares

     (70,247,289      (18,972,420 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders      (121,747,418      (24,374,408
     
From share transactions:        

Proceeds from sales of shares

     30,210,299        16,566,518  

Reinvestment of distributions

     121,747,418        24,374,408  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (341,645,863      (77,648,929
Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions      (189,688,146      (36,708,003
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)      (299,759,751      75,040,899  
     
Net assets:(b)        

Beginning of year

     541,372,583        466,331,684  

End of year

   $ 241,612,832      $ 541,372,583  

 

(a)

Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation, see prior year presentation below:

 

     

Institutional

   

Service

 

Distributions from net investment income:

     (558,904     (1,043,857

Distributions from net realized gains:

     (4,843,084     (17,928,563

 

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $210,851 for the Fund as of December 31, 2017.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   13


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 19.73     $ 15.83     $ 15.62     $ 16.16     $ 17.64  

Net investment income(a)

    0.06       0.09       0.07       0.09 (b)       0.07  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.18     4.77       0.24       0.46       2.24  

Total from investment operations

    (0.12     4.86       0.31       0.55       2.31  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.10     (0.10     (0.10     (0.06     (0.07

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (9.73     (0.86     (c)       (1.03     (3.72

Total distributions

    (9.83     (0.96     (0.10     (1.09     (3.79

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 9.78     $ 19.73     $ 15.83     $ 15.62     $ 16.16  

Total return(d)

    (1.04 )%      30.66     1.98     3.40     13.64

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 102,199     $ 115,693     $ 98,090     $ 109,801     $ 119,934  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.74     0.76     0.79     0.79     0.79

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.82     0.82     0.84     0.83     0.81

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.30     0.48     0.48     0.55 %(b)      0.37

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    41     37     72     56     48

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Reflects income recognized from special dividends which amounted to $0.03 per share and 0.20% of average net assets.

(c)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(e)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 19.68     $ 15.79     $ 15.59     $ 16.13     $ 17.61  

Net investment income(a)

    0.01       0.04       0.03       0.05 (b)       0.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.18     4.76       0.23       0.46       2.24  

Total from investment operations

    (0.17     4.80       0.26       0.51       2.26  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

          (0.05     (0.06     (0.02     (0.02

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (9.73     (0.86     (c)       (1.03     (3.72

Total distributions

    (9.73     (0.91     (0.06     (1.05     (3.74

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 9.78     $ 19.68     $ 15.79     $ 15.59     $ 16.13  

Total return(d)

    (1.32 )%      30.36     1.69     3.14     13.38

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 139,414     $ 425,679     $ 368,242     $ 360,966     $ 394,747  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.99     1.01     1.04     1.04     1.04

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.07     1.07     1.08     1.08     1.08

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.04     0.23     0.22     0.29 %(b)      0.12

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    41     37     72     56     48

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Reflects income recognized from special dividends which amounted to $0.03 per share and 0.20% of average net assets.

(c)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(e)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   15


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 Shares. Shares of the Trust are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The Fund’s valuation policy is to value investments at fair value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Investment income includes interest income, dividend income, and securities lending income, if any. Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recognized on ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign securities, as soon as such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost. Investment transactions are recorded on the following business day for daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculations. Distributions received from the Fund’s investments in United States (“U.S.”) real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain or a return of capital. A return of capital is recorded by the Fund as a reduction to the cost basis of the REIT.

C.  Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of the Fund are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by the Fund are charged to the Fund, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses. Class specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency fees.

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 and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. 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, if any, are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. 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 distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Fund’s net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

E.  Commission Recapture — GSAM, on behalf of certain Funds, may direct portfolio trades, subject to seeking 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.

 

16


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Fund’s policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy resulting from such changes are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Fund, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Fund’s investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

A.  Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value Investments — The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values for investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

Equity Securities — Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ system, or those located on certain foreign exchanges, including but not limited to the Americas, are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If there is no sale or official closing price or such price is believed by GSAM to not represent fair value, equity securities are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2.

Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price, and are generally classified as Level 2.

Money Market Funds — Investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Underlying Fund”) are valued at the NAV of the Institutional Share class on the day of valuation. These investments are generally classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For information regarding the Underlying Fund’s accounting policies and investment holdings, please see the Underlying Fund’s shareholder report.

B.  Level 3 Fair Value Investments — To the extent that significant inputs to valuation models and other alternative pricing sources are unobservable, or if 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 under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the most recent valuation 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 which could affect a large number of securities in a

 

17


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

particular market may include, but are not limited to: significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions; or unscheduled market closings. Significant events which could also affect a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; ratings downgrades; and bankruptcies.

C.  Fair Value Hierarchy — The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments classified in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:

 

Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments(a)               

Asia

     $ 1,159,749        $        $  

Europe

       1,889,378                    

North America

       236,838,722                    
Total      $ 239,887,849        $        $  

 

(a)

Amounts are disclosed by continent to highlight the impact of time zone differences between local market close and the calculation of NAV. Security valuations are based on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, which may differ from country of domicile.

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Schedule of Investments.

4.    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, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

As of December 31, 2018, the contractual management fees with GSAM were as stated below. The effective contractual management rates and effective net management rates represent the rates for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Contractual Management Rate              
First
$1 billion
  Next
$1 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
    Effective
Rate
    Effective Net
Management
Rate^
 
0.71%     0.64     0.61     0.59     0.58     0.73     0.71

 

^

Effective Net Management Rate includes the impact of management fee waivers of affiliated Underlying Funds, if any. The Effective Net Management Rate may not correlate to the Contractual Management Rate as a result of management fee waivers that may be in effect from time to time. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $61,074 of its management fee.

Prior to April 30, 2018, the contractual management fee rates for the Fund was as stated below and GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve an Effective Net Management Rate as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus dated April 28, 2017.

 

First

$1 billion

 

Next

$1 billion

   

Next

$3 billion

   

Next

$3 billion

   

Over

$8 billion

 
0.75%     0.68     0.65     0.64     0.63

 

18


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

4.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

The Fund invests in Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, which is an affiliated Underlying Fund. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee it earns as an investment adviser to the affiliated Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests, except those management fees it earns from the Fund’s investments of cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $497 of the Fund’s management fee.

B.  Distribution and Service (12b-1) Plan — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor, is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance 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 the Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of Institutional and Service Shares.

D.  Other Expense Agreements and Affiliated Transactions — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, a percentage rate of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. The Other Expense limitation as an annual percentage rate of average daily net assets for the Fund is 0.014%. The Other Expense limitation will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. In addition, the Fund has entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Fund’s expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitation described above.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expense reimbursements, were as follows:

 

Management
Fee Waiver
  Custody
Fee Credits
    Other Expense
Reimbursement
    Total Expense Reductions  
$61,571   $ 2,908     $ 221,526     $ 286,005  

E.  Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Fund participated in a $770,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and certain registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility.

F.  Other Transactions with Affiliates — The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
  Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
    Shares as of
December 31, 2018
    Dividend Income
from Affiliated
Investment
Company
 
$722   $ 17,156,410     $ (17,157,132)     $           $ 6,451  

 

19


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

5.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were $158,992,710 and $468,072,815, respectively.

6.    SECURITIES LENDING

The Fund may lend its securities through a securities lending agent, the Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), to certain qualified borrowers. 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 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. Dividend income received from securities on loan may not be subject to withholding taxes and therefore withholding taxes paid may differ from the amounts listed in the Statement of Operations. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and as such 1) the remaining contractual maturities of the outstanding securities lending transactions are considered to be overnight and continuous and 2) the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Government Money Market Fund”), an affiliated series of the Goldman Sachs Trust. The Government Money Market Fund is registered under the Act as an open end investment company, is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the Act, and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive a management fee of up to 0.16% (prior to February 21, 2018, GSAM may have received a management fee of up to 0.205%) on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Government Money Market Fund.

In the event of a default by a borrower with respect to any loan, BNYM may exercise any and all remedies provided under the applicable borrower agreement to make the Fund whole. These remedies include purchasing replacement securities by applying the collateral held from the defaulting broker against the purchase cost of the replacement securities. If BNYM is unable to purchase replacement securities, BNYM will indemnify the Fund by paying the Fund an amount equal to the market value of the securities loaned minus the value of cash collateral received from the borrower for the loan, subject to an exclusion for any shortfalls resulting from a loss of value in such cash collateral due to reinvestment risk. The Fund may enter into master netting agreements with borrowers, which provide the right, in the event of a default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. However, in the event of a default by a borrower, a resolution authority could determine that such rights are not enforceable due to the restrictions or prohibitions against the right of set-off that may be imposed in accordance with a particular jurisdiction’s bankruptcy or insolvency laws. The Fund’s loaned securities were all subject to enforceable Securities Lending Agreements and the value of the collateral was at least equal to the value of the cash received. The amounts of the Fund’s overnight and continuous agreements, which represent the gross amounts of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions outstanding as of December 31, 2018, are disclosed as “Payable upon return of securities loaned” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, where applicable. The Fund did not have securities on loan as of December 31, 2018.

Both the Fund and BNYM received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amounts earned, if any, by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations.

 

20


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

6.    SECURITIES LENDING (continued)

 

The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Government Money Market Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
 
$     $ 19,260,615     $ (19,260,615   $  

7.    TAX INFORMATION

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

        2017        2018  
Distributions paid from:          

Ordinary income

     $ 1,602,761        $ 7,594,847  

Net long-term capital gains

       22,771,647          114,152,571  
Total taxable distributions      $ 24,374,408        $ 121,747,418  

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net    $ 154, 272  
Undistributed long-term capital gains      21,200,927  
Total undistributed earnings    $ 21,355,199  
Timing Differences (Post October Loss Deferral)      (1,577,639
Unrealized gains — net      78,029,829  
Total accumulated gains — net    $ 97,807,389  

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost    $ 161,858,020  
Gross unrealized gain      89,286,957  
Gross unrealized loss      (11,257,128
Net unrealized gain    $ 78,029,829  

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to wash sales and differences in the tax treatment of underlying fund investments.

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.

 

21


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

8.    OTHER RISKS

 

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk — As a shareholder of another investment company, including an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any net management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund.

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

Liquidity Risk — The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. If the Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests.

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 or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions defaults.

9.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, 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

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Fund’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

11.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

22


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

12.    SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Share activity is as follows:

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      707,283     $ 15,560,038       173,227     $ 3,153,417  
Reinvestment of distributions      5,223,137       51,500,129       271,457       5,401,988  
Shares redeemed      (1,339,125     (28,892,999     (779,284     (14,386,601
       4,591,295       38,167,168       (334,600     (5,831,196
Service Shares         
Shares sold      700,489       14,650,261       761,609       13,413,101  
Reinvestment of distributions      7,117,253       70,247,289       955,308       18,972,420  
Shares redeemed      (15,191,101     (312,752,864     (3,410,382     (63,262,328
       (7,373,359     (227,855,314     (1,693,465     (30,876,807
NET DECREASE      (2,782,064   $ (189,688,146     (2,028,065   $ (36,708,003

 

23


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund (one of the funds constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

24


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)    

As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or 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 Shares and 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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.

 

Share Class   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/18
    Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
    Expenses Paid
for the
6 Months
Ended
12/31/18
*
 
Institutional        
Actual   $ 1,000     $ 907.30     $ 3.61  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,021.42     3.82  
Service        
Actual     1,000       905.70       4.80  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,020.16     5.09  

 

  +

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.

 

 

  *

Expenses 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 December 31, 2018. 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 0.75%, and 1.00% for the Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.

 

 

25


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Address and Age1
  Position(s) Held
with the Trust
 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

26


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993- April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

    156     None
         
*

Mr. McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

27


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1  

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and
President
  Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior
Vice President and
Principal Financial
Officer
  Since 2009

(Principal
Financial
Officer since
2013)

 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer
and Principal
Accounting Officer
  Since 2016
(Principal
Accounting
Officer since
2017)
 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (May 2010-October 2015).

 

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, 49.67% of the dividends paid from net investment company taxable income by the Strategic Growth Fund qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Strategic Growth Fund designates $114,152,571 or, if different, the maximum amount allowable, as capital gain dividends paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

28


TRUSTEES   OFFICERS
Jessica Palmer, Chair   James A. McNamara, President
Kathryn A. Cassidy   Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice
Diana M. Daniels   President and Principal Financial Officer
Herbert J. Markley   Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasurer
James A. McNamara   and Principal Accounting Officer
Roy W. Templin   Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary
Gregory G. Weaver  

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com 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.

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 for the 12-month period ended December 31 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-Qs are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. Form N-Qs may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transaction or matter addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The website links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these websites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these websites.

Fund holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

References to indices, benchmarks or other measures of relative market performance over a specified period of time are provided for your information only and do not imply that the portfolio will achieve similar results. The index composition may not reflect the manner in which a portfolio is constructed. While an adviser seeks to design a portfolio which reflects appropriate risk and return features, portfolio characteristics may deviate from those of the benchmark.

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.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.

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 the 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 the Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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 — Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth Fund.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITGRWAR-19/157043-OTU-914421/31.3k


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Goldman Sachs

International Equity Insights Fund*

 

*

Effective on April 23, 2018, the Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund was renamed the Goldman Sachs International Equity Insights Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

LOGO


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Investment Process. The Investment Adviser begins with a broad universe of foreign equity investments for the Fund. As described more fully below, the Investment Adviser uses proprietary multifactor models (the “Multifactor Models”) that attempt to forecast the returns of different markets, currencies and individual securities.

The Multifactor Models rely on some or all of the following investment pillars and themes to forecast the returns of individual securities (although additional pillars or themes may be added in the future without prior notice):

Fundamental Mispricings

• Valuation: 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.

High Quality Business Models

• Profitability: The Profitability theme seeks to assess whether a company is earning more than its cost of capital.

• Quality: The Quality theme assesses both firm and management quality.

• Management: The Management theme assesses the characteristics, policies and strategic decisions of company management.

Market Themes and Trends

• Momentum: The Momentum theme seeks to predict drifts in stock prices caused by delayed investor reaction to company-specific information and information about related companies.

Sentiment Analysis

• Sentiment: The Sentiment theme reflects selected investment views and decisions of individuals and financial intermediaries.

 

1


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

(formerly Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund)

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

 

Portfolio Management Discussion and Analysis

Effective on April 23, 2018, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund was re-named Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs International Equity Insights Fund (the “Fund”) and certain changes were made to its principal investment strategy. In light of these changes, the portfolio management team for the Fund changed as well. Below, the Goldman Sachs International Equity Portfolio Management Team and the Goldman Sachs Quantitative Investment Strategies Team discuss the Fund’s performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated average annual total returns of –16.28% and –16.55%, respectively. These returns compare to the –13.79% average annual total return of the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Standard Index (net, USD, unhedged) (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 equities, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index, posted a return of –13.79% in U.S. dollar terms for the Reporting Period as a whole.

Despite a strong start to the Reporting Period in January 2018 amid solid economic data, a $1.5 trillion U.S. tax reform law signed in December 2017, and a favorable corporate earnings season, global equities endured a challenging and volatile year in 2018. In February 2018, equities sold off globally on market speculation of a faster pace of Federal Reserve (“Fed”) short-term interest rate hikes, which stoked a sharp rise in bond yields and an increase in equity market volatility. Concerns about Fed monetary policy tightening were further exacerbated by solid U.S. labor and inflation data. While the hawkish Fed minutes were largely expected, new Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony, positing a more optimistic economic outlook since the December 2017 Fed meeting, surprised equity markets with its hawkish tilt, sparking another sell-off in the global equity markets. (Jerome Powell assumed the chairmanship of the Fed in February 2018. Hawkish language tends to suggest higher interest rates; opposite of dovish.) In March 2018, escalating trade tensions and potential tariffs weighed on investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the Fed delivered on a widely expected interest rate increase, with its “dot plot” pointing to a total of three interest rate hikes in calendar year 2018 and potentially two in 2019. (The “dot plot” shows rate projections of the members of the Fed’s Open Market Committee.) In Europe, an agreement on a 21-month transition after Brexit between the U.K. and the European Union reduced political uncertainty. (Brexit is the popular term for the U.K.’s approved vote on a referendum to exit the European Union.)

By the end of the Reporting Period, the Fed had hiked interest rates four times and communicated an upbeat view of its economic outlook, spurred by strong U.S. labor and inflation data. Against the strong fundamentals, escalating trade tensions, fears of global economic slowdown and populist politics weighed on investor sentiment throughout the year. Political uncertainty remained elevated in Europe, particularly surrounding the Italian fiscal budget and ongoing Brexit negotiations. After a second calendar quarter with only modestly negative returns for the MSCI EAFE Index and a third calendar quarter with only modest gains for the MSCI EAFE Index, U.S. and international equities alike fell sharply in the fourth quarter of 2018 on continued trade war escalations between the U.S. and China, on heightened political uncertainty and in a delayed response to an earlier sell-off in global rates. Global equities saw a reprieve in November on more accommodative comments from Fed Chair Powell and on encouraging progress toward China-U.S. trade talks. However, the recovery was short-lived, as U.S. and international equities plunged in December 2018 on renewed investor fears sparked by the arrest of a Chinese technology executive, the partial U.S. government shutdown and the U.S. President’s criticism of Fed Chair Powell.

For the Reporting Period overall, all but one sector of the MSCI EAFE Index declined, with financials, materials, information technology, consumer discretionary and industrials the weakest performers on the basis of total return during the Reporting Period. Utilities was the only sector in the MSCI EAFE Index to post a positive return during the Reporting Period. Health care, energy and

 

2


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

real estate generated negative absolute returns but significantly outperformed the broad MSCI EAFE Index during the Reporting Period.

From a country perspective, all equity markets in the MSCI EAFE Index posted a negative absolute return during the Reporting Period. Austria, Belgium, Ireland and Germany were the weakest individual country constituents in the MSCI EAFE Index during the Reporting Period. Finland, New Zealand, Israel, Norway, Hong Kong and Switzerland posted negative returns but significantly outpaced the MSCI EAFE Index on a relative basis during the Reporting Period.

What changes were made to the Fund’s principal investment strategy during the Reporting Period?

Effective on April 23, 2018, the Fund invests, under normal circumstance, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in non-U.S. issuers. The Fund intends to have investments economically tied to at least three countries, not including the United States, and may invest in the securities of issuers in emerging market countries. The Fund seeks broad representation of large-cap and mid-cap issuers across major countries and sectors of the international economy with some exposure to small-cap issuers. Additionally, the Fund’s contractual management fee rate was lowered from 0.85% to 0.81% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance from January 1, 2018 through April 22, 2018 (the “initial part of the Reporting Period”)?

The Fund outperformed the MSCI EAFE Index during the initial part of the Reporting Period, attributable primarily to individual stock selection overall. Sector allocation as a whole detracted, albeit modestly.

What were some of the Fund’s best-performing individual stocks during the initial part of the Reporting Period?

Among the greatest contributors to Fund performance relative to the MSCI EAFE Index during the initial part of the Reporting Period were U.K.-based global business-to-business events organizer UBM and Singapore-based multinational banking and financial services provider DBS Group Holdings.

In January 2018, Informa made a cash/equity offer to acquire UBM at a 30% premium, which contributed to UBM’s strong stock performance. UBM shareholders would own a 34.5% stake in the combined entity, and the transaction was expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2018. The acquisition was indeed completed on June 15, 2018. UBM’s stock also rose on reports made during the Reporting Period of top-line earnings and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization that beat market estimates for the company’s fiscal year 2017. The company’s organic growth was also positive and exceeded market expectations during the Reporting Period.

Shares of DBS Group Holdings rose on improved margin expansion and loan growth and first quarter 2018 earnings that beat market expectations, in part due to higher fee income. Further, DBS Group Holdings had excess capital from record profits, which it distributed in May 2018 in the form of a one-time special dividend and also announced dividend growth going forward in line with its earnings growth.

Which stocks detracted significantly from the Fund’s performance during the initial part of the Reporting Period?

Among the biggest detractors from Fund performance relative to the MSCI EAFE Index during the initial part of the Reporting Period were Denmark-based multinational pharmaceuticals company Novo Nordisk and Germany-based manufacturer of industrial machinery and process technology GEA Group.

Novo Nordisk focuses on diabetes care and offers insulin delivery systems and other diabetes products. Novo Nordisk also works in areas such as haemostasis management, growth disorders and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk underperformed the broader European Union pharmaceuticals sector after headlines about its oral semaglutide Phase 3 trials were out in mid-February 2018. Oral semaglutide is the first oral treatment for diabetes. We believe Novo Nordisk’s weak performance was driven by several factors. First — investor confusion around the statistical analysis used in the headline data. Second — a perception that the “catalyst has passed.” We believe such concerns were unwarranted with further key oral semaglutide data due in the second calendar quarter. Third — currency concerns given the significant impact of such during the first quarter of 2018. After the severe price reaction and the opportunity we had to discuss the issues with the company’s management, we felt the news on this oral treatment was over-discounted in its share price.

GEA Group’s weak performance was driven by mis-execution of a number of orders that resulted in management changes within the company as well as investor doubts about when its business might stabilize.

 

3


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Which equity market sectors most significantly affected Fund performance during the initial part of the Reporting Period?

Effective stock selection in the consumer discretionary, information technology and financials sectors contributed most positively to the Fund’s performance relative to the MSCI EAFE Index during the initial part of the Reporting Period. Partially offsetting these positive contributors was weaker stock selection in the health care, consumer staples and energy sectors, which detracted from the Fund’s performance relative to the MSCI EAFE Index during the initial part of the Reporting Period. Having an overweighted allocation to consumer staples, which lagged the MSCI EAFE Index during the initial part of the Reporting Period, also dampened the Fund’s relative results.

Which countries or regions most affected the Fund’s performance during the initial part of the Reporting Period?

Typically, the Fund’s individual stock holdings would significantly influence the Fund’s performance within a particular country or region relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. This effect may be even more pronounced in countries that represent only a modest proportion of the MSCI EAFE Index.

That said, having an overweighted allocation to Italy, which outperformed the MSCI EAFE Index during the initial part of the Reporting Period, and strong stock selection in Japan and Singapore contributed most positively to the Fund’s returns relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. The countries that detracted most from the Fund’s relative performance during the initial part of the Reporting Period were France, Denmark and Germany, where stock selection overall hurt.

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance from April 23, 2018 through December 31, 2018 (the “second part of the Reporting Period”)?

During the second part of the Reporting Period, the Fund underperformed the MSCI EAFE Index largely due to stock selection driven by our quantitative model. However, five of our quantitative model’s six investment themes contributed positively.

What impact did the Fund’s investment themes have on performance during the second part of 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 a significant investment advantage over the long term, even though the Fund may experience underperformance in the short term. Of course, diversification does not protect an investor from market risk nor does it ensure a profit.

During the second part of the Reporting Period, five of our six investment themes contributed positively to relative returns. Quality contributed most positively to relative performance, followed by Momentum and Valuation. The Sentiment and Management themes also contributed positively, albeit to a lesser extent. The Quality theme assesses both firm and financial quality. The Momentum theme seeks to predict drifts in stock prices caused by delayed investor reaction to company-specific information and information about related companies. 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. 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 managements.

The Profitability theme detracted from the Fund’s relative returns during the second part of the Reporting Period. The Profitability theme assesses whether a company is earning more than its cost of capital.

How did the Fund’s country, sector and industry allocations affect relative performance during the second part of the Reporting Period?

In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, we focus on picking stocks rather than making country, industry or sector bets. Consequently, the Fund is similar to its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index, in terms of its country, industry and sector allocation and style. Changes in country, sector or industry weights generally do not have a meaningful impact on relative performance.

 

4


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Did stock selection help or hurt Fund performance during the second part of the Reporting Period?

We seek to outpace the MSCI EAFE 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. During the second part of the Reporting Period, stock selection overall detracted from the Fund’s relative performance.

Stock selection in the materials, consumer discretionary and communication services sectors detracted most from the Fund’s results relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. Partially offsetting these detractors was stock selection in the information technology sector, which was the only sector to contribute positively to the Fund’s results relative to the MSCI EAFE Index during the second part of the Reporting Period.

Which individual positions detracted from the Fund’s results during the second part of the Reporting Period?

Detracting most from the Fund’s results relative to the MSCI EAFE Index were overweight positions in German chemicals manufacturer Covestro and Denmark’s jewelry manufacturer and retailer Pandora and an underweight position in Switzerland’s pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare products manufacturer Novartis. The Fund had an overweight position in Covestro based on our positive views on Momentum and Value. We chose to overweight Pandora due to our positive views on Value and Quality. Negative views on Management and Profitability drove the Fund’s underweight in Novartis.

Which individual stock positions contributed the most to the Fund’s relative returns during the second part of the Reporting Period?

The Fund benefited most from overweighted positions in Japanese skin care cosmetics producer Fancl, Swiss pharmaceutical and diagnostic products manufacturer Roche Holding and Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi & Co. We chose to overweight Fancl due to our positive views on Management and Sentiment. The Fund’s overweight to Roche Holding was based on our positive views on Value and Quality. Our positive views on Value and Momentum drove the Fund’s overweight in Shionogi & Co.

What impact did the Goldman Sachs Quantitative Investment Strategies Team’s country/currency selection strategy have on the Fund’s relative performance during the second part of the Reporting Period?

To construct the Fund’s portfolio, we focus on security selection rather than on making country bets. As a result, the Fund is similar to the MSCI EAFE Index in terms of its country allocation. Changes in the Fund’s country weights are generally the result of our stock picking.

Did you make any enhancements to your quantitative models during the second part of the Reporting Period?

We continuously look for ways to improve our investment process. During the second part of the Reporting Period, we made numerous enhancements to our models. As example, we introduced two new signals within our Momentum theme that help us create economic links between different companies, potentially giving us insights into price movements of related companies. The first signal uses natural language processing to read through various sections in the patent document to form linkages in the markets of Europe and Japan. The second signal, introduced in the Japan region, uses natural language processing techniques to analyze various sections within the annual financial statements of companies.

Also in the Japan region, we added a signal that uses consumer and retailer activity data to predict the sales of retailers and consumer goods companies.

Within our Sentiment theme, we enhanced existing signals that use machine learning to help understand sell-side analyst sentiment. With a larger body of sell-side research reports to analyze, we introduced a new machine learning algorithm to help classify sentiment. We extended an existing market sentiment signal from the U.S. to the U.K. region. The signal examines institutional investor activity to extract conviction positions.

We also extended a suite of signals within our Quality and Sentiment themes that use natural language processing on U.S. regulatory filings to the Japan region with Japanese regulatory filings.

How did the Fund use derivatives during the Reporting Period?

During the initial part of the Reporting Period, we did not use derivatives to hedge positions or as part of an active management strategy. During the second part of the Reporting Period, we did not use derivatives as part of an active management strategy to add value to the Fund’s results. However, we used equity index futures contracts, on an opportunistic basis, to equitize the Fund’s excess cash holdings. In other words, we put the Fund’s excess cash holdings to work by using them as collateral for the purchase of stock futures. The use of these futures contracts did not have a material impact on the Fund’s performance during the second part of the Reporting Period.

 

5


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

What were the Fund’s sector and country weightings at the end of the Reporting Period?

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund was overweight the industrials, health care, energy and information technology sectors relative to the MSCI EAFE Index. The Fund was underweight consumer staples, real estate and communication services and rather neutral to the MSCI EAFE Index in financials, consumer discretionary, materials and utilities on the same date.

In terms of countries, the Fund was overweight relative to the MSCI EAFE Index in Japan, the Netherlands and Hong Kong. Compared to the MSCI EAFE Index, the Fund was underweight in the U.K., France, Australia and Singapore and was relatively neutral compared to the MSCI EAFE Index in the remaining constituents of the MSCI EAFE Index at the end of the Reporting Period.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

As mentioned earlier, the Fund’s portfolio management team was changed from the Goldman Sachs International Equity Portfolio Management Team to the Goldman Sachs Quantitative Investment Strategies (“QIS”) Team. QIS employs a globally integrated team of more than 95 professionals, with an additional 70-plus professionals dedicated to trading, information technology and development of analytical tools.

What is your strategy going forward for the Fund?

Looking ahead, we continue to believe that less expensive stocks should outpace more expensive stocks, and stocks with good momentum are likely to outperform those with poor momentum. We intend to maintain our focus on seeking companies about which fundamental research analysts are becoming more positive as well as profitable companies with sustainable earnings and a track record of using their 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 capitalization 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 term. 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.

 

6


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Index Definitions

The MSCI EAFE Standard Index is a market capitalization-weighted composite of securities in 21 developed markets. The MSCI EAFE Standard Index approximates the minimum possible dividend reinvestment. The dividend is reinvested after deduction for withholding tax, applying the rate to non-resident individuals who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. MSCI Barra uses withholding tax rates applicable to Luxembourg holding companies, as Luxembourg applies the highest rates. The MSCI EAFE Standard Index is unmanaged and the figures for the Index do not include any deduction for fees or expenses.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

7


FUND BASICS

 

International Equity Insights Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -16.28      -0.75      5.75      3.11    1/12/98
Service      -16.55        -0.99        5.48        1.07      1/09/06

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional Shares and Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns.

Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)         
Institutional        0.88      0.99  
Service        1.13        1.24          

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any 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. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 12/31/183

 

Holding

 

% of
Net Assets

   

Line of Business

 

Country

Roche Holding AG

    2.3%    

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

 

Switzerland

BP plc ADR

    1.8  

Energy

 

United Kingdom

AIA Group Ltd.

    1.5  

Insurance

 

Hong Kong

Novo Nordisk A/S Class B

    1.3  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

 

Denmark

Safran SA

    1.2  

Capital Goods

 

France

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA

    1.2  

Transportation

 

United Kingdom

Toyota Motor Corp.

    1.2  

Automobiles & Components

 

Japan

Air Liquide SA

    1.1  

Materials

 

France

Rio Tinto plc ADR

    1.0  

Materials

 

Australia

Eni SpA

    1.0  

Energy

 

Italy

 

3 

The top 10 holdings may not be representative of the Fund’s future investments.

 

8


FUND BASICS

 

FUND VS. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

4 

The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. Consequently, the Fund’s overall sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”); however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. 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). Underlying sector allocations of exchange traded funds and investment companies held by the Fund are not reflected in the graph above. Investments in the securities lending reinvestment vehicle represented 0.5% of the Fund’s net assets at December 31, 2018. The graph depicts the Fund’s investments but may not represent the Fund’s market exposure due to the exclusion of certain derivatives, if any, as listed in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments.

 

9


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on January 1, 2009 in Service Shares at NAV. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Standard Index (Net, USD, Unhedged), is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence performance would be reduced. Performance of Institutional Shares will vary from Service Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry/country investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

International Equity Insights Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Ten Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced January 12, 1998)

   -16.28%    -0.75%    5.75%    3.11%

Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)

   -16.55%    -0.99%    5.48%    1.07%

 

 

10


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – 96.4%  
 

Australia – 7.0%

 
  2,233      ASX Ltd. (Diversified Financials)    $ 94,355  
  168,364      Aurizon Holdings Ltd. (Transportation)      507,954  
  12,300      BHP Group plc (Materials)      259,911  
  82,725      Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd. (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      477,123  
  25,416      Coles Group Ltd. (Food & Staples Retailing)*      210,167  
  53,266      Crown Resorts Ltd. (Consumer Services)      445,160  
  6,423      Goodman Group (REIT)      48,114  
  106,514      Insurance Australia Group Ltd. (Insurance)      525,350  
  3,742      Macquarie Group Ltd. (Diversified Financials)      286,622  
  19,936      Metcash Ltd. (Food & Staples Retailing)      34,432  
  123,683      Qantas Airways Ltd. (Transportation)      504,568  
  17,652      Rio Tinto plc ADR (Materials)      855,769  
  21,311      Telstra Corp. Ltd. (Telecommunication Services)      42,768  
  23,727      TPG Telecom Ltd. (Telecommunication Services)      107,627  
  12,894      Vicinity Centres (REIT)      23,627  
  22,433      Wesfarmers Ltd. (Retailing)      509,648  
  36,842      Woolworths Group Ltd. (Food & Staples Retailing)      764,251  
     

 

 

 
        5,697,446  

 

 

 
 

Austria – 0.4%

 
  8,139      OMV AG (Energy)      355,456  

 

 

 
 

Belgium – 0.5%

 
  1,463      KBC Group NV (Banks)      94,128  
  2,872      UCB SA (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      234,575  
  335      Warehouses De Pauw CVA (REIT)      44,217  
     

 

 

 
        372,920  

 

 

 
 

China – 0.8%

 
  43,000      ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (Utilities)      382,174  
  384,000      Towngas China Co. Ltd. (Utilities)      284,524  
     

 

 

 
        666,698  

 

 

 
 

Denmark – 1.8%

 
  2,625      Carlsberg A/S Class B (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      279,245  
  1,963      GN Store Nord A/S (Health Care Equipment & Services)      73,552  
  23,878      Novo Nordisk A/S Class B (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      1,096,647  
  1,898      Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S Class A (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)(a)      22,874  
     

 

 

 
        1,472,318  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Finland – 0.3%

 
  1,863      Kesko OYJ Class B (Food & Staples Retailing)    $ 100,543  
  1,707      Neste OYJ (Energy)      132,160  
  4,321      Ramirent OYJ (Capital Goods)      26,983  
     

 

 

 
        259,686  

 

 

 
 

France – 9.1%

 
  7,206      Air Liquide SA (Materials)      894,810  
  3,598      Arkema SA (Materials)      308,882  
  14,575      Beneteau SA (Consumer Durables & Apparel)      191,677  
  6,430      BNP Paribas SA (Banks)      290,384  
  1,277      Christian Dior SE (Consumer Durables & Apparel)      488,635  
  3,281      Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA (Automobiles & Components)      322,939  
  5,937      Eiffage SA (Capital Goods)      496,376  
  7,077      Eutelsat Communications SA (Media & Entertainment)      139,425  
  2,211      Faurecia SA (Automobiles & Components)      83,424  
  534      Ipsen SA (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      69,092  
  1,743      Kering SA (Consumer Durables & Apparel)      816,541  
  8,057      Lagardere SCA (Media & Entertainment)      203,321  
  578      Legrand SA (Capital Goods)      32,676  
  2,579      Rubis SCA (Utilities)      138,683  
  8,216      Safran SA (Capital Goods)      985,386  
  10,941      Schneider Electric SE (Capital Goods)      742,142  
  2,965      Teleperformance (Commercial & Professional Services)      474,311  
  15,282      TOTAL SA (Energy)      806,051  
     

 

 

 
        7,484,755  

 

 

 
 

Germany – 7.6%

 
  3,542      adidas AG (Consumer Durables & Apparel)      740,239  
  2,052      Allianz SE (Registered) (Insurance)      412,360  
  1,396      Axel Springer SE (Media & Entertainment)      79,092  
  7,700      BASF SE (Materials)      536,333  
  314      Bayer AG (Registered) (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      21,838  
  7,310      CANCOM SE (Software & Services)      239,909  
  3,800      Continental AG (Automobiles & Components)      529,097  
  8,750      Covestro AG (Materials)(a)      433,339  
  24,393      Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Registered) (Transportation)      550,881  
  2,727      E.ON SE (Utilities)      26,919  
  1,680      Evotec AG (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*      33,320  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   11


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Germany – (continued)

 
  7,941      Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (Health Care Equipment & Services)    $ 514,745  
  10,112      Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA (Health Care Equipment & Services)      488,755  
  26,747      Infineon Technologies AG (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)      535,520  
  1,216      Nemetschek SE (Software & Services)      133,775  
  18,696      ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE (Media & Entertainment)      332,669  
  3,858      Wirecard AG (Software & Services)      581,602  
     

 

 

 
        6,190,393  

 

 

 
 

Hong Kong – 4.3%

 
  151,600      AIA Group Ltd. (Insurance)      1,259,313  
  55,500      CLP Holdings Ltd. (Utilities)      627,200  
  27,800      Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. (Diversified Financials)      803,658  
  38,000      Hysan Development Co. Ltd. (Real Estate)      180,705  
  89,000      NWS Holdings Ltd. (Capital Goods)      182,750  
  70,000      Swire Pacific Ltd. Class B (Real Estate)      117,002  
  62,000      Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)      329,013  
     

 

 

 
        3,499,641  

 

 

 
 

Italy – 1.5%

 
  1,850      Avio SpA (Capital Goods)      23,655  
  53,760      Eni SpA (Energy)      849,258  
  27,625      Iren SpA (Utilities)      66,344  
  11,172      Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario SpA (Banks)      94,531  
  34,507      Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA (Utilities)      195,970  
     

 

 

 
        1,229,758  

 

 

 
 

Japan – 26.4%

 
  29,200      AEON Financial Service Co. Ltd. (Diversified Financials)      518,033  
  2,600      Amada Holdings Co. Ltd. (Capital Goods)      23,340  
  2,700      ANA Holdings, Inc. (Transportation)      96,927  
  2,000      Aozora Bank Ltd. (Banks)      59,610  
  39,200      Asahi Kasei Corp. (Materials)      402,324  
  44,200      Astellas Pharma, Inc. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      564,727  
  3,500      Central Japan Railway Co. (Transportation)      738,456  
  1,300      Central Sports Co. Ltd. (Consumer Services)      41,442  
  3,500      Chodai Co. Ltd. (Capital Goods)      22,189  
  1,600      Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (Utilities)      22,735  
  1,700      cocokara fine, Inc. (Food & Staples Retailing)      82,807  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Japan – (continued)

 
  7,800      East Japan Railway Co. (Transportation)    688,819  
  2,800      Eisai Co. Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      216,776  
  5,000      Fancl Corp. (Household & Personal Products)      127,566  
  700      Fujimori Kogyo Co. Ltd. (Materials)      18,759  
  1,900      Geo Holdings Corp. (Retailing)      28,847  
  900      Heiwa Corp. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)      18,323  
  1,100      Himaraya Co. Ltd. (Retailing)      9,147  
  24,200      Hitachi Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)      641,548  
  5,600      Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)      147,532  
  2,600      Hulic Co. Ltd. (Real Estate)      23,235  
  3,600      IMAGICA GROUP, Inc. (Media & Entertainment)      16,449  
  2,600      ISB Corp. (Software & Services)      36,589  
  15,300      Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. (Transportation)      542,249  
  4,700      Japan Exchange Group, Inc. (Diversified Financials)      75,810  
  277      Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp. (REIT)      552,773  
  30,900      JFE Holdings, Inc. (Materials)      492,186  
  76,800      JXTG Holdings, Inc. (Energy)      398,863  
  2,700      Kamigumi Co. Ltd. (Transportation)      55,239  
  14,500      Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (The) (Utilities)      217,452  
  1,600      KDDI Corp. (Telecommunication Services)      38,232  
  1,500      Kewpie Corp. (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      33,401  
  15,900      Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      331,540  
  4,800      Kyocera Corp. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)      239,928  
  4,300      Macnica Fuji Electronics Holdings, Inc. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)      52,690  
  800      Mandom Corp. (Household & Personal Products)      21,797  
  8,000      Marui Group Co. Ltd. (Retailing)      155,039  
  4,800      Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Co. Ltd. (Food & Staples Retailing)      147,584  
  2,800      Medipal Holdings Corp. (Health Care Equipment & Services)      59,904  
  73,000      Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. (Materials)      551,512  
  84,400      Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (Banks)      414,206  
  369,200      Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (Banks)      571,240  
  12,300      MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. (Insurance)      349,631  
  4,300      NEC Networks & System Integration Corp. (Software & Services)      95,675  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Japan – (continued)

 
  10,400      Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. (Telecommunication Services)    $ 424,313  
  5,500      Nomura Research Institute Ltd. (Software & Services)      203,955  
  9,600      Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      196,039  
  31,500      ORIX Corp. (Diversified Financials)      460,276  
  27,400      Osaka Gas Co. Ltd. (Utilities)      499,830  
  4,100      Pola Orbis Holdings, Inc. (Household & Personal Products)      110,487  
  14,400      Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      393,051  
  2,200      Round One Corp. (Consumer Services)      22,575  
  300      Ryohin Keikaku Co. Ltd. (Retailing)      72,835  
  42,300      Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      610,315  
  1,100      SCSK Corp. (Software & Services)      38,977  
  36,300      Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc. (Consumer Durables & Apparel)      506,049  
  14,500      Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd. (Food & Staples Retailing)      630,099  
  13,500      Shionogi & Co. Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      770,519  
  2,400      SoftBank Group Corp. (Telecommunication Services)      157,198  
  4,800      Sompo Holdings, Inc. (Insurance)      163,056  
  56,000      Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. (Materials)      271,192  
  40,800      Sumitomo Corp. (Capital Goods)      578,902  
  18,100      Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. (Capital Goods)      536,687  
  25,200      Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (Banks)      830,720  
  15,200      Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. (Banks)      553,538  
  800      Suzuken Co. Ltd. (Health Care Equipment & Services)      40,738  
  10,600      Takashimaya Co. Ltd. (Retailing)      135,344  
  12,900      Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)(b)      437,239  
  11,700      TIS, Inc. (Software & Services)      460,663  
  5,600      Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (Utilities)      73,729  
  12,900      Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. (Insurance)      612,863  
  16,500      Toyota Motor Corp. (Automobiles & Components)      955,129  
  2,500      XNET Corp. (Software & Services)      18,819  
  200,900      Yahoo Japan Corp. (Media & Entertainment)      499,783  
  13,600      Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. (Automobiles & Components)      265,522  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Japan – (continued)

 
  1,500      Yamaya Corp. (Food & Staples Retailing)    30,019  
  3,200      Zuken, Inc. (Software & Services)      43,413  
     

 

 

 
        21,547,005  

 

 

 
 

Netherlands – 6.7%

 
  23,086      ABN AMRO Group NV CVA (Banks)(a)      543,256  
  31,618      Altice Europe NV (Media & Entertainment)*      61,349  
  2,978      ASML Holding NV (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)      466,532  
  4,761      ASR Nederland NV (Insurance)      188,388  
  32,601      Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV (Food & Staples Retailing)      823,573  
  7,786      Koninklijke DSM NV (Materials)      631,645  
  14,392      NN Group NV (Insurance)      572,206  
  2,398      NXP Semiconductors NV (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)      175,726  
  8,282      Randstad NV (Commercial & Professional Services)      379,730  
  15,711      Royal Dutch Shell plc Class A (Energy)      463,080  
  10,300      Royal Dutch Shell plc Class B (Energy)      307,944  
  14,076      Wolters Kluwer NV (Commercial & Professional Services)      827,770  
     

 

 

 
        5,441,199  

 

 

 
 

New Zealand – 0.0%

 
  3,151      Trustpower Ltd. (Utilities)      13,015  

 

 

 
 

Norway – 1.6%

 
  3,782      Austevoll Seafood ASA (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      46,688  
  5,188      DNB ASA (Banks)      83,276  
  40,723      DNO ASA (Energy)      59,169  
  16,736      Kongsberg Gruppen ASA (Capital Goods)      227,523  
  37,445      Leroy Seafood Group ASA (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      284,975  
  8,165      Salmar ASA (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      404,974  
  19,139      SpareBank 1 SR-Bank ASA (Banks)      197,469  
     

 

 

 
        1,304,074  

 

 

 
 

Portugal – 0.7%

 
  35,901      Galp Energia SGPS SA (Energy)      565,291  

 

 

 
 

Singapore – 0.2%

 
  22,000      Singapore Exchange Ltd. (Diversified Financials)      115,298  
  4,300      Venture Corp. Ltd. (Technology Hardware & Equipment)      44,147  
     

 

 

 
        159,445  

 

 

 
 

Spain – 2.5%

 
  616      ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA (Capital Goods)      23,844  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   13


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Spain – (continued)

 
  139,011      Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (Banks)    $ 738,401  
  18,788      Banco de Sabadell SA (Banks)      21,497  
  82,953      CaixaBank SA (Banks)      300,409  
  3,020      Enagas SA (Energy)      81,637  
  9,681      Grifols SA (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      254,144  
  34,291      Merlin Properties Socimi SA (REIT)      423,609  
  23,801      Telefonica SA (Telecommunication Services)      200,342  
     

 

 

 
        2,043,883  

 

 

 
 

Sweden – 3.1%

 
  24,203      Alfa Laval AB (Capital Goods)      520,298  
  12,662      Biotage AB (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      156,687  
  1,020      Nolato AB Class B (Capital Goods)      42,218  
  2,318      Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB Class A (Banks)      22,533  
  5,616      SSAB AB Class B (Materials)      15,849  
  2,554      Swedbank AB Class A (Banks)      57,085  
  12,347      Swedish Match AB (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      486,070  
  77,280      Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Class B (Technology Hardware & Equipment)      684,080  
  43,773      Volvo AB Class B (Capital Goods)      573,166  
     

 

 

 
        2,557,986  

 

 

 
 

Switzerland – 8.1%

 
  10,713      Adecco Group AG (Registered) (Commercial & Professional Services)      503,537  
  1,904      BKW AG (Utilities)      133,149  
  1,818      Galenica AG (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)(a)      80,082  
  8,522      Logitech International SA (Registered) (Technology Hardware & Equipment)      269,198  
  2,000      Lonza Group AG (Registered) (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*      519,910  
  8,847      Nestle SA (Registered) (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      718,047  
  2,981      Novartis AG (Registered) (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      255,306  
  3,354      Oriflame Holding AG (Household & Personal Products)      75,442  
  7,574      Roche Holding AG (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      1,880,314  
  1,308      Siegfried Holding AG (Registered) (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*      447,353  
  32      Swiss Life Holding AG (Registered) (Insurance)      12,351  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Switzerland – (continued)

 
  2,697      Tecan Group AG (Registered) (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)    524,933  
  4,350      Temenos AG (Registered) (Software & Services)      522,708  
  2,322      Zurich Insurance Group AG (Insurance)*      692,162  
     

 

 

 
        6,634,492  

 

 

 
 

United Kingdom – 13.6%

 
  56,601      3i Group plc (Diversified Financials)      558,494  
  12,792      Abcam plc (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)      178,058  
  4,249      Ashtead Group plc (Capital Goods)      88,631  
  115,855      Aviva plc (Insurance)      554,482  
  38,192      BP plc ADR (Energy)      1,448,241  
  34,650      BT Group plc (Telecommunication Services)      105,357  
  13,766      Burberry Group plc (Consumer Durables & Apparel)      302,288  
  12,066      Diageo plc (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      431,171  
  131,915      Direct Line Insurance Group plc (Insurance)      536,227  
  28,396      Experian plc (Commercial & Professional Services)      688,374  
  40,146      Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (Automobiles & Components)*      578,840  
  28,501      Genel Energy plc (Energy)*      64,445  
  26,740      Great Portland Estates plc (REIT)      224,777  
  22,193      HSBC Holdings plc (Banks)      183,086  
  22,800      Imperial Brands plc (Food, Beverage & Tobacco)      692,020  
  122,136      International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (Transportation)      965,659  
  5,457      Intertek Group plc (Commercial & Professional Services)      333,984  
  208,202      Legal & General Group plc (Insurance)      613,440  
  554,203      Lloyds Banking Group plc (Banks)      365,320  
  11,882      National Grid plc (Utilities)      116,245  
  9,877      Next plc (Retailing)      502,906  
  45,682      Pearson plc (Media & Entertainment)      547,266  
  8,063      Smith & Nephew plc (Health Care Equipment & Services)      150,929  
  7,063      Unilever plc ADR (Household & Personal Products)      369,042  
  25,707      Vodafone Group plc ADR (Telecommunication Services)      495,631  
     

 

 

 
        11,094,913  

 

 

 

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

United States – 0.2%

 
  1,607      Carnival plc ADR (Consumer Services)    $ 78,309  
  3,244      QIAGEN NV (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)*      110,850  
     

 

 

 
        189,159  

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS  
  (Cost $90,407,498)    $ 78,779,533  

 

 

 
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITIES LENDING
REINVESTMENT VEHICLE
 
 
  (Cost $90,407,498)    $ 78,779,533  

 

 

 

 

Shares   

Dividend

Rate

     Value  
Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle(c) – 0.5%

 

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund — Institutional Shares

 

     431,989      2.521    $ 431,989  
(Cost $431,989)

 

 

 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 96.9%

 

(Cost $90,839,487)

 

   $ 79,211,522  

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES – 3.1%

 

     2,540,538  

 

 
NET ASSETS – 100.0%

 

   $ 81,752,060  

 

 

 

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)   Exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, such securities may be deemed liquid by the Investment Adviser and may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers in transactions exempt from registration. Total market value of Rule 144A securities amounts to $1,079,551, which represents approximately 1.3% of net assets as of December 31, 2018. The liquidity determination is unaudited.
(b)   All or a portion of security is on loan.
(c)   Represents an Affiliated Issuer.

 

 
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR   —American Depositary Receipt
CVA   —Dutch Certification
REIT   —Real Estate Investment Trust

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

FUTURES CONTRACTS — At December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following futures contracts:

 

Description      Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
       Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Long position contracts:

                   
EURO STOXX 50 Index        20          03/15/2019        $ 681,492        $ (16,730
FTSE 100 Index        4          03/15/2019          339,502          (3,440
MSCI Singapore Index        1          01/30/2019          25,071          70  
SPI 200 Index        1          03/21/2019          97,922          72  

TOPIX Index

       2          03/07/2019          272,524          (16,506
Total Futures Contracts

 

     $ (36,534

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   15


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

  
Assets:  

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $90,407,498)(a)

   $ 78,779,533  

Investments in affiliated securities lending reinvestment vehicle, at value (cost $431,989)

     431,989  

Cash

     938,716  

Foreign currencies, at value (cost $1,708,659)

     1,690,067  

Receivables:

  

Foreign tax reclaims

     404,068  

Collateral on certain derivative contracts

     82,601  

Reimbursement from investment adviser

     75,466  

Dividends

     67,519  

Fund shares sold

     2,296  

Securities lending income

     1,119  

Other assets

     534  
Total assets      82,473,908  
  
  
Liabilities:  

Variation margin on futures

     1,580  

Payables:

  

Payable upon return of securities loaned

     431,989  

Due to custodian

     94,876  

Management fees

     57,101  

Fund shares redeemed

     26,352  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     10,866  

Accrued expenses

     99,084  
Total liabilities      721,848  
  
  
Net Assets:  

Paid-in capital

     95,533,397  

Total distributable loss

     (13,781,337
NET ASSETS    $ 81,752,060  

Net Assets:

  

Institutional

   $ 37,828,851  

Service

     43,923,209  

Total Net Assets

   $ 81,752,060  

Shares outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional

     5,344,929  

Service

     6,178,787  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

  

Institutional

     $7.08  

Service

     7.11  

(a) Includes loaned securities having a market value of $411,201.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Statement of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

 

Investment income:  

Dividends — unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $277,128)

   $ 2,698,137  

Securities lending income — affiliated issuer

     30,263  

Dividends — affiliated issuers

     8,484  
Total investment income      2,736,884  
  
  
Expenses:  

Management fees

     899,515  

Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares

     164,480  

Professional fees

     156,997  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     117,177  

Printing and mailing costs

     79,884  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     21,781  

Trustee fees

     16,271  

Registration fees

     730  

Other

     16,707  
Total expenses      1,473,542  

Less — expense reductions

     (359,321
Net expenses      1,114,221  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME      1,622,663  
  
  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss):  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments — unaffiliated issuers

     19,723,629  

Futures contracts

     (67,439

Foreign currency transactions

     (59,504

Net change in unrealized loss on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated issuers

     (37,735,827

Futures contracts

     (36,534

Foreign currency translation

     (23,410
Net realized and unrealized loss      (18,199,085
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ (16,576,422

(a) Institutional and Service Shares incurred Transfer Agency fees of $8,624 and $13,157, respectively.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   17


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
     
From operations:  

Net investment income

   $ 1,622,663      $ 2,387,471  

Net realized gain (loss)

     19,596,686        (257,284

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

     (37,795,771      34,780,956  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations      (16,576,422      36,911,143  
     
     
Distributions to shareholders:  

From distributable earnings:

     

Institutional Shares

     (8,500,382      (739,059 )(a) 

Service Shares

     (9,678,544      (1,909,638 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders      (18,178,926      (2,648,697
     
     
From share transactions:  

Proceeds from sales of shares

     12,142,507        7,888,528  

Reinvestment of distributions

     18,178,926        2,648,697  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (79,104,015      (21,932,620
Net decrease in net assets resulting from share transactions      (48,782,582      (11,395,395
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)      (83,537,930      22,867,051  
     
     
Net assets:(b)  

Beginning of year

     165,289,990        142,422,939  

End of year

   $ 81,752,060      $ 165,289,990  

 

(a)

Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation. Distributions to shareholders for the Fund consisted solely of net investment income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Distributions in excess of net investment income were $(216,255) for the Fund as of December 31, 2017.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs
International Equity Insights Fund
 
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.88     $ 8.75     $ 9.19     $ 9.26     $ 10.43  

Net investment income(a)

    0.19       0.17       0.17 (b)       0.14 (c)       0.39 (d)  
           

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.94     2.16       (0.42     (0.04     (1.18

Total from investment operations

    (1.75     2.33       (0.25     0.10       (0.79

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.21     (0.20     (0.19     (0.17     (0.38

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (1.84                        

Total distributions

    (2.05     (0.20     (0.19     (0.17     (0.38

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 7.08     $ 10.88     $ 8.75     $ 9.19     $ 9.26  

Total return(e)

    (16.28 )%      26.60     (2.72 )%      1.05     (7.54 )% 

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 37,829     $ 41,512     $ 37,061     $ 41,737     $ 46,871  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.87     0.87     0.89     0.89     0.99

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    1.23     1.02     1.06     1.06     1.04

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.79     1.69     1.94 %(b)      1.42 %(c)      3.75 %(d) 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    156     23     39     58     74

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Reflects income recognized from corporate actions which amounted to $0.03 per share and 0.36% of average net assets.

(c)

Reflects income recognized from a corporate action which amounted to $0.02 per share and 0.17% of average net assets.

(d)

Reflects income recognized from a corporate action which amounted to $0.22 per share and 2.10% of average net assets.

(e)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(f)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   19


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

     Goldman Sachs
International Equity Insights Fund
 
     Service Shares  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
          
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 10.91     $ 8.78     $ 9.21     $ 9.28     $ 10.44  

Net investment income(a)

     0.14       0.14       0.15 (b)       0.12 (c)       0.36 (d)  
           

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (1.93     2.16       (0.42     (0.05     (1.17

Total from investment operations

     (1.79     2.30       (0.27     0.07       (0.81

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

     (0.17     (0.17     (0.16     (0.14     (0.35

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

     (1.84                        

Total distributions

     (2.01     (0.17     (0.16     (0.14     (0.35

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 7.11     $ 10.91     $ 8.78     $ 9.21     $ 9.28  

Total return(e)

     (16.55 )%      26.21     (2.86 )%      0.77     (7.70 )% 

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

   $ 43,923     $ 123,778     $ 105,362     $ 116,811     $ 126,230  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

     1.12     1.12     1.14     1.14     1.24

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

     1.43     1.27     1.31     1.31     1.29

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     1.30     1.44     1.68 %(b)      1.18 %(c)      3.47 %(d) 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

     156     23     39     58     74

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Reflects income recognized from corporate actions which amounted to $0.03 per share and 0.36% of average net assets.

(c)

Reflects income recognized from a corporate action which amounted to $0.02 per share and 0.17% of average net assets.

(d)

Reflects income recognized from a corporate action which amounted to $0.22 per share and 2.10% of average net assets.

(e)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(f)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 International Equity Insights Fund (the “Fund”) (formerly the Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service Shares. Shares of the Trust are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The Fund’s valuation policy is to value investments at fair value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Investment income includes interest income, dividend income, and securities lending income, if any. Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recognized on ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign securities, as soon as such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost. Investment transactions are recorded on the following business day for daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculations. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Any foreign capital gains tax is accrued daily based upon net unrealized gains, and is payable upon sale of such investments.

For derivative contracts, realized gains and losses are recorded upon settlement of the contract.

C.  Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of the Fund are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by the Fund are charged to the Fund, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses. Class specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency fees.

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 and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. 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, if any, are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. 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 distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Fund’s net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

E.  Foreign Currency Translation — The accounting records and reporting currency of the Fund are maintained in United States (“U.S.”) dollars. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange

 

21


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

rates at the close of each business day. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments is included within net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. Changes in the value of other assets and liabilities as a result of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates are included in the Statement of Operations within net change in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on the date the transaction occurred, the effects of which are included within net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Fund’s policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy resulting from such changes are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Fund, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Fund’s investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

A. Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value Investments — The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values for investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

Equity Securities — Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ system, or those located on certain foreign exchanges, including but not limited to the Americas, are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If there is no sale or official closing price or such price is believed by GSAM to not represent fair value, equity securities are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2.

Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price, and are generally classified as Level 2. Securities traded on certain foreign securities exchanges are valued daily at fair value determined by an independent fair value service (if available) under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees and consistent with applicable regulatory guidance. The independent fair value service takes into account multiple factors including, but not limited to, movements in the securities markets, certain depositary receipts, futures contracts and foreign

 

22


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

currency exchange rates that have occurred subsequent to the close of the foreign securities exchange. These investments are generally classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Money Market Funds — Investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Underlying Fund”) are valued at the NAV of the Institutional Share class on the day of valuation. These investments are generally classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For information regarding the Underlying Fund’s accounting policies and investment holdings, please see the Underlying Fund’s shareholder report.

Derivative Contracts — A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. The Fund enters into derivative transactions to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, and/or currency exchange rates, to increase total return, or to gain access to certain markets or attain exposure to other underliers.

Exchange-traded derivatives, including futures and options contracts, are generally valued at the last sale or settlement price on the exchange where they are principally traded. Exchange-traded options without settlement prices are generally valued at the midpoint of the bid and ask prices on the exchange where they are principally traded (or, in the absence of two-way trading, at the last bid price for long positions and the last ask price for short positions). Exchange-traded derivatives typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) and centrally cleared derivatives are valued using market transactions and other market evidence, including market-based inputs to models, calibration to market-clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations, or other alternative pricing sources. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value OTC and centrally cleared derivatives depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the instrument, as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, voluntary and involuntary prepayment rates, loss severity rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC and centrally cleared derivatives that trade in liquid markets, model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. OTC and centrally cleared derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy when significant inputs are corroborated by market evidence.

i. Futures Contracts — Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standardized quantity of a specified commodity or security. 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 to unrealized gains or losses. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received, if any, is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as receivables/payables for collateral on certain derivative contracts. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments.

B.  Level 3 Fair Value Investments — To the extent that significant inputs to valuation models and other alternative pricing sources are unobservable, or if 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 under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the most recent valuation 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 which could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions; or unscheduled market closings. Significant events which could also affect a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; ratings downgrades; and bankruptcies.

 

23


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

C.  Fair Value Hierarchy — The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments classified in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:

 

Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Common Stock and/or Other Equity Investments(a)               

Asia

     $        $ 25,872,789        $  

Australia and Oceania

       855,769          4,854,692           

Europe

       2,488,640          44,518,484           

North America

       78,309          110,850           
Securities Lending Reinvestment Vehicle        431,989                    
Total      $ 3,854,707        $ 75,356,815        $  
Derivative Type                              
Assets(b)               
Futures Contracts      $ 142        $        $  
Liabilities(b)               
Futures Contracts      $ (36,676      $        $  

 

(a)

Amounts are disclosed by continent to highlight the impact of time zone differences between local market close and the calculation of NAV. Security valuations are based on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, which may differ from country of domicile. The Fund utilizes fair value model prices provided by an independent fair value service for certain international equity securities, resulting in a Level 2 classification.

(b)

Amount shown represents unrealized gain (loss) at fiscal year end.

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Schedule of Investments.

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES

The following table sets forth, by certain risk types, the gross value of derivative contracts (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) as of December 31, 2018. These instruments were used as part of the Fund’s investment strategies and to obtain and/or manage exposure related to the risks below. The values in the table below exclude the effects of cash collateral received or posted pursuant to these derivative contracts, and therefore are not representative of the Fund’s net exposure.

 

Risk         Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Assets(a)     Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Liabilities(a)  
 
Equity        Variation margin on futures   $ 142     Variation margin on futures   $ (36,676

 

(a)

Includes unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts described in the Additional Investment Information section of the Schedule of Investments. Only the variation margin as of December 31, 2018 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 these derivatives and their indicative volumes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that these derivative contracts may have been executed to create investment opportunities and/or economically hedge certain investments, and

 

24


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES (continued)

 

accordingly, certain gains (losses) on such derivative contracts may offset certain (losses) gains attributable to investments. These gains (losses) are included in “Net realized gain (loss)” or “Net change in unrealized gain (loss)” on the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Statement of Operations   Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Net Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Average
Number of
Contracts(a)
 
 
Equity    Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts   $ (67,439   $ (36,534     8  

 

(a)

Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

5.    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, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

As of December 31, 2018, the contractual management fees with GSAM were as stated below. The effective contractual management rate and effective net management rate represent the rates for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Contractual Management Rate              
First
$1 billion
    Next
$1 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
    Effective
Rate
    Effective Net
Management Rate^
 
  0.81%       0.73     0.69     0.68     0.67     0.83     0.81

 

^

Effective Net Management Rate includes the impact of management fee waivers of affiliated Underlying Funds, if any. The Effective Net Management Rate may not correlate to the Contractual Management Rate as a result of management fee waivers that may be in effect from time to time. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $17,323 of its management fee.

Prior to April 23, 2018, the contractual management fee rates for the Fund were as stated below and GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve an Effective Net Management Rate as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus dated April 28, 2017.

 

First
$1 billion
    Next
$1 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Next
$3 billion
    Over
$8 billion
 
  0.85     0.77     0.73     0.72     0.71

The Fund invests in Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, which is an affiliated Underlying Fund. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee it earns as an investment adviser to the affiliated Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests, except those management fees it earns from the Fund’s investments of cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $981 of the Fund’s management fee.

B.  Distribution and Service (12b-1) Plan — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor, is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance 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.

 

25


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

C.  Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of Institutional and Service Shares.

D.  Other Expense Agreements and Affiliated Transactions — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, a percentage rate of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. The Other Expense limitation as an annual percentage rate of average daily net assets for the Fund is 0.044%. The Other Expense limitation will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. In addition, the Fund has entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Fund’s expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitation described above.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expense reimbursements, were as follows:

 

Management
Fee Waiver
    Custody Fee
Credits
    Other Expense
Reimbursement
    Total Expense
Reductions
 
$ 18,304     $ 1,131     $ 339,886     $ 359,321  

E. Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Fund participated in a $770,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and certain registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility.

F. Other Transactions with Affiliates — The following table provides information about the Fund’s investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending Value as of
December 31, 2018
    Shares as of
December 31, 2018
    Dividend Income
from Affiliated
Investment Company
 
$ 952,535     $ 15,358,348     $ (16,310,883   $           $ 8,484  

6.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were $170,910,360 and $235,533,771, 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.

 

26


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

7.    SECURITIES LENDING (continued)

 

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 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. Dividend income received from securities on loan may not be subject to withholding taxes and therefore withholding taxes paid may differ from the amounts listed in the Statement of Operations. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and as such 1) the remaining contractual maturities of the outstanding securities lending transactions are considered to be overnight and continuous and 2) the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Government Money Market Fund”), an affiliated series of the Goldman Sachs Trust. The Government Money Market Fund is registered under the Act as an open end investment company, is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the Act, and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive a management fee of up to 0.16% (prior to February 21, 2018, GSAM may have received a management fee of up to 0.205%) on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Government Money Market Fund.

In the event of a default by a borrower with respect to any loan, GSAL will exercise any and all remedies provided under the applicable borrower agreement to make the Fund whole. These remedies include purchasing replacement securities by applying the collateral held from the defaulting broker against the purchase cost of the replacement securities. If GSAL is unable to purchase replacement securities, GSAL will indemnify the Fund by paying the Fund an amount equal to the market value of the securities loaned minus the value of cash collateral received from the borrower for the loan, subject to an exclusion for any shortfalls resulting from a loss of value in such cash collateral due to reinvestment risk. The Fund may enter into master netting agreements with borrowers, which provide the right, in the event of a default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. However, in the event of a default by a borrower, a resolution authority could determine that such rights are not enforceable due to the restrictions or prohibitions against the right of set-off that may be imposed in accordance with a particular jurisdiction’s bankruptcy or insolvency laws. The Fund’s loaned securities were all subject to enforceable Securities Lending Agreements and the value of the collateral was at least equal to the value of the cash received. The amounts of the Fund’s overnight and continuous agreements, which represent the gross amounts of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions outstanding as of December 31, 2018, are disclosed as “Payable upon return of securities loaned” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, where applicable.

Both the Fund and GSAL received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amounts earned, if any, by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations.

The table below details securities lending activity with affiliates of Goldman Sachs:

 

For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2018        
Earnings of GSAL
Relating to
Securities
Loaned
    Amount Received
by the Fund
from Lending to
Goldman Sachs
    Amount Payable to
Goldman Sachs
Upon Return of
Securities Loaned as of
December 31, 2018
 
$ 1,758     $ 4,226     $ 431,989  

The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Government Money Market Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending Value as of
December 31, 2018
 
$     $ 15,326,568     $ (14,894,579   $ 431,989  

 

27


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

8.    TAX INFORMATION

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

        2017        2018  
Distributions paid from:          

Ordinary income

     $ 2,648,697        $ 1,681,091  

Net long-term capital gains

                16,497,835  
Total taxable distributions      $ 2,648,697        $ 18,178,926  

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net    $ 48,044  
Timing differences (Qualified Late Year Loss Deferral/Post October Loss Deferral)    $ (2,120,967
Unrealized losses — net    $ (11,708,414
Total accumulated losses — net    $ (13,781,337

 

(1)

Expiration occurs on December 31 of the year indicated.

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost    $ 90,861,248  
Gross unrealized gain      1,309,346  
Gross unrealized loss      (13,017,760
Net unrealized loss    $ (11,708,414

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to wash sales, net mark to market gains/(losses) on regulated futures and passive foreign investment company investments.

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.

9.    OTHER RISKS

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Foreign and Emerging Countries Risk — Investing in foreign markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. Foreign securities may be subject to risk of loss because of more or less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability in the countries in which the Fund invests. The imposition of exchange controls (including repatriation restrictions), confiscations, trade restrictions (including tariffs) and other government restrictions by the U.S. or other governments, or from problems in share registration, settlement or custody, may also result in losses. Foreign risk also involves the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations, which may cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign currency (or other instruments through which the Fund has exposure to foreign currencies) to decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. To the extent that the Fund also invests in securities of issuers located in emerging markets, these risks may be more pronounced.

 

28


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

9. OTHER RISKS (continued)

 

Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may result in loss. Derivative instruments, which may pose risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities, currencies or other instruments, may be illiquid or less liquid, volatile, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes in the value of the underlying instruments may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in more traditional securities and instruments. Losses from derivatives can also result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged.

Foreign Custody Risk — If the Fund invests in foreign securities, the Fund may hold such securities and cash with foreign banks, agents, and securities depositories appointed by the Fund’s custodian (each a “Foreign Custodian”). Some foreign custodians may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In some countries, Foreign Custodians may be subject to little or no regulatory oversight over, or independent evaluation of, their operations. Further, the laws of certain countries may place limitations on the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a Foreign Custodian enters bankruptcy. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to even greater custody risks than investments in more developed markets. Custody services in emerging market countries are very often undeveloped and may be considerably less well regulated than in more developed countries, and thus may not afford the same level of investor protection as would apply in developed countries.

Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk — As a shareholder of another investment company, including an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any net management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund.

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

Liquidity Risk — The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. If the Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests. These risks may be more pronounced in connection with the Fund’s investments in securities of issuers located in emerging market countries.

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 or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions defaults.

 

29


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

10. INDEMNIFICATIONS

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, 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

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Fund’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and GSAM 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 Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      745,548     $ 7,784,495       116,273     $ 1,205,739  
Reinvestment of distributions      1,192,199       8,500,382       68,179       739,059  
Shares redeemed      (407,538     (4,306,214     (603,057     (6,124,918
       1,530,209       11,978,663       (418,605     (4,180,120
Service Shares         
Shares sold      420,689       4,358,012       729,786       6,682,789  
Reinvestment of distributions      1,351,752       9,678,544       175,842       1,909,638  
Shares redeemed      (6,939,757     (74,797,801     (1,563,959     (15,807,702
       (5,167,316     (60,761,245     (658,331     (7,215,275
NET DECREASE      (3,637,107   $ (48,782,582     (1,076,936   $ (11,395,395

 

30


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of Goldman Sachs International Equity Insights Fund (formerly known as Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund)

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Goldman Sachs International Equity Insights Fund (formerly known as Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund) (one of the funds constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

31


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)   

As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or 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 Shares and 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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.

 

Share Class   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/18
    Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
    Expenses Paid
for the
6 Months
Ended
12/31/18
*
 
Institutional        
       
Actual   $ 1,000     $ 860.10     $ 4.08  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,020.82     4.43  
Service        
       
Actual     1,000       858.90       5.29  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,019.51     5.75  

 

  +

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.

 

 

  *

Expenses 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 December 31, 2018. 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 1.13% for the Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.

 

 

32


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

33


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993- April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

    156     None
         

 

*

Mr. McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

34


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1  

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and President   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior Vice
President and
Principal Financial
Officer
  Since 2009

(Principal
Financial
Officer since
2013)

 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer
and Principal
Accounting Officer
  Since 2016
(Principal
Accounting
Officer since
2017)
 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

(May 2010-October 2015).

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

35


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INSIGHTS FUND

 

 

 

 

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the 2018 tax year, the International Equity Insights Fund has elected to pass through a credit for taxes paid to foreign jurisdictions. The total amount of income received by the International Equity Insights Fund from sources within foreign countries and possessions of the United States was $0.1947 per share, all of which is attributable to qualified passive income. The percentage of net investment income dividends paid by the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2018 from foreign sources was 94.98%. The total amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund was $0.0244 per share.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the International Equity Insights Fund designates $16,497,835 or, if different, the maximum amount allowable, as capital gain dividends paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

36


TRUSTEES   OFFICERS
Jessica Palmer, Chair   James A. McNamara, President
Kathryn A. Cassidy   Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice
Diana M. Daniels   President and Principal Financial Officer
Herbert J. Markley  

Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer

Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary

James A. McNamara
Roy W. Templin
Gregory G. Weaver  

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com 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.

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 December 31 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-Qs are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. Form N-Qs may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transaction or matter addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The website links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these websites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these websites.

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.

Fund holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

References to indices, benchmarks or other measures of relative market performance over a specified period of time are provided for your information only and do not imply that the portfolio will achieve similar results. The index composition may not reflect the manner in which a portfolio is constructed. While an adviser seeks to design a portfolio which reflects appropriate risk and return features, portfolio characteristics may deviate from those of the benchmark.

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.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.

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 the 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 the Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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 — Goldman Sachs International Equity Insights Fund.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITINTLAR-19/157035-OTU-914536/10.3K


Goldman

Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Goldman Sachs

U.S. Equity Insights Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2018

 

LOGO


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

 

Investment Process. The Investment Adviser begins with a broad universe of U.S. equity investments for the Fund. As described more fully below, the Investment Adviser uses proprietary multifactor models (the “Multifactor Models”) that attempt to forecast the returns of different markets, currencies and individual securities.

The Multifactor Models rely on some or all of the following investment pillars and themes to forecast the returns of individual securities (although additional pillars or themes may be added in the future without prior notice):

Fundamental Mispricings

• Valuation: 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.

High Quality Business Models

• Profitability: The Profitability theme seeks to assess whether a company is earning more than its cost of capital.

• Quality: The Quality theme assesses both firm and management quality.

• Management: The Management theme assesses the characteristics, policies and strategic decisions of company management.

Market Themes and Trends

• Momentum: The Momentum theme seeks to predict drifts in stock prices caused by delayed investor reaction to company-specific information and information about related companies.

Sentiment Analysis

• Sentiment: The Sentiment theme reflects selected investment views and decisions of individuals and financial intermediaries.

 

1


GOLDMAN SACHS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST U.S. EQUITY INSIGHTS 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 Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Insights Fund’s (the “Fund”) performance and positioning for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018 (the “Reporting Period”).

How did the Fund perform during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, the Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares generated average annual total returns of –6.19% and –6.36%, respectively. These returns compare to the –4.38% average annual 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?

Representing the U.S. equity market, the S&P 500® Index returned –9.03% in December 2018, posting its worst December since 1931 and bringing its total return to –4.38% for the Reporting Period, the worst calendar year since 2008.

Despite a strong start to the Reporting Period in January 2018 amid solid economic data, a $1.5 trillion tax reform law signed in December 2017, and a favorable corporate earnings season, U.S. equities endured a challenging and volatile year in 2018. In February 2018, U.S. and international equities sold off on market speculation of a faster pace of Federal Reserve (“Fed”) short-term interest rate hikes, which stoked a sharp rise in bond yields and an increase in equity market volatility. Concerns about Fed monetary policy tightening were further exacerbated by solid U.S. labor and inflation data. While the hawkish Fed minutes were largely expected, new Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony, positing a more optimistic economic outlook since the December 2017 Fed meeting, surprised equity markets with its hawkish tilt, sparking another sell-off in the U.S. equity markets. (Jerome Powell assumed the chairmanship of the Fed in February 2018. Hawkish language tends to suggest higher interest rates; opposite of dovish.) In March 2018, escalating trade tensions and potential tariffs weighed on investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the Fed delivered on a widely expected interest rate increase, with its “dot plot” pointing to a total of three interest rate hikes in calendar year 2018 and potentially two in 2019. (The “dot plot” shows rate projections of the members of the Fed’s Open Market Committee.) However, Fed policymakers acknowledged that the “economic outlook has strengthened in recent months,” revising their economic growth forecast higher and their unemployment forecast lower.

By the end of the Reporting Period, the Fed had hiked interest rates four times and communicated an upbeat view of its economic outlook, spurred by strong U.S. labor and inflation data. Against the strong fundamentals, escalating trade tensions, fears of a global economic slowdown and populist politics weighed on investor sentiment throughout the calendar year. After second and third calendar quarters of generally solid gains, supported by a combination of robust economic growth, strong corporate profits and rising earnings estimates, U.S. equities fell sharply again in the fourth quarter of 2018, as investor sentiment rapidly deteriorated on heightened trade and political uncertainty and in a delayed response to an earlier sell-off in global rates. The correction resulted in tighter U.S. financial conditions, which had been resilient to Fed interest rate hikes earlier in the year. U.S. equities saw a reprieve in November 2018 on more accommodative comments from Fed Chair Powell and on encouraging progress toward China-U.S. trade talks. However, the recovery was short-lived, as U.S. equities plunged in December 2018 on renewed investor fears sparked by the arrest of a Chinese technology executive, the partial Federal government shutdown and the U.S. President’s criticism of Fed Chair Powell.

For the Reporting Period overall, seven sectors posted negative absolute returns and four generated positive returns. Health care, utilities, consumer discretionary and information technology were the best performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index, as measured by total return, and the weakest performing sectors in the S&P 500® Index during the Reporting Period were energy, materials, industrials and financials. (After the close of business on September 28, 2018, the telecommunications services sector was renamed the communication services sector and was broadened to include certain companies from the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors that facilitate communication and offer related content and information through various media.)

Within the U.S. equity market, there was significant disparity in performance not only among sectors but also among the various capitalization and style segments. While all capitalization segments posted negative returns, large-cap stocks, as measured by the

 

2


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

 

Russell 1000® Index, performed best, followed at some distance by mid-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell Midcap® Index, and then small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. From a style perspective, growth-oriented stocks significantly outpaced value-oriented stocks across the capitalization spectrum. (All as measured by the FTSE Russell indices.)

What key factors were responsible for the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, five of our quantitative model’s six investment themes contributed positively. However, the Fund underperformed the S&P 500® Index due to select individual stock positions that detracted.

What impact did the Fund’s investment themes have on 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 a significant investment advantage over the long term, even though the Fund may experience underperformance in the short term. Of course, diversification does not protect an investor from market risk nor does it ensure a profit.

During the Reporting Period, five of our six investment themes contributed positively to relative returns. Quality contributed most positively to relative performance, followed by Management and Momentum. The Profitability and Sentiment themes also contributed positively, albeit to a lesser extent. The Quality theme assesses both firm and financial quality. The Management theme assesses the characteristics, policies and strategic decisions of company managements. The Momentum theme seeks to predict drifts in stock prices caused by delayed investor reaction to company-specific information and information about related companies. 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.

The Valuation theme was the only one that detracted from the Fund’s relative returns during the Reporting Period. 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 and industry 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 industry and sector allocation and style. 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 or changes in sector weights generally do not have a meaningful impact on relative performance.

Did stock selection help or hurt Fund performance during the Reporting Period?

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.

During the Reporting Period, the Fund was hurt by certain individual stock positions, with investments in the consumer discretionary, consumer staples and materials sectors detracting most from the Fund’s results relative to the S&P 500® Index. Contributing positively were holdings in the industrials, utilities and energy sectors.

Which individual positions detracted from the Fund’s results during the Reporting Period?

Detracting most from the Fund’s results relative to the S&P 500® Index were overweight positions in packaged foods manufacturer Conagra Brands, energy and engineering and construction services provider Halliburton and semiconductor company Lam Research. The Fund had an overweight position in Conagra Brands based on our positive views on Sentiment and Momentum. We chose to overweight Halliburton due to our positive views on Sentiment and Value. Our positive views on Sentiment and Value also drove the Fund’s overweight in Lam Research.

 

3


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

 

Which individual stock positions contributed the most to the Fund’s relative returns during the Reporting Period?

The Fund benefited most from overweighted positions in tobacco company Philip Morris International and software developer Adobe Systems and from an underweight position in industrials conglomerate General Electric. We chose to overweight Philip Morris International due to our positive views on Sentiment and Quality. The Fund was overweight Adobe Systems given our positive views on Sentiment and Profitability. The underweight in General Electric was established because of our negative views on Management.

How did the Fund use derivatives during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, we did not use derivatives as part of an active management strategy to add value to the Fund’s results. However, we used equity index futures contracts, on an opportunistic basis, to equitize the Fund’s excess cash holdings. In other words, we put the Fund’s excess cash holdings to work by using them as collateral for the purchase of stock futures. The use of these futures contracts did not have a material impact on the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period.

Did you make any enhancements to your quantitative models during the Reporting Period?

We continuously look for ways to improve our investment process. During the Reporting Period, we made numerous enhancements to our models. As example, during the second quarter of 2018, we introduced two new signals to our Sentiment theme in the U.S. region that use options data to gauge sentiment around companies. The first signal looks at high conviction option purchases to assess how strongly market participants feel about the prospects of a particular stock. The second signal aims to infer the positive or negative sentiment around a stock by looking at put and call options purchased for the particular company.

We also introduced a new signal within our Momentum theme that helps us create economic links between different companies, potentially giving us insights into price movements of related companies. The signal, introduced in the U.S., European, Japanese and emerging markets regions, uses natural language processing to read through various sections in the patent document to form linkages.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, we added a signal within our Quality theme that uses novel data to help us understand consumer retail trends. We believe this signal will complement our existing suite of alternative data metrics to help us better understand retailers’ earnings growth. We also added a number of signals that utilize natural language processing and regulatory filings to help us better understand the regulatory and business risks faced by companies.

Within our Sentiment theme, we enhanced our existing signals, which use machine learning to help understand sell-side analyst sentiment. With a larger body of sell-side research reports to analyze, we introduced a new machine learning algorithm to help classify sentiment.

What was the Fund’s sector positioning relative to its benchmark index at the end of the Reporting Period?

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund was overweight the health care, utilities, financials and energy sectors relative to the S&P 500® Index. The Fund was underweight consumer staples, communication services, information technology and consumer discretionary and was rather neutrally weighted in industrials, real estate and materials compared to the benchmark index on the same date.

Were there any changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team during the Reporting Period?

During the Reporting Period, one Vice President left the Equity Alpha team within the Goldman Sachs Quantitative Investment Strategies (“QIS”) Team. QIS employs a globally integrated team of more than 95 professionals, with an additional 70-plus professionals dedicated to trading, information technology and development of analytical tools.

What is your strategy going forward for the Fund?

Looking ahead, we continue to believe that less expensive stocks should outpace more expensive stocks, and stocks with good momentum are likely to outperform those with poor momentum. We intend to maintain our focus on seeking companies about which fundamental research analysts are becoming more positive as well as profitable companies with sustainable earnings and a track record of using their 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 capitalization 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 term. 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


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

 

Index Definitions

S&P 500® Index is the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index of 500 stocks, an unmanaged index of common stock prices. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock prices that measures the performance of the 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index. The figures for the index do not include any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.

Russell Midcap® Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000® Index, which represents approximately 25% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000 Index.

Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

5


FUND BASICS

 

U.S. Equity Insights Fund

as of December 31, 2018

 

STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURNS1

 

For the period ended 12/31/18    One Year      Five Years      Ten Years      Since Inception      Inception Date
Institutional      -6.19      8.39      12.85      5.87    02/13/98
Service      -6.36        8.18        12.61        6.33      01/09/06

 

1 

The Standardized Total Returns are average annual total returns as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. They assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value (“NAV”). Because Institutional and Service Shares 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.GSAMFUNDS.com to obtain the most recent month-end returns. Performance reflects fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. In their absence, performance would be reduced.

EXPENSE RATIOS2

 

        Net Expense Ratio (Current)      Gross Expense Ratio (Before Waivers)  
Institutional        0.56      0.70
Service        0.77        0.95  

 

2 

The expense ratios of the Fund, both current (net of any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and before waivers (gross of any 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. Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Fund’s fee waivers and/or expense limitations will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these arrangements are discontinued in the future, the expense ratios may change without shareholder approval.

TOP TEN HOLDINGS AS OF 12/31/183

 

Holding

    

% of Net Assets

    

Line of Business

Apple, Inc.

       4.2   

Technology Hardware & Equipment

Amazon.com, Inc.

       3.0     

Retailing

Microsoft Corp.

       2.7     

Software & Services

Johnson & Johnson

       2.6     

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

Boeing Co. (The)

       1.9     

Capital Goods

Medtronic plc

       1.6     

Health Care Equipment & Services

Citigroup, Inc.

       1.5     

Banks

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

       1.5     

Software & Services

Alphabet, Inc. Class C

       1.5     

Media & Entertainment

Bank of America Corp.

       1.5     

Banks

 

3 

The top 10 holdings may not be representative of the Fund’s future investments.

 

6


FUND BASICS

 

FUND vs. BENCHMARK SECTOR ALLOCATIONS4

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

4 

The Fund is actively managed and, as such, its composition may differ over time. Consequently, the Fund’s overall sector allocations may differ from percentages contained in the graph above. The graph categorizes investments using Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”); however, the sector classifications used by the portfolio management team may differ from GICS. The percentage shown for each investment category reflects the value of investments in that category as a percentage of market value.

 

7


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

 

Performance Summary

December 31, 2018

 

The following graph shows the value, as of December 31, 2018, of a $10,000 investment made on January 1, 2009 in the Institutional Shares at NAV. For comparative purposes, the performance of the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, is shown. This performance data represents past performance and should not be considered indicative of future performance, which will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. These performance fluctuations may cause an investor’s shares, when redeemed, to be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance reflects Fund level expenses but does not reflect fees and expenses associated with any variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that uses the Fund as an investment option for any contract or policy. Had performance reflected all of those fees and expenses, performance would have been reduced. Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown, and in their absence, performance would be reduced. Performance of Service Shares will vary from Institutional Shares due to differences in class specific fees. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting the Fund.

U.S. Equity Insights Fund’s 10 Year Performance

Performance of a $10,000 investment, with distributions reinvested, from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018.

 

LOGO

 

Average Annual Total Return through December 31, 2018    One Year    Five Years    Ten Years    Since Inception

Institutional (Commenced February 13, 1998)

   -6.19%    8.39%    12.85%    5.87%

Service (Commenced January 9, 2006)

   -6.36%    8.18%    12.61%    6.33%

 

 

8


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

 

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – 99.4%  
 

Automobiles & Components – 1.2%

  71,391      General Motors Co.    $ 2,388,029  
  21,100      Thor Industries, Inc.      1,097,200  
     

 

 

 
        3,485,229  

 

 

 
 

Banks – 6.4%

  
  175,151      Bank of America Corp.      4,315,721  
  84,862      Citigroup, Inc.      4,417,916  
  93,868      Citizens Financial Group, Inc.      2,790,696  
  45,179      Comerica, Inc.      3,103,345  
  356      First Citizens BancShares, Inc. Class A      134,230  
  15,749      JPMorgan Chase & Co.      1,537,417  
  8,951      PacWest Bancorp      297,889  
  2,700      SVB Financial Group*      512,784  
  8,218      Western Alliance Bancorp*      324,529  
  24,915      Zions Bancorp NA      1,015,037  
     

 

 

 
        18,449,564  

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods – 4.9%

  
  8,643      AECOM*      229,040  
  4,279      Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.      187,891  
  16,843      Boeing Co. (The)      5,431,868  
  4,146      Caterpillar, Inc.      526,832  
  5,565      Harris Corp.      749,327  
  20,172      Honeywell International, Inc.      2,665,125  
  1,691      Illinois Tool Works, Inc.      214,233  
  11,239      Ingersoll-Rand plc      1,025,334  
  20,795      Parker-Hannifin Corp.      3,101,366  
  2,951      Textron, Inc.      135,716  
     

 

 

 
        14,266,732  

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services – 0.4%

  
  13,953      ManpowerGroup, Inc.      904,154  
  1,676      Republic Services, Inc.      120,823  
     

 

 

 
        1,024,977  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel – 0.5%

  
  20,618      DR Horton, Inc.      714,620  
  30,735      PulteGroup, Inc.      798,803  
     

 

 

 
        1,513,423  

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services – 1.1%

  
  1,467      Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*      633,436  
  4,893      Darden Restaurants, Inc.      488,615  
  1,227      H&R Block, Inc.      31,129  
  21,251      Yum! Brands, Inc.      1,953,392  
     

 

 

 
        3,106,572  

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials – 4.5%

  
  111,310      Ally Financial, Inc.      2,522,285  
  11,695      Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Class B*      2,387,885  
  12,689      Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      526,974  
  4,010      E*TRADE Financial Corp.      175,959  
  12,980      MSCI, Inc.      1,913,641  
  8,910      S&P Global, Inc.      1,514,165  
  49,975      Synchrony Financial      1,172,414  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Diversified Financials – (continued)

  
  65,900      Voya Financial, Inc.    $ 2,645,226  
     

 

 

 
        12,858,549  

 

 

 
 

Energy – 6.7%

  
  8,377      Chevron Corp.      911,334  
  53,591      CNX Resources Corp.*      612,009  
  62,523      ConocoPhillips      3,898,309  
  18,041      Exxon Mobil Corp.      1,230,216  
  30,393      HollyFrontier Corp.      1,553,690  
  45,662      Marathon Petroleum Corp.      2,694,515  
  9,985      PBF Energy, Inc. Class A      326,210  
  40,542      Phillips 66      3,492,693  
  70,082      TechnipFMC plc      1,372,205  
  42,512      Valero Energy Corp.      3,187,125  
     

 

 

 
        19,278,306  

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing – 0.2%

  
  16,835      Kroger Co. (The)      462,962  
  2,551      Walmart, Inc.      237,626  
     

 

 

 
        700,588  

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 3.4%

  
  9,029      Coca-Cola European Partners plc      413,980  
  102,656      Conagra Brands, Inc.      2,192,732  
  2,986      Constellation Brands, Inc. Class A      480,208  
  2,450      General Mills, Inc.      95,403  
  16,513      Ingredion, Inc.      1,509,288  
  3,186      Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.      234,362  
  24,530      Monster Beverage Corp.*      1,207,367  
  8,108      Philip Morris International, Inc.      541,290  
  58,100      Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A      3,102,540  
     

 

 

 
        9,777,170  

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services – 5.9%

  
  4,872      ABIOMED, Inc.*      1,583,595  
  30,102      Boston Scientific Corp.*      1,063,805  
  27,592      HCA Healthcare, Inc.      3,433,824  
  5,420      Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.      479,941  
  3,328      Humana, Inc.      953,405  
  16,546      IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*      3,077,887  
  50,698      Medtronic plc      4,611,490  
  1,454      Molina Healthcare, Inc.*      168,984  
  1,999      UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      497,991  
  6,286      Universal Health Services, Inc. Class B      732,696  
  1,239      Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*      140,391  
  3,247      Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.      336,779  
     

 

 

 
        17,080,788  

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products – 0.6%

  
  5,967      Colgate-Palmolive Co.      355,156  
  15,792      Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      1,451,600  
     

 

 

 
        1,806,756  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   9


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

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Insurance – 3.8%

  
  41,131      Allstate Corp. (The)    $ 3,398,655  
  59,316      Arch Capital Group Ltd.*      1,584,924  
  28,079      Assured Guaranty Ltd.      1,074,864  
  1,777      Athene Holding Ltd. Class A*      70,778  
  56,315      Progressive Corp. (The)      3,397,484  
  5,982      Torchmark Corp.      445,838  
  12,379      Unum Group      363,695  
  844      White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.      723,890  
     

 

 

 
        11,060,128  

 

 

 
 

Materials – 2.9%

  4,851      Berry Global Group, Inc.*      230,568  
  28,138      CF Industries Holdings, Inc.      1,224,284  
  54,510      Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.      561,998  
  12,929      International Paper Co.      521,814  
  10,410      Nucor Corp.      539,342  
  6,028      Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)      2,371,777  
  76,698      Westrock Co.      2,896,117  
     

 

 

 
        8,345,900  

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment – 6.9%

  
  4,059      Alphabet, Inc. Class A*      4,241,493  
  4,182      Alphabet, Inc. Class C*      4,330,921  
  19,862      Cinemark Holdings, Inc.      711,060  
  60,785      Comcast Corp. Class A      2,069,729  
  32,780      Facebook, Inc. Class A*      4,297,130  
  413      Madison Square Garden Co. (The) Class A*      110,560  
  5,766      Netflix, Inc.*      1,543,327  
  14,943      News Corp. Class A      169,603  
  1,909      Omnicom Group, Inc.      139,815  
  2,057      Twitter, Inc.*      59,118  
  57,918      Viacom, Inc. Class B      1,488,493  
  7,018      Walt Disney Co. (The)      769,524  
     

 

 

 
        19,930,773  

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences – 12.9%

  37,046      AbbVie, Inc.      3,415,271  
  29,895      Agilent Technologies, Inc.      2,016,717  
  24,204      Allergan plc      3,235,106  
  19,998      Amgen, Inc.      3,893,011  
  4,287      Biogen, Inc.*      1,290,044  
  76,560      Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      3,979,589  
  32,414      Gilead Sciences, Inc.      2,027,496  
  57,863      Johnson & Johnson      7,467,220  
  101,149      Mylan NV*      2,771,482  
  13,091      Pfizer, Inc.      571,422  
  18,507      Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      3,066,795  
  41,618      Zoetis, Inc.      3,560,004  
     

 

 

 
        37,294,157  

 

 

 
 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – 2.9%

  
  3,420      Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.      394,121  
  24,355      American Homes 4 Rent Class A      483,447  

 

 

 
  Common Stocks – (continued)
 

Real Estate Investment Trusts – (continued)

  
  5,877      Apartment Investment & Management Co. Class A    $ 257,883  
  4,854      Brixmor Property Group, Inc.      71,305  
  2,713      Camden Property Trust      238,880  
  68,437      Duke Realty Corp.      1,772,518  
  14,411      Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. Class A      205,069  
  7,477      Equity Residential      493,557  
  176,192      Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.      2,937,121  
  54,199      Kimco Realty Corp.      794,015  
  2,888      Lamar Advertising Co. Class A      199,792  
  1,909      Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.      182,691  
  2,302      Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.      81,145  
  3,540      Sun Communities, Inc.      360,053  
     

 

 

 
        8,471,597  

 

 

 
 

Retailing – 5.9%

  
  5,802      Amazon.com, Inc.*      8,714,430  
  3,806      AutoZone, Inc.*      3,190,722  
  24,532      Best Buy Co., Inc.      1,299,215  
  688      Booking Holdings, Inc.*      1,185,025  
  3,120      Dollar Tree, Inc.*      281,798  
  1,185      Expedia Group, Inc.      133,490  
  259      O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*      89,182  
  30,826      Target Corp.      2,037,290  
  453      Ulta Beauty, Inc.*      110,913  
     

 

 

 
        17,042,065  

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – 1.6%

  92,954      Applied Materials, Inc.      3,043,314  
  24,494      Micron Technology, Inc.*      777,195  
  12,411      NXP Semiconductors NV      909,478  
     

 

 

 
        4,729,987  

 

 

 
 

Software & Services – 11.1%

  
  8,212      Adobe, Inc.*      1,857,883  
  34,781      Black Knight, Inc.*      1,567,232  
  29,824      Citrix Systems, Inc.      3,055,767  
  2,099      Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      215,252  
  26,169      Fortinet, Inc.*      1,843,083  
  37,839      International Business Machines Corp.      4,301,159  
  17,601      Intuit, Inc.      3,464,757  
  76,400      Microsoft Corp.      7,759,948  
  34,651      Oracle Corp.      1,564,493  
  52,140      PayPal Holdings, Inc.*      4,384,453  
  6,181      VeriSign, Inc.*      916,580  
  8,728      Visa, Inc. Class A      1,151,572  
     

 

 

 
        32,082,179  

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment – 5.9%

  
  77,741      Apple, Inc.      12,262,865  
  14,975      CDW Corp.      1,213,724  
  2,682      Juniper Networks, Inc.      72,173  

 

 

 

 

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


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

 

 

 

Shares      Description    Value  
  Common Stocks – (continued)  
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment – (continued)

  
  15,397      Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*    $ 2,900,025  
  2,734      Zebra Technologies Corp. Class A*      435,335  
     

 

 

 
        16,884,122  

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services – 0.6%

  
  50,079      AT&T, Inc.      1,429,255  
  4,825      Verizon Communications, Inc.      271,261  
     

 

 

 
        1,700,516  

 

 

 
 

Transportation – 4.1%

  
  18,349      American Airlines Group, Inc.      589,186  
  13,982      CSX Corp.      868,702  
  50,198      Delta Air Lines, Inc.      2,504,880  
  13,794      Norfolk Southern Corp.      2,062,755  
  34,939      Southwest Airlines Co.      1,623,965  
  7,302      Union Pacific Corp.      1,009,355  
  37,073      United Continental Holdings, Inc.*      3,104,122  
  1,589      XPO Logistics, Inc.*      90,637  
     

 

 

 
        11,853,602  

 

 

 
 

Utilities – 5.0%

  
  25,412      Ameren Corp.      1,657,625  
  25,822      American Electric Power Co., Inc.      1,929,936  
  50,665      CenterPoint Energy, Inc.      1,430,273  
  61,550      CMS Energy Corp.      3,055,957  
  28,069      DTE Energy Co.      3,096,011  
  51,176      Exelon Corp.      2,308,037  
  16,253      NRG Energy, Inc.      643,619  
  1,963      OGE Energy Corp.      76,930  
  6,308      PPL Corp.      178,706  
     

 

 

 
        14,377,094  

 

 

 
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 99.4%  
  (Cost $279,082,624)    $ 287,120,774  

 

 

 
 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES – 0.6%

     1,640,158  

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS – 100.0%    $ 288,760,932  

 

 

 

 

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.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   11


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

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

  
Assets:  

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $279,082,624)

   $ 287,120,774  

Cash

     1,082,282  

Receivables:

  

Fund shares sold

     841,870  

Dividends

     261,585  

Reimbursement from investment adviser

     35,303  

Other assets

     432  
Total assets      289,342,246  
  
Liabilities:    

Payables:

  

Fund shares redeemed

     343,264  

Management fees

     137,255  

Distribution and Service fees and Transfer Agency fees

     15,135  

Accrued expenses

     85,660  
Total liabilities      581,314  
  
Net Assets:    

Paid-in capital

     282,058,513  

Total distributable earnings

     6,702,419  
NET ASSETS    $ 288,760,932  

Net Assets:

  

Institutional

   $ 235,553,210  

Service

     53,207,722  

Total Net Assets

   $ 288,760,932  

Shares outstanding $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized):

  

Institutional

     15,674,344  

Service

     3,519,815  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

  

Institutional

     $15.03  

Service

     15.12  

 

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


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

 

Statement of Operations

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

  
Investment income:  

Dividends — unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign taxes withheld of $342)

   $ 5,949,433  

Dividends — affiliated issuers

     9,428  

Securities lending income — affiliated issuer

     617  
Total investment income      5,959,478  
  
Expenses:    

Management fees

     2,189,472  

Distribution and Service fees — Service Shares

     197,112  

Professional fees

     101,214  

Printing and mailing costs

     91,806  

Custody, accounting and administrative services

     73,558  

Transfer Agency fees(a)

     70,622  

Trustee fees

     16,758  

Registration fees

     832  

Other

     15,528  
Total expenses      2,756,902  

Less — expense reductions

     (553,262
Net expenses      2,203,640  
NET INVESTMENT INCOME      3,755,838  
  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss):    

Net realized gain from:

  

Investments — unaffiliated issuers

     37,595,901  

Futures contracts

     351,953  

Net change in unrealized loss on:

  

Investments — unaffiliated issuers

     (58,960,049

Futures contracts

     (4,030
Net realized and unrealized loss      (21,016,225
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $ (17,260,387

(a) Institutional and Service Shares incurred Transfer Agency fees of $54,854 and $15,768, respectively.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   13


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

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
     For the
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
     
From operations:  

Net investment income

   $ 3,755,838      $ 5,402,288  

Net realized gain

     37,947,854        44,732,266  

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

     (58,964,079      35,451,851  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations      (17,260,387      85,586,405  
     
Distributions to shareholders:        

From distributable earnings:

     

Institutional Shares

     (41,717,467      (31,912,323 )(a) 

Service Shares

     (9,387,391      (15,966,368 )(a) 
Total distributions to shareholders      (51,104,858      (47,878,691
     
From share transactions:        

Proceeds from sales of shares

     23,858,438        22,663,929  

Reinvestment of distributions

     51,104,858        47,878,691  

Cost of shares redeemed

     (137,999,297      (64,040,172
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions      (63,036,001      6,502,448  
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE)      (131,401,246      44,210,162  
     
Net assets:(b)        

Beginning of year

     420,162,178        375,952,016  

End of year

   $ 288,760,932      $ 420,162,178  

(a) Prior year information has been revised to conform to current year presentation, see prior year presentation below:

 

     

Institutional

   

Service

 

Distributions from net investment income:

   $ (3,615,437   $ (1,564,680

Distributions from net realized gains:

   $ (28,296,886   $ (14,401,688

 

(b)

Prior fiscal year information has been revised to conform with current year presentation. Undistributed net investment income was $475,295 for the Fund, as of December 31, 2017.

 

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


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

 

Financial Highlights

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Insights Fund  
    Institutional Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 19.41     $ 17.65     $ 16.71     $ 18.12     $ 16.52  

Net investment income(a)

    0.22       0.28       0.22       0.23       0.21  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.38     3.98       1.58       (0.27     2.47  

Total from investment operations

    (1.16     4.26       1.80       (0.04     2.68  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.25     (0.28     (0.23     (0.25     (0.26

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (2.97     (2.22     (0.63     (1.12     (0.82

Total distributions

    (3.22     (2.50     (0.86     (1.37     (1.08

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 15.03     $ 19.41     $ 17.65     $ 16.71     $ 18.12  

Total return(b)

    (6.19 )%      24.07     10.70     (0.20 )%      16.37

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 235,553     $ 277,952     $ 255,565     $ 269,238     $ 312,370  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.58     0.62     0.64     0.64     0.65

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.73     0.70     0.70     0.71     0.71

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.12     1.42     1.25     1.29     1.21

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    160     184     204     200     214

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.   15


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

 

Financial Highlights (continued)

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

    Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Insights Fund  
    Service Shares  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  
         
Per Share Data                    

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 19.48     $ 17.71     $ 16.77     $ 18.17     $ 16.55  

Net investment income(a)

    0.18       0.24       0.18       0.20       0.18  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.37     3.99       1.59       (0.28     2.47  

Total from investment operations

    (1.19     4.23       1.77       (0.08     2.65  

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income

    (0.20     (0.24     (0.20     (0.20     (0.21

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains

    (2.97     (2.22     (0.63     (1.12     (0.82

Total distributions

    (3.17     (2.46     (0.83     (1.32     (1.03

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 15.12     $ 19.48     $ 17.71     $ 16.77     $ 18.17  

Total return(b)

    (6.36 )%      23.80     10.44     (0.41 )%      16.18

Net assets, end of year (in 000s)

  $ 53,208     $ 142,210     $ 120,387     $ 122,531     $ 138,725  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

    0.79     0.82     0.85     0.85     0.86

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

    0.97     0.95     0.95     0.96     0.96

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    0.88     1.21     1.04     1.08     1.01

Portfolio turnover rate(c)

    160     184     204     200     214

 

(a)

Calculated based on the average shares outstanding methodology.

(b)

Assumes investment at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all distributions, and a complete redemption of the investment at the net asset value at the end of the year.

(c)

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated in accordance with regulatory requirements, without regard to transactions involving short term investments and certain derivatives. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

 

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


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

 

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

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 U.S. Equity Insights Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a diversified portfolio under the Act offering two classes of shares — Institutional and Service Shares. Shares of the Trust are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust.

2.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.

A.  Investment Valuation — The Fund’s valuation policy is to value investments at fair value.

B.  Investment Income and Investments — Investment income includes interest income, dividend income, and securities lending income, if any. Interest income is accrued daily and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recognized on ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign securities, as soon as such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are reflected on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated using identified cost. Investment transactions are recorded on the following business day for daily net asset value (“NAV”) calculations. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Any foreign capital gains tax is accrued daily based upon net unrealized gains, and is payable upon sale of such investments. Distributions received from the Fund’s investments in United States (“U.S.”) real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain or a return of capital. A return of capital is recorded by the Fund as a reduction to the cost basis of the REIT.

For derivative contracts, realized gains and losses are recorded upon settlement of the contract.

C.   Class Allocations and Expenses — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss), if any, and non-class specific expenses of the Fund are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Non-class specific expenses directly incurred by the Fund are charged to the Fund, while such expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated across the Fund on a straight-line and/or pro-rata basis depending upon the nature of the expenses. Class specific expenses, where applicable, are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution and Service and Transfer Agency fees.

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 and to distribute each year substantially all of its investment company taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund is not required to make any provisions for the payment of federal income tax. 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, if any, are carried forward to future fiscal years and may be used to the extent allowed by the Code to offset any future capital gains. Losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. 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 distributable earnings or capital. Certain components of the Fund’s net assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflect permanent GAAP/tax differences based on the appropriate tax character.

 

17


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

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

U.S. GAAP defines the fair value of a financial instrument as 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); the Fund’s policy is to use the market approach. 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 levels used for classifying investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these investments. 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 investments, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, volatility and credit spreads), either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 — Prices or valuations that require significant unobservable inputs (including GSAM’s assumptions in determining fair value measurement).

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy resulting from such changes are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has approved Valuation Procedures that govern the valuation of the portfolio investments held by the Fund, including investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have delegated to GSAM day-to-day responsibility for implementing and maintaining internal controls and procedures related to the valuation of the Fund’s investments. To assess the continuing appropriateness of pricing sources and methodologies, GSAM regularly performs price verification procedures and issues challenges as necessary to third party pricing vendors or brokers, and any differences are reviewed in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

A.  Level 1 and Level 2 Fair Value Investments — The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values for investments classified as Level 1 and Level 2 are as follows:

Equity Securities — Equity securities traded on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ system, or those located on certain foreign exchanges, including but not limited to the Americas, are valued daily at their last sale price or official closing price on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded. If there is no sale or official closing price or such price is believed by GSAM to not represent fair value, equity securities are valued at the last bid price for long positions and at the last ask price for short positions. To the extent these investments are actively traded, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are generally classified as Level 2.

Unlisted equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price on the valuation date, or if no sale occurs, at the last bid price, and are generally classified as Level 2.

Money Market Funds — Investments in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Underlying Fund”) are valued at the NAV of the Institutional Share class on the day of valuation. These investments are generally classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. For information regarding the Underlying Fund’s accounting policies and investment holdings, please see the Underlying Fund’s shareholder report.

Derivative Contracts A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. The Fund enters into derivative transactions to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, and/or currency exchange rates, to increase total return, or to gain access to certain markets or attain exposure to other underliers.

Exchange-traded derivatives, including futures and options contracts, are generally valued at the last sale or settlement price on the exchange where they are principally traded. Exchange-traded options without settlement prices are generally valued at the

 

18


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

 

 

 

3.    INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

midpoint of the bid and ask prices on the exchange where they are principally traded (or, in the absence of two-way trading, at the last bid price for long positions and the last ask price for short positions). Exchange-traded derivatives typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) and centrally cleared derivatives are valued using market transactions and other market evidence, including market-based inputs to models, calibration to market-clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations, or other alternative pricing sources. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value OTC and centrally cleared derivatives depends upon the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the instrument, as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, voluntary and involuntary prepayment rates, loss severity rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC and centrally cleared derivatives that trade in liquid markets, model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. OTC and centrally cleared derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy when significant inputs are corroborated by market evidence.

i. Futures Contracts — Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standardized quantity of a specified commodity or security. 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 to unrealized gains or losses. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received, if any, is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as receivables/payables for collateral on certain derivative contracts. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments.

B.  Level 3 Fair Value Investments — To the extent that significant inputs to valuation models and other alternative pricing sources are unobservable, or if 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 under Valuation Procedures approved by the Trustees. GSAM, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may make an adjustment to the most recent valuation 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 which could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market disruptions; or unscheduled market closings. Significant events which could also affect a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; ratings downgrades; and bankruptcies.

C.  Fair Value Hierarchy — The following is a summary of the Fund’s investments and derivatives classified in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:

 

Investment Type      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3  
Assets               
Common Stock(a)               

Europe

     $ 2,695,663        $        $  

North America

       284,425,111                    
Total      $ 287,120,774        $        $  

 

(a)

Amounts are disclosed by continent to highlight the impact of time zone differences between local market close and the calculation of NAV. Security valuations are based on the principal exchange or system on which they are traded, which may differ from country of domicile.

For further information regarding security characteristics, see the Schedule of Investments.

 

19


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

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

4.    INVESTMENTS IN DERIVATIVES

 

The following table sets forth, by certain risk types, the Fund’s gains (losses) related to these derivatives and their indicative volumes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. These gains (losses) should be considered in the context that these derivative contracts may have been executed to create investment opportunities and/or economically hedge certain investments, and accordingly, certain gains (losses) on such derivative contracts may offset certain (losses) gains attributable to investments. These gains (losses) are included in “Net realized gain (loss)” or “Net change in unrealized gain (loss)” on the Statement of Operations:

 

Risk    Statement of Operations   Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Net Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
    Average
Number of
Contracts(a)
 
 
Equity    Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts/Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts   $ 351,953     $ (4,030     10  

 

(a)

Average number of contracts is based on the average of month end balances for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

5.    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, accrued daily and paid monthly, equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

As of December 31, 2018, the contractual management fees with GSAM were as stated below. The effective contractual management rates and effective net management rates represent the rates for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Contractual Management Rate  

Effective
Rate

 

Effective Net
Management
Rate^

First
$1 billion
  Next
$1 billion
  Next
$3 billion
  Next
$3 billion
  Over
$8 billion
0.62%   0.59%   0.56%   0.55%   0.54%   0.62%   0.55%*

 

^

Effective Net Management Rate includes the impact of management fee waivers of affiliated Underlying Funds, if any.

*

GSAM agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in order to achieve a net management rate, as defined in the Fund’s most recent prospectus. This waiver will be effective through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without approval of the Trustees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $232,205 of its management fee.

The Fund invests in Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, which is an affiliated Underlying Fund. GSAM has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee it earns as an investment adviser to the affiliated Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests, except those management fees it earns from the Fund’s investments of cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, GSAM waived $846 of the Fund’s management fee.

B.  Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Plan — The Trust, on behalf of Service Shares of the Fund, has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Distribution and Service Plan, Goldman Sachs, which serves as distributor, is entitled to a fee accrued daily and paid monthly, for distribution services and personal and account maintenance 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 average daily net assets attributable to Service Shares. This distribution and service fee waiver will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date Goldman Sachs may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs waived $31,538 in distribution and service fees for the Fund’s Service Shares.

 

20


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

 

 

 

5.    AGREEMENTS AND AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS (continued)

 

C.  Transfer Agency Agreement — Goldman Sachs also serves as the transfer agent of the Fund for a fee pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement. The fees charged for such transfer agency services are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of Institutional and Service Shares.

D.  Other Expense Agreements and Affiliated Transactions — GSAM has agreed to limit certain “Other Expenses” of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees and shareholder administration fees (as applicable), taxes, interest, brokerage fees, expenses of shareholder meetings, litigation and indemnification, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent such expenses exceed, on an annual basis, a percentage rate of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such Other Expense reimbursements, if any, are accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Fund is not obligated to reimburse GSAM for prior fiscal year expense reimbursements, if any. The Other Expense limitation as an annual percentage rate of average daily net assets for the Fund is 0.004%. The Other Expense limitation will remain in place through at least April 30, 2019, and prior to such date GSAM may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Trustees. In addition, the Fund has entered into certain offset arrangements with the custodian and the transfer agent, which may result in a reduction of the Fund’s expenses and are received irrespective of the application of the “Other Expense” limitation described above.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, these expense reductions, including any fee waivers and Other Expense reimbursements, were as follows:

 

Management Fee
Waiver

   

Distribution and
Service Fee Waiver

   

Custody Fee
Credits

   

Other Expense
Reimbursement

   

Total Expense
Reductions

 
  $233,052     $ 31,538     $ 3,095     $ 285,577     $ 553,262  

E.  Line of Credit Facility — As of December 31, 2018, the Fund participated in a $770,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the “facility”) together with other funds of the Trust and certain registered investment companies having management agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. This facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes, or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption requests. 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the facility.

F.  Other Transactions with Affiliates — The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
    Shares as of
December 31, 2018
    Dividend Income
from Affiliated
Investment Company
 
  $—     $ 13,444,128     $ (13,444,128   $           $ 9,428  

6.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term securities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, were $563,809,702 and $672,072,414, 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

 

21


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

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

7.    SECURITIES LENDING (continued)

 

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 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. Dividend income received from securities on loan may not be subject to withholding taxes and therefore withholding taxes paid may differ from the amounts listed in the Statement of Operations. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and as such 1) the remaining contractual maturities of the outstanding securities lending transactions are considered to be overnight and continuous and 2) the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The Fund invests the cash collateral received in connection with securities lending transactions in the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund (“Government Money Market Fund”), an affiliated series of the Goldman Sachs Trust. The Government Money Market Fund is registered under the Act as an open end investment company, is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the Act, and is managed by GSAM, for which GSAM may receive a management fee of up to 0.16% (prior to February 21, 2018, GSAM may have received a management fee of up to 0.205%) on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Government Money Market Fund.

In the event of a default by a borrower with respect to any loan, GSAL will exercise any and all remedies provided under the applicable borrower agreement to make the Fund whole. These remedies include purchasing replacement securities by applying the collateral held from the defaulting broker against the purchase cost of the replacement securities. If GSAL is unable to purchase replacement securities, GSAL will indemnify the Fund by paying the Fund an amount equal to the market value of the securities loaned minus the value of cash collateral received from the borrower for the loan, subject to an exclusion for any shortfalls resulting from a loss of value in such cash collateral due to reinvestment risk. The Fund may enter into master netting agreements with borrowers, which provide the right, in the event of a default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. However, in the event of a default by a borrower, a resolution authority could determine that such rights are not enforceable due to the restrictions or prohibitions against the right of set-off that may be imposed in accordance with a particular jurisdiction’s bankruptcy or insolvency laws. The Fund’s loaned securities were all subject to enforceable Securities Lending Agreements and the value of the collateral was at least equal to the value of the cash received. The amounts of the Fund’s overnight and continuous agreements, which represent the gross amounts of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions outstanding as of December 31, 2018, are disclosed as “Payable upon return of securities loaned” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, where applicable. The Fund did not have securities on loan as of December 31, 2018.

Both the Fund and GSAL received compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities. The amounts earned, if any, by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are reported under Investment Income on the Statement of Operations.

The table below details securities lending activity with affiliates of Goldman Sachs:

 

For the fiscal year Ended December 31, 2018        
Earnings of GSAL
Relating to
Securities
Loaned
    Amount Received
by the Fund
from Lending to
Goldman Sachs
    Amount Payable to
Goldman Sachs
Upon Return of
Securities Loaned as of
December 31, 2018
 
$ 69     $ 53     $  

The following table provides information about the Fund’s investment in the Government Money Market Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

 

Beginning
Value as of
December 31, 2017
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Ending
Value as of
December 31, 2018
 
  $—     $ 3,743,740     $ (3,743,740   $  

 

22


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

 

 

 

8.    TAX INFORMATION

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

        2017        2018  
Distributions paid from:          

Ordinary income

     $ 38,065,317        $ 27,075,755  

Net long-term capital gains

       9,813,374          24,029,103  
Total taxable distributions      $ 47,878,691        $ 51,104,858  

As of December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net    $ 298,030  
Timing differences (§857 (b)(9) Deferred Dividend/Post October Loss Deferral)      (658,536
Unrealized gains — net      7,062,925  
Total accumulated gains — net    $ 6,702,419  

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund’s aggregate security unrealized gains and losses based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost    $ 280,057,849  
Gross unrealized gain      31,334,141  
Gross unrealized loss      (24,271,216
Net unrealized gain    $ 7,062,925  

The difference between GAAP-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable primarily to wash sales.

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.

9.    OTHER RISKS

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may result in loss. Derivative instruments, which may pose risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities, currencies or other instruments, may be illiquid or less liquid, volatile, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes in the value of the underlying instruments may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in more traditional securities and instruments. Losses from derivatives can also result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged.

Investments in Other Investment Companies Risk — As a shareholder of another investment company, including an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any net management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne by the Fund.

 

 

23


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

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

December 31, 2018

 

9.    OTHER RISKS (continued)

 

Large Shareholder Transactions Risk — The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, such as other funds, participating insurance companies, accounts and Goldman Sachs affiliates, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly, may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash or otherwise maintains a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

Liquidity Risk — The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to remaining investors’ interests because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. If a Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and dilute remaining investors’ interests.

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 or guarantor fails to perform or that an institution or entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions defaults.

10.    INDEMNIFICATIONS

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its Trustees, officers, employees and agents are indemnified, to the extent permitted by the Act and state law, 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

In September 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-13 — Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in the ASU modify fair value measurement disclosures. The amendments are effective for the Fund’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. GSAM is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of the amendments.

11.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the Statement of Assets and Liabilities date have been evaluated, and GSAM has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

24


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

 

 

 

12.    SUMMARY OF SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Share activity is as follows:

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2018
    For the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
 
      Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Institutional Shares         
Shares sold      416,442     $ 8,122,674       358,460     $ 6,845,622  
Reinvestment of distributions      2,739,164       41,717,467       1,635,690       31,912,323  
Shares redeemed      (1,798,863     (36,105,931     (2,153,338     (42,049,816
       1,356,743       13,734,210       (159,188     (3,291,871
Service Shares         
Shares sold      774,115       15,735,764       801,197       15,818,307  
Reinvestment of distributions      612,754       9,387,391       815,443       15,966,368  
Shares redeemed      (5,165,531     (101,893,366     (1,114,105     (21,990,356
       (3,778,662     (76,770,211     502,535       9,794,319  
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)      (2,421,919   $ (63,036,001     343,347     $ 6,502,448  

 

25


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Shareholders of

Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Insights Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Insights Fund (one of the funds constituting Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Goldman Sachs fund complex since 2000.

 

26


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

 

Fund Expenses — Six Month Period Ended December 31, 2018 (Unaudited)    

As a shareholder of Institutional or Service Shares of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or 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 Shares and 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 July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, which represents a period of 184 days of a 365 day year.

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.

 

Share Class   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/18
    Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
    Expenses Paid
for the
6 Months
Ended
12/31/18
*
 
Institutional        
       
Actual   $ 1,000     $ 902.70     $ 2.69  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,022.38     2.85  
Service        
       
Actual     1,000       901.70       3.74  
Hypothetical 5% return     1,000       1,021.27     3.97  

 

  +

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.

 

 

  *

Expenses 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 December 31, 2018. 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 0.56% and 0.78% for Institutional and Service Shares, respectively.

 

 

27


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

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

Independent Trustees

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

Jessica Palmer

Age: 69

  Chair of the Board of Trustees   Since 2018 (Trustee since 2007)  

Ms. Palmer is retired. She was formerly Director, Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture (2011-2017); and Consultant, Citigroup Human Resources Department (2007-2008); Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) (1984-2006). Ms. Palmer was a Member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Mountain School (private elementary and secondary school) (2004-2009).

 

Chair of the Board of Trustees — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Kathryn A. Cassidy

Age: 64

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Ms. Cassidy is retired. Formerly, she was Advisor to the Chairman (May 2014-December 2014); and Senior Vice President and Treasurer (2008-2014), General Electric Company & General Electric Capital Corporation (technology and financial services companies).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Diana M. Daniels

Age: 69

  Trustee   Since 2007  

Ms. Daniels is retired. Formerly, she was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, The Washington Post Company (1991-2006). Ms. Daniels is a Trustee Emeritus and serves as a Presidential Councillor of Cornell University (2013-Present); former Member of the Legal Advisory Board, New York Stock Exchange (2003-2006) and of the Corporate Advisory Board, Standish Mellon Management Advisors (2006-2007).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Herbert J. Markley

Age: 68

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Markley is retired. Formerly, he was Executive Vice President, Deere & Company (an agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer) (2007-2009); and President, Agricultural Division, Deere & Company (2001-2007). Previously, Mr. Markley served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     None

Roy W. Templin

Age: 58

  Trustee   Since 2013  

Mr. Templin is retired. He is Director, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a designer and manufacturer of ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions) (2016-Present); and was formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors, Con-Way Incorporated (a transportation, logistics and supply chain management service company) (2014-2015); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whirlpool Corporation (an appliance manufacturer and marketer) (2004-2012). Previously, Mr. Templin served as an Advisory Board Member of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (June 2013-October 2013).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (a ceiling, wall and suspension systems solutions manufacturer)

Gregory G. Weaver

Age: 67

  Trustee   Since 2015  

Mr. Weaver is retired. He is Director, Verizon Communications Inc. (2015-Present); and was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm) (2001-2005 and 2012-2014); and Member of the Board of Directors, Deloitte & Touche LLP (2006-2012).

 

Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.

    103     Verizon Communications Inc.
         

 

28


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

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Interested Trustee*

 

Name,
Address and Age1
 

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee3
   

Other

Directorships

Held by Trustee4

James A. McNamara

Age: 56

  President and Trustee   Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993- April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

    156     None
         

 

*Mr.

McNamara is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds positions with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. McNamara holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

1 

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Caroline Kraus. Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2 

Subject to such policies as may be adopted by the Board from time-to-time, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term, until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; or (c) the termination of the Trust. The Board has adopted policies which provide that (a) no Trustee shall hold office for more than 15 years and (b) a Trustee shall retire as of December 31st of the calendar year in which he or she reaches his or her 74th birthday, unless a waiver of such requirement shall have been adopted by a majority of the other Trustees. These policies may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote.

3 

The Goldman Sachs Fund Complex includes certain other companies listed above for each respective Trustee. As of December 31, 2018, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (88 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 13 portfolios; Goldman Sachs Trust II consisted of 19 portfolios (17 of which offered shares to the public); Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC each consisted of one portfolio; and Goldman Sachs ETF Trust consisted of 29 portfolios (14 of which offered shares to the public).

4 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

Additional information about the Trustees is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States of America): 1-800-526-7384.

 

29


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

 

Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (continued)

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address and Age1  

Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Term of

Office and
Length of
Time Served2

  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
James A. McNamara

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 56

  Trustee and
President
  Since 2007  

Advisory Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2018-Present); Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2000-December 2017); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998-December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993-April 1998).

 

President and Trustee — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Caroline L. Kraus

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 41

  Secretary   Since 2012  

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2015); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2012-Present); Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August 2006-December 2011); and Associate, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP (2002-2006).

 

Secretary — Goldman Sachs Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (previously Assistant Secretary (2012)); Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.; Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC; Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp.; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Scott M. McHugh

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Age: 47

  Treasurer, Senior
Vice President and
Principal Financial
Officer
  Since 2009

(Principal
Financial
Officer since
2013)

 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (January 2016-Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007-December 2015); Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered by DWS Scudder (2005-2007); and Director (2005-2007), Vice President (2000-2005), and Assistant Vice President (1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its predecessor (1998-2007).

 

Treasurer, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

Joseph F. DiMaria

30 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

Age: 50

  Assistant Treasurer
and Principal
Accounting Officer
  Since 2016
(Principal
Accounting
Officer since
2017)
 

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2015-Present) and Vice President — Mutual Fund Administration, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

(May 2010-October 2015).

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer — Goldman Sachs Trust; Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust; Goldman Sachs Trust II; Goldman Sachs MLP Income Opportunities Fund; Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund; Goldman Sachs ETF Trust; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 LLC; Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (A) LLC; and Goldman Sachs Private Markets Fund 2018 (B) LLC.

     

 

*

Represents a partial list of officers of the Trust. Additional information about all the officers is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained from Goldman Sachs free of charge by calling this toll-free number (in the United States): 1-800-526-7384.

1 

Information is provided as of December 31, 2018.

2

Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.

 

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust — Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, 22.78% of the dividends paid from net investment company taxable income by the U.S. Equity Insights Fund qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the U.S. Equity Insights Fund designates $24,029,103, or, if different, the maximum amount allowable, as capital gain dividends paid during the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

30


TRUSTEES   OFFICERS
Jessica Palmer, Chair   James A. McNamara, President
Kathryn A. Cassidy   Scott M. McHugh, Treasurer, Senior Vice
Diana M. Daniels        President and Principal Financial Officer
Herbert J. Markley  

Joseph F. DiMaria, Assistant Treasurer and

     Principal Accounting Officer

Caroline L. Kraus, Secretary

James A. McNamara
Roy W. Templin
Gregory G. Weaver  

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

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.GSAMFUNDS.com 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.

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 for the 12-month period ended December 31 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-Qs are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov within 60 days after the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters. Form N-Qs may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-621-2550.

Views and opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation by GSAM to buy, sell, or hold any security. Views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation and may be subject to change, they should not be construed as investment advice.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, and was written to support the promotion or marketing of transaction or matter addressed. Clients of Goldman Sachs should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

The website links provided are for your convenience only and are not an endorsement or recommendation by GSAM of any of these websites or the products or services offered. GSAM is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content of these websites.

Fund holdings and allocations shown are as of December 31, 2018 and may not be representative of future investments. Fund holdings should not be relied on in making investment decisions and should not be construed as research or investment advice regarding particular securities. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

References to indices, benchmarks or other measures of relative market performance over a specified period of time are provided for your information only and do not imply that the portfolio will achieve similar results. The index composition may not reflect the manner in which a portfolio is constructed. While an adviser seeks to design a portfolio which reflects appropriate risk and return features, portfolio characteristics may deviate from those of the benchmark.

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.

The portfolio risk management process includes an effort to monitor and manage risk, but does not imply low risk.

Shares of the Goldman Sachs VIT 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 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 may realize with respect to your investments. Ask your representative for more complete information. Please consider a fund’s objectives, risks and charges and expenses, and read the prospectus carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund.

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 the 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 the Fund and may be obtained from your authorized dealer or from Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC 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 — Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Insights Fund.

© 2019 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

VITUSAR-19/157044-OTU-916570/7.5K


ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

 

  (a)

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party (the “Code of Ethics”).

 

  (b)

During the period covered by this report, no amendments were made to the provisions of the Code of Ethics.

 

  (c)

During the period covered by this report, the registrant did not grant any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from any provision of the Code of Ethics.

 

  (d)

A copy of the Code of Ethics is available as provided in Item 13(a)(1) of this report.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

    

The registrant’s board of trustees has determined that the registrant has at least one “audit committee financial expert” (as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR) serving on its audit committee. Gregory G. Weaver is the “audit committee financial expert” and is “independent” (as each term is defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR).

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Item 4 — Principal Accountant Fees and Services for the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (“GSVIT”):

Table 1 – Items 4(a) - 4(d)

 

     2018      2017     

Description of Services Rendered

Audit Fees:

        

• PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”)

   $
476,700
 
   $ 508,700      Financial statement audits.

Audit-Related Fees

        

PwC

   $
18,142
 
   $ —        Other attest services.

Tax Fees

        

PwC

   $ 116,270      $ 116,271      Tax compliance services provided in connection with the preparation and review of the Registrant’s tax returns.

Items 4(b)(c) & (d) Table 2. Non-Audit Services to the GSVIT’s * that were pre-approved by the GSVIT’s Audit Committee pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X

 

     2018      2017     

Description of Services Rendered

Audit-Related Fees

        

PwC

   $ 1,845,098      $ 1,860,429      Internal control review performed in accordance with Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 16 and Semi-Annual Updates related to withholding tax accrual for non-US Jurisdictions. These fees are borne by the Funds’ adviser.

 

*

These include the advisor (excluding sub-advisors) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the advisor that provides ongoing services to the registrant (hereinafter referred to as “service affiliates”).

Item 4(e)(1) — Audit Committee Pre Approval Policies and Procedures

Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services Provided to the Funds of the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. The Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (the “Policy”) adopted by the Audit Committee of GSVIT sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services performed by an independent auditor for GSVIT may be pre-approved. Services may be pre-approved specifically by the Audit Committee as a whole or, in certain circumstances, by the Audit Committee Chairman or the person designated as the Audit Committee Financial Expert. In addition, subject to specified cost limitations, certain services may be pre-approved under the provisions of the Policy. The Policy provides that the Audit Committee will consider whether the services provided by an independent auditor are consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules on auditor independence. The Policy provides for periodic review and pre-approval by the Audit Committee of the services that may be provided by the independent auditor.

De Minimis Waiver. The pre-approval requirements of the Policy may be waived with respect to the provision of non-audit services that are permissible for an independent auditor to perform, provided (1) the aggregate amount of all such services provided constitutes no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues subject to pre-approval that was paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; (2) such services were not recognized by GSVIT at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (3) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Audit Committee or by one or more members of the Audit Committee to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Audit Committee, pursuant to the pre-approval provisions of the Policy.

Pre-Approval of Non-Audit Services Provided to GSVIT’s Investment Advisers. The Policy provides that, in addition to requiring pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided to GSVIT, the Audit Committee will pre-approve those non-audit services provided to GSVIT’s investment advisers (and entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment advisers that provide ongoing services to GSVIT) where the engagement relates directly to the operations or financial reporting of GSVIT.

Item 4(e)(2) — 0% of the audit-related fees, tax fees and other fees listed in Table 1 were approved by GSVIT’s Audit Committee pursuant to the “de minimis” exception of Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X. In addition, 0% of the non-audit services to the GSVIT’s service affiliates listed in Table 2 were approved by GSVIT’s Audit Committee pursuant to the “de minimis” exception of Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.

Item 4(f) — Not applicable.

Items 4(g) Aggregate Non-Audit Fees Disclosure

The aggregate non-audit fees billed to GSVIT for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 by PwC were approximately $134,412 and $116,271, respectively.

The aggregate non-audit fees billed to GSVIT’s adviser and service affiliates for non-audit services for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 by PwC were approximately $9.4 million and $11.4 million, respectively. The figures for these entities are not yet available for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. With regard to the aggregate non-audit fees billed to GSVIT’s adviser and service affiliates, the 2017 and 2016 amounts include fees for non-audit services required to be pre-approved [see Table 2] and fees for non-audit services that did not require pre-approval since they did not directly relate to GSVIT’s operations or financial reporting.


Items 4(h) — GSVIT’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services to GSVIT’s investment adviser and service affiliates that did not require pre-approval pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence.

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Reports to Shareholders filed under Item 1.

 

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 last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS.

 

(a)(1)       Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust’s Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12(a)(1) of the registrant’s Form N-CSR filed on February 27, 2015.
(a)(2)    Exhibit 99.CERT    Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith
(a)(3)      

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

(a)(4)       There was no change in the registrant’s independent public accountant for the period covered by this report.
(b)    Exhibit 99.906CERT    Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith


SIGNATURES

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

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

 

/s/ James A. McNamara

By: James A. McNamara

Chief Executive Officer of

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Date: February 22, 2019

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the 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

Chief Executive Officer of

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Date: February 22, 2019

/s/ Scott McHugh

By: Scott McHugh

Principal Financial Officer of

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Date: February 22, 2019